“Back in the Saddle”
By: Sieana Wren - Smuggler
Race Soltair - Smuggler
Location: Yallder District, New Pluoton
Date: Rheudis 27, 5 ABY
***
“Do you think we’ll even be able to land a job?” Sieana asked as she glanced over at Race.
For the last few days, the city streets of the Yallder District were alive and abuzz with activity, her citizens still in a state of unrest after the Jau’s surprise last resort attack on Thanatos. According to local reports, the desert city was quite literally now a pile of rock and sand. Decimated into nothingness.
Save for fending off rioters and looters there was not much else the pair could do, so after a brief chat, the duo decided to brave the city streets once again, see if there was any new information to be had, and hopefully a potential job prospect waiting for them.
"Nothing beats a try but a failure or a blaster," said Race as he strapped on his rig. "We could always stay here and rattle the bunks."
Sieana flashed him a wily grin as she strapped on her own piece, “Careful, you keep talking like that I might get ideas.”
"Incentive not to shut up," said Race. "Come on, let's hit the town. Maybe we can scare up some more intel at the very least."
The two smugglers slipped on their jackets and left the Burning Raven. Race raised the ramp and set the security protocols before they walked out of the hangar. They had already fended off a few looters. Now that their ships were in working order Race wanted them to stay that way. After locking the hangar door, the two made their way to town.
Sieana hung close to Race as the pair made their way into town, and as the pair traversed the streets, they could still see that the rioters and looters had yet to let up any steam, then again it could just be business as usual in the Yallder District.
"So, you bounced around this area for a while," started Race. "Any bars you know where we could do some business talk?"
Groaning, Sieana buried her head in Race’s shoulder. “Don’t remind me.”
"Come on, spacer," said Race as they walked through the streets. "We need to get back into the running."
Sieana lifted her head up so that her eyes met Race’s. “I know, I’m just, you know still mad at myself for what happened that night, acting out the way I did…and it was because of my...hobby.”
"So, any place?" Race continued.
“Avulash’s Tavern is a pretty popular hangout for spacers like us, someone might know something there.” She offered.
"Then lead the way."
“Follow me.”
Wrapping her arm around Race’s waist, Sieana led them in the direction of a narrow alleyway, and then down a series of side streets. Before long the pair came to Avulash’s Tavern, nearly hidden away in the walls, situated nearby were a number of stall vendors selling various wares and items. Sieana made a gesture to Avulash’s Tavern.
“This is the place, it doesn’t look like much on the outside, but it’s got an odd coziness about it.”
"Odd recommendation for a bar in this place," said Race.
Taking the lead, Race walked down the set of stairs leading to the tavern itself. One of the vendors tried to sell them a metal cup as they walked by but to no avail. The vendor quickly moved on. The interior of the tavern was decently lit but it still held the same type of clientele one would expect. Smugglers, mercenaries and others of dubious character.
Race walked up to the bar and sat down, ordering an ale. He then turned on his stool and looked casually over the rest of the tavern. Nobody seemed directly interested in them at the moment. One guy's gaze lingered on Sieana for a moment, but that was to be expected. They would hang around for a little while and then move on if nothing shook loose.
Sieana sat down next to Race on an empty stool, and ordered an ale of her own. Idly she wondered if anyone even had any jobs for them available, given the current of state of things, they were pretty much grounded. Hopefully once the smoke with the Jau situation cleared, they could get back into the swing of things.
The pair sat quietly at the bar for roughly half an hour and then moved to a quiet table in a corner. From there they were able to keep an eye on things and not be in the spotlight at the well-lit bar counter. They paced themselves with their drinks to keep up appearances. After about an hour after they entered the tavern, Race was preparing to leave.
After making sure Sieana was ready they started to stand up and put on their jackets. As they did so, a man rose from his table and started slowly for them. Race slipped his coat on and had his hand on the grip of his blaster before the man took two steps. Raising his hands slightly in a placating gesture, the man continued to walk to their table.
"May I buy you both another drink?"
Sieana and Race exchanged glances, and Sieana nodded, indicating they should sit back down. This man clearly wanted to talk to them both, and it was likely he could have a job for them both, or at the very least information.
The man looked at the bar and then pointed at the table, indicating he wanted another round for those there. The bartender nodded and the man sat down.
"I was watching you two for a while," he started. "You have somewhat of a reputation around town."
“That so?” Questioned Sieana.
"Indeed," said the man. "My name is Tyrael."
“But does it warrant our attention, that’s what I want to know.” Sieana replied.
"It should," said Tyrael. "I am a...facilitator for employment opportunities."
"Go on." Sieana replied as a server brought over their drinks.
"Well, let us talk about a hypothetical situation," started Tyrael. "What if I knew an individual who had something to move. A high-value something that would give a great pay-off to the one or ones that shipped it. It is a simple run. The client pays me up front so all you would have to do is deliver it on time and collect your payment. Then you would be on your merry way."
"Hypothetically speaking," started Race. "Would this high-value item be dangerous or of Imperial interest?"
"Dangerous, no, but it would be a black-market item," said Tyrael. "Again, hypothetically speaking."
Sieana sipped at her ale, pondering over the offer as was Race no doubt. Black-market items could very well be anything, and depending on what exactly it was, Sieana was not ready to jump in the boat just yet, with their luck it could be slaves, or spice for that matter. Sieana took no desire in smuggling either.
“Can you pray tell what this item is or are you not at liberty to disclose that information?” She asked.
"At present I am only able to tell you that it is not explosive, toxic or living," Tyrael replied.
"I suppose we would find out after we accepted," said Race.
"Indeed," said Tyrael. "However, you do not have to decide at this very moment. I know where you two are. If you desire, when next we speak we can talk more openly and safely aboard one of your vessels."
“Can I speak to my partner in private please?” Asked Sieana.
"I was just about to leave anyway," said Tyrael. "I will see you both again soon. Enjoy your drinks."
Tyrael stood and quietly left, exiting the tavern. Race watched him leave for a few moments and then turned back towards Sieana.
“What do you think Race?”
"I think it's spice," said Race quietly. "Either way, we're going to see him again and soon. Keep an eye out when you're in the hangar. He looks like the type who likes to just appear and he'll probably come with friends."
Sieana grimaced, “Great, our first job offer and it’s spice.” She murmured into her beer.
"Could be worse," said Race. "Could be freighting Jedi."
"Shake and Tumble, Part 1"
By: Sieana Wren - Smuggler
Race Soltair - Smuggler
Location: Yallder District, New Pluoton
Date: Rheudis 27, 5 ABY
***
Shortly after their meeting with Tyrael at Avulash’s Tavern, Sieana and Race drank their fill and left the bar, beginning the walk back to the Burning Raven. At the mere mentioning of hauling spice Sieana’s mood soured noticeably, and like a bubbling kettle that rage exploded the minute she set foot on the Burning Raven. Race secured the ramp as he listened.
"I don’t care how much he pays us, I don’t care what kind of deals he’ll cut us, I’m not hauling spice for that slag!" Angrily Sieana ran her hands through her hair, huffing out a sigh. Their first real job in nearly month and it was in all likelihood spice, perfect just perfect. They might as well be dealing in death sticks.
"Not toxic my kriffing ass." Sieana grumbled as she fell into an empty galley chair. Smuggler she may very well be but even she would never once stoop so low to consider hauling the deadly, toxic drug so many sought such as spice. She had seen its effects, and she would not play part to its distribution across the galaxy.
"It's a job," said Race.
"I know but just the thought alone sickens me, call me a goody-goody but even I have my limits, when it comes to what I will and will not transport, smuggler or not."
"Calm yourself, Rebel," said Race.
Sieana drew in a sharp intake of breath as Race kissed her softly just below the ear, his right hand rested on her shoulder, the left slowly unzipped her jacket, just enough to expose her neck as he continued to trail kisses along her jaw line. Sighing Sieana turned her head catching his lips in hers in a rough kiss and pulled Race into her lap.
"Imperialist dog." She hissed out as she threaded her hands through his hair, deepening the kiss.
"Tell me more..."
Gods help her, one minute she wanted to throttle this man the next she wanted to kiss him like she’d been dying of thirst.
Race removed Siena's jacket and tossed it aside on another chair. He also removed his own, tossing it on the same chair or the direction thereof. Whether it landed on the chair, he did not know or care.
"This isn’t going to make me change my mind; I’m still not hauling spice, Race." She breathed out as he pulled her to her feet, pulling her form back to his.
"Come on," said Race.
"You really drive me crazy you know that, the good and the bad kind?" She started; ready to unleash a verbal assault. "I swear…I…"
"Sieana…you’re rambling." Before Sieana could fire back a smart mouthed retort, Race pressed his lips to hers, silencing her effectively, busying her lips in a different manner entirely. Sieana gave out a surprised yelp as he hooked his arm under her legs, forcing her to wrap an arm around his neck for support as he lifted her up.
Giggling, Sieana nuzzled his nose. "My Stormtrooper in shining armor."
"I'm not a bucket-head anymore," Race replied.
Roguishly, Sieana nipped at his chin in reply. "It is only befitting isn’t it? I am a former Imperialist’s daughter and you are technically my white knight." She added in jest, referring to their white armored uniforms.
"One day I shall have to come riding up on my noble taun-taun," Race chuckled.
"You hear that? I don’t think we’re alone."
Carefully and quietly Race set Siena down and drew his blaster. He was really starting to hate this planet. Between the city eradications, looters, general scum and these damn interruptions he could not get a moment's peace.
The ramp had been secured directly after they walked up into the ship. Race made his way slowly towards the security monitors. They had just gotten back, but Race could not help wonder if it was that guy Tyrael. He seemed to be a man accustomed to getting what he wanted. If it was him, he had terrible timing.
He was also about to not get his way this time. Had it just been him, Race probably would have hauled the freight, even if it did turn out to be spice. Freight was freight and if people wanted to pay to kill themselves then so be it. Siena did not see it that way, apparently. More of a conscience on her than he had. He did not entirely understand her position, as it was a paying job, but he had to go with it. She was his partner and that was what you had to do.
Had to follow some codes after all.
Sitting down in the chair in front of the security monitors, Race could feel that Siena was watching his back.
Sieana rested her hand on Race’s shoulder as she peered at the security monitors, her other hand dangled at her side, holding her blaster. Tyrael stated he knew where to find them, but would he be so gutsy as to pay them both a surprise visit unannounced, and so soon?
Her grip on Race’s shoulder tightened, drawing a slight grimace from Race and Sieana retracted her hold, muttering an apology.
"It's him," said Race. "Tyrael."
"What I tell ya, spice! Why else would he come with hired muscle?" She whispered harshly, indicating the two muscularly built Weequay at Tyrael’s side.
"Presumably we will find out," said Race in reply.
Race did not move to lower the ramp, however. He kept his watch on the security monitors as they approached. He powered up one of the mounted light blasters but did not activate it yet. If things started to go bad, it was best to have a little insurance. He did not like the guy much anyway.
The three visitors approached through the hangar and walked up to the outside of the Burning Raven. Tyrael gave a knock by tapping his walking stick on the hull. Race saw all of this on the security monitor and turned on the comm system near the rampway.
"What is it that you want?" asked Race.
"We have business to discuss," said Tyrael. "Race Soltair and Siena Wren."
"What's the deal with the two heavies?" asked Race.
"One can never be too careful here," said Tyrael. "I have come to conduct business, not a gunfight."
"I lower the ramp and you come up," said Race. "Your two friends stay at the bottom of the ramp. They come up, I shoot. You try any games, I shoot."
"As long as the policy goes both ways, that seems entirely fair."
"Very well," said Race, standing from the security monitor chair.
Walking over to a side locker, Race pulled out an E-11 blaster rifle and handed it to Siena. He looked her in the eye but did not say anything. Hopefully he did not have to. They were still relatively new partners, but he was trusting her to watch his back. She would be the obvious gun. He would keep his under the table.
Once all was settled, Race lowered the ramp and allowed Tyrael inside. He came in, apparently unarmed. He and Race sat at the galley table while Wren watched the ramp. Race set down two glasses of water on the table.
"Nice ship," said Tyrael.
"Yes it is," remarked Race. "Not to be inhospitable, but if we could keep this brief. I was in the middle of negotiations with the lady when you arrived."
Tyrael chuckled slightly. "Brief is best."
"What is the job?"
"You will be hauling three cases of spice," said Tyrael, looking hard at Race's expression.Race's face remained stoic, a mask. Too many years of playing games of chance and gunfighting for even Tyrael to read through. Race leaned back in his chair.
"That is what we thought," Race said quietly.
"Well then?" asked Tyrael.
"My partner and I will have to decline your offer," Race replied.
"Most unfortunate," Tyrael said slowly.
"I figured as much."
Tyrael called out to his two bodyguards just as Race opened fire with his blaster, striking him in the abdomen. Tyrael fell over dead as the two Weequay came charging up the ramp. Siena opened fire with the blaster rifle and Race joined in with his Power 5 as well. The entire fight was over within ten seconds.
"Droyk," cursed Race quietly. "We're going to have to get off this rock."
“Shake & Tumble, Part 2”
By: Sieana Wren - Smuggler
Race Soltair - Smuggler
Location: Yallder District, New Pluoton
Date: Rheudis 27, 5 ABY
***
"Droyk," cursed Race quietly. "We're going to have to get off this rock."
Sieana lowered the blaster rifle as she turned to look back in Race’s direction, “Now might not be a bad time to consider a new line of work spacer, if anything I doubt anyone will miss this bunch, what with the slag storm going on outside.”
She shook her head sadly, “These guys, they may be on the bottom of the food chain following orders from their higher-ups, but the truth is they’re the reason we can’t get rid of spice, somewhere out there is someone looking to make a fast cred, and they’ll see to it they get paid just to deliver it. And no matter what, the cycle will repeat itself.”
Sitting down, Sieana folded her arms on her knees, her chin coming to rest atop her arms sadly. “It’s guys like these that are the reason I lost AJ, he may still be alive physically, but in here?” She gestured to her heart as she spoke. “He died when he got addicted to spice.”
"Who?" asked Race as he yanked Tyrael's body out of the chair in which it was still sitting. He also searched the pockets and pulled out some credits and a knife.
“AJ? He’s my brother, Ajolek, he used to be with the Imperial Army just like you.”
"Good man," said Race. "Probably why he went to the spice. Some things that I have seen I wish I could rid myself of."
“That’s what he was aiming for…” Sieana trailed off.
Race dragged Tyrael to the top of the ramp and then rolled his body down. The two Weequay had barely even made it halfway up the ramp before they were gunned down. Race searched their bodies as well. Finding a large tarp, Race dragged the three bodies onto it and wrapped them up, tying off the ends. Using a motorized hoist for moving and fitting engines, Soltair moved the evidence of their shootout.
The bodies were taken out behind the hangar. He would dump their bodies in an alley far enough away from the hangar. He got a new knife and two blaster rifles out of the deal. Parking the hoist, Race walked back up the ramp of the Burning Raven and sealed the ship up for the night.
Sieana stood up folding her arms over her chest as Race approached her, no doubt certain he was upset with this sudden turn of events, then again, so was she. They had to lay down some ground rules.
“Race, we need to talk this over, and I mean seriously.”
"Talk what over?" asked Race as he poured himself some water.
“This.” She stated in reference to their previous squabble with Tyrael and his goons.
"What about it, Sieana?"
“Spice, I don’t care how much they’ll offer us to ship it; I won’t do it, period.”
"I think I pretty much realized that," said Race, his hand subconsciously settling on the grip of his blaster.
“No you don’t understand, I mean period, I will not ever transport this death. I’ve seen what it does to people, and you have to accept that. This may be another blown paycheck to you but to me, it’s personal whether I want it to be or not, I watched my brother, my best friend change when he came back from the wars, he was crippled, lost his arm and his leg. What did my father think of it all, was he happy to see his son home safe? No! He called him a failure, a disgrace!”
She turned away, trembling with anger at the memories. “The pain, the memories of the wars, the loss of his limbs, the final nail in the coffin was when my father called him a failure, it shattered him, and it broke my heart as I watched him turn to spice to escape from it all, I doubt he’d even remember me, it was bad enough losing Etzam and Jolimak to the wars but AJ? It killed me.”
"You want to go throwing around rules, then I have one for you," said Race, his tone hardening. "You have any other issues like this spice, you best tell me right fekeing now before I have to blow away three or more people. This is how I live. I am a smuggler, Sieana. The more people I blow away because I didn't like the job the less apt I am to stay a smuggler!"
Sieana spun around standing toe-to-toe with Race, “You don’t know what it’s like do you to lose someone to spice, someone close to you, someone you loved, that you called your friend, well I do, and because of it I will not add to the death toll!! I’ll transport anything else, but never spice, or slaves for that matter either!!”
"Hell," said Race. "Add to the death toll? What do you call what we just did?!"
“They were bound to kill us whether we accepted the job or not, if not now then later, you know that as well as I do.” She hissed out.
"Nobody out guns me," said Race. "If you feel like I forced you into the spice deal, then leave. I've had it with your mood swings. I risked my life and reputation telling him no to a high-paying job. If that isn't enough for you, then I can't help you."
“Race, please I beg of you, don’t throw me to the curb again.” Sieana replied her tone softening as she fought back tears. “I’m sick of fighting with you like this all the time, and gods help me I’ll find a way to make this up to you I promise, I swear, I’ve had to give up my old life and I want to start over.”
“I never once felt like you forced me into that deal, if anything Tyrael did, he never gave us an option.”
"Then talk to him," said Race, turning and walking away from her. "Ship's locked up for the night. I'm going to bed."
Sieana trailed behind Race, following him to the bunks, she stopped as he turned to face her, and she simply touched a hand to his cheek, kissing his lips softly. “Please don’t stay mad at me, I swear to you I will make this up to you, if you want, I'll give up my ship.”
Race seemed to have a disappointed look on his face and simply just shook his head. He had worked alone for a long time. He would probably be gone now as he would have taken the spice job. Since he met Wren first and gave his word to be partners to get out of this jam, he had turned it down. Wren simply did not understand the nature of a partnership. She was argumentative, stubborn and did not think things through. Partners worked together against a common enemy. They did not argue over phantasmal issues and force each other to break themselves for the sake of the partnership.
Race went into the bunk area and closed the door.
Sieana stared at the closed door sadly, her heart breaking. She wanted to commit herself fully to this partnership and by giving up her ship the Crimson Wolf was her of way of showing it, clearly Race had perceived her answer as otherwise. She couldn’t take it anymore, the constant fighting and bickering, it had to end; she couldn’t bear to see this go on any longer.
“Race, please, don’t shut me out, let’s work through this, I don’t want to go out cantina hopping and I sure as Hell know you don’t want to drag me back, it won’t solve anything, just tell me what to do, tell me what you want.” Leaning against the door, Sieana felt her tears return, her voice small and scared. “Please, Race.”
"Be my damn partner," said Race. "Not a temperamental child. Not someone who withholds information. Not someone who thinks I lord over them."
“Let me in, I can’t do this like this.”
“Do what?”
“Please Race, just let me in.” She replied, she wanted him to see her face and her eyes when she spoke to him, so that he could she was being honest, true to her word in that she wanted to commit herself fully to this partnership.
"Door's been open."
Sieana felt somewhat foolish, for some reason she automatically believed that he had locked the door. Cautiously, Sieana pushed the door open and walked over to where Race sat on his bunk, and she kneeled in front of him, grasping his hands in hers.
“If we’re going to be partners, I should be open with you fully, especially when I want you like no other in my heart and my life. My real name isn’t Sieana Wren, it’s Sieana Ixyesich, and my father is an Imperial Government Official…Kachal Ixyesich, my mother’s maiden name is Wren, she died when I was young.”
Sieana paused before continuing, “All my life I was surrounded by lies and propaganda growing up, my father, I don’t even know if he loved my mother. I was supposed to be a medical surgeon, for five years I went a pristine university but not at my choosing, my father’s. Come the end of the wars everything nosedived; I lost Etzam I lost Jolimak, and my father? He carried home the remnants.”
“Me? I had to get out of there; I was sickened by it, because I couldn’t take it anymore. After today, that guy Tyrael, he struck a nerve and it made me think of AJ and now as I’m trying to turn things around, I realize I might end up like him, only turning to a different poison. I want to make this work Race, more than anything and I know I’m a bratty Imperialist’s daughter, but I want to change my ways, for you.”
"Just be yourself," said Race. "Just not as temperamental."
“For you I will try not to be.”
"Ok."
Sieana rose to her feet, pulling Race into an embrace as she did, hugging him tightly.
"This is the strangest argument we have had."
Sieana could not help but laugh and pulled back, “Does this mean no more negotiation sessions?”
"Define negotiations," said Race.
“Quarreling, petty arguments, that sort of thing?” She asked in jest.
"Oh, yeah, no more of that."
“Definitely, I might miss your tactics though.” She stated winking slyly.
Race smiled and shook his head. "It's been a long day, Sieana Wren. Let's get some sleep."
Sieana nuzzled his nose and smiled, before proceeding to trail kisses along his jaw. “What if I’m not tired Race Soltair?”
"Well, the port side plasma inducer could stand a cleaning and realignment," said Race as he lay down on his bunk, hands behind his head. "Let me know how that turns out."
Sieana hovered over Race and nipped at his ear, her tone serious. “What am I your maid or your partner?”
"You said you weren't tired."
“Not yet.” Sieana replied, turning her head so that her lips met his.