Private Type A

[Delila Castillon]

EN ROUTE TO RAEVANA
​

Cargo was being loaded into the vessel, crates that were locked down tight. Unmarked, large locks on the outside. The nature of the cargo was unknown, which was fine for herself. The less she knew about certain types of cargo, the better. Especially when travelling to 'secret' planets. Off the main starcharts, Raevana was becoming a haven for pioneers. Refugees looking to slink off the map and be left alone. At least this is what she had been told. Communication was spotty out of the planet and infrastructure still being under construction the way it was.

She was working with Jared Starchaser , both apparently having had run in the same circles but never interacting before. Considering their personality types, they were going to get along famously or one was going to kill the other before reaching Raevana. There was going to be no inbetween she was certain of it. However, she needed back up. And a pilot for such a sensitive job. An excellent co-pilot she was but not the best at the actual navigating and getting out of hairy situations.

Cargo in the ramp, she set to work physically moving it into place, working with rachet straps and floor locks to keep everything in place. Methodical the way she always kept her cargo bay, even if it wasn't her ship.

"Nearly done. We have extra parts aboard for mishaps? I had a bad experience once. Been cautious ever since."

 

[Jared Starchaser]

To say that Jared wasn’t a team player was a bit of a misnomer. He didn’t mind working on a team, so long as the team either knew what they were doing without needing to ask questions, or asked questions early and responded in his way. What he was almost excited for was the chance to be paired up on this mission with one Delila Castillon . They had the chance to work together on the on-going path development from the Levantine Spur out into old Outer Rim Coalition space. And they were doing a probably-simple trip out to Raevana.

The trick was they were using a given ship with cargo that was unopened by either of them. Fine by Jared. He just needed a destination, and could fly damn near any ship. Being out in the Levant space? That gave them the additional level of protection of being in the spooky hidden worlds. It just meant that their clients would be people not wanting to give their name.

Again, fine.

“Extra parts? I mean, I have a replacement for the hyperdrive should anything go wrong, but its a –” He was going to say milk run but decided against it. “So long as we don’t have any bananas aboard we’ll be fine.” An old spacer tale. And he probably didn’t quite say bananas, but the appropriate local fruit that caused so many spacers to lose their ships.

He paced the ship, with his BD unit, and took in what they had, and BD had downloaded a few things from his father’s astromech to help with the ships own navigation. Would help for now. “What was the bad experience?” He got to work locking one of the final crates.

 

[Delila Castillon]

Metallic sound of the rachet strap being put into place was the only sound after Jared Starchaser revealed there were no spare parts aboard save for the hyperdrive components. Better than nothing she supposed but it was extremely odd there were no extra power couplings or lengths of wire available for emergencies. Perhaps the Starchaser family had gotten too comfortable in the hyperlanes and didn't take all the necessary precautions.

"I was marooned on a planet for a year or two. Alone. No one looked for me."

Her tone made it clear she was not discussing the situation any further. Despite the years that had gone by, the event still deeply affected her, most likely would for the rest of her life. It wasn't something she was open to sharing and she silently hoped Starchaser would drop it and move on. They had work to do after all.

Looking around the cargo bay, a small nod of approval.

"Everything looks ship-shape. Let's hit the skies."

 

[Jared Starchaser]

It was smuggling, well, to an extent. Moving product from here to there? Jared could do that. And for refugees? That was what he was getting himself into nowadays over the more profitable crime. Maybe it was because he had what he needed, his ship, a moving home in the form of the Dawn Chaser, though his father should update that to become a Mon Cala ship, they had some more class than the militant visions of Imperial ships, even if the Imperial service is where Coren Starchaser cut his teeth. Rebellions and freedom fighting was where he shined.

Jared got himself prepped how he normally did, the parts of ships that went the most were hyperdrives, and if they were boarded? It was the first thing an Imperial, or hell, even pirate, went for. And he didn’t feel like rebuilding one from scratch. Real space, he could pilot away, and fight to survive until he could set up to replace the parts. He had his own personal comfort in space.

“A year or two?” Jared shook his head and waved it off. “Not a great time. Won’t happen on this trip, Castillon.” He had an air to himself that was confident, but not unfoundedly-so. “Lets get moving.” He said as he walked up the gangway, Hopper jumping off his shoulder to scout the ship before heading to the cockpit.

“Been on one of these ships before?” Jared was already toggling a few systems as he finished the pre-flight and got power through to the repulsors.

Delila Castillon

 

[Delila Castillon]

"Won't happen this time? I will believe it when we touch down on Raevana."

Taking her role up as co-pilot, Delila slid into the seat and adjusted things to her liking, a critical eye looking over what she was presented. Immediately she started to toggle through the start-up sequence, ensuring things were running smoothly. That the shields were receiving power. Fuel stores looked good. The basics she did on any flight she would be copiloting.

"No, never been on one of these ships. Not that I am aware of, anyway. Not really a vessel-model type of person. Most seem to be fairly similar with different aesthetics and benefits. You're not going to be insufferable and inform me of all its features, are you? If thats the case you can save your breath Starchaser because I don't want to hear it."

Gaze focused back on the sensor readouts, quiet for a moment as she looked through the data presented.

"Systems look good."

Jared Starchaser

 

[Jared Starchaser]

The Mirialan could only really smirk as he rolled his eyes. “Yeah, I mean it only every so often that I crash and lose a crewmember.” He was clearly, or at least clearly to him, taunting her playfully. The Force User was more than happy to have her around, but he wasn’t always going to make it smooth sailing.

He didn’t look to make things difficult, he wanted to have her fly with him again. Someone with old Rebel ties? The amount he could learn? “So, not a pilot, more a grounder then?” A good thing to have someone you could call on. And with his line of work? He’d maybe need that.

“So you’re not interested in the weapons package it has?” He looked at Hopper, his BD, and the screen the droid was playing with, showing the weapons package, mostly two turrets and the missile offerings went black. As it did, Jared pushed the ship onto its repulsors and then caught the engines. “Looks like the benefactors prepped the ship’s hyperdrive.” He flipped a few switches. “All seems good.”

With that he jumped the ship to lightspeed. “Don’t think we’re all that long, based on the nav route. Bring any cards?"

Delila Castillon

 

[Delila Castillon]

Delila couldn't tell if the flippant tone about crashing and losing a crew member was supposed to be reassuring or if he was making fun of her. It didn't seem to be a prudent thing to do either way. In order to get through the assignment smoothly, she decided to ignore it l.


"Correct. Flying or piloting is an unnecessary chore one must endure. I'm not good at the skill, I'm used to having a dedicated pilot."

She was a solider. Not someone who should be trying to guide a vessel through vast reaches. It could be done but it was something she preferred not to touch.

With the jump to light speed thoughts turned to amusements. Naturally.

"You ever play pazaak?"

A bit more fast paced and easier the goal of pazaak was to get to twenty, using the cards as the fated way to get there. She was the dealer this round, placing the first card up in front of them on the small table.

"First card, four. Hit?" She paused. "We should make a wager as well but I'm that may be against your religious code."

Jared Starchaser

 

[Jared Starchaser]

So, a grounder. That was fine by him. Made Jared a bit more useful here. He was the type, like his father intended to be. He walked the path of a Sentinel, of a Watchman of the Force… Not a Jedi, but not too far from it. There was the space that skirted on the line of light and dark, not living in balance, but knowing it could ebb and flow, and that was part of where Jared found himself. Drifting in the breeze of it. "So no piloting, got a ship with a pilot droid, or do you keep an actual apartment somewhere?" His tone wasn't meaning to tease, even if his words were a bit pointed to his opinion of living in one place.

“Pazaak? Been a while, used to Sabacc… Or, unfortunately, Solitaire.” Something that was a bit of a double entendre. But also serious. He had the Crosscurrent, or his TIE to move around in, depending on what was needed. And his job of bouncing around and protecting the smaller Outer Rim settlements, that meant he had to be riding solo.

“Yeah, hit.” He nodded as he got the hand out. “My religious code? Castillon, let me tell you, my father may be a Jedi, but if the Rim has taught me anything? Those codes aren’t much use. Force is a tool, is all. What you want to wager?”

Delila Castillon

 

[Delila Castillon]

"No Starchaser, I fly myself. Used to spend time with a small crew. Currently been on my own for some time now."

Delila left no explanation other than that. There was no need - Starchaser was just her partner for the assignment. They had worked together before but it wasn't as if they were friends. She didn't owe him much beyond the basics, not that comradery didn't go far in potential combat situations. Yet it couldn't be forced either.

Hand drew another pazaak card.

"Seventeen. Just a smidge over."

She started to reshuffle the cards but then passed them over to Jared Starchaser to deal next. It wasn't the most exciting game but the chance and skill was subtle in order to reach the desired number. Not having played in awhile , it was refreshing to do so. With the cards passed over, she had time to think of a wager.

"Now I'm not sure. I expected you to be a goody two-shoes. Hmm...Loser could scrub the others cargo hold but...there'd be no work for you on the Solitude. I keep it ship shape. Loser gives up a weapon? I'm open to all ideas."

 

[Jared Starchaser]

Looked like the smart comments weren't going to get him anywhere with this former war horse. But she was a grounder. Wasn't up to him to assume that she had her own ship that she flew herself. Though transport esque piloting wasn't always flying into hot zones. She could have done this run by herself, he assumed. Not that he didn't need the pay. And the chance to chat with someone who had been in the same kind of fighting as he was, just a few years ahead? Could be invaluable.

Best to let it all lie until more was brought up from her end. She was interesting though. Even if he didn't have a great way of getting that across.

As the hands moved and another card hit he shook his head. "Bad luck."

The Force User gave a bit about himself in that last exchange. But it wasn't anything that most didn't learn after a few days with him. As for a wager… "I mean, gives up a weapon? This should be a milk run. But sure." He took his lightsaber and put it on the table. "Let's see. Could always pick a bounty or a mission board post for the other to grab…"

He took the cards and flipped the first.

"Eleven." Over half but would allow him to see what she was about.

Delila Castillon

 

[Delila Castillon]

"Pick a job off a listing? A lame wager but at least I'll know by the end if you're trying to kill me. Why, I wouldn't be too sure on the why but stranger things have happened to me. I'd wager a weapon but I'm fairly partial to those so picking the next job for the loser sounds like a plan for the both of us."

Dells looked over the card, without hesitation she knew her next move. "Hit me."

The redhead regarded him for a moment, curious. There had been a question she wanted to ask since meeting him back on Sicorro. It wasn't exactly an appropriate question but one she was going to voice either way. Waiting for the next draw, she looked him over, wanting to judge his reaction.

"Starchaser. Isn't your Dad rich...or famous...or both? So why are you out here slumming it with the PTSD addled veterans, old spacers, and weird Mandos?"

Jared Starchaser

 

[Jared Starchaser]

“Well, I mean, not like you’re going to run off with my lightsabers, or the blaster.” All with kyber centers, they’d work for her, but really wouldn’t feel as powered, even amongst itself, should she be Force blind. But for him, it’d feel like working without his own gear. He did carry some of the surplus Levantine Sanctum items nowadays, but he still would need the weapons. “I mean, if we’re gonna be flying in the same space, part of the Sanctum and Outer Rim, should help to see where each other’s strengths lie.”

Though, there was a part of him that suspected she had a myriad of skills, some he’d never see, others, well, who knew.

He started to draw the card as she spoke. “Rich? He’s well off, Jedi title, and the trailblazing business… Famous? I’d say more infamous. For all the good he did there was just as many bad choices.” He shrugged and placed the card down -17- and looked at her. “I may show Corellia as my chain-code location of birth, but I’m a Rim rat all the same. Wouldn’t call Kinsey old, nor would I use that for you.” As for Cato? Jury was still out. “All that aside, my age bracket wants galactic glory, or some poodoo.”

“Brings you to 28. And honestly? I don't want to live in his shadow."

Make his own story, his own path

Delila Castillon

 

[Delila Castillon]

Delila wasn't sure if they needed to trade information about one another. Levantine Space was large. They could part ways now and potentially never see one another again. Besides, she went where the work went ; Outer Rim, Wild Space, Unknown Regions. Rarely did anything take her Coreward much anymore.

"Strengths? Being on the ground and shooting what someone tells me to point at. Oh, I also am handy with explosives. Lots of training in that realm. Basically destruction."

Cards were taken and shuffled, flipping over a -9- for Jared Starchaser .Seems they were both having some terrible luck at the game but that was half the fun. Currently both losing but it could easily turn around quickly. She listened to his concerns with his father and nodded once, finding the answer more intriguing than expected. That was surprising.

"So you have daddy issues." A small pause. "If you don't want to live in his shadow the Levantine is a odd place to do such a thing."

 

[Jared Starchaser]

They may not need to see each other again after this mission, or they might. Didn't really make a difference to most in the galaxy if people had their paths cross. Jared was of a mind that if he found someone useful, he'd try to run across them again. The likes of Choli Vyn and Cato Fett seemed very useful to have on an IOU retainer, and Delila, with her background in rebellion type work? That had a huge amount of usefulness to him. And with him working in the flat-command structure of the Underground during his time as an Outer Rim Marshall in his 20s? Well, that provided him with a useful set of tools for others.

Maybe even a jaded war horse.

"Explosives, huh? I may not be a Jedi." Well, not true Jedi. He had the training, but would title himself a Warden of the Sky, like most Starchasers, or a saber-for-hire, if someone was looking for a true occupation over Force stance, someone with an explosives background? That would counter to his clandestine approaches. "I mean, we all have our skills, and fighting wars, as long as it was against the enemy? I'm all for big explosions."

He laughed as he looked at the other card. He had a decision to make. Tapping on the table, a sabacc motion for 'hit me,' he nodded. "As for daddy issues, I dunno if you'd quite call it that. Dad wanted Kaia and I to have a life that wasn't that of an enlisted or…" He snapped his finger as he was searching for the words.. "Not enslaved to a government, like the Jedi. Levantines are still a free state, even before he got here. Besides he's on Kattada more than half the time." He shrugged as he looked over the redhead.

Delila Castillon

 

[Delila Castillon]

"Big explosives send a big message. Just a tidbit of wisdom for you."

Delila flipped the next card, reading -1- , adding to the total number for Jared Starchaser to ten. Halfway there. Which could lead to a interesting predicament in the next few moments. As he further explained about his 'daddy issues', all she could do was nod. Beyond not wanting to live under big government, she didn't have the society pressures or worries he did. There was a nephew of hers floating around somewhere but beyond that, it was just her.

"Yeah, I get wanting to not live under the oppressive yoke of something else."

Hand motioned to the cards.

"Stay or hit? If you stay we shall see if I manage to beat you next round."

 

[Jared Starchaser]

Well, at least the wars hadn’t shot off her sense of humor. He was fairly certain that his father’s was lost many a year back. Though he did care about Kaia and he, giving them direction to chase their fortunes away from the Core, using his own experience to how a Jedi can fall off the chosen path, and even away from their oath, as it were. It was why he and Kaia still held many Jedi teachings, but were more in line with the Jedi Watchman path, or more accurately, Wardens of the Sky. “I’ll make note of that.”

“And you know what, feth it. Give me another.”

Taking a look around, he really needed a drink too while they were at it. Getting up, he made his way over to the counter, pulling a glass with the Force, more out of habit, and definitely not in a way to show off.

“And if you do, we’ll see what kind of missions are posted for me to take.” Though he’d really like to win and see if he could figure out what motivated her to keep moving the way she did. "Drink?"

Delila Castillon

 

[Delila Castillon]

Another pazaak card meant Jared Starchaser was also the lucky owner of a -2- card, bringing his grand total to -13-. A tricky situation to be in, seven more to make it to twenty or he could take his chance and hold. Delila wasn't sure which one he would do. Bit of an enigma. Privately she guessed he would be going for it, but she would give him a moment to mull it over with the cards laid out before him.

"Thirteen. It's anyone's game meaning either of us could be stuck with some wonderful job on one of the many boards. "

Starchaser showed off by grabbing the bottle with the Force and she rolled her eyes at the gesture. Even when getting a simple drink the Jedi couldn't resist showing off.

"No thank you. I want to be sober when we crash and burn."

The flight wasn't long enough to warrant a drink in her opinion. Nor did she want to compromise anything on assignment. Trouble wasn't expected but it always seemed to pop around the corner at the wrong time.

"Maybe after we're done."

 

[Jared Starchaser]

Thirteen. Unlucky on some worlds, even Corellia. The chance to hit now? He’d be taking some heavy risk, and as much as he was, well, who he was, didn’t mean he ran hard against odds. And honestly? Taking one of the more seedy jobs didn’t seem like the best call for him. Though, if it got him a chance to get to know more of whatever history Delila would expose? That could count for something.

As he considered, he figured maybe it was time to shake his own approach up.

A Warden of the Sky, a Levant Sentry, a Jedi Watchman, all from traditions that didn’t follow all the rules of the Core and what the galaxy expected. If he was showing off, it was more that he’d have a drink while getting to work, the Force could detox him if he needed it. But one drink? Not likely. Pouring himself a standard serving of a… oh Force, was this a Tatooine based whiskey? Was that allowed? Still, all the same, beggars, choosers, and all.

“Yeah, lets take a hit on that. And we won’t crash. Hell, the ship can fly itself. We’re here mostly to make sure its fine and protect from any of the raiders…”

And just as that came out of his mouth, the sensors starting beeping, gravity well ahead.

Jared put the glass down. “Pull that card, we’ll get back to the game.” He stated as he moved from the rec chamber towards the cockpit. The sensors beeping, Jared grabbed the screen that had the navigation. He took a deep breath, grateful he didn’t have the drink yet. The Force was with him, at least as much as it had ever been.

Hands moving over the controls, the ship seemed to lurch in hyperspace. Turning and calling back, Jared shrugged. “That wasn’t there when we left… Maybe interdiction on our path…” He was able to slingshot the ship, even at hyperspace, a trick he’d have to give to some lesson from Jorus Merrill.

“What’d I get?” They had a little bit of time before they’d be landing, and then really trying to figure out what was going on at their destination and path.

Delila Castillon

 

[Delila Castillon]

The next card was yet again -2- but she wasn't the type to idly sit by and play pazaak while they were in the throws of a potential issue. While she may not be a strong pilot, Delila did consider herself a decent co-pilot. Troubleshooting problems from the second chair was up her alley, most likely due to a strong sense of wanting to stay in the air and not die or crash land. A great motivator in her opinion.

Arriving in the cockpit, it was clear Jared Starchaser was more concerned about his score with the game than potentially being pulled from hyperspace. Hyperspace seemed to be the bigger of her concerns.

"Two, so you're up to fifteen." She paused and looked at the sensors. Dells may think the Jedi a little dim but not dim enough to purposely go flying into gravity wells. Unless he was trying to impress her. Or derail the assignment. Didn't seem the type to derail assignments however, she could already tell he was serious about the Kathol and surrounding areas.

"I would say pirates but those would have to be very organized, very rich pirates. I would expect those types more Core-ward. Most places out here are too poor, I mean...there are some nice areas but overall."

 

[Jared Starchaser]

Hyperspace wasn't as bad as most people made it out to be. Sure, during the days of the High Republic, it was hardly understood, but there were the families that helped make it safer. San Tekka, Merrill, Starchaser, all throughout the history. Some Corellian, others not. Some did it for the fame and glory, others did it for the science and the mysticism, and some did it just to prove it could be done. His family was of the latter. Ancient Starchasers, during the time of Palpatine's Clone Wars, were operating in the ExplorCorps, and were able to go to ground on Corellia with their knowledge, and escape paths.

That was why Jared and his sister were able to do what they could here.

And for her point of trying to impress? Maybe. Maybe there was a part of Jared that wanted to impress her. She'd worked possibly alongside his father during the last wars. And she had the knowledge and experience he wanted, the type that could change the galaxy. Jared was more a hunter and protector of those who needed his specific saber hand and Force skills, but not a full on rebel. Unless the need to rebel helped others.

He knew there was a term in the Underground for it. Patriots and Fairweathers. He did have a belief that most should be free, and he could take to protecting the Outer Rim, the Sanctum, these regions of space that people found themselves in, without declaring full on war against the Core.

"Fifteen's not bad. I'll hold." He said, not looking up from his controls. Starchaser didn't wear the Jedi vestments like his father did, he wore spacer clothes, and the odd trinket, from bracelets, to a bracer, and a necklace, with items he collected along his path. The goal was, at least for the unpracticed, or overly worried being, to see someone relaxed with an air of it'll all be okay.

If he was flying on his own the ship would be having a very island-esque music score.

"I mean if they got themselves a path engine, the Core pirates could be looking to make a base the Alliance couldn't chase them to?" he said, as he finally got up from his seat. "Our space is a bit hidden, and some worlds are much nicer than what the Core has. Less crowded too…" He made his way back to the game table.

"Right, your turn." He flipped the card. Eighteen. Now if that wasn't the roll of the cards…

Delila Castillon