Log Date: 3/1/97 Log Cast: Skeezix, Shenner, Dillon, Kaley, Kuxli, Quick Log Intro: In the middle of fretfully waiting for the command brass of the NRV _Alderaan_ to allow Grathix to land his ship in their docking bay, Shenner has found herself in the uncomfortable position of finding out all sorts of sensitive information -- not only of an intelligence nature, like the whereabouts of Han Solo, but also of a personal nature, like Jessalyn's feelings for Luke Skywalker and the death of the wife of Captain Calhoun. Shenner is unnerved by all the stress she's been seeing exhibited by the personnel on this ship, and also by a growing sense that she has no real business being there, Luke Skywalker's concern for her safety and the need to find the missing General Solo aside -- for after all, now that she's offered up what information she has, what can a street rat bard do to aid the effort to find the captive General? It's in this frustrated frame of mind that Shenner hunkers down for another practice session with her guitar in the crews' quarters.... ---------- Skeezix walks into the Crew Quarters, his new Brigadier General's patch shining in the dim light. Skeezix The man before you stands to about 5'11. He is bulky, agile and carries a determined look in his vivid blue eyes. He is young, looking to be about 26, his short brown hair just starting to show age. A gold wedding band is always worn on his left hand ring finger. He is currently dressed in a skin-tight black jumpsuit that runs from his neck to feet, covering his arms and ending in a pair of black gloves. A dark brown protective vest covers his upper body and the back of his neck. Strapped around his waist is a jet black utility belt, carrying some important field utilities, ration packs, a medpack, and numerous extras. His durable leather holster is wrapped down a short length of his right leg and slung low for quick access. Inside the holster, a heavy blaster pistol can be seen. A pair of shiny black combat boots run up to his midcalf, tied tightly. A shiny, new rankplate has been placed over his left breast - the five pips denoting him to be a Brigadier General. Carrying: R2-L1 NRGO_Lecture_Object Tactical Roster R2-L1 Remote/Datapad(#2774OVX) The young redhead Shenner is parked again on 'his' bunk, crosslegged, guitar in lap; the kid's scowling intently and is ripping a path through a fast-paced melody line. Evidently Shenner doesn't quite have it down to 'his' satisfaction; once or twice, the kid's fingers fumble on the strings, making the scowl deepen. Skeezix grins as he walks over towards Shenner. "Kid," he says, "You've got it all wrong. You can't approach a problem with a bad attitude." Shenner jumps, looking up, and blinking distractedly. "What?" comes a blank response. He shakes his head and says, "You seem too frustrated, kid." The General nods to 'his' guitar and says, "Take it easy, and try again." Shenner's brow crinkles under that short forelock. "Karkin' right I'm frustrated, been workin' on this all mornin'," the kid mutters. Another attempt at the fast, complex passage produces a new variant on discords in the key of G, and Shenner scowls anew. Skeezix laughs, "Kid, you need to take a few minutes to relax. Go grab a drink or something. Then you can come back and try again." He shakes his head, his grin fading. "Scowling over it won't help." Shenner studies the man, 'his' own look somewhere between peevish and vaguely embarrassed, now. "I, uh... thought I should stay in here." Shen shrugs, and starts fingering the measures again, slower this time, but the strings make another unpleasant noise at 'him' as if in protest. Skeezix shakes his head, "Nonsense... you're just not allowed in the Fore Corridor or the Bridge." "I know," Shenner mutters grumpily, "I'm just tryin' to stay out of the way, see? Till y'all let Grath land. It ain't like I got a use on this boat." One more time. Eighth note pair up, eighth note pair down, syncopate through those next two beats -- miss the chord. The kid smacks the guitar, and lifts clearly stiff hands off the strings to try and stretch them out. Skeezix asks, "Who is this Grath character, anyway?" Shenner rubs fretfully at the fingertips of 'his' right hand, and answers without looking up, "My boss." "You have a job?" the General asks, growing a bit perplexed. He walks over towards the kid's bunk, his arms swinging lazily at his sides. Shenner rolls one shoulder in another shrug. "Don't much look like it, anymore, since your General Solo ain't on Etti IV anymore." Skeezix nods gravely, "No kidding. You say he was sent to Palanhi, correct?" Shenner does look up, then, brows drawing together over green eyes. "Well... I thought Jess... um, Major Valios?" The youngster sounds a trifle uncertain about the name, or the rank, or both. "... said that. We didn't find out where he was." Skeezix nods, "She must have..but nevertheless.... we know that's where he was sent. I'm... just trying to figure out /how/ Palanhi fits in with all that's happened so far.." He pauses, then chuckles despite himself. "Not like I know everything already." Shenner shifts to massaging the left hand with the right, while saying wearily, "Well, you probably know a damn sight more 'n' I do, pal." Skeezix plops down onto a cot nearby and offers a smirk over to Shenner. "Yeah, yer probably right, like it matters?" Skeezix shakes his head idly and says, "There's just so much more to be learned." Once more the youngster shrugs, as if sullen indifference were 'his' elected Mood of the Day. "Yeah, so, well, that's why I'm stayin' out of your all's way, so you can do it." Skeezix grins, "Ya know.. you could be /in/ our way... and helpin' us do it." Shenner lifts that green gaze, just slightly, clearly sliding the General a look while trying to pretend not to -- a chord, perhaps, struck with the youngster, if not with the guitar. But Shenner says neutrally, "Don't see much use for a street bard with y'all." The General's voice comes out somewhat contradicting. "Not true, kid... not true at all. If I remember correctly... a farm boy from a dust ball called Tattoine won the battle of Yavin... and we could use what info ya might know." Shenner, for no easily discernible reason, winces ever so slightly at the mention of the desert world. And as if in haste to cover it, Shen parries, "I told Luke -- er, um... the Jedi -- everything already." The frown on Skeezix's face shows more than a bit of concern. "Shenner, you've got to tell me what you told him." He looks over at Shenner with icy blue eyes. "Please." Dillon enters from the Aft Main Corridor. Dillon has arrived. Skeezix, from his seat on a cot next to Shenner's, looks over as Dillon enters. His eyes show a deep concern as he takes a moment to recognize Dillon. He then looks back to Shenner, slowly. Dillon Before you is a man about 6 feet in height. His hair is dark brown and combed neatly. He is a handsome man, but none of his features are striking or unusual. His face his mostly smooth, except for the crow's feet begining to set in the corner's of his eyes. His eyes would be listed as hazel in any form of ID but their true color is closer to grey. His jaw looks tough and square. He is wearing a pair of gleaming white trousers a light blue under shirt and a lab technicians coat. In his left hand he carries a data pad, which is looking down at every chance he gets. His hands look large and powerful, yet not exageratedly so. They look very sooth, as if they have never encountered manual labor and his finger nails are neat and trim. He is sporting a 5 oclock shadow, beard. Shenner, at the soft swish of the door, looks up warily at the new arrival, then back at the man questioning 'him'. "He didn't tell yah?" Skeezix shakes his head and mutters quietly to Shenner. Skeezix whispers, "No... he was in too much of a hurry to /leave/. It's got me worried." Dillon stammers in, looking down at his data pad. He looks around the room for a bit and bites his lower lip. He takes a few more steps in notices Shenner and Skeezix for the first time, he smiles at both of them and asks no one in general, "Where can a fella get a decent meal around here?" Shenner's brow crinkles at Skeezix's mutter, but the kid offers no reply, glancing at the General to see if he'll handle this. Skeezix glances up to Dillon and motions towards a food dispenser near the door. "O'er there," he calls out, then looks back to Shenner, meeting his gaze with a solid nod. Dillon looks toward the dispenser and ohhs. He grins warmly and nods to Skeezix before heading towards it. He reaches the machine and pause for a few moments, as he looks over the choices available. Shenner leans warily closer to Skeezix, frowning. Skeezix senses, "Shenner whispers, blankly, "Skywalker's gone?"" Dillon continues browsing over the choices and he raises his right hand up to select one. He grumble, "Crap! That's not what I wanted, stupid machine. I want the L'lahsh damnit!" Skeezix nods slowly to Shenner, and mutters something back to him. Skeezix whispers, "Yes.. he left late last night." The youngster with the guitar glances over at the angry man at the caterer; then, grudgingly, Shenner returns attention to the General. Shenner might be seen to frown, looking worried, now, the earlier sullen mood cracking. You whisper, "Um.... I don't know where he went..." to Skeezix. Skeezix perks an eyebrow at Shenner and nods slowly. He murmurs something to the 'boy', intent drawn on his face. Dillon watches as the machine dispenses the correct food this time. He takes his L'lahsh and breaths in deeply, "Ah, I haven't had any of this in a long time." He looks down at the plate of food that the machine had dispensed originally and turns back to Skeezix and Shenner, "Anybody want some fried Bantha crud? I sure as hell am not going to eat it." Skeezix whispers, "Kid... I gotta know anything you can tell me about Solo." Shenner's green gaze flicks around to the other man, and the kid's nose crinkles on the word 'Bantha'. "No thanks," comes a wary mutter, though it's clear most of the youngster's attention remains on the General. Skeezix seems to politely ignore Dillon, his hands forming together to rest across one knee as he sits, leaning forward, speaking with Shenner. Skeezix senses, "Shenner is clearly wavering. The angry glower the kid had been wearing has started to shift into a strange mingle of wariness... and concern. "Look..." Pitching 'his' voice very low, Shen says huskily, "what I know ain't much... and there ain't much of it that's about your General, see?"" Dillon shrugs and leaves the Bantha crud near the dispenser. He turns back toward the middle of the room and looks around. He sneers slightly and mumbles, "This place isn't exactly a dining hall now is it? I guess I'll just go find some place where I can sit down and eat my food." Dillon walks towards the exit You sense: Skeezix nods slowly, "Yeah, I gotcha. Just trying to dig up anything I can.." Dillon enters the Aft Main Corridor. Dillon has left. Shenner's gaze flicks after the departed stranger, and then the kid sighs. Skeezix sighs and leans back into the cot. "I just hope we find out what we need about this Lady Alora person.." Shenner's brow furrows. "Uhm... Skywalker said... she's like him. A, uh... Jedi." Skeezix blinks and looks over to Shenner. "A Jedi Knight?" He frowns slightly and asks, "Corrupted, or... like Luke?" The youngster goes decidedly paler. In a small voice, Shenner says, "He said...." 'He' closes his eyes a moment, consulting memory. "Luke said.... she wasn't 'completely consumed', yet. Whatever that means. I... asked Luke about whether she coulda gotten out of my head that... my boss was lookin' for Solo." Skeezix nods slowly and says, "I see." He frowns deeply and mutters something under his breath... something along the lines of, "Don't get yerself killed, Skywalker.." Shenner, looking up again -- and looking decidedly scared -- says almost meekly, "So... see... all I know is.... my boss was lookin' for Solo, and... I'm worried about this Lady, 'cause I can't think of any other reason she'da been buggin' me, except if she knew what we were doin'. She tried to give me money." Shenner finishes, "But... we didn't find out nothin', see? I just kinda got in the middle of Luke's fight, and, uh, well, here I am." Skeezix folds his arms over his chest and says, "You know, this /might/ have something to do with it all..." He looks away for a moment, thoughtfully, then back to the kid next to him. "Well, ya can't go back to Etti... for all you know, she could be waitin' there for you." Shenner nods, unsettledly. "Grathix and I... gotta talk about that, I guess... ain't got no reason to go back anyhow, since Solo ain't down there, except..." The kid looks vaguely troubled for a moment, suddenly. Skeezix leans forward, his fingers entwined together. "Except what?" he asks. Shenner lowers 'his' eyes. "I kinda got a friend down there. I bet he's worried." The General's gaze suddenly turns apologetic. "I'm sorry... to hear that. Is your friend in danger?" Shenner's face turns more troubled. "I dunno," the kid mumbles. Skeezix looks to the floor and asks, "Who's your friend?" Shenner shifts a bit, moving the guitar in 'his' lap. "His name's Shikh..." Skeezix hmmms and says, "I don't know if I can do anything to help... the CSA knows about me already." He shakes his head and asks, "Maybe if Caspar could... look into it?" Shenner blinks and looks back at the General. "You... could contact him?" Skeezix says, "I couldn't contact him through space... but I might have a couple friends who could." _That_, definitely, gets through to the kid; Shen's expression melts entirely into something that's grateful, almost shy. And more than a little surprised. "I ain't hardly told you nothin', though." "I know the feeling," The General says curtly. "Besides, this might help key in on this deal with Solo." "I just... well, see, he got real worried about Alora buggin' me, see, I-I just want him to know I'm okay," Shenner blurts. Skeezix nods to Shenner. "I don't think getting the message to him is much of a problem, kid." Shenner smiles, crookedly, blinking a bit and looking as if 'he' doesn't quite know what to say, now. Kaley enters from the Aft Main Corridor. Kaley has arrived. Kaley smiles. "Hi. I'm not interupting am I?" Skeezix leans back into the cot again, appearing a bit grateful for the hard surface. He smirks as Shenner boggles and glances over to Kaley. "Not at all.. Kaley was it?" Shenner blinks a time or two more, then looks up startledly at Kaley's entrance. "Uh... no... it's okay..." Kuxli has connected. Kaley smiles. "Yeah, and you are..." She pauses breifly, "Beaubos?" Kaley looks at you for a moment. Kaley sits near the boy. "And your Shenner." Skeezix nods to Kaley, "Yep." To the wise idea, one might notice the newer-looking five-pipped rankplate on his left breast, typical of a New Republic General. Shenner nods, smiling half-heartedly. "Yeah." Kuxli sretches his furry arms from atop his bunk as he wakes up, blinking a few times as he adjusts to the light. He sits up slowly, sliding his long legs over the edge of the bunk. Kaley smiles at Skeezix. "Hey, you've been promoted since we last talked. Way to go." Shenner does a bit of a double-take, and shoots a glance back at the man who had been questioning 'him'. "Huh?" Skeezix grins slightly, though he can't manage to hide his hint of embarrasment. "Thanks... it was a complete surprise, really." Dillon enters from the Aft Main Corridor. Dillon has arrived. Kaley moves closer to Shenner. "So how have you been handling yourself lately?" Dillon walks into the crew quarters looking very intent and determined. He walks right up to Skeezix and asks in a serious and urgent tone, "Sir, may I have a word with you?" Shenner shifts positions on the bunk, better settling the guitar in 'his' lap, and offers gruffly, "Just tryin' to keep out of the way while everybody works..." Then, the kid trails off at the new interruption. Skeezix looks up to Dillon, his embarrased face covered by one of determination. He stands up and nods before saying, "Certainly... Dillon, right?" Kaley frowns at the seriousness but stays uninvolved. Kuxli blinks, still not totally awake. He glances over as the door opens, sniffing the air lightly as he notices it's Dillon. He eyes the man, but doesn't say anything. Dillon nods to Skeezix, his determination unwavering and unaware of anyone other than Skeezix, "That's right. Has Luke reported in from Palahni?" Skeezix asks, "Well... that depends." He gives Dillon a long gaze before adding, "How long ago /was/ Skywalker at Palanhi?" Dillon stands rigid and continues speaking in an urgent tone, "When we both saw him and Jessalyn storm out of the medsuite. That's when they left." Skeezix nods and says, "No. They're still gone." One of his eyelids lower a bit as he peers loosely at Dillon, almost as if scrutinizing him. Kuxli itches behind one furry ear, he glances at Skeezix, "They let Jessalyn off ship? 10 min's after almost /dying/?" Shenner's attention flicks to Kuxli as the young Horansi steps into the conversation; Shen's eyes widen at Kuxli's words, though. Dillon looks down from Skeezix and swallows hard. He looks back up and his voice sound more urgent than ever, "I have reason to fear that they may not be returning, unless we can get to them in time." Kuxli shakes his head slowly, "I dont think she's in any state to go anywhere, after almost killing herself on an overdose.." Skeezix looks over to Kuxli and asks, "We've not seen Major Valios anywhere... but that doesn't mean that she left with them." He looks abck to Dillion, thinking that it might be possible that she did. "Well," he speaks slowly to Dillion, "Now I'll have to think about that one... won't I?" Dillon responds immidiately, in an almost desperate tone, "We don't have time to think. They may all be dead!" Kuxli pauses a moment, his ears lay back as he glances at Dillon then back to Skeezix, "And no one is worried about her? The head of Milops just disappears, 10 mins after OD'ing on drugs, and no one looks for her?" Skeezix narrows his eyes as he watches Dillon. "And what happens if this is a trap, Dillon? You /did/ work for the CSA, didn't you?" Dillon nods quickly, "Yes, yes I did and I am almost sure this was a trap. If this was a trap the Empire may already be holding Luke, Princess Leia, Winter, Jessalyn and Solo." Skeezix chews on his lower lip, his eyes narrowing in distant anger, perhaps frustration. He looks over to Shenner for a long moment, saying nothing. Shenner, getting glanced at, frowns, and gets up. "I know a cue to leave when I see one," the kid mutters. Skeezix shakes his head, "No, kid.... it's.." He shakes his head, "Nevermind." He looks back to Dillon and asks, "Well, tell me something. How do you expect to deal with this problem?" Kuxli lets out a growl-sigh, then leans back against the wall, he gaze dancing between Skeezix and Dillon as they speak, ears perked back up. Dillon looks at Skeezix with a sense of urgency and speaks as if every word is of paramount importance, "General, sir. I think that a support team should be sent to Palahni to back them up. Just incase they have walked into the Empire's snare." Skeezix asks, "A support team?" His eyelashes seem to flutter as his eyes narrow again. "And do /you/ know how strong the Empire is at Palanhi?" he asks, growing a bit convincing himself. "Tell me how large of a force you think we'll /need/ to turn a mission of this calibre from a suicide mission into one that could actually work." Dillon stands firm and resolved, "Sir, I know this much. The Empire has no functional outpost on Palahni. The team need not be very big, only large enough to lay down enough supressing fire to allow Luke, the Princess, Jessalyn, and Winter time to escape." Shenner eyes that door again -- but doesn't flee, not yet, having registered the General's comment. And Shenner quietly puts in, "Doncha'll think you oughtta find out if the Empire actually has 'em first, before you start shootin'?" Kuxli tilts his head back, running his tounge over his front fangs before he speaks, "Before we go jumping into a big ole battle.. why dont we send someone to find out if their even captured..." Kuxli glances at Shenner as 'he' speaks exactly what was thinking, a small grin forming on his face. Shenner suddenly grins broadly at Kuxli. The General nods, as if in agreement. "You are absolutely correct, Dillon. However," he says, acknowledging Shenner's comment, "we don't know if the Imperials /have/ taken them to Palanhi. It could be one big rumor. And wouldn't be surprised if the Empire'd reinforce Palanhi with one big garrison /full/ of Stormtroopers." Dillon turns toward Shenner and Kuxli and states in a serious tone, "And how do you propose we do that? Simply ask the Empire if they have them? We still aren't even sure if they have Solo." Kuxli looks back to Dillon, a smirk now on his furry face, "Oh come on, it'd be easy. Send a few people there, if they got arressted im sure /someone/ would have noticed." Skeezix slowly folds his arms over his chest and quiets himself with a scowl as the others begin to speak. Dillon looks back at Kuxli no expression other than urgency obvious on his face, "A few people have already gone to Palahni and we are not sure as to what has happend to them. If they were arrested, no one noticed." Kuxli leans forward, his gaze still on Dillon, he quarks a toothy grin, "They haven't? What makes you so sure eh? Like he said, Palanhi is an Imperial planet, now why would Imps go and tell the NR fleet that they have prisoners? I dont think so, just send a few people over there. " Skeezix nods slowly and speaks to Dillon, "Then we don't know taht they are at Palanhi. Where is the logic in /going/ there?" He doesn't yell these words, yet they do come out at a higher velocity, a bit of an edge to them. Shenner, at Dillon's words, just shrugs. "All this is way over _my_ head, pal," the kid says to the man. "Just thought I'd point it out." Looking uneasy, again, Shenner shrugs, and quietly slips out. [However, apparently, Dillon and Skeezix decide to take their conversation to a more private location, as Kaley and Kuxli remain in the crews' quarters. Out in the hall, Shenner sees the two men go by, so opts to head back into the crews' quarters....] You enter the Crew Quarters. Crew Quarters -- NRV Alderaan This is the crew quarters for the RAF Alderaan. A few bunks line the walls. Contents: Kaley Kuxli Lelila's Bunk Mistral's bunk Obvious exits: Starboard leads to Aft Corridor -- NRV Alderaan. Shenner, glancing warily over 'his' shoulder as 'he' enters, steps through the door. Kaley watches Shenner and smiles. "Can you not find a place to sit?" Quick enters from the Aft Main Corridor. Quick has arrived. Quick enters the Aft Main Corridor. Quick has left. Shenner, restlessly, pads back towards 'his' bunk and the abandoned guitar. "Just wanted to make sure the brass weren't gonna come back in here and talk, I guess," the kid says shortly. Kaley says, "Nah, they noticed I was paying attention and decided to find a new place to talk. Oh well, I didn't understand most of what they were saying any way." Kuxli lets out a growl-sigh, then runs his claws over the fur atop his head. "Oh well.." he mumbles out. He sniffs the air lightly, glancing around the other's in the room before contenting himself with looking down at the floor. Shenner half-smiles and moves 'his' guitar out of the way before flopping down onto 'his' claimed bunk. Kuxli hops off the bunk, he looks between the two, "You guys wanna go get somethin eat. I dunno about you two, but I can't stand being in this room much longer." Shenner looks up, restlessly. "Got any ideas on where, pal?" Kuxli pauses a moment, then shrugs with a toothy grin, "Mess hall maybe?" Shenner gets up, laying the guitar aside. "You know where one is, I'm with yah. Let's go." Kuxli tilts his head back, then replies with the grin still on his face, "Well I know where the kitchen is, mess hall can't be to far from that." Skeezix enters from the Aft Main Corridor. Skeezix has arrived. Quick enters from the Aft Main Corridor. Quick has arrived. The starboard doors whisk open and General Calhoun steps in, eyeing those present quietly. Shenner grins to Kuxli, then pauses in the middle of following Kuxli out. Kuxli is standing by his bunk, his back to the door, ears perked up and his tail swaying behind him. Quick sticks his head in the door as it opens and steps in, he quickly side steps to allow the people out. Kuxli glances over as the door opens, studying Skeezix for a moment before heading out the door, motioning with his hand for Shenner to follow, "Come on" he says. "Um. 'Scuse us?" Shenner offers, sheepishly, moving to step past the newcomers along with Kux. Skeezix looks over to Kaley, the only one left who he knows, and walks over towards her. Quick moves even more over to allow the people past. Kuxli enters the Aft Main Corridor. Kuxli has left. You step out into the Aft Main Corridor. Aft Corridor -- NRV Alderaan You are in the Aft Main Corridor of Deck 2. This deck is the ship's heart. You can find Engineering on this deck. The crew's and XO's quarters are also located on this deck. Contents: Kuxli Damiar_Porkins Obvious exits: Starboard leads to X.O. Quarters / Office -- NRV Alderaan. Port

leads to Crew Quarters -- NRV Alderaan. Down leads to Umbilical Docking Tubes -- NRV Alderaan. Aft leads to Engineering -- NRV Alderaan. Fore leads to Fore Corridor -- NRV Alderaan. Quick comes out of the Crew Quarters. Quick has arrived. Quick comes out of the crew quarters, with anger and hate gleaming in all his features, and death in his eyes. Kuxli steps out from the crew quarters, he glances up and down the corridor, then behind him as Shenner follows out. He gestures towards one door down the hall, "Kitchen's down there I think." Shenner pads after Kuxli, nodding. "Good... bit too tense back there for me anyhow..." Quick salutes the captain, "Sir, do you know where I can find the CO of this vessel?" Kuxli just grins in response, "Aw, that was fun." he says over his shoulder as he heads down the corridor. Quick looks again and corrects himself, "Sir, I'm sorry.. do you know who the CO of this vessel is? Kuxli stops in midstride, looking over at Quick. He blinks then says, "Uh.. me?" Shenner slows as Kuxli does, frowning over 'his' shoulder. Quick looks at the X.O. Quarters, "I'm sorry to have interrupted you two." Quick enters the XO's Quarters. Quick has left. Quick steps out of the XO's office. Quick has arrived. Kuxli pauses again, then lifts his furry shoulders into a shrug, "Don't worry 'bout it." then switches his gaze to Shenner as if saying 'weird'. Then turns and heads for the kitchen again. Quick shrugs, "No one was in there... How am I supposed to talk to an New Republic officer, if none are where they are supposed to be."He says to himself. Shenner's brows knit together, but the youngster pads after Kuxli nevertheless. Quick suddenly slumps against the wall, and he yawns greatly. Kuxli reaches the kitchen door, he keys it open and glances inside, then he steps into it, and can be heard exchanging a few words with someone inside. Quick stands up and re-enters the crew quarters. Kuxli's voice raises a bit, and can be heard saying, "Whatta mean the mess hall is only for people who work on this ship?!?!" Shenner leans against the wall out in the corridor, and crinkles 'his' nose at the shout. Quick looks over in the direction of the disturbance, and raises his left eyebrow. Kuxli's voice lowers again, and can be heard speaking but the words can't be made out. After a few moments of silence the horansi steps out with 2 dull grey tray's in his hands, he apologizes, "Seems they wont let us eat in the mess hall. Best I could do." Shenner smiles wanly. "Ain't no surprise to me, pal, ain't the first time I been kicked out of places to eat. C'mon, must be a bulkhead we can park by or somethin'." The kid takes one of the trays and glances along the corridor, consideringly. Kuxli's grin returns and he nods his furry head in agreement, "Alright." he says, taking his turn to follow after Shenner. Shenner strides along a bit, till a bulkhead is indeed located. The redhead then plops down, putting the tray in 'his' lap, and settles into inhaling the food, pausing only once to observe, "Well, it's hot, anyhow." Kuxli sits down beside Shenner, he pauses as he sniffs the food also, his whiskers twitch before saying, "Yeah, won't be for long though." a toothy grin on his face as spears at pieace of meat with his fork. Shenner grins crookedly. "Think you're the first being I met that eats faster 'n' I do, Kux." Kuxli growl-chuckles, but doesn't respond as he finishes nearly half off the mystery meat on his tray.. though he does say with half a mouth full, "This meat ain't that bad, a bit soft though." [After finishing her short meal with Kuxli, Shenner parts ways with her Horansi friend....] Quick climbs down towards the docking tubes' zone... Quick has left. Skeezix arrives from the fore of the ship. Skeezix has arrived. Skeezix steps into the aft corridor, his gait brisk at first, yet he slows as he approaches the Crew Quarters doorway. Shenner, coming out of the kitchen from further along the corridor, is aiming for the crews' quarters 'himself'. Skeezix taps the door's entry button, nodding to Shenner as he waits for him to walk in first. Shenner blinks, and smiles sheepishly, muttering, "Uh, thanks..." The kid steps past. You enter the Crew Quarters. Crew Quarters -- NRV Alderaan Contents: Lelila's Bunk Mistral's bunk Obvious exits: Starboard leads to Aft Corridor -- NRV Alderaan. Skeezix enters from the Aft Main Corridor. Skeezix has arrived. Shenner moves towards what's become 'his' bunk, crouching by 'his' guitar case and ferreting through it to come up with the dark-dappled wooden flute. The door whisks shut as Skeezix walks over towards his bunk, lying down quietly. Shenner glances over at the .oO (Uhm -- another brass, eep) General, and asks tentatively, "It okay with you if I practice?" Skeezix nods to Shenner, "You don't have to ask, kid." The youngster doesn't _quite_ look like 'he' buys it, but Shen does nod. "Okay." 'He' parks on the floor, back against the bunk, and starts blowing through the flute to warm it up. Skeezix pulls out a datapad and begins to idly look over the contents. After a few moments, Shenner begins to run through scales, changing keys, patterns of notes, and at last, volumes; after that, the kid settles down to play in earnest. Shenner is clearly better with the flute than with the guitar, and doesn't miss a single note as 'he' builds a melody in a wistful minor key. The music seems to relax the General, making his reading even easier. Shenner plays with that song for a while, shifting through a variation of the main melody before returning to the original. Dillon enters from the Aft Main Corridor. Dillon has arrived. Skeezix is currently lying in a cot, reading a datapad quietly. Flutesong is the only noise in the room -- and comes from the redheaded kid parked on the floor by 'his' bunk and 'his' guitar case. Shenner's playing something wistful in a minor key, apparently engrossed. Dillon walks into the room and heads almost directly for the food dispenser. He pauses in front of the machine to ponder his choices. At last, Shenner trails off the flute into silence. Dillon looks at you for a moment. Dillon takes a cup of something from the dispenser and walks up towards Shenner, "You're pretty good kid. I didn't know the New Republic was hiring muscians for their fleet these days. Is that all you do for them, play the flute?" Shenner looks up, and blinks. "I ain't workin' on this boat, pal," the youngster says. Skeezix chuckles as he overhears Dillon. Dillon looks at Shenner with a disparaging grin, "Last I checked this wasn't a commercial space liner and I know the New Republic doesn't sell tickets aboard their capitol ships, so what exactly is your business here kid?" Skeezix's voice rises from one of the bunks nearby, "Ya know kid... ya don't have to answer that if ya don't want to. Shenner looks between the two men, green eyes narrowed slightly. Then, to 'his' questioner, Shenner counters, "What's yours?" Dillon chuckles lightly and quips, "Depends on who you ask kid." The General stifles his chuckle as he sees the kid taking a step into 'manliness'. Shenner's position on the floor, leaning casually back against the bunk, doesn't alter, though 'he' does lower the flute a little more. "And if I'm askin' you?" Dillon grins slyly as looks down upon the 'boy', "Then -I'd- tell you that I'm no one of consequence." "Funny," the kid drawls, "you sound like me." Dillon takes a drink out of his cup and smiles at the kid. Without a word he turns and heads towards where he heard Skeezix's voice, "Have you spoken with the Admiral yet?" Skeezix looks away from his datapad and nods to Dillon, "Aye. He's gonna hail Skywalker and try to figure out what's going on. He's rather upset that Skywalker would up and leave without asking anyone first." Dillon nods and smiles slightly, "Sound reasoning. What happens if Luke doesn't respond?" "He'll be charged with insubordination and unlawful usage of a military ship," the General replies. "Not something I'd want to live with." Dillon shrugs, "If he doesn't respond it could mean they're in trouble." Shenner eyes the two men for a moment, then returns to playing the flute, very quietly. Skeezix nods, "Exactly.. I don't think the Admiral would hold the charges... but rather use them as a means to get Luke to fess up to why he's left." Skeezix closes up his datapad and tucks it into his belt, stretching out. "I'm gonna take a nap," he says, then turns to the side, closing his eyes. Dillon walks away from Skeezix's bunk and give the kid a wink as he sips his drink while walking toward the exit. He mumbles as he heads out, "I have to get me some real clothes." Dillon enters the Aft Main Corridor. Dillon has left. [End log.]