The Business of War (Alexandra Russo/Noah Corek/PM for Invite)

[Damon Riggs]

(Smugglers' Alliance Contract: Weapons Shipments)

War was an ugly business. People died, families were broken, cities were destroyed, but sometimes it was necessary. Riggs had been a military man for so long that view was ingrained into the very core of his being. At times oppressive regimes came to power which made war the inevitable solution. Rebellions, they were always labeled as Rebellions. There was one particular underground movement Riggs had a keen eye on. The former navy captain had been born and raised on Coruscant. Coruscant was currently under an oppressive regime, and there were those willing to rebel, or at least resist.

Three months had passed since Russo and Riggs had been reunited and those three months had been eventful. The first job Riggs had lined up for them took them as close to Coruscant Riggs had been since the invasion, and dropped them in the middle of debris from the last battle. A salvage job, in hindsight it was a bad idea, but Riggs needed the credits. He had gotten so drunk after the space walk that he actually dared Russo to admit her feelings and act on them, but she wasn't the type of woman to be dared into anything. They had both been forced to face their personal demons, and Gus, Russo's father figure and mentor, had pretty much given them a lecture on how short life could be. They knew it too, with as much death as they had seen, but he knew it all too well. Gus had been terminal, a fact Russo left out when she agreed to travel with Riggs. Some small part of him felt guilt, but Gus had been adamant, the two of them had to move on in life.

The pair worked. For the most part they were no longer alcohol dependent to get nightmare free sleep, but they were dependent on each other. They stayed together at night. Sleep came easier, lasted longer, and was much better. That's why it had been odd one morning when Russo had woken up in the bed alone and Riggs was at his desk. He had been reading a contract which came to his data pad, and of course he felt conflicted. His parents were still on Coruscant. They had managed to let him know they were safe. This contract for a weapons shipment to Coruscant, it wasn't about the pay, it was about his family, his home.

Of course Russo was there for him, just like Riggs was there for her. There was no question as to whether they would take the job or not. The Coruscanti resistance could get armed, Riggs could do something to help his home. No words were said as Riggs showed Russo the contract before he accepted it. The look in the Taanabian's eyes was all the confirmation Riggs needed. Even though it was his prerogative as captain, the two were a team, and he never took work Russo didn't like.

The job outlined an arranged pick up on Fenessa, a rocky, mountain type world which was inhabited by nerf herders, literally. This was going to be interesting, as far neutral territory went, this was about as neutral as it got. Hopefully the inhabitants would stay quiet, and hopefully this [member="Noah Corek"], would be ready to help get the weapons loaded fast, because this job involved a lot of risk. [member="Alexandra Russo"] was at the helm as usual, while Riggs was going over the final checklist to make sure everything was in order. Once complete, it was back to the cockpit, by way of the lounge to grab to mugs of caf, always four creams.

"Pre-landing delivery and pick me up," Riggs said as he sat in the co-pilot's chair and offered the mug in his left hand to Russo. "Everything on our end is set, let's just hope this Corek guy has got everything on his end ready."

Riggs strapped in and sat back in the chair. He had a feeling because of the terrain of this particular planet the entry was going to be a bit bumpy.

 

[Alexandra Porte]

Russo took the offered mug of caf gladly from her smuggling partner, then took a hearty gulp off the top before closing the lid and placing it in the cup holder on the side of the console. Things were better between her and [member="Damon Riggs"] ever since Alex's adopted father figure, Gus Ketch, had given the 'life is too short to waste' speech when they were on her homeworld of Taanab last encouraging the brunette to put the demons that haunted her to rest and look to the future, but she was still not letting Damon in all the way quite yet though they were closer to where the Coruscanti wanted them to be. It just would take time… and that timeline for her was still fluid.

"From what Lucky has dug up on this [member="Noah Corek"], he sounds like the real deal. A professional military type like we used to be so I don't think he would be a slouch with his jobs, but one never knows until you meet the person up close and in person to get the real read on them."

Bringing the Inquisitor's Revenge out of hyperspace over Fennesa was fun. The atmosphere that greeted them was a bit rough, though the seasoned pilot brought the center-cockpit YT-1300 Light freighter down without much problem and landed the ship with well-practiced ease at the coordinates the OP Commander had given them.

After finishing the post-flight check quickly with the help of a copper R2 unit they'd picked up during a previous salvage job and decided to keep for personal use, Russo gulped down the rest of her caf, then joined Riggs to disembark dressed in her usual attire nowadays with the twin blaster pistols she carried resting snuggly in the shoulder holsters hidden under the bomber jacket worn over top of her outfit. A 'let's be careful out there' brandy gaze caught a blue one before the former flight commander and fleet captain walked down the ramp to do their meet up with Corek.

 

[Noah Corek]

[member="Damon Riggs"] [member="Alexandra Russo"]
There was a quote that a man once said that fascinated Noah. 'War never changes. The who, the why and the how, they change every war but the fundamental qualities of war remain. War is the one constant in a galaxy full of variables.' The name of the original author of the quote has been lost in time but whoever he was, be a soldier, a politician or even a fry cook, his words were true. But the thing Noah noticed was that war never changed, but there was always different kinds of war and the war he was helping with determined the fate of his homeworld, Coruscant, a world his family had called home since the Great Hyperspace Wars.

Now here Noah sat, light years away in a deserted field between two mountains, decked out in full combat gear, Hekler'Kok Ranger Armor with his Bodo Baas gunbelt/bandoleer. For the time Noah's helmet was off and Russo and Riggs could see his face, most noticeably how his blue-grey eyes seemed to bore into their souls. His weaponry was nothing to balk at either, in the two shoulder holsters of his gunbelt, there was two Lazy Eye Merr-Sonn Power 5's, on the bandoleer was four weapons, the top slot held a twenty-nine centimeter long vibro-knife, the two middles slots held two Corek Custom Revolvers and the bottom slot held a menacing looking hatchet. On the belts hip holster was a mundane Hekler'Kok P-1, with a suppressor, the same thing was secured on his thigh, on his left hip were two cortosis-weave vibro-blades and to top it all off, leaning on the crate next to him was a Lancer Mk. III, with its ever intimidating chainsaw bayonet. "Your late." Was all he said as they approached.

 

[Damon Riggs]

Riggs nodded at the look [member="Alexandra Russo"] gave him. The did need to be careful. This job was not going to be a cakewalk, and the last thing Riggs wanted to was to end up dead, or worse, to see Russo get killed. Every job had it's risks, and who knew them better than two former military personnel? Still it was a good idea to be careful. Especially when [member="Noah Corek"] came into view. He had "let's get caught" write all over him with the way he was dressed. The weapons were the icing in the cake, and Riggs just shook his head before double checking his twin blaster.

The man just called them late. Riggs shot a look over to Russo which said, "this guy is going to get in my nerves." Then he looked at his wrist chrono. Just as Riggs thought, they were fifteen minutes early. One could call the former fleet captain just about anything, but no one could call him late. He always arrived fifteen minutes prior to any scheduled meeting, and Russo had served alongside him long enough to know that habit. Whatever, Riggs wasn't going to argue with the guy, though he would suggest the guy get the power cell on his chrono checked. The point was they made it there, and I was time to load the weapons.

"You got the cargo," Riggs asked. "We're heading straight for hostile territory, and the Capitol planet at that. If you don't mind, I'd like to make sure we take our time up front to ensure the cargo won't get found if we get boarded."

The captain wasn't planning on getting boarded, but he wanted to prepared anyway.

 

[Alexandra Porte]

Yep… Looks just like his profile said he would, the Taanabian mused about [member="Noah Corek"]. The OP Commander was a fighting machine alright decked out in his full combat gear, and was sporting an attitude of a well-honed soldier too.

"I'm Russo. He's Riggs," Alex greeted, throwing a thumb over her shoulder at [member="Damon Riggs"]. "Nice to meet you, Corek. Now how about we get your cargo moved onto the ship forth with so we can skedaddle out of here," the brunette said, but didn't wait for an answer before going to grab a hoversled.

"I'll let you two boys see to storing the goods while I get the 'Revenge ready for take off."

With that said, Russo turned and strolled up the ramp, boot heels clicking on the metal, then disappeared quickly into the depths of the light freighter, leaving the men to get to know each other better.

 

[Noah Corek]

[member="Alexandra Russo"] [member="Damon Riggs"]
Noah looked Russo over as she stepped forward past Riggs and towards him. Noah already knew everything about the smuggler pair, having the intelligence arm of one of the most militaristic nations in the galaxy at your fingertips usually came in handy. "Follow me." Noah told Riggs as Noah walked towards a nearby cave. Once inside, Riggs would see the cave went on for at least 50 meters was just as wide and tall as it was long. Inside were crates stacked all the way to the ceiling. "How many crates can your ship carry?" Noah asked as a grabbed a nearby crowbar and went over to a crate, waiting for Riggs' answer.

 

[Damon Riggs]

Leave it to [member="Alexandra Russo"] for short introductions. Riggs wanted to get the job done as much as she did, there was a vacation at the other end of this for them which was supposed to be fun. At least from what Riggs heard of vacations. The man never took them, but he would try anything to get better. Sleeping with Russo, it helped, but she was still holding him at an arms length emotionally. It didn't stop him from loving her though. That's why Riggs clenched and fist and bit his tongue when the soldier gave Russo a look over.

The cave which [member="Noah Corek"] led Riggs to was loaded. This wasn't going to be done in one trip and if the man was smart, he had multiple contracts out for this stuff. Riggs had the hoversled Russo had gotten for them and lined it up right next to some of the crates. His bare hand rest on the container as he thought about Corek's question. It was really one for Russo, on what she thought the engine could handle. Riggs just knew what the ship was rated for.

"Depends on the contents. The ship is rated for 80 metric tons in the cargo holds. I can likely get another fifteen in the hideaways."

Riggs looked to Noah as he motioned back to the crates.

"Let's load up and get back to Russo huh? The sooner were out of here the sooner my homeworld gets the weapons they need."

The former fleeter got to work.

 

[Alexandra Porte]

As soon as the cargo was loaded and secured, Russo lifted the 'Revenge sending the merry group on their way to their destination. It would be interesting going back to Coruscant again, though this time she wouldn't let it get to her. Also, with a new slew of false transponders to choose from and a contact working at customs, the ship should be able to get clearance easily enough to land.

After the light freighter was well into hyperspace, Alex left Lucky to monitor things in the cockpit while she went to get a fresh cup of joe. Hopefully the boys saved her some or there'd be hell to pay.

[member="Damon Riggs"] [member="Noah Corek"]

 

[Noah Corek]

[member="Alexandra Russo"] [member="Damon Riggs"]
Noah was sitting at one of the tables in the small freighters galley, a half disassembled AR-35 with obvious modifications made. He had just finished cleaning the barrel and was getting to lubing the action when Russo walked in. "How goes our trip?" Noah asked as he finished and reassembled the rifle, grabbing a nearby magazine and popped it in and chambered a round. He set the rifle down, after flicking the safety on of course, and then propped his feet on the table and took a swig from the canteen he had filled with Whyren's Reserve before leaving Fondor.

 

[Damon Riggs]

Caf, the drink of choice for Damon Riggs since the last trip to Coruscant. He still had a shot of whiskey on occasion, and a bottle ale more than that, but caf was the go to drink. The former fleet captain had gotten so drunk on the last trip, he had behaved rudely to his partner. Sure he was upset [member="Alexandra Russo"] wouldn't admit the truth, that she still had feeling for him. Riggs knew now it was because she was afraid of those feelings. It had come out in their little spar that night everyone she's ever loved has died on her. Riggs knew she wouldn't admit those feelings because she was afraid of losing him again. Riggs was too, but he was going to let that get in his way. At least Gus had the insight to tell it like it was. They had at least given themselves over to what they wanted, even if Russo still kept her true feelings walled up. All Riggs could hope was that wall cracked a little everyday.

He couldn't keep her eyes off her when she walked in. The captain had been making a fresh lot of caf, knowing that if there wasn't any in the pot, Russo would ensure both men knew how not okay that was. Riggs didn't have the cream out though. This time he was drinking it black, something he rarely did, but they were running low, and Russo always used four creams. The sound of Corek's voice made Riggs head turn, and the sound of an ammunition round entering the chamber of the rifle made him upset. The soldier should know better. There were no hostiles on his ship, and with how quickly one could pop the cartridge into the rifle and chamber a round, here was no need to break one of the most important rules of firearm safety.

"Never store a loaded weapon, and the chamber should be empty when not in use. Best follow safety rules before I jettison you out of the nearest airlock soldier," Riggs said a bit more like the navy captain he had once been.

Russo would have recognized it. It was way closer to the man she had first met, the one that met her for breakfast every morning to go over the events of the day for their respective commands, his ship and her squadron. Honestly, Riggs didn't know that man was still in there. Apparently he was.

When the caf was done, Riggs poured Russo a cup, four creams, and handed it to her. He was also curious as to how things were going and how long until they reached Coruscant. The captain also wanted to know about the plan. The city planet was large, and he wanted to know where exactly the drop needed to happen. It wasn't like they could simply walk through the streets crates of weaponry.

"Two questions, Corek, you know where the drop off is happeneing? And Russo, you sure Timms is gonna be able to save us through?"

[member="Noah Corek"]

 

[Alexandra Porte]

The by-the-book navy captain had reappeared once again it seemed as [member="Damon Riggs"] schooled the OP commander. Russo just bit her lip and kept her mouth shut, then she took the offered mug of caf from the Coruscanti. Their fingers brushing each others briefly as Alex smiled a thanks at her partner, then the brunette turned to answer [member="Noah Corek"]'s question.

"Things are going well, Commander. We are right on schedule for our thirty-six hour journey from the Inner Rim to the Core. I suggest you both get some rest. I don't need two cranky boys to play with when we get there. And yes… Timms owes me one, a big one," she said, then took a healthy sip of her hot drink that was like nectar of the gods to her.

 

[Noah Corek]

[member="Damon Riggs"] [member="Alexandra Russo"]
Noah looked at Riggs when he mentioned the first rule of gun safety. "First rule of being a Commando: be prepared for anything at anytime, even if that means disregarding some lesser rules." Noah told him and popped some of the joints in his neck at the same moment. "Yes. I know where the drop off is happening, and once we get past the blockade, I'll inform you of it." Noah said as he stood and walked out of the room and towards the cargo hold, where he was going to keep a eye on his cargo.

 

[Damon Riggs]

Riggs took the booth when [member="Noah Corek"] vacated it. There were so many things he could have said to the man, his imagination running wild, but he bit his tongue. Had this been Inquisitor, the captain would not have let it be. Riggs was used to being the commanding officer, the one calling the shots. The only time he had allowed anyone to get a pass in that former life had been the brunette who now piloted "the rev" as it was called sometimes. [member="Alexandra Russo"] had been Riggs equal when they had met. Both commanded their own respective units, and both of them respected those boundaries the one time Riggs crossed it had been when the Tanaabian decided to take a mission further than what it needed to be. She had crashed, putting men from his crew, and her squadron, in jeapordy. When Riggs finally confronted the CO, he was clearly more emotionally involved than he should have been during that conversation. Riggs knew he loved her, the fear of losing her made him realize that, and that's when he told her of his feelings. Noah Corek was lucky this wasn't a true military operation.

"Of course there is a blockade, but you have something that should get is through without a problem right," Riggs asked before taking a sip of his caf. "Thanks for agreeing to the job by the way. I know you could have said no way, but it means a lot to me that you would be willing to let me try to help my parents."

Alex didn't have to agree, but she had. It told Riggs he was allowed to hope that she truly did care, even if she wasn't ready to admit it. The job had never been about the weapons anyway. It was about the people Riggs cared for. The only people who he had after his world had been taken from him in one battle. The captain stood back up. For once, he was going to finish the flight with Russo in the cockpit. It was time he start learning a thing or two about flying his own ship.

"C'mon Alex, let's see about getting this job done."