Private Burning Rocket Fuel

[Asmus Janes]

Kaile Vera

"Weeeeeeee!"

Bix's shrill cry rang out in the cockpit of the Messa. Asmus had dialled down the inertial dampeners whilst she was held in Kaile's arms and pulled a sharp maneuver.

They had spent two months recovering and getting Bix used to the Messa. Just as they had done with their planned escape vessel, they'd held sleepovers and eaten meals in the galley to help her become accustomed to a new place.

They had said their goodbyes the day before and set out for an adventure with their daughter before they found a place to settle down for Bix to start school and for them to possible raise a second child.

Asmus kept the lights down so that Bix could see the stars. It helped with motion sickness to have a frame of reference well pulling a loop.

"Hold up," Asmus said. "Message."

He levelled them out.

"It's from Kairon. They're at a place inside something called The Hand of the Makers oh... I see. Oh for... They've got a problem with a local Sector Ranger and would like to play off my war record to smooth it over."

 

[Kaile Vera]

Bix was undeniably her father's daughter, taking to sharp maneuvers with a natural ease that hinted at her future love for speed, whether in a spaceship or perhaps even a starfighter like Asmus once piloted.

Kaile's stomach somersaulted at the sight of the incoming message. She couldn't shake the unease, unsure if Vo would honor his promise to leave them be. They had made it clear: with Bix and their family, they came first now. They had paid their dues in sweat, blood, and tears. The Alliance, SIS, or anyone else didn't have such a hold on Asmus and Kaile that they could be summoned again.

If they ever had to intervene, it would be on their own terms, not at someone else's behest.

"Kairon?" Relief flooded Kaile's expression at the thought of the Quinn, Asmus's uncle, and the crew. It had been far too long since they last saw them.

"Do you think it'll be dangerous?" Kaile's tone held a hint of concern, knowing full well the kind of risky ventures Kairon was accustomed to, but also trusting that the seasoned Captain wouldn't put them in harm's way, especially with Bix in tow.

"It would be nice to see them again," she added, a flicker of anticipation in her voice.

Asmus Janes

 

[Asmus Janes]

"Hmm not exactly dangerous," Asmus replied. The way she emphasises exactly was a whole lot of information on its own.

"I've never been on a flight through those parts, but there's an old ISD and a bunch of asteroids that have been turned into trading stations. They've either got corporate enforcement or a gang pretending to be legit."

Asmus tilted his head from side to side. It didn't make the placed inherently dangerous. There was no particular reason they would be in more danger there than any other world.

"Or we can ask my mother if she has a lawyer in the sector and Kairon would never speak to me again?" Asmus quipped. "What do you think?"

"Faster!" Bix replied, but it was Kaile's view of the risk he wanted to hear.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Asmus Janes

Kaile couldn't help but raise her brows in curiosity, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "Well now, what're the odds we find ourselves in the line of fire by accident?" she quipped, reminiscing about the time she first crossed paths with Asmus, only to find herself in the midst of a firefight.

"Long as there's some sort of corporate muscle or a marshal keeping things in check, we should be alright. And who knows, maybe Kairon and Bix'll hit it off," she added optimistically. Reuniting with the Twins and the rest of the crew would be a welcome sight. "Reckon she'll have the run of the Quinn in no time." She gave a laugh.

"But before we dive headfirst into anything, we better stock up on supplies, just in case we need to hightail it outta there in a hurry. Last thing we need is to be caught with our pants down, one power coupling shy of a swift exit."

"Fasssterrrrr," Bix chanted again, this time squirming in Kaile's lap to try and shove at her father's bicep so he would listen to her.

 

[Asmus Janes]

"Bix, we need to just cruise. We'll go faster in a minute."

Her face suggested that she was not in possession of an abundance of patience. It was easy to give her a thrill without wasting fuel. Given the speed of the ship, all he had to do was turn down the inertial dampeners.

Asmus was still smiling at Kaile's turn of phrase. He didn't know where she had picked all of these up. He doubted she would be able to remember either.

"I reckon Kairon will be..." Asmus started, before a look of fear flashed across his eyes.

"...not sure what Mai will be like."

 

[Kaile Vera]

Kaile couldn't help but chuckle at Asmus's reaction regarding Mai. She gave a shrug. Sure, Mai was rough around the edges, and it had been years since she last saw the Cathar.

However, considering Bix...

"I put my credits on Bix taking her down." it sounded silly, but Bix had a way of taking charge with no fear whatsoever. Seeing the toddler and the Cathar face off to see if Mai could handle Bix and her antics would be amusing enough as it is.

"It will be fine." Bix was now so impatient she was trying to crawl onto Asmus's lap to get the controls.

Asmus Janes

 

[Asmus Janes]

"Hadn't thought of it that way," Asmus mused.

If Mai had ever found herself in a situation that made her uncomfortable she had vanished from sight. It usually happened when there was work to be done.

Asmus gave the ship a touch more throttle, even though they had no clear heading. It pushed Bix back into Kaile's lap. She went quiet and looked a little uncertain, but wore a large grin.

"We can keep Bix on my back and have Jay follow behind us to watch for trouble."

He took a few quiet seconds to think it through. There were past secrets. Asmus had been perfectly honest about how painful it had been to see her shot. Not that actually being shot was much better.

"Yeah, yeah, let's do this?"

 

[Kaile Vera]

With their plans in motion and Bix happily occupied, Kaile and Asmus tackled the task of preparing for their journey.

Asmus reached out to Karion, arranging to meet in a few days, while Kaile delved into the world of coupon clipping, determined to stretch their credits as far as possible. They carefully considered which supplies were essential and which could be improvised if necessary.

Their next stop was an Arceneau Trade Station, where they employed the classic good cop, bad cop routine to negotiate a fair price for spare parts. Afterwards, they treated Bix to some family-friendly fun at a holographic animal band-themed retro diner. Amidst the hologames and lively atmosphere, they savored a bowl of gluk, a local favorite.

Fully prepared, Asmus plotted their course and initiated a series of microjumps to reach their rendezvous point.

Asmus Janes

 

[Asmus Janes]

"Alright, Daddy has to focus now."

The ship reverted to realspace within the nebula. Visibility in space was a relative thing. He could see anything within a few kilometers, the sensors reached further into the storms. At a typical speed that didn't offer much time to react.

They couldn't both be up at the cockpit without Bix. She might quietly entertain herself for a few minutes on her own, but having grown up with a lot of attention from her parents she stayed close in their new surroundings.

A few beeps from the console and Asmus turned towards the readouts.

"Got a few ships heading in and out around us I think," Asmus said.

The 'corridor' was quite wide around them and so Asmus wasn't too worried about a close call.

"We might be able to get the Quintessence on a narrow beam?" Asmus suggested. "How are you feeling about seeing the old ship?" he asked Kaile, eyes on the instruments.

 

[Kaile Vera]

How are you feeling?

It was a loaded question. The last time Kaile had the Quinn in her sights she had been saying goodbye to Asmus Janes that one rainy day after four wonderful but bittersweet days with him. They had met in the most unlikely of places, but that choice had resulted in a love that Kaile and Asmus would have never discovered had it not been for those decisions that night.

It had been a path that had been wrecked with pain, loss, and yes, years of separation and longing. Yet here they were now. WHo knows what the stars or the Force had planned for them; maybe it was fate, maybe they managed to make their own destiny with their choices, but ultimately, here they ere now together.

Kaile extended her hand, reaching over to try and grasp Asmus's hand for a fleeting moment. He had to pilot the Mesa, but the couple of seconds of interlocking her hands with his and giving him a squeeze was all Kaile needed.

"Bittersweet. But good. We are all in a different place now... but it feels good to be back."

 

[Asmus Janes]

Asmus nodded slowly. He hadn't really thought about the question before asking it. As soon as she replied, it made perfect sense.

He didn't need both hands for the moment, so he reached back out towards her and squeezed her hand. His eyes remained on the controls.

They had been in their rooms, on their ships, half a galaxy apart and thinking of one another. This experience was not going to be like their little trip down memory lane on the Messa.

"I'm so glad I found you," he said. It was a phrase he had repeated many times. He lived that phrase every day, cherishing his time with them both.

The ship glided quietly through the nebula. Gravitational sensors started to pick up the asteroids. Soon they locked onto the signals and pushed around a large structure of the Hand and towards the ISD.

"These places are pretty much salvage stations now," Asmus explained, taking his hand back and turning to smile at Kaile and Bix. He allowed himself to feel a small swell of pride at what they had now.

"See if you can get someone on the comm?"

 

[Kaile Vera]

When Asmus locked eyes with Kaile during that First Order extraction after years of separation, Kaile was not glad. No, she'd been scared. Frightened. Fighting with conflicting emotions of feeling the need to run away as much as the intense, utter longing to hold Asmus close.

What would have happened to them, if he had decided to quit pursuing her after? If he had indeed listened to her attempts to push him away and start a new life away from her?

The thought was chilling. All the self sacrifice the Lorridan attempted in the past failed to compare the joy she felt with Asmus and Bix at her side. There just wasn't another 'verse where she could see Bix without her father in her life. Without family as a whole. Sure, Kaile would have done her best to raise her alone, but she knew that it would have been a pale, wretched clone of what they had now.

"Me too," Kaile replied, her voice low. As they flew towards the ISD, Bix became even more intrigued. She hadn't ever seen something that big.

"On it." the Lorrdian replied to the request to try and get someone on the comm. Turning towards the panel nearby, Kaile flipped a few toggles and then switched to the comm Kairon had indicated to use to reach out to them as soon as they arrived.

Bringing the small black activation box to her mouth, Kaile began, "This is The Messa reaching out to the .... Serenity." Of all the odd names they selected.

It didn't take long for a crackle to come through and Kairon's rich voice to patch through.

[ Messa we got you in our sights. Go on and follow through until you reach the hanger bay. You should be able to dock there. ]

"Roger that, Serenity." amusement lit her face. This was going to be interesting.


Asmus Janes

 

[Asmus Janes]

"Alright Bix, what's the rule?"

"No touching!" she called out.

Asmus knew that she was too young to follow the rule. He slid the power pack into his blaster and slotted it into the holster at his hip. It was why they kept any weapons unloaded and out of reach.

He picked up Bix and handed her over to Kaile who dropped her into the backpack. They had landed on the Destroyer and were getting ready to head out.

"Jay, you know you're watching carefully but not picking a fight?"

[If anyone is a threat to Bix...]

"You'll warn us and only take action if anyone is in immediate danger of harm."

Asmus turned and looked up at Jay. He looked back down at him with his photoreceptors.

[Understood.]

It had been a few years since the wars and Asmus was certain the droid had been watching too many action films. He didn't want to find Jay starting a ruckus with a local crime gang.

"The Quin is in the next docking bay over so just a little walk."

 

[Kaile Vera]

"You know she will touch something," Kaile replied, amusement glinting in her chocolate brown eyes, flashing the briefest of smiles over at Asmus's direction before trying to rein in Bix in her backpack. It would be easier to to rein the child in the backpack so that she didn't go running off and getting herself into trouble.

As any child of Asmus Janes and Kaileann Vera is wont to do.
Settling the backpack and Bix on her back, Kaile did the adjustment shuffle, making sure that all straps were set nice and snug. Bix decided it was the perfect time to try and braid a lock of her mother's hair.
The sensation sent ticklish shivers down Kaile's spine, but she let her daughter do what she would. It would keep her entertained.

"A walk will do us some good… also let us get some eyes to see what we are dealing with." Kaile replied, checking over her gear and the blaster on her belt. She wasn't sure if they would take their weapons, but she recently spent some credits on an ATC holographic solid state light band. That would blend more easily and it can easily be programed to any tool that she'd need, even mimic a Light Paddle if necessary.

Without Bobo, Kaile was also far more free to use the Force. They left the ysalamir in Bix's room (Kurt gratefully took his gear from his room and let Bix have it), letting him rest. Better to have all senses now that Kaile was getting more comfortable to use the Force. It meant she could protect their family better. So far, they weren't sure if Bix was Force sensitive, but they weren't going to worry about it right now. Just going to let Bix enjoy her childhood and be a kid.

Once the trio got situated, they left the Messa, locking her up tight and setting the alarm and cameras. Those would feed straight to her orbital stim as long as they were within range, and if not, as long as thee was a holonet frequency.

There were a few guards about as they began their trek to the other docking bay, taking everything in.

A few Nikto, a Houk, and a few humanoids. Kaile didn't sense anything off so far, but who knew.

Asmus Janes

 

[Asmus Janes]

As any child of Asmus Janes and Kaileann Vera is wont to do.
Settling the backpack and Bix on her back, Kaile did the adjustment shuffle, making sure that all straps were set nice and snug.

"We all good go back there? Ready to roll?" Asmus asked.

"Hmph, I just said that didn't I," Asmus muttered to himself.

They had been fairly isolated from people and yet somehow he managed to say dad things with no external prompting at all.

As they headed down from the ship he checked the safety catch on his blaster three times. He felt a little flutter of anxiety. He knew that this was no inherently dangerous, but they had barely taken Bix into the big city. It was something he would need to think about.

Bix went quiet. Asmus didn't get the sense she was afraid; she didn't try and hide herself in his hair or hold him closer. He imagined she was busy taking in their surroundings. Eriadu was hardly a beacon of diversity.

Asmus picked a path through the crowd. He felt a weight of anxiety drop away at the sight of the Quintessence.

"Still no new coat of paint," he laughed.

The ramp started to lower and Kairon, wearing his usual long brown coat, marched down. Before he could set foot on the deck a cry rang out.

"Oi! You're confined to your ship!"

Asmus turned his head to see two men walking rapidly towards Kairon. There was an X-wing and an Alliance shuttle not far away.

"You dump your cargo or pay the import fee!"

Asmus turned to look at Kaile. Even from this distance he could see Kairon's stubborn streak and knew he wouldn't choose either option.

 

[Kaile Vera]

Before Kaile could greet Kairon, the shouts from the Alliance pilots made the Lorrdian pause and turn to look. Their body language clearly reflected that they were upset. Confusion fluttered over her face, and a look of concern was shot over towards Asmus Janes .

The shouting perked Bix's attention, the little girl poking her head from behind Asmus's, her pigtails swaying. Tiny hands came to rest on top of her daddy's head, and she curled her fingers along the silky lengths, playing with them idly. Much like her mother, the little girl enjoyed playing with her daddy's hair. Considering how expensive his shampoo and conditioner would, it had better be as soft and healthy as vine-silk. It had been one of the few luxuries Kaile made sure to budget for Asmus.

"Is everythin' alright, officers?" Kaile began, attempting to see if she could somehow take the heat off of Kairon.

"We ain't talkin' to you lady. But to him," a finger jabbed over at Kairon's direction, the first man glaring at Kairon. "We told you before what to expect here. Either pay the fee or dump your cargo."

 

[Asmus Janes]

"Told you, I'm not doing neither!" Kairon responded.

He wasn't going to back down, but he paused at the bottom of the ramp.

"Now I wanna chat with my nephew and his family, so I'm getting off my ship. He's Wing Commander Jane's to you."

Asmus winced. Whilst he had been a public face for some time - unlike Kaile - he still didn't want his identity being thrown around out here.

The two pilots looked at him. Kairon took the opportunity to step down onto the deck.

"Not serving," Asmus quickly clarified.

"Who were you..." one of the pilots started.

"Squadron Leader of Rogue Squadron and Wing commander of the 12th," Asmus said quietly. He wasn't here to play Kairon's game, but that gave the two pause.

By which time Kairon had made a beeline for Bix.

"Well looks at you!" Kairon said.

Bix was completely undeterred by his spacer appearance, long hair and dark beard.

 

[Kaile Vera]

With a wide-eyed giggle, Bix found amusement in playing with Asmus Janes 's hair, her innocent laughter filling the air as she glanced over at Kairon. Her eyes sparkled with delight, her smile radiating warmth and joy. As Kairon reached out his hands to her, Bix's playful demeanor shifted slightly, a hint of shyness creeping in. She instinctively placed her tiny hands over Asmus's eyes, half-blinding him in the process, but also inadvertently softening the former Wing Commander's presence.

As the two Alliance pilots exchanged uncertain glances, they realized that verifying the situation was necessary. They both agreed to proceed, acknowledging the unusual circumstances.

"Alright, let's get that verified," one said, giving a jerk of his head over to the other. At that Kaile widened her eyes and flashed a look over at Asmus. Didn't his file indicate that he was presently... dead?

Kaile, sensing the need to intervene to allow Asmus to conduct his usual charming self to work, stepped forward and gently assisted Bix in removing her hands from Asmus's face and backpack.

"Hey Bix, would you like to meet your grand uncle? This is Kairon," Kaile said, introducing the mysterious figure with a touch of uncertainty. Despite the unconventional introduction, Kaile's presence lent a touch of professionalism to the situation, contrasting with the unexpected sight of Asmus with a child clinging to his head.

 

[Asmus Janes]

It was a difficult moment to navigate. He wanted to show off Bix to Kairon. He wanted to see his uncle proud of where they had been. It mattered more to him than even his father's approval.

On the other hand, he now had to deal with a pair of Alliance Rangers who were about to be very confused.

He shot Kairon a glance. If he ended up arrested in front of his daughter because of the smuggler's problems he was going to be upset.

Asmus turned his back to Kaile so that she could be lifted from the backpack. Kairon was clearly awkward around small children just from his posture, but he was actually grinning.

"I've seen so many photos of you," he said.



Asmus took a step away, putting some distance between himself and the Rangers and Kaile, Kairon and Bix. He had no idea what records may have been preserved from the collapse and reformation of the Alliance.

The Ranger tapped away at a datapad.

"What was your service... Oh."

"What?" asked the second. The two dark haired humans looked at one another. The first turned the datapad around.

"Well that's him."

"Maybe but..."

The datapad was turned around. An internal article about him during his Rogue Squadron leadership days.

"You know the punishment for impersonating and officer?"

 

[Kaile Vera]

"Hey Kairon," Kaile began tentatively, aware that this was the first time in a long, long, while that the Lorrdian had seen the old smuggling Captain. Not since those four days she spent on the Quinn after Asmus smuggled her out of quarentine and he just about threw her out. Not since she looked at Asmus Janes one last time that fateful, rainy night on Denon and said she'd keep in contact -- but she hadn't.

"Been a while...." It was evident that Kaile wasn't quite sure how to proceed, other than hand the shy Bix over to the old smuggler for him to hold. He was awkward wth her, and Bix knew, but the way his scruffy face remained her of her daddy's was enough to get the kid to plop both palms on Kairon's cheeks and start squishing them together.

"That it has." Kairon replied. While he was certainly gruff around the edges and a man of few words, there was no denying a softness there in his eyes when he looked from Bix over to Kaile. For someone he'd thought had been sneaked into his ship like the many riftraft Asmus had dragged into the Quinn before, only for Mal to throw them off, Kaile had been one that had managed to wiggle her way in that had made him cave on letting her stay. Who would have thought that almost a decade later, the pair would have found each other and had a daughter of their own.

Meanwhile, it was evident that the pilot's were suspicious that Asmus was impersonating an Alliance officer. While Asmus presently appeared to be an older and scruffier version of himself from the image they had from his time with Rogue, it could have been done a number of different ways.

"You got any other ways to prove this is you?'