The Air Up Thaere

Thaerian Navy Docks, Burnout - Orbiting Zham Hlar, Thaere System

As the Republic Fleet departed, followed closely by the Senators and Master Kota, the Troopers and their Jedi Commanders could almost feel the ancient rusty station collectively release a relieved breath. Clearly the increased military presence, particularly the more 'official' Republic variety was - while not overtly aggressive - perhaps not as welcome as they would believe both by the fringe as well as their Thaerian Navy allies.

To make matters worse, tensions in Cularin - a neighboring system with a bit of history with Thaere - were rising. In the wake of the recent media coverage over the rescue of Senator Orviss of Ryndellia, emboldened perhaps by their perceived or at least credited part in the recovery, the Thaerian Navy has stepped up patrols. Ships going into and out of Cularin are frequently stopped and searched, a practice that makes many Cularin citizens nervous. While the Thaerians do posses a Senatorial charter to protect Cularin, their methods are rumored to often leave something to be desired.

Welcome to Burnout as they say, which the Thaerian government allows to exist because of its usefulness. Meetings can take place out of the public's eye, deals can be sealed away from prying ears, and beings can be 'lost' without fear of being found. Not a place that would stomach the presence of the Republic's newly formed military and the legal representation of the Senators for long.

As Bravo Squad turned, eager perhaps to secure their shuttle and depart the ancient, rusty hive of scum and villainy, they could not help but notice a somewhat nervy Trandoshan walking rapidly from the direction of the shuttle. As the bulky humanoid risked an anxious glance over his shoulder he stumbled over a bin of parts with a loud crash. With a hissed curse he quickly picked his self up and with a final glance towards the Squad took off at a run.

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As Ani, Arius, and Knuckles race off in pursuit of the suspicious Trandoshan, the remaining squad conducts a quick survey of the shuttle. Their heavy footfalls rattle the shuttle's ramp, loud in the near quiet docking bay, as they stalk aboard, eyes immediately scanning for anything that looks tampered with or out of place. Collectively they could almost sense each others relief at finding everything seemingly in order with everything in its place and none of the access panels or hatches open - until one of them had the presence of mind to fire the shuttles powerful engines. The engine whirred briefly before whining to silence, failing to fire - a quick follow up search revealing that the PU-36 modulator and ignition chip is missing thus rendering the shuttle useless until replaced.

Sprinting through the corridor one thing is clear ... the place is old. Very old. From their recent debriefings and Edite the Squad knows at least one hundred years old, and it looks to have been that long since it was cleaned. Dirt, rust, and grime are probably all that holds this station together. Stale air tumbles from the overworked scrubbers.

Yet Ani and the pair of troopers race on through dim corridors, chasing the elusive being up ahead. They barely make out the top of the Trandoshan's head bobbing above the crowd, that almost seems to be rooting the saboteur on with some pointed comments directed at the Republic troopers despite the culprit barreling his way through Burnout's dwellers.

Glimpsing their quarry as he pushes his way past a couple of Zabrak and through swinging double doors, the trooper and their Jedi commander couldn't help but notice the bright, flickering, neon-colored glow panel above the door that reads 'Cafetorium'. Through the closing doors, bad music and worse odors wash over them.

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