Open [Cantonica] Some Kind of Wager

[Lucien Sloan]

THEME​

Lucien was wondering if he had made the right call. The Morganian had come to Canto Bight for work since they were filming onsite outside the city limits. The place was beautiful but the stuntman found it not disimilar to Nar Shaddaa, or at least maybe what it had once been. Instead of thinking about attractive views or the silken sheets that awaited him in his room, he was standing in front of a proud twi'lek with a puffed out chest. Each of them were well dressed but while Lucien had a patient expression the bluish skin of the twi'lek furrowed. "You think you can beat my ship with your's?"

Lucien smiled. "I think it would make a fun wager to see who can fly to say..." his head tilted to look up. "....One of the moons. And come back with...what, a rock or something?" He didn't know if there was something worth getting specifically that could only be found on a moon of Cantonica. He was open to suggestions. A few people from nearby groups, some of which were friends of the two dapper men, "Come on darling I wanted to play, not have you spend half the night racing off." The twi'lek's date came over making it seem like an evening race was out of the question. But part of the reason Lucien had a smug expression on his face was he knew the twi'lek wasn't going to say no. The smile was probably what even sealed it. "The second moon has atmosphere. There's a plant that grows there with flowers that are just budding now. Grab one of those and come back, it will be small but they bloom early if picked. Sound good?" The twi'lek turned his date's wrist to show a flower tattoo there.

"Works fir me. I'm Lucien Sloan by the way." The stuntman held out a hand for the twi'lek to shake. "Daven Palarn." The twi'lk said shook his hand in return.

At that point one of the Morganian's associates came over, a female sullustan. "Uh...did you just say you were going to race?" They had come out for a few drinks and some light gambling after they had been working hard for the past week. "Anybody else care to join?" He answered by looking around for eye contact. "Simple race too and from the 2nd moon, first ship to come back with a...on second thought maybe we should make it interesting for others to join in. Let's say, one thousand credits?" He turned to look at the twi'lek who was scrutinizing the crowd. Lucien wasn't as rich as some people but he had a fair amount. If anybody else was a gambler or if they hiked up the price he might have to race to keep the ship. "If you're thinking of flying the A-wing that is a prop. You can't-" But she was interrupted by his reassuring tone. "I'm not. I have my own ship. Could use some help with flying her though." To be fair, he had used vehicles from sets before to joy ride. but Lucien had a Luxury-3000 star yacht with a few modifications.

 

[Kel Dryden]

Canto Bight was a little too expensive for Kel's tastes. But not everyone saw it that way—as evidenced by the fact that the city was filled with fat wallets. Still, the pilot wouldn't have taken the Black Swift to Cantonica without a reason. That particular time, the reason was 3000 credits paid to him by an unlikely couple of scoundrels: a Twi'lek and a Toydarian. That was just a down-payment—enough to cover the fuel, the expenses, and a little extra for Kel's time. It didn't cover "the benefit that the passengers would get from getting to their desination" and "the actual worth of Kel's time". The rest would come from the jobs they intended to pull off on Cantonica.

But for the time being, Kel hadn't been compensated enough for his services. That's why when he heard "a race", "a ship", and "one thousand credits", it caught his attention. Putting on his most confident, yet not too bright smile, the pilot stepped forward: "A race to the moon, huh? Sounds interesting. Count me in."

He had always wanted to test the Swift in a race against a fast ship, but circumstances always got in the way. That was the first time he'd ever get involved in something like that. Kel knew that his ship's hardware wasn't top-notch; there was more to make the Swift an even faster vessel. But he hoped that what was there, along with his piloting skill, would be enough.

Spoiler: Tags and OOC

@Darasuum
Also tagging the Black Swift crew: @Kestrel, @Morse

 

[Vako Yizok]

In a town like Canto Bight, Vako hardly knew where to to start. The wealth that was there was excessive to say the least, but so was the security around the place. There was an intense blanket of eyes in shined uniforms that were watching everything, and Vako suspected he may not have been the first thug to have eyes bigger then his appetite could handle for trouble. That did not mean that he was not willing to give it his best go, but it made the game that there was to be had a bit more complicated then initially suspected.

He had followed Dryden off the street, thinking it was a decent idea to case the place before he opted for anything excessive. Though relatively small time thuggery was something the Vako was good at, and it could be lucrative here, he doubted that his compatriots would be as up for a quick getaway for a few thousand credits and a bounty the size of the republic treasury. He needed tobe smart and he needed to get his eyes on something worth while.

With all the shine and glamour Vako started to thinking on the dirtier side of that kind of money, and wondered after the idea of getting involved in the slave trade, or even just gambling his way into it. You never knew if you could get a lucky break on a slot machine. But that was a trap and he knew it.

From his right ear Vako heard Dryden inquire about a race.

"A high profile race?" Vako thought, having some familiarity with pod racing... and how such things truly occurred. "That could be it!"

He was not stupid, but he thought he heard the terms as being flying to the moon, grabbing something on it, and racing back. Sort of a relay... and what better relay runner then a Toydarian.

His wings carried him over to Dryden, and he hovered upward and leaned in, muttering so only Dryden could hear.

"You slam that bird full power it up the moon...and I'll keep those odds in our pocket. What do you say?" Vako grinned, having a good plan for what needed to happen... and how much money would need to get put down to turn a nice profit... before he started slipping spice around the town to earn a little on the side.

@Kestrel @Catbert @Darasuum

 

[Pidge Batana]

The place was like the city of her dreams, minus the significant security presence. There were enough lights to mirror the stars above. Within the star port, of all sorts milled around to the music of clinking glasses and falling dice. Every surface was shining, from veneered tables to the crystal chandeliers. A bothan woman, dripping with jewels, was pushing a pile of chips to the center of a chromium holotable. A few feet away, an elderly man was suspended in a hover-chair, waving for another glass of whatever foamy blue concoction was being served by a stunning Lethan Twi’lek. The flutter of shuffling cards and the scent of expensive wine filled the heavily perfumed air.

Much to her chagrin, Pidge had no spare credits to plunk into slot machines, so she exited into the pleasantly warm streets of Canto Bight, the city of excess. Well trimmed guards in uniforms of silk and armor weave patrolled the entrance to the Casino-Spaceport Complex. Their faces were stern, but their pockets looked heavy. A few blocks over, a sign for the Mersis Aquatilium Resort rose high in the skyline, next to towering, domed buildings. The rich on the streets wore the epitome of high fashion, complete with gigantic headpieces they had no doubt paid an exorbitant fee for.

The Twi’lek followed her shipmates at a distance to take everything in. Although they had started out as complete strangers, the men were growing on her. Vako was ever an opportunist: calculating, sly, but good company. His turn of speech never ceased to amuse her. Dryden was perhaps a bit rough around the edges, but he was handsome and knew how to press his odds into an almost guaranteed win. Fringe spacer, syndicate businessman, and exuberant slicer- what a trio they were. Pidge had always been a hopeless dreamer, but picturing the three of them on the beautiful, newly acquired ship, The Black Swift, she couldn’t help but grin. Vako. Dryden. Where had they gone?

The search through the opulent crowd was frantic but short. With a series of apologies, winks, and attempts at flirtation, she mad her way through, spotting the scoundrels in a smaller group. Cheeks flushed from the hurry, the teal alien sauntered up to her human and toydarian counterparts. The two seemed to be conversing with a well-dressed man who smelled faintly of cigar smoke. Pidge wondered where some of the man’s light scars had come from. Immediately, she pictured him throwing people into tables and beginning bar fights, but in truth, she knew nothing about him. The discussion seemed to be centered around a race, or rather, a race to win credits. Pulling out two hundred or so credits she had picked up from sweet talking the drunk crowd, she offered to put them on the pile. “I guess the Swift’s going all in, huh?” She and Vako still needed to earn seven thousand credits, so she was hoping that in the city of chance, they would get lucky.


@Darasuum
@Catbert
@Morse

 

[Lucien Sloan]

____________________________

It was clear that Lucien and his oponent had attracted enough attention. A crew of others joined in. "You all have your own ships?" His eyes flicked to see how the twi'lek was handling the three individuals who had presented themselves. They hadn't made it clear if they were individually interested or part of a crew and only presented a measly two hundred credits. The twi'lek looked judgemental at the group. "If you didn't hear it was a thousand credits." The tone of the man seemed like he didn't consider any of them the class as him.

Lucien would interject at the prudish tone. "If they are all of the same ship, I'm sure..." He looked over his shoulder at the group during his pause. "...a singular entry would be fine." In subtitles that meant 'cough up another eight hundred credits or else you're not racing.'

All the same, it wouldn't matter. The race would continue regardless of their credit input. They could still fly but it may as well be to just catch it on GalaxyStar or BikBok. Of course, it had been this Swift's Captain who had shown actual credits. Neither Lucien nor the dapper male twi'lek had presented coin. Maybe that was what had set him off. People with wealth didn't need to prove their wealth. They just had it so pride was more of a concern. A thousand credits for Lucien or Twi'lek wouldn't be too much of a loss. But the Morganian wasn't too quick to dismiss the newest arrivals. Some lot-bought speedster wasn't necessarily going to measure up to a tested and proven outer rim runner. Lucien was curious if nothing else.

@Kestrel @Catbert

 

[Kel Dryden]

Vako's remark made Kel smirk, as he replied in the same quiet manner: "Good plan. They don't know what they're in for." Having the Toydarian collect an item from the moon seemed the most logical choice. Outloud, the pilot made his grin even wider and more confident: "Nah, these two are with me." Then something caught his attention. The look that the arrogant Twi'lek gave to Pidge as she offered her meager wager. Perhaps she had thought that they'd all be putting their money together to build up a thousand... Or she had missed the earlier part of the conversation.

The tone of that moneybag wasn't too polite either. And although the remark had been directed at Pidge, Kel couldn't but feel slightly insulted himself. Had his passengers grown on him so much after a 10-days flight to Cantonica? Sharing meals, playing Sabacc together, and being the only people within light years to talk to had to do it. Either way, they were no strangers; perhaps that was the reason why Kel took it personally. He made a note to himself. Daven Palarn. If Pidge was as good as she claimed to be, then perhaps the arrogant Twi'lek would end up with his bank account a couple of zeroes short.

Still, Kel had to save face; both his and that of his teal friend. And as the universe would have it, the scoundrel had just the plan. "Oh, we heard you alright," despite a certain smoothness to his voice, the pilot radiated confidence. Patting a pocket on his chest, he made the clatter of credit chips heard. "I'll be fronting the thousand on our behalf..." But then he reached into his pocket, fished out roughly 500 credits, and added them to Pidge's. "Consider this a side bet. Among the three of us, you'll be the last to get to the finish line." He smirked at the Twi'lek and winked to his own teal associate. "But since you're going to win anyway, it's easy money, right?"

That was a trick, of course. Since the Twi'lek racer was so arrogant, refusing essentially an extra bet on himself would hurt his ego. The scoundrel expected that he wouldn't get a "No" to that offer. At the same time, Kel made sure that he'd only lose 500 credits if he came second. The side bet was just a little way to recoup some of the expenses. Of course, if the Swift were to come the last, he'd lose 1500 credits... But Pidge and Vako had something lined up on Cantonica anyway. Not to mention that Kel didn't intend to lose.

@Morse, @Kestrel, @Darasuum

 

[Vako Yizok]

The excitement that the crew was feeling was becoming apparent. The credit chips that were to be acquired in these first moment doing something relatively legitimate and right up their ally was hardly something to scoff at, and Vako had a strangely good feeling if they pulled together.

They were all of the Syndicate after all, the true power in that part of the galaxy. If they were going in, everyone else was better off shifting to the side. Pain could follow in a serious way when the Syndicates were crossed, and in the grand scheme they were the expectant party as it was. Rim worlders were accustomed to the dirtier tales of risk it all or die, and Vako was not an exception.

And if there was one thing Vako hated it was the sneers and jeers of those that never knew the real suffering on the bottom level of the galaxy. Those that didnt understand the real kill or be killed side of a knife fight, and not one for credits, but simply for food the way that Vako knew it.

He hid it well, but the fine folks in front of him reeked of a world he would never understand.

And he showed that in an instant.

"Why the gentlemen's bet? This buy in is only gonna buy the fuel with what it costs out here. " Vako raised an eyebrow, putting the rest of what was needed for their enty. "We're here for fun, let's have fun. Put your ship on it if think you got a good shot."

That was the rim world way, and Vako looked hard at every fine dressed two legged soul there. Vakos scars and the weapons he wore showed he swung hard with every move, and gambling was just another form of the fight. The Swift may not have been his ship, but he had a strong enough feeling in his grassy gut that told him that this Toydarian was amongst the right crowd to make things really interesting.

@Kestrel @Catbert @Darasuum

 

[Pidge Batana]

The tension among the racing crowd was running high, with the two most apparently wealthy racers not flashing a single credit. Their aura of superiority and expensive cologne was enough to prove them rich. It was also enough to tick the teal Twi’lek off. She sneered at the man who had rudely commented on her contribution. He seemed the type to be overconfident.

Ugly expression melting into a mischievous smile, Pidge began to think of all the ways she could easily kill him. Poisoning his fine wine, rewiring his newest-model speeder, strangling him with his own silk tie- the possibilities were almost endless. Not the the alien could kill him in cold blood. She simply wasn’t the type to end a life so abruptly. Blackmail, scam, infuriate, humiliate, perhaps, but not murder.

Before she was able to reply with some sort of cleverly worded retort, Dryden spoke up, covering the fee. The female scoundrel’s heart swelled with a certain affection. For a swindler, he was a good guy. Probably. She’d never been the best judge of character. There had been the one night stand with Ilana, after all. The ten days they’d spent together on his ship had been sweet indeed.

It seemed the Swift crew was truly going all in when their rugged captain placed a side bet. Naturally, it was a trap. Anyone who had ever haggled for goods or bet on a pod race would see it plain as day. But around here, merchants begged for customers and it was fathiers that raced. Nevertheless, the woman’s green-grey eyes widened when Vako chipped in the ship. What the kark was he thinking? That was their ride out. As much as Pidge would’ve loved to stay for a luxury vacation, she could not afford one. Betting a ship was done in dirty cantinas with flickering lights because the owners couldn’t pay the electricity bill, not streets lined with diamonds and wealth. Clearly the Toydarian held not only disdain for his competitors, but also a regard for his own upbringing.

Then it occurred to Pidge... she could almost guarantee the Twi’lek coming in third. It would just take some batting of eyelashes and a false interest. She’d repaired ships before, so why not un-repair one? The struggle was doing it without being noticed.

“Dryden. Vako. Team meeting.” She beamed, but would turn dead serious if they came over and listened. “I got a way for us to start winning before we leave the ground. A... suggestion of sorts. Suns forbid something broke down in one of the ships mid flight. We better check out the Swift and maybe something else too.” Her voice was low, but nervous eyes still darted around, looking for eavesdroppers. It was simply an idea, and not one that had to be used, but it was a start.

@Darasuum
@Catbert
@Morse

 

[Lucien Sloan]

____________________________

At the added 'side bet' between Daven and Kel, the male twi'lek seemed to bristle slightly. Lucien chuckled as he watched the exchange. This was going to be some quality entertainment. Who wanted to stay indoors and play hologames when they could fly a space ship to an from the moon.

Lucien had seen the rougher side of the galaxy though tended to keep his distance. There was plenty of excitment that could be had from a point of class and comfort without devolving into uncivilized activity. The Morganian could see through the Toydarian. While they were impossible to trick with the force, that did not make them all smart. He wanted to have fun but also wanted more money. Clearly he had missed that the two gentleman had put a relative small amount of money for the very fact that it wasn't about the credits. The desire for money showed that Vako didn't have a lot of money. "If you want to add more in then I'll match. Let's see it?" Lucien walked away towards a near table and picked up a glass off light bubbling wine while the rag troupe decided to actually get on the same page.

Regardless, Lucien would look towards Daven. "I'll head to my ship. We're starting from current parking I assume?" The male twi'lek, who was leaving his date, replied. "Yes. Shouldn't matter too much. Once we are all on our ships we'll have a count down and launch from there." Lucien thought about it and smiled. There would probably be a report of high speed craft in civilized airspace over Canto Bight. That might earn them a fine but rich people tended to break the rules and get away with it anyways. "See you again in a few minutes." The stuntman said with a smile and headed towards his ship to begin prepping for the race. The Sullustan copilot he had pressured into joining him followed though with a much less confident expression on her face.

@Kestrel @Catbert

 

[Kel Dryden]

What was that winged clown thinking? Betting a thousand credits on a victory was one thing. Adding a few extra hundreds on a more certain bet? Even a smarter thing to alleviate the risks. But putting the ship on the line?! Unless the win was a guaranteed one, Kel would never have gone that far. The Swift was his only home and his livelihood. Kel was just about to tell his passenger in foul Huttese what he thought about that sort of bet. But luckily, Pidge interfered and called a "team meeting".

The Twi'lek's suggestion made Kel beam in turn, as he replied to the woman quietly: "Good thinking, Pidge. You're on then! The guy's name is Daven Palarn, just in case. Figured oyu might want to know it for... something." The scoundrel winked to the woman, giving her a carte blanche. "I handle the flying, Vako handles plant gathering. You can do whatever you do best." Before leaving their little circle to agree on the bets, Kel made one final point in a hushed voice: "We're not gambling the Swift though. Not this time."

Turning to the competitors, the scoundrel finally spoke on behalf of the group: "Then it's settled. Three ships. A pot of 3 000 credits. One victor who collects it here, at this point. And a side bet of 1 000 credits between me and Daven here on who of us will get to the finish line faster." Kel turned his head towards the scarred human: "I hope you don't mind. But since Mr. Palarn was so concerned about credits to insult my friend here..." Kel tilted his head towards Pidge and cut the phrase short there, letting the others figure out the rest of it on their own. Hopefully, in the middle of this exchange, Daven wouldn't notice a slight alteration to the rules that slightly tipped the scales in Kel's favor.

With the deal verbalized, and the racers—well, maybe except for Pidge—heading towards their ships, Kel would turn towards his Toydarian crewmate. "It's best if you take a seat the turret and strap yourself in. There's no telling what might happen. And the docking ring is on the ventral side from the turret, so you'll be able to leave the ship quickly."

@Morse, @Kestrel, @Darasuum

 

[Vako Yizok]

Vako suspected those there to not have the spine to put down everything. Years of service came easy to a thug for the Syndicate, many of them were already slaves in one form of another to a Crime Lord. And often money was just another form of servitude. Vako did not have anything that he truly owed to anyone, and had everything to gain. But at that point he'd be able to put down whatever he had all the time, and that which others had, and it often came out for the better. Still others were not so willing to take such risks, and that was all there was to it.

The sheer optics of their situation was not lost on Vako. They did not fit in with the others that were there, that was incredibly obvious. But that would also put a degree of attention on them for what they'd be doing. In a way the others would be looking at them to just add color to otherwise gentlemen-like proceedings. Their rimworld ways were of course putting a crimp in that style, but it was something that they were allowing... for reasons Vako was not entirely sure why.

Vako nodded at hearing Pidge's suggestion, a sneer on the left side of his face reached around his tusk. "Keep em' slow. I'll head to ours to make sure no one returns the favor." Vako nodded, bringing his rifle to his hands, so the strap would not interfere with fast flying.

Dryden gave the optimum suggestion on where to place himself, and it was the only place that Vako was thinking. Not just because of its location, but also for the same reason he was suspecting. Who could know what would happen in such a place? Loading dice was not beyond them, but stacking a deck was a game that everyone could play.

"There's always next time... coulda taken two ships and had the makings of a flotilla. You'll see. Just gotta keep faith in the fortune."

Vako hefted his blaster rifle and zoomed quickly towards the ship. Now that the bets were on the table, saboteurs could already be at work. He entered the cargo door, rifle at a low ready, scanning left to right. He entered the vessel, did a swift and effective sweep. He found nothing, but who could know.

When Dryden entered the ship, Vako took his place in the turret, strapping himself in. He placed a small satchel bag at his side to transport the flower, and checked the charge on his pistol. If he came across someone during the competition, that would be unfortunate for them. Vako was a big believer of shooting first, even when not necessarily under threat.

With a headset on Vako called to Dryden over the com. "Say the words, and we'll win by default." He said, rotating the cannon to get a full feel of its range and agility.

 

[Pidge Batana]

With her captain’s blessing bestowed, Pidge scampered off, melting into the crowd with a final wink at her team. This time, she made no fake flirtaitious moves. Despite the attempt by some of the drunk patrons to get handsy, she shoved her way through the thickening mob to the docks, unapologetically knocking drinks and jabbing with her elbows. The twi’lek was on a mission and nothing could take her eyes off the prize.

The ship registration desk attendant looked as if he’d had a long shift. The pantoran’s button up was wrinkled, an empty caf cup sat on a stack of datapads, and his heavy lidded eyes only cracked open when the teal alien appeared. She did her best to put on a nervous, clueless look, even going so far as to add a little giggle and play with her lek. He seemed to be paying more attention now. “I’m... um. I’m looking for a Daven Palarn.” The scoundrel considered adding a drunk hiccup for emphasis, but perhaps that would be too much. It was too late to stop herself, even if she was laying it on thick. “We’re meeting, you know.” The man nodded, but his look was a silent plea to spare him the details. With the bay number discovered, she was already racing away into the glittering lights.

The rich man’s ship was unsurprisingly new in style. In the twi’leks opinion, it lacked the carbon scoring and chipping paint that would give the ship character. Daven was nowhere in sight. Slipping through the shadows, the woman located the maintenance panel and opened it. Inside was a mess of wires and bolts, indicating the thing had not been serviced in months, despite its pristine appearance. It was almost too easy. A simple recrossing of two ground wires and the loosening of a thruster bolt would do the trick. Now all she had to do was get back to the Swift without being spotted.

@Darasuum
@Catbert
@Morse

 

[Lucien Sloan]

____________________________

The Sullastan pilot walked with him as they made their way to his ship. Her expression seemed a little worried but Lucien didn't need the force to notice that. "Hey um...I'm thinking I might stay out of this." He piped up finally. The noble born Morganian cocked an eyebrow. "Are you sure?" He made it sound like she was going to miss out on an excperience. "Yeah. I'll wait for you to get back. Racing was never my thing." She chuckled nervously and then apologized. Lucien shook his head. "Don't worry. I've got a pilot droid that can help me out. I'll catch you later." He said with a wave. It looked like he was going to be flying solo after all.

Lucien walked through the opulent interior of his ship with some music playing in the background. He turned the volume a bit lower just as he received a holocall which the Morganian assumed was also being seen on the Swift as well or at least by its leader. The engines of the Skipper quickly primed. Some dust stirred underneath the parked ship, all hatches and entrances were sealed. A general sense of shiftiness and deception pervaded this event. But for some reason that only made Lucien more interested, if not at least a bit wary of his competitors.

"Is everyone ready? Synchronize with local time and at the top of the hour we can consider that the green light." Daven said. "Works for me." The top of the hour was in about forty five seconds so they had a few seconds to wait but that would also have given everyone time to get their personav out. Lucien made sure he had a decent amount of power running to all systems but prioritizing his engines.

@Kestrel @Catbert

 

[Kel Dryden]

Leaving his Toydarian associate to get on the turret, Kel strolled throughout the mostly-empty cargo hold towards the cockpit. Greeted by the surprised chitter of the black-and-orange astromech, the pilot took his seat. "Yes, we are going already. No, we're not jumping anywhere. Just a race to the second moon and back for some quick cash." A few switches and toggles brought the ship to life. The low hum and the lights turning on throughout the ship meant that the power was on, and the engines primed. The droid beeped again, making Kel retort with a rather annoyed remark: "Well, what do you know?"

Still, the droid had a point; that's why the scoundrel spent a minute or two handling power distribution. Send more juice to the engines; leave just enough for the shields and the turret. Internal lighting? Not necessary, just red emergency lights. Comms? Yeah, right. Kel noticed the incoming transmission indicator just as he was about to finish checking the thrust de-limiter. He didn't mean to use it from the start—the thing was too unreliable—but it would make for a nice ace in the hole. Other than that, the Swift's factory speed and agility had to suffice.

Daven and Lucien would see Kel on the holo-comms, tinkering with the dashboard. "Top of the hour, got it." He flicked the last switch and tipped back in his seat. As the engines were revving up, the Swift's ramp was still lowered, in case the Twi'lek slicer managed to return on time. However, Kel only had about 20 seconds before he'd have seal the ship and take off.

"Come on, Pidge..." The pilot's fingers drummed at the dashboard in anticipation. With or without her, the ramp would start raising. If the Twi'lek did manage to get aboard in time, Kel hoped that she'd grab on to something. The take-off was gonna get rough. The pilot strapped himself in and put his hands on the controls, watching the countdown...

@Morse, @Kestrel, @Darasuum

 

[Vako Yizok]

VWAM!!!!!

The Black Swift burnt off of the ground with such immediate thrust that Vako was left wondering if they died and smashed into a building and the sensation in his fingers was just the numbing of all of his bodily appendages in that brief phase between the end of ones life and the start of ones death. It was intense, and he was not used to it. He'd been in many speeders that were in the midst of a high speed pursuit, but this was a very different sensation. Vako was not always able to see out of a perfect window in a 360 degree view of the world as it rushed behind him.

He assumed it was not the same as the jolt one would get from being in a fighter, but for the crafts size of the light freighter it was fairly impressive, especially from the dead stop.

Vako watched as the buildings of the brightly lit city of fancy disappeared in an incredible blink behind them as they soared over the water and up into the atmosphere. The sky was very pretty and Vako for a sentient moment took note of it. It was not like seeing the twist of hyperspace, and most transports did not have the windows to see out of, so this was a rare treat that he was rather enjoying.

"Your right Dryden, she is fast!" Vako called with a cackle. "Good call with the lights. Helps me enjoy the view! Hahaha!" Vako was clearly enjoying himself.

'Speaking of the view.' Vako muttered to himself, and twisted the cannon to locate the other ships.

He could only see the sublight bands coming from one ship, but did not look to orient himself to tell whether or not the ship was behind them, beside them, or ahead of the men. Instead his just thumbed the system lock, and firing control.

The urge to empty the sky was strong, but that would just end in scrap and a warrant. But he'd be ready in case anyone had the same bright ideas that often went through his own mind.

"I don't see any fire commin' off any of the other boats. Can't tell if Pidge managed to do any damage." Vako said, looking at a small hologram with a downloaded holonet image of the flower that he was to seek.

He leaned back into the chair, and with a snide grin enjoyed the ride.

 

[Pidge Batana]

Pidge really should have payed more attention on her way in. Having just finished her spot of hijacking, she removed her gloves with her teeth and thrust them into her satchel. The smile of a job well done graced her teal visage as she made her way out, proudly strutting down the strip of landing bays. The ship would operate normally at first, but when the Fusial Afterburner was activated, the force of the energy push would break the already loosened bolt, and the energy system’s circuit would be broken, causing an overload of all systems except life support, which likely ran on a secondary generator. The overconfident Twi’lek would find himself adrift in space, needing to be rescued by Cantonican pilots. Even with insurance, the towing fee would cost him a cruiser-load of credits. Still, there would be enough for her to nab from his bank account. The revenge was almost as sweet as Benno’s Best Jawa Juice.

So swept away in imagining the fruit of her efforts, that the Twi’lek only spotted Palarn when he was a few meters from her. Coming down hard from the internal revelry, the woman scampered to the side and grabbed the arm of a random passerby, shutting up his surprise with a worried attempt at a seductive smile. Hiding herself behind the startled pedestrian, Pidge waited until the opponent was past before booking it, once again confounding her date-of-thirty-seconds. Time was of the essence, and she was a good few minutes away from the Black Swift. Without a thought as to what security would think, she sprinted away towards her ride. A few guards shouted, but no one made an attempt to catch up.

The ramp was still down. Thank the suns. Just as Pidge stepped onto the ship, the ramp began to close. She really had been cutting it close apparently. Before the scoundrel could give a breathless shout to announce her arrival, a jerk shook the ship violently as they began takeoff, knocking her into a wall rather hard. Clinging to cabinets, boxes, and bars, she made her way across the main hold to the cockpit before falling into a chair.

“I’m glad I didn’t miss the party.”

She gasped at the view. A small island of light that was Canto Bight on the great desert sea that was Cantonica. It shone like a diamond set in stone. Vako chose that moment to comment on the other ship’s good repair. What had he expected? The point was to mess things up subtly. “Have patience my good, winged friend. What do you think I was doing out there? Drinking and gambling? Just wait.”

@Darasuum
@Catbert
@Morse

 

[Lucien Sloan]

____________________________

Without much more to say the race began with a simple count down and a tense moment of watching the clock count down. Over open holo-link with the other ships captains. Lucien accelerated swiftly, trying to reach the max speed of the luxury yacht while the thrust delimiter was engaged.

Across the city as it soon became small behind them all, he could make out the shapes of the other ships leaving their hangars at fast speeds. They were all headed for the atmospheric limit and would soon be out in space. They were kilometers apart with different vectors to head towards the moon but Lucien had an excited smile on his face.

@Kestrel @Catbert

 

[Kel Dryden]

The Swift soared into the skies, engines thundering. Anyone not strapped in by now might soon regret that decision. Though it probably wouldn't matter as much until they'd reach outer space. Until then, anyone would be pressed into their seat, as Kel had chosen the most direct route: up, up, and away. When in space though, the gravity generator wouldn't kick in. The scoundrel figured they wouldn't need it for a short trip; and every little bit of juice from the power core helped.

Oblivious to the beautiful sight, Kel focused on the radar, to see how the race was going. So far, it seemed like he was slightly ahead of the arrogant Twi'lek. The humanoid though... Scanner readings indicated that his ship was twice the size of the Swift. Could be a yacht or a heavier freighter. And yet... "That guy is going as fast as us," he said both to Pidge in the cockpit and to Vako on the comms; the pilot's voice was slightly concerned now. "His bird must be tricked out too."

Of course, the Black Swift had thrust delimiter of its own. But for now, Kel wasn't ready to use it just yet. As long as he could keep up without risking an engine failure, it was all well and good. "Let's see for how long he can keep it up," a smirk crossed the pilot's lips, but there was less confidence in it now.

@Morse, @Kestrel, @Darasuum

 

[Lucien Sloan]

____________________________

Lucien's hands danced over the controls with practiced ease. The pilot droid onboard adding alterations and adjustments to the system controls as needed in concert with the Morganian's directions. So far the Skipper and the Swift were taking the lead and leaving poor Daven Palarn behind. But it wasn't enough to put Lucien ahead still.

Lucien licked his lips momentarily and then reached for an untouched control and activated the fusial afterburners. Immediately he was slammed into his seat as the star yacht rocketed forward. The speed guage was getting close to its limits since the Skipper was now flying ahead at ninty five MGLT. Lucien's handsome face turned into an excited grin. He let out a crow as the G forces pulled on him. At least the engines hadn't cut out, yet.

@Kestrel @Catbert

 

[Kel Dryden]

Kel looked at the blip on the radar and couldn't believe what he was seeing. Even hitting the device a couple of times didn't help. The blip of another ship moved ahead and gained distance from the Swift at a steady pace. "What is he flying, a blasted fighter?!" The scoundrel's hand reached for the button that'd engage the Swift's thrust delimiter... But then in returned to the control. Even with the added 10 MGLT, the Swift wouldn't catch up. The risks, on the other hand, were losing to Daven and busting the Swift's engine. No, the delimiter was an emergency measure. When all the other options were exhausted, and the victory hinged on it. The risk needed to be calculated.

How long he can keep it up, huh, Kel? There's your kriffing answer. He can outrun the Swift and then some! At this rate, how soon is it until he reaches the kriffing moon? And how far behind will you be? The only hope that remained was Vako. If the Toydarian could snatch the flower from the moon faster than the rich guy, then maybe Team Swift could still hope to win. Otherwise, all that remained was damage control in the form of that side bet with Daven.

@Morse, @Kestrel, @Darasuum