Shipyards-Ghost Star Dry Dock (Italia)

[projectsunfire]

Mandalore leaned heaveily on the the catwalk railing of hangar 7. The light from the day outside filtered in through the large mouth of the building. The occasional engineer would shout out orders to his subordinates or the sound of power tools would echo down through the cavernous building.

Solus'ad took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. He felt light with his armor in his locker. Black fatigues made comfortable clothes for observating the Ghost Star as it lay quietly resting in its docking area. The smell of cleaning solvents, oils, and fuel made the air smell productive. Maybe that was just the way Solus'ad liked it.

He brought his hand up to his chin and rested his neck. His eyes closed in thought, comfortably. He caught himself wishing it was always like this. His bandolier made his beskad feel light on his back. Little moments of rest seemed like a rarity these days. Then again it wasn't like he could ever sleep anyway. It was times like this that would remind him... Mandalore was getting old.

((Go ahead and join when you like.))

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

((urk...finally managing to post here ~_~ ...and it seems i wrote you a short story ^_^; ))

The day had been...interesting...to say the least.

Between rabid dogs, angry Aphithirians, troublesome smugglers, and a message from Mandalore himself, the petite mercenary was rather beside herself....again, to say the least.

One wouldn't know by looking at Italia, as she strode down the corridors of Mandal Motors, that she was nervous at all. She was. Very much so. It wasn't every day that a mandalorian got to meet Mandalore, let alone the daughter of a couple of poor farmers who had grown up to be a mercenary. The poor woman simply didn't know how to act around someone with military authority, much less the leader of her people...this thought frightened her to no end. The very LAST thing she wanted to do was dishonor herself and her family by acting wrongly in front of Mandalore when he was being so generous to them. Yes, Italia could laugh defiantly at a mass of republic officers and feel little fear, but the notion of meeting this one man petrified her. Despite this, the progeny of Arkandos Phelan refused to show her fear.

Brown leather combat boots moved almost silently over the metal and tile floors of the dry docks, the surprisingly quiet calm of the place belying the busy atmosphere of it. The thin, loose, long sleeved black shirt hung lightly about her frame, fluttering slightly in the air as she walked along, the bottom of it tucked into the top of brown pants that fit snugly over her legs. Every now and again it was easy to see the bulge of a bandage wrapping on her legs or a flash of white from the lower part of her forearms under the sleeves, but for the most part this type of clothing kept the rather extensive bandaging hidden. What it couldn't keep hidden was the ugly fading of the bruises and cuts on her face and hands, or the stitched, splinted, and wrapped finger that had been torn open during the mission. Shoulder length auburn hair was plaited into a braid to keep it out of her face, and emerald green eyes scanned the area around her. Only a simple combat knife and blaster hung from her utility belt as she walked along, finally reaching the docking bay for the Ghost Star.

Smiling, she walked up to it, nearly heedless of the workers as she passed them, patting a landing strut fondly. She and the Star had been through a lot together, hell, she'd practically grown up on the ol' girl, and seeing it again was like seeing an old friend. It just didn't feel right not to say hello, meeting or not. As one of the workers approached her, asking what she needed, Italia simply smiled and asked if Mandalore had arrived yet, and if so where he was. When the man pointed upward toward one of the catwalks, Lia's stomach did several extravagant flips and somersaults before settling once again. She turned to look up at him and nodded, stating her thanks to the worker before striding to the lift that would take her to where the man was standing. As the lift doors opened with a ding, she thanked the gods that she'd thought enough to ask Mal how she should greet...salute...Mandalore when she met him. This didn't help ease her fears, however, and the tension was practically radiating off of her.

Moving from the lift, she saluted...as gently as possible since her right hand happened to be the injured one....with a movement of her arm toward her chest as she would have if she were pounding her fist there. Even so it jarred her injured hand and elicited a slight hiss followed by an annoyed huff of breath at the injury and her inability to preform the action properly because of it.

Mandalore, sir.

She gave a slight bow before straightening and glancing at the man that stood before her. For a moment all she could do was stare, taking in every detail of his face, the scar over his eye, the broken nose, the green eyes, salt and pepper hair, the nicks and cuts that had healed to be the less noticeable scars...then she realized she was staring and averted her eyes to a point just to the side of him on the hull of the Star and fixated them there, blushing slightly in her embarrassment at her actions. Oh kriffing hell Lia...already you're acting like a complete fool. Some Mando'ade YOU are. Hmph...he's likely to laugh you right back into the lift and all the way out of the docks if you keep actin' like that m'girl. That thought was far from comforting.

You...you requested a meeting with me about the Star, sir?

THAT was the best she could come up with?! Oh what brilliance she was showing today! Not even so much as a thank you, but the first thing be said was about the ruddy Star. Italia closed her eyes and shook her head slightly letting out a deep sigh as she tried to push away the trepidation that ate away at her. What was she so afraid of? Did she think he was going to bite or something? Well, maybe if she provoked him, but otherwise...no, she doubted it. That thought brought a small half-smile to her face before she looked up at him again and actually DID smile this time. The difference was like night and day.

Please, allow me to start again, sir.

I wanted to thank you....for what you've done for the farm...for my mum. It means a lot to us and she and Itani wanted me to convey their thanks to you as well. I...to be honest, I really think you saved us this time around.

Green eyes glittered slightly as a few grateful tears sprung up in them before vanishing again as she smiled up at him, the fear of dishonor slowly (very slowly) beginning to melt away now that she'd thanked him properly....and decided he wasn't going to bite.

[projectsunfire]

Some felt that Solus'ad was a cold man. A rock that had been worn smooth by the great river of life. It amused, and pleased him a little that she, a merc had saluted him. Though when he noticed that she was injured it bit at him that she had tried and hurt herself. Outside he projected calm, and stood stifly as she awkwardly tried to talk to him. Solus'ad had been Mandalore for far too long, though it still occasionally surprised him when people still acted like he was another Mandalore the Invincible.

He met her green eyes as she studied him. He watched quietly as she read every scar on his face... He didn't mind. His mouth grew into a little smile, as she turned away embarassed at her own curiosity. Theres no need for that Mando'ika he thought. If he had been somone else, he would have just been another old Mandalorian. When she turned away Solus'ad took the opportunity to stare back.

He admired her auburn hair. Her body spoke of long hours training in endurance, a runner likely. Her clothes were the simple blacks and browns of a farmer. Some one aware of the realities of the labor that life required. And her boots were the type that saw heavy use. He noticed one of likely many bandages, peaking from beneath the cuff of her shirt sleeve. Which he concluded was likely the reason she wore it. She seemed the type that was used to tank tops, sweat, dirt and blood. Apart from the map of stitches, bruises and healing cuts, Mandalore would have said she was not at all hard to look at. Likely she had at least one if not many Mandalorians seeking her favor.

He met her green eyes quickly as she turned back to face him, She smiled at him, and my my, what a ray of sunshine, at that.

He chuckled. Solus'ad had forgotten he could do that. It had always seemed like the weight of the Galaxy rested on his shoulders. At least to him. Needless to say it surprised him. When she began to tear up slightly he felt the overwhelming urge to give her a dewback ride ((= piggy back ride)) and a blop candy. The thought of that sight made him shake his head visibly, if however slightly.

When she thanked him, Solus'ad seemed lost for words. He was his peoples keeper. Their Mandalore. It was only natural that he take care of them.

"Your welcome." He said, His usually cold Baritone comeing out in what sounded to him warm, even friendly. "You all have earned a little rest, from your duties. Bringing the Basilisk home was a great task. You helped recover something more than metal or history Mando'ika." Solus'ad motioned for her to join him where he stood and he pointed to where the Basilisk War droid was being tended to by the Mandalorian Engineers and Scientists. Solus'ad reached out as if in a dream, as if he could touch it. "Look at how they treat it. Likely you were too busy avoiding a meeting with Manda back on Coruscant, but can't you feel it? This was a missing piece, that has made us more whole than we have been since Darth Revan killed Mandalore the Ultimate and the Republic launched all but one Basilisk into the star at Malachor." Solus'ad felt his own skin tingle at the thought of it.

He shook his gaze away and cleared his throat, trying to bring his head out of the idealistic playground it had been playing in. "Yes, I wanted to talk to you about the Star," he said as he brought his hands behind his back. "You have quite an affection for your ship, which is only natural. However it was never built with the purpose of sneaking into hostile locations, and extraction." Solus'ad crossed his arms a moment and closed his eyes in thought. His eyebrows came together in concentration causeing his brow to furrow.

His head tilted to the side ever so slightly, and he sighed. Solus'ad openned his eyes and looked at the Ghost Star with an appraising eye. "It's armed, yes, but we can make improvements.
I know if it were my ship I'd be more than uncomfortable haveing other people touching its delicate systems. I surmise you've had her a long time too." Solus'ad seemed distracted by something far away in his vison. Or perhaps his mind. "I'll tell you what I was thinking about offering you." Solus'ad hesitated for the breifest of moments before continueing.

"I am offering to have our engineers here outfit your ship with advanced weapons, communications, countermeasures, and if we can, upgrade its speed." Solus'ad turned and looked into Italia's face. He couldn't be sure, but he could swear he saw the slightest bit of hurt in her eyes. "Or we could just give her a tune up. Replace filters..." Solus'ad trailed off.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

The poor girl had been so caught up in her own fears that she’d not noticed…well, nearly anything. His chuckle and her own diminishing fears brought her winging back to her senses. Green eyes blinked at the sound, rusty as it seemed, and she grinned up at him, that vivacious personality burning through the last of her discomfort easily. Told you he wouldn’t bite! A bubbly little giggle escaping her shortly after his own version. Italia tilted her head to the side, a curious little pup, at the shake of his head. Years as a sniper and mercenary didn’t leave much room to be unobservant to the smaller things in life. Big things you could see coming at you, it was the small ones you had to watch out for after all. Lia was taken off guard, yet again, by the surprisingly warm tone of voice that issued from him and she found herself almost immediately enthralled. He’d said less than 5 sentences and she already had her ears trained on him. Maybe it was the shock of meeting him, but she doubted it….no, there was just something…different… something…special…about him that made her WANT to listen. As he moved she followed, those emerald orbs following his gaze even before his hand moved.

Italia smiled again. She LIKED this man. The woman had been around leaders, and then she’d been around LEADERS…Mandalore fell under the second category and already she found herself following, listening, and she felt that if she had something to say, he would actually try to hear her out. He was more than just a leader, he was like father…and that…that was so much more precious. If it had been the right moment, and they had known each other better, the little firebrand might have actually dared to hug him. The woman tried not to chuckle at the thought, and in the process scrunched up her nose as she smiled, eyes dancing. He was speaking again and she was immediately attentive.

Each time he spoke he seemed to surprise her again. This time it was the knowledge and the odd sense of poetry behind the words that had her mind reeling. She looked as he said look, gave a dark chuckle at his astute observation of the situation they’d been in on Coruscant, and as she gazed at the creature…it was more than a machine to her since it moved on its own…she nodded slightly. Yes indeed, it was a missing piece to them…not the only one, but it was a large one. It was their history, their pride and honor, that the metal beast embodied. History, like family, was worth more than all the credits and wealth one could possibly hope to gain in a lifetime. In that way alone Mandalore was rich, and she was beginning to acquire some wealth of her own…other than the already rich history of her people…no, she was talking personal history now. As he cleared his throat, she swiftly brought herself out of her musings, green eyes snapping to his as the subject of her baby came up.

Ah yes, she was well aware that the Star was poorly equipped for stealth or extraction…well, she worked well enough for Lia on smuggling missions, but that wasn’t what he’d meant. She opted to remain silent as he folded his arms across his chest and seemed to be in thought. Left hand came to rest along the railing there and she leaned lightly, taking the weight off of one of her injured legs for a moment, her right hand still resting at an upward angle against her chest to keep the stitched finger from swelling and hurting her. She sighed slightly. Bloody pain medications always wore off at the worst times. He seemed to be appraising the ship for a moment before continuing on. Again he was correct in his assumptions…he was an astute man, but what else could she expect from someone like him? Nothing really…fighting did that to a person, and leading even more so she surmised. One had to be in order to survive in battle, other wise you got a leg or your head chopped off, and as for leading, well…didn’t one have to be able to see things for what they were, or find problems before they happened in order to lead efficiently? There’s a lot to be learned from him…I wish I could spend more time just talking to him. He’s a far cry from Bane…Bane’s all honor ‘n’ glory ‘n’ little heart…he’s brave ‘n’ all, and he’s a good enough leader, but sometimes I wonder if he cares…Mandalore’s heart ‘n’ mind, and the honor ‘n’ glory cling to him through that I think. I’d rather follow a leader I believe cares…but maybe that’s just me. Heh, Bane could suffer a li’l softenin’ up.

The offer was laid out for her, and she chewed on the inside of her bottom lip slightly. Was there really that much to be done to her poor li’l Star? So many changes that needed to be made? Was the Star even going to be the same ship after they were done with her?! That sent a stab of pain to her heart sure enough. He seemed to pause slightly, and gave a different set of options. Torn, the auburn sighed heavily. There had to be a happy medium…there HAD to be.

Sir…I understand the need for all these things if the Star’s gonna get us in an’ out of where we need ta go but…

She stopped herself, that slang she’d grown up using coming out again and likely making her look like a fool. An annoyed look crossed her face as she chided herself.

What I’m trying to say is…I understand, and I’m willing to make the changes you suggest but…I want to be here for it and do some of the work myself, and if that’s not okay then I at least want to be able to oversee it. The Star’s been my home since just after I passed my verd’goten and I just couldn’t stand it if some one went about changin’ her and my not knowin’ what was goin’ on.

CURSES! She’d done it again! In her anxiety and need to help him understand her point of view she’d slipped into that slang again, country accent and all. Well, it was too late now. Might as well just continue on with it…he’d think what he’d think.

Look…I’m hopin’ to find a happy medium here, and she does need some work…I’ve not seen to her proper since just before the Reclamation, and I’m not above admittin’ to that…but…I just worry about her…she’s more being than ship to me by this point, odd as that seems, and it’d be kinda like askin’ me to let someone I don’t know perform an operation on myself. Just ‘cause they say they’re a doctor doesn’t mean they’re gonna fix things right.

A little huff came from her as she finished, and she stood stubborn as a mule looking up at him, eyebrows knit together in her agitation. Only then did she think she might have offended him by saying something like that and she visibly softened up...albeit only slightly.

I hope I didn’t offend you, Sir, but I figured you deserve to know just what I think on the matter before either of us goes and decides what’s best…and really…when it comes down to it…if I don’t know what’s been done, and somethin’ goes wrong…well then, I might not be able to fix ‘er up and that could cost lives.

[projectsunfire]

Mandalore hadn't heard that sort of slang since he was hunting people for the Hutts. It was somewhat comforting, surpriseingly enough. Alot of the people who served under Mandalore would annoyingly maintain a stiff attitude when they were within earshot if him. Well, his orderly was the one acception. Then again, that had just changed. Strangely enough Solus'ad realized he had been tense himself. Though it manifested in a more psychological stiffness. A sort of expectancy, that everyone was going to treat him like their Messiah of Manda.

He listenned intently as she expressed her concerns to him and he noticed as her words fell into a relaxed slang again, and its stayed there. It was a refreshing situation that made him smile gratefully. Her Analogy to medical personel made Mandalore chuckle again. She seemed to be reading his thoughts as she spoke. He had intended to put her in charge of the upgrades in the first place.

Solus'ad's little smile grew to a grin as she carried on. "You have an excellent understanding of the situation Mando'ika." What she had said didn't offend him in the least. At worst it reminded Mandalore of a protective parent. Which was more than appropriate for a ships captain. He recalled his nana looking at him like that once upon a time. "I'll leave you in charge of the upgrade implimentation. It is your ship after all and I wouldn't want it any other way. I'll dispatch a team to work directly under you to get things in order quickly." Solus'ad smiled his little, knowing smile.

"You didn't offend me Mando'ika." Solus'ad turned his gaze, and looked at the ship as she rested quietly on her landing struts. "My concern is for you and the rest of the Spec Ops team. If I had simply deligated the task to one of the engineering crews and cut you out. I would put you in danger, just as you say. And that strill just won't hunt." Mandalore turned his head slightly and winked.

Solus'ad straightenned out his fatigues unconciously, and was about to just say let it be so, when a strange thought entered into his head. "I have one request. Can I have a look at her before the changes are made?" Solus'ad was surprised at his own boyishness. Well, it has been said, the young make the elderly feel younger. He smiled genuinely, likely for the first time in a long time.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

She’d been right, miracle of miracles, and he’d been one willing to listen. That alone made her happy, but the fact that he didn’t show signs of resentment, or really any negativity, because of her county slang…if anything she almost thought she saw him….relax? Bah, that was her imagination getting away with her, right? He smiled, chuckled, grinned, and then he…praised her? Baffled, she tilted her head to the side a tad and blinked once at him, then he continued on. Italia grinned again and had to hold herself back from hugging the man. Finally, FINALLY someone who understood about a person and their ship! Well, someone in a leadership position anyway.

Thanks for understandin.’ I can’t begin ta tell ya how many people just don’t get the fact that a ship’s more’n just a ship….well, I mean other’n pilots that is.

She gave a relieved little sigh when he stated that she hadn’t offended him, a mild chuckle escaping her at his last statement. True enough, it just wouldn’t do to have everyone in trouble just because someone had a harebrained idea of what they thought was the best course of action. Keen eyes caught that wink and she winked back at him letting out a soft laugh.

True ‘nough, sir. You won’t be disappointed in ‘er. She may not look like much, but she’ll surprise ya. She cleans up nice enough and with a bit’a TLC from me an’ some of yer men, the Star’ll be ready to go when ya need ‘er.

Another grin and Italia shifted her weight again, easing up on the other leg and slowly bending it at the knee once or twice to ease the tension. It didn’t do much for the pain, but at least it got rid of some of the stiffness in the muscles and joints that were protesting under the strain. The motion stopped abruptly at his question, nearly making her lose her precarious balance. A little hop was given to catch herself as her leg straightened and planted itself to steady her. That question had been unexpected to say the least! Leafy green eyes widened slightly before a silly looking grin spread across her face. It only broadened at his smile. If she’d been struck down that very moment, Italia would have died a VERY happy woman.

Really?! I’d be honored to show you around ‘er! Besides, what’s mine is yours….and that’s not just because you’re Mandalore, burc’ya.

Italia meant every word.

It just wasn’t in her to be stingy or selfish if she could help it, and the chance to show off her ship to anyone like this man would be an honor to her, especially if asked, and it truly wasn’t because he was Mandalore. If he’d been any other man she’d have been just as honored…and to have the added bonus of him being the leader of her people…well, the little spitfire was practically beside herself. Maybe it was because she was young, but she doubted it…no, Lia always had been a rather happy and outgoing little girl, and that hadn’t changed much as she got older. Some people even wondered if there was ever a time that she wasn’t happy.

There weren’t many.

She would wait for him to be ready before walking to the lift and keying it down. Now that business was done, she was curious. Some saw her curiosity as a fault, but honestly, Lia didn’t care what most people thought…okay, so she DID care what most people thought, but she tried not to let it show until she was well out of their sight…unless it elicited a good reaction of course. If that was the case she simply sparked up and flickered around, a little dancing flame for all to enjoy. Either way, the vivacious woman was simply burning with curiosity about the man she’d just met.

Um…I’m not QUITE sure how ta ask this so I’ll just say it plain I guess and risk the embarrassment, but…should I call you anything OTHER than “sir” or “Mandalore”…or would that be wrong of me? I mean…being a merc all my life I had to…you know…

She made a face that could have been interpreted as a type of painful embarrassment, one eye closing as she nearly grimaced at the thought.

I sorta had ta ask about how ta greet you, an’ salute ‘n’ such. I’m a bit out of my depth right now so…well…I figured I’d just kinda ask an’ find out from you.

I hope that’s okay…I’m awful curious sometimes and so I don’t wanna cross any lines I don’t know are there….

Her voice trailed off as she stopped herself from continuing and looking a complete fool, a minor movement of her shoulders upward in a shrug accompanying the end of her words. A sharp pain shot across her side at the motion and she winced at it before looking mildly irritated for a moment as she glared impotently at the offending area. Why the hell did those shrapnel injuries still hurt like that from time to time? Maybe it was just the area it was in…sides and backs and stomachs were awful sensitive areas after all, and she was lucky she’d not been seriously injured because of it. The doors to the lift slid open with a hiss of air and a ding, and she stepped out, waiting for him before continuing on.

[projectsunfire]

Solus'ad followed her onto the lift and leaned against the wall with his arms crossed as they descended. He watched and listenned to her intently. His intense eyes focussed on her mouth, it helped him when he missed a word here and there. His hearing wasnt the best these days. He should see about getting a physical. Maybe an implant.

Solus'ad nodded, occasionally as he absorbed what she had to say. He knew the ship type. He'd been aboard one once upon a time when he had been younger. It had belonged to a hutt. All the Lethisk Class Freighters were expensive, and Arakyd was never one to miss marks. "I've been on a Lethisk once before. But as I recall, Arakyd only made a limitted number of these. Their rare enough." Solus'ad walked with her off the lift and toward the Ghost Star. "now, unless I missed my guess, Im betting you've made some modifications."

He really liked talking to her, she had a spirit. When she asked if she could call him something other than Mandalore he had to stop and consider before walking again. He stood quite still as she looked at him with what Mandalore guessed was a look of embarassment. "My name is Solus'ad Atiniir. You can call me Solus'ad if you like, but Mandalore would likely be wise in case we're in the company of some of your more..." Mandalore searched the cieling for an appropriate word. "Starry eyed brothers and sisters."
Solus'ad began walking again, and he smiled as she asked him about appropriateness. He supposed she was used to the Rim, and the idea of being part of a system was a bit confuseing. The black was like that. "Well, Mando'ika." He hesitated. "Ask me whatever you like and I'll do my best. Just don't call me at midnight asking why the stars turn." He said with a teasing smile.

He noticed she was in a fair amount of pain as she attempted to move and use body language. "You really aut to see to your injuries. They'd heal faster in a Kolto Tank." Solus'ad stopped at the ramp controls to the Ghost Star, giving Italia a gentle nod.

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Italia beamed at him. Yes, she had done some modifications.

Of course. You don't last long as a merc if you don't have a top ship, and with the smuggling and hunts and such as I've done...well, the Star here was already a good ship from her previous captain, and when he handed her down to me I just added a few things he wouldn't let me. Where HE got it though....I'm not entirely sure.

She walked with him toward the Star once more and paused as he did. Honestly, she was expecting to be told that there was nothing else for her to call him, and she was fine with that, but she could at least ask...right? His answer, however, made her stop abruptly and blink at him, stunned. Of all things she'd not been expecting this...to learn his actual name. The little mando blushed and turned away, putting her hands behind her back and chuckled, even though the action sent more than a few waves of pain through her.

That's a nice name. Th-thank you for tellin' me. I'll try ta keep it to close quarters then eh? And....maybe not around Bane....I'm already in enough trouble with him...I wouldn' doubt it if he were plannin on skinnin me alive for somethin I did earlier today….Likely shouldn’t have I suppose, but he’s always so stiff. Just couldn’t help myself.

She snickered at the thought and let her hands come away from behind her as they walked, the right coming up to her chest again as the finger throbbed dully. She’d not gotten a look at the man’s face who had been accompanying Bane earlier, if she had, she might have stayed away from that conversation at all, but as it was, she STILL didn’t know it had been Mandalore with him. As they came up to the Star, she patted it fondly again and smiled. He was speaking again and that gentle smile transferred over to the older man as she looked over at him then chuckled, shaking her head. That chuckle slowly grew into a bright laugh, her cheeks still a light pink.

First off, I couldn' call ya if I needed to, much less call ya on a whim. Secondly, why in all the great wide galaxy would I ask ya why the stars are turning? Silly man, I may be used to space, but heavens above, I’m not THAT out of it yet!

She let out another light laugh and stuck her tongue between her teeth as she grinned back at his teasing smile. It wasn’t so much sticking it OUT as it was just to show the extra humor she found in the situation. A bit of her layered hair fell from out of her braid and she blew it out of her face with a puff of air. I really need ta get some decent beads an’ more blades. I’m tired of havin’ my hair always fallin’ across my face.

Besides, if I was gonna ask ya about somethin’ that wasn’t business related, it’d likely be ‘bout yourself. Can look up most other things an’ be alright, but I try and look up anythin’ about you and I might not get the truth. Least from you I’ll likely get an answer, even if it is a “no I don’t want to talk about it”…and at least it’ll be an honest one.

She keyed in the code for the boarding ramp as he spoke and she blushed again, shaking her head slightly. Really? Where had THAT come from? Sure she was curious, but to be THAT forward. She cringed slightly, and not just inwardly. As the ramp descended, Italia lead him up it and sighed heavily.

Yeah. I know. Thing is…with this kriffing drought and my buir dieing, all my income’s goin to the farm and helpin’ support mum. That and ‘til you sent me that message today, well, my brother and I and a smuggler friend of mine were the only ones workin’ it cause the rest of the clan’s havin just as much trouble with their land. So I’ve not had the time nor the funds….

She paused a moment at the top of the ramp looking around. Looked like the Star needed a cleaning what with all the blood that they’d left on the floors and walls from their grand escape. Italia shook her head.

Both Mal and Daryn, the smuggler I just mentioned, have paid for a treatment so I’m settin one up for tomorrow and another the end of the week. I’m stubborn but there’s no use in them houndin me like that, and now ba’buir’s on about it too and that cyborg won’t let up. Not that I’d argue over much with him about it anyway. By the way…sorry ‘bout the blood. Heh…we were pretty beat up.

She gave another slight shrug and continued onward, showing him through the ship first, the cockpit, the med bay (still bloody, to which she shook her head again and blushed), the crew quarters, the small galley, the cargo hold, and finally the engine room. The fiery little woman beamed around her and relaxed back against the bulkhead as she did so.

She’s a good lil ship, ain’t been modified much, ‘cept for the sublight engine…that’s been souped up a bit for gettin’ around faster outta hyperspace. Maneuvers better too. She’s kinda hefty when ya first try an’ pilot ‘er, but over all she don’t buck much and she’s kept up pretty well. Got fuel and solar cells, srb42 sublight, 401 motivator so she’s a class 1 and I’ve got a back up class 10, standard duralloy, but the chromium plating helps her blend into space a bit better than the standard paints. She’s also got a ray shield and a small particle shield. Two of yer standard laser cannons, a concussion missile launcher, and she holds about 12 of the missiles. Other than that she’s run of the mill, active ‘n’ passive sensors, a sensor jammor…not much else.

Another slight shrug and she leaned there looking at him with an appraising eye, arms folded carefully across her chest.

That’s about the size of her. Like I said, she could use some work, and obviously a cleaning…sorry about that by the way…anyway, any questions?

So that was the business side of Italia: cut, dry, and straight to the meat.

[projectsunfire]

Mandalore wasn't sure how to react when she told him she'd ask him questions about himself. He adjusted his Bandolier awkwardly trying to hide his flattery. The ramp of the ship lowered and he was introduced to the Ghost Star. The ship was everything he had read about and more. On several occasions he found himself inspecting a console, or a heat exchange, in thought. Italia had made quite a few personal modifications to the ship it seemed. While she walked ahead of him, telling him about the ship, Mandalore took a chance to stretch out his bare hand and touch the wall of one of the hallways. It was cool, as metal should be. He removed his hand slowly and rested his it against the hilt of his Baskad.

When she mentioned the plight of the farmers on Concord Dawn, Mandalore cringed slightly. It was something of a personal failing. There were all kinds of ways to prevent starvation, but local agriculture had been a real problem. Several of the outlying farms had failed in the grip of the drought. Assigning military personel in need of disciplinary action to farm labor seemed like an elegant solution. The farmers would get to keep the money they would need to keep things going and the soldiers would get a taste of life in the dirt. The only thing he worried about was the occasional deserter. If the drought continued Mandalore would have to ship resources from offworld.

When they stopped at the bulkhead Mandalore, closed his eyes, laying a hand on it. "Blood doesn't bother me, I've seen alot of it. Some of it was even mine." He said, letting out a soft cackle. He ran his finger tips across the metal surface feeling the imperfections of the old metal. After a deep sigh he took his hand away. "She is a fine ship, and I don't wish to dishonor her by makeing too many changes." After a moments silence he met Italia's green eyes with his. "No questions, from me for now. I do have to be on my way, though. And as for your farm, don't worry. You'll be taken care of." Mandalore gave Italia a casual salute and offered his hand. "Give my regards to your Buir. Thank you for letting me see your ship now, before the changes." After shakeing Italia's hand firmly he made his way out of the ship and off to return to business. He had to see a man about a Basilisk. Literally...

[Talau the Ever-Lurking]

Italia chuckled slightly at his words, green eyes studying Solus’ad’s actions, the way he enjoyed the cool metal of the ship beneath his fingers. It was rare to find someone like that…Daryn was the only other one she’d seen do that. She smiled slightly at the thought of the smuggler, then a bit more as she returned to the present.

It wasn’ so much the blood I was meanin’ but rather the fact that I feel like I just invited ya into my dirty house and I ought to ‘ave cleaned it.

Lia tilted her head to the side slightly as he told her not to worry about her farm. Of course she’d worry about the farm. True, they had far less to worry about but a farmer’s troubles were never over, even during a good season. Besides, why shouldn’t she worry? Either way, he saluted and, rather than injure herself again, she offered him a bow, keeping her injured hand pressed tight to her chest. Extending her…less injured…hand, she shook his and nodded.

I will most certainly do that. It was my pleasure…Solus’ad. Ret'urcye mhi.

Italia shifted slightly, and patted the hull of the ship as one would pat an animal for doing it’s job well. She watched him leave and chuckled again. What a meeting THIS had been. The woman stood for a little while longer in the belly of her ship, and thought long on the meeting. It would be nearly thirty minutes later that she left, heading back to the farmstead.