Abandoned : Anyone Got a Map?

[Judah Dashiell]

Lying in secret outside the Silken Asterioids, Judah had recently salvaged a large space station. Currently the task of repairing the massive station was being done right near where the Horde and Moross Crusade had been fighting for some time. It was an uneasy time. The station itself was only half-operational and the shipment of goods and personnel to the station could attract unwanted attention.

Salacia Consolidated employees that once worked in the undersea mining facilities on Ceto had found themselves working to repair the space station in light of a semi-evacuation ordered by Judah himself. Once long dead, the station was now full of workers and noise. Life support had been brought back online as well as some other minor comforts of home.

However, the station had to be hauled back on a safe route. It was going to take quite some time, even with the Claw units acting as tow vehicles. Real speed was the only option at this point. Navigating was going to be a beast and a half and not something he wanted to attempt with an expensive project. Thats why Judah hired [member="Corvetta Salvo"] for sixty thousands credits. He hoped she was up to the job, a payment in half had already been processed with the rest to hit her cred account once the station reached Tantra.

"Looks like the final preparations are being made at this time Miss Salvo."

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Well this was quite the windfall. Corvetta had never seen a number like sixty thousand before, and while she certainly had her work cut out for her, there was no way she was turning down this deal. It was a huge leap closer to her dreams, however simple they might have seemed.

The guy seemed like some super-secret business mogul, moving a station out from volatile space--economical, for sure. Unfortunately for him, there was a long stretch of open space ahead they would have to clear before they reached an optimal hyperspace route. It would be a long, slow haul out of the deep Outer Rim. It would be an adventure for sure. Corvetta would likely need to call upon all her knowledge of evasive methods to keep the whole crew of the space station safe from outside forces. They needed to enter Confederacy space at just the right trajectory to keep things looking clean.

Turning to look at her employer, the flygirl flashed a giddy grin and upturned both of her thumbs. "Get 'er humming. No reason to be shy."

[member="Judah Dashiell"]

 

[Kohai Drenn]

Kohai padded along quickly, making her way towards her employer. General maintenance had taken a lot more time than her initial estimates outlined, and it she was rushing to catch up to schedule. Maintaining all of the manners she could, Kohai intruded upon an exchange between her boss and the pilot. "Sorry for the delay, sir! Thought I heard a tick, had to put in some quality time."

There had been a mild irregularity in the artificial gravity control system. She had been lucky to come across it so early, before the situation compounded. "You may have noticed a two point oh five second decrease in general gravity function in three of the stations wings. Not to worry, though! I got everything all shiny again."

She was trying to remain on her best behavior. Kohai had never been picked for a job of this scale before, and she had to force the butterflies in her stomache to take a rest. Even more so, however, she was excited! This was the kind of operation she used to imagine herself performing back home, and now here she was!

Of course... it was also really good to be making an actually substantial fee for once.

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Corvetta Salvo"] [member="Kohai Drenn"]

"Great, lets give the orders to get moving then..."

Depressing the button on the stations intercomm systems, Judah was about to give orders when a mechanic with long blonde hair came bouncing in. There was a bit of a rush and apology by the young woman was the conversation was interrupted. Well, it really wasn't a conversation....more of asking if things were ready to be fired up. Either way. Judah didn't exactly mind the interruption, he had hired Miss Drenn as Chief Mechanic for this operation. Not quite making as much as Miss Salvo, Drenn was certainly making more credits on this one job than most individuals made in one year of work.

Pushing the button, Judah opened the intercomm.

"Any wing sectors feel a gravity loss for a bit?"

"Just briefly Sir. Everything seems A-1 now."

"Sounds good. Engine room, lets get things started. Those of you towing the station outside in the Claw vessels, hold tight until further orders."

The trio was located in the main control room of the space station. Panels upon panels of blinking lights, levers and screens cast an electronic glow about the place, even with the overhead lighting on. Judah noticed it wasn't particularly bright yet, most likely due to power issues down in the engine room. Or perhaps the wiring was still being worked on by one of the two hundred plus employees that were spanning the station.

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Corvetta had met the blonde grease monkey before. She was a spirited girl and had the kind of personality the navigator enjoyed, not as stolid or arrogant as most of her peers in the business were. And as much as she liked engineer work, Corvetta was glad that there would be someone else there. Maybe they could learn a trick or two from each other. "Glad to see ya here, girl!"

Pulling out her datapad, she switched it to projection mode, prompting it to project a holographic view of the local area of the galaxy. "This is gonna be a really delicate procedure, I can tell you that," she mumbled. "The best drift is going to be through dark territory. But it's going to be a bit of a run through the spokes. Crusaders are really revving in." The station buckled as the engines warmed up and began an initial push. She subconsciously raised her head to check if there were any vessels in an obstructive position.

Seeing things were clear, she bit at a stylus and continued in her heavy spacer-speak. "We're in for a long truck as it is. There won't be much opportunity to dust hyper straightaway until we close Utapau. And that might be tricky in itself. I hope you have friendly rep with the Feds." She twisted her lip and glanced at Judah.

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Kohai Drenn"]

 

[Kohai Drenn]

Kohai nodded to Corvetta, answering her greeting with a bright smile. She had been very lucky, crossing paths with her as she did, for she was the one who tossed this job her way. As she began to explain that they would have to make their way through dark territory... or something. She truly didn't have much clue what the spacer was talking about. Standing on her tip toes, Kohai peer over the girls shoulder, trying to pick up bits and pieces. Crusaders... Utapau... The feds?

The irony was not lost on her, however. Give her a mountainous pile of parts, and she could probably build this hunk, but if you ask her to fly it... Regardless, it was irrelevant. She was just here to keep things from exploding without cause. Absently adjusting her scarf, she followed along, mentally taking notes.

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Kohai Drenn"] [member="Corvetta Salvo"]

Looking at the map, Judah looked at the overview of the course Miss Salvo had set them on. It seemed a little...odd...in his opinion. Then again, this is why he had hired the Navigator in the first place. Brow furrowed as he listened to Salvo continue on about their course of action. Fingers drummed on the panel as he looked at the course. CIS space wasn't his favorite section of the Galaxy. In fact, he tried to avoid it at all costs most days.

"Moross Crusade space will be no issue for us, do not worry. CIS space...well....things may get a little bumpy for us. I can't promise smooth sailing during that portion of our trip. "

Glancing at the readouts, Judah hit the intercomm controls once again.

"Tow ships are cleared to start rolling."

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

"Well..." she allowed, not wanting to distress the guy who was going to pay her, "We could track it through the Crusaders if you want. It will be slower drifting, but it's up to you." The flygirl brushed her decoratively highlighted brown hair behind her ear, looking to Judah for his decision. She wondered how often he was involved in the moving business.

"Ko-Ko here is one of those engineer magicians, I'm betting." She beamed at her fair-haired compatriot. "I don't know what you can pull off. Any cloaks up that short sleeve of yours?" The pilot chuckled good-naturedly, though she was half serious. She was personally feeling hesitance with Judah's confidence in the two of them. But maybe she was reading him wrong. That would not be a first.

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Kohai Drenn"]

 

[Kohai Drenn]

Kohai furrowed her brow, thinking quickly. "Well... I'm pretty sure we haven't got the right tech for a legit stealth field..." She shifted her weight, one foot to the other, as she considered a possibility. Could she pull it off? "I might be able to scrape together a sensor jammer... It's better than nothing."

She directed her attention to her boss. "I mean... if you think we'll need it. I only ask because I may have to pull a few parts from some other systems to get it working."

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Corvetta Salvo"] [member="Kohai Drenn"]

"Drifting us through the Moross area would take way too long. Essentially we'd have to go down then come back up. It isn't worth the fuel cost to try to skirt CIS space right now. I'm sure if we get captured they will merely make us do something idiotic, like pay a toll. Lets not be completely concerned just yet. Pushing through at our pace it shouldn't take too long to get through."

Turning to the mechanic, Judah didnt like the sound of borrowing from other systems.

"What systems? We need air, gravity, heat and water. If people can't breathe, can't shower and can't get fed down at mess hall it will turn into one riot."

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Corvetta nodded at her captain. If she had learned anything in her career, it was that silence was golden with the more meticulous employers. Unless, of course, he was attempting to hyperjump into a black hole. That was probably a good time to speak up--or even take the controls by force.

Still, communication was essential, especially when crossing borders. "If you're feeling spiff about it, then I guess we're good." She shrugged as she pocketed her datapad before leaning carelessly against the wall opposite the viewports.

Turning her face towards Kohai, she bit her lip. "Guess we may have to just float with the norm."

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Kohai Drenn"]

 

[Kohai Drenn]

Twiddling her fingers sheepishly, Kohai responded. "We'd have to pull out a bunch of the onboard comm equipment..." She trailed off. Wow... That's not a good idea at all... "I see your point, just let me know if I can fix anything."

She was getting antsy already. She hated having nothing to do, and while periodic maintenance was a necessity in situations like these, it wasn't a constant thing. Maybe I should check around again, just to be sure... She nodded to herself.

Kohai blinked out of her thoughts as Corvetta addressed her. "Guess we may have to just float with the norm." She didn't look satisfied...

Cracking another smile, she lightly clapped her on the shoulder. "It'll be fine. More than fine, I'm sure." ...Here's hoping, anyway.

[member="Judah Dashiell"]
[member="Corvetta Salvo"]

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Kohai Drenn"] | [member="Corvetta Salvo"]

"I'm sure something will break down sooner than later."

Overlooking a few items, Judah turned to both of them. The navigator looked as if she was going to have a panic attack at any moment, the mechanic seemed just as morose. Perhaps they were not familiar with the area. Or maybe they didn't trust his assurances on the fact Moross would not be bothering them in the slightest. Judah was personally worried about CIS and the Horde more than anything.

"I've got some things to do on board. Check on crews, make sure the security on this hunk is coming along properly and such. Feel free to explore so long as it doesn't interfere with your work. Mass hall is on the upper decks, near where everyone has been living. The turbolifts are still spotty so make sure to carry a comm with you at all times."

Judah left the two to their own devices. He did really have to check over the stations progress.

[[OOC- Sorry about the delay, I got caught up in a school paper]]

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

"So," Corvetta started as soon as Judah had left the room, "Did it sound to you like we don't have a plan, or am I tailspun?" She twirled her finger around her head. It seemed as if their employer was quite contradictory about not doing things one way but unconcerned with possible repercussions otherwise. He was an odd bird.

"Guess that means we got the yoke, girl," she said, winking mischievously while holding both thumbs up. "Sounded like he didn't care what we do as long as he doesn't notice anything off. I can crank with that."

The navigator glanced out the viewport at the Claw vessels tugging them onward. "Any chance ya think you and me can get us drifting faster than a Hutt? This is going to get old real fast until we reach a jump point. And I don't know about you, but I think Mister Million Cred is rolling this a little too chill." She peeked out the doorway to make sure the subject of their conversation was not within hearing range.

[[No worries!]]

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Kohai Drenn"]

 

[Kohai Drenn]

Grinning slyly, Kohai leaned back to follow Corvetta's gaze, confirming that their employer had stepped out. "I think we can speed this up..." Trailing off, she walked over, sweeping her eyes across a terminal. "You and me putting our heads together, anything's possible!"

Leaning her headband-clad forehead against the viewport, Kohai bit her lip, absently tapping a finger on the material. "It would be a good little chore, though... Not as simple as overclocking a ship. We gotta get all the measurements right. Tweak one teensy thing the wrong way and we could spiral."

Plopping down momentarily to sit on the floor, the mechanic fished a datapad out of her large belt, she pulled up the station schematics, swiping through them.
[member="Corvetta Salvo"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Kohai Drenn"] | [member="Corvetta Salvo"]

First stop was the communications room. It was a bit down the hall from the control center. Work lights were propped up on stands, casting eerie shadows on the wall from all the wires and ducting hanging down from the ceiling. Only one communications databank was online. The rest were roughly in place with Selkath workers laboring over the intricate details. Every now and then sparks from a wielder flared up, tacking pieces in place.

"Hows the progress? Looks better than last time when it was a bare bones nothing."

"Decent. On schedule to be completed by the end of our journey."

"I can work with that. Keep up the good work" Judah accessed the only working panel and hailed the Tempus-Ardent frigate that would be meeting them halfway through the job for a cargo drop off. After a few moments he was able to be patched through to the ships Captain, a man who worked for Salacia and knew the Rimma Trade Route like the back of his hand.

"We've just gotten underway. Quite slow, then again it is to be expected hauling this bulk around."

"As expected Sir. We're on course and waiting for you. Reports of pirates preying on disabled ships in the area. Unsure if they are Horde. Do be on the lookout."

"You as well. See you in several days."

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Corvetta slid casually down the wall until her rump hit the floor and scooted up next to Kohai, legs criss-crossed. "What've we got here?" she asked, taking a look at the readouts her buddy had pulled up. "What if we just--you know--cut atmosphere in cycles around this muffin? Mister Moneybags probably wouldn't notice. Then we track it into the burners. We might even be able to kill life on the Claws and direct all power to thrust." It all made sense to her, however unorthodox. Practicality had a completely different measure, however.

The pilot pursed her lips and shrugged, not sure if she was any help in this situation. "I don't know. I'm kind of a mynock but I've got a feeling I got nothing on your skills." Corvetta sat back with a healthy grin and waited to be schooled.

[member="Judah Dashiell"] [member="Kohai Drenn"]

 

[Kohai Drenn]

"What if we just--you know--cut atmosphere in cycles around this muffin? Mister Moneybags probably wouldn't notice. Then we track it into the burners. We might even be able to kill life on the Claws and direct all power to thrust." Corvetta scooted up beside her on the floor. I hope that's not uncomfortable for her...

Kohai bit her lip in thought as she listened to her friend's ideas. It would definitely allow some reallocation to thrusting power, but what if...

"I don't know. I'm kind of a mynock but I've got a feeling I got nothing on your skills." The mechanic grinned at her companion, elbowing her playfully in the ribs. "I like the way you think! My only tangle is that I've never worked with an SRC-03 before... Got no idea how the electrics on the Claws work... I'd love to play, but if something went wrong with the grab, Moneybags'll get a bit twisted..."

Sighing, Kohai rested a cheek into her palm. "We are going mighty slow, though..."

[member="Corvetta Salvo"] [member="Judah Dashiell"]

 

[Judah Dashiell]

[member="Kohai Drenn"] | [member="Corvetta Salvo"]

Door slid open to reveal an elderly near-human electrician. Eyes squinted at the two women as he grunted along, towing a large tool box behind him. The myopic man was charged with setting up the final connections in the control room.

"Slow? I could walk there faster. Good luck in getting this hunk of metal to go any faster..."

Continuing with his grumbling, the elderly man went to the far side of the control room to bring life to the final sets of controls.

-------

Leaving the two in charge of "flying" the space station, Judah continued his tour of the station. Taking the turbo lift down, halfway through the power was lost. He grumbled slightly about rolling brown outs that were sweeping the station during work. Waiting in the dark for a minute or so, power was restored and the lift jolted back to life. Judah was headed down into what would be the docking center of the station. It would be important all was on schedule to transfer their cargo.

 

[Corvetta Salvo]

Corvetta laughed to herself when a thought passed across her mind that the older man might be a spy dispatched by [member="Judah Dashiell"]. Now, why would he do that? It was a silly idea, and she waved it off.

"I've worked with a few tugs before, but never an SRC," she admitted, turning back to face [member="Kohai Drenn"]. "I do think the station has rotational thrusters. Probably won't do us much good, but it's a start. I'm running outta sparks." She bit her lip and then brought her right hand to her mouth to bite a nail. She wondered why their employer had brought them aboard at all if he was so set in his ways. Was he just playing mind games to produce results?

"Maybe he just wanted a couple hot girls hangin'. He seems like he could be that type," she mused, a humorous grin creeping across her face. "He's got bad taste if he picked me, though."