Unlikely Alliance

[Emma Lou]

((OOC This thread is continued from the conversation that Horizon and Emma Lou were having from pg. 2 in this thread))

The cloaked man she had been speaking with answered her question and then asked her why she cared. She really didn't care. She had come over because of the scream and she liked seeing what was going on instead of walking away. She was here now and this man seemed strange and intriguing.

Honestly, now that he had mentioned credits she was interested and cared. She was smuggler. Credits ran her life.

"I didn't care, but I could always use a little more change in my pockets. I mean, if you want some help"

The crowd around her and the mysterious man had began to grow adgitated and she looked at him then spoke.

"We should probably get out of here before this turns bloody"

 

[Horizon]

"There's no we, miss. I'm afraid you're mistaking partnership for mutual interests. As for finding the killer, he's probably long gone by now. I have no idea what I was thinking by even trying to look for him. Hundreds upon thousands of men and women live here without actual identification. In other words, I'll leave everyone else to the chase while I chase down some hard liquor. More than welcomed to tag along."

It didn't sound like an offer that Saren was throwing out there. More like it was loaded with sarcasm as he stomped away. Pissed wasn't the word for how he was acting and Saren didn't know what threw him into this tangent of anger. Maybe it was the woman attempting pair up on a job together that incited him. Last time he had a partner, she ended up getting herself filled with scorching holes. He never really forgot the girl he traded for on Dathomir and it changed his work ethics.

"Better yet, come join me at my ship if you ever get bored of the drool that goes on in these streets. I sure as hell won't be gunning you down in a back alley. Dock 1, section 3!

Once again, it sounded like sarcasm. Except this time he turned to face her as gave this invitation. The woman was a beaut'. That much was for certain in his eyes and she was diamond amongst the scorching sands of Tattooine. Later that evening, Saren sat outside of his ship as he had pulled quite a bit of his cargo out onto the landing pad his ship was stationed on. Most of it was spare weapons and ammunition, but a few boxes were marked hazardous. These boxes held his wretched slave collars. He used them once to drag a fellow Mandalorian to Dathomir and it worked out pretty well. Made friends with the legendary witches and gained the slave girl he thought of earlier. Most might think when giving a slave, people abuse them both mentally and physically. Saren treated her with dignity however, because he felt she was worthy of it.

Such was even stranger for Saren, who felt that hardly his own kin had any to begin with. He raised her to fight along side him in combat, teaching her the ways of combat and instructing her in how to follow the Mandalorian code. Sadly, a mission gone wrong lead to her death and Saren left to bury her body. He was already a cruel enough individual, but it only pushed him down deeper into the dark cave he had wondered into so long ago.

 

[Emma Lou]

Koriann thought he was quite rude and had no desire to join him for his drink or on his ship. She had had her share of rude men and really did not feel like dealing with anymore. She was just trying to be nice and helpful and he just wanted to be an asshole. Fine, enjoy being alone. She rolled her eyes as she walked away from the street where the murderous crowd was still gathering.

She was done with her work here and it was time for her to head back to her ship and leave this dreaded sandy planet. It was not long before she reached the place where her ship was supposed to be. It was there in the same place and condition in which she had left it. Perfection. She smiled and boarded the ship. It was relatively new and had that good ole new ship smell. She took her time getting everything settled and was just about to leave when a new thought struck her.

Why shouldn't she go with the mysterious man? It was an adventure. She had worked for the Sith so why not go meet a complete stranger. She argued with herself as she repacked her small set of belongings and brought the ship to a place it could be stored for awhile. She advance paid 6 months of storage and headed out to dock 1, section 3.

 

[Horizon]

Saren sat atop one of the crates he had moved outside of his ship, looking out at the suns that were in motion for setting for the evening. Even for a world as sick as Tattooine was with its corruption and crime, it still had some natural beauty to it. Out in the dunes he had a nice piece of land set up some time ago before nature took its place. All of course could've been prevented if that girl was still alive. Perhaps he had too many drinks in her name, for it escaped his mind. Saren turned to look back as he heard the steps of a stranger approach. Yet, it was the woman from earlier.

"Good of you to make it. There's a spare glass along with the rest of the bottle. It's a nice brew I learned from a Trandoshan bartender back on Nar Shaddaa. Take care though, it'll put a fire in your belly."

Saren didn't expect the woman to arrive and take him up on the offer, but perhaps she was bored and really didn't have any other jobs set up. Sometimes it was relaxing to sit as he was without the hassle of gunning anyone down. He had seen quite a bit of bloodshed between the Loyalist and Separatist forces during the Mandalorian Civil war. It all felt strange to him now as he thought back to how it all started and how pulled many strings behind the scenes.

Part of him was remorseful for what he had done, but the other half knew what he had done was right. His family back home was more than proud of their son who had taken up the mantle of Death Watch. Saren even fulfilled much of what his father had wished for before his death and that's what caused him so much delay lately. Was there really another fight really worth fighting for? The question tugged at his stomach as he struggled to find the answer for the past couple weeks.

"Also, apologies for acting as I did earlier. Being in crowded spaces like that puts me on edge. Take a seat if you will."

Saren pushed the thoughts aside for now, he was still young with much of a life to mold as he saw fit. Spending the evening with a beautiful woman didn't seem all that bad in his eyes and the company was much needed.

 

[Emma Lou]

She grabbed the extra glass and the poured some of the nice brew into it. She then settled herself onto a crate that sat next to the one that man sat on. It hit her at that moment that she had no idea what his name was.

"I'm Koriann. You can call me Kori though. I figure if we're sharing a drink outside your lovely ship we should at least know each others names"

She smiled at him with her nicest and slightly sarcastic smile.

 

[Horizon]

"You may call me Saren. Not many people have gotten the pleasure of knowing my name as of late."

Saren chuckled as his sentence ended, knowing it to be true. Kori was the first person in ages to learn his name without having to dig for it without his permission.

"So where are you headed, Kori? I'm sure a beaut' like yourself has a wonderful home to go back to on Coruscant, probably amongst the clouds and much of the high risers."

Saren really never looked in her general direction after he had turned to see who was approaching him. His gaze still locked on those setting suns.

 

[Emma Lou]

She chuckled and took another sip from her glass. The drink was quite lovely.

"If I had a wonderful home among the clouds and high risers of Coruscant, do you really think I would be in this hell hole?"

It was a legitimate question. Who in their right mind would travel to this god forsaken place over a plush plant with every need and want? No one, that's who.

"I only have a destination occasionally. I travel on my ship around the stars to where ever the money takes me"

 

[Horizon]

The woman was right with her sarcasm and it made him chuckle in return.

"Very true, I didn't think of it that way. But who really wants to live like that? Nobody, it's a facade for those who can't cut it out here. Hopefully money didn't bring you here to my dock, I probably could've spared the drink and walked down to a nearby cantina and spared less."

Saren was rolling with the punches now, slinging out sarcasm as she did, but Saren had been working at it longer. Kori was pleasant enough to be around, she was both a lady and something else. She appreciated the dangerous line of work she was in and was able to stand a particularly strong drink. Certainly a woman to be desired for.

 

[Emma Lou]

"Adventure brought me to your dock. It's not everyday a mysterious cloaked man invites me to his ship"

She paused for just a second before continuing.

"Okay, that's a lie. It usually is everyday but it isn't everyday that I feel so inclined to do so"

It wasn't that she was cocky. She knew she was beautiful and it had helped her out of many sticky situations and had even gotten her into a few. Men lusted after her and she certainly didn't do anything to stop it. Usually she wore low cut tops or short skirts. This man, Saren, was seeing her on a day when she was not letting her body do the talking for her. She was pretty much covered in the clothing she had chosen to ward off the sand.

 

[Horizon]

"Ah, I see. Probably the mask."

Saren then made a circular motion with his right index finger around the front of his helmet, displaying the t-visor which was custom for many Mandalorians.

"Good that you felt inclined, Kori. I always like having a woman with deadly hips like yours follow me about this dusty landscape. Could prove to be useful. What I am wondering is why you haven't given thought to becoming a Mandalorian. One might think you'd become bored with your routines."

He was indirectly trying to get her to think about the idea of becoming a Mandalorian. Most she would need was the armor and abide by the few rules they had. It wasn't much of a change to a regular life style to some, but others it changed drastically. She'd gain a new family that sprawled across the galaxy and would have honor to show for it.

 

[Emma Lou]

Become a Mandalorian? That was a sillier idea than her working for the Sith. She was a smuggler not a warrior.

"I use my looks and my hips to get what I want most of the time. While the suit of armor suits you, I don't think it would look good on me"

It was not just about looks either. She liked her life for the most part. She had come to terms with being alone in the Galaxy.

"I am quite pleased with my routine for the most part. Do a job then get paid"

 

[Horizon]

"You never know. The armor might look rather dashing on you, Kori."

Do a job and get paid, huh? Maybe smuggling was simple like that. Saren knew that his current line of work wasn't like that at all and there was much to think about. Each time he pulled his blasters, someone was going to die and so far it had been those he turned the barrels against. Did he have remorse for killing others? Not a chance, in fact he enjoyed the combat and the desperate chances that came with it. The real thought to keep was how long could you keep it up before your time would come. Maybe he'd kill that last goon and piss off a Hutt bad enough to where he sends a fellow hunter that could outmatch him.

Death didn't scare Saren either, it was the anticipation that bothered him.

"Routine makes up for sorry results. I think you need try out a different line of work."

 

[Emma Lou]

Kori was a little taken aback by his bluntness. He didn't know her yet he was speaking to her like they were old friends and he was just concerned for her safety. She took another drink from the glass and looked him over. She knew nothing about him besides his name and that he was a Mandalorian. He could be right though. Her routine was a little boring, but after working for the Sith in constant fear for her life she had kinda grown fond of boring. She was raking in the credits and while she had been in a few fights there had never been too much bloodshed...of hers.

"You speak like you know me. Maybe I like the boring routine. Not to be rude but it doesn't seem like your day has been too thrilling"

 

[Horizon]

"How much more is there to know, Kori? You're a beautiful woman who travels frequently making her way in the galaxy. As for my day, it hasn't been very exciting. You got me there. The hassle of that hunt wouldn't have been worth the payment and I've got to keep an eye out for better opportunities."

Saren was stuck in his own kind of routine, but it suited him well and the dangers he faced was everything he desired. Credits meant one day settling down back home with his family, elevating their way of living while keeping in line with their traditions and beliefs. He couldn't stand the thought of them wallowing in their forts made of spare parts from ships that they had to strip. No, he would have them living on a compound that would be suited for any self respecting Mandalorian! Such thoughts angered him, which lead to his grip tightening around his glass before he eased off. Kori wouldn't notice this little display and Saren would be happy that she didn't.

The time was to relax, not to think about what can't be changed.

The sun was now settling behind the dusty dunes, leaving much of the light to have disappeared as the starry night sky came out to shine. It provided its own calming mood to the conversation and setting as they sat alone on Saren's dock. Many of the men and women working at their own docks, whether it be making repairs or off loading supplies for trade, had turned in for the evening save for a few that stood underneath flood lights as they smoked their cigaras and carried on with their conversations.

"It's rather late, Kori. I wouldn't recommend walking to your ship tonight. The streets of Tatooine are far more dangerous around this time and I would hate to think that the wolves prowling about might get you."

 

[Emma Lou]

Kori had never been on Tatooine once night had fallen before so she had to take his word for it. She knew that's when the unsavory people came out though. She was a woman and that meant she was extra cautious.

"So are you going bring me back over to my ship then?"

She smiled at him and took another swing from the glass. It was almost empty now. She had paid in advance for the spot that her ship was now parked in because she was not sure what this night had in store for her. Better to pay a few credits than to disappear and lose a ship.

 

[Horizon]

" 'Fraid not. Your ship should be safe. If there's anything that I trust here, it's the dock authorities and the measures they take to keep their customer's ships safe. Otherwise people couldn't land and commerce of every kind couldn't thrive. Why not stay for the evening? "

Saren then reached up underneath his helmet, clicking or pressing something which caused his helmet to hiss for a brief moment as it came loose. He then slid his helmet off, revealing his face which had been scarred over a great deal of battles. Some gashes were deeper than others, but they didn't make him out to be some horrendous monster visually. His eyes were a deep blue while his hair was dark as night, having been shaven down to a clean buzz cut. Most likely out of just being practical was the reason he had it cut so short.

"It's cozy enough inside. Firespray models are notorious for their features which includes a guard's seating section. I'm not with any police force, so I took the liberty of turning it into a spot to relax. Hopefully you don't mind a cot, if so you'll be fine."

Saren then lifted his wrist as he began tapping the module that was mounted upon it, punching in a code that caused Saren's ship open up. As the loading ramp/walk way opened up, Saren walked on over next to it as it settled.

"I won't press you into staying though. Women of your caliber certainly can be foolish upon a first glance, but there's no telling what there is to expect underneath those robes."

Was he making a truthful statement or was he making a pass? Saren was rather handy with his words and he could bend them to do whatever he pleased. You had to be tricky and resourceful out in the galaxy and Saren was your prime example of a silver tongued devil.

 

[Emma Lou]

Kori had to admit that he was good looking despite the scars. He was certainly the complete opposite of what she usually found attractive and by usually she meant her ex-fiance, Fran. She mentally scolded herself for thinking of Fran and how good looking Saren was. She was done with guys. Period. She had done really good at not seducing lately and that made her quite proud.

She stood and downed what was left of her drink. He was right, she couldn't walk back tonight. She was not sure if he was going to try anything but she was not too worried. She had plenty of weapons hidden on her and she could hold her own long enough to get away. As she walked over she unwrapped her headscarf and shook her head. That head shake let her long, thick brown hair get untangled and back to a resemble look falling around her shoulders.

"You're right, there is no telling what is underneath these robes"

She smiled and followed him. She really hoped that she wouldn't have to kill Saren tonight because, honestly, she wasn't sure who would win.

 

[Horizon]

As they embarked on their journey inside, Saren's ship kept a cool temperature and was quite the stark contrast from the outside conditions. So as they entered and the loading ramp closed behind them, the AC was a welcomed change. Much of Saren's ship was standard in terms of the Firespray models. Multiple holding cells were featured in the ship for transporting prisoners. Mainly two actually allowed the prisoner to stand up right behind energy shielding. The other cells were for prisoners who were frozen in carbonite. Saren only used the energy shielded cells and preferred such due to having custom designed bomb collars. That way there was a lethal deterrent in any thought of escape. It was strange not having a prisoner aboard for once, thought Saren.

"Here's the cot I was talking about. Isn't much, but it's got blankets and a pillow. Enjoy yourself."

And with that he took a nearby ladder leading into the cockpit where he undressed himself out of his armor. Stripping down to nothing but a pair of black of underwear that hugged the skin, Saren relaxed in his pilot's seat, reclining it backwards before grabbing one of his Westarr blaster pistols to keep in hand. Could never be too safe.

 

[Emma Lou]

Kori watched Saren walk away and take the ladder up to what she assumed was his room. She did not feel comfortable taking any of her clothing off. She was already in pants and a blouse so that would be comfortable enough. She did pull her blaster out as she made the cot and got ready to lay down. She settled onto the cot and pulled the blanket over her. Her hand rested on the blaster as she got comfy. She didn't trust him at all. Honestly, it was probably going to be a few hours before she could even fall asleep.

 

[Horizon]

A couple minutes of laying in that uncomfortable chair eventually led to Saren passing out. The ship grew silent as the night went on, only noises to penetrate the hard steel of the ship were the gusts of wind rolling about in the dunes. Morning arrived bright and early with Saren putting back on his gear, tightening down his helmet and holstering his blasters. A few crates had disappeared over night and that was just how he planned it. A trandoshan arms dealer had paid about a month earlier for a shipment of blasters and a few select slug throwers to add to his selection, Saren just so happened to be his man to get them. He rolled in a few other crates he just wanted out of the hull to create some space, not really caring whether or not he awoke Kori.

Everything was packed and Saren was ready to head off again into space, but Kori was still in bed. The lady didn't put out the night before and barely made a move back, but that was most likely because he didn't go with his idea of prowling the alley ways for cheap two dollar hookers. Approaching her cot, Saren pulled one of his blasters from its holster and gently tapped its barrel on the hull. The ringing from the taps would be enough to wake her if she wasn't already, but he had grown tired of her free loading attitude for one night.

"Rise and shine, Kori. I've got to make a few more runs off this wasteland and I'm afraid I can't drag you along."

Saren then climbed the ladder again, pulling himself up to the control board in his ship as he primed the engines for take off.