How can one win, when Fools can be Kings?

[StarWriter]

Kyllan would look at Quint sideways, head tilted to look at him more fully while they conversed. He was surprised to hear the conviction in the man's voice and grateful that his view of Kyllan at least was not measured by his lineage. As he listened the Mandolorian's expression would sour a bit, the mere mention of Nar Shaddaa was enough to make his eyes clench. He knew full well what that meant, the man had put himself further into the debt of a vile Hutt. Though he'd had little dealings with them, his parents had told him all he needed to know of the species and their illicit dealings. Kyllan was not averse to breaking the law, that was evident but there was something about the way Hutts did things that disgusted him. It was also why Kyllan had never taken any jobs he knew directly came from one, nor, the Sith for much the same reason.

"So here I am, Captain Quint Hart of the Yoania, in debt up to my eyeballs but seasoned Smuggler; d'you, Kyllan Braemar, fancy earning some credits and the like?"

A deep inhalation of breath to calm himself and Kyllan would open his eyes and meet his fellow captain's gaze. "Well, I may not have any debts of my own but rest assured I will do what I can to help pay off yours. My life is not placing yourself deeper in the clutches of a Hutt. And I always fancy earning credits. And to be honest I'm tired of going it alone. We have an accord. Captain Kyllan Braemar of the Double Entendre, at your service." He would take that hand and give it a hearty shake.

As Quint called for the others he'd sit up, albeit weakly in his seat and would smile at both Pippa and especially Alisha when the two joined them in the lounge.

"[...] what the heck are we?" Kyllan would glance to those assembled and then to Hart, giving them all a grin and a wink. "Trouble."

The Mandolorian would set his gaze on Pippa as she so eloquently and nervously espoused her desire to be apart of an adventure. "You're unlike anyone I've ever met before Pippa. You are a credit to your profession and I for one would be glad to fly the stars with you. You keep our ships flying and I promise to do all I can to keep you safe." As he finished he'd give her a grin and a wink before looking to Alisha.

"We would look after the ships, with the help of our droids, while we ..do stuff? Smuggling, stealing from big, mean corporations,..whatever...." Kyllan would wear a knowing, sly expression upon hearing this and chuckle a bit when she reference how the two of them met. "Well, there's plenty of those to go around. But don't sell yourself short Alisha. You're amazing with tech as well. If you ever need proof of that, just look at Arrone." At the mention of the droid, the little astromech would chirp incessantly and bump adoringly against Alisha's side. She was his hero after all, having restored him after nearly being destroyed in battle the day they met.

Kyllan would chuckle at the cheerful droid, even more when T3 would chime in and the ship began to fill with the abundant beeps and chirps of two exuberant droids. T3 would bound near Tippy, twirling about like a small child as well when he saw the pit droid jump excitedly.

"I think we have a crew. And with two ships there's no limit to what we can do. You are all welcome aboard the Entendre whenever you wish. Alisha, your room is still yours if you want it. You too Tippy." He'd chuckle at the juvenile droid.

"Now all we need is a course. A job and if we're going to make a go of this, we should think hard on a place to make a home for ourselves. Beyond our ships. Someplace we can make a save harbor for when things invariably go sideways." Kyllan's tactical forethought kicked in as he addressed them all, but his gaze would settle on Quint last. It was only right that all of them have equal say in everything. But when it came to the ships, it was the captains that had final say.

 

[Sangga]

Hart wiped his mouth slowly, trying to conceal a smirk at Alisha's comment. The idea of stealing from big, powerful companies was all well and good, like most things, in theory. But he'd spent sometime smuggling against trading concerns and a few bounty hunters had been spurned off and, or spurned off their mortal coil. He began nodding at Kyllan's logic and raised a finger to the ceiling. "Right now, we need to get out of here and settle down for the final repairs and to get out of the vacuum... if everyone is looking to Buckethead and I... Taanab?" He moved to the navi-computer and brought up an image of the world.

He looked into each of their faces, such renewed eagerness had taken the man. They were off, the first choices of an enterprise, of regaining freedom. A crew assembled and with a half baked goal or three! "Jungle, plenty of canopy to hide the ships and a few outposts and even a City to get supplies from..." he turned to Pippa, her concern of Pantolomin's seas was taken into his consideration. "... no ocean near the centre of the land..." he turned to Alisha, a broad grin on his face, and a nod to Kyllan; he wasn't capable of a defined eyebrow wiggle. "...sights to see, on walks through the foliage and up hills... with your bunkmates." He hadn't figured the girl was with Kyllan... it mattered not, didn't it? He was a little past her age limit surely.

The little energised look in his eyes faded. It wasn't the assumption. "It is still a jungle, I know we're all armed... but there will be beasts; if we take this option I thought you should know. We might want to invest in some repellers, stompers or the like. Saying that, I'm sure between Buckethead and I we can come up with something." His restrained eagerness returned, looking frantically between each humanoid and even a few glances to the droids. "Would it help if I said I knew a guy there?"

 

[Pippa]

Pippa was over come. She couldn't express the joy she felt. Not audibly anyway. The cockpit became awash with a pleasant smell. A sugary scent but also a mixed with fragrant plants. It was a smell that some how conjured up the image of a warm garden, with a gentle caressing breeze and languid susurration through the trees. A comforting welcoming place with loved ones near by. She decided to keep her troubles to herself. If they became friends, or even good friends then perhaps they could help her then, for now she would focus on the team and becoming something more.

"..mostly Pippa..she knows more than me.."
"I am not sure that that is true. I would say that we definitely know different things." Pippa smiled at her.

"You're unlike anyone I've ever met before Pippa. You are a credit to your profession and I for one would be glad to fly the stars with you. You keep our ships flying and I promise to do all I can to keep you safe." Pippa had no idea how to reply to this. She simply stood there and grinned foolishly.

"... Taanab?"
She checked her pad to see if she had an entry about it. The entry read that the planet had been settled over a millennium ago and was primarily and agricultural planet with some large untamed tracks of jungle. She made a quick flight calculation and addressed the others. "Captain Quint Hart's assertions are indeed correct according to the information that I have. Based its galactic co-ordinates and these ship's class 4 hyperdrives I would say that we can be there in less that 5 hours if we make good time. I believe that this would be a good place for us to head, it caters to our most pressing needs. I would like to know of this guy you mentioned Captain Quint Hart. Alisha, I would also like to know if you think we can acquire the parts we will need to affect a full repair of the systems we have patched on the Entendre. While I am sure we have done good work I would be happier to get everything new rather than fixed if we can. On a similar note, I was wondering if you had had any ideas about potential improvements we could design for either of these ships?" Pippa turned as she spoke that last point, while it was mostly directed at Alisha she clearly intended to hear the two captain's input as well.

 

[Alisha D.]

Alisha was suddenly aware of the very pleasant smell that seemed to emanate..from..Pippa maybe? Alisha sniffed the air softly, but she didn't want to say anything just in case she inadvertently sounded rude. But it was almost comforting, so she limits herself to a smile at Pippa and Kyllan's interaction.

"I am not sure that that is true. I would say that we definitely know different things."

Alisha nodded, smiling more brightly "Well that's true."

"But don't sell yourself short Alisha. You're amazing with tech as well. If you ever need proof of that, just look at Arrone." She simply smiled at that, and patted the droid affectionately. Tippy beeped sadly, and at that, Alisha giggled and patted him too. He seemed to cheer up a little. She then returned her focus on the discussion amongst the group. She hadn't heard of the planet Tanaab, but she glanced at Pippa when the Captain mentioned the lack of oceans. Personally, she found that a little disappointing, her being almost compulsively attracted to water. She smirked thoguh "Really don't like water do you.."

"Would it help if I said I knew a guy there?"

Alisha shrugged "Well it sounds reasonable to me.I'll go wherever!"

"[...]Alisha, I would also like to know if you think we can acquire the parts we will need to affect a full repair of the systems we have patched on the Entendre. While I am sure we have done good work I would be happier to get everything new rather than fixed if we can. On a similar note, I was wondering if you had had any ideas about potential improvements we could design for either of these ships?"

Alisha pondered the question for a moment, and then crossed her arms and leaned on the nearby wall

"Well..if there is a city, we could check out to see what is available..In my experience, there is little point in planning repairs if we don't know what materials are available at first. We can look at the ships from the outside properly, then make a list of what we need or what we could improve, before checking the city or the surroundings out. Is there a chance of ships having fallen into the planet? Cause we can always scavenge those for parts if any. I..am also more used to fixing things rather than getting things new..but that's because I was raised on Tatooine..were new is..very rare indeed. But yes if we could get new parts that's always a bonus."

She nods to Pippa, smiling, then narrows her eyes briefly like she is remembering something

"Those two ships are very customizable..so what improvements we make really much depends on what we want to do with them..Costumisations add weight..but if we're not worried about that we could arm them more or make them more defensible..Up to the owners, that."

She nods to the group, her input over for now.

 

[StarWriter]

"..Taanab?"

Kyllan's gaze shifted to the image of the world, it was one he knew nothing about so he listened intently as his fellow captain informed them of the benefits of such a planet. "Jungle, plenty of canopy to hide the ships and a few outposts and even a City to get supplies from..."

"Good. Any place we make a base to operate from will have to allow us to conceal the ships. We will eventually have someone coming after us once we start to make a name for ourselves. Can't be helped, in our line of work. We're all going to end up making enemies, even if it's just hired guns from those who are too lazy, too weak, or too egotistical to come for us themselves. And being near good sources of supplies will help ensure we remain fully stocked and ready, so we can hopefully handle any situation that arises." Kyllan sat up a bit straighter as he spoke, seemingly pushing the discomfort of his wounds aside with singular focus.


"...sights to see, on walks through the foliage and up hills... with your bunkmates." That comment was enough to make the Mandolorian glance around a bit nervously between everyone though his gaze would eventually settle on Alisha and he'd give her a wink and a grin. Recalling a rather embarrassing moment aboard this ship during Alisha's first stay on the Entendre. Kyllan's gaze would glance at Tippy, after meeting Alisha's as if to accentuate his thoughts.


"It is still a jungle, I know we're all armed... but there will be beasts; if we take this option I thought you should know. We might want to invest in some repellers, stompers or the like. Saying that, I'm sure between Buckethead and I we can come up with something." This brought Kyllan back to the discussion at hand and he would nod, then look to each of them in turn. "Defensive countermeasures are paramount. Once we find a good place to call home, I'll draw up some plans for securing the location. Adding fortifications if necessary and doing what I can to keep us safe. Even with that each one of us will need to keep our martial skills as sharp as possible. I am willing to train anyone who wants to learn to defend themselves more effectively. I've already helped Alisha improve her aim." Kyllan would smile at his dear friend, then again wear a stoic expression. "I presume I am the only one of us with military training, so I'll take it upon myself to make sure we all can collectively survive whatever is thrown at us. But I'll need all of you to help me with that."

Kyllan would fall silent as their group's 'engineering team' began to discuss their group's technical needs as well as the future possibilities of both ships. While he couldn't speak for Hart's desires, Kyllan would chime in once there was a lull in their discussion.

"Any modifications you can make to the Entendre's defensive and offensive capabilities would make me a happy captain. While she and the Yoania likely have identical cargo specifications, I've already had Teethree and Arrone tinker a bit with my ship some. Never a bad thing to be able to survive long engagements. I think both ships should have their combat systems and engines beefed up a bit, but I am willing to make my ship the bruiser of the group." Ever the tactician and warrior, Kyllan's heritage was showing through his every word. And also his fierce sense of loyalty. They were all to be a crew, they had to stick together watch each other's backs and help uplift each other.

 

[Sangga]

"Captain Quint Hart's assertions are indeed correct according to the information that I have. Based its galactic co-ordinates and these ship's class 4 hyperdrives I would say that we can be there in less that 5 hours if we make good time. I believe that this would be a good place for us to head, it caters to our most pressing needs. I would like to know of this guy you mentioned Captain Quint Hart. Alisha, I would also like to know if you think we can acquire the parts we will need to affect a full repair of the systems we have patched on the Entendre. While I am sure we have done good work I would be happier to get everything new rather than fixed if we can." He smiled, the little alien was almost infectious, maybe it was the scent that he was sure was coming out of her. He took a moments to gather his thoughts. "On a similar note, I was wondering if you had had any ideas about potential improvements we could design for either of these ships?" His stomach dropped, converting the Yoania, he'd rather convert himself! She'd seen him through enough to be deemed fit for service. He raised his finger to interject, but Alisha beat him to it.

"We can look at the ships from the outside properly, then make a list of what we need or what we could improve, before checking the city or the surroundings out. Is there a chance of ships having fallen into the planet? Cause we can always scavenge those for parts if any... Those two ships are very customizable... so what improvements we make really much depends on what we want to do with them... Customisations add weight..but if we're not worried about that we could arm them more or make them more defensible..Up to the owners, that. " More on these customisations, did they doubt his girl? Yes, she wasn't a combat ship... now was she a speedster, but she was fine. He'd seen a few hunters off with an able crew. His held up hand lowered and balled into a fist, he was going to say his peace.

"Any modifications you can make to the Entendre's defensive and offensive capabilities would make me a happy captain. While she and the Yoania likely have identical cargo specifications, I've already had Teethree and Arrone tinker a bit with my ship some. Never a bad thing to be able to survive long engagements. I think both ships should have their combat systems and engines beefed up a bit, but I am willing to make my ship the bruiser of the group." He'd had enough of this talk. Ever so slightly he cracked his knuckles, tested practise at the table kept his action calm and deliberate/ The key was to think on anything to take his mind of the idea of slicing her up and moving her innards around. His rage built within and was crushed down, compacted and compressed. A hard lump would be then buried and he'd release at sometime later on.

"No. She's fine how she is..." he looked to Kyllan. "... of course, those suited to fighting should have ships that can keep up with their capabilities." What little venom remained at these thoughts was pushed out at this ugly concept. "... now... if we're smuggling, we're going to need one ship that is basic, and more importantly can still function within normal parameters when carrying cargo. So the Yoania is off limits for tinkering and customization, other than that you're more than welcome to come over." He held out his arms in an open gestured to them, one more thought came into his head. "That being said, what will the crewing arrangements be. We need equal gunners and droids, for the sake of..." he nodded to the Mandolorian. "... defense. As well as one mechanic and a droid each." He turned away, to return to his ship and await the Yoania latest crew additions. "I'm not getting involved in that split, they are my thoughts on the matter... you are all welcome anytime but ships need flight crew." He paced off to the airlock and relished in the smell of his own ship, a little from the incense burner in his bunk and a few ingrained smells, liked stir fried Magneta Onion and Bantha steak... that and the steel of the deck.

He headed to his bunkroom, it was not for the bottle. But it was about that time of the day, not always as unpredictable as a cornered Tuskcat. Hart had some semblance of a ritual, he lit two incense sticks and opened the small Body-wood shrine. Placing the sticks in their holder before an old holo-pict activated the mini projector. He watched a woman, play with a small boy warping slightly in the Yoania scented smoke. Both had pale skin, hair and were the picture of good looks. He reached over his head, knocking off his hat and pulling a bottle of Endrollian Apple Cider of his shelf. Toasting the image as the pair looked at him, draining what remained of the fermented juice. He heard a noise by the door and turned rapidly bottle ready to throw.

 

[Pippa]

Pippa watched the captain leave, and suck much of the energy of the conversation with him. "Squeak." she swore quietly. "I had not meant to offend, I mostly intended talk of improvements as a bonding thought excersise we could share. I thought that if we described the sort of things we desire in a ship we might find out more about each other since a spaceship seems to be this galaxies' symbol of freedom and all that that implies. Though I suppose we've learnt something." She sighed. The sweet scent dissipated and the normal smells of the two ships intermingled once more. "That said, if you are interested Kyllan then I am sure we can start thinking about ways to boost the Entendre's combat rating."

"I presume I am the only one of us with military training.."
"In my case you would presume correctly. Outside of a walker or emplacement I am mostly defenceless."
She performed a quick head count and mentally filled out the roles that it appeared these ships required, at most they would need a 4-5 man crew with a pilot, 1-2 gunners with one doubling as navigator, and an engineer and either an assistant or a good fighter for occasional internal ship combat. "I m not sure I agree with Captain Quint Hart about deciding crew for the ships at this moment. Furthermore until we reach Taanab I feel we should keep the ships docked, this will support the Entendre's recently repaired systems and allow us better access to each other for the trip. We should only need to decouple in the event of a space battle which should be unlikely. We can decide crewing roles when we get there, we may find that we need additional crew which is not something we can organise from hyperspace." She thought to herself for a moment and chittered with slight irritation. "Since my walker is already aboard the Yoania I will follow Captain Quint Hart and try to talk to them, i feel that this is my fault after all. Alisha, I would still be happy to show you the features of my walker after that if you wanted."

Pippa clinked her way back into the Yoania, stopping to deposit her bag by the statuesque diving walker. She stopped to listen and smell for the captain and was able to place his scent to a room in the living quarters of the ship that also contained sounds of activity. As she drew closer to the bunk-room she heard the faint electric buzz of a holo-projector blinking into life. A thick smell of incense began to roll down the corridor and she heard a bottle uncork. She popped her head through the door. She saw the captain raise a glass to a small wooden box that had light emanating from it and then drain it's contents. As she lent forward one of her feet lost traction on the steel floor and she pitched over. She squeaked and panicked at the captains reaction, shocked by the raised bottle and spooked from falling down.

"Please am sorry, no mean to.." she burbled and recoiled instinctively doing her best to curl into a ball but ending up face down with her arms over her head.

 

[Alisha D.]

Alisha observed the exchange with a smile on her face, which faded quickly when she noticed the Captain's reaction to the dialogue. She tensed up immediately..What did she say? Surely it was her though, she's never been very cautious or wise with her words..

"No. She's fine how she is..."

Ah..Alisha should have realized this sooner..Her enthusiasm meant that she completely ignored the fact that the Captain seemed very touchy when it came to his ship...She bit her lips, and watched him leave anxiously. She turned to Pippa and spoke after her. She also noticed the smell that emanated from her before faded.

"Ye I'd like to take a look at the armour later..but the Captain's reaction was was my fault..Ugh I'm such an idiot when it comes to these things.." She took a deep sigh as she took a seat in the lounge next to Kyllan, leaning back on the seat and sort of slumping down dejectedly. Why was she so bad with words? She watched Pippa walk out of the room and turned to Kyllan "I should have been more careful about my words..You reckon the captain will be ok? I didn't meant to say his ship wasn't good enough..." She looks at him worriedly, maybe hoping for some kind of comfort...

"Do you think he'll forgive me? Maybe I can buy him a bottle of something..But I have NO idea what he drinks..I assume he does.." Alisha almost got lost in these thoughts, quickly trying to think of ways of gaining the Captain's favour again. The idea of being chucked out was..well it seemed unlikely but Alisha got terrified all of a sudden. She didn't want to be alone, even if she knew she could count on Kyllan still.

 

[StarWriter]

Kyllan had to admit he was not expecting his fellow captain to suddenly explode like that, much less the venomous jab at him and his ship before the man stormed off back to the Yoania. Though, as a captain himself he empathized with Hart's reaction. When you owned a ship she was your world. Your means of survival, your home, your transport, a ship was a much a part of a captain's being as a Mandolorian's armor was to them. More so even. In Kyllan's case his warrior instincts were also just as strong as his bond with his ship. And while he adored the Entendre, he was also a bit more practical than sentimental. He wanted to get the most out of his ship. The Entendre was already a smidge faster and durable than the stock model as he'd had his droids modify her shortly after acquiring her.

Kyllan wore a sympathetic smile on his face as he watched Hart exit his ship and would then look to Pippa and Alisha. "I had not meant to offend...That said, if you are interested Kyllan then I am sure we can start thinking about ways to boost the Entendre's combat rating."

He would wave a hand dismissively. "It's alright Pippa. I know how he feels. A captains connection to their ship is a rather powerful bond. Some, as in my case realize that while she's remarkable she could always have room for improvement. That's just the way of things, especially as technology progresses but I will always fiercely defend her honor. There is no ship better than mine. And in Captain Hart's mind, the same is true of the Yoania. Though he seems to be of the other mindset, his ship is perfect as she is and no manner of tinkering can improve on the wonder that is his ship. Neither of us are wrong. Each ship has seen us through a great deal and hopefully will continue to do so until we are long dead and the ravages of time have consumed them." Kyllan wasn't often one for making such grandiose speeches but there it was. He'd smile at the two of them and nod at Pippa. "I for one, will gladly accept any help you two can make in bolstering the Entendre. She's a fine ship. I want her to be finer."

".....Furthermore until we reach Taanab I feel we should keep the ships docked..." Kyllan would nod at this. "I agree. Once we've an established base of our own we may find that from time to time our needs may involve grounding one, or the other ship in favor of having a single vessel with a full compliment of crew. A rare thing I'm sure, since I think our having two ships will be to our benefit more often than not. For now, I do think it's best if we remain as we are. But mine is not the only decision that matters on this point. Captain Hart, give him a moment to center himself and then we should ask him."

Kyllan's gaze would drift to Alisha when she sat down beside him on the lounge. Seeing the expression she wore he would give her an empathetic smile and rest an arm around her shoulders for comfort. "You're not an idiot Alisha. Just inexperienced in dealing with captains. After all, as far as I know I'm the only one you've dealt with for any period of length and I'm a terrible example." He'd chuckle, attempting to lighten her mood. "He'll be fine. You didn't say his ship wasn't good enough. At least I know you didn't mean it that way. Some of us captains can be a bit...sensitive when it comes to our starships. I'm sure he'll forgive you, so don't worry about it. I'm sure you can make it up to him whenever the time comes that you need to make repairs to the Yoania. I think he'd appreciate that more than anything."

"I'm really glad you're here, Alisha." He would say, his voice suddenly became somber. "I wasn't sure if I'd ever see you again. And that hurt more than I thought it would."

 

[Sangga]

"Please am sorry, no mean to.." she burbled and recoiled instinctively doing her best to curl into a ball but ending up face down with her arms over her head.

He let his grip on the bottle slacken, and the alertness of his taught muscles relax. He reclined back across the bunk and placed the bottle back on the shelf. "By Her Majesty's Grace, Shorstack! Do they not have privacy where you come from?" He let the image continue with the recording, if she hadn't seen it before now there was no sense in it being a secret that he hide from the crew... his crew... his crewmates. There was a heavy silence as he waited for her to get up from her defensive little ball, he hooked one leg over the other and bobbed his riding booted foot up and down as he thought on their next move and why she was here.

No doubt it was his outburst, but gak it they were not changing her. If hey were going to apologise, great, if not they'd move on and he'd deny them again. The other theme of his thoughts was Taanab. Rolling agricultural fields, thick jungles. It'd be very interesting to say the least, Last time he was there, there was some good business, some bad Pazaak players and many a memory of drink, long nights and some company.

He looked to his side, back to the little rodent-like creature. "Look, Pippa I'm sorry if I scared you. What can I do for you?" He sat up, placing the wide-brimmed hat on his short haired scalp. With a wipe of hie nose and eyes he got up and turned the holo-projector off, turning around he'd stand upright with his hands on his hips. His full size and bulk expanded on by his long duster and hat. "Come on then, out with it. What goes on?"

 

[Pippa]

Pippa took a while to come to her feet. She still wasn't good at dealing with perceived danger when she wasn't in her diver. It's difficult to live in a world of giants, where anyone could just overpower you by sheer weight alone. Pippa was still not used to living so small and the time she had spent in captivity didn't help. She wanted always to see the best in people but it is difficult to overcome psychologically programmed behaviour. She composed herself and allowed her memories to fade back into her subconscious where they belonged. Standing over the threshold of the room she now noticed the holo-projector's image. Her gaze held on it distinctly for a moment or two and then shifted to the captain. She decided not to bring it up for now, then proceeded to address him in order. "No Captain Quint Hart, privacy is not a very common concept on my home world. The entire clan was responsible for raising young as a communal effort. Constant co-operation was also required to ensure the clan would survive harsher storms. With everyone so connected there was not much need for privacy and I forget that many cultures in this galaxy deem it so important. So for invading yours I apologise."

She paused briefly. Intimidated by the captain's full stature. "I also came to apologise if the discussion earlier caused any offence. I assure you it was not my intention to insinuate that the Yoania required alteration or was in some way inferior or unimpressive. I understand how important a ship can be to its owner. I have come to understand how striking a symbol of freedom and control the starship is in the galaxy and that a ship's design and alteration or lack there of is indicative of its owners care, consideration and personality. I originally began the discussion in order to learn more about all of you and i believe that I have. But, if it is not too personal a question, I would also like to directly ask exactly what the Yoania means to you?"

 

[Alisha D.]

"After all, as far as I know I'm the only one you've dealt with for any period of length and I'm a terrible example."

Alisha got brought back from her thoughts at his words, and would give him a small smirk at that comment. Of course, Alisha thought equally highly of Kyllan as a captain as much as Hart. When his tone changed, and he put his arms around her, she would instantly and visibly relax, her tension gone. She made a mental note to apologize to Hart later, and she believed Kyllan when he said the captain would be ok. He didn't seem unreasonable, any way, simply very attached to his ship.

"I wasn't sure if I'd ever see you again. And that hurt more than I thought it would."

Alisha's heart would flutter to the Mandalorian's words, and her cheeks would brighten again, but so would her eyes. "I..was worried you know. But I knew you'd be ok..you do kick ass." She would chuckle softly, before speaking again with a soft, sweet tone, that suggested affection. It was very sweet for him to say that, and Alisha was quite happy to hear it.

"I am glad you're here too." She also shuffled towards him slightly and pressed herself against him, smiling at him. For a brief moment, it seemed to Alisha that time stopped, and she felt the rhythm in her chest increase rapidly. Then a thought occurred to her. She remembered seeing both Kyllan and Hart with rather sombre faces when she came into her room, and she looks at him with a slightly puzzled look.

"But are you guys still worried about the bounty hunters? Is that why you looked like you've both seen a ghost?" She smirks a little bit. Of course, she was too curious not to ask at that moment, though she didn't want to dampen the mood too much.

 

[StarWriter]

Feeling Alisha relax against him made him smile, knowing that him holding her like this could improve her mood that much, that she felt comfortable with him. His arms would squeeze her in a tight hug. The last time he had seen her was right before having to jettison her and Tippy in one of the Entendre's escape pods while he was under attack by bounty hunters. While their pod drifted to Pantolomin, he entered light speed with a ship on fire. Thankfully having two droids skilled in making repairs helped, though his ship still bore the scars from that moment.

"I..was worried you know. But I knew you'd be ok..you do kick ass." Those words brought a proud smile to his lips. "It's good to know you think so highly of me. I'm sorry to make you worry, though it's nice to know someone other than my parents cares about me."

"I am glad you're here too." If those words weren't enough to make his heart race the affectionate tone of her voice and the way she pressed against him certainly would. Kyllan's chin would rest on the crown of her chin as they held one another, briefly kissing the top of her head affectionately.

"...like you've both seen a ghost?" Kyllan would shake his head at this his content smile and demeanor would sour a bit but that couldn't be helped. "Well, bounty hunters will always be a problem. Especially once we start making a name for ourselves all of us will likely end up with prices on our heads. The hunters we ran into here were sent to claim a pair of bounties on my head. One by a Hutt clan, the other...is from the Sith. They've been called off for the time being. Captain Hart apparently has a debt with one of the Hutts and asked that he pay off the bounties. In exchange his own debts with the Hutts will increase commensurately, he basically made his life worse just to spare...me. Of all people. I don't think I deserved to have someone else take on my burdens. He's a good man. I just hope that I'm worth him being further in the grip of Nar Shaddaa."

Kyllan's tone was somber and he squeezed her a bit tighter as if desperately needing comfort. The half-breed Mandolorian would open up to her, that was how comfortable he felt around her, which if he was honest with himself he never truly expected to ever feel this close to someone. "One way or another I will repay him. I will get him out of the Hutt's clutches if it kills me. On my honor." There was an intensity to his tone and if she looked up at him she'd see a fierce and fiery determination in his eyes as he stared at nothing.

 

[Sangga]

"But, if it is not too personal a question, I would also like to directly ask exactly what the Yoania means to you?" Privacy was certainly a foreign concept to her, he cocede an eyebrow, the brim of his hat rising slightly. With a big sigh he signalled for her to move back and as he passed he waved her to follow him toward the cockpit of the Yoania and set about selecting a destination for the navicomputer to calculate a trip to Taanab.

"Take a look at these records here... all these marked planets. I've seen from the Core to the other sides of Sith and Hutt Space, and I've only been a spacer for five years!" With a double blip the navi-computer confirmed his choice of world and set about with route finding. "So the old Gal's a good ride and taken me to more places than I'd like to have gone. She's kept me safe from many a fight... as well as been my only company on longhaul flights... like to Naboo, all the way along the Enarc Run. Not the fastest of routes..." he flicked a few switches and the request to have the Double Entendre's controls linked to those at Hart's finger tips, was sent. "Would I trade her in for another ship? That depends... now we have the other one... yeah I might go bigger, especially to work off my debt quicker. It'd have be a something like a Cago Freighter but it'd be do able. I still wouldn't scrap her though... I'd pass her on to some young kid like I was."

 

[Pippa]

Pippa followed the captain and listened to his answer. She had seen this mentality before. Some of the older researchers at the lab felt this way about their deep-water excursion vehicles. They always spoke as though their vehicles were living people, members of the clan, with whom they'd fought for life and limb. It was not a mentality that Pippa understood. There was no sense in allowing a piece of engineering to become obsolete or worn to the point of malfunction, but they never seemed willing to allow any work on them except for repair (and that was a rarity). It just didn't make sense. She could understand reliance on a vehicle and an affection for it. Her diving walker had literally saved her live barely an hour before. But it wouldn't be able to do that if she didn't constantly work to improve it, in fact that last fracas and seeing Kyllan go down like that proved it needed an upgrade. But that didn't mean that she'd treat it like a living thing, it didn't have an artificial intelligence.

Though now that she thought about it, refusing to allow a person to grow seemed like a fairly mean thing to do. And if you were going to treat a vehicle like a person...well it all just seemed a little contradictory. Who wouldn't want to see something bloom, reach a higher potential. And further more, wouldn't throwing in with three strangers and another ship count as a significant change. Different crew would cause all kinds of changes to the ship just by virtue of their existence. Oh well, it would probably have to be something they'd learn to argue about. "Thank you Captain Quint Hart, for explaining your perspective. I am not sure I agree with your sentiment, however, I will fully respect your wishes. I have not seen many ships larger than the Yoania, our escape shuttle was about this mass. One of the scavenger ships was approximately three times her width and double the length though she is much faster and boasts a more aesthetically pleasing design. I am not sure I can imagine the need for such a vast ship, at least not with our current compliment of personnel."

Her thoughts flickered back to the other crew members, she decided that she'd go see if they were ready for the jump to hyperspace. "If you will forgive me I will go and lash down my walker for the duration of the hyperspace journey." She clanked back to the hold and secured the walker tying it down with dura-weave cord. She then pottered back to the Entendre to intrude on Alisha and Kyllan. When she arrived she saw the two of them in a fairly intimate looking embrace, Kyllan was staring intently into the middle distance, the light behind his eyes ablaze with purpose. Pippa paused and watched hesitantly for a beat before interrupting the moment "Are the two of you prepared for Hyperspace?" she squeaked.

 

[Alisha D.]

Alisha listened to Kyllan's explanation attentively. She looks slightly alarmed at the mention of the Hutts and the Sith. Between the two, if she really had to choose, she'd chose the Hutts everytime..If you were careful, you could at least make it out alive from the Hutts...The Sith, on the other hand...She shivered slightly at remembering spotting one from afar on Tatooine. It was terrifying enough as it is, Alisha never wanted to meet one close. She shook it off, without saying anything and continued to listen.

"Hmm Hutts ARE greedy slugs..but we'll get the captain free yet.." And just like that, her optimism was back. She didn't want to further sour the mood so she made an effort to smile. Most people would have found it hard to be optimistic in dealing with someone that was so much in debt to the Hutts. Alisha, however, figured that if they played their cards right, they would eventually be able to clear the debt. The hutts greediness was known throughout the galaxy, and one thing Alisha knows is that they would always try to extend the debt, which meant keeping the debtor alive at least. After a few moment lost in thought, she noticed Kyllan's look, and she brought her arm around his back and onto his shoulder, trying to gently squeeze him affectionately.

"We'll figure it out! And for the record, I think you're worth a lot.. " Alisha stared at him affectionately for a while, and found herself instinctively leaning in closer to his face, her chest thumping slightly again. Their lips were inches away from touching, when Pippa came into the room. She quickly leaned back with her head, but didn't really try to distance herself too much. They would eventually figure something was up anyway, so she saw no point in pretending too much. It wasn't like her, anyway.

"Are the two of you prepared for Hyperspace?"

"I err..ye..er.." She stands up a little nervously, turning to Pippa again"Is the Captain ok? I think I will need to go apologize also.." She bites her lower lip anxiously. She didn't give it a thought as to what she might say..She was not good with words, which this incident perfectly demonstrated. Slowly and almost unwillingly, she stepped away from the lounge and with one last smile at Kyllan, and a quick "See you shortly" to Pippa, she then walked out the lounge, and back to the Yoania, looking for the Captain. She also had no idea on why she immediately started calling him captain. Perhaps because he gave Alisha the impression of being a really good leader for the group.

Once on board of the Yoania, Alisha spotted Pippa's armor and smiled. Despite her intentions, she couldn't help but slow down to admire her, reminding herself to ask Pippa to explain it later. She then headed towards the Captain's room, feeling a little bit nervous, her heart still rather fluttery from earlier. She noticed the door still open so she'd softly call

"Hmm Captain? " She would stop before the door, not wanting to peak and risk further provoking him..

 

[StarWriter]

"Hmm Hutts ARE greedy slugs..but we'll get the captain free yet.." Kyllan offered her a warm smile upon hearing this, her optimism was infectious as was that radiant smile. "Mhm."

"We'll figure it out! And for the record, I think you're worth a lot.. " That was enough to draw him from his thoughts and he focused his gaze on hers, a thump in his chest the moment he noticed how close she was to him.

The Mandolorian smuggler found himself in a unique, unexpected and pleasant situation. Never once in his life had he been with, nor found himself comfortable enough with any woman to not only drop his guard and reveal in essence who he was, to tell of his past or even spend such fond time in a woman's company more than once. It was a bit unnerving. All that martial training, the Mandolorian ways ingrained in him since he was a youth. Even being tempered by his father's more, cavalier persona, becoming this close to someone was nothing he'd ever even considered possible and yet here he was, in the lounge of his beloved ship with what was perhaps the most beautiful and remarkable woman in the outer rim, if not the entire galaxy.

So comfortable was he, that Kyllan missed the soft beeping coming from the cockpit that signaled a request of his computer. Nor did he realize that Pippa had once again boarded his ship until he heard her soft voice. "Are the two of you prepared for Hyperspace?" Kyllan jumped slightly at the squeakily voiced query.

Thankfully Alisha, seemingly caught off balance as much as he redirected the question with one of her own. That was when he made note of the sounds coming from the cockpit. Though he was a bit disheartened that their compatriots entrance interrupted what was undoubtedly going to be a pleasant embrace he couldn't help but grin at the fact that Alisha did not withdraw from him much. As if she wanted to be precisely where she was.

Kyllan would glance about for a moment then call out to one of his droids. "Teethree. Sounds like the old codger is requesting our ship's controls be linked with his. Go ahead and link up with the Yoania."

The dutiful droid would chirp and whistle in acknowledgment before zipping off towards the bow of the ship to acquiesce. A few moments after he vanished from sight the sounds would cease and Quint would receive a confirmation as the other freighter's controls were thus linked. Much to Kyllan's chagrin, when he turned back to the two of them, he did so in time to see Alisha exiting the lounge and would smile when she glanced back at him. "I hope this doesn't come across as being rude, or too forward Pippa, but I've never met your species before. I'd like to learn a bit more about your kind whenever you have time. Also, I have given Alisha a brief lesson on self defense the last time we were together. I would be glad to extend you the same offer, should you desire to learn how to protect yourself more capably. There will be times when I will not be able to protect all of you. So, the more adept you are at combat the more at ease my mind will be." Kyllan would slowly rise to his feet and then proceed to the cockpit where he'd sit in the pilot's seat. His chiropteran crewmate would be more than welcome to join him, he'd even gesture as such as he walked away.

 

[Sangga]

Finally the confirmation cam through, the ships were both under his control, from the helm of the Yoania and they could now enter Hyperspace. At first he rotated the conjoined twins to face the direction the navi-computer had calculated for them, then he'd bring up the throttle on the sub-lights to clear the orbit they had found themselves in. The harmonised thrum of the pairing could be heard by an attuned ear, and it spread a smile across his face. He flicked a few switches to send a warning alarm, hopefully they'd realise what was about to happen and would get seated down in time.

"Hmm Captain?" There was nothing in the sliver of observable interior that Alisha's angle could provide her. Only silence initially greeted her. Hart halted the process and returned the power back to the sub-light engines, a slight shudder from the ships as the hyperdrives were powered down. He got up and headed down to the archway to the crew quarters. There he stood, the glow of the overhead lamps covering causing a shadow from the brim of his hat to cover his eyes.

"You need to be restrained." he realised that may have come off not only a little strong, but at a very odd angle for his intention. He raised both his hands in apology. The light suddenly getting to show his entire face as glanced up to 'the sky'. "That is we're about to make the transition to hyperspace... I thought you were on the DT, so I only sent the message over there." The Hapan then turned away with a shrug, he'd talk to her about whether she'd looked into his quarters later, and then jerked his head as a signal to follow. The ringing of grating being struck by his boot soles tolled out until he was in the cockpit and sitting in the pilot's seat. The expanse of the starscape seemed so dark compared to the 'night's' sky on Hapan. It always unnerved him, on a deep level. Sure it was that which he traveled through, but it was rare he got time to just observe the darkness of space. He'd wait until he got confirmation from the Entendre and that Alisha was sat down and safe before transitioning to lightspeed. The reflective glow of Pantolomin's surface was dying down now and more stars awoke... still nothing compared to Hapan. He hit a stud on the console and sent a transmission to the cockpit of the Entendre "You all strapped in?"

 

[Pippa]

"Is the Captain ok? I think I will need to go apologise also.." Pippa couldn't really gauge the captain's mood yet, not knowing whether he was particularly annoyed or not she could neither encourage or dissuade her so she simply nodded.
"See you shortly" Pippa waved her hands slightly as Alisha left.

"I hope this doesn't come across as being rude, or too forward Pippa, but I've never met your species before. I'd like to learn a bit more about your kind whenever you have time. Also, I have given Alisha a brief lesson on self defense...the more at ease my mind will be."

Pippa followed after the Mandalorian and hopped up into the co-pilot's seat. "Not at all, I my self am also intrigued by everyone else's biology. So much of it is so different to what I tend to expect, more than anything else I am always surprised by the different levels of sensory information other species seem to experience-"
"You all strapped in?" The captain's voice interrupted. Pippa stopped to click the seat's cross harness into place and tightened the straps. "In place Captain Quint Hart." she buzzed over the comms before turning back to Kyllan.
"Sorry. I'd be happy to tell you about my race right now, we should have a few hours for this jump though later I would happily take you up on the offer to learn to fight, I know in this I have much to learn. My species is called Chadra-fan. I hail from a watery planet called Chad. I am not surprised that you have not seen one of my kind before. As far as I am aware there may only be a handful of us in the galaxy that are not on chad and only two others that I know of for sure. We only developed ships capable of true interstellar travel within the last few years. Otherwise though I must ask more specifically what would you like to know?"

 

[Alisha D.]

Alisha waited a few moments, then realised the captain was likely not in his room anymore when she was greeted by silence. However, she recognised the sound of the hyper drive being powered down. She immediately gathered they were about to jump to hyperspace and decided to head for the cockpit, still hoping the Captain wouldn't be too annoyed. When she was just about to head to the cockpit, before she took more than half a step, she heard Harts voice from down below.

"You need to be restrained."

Alisha turned to face the captain, blinking for a second..That was rather uncalled for...She spotted his gesture, however, and she smirked when he pointed out they were about to jump.

"Ah..right...you'd be surprised the amount of times my father says that to me.".

With a short, nervous giggle, she followed the captain and sat down next to him in the cockpit, and strapped herself in. Once again, she couldn't help but stare at the space outside. It looked so beautiful to.her, even if so dark. She didn't start to talk immediately, clearly enjoying the view. It was a few minutes before she remembered why she'd come over there. She hesitated to speak , however. She got a little tense and started biting her lower lip. After several more moments in silence, she decided she really needed to say something.

"So..Err..I'm sorry for earlier. I meant no offence when talking about your ship.." Her tone is soft and almost dejected as she keeps her gaze outside, her expression matching her voice.

"I have this habit of not always thinking things through before I speak..." At this point she sighed, expecting the jump at any moment.