Milk Run or Nah?

[Caid Centurion]

Cato Neimoidia

"Don't you think we're just a little close to Sith space here?"

Caid managed a smirk as he finished shutting down the systems on the Phantom an old VCX-100. "I think we are the perfect distance from the start of the Sith's sphere of influence. When you stop complaining and get out there with the Port Supervisor, we can worry a whole lot less."

"You really think a bribe is going to work here? It's not exactly a corrupt system."

Standing from his seat, Caid arched a curious eyebrow as he adjusted his black jacket. "Get it together. This planet has been bought and sold more times than a cheap whore from Zeltros. I'm rather positive you will find the Port Supervisor to be rather wanting for any type of financial incentive. Besides - we gotta spend our winnings from The Wheel sometime. Now stop worrying and go."

For a brief moment, Caid watched as his Twi'lek partner went about his duties. Shaking his head slightly, Caid exited the cockpit himself and went back to his quarters briefly. Emerging with a small coin bag of credits, Caid tossed it into the air casually before catching it and placing it in the left cargo pocket of his black pants which he wore in addition to a gray t-shirt and his jacket.

Once he'd descended the loading ramp, Caid smiled at his partner and the Port Supervisor. "Hey how you doin'?" Stretching out a hand, the former Grand Admiral shook the largely indifferent Neimoidian's hand. "Caid. We'll be back in probably a couple hours." Motioning for his partner to follow, Caid stepped away from the vessel. The ramp to the vessel retracted on its own and the seemingly standard security protocols would go into effect shortly thereafter.

Just before exiting the docking bay proper, Caid slapped the mold of the doorway in a casual manner. "Man I need a drink." In truth, he'd placed a small surveillance camera that linked to his datapad. Within a handful of moments, they'd settled into a cantina located inside the spaceport. Hardly a reason to run around the planet. If they were just here for a rest stop, they'd keep a lowish profile.

Neimoidian women were ugly anyways.

[member="Spark Finn"]

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Hood to her grey-hoodie was flipped up over her blond-haired head. Blue-eyes behind a pair of glass-lenses peaked from the cowl's shadow. "Yeah. It matches. And that dude with the bright eyes matches the description, too. The same dude that shares the last name of that one Sith Lord. Not much on either of them. Yeah, I know I don't have much time."

The BB-8 unit on the other end warbled in the slicer's earpiece.

#droids

The dude with the bright eyes and his twi'lek partner left. The gangly-limbed girl moved in, sticking to the shadows and avoiding any of the public feeds. Although, the technopath did not know about the secret little camera the sneak put on the frame. She might have, had she not already been mentally probing the VCX-100, using the force to temporarily override the ship's security protocols enough to get that ramp down and not send out any alarms.

#madskillz #mechuderu #nerd

With a hiss and whir the ramp of the Phantom began to lower, bringing the attention of the Port Supervisor. "Oy, what're you doing there?"

The hooded slip of a girl turned to the Neimodian. "I'm part of the crew. Hello. It's not like the ramp wouldn't open for me if I wasn't."

"Oh....I uh...".

"No worries, just move along." #throwinsomeforcepersuasion

"Uhmmerm. Okay."

Spark turned, converse-clad feet taking her up the ramp of the hacked open ship. She paused halfway up. "One more thing. Bring back some Orange Fizzy and Corn Pops on your next round."

"Ehhh, okay ma'am...I think ma'am." There was grumbling but the Port Authority guy was already moving on, muttering about junk food.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid had only just gotten settled after ordering himself an ale to drink. He had just about every intention of kicking back from a couple hours before heading on for the final leg of his journey. The course he'd charted would likely keep the Phantom well clear of major Sith systems until the time was right. The main concern there was the inevitable web of gravity-well generators strategically stationed around points of high interest. Last thing he needed was to be ripped out of hyperspace...especially since all he really wanted to do during the six hour journey was sleep.

Leaning back in his seat, Caid withdrew his datapad and took a casual sip of his drink. "You know...I'm really going to need you to stop being so neurotic. I pay you too much for that."

"Too much? You barely pay me..."

Caid set down his drink as he continued thumbing through some information on his datapad. "No...I pay you well, but you keep making these bets that you continuously lose. I'm not here to fund your gambling habit, so it will continue to come out of your salary. Oh and rest assured...even a mediocre amount is too much to be constantly irr---" Caid's voice abruptly stopped as he gazed intently at his datapad.

"What?"

"Someone just boarded my ship. How in the..." Grumbling, Caid immediately jumped to his feet. "You stay here and keep an eye on this feed. If it looks like I'm about to die, find the balls to intervene and prevent it." With no small amount of irritation, Caid stalked off briskly down the corridor towards the appropriate docking bay. Stepping inside, he made his way over to the vessel and keyed in the appropriate security code on a covered keypad near the loading ramp.

As the ramp extended, Caid withdrew his DL-44. The moment it had opened enough to fit his body when crouched, Caid jumped up to the lip of the ramp and quickly jogged into the cargo hold. Momentarily, he maintained cover behind a series of crates as he allowed his senses to speak to him about who had invaded his vessel. Untrained though he might have been, there was no shortage of potential in his bloodline. His training had been...basic at best, and he still mostly rejected that aspect of his heritage.

It seemed as though there was only one person. Looking for someone more so than interested in making off with his entire vessel. With the practiced grace and stealth of someone that grew up hunting his food to survive, Caid stalked through the ship towards the trespasser.

[member="Spark Finn"]

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

Converse-clad feet padded near-silently through the cargo hold. If her sources checked out, she was looking for an old R2 unit. Blue-eyes fluttered closed as her pale digits extended along with her senses in the force. However, she was focused on technology and not sensing others in the force, so she missed the entrance of the ship's owner. She walked along the packed rows, turned once toward the back of the ship and then stopped. Eyes opened as her fingers came up to peel the hood back from her blond-haired head as she knelt down to tug off the packing tape around the used droid.

"I think we got it, bees." She grinned.

#holler

Digits clearly meant for datapad typing and not fighting, brushed lightly over the domed head. A visible spark transferred between her fingers and the droid, bringing its hybernated form to life with a series of warbles and beeps. The slicer cringed.

"Shhh, bud. Shhhh."

#louddroids

 

[Caid Centurion]

The unmistakable sound of a droid beeping and chirping forced Caid to roll his eyes. For one, he really wasn't much a fan of droids, and he was not blessed with the ability to understand them in any regard. Well...outside of generally being able to determine when a droid was giving some digitized form of affirmation or disapproval.

As a result of his personal dislike of droids, Caid now knew whoever this person was...merely wanted part of his cargo. Far as he was concerned...they could have it were it not for the fact it would effect his payment at final destination. Continuing forward, Caid eventually stopped when his silver-green eyes gazed down at the back of a diminutive figure. The individual's long blonde hair was clearly visible, but he preferred to make no assumptions.

Instead, Caid leveled his blaster at the individual's back. "Stand up with your hands in the air...and turn around, slowly. Nice and easy and we won't have any problems." Caid did not exactly believe in the unnecessary removal of life, but in the long run he was executing operations to support those fighting against the many tyrannical regimes of the galaxy. For this reason, the greater good required his success. If this individual posed a threat to that, then her death, in his mind, would be justified.

[member="Spark Finn"]

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

#feth #feth #feth

"I know and you tried to warn me," she whispered to the R2 unit and slowly raised her hands. Her technopath-mind immediately picked up on his DL-44 blaster without turning around. A little nudge of the force could probably disable it pretty quickly. But perhaps now was a better time for talking.

#awkward

"Alright," grey-blue eyes beneath glass-lenses finally connected with....yup, Caid's. Fricken kriff sticks. Too bad it wasn't the Port Authority back with her snacks. "Satisfied?" Her logical mind was too concerned with figuring out what she did wrong versus the situation she was in. "Wait....how did you...I don't think I missed an alarm system." Thin lips puffed out in thought.

#probablynotthebestthingtosay

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid lowered his blaster to roughly waist level, but he certainly kept the business end pointed squarely at [member="Spark Finn"]. "Satisfied? I would have been satisfied if you hadn't taken it upon yourself to trespass onto my property." For a brief moment, Caid's eyes flicked to the droid before returning to focus on Spark's grey-blue orbs. "You didn't miss an alarm, you missed a camera."

If this were a holovid, Caid would probably demand to know the woman's identity and reason for coming. He'd also probably make some off-colored comment about her age or appearance. However, real life (hah) was not a holovid. "Now I'm going to have to insist that you leave. You'll have to steal from some other merchant today."

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

"Huh, a camera." She was impressed. Speckled-gaze focused beyond Cade as she reached out with the force. Ah, there it was. #sneakysneak Gaze refocused on bright eyes. Thin-lips pursed. She could just leave. The slicer could easily take what she wanted and get out. Pretty sure she could make it out. Or, she could take a leap of faith.

#leapsoffaithwerescary

Hands slowly drifted back down to her sides, one stopping along the way to adjust the black-rimmed glasses on her nose. "Caid."

#revealnumberone

"I wasn't stealing from you. Exactly. Name's Spark Finn. It's not your cargo I want. It's something inside your cargo. It was too risky to approach you in public. Wasn't sure if I could trust you or your partner. Still not sure. But....anyway....ever hear of the Galactic Alliance?"

#revealnumbertwoandthree

He'd probably know she wasn't lying based on a bounty recently posted on the slicer. If he got any funny ideas about turning her in, she would take him out. But...hopefully, she wouldn't have to do that. Hopefully, she could turn him into an asset. Kriff knew the Alliance needed all the help they could get against the Sith.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid arched a curious eyebrow as he watched the woman. He had a moderate sense of her manipulations of the Force, but he could quite obviously tell she was able to control the unifying energy. Still...he'd been around a wide variety of force users...not necessarily to his pleasure or desire. The woman that identified herself as Spark seemed to have...an almost erratic control over the energy field? It was hard to explain...she was impossible to peg as a representative of any of the specific sects littering the galaxy. This lead Caid to believe that she was more of a fan of doing her own thing. He could respect that.

Her explanation for intrusion onto his vessel, however, sounded shady to him. Now it certainly was not unheard of for him to be hauling something that did not exactly belong to the client. Part of smuggling, however, was discretion...in fact it was probably the only part that mattered apart from timely delivery. "Well, Spark, I'm sure you can appreciate that the semantics of what you were attempting to lift are largely irrelevant. I don't care if you were here to take a hex tool...it's still stealing."

Maintaining his grasp of the blaster, Caid replied to the woman's question. "Yes, of course I've heard of the Galactic Alliance." At least Spark did not recognize him from his very public role as Supreme Commander of the Republic Military but a few short years ago. "Seeing as you obviously know my name..." Albeit not necessarily who he was... "...I do suppose I'm at a bit of a disadvantage, Spark. So what was the problem, I don't look trustworthy to you?"

[member="Spark Finn"]

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

"It's your last name." Blunt-words. Spark was never meant to be a diplomat or negotiator. #duh "Not exactly a mystery who shares that last name. I don't care what your track record is. People tend to put family first."

Thin-form shivered. Sage Bane was enough sith that she wanted to deal with for the rest of her life. The blonde quickly recomposed herself.

Thin-fingers went to hook into the pockets of her skinny-jeans. Head-cocked to the side. "I think you've got talent, Gabe. And maybe not coming to you first was a mistake. But I need your help. You willing to put that blaster away and let me explain the bigger picture? Kriff, I'll even pay for your cup of fair-trade caf."

#ballsy

#skinnyblondescouldbescary

 

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Spark Finn"]

Had this been the first time that the reputation of his father forced others to judge him, Caid would have probably bristled with anger. However, he remained surprisingly calm through Spark's very direct explanation. "So your...concern made you think that attempting to steal from me was your best course of action?" It was a completely rhetorical question. There wasn't really a right answer in such a situation. Perhaps that was his point... The fact that his father commanded such a reputation would never be something Caid ever 'came to terms with'.

"Now you need my help..." Was that how things went these days among Alliance operatives? A little bit of flattery with a plea for help...all projected by a pretty face and a slender figure?

Curiosity got the better of Caid as he holstered his weapon but kept his right hand casually on the pistol grip. "I'm listening."

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

At least he wasn't still demanding that she left. #progress "A database was smuggled into that astromech of yours," thumb hooked behind her shoulder. The R2 unit bobbed and chirped in response. The info on it would be a boon to the Alliance because it contains some sith security protocols. We originally set up for an alliance member to be your contact. But we think the sith got to you first. I couldn't afford to wait."

Hand came up to rub the back of her neck awkwardly.

"I'm telling you this because I want you to be prepared for the sell. I want you to still meet with your contact. I'm asking that you let me put some dummy data into this R2 unit. I'm hoping that my first impression of you based on a name was wrong. I'm hoping that my impression of you now is right. I know this is a big ask, but there it is. If...you need a vouch for me, just ask Jorus Merrill."

Converse-clad feet shifted on the ground. That name could either do a lot of good or a lot of harm.

 

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Spark Finn"]

Caid was silent for several moments as he simply held the young woman's gaze. His face betrayed no indication of what his next action would be, but he surmised that she likely needed little visual indication in that regard. Following several moments, the rogue managed a thin smile all too similar to that of the man he detested. "An opportunity to give the middle finger to my father and those like him? I would be happy to."

There would be no reason for Caid to contact Merrill. In truth, he'd never even met the man in person. He was still slightly bothered by the work done by his father in his last name seemed to continuously trump the beneficial work that Caid had done with said name. Despite that reality, Caid knew there was little reason to dwell on it. It would take him quite a while to overshadow the several hundred years of the Centurion name being tantamount to darkness and destruction.

Stepping forward, Caid extended a hand. "Nice to...officially meet you, Spark."

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

#awwwyis

A timid smile played on her lips. The slicer mirrored his movements and proffered a hand, slim fingers squeezing against his own. The introvert had a thing about personal bubble space, so the shake didn't last long. "You too, Caid." There was a high-pitched warble in her earpiece. Index finger went there instinctively.

"No Bees-neeze. He didn't kill me. No reason to wheel over here. Well, I don't know if he wants to join the Allaince. We can ask." Her finger fell away as her attention returned to Caid. "Just my BB8 unit. It's programming makes it a little overprotective sometimes and it's recruitment levels are out the wazoo."

Hands rubbed together.

"Okay. I've gotta finish programming the dummy data. You up for standing watch in case the buyers come early? And just so you know, the offer to officially join the alliance is legit."

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid sensed the woman's relative unease in close proximity, but that was fine. The dark-skinned rogue hadn't really been looking for companionship or friendship at any recent point in his life. His partner in business was precisely that...a partner in business. There had been one woman, however, that piqued his interest at one time. Long had it been since he'd even communicated with [member="Ozmeri Gitana'ti"], the alluring Princess of Velmor.

Forcing the brief moment of nostalgia from his mind, Caid returned his attention to Spark. "We were set to meet in the cantina, but I'll keep an eye out here just in case they have designs on attempting to steal my cargo too..." A smile lingered on Caid's lips, but he didn't give [member="Spark Finn"] an answer with regard to joining the Alliance just yet. He'd left the Republic for several reasons that he wasn't entirely convinced plagued the Alliance just yet.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

The slicer offered Caid a sheepish grin. "Great. Bees-neeze has eyes on the hangar, too. Hopefully that'll give us an early warning." Turning her back to the smuggler, she knelt down next to the R2 unit, thin-fingers expertly working around its forward panel. With a burst of mechu-deru, the panel whirred open to reveal a data-disk. She plucked it out and replaced it with an identical.

Rocking back on her heels, she squinted, face scrunched-up like a prune as she concentrated. She stayed like that, still, un-moving. Just as suddenly, grey-blue eyes snapped open and she popped to her feet. The panel slid and locked back into place.

"Got...," a beep of warning hit her earpiece. Her BB8 unit spied a unit of armored sith soldiers lead by a hooded and cloaked figure entering their hangar section. "It. Company incoming. A squad and a sith."

She wasn't good at sensing others in the force or how strong they were, so she couldn't tell if it was a master or just another student sent to run an errand for the Dark Lord. #feth Fingers came up to flip the hood of her hoodie back over her blond-haired head.

"Got any place I can hide?"

 

[Caid Centurion]

[member="Spark Finn"]

Caid had sensed the impending approach only shortly after Spark received a heads-up from her droid. However, it was merely the sense of something advancing towards them. It could have been a cat or a squad of people looking to do them harm. Fortunately, Spark filled in the gaps. Motioning to a section of paneling near the left bulkhead, Caid replied to the woman's question. "Yeah. In there, quickly."

Turning from Spark, Caid used his communicator to contact his partner. "Get back to the ship. Now." The dark-skinned rogue disconnected the transmission before any response could really be given. In a couple seconds, Caid had casually descended the loading ramp and stepped out onto the docking bay's durasteel deck. Turning to face the approaching individuals, Caid arched a curious eyebrow. "The plan was the cantina. I do not appreciate the plan being altered, I made this explicitly clear to the individual that contracted my services."

Whereas his last name made Spark hesitant to trust him...it made members of the Sith Empire either confused or irritated that he did not serve the Dark Lord directly. The only thing it didn't tend to make him was an immediate target. He appreciated that aspect...regardless of whether or not he detested them all.

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

The blonde disappeared as Caid left. He had a chance to double cross her but the thought didn't pass her mind. Hopefully she was reading him right and not being naive.

#Meanwhile...

A trandoshan stared down it's short snout at Caid in a toothy-sneer. His claws flexed near the hilt of his lightsaber. "Plans tends to change when carrying precious cargo Centurion." It was clear this was a young and coming sith, not fearful of Caid's father. Probably would do him good to be, though. "We're ready to make the trade right here. Right now. Are you going to show us where it is or will I have to use other methods?"

The troopers angled around their leader, guns drawn and pointed at Caid.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid could barely help but smile and laugh softly. "You know...the funny thing about people that are actually threatening?" As he spoke, Caid nonchalantly turned and motioned for the men to follow. The jury was still semi-out on Spark, but he'd no real intention of openly betraying her. That being said, he was aware what well-trained force users were capable of. Hopefully she could hide her presence as well as or better than the Sith could sense it.

Still...the leader was a Trandoshan which complicated things. If nothing else, being natural hunters was part of their genome. Just before Caid was about to lead the Sith inside the cargo bay, his partner entered the docking bay. The Twi'lek had been smart enough to adopt a casual pace. Now...that was unusual because his partner typically only had one setting...neurotic.

"...they don't have to rely on threats." A finishing smirk was all Caid flashed back in the direction of the Sith as he continued inside. "Here you are."

[member="Spark Finn"]

 

[Spark Finn]

[member="Caid Centurion"]

The Trandoshan flashed his teeth in a half grin half growl. Booted feet stomped heavily up the ramp as his men followed. Reptilian-eyes narrowed at the cargo.

"Very well. Load these up." The barked orders echoed in the small space. "Payment will be transferred to your accounts." Sneer met Caid's gaze as well as the Twi'lek's. Booted-feet paused suddenly, near the compartment that held Spark, nose twitching.

"Wait.....I smell another." Saliva dripped from his teeth and onto the plated flooring. Without waiting for permission, he ripped open the panel. But there was no one inside. At least who he could see.

Clawed-fist would reach for the shirt of Caid as he would attempt to slam the smuggler into the side of his own ship. "What're you trying to pull Caaaaaid?" Forked-tongue would flick out. "Smuggling fugitives this close to Sith space will get you fifty years as a slave."