Log Date: 2/5/97, 2/6/97 Log Cast: Shikh, Shenner, Silversand, Dillon, Grathix, Xerxes, D'etta, Chantinelle, Brok (NPC Espo captain, run by Roark) Log Intro: It is growing increasingly difficult for the thief and bardling Shenner to keep her composure about the mysterious job on Etti IV for which Grathix has hired her -- and just as difficult for Shenner to retain her composure about the young Corellian bodyguard-for-hire who has, against all of Shenner's concepts of what Corellian males are like, tried to befriend her. Try as she might to avoid him on the streets of Etti IV's capital city, somehow, the man seems to find her unerringly.... ---------- Shikh has arrived. Shikh comes in from the street. Shenner, sitting slouched at a side table, feet up and crossed atop it, can be glimpsed by the sharp-eyed. The redheaded musician is nursing a mug of something, and watching the activity in the place, both on the dance floor and around it. Shikh, being sharp-eyed locates Shen's red cropped hair after a moment or two, and heads over, pulling out a chair at the youth's table and turning it around. He sits in it backwards and rests his chin on his interlocked fingers on the chair back. "Cider?" he asks, to open discussion. Shenner notes the Corellian's arrival, smiles a bit, and says over 'his' mug, "I'm partial to it." Shikh nods, looking out over the dance floor, "It's a good thing to be partial to... Carmine's fine, if it means anything to you." Do the green eyes soften a bit? Maybe. Maybe not. Tough to tell, in the light of the Dance Dome. The young musician _does_ say, though, gruffly, "Good." Shikh smiles and waves his hand loosely toward the dance floor, "Going out there tonight?" Shenner chuckles thinly. "Maybe. Dunno. Depends on whether I feel like impressing anybody tonight; still practicing doing it right." Shikh nods, then grins slyly, "So... who were you trying to impress last night?" He asks, "...after you ran away from me in the street?" Shenner's right eyebrow cocks higher. "What, you weren't impressed with my speed record? Damn. I'll have to buy new shoes." Shikh shakes his head, looking at Shenner, "No, no, not at all... I was very impressed... just a little surprised you ignored me like that, that's all..." Avoiding meeting the Corellian's regard, Shenner stares out across the Dome, while saying blandly, "I had to go lie down. Nothin' personal, pal." Shikh says, "No, I mean when I had to chase you in here..." Shenner does look back, then, and says to Shikh, "Nah, _that_ was just me working off steam." Shikh shifts his eyes, disappoinment maybe? "Oh, looked like it... what was troublin' ya?" Shenner considers 'his' table companion for a long moment; the flute-player's gaze is veiled, revealing little save that the kid is indeed pondering. At last, Shenner says warily, "I don't like.... some things about a particular job I'm.... lookin' at." Shikh lowers heavy brows, "Job? Why didn't you tell me you were looking at something?" He seems genuinely concerned, "Are you in some kind of trouble, Shen?" "Well, a body has to _eat_, Shikh, c'mon...." Shenner shifts position, replying readily -- but perhaps, just perhaps, a trifle _too_ quickly; just perhaps, a momentary glimpse of something that _might_ be alarm might be glimpsed in those green eyes. But the moment passes, and for all that Shenner's claimed to be from Belsavis, the broad, lopsided smirk that crosses the redhead's face might have been lifted straight off the glibbest of Corellians. "Ain't that the most common trouble for a street rat anyway?" Shikh sighs, and looks back out over the dance floor as the song shifts into something a bit more upbeat. He shakes his head, "I wish you wouldn't kid around when I'm trying to offer a little support... I never know what you're really feeling to give you the help you need." For a moment, for a fraction of a moment, the musician's eyes widen -- enough to emphasize their already large size in that thin face. Shenner quickly looks away, though, pretending to see something interesting in the depths of the cider mug. "Don't need any help." The kid's voice comes out gruff. Shikh exhales admonishingly, "Whatever you say, kid... Another cider?" He offers, still watching the dancers. Shenner grins crookedly. "You buyin'?" Shikh nods, turning his head, if anything farther from Shen's line of sight, "Don't I always?" He swallows, his Adam's apple pulsing in his throat. "Then I'm drinkin'. I don't turn down free food, and I don't turn down free booze, either." Shikh nods, "Tell the waiter, not me..." he waves his hand dismissively, "I just pay the bills..." Shenner, as the waiter working that section of the Dome responds to 'his' hail, promptly provides the redheaded musician another mug of the hard cider. After the being ambles off on its various tentacle-appendages, Shenner settles back with the drink. Shikh smiles lopsidedly, "Up to specs?" as he nods toward the mug in Shen's miniature grip. The redhead curls slim fingers about the mug, samples its contents, and returns the Corellian's lopsided smile with a similar one. "It'll do." Shikh nods, "You've been hanging out with me too much, starting to look like me, Shen..." he comments. Silversand looks at you for a moment. Silversand exits and heads into the Port District. Silversand has left. Shenner splutters on a mouthful of cider. Shikh reaches across and pats Shen on the back, "Ok, buddy?" Shenner coughs down the rest of the cider, then smirks, almost amusedly, and croaks out, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine..." Shikh raises a brow, "What brought that on? Drinking too fast?" Shenner adds, voice returning more or less to its normal tenorish huskiness, "Never been told I look like a Corellian before." Shen's green eyes glitter, perhaps with a trace of sarcasm, though the expression in them seems slightly too distant for that. Shikh exaggerates a frown, "Would that be so bad? Looking like a Corellian?" His eyes blaze playfully, mouth corners turned up in a slight grin. Shikh adds, "I always thought I was cute...", poutingly. "I'm sure," Shenner says dryly, "sweet young things'll happily swoon over you." The kid's mouth makes another smirk. Shikh smiles and nods affirmatively, "That's what I thought... if only I could find one now..." His eyes glint in the half-light mischievously, "Or two..." Shenner flicks a hand off towards the dance floor, pointing out a pair of passing females whose curvy young forms are draped in gauzy shimmersilks. "Don't look like there's a shortage, pal, if you're on the prowl." Shikh smirks and nods, then his expression sours, "No... not my type... too... too." He shrugs, "I don't know..." Shenner lifts an eyebrow, and stares at 'his' table companion consideringly. "Still thinking about that other woman?" Shikh gives Shen a confused look, "Hmmm? Who?" He thinks for a moment, "Oh, you mean Drake?" He shakes his head, "No, she's out of sight, out of mind... wouldn't know how to treat me anyway.." Dillon comes in from the street. Dillon has arrived. Dillon enters the dome and gives the guards a quick nod. He looks down at his watch and does a quick about face, exiting the dome. Dillon exits and heads into the Port District. Dillon has left. "This a good thing or a bad thing?" Shenner says, between swallows. The redhead appears to be taking 'his' time with this drink. Shikh sighs, shaking his head, "I don't know anymore... I'm probably just destined to be alone my entire life..." He frowns, "Course that's the last thing I want." "Yeah," murmurs Shenner, oddly without sarcasm, for once. Shikh silently studies Shen, then makes a pronouncement, "Definitely starting to take after me..." he murmurs, then stares off into th chaos that gives the dance dome the first half of its name. Shenner barks a single short chuckle, then tells you lowly, "Prob'ly 'cause I've been alone a good chunk of my life, pal." Shikh swallows and rewet his lips with his tongue. "You like me hanging around? If not, I can leave you alone a bit..." he thumbs toward the door. Grathix comes in from the street. Grathix has arrived. Grathix walks into the Dome. Xerxes comes in from the street. Xerxes has arrived. Xerxes pauses, allowing his eyes to adjust to the dimmer light. He then strides over to the bar, and, mumbling something to the bartender, sits down. Grathix enters the dome, the expression on his face clearly that of someone completely *pissed*. Shikh sits backwards on a chair at Shen's table, not across from, but not beside the child either. Grathix says, "oota oong" in Rodian. Shenner, off at a side table with Shikh, can be seen to eye him askance for a moment, then shrug as if indifferent. But something in the kid's face doesn't quite match the lazy drawl of, "Don't let me get in your way if you got things to do, pal..." Grathix strolls down to the bar counter and slams his fist down on it to call the keeps attention. Grathix says, "Deathkiss...make it quick!" Shikh snuffs, "You won't be in my way... unless you try to get on my chair." He kind of glares at Shen's drink, then flags a waiter for attention, and gestures to Shen's cider, odding his desire for the same. Grathix glances about the people at the bar counter, shaking his head. "I just can't believe this crap." Grathix places some slaps some credits on the counter as his order is broguht to him. Shenner's green glance flicks surreptitiously to the bar, perhaps as the kid either catches that thudding fist's sound, or simply notices the big, dark form of the angry customer. Regardless of what caught the musician's attention, Shenner's eyes do narrow a little, before 'he' turns back to Shikh and grins crookedly. "Don't think I could swipe a chair out from under a Corellian." Shikh chuckles, "Not one as big as me, but it can be done, and I'd give you pretty good odds on it actually."' Grathix takes a quick drink of his deathkiss. Grathix withdraws from his place in the bar, leaving his drink behind and says loud, "Alright, anyone know where I might find a god dammed CSA Official?" Shikh eyes the fuming Grathix carefully, one eyebrow raised in a disbelieving manner. He calls over, "Keep that up, and I'm sure you'll find one..." Xerxes turns in his seat, a rueful smirk on his face, "For What?" Shenner starts to answer Shikh, but when the man by the bar releases that bellow, the redhead slides a cautious look in Grathix's direction. Shenner does not, however, speak. D'etta comes in from the street. D'etta has arrived. Grathix says with a smirk, "To express a few 'choice' words to the bloat." Shikh chuckles and turns back to Shen, "Excitable guy.." Grathix turns his attention to the auborn-haired male and begins to make his way over. D'etta walks over to Grathix, "Whats going on sir? Grathix motions d'etta to stay wawy and says, "Just wait a moment." Shenner's slender dark brows lower over green eyes. To Shikh's observation, the kid grins a bit, but keeps watching Grathix as the man heads for the table the pair of them are occupying. D'etta nods, "Yes sir" She moves over to the bar. The bartender arrives with a drink for Xerxes. He takes a sip of the green concoction, eyeing Grathix, "Words? In my experience the damned bureaucrats are often more responsive to a blaster at eye-level." Grathix stops beside the auborn-haired male and says, "You there, you appear to have some familiarity with these CSA cretins. Do you know where I might find one." Shikh shakes his head, "Best guess'd be the Government District, that's what they are here." Shenner, across the table from Shikh, keeps casually poised in 'his' chair, casually taking a swig from the cider in 'his' mug. Green eyes flick from Shikh to Grathix and back again. Grathix smirks, "Best guess is right...cause there's no one over there with the capacity to 'handle' my problem" Xerxes nods to Grathix, "Yeah, I've developed a 'relationship' of sorts with the officials here," he nods over to Shikh, "He's right. The Government district is where the HQ is at...But the place is surrounded by those ESPO brown shirts. You'll never get in." Shikh chuckles, "The horrors of bureaucracy..." and sips his own cider, delivered as h and Grathix spoke. "Did you put in a complaint or anything?" D'etta sits at the bar, orders a drink of something.. Grathix says, "well then, porter of the voice for the CSA, where do you lodge these 'complaints'? Don't tell me, the Government District, right?" Shikh bites a lip, "Actually, I'm not sure..." He looks over to Xerxes, "You have any idea?" Shikh shrugs in explanation, "I've only just arrived here, maybe a week or two ago." Xerxes does not turn to Shikh, but remains looking at Grathix, "I guess it depends on what your complaing about," and more quietly, "and how mad you are." Grathix says, "changa changa oaol oong goota wroota oota changa ooota goota oong guoor goota wroota ooota oaol guoor goota wroota ooota wroota guoor wroota ooota" in Rodian. Shikh raises a brow, "Hmm, friend?" D'etta turns to Grathix. Shenner watches Grathix rage in multiple languages; the kid's brow's are still lowered, the green gaze beneath them sharp and watchful, though the redhead is still keeping out of this. Grathix turns from the auburn-haired human male and says, "Exactly." as he makes his way over to where D'etta is. D'etta looks at Grathix, "Everything ok sir?" Shikh mouths the word 'OK', then turns back to Shenner after watching Grathix move a bit away. "Anyway..." Shenner says calmly, wryly, "You were sayin' something about swiping chairs out from under Corellians?" Grathix shakes his head, "No, but I'll make it so that it is." D'etta nods and smiles, "Ofcourse. Anything I can do?" Shikh nods, "Ah... I recall... if I had to give odds, I'd believe you could do it..." he grins, taking another sip of cider. "This stuff -is- good..." Shenner slides another sidelong glance in Grathix's direction, taking note of what words can be heard to carry from the bar. Shenner looks back to Shikh, then, and smirks. "Before or after the Corellian gets up?" Grathix says, "Come, D'etta, lets go round up some incompitents." Shikh grins, "Actually, in your case, either." He winks over the rim of his glass, taking a deep draught. Grathix turns and begins to make wis way towards the exit. D'etta gets up, "Now that sounds like fun!" She gets up from the bar and follows Grathix. Grathix exits and heads into the Port District. Grathix has left. D'etta exits and heads into the Port District. D'etta has left. "And just _how_," drawls Shenner inquiringly, "is a skinny street rat like me gonna move a big guy like you off a chair, pal?" Shikh chuckles, "Magic? I dunno... charm him with your flute?" Xerxes rises from his seat, dropping a few credits on the bar. With a few long strides, he's out the door... Xerxes exits and heads into the Port District. Xerxes has left. Shikh says, "Either that or blast him..." Shenner snorts, but seems darkly amused, even as for another brief instant, 'his' gaze slides off to note the departure of Grathix and D'etta. Shenner doesn't remark on it, though, saying instead, "Probably'd have to use the blaster. I ain't exactly oozing with charm." Shikh shrugs, and looks out over the dance floor, "You could... you'd just have to keep an eye on your tongue, that's all." Shenner bursts out laughing. "What, I could ooze with charm?" Shikh nods, "I betcha could..." Shikh says, "You're cute that way." Shikh gives Shen a smiling glance, "For a buskin' street rat, that is..." The redhead splutters on a swallow of 'his' drink, again. "I ain't," Shen drawls sardonically, "a little on the skinny side for filling out the Tall, Dark, And Handsome mold they churn you Corellian guys out with?" Shikh shrugs, "Don't need to be Corellian, I'm not, remember? I'm Belsavan..." He chuckles and knocks back some more cider. The musician's mouth quirks strangely for a minute, before settling back into a more familiar smirk. "But I'm still skinny." Shikh shrugs, "You'll fill out with time and good eatin'... Stick with me and you'll have both, I promise." He raises his hand as if saying an oath. Shenner pauses over 'his' cider mug, smirk vanishing, green eyes going abruptly darker. "I.... ain't gonna be here too much longer, I think, pal." Shikh lowers his brows in concern, "Whaddya mean? You'll be busking the bench in Memorial Park long after I'm dead by the hand of some would-be assassin." Shikh says, "Not sick are ya?" The 'youth' just sits there, holding the mug of cider but not drinking from it, now. Shen's darkened gaze tracks off in a random direction, even as the kid attempts and doesn't quite manage another smirk. "I'm fine. This... planet's just starting to make me a little twitchy, though. Hurts my music." The words come out rough and husky at first, then pick up speed, as though Shenner's wrestling with sounding confident. Shikh nods, "All this Espos lyin' around? I know whatcha mean... never been anyplace so saturated with visible security guys before.." Xerxes comes in from the street. Xerxes has arrived. Xerxes walks into the dimness, a look of subtle amusement on his face. Shenner murmurs, "That, and the Imps and the NR in orbit, and..." The kid trails off, then, and just nods to Shikh, appearing disturbed. Shikh sighs, "I'll hate to see you go, Shen... I was gettin' used to you hangin' around. "You've, um, been alright, yeah..." Shenner looks down into the bottom of 'his' mug, as if studying the hue or the scent of the cider within it. The words are perhaps intended to soothe, but if they are, they don't seem to help the redhead much, for Shenner's troubled look doesn't fade. Shikh starts to get annoyed, and raises his voice a bit, sounding harsh, Shikh says, "Shen, what the Force is wrong?!"" Chantinelle comes in from the street. Chantinelle has arrived. Chantinelle exits and heads into the Port District. Chantinelle has left. The kid actually flinches, gaze shooting back around involuntarily to the Corellian across the table. Shenner's eyes, a little too wide and a lot too wary, make the kid look like a nocturnal life form suddenly caught in the path of an oncoming skimmer. Chantinelle comes in from the street. Chantinelle has arrived. Chantinelle enters the dance dome and looks around searching for somebody. Chantinelle moves to her usual place, the large table and sits down there, waving to the bar to bring her mineral water. Chantinelle moves through the crowd and joins you at your table. Shikh roils, "Damnit, Shen, talk to me! Isn't it /abundantly/ clear that I'm here to take care of you?" He swears a blue streak, then a vivid red one in Corellian. Shikh lifts his cider back roughly and downs the rest, calling disruptively for more. "You're really short on friends here, Shen, aren't you? Don't take the one you have for granted..." he fumes, tirade temporarily ended. At a side table with Shikh, Shenner can be spotted -- apparently in the middle of a disturbing conversation, for the redhead's face and stance radiate tension. And beneath that, fright. The waiter brings the water to Chanti and she starts sipping it slowly while glancing bored at the dancers. As Shikh's voice rises, and his curses sizzle in both Basic and Corellian, Shenner's thin face tautens, growing whiter about the mouth and cheeks. The musician leaps to booted feet, snapping back in a voice gone ragged and oddly higher in pitch, "Take _care_ of me?! Why don't you try _asking_ somebody before you appoint yourself guardian, pal?" Chantinelle turns for a sec to the couple and scans carefully Shikh but she shrugs and turns back to her drink. Shikh's brows rise up comically, "Um... I'm sorry..." he murmurs quietly, realizing how bad he flared up. "Shen..." he adds, his caring and concern laced meticulously through each pained word. Chantinelle sips slowly at her mineral water. The abrupt transition of mood, though, seems to make barely a dent with Shenner, who slaps 'his' own cider mug down on the table, making alcohol slosh out of it. "I don't need you!" the redhead hollers, beginning to sound suspiciously close to hysteria, 'his' voice still higher than it ought to be. "I don't _want_ you! I don't _care_ how blasted handsome and charming you are!" Chantinelle shudders and turns around, "Problems? Shenner skitters back from the table, starkly pale now, and starting to bolt off into a sprint for the door. Shikh frowns, obviously seriously wounded by Shen's comments. He stands and tosses his own mug onto the table, breaking off the handle. He shrugs, "Then I'll go... The last thing I want is to make things worse for you..." With that simple statement, he turns to leave, absently dropping a handful of credits onto the table, to cover the damages as well as both drinks. Shenner is already in motion, though, and the redheaded musician weaves through startled patrons, bumping into some blindly en route before achieving the door. [Thinking to hide on Grathix's ship, Shenner charges through the streets off to the spaceport....] You move west through the District, into the Spaceport Center. Spaceport Center - Capital City (#3112RtFJ) If there were a hub of spaceport activity in the galaxy, Capital City's Spaceport on Etti IV certainly gives the impression of being just that. The flow of traffic, human, machanical, and otherwise through this area is impressively busy. The building is luxurious in the manner of the rest of the city, walls of permacite reaching up to a strong arching ceiling spotted with clear, thick glass showing a vermillion sky. Ships of all types land constantly under the ever watchful eye of Authority Security as visitors and businessbeings rush through this gateway to Corporate Sector Authority. There are many conspicuously armed Espo patrols here in a high state of paranoid alert. (OOC: Type '+lhelp' for local help.) Contents: Espo Squad STARFIGHTER: Lambda Class Shuttle -- Eclipse Security Computer MailBox Obvious exits: leads to Port District - Capital City . leads to Port Security Office - Spaceport . leads to Docking Bay 36 - Spaceport - Capital City . uttle leads to Landing Bay - VSD Phoenix. Chantinelle comes into the port from the Port District. Chantinelle has arrived. Chantinelle looks for Shenner, "Hey you, what happened? You looked like somebody who needs help?" Shenner, running at full tilt, ignores any hails in 'his' direction, and simply charges through the spaceport. Chantinelle shrugs and turns around, leaving Shenner alone. Chantinelle moves to the east, into the Port District. Chantinelle has left. Espo Squad watch for a moment. Espo Squad looks at you for a moment. Clearly distraught, the slim redheaded human bolts towards where the _Cat's Paw_ should be parked. _Should be_. When Shenner fails to find it there, the kid comes skidding to a startled halt, looking around wildly. The Espo Captain looks contemplative, tracking the youth's path through the crowds. Grathix comes out of the secure landing bay, past the blast doors. Grathix has arrived. The Espo Captain stands watching a moment, then adjusts his riot helmet, strolling in the youth's direction at an easy gait. Shenner mutters raggedly, "Where is it? Where the kark is it?" The redhead hastens through where the _Cat's Paw_ used to be, staring at the space as though stunned, then looking wildly in all directions as if trying to figure out whether the ship's been moved. Or somehow transformed. Or something. Grathix stands near the entrance of cago bay 36. leaning against its hanger door. The Captain ducks around a cargo platform and approaches Shenner. "Having trouble, er, son?" Shenner looks up, wide-eyed, and the 'youth's' frantic expression doesn't exactly ease at the sight of the officer approaching. "The... there was a ship, a-a ship here..." Grathix spots the blur of a redhaired individual come in. Hefocuses his eyes and proceeds towards the individual. The Captain chuckles. "A lot of ships here. One in particular?" Grathix sees the kid talking with the official and picks up his pace to rech 'him' Grathix rolls a 18 for his RUNNING skill. A Good roll! "The... the _Cat's Paw_...." Is the redheaded kid's voice changing? Sure sounds like it, the way it cracks from low pitch to high and back again, as the youngster wails, "Where is it....?" Grathix quickly sprints across the spaceport and reaches the redhaired kid. Grathix looks at the official and quickly says, "he there kid. thought you weren't going to make it." The Espo Captain contemplates. "Well now, I might know something about it, help you find--" He pauses as another joins them, turning his head to gaze at Grathix through the visor. Grathix turns to the official and says, "its okay. I was looking for him." Grathix turns to the youth and says sternly, "Next time your late, I'm docking 10 off your pay, got it!" The Captain nods slightly. "Your ship the kid's asking about?" Still quite pale and shaken-seeming, the redhead shoots 'his' gaze to Grathix immediately, and the instant after that, clams up. 'His' only response is to nod, mutely. Grathix turns to the officer and says, "Sorry to bother you...its all taken care of now." The Captain repeats, "Your ship?" Grathix turns to the captain and says, "yes, my ship...speaking of which, are you the authority figure in this starport at the moment?" The Espo replies, "Captain Brok, and yes, I am. You've incurred some impoundment fees, sir." Shenner remains planted where 'he' is standing, but those green eyes go a little wider and a little more startled at the word 'impoundment'. Grathix looks at the officer , "yes, what about those." Grathix pushes Shenner off to the side, behin him and stares right up to the officer. Brok smiles easily at grathix. "Are you aware of the penalties for late registration of ships docking in our port?" Shenner, pushed, staggers aside, and absorbs the exchange between Grathix and Brok with an expression that suggests the kid's quite sick at heart. Grathix says, "what late registrations? I registered my ship when i landed here" Grathix says, "check your records again. Check your computers." Brok holds up a hand. "S'alright, sir, I'm not calling you a liar, but you have to realize the complexity of port authority operations here." He smiles thinly. "It's for your protection. I'll do that, if you and the kid will stay right here while I do so." Grathix smirks, "not like we're going anywhere. Brok nods, once, and turns, moving off obliquely toward a data terminal some distance away through the milling crowd. Shenner doesn't budge an inch, standing there poised as if primed to launch into orbit on nerves alone, without benefit of a ship. Brok seems to take his time, authenticating his CSA ID card and tapping through files. The Espo Captain turns, his frown visible, and he makes his way back to the pair. "Seems to have been a mistake. Good thing we discovered this, your ship was scheduled to be sold at auction." Shenner swallows hard, continuing to look stricken. Grathix steps up to the captain, "Good thingm huh." sarcasm booming in his voice. "I was about to loose my ship because of your people's incompetence. Tell me Is that a good thing?" The Captain's frown becomes stony. "Do you wish to lodge a complaint, sir, -before- your ship is taken out of impounding?" Grathix says, "A formal complaint...no, don't think so. But I would like to talk with your superior officers about this. What's his or her name and where might I find them?" Brok replies, courteously, "Commander Nerik would be who you could talk to, if he has a clear space in his busy schedule." He smiles. Grathix strolls over to he Captain and say, "Nerik, you say. Now how busy exactly is his schedule." Brok says, "Well, sir, that's a security issue." Grathix rolls a 13 for his BUREAUCRACY skill. An Average roll! Grathix tells the captain, "Would it be possible for you to pass my request to see him ASAP, Captain?" Brok concedes with, "I believe so, sir. Who might I tell you wants to speak to him?" Shenner continues to watch all of this, tensely. The kid's thin face has regained a fraction of normal color, but the big green eyes remain overly dark. Grathix smiles, "Excellent. Allow me to give you my card..." Grathix reaches down into his breifcase and takes out his busines card and hands it to the captain. Brok peers at the card. "Huh. Well, Mr. Stur'ttrakath, I'll pass this along. Should contact you right soon, and we'll have your ship out with a minimum of datawork." He tucks the card away. Grathix nods to the Captain, "Now then, captain, if you would release my vessel. I won't take up anymore of your time." The Captain nods, snapping his heels. "Right, sir. Sorry for the mishap." He turns abruptly and strides back to his squad. Grathix turns to leave and then turns back into the cptain, "By the ay, when do you and your the reminder of your squad come off duty?" Brok stops and partially turns. "Why, sir?" Mutely imploring, 'Yeah. Release the vessel. Good idea. Do that!', Shenner's green gaze tracks the Espo captain and Grathix as the two continue to talk. Grathix grins, "well I know I was a bit harsh in addressing you, and would like to treat you and your comrade to a round of drinks. Is that acceptable?" Xerxes comes into the port from the Port District. Xerxes has arrived. The Captain hooks a thumb into his belt. "Well, it's against a few regulations." Xerxes comes strolling in from the Port District. The Espo Captain Brok is standing some ways away from Grathix and Shenner, looking casual. Grathix smiles, "Really? They don't allow you to drink with your freinds off duty?" Brok considers. "Well, I don't see why not. Few hours, sir, there's still much to do on this shift." Xerxes approaches the clutch of people, noticing a familiar stranger he says, "I see you've found someone to listen to your complaints." Grathix nods, "Excellent. I'll have it all taken care of for when you and your men come off duty. Is the Free Flight dance dome acceptable for ou and your men?" Brok glances at the voice, and comes close to not particularly recognizing Xerxes, but not rejecting him either. Grathix completely ignores the stranger, continuing his talk with captain Brok. Brok perks an eyebrow at Grathix, turning his expectant gaze on him. He drawls slowly, "Has been in the past." Shenner still hasn't uttered a word, and still watches Brok and Grathix, wearing a no longer panicked but still palpably nervous expression. Grathix nods, "Then, captain, thank your for all your help." He stretches out his hand towards captain Brok Brok tosses a shrewd glance back at Xerxes, and takes the few steps needed to give Grathix's hand a firm, brief grasp. "Looking forward to it." Xerxes continues on past the group, choosing to lean up against a nearby hangar to observe the group. Grathix nods again to the captain before turning and leading Shenner towards the docking bay 36 Brok watches him move off, neutrally. Shenner follows Grathix, then, stumbling quickly off in his wake. Grathix awaits along the hangar bay doors. Grathix finally turns to Shenner and whispers something to 'him' Grathix whispers, "what the hell was all that about? why the panic?" Brok turns and resumes his course to his squad. Xerxes, as the others break apart, turns his attention to the steady flow of SpacePort traffic. Brok issues quiet orders to his men, who continue on patrol, then consults his comlink. Grathix stand by the hangar doors, appearing calm, and trying to be unobtrusive. Shenner doesn't quite meet Grathix's eyes while answering his murmur. You whisper, "I... I just... I gotta get this done, and get outta here." to Grathix. Grathix nods and whispers somethng to the youth anew. Grathix whispers, "we'll tlk aborad the ship." Shenner gives an uneasy nod, waiting to follow Grathix off to the vehicle. Xerxes pushes off his spot on the hangar wall, and walks over toward the Espo Captain. Xerxes exchanges a few murmered words with the Espo. After his response, and a few nods, he approaches Grathix and Shenner near the docking bay, "Trouble with your ship? I hope you realize the red-tape needs to be cut before it's released..." Shenner blinkblinks, looking up at Xerxes as the man approaches. Xerxes An expansive tunic, a mottled shade of neutral gray, is draped over this human's athletic frame. Atop it, he wears a long batterd coat of the same impartial shade. The outfit is completed with a pair of loose black slacks and similarly colored boots. His hood is thrown back revealing a chiseled face framed by longish brown hair. The marks of a hard life are etched upon his jagged features, and the scruffy beginnings of a goatee can be seen darkening his angular chin. The slick, matte black material of a protective vest encircles his throat in a high collar and can be seen through the wide-open neck of his tunic. He stands with subtle poise, quiet confidence in his stance. His hands, gloved in black leather, hang crossed before him, apparently confident he can deal with anything. Occupying a leather holster strapped to his right thigh, a heavy blaster pistol is ready to support that claim. Xerxes nods over to Brok, "That drone over there isn't going to do anything without first calling his superior, and he'll be calling his...ad infinitum." Grathix looks at the long brown-haired human male and says dryly, "You know, you were right..you -were- offering nothing." Xerxes nods, not arguing the point. He allows himself a cynical smirk, "But, look how much you've learned about Etti, all by yourself." Shenner's eyes narrow at this. Perhaps regaining some composure, the redheaded younger leans against the hangar door behind 'him', arranging those thin features into a neutral expression, but those green eyes stay wary. Grathix smirks. Grathix says, "changa oaol changa wroota ooota wroota ooota oong oaol wroota goota wroota" in Rodian. Xerxes says, "Space Trash?" Grathix nods Grathix says, "wroota oaol oong" in Rodian. Shenner crosses 'his' arms about 'his' chest, and puts in to Xerxes, "You got a point to make, mister?" The kid's voice appears to have stabilized, back down to a tenorish pitch. Xerxes's smirk vanishes, his right hand dropping to his side instinctively. He pale green gaze narrows a bit, before he recovers a lop-sided grin, "Good luck to you. I hope you're trip to Etti meets with no other...problems." Shenner looks from the stranger back to Grathix again, not quite frowning, but close. Grathix says, "Doesn't matter if they arise. I can deal with them." Xerxes offers the duo a genuine smile, "Maybe, you will....Maybe." He turns, and walks off towards the Espo squad. Grathix simply shakes his head. Shenner, as the man walks off, frowns after him. Xerxes returns to Brok. He leans in close to the man, a few murmurings passing between them. Reaching into the pocket of his coat, Xerxes produces a small package, which he hands to the Captain. After a hearty hand-shake, he walks off towards the East. Crisis comes into the port from the Port District. Crisis has arrived. Crisis A tall, skinny, human male that stands just over 6 feet. His hair is a light brown and slicked back. A clean white dress shirt with a zigzag pattern is tucked into a pair of light brown slacks. The pants hang down to a pair of dark brown dress shoes. Xerxes smiles, walking off. He calls back, "Good luck with your Ship!" Xerxes moves to the east, into the Port District. Xerxes has left. Crisis moves to the east, into the Port District. Crisis has left. [To be continued....]