ECLIPSE (part VII)

“So far it sounds good.” I prompted.


“I was hoping to enlist you as a test pilot for my new modifications. Dure-Lite has its own, of course, but I felt that a racer's experience and knowledge would be better suited to the task. The problem is that Dure-Lite frowns on outsiders being given access to its technology. Watching you race, though, I could tell you were both daring and more skilled than the pilots we had available so I decided to approach you, I just didn't expect you to find me first.” he finished a little breathlessly.

“Well, Orlan, it seems we are in the perfect position to help each other out.” I smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. “The timing is perfect, too. I need to leave tonight to tend to my business and using one of your modded ships, I can give it a very thorough flight test in the process.”

Orlan then walked me through his modifcations and expectations of the ships new performance specs. I followed most of it until he tried to explain his calculations that linked shield harmonics to repulsor field phase inversions. The ship was impressive. Longer than a standard Headhunter by at least two meters it had a larger power core and a partially integrated hyperdrive. Two of the four wing tip cannon had been replaced with Orlan's new dual functioning repulsor-shield emitters. Apparently they functioned by pulsing both the shields and repulsors in tandem. This, theoretically, would allow the ship to survive not only energy blasts but all out blunt impacts as well. Orlan said the ship would likely just bounce off of anything it hit, to a point. The things were as big as the cannon they replaced but twice as thick. Orlan assured me the next generation would be smaller. There were added repulsor coils in the nose as well. Some of the standard sensor equipment had been removed, but a hardwired R4 had been installed to take up the slack.

Having finished my 'tour' I invited Orlan to accompany me to The Shaft for a Corellian Ale or two to celebrate our newfound partnership. I needed to pick up some things here anyway as you know. I also wanted him to meet you since he might need to contact me in the future by indirect means.

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SO far this is it.....need time to continue but that is hard to come by lately. This story still has a good ways to go and should get quite interesting. This is being told from Tenric's point of view, but the story has already been written as a multi-author fan-fic call "A Shadow in the Force"......stay tuned.

ECLIPSE (part VI)

It took a few moments, but Orlan eventually relaxed and, pushing a button on his datapad, dismissed the security droids. I could see he was trying to make a decision and sensed it had to do with his work for Dure-Lite. I decided to nudge him a little, the regular way.


“I noticed the access panel here was in diagnostic mode just before you arrived. Any juicy details you can share?”

“Uh, well...” he was obviously trying to rationalize a decision he'd already made. “Actually it does rather concern why I wanted to meet you, so I guess showing you would be ok as well.”

I just raised my eyebrows and smiled in response. He took on a conspiratorial air and motioned me to follow him over toward where the Z-95s were berthed. Halfway there the droids approached on their rounds and Orlan motioned for me to stand next to him. When they were abreast of us he addressed them directly.

“Patrol DL703 access.” he spoke clearly. Both droids stopped and turned to face him. I noticed a series of lights blink on their torso panels. Then using his datapad he keyed in a command code and the lights began to blink in a slow progression. “Acknowledge.” he commanded.

“Patrol DL703 acknowledged.” they intoned in unison. “Recognize Chief Engineer.”

“Security access level Delta2, purpose update personnel.” Orlan told them while giving me a wink. “Scan subject and store as Test pilot 00394. Input, confirm, and catalogue.”

Both security droids turned to face me, their photoreceptors glowing reddish. Small holographic cameras extended from above their torso panels and they scanned me. Following standard procedure I turned slowly so they could generate a full 3D scan. Then they switched to infrared and recorded by heat signature. When this had been finished the lights blinked rapidly for a few moments and they faced Orlan once more.

“Confirming subject Test Pilot 00394 scanned, input and catalogued.”

“Secure from access and resume patrol.” Orlan concluded while once more keying a code into his datapad.

The lights went out on the droids torsos and they moved on. Orlan smiled at me and explained.

“The security droids will now recognize you as Test Pilot number 00394. You will have access to the shipyards, berths, and bays along with the pre and post flight rooms.” He stopped and faced me for a moment. “Just let me know when you need a ship and I'll clear it for you. there's no need to steal one.” I smiled and gave him the 'who me' look. He laughed.

“I really have been planning to contact you with an offer. The pilot number I assigned you has already been spliced into the main database.” he once more led on toward the Headhunters.

“Well whatever the offer is, you have definitely captured my interest.” I admitted, “Please fill me in.”

“I have been working on a set of modifications to the standard shield and repulsor lift specifications on the Z-95. I follow the racing circuit and wanted to find a way to raise the safety margin and possibly save a ship as well as the pilot. Two of the ships here already have the modifications, and one just happens to also have a class one hyperdrive as well.” He delivered the last with a smile.

ECLIPSE (part V)

I smiled and shook his hand warmly, but was a bit confused. You see Orlan actually had wanted to meet me, I could feel it in the Force, which meant my little “pushes” hadn't had much effect. I knew then that Orlan had a strong mind, purposeful and confident, and that meant our meeting was the will of the Force. My Master had taught me to seek out that will and follow it when possible. Since Orlan and I were meant to meet I determined to make the best of it.


“Well, then its a good thing we ran into each other tonight since I must leave Soma III on family business and do not know when I may return.” I said after we had shaken hands. My remark had more than the intended effect, however as Orlan's face fell visibly. I could see my leaving troubled Orlan for some reason of his own.

“Leave?” he almost stammered. “But why, I mean...” he looked flustered. “You said family business so it doesn't concern me.” he finished.

I could see now a way to obtain my objective of gaining a fast ship without resorting to either violence or stealing. Sure it meant playing on Orlan's hopes, but I needed a ship and he obviously needed something as well. I decided to play this hand out in a direct manner. Orlan seemed both sincere and honest.

“Orlan. I can see you had something specific in mind when you said you had wanted to meet me. The truth is I had something specific in mind in coming here tonight. Perhaps we can help each other out.” I made it a statement so he wouldn't try to deny it.

“What do you mean?” he asked. “What did you come here for?”

Even as he finished the question I could see his mind roll over the possibilities and hit upon the answer. His eyes widened and he looked toward the Z-95s. He was both strong minded and swift of thought. I felt we could be friends and hoped it could be so. However, first, I needed to finish my business.

“Orlan, please...” I held my hands up “...can you tell me why you wanted to meet me so badly?”