The Annodue Run [Dreyton]

[Abaigeal E'ron]

Pollillus
Annual Podracing Event of the Year!
The Annodue Run

[member="Dreyton"] | [member="Asher"]

With the up coming incursion into the ranks of the criminal group Tears on Coruscant, Geal and Asher needed supplies. Plenty of them and anything they could get their hands on. Geal had reached out to a 'friend' she had met some time back floating around the outer rim, a contact and source of getting such supplies and they had arranged to meet here on Pollillus. Dreyton was one of these types that could be anywhere at anytime but he would always come through with the goods.

The annual race was set to start, it was in honour of Pollillus' famous son, Fodesinbeed Annodue the old sportscaster. It was only a small race on the calander of the galaxy's races but it made for a good point in which to meet up off Coruscant. Quite frankly, Geal was enjoying the outdoors, the open space and fresh air and the feel of the sun on her face. You get very little of it down in the lower levels of the Jewel.

She had some credits on one of the participants, she did know his form but like the name and the colour of his pod and number five is always lucky. Geal was determine to enjoy the day out. Snacks at the ready, drink in hand she watched as the pods took off with a roar, and hoped they would all make it in one piece by the end of the day.

It was wishful thinking to be sure.

The roar of the crowd added to the noise, and added colour to the already colourful event, her eyes turned to the large screen just in time to see a crash, bits of pod strewn on the track out in the field and the crowd went wild.

 

[Myra]

Dreyton quirked an eyebrow amusedly at the screen as the pod racer was consumed in an inferno and shattered into a million pieces. Blood sports would never go out of fashion it seemed. He would smirk a little as he looked over the crowd, all going crazy for the misfortune of another. With a shake of his head he'd pull the cloak of the dusty brown cloak hung around his shoulders up and head into the crowd to begin his search for Abaigeal. The crowd made it nearly impossible to distinguish her from anyone else here, especially since there was constant movement. So, he went with the flow, following different groups towards the more popular parts of the stands. Food carts, drink stands, gift shops, a bar or two, he would keep looking.

He dealt in arms, he collected a few bounties, did a tad bit of smuggling, he really was a jack of all trades. Yet, he always claimed to have a higher moral compass than others of his craft. Terrorist cells, pirates, gangs, the usual buyers were often baited just to be slaughtered or arrested by Dreyton and dropped off to the local authorities. While rebellions Dreyton could relate to and the odd vigilante group hunting down criminals were sought out by him and given incredibly modest deals. It was his way of both making a profit and trying to keep the galaxy a tad safer. He hoped that this would be similar, and who knows, maybe he'd be able to help out a bit.

Eventually he'd end up near the top of the stands, already growing weary of his search, yet he'd squint and spot [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] in the distance, and begin making his way towards her.

[member="Asher"]

 

[Asher]

[member="Dreyton"] / [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

This place was too crowded. It was hard to drop the paranoia of 1313 even when you tried. The sun burned against his eyes and skin with a brightness he was not used to. A lifetime of seeing only the artificial stuff had a way of doing that. It was clear to those around him that while it was nice to be away safe and sound from the manhunts orchestrated by the Tears, Asher was also far from comfortable with where he was.

The visit was two-fold. One was to wager on someone who haphazardly risked their life for a thrill ride, and the other was to meet one of Abaigeal’s contacts. While Asher had an understanding for the second item on the agenda, he was not one to see the point of gambling unless he had rigged the game in his own favor. Call it a potential misjudgment of character, but Abaigeal didn’t exactly strike him as the type of person that had the resources to do such a thing on this scale.

His eyes scanned the crowd, eventually setting on a man at the top of the stands.

“Man. Tall. Looking straight at you.” Asher whispered back at Abaigeal as he turned around to sit back down in his seat. “Your friend?”

 

[Abaigeal E'ron]

You had to have some vices in life, it seemed that Geal has a number of them, smoking death sticks and gambling were a couple of them, among them. Regardless of Asher’s fidgeting and squinting and unease beside her, she was determined to enjoy the outing, it is not as if they get the chance to do this on a regular basis, and away from relative danger, or rather, immediate danger that is presented to them daily on level 1313.

She went to finish off her drink until it made that horrid noise that indicated it was done, and the snack were salty which made her even more thirsty. That and the warm day. “Will you relax”, she said as the large screen showed the replay of the crash, “Ooo that must have hurt”. To the crowd’s disappointment, the racer of the pod had some how got up and walked away from the burning wreck.

The remainder of the pods whizzed passed them on the home stretch, with only two more laps to go and number five was in third position. She leaned forward to watch him hoping number five was gaining pace, he wasn’t. “Hmmm”. This will not do.

“What!”, she spoke up loudly to raise her voice above the noise, she didn’t catch Asher’s words. Geal turned to look at him, noticed just in time he had been looking over his shoulder, he wasn’t relaxing. She turned to see what had caught his attention, when she noticed Dreyton standing at the back of the arena stalls.

“Ah, come on”, she stood up to start the knee shuffle excusing herself as the passed by the other seated spectators. “Besides I need a fresh drink”. The arrival of Dreyton was heart-warming, one, he arrived safely still alive surviving the galaxy, and two he might have good news and have something they could use for the ‘operation’. As she bounded up the steps, the crowd went wild once more, which only meant another crash, Geal quickly spun around to check the runners, number five was still out there, and now in second place. If he makes it to the final lap, number five might just get some ‘divine’ intervention to get him over the line first. A little grin pulled at her lips.

Finally, they made it to Dreyton looking as shabby as ever, it was his look she assumed which for the most part served him well. From what she knew of him, he was not one for paying attention to his own style but would rather pay attention to what he considers more important. “Dreyton, good to see you”, she offered her greeting. “This is Asher, Asher Dreyton”. Short and sweet were the introductions and she looked around to see if there was somewhere in this crowded place where they could talk privately. “Over here”, she pointed to an empty booth along the level, besides she needed a place to keep an eye on number five.

[member="Asher"] | [member="Dreyton"]​

 

[Myra]

Dreyton would peer over the crowd to finally notice them making their way towards him, and rather than meet them and potentially getting lost in the crowd only to start searching again, he would wait patiently. By the time they get to him he's already purchased a bottle of some unlabeled alcoholic beverage from a nearby stand and would be tossing the wrapper of some pastry he had just finished into a nearby trashcan. He'd meet her with an amused grin, before his eyes fell to the newcomer he hadn't met yet. The grin would vanish, and he'd look [member="Asher"] over uncertainly until giving a nod as if to say 'you'll do'. If [member="Abaigeal E'ron"] trusted him then Dreyton could bring himself to trust him, at least for now.

He'd follow along to the booth, sipping at his drink as he goes. Dreyton would slide into the booth, sliding his bottle onto the table "So, Abaigeal, whatcha need las?" He'd wrest his elbows on the table, propping up his chin as he stares at her with an amused smirk.

 

[Asher]

[member="Dreyton"] // [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

The doctors he had met at one point or the other referred to it as agoraphobia. With the proper approach he could be rid of it, though given the lack of open spaces on the lower levels that wasn’t very likely to happen. As they walked up the stands Asher couldn’t help but put weight onto each step he took as if fearing the skies would reach out to swallow him if he didn’t.

As they approached the man, Asher gave him a second take. Seemed scruffy, but Abbie trusted him to deliver so he couldn’t be all that bad. The others were drinking, but Asher had no desire for it. A worried glance shot to the skies above as the others turned towards the booth. Hesitantly he slid into the booth by Abaigeal, and yet in what seemed like an instant a sense of ease set over him. He had a solid roof over his head now. That was a good start.

It wasn’t Asher’s place to negotiate for this one. He might have been the one to urge the plans for outright rebellion, but Abaigeal was the one with the contacts. Hands in his pockets he follow the two as they began.

 

[Abaigeal E'ron]

She left the boys to their own devices of sizing each other up, it was to be expected she supposed, they had not met before and given their purpose for being here, they were on edge. Asher more so, being out in the open was not is strength which was understandable. There wasn’t much Geal could do to help ease his discomfort, apart from getting this meeting over quickly.

Looking toward Asher, he would have a wish list as well she was certain, but primarily they needed more blasters, guns and ammunition. “Weapons”, she said trying to keep the talk to a minimum, even though they were relatively private, the walls had ears and eyes. “Anything you can get your hands on”. Out of her pocket Geal retrieved a datapad, a list of what they required on it, including surveillance equipment, listening devices and trackers. She slides it across the table to Dreyton.

“Asher?”, she asked him, he knew exactly what was in the crates and boxes back at headquarters, he would know what they lacked, after all he had smuggled their ‘goods’ in at great danger.

While, Dreyton looked over the datapad, Geal focused on the events of the race. The pods where on their last lap, and number five positioned in second place, there was only a handful of racers left and there was on bend to go before heading to the finish line. She blocked out everything around her, centred her mind on the leader of the race filling his mind with a sense of doubt, a small seed planted that she would nourish. Doubt turned to fear, a sense of dread started to eat at his spirit and shook his confidence …

The noise of the pods grew and sped passed them as they crossed the finish line and the roar of the crowd erupted as number five was declared the winner. From her pocket Geal retrieved a gambling chip and placed it on the table and with her finger, slides it toward Dreyton. “That should cover your expenses”, she said with a smirk. The winnings from her bet on number five would do the trick.

[member="Asher"] | [member="Dreyton"]​

 

[Myra]

​Dreyton would look over the data pad and whistle, holding it out and squinting as if checking to make sure he read it right. "You wagin' war lass?" he jokes, chuckling to himself before he stops, looks at the datapad again, then looks up at her suspiciously "Are ye?" she mentions the man again and he glances to him with raised eyebrows. This was all rather bizarre, he had expected a few guns, maybe some thermal detonators, but the list kept going far longer than he had expected it to. He scrolls down it, checking it for the third time already before sliding it onto the table. "How're ye' even goin te'-" and then she slaps the chip down. Dreyton reaches for it, picking it up, and flipping it as one does a quarter before checking to see which side faced up. He would shrug, slide down into the booth a tad more to get comfortable and shrug "Alright. I'll get what's on te' list."

He'd glance at @Asher now with raised eyebrows, as if expecting him to produce another datapad, before quickly looking between the two of them. "Who're ye' fightin'? Rim trash? A small cartel? These kinda armaments-" he'd tap the datapad before continuing "these aren't just for a few small timers or thieves. You mean business. So talk to me, who are they?"

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

 

[Asher]

[member="Dreyton"] // [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

War. Wasn’t that an apt description? Asher kept his hand with a firm grip at the table’s edge to keep himself from falling into the sky as he looked at the datapad. The text was hard to read from his angle, but he had helped shape the content of it so perhaps he didn’t need it. There was no doubt in his mind that this was what they needed, but there was so much more to a rebellion than just a few displeased peasants.

“It’s a gang war.” Asher said with an indifferent yet clearly amused smile. “I’d like to call it a rebellion, but the truth is we are just forming one gang to take out the other. Call it the circle of life down in the lower levels.”

He withdrew a small pad with a list that was far smaller. The contents weren’t guns, weren’t even drugs or meds. It was armor, it was literature and foodstuffs that were otherwise hard to get in the lower levels. They were items that despite being on the market was not exactly easy to get. Real meats and vegetables to keep morale up, armor to keep lieutenants from dying, and training manuals to help turn the average person from a bystander into a somewhat well-equipped militia.

After all, gangs only knew violence. Asher was not below stooping to their level. As was made clear by how all of this started to begin with.

A sly grin spread on Asher’s lips as he slid the pad over.

“And, I mean, I’d ask for a nice big mansion while I was at it, but I ain’t quite sure it would fit on your ship.”

 

[Abaigeal E'ron]

Geal was not sitting idly by as the boys spoke, her sense reaching out around them all to make sure they were indeed engaging in a private conversation, for the moment they were fine but still they sat in the open regardless of the ‘protection’ of the booth. She had to grin at Asher’s direct approach to the what they had planned, correct for the most part, and she had to think about what that meant. The doubts of what they were about to embark on entering her mind once more. Where they just going to replace one bad situation with another? It could quite easily turn in on itself.

“More recently, the gang that controls the levels above and below level 1313 .. the Tears they are called .. have tightened their strangle hold on the level, making it much harder for the average person to be able to survive down there. They have always had a hold on businesses and trading, but they have become more ruthless and people are disappearing, more people on the streets homeless and that is just the start”, not to mention there was more then even, woman having to resort to selling their bodies to feed their families.

“We have gain trust in a few of the people on the level, but there is still much to do to gain more, but we want to be ready for when the time comes to take back control”, she looked at Asher with a smirk, “My plan was somewhat more ambitious but Asher convinced me that we could create a power vacuum between levels by getting rid of the immediate heads in the Tears”. She tapped her finger on the top of the table, her mind still mulling over the finer details, it was a gamble but one that they had to take, had to try.

“It is not going to be easy, in fact it could back fire but we need all the help we can get”, she looked directly at Dreyton, she knew he would come good with getting what they needed, but she had to wonder if he would actually join them in this dangerous endeavour.

“We want to help the people that can’t do it for themselves, to be able to give them the choice to live their lives as they wish and without some noose hanging around their necks”. She was not only trying to sell this idea to Dreyton, but equally to convince herself they were doing the right thing. In her heart she knew it was right, but what would be the cost of it?

But nothing great, nor change for the better is ever won without sacrifice. This is something that Geal knew well and the cost can be high and very personal.

[member="Asher"] | [member="Dreyton"]​

 

[Myra]

Dreyton takes Asher's manifest and whistles "Thes'll probably cost ye more than the weapons" he'd grin at his own joke before reading through it again, noticing the literature and giving a surprised nod. "Honestly I wish the lower levels didn't 'ave to be like that. You probably have more gangs down there then buildin's on the surface" Dreyton would slide the datapad back to Asher and rub at his eye idly as he just thinks how in the world he'll get the supplies before huffing "I know some guys in Tyra'Weilen that'll hook ye' up with fresh fruit and meat supplies, I 'onestly can just hire some tikes on the upper levels to lift some holopads from some libraries for your books and throw in somethin' from my personal library. This armor will be a tad more difficult, but you guys have given me more than enough credits with those winnin's to cover it, 'opefully." he'd shoot Abaigeal a quick almost accusing look before giving his attention to Asher once again. "Just make sure the civies stay outa the cross fire. Savvy?"

As Abaigeal would start talking, Dreyton would give Asher a quick look to make sure he acknowledged his last statement before crossing his arms and sinking down a tad into the booth, getting comfortable. It was a nice little speech, he had to admit, half wondered if she rehearsed it. The Tears, nasty characters, he had already heard things about them before this meeting and he didn't like any of it.

"Whatya goin' te' do when that vacuum happens eh? Set yourselves on top? Try to form a little republic down there? You say ye' want te' give them freedom but they'll just turn back te' gangs and infightin' in a month. That's just 'ow it is down there. I'd love to help, more than just supply your little crusade, but ye' need to tell me you've got a plan for when it all blows over." Dreyton had honestly seen way too many crusades against the villains end just like that, especially on city worlds like Coruscant. Wherever there's a will to clean things up there's every cartel, corrupt corporation, and sometimes the local government ready to back up the biggest gang just to keep the anarchy and profits flowing. Maybe he was just growing cynical as he aged, maybe he was right, but he certainly wasn't going to run off to Coruscant just to form a tiny republic that gets stomped by the authoritarian government up on the surface.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"] [member="Asher"]

 

[Asher]

[member="Dreyton"] // [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

It was true, in most places it was easier to find means to end life rather than prolong it. Although Dreyton seemed to understand the situation. He mentioned the life of the civilians and Asher provided an affirming nod. The entire reason they were doing this was for them, and even if they only really managed to provide a week, a month, or a year of peace it would have been worth it. It wasn’t about who the message was for but rather what the message was.

“You said it yourself, the gangs are always going to come and go.” Asher said and gave a lighthearted shrug. “Just like you can’t guarantee us everything on our list, we can’t guarantee that we will be in full control of the situation either.”

“... The plan though, is to try and form some sort of collective militia. Temporarily, or not, that is what remains to be seen whether or not we succeed.” Asher said and leaned against the table with his arm running along its edge. “What we need is to knock the idea into people’s heads that they can look out for one another. Best way to do that, I’d say, is to show them how. If they get to infighting, there are ways of ending that, and given the kind of change we are trying for here... There will most likely be some tough changes up ahead.”

“At least that is why I’m doing it. Not to place myself on a throne, but to place the people on it as a whole.”

 

[Abaigeal E'ron]

"If we don't do it, if we don't try, no one will and everything remains the same and the people in the lower levels are left to suffer a lack of empathy that they have already suffered for far too long", she added after Asher finished. "You know the history of Coruscant, like most people do in the galaxy. When I was a kid, it was the Republic that controlled it, and they did nothing. Then came the Sith", she chuckled, and her words would show her actual age, not her appearance, "There was no chance that they would care. Then a short lived government formed to self control and now the Imps. They have a very hard hand and narrow mindset".

Geal reached across the table and as if to make a point, she slide the datapads closer to Dreyton, her eyes looked directly into his with a firm and set determination, "It should be enough, if not .. get what you can".

"You want to know what comes next after we get rid of the Tears?", she remained in place, "We get rid of the Claws". Who control the levels above the territory of the level 1313. Now, she leaned back in her seat and mirrored him, crossing her arms over her chest as she grinned.

"Before you go and get us what we want, why don't you come back to Coruscant with us and see for yourself". Although she does not know Dreyton well, what she did know was he was a man that was champion to the galaxy that wished for a peaceful existence for everyone, a very grand ambition but an ambition that starts with small steps like the ones Asher and herself are trying to take.

[member="Dreyton"] | [member="Asher"]​

 

[Myra]

Dreyton would heave a heavy sigh as he runs a hand through his hair. "Abaigeal.. Ye' mind as well plan to overthrow the whole government with that kind o' thinking." He'd pick up the datapad again, looking over the list of weapons before shaking his head and plopping the datapad back on the table and gesturing to it "This. I can do." he'd motion abstractly as if drawing attention to someone sitting next to him "'elping you beat some piece of kark and free people, that I can do." He'd motion to Asher and then lean in and lower his voice "Gettin' books, armor, food stuff, some of the most valuable stuff below the surface, I can do." He'd lean back, looking rather amused "But let ye' fight gang after gang after gang until the big boys storm in and make things twenty times worst for the people you're trying to protect? That I can't do. Count me in, if only to make sure you guys don't get too big for your breeches"

He'd grunt and reach into his dusty overclock before pulling out a flask and downing some of its contents, giving a satisfied huff afterwards. "You'll be the death of me" he teases "Just let me get some cargo and set up some drop points and deliverers so we can keep a constant flow. Then I'll meet you in your lower levels. Best to make plans where I can actually see what I have to work with.. and so Asher here can stop losing his mind every time he looks up and get back to safety as soon as possible." He'd then offer the flask to Asher, giving him a sympathetic look.

[member="Abaigeal E'ron"] [member="Asher"]

 

[Asher]

[member="Dreyton"] // [member="Abaigeal E'ron"]

What little seedling of a doubt there had once been about Dreyton when Asher had come here was forgotten at this point. They were both realists, they both seemed to understand that if this wasn’t pulled off according to the plan that was still hatching, Abaigeal and Asher might just end up making things worse for everyone. It would take some time to finalize the details of the plan, but they did have a plan and that was always a good start. It was certainly more than many others had when they tried for change on the levels.

The fact that Dreyton wasn’t a mindless smuggler, that he understood what it was that he was getting himself into and that he cared enough about the repercussions spoke a lot for him. Asher wasn’t one to claim any greater understanding of the world outside the levels, but Dreyton was different from other smugglers he had met around his home.

A swig was offered and Asher accepted it with a grin.

“What? Are you saying people like living without a ceiling, or a whole civilization above their heads?” He said and took a hearty sip. “We’ll take some time to get a good idea for safe storage.” Asher then said and shifted his attention between Abaigeal and Dreyton as he handed the flask back. “I know some of the vent rats, I couldn’t think of any better people to help find what others have forgotten or lost. Like, say, a warehouse.”

 

[Abaigeal E'ron]

This whole ludicrous idea was going to take some time to fine tune the details, there was still much to do, and they needed more help. While the boys talked, Geal sat going through her mind thinking about some of her friends that might just come in on this venture, if she could spin it. Neither Asher or herself wanted to place anyone in harms way, and Dreyton was right to have reservations about this plan, she couldn’t help but grin as he voiced his concerns, it was more his expression that caused it.

“Deal”, she said almost too abruptly, but the idea of having someone around that could pull them back, rein things in if they were getting too far ahead of themselves was an attractive part of the plan. As Asher placed the flask on the table, it had not even settled before Geal took it up and about to pulled in a long draft. “Here’s to watching our breeches”.

She should have asked first, not if she could indulge but rather what was in it. Whatever it was burned, and she spluttered. “That .. will be the death of you”, she said with taken breath and handed it back to Dreyton.

Asher spoke of the need for a warehouse, this made good sense considering the Soup Kitchen was packed to the rafters with boxes and crates of items already, she had barely enough room in her personal quarters because of them.

“That is where we should target, the warehouses. Pull the gangs away from the residencies and businesses to the industrial area. Minimise the chances of civilians caught in the cross fire”. And if Asher could find a safe place to stash their weapons, that would be perfectly located come the time.

But first things first, they needed to get set up, war plans shall be drawn up later.

[member="Asher"] | [member="Dreyton"]​