We Feed Children So That Makes It Ok... Right?

[James Justice]

While she was busy capturing the man, James jumped onto the speeder their assassin had been driving and quickly scoured it for evidence and intel. There wasn't much, and it was already catching on fire so James had to be quick. He found a field box for a sniper rifle and a half melted datapad. It wouldn't do them much good right now, but when they got back home, they could strip it for data. At the sound of approaching sirens James stormed closer to their captive.

James grabbed the sleezy native by the collar and haulled him away several halls away from the wreckage. He gave Celiana an appreciative nod before tossing the man against the wall.

"Ugh, fething hell, you got any respect?" the captive half shouted shifting to cater to his damaged leg.

James could have lectured. He could have given a speech about all he had done, what he was willing to do, and how he was a crime lord without anything left to lose but he didn't. He simply took his old Jericho pistol-shotgun, pressed it against the man's thigh and pulled the trigger. A spray of blood and bits of shattered bone sprayed out the exit wound onto the carpet. Half the lead pellets were still in the man's thigh, sending waves of agony and shock through him. The spy let out a howl of agony, lurching as he grabbed his good leg. James cocked the other hammer back and placed it on the man's left arm, "Employer's name. Now."

"Not who," he grunted, "What. The Killiks. They have a hive mind. In the under levels. A few hundred--max. The mother must have been behind it."

"Does it hurt?"

The man managed a nod.

"Ye want it to end?"

He nodded again.

James handed over the pistol, "Then I suggest ye get to work, the cops will be here in a matter of half a minute."

He turned away from the man to give him his coward's way out in private, "There should be an elevator a few halls down. We can take this to the lowest level. Let's go."

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

Following after James I boarded the elevator and we began descending. My senses were still open and I felt the abrupt ending of that man's life. For once I was glad of the helmet I was wearing it meant that James couldn't see me crying. I wasn't directly responsible I wasn't the one who pulled the trigger but I loaded on in the chamber James had handed him the gun and he'd pulled the trigger. Kiliks from what I recalled were hive-minded insectoids. Creepy as all hell too. Opening the helmet to helmet comms I looked towards James and said, "So please tell me we're not going to have to exterminate a whole hive of Kiliks. They're on par with Geonosians creepy as hell and a swarm mentality if we are considered a threat. What's the plan now James?"

I began to adjust the power settings and tactical readiness of all of my weapons and hoped we wouldn't be upsetting a whole hive of Kiliks...

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

Years ago, James would have never done that. Even a slightly fewer years after, he would have felt something as that final gunshot sounded. But now, he was cold. He did feel something--but it wasn't tears. It was close to a twisted sense of satisfaction. Not joy, not delight, not happiness, just satisfaction at a job well done. Satisfaction that he had one less reason to keep looking over his shoulder. One less reason to worry for the safety of his Soceras. One less reason to go outside his door with an army and a fleet. Almost all of the good left in James was gone, now he just had his wars and his bloodshed. It wasn't much, but this was what you got when a man had to morph into being a soldier.

"Okay then, I won't tell ye," James chuckled, unslinging a satchel of explosives and offering his partner a choice in them like they were apples instead of--well, explosives. "We dun't have to kill 'em all. Just punch our way to the center, take the queen down and boom, game over." Of course, it was easier said than done, a hive mind reacted as--well a single mind. It was going to be one hell of a fight in.

The elevator doors opened with a ding and the two were sent out into the darkest bowls of Hope Major.

James was very familiar with this level of dystopia. In fact, he all but preferred it to the glitz and glam of the Core. As he strode through it, starving, thread-bare, barely clothed cyborgs peered at them from behind the safety of their squalled shanties. He didn't care. The metal of his helmet was soft compared to the hard look on his face. At last they reached a massive mound-like hive. James fished out a pair of thermal detonators, the only sound amid the silence, a harrowing preparation for what was to come. He shot [member="Celiana"] a look, "Here's to makin' it through alive."

With a quick flick he tossed both at the mound. A tremendous shock wave of an explosion tore through it, carving them a way in--but not for long.

 

[Celiana]

Groaning as James jokingly said, "Ok then I won't tell ye." I saw that he'd produced a satchel of various explosive devices and offered them to me with a smile. Well even with the whole butchering wrongdoers, handing them a pistol to go and off themselves, and being in a perpetual state of drunkenness he was charming in his own way. Shame really if I wasn't involved with Aria I may have considered someone like James... Pulling myself back to the present situation I probed the explosives with The Force and found a very differed and nice selection. Several Incendiary, a few with an acidic compound quickly I made my choices and levitated them out and in a loose circle that with a wave of my left hand I sent spinning in a circle by my left hip.

Pulling my DC-17m Omen blaster rifle free from my right thigh I engaged the anti-armor attachment and loaded it with one of the incendiary grenades I'd packed with me. The rest of James' party favors were still spinning by my left hip as we'd exited the elevator. The hungry and starving faces down here made me cringe and I was grad I was wearing a helmet. I had a good life on Voss, food, clothes, my own home and ship. These people had...nothing. I caught a look from one as I walked by behind James they'd seen the grenades levitating by my hip and the child had been ushered away by an elder.

James walked on as if nothing had happened and stopping in front of a mound looked at me and said, "Here's to making it through alive." Then he tossed two thermal detonators at the mound and I had a split second to clip my blaster rifle to a harness point on my armor before the explosives detonated in a fiery blast. It opened us a way in but as soon as it had Kiliks swarmed out the front and were upon us. Pulling the saber on my right hip free I ignited it and sent it flying forward in an arc guiding it with The Force. It completed the arc and I swept it back through for a second pass bisecting a small swarm of Kiliks before calling my saber back to my hand and deactivating the blade.

Clipping it back into place I pulled the blaster rifle back against my shoulder and gestured forward with my left hand and glancing at James I said, "After you Mr. Justice." I had a feeling I'd need to put my armor through the sterilization process on my ship after this...

[member="James Justice"]

OOC: was the cyborg person you handed the pistol to to off himself the cyborg we were hunting? Or is that why we're going into the bug nest? I was kinda confused on that...

 

[James Justice]

Spoiler

He killed Hermes, the man we were going for. Now we are killing the peeps who gave Hermes the order to do that. Don't you love crime lord logic?

The spacer gave a slight, half bow. It was as much reverential as it was joking, "Thank, ye, Miss, how delightful of ye."

Stepping along, he let his boots crunch over the dead bodies without a care in the worlds. Rage, lust, anger, and pain boiled off him like a near visible wave of darkness. James was a powerful force user when he wanted to be, not because of dogma, but because he forced his victims to feel his pain, his own agony. As a fresh wave of the Killiks clattered at them, his eyes burned red with rage. He swept his hand wide in a swift, fan-like motion. Their bodies were swept up as if by an invisible hand and were sent with screams slamming into the nearby wall. As their exoskeletons shattered, their soft innards spilled out and their lives were snuffed from the universe.

The survivors were stunned, as the felt and heard the death of their siblings in their heads. The death of one was a pain, the death of several at once was unbearable. It was a dangerous thing being in a hive mind.

With a savage roar, James flicked his wrist, the dead bodies were sent twisting through the air in lethal, broken wall of death that crushed the survivors.

"Kill them all," James roared as blood lust consumed him. Dark purple energy ripped off his armor, striking the solid objects around him. The air was filled with darkness and pure pain. The voices of screams echoed through the hive. Human screams as the sounds of the ones James had lost filled his ears and the world around him. He was out of control, again. "Kill the bloody murders!"

He stormed forward, grabbing one by the throat. His strength increased by the Force, he swung the body over head with ease, bringing it down on another Killik with a brutal crack. He whipped it back around as he charged forward, splitting another Killik's head in two.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

The immense anger, rage and fear from the Kiliks now rippled off of James, I could see him through The Force and I was again unprepared for the utter feeling of his blood-lust. I was glad I'd taken the rear to avoid being at risk of his wrath. I could feel the emotion and everything that came with it and it was nauseating. The view of him through The Force lasted mere seconds but it was something I couldn't unsee the utter blood lust radiated from him and everything that he was channeling literally was sickening purple tentacles that were tearing the armor he'd worn off of him. The Kiliks were fleeing but it was no use James simply crushed the life of everything in front of him...

The Queen wherever she was would stand no chance and odds were I wouldn't have to fire a shot in here. I would only need to brace myself against James' rage and blood-lust. As it was I was only able to glance at him through The Force before I had to close off my connection. Falling to a knee from the sheer darkness of him I choked out "James, please stop." The previous swarm of Kiliks had been utterly decimated by him and all I could do was tag a drone with multiple explosive charges they'd be triggered as soon as the drone reached the queen but if I couldn't open myself to The Force becasue of James' blood-lust I couldn't end this. If I opened myself to The Force now everything about James' blood-lust and rage WOULD drop me into unconsciousness.

Pushing myself to my feet I removed my helmet and shuffled towards James placing a hand on his shoulder. I hoped he wouldn't attack me but I wasn't sure, I'd removed my helmet so he could see my eyes. "James, please stop or I won't be able to finish this. I tagged a drone with multiple explosive charges I can trigger them at any time but I can't risk opening myself to The Force with you like this. Please James..." Tears were rolling down my cheeks and I did one thing I could think of to reach him. I kissed his cheek and said "The part of you that cares for others listen to it. I don't know who you lost but they wouldn't want this..."

Dropping to a knee again I hoped I'd reached him because if not well, I'd be karked. I resented the fact that I'd been forced to disconnect myself from The Force. But I really didn't want to be dropped into unconsciousness by him....

[member="James Justice"]

OOC: So then since we dropped him and we came in on a meteor any chance we can raid a shipyard or something for our way off-planet/my new ride?

 

[James Justice]

Spoiler

That's the plan

Few people truly understood what it meant to be mad. The path to evil was paved with good intentions, heart ache, and pain. Pain like no one and nothing else. Most evil people didn't turn there for fun, the left because of pain, and the release it gives. Release from the pain. Nothing quieted the demons in James' mind like watching the blood of his enemies fly through the air. The Killiks began to retreat, stumbling away for fear of their lives.

"James, please stop."

"Oh no you don't," the spacer snarled, lost in his world of rage as he extended his free hand. Channeling his furry, his rage, his pure unadulterated pain, he sent the darkness rippling across his body in a direct assault. The arcs of energy lept from his fingertips to their bodies. The sound of sizzling bodies and the smell of their roasting flesh filled the air. He could feel their pain, it resonated with him and it felt so good to have someone suffer like he did, even if just for a few moments.

"James, please stop or I won't be able to finish this. I tagged a drone with multiple explosive charges I can trigger them at any time but I can't risk opening myself to The Force with you like this. Please James...The part of you that cares for others listen to it. I don't know who you lost but they wouldn't want this..."

He felt her lips brush his grisly 5 o' clock shadow darkened cheek. His nose flared as he snorted like a horse after a hard sprint, She wouldn't want this. Celiana was right, Leighlah wouldn't have wanted him to rage and kill like this. She would have wanted him to hold on. To stay strong, to fight against the evil, not become it. It hurt, he felt it, it hurt like nothing else as the searing pain of loss took over again and he felt the rage that consumed him glower down to almost nothing.

With a roar of frustration and anger, James rammed his fist through the nearby wall. His furious energy smashed into it, all of it dissipating and sending it crumbling down.

He could feel the exhaustion begin to take over as the adrenaline of combat died down, his body threatened to collapse. James could feel all the motivation taken away from him. He wanted to lay down here and die. He didn't want to fight any more, to live anymore, or stand firm anymore on what was left of his pitiful existence. A hollow emptiness, that constantly nagged at the back of his mind too over again. He didn't care about the Killiks anymore, or revenge, or justice or murder.

James dropped his eyes and the body in his hands and numbly began walking away.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

I saw the blood-lust leave his eyes and the immense rage I'd felt was gone. Emptiness....Then he began walking away. That I hadn't expected but seeing the change in him I knew it was safe to open myself to The Force again. Immersing myself in The Force I found the drone I'd tagged and activated the timers for a four minute countdown. Catching back up to James I grabbed his hand and quickly led him out of the hive, the grenades I'd had circling by my left hip I activated them all and with a flick of my left hand sent them all into the hive. James still looked lost but our activity apparently hadn't gone unnoticed...

I saw there was what looked to be security forces approaching. Just then as we'd been making our way away from the hive the explosions ripped through the hive and after sensing the queen's death I closed the connection to them through The Force. I only needed to know the queen was dead not hear the screams of every living thing in the hive. Flowers of flame erupted from the hive and I knew that there'd be acid, fire and death throughout.

Looking at James with his hand still in mine I led him off to a darkened alleyway and said, "James I'm sorry. I know it's easier to just deal death and damnation to mask the pain but it's never truly gone. Even though you may feel broken you're not. I need you right now and we need to move it's time to find our way off this rock. Just know James that my previous offer still stands. I can isolate the darkness and pain and whatever else into a box in your mind and everything you've ever felt joy or love about in another. You'll be free to visit either box James but I'll save that opportunity until we're aboard our escape vessel. Right now I need your help I can't fight all these security guards and troops myself."

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

James didn’t realize where he was or where he was going. He didn’t feel Celiana as she slipped her hand in his and led him away. He wasn’t even aware as the hive blasted behind him in a mass of chaotic destruction. He didn’t care either. Nothing mattered in the galaxy anymore to him.

He slowly became aware that he was in an ally, he heard Celiana’s words like they were coming from a long way off, from ages and ages away not right next to him.

“I wasn’t always this way,” he said, his voice hollowly emotionless. “I had someone to look forward to coming home to. Something to look forward to. A life. A hope. She were taken from me, she were all that was good in me.”

He could see it all playing out again, all over again, just like it had for years and years on end when he stood still. Her death, her end, the crash, her body getting wheeled away in a bag.

“They couldn’t get a positive ID on her,” he whispered, “The speeder that crashed through our apartment burned her so badly they had to use DNA testin’ on me wife for a positive ID. We dun’t bury her. She never wanted that. Sent her out among the stars like she always wanted.”
His eyes looked up into Celiana’s. There was no emotion, he was so broken and indifferent that he couldn’t feel anything anymore. Rock bottom, “I settled down for her. I married her. I gave up smugglin’ for her and got a real job. That were the first day of the rest of our lives, that apartment—“

A tear slid down his cheek, streaking through the grime and soot on his face.

“She hated it. She wanted another in a different buildin’ but I wanted that one. She changed her mind, ye know. For me. Changed what she wanted and caved in. And it cost me. It cost me her and now I swear I would do anything to have chosen the other goddamn apartment.”
A guard turned the corner swinging his rifle around to bear on James’ face, “Freeze, right where you are.”

The spacer looked up at the cyborg with an indifferent shrug, “Do it, see if I give a damn.”

“I need to see some Identification.”

“Oh screw your damn ass with the identification,” James spat, “Just frelling shoot me already and get me out of me misery.”

The soldier sighed, pressing his comm close to his ear as he marched away, “Just drunk and his girlfriend here, keep searching.”

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

I listened to James share his story with me and let the tears come. What had happened in his life was horrific and I knew that if I lost Aria I'd likely be the same as James. A soldier came around the corner and leveled his rifle at James demanding that he freeze where he was. Then James told the soldier to shoot him, the soldier then asked for identification. James told him to shove it and the soldier seemed to think he was just an angry drunk and I his girlfriend before leaving.

Looking at him I sank to my knees and said, "James you say you've nothing to live for but I'm calling that as utter osik. I saw the picture on your ship. You, your wife, and a little girl. You're a kriffing Crime-lord but you don't have to always be that hard man, you may have lost your wife but there's still that little girl. I don't know where she is only that you probably did right by her leaving her with someone who could love her. You needed time, but don't you dare tell me there's nothing to live for. Sure you're a crime-lord, hell you drink and smoke with the best of em' but you keep that picture on you console aboard your ship for a kriffing reason. To remind you that it's not all death, rage, and blood-lust."

Looking at him I placed my left hand under his chin and lifted up his chin so he'd look into my eyes and I said, "James I was going to wait until we'd found a ride out of here but on my end I can't die here I have someone I love waiting for me. You do too that little girl James. Now I cannot get out of here alone and I won't leave you alone to piss away the only chance you have with that little girl by asking soldiers to end you." With the full weight of The Force I looked into his eyes and said to him both aloud and in his mind, "James will you let me help you find a way to live with the darkness inside you? Will you let me allow you to help that little girl?"

He'd told me no on his ship and now he was utterly broken but I could not do this with a catatonic, suicide seeking crimelord. He had signs of wanting to see the good and had only to accept. His darkness would still be his but it wouldn't dominate him so totally anymore. He'd still be able to drink and smoke to his hearts content. I knew the change this ability could allow I'd been on the receiving end of it after Coruscant and Yinchorr. I'd become so lost in darkness, rage, hate, and anguish I'd had to have this done so I wouldn't endanger those I loved. The memory of those dark missions were still with me but I'd learned to master them instead of letting mindless emotion master me. I hoped James would accept this gift I was offering but it HAD to be his choice, I couldn't force it upon him...

[member="James Justice"]

OOC: I wasn't sure what to do with that post other than the offer of compartmentalizing the rage of James. I can't very well drag a nearly catatonic crime-lord about.

 

[James Justice]

James smiled bitterly. Ah, yes that picture.

"Ex-girlfriend," he said with a sad smile, he winced even harder, "And that kid weren't her's. Some broad I screwed thirteen years ago. Same for her twin brother and my other daughter, only a different broad and sixteen years ago."

Yes, even what little hope had left to hold onto was nothing more than heartbreak with his ex girlfriend and times that once. "I dun't keep it around for me. I dun't keep it around for hope, or any sort of bullshit like that. I ain't got any hope left in me body. Its to remind me of what the people look up to me have. They got that. They got that feeling and unlike me, they deserve to keep it."

He pushed off the wall he had slumped against and sighed. 'I ain't about to off meself if that's what ye are worried about. This ain't me first low, and it ain't gonna be me last. I seen a shitton worse than this, and I still be around, now let's get the hell off this rock."

He ventured into the street, moving past the soldiers. He was hiding in plain sight, something he was rather good at. The spacer had learned to be quite good at it, and frankly, he didn't need mystical force powers when he could make himself look like he belonged. He pulled himself into the back of one of the dropships the soldiers had come on and waited, hidden in the shadows. A few moments later it picked and sailed through the air.

When it landed with a humm, they were in a massive, almost grandiose hangar full of ships. Some were drop ships like this, others were fighers, frigates, and each was a testament to Thetan Design and engineering.

"Come on," he whispered, 'A good old fashioned split up and ship theft. You find a ride, I'll find another, we'll get 'em both out of here."

That way, in case they were caught, the enemy had two targets to shoot at, and there by half as much firepower to devote to killing them.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

Gods and Goddesses! James would be damned if he let himself be happy for anything his head would probably explode first, but he pushed himself up off the wall and seamlessly blended with the crowd. I followed behind and we boarded a drop-ship which took us to a hangar where a massive amount of ships were available to take. We disembarked and James followed me and whispered to me, "Come on, a good old fashioned split up and ship theft. You find a ship I'll find another we'll get 'em both outta here." Smiling widely I said, "alright James but when we make it out of here I am going to treat you to dinner and a drink. That's not a request for your information it's a condition for working with me further. We'll rendezvous back at your base I'll get paid and then you'll accompany me to a planet and restaurant of my choice where I will follow through with my plans for dinner with you prior to all of this."

Then a security patrol began making their way through the hangar. As we'd come in on the drop-ship I'd seen another combat capable fighter style drop-ship bristling with weapons. Glancing at James I smiled and pulled my Mandalorian helmet back on then took off running towards a line of ships and jumping over the cockpit of one I slid over the second cockpit then angled back towards the right side of the hangar and after avoiding several more patrols I found it. Pulling a cord from my left forearm datapad I plugged it into the security system onboard the ship. Quickly slicing through the security systems and deleting the current registered owner from all records I copied the information I'd registered my Dynamic class freighter with then I uploaded my bio-scans into the security systems as the correct ID. Placing my right hand on the palm reader the doors opened up allowing me access before I boarded I changed the handle of the ship I was making off to The Morrigan. A warrior goddess from Echani culture she foretold of doom in battle and welcomed the warriors of battle home a Goddess of Death and War.

Pulling the cable free of the security system I boarded my new ship and after the doors sealed I quickly assessed the systems and powered the ship up bringing everything online. The guards must've noticed because they began to rush the ship channeling The Force I raised my hands lifting a group of soldiers up off their feet and above the deck then flicked my hands out to either side throwing the guards into various ships, bulkheads, and other various hard surfaces. Sensing more soldiers on their way I pulled back the yokes and cleared the other ships while casting my senses out to make sure James had found himself a ride I targeted the rear of the hangar with flak guns and pressed the firing buttons on both throttle and steering controls I opened fire on the rear of the hangar grounding the ships and preventing any would be pursuers form following us.

Opening the helmet comms I said, "James see you soon, good luck until we meet again back at your place." Then flipping the controls stick back facing The Morrigan's bow towards the open hangar doors I pushed both yokes forward and rocketed out of the hangars and towards space. I hoped to see James soon. Although he was still in such pain I could yet see the desire for peace and after today and this as a first job I'd be fine working with him again. I still owed him dinner and I meant to keep that promise, partially due to the fact hat I was hungry but more because this could become something of a ritual after jobs I was a big believer in celebrating the victories one achieved. As I flew back to the coordinates I'd logged in my helmet when we'd landed and right before we'd been catapulted on a meteor I couldn't help it I had a great feeling about continuing to work with James...

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/82/16/d3/8216d3a673d3771e5e22cf6591d96807.jpg

OOC: Mwahahahahaha!!!! I have the ship I wanted! So pay then dinner finally?

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

Yes, James would be damned before he did have joy--or at least that was how is writer would have it. And as much as this woman talked about dinner, he was beginning to wonder if she ate, like, at all. Gauging by how skinny she was, he guessed that was the case. If she was going to challenge him to a drinking contest, well the spacer would have to shame her. He had two livers to her one and a string of drinking titles across seven different worlds. He was a legend.

As she hurried away, he took a second, tucking his hands on his belt loops, strolling along casually across the hangar. He exchanged nods with a passing mechanic and a guard. As long as he looked like he belonged, he had learned, he wouldn't arouse any suspicions. He was a master of causal. The king of the cool.

He eyed a vault-like structure that two guards stood by. There were orders to stay back in three different languages and the letter, "X7 PROJECT: CROWN". It was all begging for James to take a look in. He didn't become a criminal for the lax health benefits, after all. He leaned against a nearby ship, scheming how to get in. Before he could react, the two guards rushed across the bay to where James could hear a ship lifting off. The kid had guts, James had to give her that.

He reached the door and looked at the control pannel. It was high tech, very advanced with a six digit code. He smashed his gloved fist into the pad and the door slid open.

"This one," he breathed out with a nod when he eyed the glorious luxury before him. He had to have it, he thought as he climbed aboard

Spoiler

Sure, if you want. In your next post set it up. I don't feel like starting a new thread right now
[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

I REALLY liked this ship. I was excited to put it through it's paces but I wasn't sure now was the right time...Just then The Morrigan's sensors picked up a small two fighter escort and while I was making good time back to James' base I wasn't keen on the idea of guests. So pushing the throttle further I sped forward just out of range. Then a message came through the comms. "Stolen Vessel power down weapons and disengage thrusters we WILL be taking you into custody and reclaiming that ship." Chuckling with a smile I responded by goading them. "Let me guess you've orders to shoot me down and tow the wreck back home. Well sorry boys but I'm a much better pilot than either of you are and on top of that I'm likely a better shot. So good luck with that. In the words of my people Molon Labe. You want it come and take it."

Fingers dancing across the controls I saw the weapons firing and rather than accelerate I pulled back on both yokes sending The Morrigan into an inverted arc up above them and twisting the control yokes to the left I pulled a corkscrew maneuver. The targeting computer was chiming so I shut it off and glanced at the targeted systems of their fighters. Huh, that was way too easy targeting their shield generator modules I switched from the flak guns to the laser cannons and fired on the shield generator modules before quickly firing off another salvo to disable their attack engines. Hailing them I said, "You boys need more practice in actual fighter combat. I've had my fill of killing for the day so do me a favor and head back home. Don't try to fire on me or you'll have to hold your breath for a very long while."

Disengaging The Morrigan's weapons I glanced at my scanners and saw they were heading back home. Good, now I can focus on getting back to the rendezvous point. Plugging in the coordinates I saw that it would be another 10 minutes until I was back. I had enough time to quickly wash up before I'd land so I went into the refresher and pulling my helmet off I scrubbed my face and re-styled my hair into a messy bun and pulling two Ivory pins from my belt I stuck them through my hair to hold it in place before grabbing a small tin of Echani cherry-peach lip gloss from my cargo jeans and spreading it across my lips. Even if this was still to be dinner with my crime-lord boss I wanted to look nice and while I couldn't be anyone specifically involved with James I did want to treat him to a nice night. Assuming I could keep him away from a bottle that is... An alert came over the ships PA system that I was approaching James' base. Hopefully if he wasn't there he'd be on his way. While I wouldn't indulge in drinking contests because Force knows he'd win that I was ready to eat quite a bit.

I think he perhaps doubted how a skinny thing like me stayed so slim or perhaps he just thought I didn't eat. Which he was very wrong about but I had the idea for a sort of mix between Stir-fry and Mongolian Barbecue so all I needed now as for James to show up, pay me then we'd be on our merry way...

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

James strolled across the way to the ship, the sole one in the hanger. He half expected to see some sort of second line of defense, however, there was nothing. It didn't take anything for him to stroll up the loading ramp into the ship. With a few pushes of the button on the console he powered it to life and opened the hangar doors of the bay. The ship easily glided up and into the air, cutting through the sky and leaving a sonic boom in its wake. It was too fast for even the advanced Theta patrol ships and was quickly carving its way out into space. The stars twinkled around them as he shot past the orbital patrol of Theta. In fact, they seemed to be going out of their way to clear him. He wondered that was all about, this ship must be something important.

'And I bet you are," he cooed to it, running his hand over the luxury console. 'What is your name, I suppose I need a name for you, don't I?"

He thought for a second, "I stole you away, from ye master, ye husband if ye will. Like the legend of Nestis. Aye, that'll be ye name, Nestis Cora."

The flight back to Soceras, which was within the same system, was very brief. This ship was made for speed. He sent out a warning before landing on his Angel's Den. The spacer briskly walked into his quarters, followed by a host of servants, strippers, droids, and analysts.

"I want half a mil in unmarked credits ready for [member="Celiana"] when she lands," James ordered before slamming the door on their noses and retreating into his private quarters. He had a hungry woman to feed.

 

[Celiana]

As I was heading into the Angel's Den I caught a glimpse of an exorbitantly expensive cruiser setting down. The landing ramp came down and out came James followed by his entourage... He demanded half a million in unmarked credits to be ready for me when I landed. My mouth dropped a little at that number then smiling at the fact that he didn't notice I was here I transmitted coordinates for The Cherry Blossom to make a jump here to Soceras and land next to The Morrigan. Programming The Morrigan to take off and land on the outer hull to The Cherry Blossom when it touched down I walked through the Angel's Den and followed the retainers to where James had slammed the door in their faces.

One turned to look at me as if to say, yes can I help you? Looking at the lass I saw that she was a very pretty Mirialan gal with an exceptional sensual look to her. Looking at her I said, "I'd be the Celiana he was talking about." She looked slightly panicked that the credits weren't ready. Laughing lightly I placed my left hand on her shoulder and said softly, "Don't worry love, you're fine. In fact you're about to be much more than fine I can guarantee that." Pulling a small bag with a handful of assorted Arkanian gems from a compartment on my belt I handed the bag to her and gesturing for her to look she did. I saw shock cross her face and closing the bag back up I closed her hands over it and whispered in her ear. "You're free to do whatever you want with that love. I honestly don't see you as a dancer or barmaid here anyways."

Then before leaving and running on the last bits of adrenaline I wrapped my left hand behind her neck and kissed her. She leaned into it and I briefly stayed there before pulling away and said, "You have a good life love, you deserve it. Just make sure somebody else gets those credits for me ehh?" She nodded then smiled and said, "thank you miss, that kiss was quite nice too." Then winking at me she left. Pushing my way past the entourage I opened up the doors to James' quarters and walked in closing them back behind me. I still had time to wait before my ship touched down and I figured I keep James company while I did...

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

The spacer quickly stripped the plates off his armor and tossed them on his messy bed with a clatter. He was a very disorganized person, to say the least. Leighlah used to say he looked, acted, and sounded like a hurricane many times. His may gunbelts were hurled away and tossed on top of them like a mix of worn noodles. He stripped out of the armor underlay mesh as fast as he could and could begin to feel how sore and tired he was kicking in.

And all at once he felt totally alone. He sat on the edge of the bed and ran his fingers through his sooty hair. He felt the dried blood in his hair and realized how many lives he had just taken. He could feel the weight of it crash on him, a wave of emotions he had kept stored away flooded him, as it always did when he finished these blood soaked runs. His hands shook as his breath grew unsteady. He let it replay, let it all go through his mind with astounding clarity. He had a wonderful memory--much to his own demise.

Then, he stored it away. Shoved it all in the box where it belonged. Later he would need those horrors to make--well more horrors. But for now he had to get the hell over it. He forced himself to stand and set a pot of caf brewing. Then he stumbled into the refresher and got the hot water going on full blast. He looked in the mirror as the steam began to cloud it up. He looked so old, so hallow, so covered in bloody hell it was unreal. Those eyes that looked back at him were disfocused, deadly. The eyes of a killer who didn't care anymore. It scared him.

His right hand clenched in a fist and slammed into the mirror. Thankfully, one of his workers had learned and installed a shatter proof one. All it did was crack. With a sigh, he stepped into the luxury shower and let himself get lost in the broiling hot water.

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

As I sat in James' quarters I heard a chime that my ship The Cherry Blossom was in orbit and making its descent. Soon The Cherry Blossom would be joined with The Morrigan and I could get dressed down for dinner. As it was I could hear the water running and I figured James was getting a shower but I grabbed a loose rag and began to peel out of my Beskar'gam armor. Sweat-soaked black crop-top and cargo jeans was what I had on now. Then I began to scrub and polish away my armor, when my ship landed I'd make sure James was aboard and I'd grab a shower then.

I knew of a place on Coruscant that had excellent stir-fry and Mongolian Barbecue but I wanted to be dressed nicely. At the very least some nice jeans and a clean shirt would do. Though a shower would be nice to get rid of the dirt, grime, blood, smoke and variosu other substances I was covered in... For now though I polished my armor and waited for my ship to touch down...

[member="James Justice"]

 

[James Justice]

At last he shut the shower's water off and climbed out. He felt like a new man, cleaned and free of the grime of battle. It was easier to tell himself it had never happened, that it was a bad dream or a daydream. It didn't matter what he told himself about that encounter, it was over that's what mattered.

He sank his bare feet in the plush red carpet as he strode naked into his bedroom.

"Oi!" he excplaimed placing his hands on his hips in mock indignation, "Didn't no one tell ye it's rude to be in me bedroom with ye clothes on?" he shook his head with a mock anger, "Ye are on thin ice, miss. I may not hire ye again for this one."

He strode across the room, taking his sweet time to get to his closet on the other side. He swiped a bottle of whiskey from the wet bar along the way. Yes, he has a wet bar in his room. With a quick twist he popped the top off and tossed over his shoulder. Between intermittent drinks from the bottle, James picked his outfit out. He donned a pair of dark slacks, a light blue shimmer silk dress shirt, a dark blue scarf, and a trademark leather jacket on the dressier side. The scarf was in, his fashion expert had told him. And besides this one was made with a micro mesh that made it efficient as a emergency set of manicals or bindings. To top it all he donned a polished gunbelt with a silver pearl-handed pistol. It was fashionable and nice accessory, but more than that it was a way to bring a weapon into the building and he never went unarmed, especially when he didn't know where. The bottle was already half gone when he stepped out off the closet, donned in his regelia. He grabbed the pot of caf and poured it's content into the bottle, making a half and half mix.

"Alright, Miss, let's get a move on."

[member="Celiana"]

 

[Celiana]

James' exclamations about it not being polite to barge into someones quarters didn't convince me in the slightest. He wouldn't be taking so long to put on clothes if that were the case. A notification on my forearm datapad let me know that my ship had touched down and The Morrigan had docked atop it. As James came out finally clothed I grabbed my armor and the rag I'd been using to polish it with and walked with him to my ship. Before I made it aboard one of James' retainers came up with a case handing it to me he said, "There was a young and very attractive Mirialan that made it a point to make sure these got to you miss."

Smirking I said, "I'm sure there was. Here this is for the rushed delivery." Flipping a high value credit chip his way I continued aboard my ship. After James made his way aboard I shut the boarding ramp and said, "Ares set a course for the core world planet designation Triple Zero and plot a hyperspace jump to that system." The image of a young woman appeared in holographic form clad in a loose toga in the style of The Echani Goddesses. A sensual voice complied and said, "Yes Mistress. Setting course for Triple Zero, shall I engage the jump?" Looking at her I said, "Yes please do."

Glancing back over at James I said, "The common room and the library are yours to explore James. No smoking in my ship though, I'm serious about that rule. I'm going to go and get a shower and put something nicer on but until I'm out feel free to wander we should be making the jump soon." Leaving James with that I went into my cabin and pulled the door shut. Slipping out of my boots and socks I stripped down and padded barefoot into the refresher and started the hot water up in my shower.

I hadn't worn the navy blue yet that'd be what I wore tonight the lacy navy blue dress, heels and the Evenstar necklace I'd had made for me. Stepping into the shower I let the hot water wash cascade over me and I watched as the various things stuck to my skin started to wash away down the drain. Dirt, grime, smoke, and blood. God there was so much....Squirting some Coconut body wash into my hands I began lathering up and let the hot water rinse away the suds. Making sure I had rinsed off completely I turned off the water and grabbed a towel before padding barefoot back into my cabin to get dressed. If James were to come in then I suppose I couldn't blame him as I'd been polishing my armor while he was showering. I figured if he cared to look I'd let him Aria had my heart and I wasn't threatened by a little male attention...

[member="James Justice"]