Private Wits and Wisdom

[Xian Xiao]

The older teen was settling in on Bastion pretty well when her master asked her to visit him. He handed her a stack of papers to read and outlined a mission for her to do. He would not be joining her and wanted to test her abilities and find out what she could do independently. She was permitted to contact other people as long as she didn't involve anybody else from the Diarchy.

Knowing the rules, she sent out a message to what she hoped was a group that could work with her. Credits weren't an issue as Rellik had given her a more than ample allowance. Maybe for a day, just today.

The red-haired firecracker sat at a table and watched the door. She also kept her fingers crossed that somebody would respond to her message. Money was usually a driving factor, and would call on people from different walks of life. Having been one of the lowest, she prayed somebody stronger than she was would come.

Drinking her hot chocolate, Xian cherished the treat and enjoyed it as often as she could. Setting the mug down as the door opened, a figure walked in and headed her way.

Ann Lyn Vex Diarch Rellik

 

[Ann Lyn Vex]

Ann pushed the door open, entering the rather busy Cantina. The smell of the place hit her before the noise. As she moved further into the space, her eyes scanned the room, until she found the person she was here for.

She was younger than Ann had expected.

Not that it was a bad thing. It wasn't bad at all. Most the people she'd worked with had been older than her. More experienced. But this girl... She looked to be the same age as her. Possibly younger. It was nice for a change.

Ann approched the corner the girl sat in, weaving her way through the people.

She didn't know too much about this job. She hadn't really been briefed like the other girl had. Rather, all she knew and cared about was that the target was a supposed slaver, and that the pay for the job would be decent. The money was a large motivator.

"Xian?" Ann asked once she got through the throng, just to ensure she definitely had the right person and wasn't about to approach a random.

"I believe you had a job for someone?" Ann slid into the seat across from her, hand just resting on the hilt of one of her blaster. It was something of a habit that had developed. If anything unexpected were to happen, she'd be ready.

 

[Xian Xiao]

As much as this mission was a test to see what Xian could accomplish with a trainer around, she got the feeling it might be the same for the young woman who sat down across from her. Not that this was a bad thing, and she looked forward to the adventure in front of them. Perhaps, this was a test for Ann as well.

Xian thought she had good genes and looked a lot younger than she was. Sometimes this went in her favor, and usually not. While she was still a teenager, she felt she knew a lot more about the Galaxy and how things worked than some adults. Seeing another young person across from her felt rather liberating and quite exciting.

"Yes, Ms. I am Xian Xiao and have a potential mission to work on together."

She called the other by something neutral, as no name had been provided.

"Here is the information I have if you want to take a look at it before you decide. Would you care for a drink?"

There was a familiar movement and gait from Ann, and the teen could tell she was confident in using the blaster at her side. It was as natural as breathing for her.

Ann Lyn Vex

 

[Ann Lyn Vex]

"I'm alright thanks." Ann politely declined her offer. She generally didn't drink whilst on duty, and when she did, she never had much.

"And it's Vex. Don't bother with Ms." She told the other girl. It was odd to be called it, considering there was only a few years between them.

Ann picked up the small file of information, skimming it's contents. Mygeeto. If memory served correctly, she was fairly certain that wasn't too far from here. They could get this job done quickly, be over with it in no time. But of course, she had to ask the important questions first.

"How much will this pay?" Ann asked the other girl after reading the file. She'd already decided by this point that she'd accept the offer. It would be nice to work with someone her age for once. But she didn't want to come across too eager. That would raise questions. She closed the file, setting it aside.

 

[Xian Xiao]

Xian did not take offence at the other woman when she refused to have a drink. It didn't even have to be alcohol. The teen had hot chocolate in her mug and took a sip before replacing it on the table. Nodding when Ann told her to call her Vex, she found it interesting that it was a nickname for her too.

Ms. was something neutral, and she didn't think Vex would be offended by it. Keeping this in mind, she allowed Vex to look through the information she had given her. The fact that she didn't say no and instead asked about payment was finally the time for Xian to smile.

"Payment starts at 10,000 credits. The Diarchy will provide anything we might need at no cost to me and by working with me, at no cost to you either."

Finishing off her drink, she leaned forward to take back the file. Even if they were on a planet loyal to the Diarchy, she didn't think letting this intelligence fall into the wrong hands would be a good start to her first solo mission.

Ann Lyn Vex

 

[Ann Lyn Vex]

Ann nodded. 10,000 credits. That was a more than decent pay. She was happy with that. Quite often she tried to negotiate the price up. But 10,000 was good.

"I see." Ann said, crossing her arms as she learnt back in the seat. A much more relaxed position. She'd recognised the girl didn't pose a threat.

"And if I were to agree? What would my duties entail?"

She figured it would just be to kill this Murkus dude. Still, best to make sure there wasn't a catch of any sorts.

She watched the other girl take back the file, eyes quickly scanning the room for a moment before she returned her attention to the matters at hand.

Xian Xiao​

 

[Xian Xiao]

Giving Ann a simple nod, she looked through the instructions on the datapad.

"The job is to rescue a slave boy from his owner and make that man disappear. Whatever it takes between the two of us are your duties. You bring the weapons and I'll bring the Force?"

Xian gave the other woman half a smile and a slight shrug.

"Is that something you can deal with? You get my shining company and the ability to blast a slaver."

Ann Lyn Vex

 

[Ann Lyn Vex]

The corner of Ann's mouth twitched up in a smile. She couldn't help it. She liked this girl. She was amusing.

"I can work with that." She replied.

Ann hadn't realised the girl was force sensitive. She didn't have any quarrels against it. She just tended to be a bit more mistrusting to those with the force. And rightfully so. But something about this girl made her willing to give her a certain level of trust.

"I'm not so sure about your company being shining yet, but I'm more than happy to blast another slaver out of existence."

Her tone had become lighter. Friendly interactions were somewhat unknown to her. It was nice for a change.

Xian Xiao ​

 

[Xian Xiao]

"Yes!"

The teen couldn't help but exclaim that when Ann said she could work with those duties. The two of them would do well, and Xian felt this was the start of a great assignment and mission.

"You'll see! Do you need any weapons? The supplies here are exquisite—way more things than I could ever imagine existed. Let me finish this hot chocolate, and we can get going. Do you have a ship, or do I need to borrow one?"

Assuming Ann was a bounty hunter, the girl thought she would have a ship, but wanted to know just in case.

"I'm glad we can blast the guy, too. We need to bring the child in alive, though. Have you ever freed slaves before? Sometimes it is the only life they know and don't accept freedom."

Tossing the last of her drink back, she set the mug on the table and stood up.

Ann Lyn Vex

 

[Ann Lyn Vex]

One of Ann's hands rested casually on the hilt of her blaster again as Xian asked about weaponry.

"I'm all set in terms of weapons." She preferred using her own blasters. As janky as they may be, she could still shoot true with them. They felt almost natural in her hands, whereas any other blaster felt foreign. Their familiar weight was often a comfort to her. It didn't matter to her how exquisite the supplies were. So long as she could get the job done.

"Although I don't have the fortune to possess a ship." Ann had yet to acquire one of her own. Despite her work as a bounty hunter, such things were a waste of money for her. She had better things to put it towards. "We're going to have to borrow one of those."

By the sounds of things, that shouldn't be a problem for this girl to arrange.

Ann's eyes darkened ever so slightly at that last statement. She'd fully intended to get that child out alive.

"I've handled slaves before." She replied, not letting her tone give away how she felt. "I can guarantee you, more often than not, young slaves don't understand that there's better things out there for them. But once they know freedom, they'll never once turn away from it."

Ann knew that much all too well. If someone ever tried to place her back in the slaving systems, she'd be kicking and screaming the whole way. Even if it meant they'd plant a shot in her head. It was the absolute last place she wanted to be. No-one should be forced to go through all that.

She rose as Xian did, coming to her feet a few moments after.

Xian Xiao​

 

[Xian Xiao]

Giving a nod at her answers, getting a ship shouldn't be a problem.

"Do you know how to pilot one? If not, I'm sure we can borrow an astromech droid too. Are you saving up for a ship? I think that would be one of the first things I would buy."

Taking the lead and heading to the door, she walked slowly enough that Ann would be able to keep up, and she had a bit of a skip to her step. Xian might be considered an adult, but she was still a young one and had some habits left over from her childhood.

"I'm glad you've had experience freeing slaves before. Not that it's good, there were slaves...I'll just shut up."

Guiding Ann to the spaceport, she knew what they needed to do.

"Do you think I should get any weapons?"

Ann Lyn Vex

 

[Ann Lyn Vex]

Ann gave a slight humourless laugh at the first question, as if the thought of her flying was somewhat amusing.

"I understand the basics, but I would not hold any faith in my ability to fly a ship. Probably best if you get an astromech to do the job." When she said she understood the basics, she only knew enough that she'd be able to land a ship in case of emergancy, without crashing and going up in flames. Which was certainly useful. Just not in this case. Ideally, she'd never have to use those skills again.

"Looking at the long-term image, a ship would certainly be nice, but at this stage I've got other things I'm concerned over. Things that hold higher priority to me than finding myself a ship. Not to mention, those things are damn expensive." No. For now, she had no intention of getting a ship of her own. Too much maintenance.

Ann trailed after her, letting her lead the way. She took dull note of the bounce in the other girl's step. Her company was refreshing, if anything. A nice change. Especially considering the people she'd been dwelling with lately.

Knowing the other girl couldn't see, she allowed a small smile to slip across her face as Xian made that comment about shutting up before she dug herself a deeper hole.

There was a breif pause as Ann considered her question for a moment.

"That depends I suppose. Surely you carry some on your person already?" These days, Ann didn't go anywhere without at least a blaster. Not because she wanted to or anything.

Just because that was how survival worked.

Xian Xiao​