Do we have an end date timetable?
Kloh was already thinking of the things they'd have to purchase for a task of this sort and had some ideas on modifications to the ship to change its appearance. He was looking forward to this project and had a revelation.
Can we stage a pirating of one of Zedora's ships? If we show up with merchandise bearing Zedora's mark doubled with stories on the Holonet of a ship being raided then we have a nice in with the pirate crew.
Yeebo looks at Kloh curiously. "So when you get to their doorstep, what's going to be your story? Again we do not know who they support. Your plan assumes they would be pleased to meet someone raiding Zedora. As far as the timetable is concerned, you have a week to report in."
Gotcha boss, that would be nerf herder move there. I guess its all hood and vibroblade work then. Suits me just fine.
"We should rather play as pirates looking for better hunting grounds. With five days, my ship can be ready, or we can keep and use Dwenna's now and my ship can be an alternate later. My ship has plenty of what we need except perhaps the survaillence stuff."
"Let's plan to have your ship rendezvous with us as we wrap this up, no guarantee the current ship or plan will survive contact with the enemy."
"Can't, the entire reason for me taking on a few jobs for Zedora was to get the funds I needed to pay for repairs. So either Dwennas ship covers the cost plus some or we wait until we can get more cash. Taking this pirate job is good cause we can probably get a few sidejobs along the way if play things right, but still, it's either Dwennas ship or mine for the present. Obviously I vote my ship, its a bit bigger cargo wise, Im familiar with it, and I dont like owing debts particularly when my stuff is held as collateral, and of course because its my ship. So what do you vote?" Jaira of course is hoping to get everyone else to go with her ship, but she is biased on that and she knows it.
We got enough preparations to make without worrying about another ship that needs repairs. Its a definite no from me.
There was no way Kloh would ever agree with using Jaira's ship. She was full of herself as it was and he wouldn't have her holding the whole "its my ship" over his head. Plus it just wasn't a practical decision with just a week to go before thy had to leave.
"We don't have to worry about the repairs. Gretal is handling that, so in three days it will be good to fly, with no worries from us. Gretal has proven her reliability as a mechanic. There is a reason people pay her prices. I have a few thousand left to pay her before I can actually take the ship however. Besides, after this next mission I should be able to pay it off any way so, do you really want to spend a bunch of money on Dwennas ship for a single mission? Do we really need two ships? Trading in Dwennas will not only get us the disguise you want, but gives us some major credit from Gretal for future repairs. Trust me ship repairs are not cheap, hence my presence. Really it boils down to spending money and time to have two ships or building credit with only one ship."
Jaira seemed to catch that Kloh had unsaid reservations, though she isn't sure what they are.
Well, I dont see it as Dwenna's ship no more. It's our ship and I'm not walking away from that. I signed on to work for Zedora and I guess by proxy Yeebo but thats all the bosses I'll stand. I fly your ship then I'm working for you. That just aint my style and it aint gonna happen.
The Nautolan's hands came from behind his head and he sat forward in his synthleather seat and crossed his arms.
Ah, the sounds of criminals trying to work together. You guys are good at this.
Let me know when the situation is resolved and I will move us along.
Venkru shrugs not a 100 percent certain that either one of the potential pilots would give him very many surly orders. He decides the pissing contest would eventually resolve itself without his input.......
Jaira laughs, "First, we havent given it a name, so until we do, its "Dwennas ship" second, why would you be working for me? You would only be working for me if you were a crew member, and the ship has enough droids and automation to only need me to fly her, so you would not be crew, you be a passenger and a partner. It is my ship, so you wouldnt be flying it anyway unless you asked nicely. Now Venkru, what is your opinion." Jaira hopes Venkru says something to help out, she doesn't really understand why Kloh turned this into some sort of "whos boss" kinda thing, but really is more concerned with two things, getting her ship back in one piece, preferably sooner, and completeing the mission.
Hohohoho....
Kloh cut the Miraluka female off as he gurgled through a hearty laugh in his typical manner.
You fly her?! Haha! Are you some Holocomic that I've never heard of before? Cuz, that's about as funny as Jabba gettin choked out by 90 pound slave girl. You might have enough skill to pilot a swoop through a Coruscant Hyper-Artery at peak hour but you just arent familiar enough with a transport to fly your way out of a transplast bag Jaira.
The glint in his bulbous eyes hinted at just a ribbing between cohorts but there was a seriousness to his tone that left no doubt that the Nautolan would not let anyone else fly him around unless they proved they were better than him...and a fellow spacer...and even then...Ive got the touch baby...
With the matter settled, to him at least; Kloh cupped his chin in a webbed hand and thought back to that tales that he'd heard on Port Nowhere and Dunari's Rest.
Now a new name...hmm. How about Void Gremlin? or Jonah's Gambit?..hmm...I'm fond of Idle Hands and Nova Scream.. Oh mynock spit, I could do this all day. You guys like any of those or got any other ideas?
"To me a ship is a ship an a pilot is a pilot, I like to have spares of each."
Yeebo chuckles at the comment about Jabba but seems to be getting a bit annoyed with the bickering. "Just pick a ship an get on it! Your not getting paid by the hour you know!"
"The ship that is ready then."
"Yeebo, now you are just ruining my fun." Jaira smiles at Yeebo in a playfully poutfull way, then turns back to Kloh, "First we will resolve the matter of the better flyer when we return from this mission perhaps letting you dogfight four pirate freighters alone and see if you come out of it better then me, second, I recommend naming the ship Enslaved, after what happened to its previous owner."
"I like sojourn better.....I mean for a ship name...Maybe Sojourn of Fortune."
Kloh wanted to throw up his hands in disgust at Jaira's ignorant idea of a challenge but he was way too cool to get drawn into a test of skill against someone who so clearly displayed a lack of it... maybe if she actually knew the difference between a spindle actuator and a yaw slip gear...broads are all the same...excepting mother of course...now there's a space pilot worth her salt... So he ignored the woman's false bravado and weighed in on the naming of their ship.
What if we combined them somehow? Sojourn Enslaved, Enslaved Fortune, Fortune Enslaved...yah, along them lines is sounding slick for a full fledged pirate rig.
"Enslaved Sojourn? Or name it after Sajuuk?"
Kloh's bulbous eyes blinked languidly at the strange name.
What is Sajuuk?
Venkru imagines this space fight will fully resolve neither the pilot's skill, nor the proper naming of a ship. He nods once at Yeebo and gestures that they both should leave.
"Sajuuk, a massive ship about two times the size of a star destroyer, and with immense firepower. It would be a joke really to use that name."
Jaira watches Venkru leave, "Hes right Im hungry. My vote for a name is Slave of Sojourn, or we can put names in hat and have Yeebo draw one."
Jaira goes to find lunch.
Cupping his chin in hand, Kloh pondered.
I like jokes so thats tempting but Slave of Sojourn is way catchier and ominous. You cool with that Venkru?
"Sounds like a fine mane. Who knew you two hot-shot pilots could agree on anything!"
Venkru laughs and hopes Yeebo actually managed to escape this ridicoulous episode in his bands history......
Kloh nods at Venkru's assessment and rises from his seat.
I guess the R&R is over and its time to get back to work.
Yeebo nods. "Yes, R&R is definitely over. Now, before you leave I am sending a new recruit to replace that soldier you had with you before. He will meet you at your ship. Now get to it and may the force be with you." With that, Yeebo leaves.
You make your way to the hanger where your ship is docked. Zedora's men made a few minor repairs and a tune up and outfitted it so it would be ready for your trip. As promised, a new recruit is waiting to meet you at the Ship. he is a Nautolan, a lot like Kloh but gruffer and more battle scared than Kloh.
Standing with arms crossed, the Nautolan soldier calls up to a technician working on the ship as the others approach ".....and make sure you actually tune that shield emitter and not just bang on it with that spanner. I'm the one that's going to be riding this thing not you....get with it!"
Turning, he see the other's approach. Uncrossing his arms,he casually hooks his thumbs in his gun belt, "Gotta ride these lazy nerfherders, or they just float around doin' nothing."
A closer look reveals a young Nautolan who's obviously seen some action. His armor and weapons look well worn but excellently maintained, this one's a pro.
He scrutinizes the others , his eyes glance over Jaira, linger a little longer on Kloh then settle on Venkru. "Ah, Mandalorian....I've killed a couple of your kind....tough customers. "
The nalatoan at the ship sounds initially like he could be Kloh's angry alcoholic father.....as he sizes him up he decides angry brother.
"Facts, brags don't matter so much in a hanger bay or over a drink...."
"Names Venkru..."
Points at his red skinned Amazonian companion and her beast.....
"You want a challenge, go four round unarmed with that one!"
"After the mission...."
Venkru begins to rethink that whole turning Kloh into a soldier thing
Walking up Kloh at first shot a glance towards where the mechanic was working...they better not be using a spanner as a mallet on my baby... Relieved that the fellow Nautolan was just blowing hot air and that he'd only spared Kloh a quick look; Kloh took a second to get a better look at their new cohort and hid his surprise well... By the Tides!.. he's been Shorned!.. there's a story to tell there... but not in front of the others... but subconsciously ran a hand through his tentacles before gurgling a chuckle at Venkru's challenge.
Hohoho... let's save the energy and the heat for the mission fellas. Welcome to the crew. Name's Kloh Ryn Pul. This is Venkru and that's Jaira.
Sleen chuckles "I'm sure she'd give me a good tumble...she's quite the specimen." gazing admirably at the tall Malakai.
As Kloh runs through the names, Sleen nods to each "I'm Sleen Farro, lately one of Kua Hutt's crew, but one of Zedora's helpers saw fit to pluck me from obscurity and team me up with you three."
If he notices Kloh's unconscious gesture he gives no sign.
Jaira glances the new guy over, then goes to inspect the technicians work.
The mechanic steps down. "Just doin sum toonin. She's good ta go."
Now that formalities are out of the way, do you head out?
Sleen gathers his gear and follows the others up into the vessel.
Once he's been shown his berth, he joins any others on the command deck and asks "So what does Zadora have in store for us?"
"Pirate operation got a bit too big for there own good, got themselves noticed by the organization, going to mop up."
Enna stashes Jiaras luggage in her cabin and finds herself an inconsicuous spot to sit and "study"
Jiara finds a seat, "You know, now that I think about it, it is kinda nice to have someone chauffeur me around for change." She smiles humorously at Kloh.
"Not an expert on piloting, but can't one pilot help another out?"
From where Sleen leans against the bulkhead "Don't be counting on me for any hotshot pilotin', I can steer around a shipyard but that's 'bout it."
Hey now, you all just worry about manning those blasters and keeping this tub running. Me and Nael will handle the piloting. I wish we'd had time to score that astromech...
Kloh will have Yayoi store his and his slaves gear while he runs some basic diagnostics on the ship.
That done he'll check on the body modifications and see if there is anything that needs to be buttoned up, added or subtracted...maybe there's time for a coat of paint...
The ship seems to be in good shape. All damages it sustained when you abducted it are repaired. It's good to go.
Venkru leans over Kloh as he runs his checks.....
"So did that tech monkey manage to do any damage bumbling around with that spanner?"
Bulbous eyes glowing from the computer screen readout; Kloh smiled and shook his head.
"Nope. The Slave of Sojourn checks out as flight and combat ready. Lets double check our gear and score whatever we think we'll need. We should be spaceborn in a few days at most.
"Few days, eh? Well gear wise, I'm all set. If you need me, just comm, I'll be around."
With that Sleen will spend the the next day or two in relaxing pursuits, a little gambling, a little female companionship, a little bit more sleep.
Jiara spends the time working on building her droid, and teaching Enna, and getting to know the ship. For the time being she doesnt really interact with Sleen, just watches him still judgeing his character.
Venkru goes over the hull utilizing scanners to check the hull integrity....
"The computer hull integrity test is great, but a visual check is a good idea."
Venkru can't help but think of the ships armor like his own armor.