Announcement

**Andrasta Sitra** · 12-07-2014, 01:07 AM

“Docking Bay Twelve.”
Captain Andrasta Sitra switched off her personal receiver and returned her eyes back up to the elderly man who was sat opposite her with the bright and almost cheerful surroundings of the Blasted Asteroid Cantina.
“Sorry about that Okadiah, he has no manners.” Her accented voice said simply to her company his own head bobbing in understanding.
“As neither do many on this station. He is excused.”
The man coughed.
Okadiah had a beard but no mustache, his hair completely white that only seemed to emphasis his portly red face that held an almost constant cheerful look about it. “So does the deal still stand Sitra?”
“Of course it still stands, I’ve put too much time and effort into this.” Andrasta said as her eyes darted around the dining room.
She wasn’t usually paranoid, not in area so ‘legal’ as Gus Treta but the matter was beyond being openly discussed and there were too many ears around them, ears that could lead back to the Hutt’s or worse the Imperials.
“Good I will see to my part within the week.”
It had been a while since Andrasta had seen Okadiah Garsen, a man named for a favoured uncle look so serious. Okadiah was an old friend from years back when Andrasta had broken up a fight that had nearly over run the bar they had been drinking at and a contact that Andrasta had, to her better judgement kept in contact with. The old man was once a foreman for the mining teams that worked non-stop on the planet of Cynda, yet those years had passed and he had relocated here to Gus Treta in order to review his then fresh ownership of several Blasted Asteroid Cantina franchises.
“I’ll be in touch.” Andrasta rose and leant forward to give the elderly man a soft peck on the cheek. “You’ll be on station?”
“No need” He gave her a warm smile before returning his grey eyes to his almost packed eatery. “I’ll be in touch with you.”
“As always.”

As with everything on Gus Treta’s orbiting station the docking bays were packed with makeshift tents, each containing a store or sleeping area, each of the multi-coloured tents spanning out to create a wide jungle of colour and surprises.
It had been in this hustle that Andrasta had found Fortris, the Chiss standing out like a sore thumb even among the large variety of aliens and humans alike that called the markets home.
“Took your time.” He greeted.
“Not my fault you give poor notice.” Andrasta responded lightly as she bit into the soft and delicate flesh of a Pimsy Fruit that she had swiped from one of the market stalls on the way here. “I was busy.”
“Carn doesn’t care.” Fortunetly Fortris gave a smile as he spoke, a smile Andrasta knew by now meant he was being sarcastic. “Apparently we’re on call all the time now.”
She gave a shrug which matched Fortris’ own shoulder movements and started down the access corridor towards the docking bays.
“You said you organised credits?” The kiffar didn’t have to speak so loud here, the crowds having wittled down to the occasional dock worker or freighter pilot moving about towards or away from the markets or docking bays. “Carn decided we’re worth pocket money now?”
“Apparently.” He pulled a small pouch out of his jacket pocket and handed it over to her midstride.
She weighed it in her hands, could be a few hundred credit chips inside. “How much?”
“Three thousand.”
Andrasta gave the Chiss an impressed look. “Three thousand?”
“Down payment, we get an additional two when we get back.” Andrasta handed the bag back to Fortris as he spoke, he had after all sourced the credits. “Plus bonus if we do a small secondary while we’re there.”
“Five thousand, plus bonus. Good work.” The corridor turned into a fork at this point and Andrasta had to look at the aubresh sign overhead to see which direction docking bay twelve was located. “So what is the job anyway?”
Fortris followed her left and matched his stride with hers.
“Just some delivery to a Hutt on Tatooine.” His tone was far to casual for her liking. “Then a return to Carn.”
“A Hutt?” Andrasta quizzed. “What’s it’s name.” She knew of several Hutt’s and she didn’t trust any of them.
“Teemo.”
“Hmph.” Andrasta ran her hand through her hair. She had never heard of a Teemo before, although with the way Hutt politics worked she was probably hearing the name of some new upbeat little Hutt lord looking to make his way in the world. He’d be gone before he could pull them into further service. “Never heard of him.”
“Neither.” Fortris seemed to share the same thought as his walking partner. “Own’s some small slum hole called Mos Shuuta, used to be a mining camp until more unsavoury types moved in and that is pretty much all the information I can get on him.”
Good, he’d done some homework already.
“That’s all we really need to know I suppose?” The large docking door of bay twelve came up on their right and the pair paused briefly to allow security to scan them. “So how we getting there?”
Last time they had needed to do a smuggling job Carn had given them a freighter to do the job in, it had done the job but it was no Kestrel.
Fortris gave her this awkward smile before nodding to the door that had slid open just enough to reveal the painfully familiar silhouette of a YT-2400 and a tear struck at the corner of her eyes.
The Kestrel had been a legend before Carn had taken it from her, yet the years had seen it fall into decline yet here sat before her was the legend reborn.
The paintwork had been reapplied, dark red accents across the typical CEC grey, panels covered each part of her body, even where before they had been removed through damage.
“She’s…” The words escaped her…

**Zipp** · 12-11-2014, 06:38 PM

“Beautiful.”
The woman had seemed confused about how to really express herself over the appearance of the ship, so naturally he had felt inclined to help her come to realisation.
Zipp had gone almost unseen by the pair who had entered the docking bay through the door which had moments before acted as his back rest.
“What?” The woman replied with a sense of confusion as she looked down at the Drall who stood only as high as her waist.
“Beautiful, the ship, she’s beautiful isn’t she.” Zipp said back his eyes focusing on the woman with her red tattoos and blank stare before also taking in the blue skinned gentleman next to her, quickly he also took in their clothing and more importantly the two blasters at their hips. Perhaps these were the ones Carn had told him to meet.
“A ship?” The woman sounded disgusted. “Fortris. Tell the rat that he’s talking about the damn Kestrel Star.” She looked at the blue one who shrugged released a deep sigh and with a frustrated while also apologetic look turned his attention to Zipp.
“She get’s angry when people call it a ship.”
“Does she? Oh dear.” Zipp had taken offence to being called a rat too, he was a Drall and was in fact very tall for his race, yet he didn’t like offending other people as much as being offended himself. “I…I am very sorry. I’m Zipp.” He smiled and offered a small paw which was taken by the one named Fortris.
“Fortris Cohl.” He shook a bit softer than Zipp expected him too, a common problem with the taller species he had noted. “I assume your the mechanic Carn spoke about.”
Zipp had moved his hand over to the woman who just gave him a look resulting in an awkward moment where he was left with a suspended hand for several moments.
“Umm.” He brushed his paw across his head, pressing in the spiked up fur that had been stubborn all day. “Yes, that would be me.”
Carn had given him descriptions of the two who would meet him and up until now Zipp had forgotten all about them. “Oh, you must be the crew. Carn said you would be a very well spoken blue man and a…” Looking at the woman stood near Fortris he gave a sniff before adding. “Cold and insensitive hard piece of womanhood.”
“He said what!?” The woman protested rather loudly towards him and Zipp decided at that moment she was ruder than Carn had first let on.
“I told you, that I would be met by a very well spoken blue man and a cold and insensitive —“
“Okay I get it.” The woman said loudly over him.
“Her name is Andrasta.” Fortris said after her.
“Oh, hi Andrasta. I’m Zipp.” He again offered his paw which was again ignored.
“Don’t care.”
Zipp gave a small sniff and sighed loudly as his hands came to rest on his hips. “You know I’m just doing my job. There is no need to be so rude.”
“NO NEED TO BE —“ Andrasta went to start as Fortris stood in front of her and whispered some quiet words that seemed to calm her down ever so slightly. “Okay. I’m sorry.”
Zipp could tell it wasn’t a wanted apology, but he accepted it all the same besides he had more important and exciting things to do than argue with this Andrasta.
“I was meant to show you around the ship and give you the legal this whats.” Zipp looked at the small electronic device that had been grafted into the top of his wrist. “However we’re running short on time so I vote we just go and I’ll run you through it on the way.”
“We?” Andrasta had seemed to calm down, at least in the Drall’s opinion but something about the word ‘we’ flushed her cheeks and made her scent change. “What do you mean we?”
“I think he means he’s coming with us Kiff.” Fortris smiled and started to head towards the lowered access hatch to the Kestrel.
“I know that means he’s coming with us, I just want to know why?”
“Carn requested it.” Zipp said with a smile. “Besides while most of the Kestrel’s new systems have been checked some have still the element of unknown consequence. You’ll need me around.” Then there was also the fact he had never left the sector in his life and the prospect of a new planet was filling his heart with excitement, however they didn’t need to know that.
“Let’s stop stalling.” Fortris’ voice carried from a distance by the ship.
“See you aboard then.” Zipp gave a small salute to Andrasta and scurried on up the access hatch.

**Fortris Cohl** · 12-12-2014, 02:44 AM

It’s for the best
Fortris had never liked being in the backseat, yet here he was plonked down in what was essentially the unimportant seat of the Kestrel Star’s cockpit. It had been his idea too which was what got him the most flustered, a plan to calm Andrasta down while also having the more technical ability to allow the small Drall Engineer to run them both through the entirely new control panel that had been installed as part of the recent refit.
It had seemed like a good idea, yet for the past three hours all he had listened to was endless arguing and off handed comments made between his Kiffar Captain and Zipp. Deep down he swore at himself.
For all the negative of their new crew member who actually seemed pleasant enough the Kestrel itself was making an impressive display on her second maiden flight. The departure from Gus Treta’s orbital dock had proved she was running smoother than ever and even Andrasta had whistled impressed as the YT-2400 simply glided out into space before rocketing off towards their destination. Zipp had blabbered on about how the original engines had been removed, which again caused an argument with Andrasta, before he detailed the three replacements, which again caused an argument with Andrasta and had even managed to answer all of Fortris’ questions on the subject which had again caused an argument with Andrasta.
Originally the YT operated on a series of two ion engines developed by Corellian Engineering, they were fast and highly customisable which of cause Andrasta had done, endlessly hot-rodding the engines until they had no indication of origin which is apparently why Zipp had ordered them ripped out a detail which again…caused an argument.
His replacements however had seemed to dull down the upstart moods in the cockpit as without a care in the world the Drall had explained the theft of some KonGar KGDefender Engines from a New Republic development station deep in some backwater world, he had also explained the highly illegal engines had been connected, disconnected, reconnected and modified to fit Carn’s expectation of the Kestrel, with atmosphere speeds of up to 1,150 km/h the three ion engines had far exceeded the previous engines capabilities so Zipp had naturally thought it essential to add a fourth just because he could.
“I’m going to go check on the cargo.” Fortris proclaimed to the cockpit as a whole, not really waiting for objection as he rose from the seat. In truth he had already checked the cargo, several large black crates placed within one of the several new smuggling compartments under the cargo room decking, yet a brief moment away from the Drall and Andrasta would be a welcome change from the ever present bickering in the cockpit.
“Four engines. You know because three highly illegal and probably bounty worthy engines isn’t enough.” The Chiss said to himself pausing down the access tunnel to check over some of the internal systems on the ships main computer interface. Like Andrasta’s chair most of the interior had been as yet untouched by the engineering crews at Carn’s disposal. Most of their work took part in the behind the scenes of the ship, between the cracks where the modifications would remain secret from the normal scouting eye. “Next thing he’ll tell me we have eight hyperdrives installed and a personal cannon in each of our bunks.”
Speaking to himself was never a good sign and he knew that eight hyperdrives was a stupid concept, after all he already knew the specifications behind their faster than light travel having been involved in it’s procurement aboard the Corson’s Blue with Andrasta.
The cannons however, who knew.
Reaching the cargo hold Fortris took a deep breath and opened up the closest hidden space, a large gap in the floor that was reached by sliding a small switch that sat tucked under the rubber grips between the panels, it was practically invisible and had caught even him off guard when Zipp had demonstrated.
“Now what are you?”
The boxes were simple enough, large and black with a several locking seals that connected the lids together. They held no markings nor any manifest meaning that all the Chiss and his now duo of crew mates knew about them was that they were to be exchanged for a prisoner with a Hutt.
Hutts.
Every time it always ended up being linked with the Hutts. He had thought it great that being in Carn’s employ had minimal Hutt involvement, the Corellian seemingly more interested in avoiding the slugs attentions. Yet now he was delving in with one, yes a small time one, but still.
So disgusted with the idea of the Hutt Fortris couldn’t even bare to look at the crates anymore so shut the seal on the compartment and headed to the comm unit that sat near the airlock.
“Kiff I’m gonna hit the sack for a while. The smell of Hutt is giving me a headache.” He spoke clearly and to the point before heading off to his small bunk that had fortunately not been touched where he promptly fell asleep to dreams of sand and nightmarish faces.

**Andrasta Sitra** · 01-19-2015, 06:27 PM

Hyperspace.
It was so…
Boring.
Andrasta had finally accepted the changes that were being listed off by the little rat thing that was sat in chair next to him even if she still was getting used to the idea of the Drall being aboard her ship. It had taken Zipp several hours of intense conversation with the Kiffar to get her on his side about several of the additions, most being facts about the engines and other small elements he had insured while not tested would work perfectly when put into practice.
Zipp had retired to his quarters after a second conversation about the new hyperdrive, his formal farewell leaving Andrasta alone for the first time in her now not so familiar cockpit.
She had spent some time going over the console, reading through the computer’s reports and adjusting several routes in the navigation computer which had probably by Carn’s instructions been left rather blank.
The star swirl around her kept her gaze until a series of beeps awoke her trance like state to the proximity alert attached to the navigation systems.
“Seem’s about right.” Andrasta said sliding into a less relaxing position in her chair and bringing up several systems to regain their control manually, flicking the interior communicator she alerted the other members of her apparently expanding crew. “Rise and shine boys. About to make the jump outta hyperspace.”
With a smoothness that had never been experienced in this situation before the Kestrel Star slipped from Hyperspace and the swirls faded before revering back to real space. In the distance the twin binary suns of the Tatoo system shone bright upon Tatooine which catching the reflection of both suns so intensely that its surface shimmered like a third star.
“Fortris system check.” Andrasta ordered as her first mate stepped into the cockpit and slung himself down into the co-pilots chair. Zipp entering moments after and moved to seat behind Andrasta. “Bring up landing codes.”
“Kiff…” Fortris interrupted.
“I see them.” Andrasta responded quietly, there was no mistaking the silhouettes that sat just on the far edge of the Tatooine curve. “Imperial warships.” She adjusted their course instead trying to put the planet between them and the two Star Destroyers that while tiny in comparison to the planet had enough presence to dominate the moment.
“Imperial’s out here? Bit far from Empire territories?” She queried receiving only a shrug from Fortris. “Keep an eye on them, if they make any moves to engage I want us gone faster than a ice cube in the sand.” “If they don’t?”
“We’ll just. I don’t know, fly casual.”
They didn’t engage however, in fact the Kestrel wasn’t contacted at all and Andrasta had started to think that they possibly didn’t even get scanned which almost made her more nervous than if they had to think of excuses fast.
The YT-2400 slipped easily into the atmosphere of the great sand planet and moved down to through the clear blue sky to race across the endless dunes and canyons towards the co-ordinates provided by Carn’s files.
“Freelance Corellian Freighter designation KS-22138, this is Overseer Brynn with spaceport control. Please state your business.” The comm sparked to life as in the distance an elevated mesa began to form through the heat shimmer.
“Spaceport control. This is Captain Kiff Sitra, parts and supply run by authority of Teemo.” Andrasta’s reply was quick and necessary, her hand slowing the Kestrel’s overly speedy advance towards the Mesa which had started to become clearer allowing them to see a large series of sandstone buildings atop of the raised platform. “Requesting permission to land.”
There was a long moments silence.
“KS-22138. You are cleared for landing please proceed to Landing Bay Aurek. Welcome to Mos Shuuta.” The comm-channel cut out and a large ping appeared on the Kestrel’s radar as the homing indicator was assigned to their frequency.
“Well that was the most honest landing I’ve ever done.” She laughed as the Kestrel was slowed considerably to a stop over the top of the domed hanger bay before the ship was lowered with landing gear extended to touch down on the dusty floor of the pourstone hanger. A series of droids and several engineers all moved forward to aid with the landing procedures and Andrasta flicked several switches to turn each of the systems off in turn.
“Well welcome to Tatooine boys.”

**Zipp** · 02-03-2015, 11:50 AM

Tatooine was an easy opposite to everything Zipp was used to.
It was dry and hot, the heat making the Drall’s fur uncomfortably itchy as all the moisture left his body. Even in the shade of the Kestrel the feeling wasn’t much better.
He had elected to stay with the ship soon after the cargo had been unloaded by a small parade of Weequay workers that had departed with Andrasta and Fortris in tow towards the Hutt’s palace, they would be gone for some hours it had been decided and an overnight docking arrangement had been made which gave him time to run some analysis on the ship’s new systems and see if everything was indeed running correctly.
“Just don’t die…” He muttered as a panel was slid to the side just beneath the ventral cannons. “Easy for you fleshy sort to say. Try being covered with fur.” No one was listening, there was no one else around within the docking bay, but it didn’t stop him complaining. After all, the Kestrel would listen. She always did.
Amble clawed hands moved inside the newly opened panel and removed a series of wires that were then attached to a datapad that he had removed from his belt. Now all he needed was…
“Hey, droid.” He shouted over to a small astromech that was wheeling passed the main access door. It’s dome turned slightly and looked towards the Drall whistling curiously. “Yeah you. Got a sec to give me a hand?” The droid began to roll on over towards Zipp who was already disconnecting several wires from the other side of the data pad.
As the droid rolled up he inserted the wires quickly into the droids input sockets and began to thumb quickly across the information on the datapad. Squeeling with alarm the droid tried to roll backwards.
“Wait, I just need you to read the analysis…” The wires disconnected and the droid ran away as fast as it could. “…Damn droids.” He gave some form of Drall curse towards the retreating droid with a flick of his hand. “Guess I have to do it myself then.”
The readouts were pretty normal, seemed like the engines were pulling a touch more power than they should which was causing a considerable bottleneck when it came to the hyperdrive output. He should be able to have it fixed by the morning, if he could find an energised reverse capacitor and a series of other restricted tech. The real question was where in this Hutt spit heap of a settlement would he be able to find that?
A few hours of muttering to himself continued to keep him occupied until the Drall finally fell on the idea that Andrasta and Fortris really wouldn’t be angry if he left the ship alone for a while, after all it was for a good cause.
Yes, he would go and collect what he needed. Perhaps he could even fix that limping communication loop he had noticed during transit.
Today was going to be a good day.

**Fortris Cohl** · 02-03-2015, 12:12 PM

The crates had been loaded upon a drag-cart, while not the most efficient means of transportation these beast drawn loaders were a plenty in the settlement and even the planet due to the reliability and simplicity of it all.
Two Weequay guards led the progression, Teemo’s apparent beast master came next with his Ronto plodding along next to him with heavy set footsteps that ground at the dry sanded floor beneath. The cart was flanked by another two guards, another Weequay and a Twi’lekk whose face bore many scars. Behind all this Fortris had put himself, Andrasta having already slipped off into the settlement proper in search of supplies, credits and as she had put it ‘some form of blasted entertainment to stop herself from dying of bordem’.
Her disappearance suited Fortris just fine, the two of them were not required for the cargo handover with Teemo and with Andrasta’s brilliant way with words having her as far away as possible from the Hutt was a great idea.
Fortris would do this deal himself.
“So how long has your master been in control here?” He spoke to a small creature that hobbled along beside him, it went by the name of Hopper and had at some point maybe been a Toydarian.
Maybe?
Hopper gave Fortris a gruff look and muttered something beneath his breath, which was as laboured as the limp on his left leg, the Chiss guessed the creature never really left the sanctuary of it’s master’s palace without good reason.
“Talkative bunch eh? I like it.”
The group continued their way through the main street of Mos Shuuta, several passersby stopping to take in the crates and the retinue of Teemo’s men, however most just went about their day dealing their wares or doing whatever it was you did on this planet.
The air had become less thickened with the smell of sulphur as the slag works that had made the Mesa an easy find disappeared behind them and the pillar of clouded filth passed to allow the heat of Tatooine’s twin suns rain down on Fortris’ neck creating sweat patches which irritated him profusely.
Rounding a corner Fortris was welcomed by the sight of a large oval shaped building that seemed to dwarf most of the other structures around it.
“You go inside.” Hopper said as the cart was wheeled off towards a series of sheds that were on the far side of the dusty courtyard. “His majesty awaits you.”
“Thankyou.” Fortris turned to the doors and began to walk inside suddenly aware how small and insignificant he was. “I guess…”

The entrance parlour was simple enough, it featured little in the way of anything apart from a small stone desk that was sat attached to a crevice in the back wall and a couple of pieces of Hutt artwork. An attractive young Twi’lek female with the most alluring green skin smiled at the sand blown Chiss as he entered almost making him forget he was on some backwater planet in the Outer Rim about to talk to a Hutt.
“Hey there.” She smiled. “How can I help you?”
“Um…” Fortris took in the artwork, it was disgusting in taste and completely un-necessary for the room, he wouldn’t have expected anything else for a Hutt overlord. “I’m here to see Teemo, just delivered some supplies and I’m meant to pick up a…”
“Ahhh yes the transfer.” She beamed at him with large eyes. “I believe his majesty is already waiting for you in his audience chamber, just head down the corridor and it’s the last door.” She batted her eyelids towards him.
“Yeah?” Fortris looked off down the corridor. “I’ll see you later then?”
“I look forward to it.” She watched him leave.
Had he just flirted? Surely not?
The corridor down to the large doors was laced with a thick red carpet that wouldn’t look out of place in Coruscant’s political centres, it held a level of warmth that Fortris could feel even through his boots and it just screamed wealth.
Typical Hutts. Too much money not enough space.
“Just go in, declare the trade and leave. Simple…right old buddy?” The smuggler tried to at least convince himself as the doors slowly began to open.

**Andrasta Sitra** · 03-03-2015, 05:15 AM

Following Fortris into the den of the local Hutt lord had never been high on Andrasta’s wish list, instead the want for a stiff drink taking precedent.
The local cantina was on the more ‘civil’ part of town, away from the star port and through the main market strips, located between a large shop front and what appeared to be a pen for a number of the markets beasts of burden which at this time held a couple of slumbering Rontos and a pair of bellowing dewbacks.
The ‘Mos Shuuta Bar and Grill’ was nearly identical to every other cantina that littered the surface of Tatooine, from the outside it seemed no more than a mere domed hut, it’s door closed to keep the indecent heat from escaping inside, yet still the small entrance hall and stairs seemed to feel like a furnace as one stepped through the dull green door, aged motors grinding against the sand to shut them quickly. The hardest part was adjusting one’s eyes, their vision having been blinded by the consistent glare of the sun now thrown into a dimly lit and smoky descent that seemed to only grow danker as the stair case began to level out and open into the main room of the cantina.
Across from the entrance, illuminated by deep green lights and just a touch of sunlight from small overhead slits lay the bar itself, a rough sanded counter that wove its way around the floor like a horse shoe, behind lay a series of piping, each known for some form of intoxicating and potentially lethal blend to those who didn’t know what they were ordering, a rough looking Devarian stood behind the bar, his hands busy cleaning glasses, his eyes however had fallen on Andrasta the second she walked in and followed the kiffar as she stepped through the masses, sound of talking not quiet overdone by the Bith four piece band that played cheerily in the corner.
The walk to the bar took her passed a table of a disgruntled wookie, his roars and growls only matched by the loud grunts and squeaks of the darkly clad kubaz sat across the table from him, it’s hands waving some form of abuse at the larger species he was arguing with. The next table along was two Trandoshan’s and several Bothan’s each silent over a deck of Sabaac, eyes flittered between each other as they paid less attention to their surroundings than they did the cards before them. Another table or two were not as entertaining as the last, mostly smugglers and mercenaries trying to get wind of a job or two, here and there even the odd traveller looking for a way off the planet sulked past, Andrasta was made to step around the rather large form of a human who had gruffed at him as he passed, the man was so huge and ugly that he had to have some gamorrean in him.
Sliding into one of the stools at the bar a gangly, multi-armed droid approached her but was intercepted by the Devarian bartender who seemed to believe that she was in need of more, personal service.
“An angel has walked into my establishment it seems.” A long tongue wisped out from between his lips and gave Andrasta the sudden wish to throw up. “I wonder what it is she is wanting?”
“Well I’m wondering how quickly I can cut out that tongue for one if you would be obliged to help me answer that question?” She smiled sweetly which was not a look returned by the bartender. “Or a Ale if that is not an option.”
“An ale it is then.” His tone had changed as he went about his trade.
“I thought you had the look of a softie the second you came in.” A large human scoffed from his position near Andrasta.
“Um? Excuse me?” Andrasta’s hand slid down to her thigh where it was closer to her holstered blaster.
“You heard me!” He appeared very inebriated as he continued to hurl her insulting looks. “You ordered a girly drink, a girly drink for a little girl.”
Her blaster was suddenly in her hand and aimed at the thugs head her eyebrow raising as if to question his continuance.
“Let us not…” A clawed hand slowly lowered to press two fingers on the barrel of Andrasta’s blaster. “Be too hasty.” Another hand slid onto her shoulder where it was soon revealed to belong to a rather elegantly groomed Bothan,
“You are?” Andrasta’s stare slipped towards this new party.
“Bim Gizzo and this is Brom, my rather delinquent drinking partner.” He flourished a hand towards the rowdy human opposite Andrasta. “I do apologise for his brash behaviour. Please allow me to buy you a drink as a sign of our good will.”
Andrasta’s blaster returned to her holster.
“Okay I’ll take a drink.”
Bim turned around to the barkeep but never got the order out of his mouth, instead his eyes traced the blank stare of the bartender towards the entrance of the bar where the silhouettes of two armoured men had just entered.
Imperial Stormtroopers.
Andrasta made sure her face was in the opposite direction, she didn’t need Imperial attention right now, hell she doubted anyone in this bar wanted Imperial attention.
The second of the stormtroopers scanned the environment before waving his hand forward to his partner. A small round ball was produced in this time and with a hum it activated and hovered off the gloved hand of it’s owner.
Scooting around the bar the ball would stop at random scanning patrons with a light bluish light that emitted from a sensor at its equator, bachi flowed from the receptor constantly no doubt feeding information back to the helmets of the Imperials.
The droid scanned Bim who gave it a very nervous look before scooting passed Brom and settling at Andrasta.
It hovered a bit too long for her liking.
The clatter of footsteps behind her was also not welcome.
“Turn around.”
Damn
Moving slowly she shifted her form around so that she was facing the two rather close Imperial soldiers.
“Gentlemen?”
“Hand it over.”
This time the look of confusion on her face was real.
“Hand what over?” She enquired of the two soldiers who looked at each other, their own expressions secret beneath their helmets.
“You’ve been found in possession of stolen information belonging to the Empire.” Andrasta noticed Brom slip out of the cantina as all attention seemed to be on her. “We will take it by force.”
Andrasta glanced left and right, something here was amiss. Then her eyes settled on Bim.
A hand moved up to her jacket, where minutes before the Bothan had tapped her on the shoulder and apologised for his companions actions and where it should have been an empty pocket she instead found the hard edges of a small datacard.
Withdrawing the card brought with it a mixture of whispers and looks from the small crowd.
“So you want this?” She had no idea what it was but she had a good idea where it came from. Her eyes turned to Bim. “What’s it worth to ya?”
“We don’t pay…” The stormtroopers raised their blasters which at this range was a guaranteed hit. “You’re under arrest…”
An angry bellow interrupted the conversation.
The wall of the cantina burst inwards in a shower of stone and dust, Andrasta and the stormtroopers being thrown to the floor as the debris flies across them. Another roar announced the appearance of an extremely furious looking Ronto as it thundered into the cantina trampling everything and everyone in it’s path.
The datachip was still in Andrasta’s hand as the chaos began to unfold.
Bim’s hand grasped hold of Andrasta’s trying to pry the chip away, but he was hurled off as the Ronto moved through him heavily, the beast throwing him like a doll through the air. The two stormtroopers were up now, one of them moving in on Andrasta, the other seemingly calling for help. Rolling sidewards to escape the rampaging beast the Kiffar produced her blaster from her holster and took down one of the troopers with a well placed shot to the chest, the other opened fire suddenly causing her to have to take cover behind a toppled table.
“Give me the chip.” Brom had reappeared from the hole at the side of the cantina and was now heading fast towards Andrasta, the Ronto no doubt being his work.
He was practically on top of her as his form was hit by a flurry of bolts from the remaining stormtrooper his body slumping down atop of the turned over table.
A green bolt shot through the air and impacted with the trooper only moments after he took the Ronto in the head with three well placed shots, dropping him to the floor with a thud that shook the entire establishment, Bim moving over the corpse with a heavy limp and heavy bleeding from the head.
“Give it back.” His blaster was pointed directly at Andrasta who had stood to her full height and also in perfect firing position. “It belongs to me.”
“What is it?” He had planted it on her, somehow he knew the place was getting searched and had to hide the chip. “I mean it has to be something important, Imperial attention, a shoot out and lots of witnesses.”
Bim only smiled.
“It’s worth a lot to me, so hand it back.” He took another step forward.
“A lot to you means a lot to me.” Andrasta also took a step although hers was back. “Why don’t I just kill you and take it.”
Bim was getting flustered, she could see it in the way his fur kept rippling.
“Look I’m down a partner.” He flashed his gun towards the body of Brom. “How about I let you into the cut, after all I already have the buyer organised.”
He had a point, she had no idea what was on the chip. Having someone with a buyer already would be a great advantage.
“That is a good point.” She pulled the trigger and Bim hit the ground in one dead lump. “No deal though. I don’t like sharing.”
Turning she placed the datachip into a pouch on her belt and gave the bartender a quick glance.
“Hey you can’t blame all this on me…”
“Yeah that’s a fair call.” The bartender said as he ran a hand across his chin. “Suppose you don’t still want that ale do ya?”
“To go?”
“I can do that.” He slid a bottle across the bar to her as a piece of roofing fell off and shattered across the floor. “You might want to be getting outta here, the Imperial’s have a vested interest in this settlement and there seems to be two dead stormtroopers on the floor.” He pointed to the bodies of the troopers. “I’ll stall them but I’ll have to send them after you eventually.”
“You’d help me?” She gave him a look. “Why?”
“I’ve never helped an angel before, might as well start now.”

**Zipp** · 03-03-2015, 07:23 AM

Having walked most of the main market stands Zipp came to one simple conclusion that nowhere in this settlement will have the parts he needed for the additions he wanted to make to the Kestrel’s rather impressive systems.
Stepping between two rather rough looking humans the Drall continued on his way with little more than a hum on his lips until a unassuming shop appeared to the left of him.
The sign above the door read Gorn’s Superb Emporium and for the most part of it seemed to be a junk shop, yet the keen eyes of the mechanic saw one thing that set it aside from all the other store fronts he had dismissed today.
In the window, pressed against the dirt stained glass was a simple piece of polished metal, not out of the ordinary for most who would see it, but to Zipp the lure of a such a rare find was beyond excitement.
Stepping within the store the appearance of a dingy shop that never warranted being called an emporium, let alone superb began to take shape. A dozen dusty shelving units were scatted across the area creaking under the weight of what could with an ounce of generosity be called junk.
“Halt, intruders! Keep your hands where I can see them.” a battered, old Baktoid OOM-series security droid bared his way levelling its blaster at Zipp. “Identify yourselves, you have five seconds to comply.”
“I am quite certain it is a potential customer.” Another virtually identical droid said openly. Tall and fragile looking Zipp could tell these droids had seen better days and the dents and scratches across their skeletal frames only emphised his point.
“You have three seconds to comply.” The first droid said, ignoring its partner.
“Oh geez. Lower your weapon OB-1E,” a Duros behind the counter says testily. “You’ll scare away my customers again.”
“Roger, roger.” OB-1E acknowledged and lowered his blaster rifle.
“Welcome to my emporium.” The Duros said greeting Zipp. “I apologise for my droid’s…zeal. How can I help you? Perhaps you are in the market for a pair of pre-owned security droids?” He gave the pair a stern look before he returned his attention to the Drall before him.
“Unless they have Corellian standard twenty seven B thermal motivators than no I am not in need of security droids.” Zipp replied unaware of the non-seriousness of the initial question.
“Oh, well…what are you after then?”
Zipp began to list of a number of parts and pieces he required, each item nodded of by who he only assumed was Gorn himself.
“I hope you can help?”
Gorn stood still for a moment, clearly working out how much money he could make off this transaction. “Yeah..no trouble at all…”
The proceedings however where interrupted by a Trandoshan who entered the shop with two Aqualish thugs and a Barabel in tow. The Trandoshan ignored Zipp completely and instead waved a stange-looking device in Gorn’s face.
“Remember this?”
“Ahhh Trex…I see you’ve returned your…” Gorn took some solid steps backwards to try and put distance between him and the advancing Trandoshan.
“Don’t give me that. You sold me defective goods.” The device was slammed down onto the counter. “I want my money back. I also want an extra five hundred so I don’t break your face for the nerve.”
“Now hear me out Trex.” Gorn was looking very nervous as he walked backwards into the shelf behind him. “All sales are final and the motivator..well it worked fine when I sold it to you.”
“I’ve heard enough of this!” The trandoshan drew his blaster and pointed it at Gorn who also was quick to produce a shatter gun out of the shelf he had just stepped into. The thugs spanned out around the room and the two OB droids levelled out their own blasters.
“Um…” Zipp could do nothing as the blaster bolts began to fire and almost as quick as it began everyone but Trex was dead on the floor.
“Stupid space head.” The Trandoshan spat on the corpse of the late merchant before drawing his blaster and turning to the door. “Get out of here rat.” He said simply towards Zipp who merely nodded quickly and removed himself from the room.
“Back to the ship…yep…back to the ship…”

**Fortris Cohl** · 03-04-2015, 05:55 PM

By the Force it smelt.
Fortris hadn’t quite worked out if the smell was coming from the Hutt itself or the variety of goons and thugs that he around him at all times, it was like jet fuel mixed with some form of excrement and seemed to seep into every inch of one’s senses.
“Bring the prisoner.” A wry Weequay screamed across the floor as Fortris tried to not look around too much, he had just spoken to the slug himself who had according to the rumour returned from the starts of a galactic holiday in order to meet with Fortris and secure Carn’s delivery.
From behind the main podium a stooped figure was prodded out into the main arena by a pair of shock-prod wielding Aqualish thugs.
“Greton Amaro.” The Weequay announced as the prisoner was bought forward to where Fortris was standing, the look of the Hutt upon the human not lost to the smuggler. “As promised.”
Greton had obviously seen better times, the middle aged human seemed to resemble more of a walking corpse than anything else, deep black rings beneath his eyes only complimented by the pasty green of his skin.
Drugs, sometimes Fortris thought back on simpler times when the idea of smuggling never crossed his mind, yet now here he was in the palace of a Hutt getting ready to transport a convoked druggy from the rim to the core.
Have to make money somehow.
The Hutt said something in his deep language which seemed to cause a store amongst the room.
“We will transport him to your ship smuggler then the mighty Teemo demands you be gone from his domain.” The Weequay again waved towards the door allowing the two Aqualish to prod the prisoner through and out into the main corridor.
Fortris just stood there, the sudden dislike towards him confusing the situation.
Again the Hutt bellowed something.
“Uh…”
“The mighty Teemo asks if you have anything more to say?” The Weequay questioned.
“No…of course not.” It wasn’t his place to talk to the Hutt he supposed. No that was Carn’s domain, he was simply a delivery boy, nothing more. “Thank you.” He bowed and departed the palace.

“Smuggler.”
“You must be Hurk?” Fortris greeted the other man who had approached him in the place Carn had spoken of. He held the description pretty well, aged, worn and torn.
“Aye. I suppose you have the package?” Hurk seemed to want to speak to the point.
“Of course.” Fortris slipped a small packet out from his chest pocket and slid it into the cybernetic hand of Hurk. “I believe you had something to transfer?”
Hurk slid the top open on the packet and peered inside, his lips moving silently as he did before returning his gaze to the Chiss.
“Yeah…I got your goods.” He waved his hand and a woman, no older than twenty stepped out into the light, she wore a pair of bracers wrapped around her wrists. “Instructions are to take her to your employer and fast. She’s got other interested parties around these parts so I wouldn’t wait around long.” Hurk turned his back on Fortris and started walking away. “That reminds me…” He tossed a credit chip to Fortris who caught it. “We never had this agreement.”
Then he was gone, leaving Fortris with the girl.

**Andrasta Sitra** · 03-05-2015, 02:10 PM

They had hoped Fortris would get back to the ship sooner or later.
Andrasta had already done the pre-flight checks and prepared everything for launch as Zipp had arrived looking worse for ware muttering something about backwater worlds and scum of the universe. She really didn’t give him much heed, rather letting him board the Kestrel and go about something or other he was doing in the docking bay.
Soon after a group of Aqualish arrived with a surly looking human who they claimed was the transport for Carn, she had shoved him into one of the quarters and lock-sealed the door before asking the escorts where her first mate was, they mumbled something about him being along soon and she was again forced to put hope into the Chiss who she had stared to become rather fond of.
He wouldn’t let them down, not today.
The Imperial’s would be on their trail soon, no, her trail.
What had she done?
Fingers grasped hold of the chip in her pocket and pulled it out to give it another inspection as a small beep erupted from the cockpit, the sensor indicating a pair entering the hanger bay.
“What the frell?” Andrasta leant up to peer over the console and spotted Fortris, the problem was he wasn’t alone. Stashing the chip back into her pocket she took off down the access corridor and towards the downed ramp.
“What time do you call this?” Andrasta gave Fortris the look as he started to come up the ramp with only a smile. “I also didn’t realise we moved onto transporting.” She looked at the girl and gave her the one two, she seemed like the common sort with her half shaved head and rough looking face.
Fortris went onto explain something about the girl being part of an additional deal he had made with Carn.
“You took additional terms and didn’t feel the need to fill me in on them?” Andrasta hit the button to allow the ramp to raise. “I can’t believe you would do that…” A sudden bang sounded from outside of the ship as something hit the hull of the Kestrel. “What the frell…Zipp?…” Moving fast up to the cockpit Andrasta heard another several bangs as she went.

Originally posted by Zipp

“Andrasta, there are stormtroopers out there!

They’ve found me.
Outside of the ship a group of Imperials had started to flow into the docking bay with their blasters firing.
“We need to move now!” She gave no explanation instead leaping into the pilots seat and hitting the throttle and pulling the Kestrel up into the air as small arms fire continued to patter against the hull. Then with a roar the YT turned upwards and shot into air above Mos Shuuta.
Tatooine began to fade away as the stars returned to surround the ship.
“Scanners.” Fortris went to work in the co-pilots seat, his fingers sliding across the control panels as Zipp also started to work behind him.
In front of them starting to move into position was one of the two Star Destroyers they had seen when approaching Tatooine.

Originally posted by Fortris

“I don’t suppose fly casual would apply anymore?”

Fortris offered a wry smile towards Andrasta who only rolled her eyes and continued looking for an opening.
“Let’s see what this thing can do then shall we?” Hitting the throttle hard Andrasta flipped the Kestrel around and away from the fast approaching Star Destroyer.

Originally posted by Fortris

“We’ll be in range any second.”

“No we won’t.” The stars shifted and the kestrel slipped away from real space and into the relative safety of hyperspace.

**Zipp** · 03-05-2015, 02:45 PM

Imperials!
This little adventure had gone too far now. It was great when he could just play around on the ship and be an engineer but then he had seen someone murdered in cold blood and now there were imperials.
The ship shifted into hyperspace and Zipp watched as both Andrasta and Fortris seemed to slip back in their chairs as the immediate threat disappeared.
“So home time now?” Zipp squeaked from behind them. “I’m really hoping it’s time to go home now.”
The swirl of the stars in front of him did nothing to calm to feeling in his belly.
“I think I’m going to…” He stood up and made his way to the access hatch at the rear of the cockpit. “Lie down.”

**Fortris Cohl** · 03-05-2015, 04:25 PM

Star lines faded and Fortris finally felt himself breath again.
Before them the great behemoth of the Golden Iggot sat dormant in the space before them its form taking up nearly the entire of the Kestrel’s viewport.
“Homeward bound.” Fortris ran his hand through his hair as he gave Andrasta a bit of an eye twitch towards the giant cruiser that sat before them. “You got the landing. I’ll go check up on the…ah…cargo.”
The Kiffar gave a grunt as Fortris slid out of his chair and turned around Andrasta leaving her to land the Kestrel into the docking bay opening in the distance.
“Can someone tell me what’s going on here?” The girl he had collected from the Old Man on Tatooine accosted him as he entered the living quarters, her face twisted into confusion and anger; obviously the ride had been a bit rough on her. “I finally get off that damn planet and I’m not given an explanation or anything! Who are you and what-“
“Shut up.” Fortris pointed at her and then to the chair by the crew lounge. “Sit down.” He moved straight past her and hit the door to the cargo hold allowing the form of Greton Amaro to fall out in a drunken state.
Except he didn’t, the man who walked out of the hold was indeed Greton, but he had none of the addict air that hung over him at the Hutt’s palace, his posture was up straight and he walked with a sense of confidence.
“Being allowed out to relieve myself would have been nice there chap.” He tapped Fortris on the shoulder as he stood with a slight stunned sense to him. “Appreciate the lift though.”
“Whose he?” The girl spoke up.
“Hold on.” Fortris turned back towards Greton who was busy making himself comfortable on the lounge.
“Didn’t realise bondage was still in?” Greton looked at the girl who was still bound by the simple metal clasps she had come aboard in. “What ever floats your boat though.”
“You sobered up nicely…” Fortris leant against the bulkhead his red eyes focusing in on the rather elegantly relaxed man before him.
“Oh yes, I suppose an explanation is probably in order.” Greton stood and extended his hand. “Rhun Cadwallen. NRIS, at your service.”
Fortris let out a breath of air.
“NRIS eh?”
“Oh don’t worry, I’m not in the business of shutting down those who I would like to call friends.” Greton turned Rhun laughed at Fortris’ facial expression. “In fact I prefer to trust in those in your line of work. No honour among thieves they say, clearly no one has ever experienced the NRIS code of honour.”
Fortris merely stood there gape mouthed as Rhun took a few steps towards the lounge again and only the hard bump of the Kestrel making landing woke him from his stunned ways.
“So, your a spy?”
“I wouldn’t be that crass.” Rhun changed his direction as the ramp began to open. “We’ll be in touch.” He winked and headed down into the hold of the Golden Ingott.
“So…you want to know who I am?” The girl asked with a shrug.
“No.” Fortris said bluntly rolling his head towards the ramp. “Get out.”

“Well done.”
Andrasta had headed off to some other part of the ship pretty much immediately after landing, muttering something about calling a favour leaving Fortris to deal with Carn.
“Thanks boss.” Fortris accepted the credit chips that were slipped across the table towards him. “I assume everyone is all the better now.”
“Yes, our Republican friend has safely been dispatched back to Corellia where he will be met by his holders and payment will be dispatched.” Carn looked smug.
“The girl?” “Oh yes the bonus. Turns out she has quite a substantial bounty held over her head on some separate systems. We are currently circulating her capture and working the angles for the majority profit.”
“Your contact said there were several others already interested on Tatooine, he said they would already be…” Fortris went quite thanks to the hand that Carn raised.
“That is of no concern. She was picked up by some small time bounty hunter, a bounty hunter who trusted the wrong people. No honour among thieves after all.” Carn smiled and waved his hand dismissively. “Now go, enjoy your spoils. Tell Andrasta I’m expecting her for another job soon.”
“Of course.”

**Ral Talaskar** · 03-05-2015, 04:41 PM

Ooc: All references to Imperial resources used with permission of Aram Kalast

Two stormtroopers made their way towards the shuttle as it docked in the hold of the Imperial Star Destroyer Dubrillion, their armoured forms falling into line as the front ramp lowered down to the highly polished floor.
“The Admiral will see you now.” They stated as the uniformed man came onto the deck and proceeded forward up the hold and towards the turbo lift at the farside.

“Agent Talaskar.” Admiral Derall said as the young Imperial Agent entered the bridge. “I’m afraid we let your ship escape. Such a shame.” He smiled as Ral Talaskar stepped further up the bridge to look out at the glowing brown of Tatooine.

“Thank you Admiral.” He stated simply. “We have a signal?”

“Your tracker has started to trace. We’ll have a location in the hour.” The Admiral pointed towards a console in the pit where several Imperial’s continued their work. “I have both the Dubrillion and the Vengeance ready to leave the second we have a trace coordinate.”

“Excellent.” Ral nodded to the Admiral. “I’ll be in my quarters, holo me when we have a lock. I want that ship.”

“Of course Agent.”

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Game of Chance: Glitterstim of my Eye

Game of Chance: Glitterstim of my Eye

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