Special Delivery

[Kyle Farnes]

The joys of being a contractor for the Alliance in Exile were many. He could take the jobs he wanted and run where he felt he was most needed. Lately it was taking some strikes against First Order and Sith Empire skirmishers, and bouncing back to the nearest roving line to provide data. The Outer Rim Coalition and Alliance in Exile have been providing him with a number of safe harbors. Time to refuel, rearm, and refresh the mind and body. And today? A simple trip was what it was going to take.

The sometimes Warden, sometimes Mando, all the time Rebel was making his way out towards Kal’Shabbol. The hard rock inspired Mando pilot was listening to some of the latest tracks to come out of the Core as his freighter was jumping down the final track of the flight out to see one of the other Mandalorians he could trust.

She was a mechanic, a grease monkey, but the Alliance seemed to be trusting her, if the cargo of transponders was any indication. The trick was, was she going to be around, or were there going to be issues between here and there. Kyle shook his head and powered down the hyperdrive as the alarm signaled. He shook his head as he looked out upon the planet in front of him. Nodding, he pushed the ship down and through. Sending out the communications, he wasn’t aware of two beacons taking images of his ship as he contacted [member="Cinara Vencu"].

It was time for them to meet, but, being an Alliance flagged vessel somedays, he wasn’t risking dropping right near her shop. Nah, they’d have to do some walking first.

 

[Samara Raine]

Kal'Shabbol City Center
Warehouse District

Cinara gave the torque wrench a couple more cranks, then inspected her work. The newly installed power dispersion unit in the repulsorcraft was well seated and seemingly good to go. She checked one last time that the power flow was even, then closed the panel on the engine compartment.

Buzz... Buzz

The blonde wiped off her grimy hands on a rag, then reached into the chest pocket of her mechanic's jumpsuit and grabbed the vibrating comlink. There was a message. Cinara pushed the replay button, then listened to the communique left. A wide smile graced the Mando's face as the familiar voice brought back vivid memories of fun times past.

[member="Kyle Farnes"] was inbound and wanted to see her. She sent a reply back dropping the name of Jocko's as their meeting place, which was located in the Market District. It was a dive bar, but served decent food and beverage, well at least to the Mandalorian exile's standard and just around the corner from her apartment she kept on planet.

A quick trip to the small refresher in the back office and Cin was ready to present herself to the dark-haired flyboy. It was only a ten minute walk to get to the hole-in-the-wall cantina from the building that housed her garage. She closed the overhead doors and set the security system, then headed out with a certain bounce in her step. It had been a while since the two had seen each other... the last when she flew as a gunner on Farnes' ship at the Battle at Fort Dawn with First Order forces just after the Galactic Alliance retreated to the safety of the Outer Rim Coalition territories. Had it really been that long?

 

[Kyle Farnes]

A quick little meet up, exchanging of supplies for some credits, bing, bang, boom, right? Sure, maybe Kyle wanted to spend more than the needed hours to do a job, in order to just catch up with Cin, but whatever the galaxy had in mind for him, he’d chase it down. The issues of being a mercenary, right? Sure, maybe he was a mercenary with a bit of a lean, not a heart of gold, but he knew right from wrong, and no amount of money would have him going against what was good for the galaxy.

Not a Jedi, but the New Jedi Order, and the replacement, the Shattered Order kept the Mando interested. It helped that they could reach to people who weren’t following the Jedi religion. And that may be because Kyle wasn’t as attuned to the Force as someone who made a decent Jedi. He was a Warden, a Paladin, and ready to what was needed. And now? It was a matter of landing his ship, the hot-rodded Ranger, his rebuilt YT-1300, in a good place, and getting his goods moved off quickly.

Checking the reply, he nodded. His astromech and the Hunter-Killer droid that was aboard both came to provide him assistances. Wheelie, the R8 plugged in, while IG unit was setting up weapons to defend the sled of goods. Kyle nodded to them both. He’d leave his armor behind, but not the body glove, this was a piece of equipment he had been working on. It’d take some kinetic energy and be able to bounce it back to the enemy in a blast.

“Wheelie, you stay with the ship. IG, I need you ready to move the gear.” He grabbed one of his SoroSuub pistols, and the armor for his left arm, one that would allow a cutting laser to be fired, if it needed to be. Not that he was suspecting any backstab from Cin, they were Mandos, and he wasn’t worried.

I would be nice to see her though. He looked around the hangar and stepped onto the street, making his way to Jocko’s. And once he was inside, he looked around.

[member="Cinara Vencu"]

 

[Samara Raine]

Kal'Shabbol, Market District
Jocko's Cantina

Sky blue eyes spotted [member="Kyle Farnes"] as the tall, dark, and handsome walked through the cantina entrance. Cinara had arrived first and grabbed a booth towards the back of Jocko's so as to give them some privacy, not knowing exactly what kind of business the two were going to indulge in. She had an idea why the other Mandalorian who worked with the Alliance-in-Exile had come to Kal'Shabbol, but hopefully it was two-fold. It was why the sandy blonde had ordered chips and salsa with a pitcher of ale to get the ball rolling.

A wave of her hand greeted the spacer from afar, then a warm smile as Kyle approached the table where she sat. The Mando mechanic wasn't in her armor either, rather in a well-fitted jumpsuit with the zipper sitting a bit lower than she'd normally have it while working on an engine. What?! The Resol'nare was more a guideline for the exile, and followed as the situation dictated.

"Su cuy'gar, ner vod. Me'vaar ti gar?" Cin offered in Mando'a, the language of their people, saying hello and asking how he was, then she added while reaching for the pitcher on the table to pour him a glass of the amber liquid the grease monkey had already begun to wet her whistle with.

"I've missed you. So what brings you to my neck of the woods, hmm?"

 

[Kyle Farnes]

Delivery missions were one thing, but the nerves in Kyle at the moment? Not exactly because of the job. He had a few other things on his mind. The way he was making it so esay was not necessarily even on his mind. He was going to be running into [member="Cinara Vencu"] again. And it had really been too long. Kyle had been taking gigs to keep himself afloat, and he was a softy for refugees, and they were aplenty in the Alliance lately. Or at least their former space. Setting up safe houses and contacts for the Jedi was another issue he had to deal with.

Or elected to deal with.

But a day off, or however long he’d be spending on kal’Shabbol, well, that was also what he was electing to do. When he saw the blonde though, he knew it wasn’t just going to be a day. He waved at her, his flight suit under a typical Spacer’s vest. He was a Warden as well as a Mando and his outfits blended to the two. Plus, his jumpsuit was more advanced than a typical one, ready for battle when it came to him.

He found a seat next to her and grinned. “Jahaala.” He looked her over. “I heard there was a mechanic out here, may need some company, and parts.”

 

[Samara Raine]

"That's good hear... Me too," Cin smiled back, appreciating how [member="Kyle Farnes"] just slid right in beside her on the bench seat, then the corners of the Mando's mouth turned into more of a mischievous smirk.

"Well now... You certainly know how to make a girl feel special. You come bearing gifts... Two of my favorite things," she said, placing her hand upon the man's thigh under the table and giving the muscular upper leg a little friendly squeeze.

"So cyar'ika... When do I get to inspect the parts? You know how I like to make sure they are in good working order."

With that last line uttered, the blonde mechanic winked playfully, then took a long, slow sip of ale from her frosty mug.

 

[Kyle Farnes]

Not much for speaking in the Mando tongue, being a Warden, Kyle reverted to Basic fairly quickly. He enjoyed being around Cin, for certain, and sure, it may seem odd to be on the same bench, but it didn’t bug him one bit. Looking at the blonde, he nodded.

“I do like to make the ladies happy!” He laughed as she grabbed at his leg. There was the thought to put an arm around her, and he wasn’t about to let that go to waste. Slipping his arm around her shoulders, he grinned.

“Whenever you’re ready, and the starship parts are on their way to the shop, just using a second courier.” Because, well, sneaky. His left hand grabbed his mug and took a sip. “Soon, we can get there and do a thorough inspection.”
[member="Cinara Vencu"]

 

[Samara Raine]

Cinara didn't flinch when [member="Kyle Farnes"] snaked his arm around her shoulders while they sat together in the booth. She trusted him, well as much as applicable for now. He had never treated her badly, but it didn't mean the mechanic would completely put her guard down. Once abused, it was hard to truly do that though so far so good with the pilot. But if he ever.... the man would regret it.

"Tis why I keep letting you come around, Kyl'ika.... There's usually a nice little adventure just around the corner for you and me," the sandy blonde winked, then reached forward to grab a toasted corn chip.

She dipped the triangle into the spicy tomato mixture, then brought it back to her mouth and popped it in. Some of the salsa was left on her lips, but soon was licked off with the sound of 'mmmm' afterwards.

"Oh, Jocko's cook got a real good do on that. You should try it," Cin grinned, then she added after hearing the ship parts were on their way to her shop.

"Well your courier will just have to wait outside... The alarm system is on and they won't like what happens if they try to get in. Mando'ad, remember?!" the grease monkey chuckled knowing the consequences for a forced entry.

"Tell you what, cyar'ika... Let's finish this pitcher, then we can mosey on over there, hmm? Did you hear about that business at Skor II with the First Order? I was down south at Kolatill and didn't even know the invasion happened until I got back north. How are things otherwise across the way? Got something for us to do? You're not usually just a delivery boy for them, though I don't mind much."

 

[Coren Starchaser]

Move along

 

[Kyle Farnes]

Was there a bit of tension with Kyle and [member="Cinara Vencu"]? Sure, why wouldn’t there be? Different walks of life, enough time to see each other to at least display some level of connection, and whether that was attraction, or just lust, was up to them. His arm around her was much more than just for show, from his end. The times the pair were in the same system, or operation together, well, everything just went smooth between the pair, from drinking, to carrying on. Just felt easy.

“So you’re the one requesting I take this route, huh?” He laughed as he watched her grab the chip. Feeling close to her was comforting, especially after a bit of a trying few weeks. Just a lot of missions, humanitarian work, and time where he couldn’t get out here for some R&R. He grabbed a chip as she continued on. “I figure, they’ll watch the parts for… y’know an hour or two.” Grinning, he shrugged as his eyes ran over her. “No worries from them.” Was easier to give them ‘hand deliver to Cinara’ than any other task.

“Yeah, heard some Mandos actually stepped in for the Coalition. Interesting for sure.” He looked around, not really danger sense tingling, but just… a feeling. “They’re good, lots of work coming and going when you’re ready to ship out. Safe houses establishing, and some strikes we can make.” Shrugging, he grinned. But I figure we both need some rest and relaxation, right?”

 

[Samara Raine]

"We could definitely get a lot of drinking and snacking done in an hour or two," the sandy blonde grinned with a mischievous glint twinkling in her sky blue orbs, then she finished off what ale was left in her glass and motioned for [member="Kyle Farnes"] to refill it.

Cinara liked being with Kyle. She couldn't deny the man was easy on the eyes, but it was more than that. They just seemed to jive whether in work or play. Maybe it was that the two were both Mandalorian exiles though the pilot and mechanic weren't the most devoted with their culture. They each respected it, but didn't follow it to the tee on a daily basis like today.

"I like the sound of getting back out there in the thick of things... I don't have any pressing business here right now other than taking care of the parts you brought me, which won't take too long," Cin nodded, then she added with a sweet smile grabbing another chip.

"So I could be enticed to join you on a more permanent basis, if you want.... I'm sure you could use a skilled grease monkey keeping your vessel well maintained."

 

[Kyle Farnes]

Drinking, snacking, and a few more things, he suspected, if they were given both hours. One drink lead to another and more, and who knew, there was always a limit for when you stopped being professional and just let your body act how it wanted. And without even needing a bit of extra Force knowledge, he knew where she was thinking. The Rebel shook his head and gave her a grin, a bit cocked to the side, as his eyes met hers before she finished her drink. Yeah, sometimes those long moments were a bit tricky, but between these two? He didn’t think they were all that unexpected.

Everything between this pair was always fun and games. He never felt like he needed to stress to impress her, it was just relaxed. Even work, maybe part of it was being Mandalorian, even if Kyle wasn’t born into it. He had adapted to it and found the Wardens, so knowing what he was capable of, and what he used it for, was all he needed to keep himself on the right path. The Clan they were in definitely helped Kyle adjust to just who he was. And being a Mando, well, it made battle and war almost a laughable thing. But still, he was only diet Mando.

Still enough to wear beskar, even if his armor was always considered light, compared to most.

“No? Yeah, I mean they’re delivery is so that the Alliance has someone they trust with a few pieces in case things get fethed…” He looked her over a second time, and matched her smile. “You think so? Can stand a bunch aboard a freighter, running through Imperial lines for a government finding itself collapsing?” He laughed.

[member="Cinara Vencu"]

 

[Samara Raine]

Cinara liked where she had her hand resting... Right where the blonde had left it on [member="Kyle Farnes"] thigh as the two sat comfy in the bar booth with his arm around her. They were having a fun time already, and the thought of maybe following him around, being his partner both in the fight and out of it made the Mando exile experience trepidation yet more excitement for once.

"Since leaving Mandalore when I was a teen, I can't count the number of times I've shipped out on a freighter being the only female. But the men soon learned not to mess with a Mando'ad.... I think I can handle the captain and his crew just fine," Cin winked, then she took a hearty swig of her refreshed drink.

"I like a good challenge... bring it," the grease monkey grinned, giving the pilot's leg a little squeeze. "So you want to see my place before heading back to the shop? I have some tihaar there if that wets your whistle better than this ale."

 

[Kyle Farnes]

He hadn’t spent much time on Mandalore in his early years. He was a wanderer, a Warden who found the Mandalorian way later in life. It helped him defend those who couldn’t defend themselves. He relaxed with his arm around him. Working with her would be a good time, and he knew that the pair could take a lot bigger jobs than he could alone.

Plus, getting her more acquainted with the Ranger just felt like the right move. Both professionally and… well, less so. “You’re a tough one, for certain, Cin. And I feel my crew may be easier to get under your finger than most.” The Mando pilot laughed.

“You’re kiddin’ right? I’d take personal offense if we didn’t get something better before getting to work!” Offering a wink, and taking a long drag from the mug.

[member="Cinara Vencu"]