Tales of the Void: The Tatooine Run

[RC 212]

Location: Tatooine

Althea was many things. Some called her a Witch, a Sorcerer. Others called her Pirate, some other names that cannot be mentioned here. Whatever she was, she was no fool. With half a days rations left and crew thirsty for water and other fleshy pleasures she had set down port before they got out of hand.

The bosun had the ship locked up tight, and the first mate was around, but just barely. Jasper was his name, an old wrinkled Trandoshan who seldom spoke, but rather just roared. Good thing the translator droid existed on the ship to fix the issues with his weird accent.

Still now that the crew was on liberty she could get to work. Local news spoke of a certain bar, where extra crew and supplies could be procured.

Standing five feet six inches tall she strode through the dirty alleys with a purpose and into the double doors. The door man greeted her with a smile and she sneered. One credit chip flew through the air, into his eager palm and he scurried away.

Twas only moments before she had scanned the place. Some spacers sure, some of them worn, some of them fresh. A few smuggler types. Of course there was the fresh blood, the moisture farmers and the like. They were always eager for adventure. Jasper had already set up the recruiting booth in the corner. The slimy lizard sat there with a huge golden tankard, slowly licking his grimy lips. His beady yellow eyes darted to her as she approached.

"Yezzzzz Captain?"

"How many made the manifest?"

"Only twentyyy."

She scowled now. A deep furrow marking her eyebrows and whirled about. two steps brought her p onto the table of the nearest patrons and she kicked the the plates and tankards sending them clattering to the ground.

"Oy listen up you scruffy lot. I'm looking for a crew, a big crew. I need fifty hands to crew my next voyage. Theres plenty of credits in it for you, if you should sign now, you'll receive my special bonus. An extra hundred for every soul who pledges!"

It was a lie. Inside her head she smirked, but outside? Oh yes outside she remained calm and stoic, unable to break or be broken.

 

[Estsha Delabeen]

Estsha was visiting Tattooine to pick up parts for her latest project. She wanted to add a hyperspce generator onto her ship, but didn't trust the local merchant from Coruscant. Not only where the goods sketchy but they were incredibly overpriced. At least here on Tattooine the Jawa's materials were just sketchy. She was sitting in the cantina making a comprehensive list on her datapad of everything she needed to purchase before returning home to her shop. As the list grew longer and longer, Estsha sighed. There was no way she could afford this. Most of her credits were spent on the trip over here. She had hoped it'd be worth it so that when she got back home she'd never need to pay for another shuttle off world. How naive she had been.

A loud voice rang out through the building, catching Estsha's attention. She glanced up to see another human woman standing on a table practically yelling at the cantina patrons to join her crew, promising great sums of credits. A few people seemed especially interested, most likely for the credit opportunity the sleazebags. And Estsha would be damned if she didn't join for that same reason as well. She needed credits and by the diction of the pirate lady, it seemed to be only a one-trip deal. This was almost too ideal. Switching off her datapad, Estsha stood and approached the table cautiously. This could either be a very good or very bad deal for her. Fingers crossed it was good.

"Uh, h-hi." Estsha wanted to slap herself. She could barely even get her first word out, why would this crew hire her? Clearing her throat, she tried again. "Hi. I'm Estsha. Do you have need of a mechanic or slicer? I am an engineer, too if you need that instead." Was it obvious that she had no idea how to sign up for a mercenary crew? Probably, but she needed the credits and this was a good opportunity to study a hyperspace generator up close and personal.

 

[RC 212]

[member="Estsha Delabeen"]

"Well well, what have we here?"

Althea jumped,landing on the cantina floor in a crouch. As she rose to her full height her brown eyes bored into the young would be volunteers. She looked the mechanical type maybe. But as far as Althea could tell she was a young woman. Perhaps she had promising future as legitimate mechanic, or a future legendary merchant?

But if that was the case she wouldn't be here now would she, Althea thought to herself.

The young
Witches hands flexed a bit and she brought one hand to rub her wrist, both held at chest level. The cantina was awash with activity behind her as scum and villainy alike rolled up to Jaspers booth to claim their small fortune.

"You look very young an inexperienced girl." Althea shot, tone awash with derision.

"How can you handle a sword, what do you bring to my crew?"

Meanwhile the manifest began to fill up as Jasters slimy litle claws took down anme after name...

 

[Estsha Delabeen]

[member="Althea Raxis"]

Estsha's eyes followed the taller, more intimidating woman, having to look up a bit as she approached. The rather rude jab at her looking inexperienced and young made her pride bristle. She was about to retort about how she may be young but far from inexperienced. Sure, she had never has any formal training, but she had learned on the job and nothing was a better teaching than experience. Her forming comeback was interrupted by the sailor's question.

"A sword? Isn't that a bit archaic?" Estsha's eyes widened as she quickly slapped a hand over her mouth. Her words had spilled out of her throat before she could stop them. Crap. "I-I mean I can work with any machinery be it engine, droid, blaster, datapad or holoterminal. Every crew needs a good backbone and in these days that backbone is your technology." Nice save, Estsha. "Ma'am," she quickly added, standing up straighter and bracing for what came next.

 

[RC 212]

[member="Estsha Delabeen"]

Althea nodded. Yes a sword. Very Archaic, unless one knew how to use it, and sometime deception was just as good as the real thing. A sword spoke weakness, old technology. But for the fact that her sword was not her only tool in the box, just a mere distraction.

"Yes a Sword." Was all she said.

The Pirates Witches brown eyes roved the young woman up and down. A mechanic would be good, very good in fat. Althea had no mechanical expertise and hadn't planned on it anytime soon.

"Jasper!"

"Yezzzz?"

"Take this young womans name down and give her the credits up front."

Althea turned and bowed slightly, flashing a devilish grin.

"Welcome to the crew of the Emerald Dragon missy."