Shadows of Bankor

Once again dressed down, for the usually snappily dressed reporter, Ria'la slipped quickly through the slums with his head down until he found the Resistance Safe House. Quickly running through the required security he eventually sauntered into the room carrying a bottle and two glasses.

"Well Handsome, took me a while but I found you a decent bottle of red."


--

/ooc Not closed but I believe you need to know where the Resistance Safe House is to visit it.

Rayne glanced over his shoulder as he was discussing things with a few other resistance agents and then nodded to them. They picked up parcels and notes and then exited the room as he said, “You do realize that I was joking… but since you have the wine I suppose it should not go to waste.”

He put a custom blaster pistol back in a holster at his side and said, “Are we doing another interview?”

"You can call it an interview if you like. I left Binky at home but Dray is powered down in my pack if you want it recorded. I thought we could just . . . you know, have a chat. See where things are going, now that you've had time to think and commit."

He sat down, placing the bottle and glasses on a nearby table.

"Not well honestly, but better than expected," he said in reply.

"We have a long way to go."

He smiled before letting it tail off into a look of introspection.

"I was at the Enclave when that bitch rolled over it. The Razing it's being called. Doesn't do justice to the utter slaughter of innocents the Empire perpetrated that day. This is what you meant when we talked out in the desert the first time isn't it?"

“The Empire hits hard and often first. It’s not the first time I have seen that response and it won’t be the last. It’s effective though, easy way to cow people into compliance, but if people think they have nothing to lose then not even violence will hold them back,” he said in reply.

"So they intend to rule by fear?"

He wasn't familiar with the Tarkin Doctrine, nobody would be at this stage, but he had the basics worked out from what they'd done so far.

"Fear or violence, when all else fails," he responded.

"Bosses are pushing me to do an article on 'all the good the new Admiral has her troops doing in the city' like the new animal sanctuary thing. Say it will offset the flak I'm getting for the piece on The Razing."

He poured out two generous glasses of wine.

"I told them where they could kriffing stuff that bunch of bantha poodoo."

“Well Admiral Yulani was a steady Republic officer and now she remains so as an Imperial officer she believes in the cause, I am sure and I think her intent is honest. She’s also a ruthless and canny tactician so there is also that,” he responded.

“Not willing to do a fluff piece for peace of mind?”

"Not one that promotes our oppressors. I'll probably get sent to cover the bantha shearing contest out at the farms or something. The company is frightened that the Imps will shut them down."

He picked up the glass and took a large swallow.

"Fear again. Damn it. We've gotta do something to give the planet hope again. That Mia wants me to help her get a message out on the HoloNet. As far as we can. Let folks know they're not alone."

“Not a bad idea, not the best idea but not a bad one either,” he responded honestly.

“What motivates this drive to defy the Empire, it seems far easier for your career to just two the line.”

"I grew up in a Bankor that was part of the Republic. We minded our own business and the Republic pretty much left us alone. Yes we had a few laws to toe the line on and the occasional squabble over a tariff or something, but we were free. Then the Jedi caused that ruckus on the capital and we got the Clone Wars. Pretty much ignored here to be honest. We're just an outer rim 'rock' neh? Now I have no idea if the Jedi were as bad as the Empire says. There is so much stuff out there that not all of it could be Imperial propaganda. Even a thorough professional hatchet job needs something to work with, and wow, this is a hatchet job all right. I'm prepared to accept that the Jedi weren't all bad, but they for sure had something to do with the Wars. That Oraka guy turning up today and his students appearing by the half dozen hasn't thrilled me I can say. We'll be watching them as closely as we watch the Imperials."

He took a deep drink.

"But, point is the Wars went on, Palpatine seized absolute power on Coruscant and the Empire was born. Suddenly sleepy ole Bankor has a whole new slew of restrictive laws, military occupation and a rule of fear instituted. The galaxy wide HoloNet, something we used to all have access to is Imperial only now. That irks me. But why do I fight? Because Bankor should be free. All that I told you about the Mandalorian invasion in the distant past? All true. Bankor fights to be free. We fight to be free. I fight to be free. We've got to have hope we'll win."

He took another long sip.

"So Handsome, that's why I joined the Resistance."

He listened and then replied, “The Jedi were drug into the war, you’re right to be wary, they are dangerous but not ambitious or power hungry. From what I have pieced together the war was about weakening and spreading out the Order and then well they got betrayed from the sounds of it, it was a master stroke and it allowed Palpatine to seize power.”

“Not here to change your mind on that but this fight is bigger than just Bankor it’s important, but the fight is bigger.”

He smirked at the last bit, “Handsome, well thank you, is that your interest here? I am not rebutting it, but in my line of work I like to keep things clear.”

Ria'la peered at him over the rim of his wine glass, slowly emptied it with a long swallow and carefully placed it on the table.

The he got up, dusted off practically imaginary dust from his clothes and moved over to Rayne, sitting himself in the former 'trooper's lap and wrapping both arms around his shoulders.

"Clear enough?"

He laughed easily and said, "I see... well you'll forgive me if I want at least a little romance before we move forward that quickly. It's not unwanted just seems we skipped a few steps unless this is what it is in the moment?"

"I am not exactly the type to settle down, maybe it is failing but I like to be honest about that."

"Neither am I. I've never been one to dally too long with someone. Settling down an happen after the Wars."

He reached for the wine bottle and realised he was too short to quite reach it and also unwilling to give up his new seat.

Rayne handed it to him "I see."

"Shall we celebrate then?"

"Sure!"

He carefully poured another glass of wine and looked to see if Rayne needed a refill yet.

He was not in a drinking mood as he shifted to another enjoyable activity.

/screenwipe to rainy shenanigans?

Oh yes.

Ria'la's hair shrouded his next action as he leaned in and . . .


/screenwipe