Log Date:
	11/9/99

Log Cast:
	Skeezix, Altair, Han Solo, Chewbacca (NPC emitted by Han)

Log Intro:
	Much to his overall disgust, Han has been finding his position as
commander in chief of the New Republic ground forces fraught with far more
political maneuvering and bickering than he's ever had to deal with before
as of late. Some of his senior officers have been vigorously debating his
insistence on an aggressive stance against the Empire -- and some have been
dropping strong hints that they resent a man of Solo's checkered background
being in charge of the New Republic's ground-based armies. To a man who is
much more content at the helm of his beloved battered old freighter than
at a desk or a briefing table, it's almost enough to make him want to quit
trying to bother to lead an army that doesn't really want him. All that's
keeping him from punting the job is the knowledge of how proud Leia had been
when he'd taken it -- and thus, so far, he's gritted his teeth and coped.
	But Han and Chewie's effort to go to Calamari for a few hours to
blow off steam and take their minds off Han's command woes has met with an
unexpected snag: an emergency summons by 'Skeezix' Calhoun, their old friend,
calling them back to the _Deliverance_ in Coruscant space. To the sharp dismay
of both Corellian and Wookiee, Skeezix's long-standing beloved Gabrielle Veran,
Captain of the special forces group Squad One and friend to both Han and 
Chewie, has been kidnapped. The distraught Skeezix has turned to Han and his
partner for help, trusting them to keep a cooler head than he can in this
crisis. Itching for something to do to distract himself from the current
state of affairs between him and his officers, Han has readily agreed to help
Skeezix find Gabrielle and where this might chance to take them be damned.
	Thus far their one lead is the witness testimony of Altair Quila,
who saw the kidnapping. While the exhausted Skeezix has been catching up on
some much-needed sleep, Han has sent out a message to Captain Quila to alert
her that he and Calhoun would like to see her. And soon...

----------
Cargo Hold(#6365RXntFN)
One of the largest rooms on the _Falcon_, this hold is clearly a center of 
  activity of the vessel. Along the aft wall, close to the starboard ring 
  corridor, sits the huge console controlling the hyperdrive and navigation 
  functions; along the starboard wall, a curved, upholstered arc of couch 
  surrounds a holo-chess board, and provides support for a single sleeping 
  bunk. Towards the fore is open space for cargo, and just about all the 
  remaining wall space is taken up with bulkheads, access panels, and 
  circuits. A hatchway in the ceiling, and a larger one in the floor, allow 
  more access to the innards of the ship. Towards the port side of the hold is 
  visible the entrance into the other half of the ring corridor.
                 -=-=-=-=-=-=<<Real Objects>>=-=-=-=-=-=-
=> Chewbacca(#8946)
=> Cargo Computer: Millenium Falcon
                  -=-=-=-=-=<<Visible exits>>=-=-=-=-=-
 <S>tarboard leads to Main Ring Corridor (Starboard).

Skeezix comes in from the starboard corridor.
Skeezix has arrived.
Skeezix enters Cargo Hold

Altair comes in from the starboard corridor.
Altair has arrived.
Altair enters Cargo Hold

Contrary to what appears to be popular belief in the NR's ground forces these 
  days, General Han Solo does actually know how to review reports. And he's 
  been doing so for the past few hours, too keyed up to sleep though several 
  significant looks from Chewbacca have hinted a nap would do him some good. 
  Resisting slumber with the same stubborn determination that's been his 
  primary tactic in dealing with his detractors as of late, the Corellian's 
  slouched at one end of the half-circle couch in the primary hold of his 
  beloved ship. The deactivated holo-chess table is strewn with a number of 
  data discs and hardcopy readouts, and Han's squinting blearily at the small 
  screen of a datapad. It's Chewie who gets the signal that the two he and his 
  partner have been waiting on are outside the Falcon, and it's the Wookiee 
  who goes to let them in, looking a trifle ragged around his edges. A nap 
  would probably do him as much good as it would Solo. *He's in here,* he 
  rowrls to the visitors, bringing them into the hold and appending a loud 
  yawrl of greeting to get Han's attention.

Skeezix remains uncharacteristically out of uniform, though both hands are 
  clasped behind his back. He remains quiet as he steps into the room, his 
  dark and foreboding expression showing a sense of restlessness, curiousity, 
  perhaps even anxiety.

Altair follows the famous wookiee into the cargo hold of the Millenium Falcon, 
  trying to look as if she is not gawking at the innards of the ship. But she 
  is, having only heard of the vessel and having never actually set foot upon 
  it. At the roar from Chewbacca, she shifts her gaze to Han Solo and waits 
  quietly, bouncing up and down on her toes ever so slightly

His hazel gaze snaps up at Chewbacca's greeting, and immediately after, Solo 
  rises to his feet. Contrary to popular belief, the man _does_ have some 
  semblance of manners when the occasion calls for it. Right now, though, his 
  manners are all grim business. "Thank you both for coming," he says 
  succintly, gesturing towards the couch by way of invitation to sit while his 
  gaze sweeps across both the Falcon's visitors. To Altair, he adds gruffly, 
  "You okay, Captain Quila?"

Skeezix
        This man stands just under six feet in height, but still wields a 
  commanding prescence. Dark brown, nearly black hair is cropped short in an 
  unkept, nearly military style, with sideburns that frame vivid green eyes. 
  His complexion is a dark tan, as if spending much time on sunlit planets. 
  His build is stocky, and strong, though not overly gargantuous for his 
  height. He carries himself with a solid poise.
        Dressed casually, the man wears a simple dark grey shirt that clings 
  to his body tightly. Black nerfskin pants adorn his legs, gathered together 
  by a grey belt. Most of his clothing is hidden by a modern trench-coat that 
  falls to mid-calf. The coat is a light black or dark grey color, made of a 
  sturdy fabric and water-proof. Dark, well worn boots adorn his feet, and a 
  pair of dark grey latex gloves fit his hands, each finger cut off.

Altair
Altair stands about five and a half feet tall and has dark hair. It hangs down 
  onto her neck, at that annoying length between long and short. The result of 
  a hair style in the process of growing out. Her eyes are as dark blue as the 
  sky at midnight. She has a sprinking of light freckles across her slightly 
  upturned nose. The slim woman, who couldn't weight more than 115 lbs, has a 
  datapad sticking out of her back pocket. 
 As a member of the Ghost Squadron she wears a dark grey flight suit and some 
  light armor. It has a patch designating her as a member of the squadron on 
  her shoulder. The patch itself is a blue-grey circle containing 13 white 
  stars, circumscribing a gold Republic insignia and a white brooding wraith. 
  Underneath, you can discern the words "Ghost Squadron," along with a motto 
  of some sort on a smaller, rectangular patch sewn under the round one. On it 
  is written 4 simple, yet strangely powerful words: "To the very end."Her 
  name tag identifies her as Altair Quila, pilot, Captain.
                -=-=-=-=-=-=<<Carried Virtual Objects>>=-=-=-=-=-=-
=> Light Armor <Worn>
=> DY-255 Heavy Blaster Pistol 
=> Lottery Ticket 03-25-78
=> Lottery Ticket 4-22-2

Skeezix silently moves towards the couch, and seats himself.

Altair unconciously reaches to the slightly sore area on her midsection and 
  rests her hand on it momentarily, as if testing it. "I'm ok," she says to 
  him. "A little sore..But ok..," she says, nodding as she finds that she is 
  indeed still a bit sore. "Thanks," she adds. Following Skeezix's lead, she 
  moves towards the couch as well, sitting down at the other end of it.

Chewbacca settles his large furry frame in the chair by the navcomputer, while 
  Solo resumes his own seat; this time, however, the Corellian doesn't let 
  himself slouch. Instead, his posture alert, he glances back and forth 
  between the other two officers and says without preamble, "Chewie and I've 
  been going over the reports from the Lruk incident, since Calhoun says" -- 
  and his attention swings to Altair and settles upon her -- "you might be 
  able to make the guy who took Veran as involved in the attack upon your 
  shuttle in the Lruk system. What can you tell us?"

Skeezix turns his attention towards Altair, watching her quietly. His 
  expression softens just a bit, losing that restless edge it had before.

Altair nods towards Solo and pushes her hair out of her face before staring. 
  "The group that attacked us en route to Lruk was led by a man all in black 
  armor. His voice was mechanically altered.. The guy in the bar on Coruscant 
  was also dressed all in black armor and had a mechanically altered voice." 
  SHe pauses for a moment, as if trying to remember something. "Just before he 
  shot me..he said something that made me think I had run itno him 
  before..something like, "That's twice. Don't get in my way again.." She 
  shrugs. "Something like that anyway." With that, she looks between Han and 
  Skeezix, hoping that that is helpful.

Black armor, mechanically altered voice. Chewbacca growls out in displeased 
  tones, *Sounds like Darth Vader.*

To this, Han grimaces and drawls, his glance flicking to the Wookiee, "Yeah, 
  Chewie, but I doubt we have to worry about him coming back from the dead." 
  Back to altair, he adds with his dark brows arched, "His armor didn't 
  resemble Vader's, I assume."

Skeezix lifts an eyebrow, turning his attention towards Chewbacca with a look 
  of surprise. "I don't think the Force is -that- powerful," he mutters, "but 
  don't tell Luke I said that." He looks back towards Altair, and even though 
  his doubtful views have been expressed, he still seems.. anxious to hear her 
  answer.

Altair shakes her head. "Nah, nothing like Vader. Actually, when they attacked 
  us, one of the men in the group had FLS marked on his armor. Since, then, 
  Mr. Jawatha has denied any involvement in the affair." She shrugs slightly. 
  "That's about all I can give you on the identity of the person int he bar. 
  It was dark. And I couldn't see his face or anything."

The faintest of small crooked grins is all Solo allows himself to give Skeezix 
  at the mention of Luke; most of his attention remains on Altair. "FLS," he 
  says then, eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "You say 'men'. How many were in the 
  attacking party?" Chewbacca, in the meantime, subsides with a more or less 
  relieved little whurfle; the Wookiee isn't exactly thrilled about the 
  prospect of anyone trying to imitate the deceased Lord of the Sith that had 
  once been the bane of the Rebellion, and a bit of tension leaves Chewie's 
  bearing at the elimination of this as a possibility.

Skeezix nods his head slowly, though his eyes narrow considerably as the 
  prospect of a possible target flows through his mind. There is a brief hint 
  of confusion hidden beneath, though his gaze remains on Altair as he allows 
  Solo to ask all the questions.

Altair ponders for a moment, her eyes looking up at the ceiling as she tries 
  to picture the shuttle that night. As she mentally counts the people in her 
  head, she ticks them off on her fingers. "Ohhh, I'd say about 5 or 6 who 
  actually boarded. But they had a few Z-96's that knocked out our Y-wing 
  escort aside from their boarding shuttle."

"Fairly big armed party, then." Han's visage darkens at this news as he leans 
  forward where he sits, one hand drumming fingertips on the holo-chess table 
  before him. "And organized, from the sound of it. Any other identifying 
  marks you can think of, on the men _or_ the ships?" Restless, he rises, 
  starting to pace as he speaks. "The FLS stamp could be a lead, but they 
  might also have just stolen the armor or falsely marked it. And our guy's 
  mechanical voice also doesn't mean a damn thing, unfortunately -- anybody 
  can speak through a filter and sound different." Chewie chimes in with a 
  noise that sounds almost sly, and Han smiles again, very faintly. "Even 
  Princesses," he agrees with the Wookiee.

Altair nods. "He also handed us a note, signed by Mr. Jawatha, supposedly, of 
  course, that threatened the NR for being so closely associated with OREO." 
  She shrugs. "I'm sure it was all there in the reports," she says with a hint 
  of a grin. "I don't know who could have kidnapped the Captain. Or why they 
  would want to..He seemed to have her knocked out somehow."

Solo turns round again, nodding, his gaze sharply musing. "Yeah, I saw 'em, I 
  read 'em, but an eyewitness is better than a report -- and besides, you 
  didn't talk to _me_ before." For a fraction of an instant, the Corellian 
  looks almost smug, though he doesn't bother to point out that one of the 
  advantages of his checkered past is being able to see motives and means 
  behind attacks like this that the more "pure" personnel in the ranks of the 
  New Republic might not necessarily grasp. "Notes can be forged. Our guy 
  could have handed over a note from Palpatine himself -- doesn't make it 
  legit."

*Spoken,* whorfles Chewbacca dryly, *like a practiced forger.*

Altair nods. "I am pretty convinced it was a forgery too," she says, agreeing 
  with Solo. "I doubt he would be so bold as to attack the NR and advertise it 
  to us so openly." She presses her lips together and cocks her head to one 
  side. "Do you guys have any idea as to who might have done this?" she asks 
  him.

Solo shoots Chewie an unmistakable Look, but can't quite manage to pull it 
  off, not when one side of his mouth is curling up. At the Captain's 
  question, though, he answers, "Empire's the obvious answer -- we're at war 
  with 'em, after all. They mighta decided to hire somebody to make an attack 
  on us and pin the blame on somebody else, and they gotta be cranky about 
  Caspar gettin' up close and personal with us. If Jawatha's nose is actually 
  clean in this, somebody with a grudge against _him_ is the other obvious 
  answer." He smiles thinly. "I can think of a dozen different lowlifes who'da 
  pulled that kind of slime tactic on Nar Shaddaa or Tatooine, but then again, 
  I've also been out of the game for a bit. And I ain't got too much useful 
  intelligence on the shady side of Caspar's business."

Skeezix has been seated, quietly for the last few moments, simply listening to 
  the discussion. He turns his eyes towards Chewbacca and then Solo after the 
  last comment, and his eyes suddenly darken with a look that almost betrays a 
  growing wisdom inside. "Actually," he says, quietly, "It very well may not 
  be the Empire. It may have been a bounty hunter, and I have knowledge 
  pointing to a high level of probable cause for that assumption."

Altair turns to look towards General Calhoun as he pipes up. She doesn't have 
  much to say on teh subject, as these two men clearly have more experience in 
  dealing with this sort of thing. This is, after all, her fist involvement in 
  a kidnapping. The pilot leans back in the sofa and listens.

Both Solo's and Chewbacca's gazes come round to the other man again. Calhoun's 
  interjection causes a slight smirk to cross Han's face, as he drawls, "Hired 
  thugs -- bounty hunters. Same thing." Well, mostly. Boba Fett comes to mind, 
  but hey, he took a swan dive down the Sarlacc last the Corellian heard, so 
  no worries there, right? "But if you've found out somethin' else, pal, let's 
  hear it."

Skeezix lets out a deep breath, his eyes gaining a rather defensive 
  expression. "I will tell you later, Solo, but believe me. Odds are in favor 
  that it was hunter related, as opposed to an Imperial project." He nods his 
  head slowly, convincingly.

Altair arches a brow towards the Retired General curiously. What did he know 
  that he wasn't sharing. "Not goign to share, eh?" she says almost playfully, 
  pressing her lips together in a tight smile.

Skeezix glances towards Altair with a somewhat apologetic look. "Actually.. 
  I'm not sure whether Gabrielle would want anybody to know why. I'd tell you 
  otherwise, but.." He leaves it at that, a silent sigh coming from deep 
  within.

Blowing out a sigh, Solo eyes Skeezix, aware of a suspicion coursing across 
  his nervous system but willing to chalk it up for now to the need to keep 
  some things classified. "All right," he assents, then glances once more at 
  Altair. "Captain, you got _anything_ else you can tell us that might help us 
  track these guys down? Anything at all, even if it doesn't seem like much."

Altair sighs heavily as she ponders. "Nothing I can think of," she says, 
  shaking her head. She stands up from the couch, tugging on her uniform to 
  straighten it out. "I guess if you don't need anything else...," she says, 
  arching her eyebrow and glancing briefly towards the door. "Unless you need 
  a pilot, of course.." she adds playfully.

This brings a slight smile to Calhoun's face, even through the signs of 
  distress written in the lines on his face. "Maybe a gunner," he replies, 
  glancing towards Han and Chewbacca, his faint grin widening just a bit.

Solo snorts aloud at the notion of any pilot being needed besides himself, 
  thrusting a thumb at himself. "What am I, chopped bantha fodder? Don't 
  answer that," he asides to the Wookiee, before Chewie can do more than 
  whurflesnicker. "Seems to me, though, we oughtta make sure we know where 
  we're goin', before we decide _who's_ goin'."

Skeezix lifts his chin slightly, pointing his thumb towards the nearest 
  doorway. "Well, we'll need to talk to Captain Silver, then. Rogue Squadron. 
  One of my leads led straight to him."

Altair nods to Skeezix and Han. "I'll send him your way if I see him," she 
  says before walking slowly towards the door. As she reaches the exit to the 
  room, she turns back. "If you all need anything..an escort or even just a 
  spare pilot," she smirks slightly at that, "Give me a yell. I'll be glad to 
  come along." The captain has a feeling that they are done with her and walks 
  out of the ship.

Skeezix looks towards Altair, rising from his own seat. "Altair, thank you. 
  Very much." He pauses, a thoughtful look crossing his eyes. "When we get her 
  back, we'll figure out a real nice way to thank you, again." He grins, 
  lopsidedly.

"Thanks, Captain, we will," Solo speaks up, loud enough to make sure the woman 
  hears him as she takes her leave. Chewbacca rowlrs out an affable farewell 
  to Altair as she goes, but neither the Wookiee nor his Corellian partner 
  have lost any of the urgency still animating them both. Han's hazel stare 
  returns to Calhoun, and he nods levelly at the next leg of the hunt, ready, 
  willing, and able to take it on. "Let's go talk to Silver."

[To be continued...]