Trouble Is as Trouble Does

[Vega the Chaos Mage]

“Is that so?” The male rhetorically said, emerald eyes shifting from Amara to Vega to see if this fact was true. He'd worked with Vega for a while and not once did she ever confess to a second party accompanying her for such things. She had her knowledge in science and technology, and he knew that. No - there was definitely something else going on. Something that didn't matter to him nevertheless. She got Stygium, and he paid for it. Who accompanied her was nothing of importance so long as she delivered.

The male sat back in his chair and exchanged words to his workers in foreign tongue. Probably something related to the Mandalorians. Vega knew he had ties there. But judging by what they proceeded to do, he must have asked if all the Stygium was there and exactly how much. After exchanging words with his workers a smile smeared across his face before a hand reached under the desk. He proceeded to getting a hand-sized device which he carelessly slid among the table towards the two girls.

“175,000. Spend well, and good day - girls. I'll contact you in the near future for your next job, Vega.” The male threw them a wink before spinning in his chair. Vega nudged Amara's back, edging her to pick it up. “Come - let's get out here.”

[member="Amara No'orabi"]

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Amara reached out and took the device at Vega's prompting and slid it into the most secure pocket of her satchel. She was quiet until they got back to the ship, and then she looked up at Vega.

"175,000. I don't think I've ever seen this many credits in my life," she murmured, holding the device out so that Vega could take it. She was a bit numb with the surprise...she'd be getting a share, and even if she only got a sliver of that 175,000 it would be more money than she ever had in her entire life. Shaking away the thought, she examined Vega's face carefully.

"I don't think he believed me, but I tried," Amara said, running a hand through her hair. "He was...unsettling," she added.

[member="Vega the Chaos Mage"]

 

[Vega the Chaos Mage]

Vega stopped before the threshold of the cockpit and turned to face Amara. The doors sealed upon entry so she didn't have to worry about closing them. Purple hues glanced down at the device stretched out before her in Amara's grasp. Ah, yes. She was supposed to take her share; the digits on the slim rectangular screen of the device still read '175,000'. Vega pulled out her own crediting system and hovered it before the one in Amara's hold. A red light ran up and down the length of both devices in sync with one another while they conversed. "You did fine; he doesn't care about who accompanies me, but it can still drive him to curiosity." Vega calmly replied. Both devices emitted a ring which indicated the credit exchange had been authorised and complete. What once said 175,000 credits on Amara's device now only said 100,000. Vega's read 80,000, but she put it back in her pocket before she herself even took a glance at it. The opposite screen made it self-explanatory the transaction had been complete.

"There's your share. Don't argue with your amount, be it too little or too much. But anyway, perhaps credits aren't flowing through your mind right now. I get the feeling you still have questions you wish to fire my way. I said I'd give you answers, so ask me what you wish. I also get the feeling if I don't answer them and help you I'd be denying both the force and galaxy an opportunity. What lingers on your mind?"

[member="Amara No'orabi"]

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Amara's eyes were huge when she took in the amount on the screen and her hands trembled slightly as she very carefully deposited the device back into her satchel. It would be relatively easy for her to send the credits back to her family once things settled a bit; her mother would be worried about where the money had come from, but it would keep her mother and brothers fed for years to come. "Thank you," Amara nearly whispered, feeling a bit overwhelmed. "I can honestly say that my family will be well fed for a long time."

She pondered over the questions racing through her mind though, biting her lip to keep from speaking before she was sure of what she wanted to ask. "Why did you ask if anyone in my family had been a Jedi?" she finally settled on, her breathing surprisingly steady. Amara had a feeling that Vega was implying something, but she was never one to make assumptions. Jumping to conclusions was foolish, dangerous even, and she wanted to be certain. "Where are the Jedi now if they're still alive?" she tacked on. She had never seen a Jedi, but if what Vega was saying was true, they were out there somewhere. "Why did you leave them?"

[member="Vega the Chaos Mage"]

 

[Vega the Chaos Mage]

Vega gestured her hand towards the cockpit window, signifying her acceptance on the request of the workers outside. From there they moved around her craft to restock the fuel, giving Vega complete focus on Amara and her questions. She sure had some questions she wished to ask, didn't she? To be honest Vega didn't want to answer the latter but she decided she would. Felt like she owed it to Amara now. A sigh escaped the scorched woman as she leant back on the dashboard, folding her arms over her chest. Time to spill some beans.

“Firstly - I asked you whether any of your family were Jedi because you remind me of someone. The way you maneuver about as well; you have the reflexes of a Jedi. It was only logical for me to suspect you carry the same minichlorines as one.” Vega paused and leant forward, patting the seat Amara once sat herself in. She weren't obligated to do so but Vega was just reminding her that it was there. “As for the remnants of the Jedi, they are most definitely out there. Perhaps they remain incognitos because of the hunt for them all still remains. I didn't abandon them; they abandoned me, but in a way it was meant to be. Perhaps loss occurred as a result, but I gained something from that. Something the Jedi were far too blind to see. They saw it as an unnatural side of the force, but they had no idea what resided there.” Vega unfolded one of her arms, hovering her digits before her chin and purple eyes glanced down at the scorched flesh. Amara didn't need to know about that side of the force just yet. The side that coursed through her digits as much as the blood that filled veins. “There are others ways of tampering with the force outside of the Jedi code. The witches of Dathomir taught me of such ways. It's just. . . Exquisite what they could do.”

[member="Amara No'orabi"]

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Amara sank down into the seat when Vega patted it, her eyes locked onto the other woman. She reminded her of someone? "I've always been good at climbing and jumping and such...my mother always chalked it up to me being too stubborn to get hurt when I did stupid things," she smiled, tilting her head to the side a bit.

As Vega continued, Amara's stomach seemed to rise and sink simultaneously. The Jedi were still alive, but they were being hunted. They had abandoned Vega, but it was for the better. The paradoxes seemed to never end, she supposed, and she let her eyes trail to the hand that Vega was so focused on. She hadn't really paid much attention to the woman's skin before now, but looking at it it looked almost...scorched. Amara suppressed a shudder.

"Midichlorians? What are those? And how can these witches use the same power as the Jedi?" There was so much she didn't understand, so much she desired to know, and she felt like Vega held all the answers in the world at that moment.

[member="Vega the Chaos Mage"]

 

[D'vok Windroamer]

"Aaahh Kriff."
Hitch a ride on a ship they said. It would be easy they said. Now D'vok was stuck hiding in a ventilation shaft underneath the two. He overheard what they were saying.
"Dathmiran? why do sith women always have to be dathomiran. And why do dathomirans always hate me?!" He muttered.

 

[Vega the Chaos Mage]

Vega gazed at her fingers, her lips curling into a smile upon hearing the question. Such a curious mind she had, didn't she? It was a good thing, though. To gain knowledge in such a field was most beneficial, even if one couldn't physically make use of it. At least they could acknowledge one of the many wonders this galaxy had to offer. Perhaps what every galaxy had to offer. That was a matter of debate. "They're living organisms that reside within the cells of all living things. The midchlorian count within a living being determines their potential of the force. In other words, the higher the count, the more distinct and powerful the force is within the individual. There was but only one who stood out from the most; he became a legend forever etched in history because his midichlorian count exceeded that which lingered within the Jedi masters of his time. I've listened to stories of its power. Some even say the midichlorians alone can create. . life." Vega went on to say. Her eyes still remained fixed among her digits, gently twitching at her order. But she was just feeling. Feeling the pulse and thumps transpire under her flesh. She had to admit to herself it felt quite amazing.

Her hand soon lowered, however, and purple hues fell upon the girl- Amara. She asked all these questions, and Vega hadn't even asked her one of the most important. "Do you believe in the force? Perhaps it sounds ludicrous; it's not something you can easily believe considering you can't lay eyes upon it as you wish. But I can promise you its out there - in here as well."

[member="Amara No'orabi"]

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Amara felt almost trapped by Vega's gaze; amethyst locked with aquamarine, and the girl almost shivered. There was something intense and age old in those eyes. Did she believe in the Force? She thought about it for a moment. There had been moments in her life, particularly when her life was in danger, where she felt something tugging at her, urging her to jump higher, fall lighter, or move faster than she would've on her own. Stubbornness, a guardian from above, her mother had come up with all sorts of excuses for these strange phenomena that had been scattered throughout Amara's life. It was that same tug in her gut that drew a truthful answer from Amara's lips.

"Yes," she said, voice steady, "I do. There's no other explanation for some of what has happened to me in my life. And...in all honesty, something is telling me that you aren't lying."

[member="Vega the Chaos Mage"]

 

[D'vok Windroamer]

"Kriffkriffkriffkriffkriff!"
There was a wamp rat in the vetilation shaft. D'vok quickly shoo'ed it away, but it made a loud screech as it left.
"Of course. Because my life isn't screwed up enough right now. Now, I have to deal with some sith lady who wants to kill me." D'vok didn't bother whispering now because he knew they knew he was there.

 

[Vega the Chaos Mage]

Once again Vega smiled. Faith and lust did in fact reside in the minds of the young, not swept away by the ignorant teachings of their fellow guardians. Of course there were some denying its existence in fear of the power consuming the child's mind, but others were just damn right reluctant to accept there were things not even they - the guardians, parents, etc - could comprehend. Vega couldn't help but clench her fist in annoyance. Her facial expression remained as calm as ever, though. Once the smile faded, of course.

"Then you must go forward and discover this powerful art, my young girl. There are Jedi still out there who can help you expand your knowledge and feed your lust in its field. Unfortunately I cannot- WILL NOT teach you. Indeed I may have studied and expanded my knowledge just like you are destined to, but the fields of the force I reside in will not be those of your liking. You will come to learn the basics from a Jedi then make your own path-" The Sith paused, throwing herself forward to peer down at the floor beneath her. Something was lingering down there; the noise which erupted below the material made that quite obvious. There were no kinks in her ship, either. She would have come to realise that.

"Did you hear that?"

[member="Amara No'orabi"]
@D'vok Windroamer

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Amara's eyes narrowed curiously when Vega refused to teach her. There was something she wasn't saying, something lingering at the edges of the conversation that made a twinge in Amara's gut form. "How am I supposed to find a Jedi though? Will they even teach me?" she asked, but then that train of thought was effectively derailed as the other woman pointed out the racket coming from below them.

"There's someone down there," Amara growled, stomping hard on the grated paneling. "Stow away?" she suggested.

[member="Vega the Chaos Mage"]

 

[D'vok Windroamer]

"Guess again..." D'vok muttered.

 

[Vega the Chaos Mage]

Vega would have told her to follow her instincts or such, but the sound of another voice other than hers answering Amara's question caught the majority of her attention. Her eyes darted down to the ground beneath her feet where the voice muffled through the material. Someone was on her craft. Someone most certainly not welcome considering they'd been hiding down there, somehow escaping Vega's acknowledgement of their presence. Scorched digits hovered over the metallic hilt strapped to her side; the weapon glided into her grasp via the art of the force. Vega proceeded to flick her wrist, igniting the luminous blade of her weapon. The 'saber flared out of the hilt elegantly, burning its luminosity the same purple shade her eyes possessed. The tip of the weapon glided over the floor, swaying back and forth by Vega's hand in preparation for any possible ambush.

"Amara - you said you don't appreciate the concept of guns, but I suggest you pick up that rifle of mine and keep it pointed towards the ground." She couldn't help but demand the girl to take the weapon. It was for her own safety, whether she liked the weapon or not. "Whoever you are," Vega added, tapping her foot against the cockpit floor. "I suggest you immediately leave this vessel before we're forced to drag you out ourselves."

[member="Amara No'orabi"]

@D'vok Windroamer

 

[D'vok Windroamer]

"Well, In about an hour you'll have a much bigger problem. Namely, Pirates. Now I can help you, but your going to have to promise my personal safety."

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Amara nodded and picked up the rifle. Suddenly the prospect of someone else who potentially had a weapon on the ship was a lot more threatening than her holding a weapon herself. The lightsaber in Vega's hands definitely seemed more appealing, and Amara felt like a fool for having failed to notice its presence before, but she only adjusted her grip and trained the muzzle of the rifle to the source of the voice.

"Like hell we're gonna have pirates, we're not even flying right now!" Amara growled, feeling a bit more courageous now. "The only way we're going to guarantee your safety is if you climb out of there you sleemo, so stop being a coward and come out."

@D'vok Windroamer [member="Vega the Chaos Mage"]

 

[D'vok Windroamer]

"You know pirates can walk, right? And this type of ship is on the bounty boards. You apparently have the same ship as Zaphod the Hutt, and people want him dead. Real bad. Like, two minutes away bad."
D'vok emerged from the ventalation shaft.
"Nice gun. Wanna see mine?"
D'vok unholstered his DL-44 blaster.
"Now, I don't wanna have to shoot a sith and a little girl, and I certainly don't wanna see your heads on vibropikes."

 

[Vega the Chaos Mage]

Vega smirked to this presented courage Amara had to offer. Unfortunately that expression of admiration was quick to fade once the intruder spoke out his speech and revealed himself. The female lifted her blade before herself, directing the tip of the weapon towards to unknown male. For a moment she kept silent, not sure how to respond. She'd never heard of this hutt, so she immediately assumed he was trying to con her out of her vehicle. However, he went on to say the enemy was but only two minutes behind, denying Vega the necessary time to think. She chose to ignore the male for now, turning her head towards a now armed Amara. She was but a young girl; she wasn't even responsible for this craft. If people were intending to seize it, perhaps she shouldn't have been on it during their pursuit.

"Amara. If he's telling the truth then I'd recommend you take your leave from this craft. Stay if you wish, but I would not consider it the best decision. If this vehicle is to be destroyed along with its crew, you shouldn't be among it. Go forth and seek out your Jedi here - on Denon. You were supposed to; you weren't destined to die so appallingly. But it is your path - your decision. I can only show you the doorways. As for you," Vega turned her head towards the male, now displaying his weapon. "Thanks for the warning, but if you were only here for that then I suggest you as well take your leave. I don't wish for aggression in the current moment, but I will cut off your hands if you attempt to kill either us. She is but a young and wise girl. Her ties with this ship are next to none."

[member="Amara No'orabi"]
@D'vok Windroamer

 

[D'vok Windroamer]

"Right. Except... No time."
D'vok fired his blaster at a transdoshian that had snuck up on them both, The seige of the ship had begun.
"FOR THE CARTEL!!!!!" Yelled a rodian, charging at the woman. D'vok shot him in the leg.

 

[Amara No'orabi]

Amara wanted to argue with Vega, but she knew that the older woman was correct. She had no ties to this ship, not really, only a wild adventure and an escape from the sands of Tatooine held her to it. But Vega had proven herself to be a wise ally, perhaps even a friend, and she didn't want to leave her in harm's way. The sudden screaming and blaster fire spurred Amara into action however.

"I'll try and escape the ship, but...contact me when all of this is over. Please. I have a feeling both of us are gonna make it out of this alive, but I'd like to have some form of reassurance," she called out to Vega, gesturing to the console. Vega would know how and where to find her, Amara knew that much to be true.

She gripped the rifle in her hands tightly, and swallowing the disgust that formed in her throat when she thought about using the weapon, she darted from the cabin, shooting down whoever approached her before they could fire their weapons. She knew the damage a blaster bolt could deal to an unprotected body; such an injury had killed her father. She couldn't regret firing the gun though, it was in self defense.

Good luck she thought, hoping Vega would know she was wishing her well, and then she ducked out of the ship and took off towards the center of the city level she was on, disposing of the rifle in a trash heap as quickly as she could.

[member="Vega the Chaos Mage"]