Coruscant Tales: Sanis' new ship

[Darth Viscera]

An imperial army Major, a quartermaster of the General staff, stood at ease, waiting in docking bay 327 of Imperial Center, somewhere in the outskirts of InviSec. A platoon of phase 3 dark troopers accompanied him, and more importantly, the ship. The extremely modified Incom P81 SupraPrivateer Trade Vessel was a beauty, all 72 meters of it. Droid brains, combat computers, Quantum Crystalline armor composite mesh, advanced weapons/communications/propulsion packages; the ship was state of the art. The Major awaited the new owner of the vessel.

[Sanis Prent]

(Sanis had gotten the comm earlier that afternoon. It took MARCUS an hour to work the decrypt, tipping Sanis off that the message was from high-up. He was not disappointed as he read it, noting that it was sent from the Imperial Diktat, Darth Viscera.)

FROM: Diktat Viscera
TO: Sanis Prent
RE: Equipment Delivery

MEMO: The equipment for your mission has arrived. Please report to docking bay 327 to retrieve.

(Sanis set the holo down, quickly leaving his apartment along with Daleethria. He hopped in his speeder, and took off into the traffic. Thirty minutes later, he arrived at Bay 327. Several Imperial Officers stood around, as well as some stormtroopers. The official nature of this transaction made Sanis rather uneasy, but he supressed the feeling as he approached, with Daleethria by his side. Stopping at the front of the bay, he addressed the Major.)

I'm Sanis Prent, I was asked to come down here to pick up some important equipment.

[Darth Viscera]

The Major nodded to him, then tossed Mr. Prent three V.I.P. Imperial I.D. badges.

"Mister Prent, I shouldn't have to remind you that you're in the middle of a warzone. These badges identify you as a non-hostile V.I.P. citizen, and so you're a lot less likely to be shot by rebel guerilla forces. Your talents are needed by the Empire, please try to take care."

He nodded towards the ship

"Now, about this vehicle, please sign here for it, and it's all yours."

He pointed to a section of his datapad.

"If you require off-planet clearance, contact hyperradio channel Sigma-seven, and they will assign you a starfighter escort through that rebel blockade."

[Sanis Prent]

(Something about the rank-and-file tediousness of the transaction annoyed Sanis quite thoroughly. He was aware of the heavy skirmishes between the New Republic and the Empire on Coruscant, but he had tried to remain as aloof as possible. Now, it seemed that this little conflict would become yet another hassle in his day to day life.

Sanis signed his name on the Major's datapad, and took the ID badges, handing one to Daleethria, and slipping the rest in his jacket. As soon as he did so, the Imperial contingent filed away, leaving Sanis and Daleethria to the enormous vessel that was berthed in the docks. Its sleek hull was painted a bright red, and its mighty engine nacelles gleamed in the lights of the hangar. She was an impressive sight, indeed...and Sanis had to give the Diktat his credit for assembling such an incredible ship. Nevertheless, he knew the ship wasn't cheap, and Viscera intended for Sanis to come through on his side of the deal. Sanis nodded...soon indeed, he would finish the job the Diktat had called for. But for now, Sanis simply ran his hand across the ship's new hull, gazing upwards at it. It wasn't the Layla, and it would never be the Layla, but it was impressive nonetheless.)

<img src=http://members.home.net/0utlawstar/pics/xgp/xgp02.jpg>

(Sanis turned to Daleethria, and saw she was just as interested in the new ship. As he continued to look over its gleaming surfaces, he wondered what he would name it?)

[Daleethria]

Daleethria tilted her head to the side and took in every detail of the ship. It was red and she liked that color very much. As she stepped forward, Daleethria realized that it was odd that she would have likes and dislikes. Something so trivial didn't really matter to her before. As time quickly passed by, she was learning that such things are what made beings unique and it wasn't wrong for her to develop her own personality. It was Sanis she had to thank for that.

Considering that Daleethria actually held The Layla in some regard, seeing this ship actually made her ... made her feel ... loss? She sighed in frustration that these emotions that she never had before were so confusing. Looking back at Sanis, she could see how pleased he was with this ship. She could sense that he felt the same as she about The Layla yet he was smiling like a kid who just got a new toy. For Daleethria, that made her pain lessen somewhat. Knowing that Sanis was pleased, Daleethria couldn't help but feel the same.

Then his face turned serious as he was trying to think of a name for the ship.

"What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see it?"

[Sanis Prent]

(Sanis' eyes spanned every inch of ths ship, taking in her red gloss with wide eyes. No, she was not the Layla, but she was special in her own right.

Sanis turned when he heard Daleethria's thoughts in his mind. He looked at the ship. With its graceful curves and red color, he could only think about the ship harnessing the spirit of a beautiful woman. Sanis turned to Daleethria. Something about the ship echoed the same carefree feeling that she possessed.)

I think I've got a name for the ship.

(Sanis looked at Daleethria)

The Silent Queen

[Daleethria]

Her mouth opened a little in shock. Instinctively she knew why he named her that, but Daleethria felt scared for some reason. No one cared or thought about her the way that Sanis did and she didn't know what to make of that.

Daleethria took a step back and turned her head to look at the ship once more. She tried to look at it through Sanis' eyes but knew that it was futile. His feelings were his own yet she wanted to try and know them desperately at the same time.

She shook her head to the name he spoke outloud.

"Don't name it after me."

He could almost hear how timid she was. Something that Sanis never knew her to be like.

[Sanis Prent]

(Sanis smiled, as he noted a red tinge to Dalee's cheeks.)

Dalee, its all I can think about when I look at it. This ship reminds me of you...

(Sanis places a hand on the hull paneling)

It almost feels like you two are one and the same. Special, different, and beautiful.

(Sanis chuckles)

Heh...you wanna know how Layla got her name? I got that from an old song I heard on subspace radio. Hell, its about time I put a little more meaning into naming my ships.

(Sanis puts an arm around her shoulder)

From the looks of it, though...I'd say she's got a lot to live up to in order to keep the name.

[Daleethria]

Daleethria couldn't keep her eyes off of Sanis as he spoke, telling her why the ship's name was perfect. Her cheeks flushed even a brighter red to how he saw her. If only she could try and explain to him how he turned everything upside down for her. Their meeting wasn't a coincidence, she knew that the moment the scoundrel sat by her and began talking. He was opening up many things that could be a part of her then merely just existing.

When she felt his arm move across her shoulder, all she could do was turn around and embrace him fully.

"Then that is her name."

[Sanis Prent]

(Sanis tapped the keyless entry system, and the gangplank came down with a quiet purr of new servos and pneumatics. Sanis looked inside as the ships lights came on. He breathed in, and got a nose full of that "new ship" smell...man, he loved that.

Looking like a kid in a candy store, he took Daleethria by the hand and ran up the gangplank, taking in every system on the ship with his awed eyes.)

Oh man, look over here...the semi-gyroscopic airlock conduit sleeve...and over here, they've got controls for the plasmadyne modulation coils, so you don't have to run back to the engine room! Oh, this is great....oh, look at this one!

(Sanis continued moving throughout the ship, transfixed.)

[Daleethria]

Daleethria tried to keep the pace with Sanis into the ship. How one could go from being so sweet to obilivous made no sense. Looks like she had more to learn about men.

She looked around the ship to take in the new features and the things that Sanis pointed out. For once, Daleethria wasn't in the mood for such things. New information was always her priority but this time, she felt different.

Stopping in her tracks, Sanis' arm jerked back and he fell right into Daleethria's arms.

"Must we talk about the ship?"

[Sanis Prent]

(Sanis looked back at Daleethria. Normally, she was very interested in new things, and was constantly exploring everything in sight. But now, as she pulled Sanis back, there was a different look in her eyes. Sanis had not seen her look that way. It wasn't the wide-eyed look that took everything in, it was the look that simply stared straight forward, absorbing everything in front of her. She was looking at him. Slowly, Sanis looked fully into her eyes, returning her embrace.)

No, Dalee. We can talk about anything we want...

(Sanis glides the side of his hand gently against Daleethria's face, brushing against the skin ever-so-slightly.)

...anything.

[Daleethria]

At first his touch was slight and gentle, but she wanted to feel it more. Daleethria leaned into his hand as he brushed her cheek. She really didn't have the time to appreciate their closeness since he first kissed her in the apartment. She had been meaning to understand why it felt so good and why being in his presence warmed her heart.

"I do not wish to talk either though, Sanis."

She moved a hand slowly around his neck and kissed him fully, remembering the sensations and feelings that it evoked from before. Considering that she herself had never kissed anyone before, she tried to mimic how Sanis kissed her. Passionately.

[Sanis Prent]

(This was the first time in Sanis' life where he held a woman in his embrace and came to an impasse. Every woman he had ever been with was simply there for the recreational thrill. In this situation, Sanis would simply make the progression to divide and conquer mode...and not have a second thought regarding it.

However, as Daleethria kissed him and as he returned the kiss equally in full, Sanis couldn't even consider the possibility. She wasn't one of the buxom playmates he'd find at a spaceport when he ran business on the Rim. She meant something more...something he couldn't put a finger on, but knew he needed like air. It wasn't just a physical thing. She fit somewhere in his personality where he felt a void. She could say so much without a single word, and she'd turned a stubborn, head-strong Outlaw into a slightly less stubborn, head-strong Outlaw with someone looking out for him. He hadn't realized it until a few weeks ago, but without Daleethria, he had been alone his entire life. Nobody ever got that close. It was so comforting, and so frightening.

Sanis continued to kiss Daleethria, but suddenly turned away. He would not treat her like one of the others. She deserved much more than that...much more than he knew to offer. Trying to empathize, Sanis simply turned back, and held Dalee's hand. He didn't want her to think he didn't like what she did. It wasn't that at all. He was just...scared.)

[Daleethria]

Daleethria had felt Sanis be fearful before, but never around her. This situation never once even crossed her mind because she thought that what was happening with her, was happening with him. The look on his face and the emotions running through Sanis was hard to separate because there were so many of them and so intense. What did stand out what Sanis thought very highly of her and he didn't want to take advantage of her. Daleethria's eyes began to water, not understanding why she was having this reaction. All she could know is for some reason that hurt her. After everything that had happened, why would he be so unsure of himself and her?

When Sanis turned back around and held her hand, she couldn't look at him. Her head moved to look around the ship, not wanting him to look her in the eye.

[Sanis Prent]

(When she wouldn't look at him, Sanis squeezed her hand gently. He knew she was upset and more than a little confused. Hell, so was he. He just needed to know that everything was okay. Maybe he didn't know what lay in store for him with her, but he sure as hell wanted to stay on the ride, even if it was a wild trip. He just....needed some way to make everything he wanted with her okay. He wanted to know that he could treat her right, and unfortunately, this was something that Sanis didn't know.

Nevertheless, perhaps if he gave himself; if he gave them more time...perhaps he would know what to do. One thing was sure. Sanis felt deeply for Daleethria. How to go about that, however, was something he had never before experienced.

Sanis caressed her hand as he held it.)

Daleethria...the kiss was good. Don't be upset.

[Daleethria]

Daleethria decided that right now she needed to protect herself. Meeting Sanis had been a wonderful experience until now. The most logical thing to do now was hold off on these feelings. Forego trying to understand what was happening to her in Sanis' presence and go back to doing what she was made to do. What she did best.

Learn.

Her mind became blank once again. All that her mind did was interpret the flux of information of this new vessel and continue to send impulses so her life functions wouldn't stop. Daleethria let go of Sanis' hand and slowly walked in the direction of the cockpit.

[Sanis Prent]

(Sanis didn't follow her. Instead, he just sat on one of the cargo containers with his head in his hands. He didn't know what to do anymore. Maybe she was just as confused as he was, and maybe more. Whatever it was, her voice in his head was silent, and he couldn't make it come back. Sanis wondered if it would...and the thought that he had grown so dependent on hearing her thoughts was frightening. He needed her...but did he want to need her? He didn't know. Things were too different.

Sanis had to get some distance. He ran out of the ship, down the gangplank, and into the refresher of the hangar. Alone, with only his reflection in the mirror as company, Sanis stood...arms propped against the sink. What he saw in the mirror was himself...without Daleethria.

He never knew how lonely he really looked until then.

Desperately, Sanis racked his brain, trying to distract himself. A part of him wanted so badly to simply find his ship and take off, and leave everything behind. Leave Coruscant, leave Daleethria, leave everything he had found. He wanted to swim in the space lanes, with no worries...meeting new women and leaving them. He wanted to live lean and bare-knuckled, with barely a blaster for company, out on some frontier world with fortune and poverty equally apart at the blink of an eye. He wanted...

Sanis gulped, and smashed the mirror to pieces with his fists, cutting the knuckles.

...Sanis wanted Daleethria, and he didn't know why, but he could never go back to the way he was.)

<font size=10>Krasst!</font>

(Sanis exhaled, and slowly leaned against the wall of the refresher, sliding down it as he sat. What was going on?)

[Daleethria]

She knew he left but that was none of her concern now. Most likely Daleethria was expected to fly the craft at some point incase there was danger and Sanis could not. Pressing the panel next to the door, it slid open and she entered.

The oval cockpit almost forced a persons eyes to follow the curves leading to the main two consoles in front. Two chairs were mounted before each display for the captain and co-pilot. A few monitors and consoles were to the left and right which led Daleethria to turn around and see the last one behind her. Blinking lights caught her attention everywhere and she almost became lost, wondering where to go to first. Simple. The main console.

Swinging the captain's chair around, Daleethria took a seat and hit a few keys. White light was reflected off her eyes as the console lit up. Everything could be done here. Weapons, navigation, and anything could be diverted or redirected. Her fingers danced over the controls quickly to see what kind of power this vessel had. Now she knew why Sanis whistled when he came aboard. Concussion missiles that could be launched from the port or starboard, 2 slaved Gatling ion cannons and 2 quad laser cannons. She would say this was very nice if she cared.

Since nothing here could bring up a display of The Silent Queens status here, the back console had to be for repair and damage assessment.

Her hands finally stopped blurring from pressing all the keys so quickly. Leaning back in the chair, Daleethria's mind was swamped with information about this ship. Cutting off her connection to Sanis made it easier to process things. She felt herself begin to shake when she realized that the connection was gone. His thoughts weren't there and she had no idea where Sanis went unless she focused on him.

No. She had more imporant things to do. Closing her eyes, she let her own unique ablities take over and sort out the information, letting it guide naturally to the correct synaptic impulses, storing it for future use.

[Sanis Prent]

(Sanis reached into his jacket, removing a stamp-metal flask from his inside pocket. His knuckles still bleeding slightly, Sanis unscrewed the top from the flask, and turned it up, letting the lukewarm Corellian whiskey pour down his throat. He took a long, hard, and painful drink from the flask, letting the burn of the liquor distract his thoughts, and eventually ease them. He didn't say a word, simply sat on the ground, propped up against the wall of the refresher, bleeding. He took another long drink, and slowly removed a sliver of glass from his left knuckle. With a long and drawn out sigh, Sanis hoped that the liquor would take effect soon, because he didn't want to spend another moment thinking about the damnable situation.

Several other drinks, and Sanis put the flask away, having finished its contents. He stood up and rinsed his bleeding hands in the sink, and wrapped a couple of handkerchiefs over them. He then walked out of the refresher and out into the hangar. There, he paused. Part of him wanted to simply jump in his speeder and take off without a word. He was too afraid to say anything else to Dalee. However, another part told him he knew he had to let her know, even if she wasn't going to listen.

After a moment of thought, Sanis slowly walked up the gangplank again. He walked through the ship until he came to the bridge...and Dalee. She didn't take her eyes off the console she looked at, and completely ignored Sanis. It may have been nothing, but it hurt nonetheless. Sanis didn't really know how to take a hurt like that.....the pain was new to him, and stung worse than any bloodied knuckles he could ever have.

Sanis walked around until he was in front of Daleethria. He stood silent for a second, hoping against hope she would do something...in some way acknowledge him.

She didn't.)

Dalee...say something...

(Sanis closed his eyes, and clenched his bleeding hands)

Please!

[Daleethria]

Daleethria sat there with her eyes closed, continuing to understand and digest information. She never sensed Sanis' presence returning to the ship, let alone knowing that he was standing there right before her.

Her mouth twitched, hearing him barely. What would she say anyway to him? She didn't even know. Better to be quiet and let him sort it out. Like she was. Ah ... so that is how you can link the quad lasers ...

[Sanis Prent]

(Sanis reached out...he wanted to touch her so badly, to somehow communicate how he felt. His hand stopped short of her head, however. Sanis couldn't bring himself to do it. He spoke in a quiet tone, ostensibly to Daleethria, but also to himself, just to hear what he was thinking in his head so he could really let it sink in.)

I, uh...I'm gonna go now...Dalee. I'm gonna go...take care of some things.

(Sanis forced a weak smile)

Take care of the ship while I'm gone, okay?

(There was of course no response. Sanis waited a few seconds, but he knew she wouldn't say anything. Acknowledging this fact, Sanis left the bridge, walked down the gangplank, and left the Silent Queen. He paused for a second, turned and looked at the ship's bright red hull, and threw his flask at it angrily...the hollow metal container clanking over the ship's hull as it bounced off.)

DAMMIT!

(Sanis ran his hands through his hair, and left the hangar bay, walking slowly down the street. His destination...not even he knew. He was just...going.)

[Daleethria]

Her eyes snapped open about thirty minutes after Sanis left. Sitting up straight in the chair, Daleethria stretched out her arms and felt refreshed. It had been a long time since she processed information that way and it felt exhilarating. A euphoric state almost washed over her for a few seconds but it quickly ended. Rewinding the events that happened when Sanis was here, she tried to remember what he said. Though she was almost in a catatonic state, her ears could still pick up every word that was spoken.

As yes, he wanted her to look after the ship. She would comply with his request. Getting up from the captain's chair, Daleethria made her way to where the living quarters were located. Luckily she memorized the map display when she found it in the system.

The room was quite barren. Nothing was in here at all except a bed with no sheets on it, a closet and the door leading to the refresher. She made her way over to the bed and crawled on top of it. Sitting in a lotus position, she cleared her mind and closed her eyes ... waiting for when Sanis would come back to relieve her of her duty.