Private A Bridge Too Far

[Yuri Maji]

Tatooine | Mos Eisley
Tags: Vexia Renn

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Theme​

Somehow Yuri managed to properly step in it with the current situation. What was supposed to be a simple operation transporting a highly valuable cargo for some crime lord quickly turned into an ongoing chase for the past few parsecs. His hunter was determined to say the least. A likely explanation for his situation could amount to the deathsticks strewn in his ship's mess room. Looking at those, we understood how he could have messed up so badly.

Regardless, he was running out of time with the chase, and his hunter was slowly gaining on him. In an effort to shake the bandit off, Yuri decided to land on the surface of the one planet every outlaw could rely on. A planet renowned for its ruffians and unsavoury characters. Tatooine. Specifically, Mos Eisley. He was no stranger to the dust ball of a planet, having completed a couple runs for contracts found in its dangerous towns. In this instance, however, he hoped that the planet's reputation would help him shake his pursuer.

The Shistavanen emerged from his freighter and locked it down before making his way through Mos Eisley's streets in search of a solid drinking hole. If he was going to be laying low, the least he could do was have a drink or two...

He adjusted his tank top and ventured into the best drinking hole he could find. The place was packed and bustling, giving him a boost of confidence in his desire to disappear. He adjusted his tank top and dropped onto a stool by the bar before ordering a drink to pass the time.

 

[Vexia Renn]

VEXIA RENN
Tatooine | Mos Eisley
TAG: Yuri Maji

Vexia, having chased after a smuggler who had landed somewhere on Tatooine was feeling rather annoeyd. Finding her mark now would not be as easy as she had hoped. Especially since it seemed like the person she was after didn't want to be found. As she set foot on the planet, her annoyance grew. Tatooine with its sandy ground and relentless sun, was not a place she particularly enjoeyd. It was hot and irritating, filled with people who would betray you in an instant if you let your guard down.

Or at least, that is what Vexia thought of Tatooine. As she walked through the streets of Mos Eisley, she kept her hands close to her blasters, constantly scanning the faces of the people she passed by. Hoping that her target might reveal themselves in some way, she had a general idea of the ship and appearance of the person she was after, which made the hunt a bit easier.

Feeling temporarily defeated, Vexia decided it was a good time to take a little break. Perhaps the person she was looking for would be drowning their sorrows or resting after the chase they had just been through. Finally, after wandering the streets of Mos Eisley, she found herself in a random drinking establishment. Making her way through the bar, she ordered a Whiskey but kept her helmet on for the time being as she glanced at the Shistavanen next to her.

"Rough day, huh? You look rather weary-"

She began to say before pausing. She looked at the person beside her once more, then calmly spoke.

"Now, you can try to run, and we can continue chasing each other, or we can settle this peacefully, mate. What will it be?"

With that, she placed her hands on the blasters at her belt, ready to react based on the response she received.


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[Yuri Maji]

Finally with a chance to catch his breath, the drinks flowed like syrup as Yuri took the chance to relax. Luckily he inherited his mother's drinking ability. He had no doubts that the hunter would track him to Tatooine, but if he had to make a wager, it would take a bit of time. He would be long gone by then. Unfortunately, he wholly overestimated how much time he would have.

A Mandalorian entered the bar and took a seat next to him. One glance at the warrior confirmed his fear. It was the same hunter that came at him on Kaddak. How the hell did she pick up his signature that quickly? He gave a quick glance in search of a bounty puck, but found no such item with his quick inspection. She started to speak, though she caught on very quickly on who he was. Her hand drifted to her pistol, earning a toothy grin from Yuri. "At least let a guy enjoy his drink before things get difficult, sis. Can't tell me you ain't beat after that trip." He casually remarked with a low voice, not wanting to draw too much attention to them both. It was always a gamble on Tatooine about who you could trust.

"At least let me buy you a drink. Did a damn good job in keeping up." He continued, signalling the bartender for a drink. Two shots of spotchka were quickly poured and placed in front of the two. "You got a name, sis? Or ain't we that familiar yet?" He quipped with a smirk as he glanced at her visor. He would be a liar if he said he wasn't curious about what hid behind that visor.

Vexia Renn

 

[Vexia Renn]

VEXIA RENN

Tatooine | Mos Eisley
TAG: Yuri Maji

​

Looking over at Yuri, she was quite surprised. He didn't run or pick up his own weapons, but thanks to her helmet, her eyebrows weren't visible. She stayed calm for the time being, but her hands never left the blaster. And then he did something she would never have expected—he offered her a drink and engaged in casual conversation, even though she was here on business. And it seemed he was, too. Glancing at the barkeeper and then back at him, she let out a sigh from under her helmet.

She didn't want to draw too much attention to herself, but she also didn't want to remove her helmet, as it could leave her vulnerable. Or perhaps he was just biding his time, acting friendly to wait for reinforcements. She wasn't entirely sure what to make of this and had to be ready at any moment. Eventually, she loosened her grip on the blaster with one hand, but the other remained firmly on it as she shook her head.

"If you're buying time, it won't end well for either of us."

She said, hoping to slightly intimidate Yuri or keep him on his toes, ensuring he didn't feel secure or gain the upper hand. Resigning herself a little, she glanced at the glass that had been ordered for her but still kept her helmet on, unmoved by his attempt at "kindness" or trying to get to know her better.

"Courtesy dictates that you should state your name first if you're asking someone else for theirs. And if you want to get so casual with me, we should address the business first. Perhaps I don't even have to kill you."

She added, her voice staying at neutral tone.

 

[Yuri Maji]

His game of confusion seemed to be working out quite nicely, though he wasn't lying at all. He genuinely did want to just relax and have his drink, even if a shootout was waiting for him in the near future. "Between you and me, sis, I ain't the kind that needs someone to bail me out." He remarked casually as he took a sip of his drink. "I genuinely just wanna sit back and enjoy my drink." He turned slightly to face her with an unwavering smile.

She quickly turned the matter of names onto him, prompting a shrug as Yuri leaned against the counter. "Oh please, I'm too charmin' to shoot. Name's Yuri, by the way. If you're hopin' to get a cargo manifest outta me, though, that's gonna take some convincing." He took another sip before leaning in, ever so slightly, to look straight into her visor. "Peak under that sunbonnet might do i-" His attempt at sweet-talking the Mandalorian came to a crushing end as he caught sight of the doorway of the bar. A few figures entered with their heads on a swivel, forcing Yuri to turn his back as his hand slid down to his blaster. "Faegan." He whispered to himself.

In an instant he drew the weapon and levelled it at the Mandalorian's side, uncaring if she did the same to him. His charming smile was replaced by a harsh scowl as he watched the new arrivals in the reflection of the bar's mirror. "I hope for your sake those hunters ain't with you, sis." He practically hissed, nodding to the reflections in the mirror.

The group of bounty hunters spread out through the bar, going from table to table in search of someone. Yuri's mane stood on end as his pale golden eyes shifted from the hunters to the Mando next to him. "Little too big of a coincidence, you showin' up with them right behind. You hire them as backup, huh?" His lips began to curl back in anger as a snarl rumbled in his throat. This couldn't be a coincidence, a Mandalorian showing up with the bounty hunters right after her. Already he was going through his options of escape, a shootout both included and excluded. All of his gear was on his ship.

The group of bounty hunters slowly made their way towards the bar in their search for their prey, his time for escape steadily running out...

Vexia Renn

 

[Vexia Renn]

VEXIA RENN

Tatooine | Mos Eisley
TAG: Yuri Maji

​

She really didn't have time for all these games. Yuri might think he's funny, but her patience for playing cat and mouse was running thin. Vexia was now certain that he was just buying time for himself, and she couldn't afford to give him that chance. Taking off her helmet... There is no way she would do it for her target, without figuring out they might not become enemies.It would be too easy to identify her in the future if she revealed her face. And was he really someone who didn't need to be bailed out? Looking at him, she wasn't so certain, otherwise, he wouldn't be hiding in this hellhole.

The sudden reaction to the arrival of new guests at the tavern caught the Mandalorian by surprise. It seemed she wasn't the only one trying to find him, and she chuckled under her helmet. Good riddance, she thought. Now someone else might do the job for her, and she could simply seize what she came for. But even then, she couldn't let someone else do the dirty work. If he was supposed to die, it would be at her hand and not at the hands of random ruffians. Looking at his weapon, she subtly signaled him to lower it.

"Take it down before you hurt yourself with it, Yuri."

She said, her tone completely neutral. It wasn't clear whether she was making a playful joke or warning him about the danger of mishandling his own weapon. His nervous reaction made her suspect he might be an amateur or struggle to stay composed in tense situations. After all, there was one bounty hunter after him, now engaging in conversation, and another group that could be pursuing him. She tried to maintain her cool demeanor, hoping today wouldn't be the day she had to kill him, after all she was only after specific part of cargo, and that they could resolve things peacefully. But his comment about them being with her grated on her nerves, evident in the tightening of her grip on her blasters and a sigh of annoyance.

The thought of working with someone outside the Enclave or having any association with them struck a nerve. Her impulsive nature began to take over. She looked back at the group that had entered and spoke to Yuri.

"Me being with them? Are you serious? I might as well let them kill you and take what I came for. But you dare suggest that I would align myself with them? Or even hire them and pay from my own pockets? Yuri, you're treading on thin ice here, and I don't like it. But I might help you get out of this mess if you take this blaster off me. The two of us will have a better chance against them, and I don't think you have much time to think."

And as she said that, if he allows her to do it without shooting back at her, she takes out her blasters and discreetly points them towards the group that just entered the place.

 

[Yuri Maji]

Her remark fell on deaf ears as the wound-up Shistavanen scanned his surroundings, though one remark seemed to hit a nerve. The Mando's attitude quickly changed as she commented on his assumption. As cautious as he was, her response seemed to sound pretty legitimate. <"Some people tend to stoop pretty low."> The Shistavanen replied in perfect Mando'a to her commentary. She drew her weapons to engage the bounty hunters alongside him, forcing the smuggler to think hard on his situation.

"Fine." He spoke simply before spinning around and blasting a hole into the nearest hunter's chest. His follow-up shot missed its mark, though it did force the target to duck behind cover. Yuri tugged at the Mando's arm and rolled over the counter to get some cover. "There's a back door just behind the bar, let's move it!" He called out over the cacophony of people screaming and blasters howling. "MAJI!!! Think you could hide from me, huh?!" The leader called out from behind a table. Yuri rolled his eyes before firing a salvo at the man's position. "Karkin' Faegan. Day's bad enough as it is..." He growled under his breath. Glancing at the Mando, he nodded over the counter. "You got some stun grenades or something, now's the time." He remarked.

"I'm gonna enjoy skinnin' your mangy hide, you karkin' schutta!" Faegan called out, signalling his men to flank the bar counter. "And hiding behind you Mando friend there ain't gonna save ya today!" He continued in an attempt to keep their focus on him. The hunter was out for blood.

Vexia Renn

 

[Vexia Renn]

VEXIA RENN

Tatooine | Mos Eisley
TAG: Yuri Maji

​

Looking at Yuri and pondering his comments, she began to question what she had gotten herself into. It was clear that Faegan had a personal vendetta against this guy, and now she was dragged right into this mess. What surprised her even more was Yuri's ability to speak Mando'a, something she didn't expect from a smuggler. But now wasn't the time to ponder how he has learned this language

"Listen, you can have your revenge after I've dealt with him. But if you insist on sticking to your reckless plan, I'll have no choice but to side with him for now."

With those words, she leaped over the bar to join Yuri. Armed with grenades, she aimed to create confusion by shooting out one of the lights with her blaster, diverting Faegan and his brigands' attention. Seizing the opportunity, she swiftly tossed a stun grenade from behind the corner, granting both her and Yuri a momentary advantage as she followed his gaze towards the exit he had pointed out.


"If we want to make it out of here alive, we need to move now or make a stand. But I'd prefer not to die for some smuggler in this wretched place, so let's go while we still can."

She fired shots from her blasters, taking cover while her shoulder was grazed by a blaster bolt. Cursing under her breath, she remained prepared to follow Yuri's lead, ready to make a run for it whenever he deemed it the right moment.

 

[Yuri Maji]

"I ain't squarin' off with him, are you crazy?! Dude's way too good for a one-on-one. Jeez, you always this difficult?" He hissed as he huddled behind the counter. Glancing beside him, a bottle or two of very fine liquor drew his attention for a brief second. "Yo, guy's got good taste here." He remarked, glancing back at the very annoyed Mandalorian.

"If we want to make it out of here alive, we need to move now or make a stand. But I'd prefer not to die for some smuggler in this wretched place, so let's go while we still can."

"Alright, alright! Let's move." He relented, though he did take the seconds of pause to grab a bottle before the stun grenade went off, throwing the whole bar into disarray. "Let's move!" He stood up and fired at the hunters in an attempt to give the Mando time to move. Once she got a move on, he fell in behind her with his gun at the ready. Outside, a few thugs were waiting for them with weapons at the ready. Yuri didn't even have time to process what was happening before blaster bolts flew through the door. "Kriff! Aight, Mando! You're up!" He shouted from around a corner.

It did make more sense for him. She had the heavy armour, she could take them on. Then he could have a chance at sipping on the delicious Tevraki whiskey he managed to grab. At least there was enough for the both of them once they were out of this mess.

Vexia Renn

 

[Vexia Renn]

VEXIA RENN

Tatooine | Mos Eisley
TAG: Yuri Maji

​

He really made things difficult. Now she started questioning if this job was truly worth it, considering that she had unwittingly made enemies with these random thugs. And then, he had the audacity to just grab a bottle and run away. But that didn't matter at the moment. The most important thing for her now was to get out of this situation alive. However, as they made their way out of the cantina, she didn't anticipate another group already waiting for them, causing her to sigh in exasperation as she looked at Yuri.

How on earth did you manage to make so many enemies? Alright, listen, we need to reach your ship as soon as possible.

She didn't like the idea, but at this point, she didn't have much choice. Either they would escape this mess together, or neither of them would make it out. Considering that the stun from the grenade wouldn't last forever on the thugs from the bar, she decided to make a rather reckless move. Glancing back at Yuri, she gave him a brief nod and spoke to him in an impatient tone.

Alright, listen. Cover me right now, and after a few seconds, join me so we can make a run for it. It's our only chance. And if you shoot me in the back, you won't make it out alive.

As she uttered the words, she let out a small sigh and gave him a slight nod, hoping that he would immediately start firing at the people in front of them to give her some cover. Stepping out of the corner, she began shooting her blasters at the thugs waiting outside, launching a head-on charge at the group and knocking one of them down with a shoulder tackle. However, unbeknownst to her, there was another person lurking around the corner who took a shot at her, causing damage to her armor and eliciting a groan of pain.

 

[Yuri Maji]

How on earth did you manage to make so many enemies? Alright, listen, we need to reach your ship as soon as possible.

"Hey, Feagan's miffed over me and his sister! That's fair. I dunno who these guys are! Probably with Faegan." He explained himself as he took another sip of liquor. Definitely helped to take the edge of the situation for the moment. She went on to pitch a game plan for him, causing him to spit his drink out mid-sip as he readied his gun. At her signal, he peaked out of his cover and let loose with a volley of blaster bolts at the thugs outside. Immediately he spun around to shoot a few shots at the interior as he heard the previous hunters close in.

As the hunters took cover, Yuri spun around and let loose with another barrage towards the exterior thugs. Armed with pistol in one hand and bottle in the other, he pushed out alongside the Mando to push the others back. A blaster shot ripped past him and crashed into her shoulder, forcing a groan out of the woman. He flipped the switch of his pistol and fired explosive bolts at the thugs. He managed to down one and push the others back as he yanked at the Mando. "Come on!" He shouted as he took point. Every few seconds he stopped to cover her advance before catching up to them, only ceasing his fire once they made some distance. "This way!" He called out, waving towards a nearby hangar bay.

The streets of Mos Eisley became a borderline riot as some ran away from the fighting and others drew their guns in retaliation. Pretty soon their path became a gauntlet of gunfire as Yuri led the way to his ship. Inside of the hangar, a beat up freighter waited for the two with its boarding ramp lowered. "Get in!" He called out, waiting by the ramp to get her inside before following. Once the ship was closed up, he rushed to the pilot's seat and ran through the starting sequence. After a few moments, and a few slaps on the dahsboard, the ship came to life and took off towards orbit.

Vexia Renn

 

[Vexia Renn]

VEXIA RENN

Tatooine | Mos Eisley
TAG: Yuri Maji

​

At one point she even started thinking if they can really make it out. The way that Yuri was running made her a little worried, but perhaps there was something in his movement that would let them out. Several blaster shots more on her armor and she gave plenty of more groans in pain. But she didn't care at this point, the most important was getting out and alive, not with her body cluttering the streets. Especially that it seems like the roads are taking greater toll with people blasting at eachother at this point. So no idea who was the ally and who was enemy at this point.

When they finally reached his ship, she didn't really think twice and got onto it with him, running with him to the control room. Letting him take over, she looked over and hoped that they can finally leave all of this behind themselves. Perhaps chasing him wasn't that best of an idea, considering how many enemies he had. And she had to abandon her rental ship, again. Hopefully, she won't have to pay too much this time around. At least the job should cover it and still leave some of the money for her. But, there was more important topic at hand right now.

She knew that this would be risky, but she isn't going to let him go off the hook with this one. They might have escaped together, but she still was on a job and isn't going to let him go easy. Unless he has an offer that is going to please her, she puts her blaster next to his head as she doesn't seem to be joking with it as she then says out, a bit irritated about the entire situation.

"Now, got you out of this mess, we still have a score to settle. Try something funny and we both will end up dead. I think we both can settle down and come down to agreement, what do you think?"

 

[Yuri Maji]

The ship ascended towards the heavens above, finally breaking free of the planet's gravity for the freedom ahead. A sigh of relief escaped Yuri as he slumped back in his seat. Only his freedom didn't last for long, as the priming of a blaster announced its crushing end. His eyes opened as a sigh escaped his lips, and his hands released the controls once he set the auto-pilot. "Oh come on..." He muttered, slowly turning his seat to face her with an annoyed frown.

"Oh I can think of a few agreements, sis." He remarked with a hollow smirk, though it quickly faltered as he glanced at the gun. Fear was the last thing on his mind. "You wanna know what's in my hold? Nysillin. Refined, ready for delivery... except it's worthless without the right buyer." He started with a cold tone, crossing his legs as he leaned back. "So I got sixty thousand reasons for you to lower that gun..." He slowly reached over and lifted the bottle of whiskey he stole. "... And instead have a drink." A smile crept up again, this time a lot more genuine.

"I got a contact on Nal Hutta that'll turn that cargo into credits. Now, let's be honest. What'll be worth more? Shootin' me and takin' my head in for a few hundred credits? Or something that'll make this wild bantha chase worth the effort?" He sat forward, resting his forehead against the barrel of her blaster. His grin was unwavering as his pale, golden eyes looked up at the huntress. "Besides, you play your cards right, and I might just be able to organize you a ship. For free, might I add." His nails dribbled against the bottle within his grasp as he awaited her response. "You want a 'pretty please' with sugar on top, or is that sugar enough for you, sweetheart?" He sat back again with his foot lightly tapping away against the floor.

He didn't really want to get into a fight with her, if word got back to Kestri that he knocked one of his own around, he'd never hear the end of it. His mother's reputation was already rocky enough. <"Olaror bat, vod."> he remarked in fluent Mando'a, hoping to get her to stand down.

 

[Vexia Renn]

VEXIA RENN

Tatooine | Mos Eisley
TAG: Yuri Maji

​

She wasn't phased with what he was saying. She didn't care about anything he was saying to try to persuade her out of it. But she was quite surprised when he wanted to split the money and everything. Killing him? That wasn't even the bounty that she got. And while she loved her money, she hated to take stuff she didn't work for. And those credits wouldn't have been something that she actually gotten herself, but parasited on someone else. And that would have been clearly like this. She didn't let the gun out of his head but gave him a slight nod.

"You love talking don't you? Anyway, Yuri. I am not here for your head, there is something specific in your cargo that my client wants. This is what I have been from the very beginning. Not everything you have, not your head. Just this one specific item. Part your way with it and perhaps then we can have talk. You can keep everything else and sell it. You get me off on Nal Hutta and we part our ways, how does that sound?"

She slightly "hissed" when she heard him using Mando. It didn't made her too happy to hear someone not part of the Mandalorian clan speak in it. Or at least someone who isn't part of the enclave, as this is where her loyalties are laying right now. She still was holding her gun on his head, until he confirms that he will part his way with this one specific item. As soon as he does that, she takes the pistol away from him while still looking at him.

"So, what it will be?"

 

[Yuri Maji]

Yuri's grin faded somewhat as his curiosity rose at her words. He mentally ran through all of the cargo in his hold, trying to figure out what item of interest she could be talking about. As far as he was aware, there was nothing of interest aside from the Sillum. Unless... she was talking about a more personal item. But that couldn't be possible, he made a point of not revealing what was arguably his most treasured belonging.

"Heh, you wanna see what else I love doin', just take the helmet off, darling." He remarked with a hollow chuckle. "Thing is... I don't know what you're talkin' about. What special item?" He asked, genuinely sincere for once. "Like I said, I got healing herbs for days in my hold... and that's it." He slowly rose, looking down at the girl as his face darkened. "If what you're talkin' about is the Beskar propped up in my personal quarters, well..."

Taking advantage of her lowered weapon, he hurled a kick at the woman and drew his pistol with her in his sights as a snarl took hold of his features. <"Manda will forsake us before I let anyone lay their hands on it."> He spoke in Mando'a, resting his hand over the controls of the ship. <"You still think I'm just some junkie smuggler, then you clearly haven't been paying attention."> He tapped a few buttons on the dashboard, eliciting an alarming wail as the ship's emergency lights came on. <"I'll blow us both to kingdom come if that's what you're after, shabuir"> He growled as predatory fury burned in his eyes.

Nobody would touch that armour. His mother just recently reforged it for him to make some adjustments as well. And Manda help anyone who would deprive him of that armour... unless he was simply overreacting over it all.

"Wait... what the kriff are you looking for?"

Vexia Renn