The Drop (Estelle)

[Jens Vec]

It's Saturday. It's mid-afternoon, and there is nothing to do. I've beaten all my video games, I'm tired of the clubs, all the kids my age are out, or working, or doing something respectable (as my mother wastes no amount of time reminding me). So I took my airboard out and snuck out to one of our Rebel supply-drop points. The towering stacks of junk make for good practice on cornering at high speeds. I figure I should at least practice.

So for an hour I'm practicing 90 degree turns, U-turns, take-turns...but soon my drive to practice wears thin. I hop off the board and watch it slide into a teetering stack of crates, knocking over the whole big mess to reveal that I'm not alone. Please, lady, don't be with the cops or the Stormies...

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle lowered her field glasses. The boy had seen her, and there was no need for them now.

For the better part of an hour he had been both entertaining and annoying the heck out of her with his dispy-doodling about the yard. His arrival had not been expected, but fortunately the young rebel had seen him first, having been reconnitoring the site since the early morning hours.

Positioning herself to the best advantage, Estelle had watched as the boarder weaved in and out and up and down and it was only that she had been satisfied his presence here was innocent that she had moved further out into the open. It was at that moment the crates went tumbling.

Tucking the glasses into her jacket pocket, Estelle walked towards him.

[Jens Vec]

I put my hands up to show I'm unarmed and not a threat.

"Hey lady, I'm just out here screwing around. I didn't mean to interrupt you doing whatever you're doing."

She looks real professional. Damn, I forgot my ID card at the house. I'm in so much trouble. Airboards aren't illegal (yet) but they're working on it. I hope she doesn't try to take mine. It'd kill our activities here. Wait, I don't even know if she's with the authorities.

"So...yeah. What're you doing out here? Nothing out here but old garbage."

[Estelle Russard]

The boy had been immediately defensive, acting like she'd caught him doing something he shouldn't.

Estelle smiled in a friendly manner, hoping to put him at ease and take the charge out of the moment. Surprise at her presence there had him showing more of his hand without knowing who he was even dealing with.
Perhaps this thought ran through his mind also, for he changed tact by challenging her instead.

Her smile expanded into a gentle laugh. "What are you doing with your hands? Put them down, or someone may think Im trying to rob you"

"My name is Danielle" she lied, "I think you scared my subject.."
She pointed to a large, ugly bird pirched on top the chainlink fence. "I believe they are most commonly known as 'rats with wings' and are becoming quite the nuisance"

[Jens Vec]

I ease my hands down and look up at the thing.

"Oh. Yeah, they're pains in the neck."

I wander over and sit on the one crate I didn't knock over, resting my feet on the still-hovering airboard, feeling pretty silly for getting so bent out of shape.

"Why would you want to study such a thing?"

[Estelle Russard]

'Science"

The answer was simple and completely non-committal. He could make of it what he would.

She was intent on getting on to more important information exchanges. The less she dallied about, the better.

"You got a name?"

[Jens Vec]

"It's Jens Vec," I answer, tapping my feet on the plank. There's a silence filled with the sound of junk tumbling around, driven by the light breeze. It makes me feel more foolish than I did already.

"Did I interrupt you?" The question just comes tumbling out, venting the feeling for me. "I swear I had no idea there was anyone out here. Nobody but the local kids hang out here."

[Estelle Russard]

"Im glad of the interuption, those creatures are quite dull."

Estelle was examining the airboard as she continued to speak. She had not heard the name Jens Vec before, but she had been dispatched to Naboo to investigate a report that there was a small rebel element in the vicinity doing a regular 'robin-hood/band of merry men' imitation down here. Or, to be more specific, stealing from the Imperials and seeking to pass on their contraband to those in support of the Alliance. A small, no-frills setup that was doing their part to be a thorn in the Empire's flesh.

She wondered if this fellow would have any knowledge of such activity - or if he could even be involved. His eagerness to defend his presence here appeared to be more than an attempt to justify his skylarking about. Estelle sensed he was trying to cover up.

"What is this place anyway? There sure is alot of stuff around"

Jens noticed she was not looking at all the stuff that was around, however, but laying one of those hardcore dont BS me stares on him that strove to bore through his eyes and into his brain.

[Jens Vec]

Jeez, she's tough.

"Officially, it's called The Drop Point. People take unwanted crap and leave it here for salvagers. The lazy teenagers just call it The Drop. Stuff here disappears on a regular basis, but we never see anyone here taking stuff away. There's a rumor going around that the Rebels are cleaning up our junkyard, taking whatever the Empire doesn't deser--um, need."

[Estelle Russard]

"Lucky I ran into you, as you seem to be the right person to ask with regards to what's going on here abouts.."

She left her sentence hanging, the way people do in order to give the other a chance to elaborate. If they wanted to.

Jens was cagey though, and Estelle watched him carefully, sizing him up. He wasnt about to brag about his involvement to a complete stranger. Or if he did, his usefulness to the Alliance would be limited. However, one could read alot between the lines if given the chance.

[Jens Vec]

"Tch. Unless you want to know every single ramp and rail built into the city's architecture, or about racing, I'm not the one you go to for information..."

Danielle, you look like you're digging. Let's see if I can find out what you're digging for.

"...unless, of course, you're the rebellious type."

[Estelle Russard]

A tug of a smile, but Estelle did not bite the hook too readily for fear of being obvious. She was increasingly sure, however that they would gradually get onto the same page. All they needed was a little more time for Jens to reveal his true sympathies.


"What about this racing?" she figured this would pique his interest, keep him talking to her. "Ive heard it can be pretty exciting. As you probably figured, Im not from here - any chance you'd know where to see some?"

[Jens Vec]

Why not tell her the truth? I'm fresh out of ideas for a lie anyway.

"Late at night on Main Street or Zero Avenue," I answer, figuring that from the city, that'd be the best place to see the most action. "Main runs north and south; Zero runs east and west. Late at night kids race sometimes. It's kind of illegal, but there's no other place or time to do it."

[Estelle Russard]

"It being illegal doesn't seem to bother you at all. A lot of things are illegal these days, hard to say which is valid and which isnt"

[Jens Vec]

"What's legal isn't always right, and what's illegal isn't always wrong. We do what we feel is right for the galaxy, in our own small way on this small planet. It probably doesn't amount to a drop in a bucket, but it makes us feel better. I don't know if that answers your question, but there it is." I shrug a little. "It's how a lot of us feel."

[Estelle Russard]

She watched Jens keenly and, seeing the sincerity with which he answered, she smiled softly.

"Enough small drops can make a big enough splash. The Imperials found that out at Endor." Her smile broadened, "I still dont think they have recovered from the role those Ewoks played in that defeat"

Time to be a little more direct.

"You are not just a peripheral player in this set up (she swept her hand to encompass the drop spot) are you Jens"

[Jens Vec]

Ewoks? Endor? Oh crap.

"No, no I'm not. Depending on who you ask, I'm could be an important part, or the important part of this set-up. But jeez, Endor? Are you...?"

I dare not ask, just in case I wake up from this dream and she's not a Rebel.

[Estelle Russard]

"A rebel?" she finished the question for him.

"Would that be a problem for me if I was?"

She had that tone again. The question was nonchalant but threaded with the edge of steel.

"You can be honest"

[Jens Vec]

"Oh hell no!" It just blurts out, and I can tell I'm grinning like a giddy schoolboy (which usually doesn't happen). A rebel! An actual rebel! "This is great! So you guys are getting our stuff! That's awesome news. How are you guys getting it out of here? Where's your base? How hard is it to join up!?"

It's embarrassing, blabbering on like this, but it's probably good that I'm getting it all out now.

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle pulled her jacket closer and fiddled with her collar a bit, darting quick glances about them. Jens' enthusiasm was not exactly what she had expected and she wasnt quite sure how to react to his outburst.

It was a little funny, really, and she found it hard not to smile. Was Jens hopping from one foot to the other?

"So, you are a sympathizer then" she said in profound understatement. "In order for me to tell you more, you'll have to lower your voice a little."

[Jens Vec]

"Oh. Yeah, sorry," I apologize in a whisper. "It's just...this is what the whole big pile of us has always hoped for, to meet a member of the Rebellion and know that our stuff was seeing use."

I rub my eyes, trying to bite back the excitement some.

"Sorry. It's like meeting a celebrity. Can't believe it's happening, blah blah blah. Usually I'm calmer than this. So, let's talk some more. Tell me all you care to."

[Estelle Russard]

"The contraband you and your friends provide has been put to good use by many small cell groups. But for them, the greater contribution than the actual physical items has been the knowledge that the spirit of the rebellion is alive and well amongst a generation that can make a difference. It is very encouraging for those who labour in obscurity and, at times, under very trying circumstances."

She tried not to sound too preachy, but it was difficult. Especially when Jens had such stars in his eyes where the rebels were concerned. Any level-headed logic sounded "parental" and Estelle was still young enough to remember how annoying that could be.

"Part of the reason Ive been sent to find you (you being the person who is orchestrating this operation here) is to see if you have any interest in participating further."

[Jens Vec]

I'm so proud of the way we've been helping that it takes me a moment to process the last thing she said.

"Hang on, you were sent to find me? Jens Vec, the hoverboard jockey?"

She did say that right? She was sent to find me.

"You can't be serious! What would the Rebellion want with me?"

[Estelle Russard]

"Like I said.." she didnt bother to correct Jens that it wasnt him, specifically, she'd been sent to find - she'd never had an exact name. Generally speaking, it was still true. "...we want to know if you are interested in a larger degree of participation."

She stopped walking and stood to face him squarely. She was dead serious and wanted to reach through Jens romantic ideas of rebels and spys etc and get through a warning to him.

"This is not an answer you should give lightly Jens. If you want some time to think about it, we can give it to you."

[Jens Vec]

I stand to look her in the eye. A shot at joining the Rebels? Instantly I'm ready to give a "yes" and move on, but a second impulse stops me from saying it. I've got family.

"I just need to tell my family. They'll worry like hell if I just disappear. Got to let them know where I'm going and what I'm doing. They'll support me in this. Dad has suggested I run off looking for you guys more than once."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle thought on this answer before replying.

"Just remember Jens, the more people know, the greater danger you may put them in. And the greater trust you must have in those who know what you are doing."

She added, "Speak in generalites as much as you can. And only need to know basis. A friend now, may not always be a friend for ever. Betrayal is something that no one expects but it is something we can't think wont ever happen."

[Jens Vec]

"Gotcha. Hm. Well..."

Do I want to tell them after all? I don't need them getting into any trouble.

"Well, screw it then, I guess. No need to risk bringing the Imps down on their heads. Am I going to need to bring anything?"

[Estelle Russard]

"Meet me here two days from now. Late, say, around midnight.
Bring only what you cant live without.

Think about what you will tell your folks, about where you are going, what you'll be doing. And leave them some sort of contact information. Most of all, dont make them worry."

Estelle clearly was taking her leave of Jens.

"If you change your mind, Jens, just dont show up. I will understand and not think less of you."

[Jens Vec]

I mount the plank and turn a lazy circle around the box I was sitting on.

"Okay. Sounds fair to me. See you in 2 days."

I let the airboard coast a good distance away from her before driving my leg by the side, firing the engine into faster motion. Two days is a long time, and at the same time, not much time. It's time enough to chicken out, time enough to strengthen my resolve, and time enough to come back here wholly undecided on the issue.

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle made her way back to her speeder, a nondescript vehicle, one that looked like the thousands of others that plied the spacelanes of naboo.

Settling inside, she turned on the navcomp grid and a pleasing yellow blip flashed on it, moving steadily in a norther-west trajectory. Jens Vec's air-board - and he was picking up speed.

From a discreet distance, Estelle followed.

She would monitor Jens closely over the next two days. Watch who he sees, listen to what he says. What she had given him so far could be heady knowledge and Jens may, or may not, be able to handle it wisely and with discretion. Recruiting was a very dangerous occupation and one had to be sure.

Estelle didn't care much for spying on the good guys, but it had to be done.

Too much was at stake.

[Jens Vec]

I spend the next two days farting around and mostly dodging my mother's pesky questions about what in the world is bothering me. The kids meet for another drop, and I make my usual 1st by the narrowest margin to date. The whole crowd was wary at that, and a lot of kids tried pressuring me into giving up what had me so off my game. It'd rock to tell 'em, but they're all blabbermouths. Finally, a few hours before I'm to meet Danielle, I manage to sit my parents down.

"I'm off to find my fortune."

It's cheesy. I took it straight out of some children's book. It came to me last night, before I fell asleep. Mom gets worried. Dad stoically nods. "Good luck to you, then," he says. Mom flusters, trying to find something to say to hold me back, but can't (for once). She just wishes me luck, too, and sends me out the door with a few drinks, some portable food, and a sizeable amount of credits. I arrive at the Drop an hour early just to dink around on the airboard some more and try to burn off some of the excess, nervous energy bouncing around my system. Here we go. Off to rebel.

[Estelle Russard]

The 2 days passed in fruitful activity for Estelle. In the downtime of following Jens about, the young rebel did background checks on all those he spent time with. She listened in on conversations from vantage points out of the teen's sight using sophisticated equipment, which worked most of the time.

She had been in contact with her superiors regarding her progress with the young man and her recommendation that her recruitment of him proceed. They agreed.

And so, at the appointed time, Estelle kept the rendevous with Jens.

Pulling her vehicle up beside him as Jens completed a pretty stunning turn on his board, Estelle greeted him with alacrity.

"Ready?"

[Jens Vec]

I step down off the plank and stomp the back end. It pops up in the air for me to catch and carry over to her ride. I've slung a backpack and a good-sized duffel over my shoulders; it's mom's provisions and enough clothing to last me maybe a week. Hopefully the Rebels have laundromats.

"Yeah. Where do you want me to stow my bags and board?"

[Estelle Russard]

"Where-ever there's room"

As Jens settled, Estelle swung the vehicle out of the Drop Spot and smiled. She extended her hand and introduced herself. Again.

"Im Estelle, you'll know me from now on as codename Ophelia. Get comfy - you're in for a long ride."


OOC: Continued Here (http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=40939)