Star Wars: Revenge of the Smugglers (Main Thread)

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“They were in the wrong place at the wrong time. Naturally they became heroes.”

-Leia Organa of Alderaan, Senator

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Trianii Space. The planet of Trian stood out like a beacon of modernization among the countless backwater planets of Wild Space and subjugated planets of the Empire that surrounded it. Tall buildings spanning kilometers spanned the surface like monoliths of durasteel that reached the skies. Thousands of orbiting ships, satellites and platforms carrying about their business. It appeared as if Trian had not a care in the world as the rest of the galaxy tore itself apart. Despite the state of galactic affairs, nothing was out of place in the system.

Nothing, save for the light freighter tearing its way through the atmosphere as a dozen ships followed in close pursuit. And almost as quickly as it had appeared, it was gone. In the blink of an eye it entered hyperspace and was out of the clutches of the Trianii craft.

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Aboard the Sunhawk, T4-BP gave a series of whirs and beeps as he unplugged from the computer. With the hyperdrive now online and the ship heading towards its destination, the little droid had nothing more to do. It simply started to roll away from the computer and began to patrol around the halls, whistling at the strangers now on its ship.

Anyone with an inclination for engineering could tell that the Sunhawk itself was a well cared-for ship, its previous owner having customized it extensively to suit her smuggling needs. She had installed a concealed ventral anti-personnel repeating blaster, added twin turbolasers above the port and starboard storage bays, synced the weapons up with a complex slave circuit system attached to a combat control system, had no less than four types of electronic countermeasures, stasis and concussive shielding, and an enhanced sensor suite... all of which had been confiscated and throughly searched by the Trianii authorities. By sheer providence, the engines, hyperdrive, and communications system were still in place on the ship.

Additionally, while the machine shop in the rear had been stripped bare of most items of note, a workbench and lab station still remained in the port cargo hold - likely in the process of being moved off before the escape. Feen would be able to notice the telltale signs of a kolto tank that had been set up there, but which was - unsurprisingly - no longer on the ship.

The three bedrooms also seemed to be in good condition. Two of them had four sets of bunk beds inside, and while they were scattered around the rooms as if they had all been tossed and inspected, the mattresses, sheets, and pillows remained. They were rather simple, being white and made of synthcloth, but it would be far more comfortable and clean than whatever had been back in their cells on Trian.

The starboard bedroom, on the other hand, was completely empty. Rakko could notice make out the strong scent of animal fibers in that room, which combined with the barely-perceptible parallel scrapes on the floor, indicated that there had once been a luxurious bed set up in it.

If he inspected the cockpit, Darius could easily recognize that he was dealing with a modified control setup. If their flight during their escape was any indication, the ship's engine had received an extensive overhaul that allowed it to perform closer to a starfighter than a freighter.

edited 21st Jan '15 7:09:29 PM by nman

Darius collapsed into the pilot chair after looking over the control system. What he had just gone through was one hell of a ordeal, first the job was supposed to be simple, then the local government shows up, then there is a fight. And soon enough they were out in deep space.

"How come none of you can pilot a ship?" The bounty hunter asked, incredulous as to how a rising need for a skill in the age of the empire was not common. "I can undestand Rakko and Fixit as most control systems can't accommodate them..."

edited 21st Jan '15 7:19:29 PM by EchoingSilence

"Ee chee wa maa!" Rakko exclaimed as they finally entered hyperspace. The little Ewok looked at the ragtag group of prisoners that had escaped with him and...didn't know what to make of them. It took him awhile to string together the words that he wanted in Basic but, when he managed to, he spoke.

"What now? We should go find a planet and lay low for a bit. Maybe trade the ship to stop them from tracking us." he told everyone, looking up as Darius mentioned his name. He hated the fact that his vocabulary was so limited in Basic. On Endor, Rakko was considered verbose and talkative.

"You're an enemy of art and I pity your ignorance" - Domingo Montoya Help save the rainforest for free simply by going to Ecosia.org.

A huge, armored figure loomed over the bounty hunter in the pilot's seat, his face masked by a Sith Trooper's helmet, though clearly he was taking in the view of the infinitely-stretching stars in Hyperspace through the cockpit viewport. His low voice came through with an electrical crackle in response to the man's question, "I had a droid do my piloting for me."

He turned away from the window, looking back - for the first time since their hectic escape from their cells, really - over the rest of the ragtag group that had made use of Vania's sacrifice and escaped upon the vessel. It wouldn't be long before they would be at odds, he knew, and he tried to gauge them all, as they were still potential threats. Both the women who were presumably responsible for his own arrest had made it onboard; he smiled from behind his visor at Kyla, who had challenged him to kill the Hutt, Luda, a few months ago. Though ultimately unsuccessful, he was proud of his attempt, and was genuinely happy to see her again.

Then there was the Twi'lek, Feen, who had tended his wounds shortly after. She was Jedi-trained, he was certain, and for that she made him uneasy. Her skills were undeniable however; augmented with the Force, she had likely brought Uziel from the brink of death. He wouldn't go so far as to swear to her a life-debt, but he knew he owed her, regardless of his suspicions.

The short, furred alien whose species he didn't recognize spoke up before he could size up the rest. Trade the ship? Of all people, Uziel knew how dangerous flying a stolen starship could be, but he was also sure they wouldn't be able to trade it off that easily - he had tried to do so himself not long ago.

He looked down at the creature, attempting to take it seriously with some difficulty, "If you can alter the flagged Transponder code by some means, and paint over any identifying marks, you can probably save yourself the trouble. As for inconspicuous planets... where is the astromech taking us, anyway?"

edited 21st Jan '15 9:24:45 PM by StygianEmperor

Flesh is a design flaw.

"Oh. Paint." Rakko realized as Uziel spoke. He looked at the towering Sith and shrugged.

"I do not know where the droid takes us. But we should find a way to avoid those who chase us at all cost. Credits and supplies will be needed. Where can we get such things?" Rakko chirped.

"You're an enemy of art and I pity your ignorance" - Domingo Montoya Help save the rainforest for free simply by going to Ecosia.org.

The central engineering column hummed as it hurtled the vessel through hyperspace. But not everyone was happy with the way it was running. Or rather, he was not happy with what had been done to it.

There were two panels yanked off the engine housing and half of a small figured was stuck inside the machine, shifting from side to side.

There was an explosive burst of Jawaese from the little mechanic as he yanked himself out, holding a Hyperdrive attenuator and shaking his head. He did not quite throw the weapon back into his belt as he pulled out a power calibrator and dove back in.

“Spare me idiot inspectors and their so-called engine experts! Gah!”

He was carefully adjusting the power flow, which one of said 'inspectors' had moved out of alignment when they had torn out all the systems which had been installed by its previous owner. The ship had been running on a very tight power strain due to the extra weapons and computers and now without those systems to pull on the power grid, he was getting power surges! All the bloody time!

Sometimes he wanted to just be left alone in a dark room with one of those 'inspectors' and his blaster shotgun.

edited 21st Jan '15 9:32:58 PM by RevenVrake

While banging around in the engine, and setting the paneling against the wall, Fixit would notice that a small section of the wall sounded slightly hollow. It was at the point where the engine room and cargo bay met and towards the outer end of the ship. The space between the wall and the engine housing at that point was so small that it was on the verge of being too tight a squeeze even for the Jawa. Unless the engine were removed, a human wouldn't even fit. Most human-sized species wouldn't be able to fit anything other than an arm or leg in that area.

"Well well well...."

Out of the well ladder well popped a human head, quickly scanning the pilot's quarters with a nervous grin on his face. He was familiar enough with the subtle jolt of being in a ship that'd acheived hyperdrive, and wanted to be sure who was responsible for their getaway. It was only a few seconds before his pensiveness was smothered by a smile that shot from ear to ear.

"DARIUS!", he exclaimed, YOU OLD SALT! I thought I saw you retreating with us! I would've said hello earlier, but you know, blasters, running." In the blink of an eye, the giddy man shot out the well with preternatural power, his feet flying up over his head and nearly striking the ceiling before arcing back towards the ground. He noticed a small group of strangers accompanying Darius, and took special care not to land on of them, emphasizing the towering cyborg fellow.

"So are we dead meat, or just poor?"

To the law and for the good of man. All I need to live by.

Sia meanwhile just leaned at the doorframe to the cockpit, observing the discussion, while she carefully took stock of her fellow "crewmembers".

Well, there's the crazy little Fuzzball again. Wonder what zoo he's escaped from. She thought as she recignized Rakko, remembering him pursuing her prior to their incarceration.

She did not recongize the Sith-in-a-can but made a mental note that it was probably better to establish some "us vs them" relationship soon, if she recongized some of the lightsiders onboard correctly. Can't help to have tall dark and hardshell cover my back if things get dicey.

Finally, she looked at the two woman she had 'met' before.

"We have got to stop meeting like this, ladies." she said with a smile, as she pulled back her hood, just as the head popped out.

"...Didn't I fight you once?" She asked, tilting her head at him.

edited 22nd Jan '15 1:10:11 AM by 3of4

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"Why yes," Dagnonette said, his head cocked back and his peeled to their limit, "And I'm just remembering that I promised you another round." The jester held out his hands in front of him, moving back towards the wall in gigantic, exaggerated steps. Anticipating a saber to the gut, he chuckled nervously.

"And I'm clearly not the type to go back on my word.", he continued, gesturing towards himself. "Clearly. But a duel of that caliber requires a bit more romance than a five-second scuffle in a crowded room, right? I was imagining something more along the lines of an isolated romp across the volcanic hellscapes of Mustafar, or a solemn bit of fencing under the moonlit plains of Naboo."

To the law and for the good of man. All I need to live by.

Sia cracked her knuckles, a dangerous smile on her lips...but she'd rather avoid a fight now.

To crampy in here. If I remember this guy right he's Form IV, so he's probably more hindered than me, but when the others get in this will be...messy.

"I'll look forward to our little...thryst then." She simply answered, putting her hands on her hips...above her sabers, but enough to emphasize the strip of skin between tunic and boots.

Play nice now, gut him when you don't need him anymore. maybe take avantage of his acrobatics until then. She advised herself.

edited 22nd Jan '15 2:11:32 AM by 3of4

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Uziel took a step backward as what appeared to be a jester leapt before him. The strange man seemed to know their pilot, but Uziel was more interested in the woman who sauntered out from the doorway to greet them.

She dressed as brazenly as he, unmistakably, unabashedly Sith. Her face was regal, angular, pale, with pointed ears like some beautiful creature of myth. Her hair was like blood, her eyes brass, and the way she held herself;

By the gods. Uziel could tell she knew how to fight.

He stood still and silent, gazing at her from behind his opaque visor, though he badly wanted to ask her name - or rather, ask her for a duel. But the clown had beat him to the punch, it seemed.

Uziel scoffed, the sound like a puff through his helmet, "You know this smiling buffoon?"

edited 22nd Jan '15 2:26:19 AM by StygianEmperor

Flesh is a design flaw.

Sia just shrugged. "Fought him once, until he decided that running like kark was the better option. Not much beyond that." she told the armoured giant.

Taking a closer look, she made mental notes of his armor and what the individual features could probably do, imagining how she could take advantage of them if it came to a fight...though she would really prefer him as an ally until further notice.

"He's a force user too, though. So don't let the blabber fool you." she added with a raised eyebrow at the jester in question, crossing her arms before her chest.

edited 22nd Jan '15 2:32:04 AM by 3of4

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"Oh no," Ra'as said, his posture relaxing, "I wouldn't be offended whatsoever if you were fooled by my faffing about. I actively encourage it, even; you could say it's what I live for."

It was clear enough now that he could get by without having to fight either of these people. At least, of course, until he wanted to. Then the real fun could begin. Perhaps a little prodding on his part wouldn't hurt. He stood upright now, though on the balls of his feet, ready to spring at any moment as usual.

"The name's Ra'as, by the way. Again, I was kept from introducing myself before by the Rangers, but at least a few of of them paid for that with a limb or two."

To the law and for the good of man. All I need to live by.

"Ask fuzzy what my name is if you want to know." Sia said with another shrug.

"And for the record, I claim the bunkroom beside the refresher for the girls." She added. Not that she cared much about where (and with whom) she slept, but insisting on such a small thing would make her seem concerned with them, which usually lowered people's threat assement of her.

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Feen stayed near the bottom of the ladder well, opting not to climb up into the cockpit. It seemed rather crowded already.

Or at least, that was the excuse she would give if anyone asked. Something about the situation made her feel uneasy, and she wasn't sure whether it was because they were making their getaway on a dead person's ship, or that the people in this group seemed to all recognize each other. Something like that could not be mere coincidence.

This "faculty lot" you speak of sounds like a place of great power...

Darius let out a deep loan groan of annoyance... he was here. "Hello Ra'as... It seems you haven't gotten yourself vaporized yet!"

The bounty hunter turned to the harlequin and glared "So then. What were you doing at the prison facility? I was working on my latest bounty. I had the plan set, was even in uniform. Until the prison riot and the breakout!" Darius stated, his monotone cracking a bit.

The bounty hunter took a deep breath and looked back at the console, "and as for everyone else. The droid has no clear path. We are just drifting past light speed now... does anyone have a stockpile or a location we can head to?"

edited 22nd Jan '15 3:58:23 AM by EchoingSilence

Sia looked down the hatch and shot Feen a broad grin. "Well, at least we are both wearing more fabric than last time we met, right?"

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The jester cast his gaze away from the bounty hunter sheepishly, scratching the back of his of his head.

"Well, that's a funny story actually," he said, "And a long one. I'm going to cut to the chase and apologize to you -again- about the prison riot. I wasn't all me, I actually had a pretty decent time coordinating with the late Miss Nartano. But there was enough of me in the initiation of the riot. Buuuut...."

Ra'as pointed his index into the air.

"If I hadn't help start that riot, and the guards went on their normal routes, Vania would've had a ''substantially' smaller window to plant the charge. That could've meant years of prison gruel and getting stabbed with bits of broken off plumbing. And I'm obviously the pretty one here, so don't even have to elaborate just how high the stakes were there."

edited 22nd Jan '15 4:34:49 AM by goodisgood

To the law and for the good of man. All I need to live by.

Darius just continued to glare at the giggling clown before him. "That is how many bounties you have messed up? 10? 20? 56?" The Bounty Hunter asked as he stood up.

"Still... let bygones be bygones. I guess it doesn't matter, the man Tarsis is dead. Can't spill any Hutt secrets now... despite the amount the Hutts were willing to pay for him alive so they could have time to toy with him."

He was bitter yes, but Darius was trying to keep his cool, he was without any of his weapons and there were lightsaber weilders here. He didn't have a thermal detonator handy, it also just occurred to Darius that he was still in the guard uniform with a stun prod.

Darius let out a sigh "I am going to try and find my gear and equipment. The ship is on auto anyways," and with that he jumped down the hatch and walked off to find where his items were.

"Don't remind me", Feen said with a slight shudder. "I did not enjoy the way that creep stared at me."

"So where did they get you? Those Trianii Rangers, I mean."

This "faculty lot" you speak of sounds like a place of great power...

"Well, you do have something nice and blue to look at." Sia said, taking a little joy in poking at the Twi'lek.

"An information Broker backstabbed me. Got into a little fight with some local bounty hunters and Fuzzy over here. The Rangers came in with some sharpshooters during it, so I figured surrendering was the smarter choice. Right, fuzzball?" She explained, not mentioning the fact that before surrendering she had returned the favor of backstabbing the broker right into her kidneys.

"And then the party went off..."

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"Rakko, not Fuzzball!" the Ewok hissed angrily at Sia. He patted his blaster reassuringly.

"You better start treating me with more respect or I will collect that bounty on your head." Rakko growled before addressing the matter at hand.

"Droid! Get in here!" he shouted.

"You're an enemy of art and I pity your ignorance" - Domingo Montoya Help save the rainforest for free simply by going to Ecosia.org.

The harlequin had just barely noticed the presence of the surly looking ewok before it had threatened Sia. He'd never quite heard of an Ewok that'd traveled outside of it's home planet in the first place. Let alone one that took to being a trained killer.

"Pssshhht, Rakko" Dagonette deliberately more-than-whispered, "I think we can make compromise here. Next time she sneezes, I'll jump her while you gnaw on her ankles. We'll split the fifty-fifty, plus funeral expenses for whichever one of us bites it."

edited 22nd Jan '15 6:44:49 AM by goodisgood

To the law and for the good of man. All I need to live by.

Sia bowed down until she was on eye level with the ewok, showin her leather covered rear end off to Ra'as at the while and smiled. "But you're so cuddly and fuzzy." she said with a voice dripping of sweetness.

edited 22nd Jan '15 6:47:12 AM by 3of4

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