Private The Wrong Train At The Wrong Time

[Calyx Sundrift]

Calyx Sundrift stared at the spiraling rock formations of Cato Neimoidia as they shot past. He'd scored a window seat, a rare marvel in the crowded wagon of the continental train. Twice now, he'd thought about sneaking into the rear-end cars where wealthier passengers lounged in private cabins. But there was no point. He’d never be able to stay there the whole ride, and no one wanted to return to this hell after tasting freedom.

Sighing, Calyx shifted in his seat. There was a dining car up ahead. He'd caught a glimpse of it earlier. His odds were better there. Worst-case scenario, he'd have to pay for his drinks, but then again, he would have still enjoyed a drink or two, which made the possible downsides seem irrelevant.

He mulled it over for a moment, then nodded to himself, a quiet resolve settling in. Drinks it was.

Muttering apologies, he pushed and weaved his way through the crowded passenger car toward the front gangway. The train wagons were connected by flexible grates with railings and caution signs. Calyx gripped the railings as the train shuddered over its tracks. He'd expected smoother rails on a planet like Cato Neimoidia. Then again, this was the countryside.

With a quick twist, he yanked open the handle of the next door and stepped into the second passenger car. All the seats were taken, of course, but at least no one was standing in the aisles here. Keeping to himself and putting on a bored expression, Calyx crossed this car too.

After the third and fourth cars, he began to wonder if he'd gotten it wrong, and the dining car didn’t even exist. But he found it at the end of the fifth car - blocked by a Neimoidian conductor whose expression said, Don’t even try it.

Of course, that wasn’t going to stop him.

"Sir? There's a fight in wagon six," he said, pointing back toward where he’d come and feigning worry. "Please, you have to stop them!" The Neimoidian eyed him intently, and for a moment, Calyx thought he saw through the ruse. But the conductor sighed, muttering something in his own language.

"Fine. Stay here," the Neimoidian snapped, reaching for the comlink on his chest. He began rattling off codes as he brushed past Calyx, who couldn’t help but smile at the conductor's back.

It was time for a drink and some relaxation. Then quickly disappear into the masses again, before they found out.

Gavin Restur

 

[Gavin Restur]

How he wishes he could've just flown his ship to where he needed to go...
​

"Sir, are you alright?"

With a sudden voice, followed by a gentle shake, Gavin woke up. His eyes shooting open as he took a brief inhale, glancing around. He had fallen asleep in his seat in the dining car, all of the stress from recent events having been quite the headache. It was starting to become less and less common that he'd find many hours to sleep, with how much he's had to travel across the galaxy. And here he was, on another journey.

"Yes, yes, I'm fine... apologies." Rubbing his eyes as he spoke to the attendant who had checked up on him. To which, the attendant gave him a slow nod. "Well, just so you are aware, sleeping is not permitted within the dining car."

"Now, have you decided on your order?" To which, the answer is that he most certainly had not. With a brief flicker of his eyes back down towards his menu, he chose the first option that at least sounded appetizing. "I'll take the... shrimp stew, please. With a beer, not too picky on what kind."

With that, the attendant took his menu on the table, and walked off. With his time alone having returned, he rubbed his gloved hand across his face. Letting it fall on his lap afterwards, as he directed his gaze to look out of the window next to him. Why did he even spend the extra credits for a seat in the dining car, anyway? It's not like he was that hungry to begin with. Not to mention the fact that he was already pissed he couldn't carry his usual gear with him while on the train, and had to give them up for the duration of the ride.

On the bright side, seeing how the spaces in the dining car were communal, it was a surprise that no one had sat at his table yet. He was hoping it'd stay that way.

Calyx Sundrift