Setting the Stone

[Meira]

As the Jewel was brought in for landing, Palas was putting away her tools. She had been doing as much work as she could on some of the ships more vital systems while they were traveling through hyperspace, but the main repair had to wait until their arrival. Now that they were back, Palas planned on installing the new parts and meeting with the two new people who had made their way onto her ship in one way or another.

The one, wasn't a problem, or at least Palas hoped he wouldn't be. She hated taking risks, but there was little else she could do in her current situation. She just had to trust that the Bothan could deliver on his promise. The girl on the other hand, that was a problem. The slave trade wasn't exactly something Palas wanted to be messing with. She despised the whole thing on principle, as thoughts of it would eventually lead to her invalid father, but aside from that, she didn't touch it. She neither supported the slave trade, nor did she get in its way. Being a female Twi'lek, Palas knew that she was only ever a couple of steps away from it herself, and not in a good way.

So what to do now? She had a slave on her ship, belonging to a Toydarian who Palas was almost positive has sold her out to the Hutts. She couldn't take the girl back, but she couldn't just keep the girl around either. Palas had enough to deal with without having to worry about taking care of some girl. So what were her options? The only thing she could think of was to leave the girl somewhere, anywhere. But that wasn't an option either. In the brief time that Palas had been in contact with the girl, she knew that she couldn't just abandon her. But what about her chip? The one that all slaves apparently carried somewhere on their body? If she did have one, she was a danger to have around. Something would have to be done about that.

As the ship landed in the hangar, Palas made her way to the exit ramp. Moving down its length, she crossed to the door that lead to the rest of the base, turned, and waited for the others to emerge from the ship. Once they had all exited in the hangar, Palas addressed them.

This will hopefully only be a short stop. We need to talk over our options, and then after a quick parts replacement, we can be on our way. So if you will please follow me.

Palas turned and led the way into the main common room of the base. While the others got situated, Palas found some clean glasses, filled them with water, and brought them over on a tray. She set the tray on the table and took a seat, taking one of the glasses and sipping the water before she spoke again, turning her eyes on the girl. They had introduced themselves better on the trip here, but the main issue that hung heavily in the air had yet to be addressed.

Kess, I'm sure you've realized the problem we're now facing. You can understand me when I say that I never intended to take you away from your master. But that's what has happened, and now I can't take you back. I've heard about slaves having a tracking chip implanted in them. Do you know if that is true?

[.:Falcon:.]

Kess twisted her legs around the legs of her chair. It hurt, but this subject wasn't one she was particularly fond of. Especially since she had been thinking about the risks to not only herself, but the ship that Palas was so fond of, not to mention the other people she was traveling with.

"Yeah." she answered. "I have one. But it hasn't exploded yet, so I guess it's not going to." she said with a sort of frantic hopefullness.

She knew that it would be wisest for Palas and the rest of them to just dump her somewhere. She'd be abandoned. Again. But it would be safer for everyone. Except her, she thought, but that thought wasn't one she wanted to bring into the light.

"So what are you going to do with me?" she asked quietly, staring down at her hands, that were clenched together so hard, the knuckles were white. This was always how it was- other people, deciding for her. Only now, she didn't even belong to them. She had just been caught up in a series of events that she hadn't been able to control.

She looked up at Palas, caught the Twi'lek's eye. Oh, if only the woman would keep her...not turn her out...Kess almost thought that just by thinking it hard enough, it might come true...

[Mara]

[... An Evening of Work]

Trevil had spent most of the short trip from Tatooine to what he now knew was Palas's base on Kuras IV playing one game after another on the pazaak table in the lounge area of the Nui's Jewel. He never got sick of the strategy game, even winning a couple of the games he played against the computer brain. The Bothan longed for a good game of sabacc, but so far hadn't figured out if this small game table had a setting for the gambling game. But that didn't bother him too fully; pazaak was keeping his senses sharp and entertaining him for the journey to the base.

It also kept him away from the other passengers for the most part. He knew he would have to talk to them eventually and get to know them more than he did briefly at the Dragon's Back on Tatooine. For now, though, he was content to be left alone to his thoughts. His thoughts of what he would do now that he got transportation off Tatooine and could now continue his search. But in return for the passage, he knew he had to help out the Twi'lek captain. He had used his slicing skills as a bargaining chip, and she had bitten. Now Trevil just needed to figure out what exactly he would be doing to get her out of trouble. And perhaps in the process, search for his ex-partners. And his due credits.

He didn't trust these beings, not wholly, and he was sure they didn't give him 100% of their trust either, which was more than understandable from his point of view. But they had services in trade and for now they had a civil relationship. Trevil just wasn't sure how far he was going to stretch that trust... or theirs for him. The main thing on his mind regarding that was his real name. Right now Palas and Lash (and now the girl that somehow ended up in their merry little band) knew him just as Yunas, a Bothan down on his luck without a clan name.

But he did have a full name, a name that Bothawui and the rest of the planet's system probably had a bounty attached to for the last few years. That almost sure possibility gave him a bit of pause. Trevil was almost positive they wouldn't turn him in, but he also had just met these beings. The hint of a hefty reward could sever almost any friendship. Like being able to split the credits from a bank robbery four ways instead of five. He sneered a bit at that thought, his teeth showing. Trevil supposed that for now he would remain Yunas. And if he had to make a show of goodwill, he could draw out another alias as his supposed real name.

After they landed, he remained quiet as he followed the others out of the ramp and off the ship that had taken him off that Force-forsaken planet in the outer rim... to another planet in the outer rim. Oh, well. It was a start, at least. He stood by Lash and the girl as Palas spoke up, glad for his thick fur to protect him from the frigid air of the planet. Trevil knew this speech would be coming. The reckoning... where he would find out if he had traded well with the promise of his slicing skills for a ride. And how he would be able to make good on that promise.

Instead the base's common room, Trevil found a seat that was short enough that his legs didn't dangle too far from the floor. It was always a little embarrassing for him to be seated among taller beings like humans because of his short stature. So he always tried to find a seat that didn't make his height such an obvious issue. With a nod at the Twi'lek captain, he took his glass in his large Bothan paws, sipping at the glass carefully, keeping his ears open to the answer to the captain's question, also looking at the girl curiously. Her presence here among them was beginning to make more sense to Trevil.

[Meira]

Palas' violet eyes studied the girl for her reaction. As could be expected, she didn't show too much. She kept her eyes down, but her body language showed her discomfort. When she affirmed Palas' suspicion, all the Twi'lek could do was nod. The fact that it hadn't exploded yet was a fairly good sign. But it was also a discomforting one. It was like knowing there was a timer counting down somewhere, but not being able to find out just how close to the end it was. Something would have to be done.

Her question caused the Twi'lek to look at the girl more closely. Something about the words that were used struck at her in a surprising way. There was defeat in her voice, like she had already resigned to the fact that she was in for disappointment, no matter what happened. When the girl looked up, Palas was suddenly caught in eye contact with her. She saw a strangled sense of hope there, and a near forgotten pain hit Palas in the ribs, and she spoke before she knew what words might come out.

I'm going to help you.

There was a pause after that. She hadn't meant to say it, but she couldn't take it back now. And the more she thought about it, the more Palas realized that she didn't want to. But the consequences of what her words mean were heavy, and Palas wondered if it was her fate to acquire acquaintances who were hazardous to her health. Maybe so, but she knew, had known from the very beginning that she could not abandon this girl. She pulled her gaze away from the girl to look at Yunas.

You've got slicing skills. Is there any way you could find her chip, deactivate it?

She was grasping at straws. She didn't know how the chip thing worked, or what it might entail to deactivate it. But she had to ask. Having made the decision to keep the girl around, for now at least, meant the issue would have to be addressed. Besides, they couldn't move on unless they were as safe as Palas could ensure, so it would probably be in the Bothan's interest to help.

I can't have a ticking time bomb walking around my base or my ship. And I certainly can't go anywhere unless every effort has been made to fix the problem.

[Mara]

He would hate to admit it out loud and would probably deny it in a state of court, but Trevil had zoned out a bit during the conversation Palas was having with the girl. Another pathetic life form that their crew seemed to have taken on. Not thinking that he himself was also one of those pathetic life forms; the Bothan felt like he was already a member of this mismatched band of smugglers, though he had only been with them a day or so. He had been curious how this girl ended up with Palas and then on the Jewel, but in his defense, it had been quite a long day.

The glass almost dropped out of his hands when he realized that the purple Twi'lek was staring at him. Trevil tried to remember what the topic of conversation had been. What she had asked him. Grasping for something to say, he started with "Um..." until he could come up with a better answer. Hopefully the captain would take it as him thoughtfully considering an answer, not dumbly trying to recollect her words.

Then, he had it. Something about a chip in the girl's arm. Trevil was glad that his mind hadn't completely left the room, and he could think back. It wouldn't have gone very well for him to ask Palas to repeat her question. Pretty inexcusable to get himself stuck in the inveritable brig on his first real night with the crew.

Could he find the chip? Yes, he had slicing skills, but he always worked with computers, datapads, things of that nature. To deactivate the chip, he would somehow have to figure out which frequency it was acting on. Something that even someone of his skill might have a hard time doing. It would be just a lot easier to scan the girl and surgically remove it... but he was no doctor, either.

Trevil cleared his throat after taking a gulp from his water glass, his violet eyes clear as he looked to Palas. "Well... I can't make any promises, but there might be a thing or two I could try." He wished he was more optimistic, for his sake, but he also didn't want to be dishonest, not about this.

[.:Falcon:.]

Kess stared at Palas when the Twi'lek said she was going to help. She didn't mean to be rude, but...Palas didn't strike her as the kind of person to help a liability without something being in it for her. That worried Kess, as if by reflex. She had been too long in the habit of being around people who had taken every opportunity to take advantage of others.

The Bothan seemed to be lost in his thoughts, but he came back when Palas asked him about her chip. He sounded hopeful, and Kess felt a bit more hopeful after his words. Maybe- just maybe- they'd be able to remove the chip. Then maybe Palas would let her stay a bit longer.

((Sorry it's short. The muse is being reticent. >.<))

[Meira]

Palas was watching the two carefully. She couldn't help it. If she had been on edge when she first brought Lash back to the compound, she was doubly so now. Trust was something she had learned to live without all these years working alone. But now, circumstances forced her to trust these strangers to a certain extent. It wasn't hard with the girl. She was young, had been a slave. That kind of life didn't encourage deception or ill will. Obedience was key. And over all of that... she was just a girl, a girl who was being offered a chance at freedom. Palas saw the change in the girl's demeanor. To her credit, she was good at controlling her features. But the way she stared when Palas offered her help, well, Palas could see the distrust. Well, Palas would have to prove herself then, just as she expected others to prove themselves.

Yunas on the other hand. Palas had reservations about that Bothan. It was to be expected of course. There was always a certain level of distrust between people when they were working deals. No one wants to be swindled. In any case, she couldn't help but study him. He had drifted from the conversation as Palas had spoken to Tess, and when he was addressed, had needed a moment to remember what was going on. If this was deliberate, Palas wouldn't like it. But she supposed that a general disinterest wasn't dangerous. If anything, it showed that he wasn't looking for a way to screw her over. Hopefully, that was the case.

He seemed hesitant about the task of removing the chip. Did he not want to get his hands dirty in business he hadn't signed on for? Was he unsure of his ability to do it? The hesitancy was enough to set Palas' mind to thinking of alternatives. It didn't take long for Doc to come to mind.

What if we have someone remove it. We have a doctor here, he could remove the chip if you can find it. Then you could deactivate it a bit easier, yes?

It wasn't a surprise that Doc hadn't made his presence known yet. He wasn't exactly the sort to get giddy about company. In fact, Palas was already expecting him to refuse the job at least three times before she would be able to coerce him into it. But would give in eventually, she knew that much.

[Mara]

Trevil considered the Twi'lek captain's suggestion. It definitely would be a lot easier if someone else removed the chip. It would be difficult enough for him to find some electronic gear and scraps around this base that he could somehow patch together into some sort of scanning device. And then he had to make that device be able to detect whichever frequency the slave's chip was running on. All in all, probably a good day's worth of work, depending on if he got it right on the first try. Though he was mechanically inclined, having worked and fiddled with different electronics in his childhood, his main skill was in slicing, hacking into other systems. And he doubted he would be able to hack into the slave owner's computer network, especially now that he was no longer on Tatooine.

But then, no matter how the chip was found and retrieved, there was still the matter of deactivating it. And that would not be a matter of simply smashing it under a boot heel. That action could cause some dangerous repercussions back on the other end of the tracking system. No, that would also entail a lot of meticulous work. He hoped Palas didn't need to leave this planet in a hurry.

So, all things considered, it probably would be a lot easier to deactivate the chip after it was removed from the girl's body. Instead of trying to somehow slice into the slave owner's network from across the galaxy. He turned his violet Bothan eyes to the purple Twi'lek and nodded. "Yes, that would work.

But I would need access to any electronic equipment I could... salvage to make an appropriate scanner."

[Meira]

((I'm going to move us forward a bit. If anyone has any problem with anything in this post, let me know and I'll edit and/or delete as necessary.))

Palas nodded as the Bothan responded. She was pleased that this alternative plan would be better, more efficient. She appreciated efficiency. At his last words, Palas paused a moment before giving a final nod. She wasn't exactly happy to show the Bothan more of the base than was absolutely necessary. But seeing as how that chip might explode at any moment... it seemed pretty necessary.

I'm sure you can find something. She said as she stood and gestured for Yunas to follow her. Before leaving the room, she looked to Kess and gave her what she hoped was a reassuring smile. Sit tight, I'll be right back.

Palas led Yunas from the room and down a short corridor. At the end, a door opened as they approached. The room she led him into seemed cramped due to the amount of gizmos crammed into the shelves along the wall. It was a small and dimly lit room, but the workbench had a large powerful lamp. Palas gestured around the room with one hand.

If I have what you need, it'll be in here. I'm going to take Kess down to meet Doc. When you're done, meet us down there. The elevator is around the corner. Here's the comm if you need anything. She gestured to a small box on the wall by the door. She paused a moment, then excused herself, walking quickly back to the common area.

Palas just stuck her head through the door to tell Kess to follow her before turning back down the hall, around the corner and stepping into the elevator. It was old and slow, but sturdy. It's clanky descent was a bit jostling, but not bad. Maybe it needed some greasing. She'd get around to it.

The second, lower level of the complex was more open than the main level. It was, in essence, a large store room with two small rooms attached. Doc, in his occasional times with Palas, had converted the two smaller rooms into a med bay and his own personal quarters. He couldn't be expected to sleep in the quarters upstairs... those were too close to everyone else.

Palas hadn't even led Kess half way across the store room before the raucous that usually accompanied Doc and his general movements could be heard. His gruff voice echoed slightly in the larger room as he came through the doorway to his quarters.

This place is a right mess! Half this stuff is expired. Hell, some o' it's older than I... He cut himself off as he caught sight of the girl trailing behind Palas, who was now standing, arms crossed and a slight smirk on her face. Doc's own face contorted to hide his curiosity, but with Palas stubbornly saying nothing, he couldn't keep the question back for long. Who's the runt?

Her name is Kess. Palas said, a satisfied smile crossing her face at having won the standoff. She turned her head to the girl. Kess, this is Doc. Don't let him fool you. He acts all mean and tough, but he's a big softy on the inside. She gave the girl a wink before turning back to Doc. We've got a problem. Kess was a slave who got caught up in the mess this last run to Tatooine turned into.

An' she's gonna blow up on you if you can't get that chip outta her. Doc finished for Palas. His face was clearly showing his discontent now. An' you want me to take it out. He huffed air when Palas nodded her head. Well I can't help you. Got no way o' findin' it. So get her away from me before she blows me up with ya! He accentuated his point by throwing his arms up as if to shoo them away. Palas didn't move.

I got someone working on that right now, Doc. She said, again smiling as her comment caught the old man off guard. He's upstairs working on a scanner right now. If he can find it, you can take it out... right? He merely huffed. Again the two were in a standoff, and there was no way Palas was gonna move or speak.

FINE! He said, turning around and stomping into the med bay... or at least stomping as best as he could with his prosthetic leg. Well get in here then! He called as he turned on the med bay's bright lights. Palas motioned to Kess with her head to follow Doc. She entered the room behind the girl and leaned against the wall.

Jump on up there. Doc said without looking at the girl and gesturing towards the examination table. Gotta make sure you can handle gettin' cut open don't I?

[Mara]

Trevil noticed that the Twi'lek captain seemed a little hesitant while considering his request. He briefly wondered if he had said something wrong, and that his whole plan was going to be ruined with a quick trip to the nearest exit. But her expression didn't seem to contain any anger, and so he flattened his fur in expectation of her answer.

Happy that she was obliging him of a way for him to finally earn his proffered keep, he followed her out of the lounge, glad that she wasn't walking too fast, and that he could keep up with her with his shorter and stockier legs. Walking next to humans or near-humans was always awkward for him, especially for those that happened to forget he was a good half a head, or even a full head, shorter than they were.

The Bothan didn't bother paying much attention on the short trip to the room she was leading him to. He just made a mental note of the directions they had traveled, nothing more, well aware of her earlier hesitation. Assuming now it had to do with the base itself and not wanting him to see something. The Twi'lek was a smuggler after all, from what he had inferred. If he was in her boots, he probably would be protective of his base of operations as well.

Upon reaching the open doorway of the room as she stood aside to let him through, Trevil couldn't help but let his ears perk up a bit. It was small but crammed in every nook and cranny was some kind of electronic piece. It was like a paradise, at least to the Bothan. The thought of why she would have a room like this never crossed his mind; he was too busy looking around at all the shelves, many of which were way over his head. He would have killed to have stock like this when he was a child fiddling with his computers.

At the back of his mind he heard her speaking, and he nodded at her words. Without bothering to say anything else in return or even to close the door, he immediately went inside to get a closer look at the shelves of equipment. Trevil had never had the need to make a scanner before, especially one to scan a human body, but he had a fairly good idea of how to go about it. Plus, he had his datapad with him. Surely on there he could get some illustrations or some detailed instructions on a device like it.

Pulling the 'pad out of his pocket, he set to work, booting up to the holonet and quickly searching for a few possibilities. Medical scanners were easy to find; they were not exactly something that was a government secret. Trevil felt a little wave of sadness at this. He didn't need to hack anything to get the information. But he would get to fiddle with electronic things, and that would a good second choice of how to spend his time.

Glancing at his chosen plans ever so often, he went around the room pulling down various parts and wires and setting them on the desk against the wall. He had previously thought it would take him a day to complete a project such as he was asked, but with all the array of things around him, he gauged that a good estimate would be four hours, at the most. If his paws weren't so clumsy and big, his time would probably be even quicker.

And so he set to work after turning on the lamp, datapad at his side, fiddling with the various parts he had set on the bench. The work would be slow, but he wanted to make sure he did it right. The Bothan was a consummate perfectionist. Also, he didn't want to disappoint his new captain, especially if he was hoping to gain her trust and her help for later to continue his search. But for now, he had a scanner to build.

[.:Falcon:.]

Kess followed Palas with a bit of inner misgiving. Whoever Doc was, she wasn't sure she wanted to meet him. In her experience, doctors were people who did nothing but hurt one. Granted, Kess hadn't seen a doctor but once, when she had been sick with something-or-other. Doctors weren't friendly to slaves.

But, Palas seemed to be alright with this Doc, so Kess quietly followed her. They had gotten close, apparently, when loud noises began to come from somewhere. Kess made a face. This Doc was loud, too.

They stepped in through a door, and a man straightened up, turning to face them. He made a face as his eyes fell on her, and Kess shrank back just slightly. He didn't like her. He and Palas exchanged words, and apparently, Doc wasn't happy about things. Finally, Palas convinced him to see her, and motioned her into another room.

Kess gave her one wide-eyed look before meekly walking in. Gotta make sure you can handle gettin' cut open don't I? Kess stared at Doc. "Cut me open?" she asked, wideyed. "Are you going to do that...now?"

[Meira]

Palas chuckled as she followed Kess into the exam room. She hadn't missed the wide eyed look the girl had given her, and if Palas didn't know Doc better she'd had felt the same way. But Doc had always been a grouch, and that's what he liked for people to think of him. It kept them back. It had taken years for Palas to be allowed past that guard. And even now she found him throwing it up between them, even if only half-heartedly. Old habits die hard and all of that.

The purple twi-lek would chuckle again at the girl's response to Doc's words. She really wasn't that enthusiastic about it herself, but if cutting the chip out was the best and safest way, then it would have to be done. She pushed herself form where she'd been leaning up against the wall and placed a hand on Kess' shoulder.

Don't worry. Yunas will find the chip with the scanner he's making. I'm pretty sure this thing won't be very deep. And Doc will make sure it doesn't hurt ok?

From across the room where Doc was turned away getting things together a grunt was heard. The old man turned around, his grizzly features contorted into what might be considered a smile. He hobbled back over to the table where the girl was now sitting and held up a device that shone a bright light into the girl's eye.

Look here. He grumbled, holding his hand up to the side of his own head while he looked through the device at the girl's eyes. Setting the thing aside, he picked up another instrument and placed it against the girl's back. Deep breath now. Without speaking to the girl, he set that instrument aside and took the girl's arm, placing something around it that squeezed tight and then let her go. Doc turned away and looked at a monitor for a moment, rubbing his stubbly chin with his hand.

All fine. Though she looks like she could use a couple extra meals. The second part was mumbled a little under his breath, making the words hard to hear. But Palas had plenty experience interpreting Doc's speech. She smiled at Kess and patted her shoulder. It may not have seemed like much, but that comment showed that Doc already cared something for the girl. No one but Palas might be able to see it, but the old man did have a heart.

[.:Falcon:.]

Kesslene sat quietly as the doctor inspected her, doing what he told her without a murmur. As long as he wasn't going to cut her open just yet, she'd be fine. She perked her ears up at Doc's comment about meals. That interested her, most definitely.

Palas patted her shoulder, and Kess looked at her. "So, that's it?" she asked.

((Once again, short, I know. Slave girls don't have much to do. >.< ))

[Mara]

(((I skipped ahead slightly in my post, to avoid lots of useless descriptions of him fiddling with the scanner...)))


Trevil uttered a curse from his native Bothawui as a couple of his components wouldn't fit together the way they should have. He was about halfway through making his pieced-together scanner to find the slave's homing chip when it happened. For some reason it wasn't working. Frustrated, he set the parts down and just stared at them for a while, knowing that they should fit together, but couldn't figure out why they weren't.

A few moments later his violet eyes narrowed as he discovered the problem. One had a wire poking out where it shouldn't be; it was that what was causing the problem. Grabbing a tool, he picked up the component and began bending the wire against its surface. Satisfied with his work, he tried fitting the two pieces together for a sixth time. And they fit! Trevil let out a whoop, not realizing he had done so until afterwards, and immediately cut it sort. He glanced around himself but didn't see anyone in the room with him, nor in the doorway. Crisis averted.

With that part complete, Trevil turned again to his datapad, his large paw clumsily scrolling down the screen to the next diagram. With almost all the internal wiring complete, it would be easier to just snap all fixings on. Then it would be just tweaking it, somehow, to hone in on the signal from the girl's embedded chip. At least, the Bothan hoped so.

Another glance and he was back to work, fiddling with wires, snapping in components. Once in a while a brief muttered oath could be heard as well coming from the storage room. But he was past the hard part and estimated he had an hour left, at the most to finish it, depending on how well it worked on the first try.


* * *


Snapping the last piece in place, Trevil observed his handiwork. Or, well, pawwork. The scanner looked like it was something that would work. The only question was would it. He turned off the desk illumination and shut down his datapad before stuffing it in a pocket about his being. As one quick check, he turned the device on, or what he thought was on, and ran it over various parts of his body. Obviously nothing would come up, but what the Bothan was hoping for was some kind of error signal, anything to indicate it was working but couldn't find the chip.

With a few more twists of the dial, he still didn't get anything. But Trevil wasn't discouraged. It was most likely because he had made it for humans, not Bothans, who had very different biologies. So now all he had to do was synch the signal of the girl's chip to the frequency of the scanner, and it should be able to find its match somewhere in the girl's body. That was theory.

Now he just had to find the rest of them. Leaving the workroom, he glanced around. What had Palas said? Oh, yes, take the turbolift down. The Bothan hurried over and slapped the activator switch. It was a quick ride down, and he only took a couple wrong turns before figuring out which direction to head in to find the girl and Palas. And there was a third voice he could make out, kind of grumbling but kind. It had to be the doctor the Twi'lek captain had mentioned. Trevil heard no sign of Lash anywhere, but, again, he was probably just working on the ship.

Trevil made his way into the med bay, where the conversation seemed to be hailing from, a little timidly. After all, his future could hinge on the next few moments that happened in this room. He cleared his throat gently to announce his presence, the fur on his head moving around quite frantically for a moment before settling down again. The diminutive humanoid held up his makeshift scanner. He shrugged his shoulders, a trait learned from spending company with humans and just jumped right in, "Let's see what we can find."

He tried smiling at the girl, who appeared already a bit nervous at the prospect of this doctor removing something from her body. Trevil hoped his smile wasn't too toothy; he knew how a Bothan might look to someone else, especially one who hadn't seen one of his kind before.

Slowly he walked up closer to her and brought the scanner up so he could work the frequency dial. Carefully he spun it around, hoping for a spark of answer from the slavery ID chip. He had to raise his arm pretty high because of his short stature, plus the fact that the girl was sitting on an exam table. For a while there was no sound at all. Trevil focused all he could on his work, knowing that Palas was probably staring into the back of his skull, wondering if it was worth dragging his furry behind to her secret base.

The Bothan slicer and assorted gizmo expert was about to give up and announce that he had done what he could with what he had when a little blip sounded from his cobbled-together scanner. Quickly, he spun the dial back and moments later heard the blip again, this time with an answering beep coming from the girl. Trevil turned up the volume a bit, waving the scanner as close as he could to the general area where he had heard the beeping. The scanner wasn't super accurate, but it seemed that the chip's frequency was coming from somewhere behind the girl's left ear.

Trevil went to grab a stool from the room in order to get closer, pausing a bit to mumble an apology to the girl before crawling up on the table beside her. Being a Bothan was so cumbersome sometimes. He brought the scanner right up to the back of her head, slowly moving it towards the left towards her ear. Yes, that's where it seemed loudest.

He looked over at Palas and the doctor. "It seems to be behind her left ear," he said after checking his scanner one more time.

[Meira]

That's it.

Palas smiled at the girl reassuringly while Doc huffed and turned away. The Twi'lek rolled her eyes at the man, choosing to simply keep mum about his grouchy behavior. No sense in bringing it up. For one, she didn't need to stir things up with Kess sitting right there, and for another, it simly wouldn't make a difference.

At that moment, the sound of a throat being cleared announced Yunas' presence and Palas turned around to see the Bothan, her eyes hopeful. But before she could even say anything. Doc cut her off. The old man had also turned, surprised to see a Bothan. His face contorted into an expression of distrust as he glanced back up at Palas.

How many new people you drag back here anyway?

I don't know if you've noticed, but a bare bones crew doesn't do much help. Palas snapped back at the man before she could think the words through. Taking a breath, she calmed the sudden edge she felt. This is Yunas. Yunas, this grumpy old fart is Doc.

The room settled into quiet as Palas watched Yunas do his work, and as Doc shut up and minded his own business at his work bench. It took some time, but at last, the scanner that Yunas had created seemed to come to life. Soon, the Bothan was honing in on the signal, and eventually found it behind Kess' ear. Doc had turned at the beeping sound, and seemed determined to keep a disapproving look on his face. Palas on the other had was elated. What Yunas had done was nothing short of a miracle to the purple Twi'lek.

That's amazing! She exclaimed as Yunas finished, asserting that the chip was behind Kess' ear. She unthinkingly placed her hand on his shoulder in approval, but removed it quickly with an apologetic glance.

Calm down girly... we still gotta get the blasted thing out don't we? Doc came stomping over with a tray of instruments, holding up a swab that had some sort of gooey substance on it. Yeh ready?

[.:Falcon:.]

Kess sat still as the Bothan ran the scanner over her. When he located it, she clapped her hand to her ear, her eyes wide. It had been there, right there, all the time. She swallowed hard. It could blow her head off any minute, just by a simple command from a control on Tatooine. That was a sobering thought.

Palas seemed pleased, and the grumpy old man set to work. Kess watched him silently, her eyes still wide. Then, he came over, holding something. She stared at it, then looked at him and vehemently shook her head. No, she was not ready, she was far from ready. He was going to slice into her, cut into her head. And she was supposed to just lay there and let him? What if he cut wrong? What if he didn't find it? What if...what he killed her?

What would happen then?

[Meira]

Palas, knowing Doc's no nonsense approach to life, was prepared for Kess' possible reaction to his approach. Her hands held lightly, but steadily, on the girl's shoulders and she leaned in a bit closer trying to sooth the Kess' nerves. Gently, she encouraged Kess to lay back on the table on her side so that the side of her head that the chip was on was facing up. She brought her own body down slightly, so that she was at eye level with the girl. She smiled, hoping to reassure her.

Don't worry. Doc is one of the best doctors I've ever known. That stuff he's got in his hand is antiseptic and a numbing agent. It'll clean the area and make it so that you don't feel a thing. You just keep your eyes on me and it'll be over before you know it, OK?

Doc, though he rolled his eyes at the purple woman's attempts to sooth the girl, waited patiently. He might be gruff, uncouth, and abrasive in general, but he was no butcher. He was highly skilled and wouldn't slip. As soon as Palas seemed to have the girl under control, he applied the salve. It would take only a minute or so for the numbing effects to take place, and so Doc used that time to prepare his tools. He wouldn't need many, just his scalpel, forceps, and a kolto patch. When these items were ready, Doc took up a position standing opposite the table from Palas. Hopefully, by being behind the girl, his movements wouldn't startle her.

The incision was quick and easy. Doc moved with deft fingers to open the skin enough to see. Luckily, the area wasn't deep, nor did it contain much in the way of organs or other parts. The chip was easy enough to find. Smooth and flat, it wasn't much to look at. Doc removed it with the forceps and set it aside in a tray. Within moments, the kolto patch was over the small cut, holding it together and already working to heal the wound. A quick wipe of the area and Doc was done. The whole procedure taking only a couple of minutes. He gave Palas a nod before turning to clean his instruments.

See? Not so bad at all right?

Palas took Kess' hands and raised her back up to a seated position. She lifted the container that Doc had placed the chip in. It rested at the bottom, under a small amount of antiseptic liquid. Clean of blood, it looked harmless, but Palas and the rest in the room knew better.

I'm just gonna go put this in something a bit safer. When you two are ready, come on back up to the main room. Yunas, I'd like to talk to you about how we might get rid of the spice.

Palas turned and left, giving Doc a thankful pat on the back as she passed him. It was answered with a grunt. She took the lift up to the main level. and worked her way to the hangar. There, she placed the chip in a small crate, and that crate in a slightly bigger one. Surely that would prevent any real damage done should it explode. Once they were back in space, she could jettison it and they would truly be done with that problem.

((Now Mara and I have talked about the discussion on what to do with the spice as happening outside of RP so that we can move the crew forward. So, I believe a Yunas and a Kess post is all we need to finish this thread up and get us moving to Taris!))

[Mara]

(((Here goes...)))



Feeling his work was done for the moment, Trevil stepped back to let the doctor do his thing, glancing down at his scanner a moment before turning it off. The Bothan was still a bit amazed at himself that the device actually worked as well as it did. Maybe he wasn't as rusty with playing with electronics as he thought he was. All that fiddling in his room as a child paid off. For now he was still part of the crew, perhaps even a valued member.

As the doctor began making the incision, he had to turn away, choosing to get out his datapad and look busy. Trevil had a bit of a weak spot for blood. Partially because he hadn't had much experience with it, partially because it usually meant, in his limited time, that something was going horribly horribly wrong. So he just ran through some of his files, making sure they were encrypted, some of them doubly so. The Bothan pulled up his file listing all the places he had checked for his traitorous team, and the planets he suspected they could be on. He sighed lightly to himself; it was unlikely that Palas would be taking her ship to any of those places in the immediate future, so he would have to bide his time.

Palas's voice interrupted his thoughts. He looked up, seeing that the procedure was over with already. That had been quick. The Bothan hadn't thought the doctor could work that fast. By now, he thought, he should be used to surprises. He nodded at her words, put away his 'pad and followed her into the turbolift. Reaching the top floor, they split up as she went to the hangar, and Trevil headed towards the main room to come up with some kind of plan. Once again, he was responsible for something that if he did wrong, might get him shot out of an escape pod.

Waiting for her to join him, he sat down, once again a bit subconcious about his short stature as his feet didn't touch the floor. He noticed the other chair he had used earlier but decided to just focus on the task at hand. His ears twitching a bit, he did a little searching on the Holonet for someone they could upload the spice to. Trevil figured that she would need to do it... subtly, so he didn't exactly look for the most reputable buyers on the market.

When the Bothan was joined by Palas, he had gotten a few options piled on his datapad, arranged by level of security (almost none) to location (somewhere out of the way of most prying eyes) and reputation of being (someone who could keep a secret). Rearranging himself on his seat a bit, he held up his datapad. "Well, I figured the best way was to sell it, and so I came up with a few buyers. The first is on Taris..."


* * *


About an hour later the Bothan found himself back on the Jewel, preparing for yet another trip. Palas and Lash, who had come from where he had disappeared to on the base, were up front in the cockpit. Trevil was seating in the lounge and strapped in as tight as he could get it, with the girl Kess sitting nearby them. Besides their target location and a name, Trevil didn't know much more about what they were going to be doing, except the prime objective to get rid of the spice. He had let Palas deal with the negotiations and arrangements, as it was her cargo and her ship.

He sighed, closing his violent eyes, hoping and praying dearly that this trip wouldn't be as bumpy as the one leaving, well, escaping Tatooine. Taris wasn't somewhere he had been, nor was it on his list. However, since he was going there anyway, it would be worth doing a little search anyway. Couldn't hurt. He just wanted his money back. All of them. And this was finally his first step into that search.


[to Are You In?...]

[.:Falcon:.]

Palas grabbed Kess' hands and laid her down, speaking quietly to her. Kess closed her eyes, trying not to think of what that man was going to do...

It was all over in a matter of minutes. Palas sat her back up, and was holding a small container full of liquid- and an innocuous looking, tiny black thing. Kess stared at it in wonderment. That was it? Palas took it away, and Kess reached her hand up to the place behind her ear. There was nothing but a slightly damp piece of something, and Kess brought her hand back down.

Doc shooed her out of the room, and she went to the ship. Going into the common lounge, Doc right behind her, she found a seat in a corner. Curling up, she stared straight ahead, her mind still trying to work through all this.

Without the chip, she was truly free. These people had no power over her. She was her own person. For the first time in her life, she was truly nothing but she seemed- a person, pure and simple.