Private The Starport

[Biv Desyk]

Nar Shaddaa
Corellian Sector Starport
2337 Local Time
Athena

"I just asked you to fill it with fuel." He muttered, the distortion of his helmet mangling his mumbled drawl further still. A moment passed, and then the pit droid warbled and beeped, protesting it's innocence. After all, it had just done as ordered. Sighing, he felt his lips twitching at the same moment he imagined his booted foot crashing into it. He couldn't afford the repairs to his ship, which, truthfully, didn't need much in the way of repairs anyway. He knew better than to land on Nar Shaddaa, but it's where the credits were.

And as he seemed to keep being reminded, he needed credits badly. Thumbs hooking into his gunbelt, he shifted his weight to his right foot, hip following it to cock to the side. "I get it. Your boss wants paid, same as anyone else. But I explicitly said not to do any repairs. The carbon scoring is fine - I'm a freight hauler, not a luxury liner."

A clacking series of replies put paid any thoughts he had of leaving any time soon. No takeoff clearance unless he could pay, which meant finding a job on this neon-lit trash heap of a moon.

"Fine, whatever, I'll get you the credits." The droid scampered off, it's compatriots joining it in the recesses of the hangar like roaches scurrying from the light, and he sighed. "Eventually." He whispered to himself, quiet enough not to have his helmet broadcast it aloud. Pazaak was an option, but he'd likely lose more the gained. His helmeted head lifted. Staring at his freighter silently, he eventually turned and walked off. They'd done a good job, the droids. He had to give them that.

It didn't mean he liked it, and he muttered darkly to himself as he stepped into the spaceport proper. Once you'd been to one, you'd been to them all. Peculiar, really. No matter the planet, or atmosphere, or environment, they all ended up with a distinct feeling to their construction that left no doubt to where you were. The dim lit, narrow-faced restaurants and bars, extending back into the walls; tiny concession stands with overpriced snacks; gambling dens; storefronts; massage parlors. A consumers paradise, really. All marketed to sell you the finest in... whatever the hell a planet like Nar Shaddaa specialized in.

Neon clothing, perhaps?

Crowds here never thinned, the circular construction of the main thoroughfare bringing you around in an endless loop - though there were several levels. The starport itself was built like a hollow column, extending down towards the base of the spires. Walking the circumference of it, fingers still in his belt, he could feel his stomach rumbling. He needed something cheap, but tasty. And quick. He couldn't loiter.

Stepping out of the way of a pair of Rodian's hurrying to the next leg of their trip, he turned to look over his shoulder just to check he was clear, and found himself staring down the garrishly lit sign of a noodle bar. It was a small stand, with four stools and a small curtain for privacy that ended at the top of the stools, providing a modicum of privacy to the eaters. There was only one person inside, and so that was fine by him.

Pushing aside the curtain, he dropped himself onto a stool. Behind the bar was a squat droid, broad shouldered, with a single ocular of gentle orange. "What'll this get me?" A handful of credits were set on the counter.

 

[Athena]

N A R - S H A D D A A
________________________________________

Location: Corellian Sector Starport (Noodle Bar)
Tags: Biv Desyk ​

Athena liked it here.

While most patrons sat with their shoulders hunched to quickly devour their meals the automaton faced the crowd. Her elbows rest back on the vaguely sticky bar top and her right leg crossed neatly over her left. To anyone that saw her, she would appear entirely relaxed. A young woman seemingly entirely at ease in such a bustling spaceport was strange. Most people were in a hurry. Bouncing, flitting, like little birds from one spot to the next. She watched.

It was one thing to see people milling down peaceful streets, but this place was never peaceful. Emerald orbs seemed to have a light of their own while she scanned the public. More than a few wore some sort of facial covering which impeded her search, but she was never one to give up. It was easy to have patience when she had all the time in the world.

"What'll this get me?"​

The telltale sound of credits hitting the counter finished the rest of the question. The weight and sound they made told her the sum. "Not much.", she murmured, sweetly, before peeking around the divider briefly. Her sensors estimated his nutritional intake based on weight, height, and an educated guess on physical activity. Most that passed through places like this were mercenaries of some kind. Either the very opportunistic or the very poor.

Just because he was likely one of the former didn't mean he didn't deserve to eat.

She returned to her stall and swiveled around on the stool delicately. He would recognize the sound of additional credits being dropped. "For our friend, here.", she informed the droid that was set to deliver what it could. The orange photoreceptor lit up in her presence as if it recognized her on some level before it began to prepare something more suitable. "Pick your protein. I'd suggest water in this heat so you don't get dehydrated…But the reviews are favorable on a photon fizzle."

It was all the rage at the moment according to the Holonet. Imported from Coruscant—And highly coveted despite the upcharge. It was usually just under two creds in the Core. Here? Closer to six or seven depending on the vendor. It was the price of something new. Athena turned back toward the crowd at that point. She had embraced the culture on Nar Shaddaa as far as appearance but her mannerisms would be somewhat…Strange. She smiled, for one.

For this excursion, her hair faded from deep brown to rose-pink on the ends. It was pulled partially back, braided, and kept in place with a metallic comb. Her top was made of soft leather and rough-hewn silk that left her midriff exposed. A belt hung low on her hips that held a colorful multi-tiered skirt exactly where it was meant to be. A pair of tan boots that tied up her calf hid part of her legs, though, it was a mystery where she might have kept her credits or anything else for that matter.

Her booted foot tapped to the beat of some song no one could hear. Other than that—She remained motionless. Watching. As always, cataloging. Learning.

In this instance?

Searching.

 

[Biv Desyk]

Athena

"Not much."​

A flash of lightly tanned skin and bright green eyes appeared around the small curtain at his side. Helmet turning, he was struck for a moment that someone was actually looking - and speaking - to him at this place. Then again, many travelers learned to make passing small talk, knowing they'd never see their conversational partner again. Such was the nature of those whose life was lived in transit.

At first he'd thought the droid had somehow been programmed with a delicate voice. But no, it was the person he'd spied at the counter already.

Absently, suddenly aware of his clothing, he smoothed down the wool flap over his collarbone.

"Water, agreed." Though he knew it tasted severely reprocessed around here. All city-planets had a heavily recycled taste.

After a moment, he added a simple 'Nerf' for the droid's benefit, as he didn't trust anything resembling seafood. At least you could theoretically raise a nerf on this moon - the fish would likely be of more dubious provenance. Normally, he'd be more suspicious of the woman's intentions. In fact, he still should be, regardless of how she came across.

And yet, he could just make out the tapping edge of a boot beneath the curtain. He knew that the beat existed solely in her head, and the almost dangerous ease with which she sat facing outward told him she felt distinctly unthreatened around here. He wasn't sure if he should be more wary realizing that, or less.

The droid returned with a steaming bowl of noodles and a metal cylinder of water. At least it was designed to interface with helmets, given the port in place of a cap.

"What will I owe you for this kindness?" He asked, aware of how rough his vocalizer sounded compared to her bright tones. Already in debt, he was mindful that everything here came with a price.

Even if that price was a favor at a later date.

 

[Athena]

N A R - S H A D D A A
________________________________________

Location: Corellian Sector Starport (Noodle Bar)
Tags: Biv Desyk ​

A little smile slipped over perfectly painted lips when the traveler agreed with her assessment. That was good. It meant that he was smart. Some people, weren't so gifted. It was easier to live in the dredges of Nar Shaddaa when they could supplement memory and their actual surroundings with copious amounts of alcohol. Which, of course, only made things worse.

Especially—Dehydration.

The auburn-haired machine didn't bother her noodle-bar buddy too much. Yet. Organic lifeforms could be sensitive during their mealtimes. Even moreso, with random charitable acts. It made them nervous. The last thing Athena wanted to do was make him so uncomfortable or suspicious that he ran away at the first available opportunity. He was the only other patron, all day. It was dreadfully boring with no one to talk to. Even, with the droid behind her telling the most interesting of jokes in little beeping stutters. She chuckled softly, here and there.

Most of them were in code or binary. As funny as she found it, a human, wouldn't quite get it.

Her boot kept tapping slowly to the latest hit across the verse. Something had gone awry with jazz music as of late, but she wasn't one to complain. It had always been a little too cacophonous for her tastes. Too many flat notes and not enough harmony. The lack of it was surely a blessing in disguise.

The inevitable question came, though, it took him longer than initial calculations had predicted. Athena's lips curved again while she let a soft sigh escape her. "Mm…Let me think.", she trailed off rather thoughtfully. Her foot stilled for the moment. No doubt, he expected something exorbitant and far more than what a meal might equate to. "…I would say…A smile should suffice."

"A real one, though—", Athena amended, suddenly, very serious…But even that was punctuated with something decidedly light-hearted. Every word she uttered was deliberate and with nigh-perfect High Coruscanti diction. As if she had been raised in the finest school system, rather, than the alleyways of some backwater spaceport. "—Not one of those through your teeth, so awkward, it might break your face smiles. No one likes those."

The laugh that pulled from her was almost musical. Full of air—Buoyant. Easy.

That likely wouldn't be a satisfactory response. Very few people gave something for nothing. She settled back on the stool and let her head tilt toward the thin roof of the noodle-bar. Beyond it, she knew the sky waited. That blistering heat would spill down the moment she left the shade. She could feel a facsimile of it. Simulated, tactile, distribution. But it wasn't quite the same as a human being. She would never feel that desperate thirst, nor, an ache in her stomach. The sun fueled her just as easily as any charging station. "While I would accept a smile, I don't get the feeling the helmet comes off too much…Let's just call it a future investment."

"One day when you're rolling in credits and you see someone in need…Help them out. Pay it forward."

Give a little good, get a little good. That was her motto. And at least a dozen other little life enhancement quotes that she had picked up from posters on various starliners. She had learned a lot since Arrek had given her life. Athena wasn't perfect by any means. But, she tried. And trying was all anyone, human, or otherwise could do.

 

[Biv Desyk]

Athena​

She must have had something in her ear, as she seemed to be following along to something only she could hear. The droid beeped and chirped as it worked, but he couldn't quite make out what it was saying. He'd not fully learned 'droid' like some. He was much more familiar with astromechs than workers.

"…I would say…A smile should suffice."
​

A pit yawned in his stomach, and he fought the urge to reach for his blaster. It was so far from what he expected that it set the hairs on his neck up. Maybe he was just jumpy.

He hoped he was just jumpy.

Then again, like a predator beast, he was sure these criminals could smell fear. That was part of the joy of the helmet. Confident body language was easier than a confident look to the eye. Reaching up, he pulled the helmet off, secure that she couldn't see him and if she could, he could turn away quick enough. He lifted some noodles to his mouth with the paired steel sticks he'd been given.

"While I would accept a smile, I don't get the feeling the helmet comes off too much…Let's just call it a future investment."​

Slurping the noodles up, he chewed and swallowed. Her accent was the same crispness as heels striking marble flooring. She was a woman of culture. So why was she here? She was no Hutt's plaything, considering she was out and free to roam.

"Do you own the place?" He asked, trying to figure out what she was doing sitting here. Taking a gulp of water, he inhaled deeply and scanned the crowd passing behind the noodle stand.

"I can agree to that. Until that time, though, all I have to offer is a starship and an enjoyment of card games."

She was completely unbothered by her surroundings. That was hard to adjust to. Most were at least wary of strangers. She, so far, was leaving that idea in her ion wake.

 

[Athena]

N A R - S H A D D A A
________________________________________

Location: Corellian Sector Starport (Noodle Bar)
Tags: Biv Desyk ​

Part of her felt like she ought to warn him that she could see through the singular photo-receptor of the droid that kept stoking a careful fire. Rather than expose her secrets too early she simply asked the metallic bot to avert its gaze. That would have to be acceptable, for now. The droid began to beep and chirp at what it deemed to be an illogical request, but it obeyed nonetheless. Athena had a way of issuing commands without seeming to do so. The fact that she asked, rather than demanded endeared her. Even other robots.

"No. Should I?"

The innocent question caused her to glance inquisitively at her surroundings. As much as she enjoyed being her own boss, especially, when she saw how her fellow automatons were regarded…She had never considered this. "It's a nice thought…But I don't think I know enough about cuisine in this region."

It was a thoughtful response, though, carefully worded. Athena hated to lie. It was true that she didn't know what the locals liked, but it was even more true that she didn't know food in general. She could sample small amounts but her simulated sense of taste was not so refined. The auburn and pink-haired woman had a weakness for certain things. Sweets, mostly. Honey. Caramel, chocolate. She had read on the Holonet that all women did.

It pleased her—If only because it meant that she was more like them. At least on the surface.

Athena gifted her new friend a smile that he couldn't see from behind the divider when he accepted her terms. Though, a little laugh would waft to his ears when he still seemed to be offering something. She knew it was a strange concept. To give and expect nothing. But, it was the way the world should be. When she realized that he had a starship she perked up a touch. "I have one too. She's very fast, temperamental, though."

"I do like card games."

She really, really did. All games, actually. Athena liked to learn things as often as possible. She might have asked to play were she not currently held to a prior engagement. That had to take precedence over the male on the stool beside her. If she missed this window she would have to wait until the next opportunity. She couldn't do that. It had to be today. "You should be careful, leaving your ship."

"There are certain business owners that would strip your girl for parts quicker than you can say Nar Shaddaa.", she warned, though, her facial recognition software finally got a hit. The little tapping of her foot stopped and she leaned forward. There. That was the courier she was looking for. "…I'm Athena."

"It was nice to meet you."

But she had to go.

 

[Biv Desyk]

Athena
​

If she didn't own the place, he was confused as to why she was just hanging around. She wasn't eating, and he'd ruled out her somehow being involved with the day to day, so.... what was she doing here? Not having an answer was likely for the best. Answers could and would get you killed around here. Taking a chunk of nerf between the sticks and popping it into his mouth, he hunched over the bowl as she continued to speak.

The alarm bells in his mind went off when she mentioned not leaving his ship, but he'd never had issues at this starport before. Sure, they were cheats same as anyone else, but they usually just overcharged. Theft of ship parts wasn't something you heard much about. Casting his eyes towards her, he realized her foot had stopped it's rhythmic tapping.

"Biv," he replied, head turning as she stood and left.

"Don't die!" He called after her, setting in with his bowl. Now all he could think about was his ship, and he resolved to go check on it as soon as he finished eating.

----

While the noodles were good, his ship was another problem entirely. Well, truthfully, he wasn't entirely sure if it was or wasn't. Returning to the hangar, he'd found the ship intact, and debated if he wanted to really be so paranoid as to dig into it's guts. Biting his lower lip under his helmet, he inhaled sharply through his teeth. Exhaling immediately after, he realized he had two options.

The first was to be paranoid and find out he was a lunatic, since nothing was wrong. The other was to be paranoid and find out he shouldn't be so trusting.

He wasn't sure which was worse.

Walking over to where the ramp access panel was, he popped the cover on the access panel. Gloved fingers keyed the code, and the hiss of pistons had him stepping to the side. Gliding down, the ramp kissed the tarmac with it's edge and then he was going up and into the cargo hold. He'd never carried much in here, so he was unsurprised to find it mainly undisturbed.

A rattle along the hall caused his head to snap around, and he undid the clasp of his holster to settle his palm to his pistol grip. "Jumping at ghosts," he muttered, walking the hall and seeing little amiss. The mess area was open, and he stuck his head in, but it was dusty as ever. Closing that shut with a hiss, he let out a breath and continued through the lounge and onto the cockpit.

Settling into his chair, he powered up the console and did a quick systems check. A smile creased his lips.

Of course he'd been paranoid. There was nothing wrong here.

Standing, he turned and went back as he'd come, closing the ramp behind him before heading out of the hangar. As he turned to begin walking the terminal loop, the hangar doors closing behind him, he swore he heard a howl building. Turning as the doors slid firmly shut, he waited the many, many seconds as they retracted again, plates sliding into each other as the receded into the wall.

When the hangar opened again, his ship was gone.

He blinked, and then began walking forward. The walk became a jog, and then he was coming to a stop where the entry hall became the hangar itself. "No..." he muttered, before releasing the impotent rage that had built in his breast.

By the time he was done yelling, his throat was raw, and the echo of his shouts into his helmet meant everything felt muffled. Walking to the atmospheric shield at the other side of the hangar, he looked through unfocused eyes at the many ships continuing on their routes. They rose and fell like pressure gauges, languidly synchronized as they maneuvered the central docking chasm.

For now, he was stuck, no better than any other scum with a blaster that called this planet home. He'd need to figure out where his ship went, but before he could do that, he'd need more credits. Did he dare risk it gambling? His accounts were never well-padded.

He wasn't sure he had a choice.

Leaving the now barren hangar behind, he needed a moment to think, and began walking the starport circle again. If the theft was sanctioned, no one would help him. If it wasn't, asking for help would put him in debt to the Hutts. Muttering darkly to himself, he found his way out of the starport and onto the streets of the moon.

The roads were just wide, barren thoroughfares between spires, lined with vendors, speeders, gangers and all manner of citizenry. Sticking his hands into the pcokets of his jacket, he stopped halfway across and went to the edge, staring down into the murky abyss below, hazed over with the low-hanging smog of inefficient factories.

"Where to now?" He muttered.

 

[Athena]

N A R - S H A D D A A
________________________________________

Biv Desyk
​

The name he gave caused emerald eyes to flicker while she accessed the data stream. Anything that held a signal was capable of being infiltrated, hacked, and accessed. Especially, on a planet like this. She got snippets of information that wouldn't have made sense to anyone else, but to Athena, it might as well have been neon-flashing post-signs with exactly what she needed.

Biv.

It would have been rude to try and trace him. Wouldn't it?

Athena sighed and canceled mid-search.

"I won't. Please take care, Biv."

The irony of being told not to "die" was far from lost on her. She had never been alive, to begin with. She could cease to function, cease to be, but die? No such thing for an HRD. Her memory cores were backed up on several servers with protocol in place for her restoration in the even that this form was too badly damaged. It was unlikely, however. Athena was very careful.

She spent the remaining rays of light following the courier through the crowded Nar Shaddaa streets at a distance. The light cloak that she'd picked up before leaving the noodle-bar was little more than whisper in the wind while she moved from platform to platform, out of sight, out of mind. The squat little alien with bulbous, jelly-like eyes, didn't seem to notice that he was being followed.

That was fine by her. She didn't actually want him anyway.

Athena needed to know where he was going. Beneath his grime-covered arm was a case that was no doubt full of credits, notes, and or valuables that would close the deal on a certain criminal enterprise that she was very interested in. He would trade payment for goods. Athena, had a very good idea on what those goods were—And she refused to let it happen.

For a moment the subject disappeared from her field of view.

Instinctively, she tapped into the data steam and continued to follow the courier through surveillance devices large and small. She could track anyone, virtually, through anything that sent a signal. All she required was that he remain close enough to another device for accurate triangulation. From there…It was just a matter of time. Machines spoke to her. They were family after all.

Eventually, the target arrived at a warehouse. Typical. This district was full of them. Some abandoned, some, most definitely not up to code. Most of them had some sort of illegal service taking place but Athena had learned that the galaxy wasn't changed overnight. She could not right every wrong, but she could correct this one. At least, tonight.

There were a few repulsorlift vehicles parked around what appeared to be animal transport cages. The lights from the bottom illuminated the faces of more than a few mercenary types. More than a few blasters, stun batons, and that was probably just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

Just when the courier began to make his approach, she dropped down behind him and let an impressively tight hand fall to his shoulder. "Hello, there. Nice evening—Isn't it everyone?"

Suddenly—There was chaos. Shouting, running, and the telltale sound of blasters being raised. Readied. They could shoot at her. But then, they would also hit the courier. Until he transferred the monetary compensation they required for their troubles he would make an adequate shield. It would be far more difficult to get the contents of the case he carried without the digital code or the key.

"I suggest that you do not struggle, friend. I do not want to damage you.", Athena informed her bargaining chip quite cheerfully, aware, that the squirrely little thing was currently going through multiple stages of fight or flight. It was in his best interests that he attempted neither. "I do not wish to harm anyone.", this time, she spoke louder. There was a chorus of laughter.

She was slight of frame, delicate, and looked like she belonged serving behind the bar of a posh cantina. Who was she kidding? Who, exactly, was she going to hurt?

"Right, girlie. Just get on out of here and I won't have to ruin that pretty face.", one of the mercenaries responded, waving his blaster dismissively, while seeming entirely unconcerned.

"I am afraid I cannot do that."

"Heh.", he brought the weapon back around and took aim. "Your funeral."

"Negative. I do, however, have an offer for you. It's a good deal."

He paused. The faint glance he sent back and forth at his men showed that he was considering it. If the little chit had anything of value it wouldn't be hard to take it from her, then, put a hole in her head and leave her body in a gutter. No one would notice one less bit of pond scum in these parts. No one ever did. "All right. You got ten seconds, I'm listening."

"I will take your cargo and the payment from our friend here. You, will leave peacefully."

More laughter.

Athena smiled too. Sweetly, as innocent, as a youngling. Obviously, they did not understand. Not yet. There were times when criminals could be incredibly dim-witted. She did not fault them for their poor educational experiences, but that would not change the outcome.

"Do we have a deal?"

 

[Biv Desyk]

Athena
​

Somewhere between the screech of swoop bikes, the crunch of glass beneath his boots and the loud music blaring from apartments, he'd found his way to a familiar locale. Bhat's Imports was a family operation running all manner of 'homeworld' gifts and foodstuffs for the people of the sector. It was easy enough to get your hand on Corellian made goods in the Core, but it got more difficult out here.

They did enough busy to do more than survive, but no one could accuse them of being rich. At about 4k square meters it wasn't a big warehouse, and served more as a combination corporate office and distribution center than anything else. He'd done more than his fair share of routes for these guys over the years.

​

Just because some people couldn't return home didn't mean they couldn't feel the ache for it.

Stars knew he did sometimes, before travel brought him back 'round again. A gentle knock on the door, just to see if anyone was home, didn't much get him far. Bhat himself liked to work late, often holing up in the front offices well into the 'evening' hours, though such a thing was relative on a moon with a perpetual neon skyline.

"Open up," he muttered, not much liking to stand anywhere near the street at an hour like this. While he was sure there'd been a light on earlier, it appeared to be out now. Sticking a hand in his pocket, he knocked again, turning to face the street while he waited.

Laughter echoed off the buildings, coming from somewhere down the way.

Looking down to his comm unit, he found little to distract himself. Far from being a popular man, he devoted himself almost entirely to work. And busy was slow.

Scanning the windows nearby, he finally shrugged and gave up, and he knew that to anyone watching, they'd see him shake his head in disbelief as he trudged back down the steps and back out onto the street. He was fairly certain there was a back alley pazaak game around here somewhere, and he was sure it was... north.

Turning in place, he got his bearings and headed off in what he was sure was north. Voices up ahead told him there was likely some workers loitering in one of the parking areas after shift. A shadow passing through the orange glow of street lamps, he stuck both hands in his pockets as the voices got louder.

There was another bout of laughter, and he almost stepped out into the beginning of a fight.

Shadows stood near a warehouse, with a woman holding a man hostage while some thugs looked on. Stepping out of the lamplight glow and back into anonymity at the corner of the building, he took a step away from the wall and unclasped his holster again. With some space between him and the building, he was able to get a better view while minimizing his profile.

"What are you doing...?" He asked. The woman was well-built, if beauty was your thing, but she didn't look particularly tough, and he couldn't really see a weapon. Something about her was familiar, and he couldn't quite place what from here. Using his helmet's optics, he magnified the view, taking in the mercenaries and their assorted weaponry.

As it swung towards the woman, he blinked rapidly, head shaking once in disbelief.

"Athena?"

Maybe there was a good reason she didn't own a noodle joint. Maybe he'd been right that she was involved in some... bad things.

 

[Athena]

N A R - S H A D D A A
________________________________________

Biv Desyk
​

"No, you joker—We ain't got no frackin' deal."

Fisheye was what his boys called him. It wouldn't be immediately obvious as to why, but that was a story for another time. He couldn't figure out just what game the little chit was intending aside from apparent suicide. The leader of the pack had eyes, just like the rest of them, and nothing seemed to add up. What was a girl like that doing in a place like this? He waved his blaster dismissively at a pair of brothers named Tobyisa and Cale. Big boys, thick in the shoulders. Thicker in the skull. "Deal with her. I don't care what you do—Just don't waste the shots."

It wasn't actual blaster bolts that he was worried about. Power cells weren't cheap but the sound of weapon fire so early in the evening would turn a few too many eyes in their direction. The warehouse district was discrete, quiet, and held virtually not a single patrol from what passed for local authorities. If they could even be called that. Mostly, it just avoided crossing the wrong turf.

Fisheye didn't want to attract attention from anyone. Now, this girl shows up? He scoffed.

He didn't even bother looking to see if his twin hammers would handle the problem and instead tucked his weapon back in the thread-bare holster at his waist. It was barely holding together with a few strings loose in the back, but it still functioned. He reached up to scratch his chin as the inevitable scuffle began in the background. What he didn't expect to hear was a snap, a male voice shouting, cursing, and suddenly all his boys were interested. What now?

Athena winced sympathetically while one of the gentlemen that came over held his hand over his nose. Blood gushed from the sides of his finger like a fountain and she bit her lip. "I'm really sorry but I asked you several times not to touch me or my friend here. I think your nose is broken—You should get that checked out.", the apology was heartfelt enough. Anyone that heard her would have thought that she was actually feeling regret for injuring someone else. They would have been right, though, regret for an HRD was just clever coding combined with simulated responses.

Was any of it real?

"You—"

Athena reached up with both hands and delicately covered the ears of the courier that stood between them. That was a lot of language. Languages. She'd never heard some of the curse words being used and couldn't trace the root fast enough to catalog. The automaton was impressed, considering, the jar-headed nature of her new friends. He had quite the inventive vocabulary. This was how it always started. She made her offer—They refused. Things got a lot louder before they got quiet.

"That's…Not very nice."

More swearing. She grimaced, cringing, but held her ground. A quick blip on her radar caused her head to lift a little bit while emerald orbs turned to scan the area. She was less concerned with the crew in front of her than with an unknown quotient. Her scanners picked up a familiar shape and mass. Repeating, building, her oculars created the sight of the hunched-over man from the noodle-bar. Her new friends couldn't see Mr. Biv but that wasn't surprising in the slightest. They were all focused on her.

Photoreceptors flared almost imperceptibly while she accessed the data stream and he would find a distinct bit of static filling his HUD. It would flicker with a sudden notification that he had a transmission pending. Should he choose to listen he would hear the following:

Stay out of sight.
XOXO
Athena
​

Her focus returned to the very angry man with the broken nose and she leaned around him to look at the one seemingly in charge. Long auburn and rose-pink hair fell over her shoulder in an almost perky fashion. "Does this mean you still won't take my offer?"

The answer she received was Mr. Broken-Nose lunging at both herself and the courier. Athena moved surprisingly quickly and pulled the stuttering hostage back a few paces. He didn't seem like too bad of a guy, but he had to know what he was sending payment for. What he was moving. That made him just as guilty as the others. She leaned back to avoid her left shoulder getting hit and twisted so that she could slam her elbow into his face again. Hitting the same, broken, bloody nose with disgusting precision that was little more than mush. "You can give up at any time."

"I won't hold it against you."

"What is wrong with you girl?"

"Nothing. I'm quite well, thank you for asking."

Fisheye could feel his eye begin to twitch and bulge out of his head and he started looking a little like a telescope goldfish. The thrumming vein in his forehead seemed like it was about ready to burst along with his patience. Was she just here to be a pain in the ass? Or was she just mocking them? He hadn't ever seen someone knock either twin on their backside before. Luck—Or skill? "I don't know what you're playin' at but it ends here. I just need the case that clown is carrying. Don't need him or you breathing for that matter."

He pulled out his blaster again with a slight fumble, but his hand was steady.

"Game ends here, kid."

Fisheye fired several times while Cale and Tobyisa smartly stood clear. He expected the girl to duck, run, or move but she just stood there. The first blaster shot reflected away from her and the courier within an inch of where it might have impacted. The rest sprayed back toward the thugs and Cale took one to the knee. Athena winced behind her shield, but still held her arm level. The courier seemed about ten shades paler. "Please don't pass out…", she murmured, nudging him, which caused him to jump. "Or toss technicolor cookies."

She passed a few more words to the courier who nodded nervously before running toward a cargo container crate. The advice she gave? Hide. Fisheye had stopped shooting seeing as to how it wasn't doing any good. He couldn't see where her shield came from as the light it emitted hid the compartment but he could have sworn it came right out of her arm. Athena danced forward and spun on one foot to land a brutal kick to the side of Cale's head. It sounded as if he'd hit far more than flesh and bone and sounded even worse when his body hit the pavement.

"They're both already bleeding. Are you sure this is how you want it to go?"

Her answer came in the form of the rest of the crew, apparently, not getting the memo. She readied herself while they began to charge forward and kept her arm raised, ready, to defend herself if needed. She really, really didn't want to hurt anyone.

It was too bad that her new friends always seemed to want to hurt her.

Athena, really, just needed to stall for a little bit longer.

 

[Biv Desyk]

Athena
​

He desperately wished he could read lips. Though she was faced away from him, it would have been possible to tell what the toughs were saying. The one in charged had the nonchalance of a man thoroughly in control of a situation, and his two goons looked about ready to start swinging. Athena, though, didn't make much sense to him.

She too had the straight spine and squared shoulders of someone in control, despite the fact she was quite visibility holding onto a hostage.

No doubt he was already developing wrinkles from the fact his brow hadn't unfurrowed since he'd arrived.

Turning his attention to the road, it was the sounds of a scuffle breaking out that brought him around again. Gripping his pistol tighter where it stuck from it's holster, he turned to find one goon now gushing blood from a clearly broken nose. Athena didn't seem to have moved, though. A frown creased his lips.

Behind him, the nearest streetlamp flickered, no doubt a bad bulb or worse wiring. That was fine, it going out would only help him.

A bit of static crept onto his HUD, and he tapped his palm against the temple of his helmet. Realizing it was a notification, he frowned, stepping away from the corner to blink-click it open.

Stay out of sight.
XOXO
Athena​

"What the kark..." he muttered. "How the...?"

There's no way she could have seen him.

His attention lifted to the nearby area. Probably someone watching her six. Yet, all the windows appeared empty, and there weren't many rooftops when you were this far down the spires. She continued to vex him, and he took a moment to zoom in on some likely hiding spots before giving up. Boarded windows, dark interiors, and far too many places to secret yourself away.

Whoever was helping her -

Stars.

You couldn't mistake blasterfire for anything else. The streetlamp finally went out as he stepped around the corner, drawing his pistol, but again, the only ones that were worse for wear were the thugs.

"How the..." he muttered to himself.

Confusion dulled his response times, and he realized he'd never shot anyone in anger before that moment. A sobering thought, taking a life.

Then, suddenly, Athena sent a man to the ground. He'd seen enough prize fights to know a headkick was brutal, but she'd made it look effortless. How much training did that beauty have?

That seemed to break the tension wide open, and he hefted the pistol with an unsteady hand as the men looked to each other and decided - together - that they were going to fight her.

Taking a single deep breath to steady himself, he aimed the pistol at the man in front, dropped his sight to where his knee was about to be, and squeezed off a shot.

It scorched the ground just in front of him, but put a momentary falter into his step.

In the shadows, Biv cursed.