Private The Buccaneer's Interlude

[Kole Silco]

Aboard the Scarlet Denab - Hyperspace

Kole Silco watched the ship's holorecording again and again. He'd watched it so many times, he'd lost count. He was torturing himself, thinking he'd find that one missing piece of the puzzle that would point to the gang that abducted his best friend, the Lurca Hound Zisu. If there was a missing piece to find, Kole wasn't finding it. What he found in the recording was a group of large alien creatures breaking into his ship when he wasn't around. They took on an attacking Zisu. They made the hound bleed, and in return he made them bleed, but the hound's actions weren't enough to spare him from a shock collar, a cattle prod, and a cage.

After watching the holorecording so many times, the only real clue Kole had to go on was the insignia on the uniforms of the gang. The insignia showed they were members of a hutt's gang, specifically a hutt named Grottaga. Grottaga the Lesser based out of Sleheyron. Kole wanted to march down there, confront Grottaga and find the group who took his buddy, but he knew to confront the hutt he'd need at least one more person. When he went looking for a mercenary, he found some sense. When he found some sense, he found a jedi healer named Lumiya Dara.

"I need to get my buddy back from a hutt gangster. I'm either gonna' be a one man wrecking crew, or I'm going to finesse this hutt for more than what his people took from me. Regardless of what I do, I'm gonna' need someone to make sure I don't go down before I can do it. That's where you come in." Is what Kole said to Lumiya Dara upon their first meeting. He knew he could handle the hutt's men, or rather he wouldn't let himself be defeated by them. Having a healer was another measure he'd use to make that vision a reality.

There was a couple of hours of hyperspace travel, a chat about how much her help would cost him, and multiple sessions of the footage of Zisu's abduction on a loop since their initial meeting. Kole decided to run the recording back one more time before realizing Lumiya was near. "You probably think I'm driving myself crazy watching this thing. Don't you?" He asked evenly. He knew he'd think that about himself, but he was genuinely curious about what she thought.

Tags: Lumiya Dara Kharon
​

 

[Lumiya Dara]

I had watched the recording. Not as many times as Kole had. Not even close. But enough to understand why he kept returning to it. I hadn't stopped him the first few times. I had simply sat nearby and allowed the silence to exist between us while the same moments played again and again. The attack. The struggle. Zisu fighting back. The cage. The helplessness of watching someone you cared about be taken from you.

When Kole finally spoke, I looked away from the holorecording and toward him. "No," I answered softly. I didn't even need time to think about it. "I don't think that you're driving yourself crazy." My eyes returned briefly to the recording. The image repeated itself once more, frozen in that terrible moment between fear and uncertainty. "I think that you're trying to find something that you can do." I folded my hands together in my lap. "When something happens that we cannot change, it's natural to search for something that we can fix. A clue. A mistake. Something that tells us that there was a moment where we could have stopped it." I lowered my gaze. "Sometimes we convince ourselves that if we just look hard enough, we'll find the answer. But sometimes there isn't one."

I looked back towards him. "What I see when I watch this, isn't someone who failed his friend. I see someone who cares about him." The words felt important enough that I wanted him to truly hear them. "And I think that is a wonderful thing."

For a moment, I looked out toward the star streaks beyond the viewport. "My Master used to tell me that compassion was never a weakness. That caring about someone was not something to apologize for." My fingers brushed lightly against the fabric of my sleeve, a small habit I barely noticed anymore. "I think that he would have understood why you are doing this." A faint sadness touched my expression. "When my Master disappeared, I wanted to search for him. I wanted answers. I wanted to know what happened. I wanted to find him and bring him home." I paused for a moment before adding; "But he told me not to follow him." The memory still carried a little ache, even after all this time. "So I stayed."

I looked back at Kole. "Some people might think that was not brave. That courage would have been ignoring his final request and going anyway." I shook my head slightly. "But I knew my Master. And I knew that if I went only because I couldn't bear to be without answers, then I would not have been honoring him." My voice became softer. "I would have been choosing my own need over his."

I let that thought settle for a moment. "Sometimes caring about someone means fighting for them. Sometimes it means trusting them enough to listen." My eyes moved back toward the holorecording of Zisu. "You are doing what you believe you have to do for your friend. I don't think that's foolish, Kole." A faint smile touched my features. "I do think that maybe after watching the recording this many times, it is unlikely that it will suddenly reveal a hidden message it was keeping from you." My humor was gentle, not dismissive. "But I understand why you keep watching. When someone matters to us, it is difficult to accept that there are things we cannot change. But let me help you bring him home. Because Zisu needs his friend to return as well."

Tags: Kole Silco Kharon

 

[Kharon]

TAG: Kole Silco Lumiya Dara

Blood thirsty pirates lined the hull of The Wicked Providence like teeth in a gnashing skull. There were creatures from every corner of the Scar Worlds taking up hold with Kharon, following his every violent word. Their lust for violence and death was only mirrored by the Draelvasier's hunger for knowledge, for information about who and what he was. Among his men, he was a reminder of the forces that killed their parents and grandparents. The scourge that erupted from the edges of space and carved a swath through the galaxy.

An omen of the evil that was to come.

The Grave Admiral made their stay aboard his ship comfortable enough. They had alcohol and food aplenty. He let them take what baubles and keepsakes they wanted, even some of the valuable stuff. In return, they promised their undying fealty to Kharon, to sit at his throne and kiss at his feet, as it was better than being under his heel. So, they listened to every harsh growl that left his maw, every syllable that scratched at his crimson lips with bated breath. They knew if they didn't there was only one way to leave The Dread Admiral's service, and it was through an air lock.

"You are here today because someone has betrayed me." A shocked silence fell over those gathered. They dared not speak, dared not draw the ire of Kharon nor his blade. "Do not worry...I have already discovered the traitor." The last words were accented by the sharp snap of bone and a scream of pain from inside the crowd.

"Bring him here." Kharon's tone was much more cruel now. He wanted them to see what became of those who mistook his generosity for weakness. The other pirates listened, as always, dragging the Devaronian to the front and casting him to the ground beneath Kharon's massive body. It was obvious they had broken his leg, and not a clean break either. Blood and bits of bone were visible through the man's pants while he pawed at the injury like a trapped animal.

Everyone in the hull was quiet- everyone except Kharon and the poor man who decided to betray him. Grunts of pain and confusion played like music to the Draelvasier's ears. It was his favorite part of sniffing out a traitor- hearing them beg and plead. They all said basically the same things, but it was the little bits that made it their own that he loved. Everyone had their own form of pleading for their lives.

Would he cry? Would he soil himself? Would he try to betray the others as well?

"Tell them what you did." He snarled, razor-sharp teeth salivating at the thought of ending the traitor's life. "Tell them what was worth your life." Another whimper left the Devaronian as he realized there was no making it out of this alive. He knew what he was signing up for when he joined Kharon, but he thought it would be better than rotting in prison. He would have given anything to be in prison at this very moment.

"Admir-" His already weakend voice was snatched by the throat as Kharon lifted him into the air, meeting his gaze, nine feet in the air. Yellow, soulless eyes stared into the traitor's, unblinking and unforgiving.

"You will not address me." Even the slightest squeeze of his hand would have snapped the man's neck. He snarled again, this time the Devaronian was closer to his face than anyone would ever want to be. So close, he could make out the scarring and the cracks along the pirate lord's tusks that crowned his jaw.

The pirate lord loosened his grip just enough to allow the traitor to speak. "Grottaga offered...me...twenty-thousand..." He gasped for air as every muscle in Kharon's body told him to rip him in half. The man continued, "to poison...you." The panic and lack of oxygen were starting to make it hard to understand any other words. It didn't matter, he had enough.

"Twenty-thousand credits?" He spat at the number.

"That is what my life is worth on Sleheyron." He looked among the crew, their faces were glued on what was happening, not a single set of eyes had wandered. "And yours." He stared into the Devaronian's eyes once again before looking down.

Looks like he soiled himself.

As easily as the Draelvasier had picked the pirate up, he had tossed him aside. The traitor landed on the broken bone, a loud yelp followed the sound of bones hitting the floor. It was unmistakable against the otherwise silent hull. Fear spread like fire around The Dread Admiral, his every movement spreading the blaze across his ship. Fear kept them in line, and fear lead to action.

"Take me to Sleheyron." Kharon ordered into the ether, he knew his navigator was hanging out somewhere close by with a sick smile across his face. He was never far when The Dread Admiral was handing out punishment to the crew.

"And feed him to the dogs."

 

[Kole Silco]

Kole sat listening to the young woman in front of him. He didn't look at her. He stared at the image of the holo-recording, but he listened to her every word. It was impossible not to listen to her. There was a power in her words and it wasn't the force. It was better than that. True Understanding. That is what Kole felt from her. It was enough to make him shed a tear. Almost.

"You had a good Master," Kole said finally in his deep voice. "You're a kinder person than me, and wise beyond your years too." He continued and with the touch of a sensor shut down the holo-recording display. He felt some semblance of freedom but also a new determination toward his mission. "Thank you for your words, Lumiya." He breathed a heavy breath, trying to center himself. "Just… Thank you." He finally looked up at her and into her eyes, seeing her for the first time away from the context of his mission. She was a person, and not just another means to an end. He didn't have the words to explain to her how much the sharing of her story and her answer to his question had affected him. He'd hoped his thank you would suffice.

With just a small turn of his head, he looked at his navigational computer. Perfect timing. "We're about to come out of hyperspace and into the Sleheyron System. You might wanna' strap in." Kole advised and motioned toward the cockpit of the modded PGEM Valiant-class Combat Transport known as The Scarlet Denab. It wasn't a large vessel by any means but he'd made it comfortable for two to three sentients. Where once the vessel would have stored a combat vehicle or a platform for a squad of soldiers, it now housed two tiny rooms with enough space for a couple of sleeping pods and some storage. In the cockpit, Kole took the pilot's seat in front, while the seat behind him, usually reserved for Zisu, was open to Lumiya.

With the pull of a lever the light of hyperspace became a black and distant starfilled galaxy again. Then Sleheyron came into view. It was a planet tinged the dark warm colors of volcanic activity, and normally there would be time to appreciate the sight of a foreign world, but as an alert hit the starship's computer Kole dipped the starship down and out of the way of what came next. The alert read <Incoming Ship out of hyperspace. Collision likely. Take emergency evasive maneuvers.> The readings said the ship was much bigger than the S.D. Was it a Hutt pleasure yacht, a cargo ship, or something much, much worse? "Brace yourself!" Kole shouted to Lumiya. As the starfighter's alarms rang with the alert and the evasive maneuvers he took felt like a whip as he dialed inertial compensators down low and hit the thrusters hard and suddenly.

Tags: Lumiya Dara Kharon
​

 

[Lumiya Dara]

A faint flush warmed my cheeks almost immediately. "I don't think that I'm especially wise," I admitted with a small, almost embarrassed smile. "Most of what I said... wasn't really mine." Without thinking, I reached over and gave his forearm a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "My Master was the wise one." I let my hand fall away again. "I've simply been trying to remember what he taught me."

His gratitude seemed far heavier than the words themselves, and for a moment I simply met his eyes. There wasn't really anything to say. Not because his thanks weren't appreciated, but because I hadn't shared my story to be thanked for it. "I hope that it helps," I said quietly. "Even if only a little."

When he mentioned our arrival, I rose from my seat and followed him into the cockpit. The second seat was clearly meant for someone larger than me. The cushioning had worn into the shape of it's regular occupant over years of use, leaving slight impressions that didn't quite fit my frame. I couldn't help wondering if this was where Zisu usually sat. The thought made me smile faintly as I fastened the restraints across my shoulders. "It suits him," I murmured almost to myself.

The stars stretched back into points of light as we emerged from hyperspace. For a heartbeat I simply admired the sight. Then Sleheyron filled the viewport. I'd visited volcanic worlds before, but they never quite stopped feeling unreal. Rivers of glowing magma traced across the dark surface like veins beneath black stone, their orange light visible even from orbit. "It almost looks..." I began softly.

The ship lurched. Every warning alarm aboard the transport erupted at once. My hands instinctively grabbed the edges of the seat as Kole threw the ship violently aside. The inertial dampeners struggled to keep up. Even with them working, I felt the sudden turn press me hard into the restraints. My eyes snapped toward the forward viewport.

Another ship was dropping from hyperspace. It dwarfed us. For one stunned heartbeat I couldn't even judge what class of vessel it belonged to. It simply seemed enormous, swallowing an impossible amount of space against the stars as it materialized. "Oh..." The word escaped me almost as a whisper. I wasn't frightened yet. Only astonished. "What....is that?"

Tags: Kole Silco Kharon

 

[Kharon]

TAG: Kole Silco Lumiya Dara

The Wicked Providence tore into realspace like a knife through sinew, tearing at the stars around it and claiming its space among them. Below, the volcanic world of Sleheyron entered the pirate lord's view. His own molten gold eyes meeting the gaze of the planet below. The Hutt was below, allowed to live after placing a bounty on Kharon. A low growl was the only thing that betrayed the violence brewing beneath his stillness.

The Draelvasier balled his fist as the thoughts of ripping both hearts out of the Hutt's chest flooded his bloodhungry mind. He wondered what pungent smell would bubble up if he dipped the slug into the same magma he pretended to rule over. He wondered what the pleading of a Hutt sounded like over the melting of its body. The pirate would know soon enough, anyone stupid enough to stand in his way would know soon enough.

The Dread Admiral had come to Sleheyron.

His quiet, brutal contemplation was cut short by the ringing of proximity alarms. His ire was drawn toward the screen to his right. In the corner were warnings, flashing bright and bold. Too small to be a war party, meaning Kharon hadn't walked into a trap. Good. The Draelvasier turned his attention back toward the volcanic planet below him.

"Admiral, a near collision on our starboard bow." A voice from behind him called out.

Kharon blinked, his concentration broken for the moment. "Did they make contact?" He asked, his voice barely above a growl. He wouldn't waste the energy.

"No, sir." The pirate's voice was weaker now, more meek. Kharon detested meekness.

"Then why are you speaking to me?" For the first time since breaking through hyperspace, Kharon moved. More than just his head, this time nine feet of crimson shifted on its heel. A shadow cast over the Twi'lek who had broken his concentration. Rage and contempt filled his eyes in equal parts. "Send the message to prepare. We are going to blow the Hutt from the face of the planet." The snarl that mangled his expression twisted into a smile.

"Bombardment first. The slug will have blast shields protecting his holdings. Weaken them, I want a path to the surface." Kharon turned once more, back toward Sleheyron, back toward Grottaga. "Then I will go down there personally and shove twenty-thousand credits down that Hutt's gullet. Just so I can cut them out of him with a knife." The Twi'lek was petrified by Kharon, but he dared not stand too long and waste his second chance at living. It was not often the pirate lord let someone get a second chance to piss him off.

"Fire as soon as we are in range. Do not give them a chance to identify us."