The Nameless Ship- [Open! Join!]

[RC 212]

[member="Vinskk Revamp"]

Hala grimaced when Three eyes asked her the last little bit. She could never work for a legitimate government. Or could she? Her mother had been the wild one and in a strange reverse of the natural order it had been her father ho had tamed her. She was wild also, but she wanted more. The life of husband and wife smuggling and kids just didn't sit well with her vision for herself.

"Thank you your Excellency. Most appreciated."

She took the picture and smiled, tucking it into her jacket pocket. There was a lot to learn about these folks, but they offered her a job. A job meant credits and that was boon. Even as they spoke about disassembling her ship. Which was another point of contention on her list. now that they had offered her a commission, the ball was in her court.

They had something they wanted, she had things she wanted.

"Ok it's a deal under some conditions. One I need a ship constructed just like my Z-95 Headhunter. Exact specs with a basic load out. Sensors, Engines, and swap the Laser Cannons out for Kinetics. Also I'll need assurances that I can come and go to do other jobs as needed. I can work as reservist when you call me up. I can't commit full time just yet."

She thought about asking about shields, but that was a moot point. The trade off in power systems was prohibitive, and to be real she hadn't quite figured out whether she wanted deflectors or ray shields. That would have to come later, if she got an upgraded fighter.

"I'll be sticking to Fighters. Big craft don't seem to agree with me."

Since my crew all got eaten....

It was a lot to ask, but she pressed her advantage.

"Oh and uh.... could I have my pistols back now? Y'know just for personal protection. I think your marines were pretty intent on picking their teeth with my bones earlier."

 

[Hemmrie the Bum]

Hemmrie was the sneakiness little hobo the galaxy had ever seen; but his ability to sneak around the 'Brack Tarron' completely unnoticed by the Transoceans wasn't perfect, by far.

In his venturing across the air ducts and corridors of the ship, Hemmrie had damaged the air conditioning system, pressed a rather unsavory looking button on the crews quarters security terminal, and most likely set of a gas leak somewhere in the lower bowels of the ship.

And now he kneeled, high above the conversing group of the Transocean King that didn't like Hemmrie, a three eyed alien who stood by him called a Grain, and a- a human! Another human, a pilot too!

It seems they were about to strike a deal of sorts as the intergalactic space hobo listened intently from the air duct that traveled right above them. Hearing them mention how proud their parents might be, he realized that she might hunt him down too if she was working with the Transoceans.

Feth.

Hemmrie turned slowly in the air duct, causing a little grinding noise above. Though if he was quiet enoug-

SNAP.

The bolt holding the particular panel of the duct that Hemmrie was kneeling on gave way, and the unfortunate hobo fell from above and onto the ground, face first, before the King, his best man, and the woman pilot.

Oh crud oh crud oh crud oh crud oh crud oh crud...

[member="Vinskk Revamp"] [member="Hala Jast"]

 

[Vinskk Revamp]

The King silently took in all the terms. She was one to bargain. But it was not a problem. Vinskk had resources, and she knew it. He was just about to respond when the air duct above him gave way, and out fell out a rather raggedy old man. The Trandoshan and Free-Eyes both jumped back slightly, the Gran unholstering a hold out blaster and pointing it directly at the new visitor.

It was him. The human that had insulted the King in Hypori.

The smell hit Vinskk's acute nose first. Humans never smelled clean, as all their smells simply sank into and stayed in their skin, but this one was putrid. Revamp took a distinct step back from the intergalactic hobo and hissed.

"Bah! The one who insulted me upon Hypori. Didn't I order you to dispose of him, Captain?"

Free-Eyes was about to squeeze the trigger when Revamp raised his hand.

"Not in the throne room, you dolt! Take him to the airlock and space him!"

Free-Eyes holstered his weapon and pressed a button on his wristpad. Within seconds, Trandoshan Marines burst in, slung their weapons, and scooped up the bum, who they were briefed previously on when he initially escaped. They were having a bit of trouble, though. The smell was reviling to them as well, and the karking old man wouldn't stop wriggling about.

"Get up," one of the Marines exclaimed, and he landed a punch to the man's already bruised face.

While that commotion was going on, Vinskk turned back to Hala, although his eyes now shone with anger.

"I apologize for the interruption. Your terms are accepted. Once we reach Trandosha, you shall have your vessel, made to your specifications. For now, feel free to roam about the Talon. You are under my protection. You will find your weapons in the ship's armory. Blast it, get him out of here already!"

[member="Hala Jast"] [member="Hemmrie the Bum"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Vinskk Revamp"] [member="Hemmrie the Bum"]

Right as the advisor swung Hala intercepted. He would have landed the punch except for her hand stopping it.

"No, don't!"

she paused, wondering why she was even helping this guy out. He smelled worse than her, and was an old dude to boot. But she had gut feeling it could be a good thing. A good spacer always went with their gut feeling. in her head she cursed herself out, hoping this wasn't an offence punishable by getting spaced herself. Her mind ran quick series of calculations.

"I know this man." She lied, keeping an excellent front. Eye contact, no tells. Another skill of hers.

"Let him live, release him to me. He can be my slave."

She truly had no intentions of keeping him, but there was another passage in the spacers code that she thought back to.

​

Never screw over someone unless they deserve it, always honor a distress call.​

This pretty much logged in her book as a fellow vagrant in distress.

 

[Hemmrie the Bum]

Hemmrie was about to be sent out the airlock. AGAIN.

But the Captain, that female pilot, had saved his hide. And probably his entire life. And the front she was now pulling; he grinned and nodded as he was left where he was, waking himself up.

"Aye! Thankya, captain, so much! I knew you'd recognize me, Hemmrie! We got seperated a month'r so back, I didn't think I'd see'er again!"

Not a single hint of a lie pierced his tongue, and Hemmrie had to thank his years in being able to talk garbage in the underworld. He just hoped it was enough as he looked gratuitously to the woman, [member="Hala Jast"] . He didn't want to die today. And she could see it in his eyes.

[member="Vinskk Revamp"]

 

[Vinskk Revamp]

Vinskk clicked lowly in disgust. Dismissing the Marines with a wave of his talon, he then turned to Hala, now upset. He was tempted to make an example of the old man, but he couldn't afford to lose the pilot, especially since he claimed to know her.

"Fine. Keep him."

The Trandoshan then got close to the old man, stooping down low so he was directly in his face. The smell was awful, rancid even, but he kept his composure as he snarled, making a display of the rows of sharpened teeth in his maw.

"The Scorekeeper has, it seems, saved you, vagrant. I believe you called me something along the likes of 'a dressed up monkey-lizard' the last time we met? Keep that tongue in check or I'll have it, along with the rest of your head, adorning my trophy wall."

He then backed away before the smell made him regurgitate his last meal. Turning once more to Hala, he spoke with anger, since he could not dispense justice to the hobo.

"He is now your responsibility, Human. If he is caught again doing something foolish, make no mistake, I will have his entrails thrown to my crew, and you will not stop me from doing so. Now leave my presence. You are a guest. He is not."

The Trandoshan stormed back to his throne. Free-Eyes lead them from the bridge to the door that would lead to the rest of the Black Talon. With a look of slight frustration and annoyance, the Gran spoke as they walked.

"As much as I would've hated to fry you, Human, the others down below will not hesitate to do so. Step carefully. And Hala of Corellia, make sure this one takes a shower. His smell alone is grounds for losing his head aboard my vessel."

The duo exited. Free-Eyes turned back to the Trandoshan King, who was silently seething with rage upon his throne.

"Your Highness...you knew she was lying."

"Of course I knew. I can smell poodoo a mile away. But sometimes, my old friend, you must give a claw to get a Wookiee."

[member="Hemmrie the Bum"] [member="Hala Jast"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Hemmrie the Bum"] [member="Vinskk Revamp"]

Hala wasn't sure how much of her bull was holding up. But it seemed good enough for the King so it was good enough for her. Without further ado she bowed and nodded.

"At once your excellency."

She grabbed the hobo by his jacket and pulled him, pushing him along as she exited the throne room with all possible haste. When they had cleared the double blast doors and were in the hall she smirked and then turned him around to face her. then she let go.

"You owe me big dude. Kark me and it's over for you."

After she let it be clear then she nodded and extended a hand.

"Hala Jast, from Corellia."

 

[Hemmrie the Bum]

Hemmrie ignored her hand and instead leaned in to hug her tightly. The smell on him alone was horrific... but his hug was warm, and genuine. And didn't show any sign of stopping.

"Oh truly, darlin', thankya! I would've been left t'die if ya ain't helped me out. You need somethin' done, I'll do it f'r ya! I swear it on my life!"

He then realized how uncomfortable she was in his arms, and he stepped away, brushing himself off and composing himself.

"Ahem! The name's Hemmrie; Intergalactic adventurer. And hitchhiker; it's a pleasure to meet'cha, Cap'n [member="Hala Jast"] . Don't suppose I could catcha ride with'ya off this ship, eh?"

[member="Vinskk Revamp"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Hemmrie the Bum"]

"First man, you need to shower. Second my ships non existent since the Trandoshans scrapped it for parts."

She paused a second and then continued.

"You ever learned how to fly? Cuz if ya ain't, now's the time."

If she could teach ol Hemmrie to fly, that'd be great. A fellow wingman would be great asset. They were basically the same type of people, except she liked to go where people weren’t and do dangerous stuff. Often times it got her in trouble.

 

[Hemmrie the Bum]

Hemmrie grimaced. Then he looked both left and right as if to make sure he wasn't being listened in on, before he shook his head softly.

"Nah, I've never learnt how to fly proper. I watch a lotta captain's who gimme rides, but more often'n not, they tell me to bulls off t' the cargo bay, where they can't smell me. But if you're offering..!"

He smiled a sly, old man's smile, and straightened himself up. "Then ya got a first mate! At yer service, Cap'n [member="Hala Jast"] ! Let's getcha a ship!"

 

[RC 212]

[member="Hemmrie the Bum"] [member="Vinskk Revamp"]


"Yes yes. But first follow me to the refreshers. Good void man. Ya stink."

And they trotted off.

--------------------------​

​

Several Hours Later​

​

Hangar Bay

Most of the Trandoshans gave her a wide berth now. Clad in her full red and black Armor she looked intimidating. Plus with the backing of the King and her twin Pistols on her mag holsters she was sight that was unwelcome to them. Before they had abused her, and some of them were now nowhere to be seen.

She was still waiting on the King to present her a ship, but in the meantime she was aboard a small tramp Freighter, showing Hemmrie how the thing worked. Whether the King would summon them again or not she had no clue. With her helmet set on the dash she had him in the Captains seat, working the controls.

"Flight 101 big guy. This stick here is called a yoke. Right is right, left is left. Up, down and a combo of right an left, moves you where you want to go. Kinda like a video game, but better."

Then she moved over to the co-Pilots seat, bringing up the controls.

"Co-pilot usually does your guns, shields and Navigation stuff. But since I've sworn off Freighters and I’m sticking to fighters here's the scoop. On a Fighter craft most of your Co-Pilot function are either with the Co-Pilot in the back, or if it's a one man, they are right on the dash. Everything is usually marked for what it is."

Hala paused. Nothing short of a real flight was gonna bring the point home for real.

"Questions?"

 

[Hemmrie the Bum]

This was a lot for Hemmrie to take in on one day. A lot. Hell, he'd never even played Holo Games before; he never had enough credits to even purchase a system!

He fiddled with the joystick a little as she rambled on about Co-Pilots and Banthas and whatnot; but when she asked him if there were any Questions he had to ask, he looked over at a particular looking throttle that was just begging to be pushed.

"What's this one do?" He shoved the throttle forward, ALL THE WAY forward, like a child in a security console.

The engines blazed to life and the thrusters boomed behind them, probably giving them both whiplash.

Hemmrie shouldn't be put behind the wheel of any ship, [member="Hala Jast"] would soon realize, and to the dismay of [member="Vinskk Revamp"], the inside of his ship's hanger bay would probably suffer for the bum's simplicity, too.

 

[RC 212]

[member="Hemmrie the Bum"] [member="Vinskk Revamp"]

"Oh KARK!"

Hala managed to dive for the yoke just as the throttle engaged and auto started the drives. The good thing was there was a drive safety on which kept the drives from just whirling to life the second someone bumped the throttle. The downside was the Freighter did indeed start up and she was faced with the prospect of being taken into space or punched into the wall and probably turned to mush.

"Well now's as good a time as ever I suppose."

The drives began to rumble and her quick save had pushed them right in line with the exit of the hanagr bay. As they lifted off and began to move towards the exit Hala stepped back and let him have it.

"Go for it. Fiddle away."

She was sure the Trandoshans were gonna mad as all kark, but secretly, she didn't give a Banthas behind.

They blasted full speed out of the bay, and she typed a message to the ships control on her datapad and beamed it off.

[[Freighter Accidentally started... Taking the FNG out for a trial spin, teaching flight. DO NOT FIRE PLEASE! NOT STEALING YOUR SHIP! PROMISE!!]]]​

 

[Vinskk Revamp]

"Captain! One of our freighters is flying out of the hanger bay!"

Free-Eyes looked at his holopad, then to the crew member.

"Good eye, soldier. Prepare secondary turrets."

A message displayed itself on the Gran's wristpad. He read it quickly, blinked hard, and then spoke up again.

"Negate that, crewman. It seems our newly commissioned pilot is training."

Vinskk growled lowly in thinly veiled anger upon his throne.

"Blasted humans. Too comfortable with us."

Free-Eyes shook his head disapprovingly before typing out a response and sending it to Hala.

[[REQUEST CLEARANCE NEXT TIME---FOLLOW PROPER PROTOCOLS.]]

[member="Hala Jast"] [member="Hemmrie the Bum"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Vinskk Revamp"] [member="Hemmrie the Bum"]

When the message came back that they were clear Hala sighed in relief. She wasn't sure how much more the Trandoshans could take, but they seemed to have endured as well they could.

"Try going left, and doing a roll. That's how you shake a missile, or a tail." She said.

With one hand she grabbed a crash strap over head. Then she clicked her heels together, activating her mag boots so she would remain stuck to the floor.

"You may wanna put on your crash harness before you do. Rolling takes a lot of power, which tones down the gravity geerator, depending on how they have this thing set up."

 

[Hemmrie the Bum]

Hemmrie was old, and this sort of tomfoolery was beyond him.

Clasping the crash harness and strapping it straight around himself, the old hobo gripped the controls and tilted them straight to the side, gritting his teeth hard with a wide eyed stare. He looked like a madman, and it was soon shown in reply as the freighter pulled hard to the side and began to circle, round and round.

Repeatedly.

"Whoa-UP there, ya damne-" Hemmrie clonked his head on the wall as his head hit the side of the cockpit, and he growled as he tried to right the controls, the thrusters still sending them soaring about the outside of the Brack Tarron. The freighter continued to barrel roll uncontrollably past the bridge of the Transocean's ship, providing a sight that the crew, and [member="Vinskk Revamp"] within probably wouldn't soon be forgetting.

Hemmrie quickly pulled the controls from the hard right, until the ship stopped spinning, and he breathed a sigh of relief.

"Whoahohooo!" He chuckled as he looked at the ship before them. "Man, the Brack Tarron sure looks... different from here? Is it meant to be upside do-" he turned to face [member="Hala Jast"] , her hair hanging up in the air as if a fan were blowing it straight up. She didn't look entirely impressed. He felt his belt dig into his body a bit more, his own beard seeming to slink up by his ears.

He needed a lot of training before he could be a decent pilot.

 

[Vinskk Revamp]

All was relatively calm up in the Black Talon's bridge. The bridge crew was going about their work, and Vinskk was now sipping on a glass of red wine from a goblet upon his throne. Free-Eyes was mindlessly toggling away on his datapad, most likely giving orders to the crew. All was peaceful. All was quiet.

"I wonder how the pilot is out th-"

The freighter went barrelling past the bridge's monitors, nearly scraping it. Revamp spat out his wine in surprise, and the bridge crew jumped up. The pilot of the Black Talon slammed on the emergency brake pads, and the entire vessel went pitching forward. Everyone on the bridge was thrown forward, including The King. The goblet went careening out of his grasp and flew across the command center to the viewport, where it landed against the window with a metallic thud.

In the rest of the ship, things were worse.

The crew was thrown about. In the mess hall, soldiers and their food went flying everywhere. In the showers, an unfortunate Trandoshan named Hssiss was launched across the lavatory to a tiled shower stall and was knocked out cold. In the hanger, the mostly stripped Headhunter went free of it's harnesses and went skidding across the deck along with some unsecured cargo, crushing a few mechanics against the durasteel walls. At the turret sections, unsecured shells went careening down the firing bay's hallways, turning some very unfortunate gunners into paste. It was pure pandemonium for a few seconds.

The King slowly stood up, rising up to his full height. His face was calm, serene even. Everyone who worked or even interacted with him knew that look. It was the calm right before the storm.

Free-Eyes crawled up from his perch at the command center and looked at Vinskk. His three eyes shone with fear.

"Oh, goddess..."

Vinskk suddenly exploded in rage, reaching for the nearest sentient at hand. An unfortunate crewmember, one of the signals analysts, was clutched in the King's massive talons and thrown-a second time-across the bridge. He hit the deck with a yelp that was drowned out by Revamp's roar.

"CAPTAIN! ORDER THE PILOT AND THE WRETCH TO LAND NOW!!!"

Free-Eyes desperately typed away on his datapad, which had somehow managed to say in his hands. The Trandoshan was making his way to him now.

"I-it's done! I-I sent it, my Lord!"

Vinskk stopped mere centimeters away from the Gran, ready to strangle the life out of him. He hissed loudly, so everyone in the bridge could hear:

"IF SOMETHING OF THIS MAGNITUDE HAPPENS AGAIN, I DON'T CARE WHO IT IS. IT COULD BE THE SCOREKEEPER'S SON HIMSELF! I WANT YOU TO BLAST THEM TO OBLIVION! HAVE THEM RETURN HERE NOW!"

With a vengeful swoop of his cloak, the Trandoshan stormed off to his chambers in an attempt to calm himself. It was either that or rend the two Humans himself.

Free-Eyes' hastily written message to Hala read:

[[RETURN TO THE SHIPN NOW]]

[member="Hemmrie the Bum"] [member="Hala Jast"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Hemmrie the Bum"] [member="Vinskk Revamp"]

SPACE

When the message hit her data pad she frowned and glanced down. Despite Hemmeries hair hanging down, she was just fine upside down.

"Thank the void for mag boots."

The King must've been mighty angry to recall them so quick, and as she peered out her viewport and into the bridge she swore she saw a body impact one of the windows. She grinned.

"Oh kark! Hemmrie trainings over for today! Get out the seat man."

She jumped in, and un rolled the craft.

"We got recalled. Gonna have to do this some other time."

And as they flew by the huge guns bristling from the side of the vessel she added.

"Unless you wanna see what one of those does!"

 

[Vinskk Revamp]

A FEW DAYS LATER...
------------------------------------------------

The Black Talon had arrived at Trandosha, landing upon one of the Palace's pads. The crew disembarked first, ready to head out and do what crews normally do when there is free time to be had. Quite a few of the crew complained quietly about the gristle they were detailed to scrape from the firing bays and the hangars, and one Trandoshan in particular was nursing a pretty nasty bruise on the right side of his head, but other than that, all was relatively calm. The King and Free-Eyes were the last to disembark, followed by the two Humans, whose stays were running due, particularly to Vinskk.

The King breathed in the hot, humid air of the arboreal planet. It was good to be home. He then pointed a spaded claw to Hala and spoke.

"Lieutenant. We had the decency to call ahead to our mechanics and vendors upon my beautiful planet, and the ship you requested is ready for you. You will find the Headhunter docked in hanger bay B17. Myself or Captain Free-Eyes will be in touch when we have need of your services. For now, I order you to get off my planet with the utmost haste."

"And for you, vagrant." The claw shifted towards Hemmrie. "You had better pray to the Scorekeeper that I do not see-or smell-you ever again. Am I understood? Good. Now leave, before you pollute Trandosha further with your vile stench."

With that said, Vinskk stepped off the ship's ramp and stormed off, two Royal Guards in pursuit. Free-Eyes stuck around, scratching the back of his head.

"Um, in all seriousness, you should probably leave. Oh, before I forget. Here you go. Try not to spend it all at once."

The Gran handed over a purse that contained a thousand credits to Hala. Giving a quick glance to Hemmrie and sighing, he reached into his wallet and handed the bum 50 credits.

"Consider that a payment to leave and never come back."

With that all said and done, Free-Eyes stepped off, probably to go think about how he could salvage his reputation in the eyes of the King.

The ramp to the Black Talon was closed, and several port guards began eyeing the Human duo. It was clear that they needed to leave, time now.

[member="Hala Jast"] [member="Hemmrie the Bum"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Vinskk Revamp"] [member="Hemmrie the Bum"]

And alas they did leave. Hala dragged Hemmrie along and bought him a Starliner ticket to Nar Shaada, since there wasn't enough room in her Scout Fighter for the two of them. When it was cut she turned and handed it off to Hemmrie.

"Here, meet me at Nar Shaada. Shadow Port seven."

That was about it. She turned and slipped her helmet on, letting the seals lock with that familiar hiss. then she mounted her fighter, and ran her preflight checks. The thing was nicer now, save that she still lacked shields, and a navi computer. Whatever else was going on would have to wait. She needed a bit of money first.

"What will you call her?" One of the lizard engineers asked before the canopy closed.

"Hmmm I think...... The Dancing Dervish."

The canopy snapped shut and she grabbed the yoke, firing her thrusters full blast. As she left she tucked the picture of ol Ma and Pa into the Dash and gave it slight touch for good luck.


Then they were gone.