The Spacer
Republic Space
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After Borjo's betrayal and subsequent death, I took to running spice for Zaragga. She was just as ugly, but she paid better, though that was on account of the larger shipments.There was a greater risk involved now, but as I said, the creds were good, and the spice was even better. And I didn't have to worry about that dopa-meekie sleemo Borjo.
All in all, I was happy, or as close to happy as a spice-addicted, thought-hearing empath could be. Beggars can't be choosers, right?
"Rex, set a course through Republic Space. And don't do anything to draw attention to us - I still haven't forgotten that debacle on the way to Ryloth."
Rex beeped his apologies, promising to adhere to the standard hyperspace protocols. That damned droid was too smart for his own good, but I couldn't bring myself to wipe his memories. He was one of my only friends.
How depressing.
The blackness of space brightened to dazzling beams of blue light as I engaged the hyperdrive, and I settled in for the ride. Moments later, we dropped out of hyperspace in the deep core, not far from Coruscant. Red lights blinked on the far console.
The drive was down.
It was that stupa T9's fault. His experimental hyperdrives never worked, but he insisted on installing them anyway, even going behind my back after I ordered him not to.
Between me and him though, we were the best mechanics on this side of the galaxy. I would be out of Republic space in time to catch my favorite holo-drama.
I had about ten tons of spice hidden on board, as well as 72 tons of legal fare - droid parts, food, water, raw materials, and other unmentionables - in case I got stopped by the Republic. If I was to get flagged, no inspector would find a thing amiss aboard my ship, save for the stench of spice in my quarters, if I was fool enough to let them check there.
I just never anticipated being inspected by Jedi.
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Iella E`Ron
It is good to be back in the seat of an A-Wing, it had been some time since she sold her stolen one from the Republic, to leave Tatooine with her now Master. Ironic really. But she missed it, so she convinced the Jedi Explorers Corps to lend her one, to "keep up her skills", as she put it. She can be very persistent when she wishes to be. Having some time off from training as her Master is busy with Jedi Council business and training other Padawans, she took the opportunity to take flight.As the fighter jumped out of hyper space on the edge of the Coruscant system, an alarm sounded as the sensor array detected a ship. The control panel showed that ship about 200km directly in front of her and stationary. She engaged the sublight engines and approached it. Unusual for a ship to be in these parts, as it is a military zone.
Iella engaged the scanners targeting the ship for an aggressive scan, the report show one life form, energy reading of two droids and heavy with cargo. The readout for the cargo inconclusive. Hmmm. The diagnostic show the ship disabled, the hyperdrive off line.
"Unidentified ship, you have entered restricted space, please state your business!", she hailed it and primed the weapon array. As she approached .. a small grin formed on her face, a smugglers ship, she thought, after all .. it takes one to know one. Well she is not a smuggler anymore, but the knowledge is still there....
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@[member="Iella E`ron"]
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It was a sound idea in theory, but this deep in Republic space was no place to be starting an intergalactic chase. Aside from the fact that the next two checkpoints were in Republic Space, they'd broadcast my ships designation across the whole damn galaxy to track me down. I wouldn't be able to fly. I wouldn't be able to smuggle.
No, we definitely weren't going to flee.
I approached a console in the hall leading from the cargo hold to the cockpit, activating the com.
"Just be cool, Rex. We've been inspected before. Let me do all the talking."
I had left T9 working on the hyperdrive, confident he could finish the job on his on. As I was making my way back to the cockpit, a voice sounded over the com system.
"Unidentified ship, you have entered restricted space, please state your business!"
"This is Captain Kale Arkin of the Star Spinner. I'm just transporting some goods along the Corellian Run - foodstuffs, droids, water - the usual fare. I'm having some hyperdrive problems, but those should be solved shortly, and then I'll be out of your hair and on my merry way."
I felt a weird sensation in my gut, like I'd eaten a steaming plate of Bantha poodoo. I assumed it was just indigestion.
Later, I would recognize the feeling for what it was.
A warning.
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poodoo - fodder
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When we left off, Iella had given Kale orders to land on Coruscant for repairs. Suspicious of his intentions, Iella used the Force to look beneath the underneath and discern the truth of their encounter.
The game is afoot.
I'll post, and then we can get things back on track.