Rancorous Resistance

[Pierce Tondry]

Upon returning to the Wheel following his first mission for the Rebellion. Pierce Tondry remained at loose ends. Nothing existed important enough to send him on, and nothing that crossed his ears seemed a good fit for his unusual brand of talents.

Not that a lot crossed his ears. Ice Bitch Van-Derveld kept her hand and the hands of anything that might be used against the Rebellion very well hidden from him.

And so, the scout turned sniper turned commando turned blackest of black operatives turned Rebel found himself bored and sitting in the Valiant's general mess hall. Again.

In a way, an opportunity lay before him. While everyone from the Rebellion (he needed to stop thinking of it like that) rejected the Empire from some kind of personal experience, reasonable suspicion labeled every new convert a potential spy. Doubt, mistrust, and sometimes open hatred, often plagued him.

Except for the tiny few who saw him as some kind of legend. One in particular, a chatty ensign, saw some kind of hero inside him or so it seemed. He followed Pierce around whenever his duties allowed. At this moment, said ensign sat next to him yammering away on little Pierce found of interest.

At least until the part about the haunted garrison, anyway.

"Say that again?" Pierce suddenly said aloud, turning to face his speaker.

The ensign stopped sharp as though dumbstruck that his hero finally deigned to respond to him. "About the haunted garrison?"

Pierce's face slid into an expression that could mean nothing other than 'yes, THAT is what I mean'.

The ensign took a deep breath. "The Imps were building on Buliwar - it was supposed to be a permanent thing, parking themselves there so they could keep tabs on the surrounding sectors. Anyways, construction dug in to the side of a mountain and they found some kind of Jedi tomb there. Exploratory parties go in, no one comes out. Well, the Imps figure they'll just blow everything up with droids. Droids go in, no explosion. The base needs to be completed, so the entire garrison goes inside. No communication ever comes back to Imp command. They send scouts out to the place that report the garrison's empty. Word is they're getting ready to send a Star Destroyer out there with a squad of Royal Guards to clean out whatever is in there."

And whatever is in there is putting up the most bitter resistance to new tenants that the Empire's seen.

"Buliwar." Pierce mulled the name over.

"Yep!" the ensign chattered on. "About a day's flight with an average hyperdrive. The nearest fleet dock is about five days out though. They'll probably be there in a day or two."

Pierce half-shrugged the description off. "Wonder who'd be stupid enough to go there," he dismissed it casually.

[Tionne Thanewulf]

''Ensign!'' an austere voice sounded from behind the youthful officer, followed by a tap on the back. The young man turn only to meet eye to eye with a fair-skinned redhead clan in black leather from tip to toe. Her copper hair was arranged in a thick braid that dangled all the way to her lower back, femininity traded for practicality. She was - without a doubt - some sort of official too.
''I requested a ship almost a day ago and I still received no information on the status of the vessel? Is it so hard to find some flying piece of junk that can be mistaken for a space debris resembling a worn-out toiletseat of a Hutt? It's not like I am asking for a Nubian Yacht.'' Tionne blurted out, eyeing the young man in an almost patronizing manner. He squirmed, then diverted his gaze sideways to his companion, as if looking for some sort of justification.

''As a matter of fact, Master Jedi, I was just on my way to tell you your ship is ready, waiting for you in the hangar. We managed to obtain a Manta-class starfighter so that you draw as little attention to yourself as possible.'' the ensign retorted with a proud smile. Tionne lifted a ginger brow.

''Which intergalactic prick did you kill to obtain a Manta-class starfighter? No, it is not going to be suspicious at all...a Tapani starfighter floating about in the Outer Rim? What am I supposed to say if I get caught? That I am going for a picnic on Buliwar, hm?'' the Knight replied sacastically, then sighed. Her hand found its way to hold her forehead.
''I guess it will have to suffice then.'' she mumbled, turning on her heel to head for the docking bay and the vessel that apparently awaited for her there.

[Pierce Tondry]

A hand on her shoulder stopped Tionne. "You must be joking."

She turned to face her interrupter, who fixed her with a look of sheer disbelief. "Your plan, and I use the term loosely, is to fly a starfighter that doesn't come with a hyperdrive and probably had one soldered on. You are going to fly this starfighter to a planet you know nothing about. You are going to land this starfighter that is terrible at anything other than space dogfights on said planet. You are going to get out and enter an empty garrison connected to a haunted Jedi tomb. You are going to find whatever is there, figure out what to do about it on the fly, and then leave before a full Imperial occupation force arrives and pens you in."

As he spoke each sentence that listed the terrible points of her idea, Pierce ticked them off on his fingers. He wound up with his left hand, palm open, in a 'stop' gesture. "See this?" he said, pointing at the hand. "This means 'you are going to get yourself killed'."

"What," he asked. "Could possibly motivate you to press this search that bull-headedly?"

[Tionne Thanewulf]

Tionne hardly needed a lesson in security and action in peril. Having made it out alive from Clone Wars and the Purge alike gave her the right to asses the risk of any operations she would undertake on her own, without random people patronizing her. A part of her wanted to simply slap him, but she managed to constrain herself somehow.

''Thank you for your excessive report.'' she began cynically, rummaging through her pockets to find a set of fingerless black gloves - ''You would be more than welcome to bring flowers to my grave. I always fancied lilies.''

Turning away from him, Thanewulf resumed her course towards the hangar. It was a mission she needed to do alone, with none of her students having enough experience or abilities not to pose as a burden. Stealth was not a skill that could be exercised in numbers.

''It's not something you would understand. Better to stay out of things that do not concern you.'' the redhead added briefly, not wasting another moment in the presence of this man. He seemed awfully concerned for a random officer; for this very reason, it was best for him to stay away. Tionne's facial expression made such choice the only viable one.

[Pierce Tondry]

The hand clamped Tionne's shoulder again, this time forcibly halting her.

"You didn't answer my question," Pierce stated. "What is it you hope to do for such a terribly-planned risk? Find an ally? Or a weapon? Raid the base? The tomb?"

Another glare of hers formed, but it failed to forestall him. "Why are you doing this?" he asked again. "Who are you?"

[Tionne Thanewulf]

Thanewulf eyed his hand and its whereabouts; it was deeply invading her personal space. Physical contact with strangers was something the ginger-haired Jedi loathed, but she tried to remain civil. If he persisted, she could always mind-trick him into obedience.

''I am Tionne Thanewulf, Jedi Knight.'' the red-haired woman said at lenght, her words bearing no pride or boast, rather an undertone of servitude and dedication. Her eyes skimmed across the facial features of the man, trying to find something revealing that could place his being within some context. His concern and interest was everything but usual.

''There is something in that tomb that belongs to us. And I am going to retrieve it. Alone.'' she stated sternly, other hand motioning for him to remove his hand.
''Thank you for your concern, mr.....'' the Knight trailed off, shaking her head slightly as copper locks hopped about - ''But I am old enough to take care of myself. Now please, step away.''

[Pierce Tondry]

Now it all made sense. Or at least, it made sense that it didn't make sense. Pierce looked at his hand as if considering whether to leave it where it was.

He let go.

"Even for a Jedi, this is a very bad idea," he said simply. "I don't know for sure what's in that tomb - and neither do you I suspect - but this plan is the closest you can get to walking headfirst into a trap and knowing that a herd of Carthan sandbears is going to be in front of the exit ready to kill you if you happen to live. If you go alone, you are going to die."

"Do not do this."

[Tionne Thanewulf]

The Knight sighed. This particular pest was quite persistent. Annoyance flashed in her mercury orbs, but her patience did not falter. Resorting to sarcasm once again, Thanewulf wiggled her hand about in a dismissive manner.
''So, who am I to take on this journey of great peril? Someone experienced, stealthy and trustworthy - with professional references, somebody who knows that particular garrison quite well, somebody with Imperial military background...and the list goes on and on...'' the redhead trailed off, scratching her chin in a fake contemplative pose.

''You are right, my friend. I should probably put up an ad in the newspaper, then wait a few weeks and call applicants for a proper interview while checking their background, then wait another few weeks while I can make up my mind and then come to the smothered remains what was once a tomb, since the dispatched Star Destroyer had five billion four hundred million seventy seven thousand fourty two opportunities to destroy it. What brilliant plan! I congratulate you and myself for devising this ingenious piece of tactical faeces. Let us now drink some accumulator acid as a toast!'' the Coruscanti finalized, folding arms over her chest.

[Pierce Tondry]

"I'll pass on the acid," Pierce said acidly.

Still, her mettle gave him pause. 'This woman is putting up a more rancorous resistance than whatever's probably in that tomb. She might get somewhere if she doesn't die trying.'

"In fact, let's pass on all the acid. You don't know me and I barely know you, but what you are proposing to do is suicide. You need help. Isn't there anyone the Rebellion can spare as an escort? Or are you just determined to go this alone?"

[Tionne Thanewulf]

''Well, yes, as a matter of fact...I like to do things on my own...'' the redhead started, assuming an evidently fake contemplative pose to merely make a point - ''When I go alone, I spare myself the inconvenience of having to drag along the remains of the person who so eagerly wanted to join me on this so-called suicide mission. Mothers tend to like burying things other than a memorial flag, you know...''
The cynicism in her words was painfully evident. Tionne disliked when random heroes invaded her turf.

''But yes, I see you've had enough of life, so you wish to join me on this trip to hell and back... What would be your qualifications for this mission? Do you have a self-destruct button so that I could use you as a decoy?'' she inquired, eyeing him from tip to toe. He didn't seem like a rookie. Still, he was far too young to have the weight of experience on his shoulders to anchor him and keep him out of other people's business.

[Pierce Tondry]

"I didn't say I'd join you." Pierce dismissed her mocking with an unmoved gaze. "I just don't want to see a Jedi, someone the Rebellion needs now more than ever, go throwing their life away. If you're dead set on going off half-cocked with no plan, I won't stop you and I won't join you. I have no intention of getting myself killed."

Pierce turned and began striding away. If she wanted no help, he would give her no help.

But that didn't mean he was staying put.

[Tionne Thanewulf]

The Jedi smirked in self-satisfaction, then resumed her course towards the hangar bay. Her thoughts drifted to a different time and place.
''You've never asked anybody for help, don't even think of starting now. If grandpa would ever know that, he would think of you as incompetent. Just remember how he fended of dozens of foes in the Stark conflict.'' the Knight mused as loud clangs of boots against worn durasteel floor marked her entrance into the docking bay. At first, her eyes scanned the perimeter in search of her designated vessel. A few moments were lost as she visually rummaged through the chaos of the hangar bay.

''Ah, there it is!'' the redhead exclaimed victoriously, picking up pace to approach the ship. As soon as she got closer, her eyes witnessed the catastrophic condition the vessel was in. A hyperdrive, clearly belonging to another model of a ship, had been conveniently wielded to the original engine, making the otherwise sleek starship look like a flying trashcan. The Knight winced.

''And I am supposed to fly the galaxy in this piece of interstellar litter?'' she quizzed, leaning her forehead on the hull, eyes closing.
A sigh left her lips, followed by a deep exhale.
''Wish he was here....'' Tionne whispered to herself, remembering a certain individual who would rather enjoy to fly this piece of junk. His enthusiasm would to good at times like these.