A Real Scumbag

[Darben Skirae]

Darben had been having the dreams again. The nightmares he wanted to forget. There was one thing worse then what he had experienced, the shooting at his store, almost losing Mute more than once, worse than that time Kay had changed. The day when Corellia burned, when his home split apart, ruined by...something. he did not know what had caused it all. When he was forced to flee, the first time he had gone into space. When he developed the fear of space as Corellia broke apart, smashing with another planet. The other planet he had forgotten the name of, same with almost everything else with the event.

This was why he drank. To forget those long days. The cataclysm. That was one thing he was glad that Mute had never experienced, at least he believed she never had.

"To Corellia..." he cheered quietly to himself from his table. Unlike most nights, this time he wanted to sit alone, away from everyone else in the bar. It was times like these he wanted to stay away from every other person in the bar. Then he took another drink. "Aren't I lucky, huh?" he said to himself. He sometimes thought he was. Other times, he could only remember how he lost almost everyone he knew.

[member="Myles Velum"]

 

[Myles Velum]

Another boring night, another bar.


Myles was never much of a drinker. More often than not, he was turned off by the thought of filling his blood with toxic compounds, as ironic and hypocritical as it was. Even then, bars were sort of a frequency for Myles. After all, he hadn't much to do in between jobs other than sit around. And if he was going to drink, he sure as hell wouldn't be doing it with Kaz, the drunken fly occupying his ship. No, he'd much rather do it at the cantinas. There was always something interesting going on at a cantina. Sometimes that interesting thing was Myles himself, but usually there were other things that caught his eye at the bar. Overhearing some grumbling behind him. What really caught his attention was the mention of Corellia. It wasn't often that he visited home, especially not after what... happened. But it was always nice to encounter another Corellian in his travels.

"You know..." he said, speaking behind him with his drink in hand. "When you say things like that, it usually means that you aren't lucky."

Myles turned around on his stool, taking a swig of Corellian ale in his hand as he looked toward the man behind him.

"Or it means that you're about to be unlucky.

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

The Minister of Trade poured another gulp down the hatch of the Commenori brandy he had ordered, his new favorite drink. He had a second glass with him on the table, just in case he felt like having another after this current one he had. It was his second glass so far. He was about to take another swig before someone spoke behind him. He held his glass in hand, almost to his lips. He felt as if he turned around, he was about to have a conversation he very much he did not wish to have. He hesitantly waited before his next words. He wasn't even sure why he was thinking of how he would reply.

But, in the end after a long wait, Darben gave a reply to whomever had spoken, without turning around. "That's a pretty...good analysis" he answered to the man behind him. "And what might you know about being lucky? Or unlucky, if that's your case."

"So, you sound like you have some experience with luck...must be an interesting story." Whoever it was certainly had his interest. Finally, Darben glanced back to see the speaker. Looked like quite the pilot, they did. He had what looked to be a Corellian Ale. That used to be a great drink for him, but the name alone was enough to remind him.

 

[Myles Velum]

Myles leaned back, setting his elbows upon the table behind him. It wasn't often he spoke to strangers, unless that would be in a bar. Looking at his new acquaintance, he seemed almost a bit glum. There was a sort of sorrow in his eyes, a jaded one. Myles knew this look all too well. It was often that he had this look too, sitting at a bar. That's usually one of the two reasons you even would visit a cantina. Either to get drunk and laid, or to drown your sorrows in a pint of beer. Myles could tell it was the latter.

"Actually... I'm not really the superstitious type. I just know someone who's down on their 'luck' when I see one."

To be honest, Myles had plenty of interesting stories, but none that he ever really shared. He didn't think it was worth the bother, and he didn't often like to talk about himself. At this point in a bar conversation, Myles would have offered to buy his new acquaintance a drink. But, seeing as he already had one, there was no point. This man was getting wasted regardless.

"I'd offer to buy you a drink, but it looks like you already have one." he mentioned, taking another small swig of his ale. His swigs were actually more like sips, like he wasn't drinking to get drunk, but just to taste or quench his thirst. "People call me 'Spacer', by the way."

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben raised a brow toward the man on the stool. He put his glass down and sighed, he instantly knew who he meant when he spoke of knowing how someone was down on their luck. He was very much down on his luck, the Minister knew that. After Corellia, he knew that his luck would go out eventually, and his home was gone. How unlucky could you get? "I sure am..." he said, sighing again then took another swig. "Thanks, it's the thought that counts at least."

"Darben...Darben Skirae" he responded, turning on his chair to proceed to give a handshake. "You look like quite a pilot...so what brings you here?" He asked to [member="Myles Velum"]. He also felt like asking what struck up the conversation, but he didn't. He decided to just let the conversation carry as he kept on drinking on and on.

 

[Myles Velum]

Myles let out a short chuckle after that. Normally people didn't guess he was a pilot at first glance, unless they knew who he was. He figured that maybe his new acquaintance was also a pilot himself. Usually, a pilot can recognize another pilot. It's sort of just a feeling, an intuition among spacers.

"Heh, I was just out for a drink... You a pilot too?"

Myles would have asked what this man... Darben, the same question. But he figured it out on his own. He watched as the other man downed his drinks while Myles carried on with his casual gulps. While some drank away their problems, Myles had a different vice. Well, vices- plural. But usually he kept himself in check. He'd fallen into bad habits shortly after leaving his home on Corellia. Years later, he'd become much more mentally stable, but the stress and guilt from his past deeds would often catch up to him. Before he could answer, Myles continued speaking.

"I'm guessing you fly for a living too, right?"

He almost had an off-putting look about him, but it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. It was as if Myles had something on his mind, but it'd be hard to tell what. In the end, only Myles knows what Myles is thinking, but there is a sort of look in his eye. It is subtle and barely noticeable, but it is one of intent.

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben laughed dryly at the question thrown back at him from [member="Myles Velum"], shaking his head. He was no pilot, most surely not. He hated space, feared it. "No, not even close. I am a...well, could say I am a trade advisor." In a way, he was. He was the Minister of Trade to Commenor. That required a lot of travel. He was about to keep on talking, but a transmission came through. He turned away from Myles, and activated his comlink to hear the familiar face of his new bodyguard, Mia Nujik. It was his decision to get a bodyguard. After everything that had been happening, it was about time he got himself one.

"Minister, it's time we get moving" He nodded, giving a response. "Very well, let's get moving then" he replied. He turned back towards Myles, putting his drink and a handful of credits on the table for the canteen manager. "Sorry, but I have to get going. Have to go flying...something I am not too fond of at all."

He got out of the cantina, toward the nearby landing bay where Mute and Mia waited upon a Commenori shuttle. He had had an interesting meeting, but he doubted they would be meeting again. Darben boarded the shuttle, and Mia pulled the ship up into the air, launching up through the atmosphere. He still had Corellia on his mind, yet was sure that he would get over it once they reached his mission.

 

[Myles Velum]

He looked off to the side as the minister answered a transmission, but kept an eye on him. Myles couldn't really make out the face that had appeared on the comlink, but he could at least make out some of the words. Perfect. He assumed the trade advisor was carrying some cargo on him, or at least had some sort of value on his head were he to be captured. Myles turned to finish the last of the purple ale which so fondly reminded him of his home as Darben stood to leave.

"Well... Good luck. You might need it."

That last part was mumbled more than it was spoken, and left in an ambiguous tone. He waited a few seconds before standing up to leave as well, fishing a few credits out of his pocket before tailing the minister of trade.

MOMENTS LATER​

Myles sat within the cockpit of his E-wing. This fighter was his pride and joy. It was the 'craft that earned him the nickname 'The Spacer'. He built it himself after scavenging the hull and a few of its working parts from a junkyard, repainted it, and tweaked its weapon systems in order to make up for that standard E-wing's inefficient firing systems. It still had its flaws, but Myles used the ship to its fullest. Once he was flying that thing, he was a part of it.

He waited patiently, watching the bar patron from just minutes ago. Myles had tailed him to his shuttle, which luckily was not too far from his own ship. Surprisingly enough, the minister's ship was not the cargo vessel Myles had imagined to be. In fact, it appeared to be a simple transport for a small crew. While disappointing, this only meant there would be less protection he'd have to fight through. Good enough. Myles wasn't exactly the kidnapping type, in fact he didn't enjoy it, but he figured the ransom would be enough to at least cover some fuel costs. And if no one pay for him, Myles would just let him go. That was at least how he rationalized it.

Myles paused briefly, allowing the shuttle to take off and leave before following it in his starfighter. He was fast enough to cover any lost ground. He was worried they might notice him following them, but as soon as they left the planet's patrol regions, he opened fire. The first two blasts were intentional misses- warning shots. Waiting for a reaction, Myles prepped the ship's combat systems holding out for a chance to engage.

Come on, big guy... Play nice...

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

The transport was about to enter hyperspace before something was detected on the scanners. At least, that's what Darben surmised when his pilot began swaying the ship about side to side. He saw two blasts fly by the sides of the ship. "What in the varp was-" Darben held on fast to his seat, and saw Mute silently was freaking out in her chair. "Mia!" The pilot attempted to pull off, not bothering to attempt to contact them. "Mia, just stop! We can talk this through with them, I am sure of-" She shook her head, her head tails swinging as she did. The ship dove for a moment, making Darben suddenly jump in his seat. "Miaaaa!" Why, of everyone in the galaxy, did he get someone as stubborn as a falumpaset.

He got up from his seat and tried to walk over to the communicator, and opened comms to the ship. "Whoever you are, I would kindly suggest not shooting at us. I am an official of Commenor.
He hoped that would work, although Commenor was known as a rather passive system to some. But, he had to try something. This ship was not the most maneuverable.
[member="Myles Velum"]

 

[Myles Velum]

*pew pew!* ... *pew pew!*

Another round of shots were fired. At this point, Myles was actually scared of hitting the shuttle. After all, he didn't wanna damage his precious "cargo." As the shuttle began taking evasive maneuvers, Myles kept his pace a short distance behind them. Luckily their ship was no match for his, and there was almost no chance for them to get away. He was about to reach out to his comms to send a transmission before-

"Whoever you are, I would kindly suggest not shooting at us. I am an official of Commenor."

A wry smirk drew across his face. Perfect, he thought. They were almost doing all the work for him, and the fact that this guy was official made it all the better. He attempted to alter his voice just slightly enough, trying to make himself less recognizable. It was nothing he was ever exceptionally good at, but it was something he normally had to get used to as a con artist. Then again, he gave up those ways a while ago... Suppose this was an exception. Pressing a button, he sent a transmission back to the shuttle.

"Ah- uh, yeah... Um- Well, how about you uh, slow down a bit. Uh- Then we can talk things through in a... civilized manner."

Myles prepared the attachment wire that came standard with all E-wing models, and fit the standard "space helmet" on his head.

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben's shuttle shuddered as more blasts hit around their ship. The shields held, but they were weak. His pilot kept trying to push Darben back toward his seat, but he held on, trying to listen. He did not want this to end in a bad fight, with their shuttle exploding. Soon, he heard a voice on the other end. And he almost old his pilot to turn them around, then land so he could use his own blaster. But he knew that was not a good idea at all. Probably the worst idea ever. And plus, it would put Mute in danger.

"S-Spacer?!" he shouted at [member="Myles Velum"] over the comms. "Mia, slow us down...And please, for our sake, try nothing." She stared over at him in disbelief. As soon as the ship stopped, Darben told her to hide herself amongst the cargo hold. Darben never wanted her to be put in danger. Once he was sure she was safe, he nodded to Mia to let their pursuer aboard. "Remember, try nothing...I'll sort this out." He could not shake the Nautolan's scowl in his direction.

 

[Myles Velum]

Flying over nearby, he rappelled over to the shuttle's docking bay. Once he was inside safe and sound, he cast his helmet aside and drew his blaster, aiming dead at Darben's head.

"Hey, Derbin..." he said, intentionally misspeaking his name as if trying to provoke some kind of anger, "Guess I'm a real scumbag, huh?"

Myles allowed a short pause of silence, eyeing Darben but also the surroundings. He really was a scumbag, wasn't he? Resorting to kidnapping innocents just for petty cash. He may have conned people out of their money in the past, sure- but that was nowhere near what he was doing now. Most of his kidnapping... victims... at least had a good reason to be kidnapped, in a way. It was almost a code he held himself up by. Or maybe it was just an excuse for him to feel better about himself.

"Pick up all the weapons you have on this shuttle and slide them over to me... And then I want you to bring your crew and have them gather 'round."

He spoke sternly and a bit winded, as if it were something he wanted to get over with but also trying to make his point.

"You got that? And don't try anything stupid, because I will blast a hole in your face."

Myles cleared his throat, almost looking off to the side as he said that. It wasn't in his nature to dish out threats. He would much rather prove himself with his actions, but he already felt guilty enough so killing a crew member was out of the question for now. Instead, his blaster pistol remained steady, aimed with his finger hovering over the trigger.

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben glared as the 'bandit entered', or whatever he was, he couldn't think of an appropriate name for 'Spacer' at the time. Then his eyes grew fearful as there was a blaster drawn on him. Mia made a move to move out of her chair, but Darben shook his head as he glanced to her. "You have no idea how much of one you are..." The tension in the air of the ship was so thick, Darben could almost imagine his words cutting through it.

"This is all the crew we have. Just me, and my pilot." He hoped that Mute would not make a sound, and he heard nothing from the cargo bay. And he did not look that way either, fearing if he did, this pilot would catch on. "Now, what do you want? Anything I might...I might interest you?" Of course, once he got hold of the situation, he put on the best poker face he could pull off. He had been robbed before at stores, but not in space. And he had gotten the hang of it. Although he could barely stomach his own words. "And could we please hurry this long...there's people depending on me, and credits to be earned." He occasionally glanced to Mia Nujik, his bodyguard to make sure she was not stupidly stubborn at any point. He doubted he would be making any contact to Commenor space.

[member="Myles Velum"]

 

[Myles Velum]

His new 'prisoners' stood against the wall while Myles eyed them. He lifted up his left arm to speak into a comm, holding his right arm steady with the blaster aimed in their general direction.

"Kuz, bring the ship... Yeah, these coordinates. What? No- don't bring the- Look, just get over here. We got fresh meat."

He stood there silent for a seemingly endless minute, gazing steadily and somewhat fiercely at the captives. Darben had claimed they were the only two on the ship, but Myles walked over to check the cockpit just in case, keeping his blaster pointed and his eyes locked the whole way through. Empty. Looks like they really were the only two on this shuttle.

"Look, Darben. I'm not here to rob you. I don't even want to hurt you... What I want is to know how much your friends from Commenor think your head is worth. Understand what I'm getting at?"

Before Darben could respond, he moved his aim toward the pilot woman. He approached slowly until the barrel of his gun met the bottom of her chin, slightly pushing her face aside.

"You- Pilot... What's your name?"

He squinted his eyes, staring directly to meet her gaze as if he were trying to read her soul. Unfortunately, Myles didn't have any sort of rope or means of keeping his captives immobilized or handicapped. Well, at least not until Kuzma arrived, which would likely be fairly soon. Instead he'd have to go about it the old fashioned way: hands up and staring down a barrel.

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben stood against the wall, Mia by his side. He could see her shuffling a bit, she was angry and he could tell. They had barely had much time together and already he knew that sometimes, she could cause quite bit of trouble protecting him. 'Spacer' raised his comm to his mouth and said something into it. Darben heard that he was getting another ship in, and that was not too good.

He glared up. He was willing to give credits he had on himself, but to be held for ransom? He guessed he was worth a bit, being a Minister and a friend. But what course of action would they take to get to him? That worried him. He knew Kay to be passive, but the others of the CSA? He had heard that some had seen combat, and he would not put it past himself that they would come to get him by force. "I know exactly what you mean. And don't think we'll be going along with you without a-"

"Mia, let me handle this, please" Darben butted in. She remained quiet after that. "So, you wish to hold me for ransom? Well, I can't honestly say how much they would be willing to pay. But, if I were to contact them...though I doubt you would allow that...You sure there's nothing else you want? I have credits on me." Really, he just wanted to get out of this alive. And at this point, he would do this by any means...well, almost any means. As long as it did not threaten his life, or the lives of those on this ship.

[member="Myles Velum"]

 

[Myles Velum]

"Actually," he spoke as a ship could be seen exiting from hyperspace. "That is exactly what I want you to do."

His plan was simple: hold him for ransom, collect the money, and leave. Contacting the Commenori government through the shuttle would probably reveal their location, so they'd move to his own ship and move somewhere else. Once the credits had been wired to a certain account, he'd leave Darben and his pilot at a designated planet.

Myles' ship moved closer nearby, and a clanking sound could be heard as the attachment rope connected to his starfighter was yanked off. He raised his left arm once more to speak into his comms.

"Bring my ship in and get ready to jump once I'm done taking care of business."

He looked back to Darben, his eyes shifting between him and his pilot. So, 'Mia' was her name. Myles didn't think she held any monetary value, but perhaps he'd use her as 'motivation' for Darben to cooperate. But he was cooperating just enough. If he needed to hurt the pilot, then he would. But for now he wanted to get this over with.

"I don't think you have much money on you, anyway... I'd get a much larger sum if I just kept this gun pointed at your head. So, unless you have any other means of paying me..." he paused. "...then I'll just have you contact your people. Tell them I want one-hundred thousand credits and put me on the line so I can talk to them myself."

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

Darben half expected that to be the answer, and was half surprised as well, he'd never been held as ransom before, by anyone. "So, hold me ransom, then? Great plan, great plan..." he muttered. He heard the sound of something disconnecting from the ship. 'Spacer' spoke into his commlink.

"You think they would give you that much?" he almost shouted. He knew he was worth something, but if it was that much, he couldn't make them pay that. "I mean, I may be the Minister of Trade, but that is quite a high demand." He was doubting more and more that they would pay the ransom. But, he was starting to think it was his only chance. There was nothing else he could do without betraying the trust of the CSA. And he couldn't risk giving away information...or could he? Even though it would no doubt hurt the CSA, was his life worth less than a bit. "There...there might be something else. Something worth more than credits...but you have to promise me that no one will get hurt." He suddenly had a plan. But it would only work if this pilot did not go back on his word. It was awfully risky.

"A trade route, not too far. Commenor has these...gems. We trade them frequently." And, if his assumptions were correct, they were guarded. But he was basing all this on the hope that this pilot would not hurt anyone.

[member="Myles Velum"]

 

[Myles Velum]

His arm was starting to get tired. If he didn't wrap things up soon, Kuzma would start to get impatient. That, and Myles expected orbital patrol to come upon them anytime now. Rolling his shoulder, a crack could be heard as he listened to Darben speak.

"Gems, huh? Well, I can't promise that no one will be hurt, but I can assure you that no one will die. Maybe. But please, do go on about these... gems."

It was hard to really guess what sort of gems he was talking about. Myles assumed they were lightsaber crystals, or possibly just jewelry. Either way, gems usually meant value. He might make some decent money selling them off if what Darben spoke was true. But he couldn't tell whether he was telling the truth or just trying to save his own ass. In any case, Myles would rather take a risk for bigger payout. Kidnapping was risky enough already.

Meanwhile, the Toydarian piloting his ship waited patiently outside. Kuzma kept an eye out in case any "visitors" decided to show up. Perhaps "patience" was an overstatement for Kuzma. Then again, he was probably too drunk to care. Surprisingly, he functioned just fine piloting a ship under the influence. It was like his brain had gotten used to it.

[member="Darben Skirae"]

 

[Darben Skirae]

The Minister was already thinking that this was a bad idea, but it was the only one he was hopeful for. He was sure their trade ships were protected. How much they were, he was unsure of that. But, he was sure it was worth the risk. "They are worth a lot. Used in jewelry. The trade route is not too far from the course I was about to take...you can promise no one will die?" He glanced over at Mia, who had the most questioning glance he had ever seen. He hoped that she would keep this between them. He could not bear Mute knowing, or Kay. He could not have them know that he betrayed their trust, for his own life.

"What will it be then? Try to ransom me? Or take your chances?" Now, he was trying to play with 'Spacer' trying to get him to agree to it. He was putting all of this on the chance of the guards being well equipped onboard the ship. But he did not know [member="Myles Velum"] capabilities. Or how he would plan to do this. Use him as a hostage? Shoot through?

 

[Myles Velum]

Myles paused, standing silent for a brief moment as he considered his options. A few second later, his arm lowered and holstered his blaster at his side. He couldn't tell what was worse: actually considering to take Darben's information or kidnapping him in the first place. Probably the former. But if he were going to go through with this, he'd have to make sure the two of them wouldn't just run off in case they were lying to him. He couldn't just leave them both in his ship, otherwise they'd likely just kill Kuzma and take the ship for themselves. Although...

"Alright, Darben, I'll bite. On one condition..." he paused, stroking his chin. "One of you is coming with me. I don't care who it is- just decide amongst yourselves."

It was the best course of action. If he can't leave them behind, why not just take them with him? Of course, if he took them both they'd probably just gang up on him. No, it was better to keep the split up. That way each of them had an incentive not to screw around. Myles turned his back just for a brief moment, lifting his left arm once again to speak into his comms.

"Kuz, change of plans. Keep the ship running." he spoke, shutting off his comms before he could get a reply.

[member="Darben Skirae"]