Helping Hands

[Esfir Radin]

​

There was a great deal about the galaxy Esfir did not understand. Among the top list was did the Hutts mess up an entire world. She sat in the copilot’s seat of a X-100 freighter that belonged to her alien partner for this mission. As they came within range of Nal Hutta, the Sahminian couldn’t help but feel sick looking at the world from the cockpit.

It takes a special brand of scum to make a whole planet rotten. Though it sounds like they had a great amount of time to do so. She thought to herself with both arms across the chest.

Personal feelings aside this mission must be done. With the ongoing revolts throughout the Hutt Space, they need save as many the Evocii people as possible. Not only it was right they would also gain great technicians to their cause. Radin’s eyes glazed with determination, remembering the stories of how slavery affected her homeworld long ago.

The young human turned one curious eye toward Karacaldra Von Kedisy who was piloting the ship. In honest truth she never had seen anyone like her ally before. Being from a semi-isolated civilization tended to cause that. A part of her wanted to ask Karacaldra what was her species and such. But the hooded girl kept her mouth shut, concerned she would only embarrass herself while remembering they also have a mission to carry out.

Though all the same Esfir would like to break the awkward silence between them. So she decided to turn to the subject of their current task.

”Uh let’s go over the briefing again. Once past the blockade we need to follow the coordinates to the town of Jigununa. Our new allies are hiding out at an abandoned cantina on the outskirts. Perhaps, we can get them out of there before the Hutts or Imps are onto us. So anything you want to add?”

Of course in the back of her mind however, Esfir had a feeling the operation won’t be so simple.

@Cainhurst Crow

 

[Karacaldra Von Kedisy]

Karacaldra had seen some things in her time, but it was still amazing to see what the galaxy had in store. She'd never worked with a non-togorian before, and while she'd seen humans before, it was always as pirates or passing merchants. She'd also never been to a planet as developed as Nal Hutta, and seeing its hazy atmosphere as she piloted the ship on approach gave the togorian a pause as she did so.

The planet itself seemed almost sickly in nature, and she couldn't imagine those on such a world not traveling to a new one. For her people, wandering was just the norm, at least as far as the males were concerned. Still, she couldn't imagine most females wanting to stay on a world such as that, either. So she'd be glad to help some escape out of this place.

She turned to her partner, her blue eyes looking to her fellow operative as she went over the reminder. "Rescuing these refugees is definitely going to see resistance. If they need to go through such lengths to rendezvous with us, chances are someone will be monitoring for their activity. For my people, a certain adage exists, 'When one speaks, do so softly. And always with a blade in hand.'..."

The woman's sword lay at her side, large in comparison to most, but made to fit the aliens tall frame, "It's meaning is that in all meetings where uncertainty is present, you need prepare for both outcomes. Diplomacy to escort them out, and if that fails, Violence." She really hoped it didn't come down to violence. But if it did, she wasn't going to let the empire or the hutts have these people. They deserved to choose their own future, and she intended to give them that choice.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

Esfir found herself nodding at the feline’s words. It made perfect sense when thinking about it. She couldn’t help but remark. “You have a tactical mind there. Almost sound like a Janissary captain I knew once back on Sahmina.”

Of course the humam didn’t mentioned the part where said captain nearly killed her for speaking out of term. She hoped Karacaldra wasn’t the same in that regard and preferred not give her a reason to. Their descend into the atmosphere went remarkably unnoticed. Perhaps all the chaos is proving too much for them. Thought the mountain woman.

Regardless they can take full advantage of this good fortune. Once the landscape of Nal Hutta came further view in Esfir’s disgust grew. “No wonder the Ecovii want to get out of here.” She commented to her Togorian partner.

@Cainhurst Crow

 

[Karacaldra Von Kedisy]

"It certainly is not what I would call pleasant, on the eyes..." Karacaldra said as she piloted the freighter through the clouds and towards a cruising altitude above the cityscape. This world's industrialization now struck her fully as she saw the city below. There really was no nature, just more and more metal.

However, she had a mission to do, and a simple LZ to go to. It was located near the area where the Cantena was, a dilapidated loading bay of a now abandoned shipping company, it would make the perfect place to disguise their activities. However, as she neared the area something caught her eye, a brief single second flash of intuition as she spotted a searchlight beam come accross a cloud.

With a hard jerk, Karacaldra changed her course, just in time to see the full view of the former company building. An anti-aircraft gun lay on its top, as well as smaller guns along the outskirts. Searchlights burned into the sky as Karacaldra cursed, "Damn. One of the combatants must have had the same idea we did..." The togorian said as she scanned the scenary below. One thing she was good at was improvisation, and so without missing a beat, she tiled the ship low, and sent it into one of the circular tunnels of the city, large openings to lead to the lower levels. It wasn't by much, but she was able to turn the ship to park at a level below the Cantena's, spotting an old dock as she brought the ship to port, so to speak.

They were a bit further then originally intended, but it was still at least within a walking distances journey, "We'll have to be extremely careful, with them having eyes on the sky now."

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

No plan survives contact with the enemy. That’s what my mentor Jhath used to say to me. Esfir couldn’t help but think about that as they were diverted from the designed landing zone. She can also imagine the old Corellian would add some colorful allegories to their situation if the veteran was still alive.

Radin found herself becoming rather impressed with Karacaldra’s flying ability before they landed a level below their destination. Nodding in approval Esfir got out of her seat ready the blaster carbine. Turning to her ally she commented. “Let’s not keep our new friends waiting.” Once they were out of the ship, Esfir lead in front.

Advancing cautiously the Sahminian took a whiff of the air and nearly gagged. Her dislike for Nar Shaddaa grew even more so. Nevertheless Esfir pressed on while she and Togorian remained undetected for the time being. Their enemies must be stretched thin in these parts she considered, quietly walking up some steps. Soon they will be at their destination.

@Cainhurst Crow

 

[Karacaldra Von Kedisy]

The rest of the journey to the Cantena seemed peaceful enough, the city streets having a misama to them that Karacaldra did not enjoy. But she could ignore it, there was a mission at hand, and lives at stake. She'd muscle through it if need be. The Cantena itself was dilapidated looking from the outside, signs and old holodisplays flickering on and off from lack of maintenance.

Heading to the back door of the establishment, she came cautiously to the door, and knocked 4 times. There was a long pause before the door opened, and a Evocii looked through the eye-slit to see the two. The door was unlocked and slid open with a hiss moments later.

"Thank the stars you've finally arrived..." he said as he motioned for the others to move in, Karacaldra entering as a scent caught her nose, a coppery smell that made her ears press against her head. The man, calling himself Akkesh, led them to the center where a number of Evocii were, a group clustering around two in particular. They both lay groaning on the ground, clutching their abdomens where the obvious burns of blaster bolts were seen.

"Two of our number are wounded. They got hit in a shootout between the Empire and the Hutts...we've been trying to help them, but we need to move out, and soon." One of the man gave a raggid cough, he sounded like he was in terrible condition. Karacaldra was silent as she looked to her partner.

"Smuggling these people out will be difficult. With two wounded, even more so..." The togorian said as she looked back to the Evocii leader, Akkesh, "If we're to move, we need to move out soon. There are armed forces mobilizing in this area, we had to find an alternate LZ."

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

Grimacing at the sight of the two wounded Evocii, the human rebel quietly listened to the exchange between her comrade and the local elder. Their mission had just gotten more complicated. The easy day was yesterday. Esfir gave some thought to the situation while she heard an Imperial patrol marching around to the side before leaving. To Akkesh she then asked.

“Is there another location we can use?”

The old Evocii held his chin with one hand pondering on the question before replying. “Actually there is. South from here is a speeder garage I used to work at with a big enough roof to land a ship. Barely anyone pays it attention anymore.” Nodding her thanks Esfir turned toward Karacaldra.

“It would be best to head back to your freighter and pick us at the new LZ. I’ll signal our location to you on the comms when we get there.”

Once done Esfir gestured the group to get up and help their wounded. “Lead the way Elder.” She said Akkesh who complied opening the door and the group made for the alleyways.

@Cainhurst Crow

 

[Karacaldra Von Kedisy]

Karacaldra kept her ears and eyes peeled as she helped follow the others to the point they had originally come up to this level from. Things seemed quiet on the streets, and it seemed they would get off without much violence. The sound of a loud boom sounding off however, took her attention upwards.

The anti-aircraft guns had opened fire, and looking above, an Imperial vessels seemed to get hit on the broadside as it went sailing down, spiraling as it did so towards the factory where the original LZ would be. The flaming ball of wreckage crashed into the makeshift base, smashing into the gun and causing a second blast.

Karacaldra knew however what this was. Oppurtunity, "Move to the LZ, We'll meet up with all of you. Don't stop for anything." She advised as she and Esfir made their way down to the Freighter, "With the AA outpost disabled, and the forces scrambling to deal with that damage, we can move to the new LZ without issue."

Karacaldra made her way down to their hiding spot and got into the ship, starting up the engines as she warmed up, and took off. Smoke was rising from the now destroyed military outpost, and they would have very little trouble slipping by in the chaos that now occupied the enemies forces.

The new coordinates were picked up, and Karacaldra flew the ship to it. In minutes, she was docking the ship, and getting ready to let Akkesh and the others Onboard.

@Minuteman75

 

[Esfir Radin]

Esfir and others watched the Imperial starfighter get shot down and crashed into the Cartel own anti air battery. They deserve each other. The young rebel thought to herself. Hearing Karacaldra express her analysis about their good fortune Radin nodded and said. “Understood, see you then comrade.”

Once that was settled, the Sahminian followed the elder while keeping an eye out for possible detection. The small party continued on through the alleyways without trouble. Finally, they reached garage and broke inside. The group reached the roof just in time when the freighter appeared and landed beside them. Once the ramp was down the Ecovii poured inside as Esfir remaining behind with blaster at the ready until the last of her charged were in.

The exile finally took her turn and shouted out to the other rebel back in the cockpit. “We’re all in. Let us depart.” After closing up the ship flew away, leaving Nal Hutta behind.

//The End

@Cainhurst Crow