Ask To Craft a New Architecture

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Chardaan was no stranger to the hustle and bustle of ships coming in and off-world. Their extensive orbital works refitting, crafting, and scrapping a thousand or so odd vessels at any given time. While not as large as perhaps Kuat Drive Yards, nor as famous as the massive dockyards of Fondor, Chardaan was still a significant player in the civilian sector of production. It was this massive orbital station network that Hera stared up at from the ground of the planet's surface below.

Interestingly, the orbital works were not the reason she was here today. That's not to say it wasn't in her sights eventually, but certain groundwork had to be laid first and foremost. She had a meeting with the planet's governor today, and she did not plan on going alone. Her Padawan, Dash Pavan, would be meeting her outside the planet's capital tower any minute now. She had told him that their mission from the council was to meet with the planet's governor in order to gain his approval to utilize the shipyards above.

That was what she told him, but it wasn't the whole truth. Hera's hair, free of the temporary dye she was so often seen with, gleamed in its perfect silvery-white color in the light. Her eyes were covered by a pair of blackened glasses, something easy to remove once they were inside. As well for the first time, Dash would be able to see Hera outside of her armor. She wore a plain plaid skirt, a business casual blouse and jacket, and a red scarf. A pad of paper and pen in her hand, she scanned the crowd around for Dash's arrival.

She had told him to arrive early, and it was still early. She needed to brief him on the plan -the true plan- before they ascended the tower to the planet governor's office.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash hadn't been apprenticed to Hera long, but the adventurous Knight had already taken him further than he'd gone his whole life. This time it was Chardaan; another world he'd never seen and he raced to take it in with his eyes as he headed towards the capital tower.

His Master had said there was no call for typical Jedi dress today, or a need for anything practical. Professional, that's what she'd said. Dash had listened and radiated smart and fashionable as he strode along in his sharp suit over a low cut tee. It was very him, but clearly a new look for many of the shipbuilders and passers-by who gave him a knowing look. They knew an offworlder when they saw one.

Dash didn't care. Since he left Rhinnal, he'd cared about a lot less than he used to. Now he just tried to focus on himself, the Jedi and where he was going next. Hera was a new addition to the list, but she was the kind of girl who made you want to have her on it. She had already taught him so much.

He turned a corner and spied her outside the tower. He knew it was her from the way she stood, but was almost thrown for a moment by her new hair and outfit. Silvery white had replaced the red on her head, but her smart casual clothes meant the fun had just moved elsewhere.

"Morning Master" he said with a half laugh. He tried to stop in front of her but could barely stand still, clicking his heels and almost doing a little dance in anticipation. He glanced up the high capital tower, blue eyes peering up at the sky like a child counting the stars. "So what have we got on up there?"

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Hera caught sight of her Padawan as he called out to her, smiling as he approached and inquired as to the mission. Looking up at the tower, she decided to tell him the truth quickly and without any double-speech. "Alright Dash, I'm going to level with you, what we are doing hasn't been completely approved by the whole council, just the Grandmaster. We aren't here to acquire permission to utilize the planet's shipyards for the Jedi, we're here to acquire permission to purchase a controlling stake in the company."

She showed him the paperwork in her hands, a draft for a new business venture known as the 'First Defense Mercenary Enclave.' "This will be the spearhead of a new initiative I'm running. It will be to hire mercenaries and create ships for the Jedi Order, but not directly linked to them for safety. So, for the rest of this mission, call me Mira. As for you, well, what's a good fake name that you can remember?"

This mission was more than harebrained, it was the insane scheme of an eccentric madwoman. The initiative hadn't been approved by the full council, hell the Grandmaster wasn't even fully aware of the full details of Hera's plan. In addition to that, the funds hadn't even been fully secured yet! Hera was still awaiting confirmation on that front, and her datapad linked up with the net had its notifications turned on just for that express purpose.

But everything Hera said, she said with the same wholehearted conviction and a joyful smile that Dash would have become used to by now. She meant well, and she had a plan, even if it was a little half-baked.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

The young Padawan squinted slightly as he listened to Hera's explanation of their mission. It wasn't exactly what he expected, but who only wanted what they expected. Dash wasn't frightened by a sudden change, he was excited by it.

"Jedi buying shares is new" he said, cocking his head like he'd just been told about the latest craze "but if it gets your plan off the ground and helps get the Order what we need, it makes a lot of sense". He had seen ships belonging to the Republic and ISC fleet in his travels; he imagined the Jedi would need more of their own to survive and help take on the Empire.

"Mira...." he said, nodding as made a note of it. "I suppose you could look like a Mira....". He thought for a moment at her question, fake name ideas going through his mind.

"Lance" he said, affecting a posh stance for a moment. Lance had been a aristocrat friend of his at junior school back on Rhinnal, but he'd grown aloof as they got older. They hadn't seen each other in years, well except that one time at the Falls...

A pedestrian hurried past, brushing Dash's shoulder and reminding him of his surroundings. "Do I need to have a fake life ready to go with my fake name?" he asked in a hushed voice, looking about.

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Dash followed fairly well with Hera's almost frantic explanation, which worked well for the Arkanian Jedi. He accepted Hera's fake name without question, making up his own, then followed with a question about a fake life. Hera's grin only seemed to grow with every sentence that Dash spoke, and she snapped as he finished to punctuate her response. "Of course! Think about it while we walk, I'll catch on once we meet with the governor."

At that, Hera strode into the capitol building. Her skirt fluttered about her ankles as she moved, she walked with the full power of someone who had far too much confidence in themselves. But what was Hera if not ready to throw down at any time? With Dash at her side, the Justicar felt unstoppable in her goal. Within seconds, they would be waved past the reception desk and towards the elevator, they were expected after all.

What could go wrong?

---------------------------------------------Elevator Music------------------------------------------

Governor Valek Kymeri sat quietly at his desk reading the local datapad-news. It was a standard of his daily routine to read the news first before accepting any meetings or doing any work. He felt as though he needed to keep a constant finger on the heartbeat of local society in order to better understand the planetary consciousness as a whole. If he didn't keep himself appraised of every going on, first locally then planet-wide, how could he properly govern policy that would influence the lives of millions?

He turned the page with a flick of his finger on the datapad, chuckling, "Oh Kurtis, great comics yet again, hah." Of course, a few small glances at the funnies couldn't hurt, right? His laughter was quickly interrupted by a buzzing on his desk comlink, "Mr. Kymeri, Mrs. Britannia is here to see you. The shipyard investor." The harsh voice of the secretary-droid always caught him off guard. There had been a lovely young woman in the position when he first took office, but she was forced to take an extended leave of absence when her first child was born. He wanted to keep the position open for her once she returned to work, but was informed he would only be able to work in a mechanical short term hire.

Sighing, he buzzed his secretary-droid, "Yes yes, send her in." Then set aside the datapad. It would be a lie if he said he wasn't already apprehensive about this meeting. The financial reports on this Britannia woman were inconclusive, and her background didn't check out. Truth be told, he only accepted the meeting because it got him out of a breakfast date with his wife and her family, Force damned he hated her family.

'Just waste some time, blow them off, then go to lunch. Make today easy Valek' He mused, donned his fake business smile as the elevator 'DING' drew his attention to the opposite end of the room. Opening his armed, he welcomed his visitors, "So glad we could meet today, please, come and sit! We have a lot to talk about!"

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash offered his hand to the Governor, noticing the man raising an enquiring eyebrow. "Lance Vane" he said, turning the energy in his voice up a notch "I help Mrs Britannia with her public relations". He tried to lean on his few years acting back on Rhinnal, conjuring up the character he needed to be.

He glanced around for ways to build rapport, noticing a familiar logo flashing on the datapad readout. "Is that the Chardaan Chronicle? It's great to meet with someone who keeps so well informed - Mrs Britannia is always saying how hard it is to find people with their finger on the pulse of the people". He shot a smiley glance across at Hera, blue eyes seeking approval "isn't that right?".

Dash slipped into one of the empty chairs the Governor offered and pressed his lips together to shut himself up. He didn't want to go overboard; most assistants should fade into the background, but Dash was hoping to disarm the Governor with his charm instead, softening him up for Hera's negotiations.

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

As Hera, 'Mira,' entered the room, Dash immediately dialed up the charm to an eleven on the governor. Spotting the markings on the datapad the man was reading almost instantly and casually remarking about it. The remark had the dual effect of making himself look good and complimenting the governor's taste in the process. Hera thought it was a little too heavy-handed, she worried that Dash came on a bit too strong.

But the governor seemed enthralled by the younger man. Smiling and leaning back in his chair, he laughed heartily and responded, "That's exactly right Mr. Vane! About time someone else understood what was most important in his profession. But where are my manners, I am governor Valek Kymeri. I'm so glad I could be meeting with you both. Please, sit down, sit down!"

Hera sat down and moved to begin her speech, however, the governor cut her off before she could even begin. His eyes were completely affixed on Dash with a genuine grin formed on his face. Holding out his hand to Dash to shake, the older governor immediately launched into an impromptu rant, "You know, I get a lot of people who come into my office with nothing more than a pipe dream and no money to get anything done. They're all talk but no charisma! But when you stepped in here Lance -you don't mind if I call you Lance-? But when you stepped in here Lance I knew immediately that you're a cut above the rest. You're a man that sees things how they are and how they should be, I like that.

"So tell me! What is your plan for investing in the shipyard, Lance?"

Genuine terror spread through Hera as the governor kept going, suddenly horrified she didn't tell Dash more information before they came in here. The governor couldn't even see her in the room for the light of Dash Pavan, and now the Padawan had to bullshit his way into not only reading Hera's mind, but also keeping up that A+ charm.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash would have been overjoyed that his plan worked, except it seemed to work rather too well.

Governor Kymeri was not only charmed by Dash's flattery, but seemed enthralled in return. Almost too much so. The man was leaning across the table into the young Jedi's personal space, talking him up and getting cosy with his name. He'd got the man's interest and favour, but it was all directed at him, with the Governor almost blanking Hera entirely.

Dash smiled and ruffled his hair as he thought furiously what to do. He sensed rebuffing the Governor too strongly would sour things, but he began to wonder just how deep his act would have to go to pull this mission off.

"Absolutely Governor, all my friends call me Lance and I can just tell we're friends already.

You're too kind for sure, but the feeling is mutual for sure. But I know a man of significance like you will want to do everything properly, by the book.

Mrs Brittania is the one with the negotiating remit here" he motioned to Hera "best if she talks through the plan with you to keep things straight".

"I'll be around to help either of you in any way" he added, trademark smile flashing again "and if Mrs Britannia handles the business then that leaves you and I free to work on anything else together".

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

To say Kymeri had never been as instantly fast friends with Lance as he had been with anyone else before wouldn't be entirely true. Everyone had been five years old at one time. But as an adult, no one, not even his wife, had so quickly pierced through the governor's skin. However, the governor wasn't necessarily 'unhappy' in his marriage, so the thought of asking 'Lance' to dinner hadn't yet crossed his mind.

Still smiling, he turned towards the woman, Mrs. Brittania, was it? Whatever, he would catch up as the conversation flowed along. No matter the outcome, he was already far more pleased with how his day had turned for the better during this meeting.

--------------------------------------------------------------

The utter terror Hera felt had flicked to nervousness as Dash redirected the governor her way. Thankfully, he accepted the change of pace and turned her way with a nod in Dash's direction. Before she could begin, however, the governor launched into another speech, "Now I'll have you both know that we aren't really looking for investors at this time. Some of the shares of the company are up for grabs, of course, but nothing that would offer an off-worlder controlling interest. So please, temper your expectations."

The statement stabbed Hera through the chest. She had a contingency for that, but it still threw a little wrench in the gears before the negotiations even started. Keeping a smile on her face, the white haired Jedi nodded and responded, "Of course! This fits well within our plans. Here, let me allow you to have a look over the paperwork i've prepared-" Reaching out, the governor took Hera's pad of paper.

The plans outlined a mercenary enclave established within the shipyard, operating with the purpose of both guarding the shipyards as well as increasing their potential output. In the fine print, as well, it stated that most of the profits of the mercenary enclave would funnel into creating ships for the Jedi Order as non-profit donations. The governor seemed to skim it for a minute before handing the paperwork over to Lance.

"Tell me, Lance, what do you think about-"

Suddenly, the buzzer went off on the governor's desk, "Mr. Kymeri, Mr. Harda is on his way up." Instantly, the color drained from the governor's face. All social cues and sensibilities thrown out the window, he dashed for the intercom and immediately shouted, "No! Stall him! Anything-" Cut off without warning, the curt response of the droid came through the intercom, "He's already in the elevator. Sorry sir."

At that moment, the elevator doors opened. A man dressed in a black suit, clearly crafted from an armor-weave of some sort, stepped into the room. A scar stretched down the back of his bald head and across his scalp, terminating just above the right eye. Hera struggled not to stare as he wordlessly approached the trio. His footsteps echoed ominously against the tiles, his heavy armored boots scratching the expensive tile with every step.

A darkness accompanied the man. Not the Dark Side itself, but the scars and essence that accompanied many non-force sensitives in the galaxy. The darkness of someone who's seen too much and killed too many. He was one who, despite not being connected with the energies of the galaxy, manipulated them unconsciously with his very presence. Stopping just short of the trio's chairs, he spoke in a voice thick as mud, "So, Kymeri, ya'll havin' a conversation 'bout the shipyards without its biggest investor present? Surely not-?"

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

The Governor took his redirection well and finally turned to Hera, which was a relief. Dash could charm somebody all day if necessary, especially now he had the rapport with Kymeri, but they would never get down to business that way. Their mission would be a failure as surely as if he had heard their proposal and turned it down.

Hera explained the paperwork to the Governor and he seemed to skim over it, looking like he was starting to consider the fundamentals. But then their discussion was cut short by the sound of the comm and the sudden arrival of the grim looking man in the elevator.

Mr Harda looked no fun at all and like he was already spoiling for a fight. "Hi there, Lance Vane" Dash said welcomingly. He grabbed the water jug in the centre of the table "can I get you a water? Or maybe a hot drink?" he nodded across to the machine inset in the wall.

Dash had the feeling Kymeri was not up to asking Harda to leave, so he hoped Hera had some ideas how to deal with the man. He was not up to seducing that guy however hard he tried.

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Harda looked at each one of three, staring intently at Dash as the younger man attempted to diffuse the tension in the air. Looking to the governor, Harda crooked his head towards the door and demanded, "Kymeri, get the kriff out." The governer hesitated for a moment, then stood up and left without another word. Hera could sense there was something off about Harda, but she couldn't yet put her finger on it.

As Kymeri left the room, Harda stood next to the desk and poured over the documents. Looking first to Dash, then to Hera, he remarked, "Padawan, Knight, I assume? What's a pair o' Jedi doin' on my world now, wantin' a piece of my shipyard?" Before Hera could even speak, he held a hand up in her direction, "Not you, Knight, I know ya have the power to be trickin' my mind, I won't hear it."

Looking directly at Dash, he took off his black jacket, revealing his armorweave underlay and the clan markings engraved upon it. He was Deucalian, a warrior through and through. A small, twisted smile reached across his face as he continued, "I used to run this planet, governor Harda, I was. But that life was too restrictin' so I kriffed it, became a pirate. Got a lot of money, so now, I run this planet again. Just not the same way. So don't try nothin' stupid, don't tell me your 'plans,' tell me why the Jedi wants me shipyard. Tell me why I should care."

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Water and hot drinks were not going to cut it, Dash saw. Harda was as bad as he had first looked - a armoured, angry warrior with enough attitude to sink a ship. The young Padawan was fresh out of ideas on how to help Hera turn this around. Then the pirate outed them both as Jedi and his anxiety turned to fear.

Harda silenced Hera with a hand, focusing instead on Dash. Why did all their adversaries today keep doing that, he would actually give anything to disappear into the background right now.

If it came to a fight, he thought they could win. There were two of them after all. But Harda looked like a tough fracker to take down and who was to say what hits they would take doing it. Hera's plan here would certainly go up in smoke. Then Dash realised the man was still talking. Despite the armour, the attitude and the apparent disdain for them both, he was talking rather than fighting. Maybe, just maybe, he was open to something other than a fight to the death.

"Well..." said Dash, seemingly the only voice Harda would allow to speak right now "whoever we are, we don't want your shipyard. We want ships. We want them, you make them, and we can pay". He was pretty sure about that last bit, though who knew if they could meet Harda's price. "We're pretty reliable customers, more honourable than most you must have to deal with - I bet they go back on their word all the time". He motioned to Hera "Not Mrs Britannia. She might just have a good deal for you if you hear her out".

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

The pirate seemed interested in what Dash had to say, but not convinced. Sitting down in Kymeri's desk, he reached under the table and pulled something forth. A dark, almost black, liquid in a glass bottle. Setting the bottle down, he produced three glasses. Pouring the liquid, he started speaking. "I'm not sure I believe you, kid, but you're at least tryin' to cover for ya master. Mrs Britannia, was it? How 'bout this- we have ourselves a 'lil contest. We drink, and if ya two out last me, I'll sign ya contract without even readin' in. But, if either one of ya's falls or vomits, you get the kriff off my world. Do we have a deal?"

Every sensible bone in Hera's body screamed that this was a terrible idea. What was even in that bottle? How high concentration was the alcohol? Dash was old enough to drink, but should she rope him into this? Hera was trying her best to convince herself not to grab the alcohol and down the first glass, but something crept into her mind. Something mad and terrible, a handful of words that slammed themselves into the logic Hera had begun to construct.

'But what if we outdrink him?'

At that, Hera smiled like a madwoman and grasped the first glass. Downing it, she continued smiling as she started up a coughing fit. But she did not yield, still ready to drink more. Harda laughed heartily and downed a glass himself before pouring another and passing it towards Dash.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash really wished Harda had taken the coffee.

He could not see how entering a drinking game with Harda could possibly end well for either he or Hera. The self-confessed pirate was not giving them much of a choice, but the Padawan felt certain his Master would refuse and announce a retreat.

Instead, Hera suddenly reached forward, picked up her glass and downed it. Lance Vane's permasmile faltered briefly as Dash just stared at Hera, blue eyes going wide. The other Jedi coughed a little, but otherwise kept smiling, appearing to commit to the game in full.

Dash's gaze reluctantly swung back to Harda and the dark liquid he was pouring into a glass for the Rhinnalian.

Could they actually outdrink him? Dash had been to plenty of parties in the last year or two and had necked more alcohol in that short time than most might imagine. But he was small and his tolerance was no better than average. Also, what about Hera? The consummate Jedi somehow seemed unlikely to drink a bottle a night.

Harda, on the other hand, looked like he and drink were firm friends. Worst of all, the pirate had not said what was going to happen if he won the contest. Would they be in any state to best him if he decided to kill them after all?

But Dash was overthinking it. He was a mere Padawan and Hera seemed to think it was worth the risk. Besides, he knew Lance Vane would not hesitate.

He took the glass and swilled the contents, downing them and licking his lips, ignoring the fire in his throat. "Not the best, but I've had a lot worse".

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Harda laughed heartily and slammed a shot himself. He seemed to take the dark liquid like water, unfazed by the burning. In his mind, surely he thought he had the upper hand in this over the two Jedi. After all, it's not like they could use the Force to filter alcohol faster through their bloodstream, right?

Hera grinned and slammed another shot, careful not to send herself into a coughing fit this time as she anticipated the burn and the foul taste. She wasn't one who drank, ever, but she did know how to utilize the energies of the Force to filter toxins out of her body. Excepting intense and powerful poisons, which this was not, Hera could find herself fairly unaffected by powerful substances. She had tried it once or twice before in field tests with Sansanna spice and it worked fairly well.

Her real worry was Dash. While she knew the younger Jedi had a bit more of a party life when she wasn't looking, Hera would look the other way on purpose as well. She wanted him to experience life in the way he wanted, just because parties weren't Hera's idea of fun didn't mean she felt she should discourage him from it. But just as she looked at him, taking another drink even smoother than Harda, Hera felt a surge of confidence.

And Harda, drinking again, only smiled and responded, "On to four."

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Dash knocked back the fourth drink without difficulty either. He was over the taste now and the burn in his throat was a familiar constant.

The Rhinnalian never got rowdy or unsteady from drink , indeed he rarely got ill. However, he did tend to get even more talkative than usual and occasionally overly righteous.

"So who chooses to be a pirate?" he asked, offering up his glass again and giving Harda a quizzical look. "I mean, the thieving, the murdering, the running, the constant criminal record" a small burp escaped his lips. "It's a lot of hard work" he said, glancing at Hera and then back to Harda, scrunching up his nose "and then there's the smell".

He shook his head far too enthusiastically. "It makes no sense to me at all".

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

Harda laughed as Dash spoke, knocking back another drink and wiping his beard. "I'm Deucalian! It's my blood! Clan Alemanii. I grew up in tha' belly o' a spaceship, I'm more comfortable wit' metal beneath my feet than I am dirt. Honestly, is ya people that confuse me. Landwalkers, like, why do you-" At that moment, Hera fell out of her chair and hit the ground, hard.

Unknown to the other two in the room, Hera wasn't the best at doing what she thought she was doing moments before. Instead of filtering her own blood, she ended up focusing on it, concentrating with her full might on its movement. The swirling of red and white blood cells, the toxic alcohol moving through her system, the beating of her heart, and the movement of oxygen in her lungs. Every single bodily function magnified, focused upon, and, most dangerously, slowed down. Then, suddenly, her head spinning, she lost consciousness.

Now, inebriated and with no ability to wake herself, Hera had lost all control of herself and the situation. Her bodily functions were dangerously slowed, and while she was physically ok at the moment, she had no ability to regulate her body. Dash would need to help her if she was to regain consciousness, but Dash had another problem. At that moment, Harda began to laugh and laugh. Slamming the alcohol on the table, he demanded, "I'm not nearly drunk enough! Double or nothing! Take a swallow! Ya Master bitch can wait, we ain't finished yet!"

One hand was on the bottle, the other hand reached for something at his hip. Harda was not taking no for an answer.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

If Dash still remembered it had been dangerous to question Harda's way of life, he definitely could not recall it now. The pirate actually seemed to find Dash's confusion hilarious, embracing his barbs and regaling him on what a soulful calling piracy really was. The more the Rhinnalian's face scrunched up in disbelief, the harder the ruthless Deucalian laughed.

It was almost fun, for a moment, before Hera suddenly slumped to the floor. She was down before Dash could catch her, before he even saw her going in all honesty. He went to get up, but Harda slammed the table and bade him stay still. More drinks were all he would allow.

"You should slow down" Dash said, shaking his head "or you'll be the next one falling off out your seat". He really hoped that was all that had happened to Hera, but he was already conscious she was not even stirring.

He concentrated on his drink for a moment, frosted mist traversing the glass as he chilled it with a touch. Harda watched intrigued, allowing Dash to chill his too "we're not averse the fun, you know" the Rhinnalian said, nodding from the glasses to the passed out Jedi Master. "You might find us better business partners after all".

@Black Noise

 

[Hera "The Joyful" Albion]

And like that, the kid rolled with Harda's punches. Slipping in that classic charm along with a challenging statement. Harda wasn't sure if it was the alcohol or something innate 'Lance' possessed over him as he leaned his glass over for the younger man to chill it. He took his master passing out from her booze as if it were a daily occurrence, referring to it as if it were nothing but a bit of harmless 'fun.'

This is what was missing in his life, Harda concluded. Cute young guys to drink alcohol with, and he was interested in the shipyard! Where had this Lance been all his life? Smiling and sipping the alcohol now, he relaxed in the governor's chair and nodded in the kid's direction. "I think ya might'n be right 'bout that. I can see us havin' a long and... fruitful, relationship."

Leaning in, Harda smoothly reached for the paperwork and slid it over his way. He didn't even read it, didn't look at the thousand different things Hera put in there, nothing. Instead, he simply signed it. In that instant, Harda had become the co-signee for the joint ownership of Chardaan shipyards. Sliding the paperwork back over towards 'Lance,' Harda smiled softly and spoke, "Alright, take ya Master outta here. Don't want 'er lightweight ass stinkin' up my office anymore. As for ya-" He made a motion with his hand near his ear, "Call me, don't keep me waitin'."

At that, Harda decided to enjoy the rest of his alcohol. Tapping the answering machine to call Kymeri back into the office, this was Dash's one chance to get away before things got any more complicated. That, and Hera definitively needed medical help as soon as possible.

@Alhon

 

[Dash Pavan]

Again, the Padawan had no idea how or why but he seemed to have said just the right thing again. Harda actually agreed they could work together well, though there was something new about the way he looked over at Dash.

Then the pirate reached across and signed the paperwork, seeming to decide they had proven themselves worthy of a partnership. Dash could scarcely believe it, though his relief was mixed with a worried realisation that the look in Harda's eye was familiar after all. He reassured himself it must just be the drink. Alcohol did strange things to guys, even gruff pirates like Harda.

"You're right" Dash said, taking the opportunity to leave but resisting the urge to run. He slid around the chairs and bent to examine Hera; she was breathing but clearly worse for wear. Something was not quite right, he could tell. "She could really do with a proper lie down".

Hera was not huge fortunately, and he managed to get one of her arms over his shoulder and lift her up. She was virtually a dead weight, but a few words of encouragement in her ear seemed to get some action from her feet, even if it was only reflex.

"I will, I will!" Dash assured Harda, though he hoped the pirate would not realise they had not exchanged numbers. "We'll talk business very soon!".

The Rhinnalian breathed a sigh of relief when the elevator doors closed. He could soon get Hera some help and then they could get out of this blasted place before anything else went wrong. He had learnt more lessons than he cared to say today, but one stood out among them all.

Lance Vane was an absolute catch.

/ END

@Black Noise