Private What Was Lost (Lira Virel)

[Aeshi Tillian]

Lira Virel

ENARC
MIDRIM

Aeshi was not a bounty hunter. Nor a troubleshooter. Nor any of those things, but that still left Aeshi picking her way through a spaceport looking for a runaway kid. An old family friend had asked for a favor and Aeshi had agreed. Still, they hadn't mentioned that the kid was a legal adult with the designs for a prototype cruiser with a newly formulated engine design that pitted at least three scummy shipbuilding firms on the trail, and Force knew who else. At least one of the goons who had ambushed her had claimed to be a GA Sector Ranger. That seemed like bantha poodoo to her- professional lawmen should be faster on the draw.

She pressed herself against a wall in the spaceport corridor, frowning. Where would she go if she was a just-turned-adult with a chip on her shoulder, which was an ironically apt descriptor of her at that age? New adult Aeshi would have gone to the bars. That would be the case.

Aeshi took a deep breath and pressed herself away from the wall and turned down the corridor, shouldering her way through the crowds, but then stopped. The girl had come all the way here from Sluis Van. Why? Enarc was more or less in the middle of nowhere, with no real reason for a burgeoning ship design genius.

So maybe not the bars. But perhaps a meeting with someone? That would explain the kid's persistence in heading this way. They were near Naboo though- rumor had it there had been some fairly big shakeups and revamps in the government and administration there. Maybe she was hoping to make a big splash and get in good there? Give her some coverage and leverage to prevent her family from dragging her back.

Which was what Aeshi was supposed to do. But frankly at this point, she admired the kid's spunk. Find her. Make sure she was safe. Let the family know. And let them deal with the rest of that.

But first, where would the shipwrights be? Aeshi paused next to a terminal and pulled up the public map of the area. An ad appeared immediately: Midrim Shipwright's Conference. Well, that made it easy, except for getting into the conference. But then, she was a Tillian with two ship designs to her name. She hadn't gotten an invite and no way on Hoth was she paying for admittance, but she could perhaps wrangle a guess pass or something.

Aeshi spun on her heel and returned to her ship, emerging somewhat later in spiffier clothes, and she took a taxi to the conference center, eyes peeled for the missing kid.

 

[Lira Virel]

Lira sat at a small outdoor cafe in the bustling spaceport, enjoying her cup of caf while observing the constant flow of beings passing by. Dressed in her distinctive Nubian attire, she stood out amidst the diverse crowd, lost in her own thoughts and the ambiance of the spaceport. As she sipped her caf, Lira's attention was momentarily drawn to a figure emerging from the crowd nearby. The woman seemed focused and determined, navigating through the bustling spaceport with a clear purpose in mind. Lira couldn't help but be intrigued by the woman's demeanor, her unyielding determination shining through.

Curiosity sparked within Lira as she observed the woman's every move. She wondered what brought her to this spaceport, what task she was so fervently pursuing. There was an air of urgency about her, as if she carried a weighty mission upon her shoulders. Lost in her musings, Lira contemplated whether she should approach the woman or simply continue observing from a distance. After all, their paths were mere strangers crossing in this vast spaceport. Yet, there was an unspoken connection, a shared understanding of the trials and tribulations faced by individuals on their respective journeys.

With a sigh, Lira made her decision. She finished her caf and stood up from the table, her gaze fixed on the woman as she made her way through the crowd. Lira's steps were deliberate but cautious, closing the distance between them. Finding herself near the conference center, Lira watched as the woman entered the building, her eyes scanning the surroundings. The woman appeared to be searching for something or someone amidst the bustling atmosphere of the conference. Intrigued by the woman's purpose, Lira lingered nearby, her curiosity getting the better of her. She observed the woman's determined demeanor, sensing a story unfolding before her eyes.

As Lira continued to observe from a distance, she noticed the woman's gaze briefly scanning the area. Their eyes met for a fleeting moment, a spark of recognition igniting within Lira. She felt a connection, as if their paths were destined to intersect. Though unsure of how to proceed, Lira debated whether to approach the woman or simply let fate guide their encounter. She believed in the power of synchronicity, of unexpected connections that could shape one's journey. Ultimately, Lira chose to remain in the periphery, allowing the woman to navigate the conference center without interference. She understood the importance of individual quests and respected the boundaries of personal pursuits.

With a gentle smile, Lira bid the woman farewell in her thoughts, a silent acknowledgment of their shared determination in the vastness of the spaceport. Sometimes, the most meaningful connections are formed through unspoken understanding, where two strangers silently support each other's endeavors from afar.

As Lira resumed her own path, she carried the memory of that encounter, a reminder of the countless stories intertwining within the tapestry of the universe. And who knew? Perhaps their paths would cross again in a different time and place, where destinies aligned and shared journeys converged. Lira's thoughts were momentarily interrupted by a realization that struck her like a fleeting memory. The Mid-Rim Territory Shipwright Conference! How could she have forgotten? Her own destination coincided with the purpose that seemed to drive the woman she had observed.

With a mix of amusement and mild frustration at her forgetfulness, Lira glanced at the conference center where the woman had disappeared. It suddenly dawned on her that she had witnessed her heading toward the very event Lira had been planning to attend. The connection between their paths became clearer, their shared destination drawing them closer together. Curiosity rekindled, Lira felt a surge of anticipation as she decided to make her way to the Shipwright Conference. It was a perfect opportunity to immerse herself in the world of innovative ship designs and technological advancements—a realm that always fascinated her. As she neared the conference center, Lira couldn't help but notice the woman once again. This time, she appeared in spiffier clothes, a subtle transformation that caught Lira's attention. The woman's determination seemed even more pronounced, her presence emanating an air of purpose.

Lira hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to approach the woman now that their paths had intersected once more. She understood the value of connections in the vast tapestry of the galaxy, and the conference could serve as a platform for shared experiences and collaborations.

However, Lira decided to respect the woman's journey, just as she respected her own pursuit of knowledge and networking within the shipwright community. Sometimes, it was the silent encouragement from a distance that allowed individuals to thrive and find their place amidst the cosmos. With a wistful smile, Lira continued her stride towards the Shipwright Conference, her mind filled with anticipation for the insights and inspiration that awaited her within its halls. She knew that within the vast array of ship designs and discussions, there was a possibility—however small—that her path might cross with the determined woman once again.

In the ever-shifting dance of fate and coincidence, Lira embraced the mysteries that lay ahead, acknowledging that their connection, though ephemeral, had left an indelible mark on her journey through the Mid-Rim Territories' Shipwright Conference.

Aeshi Tillian ​

 

[Aeshi Tillian]

Lira Virel

Crowds, crowds everywhere. Aeshi hated it. Her sensations of gravity, which were usually keen enough to feel the variations in fields through the Force, were completely overwhelmed by strong, consistent gravity. Plus the humidity of the air and the constant jostling from people who expected her to get out of the way just because she wasn't them. Damned planet dwellers and their ego.

But one of them caught her attention and met her gaze. The feeling of being watched trickled along the the back of her neck as she deucked in and out of the crowd. Hopefully, that woman who had been watching her had just been curious. Or perhaps a spy- either for the rival family companies or perhaps even for something more nefarious. She wasn't exactly famous. But there were enough people over the years that could probably put her face to certain incidents of anti-government activity. The Underground was as discreet as possible, but time was the enemy of any Underground volunteer. When their lives depended on surprise, anonymity, and unpredictability, being identified as a pattern was a risk.

She pushed that thought to one side of her mind as she exited the ship and made her way to the conference center, glancing at the small image on the datapad to refresh the image of the kid in her mind.

A sense of alarm caught her attention and she stepped into the shadows of a corner, glancing behind her. The woman who had been watching her was back, just a glimpse out of the corner of Aeshi's eyes and she pressed back against the wall.

Coincidence? Were there such things? Or had the Force brought them together? Or something more malevolent and intentional? Perhaps even all of the above. But what to do about it? Aeshi didn't consider herself paranoid, but that didn't mean she wasn't. How did the saying go? You weren't paranoid if they were really after you?

No ambushes or shooting in the back here, though. Her weapons had been left on the ship, which she somewhat regretted. But first to make sure there were no more tails. She peeled off her coat and undid her braid, tying the sleeves back around her head like a turban, at least to change what anyone might have been looking for in her profile and then she stepped into a gaggle of designers arguing the merits of fuel converter types, hoping to drift back past the woman she had seen earlier until the gaggle ended up dipping into the refreshers. Aeshi waited a moment, then removed her jacket and flipped it inside out before working her way back again, scanning the crowd for the woman she had seen earlier.