Private Secret Cargo

[Shaye Ares]

Location: Serenity's Reach​

Tag: Mathieu Brion​

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The Ladyhawke set down in Lirra.​

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Shaye had been skeptical about this trip, but she wasn’t going to turn down credits. She wasn’t stupid. It was a simple enough job, too.​

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Bring food stuffs to these coordinates. Said coordinates wouldn’t match to any maps, and she’d brought her freighter down through heavy mountain mist to be suddenly in the middle of a valley. It probably wasn’t luck that this place, Serenity’s Rest, was so well hidden. From what she’d heard, a very powerful woman—a Jedi—ran this place. It was a refuge or something, from what Shaye understood.​

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And she wouldn’t go spreading the word about it. Her recent work with the Great River had seen her swearing secrets left and right.​

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As the ramp lowered, Shaye took in the view: mountains, greenery, and a small village. People might have described it as peaceful. The smuggler cast a quick glance over her shoulder at the bags of protatos and other vegetables. Well, she certainly wasn't going to unload it all; it wasn't her job. Shaye squinted and spotted a figure patrolling the edge of the settlement.​

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"Hey!" She shouted, holding her hands up to her mouth to project the sound. "These bags of protatos aren't gonna unload themselves!" ​

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With any luck, they'd send someone her way to help.​

 

[Mathieu Brion]

Location: Serenity's Reach
Tags: Shaye Ares

Secret Cargo​

The time at Serenity's Reach had been good to him. It was far removed from the constant war and conflict that characterised his time aiding Admiral Chaussidier and the 4th Recon Fleet. Naturally, action was never far away - but this was on a smaller scale and with a more pure focus. Fighting evil was important and something which could never abandoned. But then, so was finding peace and giving oneself time to recover.

Still, regardless of whether he was standing watch at the Reach or being on standby aboard the Nema II, Mathieu still wore his heavy robes on top of the armour underneath. He felt at home in it and was rather useful, even in slightly less dangerous situations.

From afar, Mathieu could see a ship approaching. A quick check with flight control confirmed that it was an expected visit. Soon, the ship's engines could be heard. The sound was steadily working to overshadow the that of leaves clashing against each other in the calm breeze and the birds chirping from the tree crowns.

Many fond memories surrounded the arrival at and departure from a planet. He associated it with a most incredible feeling - one which was hard not to miss upon seeing the ship set down.

It would not be long before he heard the woman, presumably the ship's captain, call for him. Mathieu raised an arm to wave at her and hollered "Hey!" in response. The open palm with which he waved quickly transformed into a thumbs up upon hearing her request. With that, he entered a light jog.

Slowing down as he arrived by the ramp, the broad-shouldered Morellian another friendly "Hey, I'm Mathieu". He extended a hand for her to shake before moving up the ramp. With one fluid motion, he picked up a sack of protatos and threw it over his right shoulder and picked up another sack to hold by the side with his left arm. Although it was slightly straining, Mathieu drew strength from his advanced physical capacities and his connection to the force to make it with relative ease.

"If there's more, we've got a hover trolley back at the bay. Let's head there and drop this off first" he said, and pointed to the storage facility ahead.

 

[Shaye Ares]

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Tag: Mathieu Brion​

Shaye squinted.

A rather imposing figure in the distance gave a wave and... a thumbs up. Alright, well it looked like the protatos were about to be dealt with. And she didn't even have to lift a finger. Good. As the armored man drew near, Shaye stood with arms crossed. She lifted her chin slightly as a greeting.

"Shaye," she said, simply and shook his hand.

This guy, Mathieu, seemed the overly-friendly type. Great. Shaye disliked that sort of person the most. But whatever, he was going to get the ship empty of cargo – and that's what counted most. Shaye watched out of the corner of her narrowed gaze as he hefted the bags of protatos; they didn't seem to weigh him down at all.

"Show off," Shaye said under her breath and coughed loudly to try and cover the words.

But did she really care if he heard? Nah.

"Uh, sure," Shaye said and started to walk with Mathieu towards the storage. For a moment, she took a moment to take in the surroundings. "And is... Aida Aquila around?" Her brows went up. "She's supposed to pay me."

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[Mathieu Brion]

Location: Serenity's Reach
Tags: Shaye Ares

Secret Cargo​

Her words, despite the cough that was produced to hide them, could be heard clearly enough. It was not at all what Mathieu had expected, nor was it his intention to show off. Regardless of what her intents had been with felling the comment, it was more flattering than anything else. He made a futile attempt at hiding an amused chuckle before shooting her a friendly glance.

It would not be long before the two of them were on their way towards the storage facility. The walk was a silent one - at least until she asked for Aida. Mathieu's eyebrows rose, almost as if taken by surprise by the question. While he might have suspected that the Jedi Master was somewhere at the complex, he was far from certain.

"I'm not sure" just as soon as he responded, Mathieu realised that it would not be enough. As it turned out, she needed to get in touch with Aida about her payment. "We could try calling her." he said, figuring that the simplest solution was probably the best. For the next few moments, Mathieu would look down to see Shaye's expression, not sure of whether she had access to Aida's comms or not.

If Shaye didn't produce her own comms to call the Jedi Master, Mathieu would glance down towards his belt "You can use my comms. I've got her on speed dial #2. It's on the right side of my belt. You'd probably have to brush my robe aside." he said, hoping for her to retrieve it herself. Calling someone while also holding the sacks of protatos would have been a hard.

 

[Shaye Ares]

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Tag: Mathieu Brion​

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Shaye acted like she wasn't paying attention, but she'd noticed the good-natured chuckle and amiable look. Yep, he was one of those friendly folks. Great.

As they continued on to the storage, her eyes narrowed slightly and her lips pursed when Mathieu responded to her question about Aida. There was a small moment of worry – for the credits that she was expecting today. For the time, her ship had fuel and she had enough food to last her. But she hadn't totally signed up for this out of the pure goodness of her heart... the credits mattered.

Blue eyes darted from Mathieu's face to his belt. "Uh, alright," she said, as her leather-gloved hand moved his robes to the side – a bit like someone trying to throw a curtain open. Her fingers grazed the comm unit, but didn't quite catch it the first time. Shaye made a good grab at it the next time. Inside, she was cringing at herself... but she attempted to hide it behind a stony face.

"This is Shaye Ares – I'm looking for Aida," she said in the comm.

There was silence on the other end.

Shaye frowned, then she spotted a figure draped in white robes already on the edge of the settlement, waiting.

***

Aida had been expecting the delivery, yes. Indeed Serenity's Reach did need new supplies. However, there may have been an unseen motive behind the Jedi Master's call. As always, her business remained enigmatic – hidden behind a calm smile.

"Greetings," Aida would say, her voice coming through the force rather than through the air. "Come speak with me, and we shall get you squared away." Her smile visibly widened. "Mathieu, please store the supplies... and join us when you are done."