“Out of the way bugeye”
The Rodian feigned offence as Jake shouldered past, but didn’t protest at the insult, slinking warily into an alcove. The squeaky runt knew his place.
Jake shot him a warning look as he sidled past. A part of him wanted to put an end to the Rodian just for looking so outraged, but that was not what he was here for. Not tonight. Besides, it would be a bad idea to draw attention.
He stepped down to the lower level of the bar, careful not to spill the three drinks as he set them down on the table.
“Enjoy chaps”. His companions thanked him; two weather-beaten dockworkers from the main town on the island.
“It’s like I was just saying to Jax” the larger man said “every year it gets worse. We used to have just one big race a year, now we’re up to three. Half the sector piles in every time, drain us dry and then they’re gone again”.
“It wouldn’t be so bad if there were still plenty of locals racing” the other added, “but they haven’t got the credits to enter the big stakes they’re asking now. So between races it’s a ghost town. My mates on South Island say it’s the same there”.
“They’re aliens” Jake said, taking a swig of his drink. “They’re not Human and they’re not from Corsin. They’re not gonna care. It’s just take, take, take and to hell with you guys. I’ve seen the same thing back home”.
“But getting organised like you say” one cut in “it’s easier said than done. And what if we start with what you said and we get caught?”
“There’s ways gentlemen. Ways....”. Jake lowered his voice and began to explain to the two how they could fight back. They were simple men, but he could talk simple when required. Besides, he felt a connection with them however slight – they were strong guys, patriotic and trying to save their world from a government that was blind the damage outsiders were wreaking. Jake had seen it so many times and he was not going to let another world go under. It was time to turn the tables.
They lapped up his advice gladly. After all, he knew what he was doing. Soon enough, he would prove it to them too.
“I’ll be back in three weeks” he explained “we’ll meet somewhere different next time. By then you need to have your people organised and have the lists of names we talked about. Then we’ll show them you mean business”.
They shook hands eagerly and passed Jake his credits. His help and advice did not come for free and all funds went to the cause. “I believe in your two” he told them, looking each of them in the eye. They would need courage for the task ahead.
With that, he zipped up his jacket and made ready to leave.
The Rodian feigned offence as Jake shouldered past, but didn’t protest at the insult, slinking warily into an alcove. The squeaky runt knew his place.
Jake shot him a warning look as he sidled past. A part of him wanted to put an end to the Rodian just for looking so outraged, but that was not what he was here for. Not tonight. Besides, it would be a bad idea to draw attention.
He stepped down to the lower level of the bar, careful not to spill the three drinks as he set them down on the table.
“Enjoy chaps”. His companions thanked him; two weather-beaten dockworkers from the main town on the island.
“It’s like I was just saying to Jax” the larger man said “every year it gets worse. We used to have just one big race a year, now we’re up to three. Half the sector piles in every time, drain us dry and then they’re gone again”.
“It wouldn’t be so bad if there were still plenty of locals racing” the other added, “but they haven’t got the credits to enter the big stakes they’re asking now. So between races it’s a ghost town. My mates on South Island say it’s the same there”.
“They’re aliens” Jake said, taking a swig of his drink. “They’re not Human and they’re not from Corsin. They’re not gonna care. It’s just take, take, take and to hell with you guys. I’ve seen the same thing back home”.
“But getting organised like you say” one cut in “it’s easier said than done. And what if we start with what you said and we get caught?”
“There’s ways gentlemen. Ways....”. Jake lowered his voice and began to explain to the two how they could fight back. They were simple men, but he could talk simple when required. Besides, he felt a connection with them however slight – they were strong guys, patriotic and trying to save their world from a government that was blind the damage outsiders were wreaking. Jake had seen it so many times and he was not going to let another world go under. It was time to turn the tables.
They lapped up his advice gladly. After all, he knew what he was doing. Soon enough, he would prove it to them too.
“I’ll be back in three weeks” he explained “we’ll meet somewhere different next time. By then you need to have your people organised and have the lists of names we talked about. Then we’ll show them you mean business”.
They shook hands eagerly and passed Jake his credits. His help and advice did not come for free and all funds went to the cause. “I believe in your two” he told them, looking each of them in the eye. They would need courage for the task ahead.
With that, he zipped up his jacket and made ready to leave.
@Catbert