It Ain't My Fault Well Ok...

[Argetlam]

Aiden sat at the bar slowly drinking. Balosar was starting to get stale. People where poking their noses into what had happened a week ago down by the warehouses. He reached and touched his former masters saber now hanging hidden behind his own. Did he feel bad about what had happened? Yes, of course he did the Pa'on had been his master for the past few years. Although never a good one there was still some bond that he had formed with him even if it was completely platonic. He took another long drink thinking about the past few days. He'd been staying with Kara but he knew that would be coming to an end soon. A dead jedi master and a missing padawan had started to stir up the local authorities and even a bit of the jedi councils attention. Aiden knew that he had to get off world it was just the matter of finding someone who didn't ask question and would take the amount of credits that he and Kara had amassed. 

Shaking him from his though he felt a familiar hand on his shoulder. Turning to look his saw the gently face of Kara " I think that I may have found someone that can help you out." Aiden nodded as she directed his gaze to two patrons that had just entered the bar. 

Aiden chuckled to himself. A wookie and what appeared to be a human or maybe some other race that appeared to be. This was like the beginning of a bad joke and it seemed like Aiden was going to be the punch line. " Have you talked with them yet?" she shook her head looking back to him " No not yet but I'll leave that up to you, I know how good you are with people " She smiled and walked away with a tray of drinks. 

Aiden sighed and stood up adjusting his tie as he looked at where to two had just sat down. Meh at least they looked fun here went nothing. Aiden made his way over. 

[Ghostie]

“One of the biggest stories this week; Talmeria Breen has been declared missing, as her transport is now four days late for it’s rendezvous on Prazhi. Talmeria is the daughter of Senator Jarvin Breen of Corellia, and has been acting as her father’s representative as she travels along the Republic-Sith border, helping worlds rebuild and aiding in relief efforts after the eight-year long war. Many believe that Talmeria’s disappearance is due to The Blood Hawks, a violent gang of pirates that have been active in the area round Prazhi as of late. With Senator Breen up for re-election this year, many wonder if this will cause him to drop out of the race. More on this story as it unfolds. In other news…”

“C’mon Big Guy, eat up.” Pash told his companion, over the dim of the holoscreen in the background, and the sounds of the bar at midday. The place wasn’t overly crowded, and that’s how the Smuggler liked it. Unfortunately because of that fact, all the staff played on the screens was news networks. The man leaned back in his chair and brought a large mug of frothy Corellian ale to his lips, the nerf steak in front of him half eaten, and only a few thickly cut fries left, scattered around. “After this we’re heading to the Outer Rim, and you know how hard it is to find a nerf steak like this out there.”

<<You know I don’t like these>> Gaarchiir pierced a slice of onion off of his own piece of meat with one large, curved claw, grumbling a low growl to Pash. The Wookiee’s nose turned up a bit as he looked at it, and flicked it to the other edge of his plate. Pash shook his head as he watched the spectacle continue, his face breaking out into a half-grin as he couldn't believe his eyes.

“You are the pickiest Wookiee I’ve ever met!” The man exclaimed, teasing his friend. The fact that Gaarchiir was the only Wookiee that Pash really knew didn’t matter as they bantered back and forth. Well, as Pash bantered and Gaarchiir continued to pick his steak clean. "Don't you guys eat like eight squares a day or somethin' of whatever's in sight?" The Smuggler knew his First Mate's habits well by now, as they had been flying together for years. But that didn't stop the man from throwing some flak the Wookiee's way. 

<<Why can’t we just stop by your mom’s place on Onderon on our way out to the Rim?>> The Wookiee asked with a couple of sharp barks as the Pash kept drinking from his mug. He was overdue for a visit to his mother, Iella. And Iella loved taking care of the two of them, or at least it seemed that way as she always cooked big when they were around and sent them away with food. Or maybe it was just Gaarchiir. Iella always gave Gaarchiir the largest of hugs when she saw him. She seemed to have a special sort of bond to the Wookiee, and they were as friendly as a mute and someone who spoke in barks and growls could be. But visiting her wasn’t in the plan’s right now. In fact, Onderon was too close to Sith Space for Pash's liking.

“Cause I’m not gunna rely on her to feed you all the damn time.” Again, Pash was teasing. Gaarchiir wasn’t in fact all that much of a picky eater, but he certainly could have his moments. But for some reason he complained more about real food that the processed junk they gravitated towards while onboard The Our Lady of Onderon. After a few more flicks of onion peels, the Wookiee finally started to eat, the steak quickly dwindling with a couple of large cuts and bites.

As Gaarchiir ate, Pash’s eyes scanned the cantina. It was well lit, and the wood bar and tables gave the place a rustic feel. A light, afternoon rain fell against the single-pane windows that looked out onto the street in front of the establishment. A rain that had been falling all day, and from which Gaarchiir’s chestnut fur had just started to dry. Once again, there weren’t many people around. No doubt there’d be quite an after-work rush in an hour or so. But for now, there were a couple of lonely patrons waited on by the same middle-aged woman named ‘Kara’, by whom Pash and Gaarchiir had also been served. But what really had Pash’s attention was the bar keeper.

The bar keeper hadn’t stopped staring at Pash and Gaarchiir since the pair had entered. Pash hadn’t thought anything about it at first; they were clearly not from Balosaur, after all. Not to mention, the Wookiee may or may not have had a rather large ryyk blade strapped to his back. It was hard to convince Gaarchiir to go anywhere without it. Not that Pash could blame him; after all the man had his own blaster strapped to his hip. But that was hidden, mostly, by his long duster. A Wookiee-sized machete that could chop a man in two as easily as it chopped vines sort of stood out. Nonetheless, there was something unsettling about how the Bith’s eyes followed the pair the whole time. And then the Bith bar keeper called the waitress over to him, and whispered something to her as he kept staring at Pash and Gaarchiir. Totally not subtle at all. By this point, Pash was staring back, the hairs on the back of his neck standing on-end. And when he saw the two staff members converse, he nudged the Wookiee’s strong shoulder, his own voice low and serious.

“Either finish up or get it to go. We ain’t hangin’ around here long.”

[Argetlam]

“Talmeria Breen has been declared missing, as her transport is now four days late for it’s rendezvous on Prazhi…” Aiden stopped dead in his tracks. That couldn’t be right he smiled and chuckled to himself. He must have been hearing things there was no way… He listened into the report as the news battered his mind. So it was her, it was Talmeria. How long had it been since he’d last seen her? A year maybe two, he sighed leaving a rare scowl across his face.



He got lost in the in his thoughts for a second. He was back on Corellia back before his master had caught wind of what was going on between Aiden and Talmeria. The walks they’d shared on her father's estate and the times they’d went off world. If nothing else she had been at least a good friend…



Aiden shook out of it and there he was back inside the bar where he had been his eyes still set on the table where the man and the wookie where sitting. Judging by his demeanor the man wasn’t feeling all the comfortable. Maybe he could calm him down a bit. So Aiden finally finished his treck over to the table. He eyed the wookie carefully at first seeing the huge blade on his back made Aiden a little uncomfortable. But he’d made sure this wouldn’t kill his charisma.



He eyed the man nonchalantly and gave one of his dazzling smirks and began. “ Hey there friend, think you have room for another at your table?” Aiden used a small amount of his for ability to try and present a calm aura around him and his new found acquaintances

[Ghostie]

“Hey there friend. Think you have room for another at your table?”

All of a sudden, the Bith bartender that Pash had been watching as if he was a Corellian Banshee stalking his prey was gone. Instead, the Smuggler’s vision was replaced with that of a cheap, two piece suit. Two buttons, with only one fastened. A blue more royal than Pash’s duster, and similarly a bit darker. There was a tie as well, plain and thin. Pash’s dark eyes traveled upwards to see a young man, human, with light skin and hair the same shade as Gaarchiir’s fur. His face was trying to be nonchalant, but his green, inexperienced eyes told a different story. He was tired, and stressed.

“You sure you even old enough to be in here, Kid?” Pash’s voice was monotone, and guarded. As he addressed the young man, Pash was very careful about where he put his arms and hands. The Smuggler leaned back in the booth, his right arm drenched upon the top and back of the curved seat. His left arm and hand ever so subtly went down to the hip holster on his gun belt. First the staff was eyeing him up, and now this young man was trying to sit with him. He could be a bounty hunter. He could be law enforcement. Hell, he could even be a Jedi. They trained them that young, right? The bar was starting to feel a whole bit more hostile that just a few moments ago.

Gaarchiir started to pick up on what was going on. The Wookiee turned to face the newcomer, what was left of his nerf steak in between his large paws, a dipping mess of juices and sauce. Though the First Mate kept eating, his large blue eyes didn’t leave the well dressed kid. The onions didn’t seem to be even a slight issue anymore. The whole bar seemed to fall silent and all attention, at least all of Pash’s and Gaarchiir’s attention, was focused on this booth. The Smuggler’s eyes kept their gaze on the well-suited kid’s, just watching, just waiting for the wrong move. There was something almost calming about him, but given how the rest of the bar had taken to his and Gaarchiir's presence, Pash wasn't keen on taking his chances.

“The Bith send you over here?” Pash wasn't in the mood for whatever games the bar staff and this young man were trying to play. In the corner of his eye, he could see Gaarchiir slowly raise the last bits of his steak to his waiting maw, gnawing on the bone a bit before tossing it down on his plate with a clatter. “You can tell him to forget whatever he’s thinking.”

[Argetlam]

Smiling as he watched the older mans eyes snap from somewhere over by the bar to him. Well, seems like I have your attention now don't I Aiden thought to himself. Slowly looking over the mans face it had changed since he'd started his trek towards him and his wookie friend. Was that worry or more so an air off cocky annoyance at some inconvenience that could occur? Aiden pushed the thought from his mind, what did it matter worst that could happen was a bar fight right? By that he meant blaster bolts flying and at least a few dead bodies by the end of it but what could you expect this was Balosar. 

What came next was expected, the man looked him from head to toe slowly as if he where sizing him up. All it did was leave the smile on Aiden's face it's not like he was physically intimidating or anything meh maybe that helped with his charm. All the while Aiden was doing the same starting off the mess of dark hair coupled with deep brown eyes. A pair of goggles hanging from his neck and just below that a aged blue duster that was in some need of cleaning or just throwing away. Aiden noted that his own physique was not that dissimilar from the smuggler? If that was what he was at this point Aiden didn't know or care. 

Letting out a chuckled he replied " Sorry not everyone can be as old and wise as you, But I assure you I am" He kept his usual upbeat and slightly teasing tone of voice. Ouch, the man didn't seem to want anything to do with him but, it was now or never Aiden thought to himself. He watched as the man adjusted himself in his seat. There was not a doubt in his mind that a man like this would have a blaster on him and his wookie sidekick did little to put his mind at ease. That blade was fucking HUGE, Aiden let out a short chuckle and set his left hand on his temple and rubbed it as his right hand was set at his waist a bit closer to one of the two lightsabers he had in slim hidden holsters on either side of his waist. 

Aiden shot a smile at the wookie " You must be the brains behind this partnership huh?" Why the hell was it so quiet now? Something wasn't right and by the look on the mans face Aiden was right. Even with the small calming undertones he'd set out the man was still a bit tense. With good reason, the bars atmosphere was not helping in any way what-so-ever.

He raised a eyebrow at the man's remark “The Bith send you over here?” maybe that's what was making him so uneasy. " No not in the slightest." He chuckled a dryly now the smuggler was starting to get annoyed by the looks of it. With the clatter he instinctively looked to the plate then looked back to the man. Leaning slowly in Aiden whispered " I'm not playing any games all I need is a ship to get me off world." He stood back up straight and smiled slowly looking around the bar. 

[Ghostie]

Pash was not at all impressed by the bravado this young man showed. A quip about Gaarchiir being the one who ran their two man operation. A comment about Pash being old. So far, he was doing himself no favors. And then he asked about a ride off-planet. The way the well-dressed young man gave off his nervous request, Pash wanted to believe him. One thing the Smuggler did have to give the Kid credit for was keeping himself held together and composed to the outside world. Nonetheless, he had let it slip just a bit. Grinning to himself with a half-cocked smile, Pash relaxed a bit. No, this young man wasn't going to need a blaster bolt through the chest. If anything, he needed to be sent back home. One arm still laying across the top of the booth, the hand that Pash had been ready to draw his gun came up and reached for his mug of ale. Taking a gulp from the glass, Pash eyed the bar over the rim. The Bith was interested in something else. So the bartender had sent the young man over, but not to flush Pash and Garachiir out.

The Bith had sent the somewhat well dressed man for a chartered flight.

"Mom and Dad know you're running away from home, Kid?" The grin persisted on Pash's face, his eyes watching as he swirled his ale around a bit by jostling his mug. Gaarchiir had leaned back and relaxed in the opposite end of the booth at this point, seeing as there was no trouble to be had. A waitress came and cleared away the duo's finished plates of food, and re-filled the Wookiee's drink. "Lemme guess..." Pash continued "... Dad wants you to go to college but it's not for you, and Mom doesn't like the stripper-girlfriend you're madly in love with?" This comment in particular elicited a few deep, grunting laughing from Gaarchiir, who remained silent otherwise. "Take it from me, Kid. Don't run away from your problems."

Nonetheless, despite how hard Pash was trying to shoo the young man away, he was persistent. Another check in his favor. It wasn't that Pash wasn't impressed by the Kid, but rather that he thought he would be doing him a favor by making his stay on Balosaur. There were a lot worse places throughout the Galaxy, despite what the locals may think. The Smuggler held the young man's gaze for a moment. But after that long moment had ended, Pash faltered, his heart heavy. He waved for the suited young man to sit in the chair at the open end of the half-circle booth. If he wasn't going to leave, Pash could at least listen to what he wanted to say. And Pash knew what he would've done for a lift to just about anywhere, when he was his age.

"Where are you trying to get to, Kid? And why?" As Pash finished speaking, he watched as a squad of Republic troopers marched past the front of the cantina. Their armored footsteps were heavy, but muffled by the large, single pane glass windows. The white and orange armor stood out like a sore thumb against Balosaur's industrial backdrop and smog, their rifles tall and slug over their shoulders like their own smoke chimneys. All the bar seemed to watch as the soldiers went by. Republic patrols on a Core world were unusual, to say the least. Such stuff was usually left to local security. Pash eyed the Kid sitting with him now suspiciously but didn't say anything. He secretly wondered how badly the young man needed off the planet, and just what the Smuggler was about to get himself into.

[Argetlam]

Aiden let out a slow sigh this was not going in his favor in the least. The air of calm and collectedness was crumbling as soon as the desperate plea to get off world left his lips. Clearing his throat he looked at the man again the dissatisfaction was plastered on his face. It didn't take a genius to see that much. Seeing the crooked smile creep onto the smugglers face only annoyed Aiden, he thinks that he's got me. He watched as the smuggler relaxed back into his seat as he did so Aiden moved his hand from his temple and waist. The smuggler drank his ale and was now the most relaxed Aiden had seen him in their brief time of meeting. 

A annoyed smile flashed on Aiden's face as he mentioned his parents. " Ya know where's the fun in letting people know if your leaving? They may want to stop you." He relaxed easing back into his happy-go-lucky smile no need to get annoyed now. Besides the smuggler seemed to be enjoying messing with him, why not let him have his fun? Aiden's eyes now glanced over at the wookie who seemed to be following suit with his partner and relaxing a bit. 

He smiled and nodded at the waitress as she cleared the pairs dishes before turning back to the man. Aaron chuckled at the college part, he blushed a bit at the stripper girlfriend remark. " Oh yea, the frat parties have been getting to be way too much for me. Oh and let's not even talk about the girlfriend." His words where thick and oozing with sarcasm. A chuckle escaped his lips, oh great now the wookie is laughing at me. I wonder how much worse this day could manage to get. "Take it from me, Kid. Don't run away from your problems." that got a short chuckle out of him. " With some problems you have to run or else you won't be able to make any more mistakes. I'm sure that's something that you can agree with." 

The past days finally seemed to be taking their toll on him. Aiden pinched the bridge of his nose and let go meeting the smugglers gaze again, looking him in the eyes. There was only so much that he could take at this point at his sleepless mind was racing through the possibilities. Although he never looked tired like others did with bags under their eyes and the likes. Aiden usually tended to always looked attentive but he was starting to lag behind or at least it seemed so to him. Aiden shook his head as he noted the smugger had moved and in turn it opened a spot for him to sit. 

" Nar Shaddaa..." Aiden trailed off as he watched the squad of republic soldiers walk by the bar. Aiden turned away as one of the men looked into the bar through the window and seemed to be saying something to another member of the squad. He shook his head and continued " Just in a wee bit of trouble is all." He said with a smile 

[Ghostie]

With a pair of dark, quick eyes, Pash watched over the top of his mug as the Kid looked away from the window at the front of the cantina, just as one of the republic soldiers looked inwards, their helmet showing no emotion, no intention. Shying away from the local security was one thing. Shying away from the military was another. The Kid was unrefined. He was confident, but fraying harshly around the edges. Pash was fairly confident he wasn’t some sort of Imperial spy. And if he was, he was doing a piss poor job at it. No, there had to be some sort of other trouble that the young man had gotten mixed up in.

But as the Kid mentioned running to Nar Shaddaa, Pash snorted a bit, his mug still close to his face. The Smuggler gave the young man a quick once over yet again. A somewhat well dressed young man like him on Nar Shaddaa? He’d be better off dealing with whatever trouble he had here on Balosaur. Most people would take a small cell with three squares a day, over a vibroknife slipped between their ribs in a dark alley.

“You’ve already got troubles, and you wanna run to a planet designed around creating more troubles? You’re out of your mind, Kid.” Still, Pash never said he wouldn’t give the young man the lift off of Balosaur that he was looking for. It was his call, if he wanted to be dropped in the heart of Hutt Space without backup. And he was persistent. Almost as persistent as the Smuggler himself. He could play along with humor, he was confident, and he was as open as he could be. All factors pulling Pash over to the kid’s side. They just needed to talk credits, now.

Pash set his mug down on the table, his hand resting close to it. The other, still draped on the back of the booth seat, fell limp and hung loosely by his elbow. Legs propped on top of each other, Pash reclined and looked the Kid in the face. Gaarchiir kept one of his own blue, big eyes on the young man as well, and one on the rest of the bar, watching for anything out of the ordinary, and watching the armored backs of the soldiers saunter down the street.

“Do you even know how much a chartered flight averages for? We’re talkin’ a couple thousand creds here. At least.” As Pash explained, he waved his hands a bit, his fingers moving with the words that flowed out. “I’d need five for a flight all the way out to Nar Shaddaa. In advance.” Five thousand credits was Pash’s best estimate, for a single passenger that wanted to avoid the law. And his best estimated sounded like a good number in his head. His voice was solid and monotone as he delivered the amount, expecting some sort of backlash from the Kid about it being a ridiculous price, and the Smuggler was ready to defend his position.

[Argetlam]

Aiden glanced one more time in the directions of the soldiers. No doubt that talk of what had happened to his master had passed onto the Republic and in turn, the Jedi Council. He took a long second to collect himself and look back up at the smuggler who was now giving him a look of mixed confusion and wonder. Mentally kicking himself for what he had just done, his smile was rejuvenated. “ Not everyday you see republic troopers on a core world now is it?” Aiden wanted to try and play off his own anxiety but the stress of the past few weeks was again nagging at him.

The smuggler snorted at his request for Nar Shaddaa then another glance over. Aiden raised an eyebrow his smile still but the rest of his face was completely serious. With the look the man was giving him Aiden could practically hear the laughter coming from the man's thoughts. Aiden sighed and rested his head in his hand as he looked over at the wookie then back at the smuggler.

With a chuckle Aiden replied “ Trust me I know what I’m getting myself into. Besides, being out of your mind isn’t always a bad thing.” Aiden watched the smuggler carefully the cold shell that he’d met at first seemed to be melting at least a little bit. Good, he thought to himself he was doing something right or so it seemed.

He watched as the man adjusted himself into a more comfortable position. Aiden watched him carefully as he did so and watched the smugglers one had dip and dangle at his side. Taking a quick glance at the wookie who seemed to be eyeing both him and the rest of the bar at the moment. Turning back to the smuggler whose face was a reflection of pure business.

Aiden nodded slowly as the smuggler started to talk about the costs of such a transaction. He held back a chuckle as the man moved his fingers in the air as to calculate the costs of the flight. In his own mind he was doing some math in his own head. There had been nearly six thousand credits from the busted deal that had happened a few weeks ago. Of course he and Kara had taken the credits it’s not like the gang members would need them any more. Plus he had around five hundred from his master, he would only take what he needed and leave the rest to Kara for all she had done for him. Pulling himself from his thought he looked the smuggler back in the eyes his smile now a thin line. “ twenty five hundred straight up and the rest when we arrive.” Aiden cool and jovial persona now gave way to a cool, calm and collected face.

[Ghostie]

“Look, Kid, let’s be frank for a second…”

The young many took on a jovial tone and collected voice as the Republic soldiers passed by the catina, and continued on their patrol down the street. Pash’s voice, however, was stern. Unwavering. If anything, he was talking down to the young man, but just a bit. The first rule of the sort of business that the Smuggler frequented was to be paid upfront. And Pash was sure that he was going to follow that rule. At the very least, he was going to get as much out of this young man as he could before The Lady’s landing gear retracted.

“... You’re not in trouble with any of the locals. Your problems are bigger than that. And I can get you outta this place and really to anywhere you wanna go. But this is a Core world. A Republic world. Getting you past the scans and whatever is gunna require the right greasing of the right gears. And I’m not gunna do it outta my own pocket.”

Truthfully, Pash could get the Kid off-planet in a matter of minutes if he really wanted. The Our Lady of Onderon was the fastest ship the Smuggler knew of, and some crummy customs agents weren’t going to stop him over an extra passenger. Pash flew contraband all through Republic Space, all of the time. He knew he way around all of the back channels better than anyone else. The real issue was that as much as the young man appeared innocent and well dressed, as much as Pash wanted to like him, he didn’t trust him to not run off once they touched down on Nar Shaddaa without paying up the rest of the credits he owed.

And Pash didn’t want to have to stick Gaarchiir on him, with his giant ryyk blade and all. That was a headache the Smuggler and the Kid could both do without.

“That why I’m going to need at least thirty-five hundred now. And good luck trying to find a better pilot on this planet that can get you outta here without a hassle, for cheaper.”

[Argetlam]

His eyes locked with the smugglers, he wasn't one for being condescended. That was the only thing that really annoyed him. Aiden had dealt with the condescending tone that his master had held with him for the past few years. Never again, he sighed and rubbed a tired eye. All of the stress from the past week was just building up and getting him all worked up over nothing. Just get all of this stupid petty business out of the way so he could be on his merry little way to Nar Shaddaa and away from the republics eyes. 

Aiden's eyes, for the first time since engaging in the conversation reflected a sense of fierce determination. " Look let's get one thing straight. I'm no kid and, trust me I know exactly what kind of trouble I'm in. I wouldn't be doing any of this if I was in any less. Let's get past all this bull, I know about the scans I know damn well how easy it is to mask anything from them. By the looks of it this is all things that you know how to do. " 


This game was starting to annoy him if he let it go on any longer he'd be running the risk of getting caught. Well that really wasn't what he was worried about. The tediousness of it all was what was killing him, and the thought of Talmeria was starting to weigh on his mind. 

Aiden chuckled, great he's trying to hussle me. " Twenty Eight hundred now the rest when we land. Beside who's to say you don't just take that and run with it. Your trying to protect yourself and I'm trying to keep my best interest at heart. Either way your still going the money one way or the other. "

He held his hand out to the smuggler " The names Aiden."  
 

[Ghostie]

Finally, it seemed, the young man cracked. He cracked like an egg that had been rolled slowly against a counter top. The fractures had been showing, a few at a time, until finally the whole shell disintegrated and the yoke poured forth. Perhaps the young man’s conversation with Pash had been the tipping point? That wasn’t the Smuggler’s problem. But all the traits and checks in the Kid’s favor that Pash had been tallying up in his mind slowly drained out as the young man started to go on and on and lose his cool more and more. Pash waited for him to finish before frowning, sitting at the booth normally and with put feet on the ground, and his arms resting on the table in front of him.

“Kid…” Pash emphasised the nickname. “... If I was gunna to rob you, I wouldn’t be sittin’ here and havin’ this conversation with ya. You’d know it.” Pash looked the young man dead in the face as he explained his position, and then took his hand as they finally introduced each other. “Captain Pash Arlos. The Our Lady of Onderon is our ship, in The Dyin’ Star Spaceport nearby. We’ll leave when you’re ready. Now if you’ll excuse me…”

Pash stood in the booth, and squeezed out past Aiden. Gaarchiir followed. If the Smuggler was going to be flying across the galaxy with this young man, he wanted a good drink in him. Approaching the bar, he leaned against it and ordered another another glass of ale from the Bith that had been staring him down before, with his large, black eyes.

[Argetlam]

Aiden nodded slowly taking in what the smuggler said. “ Thank you, sorry for that it’s been a rough few days.” Shaking his hand firmly he looked at the bar “ Alright that will work”
Standing up to give Pash more room to get through he sat back down once the smuggler managed to get out


Rubbing his eyes Aiden rested his head onto his hand. Slowly looking around the bar he noted Kara walking over with a cup in hand. “ How did it go?” she asked handing him the cup. With a sigh he looked up at her and accepted it with a smile “ Well I have my ride… Hopefully. “ She smiled at him and patted his hand “ I swear you either worry too much or never enough.” Aiden chuckled at the remark and took a drink “ It’s just who I am you guess. “ Nodding Kara smiled “ Hopefully everything works out, your a smart boy I know you’ll survive. “ He smiled and raise his cup taking another sip from it as Kara moved to deal with another customer.



The door of the bar swung open and in walked a small group of men. Making their way to the bar they made a quick overview of the bar patrons one of which takes a glance at Aiden and whispers to another who also in turn steals a look at him as the sit at a table in the corner. Finishing his glass Aiden stood up and made his way over to Pash who had just finished his own glass. “ We should go… I think things are going to get ugly if we don’t”

[Ghostie]

It seemed that now, after talking with Aiden, the Bith was more than happy to keep serving Pash and Gaarchiir. Perhaps the Kid had made more than one friend around the cantina. Whatever the case was, the whole atmosphere inside the establishment had changed drastically. Or at least, it seemed as if though it had changed drastically. The tension was gone. No one was staring at Pash, and he was feeling pretty good about this easy job he had been able to wrangle. He had no qualms about some light drinking, until the Kid was ready to run away from home. Or leave. Or whatever it was.

“Hey Gaar, wanna go fire up the Lady?”

With an affirmative growl that sounded somewhat bored, Gaarchiir left the cantina and headed out the door. As he did so, a handful of guys walked in. Some humans. A Twi’lek. A Rodian. They all looked less than friendly. Pash shot them a glance out of the corner of his eye as he raised his mug to his lips, but they didn’t seem very interested in him. Nonetheless, a feeling in the pit of his stomach made him instantly regret sending Gaarchiir away. The Wookiee was an ace in bar room brawls, after all. The unfriendly-looking fellows split up, sitting in a few booths and across the bar top.

“We should go… I think things are going to get ugly if we don’t.”

“Friends of yours, Kid?” Pash turned a full one-eighty degrees as Aiden approached, his back against the countertop, and Aiden next to him on one side. Taking a long draught from his mug, Pash noticed that the fellows were looking his way. Well, not at him, persay. But at Aiden. And by looking at Aiden, they were by extension looking at Pash, who was talking to the young man. Pash still regretted sending Gaarchiir away. “Neighborhood bullies?” Nope. The Kid had a good intuition. The goons staring them down had the exit covered on both sides, between the bar and booths. Draining his mug, Pash threw up both of his eyebrows to Aiden, and slammed the glass down on the counter. “Let’s go.”

As Pash started for the door, Aiden in tow, the men stood in the booths and at the bar, their eyes still on Pash and Aiden. They hadn’t moved yet, but it was clear that they had no intention of letting them leave. Pash looked down at the young man next to him, wondering just what sort of trouble he had gotten him into. What the Smuggler didn’t wonder about however, was how much Aiden’s rate had just jumped up. Doubled, at least. Throwing a thumb over his shoulder as he looked at the Kid, Pash gestured for the kitchens in the back.

“If I’m savin’ your ass, you’re payin’ me at least double.”

One of the men started to approach Pash and Aiden, and out of his peripheral vision, Pash could see the man reaching for a weapon in his jacket. Without warning, Pash drew his heavy blaster pistol and fired once into the human’s chest. Immediately, the rest of the patrons started to scream and run for the exit, while the Bith behind the bar was babbling unintelligibly as he dove for cover. The rest of the gang tried to bring their weapons to bear on Aiden and Pash, but the mass exodus of the cantina made it difficult.

If someone were to ask Pash, he would’ve taken credit for the mob of the crowd as cover.

“How many times do I gotta say let’s go, Kid?!”

Pash called over his shoulder, running for the kitchens in the back of the cantina and undoubtedly a second exit.

[Argetlam]

Groaning quietly to himself as he watched the wookie leave them Aiden took another glance around the bar. As soon as the door swung open and Gaarchiir was out of view two men from either table started making their way to flank both of the visible exits. " Well ya know when your as popular as I am. " Aiden slowly looked over the group, ok ten we could probably take ten. Leaning against the bar counter he kept a eye on the encroaching threat. If worse came to worse they could hop the counter and go through the kitchen's exit. " You could call them that if you want" Knowing damn well these were much more than just you ordinary thugs Aiden kept a pleasant smile a affixed to his lips. 

Standing again to his feet he followed side by side with Pash to the door. Just so happening to trigger a wave seemingly having all the men who just walked in to stand up.

Fuck. Starting to back pedal towards the kitchen Aiden looked around at all the men who seemingly were frozen in their place. With a chuckle he noted one of them, well one of the humans had a atrocious cleft chin. God whoever let him become one of the gangs enforcers needed to be fired and shot on the spot. Like come on now who's going to take this guy seriously? Hell he was about to get jumped for all he was worth and probably killed in the process and he found himself chuckling. That was just bad poor hiring on their part, no wonder it had taken them this long to find him. 

However his thoughts where cut short by the sound of Pash's blaster bolt slamming into an approaching mans chest flinging him a good foot or two back. Well fuck me let's do this thing shall we? The only thing they got in return was a single blaster bolt slamming into the alcohol behind the counter. Showering both Pash, Aiden, and some of the other patrons with cheep whiskey. 

" I'm on your ass old-timer just keep running!" Aiden was practically "on his ass" as he ran just behind him. He had heard what Pash said about the extra credits and he was prepared to pay he had not yet taped into the money that he and Kara had found on the dead gang members and he was sure that there was more than enough for everything. "Keep going straight and make the first left the exit is right there!"  

[Ghostie]

"I'm on your ass old-timer just keep running!"

And run Pash did. He didn’t get this far, in this sort of life, without running once or twice. The Kid was going to be useless in a fight, and Gaarchiir was already back at the Our Lady of Onderon, with any luck. With these sorts of numbers coming against them? Pash knew better than to stand and fight. Even as the words left Aiden’s mouth, Pash had already turned and slid over the top of the bar counter, leaving nothing but a flickering wisp of his long, blue coat in his wake. As the man retreated towards the kitchens, glasses of all sorts of alcohol shattered around him with loud tinks, innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of the shootout. A shame, to be sure, but not one to be contemplated at this very moment.

The Bith bartender whimpered a bit as the Smuggler came down on the other side of the bar, the alien having crouched against the counter for as much cover as he could. His hands were up to block the flying glass of the broken bottles from reaching his large, bulbous eyes. The Bith was the only person who wasn’t Aiden, Pash, or the Gang left in the cantina. Even the cooks had fled out of the back, from what Pash could see through the order window. The Smuggler didn’t stop as he landed, and kept running through the kitchen. He turned at the doorway, letting Aiden squeeze past him, as he squeezed a few more shots off over the Kid’s shoulder. With everyone else out of the way, Pash felt comfortable laying down more fire. Side-stepping for a bit of cover on the doorway as blaster bolts exploded against the walls shielding him, Pash kept moving, firing out of the order window now. A few thugs fell, but more kept advancing. Slowly, but surely.

“Keep goin’! To the spaceport!”

Pash shouted over the blaster fire, running for the second exit in the back of the kitchen. Making a left and following Aiden’s instructions, Pash only stopped to make sure the Kid was still with him, and to push over some shelving to try and stop the thugs from advancing. The Smuggler didn’t know what they wanted, only that they meant the pair of them harm. Or rather, they meant Aiden harm, and Pash by extension. How the Youngster had gotten into so much trouble would be a conversation for later.

[Argetlam]

Just keep moving just keep moving Aiden thought to himself. Although he wasn't really practicing the thought at the moment hiding behind the counter. Sprayed with glass and whiskey he quickly pulled a hand through his hair, riding himself of any loose shards. Glancing over at the bith and pash he sighed. From all the racket that he had heard most if not all of the other patrons were gone. That only left this bar between them and uglies that were on the other side. The situation was starting to look a little gloomy from Aidens view but that didn't leave him distraught he had been in worse and succeeded so what would a few smugglers do to ruin him. Well except maybe kill him but that was besides the point 

Blaster bolts slammed through the call window of the kitchen and peppered the interior as Aiden ran in under pash's arm. There was practically nothing that he could do at the moment well almost nothing. Rushing through the now hectic kitchen Aiden looked back for pash. Who was now throwing over almost anything that he could find in an attempt to barricade their attempts at giving chase. He looked around to try and find anything to help in the escapade but to no avail.  Following close behind the smuggler. 

Finding themselves at the door he'd yellled at pash about Aiden furrowed his brow. Something felt off as He reached out withthe. force. " there's something out there we need to be careful. " most likely more of the gang members that were sent to the other exits thinking they may get the drop onthen. With the yelling ringing out from behind them. Either way they needed to make the decision now or be screwed from both ways. 

[Ghostie]

"There's something out there, we need to be careful."

“Ya don’t say?!” Pash exclaimed as he came up behind Aiden, who found their way out and into the alley behind the cantina. The thugs from before could be heard trying to find a path through the kitchen that the Smuggler had just overturned. “Between your trouble with the military, these thugs, and whatever’s waitin’ for ya on Nar Shaddaa, I’m startin’ to regret this already!” But Pash had already taken the job, and he never backed out. That was bad for his reputation. “We’re DEFINITELY renegotiatin’ your fee.” Holstering his gun for the moment, Pash started off down one end of the alley, a light rain starting to fall, mingling with the industrial smoke and grey of the sky. The Smuggler’s feet moved quick, not running, but hardly idling.

Until he got about half way down, and threw out an arm to stop Aiden, skidding to a halt himself.

A Republic patrol had responded to the sounds of blasterfire, was starting to section off the area. There was a speeder parked at the entrance to the alley, along with a couple of troops. They hadn’t noticed Pash or Aiden, yet, and as such the Smuggler started to slowly back up, his arm still out and taking Aiden with him. There had to be another way out of his alley. Casting an eye over his shoulder, there was a similar sight at the other end. But then the Smuggler’s dark eyes fell on a ladder, and a set of stairs. A fire escape, one that went all the way up to the roof. Perfect. Gesturing to Aiden, Pash climbed up first, offering a hand to the Kid. Once they were both up and started to climb, they seemed in the clear.

“Hey, stop!”

“Move it, Kid!”

But someone made a squeak on the old metal, and the Republic troops snapped around. Pash didn’t know who made the sound, but it didn’t matter. What mattered was getting to the roof as soon as they could. The Republic troops started to fire, their guns set to stun, for the moment. They missed their first few shots as Pash and Aiden kept moving up and out of harm’s way. Pash would rather run than fire on Republic soldiers. He used to be in the Navy, and he didn’t want that sort of thing on his record. Or his conscious. Imperial troopers were another matter, but this wasn’t Imperial Space, so it hardly mattered.

Just as the Republic troops started to get closer to their marks with their bolts, the thugs burst out from the cantina below. They growled, yelled, and fire up at Pash and Aiden as well. The Republic soldiers fired on the thugs, next, and the thugs fired back. It was all a confusing madhouse, like something out of an old holovid. But in the chaos of the pitched firefight, everyone forgot about the pair escaping up the side of the building. Finally reaching the roof, Pash pulled Aiden up again, and stood, taking off quickly.

“Spaceport’s this way!”

[Argetlam]

Running with Pash into the gloomy drizzle spotted alley Aiden followed the smugglers every move. Although he was babbling about the price Aiden yet again couldn't care less about it. Get outta here get to Nar Shaddaa and make a decent living. Well as much of a decent living as one could with the Exchange. " how about we get out of this and then you can bitch about me about prices." Since the fire fight had ensued Aiden's hand hadn't left from his belt. Ready to ignite his saber but he wasn't so stupid as to use it unless entirely necessary.


Making their way Aidens eyes caught a republic speeder parked at either ends of the alley blocking off either routes of escape for both him and Pash. Luckily enough however neither sides were aware to their presence at the moment. Well at this point Aiden would take whatever luck was coming his way. Pash had also obviously spotted the speeders and gestured Aiden towards a fire escape leading to the roof of a neighboring building. Letting Pash go first he followed behind. 

Aiden winced as the creaking of an unoiled piece of metal creaked under one of their weights. His hopes were dashed as a trooper turned and spotted them 

"Hey, Stop"

The troopers turned towards them and opened fire. Miraculously missing each of their shots. Just as one whizzed past Aidens ear the thugs burst into the alley and in turn turned all attention towards them. With the fire fight that ensued Pash and Aiden made their way to the roof and he wasted no time making his way towards the port.  

[Ghostie]

When taking what sounded like a simple, yet misguided private charter, Pash hadn’t expected to get involved with a shoot-out.

Splosh splosh splosh

Or run into the Republic military.

Thump thump splosh

Or cross a low-level swoop gang. The Smuggle still maintained the stance that he wasn’t getting paid enough. Definitely not enough to risk his life for a Kid he just met. If it hadn’t been a matter of pride and reputation, Pash would have probably dropped Aiden and the job altogether after the scene at the cantina. Something told him that the Kid didn’t necessarily need his help, anyways. But still, that was just bad business practices. Pash had always believed that once you get a job, you see it through.

Crack crack!

Even if the blasterbolts started to fly, and it simply wasn’t worth it anymore.

Pash and Aiden had a few minutes of the Republic soldiers and the gang members focused on each other, which gave the pair ample time to run across the rooftops of Balosaur and away towards the Dying Star Spaceport as fast as they could. Which, despite the light rain, Aiden’s suit, and Pash’s long coat, was pretty fast. The Smuggler kept a good pace, and the Kid was right on his heels. The sploshed through puddles and made small jumps across alleyways that opened up below them like crevasses and ravines catching the rainwater. The blaster fire still echoed loudly through the city, even given the distance.

It still wasn’t enough ground covered, however. The pair had only made it about halfway to the spaceport, judging by the domed structure without a roof and alit in the distance, when the whine of speeder bike engines and the growl of repulsors pounced them from the left. Running and then sliding under a small water tower on one roof, Pash springed back up to his feet and saw a pair of speeder bikes swinging around and bearing down on the pair from the front. The vollet of blasterfire came, and without thinking Pash tackled Aiden and dragged the Kid behind a durasteel wall, out of the way of the bike’s path.

“Stay down!”

He shouted, leaving the Kid where he was. Drawing his blaster, Pash fired at the bikes as they went careening by, hitting the side panels of one of them a couple of time, a few shots missing entirely, but then the last handful of trigger pulls found their home in the engines of the same bike, on the rear. The vehicle exploded in flames as it flew away, before exploding entirely. The second bike swung back around at this, and came back with a vengeance on Pash and Aiden.

“C’mon!”

Not waiting for the Kid to catch up, Pash ran back towards the Spaceport, blaster pistol still in hand. Reaching the edge of their current roof as the last speeder bike started to fire once again, the Smuggler jumped across the alleyway to a lower building, rolling as the bike flew overhead with a roar.