James had been growing tired with the life of a smuggler. Even the risks that came with a job had grown tedious. He'd recently come back from a job a heist of Hutt's Casino. The entire time James had done his job, played the overconfident card player, pick pocketed the floor managers card key, got into the vaults, lifted a comms stick with the cash, then when everything had inevitably gone haywire he had provided enough cover fire for to head back to the ship. What followed had been by any standards an intense chase. Slinger had to dodge starfighters and asteroids in equal measure, while the hyperspace route took extra time to calculate.
Eventually he had made a clean getaway. Instead of exultant relief however hehad felt empty and if he was being honest slightly depressed.
What was the point?
He couldn't stop asking himself that question. What difference did it really make? The Hutt would barely even blink at the missed profits, he'd kill some subordinates, put a price on James's head and business would flow.
Fact was danger lacked excitement without purpose. So James had been considering making a desperate some would consider stupid move. Join the Wild Space Rebellion. It wouldn't be the first rebellion or outer rim organisation he had joined. Most fizzled out in time. The fervor and passion of the cause lost to the hyperspace lanes upon which they were born.
It had gotten to the point where James had even considered joining the High Republic. Thing was Big Government just wasn't for him. He wanted to serve a purpose not bureaucrats, who spent half their time coming up with excuses not to intervene in the wrongs of the galaxy.
There was also the fact that James had been feeling guilty about breaking his promise to the people who so kindly gave him his ship. James had promised to help people. Lining his own pockets didn't seem to meet the mark.
Besides his contact on the casino job had double crossed him and taken the comms chip. James needed a job. Some minor protection from an irate Hutt wouldn't hurt either.
Still James was perhaps not cautious, cautious wasn't in his nature, more wary. Wary he could do and still boost thrusters forward. Was this rebellion any different from others? Would they try to put a leash around his neck? Get him to fall in line in a pale imitation of military rigor?
James shrugged he wasn't sure, but he knew he needed a change. Life had just gotten too dull looking out for oneself. If he was being honest with himself James was lonely. Flash in the pan friendships at card tables, the gratitude of strangers on the occasional charity job, a network of shady contacts who could double cross you as soon as save your life.
Not exactly the foundation of a community. So James had reached out through his channels, set up a meet. He had arrived early to scope the place out. He spotted her as soon as she entered. Jedi. She had that poise, surety of her place in the galaxy. As if whatever happened was instrumental to the oh so sacred Force.
James sighed, hoping he wasn't about to receive a lecture on moral virtue. James slid into the chair opposite the Jedi and introduced himself.
"Captain Slinger of the Hearth, Home and Haven. Heard you might be looking for the freedom inclined?"
