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Post by Deleted on May 14, 2014 20:17:08 GMT -8
*Korra listened to what Ander said. She could tell that his past as a Jedi was a touchy one. So she left it alone. Instead she focused on what he spoke of. Everyone here came from a different yet similar background. Each was once a regular being with no, or some training, just trying to make a difference anyway they could. A new beginning regardless of what they use to be. She gave a slight laugh, one that could almost be mistaken for a sigh.* "Kind of ironic, huh? Here you are trying to protect the galaxy. But where do you find your probable daughter? Out in the galaxy working for the very thing you seek to destroy. Not the best of first meetings." *Her blue eyes turned to Anders, searching deep inside his.* "If you learned about all that I've done. All the good people that I've harmed, even killed. Would you think less of me as your kid? Or would you be able to hold me at the same level as everyone else?"
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Ander Tagira
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Post by Ander Tagira on May 15, 2014 14:16:07 GMT -8
Ander turned away from the expansive viewport and faced Korra as she expressed her inner thoughts in the form of a question. He leaned back against the rail, his arms crossed over his plated chest. "Cin vhetiin, Korra, regardless of whether you're mine or another's. This is how life goes, the only lines that exist are the ones we choose, or let others choose for us." He shrugged, though not without emotion. "We try to avoid thinking of anyone we don't know as an enemy, and we always confirm the guilt of a person before we label them as one." He tilted his head back slightly, towards the organism in the massive chamber below that was GALSAF. "Shades of grey is where we serve, operate, and live. We understand circumstance better collectively than any one person in the Galaxy. I've done my share of killing, Korra. And it wasn't always justified, or necessary. I've got as much guilt on my conscience as you do. Maybe more." He looked back at Korra, his eyes searching her own. "That's why I'm here, doing what we do. To give back. As long as you're willing to commit yourself to others and clear the debt, you have no reason to fear our justice."
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2014 16:06:42 GMT -8
*Korra let her thoughts mull over what Ander had said. Shades of grey, that was something she was used. Throughout her entire life she had seen everything in shades of grey. No one was perfect, everyone fell sometimes, and she knew that just as much as the next person. She turned her gaze back over the commandos below.* "I never said I was afraid." *She paused for a moment before letting out a low chuckle.* "So, are there anymore surprises I should know about? No Mrs. Tagira to break this news to? Any other long lost siblings?" *She wasn't trying to be mean with her questions. Just trying to break free of the awkward formalities.*
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Ander Tagira
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Post by Ander Tagira on May 18, 2014 12:58:57 GMT -8
Ander shifted uncomfortably, crossing his arms over his chest once again. It made him look reserved, recoiled, though he forced himself to relax and answer Korra's question directly. His first thought, as the girl asked after additional family, was of Cassandra. But considering Ander had yet to reveal his own lineage to the older woman, he knew there was no way he could admit to Korra of her own possible relation. His thoughts instead turned to Calo, Ander's adopted son. The young man had breached thirty years old, making him much older that Korra. Calo served GALSAF as a Leftenant, leading one of the platoons of 1st Battalion's Able Company. He'd served well, and was overdue for promotion by the standards of his peers, and yet Ander had so far refrained from conferring a Captain's rank upon the younger man. It wasn't strictly Ander's decision to make, all Calo truly needed was the approval of his Battalion's leadership, though his father had seen to it that no word of promotion had reached his ears. Perhaps Ander was afraid of losing the boy, who constantly sought to take the burdens of the unit's most dangerous tasks upon his own shoulders. If he were to make Captain, there would be little Ander could do to keep him from making those decisions, as the promotion would grant Calo more authoritative autonomy.
"I have a son, Calo." Ander told Korra after his moment of thought. "He's not of my blood, but he's my son, adopted in the Mandalorian way. He is heir to the organization, when I pass, or choose to confer it upon him." He looked over at Korra thoughtfully, curious if she might choose to serve as well as Calo had in his years with GALSAF. The young woman had yet to convey her interest in joining the organization at all, though Ander's thoughts were ever on the future these days, as his own years grew longer. "You'll meet him, regardless of what the test results are. He's a good man, strong-willed and capable. Comfortable in his Force talents." Suddenly, Ander realized he'd utterly forgotten the fact that Korra's blood relation to himself would mean she had inherited his Force Sensitivity as well. Perhaps this slip of thought was due to the wilted nature of his own connection to the Force. Luke Skywalker, Ander's first Master during his time as a man of the Order, had once told him that a Jedi's connection to the Force was like any living thing, that it required nourishment and care, or else it would wither and die. He had cared poorly for his innate abilities during the years following his expulsion from the Jedi Order, and just prior to the onset of the Mandalorian Holy War, Ander had felt his connection to the mystic energy field leave him entirely. Every so often Ander attempted to reach out to the Force as he once did, for guidance and calm, and yet it eluded him utterly. He felt nothing, and at times it saddened him, leaving him feeling unsettled and empty.
"Korra...have you ever been tested for Force Sensitivity?" He asked, his words soft and quiet. "Did your mother ever speak with you on the matter?"
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2014 14:56:57 GMT -8
*Korra watched Anders pasture change for a moment. She knew he suddenly felt uncomfortable about something, she didn't know what. So, she had a brother, maybe depending on what the tests said anyway. "Calo, huh. Guess I will have to meet him soon. I'm guessing you've told him already?" *She paused for a moment when Ander asked if she had been tested for force sensitivity.* "Well...no. My mother actually refused too get me tested, not sure why. But..I have had strange feelings since I was a kid. Like I knew when bad things were going to happen, I have really good combat reflexes at times, like something else is telling me what to do. Is that the same or is that just good luck?"
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Ander Tagira
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Post by Ander Tagira on May 18, 2014 19:27:52 GMT -8
Ander nodded to Korra, confirming he had in fact already alerted Calo to the possibility of Korra being his own. He couldn't know for certain why Korra's mother had refused to test her in the Force, especially if she thought the father of her child was a Jedi himself. He didn't remember enough of the woman to speculate. Maybe she didn't like Jedi, but if so, why would she slip beneath the sheets with him in the first place? Alexis Karidian had done the same, some months before; they hadn't spoken since he last saw the young woman on Yavin IV. It was apparent Karidian had been turned away from him as a result of the tensions between GALSAF and the Jedi Order. The young woman was all that remained of the Yavin IV Jedi, unless he counted the former Jedi Master Nathan Malreaux, who no longer remembered who he was. Alexis must have thought she knew Ander well enough after one drunken night, for the man she'd seen on Yavin IV had turned her cold to him. Ander had erred sleeping with her in the first place, the both of them taking solace in their mutual pain. He ought to have known better, but his mind had been clouded by sadness and drink that night, as had hers. He should have remembered the naivete of his own youth, and not expected so much more of Alexis. Ander wondered briefly how similar his night with Alexis had been to the one he spent with Korra's mother, all those years ago. Perhaps he hadn't changed after all. He shook his head, returning such thoughts to the mixture of his memory like oil in water, knowing they would eventually separate once again and surface in his mind. "My Master told me he didn't believe in luck. I was young and naive enough to argue the point, but eventually I realized just how right he had been." Ander told Korra. "All the matter in the Universe is bound by the laws of physics, and in a sense all things are destined to end a certain way. Our lives are similar, though our sentience gives us a modicum of control that lesser creatures lack. I don't believe in fate, so to speak, but I do believe in the laws of the natural world. These sensations of yours are like that of any inexperienced Force Sensitive, but I'm afraid I have no way of helping you nurture your talents. There are those here amongst us, however, who can. I'll see to it that you are trained, if you indeed turn out to have the Force in you."
What Ander left unsaid was the specific manner of such training. The rigid dogma of the Jedi and the irresponsibility of Sith teaching were strictly avoided when it came to GALSAF's Force Sensitives. They learned to hone their skills to serve the organization's greater pursuits, and in this they were similar to the two schools of thought. But their differences were much more profound, a revelation that came as a shock to many of GALSAF's Force Users who had previously trained with one of the two Orders.
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2014 20:11:38 GMT -8
*Korra thought the words over that Ander had said before giving a low chuckle.* "For a guy who doesn't believe in fate. He sure has a way of running into his past, even years later in the middle of space." *She was about to ask about training, but stopped herself. Ander had been a Jedi once but left the temple, that much she knew. But saying that he couldn't help her train in the force caught her attention. She chewed the inside of her lip for a moment before speaking.* "When you say that you yourself can't help me train. Does that mean you lost your connection to the force? That is if I'm force sensitive anyway?"
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Ander Tagira
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Post by Ander Tagira on May 18, 2014 22:06:38 GMT -8
"Fate implies the existence of a purpose that of our own. It's two different things to say we were fated to meet the same way a datapad is fated to fall when it's thrown into the air. I believe in one of those truths, but have no faith in the other." Ander watched Korra carefully as she chewed on her lip, the gears of her mind turning. Her expression reminded Ander of his own when he was similarly lost in thought. She asked after his own relationship to the Force, and he gifted her with a succinct explanation, his words touched with regret. "I have...forsaken my connection to the Force, Korra. Such a relationship is like any living thing," he told her, the words of his former Master coming unbidden to his lips. "Without care and nurturing, it can wither and fade over time. Many Jedi pursue the Force most ardently in times of adversity or emotional upheaval. I ran from it, withdrew, finding solace only in those closest to me who remained in my life. It was the second time I'd lost touch with the Force." The memory of the attack on the Jedi Praxeum came to the surface waters of his mind, and for the first time in ages he looked down at his right arm and saw it for the prosthetic that it was. He rarely thought about it most days, the manufactured limb had been a part of him for so many long years.
"Without my Force connection, there's little I can do to instruct you in developing yours, but--" Ander's words were cut off as his datatablet beeped and flashed. He drew it from a pouch on his utility belt and checked the incoming message, then stowed the device once again, looking up at Korra. "Major Reynold's has our results." He said softly, his voice betraying his anxiety and anticipation. "Come. We'll hear them together." Ander told her, pushing away from the railing and making for the turbolift.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2014 17:59:22 GMT -8
*Korra took in everything that Ander said. She began to wonder that if she was force sensitive, would she even be able to maintain such a connection. After all she was a lot older then most when they were trained. She was about to ask the question when Anders datapad beeped. A nervous pit formed in her stomach when he told her that the results were ready. She couldn't place why she felt nervous, maybe that fact that she'd finally have confirmation on what she already figured was true? Or was she nervous at what Ander would say, or if his actions towards her would change. Letting out a low sigh, she gave a nod before following after him.* "Ready."
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Ander Tagira
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Post by Ander Tagira on May 19, 2014 21:51:58 GMT -8
With every step he took towards the medical center, Ander's mind screamed more fervently at him that Korra was indeed his daughter. It was a warning from his inner child, the immature self of his past that he should run and flee the responsibility that he was without a doubt about to shoulder. But Korra was a woman grown, with a life of her own. She had already been raised, cared for, nurtured. Perhaps she'd even had a father-figure in her life; Ander doubted her mother never knew another man after himself, all those years ago. He wasn't so arrogant as to believe he could mean that much to someone he had known so little, and for so short a time. Perhaps the young woman Ander had found was a bit misguided, but Korra was not lost, she was whole. She'd had a life, so what responsibility could Ander possibly have thrust upon him? Even as the question came to mind, he knew the answers were myriad. Growth and development did not end upon reaching adulthood, he himself still sought guidance from others and had need of others who cared. With her mother passed, that responsibility fell on his shoulders and he would bear it, not as one suffers a burden, but as one enjoys an opportunity. By the time Ander and Korra stepped into the medical center lobby, he felt the man he truly was grow to overshadow the fears of his immature past. Ander had faced a great many terrors in his life, and struggles beyond count, less than many, more than some. Cassandra was waiting for them when they arrived, her hands clutching a datatablet against her belly. She nodded dutifully to the pair, the hint of a smile touching her lips. The crows feet graced the edges of her eyes as she looked upon them, handing the datatablet out for Ander to take. He reached for it, but the older woman pulled it away suddenly. "This changes nothing, Commander, I hope you know." Cassandra uttered cryptically. Ander reached forward and swiftly plucked the tablet from the woman's grasp, looking down at the screen. It was black, the device not even turned on, he realized after inspecting it. Ander eyed the older woman suspiciously, realizing her trick as he caught the smile fully grown on her lips. Ander wondered if some part of Cassandra Reynolds, the part of her who had once been his mother, unconsciously knew that the three of them were indeed a family. Maybe that small part of her, locked away in the recesses of her mind, recognized her son and granddaughter. "The girl is yours. Flesh and blood." Cassandra told him bluntly. "You couldn't be more closely related unless you were twins."
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Post by Deleted on May 20, 2014 15:46:53 GMT -8
*When Cassandra said the Ander was in fact her father, Korra could feel the know in her stomach lessen. She let out a mental sigh and turned her blue eyes towards Ander.* "Well, I guess that confirms it then. So, does this mean that I'm going to have to call you dad from now on? It still feels kinda weird thinking about it." *She paused for a moment before speaking again.* "About that offer you gave me earlier, the one about joining GALSAF. I..think I might stick around for a while now. If the offer still stands that is."
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Ander Tagira
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Post by Ander Tagira on May 21, 2014 1:30:27 GMT -8
When he heard the words that sealed his and Korra's fate as father and daughter, he wasn't sure whether to smile or merely thank the physician and return to work. His relationship with Korra thus far had been on professional grounds, until the suspicions of their relation surfaced that is. It wasn't as if Korra had tracked him down on some Galaxy-wide search for her absentee father. The odds of them finding one another unintentionally were astonishingly minute, and Ander's beliefs regarding fate and the will of the Force were once again thrown into ambiguity. He looked over at the girl, a faint smile touching his lips. For a moment, his features appeared to soften, the weary lines along his brow and mouth lessening.
"Call me whatever you want, Korra." He told her, "But know you always have a place here, with us. Your family is much larger than just myself and Calo. It includes us all." These were the most profound words he could think to say at the time. A moment such as this Ander felt expected more flourish, but his intellect failed to provide anything truly substantial. He turned to face the girl who was his daughter, taking her hand carefully in his, realizing how small it seemed. Perhaps it was her age, or merely the fact that she truly was his flesh and blood child, but Ander felt as if he were holding the hand of an infant. "I can't make up for the years of your life I missed, Korra. And a part of me wants to resent your mother from keeping your parentage from you for all that time. But I swear I'll do what I can to be the father you need, should you ever find yourself in need of one at all."
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2014 17:37:17 GMT -8
*Korra gave a slight grin. Family, now that was something she hadn't had in a long time. Now that she knew for a fact that she had family still, she was going to give up that opportunity. Korra squeezed Anders hand lightly.* "I can't say why she never told you about me. She never really said anything about you, maybe she had her reason, but she wouldn't say. Don't worry. I have a lot more growing up to do. So if I need anything, then I'm glad you'll be there for me to ask."
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Ander Tagira
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Post by Ander Tagira on May 22, 2014 15:57:19 GMT -8
Ander smiled gently at Korra's openness and acceptance. All in all, their union as father and daughter had gone smoothly. There were no lingering resentments, only regret at the missed opportunity of former years. Still, he couldn't help but believe they were better off for it. Ander Tagira may not have believed in faith, but had he known of Korra's existence when her mother had taken her to womb, Korra would have grown up having a very different man for a father, and a lesser one. As it stood, they had no mutual emotional baggage, only that of their previous lives apart. Whatever issues they had faced in their years separated from one another they could face them better together. Of course, they very well could develop such mutual emotional baggage in the future, but Ander was determined minimize this happening. In many ways, the adult Korra would be much easier to handle than a youthful one, as her development was not in Ander's hands."I hope so, Korra." Ander said gently, releasing her hand after a moment. He had little idea where things ought to proceed from this point of discovery, but there was work to be done, both as parent and child, and within their respective daily lives. Ander, for instance, had GALSAF to attend to, which reminded him of Korra's potential Force Sensitivity. "Let me introduce you to some of the organization's other Force Sensitives." He told her, looking back to Cassandra for a moment. In a way, Korra had already met one of them, Major Reynolds herself. Before Ander's mother had served the Rebel Alliance as an A-wing pilot, she had been a Jedi Knight of the Old Republic, though her abilities and knowledge had been lost in the accident that had also claimed her memory. Cassandra Reynolds (or Cassandra Tagira as she had been before her and Ander's father had divorced), had spent nearly twenty years living and working on an orbital medical center over Alzoc III after her accidental collision with a space freighter. The doctors and physicians there had helped rebuild what they could of her former life, though their own lack of knowledge regarding her identity had left much of her memory lost, including that of her former family and her life as a Jedi, which had remained her own tightly kept secret due to the rise of the Empire. Much of Cassandra Reynolds' time on Alzoc III had been spent attaining a plethora of medical degrees at the instruction of those who provided for her continued care. By the time Ander located her, Cassandra had taken up permanent residency on board the station, and been working as a physician herself. Ander had only discovered her after an extensive search spanning dozens of worlds, and knew little enough about her past to begin with. When he had found her, he introduced himself only as GALSAF's Commander, and offered her employment, which she had accepted. To this day, she had no idea who he truly was to her, and Ander knew the day was coming when he would be forced to tell her the truth, or else risk losing the opportunity entirely. Cassandra was already well into her seventies, and while she was in good health, there could very well be little time left.Ander turned towards Major Reynolds and offered her his gratitude. "I appreciate your work, Major, as always. You've given me a daughter, and I won't forget that." Cassandra shook her head. "You and the girl's mother did the work, Commander. I only connected the genetic dots." The woman was forever modest, perhaps a residual affect of her years spent as a Jedi. Ander merely nodded, then looked back to his new-found daughter. "Follow me. We'll meet with the other Force Sensitives and find out for sure if you've got the talent yourself."
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2014 16:13:46 GMT -8
*Korra couldn't help but cringe some at Cassandras comment about her and her father. She then turned back to Ander at his mention of meeting the other force users.* "Alright." *She began to follow after Ander before giving a low chuckle* "I guess I'm finding out a lot of new things lately. First I still have family. Now I might be force sensitive. Kind of surprising actually."
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Bloodrage Pirates
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Post by Bloodrage Pirates on Jun 28, 2014 16:29:19 GMT -8
The Pirate's mantis patrol craft alnded on the outskirts of the city. Vaulkhar got up and walked back to where his team were sat. He told them to change into plain clothes and carry smaller weapons when he was on the frigate. They had done so and now were awaiting his command.
"I want two teams of four to scope out the local banks. I'll be going with Three to recon the primary target. Make sure you find the targets with the most assets in the vaults, our profits are going to be made by you! Avoid conflict at all costs, we're not here to kill people, that's later. Now, move out."
The eight pirates left the ship, four heading north-west and four heading south-west. Vaulkhar left the ship, waiting for his slave before he was going to head due west towards the biggest bank on the planet.
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jun 28, 2014 18:35:00 GMT -8
The slave waited out the briefing in silence, then fallowed her master to wherever he was going alone. She didnt know where they were going and it was the fate of a slave. You never knew, or at least most times you didnt. As a banshee she had to be ready for anything, and the knowledge that she had the training to be was comforting. Not knowing was comforting. After some silence she spoke up, carefully. Her face was soon becoming twice its size the way Vaulkhar was treating her.
-3-
"Master Vhaulkhar, may I offer a suggestion?"
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Bloodrage Pirates
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Post by Bloodrage Pirates on Jun 30, 2014 7:21:47 GMT -8
Vaulkhar stopped just around the corner from where they landed the ship. He had taken off most of his armour on the ship, left with just a simple blaster-proof vest on under his civilian clothes. He was armed only with a hold-out blaster concealed near his right ankle.
"You can always make a suggestion and I'll always listen to it. However, that's no guarantee I'll heed your advice."
The Executioner looked around the quiet street to see if there was anyone who might overhear their conversation. There was no-one in the street and no security devices that he could spot. It was almost too quiet.
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Atia
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Post by Atia on Jun 30, 2014 10:07:13 GMT -8
-3-
"We should set up a safehouse. Just in case anything happens, there would be a meeting place to retreat to."
She was glad her master took a good look around, it showed caution. Made her job a tad bit easier. Allthough she wasnt the kind of person that would start blabbering tactics so others could hear.
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Bloodrage Pirates
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Post by Bloodrage Pirates on Aug 15, 2014 8:14:55 GMT -8
Vaulkhar had considered this but dismissed the idea for several reasons.
"The ship will serve as our fall back point and 'safehouse' in case anything goes wrong. It's more mobile and better armed and armoured than a house. If we rented a place we leave a trail to follow after the deed is done. Speed a flexibility are our allies this time so if anything goes wrong, get back to the ship."
The Echani looked around again before he continued to walk along the street.
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