Jezza and Xhernai: A new adventure begins

[Jezza Shado]

Jezza's excitement was barely containable, bordering on impatience. She was waiting on Xhernai, he was meeting her and was late. She found herself toying with the pendant she wore. It had been a gift from Xhernai, she wore it always. The pendant had been gifted to him by his precious sister. Xhernai had passednit.to Jezza as a token of love and trust. The beginning of their friendship was an interesting one to say the least. Most friends lived a lifetime without all the shenanigans they had gone through in the first two days of knowing each other. Their bond had continued to grow, solidifying them as one heck of a team. They often travelled on missions together, some for pure fun and adventure, others on clan business. She was unsure what he had come up with this time, he had given little away when he had asked her to meet him. No matter what, she was positive it was going to be interesting.

[member="Xhernai"]

 

[Xhernai]

Xhernai's swoop bike raced across the sands of Tatooine. "Crap, I'm late!" He yelled as he shifted the swoop bike to an uncomfortable speed. He covered way more ground then he could in a speeder bike. He saw Jezza in the horizon. He was going way too fast for it to be fun. As he approached Jezza he slowed down turned off the swoop as he reached her. He jogged over to Jezza and gave her a hug. "I'm sorry I'm late, there was just a few minor delays but I won't bore you with that, you want to know the reason we're here don't you?" he said with a big smile, seeing Jezza's excitement "Well, we're gonna combine fun and bounty hunting. There is a swoop racing competition and the champion has a bounty and the only way to draw him out is to win the damn competition when he goes out and gives the winner the prize, I figured that I'd be the racer who'll win the race 'cause of my experience and you Jezza..." Xhernai walked back over to the swoop and pulled out a DLT-19X from under the seat and put it in Jezza's hands. Finishing off his sentence he said "Will be the sniper waiting for the poor Bantha to pop his head out and put a blaster burn in it. You in?"

 

[Jezza Shado]

His energy and enthusiasm was as high as hers, it was a large reason they got along so well. Grinning widely, she couldn't resist teasing, "You are aware Utreekov, that you can win the race, if you can't arrive on time." Glancing over at his swoop bike, she continued, "Yes, I'm in. I need to know where to be and when because we are obviously not riding together. That deathtrap of yours only seats one." She added the DLT-19X to her own weapons, she had given up long ago on trying to convince him that she had her own weapons supply. It seemed like every time there was a new job, he brought her something new to add to her collection. For whatever reason, it seemed to make him happy and she had decided to simply roll with it.

[member="Xhernai"]

 

[Xhernai]

"Beggar's Canyon. And by the way missy, this 'Death trap' may look old but I called in a few favours and I got some illegal modifications on here that'll make sure I win. Just a few extra things. These guys play dirty and will do anything to get the win so if you see anyone pulling any blasters I need you to light them up. The whole thing is outdoor so if you get an elevated position you can see everything. One last thing. It starts in half an hour, so we should get going and one more thing, don't talk to me about being late, remember Sullust?" he said, ending his sentence in a humorous tone. He hopped into his swoop and speeded off, heading west.

 

[Jezza Shado]

Half and hour, seriously leave it to Xhernai to leave it to the last minute. Shaking her head, she couldn't stop the grin, he kept her on her toes, that was for sure. Racing to get to Beggar's Canyon and positioned before the race was as much a challenge as collecting the bounty would be. She was going to be on her deathbed before he let her live down the one time she was late.
Scanning the area as she parked, she was looking for the perfect position. Once located she moved there quickly and settled in, she had a complete view of the track and ceremony area where the winner would be presented their prize. Now to wait and watch.

[member="Xhernai"]

 

[Xhernai]

Xhernai was there waiting, he had put his name on the enterers list. The other aliens and scum were sceptical of his presence, a mandalorian usually meant trouble and Xhernai was dressed like one. "Jezza, you in position? Keep your sights around me for now. They know something is up." He whispered into his comms link.

 

[Jezza Shado]

"I've got you covered." Jezza whispered into her comm. Her left eye gave her the ability to view the crowds around him as if she were much closer than her current location. Jezza's left eye was a hi-sense cybernetic that served many purposes, the most useful right now being visual magnification. "Focus on winning and not dying in that deathtrap of yours. Try to avoid conflicts if possible, the last thing we need is you getting into an altercation. Keep that hot headed, impulsive temper of your in check." Jezza continued scanning the crowds, she glanced quickly toward the ceremony arena. Xhernai was right, her target was well hidden from view. The only shot she was going to have was at the prize presentation. "Good luck Utreekov!! Show them what you are capable of!"

[member="Xhernai"]

 

[Xhernai]

Xhernai's swoop bike was in line with the others. He listened to Jezza's words carefully as he intended to follow them. He jumped into his seat and waited for the green light for the race to begin.

 

[Jezza Shado]

She watched as the racers lined up and Xhernai settled into his seat. There was a countdown that moved the light from red to green, and they were off. The roar from the crowd was deafening as they cheered the beginning of the race. Jezza continued her watchful scan of the crowd and other racers. A grin spread across her face as she watched Xhernai moving quickly through the racers edging closer and closer to the front of the pack.

[member="Xhernai"]

 

[Xhernai]

Xhernai stepped on the pedal as he launched forwards. He was advancing but not fast enough, he punched the red button sitting in front of him as his swoop accelerated, increasing his speed exponentially. He was edging closer to the front. 5th, 4th now 3rd! He was quickly approaching the first and second but they had other ideas, as if they were working together, the Duros and the Ishi Tib racers on front of Xhernai pulled out their DL-44s and began taking pot shots at Xhernai. One shot narrowly missed his swoop. Xhernai pulled out his WESTAR-35 and began blasting away at them but it was near impossible hitting them at the speed he was moving whilst also aiming one handed. "Jezz! You seeing this?! Put 'em in the ground!" he said in his comms link. A lot of trouble just for the first of 3 races.

 

[Jezza Shado]

Already poised to shoot, Jezza inhaled deeply, exhaled slowly and gently pulled the trigger. As the racer slumped in his seat, Jezza knew her shot had hit its intended mark. The swoop swerved out of control and hit the other racer leaving Xhernai in the lead. "Alright Utreekov, keeping the lead is now up to you. I have your back covered, now win this thing!!" Jezza whispered into her comm. smirking slightly.

[member="Xhernai"]

 

[Jezza Shado]

.

 

[Xhernai]

"Great shot Jezz!" He shouted in elation into the comms link as he accelerated even more as he was clear of everybody else crossing the line with ease. As Xhernai got back there was less applaud for him as the scum gave him a look of disgust. Mandalorians were not tolerated for their war mongering ways. He left his swoop to the mechanics as he left to grab a drink. Whilst drinking the cold beverage he noticed a group of some well armoured thugs, no doubt that they were going to cause him trouble. "We got some downtime Jezz and they don't know of your presence. Hold up, I think our target is approaching me, don't fire now." The white Bith in durasteel came over to Xhernai with a ring of mean looking guards. "That was a good race you had there. Hell of a shot from you to take both of them out. I know they attacked you first but please try to keep casualties to a minimum." Xhernai nodded and grinned under his helmet.

 

[Jezza Shado]

She smiled and shook she head at the enthusiasm in Xhernai's voice. Remaining silent, she kept a close eye on her aliit and those around him as he made his way through the crowd. She was already poised and ready to shoot if necessary when he directed her to stand down. She held her position, if any member of the group approaching him moved the wrong way she was not going to be unprepared to act. Listening to the exchange, Jezza couldn't help but smile again, the Utreekov had a way of making friends or enemies wherever they went. It appeared for now he had earned the approval of the Bith that had approached him. Jezza couldn't even be miffed that Xhernai was getting kudos for her shot.

[member="Xhernai"]

 

[Xhernai]

The horn blew, symbolising that 2nd race was about to begin. Xhernai jogged over to his swoop and climbed in. The two racers next to him looked at him and grinned, giving him a throat slitting gesture with their hands. Xhernai returned it with a mocking thumbs up as they speeded off. He decided to press the red button straight away leaving a little bit of juice left for the last race. It propelled him forward sending him off into the distance leaving the rest in his dust. He fist pumped in celebration. But it wasn't over the thugs were catching up wielding vibroblades and began hacking at his swoop as they got closer Xhernai accelerated to escape them but his swoop was damaged. As soon as he crossed the line he got out of his swoop and awaited them to catch up/ He swung a punch at the first one before he could even get out of his swoop and delivered a roundhouse kick to the second. Xhernai was acting like Mandalorian. More of them came wielding vibroblades, surrounding Xhernai whilst the crowd cheered on for the fight. Xhernai pulled out his vibroknife and stuck it in the first of the nine thugs neck. He then beckoned for the next to come, taking them down one by one before the Bith and his Gamorrean guards controlled the situation. The Bith wasn't surrounded as closely allowing Jezza to take a shot.

 

[Jezza Shado]

Swearing under her breath, she watched the melee unfolding below. She watched closely because while she found his actions reckless and dangerous Jezza was pretty sure of Xhernai's intentions. As the guards became more and more distracted they relaxed their attention allowing the perfect opportunity for Jezza's shot. Steadying her aim, inhaling slightly she pulled the trigger. Pausing just long enough to see her target crumple to the ground, Jezza began assessing the crowd as she began preparing her exit. She would not leave her position until she received the signal from Xhernai that he had things under control on the ground.

[member="Xhernai"]

 

[Xhernai]

The Gammorean guards approached him carefully as he uppercutted the last of his assailants as they crumpled to the floor. He punched the closest guard in the snout, stunning him as he ran towards the dead Bith and ripped his necklace from his neck as proof of the completed bounty. He beckoned Jezza with his hand as he sprinted over to his swoop bike and evacuated the area. "Follow me Jezz!'

 

[Jezza Shado]

As she finished gathering her things, she saw Xhernai grab the necklace. Thank goodness, she thought to herself, she had worried that in all the commotion he might forget the required proof for collecting their bounty. She should have known better, Xhernai got her into crazy messes on occasion but had yet to let her down. Jezza ran down to meet him, trusting he had a semblance of a plan. From the looks of things he was not going to have time to come to a complete stop to let her on the bike. As they neared each other, Jezza took a leap of faith and jumped. She wrapped her arms around his waist as she settled on the seat. "Get us out of here!!!" She shouted, muttering under her breath "I want that drink you owe me"

[member="Xhernai"]

 

[Xhernai]

As Jezza had landed on the swoop bike, speeder bikes approached them, angry thugs and hired muscle firing blasters at them. Xhernai zig zagged in an attempt to lose the them and dodge their fire. He pulled out his Westar and began blindly firing backwards as he focused on making it through the canyon alive , a collision into the rocks at this speed was certain death. The bikers were gaining on them. "Don't just sit there, do something Jezza!"