We Are Young

[Riamah]

Random planet, random city, not so random street. While the name of the street escaped Ailuros, there was a festival here. So to her it was a street for fun, music and dance. The last two working hand in hand and equally together brought the meaning of fun to her life. She appreciated art in all its forms, but she loved making music and dancing to it.

So she gleefully ran into the almost carnival and promptly got lost in among the crowd. Wandering the street, the six food felinoid was herself and that alone caused some unwanted attention. It wasn't an issue for her not be wearing anything but a belt, but many others either took offense at it or wanted to act on the fact that she was naked.

To her, she wasn't naked since she wore a belt, but a lack of shirt and pants indicated to others she was. Shoving away an admirer, Ailuros walked on. Coming to the end of the street and festival, she went to turn back around and look at the other side of the street when she was shot with something.

Whatever it was made her stumble slightly, get dizzy, her vision swim and down the cat went. Now this was a combat trained Trianni Ranger, former Anterion Ranger and Imperial Agent. That little dart took her down and when she woke up, she was tied up. Twitching her ear ever so slightly, the sounds of the festival wasn't far off. Her mouth wasn't gagged and other than being tied up, there was no physical damage done to her.

No other sounds were around her and she opened her eyes. There were other sleeping forms around her and she assumed maybe they had been captured to be sold as slaves. No guard was inside the room, but there was one door that was probably locked. Whoever had captured her, didn't think of her claws though. Being retractable, she extended them and cut herself out of the ropes the bound her.

Standing up, as quietly as she could, she went and checked on some of the other captives. Most were young like her, both male and female. Different races, but not many humans. Maybe they were meant to be some sort of exotic sale? Tilting her head to the side as she heard some sounds coming from the other side of the door, she stood up and moved closer.

It was the sound of fighting, evidently this location had been discovered and either rescue was on the way or it was another gang of thugs fighting for the prizes locked behind the door.

[member="Wellenn Jones"]

 

[Wellenn Jones]

Wellenn had been enjoying the festival, it might have been amplified by the fact that he was on leave, finally having a few days to recoup after three months of deployment on an Alliance periphery world. Almost anything beat being stuck on those underdeveloped, barely noticed, rocks that surrounded the Alliance. It was nice to be in a civilized place full of people and things to do. But the real show didn't begin until he saw @Ailuros.

A bare naked woman, with the young, toned body of a gymnast. How could any man his age not look? Although he was from the only one gazing, it was Wellenn who had been deprived the most of such content. The life of a junior enlist did not include much recreation in that area, if you know what I mean. Whatever Wellenn had been doing before, he had no memory of it, just of seeing her. For a block his gaze followed her, until she fainted out of the blue, and a man came rushing up to catch her. Now, Wellenn's daze at this woman had stopped, suddenly, he had realized there was something off about the situation. So, Wellenn followed the man, who carried Ailuros like an old friend who had one too many to drink, all the way to an old factory, completely defunct. Wellenn stopped behind a building and peered over, watching as the man made some sort of conversation with two men who were stiffly sitting near a door. Now, Wellenn was sure something wasn't right.

A normal citizen, or even a soldier at that, would have called in the authorities, but Wellenn was a Mandalorian, and as hard as he tried to suppress it, there was always surges of his culture within him. Recognizing his chance, even though still in dress uniform, Wellenn approached the two men, who quickly caught his presence. One looked straight at Wellenn and gestured his head to the side, "Buzz off soldier boy, this ain't no place for you." Wellenn's expression only darkened, and his stride strengthened. The two stood up, and the one who spoke reached for something inside his jacket, a blaster no doubt. But it was too late, Wellenn was in range, and swung his left through this his jaw, kicking him as he fell down. The next one now reached for his own gun, but Wellenn saw him, and was ready. The Verd thrusted his elbow into the second guard's face, lurching the man back as his nose was broken. The first one, still on the ground raised his blaster, but faltered when trying to fire, allowing Wellen to force his hand against the wall, and disarm the guard.

Wellenn smashed the door's control panel, revealing a poorly lit hallways that stunk of Maker know's what. He brandished the weapon he had stolen from the guard, not knowing what these thugs had, nor knowing who they were. Wellenn didn't know where to start, where would they be hiding the woman, were there others? But he decided to try his luck and went down the first passageway to his right. He rolled wrong.

Wellenn was grappled by a thug who had waited in a doorway, he most likely had heard the scuffle outside, but that didn't matter now. Almost immediately the blaster was knocked out of his hand, so he would have to use his fists to get out of this one. Wellen tried making a swing, but the thug dodged it, and struck him across the face, knocking his army cover straight off of his head. Now Wellenn was on his back, facing up at his assailant, Wellenn thrust his knee into the thug's stomach, causing him to lurch back in pain. Wellenn went on the offensive, and threw himself at the thug, trying to get the advantage. The thug hadn't recovered from the blow, and couldn't resist Wellenn's assault. Wellenn did not waste his advantage, and began striking him left and right across the face, trying to break any resistance left in his opponent, but the thug wasn't so easily stopped, and slammed Wellenn's head into the metal wall.

But before the thug could land a final blow, Wellenn grabbed the discarded blaster, now within reach, and struck its butt into the thug's head, knocking him unconscious. Wellenn slumped into the wall behind him, leaning back his head as he took a few deep breathes, trying to recoup. After a few moments, Wellenn stood up, and continued on, feeling sore all over his body. Finally, he reached a door with the title, "Livestock" and he knew what was inside it. But before he could open the door, two armed thugs came around the corner, toting blaster rifles. Immediately, Wellenn threw himself to the ground, squeezing off four shots into their center masses. Both fell to the ground with large thumps, their chests singed from blaster bolts.

Wellenn tried opening the door, but it was locked. For a moment he thought over what he could do to open it. But, he realized an alternative method. Wellenn raised the pistol and aimed it at the control panel, firing a blaster bolt directly into itm and the door opened without a hitch. Much to Wellenn's satisfaction, his view was dominated by a nude Ailuros, surrounded by other young and attractive humanoids. Still wearing his uniform, although a bit bloodied, he announced, "If y'all don't want to become sex slaves for the rest of your natural lives, I suggest you follow me."

 

[Riamah]

Some of the others in the room had started to stir as the battle outside the door continued on. Maybe she had been the first captured or something in her body caused her to wake up before them. Whatever it was it didn't matter to Ailuros. Turning to see who else was awake, she untied them and they started to move to the door as the fight came closer to them.

She held a hand out to try the door, but found it locked and her ears picked up on the sound of blaster on the other side. Pulling her paw back quickly, the bolt came free and a man about her age stood on the other side. He looked like he had been through hell to get to them and suggested they get a move on in following him.

Most of the others that were awake milled about with a small sense of confusion until Ailuros turned around to look at them. Pointing to the others still sleeping, the message was clear they needed to help. Picking up one of the small aliens, the cat looked at Wellenn and her ears perked forward.

"Where do you think we can go? Not sure the authorities will really do anything."

Having moved out of Empire territory, she didn't have a real clue where she was now, if anywhere. That really didn't matter though getting out did and he offered it.

"I'm Ailuros and after we're out, we can do proper introductions."

[member="Wellenn Jones"]

 

[Wellenn Jones]

Wellenn started pushing out those who could walk, and lifted one of the unconscious prisoners on his shoulder, dragging another one. He shouted to the rest, "Lets get going! It won't be long before another one of the guards comes around." But before he left, he gave a toothy grin to [member="Ailuros"] and replied, "I'd like that, Ailuros."

Looking both ways, hoping that the guards hadn't caught up yet, Wellenn motioned to the other prisoners to start moving, as he struggled with the two he carried. The gun was stuffed into his uniform jacket as he tried to move as fast as he could with all the dazed prisoners and the immense weight he carried. Sweat dripped from his brow as he moved, but the determination to free these people, and the occasional glance at Ailuros quite attractive body, kept him going.

For the first two corridors, all went fine, but Wellenn was met with the unpleasant surprise of two thugs several meters down the hallway. Trying to quickly, but softly, drop the bodies, he removed the blaster from his jacket and began squeezing off shots at the thugs. After a brief firefight, and a singed jacket arm, the two thugs finally slouched in pain, taking hits to their center mass. It wasn't long before he picked up the two prisoners again, and finally got out of the facility, several of the former prisoners already out. Wellen dropped the two right outside, where the two thugs he had taken care of before had disappeared, rather than contacting the authorities directly, Wellenn just fired several shots into the air, knowing the local police would see and come. Wellenn finally lied down against the building, exhausted from the action within. But before Wellenn totally spaced out, he spoke to Ailuros, "Also, my name is Wellenn Jones, Private First Class in the Galactic Alliance Defense Forces."

 

[Riamah]

She was still coming out of her drugged state, but was aware enough to know what was needed going out. When she shuffled along with her own burden, she nudged a few of the others to pick up those still sleeping. He said after they got moving he liked the idea of a more formal introduction.

Ailuros assisted him when he was setting down his two captives and allowed him to keep moving forward. She wasn't given the opportunity to assist much with the taking down of the two additional guards in one of the hallways. He had already shot them by the time she and the rest of the captives caught up. Hearing the sound of retching, she just shook her head at the girl doing it.

Helping him pick up and reposition the two he had been carrying before, they continued on their trek out. When the door opened in front of them, a few ran past the two of them, but they did get out safely. Setting both of their burdens down, he sat down and leaned against the wall of the building. He then provided his name and appeared to want to just crash right there and sleep.

The authorities arrived and started taking care of the situation and approached them to ask their questions.

"I think you need to tell them what happened, Wellenn."

[member="Wellenn Jones"]

 

[Wellenn Jones]

Wellenn leaned his head back and exhaled like he was in pain. After being hit up so bad, he just wanted to sleep right there. But, he stood up, and made his way to the official interrogating all of the freed prisoners.

After what felt like days, but was in reality only an hour and a half, Wellenn escaped the mind numbing process of law enforcement. But he came out different then he came in, he was covered in bandages and gauze after a brief stop with the EMTs, and he had his hat returned to him, but he didn't feel like wearing it despite protocol. It would be apt to say he was beat, but he was feeling a little more lively after all the rest, and he was realizing what he did, rescuing a bunch of prisoners, which was starting to feel pretty good.

He spent a few moments trying to find [member="Ailuros"], hoping she had not left in the thick of the authorities, but he was happy to see she had not left. Wellenn approached her slowly , holding his midsection as the adrenaline wore away, but the bruises had stayed. A grin spread across his face as he said, "So Ailuros, you wouldn't happen to be hungry? I saw a nice caf place down the way and after getting, shot, punched, and kicked at, I'm starving."

 

[Riamah]

Through the process of questioning each of the captured people, Ailuros was included among them and waited for Wellenn to wrap up his part of the story. She took a nap after she was done, but was aware of what was going on around her to a certain extent. Not having sustained any damage, she didn't need any bandaging, but was given a blanket to cover up with.

So as Wellenn walked in her direction, he would see the sleeping felinoid laying on the ground at least looking like she was sleeping. A cat nap was just that though and before he spoke, her eyes opened and looked at him. Sitting up and blinking a few times, it took her only another few moments to stand up.

He asked if she was hungry and she noticed he was clutching at his stomach. Showing her a smile though, it was something that made her curious.

"Are you okay? Thanks for the rescue, Wellenn."

Returning that smile, she hoped her long teeth wouldn't scare him off.
​
"I'm almost always hungry."

[member="Wellenn Jones"]

 

[Wellenn Jones]

Although a little taken aback by the fangs [member="Ailuros"] sported, it wouldn't dampen his efforts to mingle with this woman. Walking, hat in hand, he led Ailuros towards the caf place he had seen earlier, every once in a while sneaking a peak at her and her bare body, he couldn't resist. Wellenn didn't mind the stares of others at Ailuros, of course his mind was elsewhere.

Wellenn was glad to arrive at the caf place, feeling like he could use a boost and he was mighty hungry. Wellenn nearly crashed into a table, not watching where he was going, but managed to land softly into the seat. Picking up a menu, he spoke while he read, "What are you doing out here? You don't really seem like a local, nor do you give me the impression you are an Alliance citizen."

 

[Riamah]

Since leaving her home, Ailuros had been subjected to many people looking at her. She had always assumed it was because of her not being human and didn't think any more on it. Her teeth really weren't too much longer than that of a human, but they were sharper and made her speak with a slight lisp.

After walking a few minutes, they made it to the café and they sat down. Assuming Wellenn was still recovering from being beat up and then any drugs he might have been, the fact he almost stumbled into the table didn't bother her. Also picking up a menu, she quickly decided what she was going to eat and waited for him to decide.

He asked what she was doing as she certainly wasn't a local and didn't appear to be a part of the Alliance.

"I'm exploring. Simple as that. I come from Trian and my people want to know more about the galaxy and the rulers of it. So when I left, I spent some time with the Silver Jedi as a Ranger and then the Empire as one of their agents. Now I'm here looking around and learning. What are you?"

A very broad question, b​ut not meant in a bad way.

"I can tell you're human, so you don't need to tell me that."

[member="Wellenn Jones"]

 

[Wellenn Jones]

Wellenn smiled genuinely as she talked, thinking about what she told him. Trian, he had never heard of the world, but there were many worlds he hadn't heard of, raising no alarms with him. Although a soldier like him should have been alerted by her former employment with the Empire, he was fascinated how someone could go from fighting with the elite police of the Silver Jedi, to being an intelligence officer within the Empire. All the while exploring a galaxy totally foreign to her, it almost made Wellenn envious.

Wellenn answered here question within a snap, "Oh, I'm just an enlisted infantryman within the Alliance Defense Force, however I'm thinking of becoming a gun for hire once my enlistment ends, explore the galaxy, do something different."

As he waited for a waiter to come and ask for their requests, Wellenn struggled to maintain eye contact, the appeal of a woman's breasts too strong for him. He thanked his lucky stars the waiter arrived, although a little surprised at [member="Ailuros"]' bare appearance. Wellenn smiled towards the server and asked, "Could I please have a Caf, black, and a Nerf beef sandwich." Wellenn turned towards Ailuros, "I'm buying, so get whatever you want."

 

[Riamah]

When he mentioned he was an infantryman and in the defense for, it brought up a memory of a time within the Empire. They had set out to invaded Ossus and even though she had not been the one to order the assault or pull the trigger, she had witnessed just what war did. She had recently left the Silver Jedi and in that invasion had been fighting them.

Those people that had once been friends were at that time enemies. She was armed forces though and followed orders. Her orders had been to take out one of the shields that protected the cities. In her flight that day, Ailuros had fired the lasers of her ship at the Jedi's troops, lost men of her own and killed some of theirs.

Wellenn mentioned he was thinking about being a gun for hire once his term within the force ended, she nodded. It was a desire the cat understood completely and one she shared.

"Exploring is great! I've learned so much stuff about different peoples, cultures and governments."

When the server walked up to take their order, the felinoid didn't think of the surprise the server had as their order was taken. Nor did she notice Wellenn couldn't clearly maintain eye contact with her. Placing her order, she looked across at her rescuer and gave him a small smile, but kept her teeth hidden.

[member="Wellenn Jones"]

 

[Wellenn Jones]

While [member="Ailuros"] gave her order, Wellenn gave in and take a good glance at her chest, getting it out of his system before he replied again. Oh he hoped this would go somewhere tonight. After listening to what Ailuros said, Wellenn replied delighted,

"You make it sound so fun, I cannot wait to go."

Wellenn thought of a new question to ask Ailuros, having just popped into his mind,

"So, have you made any friends while crossing the galaxy?"

 

[Riamah]

His obvious and open look he had at her torso went unnoticed by Ailuros and she didn't think on it. What she wore or didn't wear was natural to her people, even though she was aware some people frowned on it, she didn't care. When he said she made her adventures sound fun, she shrugged her shoulders slightly and one of her ears tilted slightly like it wasn't a big deal.

"How much more time do you have in your enlistment?"

That ear turned back to face Wellenn and she waited on his answer. He then asked if she had made any friend in her travels and shook her head.

"Well, maybe one. Not sure if he could be considered a friend, but he made my sword for me and I spent some time with him and his people. Then there was a woman within the Silver Rangers I could have been friends with, but that was a while ago and I'm not sure if she remembers me."

[member="Wellenn Jones"]

 

[Wellenn Jones]

Wellenn leaned back and thought for a moment, trying to remember the answer to [member="Ailuros"]' answer. He leaned forward and spoke sourly, eagerly awaiting his freedom from the GADF,

"In a few months I'll be out, ready to leave Alliance space and do something interesting for a change."

Wellenn almost laughed when Ailuros gave him the answer to Wellenn's question,

"You've traveled the galaxy, and you've barely made a single friend? Talk about anti-social."

Finally the waitress arrived with what they ordered, for which Wellenn thanked her for. After taking a long sip of his very hot Caf, he spoke again,

"I just find it so hard to believe that you haven't made any friends in your journey so far."

 

[Riamah]

"I think I've gotten lucky and not ever to sign up for a certain amount of time outside of when I was training with my people. Even my mission from them isn't for a certain time, but until I've learned as much as I can. Then I can return home."

An almost look of offence crossed her features when Wellenn almost laughed at her.

"I'm a cat and loyalty doesn't come easy. Passing interest and then gone. No opportunity to make friends. Who wants to be friends with somebody that is almost always on the move or curious about everything?"

Shrugging her shoulders lightly, Ailuros did not see anything wrong with how she was. Not seeing any fault, she didn't feel the need to change.

[member="Wellenn Jones"]