From All Corners of the Galaxy - Part 1

[Ghostie]

"Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!"

“You done yet, burc’ya? Or do I need to dump you somewhere so you can finish laughing?”

Ethan looked sideways at the Republic Engineer. He must’ve thought Ethan was joking. Or needed to be locked up in a mental institution. But no, Ethan knew what he was doing and what kinds of odds were against him. Now he just needed to find people willing to help him.

“I have about twelve years of Navy service myself, burc'ya.” Ethan continued talking to the Engineer. “Republic and Mando’ade. I’ve been engaged in battles on both sides. I know what I’m doing. Trust me, I've thought this through.”

Well, to a point at least.

Then the Firrerreo spoke up. Her silky voice cut through the tense air in the speeder before either Ethan or the Engineer could say anything else. It wasn’t clear if she was onboard or not yet though. She seemed to speak pointed for both sides. She commented that vital parts of the Sith’s war effort would be focused around these supplies, but she also was unsure of resistance.

“Well Ad’ika,” Ethan began, not using the mando’a term for kid as a derogatory term anymore, but it was just something he had gotten used to calling the Firrerreo. And he didn’t know her name yet. “In the Republic, we always had just a couple of patrol ships and some fighters guarding our supply depots, and nothing much bigger escorting our convoys. There would be no point in using anything bigger to guard those kinds of things. It would be a waste of resources. The ship I have,” Ethan thought about The Verada. It was a piece of junk at times, but it was armored well. And armed to the teeth. “It can blast in and blast out quick.”

“As to your worry about there being dar’jetii… Sorry, I mean Sith Force-users. Well, I doubt there would be. And there isn’t a dar’jetii I’ve seen that can cut through beskar’garm.”

And then it was the sniper’s turn. Apparently he wasn’t satisfied with just hitting one faction. He wanted the whole thing. That showed a couple of things about the kid to Ethan. He was overconfident, he was greedy, and he wanted to make money. At least he seemed to be the only one who was onboard though.

“Kaysh mirsh solus…” Ethan said to no one in particular. “You don’t bite off more than you can chew. How about we hit the Mando’ade as well? Maybe start a war against the Jetii? What’s the use of having everyone shooting at us? We wouldn’t live long enough to enjoy our credits.”

[Fromikeable]

Horst began to take the Mandalorian a bit more seriously as the man quoted his own military record. He might have been Navy, but Horst knew that even from a comfy bridge in a battle you were worthy of a couple stripes on your arm. As such, the smuggler stopped laughing and began to listen a little more intently. If this isn't just some drug trip, then there might actually be something here.

The Firrerreo and the sniper chimed in, one asking about what they might fight and the other, being a hot shot in Horst's opinion, inquired as to why they were only hitting the Sith. The Mandalorian accurately described how the resources would be protected by little more than a few smaller ships.

What he said to the sniper surprised Horst. The Mandalorian claimed they'd only be hitting up the Sith because they didn't want to make too many enemies. If you just left it there, he'd be right...

But then you've got to ask why he chose our ONE and ONLY target. They could raid the Sith, sure, but with the know-how that Horst began to suspect this guy was bringing to the table, it was a bit of a wonder indeed why, of all the sole targets to go after, he chose the Sith over the Republic. Horst suspected it was because of his past in the Republic Navy, but the smuggler still couldn't call it simple knowing he had also shot for the Mandalore.

Conflict of interest? Not when he spoke so surely.

"Alright then. Let's say we all give you a cin vhetin and pretend we know you well," Horst folded his arms. At the moment, he was really considering this offer. It was way outta there in terms of, well, sanity, but then again Horst tended to be a bit of critic. This guy, this sailor, had a sniper, a medic, and maybe even an engineer. He would use them to be a pain in the Sith's collective rear end. That left one very simple question to be answered. It would never be answered honestly, or at least not as they all sat there unfamiliar and regarding each other as potential threats. Horst wasn't looking for a real answer, but rather for a response.

"Why are you choosing the Sith?" Horst looked at Mr. Hiker sternly as he waited for an answer. If this guy could say him even remotely that this was more than just some credit-crusade, Horst might actually agree to go through with it.

But then and only then.

[berserker]

The Mandalorian’s answer to his question didn’t satisfy Ress. He tried to soften his face, but the frown was still too obvious. He hoped to fish out a bit of information on the Mandalorian’s intentions, but it only made him look greedy, or worse, showed an apparent sign of stupidity brought about by inexperience. The scolding tone of the older Mandalorian made it worse for him. But he needed the work. Ress just made himself grin.

“Don’t get me wrong, mate.” He said. “I’m as fully intent on enjoying my credits after a job as the next guy. Mere curiosity, really. I mean, the Republic has more planets, so their fleet should be spread thinly. Plus the Republic is not the only one with Jedi friends, as our lady friend here has so graciously mentioned, and the Jedi the Sith are friends with would be less likely to just sit idly by. But I digress. You seem to know what you’re doing; I’ll trust an elder gentleman’s experience.”

The more Ress thought about it, however, the more convinced he was that this was not a simple grab-and-run job. In his eyes, the Sith was a harder target. There was more to it. But Ress decided not to dig any deeper. The Mandalorian probably had reasons not to confide his true intentions, and probably for good reason. Ress knew more than to ask questions he didn’t want the answers to. Luckily, the Republic-man did it for him.

"Why are you choosing the Sith?"

Ress looked intently at Mr. Hiker then, as he waited for his reply.

[Ghostie]

Ethan let out a heavy sigh. They wanted to know why he choose only the the Sith. Why didn’t he want to hit the Republic? Well, that answer was variable on one thing; how much did he want to tell these mercenaries? He wasn’t going to opening tell them he was Ethan Moreill, a wanted criminal in the Republic, on Nal Hutta. That was a recipe for disaster that wouldn’t end well. His answer would have to be carefully worded.

“The Republic is my home. I was born on Corellia, I grew up there. I have family and friends who live there. If we attacked the Republic, one of our attacks could indirectly place them in harm.”

The last thing Ethan wanted was to place someone he cared about in harm. Years later, he was still trying to get over Corana’s death. The people that mattered to Ethan were some of the most important things in his life. He was attacking the Sith to try and help the Republic, to keep those he cared about out of harm.

“A couple of years ago, I had a… a friend who was kidnapped by pirates. I thought the pirates were in league with the Sith, but there was no substantial evidence to suggest so. She was killed before I could get to her in time. I want to try and help keep those I care about safe and seeing as how I was honorably discharged from the Republic Navy, I can’t really join them now can I?”

Not to mention, if I were captured by the Republic I’d be charged with treason and first degree murder.

It was quiet in the speeder for a couple of minutes. Ethan didn’t have much to say after his story about Corana. He focused on his driving. Ethan was still at high speeds and weaving in and out of traffic. It kept him distracted, not thinking about that day Corana was killed.

“We’re almost at the spaceport.”

[Fromikeable]

The speeder was dead quiet after the Mando gave it up. The smuggler tried to imagine a boy running through the streets of Corellia. Horst imagined the little boy growing up, becoming a man of the military, and then leaving for some reason. Horst could imagine a faithful soldier being prosecuted for the death of a friend.

Then he imagined the same story, but with a mysterious Mandalorian boy with red-hair who'd grow up and call himself Mr. Hiker.

"Vor'e." Thanks.

Horst meant it. If he knew anything about a stinging past, it was that talking about it was the worst kind of pain a person could bear. You were talking about terrible, awful things you'd never be able to change, and that was more than most people could take mentally speaking. Meanwhile, this guy was spilling the beans to a few mercs in a speeder on Nal Hutta.

"Fine."

Horst unfolded his arms, as the speeder landed with a soft thud, the hum of starships overhead. Horst popped open the canopy, allowing him to stand in the speeder itself.

"One last thing. What's you're name?"

[Ghostie]

Ethan climbed out of the speeder after the Engineer. Was this his true reason for getting a bunch of mercs and pirates together? Because of Corana? No, he refused to believe it. Corana was one of the innocents caught in the crossfire. He was raiding the Sith to make a pretty coin and keep people safe at the same time. There was no way Corana was involved with his motive. Yet, he had brought her up, mentioned her. But he still refused to believe it.

Why can’t you stay out of my head, Corana?

Ethan led the way over this his rented landing pad. He saved the Engineer’s question for a minute. He wasn’t about to tell some merc on Nal Hutta that his name was Ethan Moreill. He kept his hand casually on his holstered blaster, as if it was just resting there though he was ready to draw it should the need arise.

Leading the way, Ethan came upon his ship, The Verada Nashta. It was an old Cohen-Class gunboat. It seemed large on the ground, with its huge landing gear and massive Ion cannon turret. But Ethan, and no doubt this Engineer, had seen bigger whether in the service or outside of it. The Verada wasn’t exactly the largest ship around after all.

The Verada itself was blue, unlike most Cohen-Classes which were grey. But the blue paint was worn from use. There was a white stripe down the side of the ship, which met a large Mandalorian symbol at the front of the ship on either side. Shut off fuel lines littered the place. The cargo elevator was down, from the already hired crew stocking up for their next trip. There were only a few crew members so far, The Verada didn't take much in crew necessity.

Ethan leaned against one of the many landing struts of The Verada. He put his left hand on his pocket, and his right remained on his holstered blaster. Keeping both eyes on the Engineer, he finally answered his question. Truthfully this time.

“Moreill. Ethan Moreill. And you?”

[Fromikeable]

Horst clambered out of the speeder, tipping it to his side slightly as he jumped off the side. The engineer readjusted his sleeves as "Mr. Hiker" followed suit. The two fringe elders walked silently to a hangar, the bounty hunter leading the smuggler. As he walked, Horst tried to deduce what the bounty hunter was thinking over so hard. Sure, he had just asked for his name, but on a planet like Nal Hutta, that usually prompted a quick threat, not an extended bit of consideration.

What are you thinking...

As the two men rounded a corner, Horst laid eyes on a blue gunship. The spacecraft was in good shape despite its beaten coats of paint, and a few hired arms bustled too and fro fueling, swabbing, maintaining, and smoking. Horst noted the ion cannon; a feature he didn't necessarily approve, but didn't mind. In his experience, ion cannons were never worth the amount of energy they sucked up.

Horst read aloud the name painted on the gunboat. "'The Verada Nashta.' Sounds Mando to me. Cohen-class, correct?" The smuggler came to stand under the belly, raising a hand to feel the scratched paint. The armor felt good, and after a few knocks on the hull, the metal also seemed devoid of rust. It was a good ship.

Mr. Hiker then, although guardedly, bequeathed to Horst his final demand. "Moreill. Ethan Moreill. And you?"

"Horst Stellar." The smuggler extended a hand and stepped forward, making sure to keep his hands clear of his belt. He was going for a gesture of trust, not a threat of drawing a gun.

"It sounds like we've got quite the job before us."

[Ghostie]

Ethan looked at Horst’s extended hand for a couple of seconds. Somewhere, he must’ve convinced the old Engineer to take him seriously, despite his crazy idea. This Engineer was going for a sign of trust, something that Ethan hadn’t expected. In fact, he had expected the Engineer at one point to leave Ethan and go to the next job. Of course, that was kind of hard to do while in a speeder.

Ethan reached out and shook Horst’s hand. There was no more reason to be cautious apparently. There would be no trouble from Horst Stellar. Horst Stellar… That name sounded familiar.

“Yes we do. Sorry I was being secretive about my name. It isn’t exactly safe to tell other’s your name is on a wanted list somewhere, especially on Nal Hutta.”

Horst Stellar, that’s where Ethan had heard the name before, on a wanted list. Wanted for desertion and murder of a Republic officer. And then some small time crimelord or another also had a bounty on him. Ethan remembered it coming in in a list of possible bounties before. For a while, he had considered going after Stellar, but had changed his mind when he found someone with a higher bounty on their head. Ironic that someone he had once considered a target, he was no working with. Who would he be working with if he had decided to go after Stellar?

“Yeah, it’s a Cohen. Figured you’d know your ships. C’mon, I’ll show you the rest of it.”

But after thinking it over, Ethan decided he was glad Horst joined up. He was an ex-Republic soldier. He was Mandalorian or at least knew some Mando’a. And being as old as they were, you didn’t survive in the fringes of space by luck. It took work and skill, and Stellar’s age by itself proved he had both. The two of them actually had a lot in common. Ethan thought it would be nice to work with someone who could understand him, and where he was coming from.

They climbed onto the cargo lift, and Ethan keyed it to go to the bottom cargo level. It was a very large room, with tan walls and floors and well lit. There were catwalks above, as if a second story should be there. There wasn’t much around, save whatever the hired help had begun loading for supplies. Ethan lead the way through to the door, into the next hallway.

“Yeah, The Verada Nashta. It’s from an old Mandalorian tale my mother used to tell me. Y’know, stories like the boogeyman and stuff? Anyways, this story was about a monster that could only walk in the shadows. I thought it was a clever name after I had the stealth system installed.”

The hallway they now stood in was dimly lit. It had grey walls and navy blue carpeting for floors, much the same color of the ship’s hull. Down the hallway were multiple doors on each side, evenly spaced out. Ethan handed Horst a keycard. He would need one to get in his room after all.

“Crew quarters. Go ahead and choose a room. You shouldn’t have to share with anyone; there is more than enough. For now at least.”

Ethan walked to the opposite end of the hallway than they came out of, towards turbolift. Keying the lift down, he turned around at talked to Horst again.

“You’ll want your rest. Like you said we have a big job ahead of us. But first, we’re stopping on Coruscant. Can’t take on the Sith with just two men, now can we?”

That wasn’t the whole truth. The hired help wanted to stop on Coruscant. See friends and family. Given their new job, Ethan had agreed. He didn’t know if they’d make it back alive. If anyone at all would make it back alive. The morality rate for raiding the Sith weren’t exactly high. And he knew who important those close people were in your life. You’d always want to say goodbye one last time.

Nodding to Stellar, Ethan climbed into the lift and took off. He wondered if Horst was right to laugh at him. This was a crazy idea, raiding the Sith. Why had he even thought about it? Was it about revenge? Was it about making money? Was it something about wanting to help people, and the Republic? Why should he want to help the Republic after that they had done to him? They didn’t deserve his help, no matter what form it came in. And then, that little voice came back. That little voice that always made sense. His conscience.

Don't doubt yourself, Ethan. This is the path you've chosen, now go for it.