The Run

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

He looked at her, then shrugged. Again, Wes wasn't her father or brother, if she said she could handle herself then he believed her. At this point he didn't really have any other options and although he wanted to say something else he wouldn't.

"I know a few smugglers." He said simply.

Nar Shaddaa was after all the Smugglers Moon, there were hundreds of thousands of them all over the little planetoid, and Wes knew more than a few of them personally. Some he would even call friends, or at the veyr least acquaintances.

"They'll get us where we want to go." He said simply. "Though I want to use at least three of them."

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

Face pulled up into a scowl. It made sense and it wasn't that she didn't trust Wes at this point or appreciate what he was doing. It's just that she had a very bad experience with smugglers on Balmorra - years ago. They were apparently more piratey than smugglery and had wanted to take certain liberties.

She'd shot three of them and for a girl who hated violence - that was a lot and a memory she couldn't easily shake.

Legs pulled up and crossed on the bed. "As long as they're not expecting certain favors, we'll be okay."

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"They expect money." He told her simply.

Though perhaps there were some others who wanted more, the Smugglers he knew and utilized to transport his art wanted one thing and one thing alone; credits. They did the work they did for the money that it brought them, nothing else.

"Usually they smuggle art." He told her as he got dressed. "People won't be that much different."

Not with the ID's he could create.

"Don't worry." Wes said as he buttoned up his shirt.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

"Easy for you to say," she shivered a moment, even though she gripped that warm cup of caf in her hands. "With how progressive this universe has become, being a woman alone is still a whole lot more dangerous than being a man alone. At least, I'd like to hope you've never had to deal with that kind of issue."

Being assaulted was kind of a thing she'd come to expect when growing up in the underworld. It didn't happen ALL the time but it happened enough for her to be wary. And it wasn't that she was the target a lot but she saw others. Those who weren't as well of as herself or who knew how to lie their way out of a sticky situation.

"But it's not important." She took another sip, eyes looking over the rim of the cup to Wes. Even though they got karked last night, she still remembered their promise to each other. They were friends.

"If you trust them. I will too."

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

He raised an eyebrow. Wes of course had no idea what it was like to be a woman on her own, mostly because he was a man, and also because he was hardly ever alone. Even though he had grown up in a casino as a kid he'd never really been isolated.

Oddly enough the gangsters had been quite nice to them. "I trust the credits we're going to give them."

That was simple truth.

"Money." He told her. "Is the best motivator, and I've known these guys for years."

He'd trusted them with cargo worth millions.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She stared at him quietly for a few long moments. Instead of saying anything, she took another sip of caf. "Okay." And like a switch, she flipped to something a little lighter.

"C'mon. Hurry up." Nose crinkled and she grinned. "You smell badly like chlorine from last night so hurry up," hand rose and made the shooing gesture.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

He hurried through the rest of it, the routine eventually coming to a close when he finished packing his suitcase and zipped it up. There was no real hurry to the way he moved, mostly because they still had plenty of time and he figured looking ordinary would help their case.

His hand went rushing over his head.

"Alright." He said finally. "Lets head out."

A part of him was still paranoid, afraid that they would step off the elevator and into a lobby filled with Mercenaries and Rasho's thugs, but he knew that was unrealistic. Despite what had happened to the Countess Empress Teta had a very good security force.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

Eyes swept the room one last time to make sure nothing was left behind. Her suitcase was a little heavier. She didn't take the soap but she did take the bathrobe. Taking a breath, she nodded to Wes. The mask of a happily married couple slipped over her face as she opened the door.

There weren't any incidences as they left the hotel and got into a cab. Still, she couldn't help her eyes dart around a few times. Glancing behind them, she spotted a black speeder. Was it following them?

Maybe she was just being paranoid.

"Yes, we're going to general boarding, thanks," she smiled at the cabbie and took Wes' hand as they zoomed off toward the airport.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

They'd have to switch the reservations, but flights to Nar Shaddaa weren't all that uncommon, or rather flights to Nal Hutta.

The Hutt planet was actually a rather popular destination for people from Empress Teta and the core, mostly because they could use the planet as a sort of staging off point before heading into other recesses of the outer rim. It wasn't too uncommon to go to Nal Hutta and then immediately leave the planet again within the course of an hour or two. It wouldn't appear too strange if they did the same.

"This way, Honey." Wes said as they arrived at the starport. "We have to go to the booking agent."

He told her with a smile.

Without another word he grabbed the suitcases from the back of the speeder.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

"Okay, dear," she called. Whew - she felt a little lightheaded. Fingers came up to pinch the bridge of her nose and after a moment, it passed. She took her bag from Wes and followed him into the busy starport. Taking a subtle glance over her shoulder, she saw a bothan get out from the black speeder from before.

She walked close to the painter and whispered next to him.

"We might have a tail."

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

A frown instantly appeared on his lips.

"Alright." Wes wasn't exactly sure what to do with that information, mostly because...well he had no idea if he'd ever been tailed before but he was pretty certain that he hadn't been. That alone made him more than just a little paranoid. Still he kept it together, his eyes wandering over towards the corner of the room as he mused for a moment.

"Have to exchange the tickets." He told her. "Then we can lose them through security."

Wes said quietly. "Maybe make a scene."

They could do that well enough.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

"A scene won't be a problem," a smile flashed across her face for a brief moment. "Tickets first," she willed herself NOT to look around. She beat Wes to the ticket counter. "Babe, I've got this," she gave him another smile and leaned over the counter, her face instantly becoming distressed as she put on another mask.

"My husband and I just found out he has cancer." Her lip trembled and tears started to well up in her eyes. "We're supposed to be returning home from our honeymoon but-but," a large choking sound in her throat. "he wasn't feeling well and so we took tests. Anyway, there's a specialist on Nar Shadda we have to go to. So - we really need to exchange our tickets. Can you help us? I know it's last minute....and....we can pay the exchange fee...,"

More tears.

The agent at the counter quickly waved a hand, saying they didn't need to pay any fee and it'd take her a minute to find some seats but she didn't think there'd be a problem.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

Wes tried his best to look sick.

That was actually more difficult than one might imagine, mostly because Wes didn't look sickly at all. It was helped slightly by the hangover he was still suffering from, but by and large he actually felt more than a little okay. He'd also never really been sick in his life, not even as a kid.

The germs on Nar Shaddaa had pretty much immunized him against anything that could come at him. Still the ticket agent seemed to buy Alexia's tall tale, and after a few moments of shuffling about on her computer the woman handed over the two new tickets that would allow them to get to Nar Shaddaa. Wes gave the woman a pleased smile, and then slowly the two of them wandered away from the booth.

"Well then." He said quietly.

Now the hard part.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

Palms pushed the water from her eyes. She gulped down one last sniffle. "You're welcome," she slapped his butt lightly with her hand. She owed him a few, obviously. Working like this? It helped to distract her from what they were actually running from.

Cerulean-gaze darted around. Looked like the same two from the speeder still, just lingering on the edge of her vision. Waiting.

She frowned. They were nearing the security entry point. She turned to Wes and whispered. "Sorry in advance."

Just as quickly, her hand would fly toward his face for a loud-smacking SLAP.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU SLEPT WITH ANOTHER WOMAN ON OUR HONEYMOON!"

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"SHE WAS VERY ATTRACTIVE!" He screamed back while rubbing his face. This was at least something that he could do, and almost immediately security swarmed all around them. About half a dozen guards, some with Empress Tetan emblems on their coats and others with Alliance marking wandered up to them. They all looked rather concerned, and most of them seemed to be gravitating towards Alexia, of course taking her side.

"BESIDES." He yelled. "YOU TOLD ME TO!"

There were a few gasps. "IT'S NOT MY FAULT YOU WERE TOO DRUNK TO REMEMBER."

That was believable given her mood last night, not that anyone here would actually know that or even acknowledge it. Of course Security quickly gathered around them, talking them down and quietly leading both Alexia and Wes off to the side somewhere.

Their tail would be hard pressed to follow.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

"I DID NOT! YOU ARE SUCH A LIAR AND A SCUMBAG SCOUNDREL," she ignored the shushing of guards and security as they ushered them closer to security. Just a little bit longer. Just a second. A finger pointed at Wes' chest.

"I SHOULD'VE LISTENED TO MY FATHER WHEN HE TOLD ME NOT TO MARRY YOU!!!" The tails seemed to have disappeared. She flexed her palm at her side. It still stung a bit.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

"YOU DID." Wes yelled back.

Eventually he fumbled around for a few moments and then pulled out his tiny-datapad.

He fiddled with it for a moment,the security guards around them watching as he pulled something up on screen and seemingly retrieved a file of some sort. He showed it to Alexia, but of course when she saw it it would simply read about some nonsense grocery list. It was a signal that it was time to move on and get to the gate.

"See?" He told her. "Proof."

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

It was Wes' browsing history. Huh. Hadn't realized he liked recipe blogs so much. Interesting. Voice lowered and she frowned. "Just whatever. Let's go."

She looked to the guards and held up a hand. "We'll be okay now. Promise." She took Wes hand and lead him toward security. The guards definitely kept an extra eye on the couple until they were safely through without any incidences.

 

[Aela Talith]

[member="Alexia Santiago"]

He let out a breath.

"Alright." Wes told her. "Let's get on that transport before our friends find us again."

The Forger had absolutely no desire to stick around this place and get found out by one of Rasho's goons. Their job was to get off this world and head straight into the nearest...well 'safe' zone, that being their transport ship.

Wes turned on his heel, guiding Alexia forward.

 

[Alexia Santiago]

[member="Wes Spalding"]

She nodded and tucked long strands of hair behind her ears. Security wasn't a problem and they made it to their gate and into their seats without any further incidence. Safety belt snapped over her lap. She had the window seat again and offered the aisle seat to Wes, giving him more leg room.

Shoulders relaxed a bit. They were okay. For now. One step at a time. Palms pressed into the dark wash jeans on her thighs.

"So what buyer do you have in mind at Nar Shadda? Think they won't know about Rasho and these high profile kills related to the painting?"

Voice was low.