We May Experience Some Slight Turbulence....

[Julius Sedaire]

Location: Mandalorian Space, near a refitting dock owned by Mandal Hypernautics​

​

Julius was in trouble, that was to be sure and well beyond debate or argument. His beloved Turhaya was in a bad way. The rugged and faithful YT-2400 had run afoul a rather heavily armed and angry One Sith patrol in the Corellian space, smuggling arms to the resistance cells there. Nothing special, mind you. Old Czerka and Hekler Kok and Browncoat arms and Tenloss products. Whatever Julius could scrape up with the minimal credits and resources he had at his disposal, given smuggling was as boom-and-bust a business as always. There was no thought on his retreat, he had flipped the switch on the hyper-drive and just... Gone...

Trusting his gut and his instinct he had made the first few jumps all on pure thought, cycling through space at utter random. He was running for his life, hoping they didn't find him, or track him down. The Turhaya didn't exactly have a bounty on her, nor did Julius... But he was known to be a Corellian, known to be a Jedi and a frequent ally to the Galactic Alliance. His official connection to them was just as a representative of the Green Jedi, but he had developed many friends in the Alliance, and so he was seen most often on their front lines. Just how the chits fell, really.

Finally, he had stopped with the random near blind jumps, and when he did a string of flurid curses and damn near hit the console with a closed fist. Until he realized what had happened the last time he did that. The docking and fitting hub above him was one he knew well, loosely a space owned by Mandal Hypernautics and the indomitable [member="Captain Larraq"] by extension. Who, if he remembered Julius, probably wouldn't care much at all to see him again, considering he had almost stole a shipment of beskar from his company once. To be fair, his associate Aran had told him it was stolen from another in the first place..

Regardless, Julius sent ahead a ping, and got authorization to dock, which he did with some difficulty. The ship was nearly unable to be flown with the fire and damage it had sustained. In fact, though he hadn't checked, he was pretty sure in at least one exhaust vent or two, it may actually be actively on fire.. Or at the least, had been when he began to flee. It steered like a drunken bantha like a bum leg, and the dockhand actually cursed him out so much when he docked, he apologized to the man, and paid him a handsome tip in both his scarce credits, and a good bottle of Corellian ale for him and every man of the emergency team.

That's it... I need to hire an on-board mechanic, and maybe a pilot, at the very least. This is getting disgraceful...

Plus, if he actually destroyed the ship, he was pretty sure [member="Coren Starchaser"] would kill him dead for it. Or at the very least glare at him in that way all Starchasers' had, that made him feel utterly insignificant and idiotic. Probably the only Corellian in the Galaxy who couldn't bloody fly a ship worth a shab. But he stopped a random passerby, and got directions for the stations cantina, where she said a couple of likely sorts were hanging out. Though, again, she gave him a look that said Why do you need one?

And scoffed, actually scoffed as he thanked her and sought out the cantina, entering it as casually as he could, his pistol proudly displayed just outside his long leather browncoat, but his lightsaber hidden within its folds. No need to go advertising that bit of himself really. Especially not with that particular piece, as most would likely identify it and know immediately what it was, and where it came from. Might give folks the wrong impression and idea of him if he strutted about in robes and a cloak, waving his hand at folks. So he stepped inside and smiled wide, asking for the one he was told to seek out, tucking his thumbs into his suspenders and tugging them, waiting to find them.

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

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[Mariya Pyne]

The woman rubbed her eyes, the soles of her boots resting against the chair opposite of her, pushing back on the hind legs of her own seat thus lifting it and reclining it some ways back. She'd been out of the game one could say, for some time now. Having retired as an official member of the military, and finding her own honest work here and there, hitching rides on shuttles, starships, and transports in exchange for money, food, or shelter; Occasionally all three. This stop was something of a vacation for her, I guess you could say. It wasn't a pretty beachfront abode, or a flamboyant ballroom, but it would do for now.

Mmmm. Sweet, tasteful bliss ran through her mind as she lifted her hand, holding within a small, rosy red strawberry. Her eyes fixated on the small piece of fruit for what could have been eternity, until plunging it ever so slowly into her mouth. Metaphorical fireworks lit up her taste buds as the ever sweet juice ran from the heart of the berry. It was akin to heaven, albeit a small slice of it, but in that moment, heaven was hers, at her fingertips, and she savored every passing second as if it were her last. That is, until she opened her eyes, noticing a small chunk of the cantina observing her like an audience at a freak show. Had she really been that into the moment? Her eyebrows furrowed and she gestured with her hand in a way that would clearly say shoo! shoo!

A few moments would pass, and the girl eased herself out of her euphoria. As she did so, a strange looking man with a long, flowing coat made his way into the building with a look on his face that she was familiar with. The man was looking either for someone, or something. Typically this meant one of two things, he was a bounty hunter looking for his catch or kill, or he was looking to hire workers. Eyes remained fixated on him as his danced about the place. Keeping her legs still firmly planted on the chair in front of her she watched and waited to see what exactly he was after. She could do with some work, credits were starting to run thin, but she wasn't going to involve herself in bounty hunter's work.

[member="Julius Sedaire"]

 

[Julius Sedaire]

Bounty hunter? Hardly applied to Julius Sedaire. He supposed that once, a very long time ago, that might have been him in truth. Particularly when those who might have known him from this station would know him as. But he was missing the battered beskar breastplate Aran had given him, the old Legacy Era, patterned like Cade Skywalker or Hondo Karr's armor. Some other things were missing, his hair wasn't a shoulder-long tangle either, not anymore. It was far from neat and orderly, but it was definitely a sight better tamed that what it once was. Indeed, light eyes cast about, searching but not finding. Blast that he wasn't better at this... Blast it...

Suddenly, where even his Force sense were failing, his sense the aided him in battle seem to... Well it was hard to describe, but it was a twinge or a tingle, almost a ringing in between his ears in his mind. A silent alarm, if you would. It told him that someone, or something, was quite focused on him, for the moment being at the very least. And whilst he was at the time looking to the completely opposite direction as Kayleigh, his head jerked to look at her with an uncanny quickness and directness that was obviously not 'natural' in it's reflex. That was unfortunate, not so many would identify that his look as anything other than the reaction of a Force User... Oh well..

Smiling, he walked over, winking a bit to a waitress and making the universal sign of holding up a single index finger to indicate 'I will take one"... Then he looked at Kayleigh, nodded, and a second finger went up whilst another point at her, indicating one more of whatever she was having for her as well. A nod to her, almost casual, as he gestured at the other chair that her feet occupied. There was a slight twinkle and brief flicker and tug of the lips, almost a smirk. This woman was putting off a vibe he quite got along with, the relaxed, no nonsense type. If she was open to working with him (for him sounded so... off given her gender) it might just finally give him a good counter-point.

"So, would you mind if I join you? I heard tell you might be looking for steady employment, and I could use someone who can fly better than I can.. Julius Sedaire, probably the only Corellian in the 'Verse who can't fly worth two chits."

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Kayleigh wasn't all that familiar with Jedi-ish people. Fancy space magicians that waived around plasma sticks of various colors based on their own favorite color. No, she wasn't on the up and up you could say, when it came to the traits of the Jedi, or the Sith. Honestly, she rarely could tell the difference between the two, other than most Sith preferred the color red for some reason. For all she knew though, the Sith could just claim to be a Jedi, and change their glowstick to something else, and she'd be none the wiser. That kind of stuff had always gone way over her head. She was a simple soldier, mechanic, and pilot. Other than that, she was a bubblehead.

The man she had eyed then strolled over with what could only be assumed as with purpose, introducing himself as Julius and asking to take the seat her feet had so comfortably reserved. Still, she was not one to be rude, or to refuse polite company. Lightly she shifted her legs and dropped her feet to the floor, sitting up properly and gesturing with her hand for him to sit. As he spoke she took into consideration his dress, mannerisms, and even his blaster that rested against his side. Her own pistol was tucked well into the small of her back, though her rifle rested against the chair beside her, energy cell removed and safety still on.

"I'm Kayleigh." She said, keeping it short, though offering her hand to shake his from across the way. It had been a few years since she had left the service of the Republic, but she didn't need to broadcast her name, rank, and serial to the entirety of the cantina, and a strange man that just took up the seat in front of her. Not without potentially putting a price on her head anyway. Dropping the stem of the strawberry into the container she closed the box, shifting it to the side of the table and out of the way. "What's the ship, and what's your cargo?" The contents of the cargo didn't interest her as much as the legality of the cargo. She wasn't exactly a smuggler, at least, not one without morals. She wouldn't steal from her birthplace of the Republic, or to those allied with her, but if it meant inflicting damage on the Sith or their imperialist allies, her ethical morality could be dropped a few steps with little convincing required.

[member="Julius Sedaire"]

 

[Julius Sedaire]

Well, whilst he wasn't a bounty hunter, he was also not quite your typical Jedi... For one thing, most Jedi didn't crash speeders into a fellow Jedi's house, raid their fridge, argue with their wrecked speeder about waste management, and do all of this whilst not wearing pants. Nor did they do a great many number of things that Julius had to his credit really. He used the Force, sure, he did that quite often. But most Orders wouldn't call him a Jedi. Or at least, they wouldn't call him a good Jedi really. There was his drinking, for one thing. And he did occasionally gamble a bit here and there. And the womanizing on several planets... And the smuggling... And.. Well, one shouldn't linger too much on those pesky details, or so his father had used to say.

At the moment though, he took the seat, and the ale the waitress brought, taking the brown glass bottle and kicking it back a bit, rocking his chair as he pulled the bottle from thirsty lips and raised it to Kayleigh. The gesture was hardly mocking, but was most assuredly one of respect, a way of saying 'Lets do this your way then'. Smiling still, he gestured about widely to the cantina, taking in the noxious smoke, the reek of unwashed bodies, the heavy hit of alcohol in the air and even more besides. It was as if he were welcoming her to his home.

"No cargo in specific.... I'm a sort of free-lance artist for the Alliance, m'am. Fact is, I work closely with the Corellian Jedi Enclave.. I guess i'd be it's leader, sort of... Not much of ones for titles. We aren't your typical space wizards, either. For one, those robes are itchy for everyday wear... More concerned with the welfare of the people than the rules, so to speak. Though we hold no truck with Sith and the like. I also run a little academy, sort of, on the 'Rim. Teach younglings and the like how to properly swing their lightsabers, so that the bit that is more important than the rules can actually get taken care of better by us what are supposed to be guardians.

So in short, the cargo is anything from guns to food stuff, whatever my people need. The ship... Well, she is in a bit of a state, but it's a slightly modified YT-2400, call her the Turhaya. Good ship. A Starchaser commissioned her for me, but I haven't had much beyond basic modifications done, and I can't really fly her to her full ability, to be honest. I'd like to do more with her, and have someone on board who at the least can fly her right... Be nice if they can handle the basics of repair, and help me find little ways to tweak her to be better.

I'm looking for someone who can gun-run, who isn't afraid of the Sith, and to stand up for the little guys in the Galaxy. You up for that?"


[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Kayleigh eyed Julius with a bit of curiosity. "Your ship; It's in a bit of a state?" She knew what that typically meant. It meant the ship could barely hold it together entering and exiting planetary atmospheres. The hyperdrive was probably prayed to each time it was activated, and the power generator likely needed a good, swift kick to get started. Her expectations of the state of this vessel immediately dropped. True, she was a very skilled mechanic, having been working on starships throughout her childhood and adult life, and was an equally qualified pilot. That, however, was the extent of things. She wasn't a miracle worker. If this ship required something akin to a replacement, she wasn't going to risk her life for a space wizard, even if he was a leader of the space wizard academy.

"Mr. Sedaire. I'll be straight with you, I'm interested. The Sith are what I've been trained to dance the tango with since my time in the Republic Navy as an -" She held her tongue, still hesitant to reveal that little aspect of her life yet, instead choosing a slightly different term. "officer, aboard some of their finest starships. I can handle myself with blasters and explosives, and I am a very capable pilot. What I am not, though, is a magician. I can try and keep your starship in order mechanically, but I can't will things back together, or waive my hand and command it like your lot and that Force stuff."

[member="Julius Sedaire"]

 

[Julius Sedaire]

"Miss, if you ever see me waving my hand at something like you seem to think all Force Users do, i'm likely drunk. Very, very drunk. I'm not really that kind of Jedi. But then again, you worked for the Republic. You probably only knew that kind. I fight. A lot. I find the long-shot tussle for the under-dog and I give it my all, because I kind of like the little guy really. Might mean sometimes I get in over my head, but it's not often I find something I can't deal with in some way. Or outrun. Whatever the case may be"

Drumming his fingers along the table edge, he smiled as he thought. This woman would be quite useful, really. A good shot, some skills with explosives, able to pilot. And she did basic repairs without HoloNet videos to guide her through them? It would be something, alright. Something the Turhaya could desperately use really. But her comments about the shape of the ship did need to be addressed. It wouldn't be a fun part of the conversation, in any way you looked at it.

"As for the state of my ship... Yes... She's in a bad way now. But that ain't your job to fix, now is it? Just the day-to-day stuff is all I expect... She's in dock, getting a good look over and repair. Might even give her a few upgrades while she's there. Coren built me a beaut, but I think it might be time to get her a little more specialized to the task at hand. Especially if we've got a pilot on board capable of pulling the potential from her.

Now... Do you have any terms? 'Cause mine are pretty loose. No Sith, not terribly fond of anyone Dark Sided. I'd prefer guests on-board to be vetted by me. I can't abide those who are complete tea-totalers and expect me to be. I'm Corellian, we drink. Fact of life. If my bunk is shuttered. don't be knockin. I'll do the same for you. Salary is negotiable, state your figure, we'll go from there. Room, board and the like are separate from that, and covered by myself. Won't always be gourmet or five star on either account, but it'll be there.

Should you die, you'll be buried in whatever way you want. If that's not stated, i'll do it the Corellian way. Full funeral pyre cremation and ashes turned into a soul diamond. And the bastard who killed you will wish he had killed someone else. Any addendums or questions? Oh.. And no Mandalorians. Period. Can't abide those mir'osik for the most part... "

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

She ran her hand up the center of her head and through her hair, tossing it a bit. That was quite the proposal.

"Very well. I can pilot your ship. I can fix it when it needs it as well; I know the guts of most starships that are mass produced."

The terms were interesting, it sounded as if he was rather promiscuous. She wasn't sure that sort of thing was allowed within the ranks of the Jedi. At least that was what she'd heard, but she knew nothing of their type, so it was none of her business, really. "My terms? First: If you want me to pilot this ship, then you tell me where we're going, and that's it. If I tell you to push a button, or pull a lever, then you do it. Don't ask why, just do it. Second: Always knock on the door to my room before coming in, and don't be a snoop with my stuff. Third: Don't get me killed. Fourth: Don't you dare ever use your Force on me." She held up a finger. "Unless I am going to die. Then, and only then, do you have my permission to use that voodoo."

She was curious as to why he had such disdain for the Mandalorians. She had a friend in one of them, but knew relatively little about their ways, clans, and homeworld. Again, it wasn't her business so she didn't press the issue. "Salary is simple: 15% of whatever the jobs pay is my cut. If we're broke, we're all broke together. Fair?"

[member="Julius Sedaire"]

 

[Julius Sedaire]

He took a moment to consider, rubbing his chin in fingers calloused from years of labor and war. This one would be a bit of a chafe to be around at times, to be sure. But she didn't seem the type to ask questions or pry, and seemed to want the same from him. He could oblige on both accounts. So in the end, he nodded, and struck out his hand for her to shake, a smile lighting up his features.

"I believe, Miss Tyven, we have come to an agreement. I hope I can say this is the start of a good time."

Straightening a bit, he grinned, a bit of swagger back in his eyes as he nodded to her. Yes, it would be a good time, and the Turhaya would have someone worthy of her behind the helm. Maybe he could eek out a bit of extra money and get her some extra goodies, tweak her a bit more for the open sky and job at hand really. Make the ship worthier of the pilot by turns.

"And I promise. No tricks. I respect people. Even if I were possessed of those abilities, I wouldn't use them like that. Particularly on someone who keeps me in the sky. Now... Shall we go see the poor girl? Maybe get your advice on what to do to make her a bit more worthy?"

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Kayleigh sat up, leaned forward and slapped her hand together with Julius, curling her fingers into his and shaking it firmly. "A deal it is then. Good times and bad, Captain."

Releasing her hold she reached down beside the booth, lifting her rifle from the floor as she stood up from the chair to sling it behind her back. From her pocket she revealed a few credits and dropped them on to the table, gesturing with her hand for Julius to lead the way. "After you, then." She was a bit eager to see what kind of a mess she was getting herself into, as well as the state of the ship, however disappointing it may look. Kayleigh was already under the impression the first few jobs were going to be awfully low profiting, with most of the funds funneling back into the ship for what was likely much needed repairs.

As the pair exited the establishment she squinted her eyes, the brightness being a bit unexpected. She raised a rand, covering a portion of her face like a shade as they wandered down the street toward the space port. "How long have you had her? And I suppose the more important part is, how combat ready is she, in case of trouble?"

[member="Julius Sedaire"]

 

[Julius Sedaire]

"Had her for going on a year or so now, I guess... Time is a bit funny out on the Edge. Spent a good bit of it there. She's got enough for a light fight, but she's no gunboat. More focused on the creature comforts when I had Coren tweak her for me. Given that I didn't really know how to pilot, or have a crew, suping it up with weapons seemed to be apt to lead to problems."

Chuckling, he shook his head ruefully as they stepped into the dock and he gestured about. The craft docked was a brilliant blue with some red, and oddly enough a few bumperstickers here and there, which made him smile when he saw the face of his friend [member="Jack Sparrow"] smiling from one. That old rogue was going places, for sure. One of them might one day wind up being the wrong end of a noose or mob, but he was for a certain going places. To the ship now he pointed, and winced.

"Like I said, she is in a state. However, I have a bit of personal money tucked away from raiding, and hadn't been spending it yet really. Should be more than enough to - oi, what are you doing with that! PUT THAT DOWN! I PAID YOU UP FRONT THIS TIME, NO SOUVENIRS!!!"

The suddenly agitated and highly startled Sullustan dropped a massive and rather evil looking greatsword to the deck and with a flick of his wrist the thing soared into Julius hand, though if Kayleigh studied his face, it wasn't as easy as he tried to make it appear. He had just learned movements and motions to make it look like he didn't struggle with certain of the typical Jedi abilities. With the greatsword held in his elbow like something he'd really rather not be touching at all by the look on his face, he charged over to the mechanic.

"Now you see here... You go rummaging about my ship again, I'll tie you up in the sparring room to the ceiling by your toes and use you for a pinata. She's mine, y'hear? And everything in her is too. Now much as I appreciate the help your boss is lending, I don't think he'd like it if he knew you were trying to steal from a Jedi... So move along before I roast your rump and find a wookie to feed it to"

He aimed a half-hearted kick at the scampering form, and shook his head, still seeming to want to throw the black sword somewhere very far from him.

"Sorry about that... I have a bit of a collection of... Things... On board... Some of them certain people might like back, or like to get a hold of I suppose. I go through that with that little bugger every time. He knows I'll leave him a bottle of whiskey extra, but every time he tries. Like a game or something. Suppose he knows I wouldn't ever actually harm him.... So... What do you think?"

As he stopped speaking, one of the mechanics screeched as an engine panel sprayed sparks and caught fire, and Julius frowned, muttering.

"I don't remember getting shot there... Think I woulda remembered getting shot in the engine..."

[member="Kayleigh Tyven"]

 

[Mariya Pyne]

Not prepared for direct conflict. Right. "So no direct engagements then. Got it." Kayleigh's eyes glanced over the hull of the ship as Julius continued speaking. Stickers? Really? The former commander suddenly got a feeling that Julius knew even less about flying than she had expected. The starship looked more like someone's bedroom that they plastered posters all over than it did a transport.

Still, she kept quiet about it for now. There was a time to dig at the aesthetics, now was not it.

Then the circus show started. Kayleigh stood by watching as the Jedi floundered about, yelling and threatening. Her hand raised to cover the wide, terrible smile on her face. If this was a preview for what life was about to be like, she should have asked for a bit more during the negotiation, like a guaranteed paid vacation, or a few bottles of painkillers for her head.

When that was seemingly finished, the second half of the party began with fireworks display and everything pouring from the engine bay. Kayleigh's lips formed a duckface expression, watching the mechanic attempting to fix the situation and only accomplishing a worse situation than he'd started with.

"I think..." She exhaled through her nose, an expression of concern resting on her face. "We have a lot of work to do."

[member="Julius Sedaire"]