Private Their Path to History is Paved with Salvation

[KitKatt]

Location: Corellia
Objective: Hire a Flyboy and Find A Planet
Title Song: Click
Tags: Liam Sedaire

"Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."​

- The Princess Bride​

---

Katarine woke suddenly and sat up. She had been dreaming about a long rocky tunnel for months, but the dream had never been so clear. She was panting as if she really had run the length of the tunnel, but even as she tried to remember the dream it began to fade. It was as if the Force was calling her to this unknown place. She buried her face in her hand and tried to remember the details, but only one thing stuck out.

Map coordinates.​

One Week Latter: Corellia

Katarine was sitting at a local Corellian bar called The Fire Swamp. It was sort of a dive but she wasn't really concerned with the aesthetics. Katarine needed a good pilot and guide and she knew the best pilots in the galaxy were on Corellia. All she had to do was find one that was willing to risk their neck for credits, didn't mind a little rock climbing, and wasn't afraid of an adventure. Sounded pretty Corellian to her. She had put the word out that she was looking for someone to help on a mission to explore a planet. She needed someone to take her there, and then help her explore a cave, before bringing her back to Corellia. The pay was pretty good and half would be given up front. The other half would be paid when she returned to Corellia.

Assuming they made it back alive of course.

 

[Liam Sedaire]

"So don't gamble if you don't like losing. Not my fault you have the pokerface of a twi'lek!"

The roar from the crowd was appreciative, and the duros arguing the outcome of the hand of sabaac reached for a blaster. If a man could be called a whorl of motion, that was Liam. A knife appeared in his hand, threading and dancing between fingers as the smirking young man spun it about and slammed it butt first in his left hand, causing the duros to gasp in pain and drop the holdout blaster over the table, and suddenly gulp as a pistol was placed against his own temple, cold durasteel right to it.

"Now, we'll just say you were tossing that onto the pot in purpose and we can play another hand OR.... You can admit you just tried to killed me, and I can splatter this poor lady to your right with what little brain matter is in your thick skull, eh?"

His eyes were fire and defiance, filled with the immortality of youth and the confidence of a man who had proven time and again a mysterious nature that was almost bulletproof. Suddenly he felt Katarine Ryiah walk in and a sly smile split his face, and reading the hesitation in his foe correct he clubbed him in the back of the head with the butt of the CorSec made fighting knife and dropped him to the table and began collecting his winnings, blaster first. Apologies were issued as he stepped out of the game with far more money than he came in with, and walked over to the new arrival at the bar holding up two fingers.

"Selonian rum and whatever she's having. The duros focused on her long enough I got the drop in an ugly situation."

Theme

 

[KitKatt]

Location: Corellia
Objective: Hire a Flyboy and Find A Planet
Title Song: Click
Tags: Liam Sedaire

"Life is pain, Highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something."​

- The Princess Bride​

---

"Selonian rum and whatever she's having. The duros focused on her long enough I got the drop in an ugly situation."

Katarine glanced sideways at the man and felt a smile curl her lips. Judging by what she had just witnessed he might be exactly what she was looking for, plus he was handsome so the mission wouldn't be completely dull. If she could convince him to join her that is. He might prefer to stick to card games.

"Well I'm happy to be of service. The first one's free. The next time I charge."

She grinned as the bartender brought her another Tatooine Sunrise. She took a sip and then settled her deep green eyes on the man next to her.

"So is this what you do for a living? Play games of chance and teach sore losers a lesson?"

 

[Liam Sedaire]

"Hardly. I'm a pilot and ship racer. I ran the Deep Core Dash and more. Don't always win, but most the Core knows the 'Coffin. Though maybe we'd take my freighter instead of a single seater, unless that's your style."

A sly grin as he tasted the rum and nodded. Good, and authentic. He paid for the drinks with credits, and gave the bartender a generous tip that wasn't exactly showing off but wasn't being humble about the UCs and credits he had to spare. She was cute, and it sounded like there might be a job in it. Might as well throw some weight around to see.

"As for your price, that's not my style. I prefer to earn my stripes than pay for luxury."

Another sip of rum, another snarly snark of a grin and he nodded to her.

Katarine Ryiah

 

[KitKatt]

He sounded exactly like what she was looking for, a pilot who wasn’t afraid of danger and who could put up with her extremely impish nature.

“I do happen to have an opportunity where you can earn some stripes, and some credits if you are interested Flash.”

The nickname came easy off her lips, since he was a racer and liked to tip big. Flashy, classy, cute, she better not get in over her head with this one.

“I am planning a trip to the outer rim and looking for a pilot but also perhaps a guide of sorts. There will be some rock climbing, some abandoned ruin exploration, maybe some risk your neck moments, some camping, roasted marshmallows of course. I am not certain what all I will find but I am looking for someone to accompany me and see what kind of trouble we may be able to get into.”

She smiled at him over the brim of her glass.

“The freighter might be perfect for this job, though a single seater certainly has its merits.”

She winked at him and took a long sip of her drink, enjoying the sweet flavor that masked the alcohol so well. Despite her playful flirting behavior the mission was dangerous and she wanted to make sure whomever she hired was up for the unknown.

“I can pay extra for each risk your life moment. There may even be some gamblers to set straight.”

Liam Sedaire

 

[Liam Sedaire]

"You got yourself a ship and a pilot, m'lady"

A mock tug of an invisible hate greeted the Jedi, and he smiled. He was not his father, but he knew enough of the Force to sense her and her strength, and he smiled. It was genuine, and rueful.

"Just don't expect me to follow any Code. I do what needs doin, when it needs it. But I'll respect your scruples as much as I can..."

Downing the rum, he ordered again. This time it was a drink his father had introduced him to when the aging Jedi had come to claim him. Absinte Aing-Tii. A mild hallucinogenic and a helluva brew. It also was rumored to mildly enhance Force senses. He poured two shots and slid her one of the silvery glowing blue-green liquid.

"To risky life moments and straight-arrow gamblers, eh?"

Katarine Ryiah

 

[KitKatt]

"Just don't expect me to follow any Code. I do what needs doin, when it needs it. But I'll respect your scruples as much as I can..."

Katarine looked at him quizically for a second and then noticed the very tip of her lightsaber hilt was visible. He was perceptive. She smiled, impressed, but shifted her weight to hide her weapon once more. Not everybody liked Jedi in their establishments and they didn't need any trouble.

“The code is more what you'd call guidelines than actual rules.”

She smiled, remembering that line from a particularly entertaining holo film, but then grabbed the drink he offered.

“Cheers.” She had never tasted anything like it before. She felt her head spin a little and closed her eyes. Drinking was all a part of the game when you needed this particular brand of pilot but Katarine was a light weight. Or maybe that particular drink had some odd properties?

She sat the shot glass down and pulled out her datapad, pleased to see her message to a local supplier had been returned.

“Well Flash if you are ready to get started I know where we can get supplies. A local guy, names Sharv. He seems to have the rock climbing gear we need.”

Liam Sedaire

 

[Liam Sedaire]

Theme

Nodding, he smiled and watched her stealthily conceal the lightsaber and check her 'pad. He paid the bartender and slid a business card as he looked around the seedy but pleasant (to him) place.

"Tell your boss the mess is on me, send the bill from it there. And if he has work, send a 'wave... I'm for hire, and I don't disappoint."

Keeping up the illusion, since their conversation had been mostly hushed in a loud environment, he threw his arm around Katarine Ryiah and guided her out, creating the illusionary touch on their current reality - his date was a lightweight and he was acting a gentleman to escort her to their next port of call. A grizzled-looking Mandalorian without his helmet on went to make a catchall, but a tall Chiss next to him silenced him with a finger on his hand and a shake of the head. Liam had run several jobs for Liaan'shorr, and it was a sign of respect the Chiss crime lord extended, so he tipped an imaginary hat to him as they stepped out of the cantina into the 'streets' proper.

"Well, where is this Sharv at? Or do we need to let you rest off that last shot a bit? Didn't realize it would hit you harder than a gundark charge..."

The genuine concern seemed to tinge the usual sarcasm and snark, which was still there but softened with the other.

 

[KitKatt]

Katarine snorted and rolled her eyes at his teasing. "Hey now not everybody can keep up with Corellian drinkers. You people really love your alcohol. " She grinned and watched three more people heading into the pub, proving her point for her. She pulled her datapad out from her pocket again to check the address.

"It says here he is in the blue line district. A place where the streets have blue lines. Do you know where that is? I have a speeder around here somewhere if it's a close location."

She looked around and motioned towards an old speeder that had been haphazardly parked. "I borrowed this from a Jawa. I told them I'd drop it off before we left. Of course the little bastard tried to charge me three times what it's worth so I didn't specify how close I'd drop it."

A short speeder ride latter and they were outside a small shop surrounded by other shabby shops. It looked a little like a market place but one where it wouldn't be hard to find some questionably legal goods as well. Sharv as it turned out was a male Rodian who seemed grumpy and preoccupied, but did indeed have rock climbing equipment, a tent, and a few other camping things Kat had ordered. One quick stop to a Jawa compound latter and they were ready to board the ship and begin their journey off the planet. That was where the real fun would start.

Liam Sedaire

 

[Liam Sedaire]

Other than a look at Sharv that showed him what he thought of his prices, Liam remained mostly jokingly distant, keeping an eye out. The Blue Line district has upscale crime, as he was quick to tell his companion. They would cut your throat with a monomolecular blade and pay your funeral expenses, but they would still cut your throat. And in this district, he wasn't yet as well known and respected as he would have liked. So he watched the Jedi's back like a hawk.

Upon dropping the speeder off, he gave the Jawa in question a thermos of caff from his pack. The reaction from the one receiving it was as if he had given him a camtono of aurodium chased beskar. Smiling, and surprisingly, Liam spoke to them in their own language, and somehow came away with a holdout blaster and the money for the speeder back, with the promise of more caff for the Jawa enclave on their next visit.

Chuckling as they walked up the ramp to the Coffin, he gestured to it grandly, cracking a crooked grin.

"Those little fellas are neat, and crazy for caff. Will do about anything for a thermos full. Now, we'll have to ride double for this part, so no funny business. But once onboard the Blue Streak up above the planet you'll have your own room. It's cheaper on docking fees to leave her moored in the asteroid fields and fly down here in the Coffin."

Banging his elbow on the cockpit glass as it stuck opening, he hopped up easily and stood in the cockpit, turning to offer his hand to his charge.

"Trust me, the Coffin here is as reliable as my father..."

Katarine Ryiah

 

[KitKatt]

Katarine was shocked to see the Jawa's go crazy for caf. This was a handy little trick she would have to remember in the future. She followed him to his smaller craft, but stopped dead when he mentioned its name. He was still talking, walking a little head of her.

"You named your ship The Coffin?"

"Trust me, the Coffin here is as reliable as my father..."

She accepted his hand uncertainly.

"Has it ever lived up to it's name?" She knew there were some Corellian spacers who loved their vessels so much they would keep them well past the point of stupidity. It was a rather charming part of the culture, but also one ripe for teasing opportunities.

"Or do you just hope to go down with the ship?"

Liam Sedaire

 

[Liam Sedaire]

"Only for other people."

Tapping the cockpit he indicated almost a dozen kill stripes to it, and other flyboy decorations showing he wasn't all hot air. Just a strong portion of it to go with a younger man's prodigious ability. With a smile, he took her hand and almost like a footman escorting a lady helped her ease into the cockpit alongside him as he pulled the glass down and began flipping switches.

"Now, it coughs and sputters a bit. But I guarantee you, it's one of the fastest in the Galaxy. Just a bit of wiring issues I ain't fixed fully. "

Reaching over her shoulder, he moved a large chunk of her hair behind her ear and slammed a throttle forward. Had said hair been left, she might be missing a chunk of it, as it indeed had to be slammed forward to activate the engines. A whining whirl, sputter, backfire and suddenly a whirring spin and the cobbled-together custom practically ripped the landing moor cable off as it took off at speed enough to throw them both back forcefully into the pilot's seat.

Katarine Ryiah

 

[KitKatt]

Katarine was thrown back in her seat as the ship suddenly lurched forward in a remarkably short time.

“Well that certainly gets the blood pumping.”

The trip to the larger vessel too no time at all considering the speed they were traveling at. Katarine watched as the larger ship loomed into view. She could tell it was heavily modified.

“You Correlians certainly like to customize vessels. It looks pretty slick.”

Liam Sedaire

 

[Liam Sedaire]

Theme | Location: Blue Streak

"A gift from my Uncle, Caladan. He owns Corellian Engineering. He insisted I take something when I left home."

Might as well spill the beans on the family as it stood. He didn't take their money or resources, other than the occasional stipend which went immediately to Underground and Rebellion groups. Liam made it a point to not rely on family money, even though there was plenty of it. He made his own bones, and that had earned him something more than comfort - the respect of his peers.

Docking in the hangar, the Coffin's 'pit slid open easily, and with a surprising strength for one so lithe, Liam adjusted Katarine Ryiah from her seat with him to haul himself up and then turn back to offer her a hand down to the floor.

"There's guest quarters. You'll have your own room, own 'fresher" he said, using an old spacer word for 'bathroom' that somehow sounded more polite.

"The galley is stocked, though mostly Atrisian noodle style dishes. Spicy. And about any sort of leisure and diversion, you could imagine."

A small crooked smile and a wink as he helped her down.

"And a fair few vices at the bar as well. After dinner, we can spin up to the next coordinates, sound good?"

 

[KitKatt]

Correlian Engineering, wow. Kat had never heard of most of the companies in this new strange galaxy, but that one she knew.

She took his hand and followed him onto his freighter and almost did a double take. It looked nothing like any ship she had ever seen. Well this mission certainly wasn't boring so far.

“It’s lovely.”

His mention of coordinates snapped her back to the mission and she nodded. “Its a very small planet in the Unknown Regions. It doesnt even officially have a name, though the people who are from there gave it one. I will leave the flying details to you Flash.”

She smiled at her own private joke. Truthfully Katarine could not fly, at all. She was more dangerous than an old lady with her blinker on.

She turned so her deep green eyes fell on him instead of the ship and a realization occurred.

“Ive just realized I know your ships name but not yours.”

Liam Sedaire

 

[Liam Sedaire]

Theme | Location: Blue Streak - Hallway to the Galley

Nodding, Liam turned from the 'Coffin until the look stopped him halfway. It was the first time he had bothered to do more than glance at her as a customer or Jedi. The lightsaber had shut down the more serious flirtations and snark. She had gotten the true professional side of him there, which was still plenty full of arrogance and sarcasm, but at the very least some more business-like decorum. The few real Jedi, besides his father, that he knew were all that way, so he acted in kind. But she didn't. And those eyes... Force help him, this wasn't going to be a blue milk run as he had planned. This woman knew trouble in and out, and he could tell.

"Liam. Liam Sedaire. And I don't think I know yours either... Miss...?"

He extended his hand in a friendly, if almost awkwardly formal way, mostly hiding the awkward with a crooked grin of mischief.

Katarine Ryiah

 

[KitKatt]

Katarine hid a laugh at his formal handshake. It did not fit him at all and it was amusing to see him try it. She accepted his extended hand with her own and shook, trying to keep her own face straight.

“Katarine Ryiah. It’s a pleasure.”

She bit her lip to try and keep from smiling but it did not work. A grin burst forth and the formal moment was ruined. This was why they didn't let her work with the politicians. Well that and the fact that she hated politicians.

“You can call me Kat.”

Liam Sedaire

 

[Liam Sedaire]

As he shook her hand, he noticed the grin and the bubbled but bit back laughter. With his own grin to match hers, he kissed the back of her hand like a courtier of old and bent into an exaggerated bow, trying to alleviate the awkwardness with suave-ish sarcasm. Standing, his eyes met hers and for a moment he was quiet, just looking at her, rolling over the name and the moment in his mind. He was no Jedi, not like his father. But something in this moment felt different, and he just finally nodded, unsure of what the odd beckoning call, almost a tug, at his gut meant. But sure it meant something.

"Kat. You must have been the one my da warned me about. Pure mischief and all the trouble even a Sedaire could ask for. Are you hungry, or would you like a tour first?"

Katarine Ryiah

 

[KitKatt]

Katarine smiled at his comment. “I will try not to get you into too much trouble. Sadly I doubt this will be a straight forward mission. The planet is … an interesting one.”

Are you hungry, or would you like a tour first?

“Food sounds nice. Does your dad work in engineering like your uncle?”

Liam Sedaire

 

[Liam Sedaire]

Nodding to the request for food, Liam turned to walk her towards the galley and stopped on his heel.

"Does your dad work in engineering like your uncle?"

The question hit him and shook him for a moment. As his mouth worked, words finally came out and the almost pained tone matched the eyes.

"He's... A Jedi... Of sorts. We don't really get along well, though I'm told I look like him in his youth. My mother raised me. He was busy with the wars for Corellia."

Katarine Ryiah