WoL II: Nubia Thread 3

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

Wings Of Liberty II

Nubia
Thread 3

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The Highwind came out of hyperspace and the visage of Nubia filled the viewport. Crix smiled as he took int eh celestial body, seeing planets hanging weightlessly in space was one of his favorite parts of being a smuggler, it just never got old. Suddenly, Peetwo wailed and began to chitter at him. He sighed as the moment slipped away.

"What's going on, bud?" He asked.

Peetwo, who was connected to the ship's console, warbled rocking back and forth on his treads.

"Oh please, that carburetor always goes out. Flush the section, then purge and restart, it should be fine. We just need to get through this mission and we can set down from some serious maintenance." he said with more confidence than he felt.

The Highwind was starting to show it's age. The Smuggler had used this ship for nearly a decade and with the increasing danger of their missions, he'd either need to sink the majority of his savings into repairs or buy a new ship. Neither option was ideal, but it was what it was.

Crix pulled out his datapad and pulled up the mission debriefing. There wasn't a lot of moving parts to this one and for that he was thankful. They were assigned to protect a light freighter commissioned by the Alliance to deliver droid parts. Since the empire's secession from the sector, pirate attacks had become far more prevalent, and several ships had run into trouble leading to serious losses for the already weakened Nubian economy. This was a prime opportunity for the Alliance to prove they could protect those under their banner.

Even with his ship acting up, Crix was confident they'd be more than capable of handling a handful of pirates. He stepped into his ships lounge and grabbed a water. They were a little early, which was waaaaay out of character for him, but sometimes it paid to be ahead of schedule. Fury was due any minute and had orders to hail when he arrived. Mira volunteered to blow shab out of the air if need be and was onboard in her quarters. Once they were all together, they'd rendezvous with the client and begin their mission.

Crix took a deep breath and let it out slow. He still wasn't sleeping well and knew once this mission was wrapped he'd have to look into the strange nightmares he was suffering from.

@Darasuum @Painus @Raydo @GABA

 

[Brent Fury Drast]

Brent's hands rapped on the dashboard in a sorry excuse for a drum set before pointing towards his co-pilot, a simple 286 series pilot droid. Naturally the droid just looked at him momentarily with the blank expression that all droids seemed to have. Yet it seemed to show a way of saying 'really? I'm not programmed to be your vibe buddy. This is the Xth time you've expected me to jam out to this song yet I still have yet to so much as tap a digit. What do you expect?' But Brent just shrugged and went back to beating his non existent drums.

His own XS-100 came out of hyperspace alongside the Highwind. This was a stroll so far. Nothing more than a road trip as far as he was concerned. He clicked the sensors on with the timing of one of the notes going along with his music. He wondered if the other ship could hear his music. It was strange, he had grown up thinking sound could not travel in the vacuum of space yet somewhere along the line he must have missed a school lesson that explained noise being able to travel through space. It did not bother him much. It just meant his enemies and friends alike could hear his sick beats.

It seemed like nothing was going on though and his acted out drum solo was giving him a work out. He got up and went to the back of the cockpit where a minifridge resided. Popping it open a flow of cooled vaporous air like what a commercial showed. The light basked his face perfectly.

Without waiting another moment he grabbed a can of coce-kola and cracked it open with one of the boys. One of the boys being the only boy on his ship. And by boy he meant the non-gendered automaton solely made to pilot his vessel despite being given semi-sentience and built to be a slave for any and every master it was given to. But the taste of the sweet sweet Kola was too good to make him spare a moment to think about the civil rights a technically living being might have as he enjoyed his simple luxury.

"Aaaaah, that's good."

@GABA @Zay @Painus @Raydo

 

[Mira Kryze]

Mira was bored.

Not that it was necessarily a bad thing. Hers was a life of constant activity; fly here, shoot there, punch this guy, drink that guy under the table, yadda yadda yadda. The moments of respite and alone time were few and far between, whether she was back on Mandalore or studying ancient Jedi texts through osmosis, which, on numerous occasions, got her yelled at for getting drool on the pages. Perhaps, she would challenge, the books shouldn’t be so dull as to put me to sleep. That line of reasoning never got her very far or earned her many friends in the archives, though.

A rhythmic thud could be heard every few seconds from within Mira’s quarters. If one deigned to look, they’d see her sitting on the floor with her back against the bunk tossing a small ball against the wall, catching it, and repeating the process. This went on for about an hour leading up to The Highwind exiting hyperspace and she found it relaxing. Once they had returned to realspace though, the Mandalorian slowly rose to her feet, donned her armor out of habit, and left her quarters.

The door behind her closed with a creaky swish-ack that admitted the true age of the ship, though she didn’t particularly care. Things got old, and it was better to use them until they broke than to replace things whenever a small problem arose. Maybe she was just cheap. Hell, she wasn’t even using her own ship – not that she had one – and instead volunteered to be the gunner for Crix on the mission. It seemed like a fun idea.

Mira made her way down the corridors towards the ship’s lounge and popped into the door just after Crix had taken his deep breath and she watched, silently, from the doorway for a moment. When he had finished his breathing exercise or whatever, she rapped her knuckles on the metal interior. ”Nervous?” she asked, quirking an eyebrow. This seemed like a routine escort mission, what'd he have to fear?

@Darasuum @Zay @Raydo @GABA

 

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

Crix chucked as he turned to meet Mira's question, "Me, never." he replied.

He took a sip of water as he moved to The Highwind's communication suite. "Feel free to grab something eat or drink. No telling how exciting this is going to be."

In the center of the room was a holoprojector, just in front was a table with four chairs. Crix took a seat and stretched out leaning back in the seat and crossing one leg over the other. He set his water on the table and clasped his hands behind his head. He hated the hurry up and wait game it was the exact reason he liked running late. When you showed up late the excitement was underway not on its way. Peetwo's warble announced an incoming ship and announced another XS-100 had arrived just behind them. Crix smiled Fury had arrived. That meant their client would be making their appearance soon enough.

When Mira entered the com room, Crix asked, "So, other than the force what made you join The Alliance?"

The Rebel was curious about his gunner. He knew she'd be solid on the turret she was Mandalorian after all, but she'd kept to her room for the most part of the trip and he wanted to get to know her a little before they ran into any trouble. It was a selfish desire, but it always made him feel weird working in life or death combat with someone he didn't really know.

Peetwo came back over the com and Crix translated as the little droid chittered. "The client's approaching," he cleared his throat and sat up straight in his chair. "Alright, Peetwo, hail Fury and then the client. Let's get this show on the road."

The client's image flickered into iridescent life as it's form coalesced in front of them. "Draak Larrth, a pleasure to meet you. I'm Crix--" he gestured toward Mira introduced her and then Fury. "We'll be joining the convoy today in order to scare off any opposition."

The Ithorian bobbed it's head in appreciation, "Thank you, Crix. We're headed to the nearest entrance to the Corellian Run. I'm sending the coordinates to you now."

"Thanks," he said as he looked over coordinates, "Look's like it's pretty close, have the pirates been hitting ships this close to the planet?"

Sadness permeated from the being as it solemnly bobbed it's head. The smuggler felt for the being. It was clear in his expression that they'd either been hit of had close friends that had. "Well Draak, we'll do everything in our power to get you there safely. We'll be in touch if anything seems out of the normal. Keep your head down and your eyes up." Draak obliged and ended his portion of the communication.

"Fury you take point. We can rotate every three hours. Let's get this merchant to the Corellian run, huh?"

@Darasuum @Painus

 

[Brent Fury Drast]

Brent cleared his throat when his introduction came out. He scrambled to turn the music down a little, but some of it blasted for the first half second his link was active. "This is Fury Drast. A pleasure." He said after clearing his throat and speaking a little deeper than his actual voice normally sounded. First impressions, always important. Nailed it He thought to himself.

After hearing the rest of the communication he nodded and sent a verbal confirmation regarding Crix's directions. "You heard the man, tin-head. Lead the way. Keep the scanners active." He said over the inner ship's communication link. After that was done he made sure his side was muted so his music would not blast the other people's. Though they could probably still hear the subwoofer he installed in the back. A video started to play of some old jedi parties he could only hope to one day be a part of.

If he had his lightsaber right now Brent would probably light it up and start dancing. It had been a minute since he had gone to a rave. Then again, doing a wheel barrow of spice and then spending a Hoth's winter worth of time on Nar Shaddaa was perhaps not what Arda had really meant by testing his stamina in dangerous environments.

@GABA @Zay @Painus

 

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

Crix copied Fury's response and then cut the transmission. He turned to Mira who suddenly looked pale as a ghost. He frowned in confusion and asked, "You all good?"

Mira opened her mouth to speak, but instead whirled around and sprinted from the room. Crix blinked a couple of times and then said to himself, "Uh, okay that was weird."

The Jedi stood from his chair and made his way back into the corridor. He heard her frantic footsteps echo down The Highwind followed by the whoosh click of a door.

"Mira?" he asked to the empty space following her trail. As he closed in he realized she'd locked herself in the refresher and sudden realization dawned on him. Her stomach had turned against her. Crix vowed to never repeat the grotesque sounds echoing off the walls of that poor refresher as he picked up the pace nearly running from the bathroom. He reached the cockpit and Peetwo's dommed head rotated to look at him. A worried warble escaped the little droids voicebox, but Crix held up a hand to stop the question, "I don't wanna talk about it."

Before the little droid could press any further several ships winked into existence. Their elongated frames snapping into place directly ahead of Fury. The Jedi decided to suppress the intimate moment he and Mira had just shared and frantically turned around heading for his turret, calling over he shoulder, "Peetwo you're driving, Mira's out of commission, I'm taking the gun!"

Crix sprinted back out of the cockpit and climbed the ladder leading to his dorsal turret. He pulled his comset on and hailed Fury, "Let's do this Drast!"

@Darasuum @Painus

 

[Brent Fury Drast]

Brent had built up with the beat that had been playing. He was jivving in his turret's seat. The sick rhythm was irresistable. As he got down with the beat he thought he heard something.

A moment later he realized that his own droid had been pinging him once again of new contacts coming in before them. The sound of Crix's voice came in over the communication link shortly after. "Oh um...yeah. Let's kick some names and take some butt." He cleared hiss throat only after saying those words and then decided to roll with the mistake. The droid came in over the communication link though. "Sir I think the say is-" but Brent cut him off trying to pretend it had been intentional. "I know what I said bucket boy!"

The droid did not give its owner a response and began flying the ship towards the enemy contacts. Brent still felt slightly awkward but that was soon gone when he started to open fire on the enemy ships. The light laser cannons were not known for their hard hitting damage as far as laser cannons went but they had a higher rate of fire and rotation speed compared to heavier weaponry.

@Zay

 

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

Three Bi-Vane starfighters trailed by a ZC Patrol Launch hung menacingly to their right flank. Fury made his run and the enemy went into action. Crix felt The Highwind shift into a defensive position settling in between the Nubian freighter and the Pirates.

Crix cut on his com and hailed the freighter, "Get the hell out of here, we'll distract these guys and catch up."

One starfighter and the Patrol Launch angled toward him and started closing in. The light freighter behind him shot off toward their jump point and the starfighter tried to cut it off, but Peetwo intervened, Crix smashed the trigger firing a spray of warning shots. The starfighter retreated in a circular arc coming up behind the patrol craft. The patrol craft shot forward and Peetwo went into evasive maneuvers.

Blaster fire from the Patrol crafts light cannon lit up the space around them as Crix attempted to line up a shot. The Highwind was bobbing and weaving making his attempt all that more difficult as the pair of enemy ships closed in.

"There!" He cried as he opened fire on the Patrol Craft. The Highwind's light cannon bit into the ZC's hull and sent it off to the left, he didn't score a kill, but he managed to hold off one of the incoming. As the ZC pulled off the starfighter opened fire, Peetwo managed to avoid taking a direct hit, but two shots glanced off the nose of the ship.

Crix rotated the turrets aim to line up with the second ship, but before he could get a shot it cut off to the right, now they had to choose, chase down the wounded ship or go after the starfighter. "Peetwo, go for the fighter."

A wry grin set on Crix's lips as he felt the XS-100 shoot forward. Sure the fighter would be lighter and faster, but all Crix needed was a clear shot.

@Darasuum

 

[Brent Fury Drast]

It was a lightshow, to match his music. But it was more exciting than the average display at a concert. These lights could actually kill. Brent made pew pew pew noises as he depressed the triggers. A moment later one of the starfighters turned into a cloud of fire for a second and then dark debris.

That was one starfighter, another one left it seemed. It landed a few shots on Brent's ship but that was not of a concern to him, not yet. The forwarded shields helped take the damage and allowed them to tank the laser cannon fire and in turn dish it back out. The result, the second starfighter joining its dead wingman.

Brent banked afterwards and headed to get after helping Crix. The man seemed to be struggling with the patrol craft as well as one of the starfighters. "Coming Crix. You need help?" The man began lining up shots just in case. He did not want to accidentally hit his friend's ship while aiming for an opponent.

@Zay

 

[Crix Dolan (TL8)]

The nimble fighter bobbed and weaved in front of him. Crossing his sights and dipping out before it could be fired upon. Crix's eyes were locked onto the starfighter and as they slowly closed the space between he began to notices the pilot's pattern. The Jedi began to lead his adversary's trajectory with his aim placing his sights just ahead of the enemy ship. As the ship tilted back to the port side Crix fired. Plasma soared through the space between the two ships and as the starfighter began to drift back starboard it ran right into the Jedi's blaster fire.

Crix fired three shots and each found their intended target. The ship blew to pieces and Crix whooped a victory cry hailing Peetwo and saying, "Swing us around pal, time to take care of the patrol craft and get the hell out of here!"

Blaster fire grazed the forward shield's starboard side and Peetwo warbled a sarcastic retort. The Highwind dipped and suddenly slowed sending the patrol craft directly over them, Crix opened fire, but just missed the ship's engines. Peetwo gunned the throttle and crix was flung back in his seat suffering some minor whiplash. He couldn't help but wonder if this was what it was like to ride with him but he quickly brushed the thought away.

Peetwo patched through a transmission from the Nubian freighter before the captain could speak Crix said, "This better be good, I'm a little busy here!"

"Our coordinates are set, we're making our jump. Thank you for your help. We will remember this." Came the captain's voice. Crix smiled and said, "Anytime, buddy, now get out of here would ya!"

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Nubian craft elongate and then wink out of existence, they'd made their jump and would be safe, so long as he could take down this last interloper. Peetwo increased their altitude and Crix let plasma fly. The patrol craft had better armor and stronger shields than the starfighter, but it was clumsy in comparison to the dexterous starship. The Jedi lined up his shot and took it. The turret spit two shots and then a third. The first shot missed on purpose forcing the ship to the Starbird side. The next two were direct hits.

The ship went up in flames and Crix pumped his fist in victory. Brent had come across the line and he answered "Sorry for the delay, I was a little tied up. Thanks for the backup, but I managed it. Good work pal!"

Crix felt his ship slow and he pushed himself out of the gunner's turret. He reclaimed his rightful place in the pilot's chair and wondered if Mira was alright. She'd been in the bathroom for the entire fight and honestly, he was terrified to check on her. With their mission completed Crix hailed Fury and asked, "Wanna grab a beer?"

End.​

@Darasuum @GABA @Raydo