Ask Onderon Higher for Hire

[Chant Sindhu]

City of Iziz, Spaceport ​

Kneeling down next to the right side of her ship Chant wearing large goggles and protective gloves readied a macrofuser in hand. Lifting the tool toward a slightly damaged panel she activated the former. Sparks flew and forth as Chant held the fuser in the targeted area. Nearly a minute later the pilot turned off the tool and called her astromech on the commlink.

“Alright Ness I believe it’s fixed. How are things up in the cockpit?”

Immediately the Mon Calamari heard her metal partner fired back in droidspeak. Wincing in reaction Chant Sindhu rubbed her forehead and murmured. “Just our luck.” Well it could be worse she concluded.

“Hey don’t put your circuits in a twist sister. We'll be done soon I promise.”

Ness acknowledged Chant’s reply then went to work on the systems. Standing up the pilot sighed. Legimage jobs had been harder to come by recently. The speeder races kinda pay the finances but not always. Plenty of flyers would at this point resort to spice running or such. Chant scowled at the thought and spit on the hanger floor.

I sooner kiss a Wookiee. She silently told herself.

@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

Jendu Gash hurriedly walked through the Iziz spaceport, a hopeful smile on his face. He'd been to the spaceport before but now everything felt new and different. A mixture of excitement and anxiety clutched his chest as he made his way towards the landing pad where a ship captain was reportedly ferrying paying travellers off world. Part of him felt a pang of guilt for leaving his father and brother behind, but there was nothing left for him on Onderon. He had to see the galaxy.

Besides, his father had given Jendu his blessing in the form of a lump sum of credits and some basic supplies. At least, that was the closest thing to a blessing he could ever hope to receive from his father. The turbolift he rode in came to a halt with a mechanical rumble and he shuffled out with a handful of other passengers onto a spacious landing pad. He was looking for a Mon Calamari woman, Chant... Chant Sindhu? Jendu struggled to remember the pilot's name, recalling the rushed conversation he'd had with one of the staff members he'd passed on his way here. He could, however, remember the type of ship he was looking for. A quad five. Jendu was familiar with a lot of the more common ship types the galaxy had to offer, having had something of a fascination with them as a child.

Scanning the hangar, he eventually locked eyes with the hull of a 5-555 Express Courier. The prospect of owning his own ship one day briefly crossed his mind, more of a dream than a realistic goal. He wandered towards the ship, spotting Chant working at something on the ship's exterior. Jendu couldn't help but feel as if he stuck out like a sore thumb just by his anxious demeanour that he struggled to disguise. "Hello?! Captain Sindhu?" The Duros asked Chant with a raised voice over the cacophony of the hangar. "I'd like to buy passage off world!" He continued with an uncertain half smile.

 

[Chant Sindhu]

Just as Chant was about to call it quits when she heard a voice called out to her from behind. Not many people call her captain. She turned her head and lifted the goggles off her eyes to get a better look of who it was. A young Duros in traveling attire with a slight nervous demeanor.

Raising one eye in silent question at the fellow before stating he wanted to buy passage. Meaning that Chant is being offered a job. By the tides! Guess my luck isn’t so bad after all. The pilot silently exclaimed while maintaining a neutral expression not to give anything away yet.

Of course in the back of her mind a new thought, examining the Duros up and down. Can this guy really afford it? Removing the gloves and placing them in her left armpit Chant subsequently said.

“I see. Who might you be and how do you know my name?”

@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

The Mon Calamari maintained a fairly neutral expression whilst she considered her response that made it hard for Jendu to read her. "I'm Jendu Gash, Captain Sindhu. There was a human near the entrance that told me you were taking passengers? I think he worked here." Jendu said tentatively in response, hoping he hadn't been lied to.

It occurred to the Duros that he had absolutely no destination in mind. In a way, it was a freeing feeling. He had no idea how he was going to make his money, or where he was going to end up, but as long as he was alive and free none of that seemed to matter anymore. Onderon had been a good home to him, but ever since his mother left it just hadn't been quite the same. Jendu was glad to finally be getting the chance to see the galaxy. Maybe he'd even drop in on Azel.

 

[Chant Sindhu]

Nodding at the explanation Chant commented. “Sounds about right. I can take passengers but only a few at a time.” Subsequently the pilot proceeded to glance back at her ship, allowing herself a small grin. It had been her home more or less since leaving Naboo behind.

Suppressing homesickness that threatened to resurface Chant turned back to Jendu. The Duros seemed to be set on going off the world. No doubt I’m his cheapest option right now. Fares from passenger transports had gotten pretty steep as of late. Knowing that she remarked.

“Well Mister Gash I think there is a possibility that we may come to an arrangement.”

Before the would-be traveler could reply Chant raised her right hand.

“However, we need to discuss the details first and I’m starving to be honest. There is a nice diner just across the street from this hangar where we can negotiate. Are you fine with that?”


@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

This captain seemed friendly enough and willing to negotiate. A promising start to Jendu's adventure, he thought. He'd heard stories of the law-dodging, spice-smuggling scoundrels that flew between spaceports and counted himself lucky to not have met one of them yet.

Maybe this would be a chance to practice a bit of bartering, something he'd never really had to do before. Money was hardly tight but his parents had always raised him to save where you can and he didn't plan on ignoring this tradition now. "Sure, I could do with something to eat too." Jendu said with a more relaxed smile. He gestured towards the hangar's exterior with his hand, indicating for Chant to lead the way. "After you, captain."

 

[Chant Sindhu]

So far Chant’s gut was telling her this fellow was sincere. She would hate to be proven wrong. The Mon Calamari pilot subsequently said. “Good. Give me a few seconds.”

Walking up the ramp she placed her goggles and work gloves on a nearby table. “Ness stay with the ship and make sure to lock up until I come back.” Chant called out to her companion still up in the cockpit. Whistling an affirmative the astromech carried on with her work.

Done Chant exited the vessel and gestured for Jendu Gash to follow her.

Ten minutes later...​

The two would enter the small dinner. Inside it was filled with a dozen or so patrons scattered in different booths lined up in the wall while a few droid servers rolled back and forth. Chant sat down in the closest booth, the entrance from the left side. Immediately one of the robotic waitresses approached her and Jendu.

“Welcome to Dalgo Den. How may I take your order?”

Scratching her shoulder in brief thought Chant replied.

“A shawda club sandwich for me and meiloorun juice as my drink. Also I’ll pay for whatever my associate here wants.”

The droid rotated her metal head toward Jendu.

“What would you like honey?”

@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

Jendu smiled a bittersweet smile as they approached Dalgo Den. He'd been here a few times as a child. It had always been his mother's favourite place to eat when they'd visited Iziz and it seemed like fate didn't want him to forget. Sitting down opposite Chant, he waiting for the waitress to address him. "I'll have some Ithorian Water and..." Jendu paused as he glanced past the waitress in front of him at the menu behind the counter. "Do you still do those burgers with the saltnut butter?" He asked. "We sure do! The Jamexi Burger is a speciality." The droid replied with barely a pause. A nostalgic grin spread across the Duros' face as he replied. "I'll have one of those then too."

"Thanks for offering to pay, Captain. You really didn't have to." Jendu said as he turned back to the Mon Calamari. He had more than enough of his father's money to afford to splash out on a meal like this. "Now we're down to business, I guess." He continued with a momentary raising of his brow. "How much do you charge?"

 

[Chant Sindhu]

Chant couldn’t help but notice that Jendu seemed to be familiar with this establishment upon asking the waitress if they still had a specific type of burger. Probably a local boy. The pilot considered. It wasn’t too surprising given her own background.

Upon being thanked Chant shrugged her shoulders. “You’re a potential client. The last thing I need is for you to spend credits on a meal that could be paying for my services instead.”

While the server droid rolled off to carry out their orders the two began negotiations. After the Duros started, Chant leaned back with her arms across the chest. Subsequently she answered.

“It depends on how much you are willing or able to pay Mister Gash.” The pilot paused and examined Jendu’s attire again. “I try to be fair as much as possible with my clients as long as they do the same. But no mistake I am not running a charity.”

@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

"Well, Captain, I don't really have a destination in mind, so I'd really just be paying to follow you wherever you're going, right?" Jendu started, waving vague gestures with his hands as he often did when trying to convince someone of something. "So, uh... How about 50 credits?" He said with a slightly raised brow. Jendu knew he was low-balling it with that price and he assumed Chant would realise that. But hey, if we could skim a few credits off the top every now and then he wasn't going to complain.

It was true that he had no idea where he was going. So far Jendu's plan amounted to leaving Onderon and finding something to do. The Duros didn't know where this would be, or what it would be either.

 

[Chant Sindhu]

Chant tilted her head, looking at the Duros as if he had just turned into a human. For several seconds she did not utter a single word. Suddenly a chuckle escaped her before replying.

“So let me get this straight. You want to leave Onderon but have no particular destination and to pay for all that with fifty credits?”

Just saying that out loud caused Chant to shake her head in disbelief. “I wasn’t born this morning Mr. Gash. What you’re offering wouldn’t cover fuel expenses.”

Soon enough the droid brought their drinks to them on a tray and said. “Your food will be coming up in a few minutes.” The bot said handing them each their beverage and rolled away. Taking a sip of her meiloorun juice Chant then leaned a little forward and continued.

“I figure you’re bargaining with me so I’ll play. One hundred fifteen credits.”

@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

Jendu's heart sank slightly as Chant reacted to his offer. The last thing he wanted was to offend the first person he'd be spending any time with after leaving home. "Haha, yeah, you can't fault me for trying though..." Jendu replied awkwardly, sipping his Ithorian Water. The cloudy grey solution didn't look particularly appetising at first, but despite its appearance it was a surprisingly sweet drink. “I figure you’re bargaining with me so I’ll play. One hundred fifteen credits.” Chant said to Jendu with a subtle lean.

"I can do you one hundred and five?" Jendu said cautiously, the uncertainty audible in his voice. He absentmindedly fiddled with one of the clasps on his jacket as he waited for a response. Hopefully that would be a suitable compromise.

 

[Chant Sindhu]

Clearly Jendu was not used to deal-making by himself. Or so Chant thought. She wasn’t trying to be harsh but the Mon Calamari had a living to make. Her potential client offered a sizable price with the second round of bargaining but he didn’t seem too comfortable with it. Of course in the back of her mind she considered what could be done.

Drinking a little more of the juice Chant let out a soft sigh. It was good stuff. Placing the glass back down on the table the pilot resumed the conversation. “Mr. Gash I appreciate your new offer but here some advice.”

Pausing for a moment she sighed.

“If you’re going to travel the stars ya need to show some more confidence especially in negotiations like this. Otherwise you’ve make yourself a target for people with less of a conscience.”

Letting those words sink in Chant Sindhu added.

“That being said I’m willing to lower the price to eighty credits.” Raising her right hand to show she was still speaking.

“Yet, there is one condition to that offer Mr. Gash. You will have to temporarily work with me and Ness for a few rotations or a week onboard the ship at least until we reach a suitable destination. One agreed upon between both of us. Whatever we make on the way payment wise I’ll split evenly with ya?”

@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

Jendu listened to Chant's advice and proposition, nodding in agreement every now and then. It was obvious that he wasn't playing the part of a seasoned traveller very well. After she had finished he let out a short sigh of relief, sitting in consideration for a while before their waitress droid rolled back over. "Here's your food. Enjoy!" The droid said in a cheerful tone, placing a hearty, appetising sandwich in front of Chant and a tasty looking, if eccentric, burger in front of Jendu. His appetite had faded a little as the nerves had got to him, but the plate of food that lay before him returned his hunger.

"Thank you, Captain Sindhu. It's nice to see what they say about some ship captains isn't always true." Jendu said with a sincere voice. He seized his burger with both hands and took an impressive bite, his love of food momentarily overpowering any sense of professionalism he was maintaining. "I'll take your offer- but I'll pay you one hundred." The Duros said between mouthfuls of food. "Call it a professional courtesy, right?"

 

[Chant Sindhu]

Chant’s attention was taken away as the server droid returned with their food. A genuine smile surfaced on her face, beholding the sandwich. “Thanks.” The pilot said to the metal waitress.

At Jendu’s words she shrugged her shoulders and said. “Have to make a living but doesn't mean I have to be a Hutt about it.” A short chuckle escaped her at the comparison. Of course she was well aware of what the Duros was referring to. There were a number of ship captains would sell their own mothers for a quick profit but she wasn’t one of them.

Without waiting further she chomped down on the sandwich, taking a good bit. Chewing with delight, the Mon Calamari heard her new client said next. The would-be adventurer sounded sincere about this latest price. He is learning I’ll admit. The former fighter pilot thought with newfound respect.

Making sure to swallow what was just eaten Chant then said. “You got yourself a deal Mr. Gash. Now excuse me I got a meal to finish.” With that she resume eating.

________________________________________________________

Thirty minutes later...​

After the duo finished their meals Chant Sindhu returned to the hangar and called her droid partner as she walked. “Ness we’re in business, open the ramp.” Hearing excited beeping on the other end the ship’s ramp came down. The freelancer walked up heading into her ship, gesturing for Jendu Gash to follow.


@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

Stomach full from a hearty lunch, Jendu followed Chant back to her ship. As the ramp of the quad five lowered itself Jendu's inner ship enthusiast began to awaken itself. Despite his interest in them, Jendu had rarely had the chance to fly on any during his upbringing. Some of the nervousness that had tied up his chest had faded over their meal in the diner and he felt even more at ease now with the distraction of a real spaceflight ahead of him. "This is a nice ship, Captain. I bet she can really get through some megalights when she needs to. Does she have a name?" He asked with an enthusiastic smile. In the back of his head, Jendu wondered whether it was actually customary to call Chant "Captain", or if that was just something he'd picked up from his father's privileged friends.

Glancing out into the hangar, Jendu did a double take. For a moment he thought he'd seen the familiar figure of his younger brother Diku wandering amongst the ships. On second glance he saw no such thing but the Duros stood staring out onto the hangar for a moment longer in confusion. A pang of guilt struck him, the prospect of leaving his father and brother alone feeling more unfair than it had done before. With a sigh and a noticeably less cheery expression Jendu turned back towards the ship's interior and continued following Chant.

 

[Chant Sindhu]

​

Despite the short absence Chant Sindhu felt good to be onboard again. The Theta was more than a ship it was her and Ness’ home no matter where they flew next. At Jendu’s comment the pilot smirked in amusement. “Oh she certainly does.”

Asked about the name she paused before answering while rubbing one of the durasteel walls. “This sweetheart is called Theta. Before you ask I choose the name because it sounds cool.”

Not entirely true but Chant wasn’t going to share the true inspiration. Looking away to make sure the Duros didn’t see her become more sullen with closed eyes and biting her lips.

Last thing I need is to tell him that story. It’s too damn personal.

To get her mind off of it Chant called out to Ness still up in the cockpit. “Ness are we all set?” The droid behind the door replied loudly in droidspeak that she needed a few more minutes and some assistance. Nodding in understanding she turned back to Jendu who finally came onboard.

Pointing with her right hand to another door on the left hand side.

“Your room is there Mr, Gash, feel free to set your stuff inside. Me and Ness have to make some final preparations. Join us in the cockpit when you’re available.”

Without further word Chant headed for the cockpit and it’s door slid open and closed shortly after she entered. As for Jendu if he choose to go to his new room the Duros would find a two bunk room mostly spartan in style.

@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

"Thank you, Captain. I won't be too long." Jendu said, forcing himself to look more cheerful once again. Entering into the well furnished but admittedly utilitarian bunk room he undid the clasps holding his rucksack onto his bag and set it down next to the bunk. This was a lot less luxurious than he was used to. But luxury was overrated. Having been surrounded by it his whole life, Jendu had become numb to the pleasures of a high class lifestyle. According to him the most fun to be had from now on was through adventure. Not wanting to waste time unpacking his things just yet, the Duros hurried back towards the cockpit.

An R-6 series astromech beeped away to itself as Jendu entered the cockpit of Theta. "Hey there." He said to the droid before turning to address Chant. "So, I've got work to do?" Jendu asked with a grin.

 

[Chant Sindhu]

Ness inside the droid socket twisted her dome head to look at Jendu and responded to his greeting with a friendly whistle. Then she immediately went back to work checking systems and updating progress to Chant in the pilot seat. So far, so good. Hopefully it will stay that way.

To answer the Duros’ question, Chant answered without even looking back. “For now take a seat and enjoy the show. Trust me you will have plenty of opportunities to earn your keep.”

Having nothing more to add the freelancer flipped a switch, bringing the engines slowly to life with a loud whine-like noise. Subsequently Chant Sindhu turned on one of the control buttons and the ship lifted up, while concealing its landing gear. Without further ado she pressed the ship forward with both hands at the controls.

The quad courtier swiftly flew out of the hangar bay and away from the houses and towers of ancient Iziz. Within minutes the Theta increasing its speed ascended into the clouds above with engines shouting out. With great vibration the vessel broke out of the atmosphere and soon after the party inside the cockpit viewed the stars.

Ness beeped a report about the hyperspace calculations and Chant up in front gave a quick nod. “That’s a good girl. Alright folks here we go.” Lifting the hyperspace lever forward and the ship with a final roar jump to lightspeed.

@Headastator

 

[Jendu Gash]

As Jendu sat down in the cockpit, nodding at Chant's comment with a nervous anticipation washing over him. He'd never been off world before and it had just occurring to him that he wasn't used to flying. The Duros dug his fingers in to the arms of the flight seat as the ship lurched forwards, getting faster and faster as it rose through the atmosphere. His stomach cried out in protest as the clouds flew past the cockpit at an alarming rate, but all of his worries abruptly melted away as they broke Onderon's upper atmosphere and the stars were revealed. Almost immediately Jendu let out a shocked gasp.

A vast, unending void stretched out across the windows of the cockpit. The absolutely dizzying array of lights that arced across Jendu's view made him involuntarily lean forward in his chair, staring out at the stars with an expression of childlike wonder. It was both beautiful and terrifying. "By the- by the force. It's amazing." Jendu managed to stutter out. He'd always heard what a sight the galaxy was from the cockpit of a ship, but only now did he truly understand. Chant said something in response to the droid's beeping, but Jendu was too focused on the view before him to listen. Home was behind him now and he could practically see his future lay out before him. He wanted to chase this feeling of amazement and wonder until the day he died.

The stars stretched out in front of the ship as the hyperdrive engaged with a rallying cry, then they were gone.

end thread