Log Date: 1/29/97 Log Cast: Shenner, Grathix, Shikh Log Intro: As she slipped out of the noise and clamor of the Free-Flight Dance Dome and into the comparatively quieter streets of Etti IV's capital city, Shenner scowled to herself, and remembered. _A time, not very long ago; a hungry, desperate kid on the streets of Plawal on Belsavis, for whom the shadow of the Empire was mingled together with the more immediate threat of local law enforcement. Both for her symbolized the same thing: omnipresent power, which had crushed her mother's pride, psyche, and ultimately even if indirectly her life, and which if Shenner didn't do something about it would doubtless ultimately do the same to her... Hungry on the streets, and working hard to hide being bemused at the news of the Rebel Alliance's string of victories over the Empire. Working to keep the mask of indifference, to hide the half-formed yen to be out there too, somehow making things Better -- such was a too-costly, far too improbable luxury..._ _Stop it,_ Shenner growled at herself, as she loped through the city, keeping an eye out for the big red-eyed man who'd employed her on Tatooine. Dreams of flying off to join the Rebels were for people with luck, money, connections... hells, _she'd_ tried to get into NR space, and look where that'd gotten her, thanks to That Damned Corellian... _Stop it!_ With an effort, she managed to squelch the thought of the Corellian pilot, but even as her mind tried to shift off angsting over the past, the present remained. And the gossip she'd heard from the two back in the Dome (_Imperials, they had to be Imperials, what the _kark_ was I doing drinking with Imperials?!_) made it all too easy to remember still-too-recent dreams and hopes. News of the Rebellion, for Shenner, had had all the reality in her days of the bedtime stories her mother'd read her in her childhood. But in the bedtime stories, the heroes were always battling for the Right -- and the New Republic, what Shenner knew the Rebellion had become, had a battle fleet here. _Heroes don't go around picking fights for no reason. What are they doing here?_ As she turned the matter over and over again in her head, Shenner at last slipped into the Memorial Park.... ---------- Memorial Park - Capital City This is a medium sized, yet aesthetically pleasing park. A multitude of colors abound, from the bed of roses in the right hand corner to the orchids that surround the monument in the middle. However, the color that most stands out is green. A large number of evergreen trees loiter the outer rim of the park, while old stoic oaks line the many inner sidewalks. Almost all of the park is covered in healthy, green grass. Scattered all around the park are signs that read, "PLEASE DO NOT WALK ON THE GRASS, AS IT IS A LIVING MEMORIAL TO THOSE WHO HAVE DIED IN THE SERVITUDE OF THE CORPORATE SECTOR AUTHORITY, THANK YOU." Several Espo troopers stand out like statues among the light crowd of people passing through. They watch everything that goes on around them with a tight grip on their blasters, ready for anything. Obvious exits: leads to Residential Avenue - Capital City . Grathix comes into the park from the west. Grathix has arrived. Grathix finds his way to the park and walk about it. Off across the park, pacing disgruntledly along a stretch of the path, the young thief Shenner casts occasional narrow-eyed glances in this direction and that. Grathix's eyes follow the Orchid patch and he heads towards it. Grathix reaches the patch, glnces momentarily at the statue nearby, then bends down and inspects the orchids. By the evergreens, Shenner scans the park again -- and, upon spying Grathix, tenses. But the expression is businesslike all the same, as the young human begins making an ostensibly leisurely circuit about the park, exhibiting appropriately touristy appreciation of the flora. Grathix rolls a 8 for his PERCEPTION skill. A Poor roll! Shikh comes into the park from the west. Shikh has arrived. Grathix rises from his inspection of the Orchid and looks about for a place to sit a while. Shikh walks up from the residential area, hands stuffed in his pockets as he looks over the park with a slight smile on his face. Shikh Before you stands a 6-foot, raven-haired, emerald eyed charmer, with a disarming smile framed by a neat goatee. He's clad in mostly black, denim pants, leather boots, leather vest, and a hair tie drawing his shoulder length locks into a neat ponytail, all black. Under the vest is a white turtleneck, long sleeves pushed up above his elbows. Fingerless gloves wrap his hands, which are large and strong looking. About his waist is slung a laden double holstered belt, complete with two sighted blasters of modified design. He walks determinedly, and with ease, long strides eating up the ground as he walks. He's fit, but not overly developed, as to be considered hulkish or inflated in appearance. Grathix finds him self an agreeable bench and sits upon it, proping his briefcase upon his lap, opening it up and pulling a datapad from within its contents. Shenner continues leisurely ambling along the path through the park, closer and closer to the orchids... and the bench with Grathix upon it. Grathix closes the briefcase and sets it next to him. He begins to scroll through some file or another, not very much aware of the proceedings around him. Shikh raises an eyebrow as he reads the memorial sign, but steers closer to the center of the path, eyeing the Espo guards uncomfortably. Shikh looks at you for a moment. Shenner draws to a slower pace, studying the people nearer to the center of the park. Perhaps the lean young redhead is trying not to attract the attention of the guards, either, for the youngster begins to stroll again, aiming for a course past Grathix's bench. Grathix nods to himself as he reads something from the datapad. He takes out a writing tool and begins to mark upon the datapad screen. Shikh continues toward the center of the park, whistling a catchy tune to himself as he walks. He plucks a small box from his back pocket and taps it against his hand, pulling a small cigarette from it. He puts the box away, retrieving a matchbook from his front pocket, and strikes it, causing a small flare to appear in the darkness, lighting his face with a reddish glow. He puffs once, twice, on the cigarette, then shakes out the match, tossing it over his shoulder onto the path. Grathix finishes with his datapad and places it back within the confines of his briefcase. He stands and takes his biefcase, heading for the nearest path with the large Oaks. Shenner alters course to... well, maybe not intercept, but certainly _pass_ Grathix. Green eyes intent, the redhead focuses on the man's general right side, not looking to make eye contact. Shikh stops by the bench Grathix had been sitting on and leans back on it, lifting his arms back over his head, elbows out and cradling his head against interlocked fingers. Shenner very deliberately aims towards Grathix.... and bumps into him, lightly. A roughly murmured "Excuse me," and then, the redhead heads on down the path. Grathix glances back at the person who bumped him, looking at 'him' as the person continues on. He says loudly, "Watch wherer you're going, friend." Shikh looks over toward the disturbance, then grimaces slightly and gets up from the bench, headed back toward the heart of Etti IV. Shikh leaves the park to the west. Shikh has left. "My mistake," the 'youth' with the short red hair answers... heading back towards the evergreens. Grathix adjust his clothing and retorts, "There was no mistake about it. You saw me walking." Grathix turns and heads after the 'youth', saying, "Hold up...I'm not finished with you yet...you got alot of nerve..." Shikh comes into the park from the west. Shikh has arrived. Shikh leaves the park to the west. Shikh has left. Shenner turns, saying annoyedly, "What's your problem, pal?" Grathix says, "I had no problem...that is until you came along..." Grathix increases his pace to catch up to the 'youth' Shenner frowns, spreading 'his' hands to indicate their emptiness, and then holds them up wardingly. "Whoa! Take it easy! I just karkin' tripped, how many times you want me to apologize for it?!" Grathix says, "not good enough..." as he follows the youth into a shadowy area of the park within the Oaks. Shenner casts a look at a particularly alert guard, before saying loudly enough to carry, "Now c'mon, pal, we can settle this quietly, right? Buy you a drink or something....?" But 'he' paces back, hands still up protectively, into the shadows by the oaks. Grathix walks towards the youth and says, "make it 3 drinks, and we'll call it even." "Anything you say, pal, anything you say..." And as Grathix draws near, Shenner mutters in an undertone, "We have to talk." Grathix nods and follows the youth. Grathix leaves the park to the west. Grathix has left. You leave the park to the west. Residential Avenue - Capital City (#1392RLt) The avenue is long and wide, meandering a bit under the red sky between houses and odd spiky trees. The ground is paved with a light fused stone, bland compared to the wide variety of housing on either side. Houses of low build peep from between the harsh trees, most residences with a few small home office businesses here and there. Though it seems at first glance to be difficult to find just the residence you are looking for, there seems to be some order to the chaotic arrangements. (OOC: Type 'houses' for a list.) As quiet as this area seems, there are always people wandering the streets, day or night. Amongst the thin crowd are several Espo guards, standing at the ready to protect the consumers and their residences from crime. Contents: Grathix Shikh Carmine Lamppost Obvious exits: leads to Memorial Park - Capital City . leads to Port District - Capital City . Carmine raises his head off his paws and growls a low warning at Shenner, as if to say, 'Keep away from my spot.' Carmine A VERY large, scarred rottweiler wearing a spiked leather collar stares back at you, a low growl issuing from his throat. Shikh smiles, "Don't worry about him, he's an angel." then looks back as the dog growls again, "What's wrong with you?" he asks. Shenner, looking all the world like somebody on the losing end of an argument, creeps down out of the park in Grathix's wake... and halts at the sound of the growl from the canine. Shikh follows the dog's gaze and sees Shenner, "Ignore him, really, he won't hurt you." Grathix looks at Shenner as he keeps walking and says, "he won't bight you kid. Now, lets get those drinks you owe me." "If you say so...." The redhead scoots back from the dog, giving him a wide berth, and then gives Grathix a look. "How about those drinks, then?" Grathix nods, "My thoughts exactly." Grathix continues on. Grathix moves long the avenue to the west. Grathix has left. Carmine follows Grathix's departure with emotionless interest, lowering his head back onto his paws as they disappear from sight. Shikh chuckles and shakes his head, turning to stare at Carmine Shenner, with hands spread placatingly, makes a path on down the street. [And Grathix and Shenner head off to....] Free-Flight Dance Dome - Capital City The Free Flight Dome of Etti IV is famous. Not only for the repute of it's patrons, but also for the amazing dance floor it possesses. A ring of tables rise around a central open area. The tables are terraced, with the higher ones being tucked back further and further into shadow and dimness. The center of the room, in contrast, is brightly lit. It is here, in the opening at the middle of the ring, where the dance floor lies. It is from this space that the establishment received it's name. The space is bordered with a railing made of chrome, polished to a high gleam. Beyond this railing there is a field, controlled by the workers, that nullifies the act of gravity. Dancing of all sorts is possible in this field of weightlessness. Flips, jumps of incredible height, and mere toe tapping all to the beat of the live band that constantly plays on the bandstand. The ceiling towers 25 meters above the floor, giving ample room. The bandstand and the glass and chrome bar are the only things that break the circle of tables. The bartenders, two of them at a time, prepare drinks quickly, and attempt to avoid listening to the interesting (and often dangerous) conversations around them. After all, one false word in this place can mean one's life. The Espo police presence here is normal. Contents: Grathix Obvious exits: leads to Port District - Capital City . In the Dome, the noise of the crowd -- and the band -- provides a fairly steady blanket of background sound, and Shenner navigates a path towards the bar with the adroitness of a seasoned patron. Grathix says, "Large table, wouldn't you say?" Grathix heads for the table. Grathix moves through the crowd and joins you at your table. Shenner goes to the bar, first, and orders up a couple of drinks, before approaching the table with them. "Hope you like these," 'he' says casually. "A couple of ciders. Something stronger if you want it." And the 'youth' folds 'his' lean frame down into one of the table's seats. You move through the crowd and sit at a large table. LARGE This large table has a good view of the dance floor and the surrounding patrons of the joint. Large and round, it's covered with a few different varieties of dried liquid substances, of various ages. Occupied: Grathix Grathix takes the cider, "This will do...for now." Grathix drinks from his Cider. Under the relative cover of the noise atmosphere, Grathix talks with Shenner. At your table, Grathix says, "So, what up." At your table, Shenner sits, and, upon sitting, chatters conversationally -- something about the band being rather good, don't you think, though nothing on par with a group who plays on Bespin -- and then interjects in a lower tone, "Why didn't you _tell_ me the Imperials and the NR have battle fleets in orbit here?!" At your table, Grathix grins. "didn't want you to panic, like you're doing now." He casually drinks from his Cider. At your table, Grathix says, "Besides, it to our advantage to have them here." At your table, Shenner keeps 'his' face tightly set, and replies lowly and tautly, "What, the local security isn't tight enough?" The accusation of panic is not dignified with a vocal response, though Shenner's green gaze has turned hard and hot. At your table, Grathix says, "The local security isn't a problem...like I told you on Tatooine, that'll be taken care off. As for the fleets, NR isn't a problem. But as for the Empire, that's why we're bring the additional ships. At your table, Grathix says, "Its all covered." Grathix finishes off his Cider. At your table, Shenner says, pitched _exactly_ to carry to her table companion and no further, "Do I get to know _how_ it's being taken 'care of'?" At your table, Grathix grins, reaches into his briefcase, takes out a couple of credit holders brimming with credits, and sets them non-chalantly on the table. He says "With this..." At your table, Grathix says, "That'll take care of the locals. The NR won't meddle directly with us. They may very well aise us. and as for the Imperial fleet, they have to catch us first." At your table, Grathix calls over a waiter and says to you, "Having second thoughts, are you?" At your table, Shenner evidently knows better than to gape at obvious displays of money, for 'he' doesn't blink at the credit holders, not here. Equally evident is the lack of any real assuredness at this news, but at least slightly, the youngster relaxes. "Why's the NR here, anyway? Grathix orders another Cider from the Waiter and watches him go before answering. At your table, Grathix says, "One name..Han Solo." At your table, Grathix places the credits back in his briefcase. At your table, Shenner narrows 'his' eyes over the rim of 'his' mug. "And that'd be...?" At your table, Grathix says, "One of the so-called 'acclaimed' Generals for the New Republic. Supposedly helped in decimating the Empire's control. Used to be a smuggler before. He was one of the most wanted men in the cosmos." The waiter arrives with Grathix's cider and sets it before him. Grathix doesn't even acknowledge the waiter or the Cider set before him. At your table, Shenner considers this. Not until the waiter has gone again does 'he' speak, but when the thiefling does, it's with: "This Solo's ordered the fleet here?" No fear in Shenner's voice; rather, 'his' tone and expression suggest one absorbing new bits of data, weighing their worth. At your table, Grathix shakes his head, "No, the fleet is here for Solo." Grathix drinks form his Cider. At your table, Shenner frowns searchingly. "What's the big deal, then?" At your table, Grathix sighs and says, "The 'big deal' as you call it is that Solo is being held prisoner by the CSA. " At your table, Shenner does narrow 'his' eyes further at that. "You mean... the people in charge of this planet. Right?" At your table, Grathix nods, "Yes." At your table, Shenner lets out a long sigh, shoves a slender hand through 'his' cropped hair, then fixes you with a sardonic smirk. "So, check me on this. You're telling me a Rebel hero is being held prisoner on this world, and his pals have come to spring him out?" At your table, Grathix says, "basically." At your table, Shenner abruptly snickers, sounding either tired or darkly amused, or perhaps both. "What do you want to do, then? Use 'em as a distraction?" At your table, Grathix chuckls heartily, "Oh they already are that." At your table, Shenner downs a bit more of 'his' own cider, then murmurs, pointedly, "Then when do I get to find out what I get to do while the NR's being... distracting?" At your table, Grathix says, "As soon my associates make there way over here, bringing with them a few 'goodies'" At your table, Grathix says, "Speaking of wich, you didn't by chance seen a Rodian around here as you toured the place?" At your table, Shenner lifts 'his' dark eyebrows. "Maybe. Suppose you tell me what a Rodian looks like." At your table, Grathix says, "They are humanoid beings, with tapirlike snouts, protrusions like spines coming out from their skulls with suction cup fingers and most are greenish. They also have large multifaceted eyes." At your table, Shenner shakes her head, then. "Not a sight of anybody like that." Another of those sardonic smiles curves the left side of the thief's mouth. "But I'll remember to look." At your table, Grathix nods, "Just in case you do see one, if his name is Nyril, make sure to make his aquaintence and tell him I'm looking for him." At your table, Shenner studies 'his' companion. "Got it," 'he' answers, then takes a moment to flag down the waiter and place a loud and cheerful order for the next round of drinks. Only when the waiter departs again does that green gaze flick back to Grathix, with Shenner's remark of, "So. Anything _else_ I don't need to 'panic' about?" At your table, Grathix grins, "Maybe one other thing...how old are you kid?" At your table, Shenner replies promptly, "I'm of the age of consent." The thief doesn't elaborate, though, as those green eyes glint with a suggestion of, 'Your point being...?' At your table, Grathix nods, "Good. Just want to give you fair warning, that my 'associates' are of the very friendly, provacative, and alluring kind. And I hope a young man like yourself won't let his 'hormones' get in the way of the job at hand." At your table, Grathix grins as he brings his drink to his lips, "They tend to get very 'friendly' with young ones." Grathix drinks his Cider. At your table, Shenner abruptly chortles. "You won't have anything to worry about." At your table, Grathix grins wryly, "I've heard that before...just don't let them get to you too hard kid." At your table, Grathix leans up on the table and says, "That's one thing I like about you..." At your table, Shenner leans forward just slightly and says dryly, "Yeah?" At your table, Grathix nods, "You're brash and confident...you have alot of potential and I'd hate to see you waste it solely on pickpocketing." At your table, Shenner sits back, and allows a bit of laughter again, as 'his' green eyes sweep the room. "Well, it's not exactly my dream profession, pal." At your table, Grathix asks, "what wold you like to be?" At your table, Shenner glances sidelong at 'his' table companion, and while the thief's tone isn't exactly suspicious, it is ever so slightly distrustful, as if Shenner's not accustomed to this question. "Why?" At your table, Grathix says, "Like I said, I like you Kid. And I don't want you squandering your skill on measle pickpocketing jobs. I'd like to help you out, ater this job is done." At your table, Shenner considers this answer, and apparently it passes judgement, as the 'youth' rolls a shoulder in a shrug. "I've wanted a lot of things. Mostly lately, it's been, 'somebody who's alive and fed.'" But the green gaze shifts, evaluatingly, off across the room to the band. "But I used to want to do _that_." At your table, Grathix says, "Its not enough to simply live and eat. You must do something that drives you, that makesyou feel alive, that challenges you to your limits...what would that be for you?" At your table, Shenner at that shifts a calculating regard off across the room, to where the band is performing. "That," the thief says shortly, nodding 'his' close-cropped head. At your table, Grathix says, "Ah, a musician...dreamt of being one myself when I was younger." At your table, Shenner glances back at Grathix, at that remark, and perhaps ever so slightly relaxes a bit further. "Yeah?" At your table, Grathix nods, "Yes, but then I noticed I had a head for business and pursued the money instead." At your table, Shenner smiles, again narrowly. "And now you're a vice president." At your table, Grathix shrugs, "can't complain." At your table, Shenner chuckles dryly, sips cider, and shrugs again. "It's a relief to hear a group who can put a song together without strangling it." At your table, Grathix grins, "Heard my share of lyrical crucifictions." At your table, Grathix pushes his cider away from him and says, "Listen, kid, I'm going to go scout the security at this one spot. Why don't you keep enjoying yourself here or around the place. we won't be 'performing' for some time. So take it easy and keep your eyes and ears open." Grathix stands from his place at thetable. Grathix pats Shenner on the shoulder and says, "See you around, Kid." At your table, Shenner watches you get up, then nods, curtly. "Just don't keep back any more little surprises," 'he' tells you, jerking a thumb skywards, as if to indicate the ships high above the planet in their orbits. At your table, Shenner allows a bit of a grin, though. Grathix stands and leaves your table. Grathix throws some credits on the table and heads out. He says, "Thanks for the company." Grathix exits and heads into the Port District. Grathix has left. [End log.]