Let's Get Down to Business // (To Defeat, the Huns)

[Soup]

Another day in the life of Xel. He was piloting his enormous PCHF-3 heavy freighter with his latest and only crew member Jicelli. Not too long ago they had visited the planet of Seren Tywyll in a failed attempt to win the government over to the side of the Kjlljk Protectorate. Now the two had no particular place to be, like usual. Xel had set a course for the planet of Corellia, a grand, bustling planet similar in popularity to Coruscant. Xel had his typical clothing line up on as usual; cargo pants, turtle neck, boots, and all of them being black. His hair was in the usual ponytail and parted bangs. As he made the jump to hyperspace, Xel leaned back in his chair and stretched.

Xel had only been to Corellia a few times in his lifetime, but he quite enjoyed the visits. The city enviornment felt quite happy to Xel in Corellia, unlike Coruscant. Xel then looked over to Jicelli who sat in the chair to the right of him and spoke.

"So Jice, when is it that you plan on going on your own, if you ever want to. I'm not trying to push you to do anything, I'm just curious about what your plan is."

 

[Kibbles]

Wearing her normal attire, Jicelli would relax in her seat as the ship moved through the blackness of space then entered hyperspace once again. Part of her thoughts were focused on the mission to Seren Tywyll and how the government refused the offer they brought forth. It still stung a bit, but it wasn't their fault. She was still disappointed by how things had gone though.

Casually brushing her hair with her hands, she'd stare out at the blue lights of hyperspace. She always thought it was the safest place to be while travelling through space. Always calm and peaceful with little threat of danger. Her thoughts would be kicked away as Xel turned and spoke to her. The question regarding her future plans was well justified, but she actually hadn't thought of it recently. Taking a moment to look back at him, she'd quietly speak with some nervousness as some thoughts come to mind.

"I...Don't know actually. Honestly haven't put much thought into it, though now I could say I may be inclined to leave at some point. Exactly when I can't say, just when I feel as if I should I guess. With the Protectorate and you, I feel safe to actually travel. Though, on my own it's entirely different...I guess whenever I feel as being on the move by myself again I'll head out."

 

[Soup]

Xel soaked up the Jicelli's response and ran it over in his head. He supposed it was fair enough for her to not know when she was going to get going on her own, after all, only recently had she hopped along with Xel. He nodded in response to Jicelli and started to twirl his right bang around his right index finger.

He had always wondered what Jicelli was actually capabale of. She didn't seem like a very physically strong individual, or a very good shot. She could talk diplomacy, but what other untapped potential did she have? Xel didn't want to just throw training at her, but he knew Jicelli would need to know some things before traveling on her own.

"So, what would you say you're skilled in? Anything at all works fine."

 

[Kibbles]

Jicelli would tell what he was going at, and she had long already accepted the fact that she wasn't a fighter. Why fight when you can avoid conflict altogether? Then again, not everything could be avoided. Of course the real truth would be that she never wants to hurt anyone. Though embarrassed, she'd give him a solid answer. After all, it's the only thing she could truthfully answer with.

"Well, I'm good at hiding I guess. Staying out of trouble, though not always possible...I'm not really a fighter as you know. Hiding and running away, all I can really do if something happens."

 

[Soup]

Xel continued to twirl his hair until it was too stretched out to continue and then released it. He then sort of combed it with his fingers back to its orginal form. He then sat up and swiveled his chair to face Jicelli.

"You do have a weapon though don't you? If not I could give you one of my FRAB blaster rifles. I don't really need three of them."

 

[Kibbles]

"Well, of course I have something. It's just a puny little holdout blaster. Just something to keep by just...In case I guess."

With that said she'd reach into her bag and take it out to show. It would indeed be small, a one-handed self defense weapon that might be able to kill. Might take two shots to do it. Though, why would that matter to her? Chances are she'd never use it. After all, she's hardly shot a blaster in the past and it wasn't at another living thing.

 

[Soup]

"You'll need a bit more than that excuse for a blaster if you want to survive on your own. I know a guy, he can get nearly any small weapon for a price."

If Jicelli had any hopes of staying alive, preferably with all limbs attatched, she would definetly need an upgrade. Not to mention proper training. Xel doubted Jicelli had ever fired that blaster pistol once in her life. He would be surprised if the blaster was even loaded.

 

[Kibbles]

After returning the blaster to her bag, she'd cross her arms. Part of her didn't want to do such a thing, but Xel was right. She did need something to defend herself. The only problem was she didn't want to. She wanted to avoid fighting, not get into it. Plus, she could probably just run and hide and get away from fighting if pushed into it. Doubts over the whole idea would plague her mind.

"Sure, I guess. Though I find it very unlikely I'd ever need to use it, let alone have the chance to. Why spend time killing when that time could be spent avoiding conflict?"

 

[Soup]

"Sometimes you can't just run away from everything. I'd know, I have ten years of running under my belt. If I didn't stay and fight at some points, I wouldn't have ever picked you up from that space station you were at. Even if you don't like it, you're going to need to learn how to properly defend yourself, with the right tools of course."

Xel did in fact know much about running and hiding. Being a smuggler, those were things he did well, but there were plenty of times where Xel could not just avoid a fight. He understood Jicelli and what she meant, but he knew that wouldn't work with the galaxy being how it was. His mind began to fill itself with ideas of properly training Jicelli. All sorts of techniques and skills he could pass on, things he knew would actually be useful.

 

[Kibbles]

"True. Your right. At some point I have to learn, might as well do it now rather than later."

There was no point in arguing it. Xel was, again, completely right with everything he said. It was stupid to her now, how she wants to stay out of trouble. Sure, she could try to talk her way out of something, but what if the other party doesn't want to talk? That's how people end up dead--Or worse. Jicelli had to accept the cold fact of life, or she'd have to learn it the hard way later.

"What's the first part of the plan then captain? You're the boss after all."

 

[Soup]

Xel smiled when Jicelli finally accepred her fate. She had made he right decision, this training would be vital to her later on. After a small beeping noise came from the ship's control board, Xel turned around to face the controls. He pushed up the hyperdrive lever and the blue streaks that covered all else from view slowly faded away into the darkness of space, with a few far off lights dotting the area. Then their destination came into view. Corellia. Xel lowered the ship's speed as they slolwy broke through the planets atmosphere.

"First, you're getting a weapon upgrade. If you want something compact and concealable, we can get a decent pistol from one of the weapon dealers here on Corellia. We'll get it legally though so that doesn't become a problem later on."

 

[Kibbles]

As the ship exited hyperspace and descended to Corellia's surface, Jicelli would adjust herself in her seat. At least they were doing this at Corellia and not some dust bowl in the outer rim. Plus, she had some choice in what they'd be doing. It was funny to her when he brought up the subject of legal purchasing. Like she'd do something illegal. Though people even more innocent looking than her have probably done worse.

"Of course we'd do it legally. Not like I'd look like a convincing criminal anyway. And yes, something small would be nice."

 

[Soup]

Soon enough they arrived at the large Crown Spaceport. It was certainly a marvel, such a spectacular spaceport. But Corellia itself was a pretty amazing place. Xel pressed a button, which extracted the landing gear on his freighter. He then landed on one of the empty landing pads. Afterwards, Xel unstrapped himself from his seat and got up, stretching a bit as he did. He grabbed a FRAB blaster rifle from the rack he had on the wall across from the control panel of the ship. He put the sash it had on over his shoulder and securely on his back. His BP01 blaster pistol was already in his right cargo pant pocket as always.

Xel began to lead the way down to the main exit of the ship. Once at the blast door, he pressed a button on a panel beside he door to open it, which also allowed for a ramp to descend onto the landing pad floor. His turtle neck, cargo pants, and boots, did not help the slight heat on the planet. It was certainly not unbearable, but Xel much preferred cooler areas. He turned around to face Jicelli after the door had closed behind her.

"You ready, Jice?"

 

[Kibbles]

Once they touched down in the landing pad, Jicelli would undo the restraints and rise from her seat. Though before she'd head out with him, she'd leave her jacket behind as it wouldn't be needed on this planet. As she follows him through the ship she'd adjust the strap of her bag to make it more secure on her. There shouldn't be any reason to be nervous, but she always liked her things to be kept close wherever she went. Once outside she'd give the area a look around, stopping to answer his question after the door closed behind them.

"Ready when you are, just lead the way. A bit late to say no anyway."

With her response given, she'd wait for him to lead on. Again, he was in charge and knew what they were going to do the best. It's not like she would know any arms dealers anywhere.

 

[Soup]

"Then follow me. Keep close, or you might get lost. Coronet is the largest city here on Corellia after all."

With that, Xel turned around once more and began to walk off towards the enterance to the actual city region of Coronet. Once they had gotten out of the spaceport, Xel continued to lead towards a large building that had a large flashing sign on the front of it. It appeared to be the name of the store. Xel stepped inside, being sure to check that Jicelli was still with him.

"This is one of the better weapon shops around here, but everyhing is still affordable. Anything in particular you want?"

 

[Kibbles]

He didn't need to tell her to keep close. The least she wanted to do here was end up lost and on her own like some kid. Firstly that'd be embarrassing, and secondly it'd make her look like a complete fool. Plus it'd put her in danger.

As they arrived at the weapon shop, she'd give it a good look about. Jicelli didn't know much about weapons let alone the specific kinds. So when asked about anything particular, she'd let out a slight laugh before replying.

"Something particular I want? I don't know weapons. Just...Something small that I can use. You know more than me obviously; This isn't my territory."

 

[Soup]

Xel nodded and stepped over to one of the employees. He asked for the area in which the blaster pistols were located and got his directions. Xel lead the way to the far left corner of the store where there were several weapon racks full of pistols. All, of course, were not loaded. Xel examined the lines of blasters until he saw one he recognized and though would work well for Jicelli. He lifted the pistol from its rack and showed it to Jicelli.

"This is a Binary Light Blaster - 22 Parallax. It's light and has very little recoil. It can hold up to 14 shots per magazine amd is loaded through the grip. It's mostly made of a plastoid, so there are no worries about rust or other such things. Sound good to you?"

 

[Kibbles]

Jicelli would find the store to be...Interesting to say the least. The amount of different weapons would raise many thoughts in her mind. Luckily she wasn't doing the shopping--She had no idea what to look for. Xel however, would seek out a blaster and show it to her with some explanation. It sounded good, and looked alright. She wasn't really in a position to judge it regardless though.

"Uh...Yeah, I guess. You seem to know it, so I'd rather trust your word on it. Seems simple enough to maintain..."

 

[Soup]

"And it is."

Xel returned the blaster to the rack and went to the counter where mutliple cashiers were working. He went to an available employee and asked for one BLB - 22 Parallax, with two magazines of ammunition. He paid the price in Credits and recieved the pistol along with the ammunition, all in one box. Xel thanked the cashier and lead the way outside. He again checked that Jicelli was with him and then continued walking until they arrived at a large, crowded airbus stop. Multiple times were listed on a large sign, and Xel simply hoped it wasn't too long until an airbus arrived, for he did not know what time it was. He got over to an empty bench and patted the spot beside him to get Jicelli to sit down. He doubted she would be wanting to stand for too long, and neither did he.

"We'll just have to wait for an airbus to get here, then we can get to a shooting range not too far from here. You can practice your aim, because I know you probably need to."

 

[Kibbles]

So that settled it. As she followed him to the counter, she'd silently wait for the moment they could go. Jicelli didn't feel as if she belonged in the store, as if she stood out. Well, she did considering how she looked. Any of the people in the store could see her inexperience. Once the transaction was completed and the two walked to the airbus stop, the sight of the crowd would prompt a sigh of disappointment. She hoped it wouldn't be that long of a wait.

As Xel would sit down and gesture for her to take a seat, she'd do just that. At least they were lucky enough to have somewhere to sit, and she'd be surprised nobody else had already taken the spots.

"Could be a long wait judging by the crowd. Oh, and don't expect much from me. I've practiced once before but it wasn't...Good, let's say. Hopefully the range isn't crowded.."