Open Terrain

*Vandelhelm is a planet of cities, with deserts and mountains*

Jocelyn Looks out the Window From Her Room she yawns and decides its time to wake up she looks around and sees that everything is as it should be.

Just in time for the doors opened and in walked her Nurse " Its time to be out and about Mi Lady your Father and Mother are already on their way to the Opening of the New Shipyard"

" Father and Mother left Already?" Joce jumps out of her bed and runs to get ready. Afterwards she emerged from her room in a dark Blue Dress Uniform complete with high riding boots. She clips her Light saber to her belt and hurries out the door making sure to grab a muffin and a cup of Orange juice on the way out, she is met by her Amazonian Body guards who lead her to a hover Barge. Joce boards and off the go to see the new opening of another star shipwright. Her Planet was known for it She hoped to see Grat Grandfather Vendel and Helm, the entrepreneurs who had discovered the planet and had turned a profit due to its high quality metals and such.

The Barge lands on one of the Platforms and Jocelyn and her entourage step out of the Barge getting ready to board her ship to fly to the Space station above. Joce sees an old Sullustan a Huge Smile comes to her Face " Uncle Nep!!!!!" She rushes forward and gives Dllr Nep for that was his name an old Rogue Squadron Pilot " Dllr Nep looked up a smile comes to his face " Joce" he returns her hug he then lets her go " I will take you up to the Space Station to watch the new launching of the New Star Ships"

Joce Smiles " Wouldnt have it any other way lets go Mother and Father must be waiting"

Jocelyn and her Entourage enter the Lambda Transport and it takes off toward the Space Station orbiting the Star Docks.

After Six long Hours the Ship Lands again and out of it walks a very tired Jocelyn She says goodbye to Uncle Nep and heads toward the Floating Pleasure Barge.

*Incoming Transmission from Tynna.*

=Endor=
:: Greetings citizens of Vandelhelm. I am known as Endor, Lieutenant Governor of Tynna, your neighboring planet. As a sign of friendship I would like to open up trade relations with whomever has authority to do so. As well, the Grendal Pirate Consortium is the ruling Government of Tynna and is always in need of ships or ship repairs. If you require anything from us, such as aid or perhaps something else you think you may need, feel free to ask. The Grendal Pirate Consortium is a peaceful group intent on keeping the Expansion Region safe, and in gaining more allies and friends. Please feel free to visit myself or Ton Grendal(Tynna's Governor, very nice chap) on Tynna if you like. One way or another you will see me soon as I am going to be transporting cargo to and from all the planets in the Expansion Region very soon. ::

Joce walks out of the Grand Academy students rush back and forth trying to get to classes. Joce waves at some of her friends who wave back to her. She runs down the corridors making her way toward the Fencing Room. She knew she was late.

<< Hello, do you remember me *grin* >>

*Incoming Transmission from Tynna.*

=Endor=
:: That sounds splendid. Either myself or my wife will be making a visit to your lovely planet in the next few days(sometime over the weekend) to further arrange the details. I am very eager to proceed with negotiations. Tynna and the Grendal Pirate Consortium(GPC) has a lot to offer, and we are always happy to make new friends. ::

:: This is Grand Moff Ton Grendal of the Grendal Pirate Consortum and Governor of Tynna. As Endor has stated, we are always willing to welcome new allies and friends into our fold if they are willing to do the same. Associate Moff Endor, my second in command and Lt. Governor of Tynna, has the authority to form an alliance with you and represents both myself and the people of Tynna and the GPC. It is with great regret that I cannot meet with you at the moment, but I am currently on a mission. I hope to be home soon. In the meantime, I encourage you to speak with Endor or his wife (whom if she is good enough to represent Endor, she's good enough to represent me). If we at the GPC can aide you in anyway, we're a comlink away. Grendal, out. ::

*The Storm Hawk sets down at the Spaceport in Vandelhelm's capital. The boarding ramp lowers and Lady Kitana walks out of the shuttle gracefully. She doesn't really look the part of an ambassador, choosing to where tight formfitting outfits that accentuate her lean figure instead of those fancy gowns that so many other ambassadors wear.*

Well from the flyby, Vandelhelm seems to be a lovely place. It's probably best if I just wait here, I'm sure they will send an escort or maybe Miss Starcrest will meet me herself.

*Kitana sighs and pouts.*

No one is coming...I don't like being ignored. Hmphh!

*Kitana sends a message to Miss Starcrest.*

:: I'm sorry Miss Starcrest, but my time is short and I must return to Tynna. We are still very much interested in an alliance with your fair planet. Feel free to stop on by or at least contact us to work out the details. ::

*Kitana then reboards the Storm Hawk and powers up the ship. She launches into orbit a few minutes later.*

Jocelyn sits at her desk wondering what to do next word had arrived that an emissary from Tynna had been here but she missed it so she sends out a memo letting her personel know to tell the next emissary to provide their version of the treaty for her to look at and they would hammer the deal out from there.

*The Ore King and the other eight transports land outside the city, deep in the wilderness of Vandelhelm. Droids and miners clear the area of animals so that a mining zone can be set up. Jack Graveheart steps out of the Ore King while Steve Strarunner goes about ordering the miners to their duties. Jack looks at the rocky area he now finds himself in. His grey eyes never seem to blink, and his face never moves, almost like it was chiseled from stone. Jack grunts and walks towards his favourite new toy, an old AAT whose cannon was replaced with a large sonic drill.*

=Jack=
Nice...

*After several hours of work, the miners have set up a small outpost surrounded by their transports. Excavator droids and miners have already begun the dig process. The GMC is searching for ore, but any other unexpected finds would not be unwelcome.*

*Jack stands on top of the modified AAT. He hops into the cockpit and warns up the massive Sonic Drill, the drill hums to life. Jack turns the transformed war machine towards the hole already made by his team of miners and fires the Sonic Drill. Earth and rock vibrate apart and a tunnel is quickly formed where the drill cannon is pointed. The AAT moves forward and starts following the tunnel downwards. Jack can hear the machine whine as he forces it past its minimum capacities. After several hours a large mine shaft is created and droids start hauling ore out of it in carts. Jack finally lets a smile break his stone like face, mining is one of the few activities he actually enjoys anymore. He leaves to go find Steve.*

*After a short search, Jack finds Steve back at the Ore King, filling out paper work. Steve looks up and grins at Jack.*

=Steve=
Your smiling.

=Jack=
....*nods his head*

=Steve=
You must be in a very good mood then. I'm glad, you've been sop quiet since we left Coruscant. You need to let go of the past Jack, you can't keep focusing on the war.

*Jack's smile vanishes and is replaced with the same grim look he usually wears. He nods his head and leaves the office, heading back towards the mine shaft.*

*As Jack walks back to the mine, he speaks out loud in his own mind. Only he can hear what he is saying, but that doesn't matter to him.*

=Jack=
My name is Jack Graveheart, and up until a few years ago, my life was a happy one. I was born into a wealthy family, whom I loved each member of. My father was a wealthy businessman, the owner of Graveheart Industries. My mother was a gentle woman, always looking after me and my sisters. My days were spent in the mines, enjoying my time with friends and family. But then the Vong came, and all of that changed forever.

I don't know why the Vong chose our galaxy. But they did, and they killed trillions in the process. My family amongst the numbers. I am all that survived of the Graveheart lineage, the sole heir to an untold fortune. And I would give it all up just to see my mothers face, or my fathers stern gaze, or to hear the laughter of my older sisters. But I can't have it back, because those monsters took it all from me so long ago.

The war was brutal for everyone, not just me, though I suffered worse than a lot. I was on Coruscant when the Vong struck and took the capital of the galaxy. We gave those bastards hell, but there were just too many. So we ran, we ran and we hid in the lower levels. Who would of though a spoiled brat like me would end up with the gutter trash I so often shied away from. I became one of them, part of the resistance.

We fought the Vong day and night, the screams of the dying and the over worlders could be heard even in our sleep. It was an unimaginable hell, and it was our life. Some gave up, but I knew I couldn't. I would never give in to those organic bastards who slaughtered my whole family. They were my enemy, and I made them suffer every opportunity I could.

*Jack continues with his story, still it can only be heard in his own mind.*

=Jack=
We called ourselves the Resistance, but we were nothing more than an armed mob. But after enough killing, we started to learn a thing or two. Suddenly the tides had turn, and the Vong were playing on our turf. We made them pay for every life they took, and we made them pay hard. After months of this, we eventually stemmed the constant battles. The Jedi showed up, and with them the battle turned in our favor.

The war ended shortly after, but by then it was too late. Trillions were left dead, more so were left homeless. Our world, Coruscant was changed almost beyond repair. They say that Vong creatures still live in the underbelly of the lower levels, its no myth, their down there. I left Coruscant and struck out on my own. My family fortune now resided with me, so I restarted the family company.

The Graveheart Mining Company has slowly expanded since then, and I should take pride in that. My father would be proud, but I'm not the same son he once knew. I'm dead on the inside, the Vong took my soul. Now, the only thing I have left is mining, I live in the ground. Do not feel pity for me, my life was not the only ruined by the Yuuzhan Vong war. I'll keep going, I'm a survivor. I'll just continue digging until I die, or I run out of things to dig. The day I put down my drill is the day I die. My name is Jack Graveheart, and I am a survivor.

*The story ends and all that is left is a lonely minor, walking back towards the mine shaft. Jack continues on as if he hasn't recalled a thing, he buries the painful memories deep inside.*

*Steve Starrunner comes running into Jack's office.*

=Steve=
Hey boss, your going to want to hear this.

*Steve replays the message sent by Ricky Bolt in front of Jack. Jack Graveheart listens intently and the grim look etched upon his face remains unchanged. Steve looks back at Jack.*

=Steve=
Well...what do you think?

=Jack=
....*he shrugs*

=Steve=
So should we go anyways?

*Jack hesitates for a moment. He looks like he is thinking hard about this decision, but in reality, his mind is already made up.*

=Jack=
....*nods his head*

=Steve=
I'll get right on sending a message to this Ricky Bolt. Maybe we can get a hold of there leader. I think they said his name was Endor.

*Jack nods and waves Steve away with a hand gesture.*

*Steve leaves Jack's office aboard the Ore King and heads to the ships bridge. Once there he gets on the mining teams joint radio and sends an open transmission to everyone working or on break.*

=Steve=
:: Attention to all miners, those stationed on Ore Haulers 1 through four are to continue their operations here. All miners on Ore Haulers 4 through 8 are to report back to their transports. Were leaving for this planets neighboring world, Tynna. Jack's going to be setting up operations there so he is leaving Tyler in charge of operations here. Thats an order, now hustle. Time is credits. ::

*The Ore King powers up its engines as the miners reload Ore Haulers 4 though 8 with equipment, droids, and personnel. After six hours preparation time, the ships lurch up off the ground and make for the planets orbit.*

Jocelyn Starcrest the Heiress of the Vandelheim Merchant houses walks along the many parks built in the Budding Trade City. She walks in silence and seats herself on a park bench she studies the trees around her an sees huge shining branches the tree bark studded with minerals of the Mineral rich planet. She looks up as many ships fly here and their the huge factories refining metals dug from the mines way at a distance. She sighs and wonders when next she will meet someone to talk to. She loks back as her Amazonian guards look around making sure she was safe.

*The mining operation continues to run smoothly. Tyler is one of the youngest managers working for the Graveheart Mining Company, but Jack trusts him explicitly. If anyone can run a mining operation without trouble, it's Tyler. More droids and equipment is off loaded and put to use. Vandelhelm is rich in minerals so the company is having no trouble locating wealthy deposits.*