Log Date: 1/8/98 Log Cast: New Republic Officer (NPC), Shenneret Veery, Mon Mothma Log Intro: For over a month, Shenneret Veery has been on Calamari, left there by Paul Nighman in the care of his old colleague Molari Canto, recovering from the disastrous trip to Mandalore that nearly killed her. Much to her deep disturbance, Shenner cannot remember what happened to her at the end of that journey -- she knows only that _something_ darkly troubling happened, something serious enough that Paul has decided to leave her life, feeling that he only endangers her by having her with him. She isn't sure what hurts her more -- the knowledge that she couldn't handle Mandalore, or the fact that she never got to say goodbye to Paul. She'd always suspect that he would eventually leave her... it is, after all, why she gave him the hawk pendant on Corellia... but still, she can't stop thinking about the Corellian, and she feels his loss keenly. Not knowing what else to do... indeed, not really able to do much else... Shenner has spent most of the past several weeks recovering alone in Canto's home. The old Mon Cal has given her all the space she's needed, and Shenner has begun to get her strength back if not the details to fill that gap in her memory. Increasingly restless, desperate to find something to distract herself from thoughts of Paul, Shenner has taken again to the life of a street bard... all the while dreading encountering any NR personnel who know her and who can connect her to Paul, especially Luke, Winter, Leia, Lando Calrissian... or Jessalyn. Still, on a planet so solidly in NR control as Calamari is, she can't help but find NR personnel; she's already encountered the Horansi Baria, who has shocked her by giving her the most money she's ever made from one listener on the streets of any planet she's ever visited. She's seen countless uniformed techs and pilots on Coral City's streets. And for all that she'd prefer to go unnoticed by the NR, she can't exactly avoid it, not if she wants to make any money at all with her songs. And as it happens, she's gotten more notice already than she knows.... ---------- New Republic Officer arrives from North Coral Avenue. New Republic Officer has arrived. New Republic Officer walks through the city. He looks at a datapad in his hand, and eyes the people around him. He clearly looks tired, yet eager in his search. There's music in the square today, a guitar, tossing forth strongly played chords in a minor key. Parked cross-legged on a patch of grass just off a walkway, the guitar's open case before her, a slender young redhead is singing, and her voice rings out rough but true over the guitar's melody line. New Republic Officer continues his way through the crowd. He stops, briefly, to listen to the music. Only a moment later, he begins to look nervous, and begins to move away again. As he looks at his datapad again, he blinks, does a double take, and focuses on the musician. New Republic Officer looks at you for a moment. Steele and maille and gilded crossbow Feather of the ancient windbird Wide as wonder, tall as starlight Lords of earth and lords of fire Life the love that they desire Lords of earth and lords of fire Life the love that they desire.... With an almost elemental energy, and apparently mostly oblivious to any glances from passersby unless they directly approach her, the redheaded girl pours out her song, growling out the lyrics as she goes. New Republic Officer brings himself to attention, and awaits the completion of the song. It doesn't take long. The guitar silences with a crash of chords; the musician, with a wary green gaze, flicks a look around. Finding no audience near her, she rests there for a moment, stretching her fingers, each hand in turn. New Republic Officer clears his throat as the bard finishes and says, "Uh, excuse me. Ms Shenner?" he asks, casting a glance around to see if anybody is watching. Green eyes flash up, and the redhead's expression is instantly wary -- perhaps in reaction to the uniform. Her automatic reaction is to begin, "Hey, pal, if this is about havin' a permit to perform in a public place" -- wait a minute. He called her 'Ms.'? That throws her, but only slightly, and she continues almost as if she hadn't paused -- "far as I was able to tell, I'm legal...!" New Republic Officer blushes a little as his authoritative appearance is shaken. He shakes his head, "No.. no ma'am. Your name is Shenner?" Not a harassment about public singing, then? Well... okay... But the girl's expression is still wary, as she stares up at the officer who's approached her -- getting a better look at that uniform. "Yeah," she answers, blunt but volunteering nothing else. "Who wants to know?" New Republic Officer shakes his head a little, "I'm not sure. I was ordered to bring you to the Council Building. Someone wants to have a talk with you." Shenner blinks. Twice. Two years ago the words 'someone wants to have a talk with you' would have been sufficient cause for her to take off running right then and there; now, though, her expression merely turns warier, as her mind races. _Hells... Luke? Winter? That Baria told somebody he found me...? Hells, hells hells...._ What she says aloud, though, is, "What, you mean, now?" New Republic Officer nods once. "Yes, if it is convenient for you." The girl frowns, then tosses off a casual shrug. "The busking stinks today anyway. Gimme a minute. I ain't leavin' my instruments here." With that, Shenner rolls up from a sitting position to crouching on her feet, hefting her big guitar to one side as she clears its space in the case. There are a few scattered coins in there, as well as something flute-sized in a green suede case; this latter thing is lifted carefully out while the guitar is settled in, and once the guitar is secure in its case and the flute-sheath slung over her shoulder, Shen latches the case closed. Shenner gets to her feet, then, hoisting up the case. It looks rather overlarge for a girl of her slight build to be hauling, but she does it anyway, and says brusquely, "Okay, pal. Point the way." New Republic Officer nods again and says, "Do you need any assistance?" "No," is the girl's short reply, just a hair shy of a tone of annoyance. After a beat, she appends, slightly less curt, "I'm fine. Lead on." New Republic Officer nods, clicks his heals together and begins to lead towards the north, "Please follow me." New Republic Officer heads northward up Coral Avenue. [Shenner and her escort head northward through the city....] New Republic Officer leads you throught he city, heading towards the large mass of the government building plaza here on Calamari. Shen strides determinedly after her escort, not bothering to look confused about her route -- as though already familiar with it. After a time, she begins to look slightly winded, but her stride doesn't falter, and she clings tenaciously to the handle of her instrument case. New Republic Officer glances back to Shenner from time to time to make sure she is following correctly, or to make sure she's following. He still looks nervous. New Republic Officer leads you throught he government complex until the Council Building is reached. With a slight sigh of relief he begins to climb the steps. Okay, _this_ building Shen doesn't know. She eyes it reservedly as she trudges along in the officer's wake, but she's keeping up her steady pace. Never mind that her breath is overswift, her face slightly flushed, by the time she reaches the top of the stairs. New Republic Officer opens the door by stepping to the top of the staircase. The automatic doors swish open. He nods to the security posted just inside, and motions you in. New Republic Officer enters the New Republic Council Building. You walk into the lobby of the New Republic Council Building. Lobby -- Council Building The lobby is a large, open area with high ceilings. The floors are prestine white, glowing with the shine of several hours of maitenance. There is a pillar in each corner of the room. Doors exit to the outside on the southern wall. Two hallways, one going east the other west. The one leading to the west is by far the largest. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => New Republic Officer -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- est leads to Large Hallway -- Council Building . ast leads to East Wing -- Council Building . New Republic Officer stiffens and gives Shenner a military-style salute. He then motions towards the eastern wing. "You will be greeted there, Ms. Shenner." Green eyes flick left and right as Shenner cases the place, without too much surprise; it's open. Airy. Official. NR written all over it. As the officer who's brought her directs her she stops to nod... and then stares, as she's salute. "..... yeah? Thanks." _I think._ Setting her expression quickly back into stoic lines, the girl turns and trudges eastward, still hauling that big guitar case in her grasp. You reach the east wing. East Wing -- Council Building The eastern wing is smaller than its neighbour to the west. Doors lie on both the north and south side of the hallway, each marked with a name and a number. Spaced unevenly, the doors indicate that the offices are varying in size. The spaces get larger towards the eastern end. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Mon_Mothma -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- <2> leads to Winter's Office -- Council Building . <1> leads to Mon Mothma's Office -- Council Building . est leads to Lobby -- Council Building . Mon_Mothma is waiting by the door to her office. As she spots Shenner, amongst the others moving about the hallway, she lets a soft smile adorn her face. She clasps her hands together infront of her, left ontop of right, and awaits her approach. The redheaded kid, as long as she thinks nobody is looking, pauses a moment to catch her breath, resting the guitar case's back end on the floor. But she pauses just for that moment, and swiftly, she looks up again, surveying her surroundings. As the only visible person in sight catches her attention, Shen thinks, _Must be her..._ And the girl heads in that direction, speaking up gruffly, "You lookin' for me?" Beat. Uh... "... ma'am?" Mon_Mothma looks over Shenner, with an apprasing look, and says "Yes. You are 'Shenner', are you not?" Mon_Mothma You see a tall women garbed in white. A red silk scarf, worn on the inside of her white cloak accents her red-copper hair where it shows through. Under the scarf and cloak is a white cotton blouse. Her white pants are held in place by a black belt, buckled together with a burnished gold emblem of the New Republic. Her eyes are a solid blue, dark and seasoned with experience. Her hair is flecked with strands of gray. Crows feet appear at the corners of her eyes, though they are the only mark of age on her otherwise smooth face. On each of her hands is worn a ring. On the left, third finger, is a ring with the signia of the New Republic. On the right, third finger, is a signet ring from an ancient house. The guitar is once more set back-end-down, though the girl hides her relief at easing the strain on her arms. Her green gaze flicks over the older female, and although something of the brusqueness leaves her expression, Shenner still looks wary. "Yeah, I'm Shenner," she allows. Her gaze adds, _And you'd wanna know this why, and who are you anyway?_, though she doesn't say that aloud. "Who're you?" Mon_Mothma smiles, a little, at the look. She says simply, "I am Mon Mothma. I had news of your arrival shortly after reviewing the reports of the incident on Palahni. I thought I would take a chance to ask you a few questions, should you have the time." Shenner rocks back slightly on her booted heels, duly taken aback, first by the reference to Palanhi... and then by the notion that her arrival on Calamari has, apparently, become known. But she only nods, reservedly. "Yeah... I got time on my hands, right now." Mon_Mothma motions to the door she's standing beside, "After you, please." This is _definitely_ strange... first she's called "Ms." and "ma'am", then she's saluted... and now... _Never mind,_ Shen tells herself sternly. _Just deal with it._ The girl nods once, tersely, and turns to head into the office, hauling the guitar case along with her, but at least pulling it back up before it scuffs the floor or something. You enter Mon Mothma's Office. Mon Mothma's Office -- Council Building A large office, centered around a mahogany wood table. There is a data terminal perched behind a large-backed leather chair. Directly infront of the desk are two more leather chairs, though they have a standard-sized back. Located in the corners opposite the desk are two L-shaped leather couches, which match the white and red theme of the room. -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- ut Mon_Mothma enters from the hallway. Mon_Mothma follows a couple of steps behind you, and motions towards one of the chairs infront of her desk. "Please, have a seat. Would you like something to drink?" The seat is taken, and Shenner settles into it, more or less not slouching; her instrument case is propped against the chair, within the reach of her hands. "Uh... yeah, sure," she answers, just a hint of bemusement to her tone. Perhaps this girl isn't accustomed to social niceties. Mon_Mothma nods and taps a button on her desk as she makes her way to her seat, "Water? Manbari Juice?" Not about to let on that she has no idea what Manbari juice is, Shen leans back a bit in the chair she's claimed. "Water, uh, please." Mon_Mothma nods and says towards the desk, "Two waters please." She then lets her finger off the button and settles into her chair. "Welcome to Calamari." Shenner offers a slight crooked smile. "Thanks." She shifts a bit, finally crossing her arms just over her lap, forcibly keeping herself from fidgeting. "So... whatcha wanna know?" Mon_Mothma taps a few key on her terminal and says, "Primarily why you offered to help? You do seem awfully young to volunteer for anything so dangerous." "Seemed like the right thing to do at the time," Shenner answers readily. The topic of the Palanhi incident doesn't seem to faze her much. Shenner adds with a slight smirk, "'Sides, I'm gettin' older every day." There's a brief flash of hardness in her gaze; a trace of irritation, perhaps. Sensitive about her age, this redhead? Mon_Mothma nods, "Indeed." She studies you closely for a minute and then says, "If you don't mind my asking, what is your official age?" "Eighteen years, standard." Guilelessly, Shenner appends, "How old are _you_?" Mon_Mothma laughs very lightly and shakes her head, "I am not too sure I remember." She taps in another entry into her data terminal. Again, the girl smirks a bit, but this time perhaps it's in appreciation of the ducking of the question. Her green eyes impassive, Shenner watches the older female. Mon_Mothma says, "Tell me," she continues, "What planets have you been on within the past two years of your travelling?" The girl's eyebrows go up. "Why?" Her expression, if possible, goes even more unreadable. Mon_Mothma smiles, though the expression is obviously noted. She says quietly, "I am trying to gather information on different planets since the fall of the Empire. The views of someone not directly affiliated with our government are essential." _Oh..._ The kid continues to forcibly Not Fidget. "Here. Palanhi, you already know about. Tatooine... Corellia... Caspar." Shen smirks again, briefly. "Etti IV." Shenner considers, then adds, "Ithor." Mon_Mothma leans back in her chair, "You do travel a lot." She thinks for a moment and then says, "As a singer, do you get to have a feeling for the people on the planets you visit? Or, do you travel from place to place too quickly?" There's a slight pause; then Shen says gruffly, "I ain't been travellin' as a singer, ma'am." Mon_Mothma furrows her brow and taps a few keys on her terminal. "You have not? How have you been travelling, then?" Shenner's utterly still expression remains in place. "I've been assisting the pilot who ran into Luke and, uh, Princess Leia, and Miss Winter and General Calrissian and the rest of us on Palanhi." Mon_Mothma nods, once. "Is there something that you are not telling me?" Her voice remains calm, but a hawk-eyed look flashes across her eyes briefly, and then it's gone, back into the friendly platitude of before." "Only stuff that ain't any of your business, lady," Shenner answers candidly. Her mouth quirks up on one end, but it's more smirk than smile. Mon_Mothma smiles and nods. "Then I will not ask after it." She changes the subject, quickly, "You have not been travelling as a singer, perhaps, but I would like to hear your thoughts on the New Republic's reach onto these planets since the dissolving of the Imperical power." She adds, "If you have had chance to reflect apon it." The girl eyes the woman across from her, then seems to accept that. Shenner doesn't exactly relax, but a slight hardness leaves her gaze. "Well, I assume you're talkin' about Etti IV and Tatooine and Palanhi. and Caspar. Corellia and here and Ithor are NR, ain't they?" Mon_Mothma's look hardens as she says, "That depends. I think of all the planets in our galaxy as under the freedom of the New Republic. We just have to remove the Empiracle influence on those who are still dominated by the forces of the former Empire. So, I would like to know, just the same, if there is any feelings, good or bad, towards the New Republic at this point." "Well, I'll tell yah." Shen leans forward slightly, green eyes intent and dark in her pale face. "Etti IV, they were real testy when I was there, but that wasn't much of a surprise, they had two battle fleets in orbit after all, and what scare factor that didn't bring was made up for by the Espos on the streets. Tatooine... well, frankly, lady, I think most sentients in Mos Eisley are more concerned about keepin' their heads from gettin' shot off than about who it is doin' the shootin', and this is when they ain't shootin' back." Mon_Mothma nods and continues to listen. "Palanhi..." Shenner smirks a bit, once more. "I didn't pay much attention to the locals. We were mostly tryin' to make sure the Imperials didn't catch up with us, once General Solo did." Mon_Mothma smiles a little at the last. "Corellia... well. From what I saw of Coronet City, it was mostly business as usual, rough place, not like Mos Eisley, but. I didn't see nobody mad at the NR or anything, but I wasn't exactly askin' around either." Shenner considers, then finishes shortly, "Folks on Caspar and Ithor, same deal, mostly." Mon_Mothma nods and inputs the data into her terminal. Once again shifting the topic of conversation, "Thank you. Your information has been helpful. Would you like to see Luke, Leia and Winter again? I do not believe any of them are on the planet right now, but I could let them know if you are going to be here for a while?" A sort of... stillness falls across Shenner's features again, and she says lowly, "They don't need to interrupt their duties for me, ma'am. Anything else you need to know?" Mon_Mothma shakes her head, "No. That is all. Officially." She taps her data terminal, "Are you making a sufficient living with your musical, or other, talents?" "I'm gettin' by," Shenner answers noncommittally. Mon_Mothma smiles lightly, a little, just enough to tug the corners of her mouth. "I am glad to hear that. Would you be interested in a business proposition?" Shen's dark eyebrows go up. "Depends..." Mon_Mothma says, quietly, "I have a need for a quick set of eyes and ears. You have demonstrated your ability and willingness to help out our cause previously. All I ask is that you keep those eyes and ears open, for me, and I will re-emburse you for your troubles. However, if you do not think that this is 'the right thing to do', we will leave it and never make mention of it again." Shenner's green eyes measure Mon Mothma for long moments as the woman speaks, and then a moment or two after; then, she answers, pitching her voice's volume to an equal quiet, "It ain't a matter of... right things to do. More like, I don't exactly see how an extra pair of eyes'll be much use on this world. You guys got this place sewn up, after all." Mon_Mothma motions with her hand around the room and says, "Calamari, yes. The other core worlds, yes. Those that you are likely to travel on are either not at all 'sewn up', or completely independent and refusing the New Republic as vehemently as the remnants of the Empire refuse us. You may uncover nothing, or you may uncover everything. I have plenty of eyes and ears here, on Calamari, and elsewhere. However, they are not free to travel as you would be. Nor, would any know save myself. That would give you freedom to just do what you've been doing. Listening, watching, singing. Just with the added bonus of obtaining solvency for travelling." Shenner points out quietly, "I ain't got no method of travellin', lady... and besides...." For a moment, just a moment, her neutral, wary mask slips, hinting at embarrassment beneath, though her tone is still quite casual as she goes on, "I'm checkin' out goin' to school." Mon_Mothma laughs lightly and says, "A noble goal! If you wish to travel, I can make sure that you are able to afford transport. If it is school you wish, my offer can wait. For your assistance offered, I would gladly have your admittance fees taken care of." Shenner stares long and hard at Mon Mothma as the offer of admittance fee payment is made, and the kid says finally, "School's expensive, lady. And I dunno if any school's gonna wanna take me, yet." Mon_Mothma nods, "I am aware of this. It can be arranged for you. You can go into academics, or the New Republic Military service if that is what you would like." She smiles just a little, "I am sure that a good word from myself would open up any school's doors for you." "You don't even know what kinda student I'd make," Shenner says, eyes narrowing slightly -- less with suspicion and more with ever-so-slight bafflement. Mon_Mothma nods, "Perhaps. Once you are there, it would be your responsibility to see that you do well. I always believe on giving people a chance." "And all you want in return is my eyes and ears." It's somewhere between question and statement, a 'Let me get this straight' sort of tone, and Shenner's green eyes remain slightly narrowed. Mon_Mothma nods. "Yes. I believe that information you may here, as a seemingly harmless individual, may open you up to a world of possibilities." Another, slightly larger, smirk crosses Shenner's face; she doesn't miss the 'seemingly', and she doesn't dispute it, either, though there's a trace of irony in her gaze as it is uttered. "Okay, well." She leans back again, saying consideringly, "There's a Dr. Molari Canto... he's a Mon Cal. I'm stayin' with him. He's helpin' me get applicants sent around to some schools. You wanna throw your good word or credits at 'em, I ain't gonna tell yah no, and yeah, I can keep an eye and an ear out for yah." Mon_Mothma leans back in her chair now that business is concluded and she nods, "Very well. Any time you have information you wish to give me, you can come here or contact me via subspace. We'll need a callsign so that you do not have to use your name over open spacewaves. As for your schooling, let me know which you wish to attend and I will contact them." Sensing, perhaps, a dismissal in the shift in Mon Mothma's stance, Shenner gets to her feet, a motion that accentuates the slightness of her frame as she reaches for the handle of her guitar case. That the water glasses arrived some time ago hasn't, apparently, made much of an impact on the girl, as she never reached for hers. "Callsign, huh...." She smirks, fleetingly. "Streetrat, then. As for schools... I'm still lookin'." Mon_Mothma nods, and stands shortly after your motion. "Streetrat it shall be. Contact me, either in person or by subspace radio once you have made your decision." The girl hoists her instrument case up, settles the flute still slung around her shoulder, and smiles narrowly. "You got it. You need to find me... I'll be keepin' an eye out." Mon_Mothma nods and presses a button on her desk, "May the Force be with you. And, be careful." The door wisks itself open automatically. "I always am," the girl says, low and cocky, sounding like a small and slender Corellian. She smirks once more at the benediction, but she returns it, gruffly. "Yeah.. Force with you, too." And with that, hefting her instruments, Shenner is gone. [End log.]