Private New Ship, New Problems

[Jonter Dalton]

Location: Ord Mantell

They say a person didn't make it in life until they've owned a piece of property.

Jonter stood in front of his newly purchased smuggling freighter his face filled with pride and joy. Jonter wasn't the type to get too sentimental yet today, Jonter couldn't resist a genuine smile on his face his brown eyes continuing to gaze at his ship as if it were a newborn babe. The freighter wasn't a glamorous ship compared to a YT class. In fact, the ship Jonter bought wasn't even brand new, it was a 20-year-old ship that was closer to a piece of junk The hull had had cracks starting to form and there the main deck had seen better days. But it belonged to Jonter and that's all that mattered. Years of saving up, to replace that hunk of junk that he was riding for years.

Just then, a woman around Willis' age bumped into him shaking him out from his thoughts. "Ummm may I know who you are?" Jonter asked. "And why you're looking so..... harried and harassed?"

Lyra Vayne

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Lose the thugs
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags:

Why oh why did I take a job on Ord Mantell? Oh that's right, when Thazz wears a sleeveless tight shirt the words he speaks don't process and I end up in trouble. I am going to miss Thazz, but hopefully it will be a while before I find myself under the influence of someone so stupid.

The job was "so easy". Like the ones I have pulled on Coruscant so many times. But the targets on Coruscant were ignorant of practical security. They always thought fancy and expensive equipment would keep me out. Thazz might have mentioned the current target was a criminal, I probably spaced on that. I really doubt he informed me the client was going to have representation on the job though. As if I couldn't be trusted. That never works out. Thazz feeds me intel and I go in alone. Anything else and things turn to chit.

Which is exactly what happened. Now Thazz has paid for his greed in the most extreme way and I may be next if I can't get rid of these thugs. Lucky for me shooting up the spaceport doesn't seem like something they are willing to do. Unluckily for me I have no ride off this festering rock.

As I was rushing to escape the thugs hired to make sure the job got done I looked over my shoulder to see how much space she had put between her and them. It was then that my shoulder connected with a man admiring a ship. I would say that the ship wasn't much to admire, but who was I to talk? I had credits because my family has always had credits. Even as a thief I couldn't afford anything on my own. But enough of that, the man was talking to me. Ly…Names aren't important right now," I responded hurriedly. "Harried and harassed. Yeah that's me two sleemos are right behind me. Strapping good looking guy like you can surely scare them off."

 

[Jonter Dalton]

“Huh?!” Jonter look at the woman who ran into him. She flirted with him and Jonters heart started to flutter a bit. Why did he get a feeling that she was nothing but bad news? She was wearing what appeared to be a brown jumpsuit with black boots. Yet, the woman doesn’t seem to like to fully zip her suit judging on how it was unzipped down past her navel revealing her black bikini and cleavage.

“Wait!” Jonter said. “First, I need to know who you are and why are you?”

“There she is!” Two large guards: one a Weekquay and the other a human rushed towards the woman their blaster rifles rising up. “Get back here!” The man said. “Or I’ll melt your face!”

“Out of the way!” The weekquay growled at Jonter. “Or you’ll join her!”

“Hey guys!” Jonter said. “Cant we talk this over?!”

Lyra Vayne

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Lose the thugs
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags: Jonter Dalton

If the flattery hadn't gotten his attention one look at my outfit certainly did the trick. Of course it wasn't often that my chosen attire didn't garner the focus of anyone who enjoyed the sight of a human female. That's why almost everything clings to my curves. That's why this jumpsuit I am wearing now is too tight to even close the zipper over my chest. They really enjoy that.

He insisted on knowing who I was still. Though I am quite confident that continued flirtation and teasing would have gotten his aid without revealing anything of my identity, aliases existed for just this reason. "You can call me May for now. I'll get yours after they're gone."

Why was more complicated than who. But before I could even broach that subject the thugs caught up to me. They demanded I come with them and threaten the nice pilot. Hopefully he will take the urgency of the situation now. "I promise I will explain things once these guys are off my back. They aren't the type for talk…Too stupid. I gave a smile to the thugs and moved as close as I could to my new found friend. The blaster I had picked up while fleeing the sleemos was held at the base of my spine and set to stun. My new friend would have to take out at least one of the thugs before I would use it. My prowess in violence is not that great after all.

 

[Jonter Dalton]

May? Now this woman was just messing with Jonter, he did not appreciate her just coming around naval exposed trying to get him to do her dirty work and the worst part was, it was working. No way in hell that Jonter would allow these men to come anywhere near his baby. Not the scantily clad woman who was cowering behind him but rather his ship. The one that he worked his ass off to earn. Jonter sold his old ship just to get over the hump to afford the price of this used frieghter and damn it he's not going to let anyone lay a hand on it.

"Out of the way!" The Wequay barked. "She stole something from Elcor the Hutt and he wants to take care of her personally!"

"Starting with taking her hands away!" The human added pointing his rifle towards May. "No one steals from Elcor and gets away with it!"

Jonter doesn't know who this Elcor was but all he cared about was getting out of here. "That's nice guys!" He said. "But can we settle this away from my ship!"

"You're stalling for time!" The man yelled. "Kill him and bring the girl alive!"

"Oh frack me!" Jonter drew his Blaster Pistol out shooting the man in the chest. He went down with a cry before the weequay opened fire with his Blaster cannon.

"Get down!" Jonter yelled grabbing May's hand and headed for a crater. "Oh man!" Jonter moaned. "Why am I in these kinds of perdicatments?!"

Lyra Vayne

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Lose the thugs
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags: Jonter Dalton

The man that I found to be my savior seemed to tense a little as the thugs continued to approach, but I wasn't all that sure he cared what happened to me yet. He seemed to keep himself between them and his ship. I have a second brief look at it. What was so special? I guess that only mattered to him.

The Weequay ordered the man off…Wait these guys are from Elcor? That's not who Thazz said we were working for. And I hadn't actually stolen anything. I was set up as a patsy!!! Thazz was lucky he was already gone.

"But I didn't…" even as the words started from my lips I knew none of three would believe them without an explanation. Then the guy all but confirmed he wouldn't care if they took my hands as long as his ship was fine. I hmphed audibly in discontent. Then the direct threat to the man came. I smirked. Looks like the pilot was going to help get rid of them whether he liked it or not.

I was impressed by his speed drawing his blaster. The panicked curse was a bit off putting, but if we survived it would be forgotten quickly. The human opponent went down quickly and I started to aim my stun blaster at the Weequay. The man grabbed my hand and dragged me down as I squeezed the trigger. The shot went wildly by its target of course, but I was safe from the cannon fire for now.

"This happens often to you too?" I asked with a nervous giggle. "I usually come out pretty rosy in the end. Hope you don't drag me down. What do you think we can do? Run for the ship or start shooting back?" as I asked the last bit I pressed close to the man.

 

[Jonter Dalton]

Why does Jonter always find himself in these sorts of entanglements? One moment he was celebrating purchasing a bigger and better ship and the next moment he’s engaged in a gunfight with scantily clad woman pressing up on him. The human that Jonter shot in the chest painfully crawled on the ground a smoldering hole smoking in his breast plate. Damn, looks like the armor took the brunt of it. Must’ve been reinforced durasteel armor.

“Drag you down?!” Jonter yelled when the weequay continued to shoot. “You’re the one who thrusted me into this mess!” Jonter fired back at the weequay but remained missed his shots.

Despite being pinned, Jonter and May did have a straight shot at his ship. “All right!” Jonter said. “Head to the ship! I’ll cover you!”

Lyra Vayne

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Get off Ord Mantell
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags: Jonter Dalton

Breathing was rapid for me in the moment. Completely normal reaction for others, but I am a "master" thief! With alarms blaring and an uncrackable safe in front of me I am calm as a cucumber. Soon as a blaster fires I am all of a sudden a mess.

I am doing my best not to let this new guy know how nervous fighting makes me, but our current proximity probably betrays me. Quick short breaths and racing heart and all. Of course he's cute. If he is as vain as I am perhaps he thinks that he is the cause. Nah, even I couldn't bring myself to that thought.

"Hey, I never said dragging down my luck was something you planned on doing. If you are a hex however that isn't my fault. Just like to know how fate treats my partners, you know?" I took in a deep breath. If this guy wasn't lucky I wouldn't be either. I might be able to make it to the ship if he falls. But I can't fly it.

"Ok. Here goes nothing! I announced getting in position to make a dash to the ship. I looked at the destination and was happy to see the ramp down. "You get me off this rock and I will have a nice reward for you," I left the pilot with a bit of indenture in a mischievous tone that hopefully suggested no credits were intended to change hands. Then I was in motion. Firing a wild, errant stun blast in the general direction of the Weequay, I kept as low as I could while rushing at full speed to the ship. I threw in a few jukes and a roll before reaching the ramp. There I took a more aimed shot. "Your turn let's go!" I yelled at the same time as pulling the trigger. I didn't wait around for a response. My stun blaster didn't fire rapidly so I rushed in for safety and hoped for the best.

 

[Jonter Dalton]

"Get her!" The man said to the Weequay. "She's alone!" May sprinted towards the ship firing a stun blast which missed by a considerable distance. Jonter took a deep breath and returned fire on the Weequay backing away in the process and following May towards the ramp. May continued to fire her stun blaster which continued to miss badly as Jonter brushed by May. "Come on!" Jonter yelled closing the ramp and heading towards the cockpit.

"Oh man!" Jonter said looking over the controls. "I didn't get a chance to test how fast this baby can be!"

He knew that it was fitted with state-of-the-art Hyper Engine and sublight accelerators but Jonter didn't anticipate that he was going to be chased by two thugs. "All right!" Jonter pressed a red button and an Auto-turret appeared in the bottom deck and began firing upon the thugs. "Chit!" The Weequay said firing on the auto canon. "We need reinforcements!"

"They're on their way!" The man said. "Don't let them escape!"

Lyra Vayne

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Get off Ord Mantell
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags: Jonter Dalton

At the top of the ramp I crouched down to monitor what was happening. But that didn't last long through blaster fire and shouts the pilot came rushing by me. I took that as my cue that it was time to leave. Even before the pilot beckoned me to follow. I probably could have found my way to the cockpit on my own. But that would be bad taste. Even for me. And when you can't fly, angering the pilot isn't the best idea. I was pretty sure this one was peeved already.

"You didn't get a chance to test?" I bellowed in concern. "Well Flyboy reinforcements are on their way. We better figure out how fast she goes really quick. Elcor may not be the biggest slug in the galaxy. But for sure there will be pursuit after we lift off."

I gave a chuckle as the auto cannon took shots at the thugs. "On your way to earning that reward" I said, sliding into what I assumed was the copilot's chair, putting my legs up and crossing them. "Now let's get this bird in the air…Didn't catch a name by the way. If you don't mind Flyboy I don't either."

 

[Jonter Dalton]

"Jonter, flyboy take your pick!" Jonter said hastily pressing the buttons. The auto cannon continued to pin down the human and the Weequay and the engine began to roar with life.

"I don't know what reward you have in mind!" Jonter said as he started the take off sequence. "But I really hope it's credits!"

He could use some creds after enduring a Blaster Fight. It's the least May can do. On the radar, Jonter spotted more reinforcements converging on the ship. "Better hold onto something May!" Jonter said. "This is going to be a big jolt!"

"Get them!" The man said to the arriving reinforcements. One of them had an RPG and fired on the ship as it took off. The rocket smashed onto the right side of the ship. Jonter felt a violent but otherwise kept flying. The ship flew out of the spacepad and into the atmosphere. "I think we're in the clear," Jonter breathed.

Lyra Vayne

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Get off Ord Mantell
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags: Jonter Dalton

So, Jonter is his name. My mind runs through all the possibilities: Jon, boring. Jonnie was certainly better; it rolled off the tongue nicely. Jonter was fine as well. And he didn't seem opposed to Flyboy. Of course that might just be he wasn't expecting our new friendship to last long.

As the engines started to "hum", I shifted my position in the chair to something more steady and secure. I still had to pose coyly of course in case Jonter looked my way. When he mentioned the reward my lips formed into a smirk. Not even out of trouble yet and he was thinking of the reward. I like that way of thinking. We were going to get along fine. Eventually. When he went on to mention credits I briefly looked down to my cleavage and rolled my eyes giving an audible tisk. "If you're only thinking credits with me sitting next to you there is something much more valuable and exciting you'll miss out on," I couldn't just come out and say what I had in mind. Had to tease him with it. Make him think.

Then I was warned to hang on to something. I looked over to Jonter questioningly but couldn't ask why before the rocket hit the…well I hope it hit shields. This ship didn't seem like it was in shape to take too many rocket hits. It seemed like one hit wasn't enough to stop our immediate escape from the space port. Jonter was proud of himself. I couldn't blame him too much. "Don't get ahead of yourself. Even though I did NOT steal what they are coming after. It is big enough that they will keep coming. We will be safe when we hit hyperspace. I have a place on Coruscant. They might find their way there eventually. If you have another place to lay low that might be better."

 

[Jonter Dalton]

The alarm was beeping inside of the cockpit and Jonter checked to see that Hyperdrive was leaking. "Oh you gotta be kidding me!" Jonter mumbled. "Now we won't have enough to jump into hyperspace!"

Jonter was not in the mood for this. HE JUST BOUGHT THIS SHIP AND IT'S ALREADY FALLING APART. "At least still have control over the rest of ship," he moaned while looking at May. "What do you mean something more valuable?!" Jonter said not knowing what the frack Lyra was talking about. "What you got valuable items or something?!"

May was already a mystery and Jonter wondered if he would be helping her since the moment she clung onto Jonter, he was already facing trouble. "The shield generator is slow," he grumbled. "I'm not risking going into space! We'll have to find another spaceport! Which I know where."

Lyra Vayne

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Get off Ord Mantell
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags: Jonter Dalton

No sooner than I thought we were sure to be safe, Jonter rained on my parade. "No hyperspace? You have got to be kidding me," I replied in exasperation. Jonter happily stated that we maintained control of the ship. A small comfort at the moment. Probably a sentiment that showed quite obviously on my face.

The Flyboy's thoughts went back to his reward. More precisely, what I could have that is more valuable than credits. I giggled softly and shook my head playfully. "You have a narrow focus. Or you just aren't too bright. Credits can only buy you so much…well I guess they can buy you anything, just not necessarily the highest quality," I responded batting my eyes at him.

"Is it getting hot in here? Something leaking maybe?" I asked as I wiped my brow which was dry as a bone for the moment. It was a ruse of course. I ran my hands over my shoulders one at a time moving the cloth of my jumpsuit which fell down my sides to the seat. This revealed a good deal of skin as I was only wearing a bikini top underneath.

I gave a slight humph at being told we weren't heading into space. I wanted off this planet. It place is too underground. "Anyplace is better than here right now. I guess I am in your hands Jonter. Just remember no hyperspace. No reward."

 

[Jonter Dalton]

"I'm a smuggler May," Jonter said trying to maintain control of the ship. It was hard to do so with the engine starting to sputter no doubt collateral damage by the rocket. "The only thing that motivates me are credits and right now I need those credits so I can repair the ship that I just bought!" If May thought she was frustrated, she should be in Jonter's position. She keeps talking about getting a reward when they get off planet but she doesn't seem to care stuck in her own little world.

Jonter stared at May his eyes growing wide when he saw May wearing nothing but a bikini top. "The frack?!" Jonter said. "It's not THAT hot, clearly you can cover up right?"

The spaceport was ahead and Jonter began to land on the spacepad. "We'll find a repairman," Jonter said. "But right now we need to lay low."

Lyra Vayne

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Get off Ord Mantell
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags: Jonter Dalton

Hunter came right out and stated his illegal occupation. I couldn't help a smirk. I could see him struggling with the controls so I tried my best not to make a smart remark to this. A thief and a smuggler could make for a good team. Especially when the thief was in it for the sport and could forgo any monetary reward that came from their cooperation.

Jonter then stated that credits were his sole motivation. Even my sympathy for his current struggle and my desire to stay alive couldn't hold back my reaction to that. I giggled playfully. "My dear Jonter. If you love credits so much I think we will get along pretty well in the long run. But I have known a fair number of smugglers in my time, and not a one has turned me down in favor of credits."

His reaction to my lowering the top of my jumpsuit was quite surprising. Was he appalled? Or was I just too much of a distraction? Of course it had to be the latter. Nobody could be appalled by me. I decided not to tease any further for now, but to his question of covering up I merely shrugged.

"Lay low where?" I questioned as the ship settled down at its new port. "I hope you are not suggesting we just hang out on the ship and let them find us."

 

[Jonter Dalton]

What the frack was May talking about? Was it of m her services as a supposed thief? Because if that was true, then she was the worst thief that Jonter seen from her jumpsuit that exposed her chest and barely fits her plus the fact that she was caught by thugs. Maybe she had a bad day, but Jonter was not impressed so far.

“Of course we’re not going to stay In the ship,” Jonter said as he started the landing cycle. “But this spaceport is private meaning that anyone who doesn’t have a pass integrated into their system will have to see Rogan the Rapid.”

He sighed as he landed the ship. “And I have to call in a favor.” Jonter said. “So let’s go.”

Lyra Vayne

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Get off Ord Mantell
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags: Jonter Dalton

By the Force. How did this man not know what I was offering as a reward? I was popping out of my top. Now my top isn't even covering my bikini any longer. He already stated it was not that hot. He can't possibly believe that I don't know what size I wear. It is my look. It flaunts assets. It shows what I am willing to do.

I shook my head and sighed again. I leaned across and patted Jonter's leg playfully. "It'll just be a really nice surprise when you earn it and I deliver," I whispered with a giggle.

Thankfully we weren't going to be festering in the ship while hoping for a miracle to come and fix it. Jonter had a plan it seemed. That was a positive. "I usually don't have a problem getting what I want from security. But I guess we can try things your way first. I can always work my magic if things go to chit," I responded as I stood from my seat and pulled my jumpsuit back into my arms and shoulders. It was still not able to zip of course.

"Never heard of Rohan the Rapid," I hadn't heard of many on Ord Mantell, but Jonter probably didn't know that. "Since you don't know Elcor, we are probably safe. I will follow your lead…" I hope I don't regret this. The guy helped me and he's sweet. But nothing but bad luck so far.

 

[Jonter Dalton]

Jonter got up from his seat his heart still thumping and his mind muddled with fear and uncertainty as usual. All he wanted to do was to admire his new ship but now he as roped into rescuing a young woman who as being pursued by mercenaries for reasons that he didn’t even know or even care about. All Jonter wanted to do was to leave.

“Yeah just don’t try anything funny,” Jonter sighed. “Rohan is known to be a particularly nasty individual.”

At least he hoped that May won’t try to pull anything on a ruthless individual. “Now May let’s go.” Jonter said.

 

[Lyra Vayne]

Objective: Get off Ord Mantell
Location: Ord Mantell spaceport
Equipment: Gringy Thief Outfit
Tags: Jonter Dalton

My rescuer was more action than I had given him credit for. Really I should be giving him some leeway, most people aren't used to my life. And just because he was on this flea bitten planet of miscreants didn't mean that he was used to the high stakes adventures of the underworld.

As he got up out of the captain's chair I stood beside him and waited for him to lead the way to whatever action would take us out of this place. What do you consider funny? My methods of negotiation are usually quite accepted and rarely frowned upon," I responded sounding a little offended.

I was right on Jonter's shoulder when he told me it was time to go. "I am not some delicate little flower Jonter. I might not be able to take on a horde of armed enforcers, but I have been in this world for a while. I know to be careful. Oh and I do have a few credits if it helps grease the wheels."