Unexpected Cargo (Jordana)

[Ati Quai]

Nar Shaddaa - Not long ago...

Seated in a corner table in the dark, highly questionable surroundings of the Sabaac Pit, the young choppy haired pilot sat and carefully tallied up the earnings of the last shipment that had been delivered. It was easily enough to get him well away from the Imperial presence on the moon he was currently stationed at. Beyond that, he'd managed a decent score of credits in a few 'lucky' hands of Sabaac. Another reason he was in a corner table now, trying to stay away from those that were a bit upset by the man's fortune.

Not that this was a terribly rare thing for the pilot to encounter. Far from it.

Atchison Quai, 'Ati' for short, was one of many pilots who had taken to smuggling. No questions asked, for the most part, as long as the price was right. Rebel, Imperial, Independent. He never really had much of a preference, though the Imperials did make him a bit nervous, considering their tendency to retract their ends of the bargain. So for the past couple of years, he had generally kept to private merchants. The latest shipment brought him to the present rock that he was staying on. But not for long. A few lingering looks from less reputable types over the past couple days had prompted him to speed up his departure, as well as the knowledge of what exactly the last shipment had been.

Death sticks were a common enough commodity to be shipped from Point A to Point B, but there was something different about these, as well as the glitterstim shipment. Kaybo, his ship's droid had managed a scan of the contents of some that 'happened to fall out' during shipping and came up with a few additives that even the smuggler, who wasn't exactly known for his morals, didn't approve of. The sooner he could get away and clean his hands of the prospective mess, the better. He never let on his knowledge of the contents, nor was there anyway that it could be proven that he knew, outside of a 'memory recall' by Imperials. Somehow, he wasn't too sure that such an act wasn't out of the realm of possibility.

His ship, a YT-2000 Corellian Light Freighter dubbed the Rota IV, had been prepped for a possible quick departure out of the hangar a short distance away, just in case. Twin blasters, one at his right hip and the other strapped to his left thigh, were more than enough to help him out of a jam. But for now, his eye had more than casually remained on one of the barmaids that kept his glass full. Of course, it was thoughts like those that tended to get him into trouble.

[Jordana Montegue]

Yet another hellish night spent working in the Pit. An apt name for the dive known around the galaxy as the Sabaac Pit. Grander than anything run by the Hutts, of course, but still a hole.

Why Jordana bothers to show up night after night to have her rear pinched, her wrists grabbed, and to hear lude comments by the unsavory sorts that make up the patronage of this dump still boggles her mind.

Oh wait ... there is this nasty and very expensive habit she has picked up - spice. If one needs to get specific, glitterstim, ryll, lumni-spice and gy'lan spice.

Jordana has picked up a few other habits since working the Sabaac Pit as well - how to 'work the tables' so that she gets an a above-average tip. It's these tips that support her addictions.

The lighting of the place is relatively dim and most of the patrons are too caught up in their own lives and card games to really pay any attention to the wait staff, but if any one of them had bothered to look in her eyes instead of at her chest, they'd see she was hammered out of her mind.

Normally a vibrant blue in color, Jordana's eyes seem to have this glassy look about them, her pupils dialated to the point of nearly changing the color from blue to black and she appears to not have any cares in the world.

It's a wonder the woman can keep the orders straight and perform her duties.

She hasn't always been addicted to spice. This habit has only manifested during the past six months - since the unexpected death of her infant son.

A 'friend' of hers introduced her to the 'feel good' substances, stating that the spices would make all her worries and her depression go away. Jordana, naive and perhaps too trusting at times, believed this 'friend and poured two vials of the liquid drug into her drink.

The affects were wonderful! He was right ... while loaded on spice, her worries were gone and she felt like she could just float amongst the clouds. At first, she only added some spice to her drinks when she was really feeling down in the dumps, but it didn't take long for the drugs to sink their claws into her veins, whispering to her subconscious mind that she needed to keep feeling this good.

Recent tariffs, taxes and illegal raids brought on by the Imperials have hampered the illegal smuggling of the drugs into the area; thus getting in the way of Jordana's escape from reality. Her habit is an expensive one and with the Imperial presence lurking about, business hasn't been up to par for the Pit.

Way in over her head, she owes quite a bit of credit chits to her dealer - whom has apparently decided to make an appearance this evening to 'remind' Jordana of her outstanding debt.

While carrying an empty serving tray across the room and towards the bar where she will load more drinks, a tall and muscular man invades the path she takes, preventing her from going any further.

"Terrik! I uh .. excuse me, I need to get back to work."

Knowing exactly why Terrik is here, Jordana looks around quicky, searching for an escape. But, the place is rather crowded this evening and there doesn't appear to be an easy route available.

Terrik puts on a smile, one Jordana knows all too well, while taking a hold of her wrist. Sure, casual onlookers would see the smile as one of friendship, but that is exactly what he wants others to think.

"I believe you have something that belongs to me. I am merely here to collect. Out back .. now."

Jordana pulls her arm back in an attempt to break free of Terrik's grasp. He's stronger than she is, so her attempt is rather futile.

"Now now my dear, there is no need to create a scene. I just want to ... talk. Surely you can afford me five minutes of your time."

"Let me go!", she yells at Terrik, narrowing her eyes though she is scared to death of this man. No thought goes into her reaction as Terrik begins to forcefully pull her across the room; Jordana uses the empty serving tray, swatting Terrik as hard as she can against the back of his head.

The sound of metal striking the back of Terrik's head rings out - as does his hollered curse - but he has been forced to let go of her wrist. She wastes no time in whirling around on her heels and pushing her way through the crowd, making a beeline to the front doors.

Unfortunately, a few of Terrik's 'friends' have accompanied him tonight, as they form a semi-circle roughly ten feet away from the door and in her path. With their arms crossed over their chests, they simply grin knowingly, watching as Jordana now looks as scared as a caged mouse.

[Ati Quai]

And it would seem that the waitress herself was in a bit of a jam. Initially, he could have chalked it up to some measure of lover's quarrel, though no such quarrel that he had seen, or been involved in, included several other parties being involved. Brown eyes narrowed slightly as his left hand raised to rub his chin, the stubble of a couple day's growth scratching the softer flesh of his hand.

"Well, not exactly what one would call even odds," he mutters to himself before draining the last of his Corellian ale. The almost hollow sound the mug made against the table reminded him that he needed a refill, and he frowned a bit. Rolling his neck to the left and then right, his right hand reached beneath the table to unlock the safeties on each blaster pistol. It would more than likely get ugly, and he needed to be prepared.

Empty mug in hand, he made his way across the Pit towards the waitress in hopes of getting another drink. At least, that's what it might look like. He had other things in mind and as he arrived near the gathering, he cleared his throat, those same brown eyes sizing up the group of men. He'd spent the better part of the night sizing up the girl.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, but the lady here owes me a refill."

[Jordana Montegue]

The men forming the semi-circle just stood there as Terrik approached again from behind. Jordana divides her attention between both parties, more scared of Terrik than his thugs; but those thugs are nearly as imposing as Terrik is.

This isn't going to be pretty.

With really nowhere to go, Jordana edges closer to the table situated to her left, her hand feeling the back of the chairs as she works on getting to the other side.

"You're not getting out of here, my dear. Atleast ... you're not getting out of here in one piece. Pay up or pay the price."

"I know I said I'd have it by tonight and I will, I just need a few more hours, Terrik. I swear, I'll have the rest I owe you by the time my shift ends."

The semi-circle closes in, as does Terrik. Panick is about to take a hold of Jordana and control her actions/reactions, until some guy approaches, wanting a refill.

'Either there is a God and he's sent me an angel in disguise or this guy has a death wish.', she thinks to herself, watching Atchinson and the rather smug look on his face.

Terrik's band of thugs chuckle, arrogantly, finding this to be rather humorous. Terrik himself turns his attentions on the new arrival, a wide grin appearing on his face.

"She owes you a refill, eh? Well, she owes me much more than that. Here ....", Terrik reaches into his coin pouch and pulls out a handful of credit chits and drops them into Ati's empty mug, the coins clinging against the bottom.

"How about if you go and bother another serving girl to fetch your refill. On me." Just like that, Terrik dismisses Ati as if he is nothing more than common trash.

Jordana narrows her glassy eyes at Terrik, tsking under her breath. Terrik returns his attentions to Jordana, reaching out to take her firmly by the upper arm...

[Ati Quai]

"How about you take these credits and apply it to what she owes you and then let her go about doing her job. If she really does owe you money, aiding in her getting fired isn't going to help your cause now, is it?" he replies, dumping the chits onto the floor in front of Terrik. Despite the odds, he didn't show much sign of backing down, and when part of your life's income revolved around gambling, he tended to enjoy longshot odds from time to time.

The point was to stay calm, something that he didn't figure the muscleheads blocking the door could accomplish. They'd get irritated at some point, try something and leave themselves open. Only Terrik seemed to poise more of a threat, though taking care of him first would hopefully at the least give the others pause enough to get away. Depending on how sheeplike they were, they may just scatter once their leader was removed from the equation.

It was a moment or two later that the smuggler noticed a small patrol of stormtroopers enter the cantina, fanning out in pairs once inside the door. Just when you thought the odds were set, they go and throw a couple jokers into the deck, too.

[Jordana Montegue]

No matter how much Jordana wanted to laugh at Terrik for the look that crosses his face when Ati dumps the chits on the floor and comes back with a smart-aleck response, she refrains. Laughing now would not be in her best interest.

Terrik grits his teeth, freezing the arrogant smile on his face, and turns his attention to his underlings.

"Get rid of this low-life, would ya?"

The semi-circle of muscle-bound dimwits unfold their bulky arms and begin lumbering forward, their faces contorted into expressions of sadistic pleasure with the upcoming pummelling they're about to lay down on Ati.

"And as for you ....", Terrik snarls to Jordana, making his move to grasp her by the upper arm. "Time's up. I'm going to escort you out back. Now."

In an instant, the color drains from Jordana's face and her heart rate accelerates three times faster than is normal. The natural-born instinct of fight-or-flight kicks in.

Looking around quickly, Jordana finds a narrow margin of making an escape .... however ...

It's crushed as a small patrol of bucketheads enter.

"Terrific.", she mutters under her breath. Then it dawns on her. If the stormtroopers discover Terrik and what business he's conducting here, he'll be arrested.

Unless Terrik has these men on his payroll.

Terrik notices the stormtroopers too. His reaching hand closes into a tight fist and he growls under his breath, rage flaming in his eyes.

Terrik thinks quickly, weighs the odds and decides to take a gamble. He reaches out and grabs Jordana by the arm when her attention is on the stormtroopers, squeezing it firmly so she knows he means business.

Pulling her close, his eyes narrow dangerously and he whispers something to her. Those standing nearby couldn't hear it, but whatever it was, scared her; as is evident by the way her eyes widen and she shakes her head, tugging her arm back in an attempt to force him into letting go.

[Ati Quai]

The familiar sound of metal against leather softly sounds as the blaster pistol on his left hip is removed from its holster, trained dead on Terrik's head. His right hand settled on the other blaster, brown eyes now narrowed slowly darting back and forth between Terrik and the others. Sure, he was pretty much screwed, and another drink was really out of the question now. Which of those two facts bothered him more?

The presence of the stormtroopers unnerved him a bit, though he wasn't going to let them get in the way, at least not immediately. Besides, they were still a ways away from where this gathering was, having dispersed around before the blaster was drawn. Add to that the fact that the Pit was crowded and rather well-known for being like a veritable old west saloon. Raised tempers were common, so many times they went unnoticed, especially if the troopers were in for a specific purpose.

"You die first," comes the slightly graveled voice of the smuggler, barrel of the blaster pistol on-line for Terrik's left temple. "Your friends might get me, but not before I can fry your brains, at least what's left of them. Now, let go of the girl, call off your goons and everyone can get on with their lives, hmm?"

[Jordana Montegue]

Terrik's goons had no time to react. Besides the fact that they had more braun than brain, the smuggler moved faster than their crossed eyes could follow.

Raising their hands, shaking their heads, they backed off. With the stormtroopers in, they didn't want any part of getting arrested and held up in an Imperial prison. Not for something like this.

Terrik, his face burning red with rage and his eyes aflame, squeezes Jordana's arm to the point of making her squeak with the pain. She raises on her tip toes, twisting her arm in an effort to get him to let go.

"YOU are going to pay for this!", Terrik snarls at Jordana, spittle spewing forth with the seething words, then he pushes her aside while releasing her arm.

Jordana staggers into the table, bumping her right side against the edge sharply. Her face contorts with the pain - both in her arm and now in her side - then gets herself back onto her feet.

Terrik, meanwhile, eyes the smuggler.

"Watch your back."

And with that said, Terrik storms out, drawing the attention of two of the stormtroopers whom decide to follow Terrik.

Jordana watches until the doors of the establishment close, then she looks to Ati.

"Thank you - I think."

She checks the door once more, then looks around for any more of Terrik's thugs. Satisfied that for the moment the area is void of both, she looks back to Ati.

"If I were you, I'd get off this rock and never look back. Terrik means it, you know. He'll kill you for interferring - after he kills me."

Her brows knit gently as she examines the bruise appearing on her arm where Terrik squeezed it.

"Ouch. That's going to hurt for a good week and a half..."

She mutters, rubbing her arm lightly.

"Anyways, thanks. Now, what do I owe you because 'round these parts, no one does anything for free."

[Ati Quai]

"You're welcome," he answers flatly, watching Terrik and the goons shuffle out, as well as keeping a rather close eye on the troopers that follow. That still left at least two wandering through the cantina, which really was two more than he cared to smell. Casting a downward glance towards the chits still lying on the floor, he smirks.

"And in response, I do plan to leave here and right quick, too. And while you are not me, you have the same option. Not that I'm fond of smuggling people, but if you stay here, it's like you said, you're dead. And then my little display here would be for nothing and to be honest, I do very few things for nothing. Now, pick up those credits, pour us each a drink, and get whatever things that you need from here. We'll discuss more on my ship."

[Jordana Montegue]

As Ati watches Terrik and his boys leave, Jordana watches Ati, his expression mostly. Her eyes narrow slightly, subtlely, many thoughts going through her head. Arrogant, pompous, stupid, and borderline dangerous are just a few of the things going through her head.

When Ati tells her to pick up the chits from the floor, her right brow arches deeply as her expression turns into one of indignancy.

Sure, she has plenty she can say to him at this point, but a movement noticed from the corner of her eye stays her tongue. Glancing in that direction, she notices its the two remaining troopers, scoping out the crowd - searching for someone.

Most likely its them they are looking for.

Jordana bends down and scoops the chits up off the floor, then rises and flashes Ati a flirty yet smirky smile as she drops each one down the front of her top.

"I'll return. I don't expect you to be here when I do get back, though, so I'll just keep these where they'll be safe."

Another glance to the troopers and Jordana winds her way through the crowd furthest away from the men in white armor. 'Ironic,' she thinks to herself as she scoots down the hallway and ducks into the doorway of the room she's been staying in. 'In the fairy tales, the hero's don white armor .. not blasters strapped to their thighs.'

Oh well. Just her luck. There are no shining heros in white armor - not in the real world, atleast. Her cloak is grabbed and one additional item which is placed safely down her top as well. Its small enough, just the size of a datadisk.

One quick look around the room then she exits, closing the door behind her. Emerging from the hallway slowly, she carefully looks around to see where those stormtroopers went. Odd, she doesn't see them anywhere and its not like they are hard to spot.

Working her way through the crowd once more, she heads to the door. Her head tells her that Ati has left; but a small part of her that still harbors hope, prays that he hasn't. She cannot remain on the planet any longer nor does she want to.

Ducking outside, she looks around again; checking to make sure that the coast is clear and to see if a certain someone is lurking around the corner as they had arranged three days prior. The mark on the wall (their signal) is there so she rounds the corner of the building and waits by the crates in the alleyway.

"You got the money?" A deep, gravelly voice sounds from the shadows.

"Yeah I do. Do you have my fix?"

First, the shadows shimmer then pull free from the wall. One lone light about fifty feet back casts a dull illumination in the area. Tall, thin yet built and broad shouldered, a man appears; pulling his hand free of the breast pocket of his coat.

"Here you go, babe. Enjoy the ride tonight."

Jordana gives the man the credit chits she had deposited in the top of her dress and takes the vials of ryll.

Their business transaction complete, she turns and starts back to the street hoping that Ati hasn't witnessed any of it.

"Oh stop it, Jordana. He didn't hang around and you know it.", she murmurs under her breath.

Though spring is in the air, the nights are still quite chilly. Three out of four vials are deposited into the safety of her cleavage then she drapes her cloak over her shoulders, clasping it securely across the swell of her bosom.

The fourth vial is unstoppered and she drinks the liquid contained within.

[Ati Quai]

He hadn't left, and when she didn't bring him a drink like he had requested, he did ponder just leaving her here. Well, it was the least that she coulda done after his help, wanted or not. And so, her departure left him to lean against the bar and get one last Corellian ale before he planned to leave this rock behind him.

The troopers hadn't strayed from his gaze long, either, though they had yet come anywhere near him. Yet. It seemed that they were looking for someone, though last he had checked he wasn't on their most wanted list and they hadn't been alerted of his presence. If they had, Kaybo would have warned him already. No, it was a systematic interrogation that appeared 'random,' but he could tell who they were targeting. The rougher batch, scruffy, roguish. Like him.

So it was no surprise when one made his way on a rather direct path towards Ati, blaster rifle cradled as they always were and the trooper's posture a good deal better than that which Ati chose to exhibit.

"Have you seen any of these people?" the trooper asked him, showing images of both Terrik, Jordana and another figure that he didn't recognize. Lifting the mug of ale to his lips, Ati took a thoughtful drink before looking up at the emotionless helmet that was the Imperial buckethead's trademark.

"Nope," was the simple reply, followed by another drink.

"Are you certain that you haven't seen these people? A few others on the other side of the bar--"

"Are drunk and wouldn't know Jabba the Hutt if he sat on them. Sorry to spoil your witchhunt, but I can't help you." The trooper didn't seem to buy it, but Ati did have a rather valid point. Even now as one of the men in question fell over onto the floor in a drunken stupor. The second trooper is soon to arrive as well, likely due to the apparent lack of cooperation from the smuggler. On either side of him, Ati just flatly looks at each before downing the last of his ale. "Look, I'm not the droid you're looking for, alright? I just want to enjoy one more drink before I leave for the night so if you don't mind, remove yourself from my presence. You're really spoiling the atmosphere."

Ok. Wrong move.

"Name and business in Nar Shaddaa?"

"Ati Quai. Looking to get drunk and find a friend, if you know what I mean. Right now, my plans are on hold."

A few moments pass as the trooper calls back to one of his superiors and then the trooper nods. "Very well. You're clear."

How reassuring. Regardless, the troopers seem content with the situation and move on to the next hapless person to question and Ati takes that as the golden opportunity to make good his exit, weaving through the tables and patrons towards the door. There was a sense that something still wasn't right, but nothing appeared out of the ordinary. Then again, the rest of the patrol could be sitting outside the Pit waiting for him. Some twisted entertainment as he becomes the one target on practice day. But as he gets to the door and sees a bit of what's beyond it, there didn't appear to be anymore of the Imperial's Finest.

[Jordana Montegue]

The only members of the 'Imperial's finest' are the ones still inside. Outside, however, stands Jordana; tugging her cloak to fit more snug around her body to stave off the chill in the night air.

The effects of the ryll settle in, making her feel as if she's light as a feather on her tired and sore feet, not having a single care in the world.

She tilts her head back a bit to gaze at the stars, a little bit too much it seems as she staggers a step or two backwards and laughs at herself.

Her eyes get that glassy, vacant look to them and she looks around the area. Not seeing Ati anywhere, she figures he just left.

'Just like a man.', she thinks to herself.

Remembering that she has to get away from the Pit and off the planet as fast as she can, she walks past the door and down to the walkway, beginning her trek towards the spaceport.

[Ati Quai]

He stepped out of the Pit just about two seconds after she walked by the entrance, but he still caught sight of her. For now, he kept his distance behind her since for now, she seemed to be going in the same direction. And with the Imperial presence questioning about her, he wasn't up to being blatant about his actual knowledge of the woman, and would wait until he had no other avenue to take.

An easy enough plan, really, plus it gave him a chance to better figure out the woman and what she may be wanted for questioning for. Not that he particularly cared, he just wanted to know exactly what he would be up against for getting her out of the city. Time would tell, for certain, and when it did, he'd likely need another drink.

[Jordana Montegue]

As Jordana strolls past others on the streets, the high created by the ryll kicks in completely. Outbursts are made to passing patrons, laughter at nothing at all is heard and she pretty much makes quite a spectacle of herself.

Care is not taken when crossing the street. Several passing vehicles have to swirve to avoid hitting her, their horns blaring angrily as angry fists shake in the air.

Jordana flips each one off.

In the middle of the intersection, she pauses, taking the time to twirl around twice before continuing on her way.

Not a care in the world, it seems.

Inwardly and subconsciously, she's praying that she's run down and killed. The pain that she lives with each and every day is too much for her fragile heart and body to carry. Her bitty bit of heaven was snatched away before it could ever truly live.

In short, her son died not long ago. He was only six months in age. He was her everything. She lived for him, she breathed for him, and she will die for him.

An oncoming hoverbus speeds towards the intersection, hoping to beat the traffic signal. It's running fifteen minutes late and there is a strict schedule to adhere to. As it stands, the driver is already losing thirty credits from his pay to make up for the time lost.

Jordana is oblivious to the oncoming danger. Or is she?

Seeing the headlights grow larger as it draws closer, she stops twirling and stares at the hoverbus. With tears in her eyes, she spreads her arms out and leans her head back, exposing her face to the starless sky above and waits for the vehicle to claim her life so she may see her son again. There wouldn't be any pain. The vial of ryll was more than enough to ensure that.

An errant thought enters her mind and she gasps in shock as the blaring horn snaps her out of her suicidal state. Jordana throws herself out of the way, barely escaping death, landing on the walkway.

A bunch of patrons give her a wide berth, some commenting on her being crazy, to get off the streets and suggeting idly that someone summon Corsec to lock her up.

Jordana crawls over to the building and curls up against it, crying uncontrollably as she mutters to herself.

She looks crazy, indeed. Then again, the high only lasts so long and this one is wearing off. Long, slender fingers are raked back through her pretty blond hair, her fingers trembling as the shakes begin.

It'll take her a few more minutes to remember that there is more of her fix just inside the top of her dress.

[Ati Quai]

The dark eyes of the smuggler saw all of it, though with the crowd, there would have been no chance for him to get her out of the way of the oncoming vehicle. Thankfully, she had wised up enough to get out of the way.

The words of the onlookers were mostly muddled, but he did manage to hear Corsec within all of it. Part of the trade, to catch the important information out of a cargo load of drivel. That sort of attention wasn't really high on his list of things to encounter this night, especially after the run-in with the bucketheads.

And while he had never done any manner of drugs, something was in her system, or was at the least causing her to act like a carefree fool. She wasn't nearly as flighty just a short while ago. It made him wonder exactly what it was that she went to get when she walked out. He'd likely find out soon enough, and as long as Nar Shaddaa was at their tail end, he would be satisfied.

Stepping across the street, he stops his step a couple feet in front of her. "I'd say that between the incident at the Pit and your little stroll, you've got about two out of nine lives left."

He stood there a moment to let his words catch her ears, dark eyes glancing around them and noting a couple extra looks from passersby. A stern glare from him was enough for them to move along, though he was certain that some manner of authorities would be alerted before long. Which made time a very valuable commodity.

"Let's go. I told you I'd get you off this rock and I plan to. What you do with your life afterwards is your choice, but right now you're on my time and we're leaving."

[Jordana Montegue]

The street lights cast shadows along the sidewalk of the people passing by. In Jordana's drug-induced state, these shadows seem to move in weird ways. Ahhh, the joys of tripping - to see shadows wavering and taunting you as the high slowly dissipates.

The shadows cast by Ati as he stands there a few feet in front of her remind her of the monsters that once haunted the area under her bed when she was a child. The head looks all distorted and snarled, the body swaying and the legs look about as long as an overgrown spider's.


Slowly, Jordana rolls her glazed-over eyes upwards, peering at Ati through thin, errant strands of blond bangs. Her mouth feels dry and her tongue feels swollen, making speech an impossibility at the moment. She watches Ati; the way he scans the crowd and how he glares at a few people. A derisive snort is passed through her nose and she begins to laugh; but the sound is not one of laughing out of humor. It's sad, pained and coming from one who is emotionally exhausted.

Her body is weary too. First on her hands and knees, then using the wall of the building, she stumbles up to her feet to lean against that said wall before falling over flat on her face.

"Ah yes, I remember you. You're the one who has a death wish with Terrik. Perhaps we can share the same coffin, you know? Save a bit of money that way I hear."

Again, she laughs, but laughter through tears is a mournful sound.

Tripping over her own two feet twice, she finally finds her center of balance and eases off the wall to walk without the aid of concrete to her left.

"My knight in rusted armor. Where fore art thou whisking me off to?"

A tired laugh escapes as they reach the intersection. Does Jordana bother to look at all before waltzing out into traffic?

No. The spaceport isn't too far from here and somewhere deep inside of her mind, she knows that is where she must get to.

From a nearby distance the sound of sirens is heard. Someone just might have alerted the authorities that there's a disturbance in public. Then again, it could be an ambulance or fire rescue.

"Where are we going again?"

[Ati Quai]

"Anywhere but here," he answers, still glancing around a bit. With her now standing on her own, he doesn't bother with trying to aid her along. He simply starts walking towards the hangar again, reaching to his belt to remove the small comlink attached to it.

"Kaybo, prep the ship and prepare for a possible hasty departure."

--Affirmative, Sir. No sign of Imperials here.--

Which was the first bit of good news the smuggler had heard today. The sirens seemed to be getting a bit closer, though he doubted they would manage through the crowd before he and Jordana arrived at the spaceport. Once inside, it was rather easy to blend into the crowd. That, and the Rota IV managed into one of the closer docking bays.

Before long, he was leading her down the dirt covered corridor to Docking Bay 6, pausing briefly at the locked door. A few numbers punched into the control panel and the door slides open, revealing the circular landing platform and in it's center, the light freighter.

"Well, Miss, there's your white horse."

[Jordana Montegue]

Whereas most women would tend to fear walking the corridor of the spaceport to the docking bays with a man they don't know, Jordana is either too out of it to care or maybe she's inwardly hoping that he's some escaped convict who's planning to kill her.

"Well, Miss, there's your white horse."

Jordana looks at the ship then to Ati. The right corner of her mouth twitches.

"Well getting aboard will get us off the planet faster than standing here looking at it. Wouldn't you agree?"

Assuming that any wise-crack Ati returns is done when his back is turned to her, Jordana follows Ati and boards the ship. While walking up the narrow corridor towards the cockpit, she spots the sleeping area and ducks into it.

Before her head hits the pillow on the bunk, she's fast asleep.

[Ati Quai]

But no wisecrack comment came, silently agreeing with her thought on the matter and leading the way up the ship's ramp. Once they are both inside, the ramp is closed and the smuggler heads to the cockpit to strap in and prepare the takeoff. There were many times that he was thankful for his droid who could fly the freighter if need be, and this was just another of those times. Engines warmed, all it needed was Ati's gentle touch to get the Rota IV to lift slowly up into the air.

--Sir, Imperials have entered the docking bay--

The warning came about a second before a shot from a blaster rifle streaked across their vision just outside the cockpit glass. At least they were inside the ship. Now the trick was getting off the moon and losing any and all Imperial TIEs that might try to follow.

The slow ascent continued for another couple moments before the engines gave a deep roar as they were powered to full and the ship sped off from the docking bay.

It didn't take long for the alarms to go off that they were being followed by other ships, a trio of TIE fighters. Ati wasn't terribly concerned, considering he had outrun more ships before. But still, he didn't fancy this being the day that his luck ran out.

"Lock in the coordinates for Cinnabar Moon and prepare the seismic charge while I get ready to jump us out of here. Let's hope that our guest is strapped down to the bed."

A simple acknowledgment is returned by the droid who immediately does as requested, affirming as much a short while later. While they had a bit of a headstart, the TIEs were closing in rather quickly, and before long, they would be too close to use the charge.

"Release!"

Kaybo activated the release on the seismic charge, the ship's last and one of the modifications that Ati had made sometime ago. Behind the Rota IV, the metallic cylinder floated for a few moments before exploding in a brilliant blue flash of the sonic wave it caused. The ship quickly dove downward to avoid any of the blast and with a few more calculations, the Corellian freighter was ready to make the jump to hyperspace.

Two of the TIE fighters were caught in the surprise blast, and the third could do nothing but watch as the Rota IV disappeared from view.

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana was not strapped down to the bed, thus, when the ship lurches in its quick take off, Jordana rolls right off and lands on the floor.

If she hadn't been past out, she would have awoken with a start, but the down from the high provided by the ryll keeps her out.

However, the boom created by the sonic charge wakes her up, with a scream. Raking her shaking fingers through her hair as she stands, Jordana looks around, familiarizing herself with just where it is that she has ended up.

Her head is pounding and again, her mouth feels quite dry. Making her way out of the sleeping cabin and up to the cockpit, she probably looks like hammered-you-know-what.

"Who are you, where are we and is there anything to drink?"

[Ati Quai]

"There's water in the washroom by the sleeping quarters." His reply is simple, though there was a near underlying tone that said water was all she would be able to drink on this ship. In her condition, he wasn't too keen on the idea of anything else getting into her system.

"Name's Ati Quai and you're on my ship. I do apologize for the turbulence back there but I didn't feel like being tailed by TIE fighters across the galaxy. I don't imagine that you disagree with those thoughts."

One last glance over the control panel to make sure that their course was indeed set and he turns to face her, relaxing a bit in the chair.

"And as long as we're doing introductions, care to enlighten me?"

[Jordana Montegue]

"No, no disagreement from me."

Jordana's eyes dart around at the controls; the various knobs and dials, buttons and switches, read-outs and levers. She's never had a reason to learn how to pilot a craft in the past and seeing all of this, she's glad she's never had to.

"Jordana. Jordana Montegue."

She looks to Ati, then looks away as she stands.

"I need some water, then. I'm dying from thirst. So, where is this bucket of bolts going to take us to?", her voice fades slightly as she walks back down to the sleeping quarters, then it rises as she turns on the water.

Two fingers dive between her breasts, fishing out one of the vials. Her hands are shaking so bad from needing another fix, that she drops the vial into the sink. The glass tube tinks and chimes as it bounces and rolls around in there before finally coming to a rest.

She manages to grab it and remove the stopper. The contents are poured into the water and she uses her finger to stir it around a bit, distributing it evenly. A light blue-ish tint colors the water.

Figuring it wouldn't be noticeable, she takes the drink with her back to the cockpit area and sits back down.

"Any pain killers? I have a pounding headache."

[Ati Quai]

"No, no painkillers on board at the moment. Our run-in with Imperials rushed me out of there before I could do my shopping. As far as where we're going...Cinnabar Moon."

And for now, the tint to the water is either unnoticed or he simply does not comment. Perhaps it didn't matter to him if she OD'd or not. He'd completed his part of the tale by getting her off the planet as he'd said that he would. He never made guarantees about the rest of her life. After all, with all the trouble with Imperials and everything else, did he need to throw a woman into that mix for an extended period of time? Not without a healthy supply of Corellian ale.

"From there, it's up to you. You can leave there once we arrive. I'll see that you find passage to wherever you would like to go. At that point, my promise is fulfilled. Should you decide to stick around, I'll do what I can to help you start a new life. One without thugs, debts and drugs."

Ok, perhaps it did matter.

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana chokes on the tinted water as Ati states the last of his words - more specifically, the part about a drug free life. It never bothered her before if anyone knew that she was addicted to the spices and whatnot's, but for some reason when Ati said it, she blushed from ... from ...

'From what?', she asks herself as her brows knit gently and she looks away from Ati.

'Shame?'

She hasn't felt this emotion since she was a little girl and she had to explain to her friend one day after school why her daddy wasn't around. Jordana was seven at the time and her father walked out when she was six. He said her mother was a whore and her mother said he was a drunk, good-for-nothing-bum.

Funny thing is - they were right about each other.

Jordana looks at the waterglass, turning it slowly around in her hand while chewing thoughtfully at the inside of her cheek. Finally, with a hard, dry swallow, she stands and leaves the cockpit.

A few minutes later, Jordana reappears at the entryway to the cockpit with her arms folded uncomfortably across her stomach.

"This place that we're going to ... is it an Imperial controlled planet?"

[Ati Quai]

"Most likely, though we won't know for 100% certainty until we come out of lightspeed. Even if it is, though, we should be safe for a while. My ship isn't wanted...yet. Even if it is and we're both wanted, they wouldn't expect us to come so close to Coruscant."

The closer they are to danger, the farther away from harm. Or so he hoped. Regardless, they couldn't remain floating around space forever and he desperately needed to resupply on a few things, including seismic charges. The last couple payments on his shipments had been saved up for just that purpose.

Her question, though, did cause him to wonder a bit. At least to the point that he now wondered if the little bit on Nar Shaddaa had more severe implications than he had first anticipated. Sure, the bucketheads had questioned about the girl but that could have been for anything. The fact that she voiced a bit of concern over it meant it was likely a bit more than just anything.

Turning in the cockpit chair, away from the console and to now face her, a simple gesture towards the seat told her she could make herself at home.

"Have a seat, Jordana. No point in standing the entire way there. Now, what's your interest in Imperials, or is it just paranoia from the little incident on the moon?"

[Jordana Montegue]

With the invitation to sit back down, she does.

"Paranoia. Paranoia over the fact that I'm in debt to a few um .. shall we say ... corrupt Troopers. I know, they all are in one form or another but, I'm sure you know what I mean."


Jordana rubs her palms together then slides one hand up along a bare arm while looking out the viewport then over all the dials, knobs, gizmos and gadgets of the instrument panel.

"Oh, and one of the Hutt Lords, too."

Can't forget that little bit of information. Terrik was in deep with both and because she owes so much, well .. he's going to be in even deeper bantha poo-doo right along with her.

Her body, so use to the effects of being high, it wants more - it needs more. Jordana grows more fidgety as time slowly passes. Raking her upper lip with her lower teeth, rubbing one arm, fingertips beginning to tremble.

As her body begins to go through withdrawal, it'll get worse.

This thought scares her. The thought of having to feel the pain she keeps buried and drugged deep inside terrifies her even more. Subconsciously, the hand rubbing against her arm moves to press lightly between her breasts, assuring herself that there are still a few vials hidden away.

"You're different from most of the smugglers I've run into back there. Why are you helping me off planet and why are you offering to help me begin a new life? What's in it for you?"

Burned ten times over in the past, Jordana's become jaded. Lack of trust in others, lack of faith in humanity as a whole, Jordana's attitude is one filled with cynicism and lost hopes.

[Ati Quai]

"Why not? I've no love for the Empire, so if I can do even the slightest thing to ire them a bit, all the better."

He pauses to glance over the readings again, brows furrowing a bit. Ati shakes his head after a moment as if dismissing whatever thought had crossed his mind.

"Besides, you and I both know that the Sabacc Pit is no place for a pretty girl like you to be working. Not if you care to live very long. And if you need a passive reason for why I'm helping you. I'm bored."

Which was actually the truth though there was more to it than that. More personal things that he wouldn't get into, at least not now. Perhaps not ever. It just depended on how things went.

"Anyway, like I said, once we land it's up to you. I'll help if you want otherwise I'll make sure you've got enough to get to wherever you wish to go. If you stick with me, I can teach you quite a bit. Anything from firing a blaster effectively to flying a freightship like this one. *NOT* this one, mind you, this is mine. But one like it if you ever had the need or chance."

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana's brow lofts as Ati states that he is bored.

"So you make it a habit to interfere with other's lives when you get bored!?"

She sounds pretty infuriated. Perhaps it was his choice of words, the tone or maybe she's just edgy - another effect of withdrawal.

"Let me guess, last week it was another damsel in distress who satiated your boredom. Probably tall, red hed, with a fiery temper."

As Jordana speaks, she crosses her arms stiffly across her chest, as well as her right leg over her left knee; swinging her foot quickly. Her jaw sets, her teeth clench and she narrows her eyes at Ati, then looks away - out the main viewport.


Her hands are still shaking, but with the grip she has upon her own biceps, its hardly noticeable. As minutes pass and her temper cools down, her eyes shift sidelong as she glimpses to Ati.

"You'd really teach me things?"

Her voice is almost like that of an awe-struck child's; filled with curiousity yet dripping with caution.

"How much will that cost me? I'm pretty broke so I couldn't afford it anyways. Nevermind."

Still, she stares out of the main viewport and watches the mottled stars in the distance. It does sound like a good offer he just gave her. Really. But there is always a catch; always a price to pay. Nothing in this galaxy ever comes for free.

'He is kinda cute.', she thinks to herself. The smallest of smiles brightens her face just a touch, adding a touch of color to her cheeks. 'Just stop it, Jordana. Get off planet and out of the system. The faster you get off this ship, the faster you can get your next fix.'

"This is a decent sized ship."

An idle comment as she looks to Ati, her eyes roaming over his facial features, then halfway down his torso and back to the stars aagain.

[Ati Quai]

"No, I actually do prefer blondes," he replies dryly, though it was merely his way of prodding the sore spot he inadvertently struck a moment ago. "And to be perfectly honest, I don't make a habit of interfering with people's lives. Like I said, I have no love for the Empire and had no real desire to see you get yourself killed."

Which was, in fact, the truth. It was just a matter that it wasn't the entire truth, or rather he just left out the more personal reasons that he held for aiding her. It was her choice if she accepted the help or if she blew it off entirely. At present, she felt that he was treating her as a charity case.

"Advice and training are free, Jordana. It's just a matter of whether or not you accept either of them. Besides, this is a big galaxy and the trips can get rather long when on your own. True, I have Kaybo here to keep me company but droids aren't well-known for their personalities or their sense of humor."

Kaybo mutters something in some other language that it was programmed with, which does cause Ati's left eyebrow to raise slightly. "No offense, pal, but I can only take so many 'Why did the Hutt cross the road?' jokes."

Glancing back to Jordana, the features of his face soften a bit. "The offer is serious. You need not worry about paying for it, since if you accept, you could help me out with shipments. No skin off my back either way."

Which was a partial lie, but he was good at it so she likely wouldn't pick up on it. Smuggling, gambling...both required an expert poker face and he had survived for more than a few years with his own. His brown eyes remain on her face for a moment before he looks back to the controls as one of the alarms beeps.

[Jordana Montegue]

"No, I actually do prefer blondes,"

The only response Ati's dry comment pulls from Jordana is a roll of her eyes. Ati might not notice that unless he happens to notice it in her reflection within the viewport.

Jordana remains quiet as Ati continues to speak and when he finishes, silence still prevails. Her eyes are apparently glued to the view outside, but if Ati looks to her profile, he might notice a couple of rapid blinks from her eyes, the kind one does in order to force fresh tears back from whence they came.

Since the death of her son, Jordana's life has gone downhill. She's lost nearly everything, including her self-respect and dignity. She has no shame - or had no shame up until just a little while ago when she actually felt ashamed for needing a fix.

No son, the child's father up and left even before she could tell him that she was expecting their child, and no family. The only thing she had going for her was a crappy job at the bar and that wasn't something one really wrote home to mama to brag about.

She hasn't had anyone in her life over the past few years whose ever wanted to just help her out. Things just don't work out that way for Jordana.

Ati's words as well as his attitude catch her offguard. Jordana stands, uncrosses her arms and runs her fingertips over a few controls; just brushing over them lightly. As she turns to look to Ati, something slides out from under the skirt of her dress, clinking against the floor before it rolls to Ati's feet. One of the vials that she had tucked away in the bodice of her attire.

Jordana's eyes move from Ati's to the vial and then to the viewport as she swallows dryly.

"Sure you don't want to rethink your offer now?"

Mentally, Jordana figures that Ati will take one look at the vial and revoke his offer, dump her off at the nearest spaceport and go along his merry lil' way. Could she blame him? No, not really. After all, who would truly want a drug addict along with them?

[Ati Quai]

Dark brown eyes glance down to the small vial that rolls against his foot, body bending at the waist as he leans over to pick it up, inspecting it a long, silent moment.

"Well, this would explain your behavior of late, I'd imagine."

There was nothing judgmental in his tone, nothing that would denote he thought any less of the woman. Of course, most would think differently now, but he had a bit of a suspicion all along. This was merely the concrete proof that settled it. He hands the vial back to her without so much as a word, an almost saddened look around his eyes, though nowhere else.

"The offer stands, though on a new condition. I initially told you that the help would be free. There's a price now. You and Kaybo go back to the sleeping quarters, dispose of the vials and he will get you set up to clean out your system. Don't ask me how it's done, or why I have the set-up on my ship. I just do, and I just know. Those are the conditions now."

[Jordana Montegue]

Chewing on her lower lip, to the point that the area turns white with the raking of her teeth, Jordana lowers her head - either in thought or weariness. It's hard to tell.

Her fingers open and take the vial that Ati hands back to her without so much as looking at him. Shame, embarassment, need - it's all of those reasons why she won't look at him. His reflection in the viewport's window shows her the saddness around his eyes; which only deepens the knife already driven deep into her heart.

Her eyes finally leave the magnificent view spread out against the dark blanket of space ahead of her to look at the vial in her hand. So much pain can be taken away with just this little bottle. Her heart would stop aching, her mind would be numb and she'd feel so good!

And - eventually - she'll end up dead. She knows this deep down inside and perhaps there is a huge part of her that simply wants that. To lay down, close her eyes and never wake up.

What it is that causes her to look to Ati while slowly licking her lower lip and toss the vial of ryll back to Ati to dispose of it ... she doesn't know; but she does it anyway while nodding her head to him subtly.

" ..." Her mouth opens, as if she wants to say something, but nothing comes out. Many questions, she has, but not sure she has the strength or the ability at the moment to voice them.

Turning from the viewport, her eyes settle on Ati for a moment or two before casting to the floor then over to Kaybo. A hesitant step is taken, then another and shortly following, she's trailing the droid through the corridors to the sleeping quarters.

Her acceptance of having the drugs flushed from her system is also acceptance of Ati's offer. 'Why am I doing this?!', she wonders as the droid waits for her to lay down on the bed. She does and Kaybo rolls around the room, getting things turned on and other area's prepped.

Scared, not too mention that she suddenly feels extremely cold, Jordana begins quivering. Again, her teeth stroke against her lower lip as she watches the droid tool around the small living space.

'What have you gotten yourself into with this one, Jordana?'

Ati isn't the type of man that Jordana usually attracts. She's a magnet for scum, or so her mother use to tell her. Thank the stars that woman is out of her life permanently! Her mother, a born-again believer of Cherishites - the religious cult that her mother was a member of before Jordana was born - wasn't much of a mother at all. A firm believer in strict rules, severe punishment and living simply, suffice it to say that Jordana's upbringing was anything but a bed of roses.

As Kaybo preps Jordana for the cleansing of the drugs from her system, Jordana closes her eyes tight and pushes all the thoughts from her mind. Tired of living in the past, given a new chance at life, it's time to live in the present.

One day at a time and hopefully, one of those days will become the day that she looks to the future.

Hopefully.

[Ati Quai]

The same sadness would remain in his eyes until Jordana had walked out, the vial of ryll still in the smuggler's hand. Exhaling a heavier breath through his nose, the vial is set on the console for now as he glances to the instruments, simply to take his mind off of things. The alarm had been nothing, something he had attributed to simply being alerted that the alarm was still functional. They couldn't have been tracked, and even if they were being tracked, they had made the jump well before any other ship would have and they would still be out in the lead.

Kaybo returned to the cockpit after Jordana was set up for the detox, and Ati handed the vial to the droid.

"Analyze this for anything out of the ordinary and then dispose of it," he uttered simply, receiving an affirmative response from the droid before it went off to complete the task. Dark eyes follow the droid out the door until it closes, leaving the smuggler alone in the cockpit. Alone with only thoughts and memories to keep him company. Not a good thing.

It would still be some time before their journey would be at an end, and they would arrive at their destination. Perhaps the woman would accompany him, perhaps not. Unknown to him she had accepted the offer, though the handing over of the vial was a clue even to him that she would. If nothing else, it would get her clean, even if just for a short while. He hoped it would be longer.

[Jordana Montegue]

As Jordana lays on the bed in the sleeping quarters, hooked up to a machine similar to that of a modern-day dialasis machine, lines entering one set of veins draws the blood out of her body and deposits it back in from the other arm. After it's been cleaned, of course. The process will take a few hours, this isn't something that is finished in just a few minutes.

Once Kaybo was sure that everything was proceeding normally, he left the room. A few minutes pass and Jordana hears the little droid coming back towards the quarters, but he passes it. Her attention to the open door, she caught just a blur of the metallic creature as he went past. A brow arches lightly, wondering what the little critter is up to now.

The soft humming from the machinery, the various sounds throughout the ship, lull Jordana into a relaxed state. Her eyes begin to feel heavy and soon, she's sleeping peacefully.

*****

After Kaybo runs a complete analysis of the contents of the vial, he returns to the cockpit and sputters out the results in some foreign language as well across the holopad viewscreen set within the controls of Ati's ship.



*****COMPOSITE HISTORY AND BREAKDOWN****

---- LUMNI SPICE ---- 60%

~~HISTORY~~

The rarest form of spice in the galaxy, it is found only on Hoth, deep in the caves of the dragon-slug. The combination of Hoth's environment and the presence of the dragon-slug make lumni-spice difficult to harvest and expensive to purchase.

*** OTHER ADDITIVES ***

---- RYLL ---- 20%

---- WATER ---- 20%

A highly addictive drug, the combination of both Lumni Spice and Ryll proves to be among the most potent recreational drugs in the galaxy.


Kaybo proceeds to inform Ati that had he not ordered Jordana's system to be cleansed of the drugs, she would have died in 4.3 hours from overdose. The droid informs Ati that Jordana will sleep for the next 6.2 hours then rolls off to do light maintainence in the cargo bay.

******

Seven hours later....

Jordana wakes, opening her eyes slowly to prevent one of those short, quick headaches one gets from bright lights. To her surprise, the lighting in the sleeping quarters has been reduced to a gentle illumination, like that of a nightlight.

Her head aches, right behind her brows which then seems to radiate around the circumference. Both hands grasp her head as she slowly rolls over onto her side, groaning quietly. Kaybo returns and comes to a stop at the bedside. A small compartment opens and an 'arm' extends. With a click, hiss, Jordana winces from the sharp pinch felt at the side of her neck.
Just as quickly as she felt it, the pain disappeared. Half a minute later and the pounding of her head ebbs then dissipates.

Kaybo zips out of the room and returns to Ati to inform him that the process is complete and her system is clean. He also informs his owner that the young woman is awake.

[Ati Quai]

"Hoth? I'd hate to know how much she paid for that crap if that's the only place to get it." He pauses briefly as the droid relays the rest of the information, one of his arms reaching up to his forehead as if in that quizzical expression. "Yeah, I don't understand it either, Kaybo. But at least her system will be cleansed and maybe she can get on with her life without the drugs."


Seven hours later...

Ati had just about fallen asleep in the cockpit during the long, quiet flight towards Cinnabar Moon, seeing only the light blue cylinder of lightspeed that they were passing through. It almost made him sick to stare at if he did so for too long, so it was rather rare that his eyes looked ahead when using this much faster form of travel.

Kaybo alerts Ati of Jordana's condition and the fact that she was now awake, just as an alarm sounds from the console. "Perfect timing. We're about to come out of lightspeed near Cinnabar Moon. Kaybo, have Miss Montegue either strap herself in back there or join us up here. I'd rather know that she is secured somewhere in case we run into some trouble."

--Affirmative, Sir--

And the droid walks back towards the sleeping quarters once again, this being about the 11th trip back and forth from the cockpit to the quarters since they left. Well, about 10 1/2, actually, as Ati had called him back once before he got all the way there. And yes, as a droid, he did keep track.

A few more checks over the console before Ati reaches up to take them out of lightspeed, hoping against hope that there wasn't some manner of Imperial blockade waiting to greet them.

[Jordana Montegue]

Feeling tired from the effects of having the drugs cleansed from her blood stream, Jordana shuffles her way into the cockpit and takes a seat in the co-pilots station. Ati instructs her to use the restraints and she does, fiddling with the belt before it clicks into place.

As the ship comes out of hyperspace, the moon slowly fills the viewport the closer to it that they get. No Imperial blockade is there to greet them, but there are a few Imperial ships in the distance. From the direction that they're heading, it appears that the Imps are moving away from the moon as opposed to arriving.

Fidgety, her fingers caress the rounded end of the arm rest and she rakes her lower lip through her teeth with apprehension as her eyes are focused on the retreating Imperial ships.

"They're leaving rather quickly, don't you think?", she asks of Ati. Hopefully, the Imperials have been summoned to assist in some war occurring elsewhere in the galaxy and not retreating because the planet is going to be bombarded in the next hour.

As Ati's ship approaches the Moon, the view becomes breathtaking. Large pools of liquid mercury shimmer with an eerie yet radiant beauty, covering much of the Moon's surface. Silver streaks zoom past below. Storm IV cloud cars which provide transportation for those inhabiting or visiting the Moon so they don't have to touch the surface.

The vista reminds Jordana of the far off places only read about in fantasy novels. Nothing this beautiful can possibly exist.

"Look at that view!"

Easing as far forward in the seat as she possibly can, pulling the restraints taut, Jordana cranes her neck to take in the glorious landscape below as Ati guides the ship just meters above the surface. She's almost as awe-struck as a child is when seeing someplace new for the very first time. As they pass by numerous buildings and homes, Jordana points out things for Ati to look at, forgeting that he has to guide the ship and can't take time to truly enjoy the wonder and beauty of the silvery, shimmering Moon.

They come upon the Cinnabar Moon Retreat. Kaybo relays the history behind the place, informing the duo that it was once used by the Wild Knights long ago before they joined the Jedi Knights. Once a resort and spa which had been abandoned, it's been converted into a upscale resort hotel, complete with a casino where some of the highest stakes games of Sabaac are played.

An addition to the building was a landing pad, which Ati sets his ship down upon after receiving proper clearance. Maybe Kaybo helped just a little in getting that taken care of, Jordana doesn't know for sure, nor does she care.

As Ati does whatever it is that he has to do in order to shut the craft down, Jordana releases her restraints and turns to face him.

"What are we doing here?"

[Ati Quai]

The view was quite breathtaking, though the smuggler wasn't one to get all choked up over such things. Sure, he appreciated the value of a locale that was easier on the eyes, but it was what was easier on the pockets that he appreciated more. Adding to the pockets, that is. Of course, with his additional passenger, he didn't figure to hit too many games of Sabacc on this trip, and with the results of his last visit here, it was likely wise to stay clear of the games. Well, one or two games might not hurt.

"Refueling, restocking and perhaps a little rest. I know one of the casino owners so we -should- be safe enough."

Kaybo mutters something in a language that Jordana likely doesn't understand, though the smirk on Ati's face lets on that he does. "I'm sure he's forgotten all about that by now. Just to be safe, keep the ship prepped, would you? Just get us refueled and we can be on our way if need be."

--Yes, Sir--

With the ship shutdown, Ati unfastens the safety harness keeping him strapped to the chair and stands up, stretching a bit before absently patting the blaster on his left hip. Dark brown eyes look over to Jordana, a small smile offered.

"Regardless of what you see, do not stray far from me. While this may be a better looking place than Nar Shaddaa, it's not much safer if you upset the wrong person."

[Jordana Montegue]

No, Jordana doesn't know the language that the droid uses to speak to Ati in, but the smirk that crosses Ati's rugged handsome face doesn't exactly reassure her that they're truly all that safe here. However, she doesn't voice her concerns, but the wary expression that mars her pretty feature might speak them more loudly than any words she can say.

Both manicured hands run down over her abdominal area, smoothing out the wrinkles in her satiny dress.

"I've never been here before so just whom might that wrong person be so I can be sure to avoid upsetting them, hm?"

The tone inflicted in her voice might hint at jest, but her expression contradicts the tone, appearing to be posing quite the serious question. After a minute or less passes, she winks to Ati. Let him decide if she were joking or not.

Though people cannot walk much of the planet's surface due to the pools of mercury, they can still get around and do it quite well. Being on the rooftop of the resort however, affords Ati and Jordana the pleasure of keeping both feet firmly planted on a solid surface; a welcomed relief to Jordana who doesn't really enjoy flying all that much.

The need for a fix is growing rather strong by now and her fidgeting hands seem to be busy with non-stop motion. Smoothing her dress out here and there, rubbing her arms one at a time, reaching behind her back to scratch a non-existant itch.

The one thing that Kaybo didn't do when he and Ati had Jordana going through the cleansing process was to check her personage for any other vials of drugs. There are still two tucked down safely within the bodice of her dress and she feels the area reassuringly, making sure that they are still there.

"I need to use the ladies room once we get inside. Will you be waiting for me nearby?"

The two crossed the landing pad and entered the open door. Down two flights of stairs and into a hallway that seems to stretch on forever.

Jordana locates the ladies room immediately and ducks inside. She doesn't really have to go. Instead, she stands before the mirrored vanity staring at her reflection in the mirror. Her fingers curl against the curved edge of the elaborately decorated sink, kneading and sliding against the polished smooth surface. 'Do I really need this?', she wonders to herself, slowly rocking back and forth.

That blasted Ati! She heard the muttered words he spoke just as she was ducking into the bathroom. Is stating that one must use the lavatory like walking around with a flashing neon sign plastered to one's forehead that screams "I'M GOING TO GO SHOOT UP!"??

No. The cleansing process was not enjoyable and she would hate to have to go through it again. Still, the liquid in those small vials brings her such pleasure! For as long as the high lasts, there are no thoughts of the child she lost, no thoughts of the pain that has burdened her heart to the point of feeling dead inside ... no worries or cares about anything in the world. It makes her feel free - as free as a bird soaring high above the cliffs.

The rocking of her body grows in intensity as she fights the urge to whip out one - or both - of the vials and just drink them straight. Why did Ati have to go an make her an offer that is really hard to refuse? Why did he have to go and be so ... so .. nice!? Damn him!

Shoving away from the sink, Jordana paces the marble floor, rubbing her fingertips against her brow roughly. Why did he have to look at her the way that he did? Those eyes - the sadness that shone so radiantly - why?

"May the fleas of a thousand bantha's infest your armpits, Ati!"

There. That feels much better; now that she's cursed him. Too bad curses don't come true.

Stopping, she looks at herself in the mirror once more and notices the gentle outline of one of the vials nestled between her breasts. Biting on her lower lip hard enough to nearly draw blood, two slender fingers dive into the bodice of her dress and fish one of the vials out.

Holding that vial up to the light, she smiles; reaching for the stopper. Then, when she looks at the reflection in the mirror again, she sees that blasted, no-good, but handsome Ati's face looking at her from over her shoulder.

Slowly, she turns to see if he is really there. Never know; the man could have slipped in unnoticed. Thankfully, he wasn't there. Still, it's enough.

With a loud snarl, she whips the vial against the mirror, causing it to crack and spider web. The vial itself shatters, spraying the liquid pleasure contained inside all over the mirror, wall and even some of the sink.

It takes her a good couple of minutes to collect herself as best as she can before stepping out of the bathroom and into the hall again; looking to the right and left to see where Ati is...

[Ati Quai]

"I'll be closeby," was the reply he offered as she started down the stairs, muttering his comment under his breath. It didn't take a genius to figure it out, really, considering that he'd never known a junkie that only had one fix on them. No, they generally had several and most times liked to use them all up at once. Considering the results of the last dosage, if she tried that again, she'd likely be dead before they could get back to the ship and hooked up to the cleanser.

He left it to her, though, since it was her life. Perhaps at another time and with another person he might have had more say, but that was in the past and this was the present. He left her the offer and what she did with it was her business. He was leaning more towards getting her entirely clean, but again, it was her choice.

And so the smuggler waited rather impatiently for her to do whatever it was she was doing, dark brown eyes darting back and forth around the crowded walkway. He wasn't so certain that the Imperials hadn't been given his description, so first sign of them would likely signal a very short trip.

Had the place not been crowded, he might have been able to hear the shattering of glass even from that distance. But with all the humdrum and droning of the passersby, even his acute hearing didn't pick it up. Though his eyes had scanned over a pair of bounty hunters that he recognized. Not that he was wanted.

The sound of footsteps from the stairwell causes his gaze to shift again, soon settling on the young woman. "Feel better?"

Like her earlier question about who to look out for, this question could have been taken either of two ways and he left it to her to decide which. Glancing around again, he offers the subtlest of nods towards the two bounty hunters, whose attentions are elsewhere at the moment. "And those are the types to stay away from. Just stay close to me for now, and you'll be fine."

Without another word, he turns and heads down the corridor towards a couple of the shops. Did he think that she used more of her drugs while in the lavatory? Honestly, he didn't know.

[Jordana Montegue]

"Mhm."

That was her only response to the question as to whether or not she feels better. It was a lie, but oh well. What she wanted more than anything in the world at this very moment is another fix. Just one more.

She can rationalize that it'll be 'just one more' all she wants, but inwardly, she knows that that one more will most likely be the one that kills her. Would it be a purposeful overdose? Most likely.

As she follows Ati, she glances to the two bounty hunters he subtly motioned to, making a mental note to keep clear of those two. The last thing they need is attention drawn to them and Jordana's fidgeting may not help that.

As she follows behind Ati, she falls a little further behind, too busy watching some of the people that pass by. Those who draw her attention the most are those with children. Oh how her heart aches to see the smiling, bubbling faces of the wee ones skipping along side of their parents or older siblings.

She's fallen further behind, now at a complete stop by one of the railings edging a balcony that looks over the first floor concourse. Her left hand gently massages the rail as she gazes to those below, paying attention to a young mother coddling and tickling her infant son who can't be more than a year old.

The child's braying laughter is loud enough over the din to draw a small smile from Jordana. The child manages to squirm out of his mother's embrace, to run in circles just a few feet away, shrieking with zany laughter.

"That should be me with my son..", she whispers to herself. Unable to watch any longer, she turns from the balcony and scans the crowd for Ati once again.

Slowly, she blends in with the crowd, heading in the last direction that she remembers walking in with him. However, as she seeks him out, her fingers delve into her dress and pull out the last vial. Seeing the mother and child together moments ago opened the wounds that laid buried deep within her heart. The stopper is removed and the contents ingested; then she tosses the vial and stopper into a trash recepticle.

Finally, she spots Ati and quickens her pace to catch up to him. The full effects of the drug won't be noticed for another ten to fifteen minutes, but this time she took it straight. She didn't distill it with water like usual so the effects will be magnified; if not near fatal.

"I don't suppose you'd let me dash into this shop here to purchase myself some other attire, would you?", she asks when coming up directly behind Ati.

"Hmm, dear?"

This was cooed into his ear and followed by an too relaxed giggle. As Ati turns his head to look at her, she flashes him a smile that is obviously forced and bats her pretty and glazing over eyes at him.

[Ati Quai]

"Dear?"

Oh boy. He had a pretty good idea what that meant, since they really hadn't reached the 'dear' part of their relationship just yet. In a way, he wasn't surprised, but he was disappointed and the slightest setting of his jaw would signify as much. Reaching down to his belt, he unhooks a small comlink and raises it to his lips.

"Kaybo, what's the status on refuel?"

A few moments pass which gives Ati the slightest bit of worry. If the ship were on the wanted list now, this wasn't exactly a good place to be hiding. Sure, the crowd was generally lower line, but that meant that they would pad their pockets at any chance given. Finally, an affirmative response is received from the droid.

Nodding once, he hooks the comlink back to his belt before his eyes return to Jordana, narrowing slightly.

"If I had known that you were simply going to continue to throw your life away, I would have left you on Nar Shaddaa. None of what happened or has been said has even made a dent in that head of yours, has it? All you care about is your stupid drugs and your next fix. Well, yes, Alana, you go and get your new clothes, or is it more drugs for the trip that you're looking to buy?"

Only after he started to storm off back towards his ship did he realize that he had slipped up, though with the heat of his words, perhaps she wouldn't notice. It was rare for him to make a blunder of the sort, though it only been a year since that he had to deal with that part of his history, though recent events brought it back full force.

Perhaps she didn't catch it, he told himself again, oblivious to the attention that the two bounty hunters gave him as he continued his approach. He wasn't waiting around for a response from her, since if his little berating of her lifestyle wasn't enough to snap her back to reality, nothing would. She knew where the ship was, and it wasn't like he was that far away from her yet. Perhaps a couple feet.

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana's smile, though a bit off, fades as Ati berates her and pretty much rips her a new one right there in the middle of the floor. She doesn't care what the gawkers might be thinking at this moment - in fact - she doesn't have a care in the world about anything, thanks to the drugs.

Jordana begins to laugh; not really an appropriate response but when one is hopped up on drugs, what else is there to do? Her laughter seems to grow as Ati turns his back on her and strides away, but soon it fades into sobs - uncontrollable ones, at that.

The people passing by look at Jordana as if she is from some other planet - come to think of it - she is! This only makes her laugh through her tears, her voice raising above normal to shout at them things like:

"Yeah? What are you looking at, huh? What? You've never seen a drug addict before?! WELL TAKE A GOOD LOOK!"

One woman scoffs and hurries away in an indignant huff, accompanied by her doubly insulted husband. Hoity toity lil' jerks. Who needs them anyways?

"AND JUST WHO IN THE HELL IS ALANA?!"

This is shouted to the retreating back of Ati.

"Yeah well..I bet she's better off without the likes of YOU, Ati! So quick to turn your back on others; yeah, I bet you helped her out real good by walking away. That's it, isn't it."

The last was stated as if its a fact and not posed as a question.

When those two bounty hunters ... what was it Ati said about those types? Oh yeah. Don't get their attention - it's when they turn their heads to take in the embarassing commotion that Jordana flips them both the bird, then she whirls around on her heels and gracefully trips over her own two feet; landing on the floor in a heap.

On her hands and knees, the full effect of the drugs have hit full force. Her stomach feels contorted, her vision blurs from the outside in (giving her tunnel vision) before plummeting into darkness.

"Ati ... hel...p."

She crawls away a few feet before collapsing right there on the floor ...

Unconcsious.

[Ati Quai]

The smuggler was about to bark back quite the comment to her as she proceeded to presume to know his history, his own nerves already strained by the woman's behavior and the memories that it all brought back. Out of the corner of his eye he sees her gesture towards the two bounty hunters and by the time the smuggler can get a full view of Jordana, one of the hunters is already moving towards her. The softest sound of metal against leather is heard as the blaster on Ati's right thigh is withdrawn, trained on the hunter. The second blaster is also removed to be trained on the other one, just in case.

"Don't even think about it. I can fire off three shots at each of you before you can think of raising a weapon of your own and I don't think this little one here is worth the end of your careers, is it?"

The lead hunter stopped and glanced to Ati before muttering something in some foreign language. Still, he no longer advanced and the pair simply wandered away from the scene, likely to get a drink or a change of shorts. Speaking of drinks...

No, not now. Perhaps later. Definitely later.

Holstering the two blasters again, Ati walks with a slightly hurried pace to the now collapsed Jordana, a mixture of worry and anger on his face. She had been stupid, and he wondered how well her boot tasted about now since it could conceivably still be lodged in her throat somewhere. Not a smart thing to curse someone out and then ask for help. Ok, plead. Not like she had much of a choice.

A few years ago, he may have continued walking away, letting the staff of the resort pick up her body at some point. But no longer. No, he had been cursed with those things called morals and just couldn't leave her there to die, which could still happen considering how quickly the drugs had knocked her out.

"Kaybo, prep the detox and have it ready to go. She's...done it again and I'm bringing her up."

The droid gave a simple reply before the comlink was stowed to Ati utility belt again, and with a slight grunt, he hefted Jordana up over his shoulder much like a present day fireman would. To those that looked on a moment too long, the forefinger of Ati's left hand tapping against the butt of the blaster was enough incentive for them to move along, and stay out of the way. Of course, he figured that at least someone would call security on the situation.

Thankfully, they were still close enough to the ship that he was able to get her aboard the Rota IV before anyone stopped them. The rest would be up to the droid and the detox machine. Ati watched as she was hooked up again, the same sadness and worry of before back into his eyes.

"Kaybo, search her for more drugs. Run a scan if you need to, but I want to make sure that she no longer holds any surprises for us. I'm going to check the scanners and make sure that no one has reported this little incident, then I'll continue our resupplying. If anything should happen, take the ship and leave here. I'll find a speeder or some other transport and meet you somewhere."

The droid's eyes dimmed slightly at the smuggler's words, about the closest expression of disagreement a metal face could accomplish. Reluctantly, the droid did affirm the request and Ati headed back to the cockpit.

[Jordana Montegue]

The little droid has his work cut out for him. As Ati left the compartment, Jordana went into convulsions. Thankfully, Kaybo has decent medical intelligence installed into his systems as he immediately injects her with the proper medications necessary in order to stop the muscles from spazzing as they are.

Once that's done, the droid finishes prepping her for detox and gets the machine to do its job once more. As the blood begins to flow into one set of tubes, into the cleansing, and back into her body through another set of tubes, Kaybo scans Jordana's body; searching for more vials of drugs.

The scan comes back clean. There's nothing hidden within her clothes - or anywhere else, for that matter. Kaybo runs a continual scan over her body, keeping a close eye on her vitals, which are reading in the green. So far, so good.

As the detox process continues, and it's a slow process, Kaybo does other things elsewhere in the ship. Eventually, the detox machine beeps (incessantly), signifying that the entire process is finished. Kaybo returns, reads over the information spewed out and committs it to his memory banks.

Then he pads off to report the findings to Ati.

"Sir. Miss Montegue's system is clean and here is the toxicology report." The droid spits out the report. In short, it runs down the breakdown of the components of the 'cocktail' that Jordana had ingested - a fatal dose.

"She's lucky that you were there, Sir. Had you not returned her to the ship when you had, she'd be dead."

Back in the sleeing quarters, Jordana stirs, feeling extremely sleepy still. A natural thing to feel at this point in time. Slowly, her eyes flutter open and she blinks away the blurriness in her vision.

As she stares up at the ceiling - (a view she is discovering that she's beginning to hate) - she thinks through the fuzziness surrounding her mind.

"Why'd I do it?"

Her eyes roll back as she closes them again, turning over onto her side with her back to the door.

[Ati Quai]

"And she has nothing else on her? You're certain there are no more drugs?"

--I am certain, Sir. Unless she has them stored in..well..you know, Sir, and with the amount of anti-detection she would need surrounding any possible vials, I do not believe it is physically possible for such a thing to happen. Were she able to achieve such, you may have to hand over the title of 'Galaxy's Best Smuggler.'--

"Funny, Kaybo. Well, we have all the supplies that we'll need for a good standard week or so, perhaps longer. So far, no sign of Imperials, at least Imperials looking for us though I doubt our luck can hold for much longer. Make certain that she is resting comfortably."

--Yes, Sir.--

Kaybo turned and walked back out the door, the cockpit door sliding shut with a soft hiss behind him. Ati was once again alone in the chair, brown eyes glancing out the viewport. Perhaps he should have let her die if it was a fatal dose. Obviously she knew it would kill her. And really, if she wanted the extra attention, well, her looks would certainly gain her that. Even from him once the initial disagreement over her addiction was handled.

Shaking his head, he put those thoughts out of his mind. That was a kind of trouble that he didn't need right now. It was enough that he would still hold to his offer to help her and teach her how to fly and whatever else she wished, really. It was another to eventually share the same sleeping quarters. Well, at the same time, that is. To keep his mind further occupied, Ati reached over the console to filter through a few possible destinations. In truth, nothing looked terribly appealing.

[Jordana Montegue]

As Jordana lays there on the bed, dozing or staring at the drab wall across the room, she thinks - seriously thinks - about what has happened as of late in her life.

There's been so much pain and then that idiot Terrak, the one who got her hooked on the drugs; which has only added more pain, in all honesty.

For a few hours at a time, though, those drugs - the crutch which has supported her for the past half a year or so - have pushed the pains of life away; making her numb and oblivious to nearly everything.

She feels ill, as she should. Though the detox machine has cleansed all traces of the toxins from her bloodstream, the nausea is there. Suddenly, she remembers that she never distilled the last vial. She ingested it straight. She recalls shouting at Ati, saying things she had no business even saying to him - let alone outloud in public; then she doesn't remember anything after that. Just waking up in here. Hell, she isn't sure how she even ended up back in the ship and in Ati's sleeping quarters.

Carefully, she sits up; grimacing from the sudden lurch her stomach does. Kaybo must have pumped her stomach as well or she'd be vomitting at this point; or so it feels like it anyways. Add to that the fact that her stomach feels as if its been stepped on by a bantha!

With a sickened groan, Jordana slides off the bed and checks to see if her shakey legs will support her weight. As long as she takes it slow and careful, she'll be alright, so she manuevers her way around the machines and tubings, out the room and up the corridor.

Using the corridor wall for added support, she looks up to the door leading to the cockpit. Ati must be behind that door. 'How can I face him?', she ponders, chewing on her lower lip with hesitation.

'It's not like I can avoid him now, is it? I am aboard his ship and unless I want to be dumped off here, I suppose I'm going to have to.'

Not very encouraging. In the right frame of mind now, she feels down right stupid for what she's done and the things she's said to him. Not too mention feeling foolish for her behavior in a public place.

'That's not who I am!' She wants to shout this out to Ati, make him understand that she was/is not herself when doped up on the drugs. Or is it?

With a sigh, Jordana turns and leans against the wall, sliding down to the floor. Drawing her knees up to her chest, she folds her arms around them, hugging them firmly.

'I wish I could go back in time. I wish I had never met that Ace McCloud and I wish I had never had...'

Wait. Jordana can't finish the rest of that thought. No matter what, she wouldn't go back to change anything. She can't. If she could, she never would have had her son - even though it was brief.

There she sits, reeming herself with her own thoughts and dying inside from the pains that have come to surface. 'God! What I wouldn't give for a fix right now.'

No. Can't be thinking such thoughts because there wouldn't be a savior next time. Next time, that would be the end.

Jordana gets herself up to her feet again and finishes traversing the corridor, coming to a stop before the door of the cockpit, which has opened of its own numatic volition thanks to the sensors.

"Hi." Her voice is hardly above a whisper and she doesn't lift her head to make eye contact with him. Signs of one who feels deeply embarassed and ashamed. She doesn't enter, she doesn't dare to enter. Instead, she remains standing there - very quiet.

[Ati Quai]

--Sir, sensors picking up a Victory-class star destroyer just coming out of lightspeed and heading in the direction of this moon.--

"That was quick," he mutters before glancing over his shoulder at the entering Jordana. A small smile and nod is given to her, though now wasn't really the time for conversation. "Sit down and strap yourself in, Miss Montegue. We're leaving."

His tone was plain, almost vacant. Though it was far better than the tone he took with her before, well during, her overdose. Really, it was just a matter of knowing the gravity of their current situation. While it was quite possible that the arrival of the Imperial ship was routine or coincidence -- considering that several were seen leaving when they first arrived -- it was also quite possible that one of them was sent back to track a certain cargo freighter. He didn't know why, didn't care why. He just wanted to be rid of them for a while, at least long enough to have a drink which he still hadn't managed yet.

"Kaybo, prepare to make the jump to lightspeed as soon as we're out of this atmosphere. Coordinates are locked in."

[Jordana Montegue]

"Sit down and strap yourself in, Miss Montegue. We're leaving."

'Miss Montegue?!'

Ouch. The muscles in her face relax as her expression of shame falls even further, slinking her way into the cockpit where she slides into the co-pilots station. With her head lowered, she manages to get the safety straps secured firmly yet comfortably across her lap.

"Victory class? Besides me, what type of cargo is it that you usually carry?"

A glance over her shoulder to see what the droid is doing, then Jordana looks out the viewport, just now realizing that Ati and Kaybo have been rather busy while she was undergoing detox. Since he had mentioned before that they were stopping here to refuel and resupply, she has to assume that all has been taken care of.

"I suppose once we're away from here and the Imperials, you're going to leave me on some other planet. Can you atleast tell me where it is that I'm going to end up?"

She did, afterall, break the unspoken promise that she had made to Ati before they reached the resort, so in her mind she is right in assuming that that is the end of their deal.

Nervous now that she is aware of Imperials coming to this very moon, she grips the rounded ends of the armrest tight enough so that her knuckles begin to turn white as her fingers knead and relax repeatedly against the smooth and worn material covering the armrest.

[Ati Quai]

"The cargo depends on the day and who is paying me to transport it. I usually do not ask questions and am paid well enough for that. As far as where you're to be dropped off, no one said you were being left anywhere."

As if that settled the entire thing. True, no one had said that she was being left anywhere, at least not now. Perhaps that would change after they got out of this prospective jam, but perhaps not. The sound of the engines fully primed roared through the ship and up to the cockpit and the Rota IV slowly lifted off the ground before those same engines fired and the freighter lurched away from the landing pad.

The star destroyer was still approaching the moon, though it didn't seem to be changing its course at all with the departing freighter. Then again, it didn't need to. It was stocked with more than enough TIE fighters to blast the Rota IV into scrap.

"Prepare to jump on my mark, Kaybo."

A few more moments pass by slowly as he checks over the console one last time, making certain that the coordinates and all the numbers added up. Once convinced that everything was in order, "Mark!"

The Rota IV left Cinnabar Moon.

[Jordana Montegue]

Once clear of the planet and when all is safe to do so, Jordana releases the safety straps and pretends to be interested in some of the components located on the console. What she's really doing is thinking of a way to apologize sincerely to Ati, but so far everything that she's run through her mind sounds rather pathetic. She's lost her respect, lost her dignity and lost h er heart already - what more is there to lose?

"Ati ..." Though her mouth remains open in preparation to continue, she doesn't. There's not much she can do or say at this point to even scratch the tip of the iceberg in order to make amends. So, her mouth closes with a sigh expelled through her button nose and Jordana settles back into the co-pilot's seat where she stares out the viewport. Or, atleast she does until the streaking stars force her to avert her attentions elsewhere or suffer the consequences of getting rather ill.

Hyperspace - blah.

"Who is Alana?", she asks; rather quietly. Figuring that the topic of the woman is most likely a sore spot for Ati, she hopes that the gentle tone of her voice will suggest to him that she's simply curious and not trying to hurt him or pour salt into any wounds.

[Ati Quai]

The smuggler stiffened just slightly at mention of Alana's name, though only due to the memory of both her and the earlier mention of her name. He knew that Jordana meant nothing by this latest mentioning, taking the question as it was meant to be taken. Still, it did little to ease.

"Alana...was my sister." And it was his turn to leave his mouth open for a couple moments, though nothing more was offered. It was explanation enough for who the woman was. Glancing back down the console, he looks over to Kaybo before moving to a stand. "Keep an eye on things up here, Kaybo. Let's hope that this is a quiet trip."

Dark brown eyes then move to Jordana, lips curving upwards into a small smile. "I'll show you to the 'fresher where you can clean up a bit. See if I can find you something to wear, as well, until we can get your dress clean."

With that, he heads out of the cockpit, waiting for Jordana to follow.

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana's brows knit gently as Ati looks as if he wants to say more about his sister. So when he doesn't offer more about the woman, it leaves Jordana a bit perplexed. However, she doesn't press by asking him to elaborate further.

She rises and follows Ati to the refresher. When he ducks out, giving her privacy, she strips off her soiled dress and steps into the shower.

Steam begins to fill the small room and the hot water feels good against her skin. Jordana spends a bit longer in there than usual, but the solace and warmth help clear her mind. It hadn't hit her until just now as to why Ati happens to have a detox machine aboard his ship. Ati doesn't seem like the type of person to get hooked on drugs. Then again, neither did Jordana.

Palms pressed lightly against her cheeks, she wipes away the droplets of water from her face then turns off the waters flow and steps out; draping a towel around her body.

Again, she uses her palm to swipe the steam off the mirror and looks at her own reflection. The pain shows in her eyes - something she simply cannot hide no matter what avenue of pain relief she attempts to take. Thus, she is unable to look at herself for long and thankfully, the mirror steams over once again.

A light rapping against the door and Jordana opens it just a crack; enough to snake her hand through to grab whatever attire it is that Ati picked out for her to wear.

"Thank you. I'll be finished in just a moment."

A better look at what Ati has lent her to wear. A dress with a halter-style bodice and a three-quarters length skirt; the ends handkerchiefed - done in pastel colors. (Reminiscent of Padme's dress she wore on Naboo when the wuss first kissed her)

Jordana dries off and slips on the outfit, adjusting the two small golden rings that rest against each bicep. No hair brush of her own to use, so she rakes her fingers through her hair, styling it quickly.

Cleaning up after herself, she drapes the towel over the top of the enclosure for the shower and steps out.

"This dress. It's beautiful. Thank you for letting me borrow it."

Part of her feels rather self conscious so its hard for her to look Ati in the eye. After looking at him, then looking away a few times, she manages to look at him long enough to return a small smile.

"Ati? I am ... sorry."

[Ati Quai]

"I know," he answers back, returning the same small smile to the woman. He looks her up and down a moment before smiling a bit more. "Glad it fits though I thought that it had a chance. There are a couple other outfits that should work as well, though I doubt they are what you're used to wearing."

A pause. A flat look.

"Nothing like that. Just more standard attire for a pilot...or smuggler."

Lounging in one of the smaller booths in the central chamber of the ship, he actually looked a bit relaxed for once. Perhaps he didn't have a choice after the past couple days of flight. Who knows?

"I imagine that you're hungry since I know that I am. I'll have Kaybo see about fixing something in the galley for us, though I regret that I can't offer a wide variety of choices."

[Jordana Montegue]

The compliment paid to her by Ati brings another smile across her face, accompanied with a nod as he tells her about the other outfits available to her.

Following him to the central chamber of the ship, she takes a seat across the table from him and glances around.

"To be honest, I'm famished. I'm not a picky eater - so long as its not moving or squirming around on the plate."

Speaking of squirming, Jordana does just that, trying to get comfortable (or more like trying to keep her mind off of another fix).

"Any ideas as to where we're going next?"

[Ati Quai]

A brief chuckle at that as Kaybo walks back towards the galley. In truth, there wasn't much to cook outside of well...not much.

"Oh, don't worry. Kaybo makes sure to incapacitate anything before cooking it, plus there's always my blaster for when things get really hairy." His poker face, or voice in this case, shines through as it leaves one to wonder if he's just joking or if he is serious. That should keep her mind occupied for a while.

That coupled with the likely fear of when he's going to drop her off somewhere. He doesn't plan to, at least not anytime soon. It would be more a matter of keeping her mind occupied, though between teaching her a blaster and teaching her how to fly, that shouldn't be too difficult.

"I promise better food when we land at our next destination. We should be able to hide out there for a while. Relax. Rehab. The works. But don't worry. I've got plenty of stuff that you can do to keep occupied, provided that you still want me to teach you a few things."

[Jordana Montegue]

It's Jordana's turn to chuckle as Ati quips about the food being dead (most times) before it's served. Her chuckle doesn't last long though, as he does leave her wondering if he is joking or serious.

Again, the fidgeting begins as she messes with the arm bracelets fit snug around her biceps.

"Rehab." She speaks the word as if it is completely foreign to her ears, though she's heard it many times before from the two people in her life who truly cared for her. However, they were killed during an Imperial raid back on Nar Shaddaa which took place approximately two months before running into Ati.

"You'll still teach me things?" This is asked in a tone of wonder, surprised that he hasn't revoked his original offer. As her eyes remain steadily focused against his, she can see a truth to his words; so she nods once solemnly.

"I'd ... I don't know what to say, Ati. But, I can say that I would appreciate it very much if you'd teach me."

A faint smile is given across the table to him. Jordana forces herself to look away from Ati though when Kaybo returns with their food.

"Just do me one favor? Please don't tell me what it is that we are truly about to eat. Ok?", she asks of Ati as she eyes the meal on her plate. Just to be safe, Jordana lifts the fork and pokes at it a few times - just to make sure it's completely dead.

[Ati Quai]

"Fair enough, and yes I will still teach you things. Just remember: do only what I tell you when I tell you and don't do anything that I don't tell you to do. It's not like I'm going to teach you how to sew. We're pretty much going to cover things where one goof up gets one of us, or both of us, killed."

He, too, pokes at the food a couple of times before digging in. It isn't horrible, really, if just a little bland. Some supplies had run incredibly thin, it seemed, and spices for food were included in that.

"Anyway, we should arrive at our destination in a couple of hours so there's time to relax until then."

[Jordana Montegue]

Just as Jordana is about to take a bite of her food, fork poised precariously before her opening mouth, she looks at Ati. 'Do what I tell you to do when I tell you to do it'.? A brow lofts. Something about that sentence just doesn't bode well to her.

It's his next line that softens her expression, summoning a smile as she closes her mouth, chuckling a bit behind her hand. The image of Ati Quai seated behind a sewing machine - well, it tickles her pink! That is an image she will have to conjure up again if they happen to find themselves in a hairy predicament in the future.

She nods, finally taking that bite. Again, her brows arch, one higher than the other as she nods; more to herself. Once her mouth is clear of food, she idly comments that it doesn't taste as bad as she expected it would.

"So, during this down time we have, are we going to play school or actually be able to lounge around and relax?"

[Ati Quai]

"That's pretty much up to you. I'm not going to be a slave-driver if that's what you're asking. I could use the time to relax just as much as you. Who knows. We might even be able to go out or something. I know a few places that aren't too bad."

They were free of drugs, too, or at least he could keep it that way. But really, he was looking forward to a little down time. Fix a few things on the ship, reload the sonic charges. And then teaching her the finer points of flying and shooting a blaster. Not like it would take very long for the latter. The former...that would be a bit tricky.

"Anything in particular you plan to do during our down time?

[Jordana Montegue]

He's scaring her. As he mentions the possibility of going out, she shakes her head and pushes her seat back away from the table. Rising, she places one hand upon a hip and the other toys with the loosely curled ends of her hair; twisting it and winding it around a finger.

"Yeah, I plan to survive withdrawal."

In order to change the subject rather quickly, she whirls around and looks pointedly to Ati.

"So. What is it that relaxes you?"

[Ati Quai]

"Sleep. Well, I guess that doesn't count since I have to relax in order to sleep. I dunno, really...never thought about it much, or had time to think about it lately. Flying relaxes me to an extent."

With his food finished, he leans back in his chair a bit, using his boots to push him out from the table. He'd caught her look, or rather the unnerved feeling that seemed to settle over her when he mentioned going out. Not surprising. Turning in his chair, he reaches beneath the table and opens a small drawer, pulling out a trio of dart-like objects. Blunted tips. Soon, a holographic dartboard appears on the far wall.

Cocking his right arm back, he sends it forward again, releasing one of the darts on the way. The other two follow suit before long, not a one of them striking the bullseye.

"Surviving withdrawal won't be as bad as you think if you stay busy. And as far as going out, I meant to eat. Nothing fancy or tempting."

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana had been keeping her hand busy by fiddling with a few odds 'n ends littered about on a set of shelves lining one wall. The sound of three ffftt's as the darts hit made her look at the holo of the dart board. She chuckles, then looks over her shoulder towards Ati.

"I certainly hope those darts don't represent your aim with a blaster. Because if they do, you should be a Stormtrooper."

She winks to him, then folds her arms beneath her chest.

"I don't think its the withdrawal I'm so worried about. It's the pain that will surface."

She chews at the inside corner of her lower lip thoughtfully as she returns to the chair she had occupied at the table not that long ago.

[Ati Quai]

"Well, the key is not to let it get to you. Easy to say, I know. But leave the past where it is. After all, you can only move forward with life, not backward. Believe me, there are quite a few things that I would give anything to go back and change, but I can't, and neither can you."

This all said as he walks to the dartboard, retrieving the trio of projectiles before retaking his seat at the table.

"And for the record, I wasn't trying. This is one of those relaxing things. Were I trying..." The first one is released and strikes just left of dead center, though still within the smallest target on the projection. The second follows a little to the right and the last does hit the center, a small smirk crossing his face as he looks back to her. "I would have made sure to use the trick darts first."

Three other darts are left on the table for her to see, these three being the 'fair' darts.

"Of course, the trick only works on projection boards. Thankfully, there are only a few relic solid ones left in the galaxy, so I don't have too tough of a time. The key is to know exactly when to use them."

"And my aim with a blaster is much better than my aim with darts."

Just pray we don't have to test that first-hand.

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana's eyes follow Ati's every motion as he crosses the room to retrieve his darts and goes back to the table. She's awfully quiet as he talks about going back to change things and she's still pretty quiet as he continues to talk.

As the first of the three darts is released, her eyes stray from the man to follow the projectile, lofting a brow gently as it hits almost dead center. The other two are sent to chase their companion and once those have hit the target, she just stands there, looking at them.

"Cheater.", she mutters. Unfolding her arms, she wanders around the compartment looking at whatever is openly visible. There are those types who are so ignorantly curious as to go around opening drawers, cabinets and closets in the homes of friends they visit and its those types that drive Jordana positively nuts! She had a friend who was like that once - Once! Ok, so they were six at the time, but still! It wasn't too cool that her best friend couldn't keep herself from nosing around.

"Hm. I'll take your word for it, then.", she comments both dryly and idly when he brags about his aim with a blaster.

As Jordana wanders around, she purposely keeps her back to Ati. Still, she hasn't said much and the lingering silence that has grown between the two is almost palpable. On occasion, a muffled sniffle escapes, though with a few other sounds from the ship and that droid of his, they're hard to hear.

"Since I don't want to be any more trouble to you than I already have been, how about if we establish some ground rules between us?"

[Ati Quai]

"Ground rules? If you want, though you need not worry about me expecting anything from you. You can stick around as long as you want..."

And it wouldn't have taken a Master Jedi to know that she was purposefully avoiding his gaze, though it didn't exactly surprise him all that much. She'd broken a promise to him and nearly died on him...twice, technically. It had been his choice the first time he picked her up, though he hadn't really known what he was getting himself into. Now, he did. But he could handle it. Really.

Though the fun of the darts had worn off, leaving him to sit back in his chair again with a soft sigh escaping his lips.

"I enjoy your company so you need not worry about being some liability. You're not."

[Jordana Montegue]

She nods, quiet acceptance of sticking around as long as she wants. A ddep breath is drawn then released while she turns and puts on a fair smile for Ati. But, she isn't able to maintain the facade for long and the smile fades.

"Yes, I can see how picking me up off the floor and putting me through detox - twice -..", she begins; pulling out a chair and sitting back down. "...makes my company so enjoyable."

A half-hearted grin lifts the right corner of her mouth a touch, though there is sarcasm in her voice accompanied by a hint of an apologetic tone.

"Ati ... It's ok to say it, you know. I'm a mess. Look at me..", she says while holding out her hands which are shaking terribly from the beginning effects of withdrawal. "I am a liability to you while I suffer through this and its only going to get worse before it begins to get better. I know, I've watched a few friends go through it."

Grasping her own hands to try to keep them steady, she pulls them away from Ati's view and slips them beneath the table where she places each beneath her thighs. It's just now that she realizes he most likely knows what lies ahead for her, too.

A classic case of open-mouth-insert-foot syndrome and Jordana apparently suffers from this syndrome more often than not.

"Mind if I read that?", she inquires about a week old newspaper just left scattered along one of the counters, to which she nods towards for reference sake.

Assuming that Ati doesn't mind, she leaves the chair once more and walks over to the counter, reading right where she stands.

*****


IMPERIAL BLOCKADES AROUND CINNABAR MOON

Incoming reports from space traffic controllers in and around the Cinnabar Moon, one of four moons orbiting Coruscant, all point to an Imperial Blockade. Reasonings behind this are not fully known, but rumors state that the Imperials are planning to conduct raids on every cargo freighter entering and leaving the Moon.

Other rumors currently spreading, state that the Imperials are conducting drug raids, searches for space pirates and black market weapons dealers.

As reported by the Channel 17 Holonet News several months back, a supply of weapons destined for an Imperial base camp was intercepted by supposed Space Pirates which would then be sold on the black market to those of unsavory report scattered througout the general public.

Not too mention that the Imperial opposers could get their hands on some of the latest technology; evening out the battlefield between the Rebellion and the Imperials.

As one source states .....

*****

"Hm. I don't suppose you've read this article on the front page yet, have you?"

Jordana lifts the paper and turns, showing Ati the headline.

"I wonder if those ships we saw leaving were part of that blockade."

[Ati Quai]

"It's possible. Good thing they were leaving when we were arriving. Surprising that they would give up on the blockade so quickly. I wonder who they were looking for."

Good thing that the blockade was done by the time they arrived or they likely wouldn't be cruising towards Corellia at the moment.

His dark brown eyes watch her for a few moments, reflecting more on what she said earlier than the newspaper article. He never read that stuff anyway.

"I know what's in store for you, Jordana. It sucks, it's not going to be easy, but you're not going to go through it all alone. That's also why we're going where we're going. It will be private, quiet, and better for you to go through your withdrawal."

His gaze finally strays as he moves to a stand, hearing the alert from Kaybo over his comlink. Most likely they were arriving a little bit ahead of schedule, but who knew at this point.

"Come along if you want. Might as well take a look at how to fly one of these things."

As Ati arrives in the cockpit, to the sound of the door hissing open, Kaybo turns his head towards the smuggler.

--Sir, sensors are indicating an Imperial blockade around Corellia.--

"Great, any way to get around it?"

--Not likely, Sir. At least not from this direction and they would still pick us up if we tried to circle around. This one looks bad.--

"This is worse. Alright, Kaybo, time for the old tuck and run. Miss Jordana, I suggest you strap yourself in."

[Jordana Montegue]

"But Ati ...", she begins as she rises, following right behind him. The news of the Imperial blockade positioned around Corellia hasn't quite sunk in just yet. "...What if I say things to you that I don't mean? What if I ... I don't know ... what if I go ballistic and like, slug you!?"

A few blinks later and she suddenly stops.


"Wait a minute ... did your droid just say that we're heading into an Imperial blockade?"

Jogging, she catches up and kerplops herself down into the co-pilots station, her hands working automatically at securing the safety straps.

[Ati Quai]

"Yeah, something quite similar to that, though we're going to try and avoid it. Just hang on. You're about to see one of the oldest smuggler tricks in the book, though not necessarily the easiest."

A quick check over the console affirms what he had hoped for and in a way planned for. Their trip from Cinnabar Moon and their current course was enabling them to link into the Corellian Run, a rather busy tradeway into Corellia. The trick would be simple. Get close to one of the larger cargo freighters and meld with it.

"Kaybo, find me the largest freighter en route to Corellia as soon as we come out of lightspeed. Preferably one with a large enough gap for us to slip into. Any alcoves, etc. Otherwise this could be a bit more difficult."

--Yes, Sir.--

Now, was the short waiting game as the last adjustments are made before dropping out of lightspeed. Already in the distance a few ships were in line with each other, and if they could get to those ships quickly enough, it was very possible that the plan would work.

"Any programmed or droid-controlled ships would be good, too."

--I know what to look for, Sir. We *have* done this before, you know.--

As if the smuggler needed to be reminded of that. At least Kaybo didn't bring up the one time that it didn't work. It wasn't fun trying to outrun a squad of TIEs when you were caught, even if you did have a bit of a head start.

"This one should do nicely, I think. Anything evident to the contrary?"

--This looks like our best chance, Sir.--

And so the approach continues.

[Jordana Montegue]

Flying makes Jordana nervous anyways, and this is an entirely new situation for her so her nerves are working overtime. White-knuckle grip against the armrest and she holds her breath - too long - and has to remind herself to breathe.

"Oh - my - Lord! Ati, I've never seen so many Imperial ships in one place before. I don't think we should go anywhere near Corellia. Can't we just turn around or something?"

As if spinning the ship around is as easy as turning a car around. Her fingers knead the armrest repeatedly; if she keeps this up there won't be anything left to them. Just worn nubs where there use to be padded material for comfort.

"Ahh! Ati! Look Out!", Jordana's voice rises in pitch as a smaller craft in a huge hurry nearly collides with them as it makes a mad dash to leave the system before the blockade can trap it.

"I don't feel so good, Ati. I think I may be sick."

Jordana looks a little green around the gills. Then again, her hands are shaking like a leaf caught in the gail force winds of a hurricane and a sweat has broken out across her forehead and the bridge of her nose. Further affects of drug withdrawal.

Not wanting to vomit in front of him, she tries (futiley) to release the saftey straps of the co-pilots chair, nearly crying as both panic and withdrawal blend as one...

[Ati Quai]

"No chunking in the cockpit."

The dry tone in his voice might have made the comment humorous were he not risking a great deal with the means of getting into Corellia. The larger transport that he'd spotted before slowly grew in size as the smaller freighter approached, coming in beneath it. There was the smallest gap that Ati could 'slip' the Rota IV into, away from any sensors, radar, cameras, etc. As long as they didn't collide with the ship, they could make it past the blockade undetected.

"Just breathe, Jordana, and remember, I'm doing the hard part. I don't suggest leaving that seat in case we need to make a mad dash out of here. We'll be just fine, so don't worry."

As long as nothing went wrong.

For this trip, it would be the first time that such was true.

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana would have found his dry comment funny had it not been for the fact that Ati's ship is flying pretty close to the hull of the other ship, which makes her knuckes go numb from how tight she's gripping the armrest.

"Ground rule number one, Ati. No killing Jordana by crashing into other ships. Got it?"

It's hard to tell if she's angry or scared - perhaps both.

"Breathe. Right. Got it." In with a deep breath, hold it ....

hold it ....

let it out.

"Got the breathing down Ati, what next?"

'Be fine, he says; she thinks to herself. The last time someone told her they'd be just fine, smugglers started shooting at them!

Thankfully, Ati's piloting skills are, in her opinion, nothing short of amazing as he skims along the hull of the other craft, avoiding detection and easing them past the closing in blockade.

[Ati Quai]

"Don't touch anything."

A statement that was quite obvious considering the current situation, with the much larger cargo freighter growing that much quicker with their approach. They were far enough from the blockade that they wouldn't be picked up, and now close enough to the ship to slip in. A brief jamming of any scanners just beforehand was enough to ensure the latter. Something that would appear only as an electrical surge to anyone that happened to be in the freighter paying attention.

"Kaybo, keep an eye open. We have very little room if this ship slows or speeds up without us noticing in time."

He'd done this more than a few times and in all of those times, he'd never run into a problem. But there was a first time for everything. Like, for instance, picking up some random druggie on some backend moon. He would be just as pleased if that was the only first he encountered on this trip.

[Jordana Montegue]

Well ... ok, they get away with their stunt ... this time. However, that random druggie feom some backend moon doesn't touch a thing, except for the white knuckle grip upon the armrest still.

Flying this close to the larger ship isn't helping to ease the churning in her stomach and she has to look behind her then squeeze her eyes shut tight to quell the vertigo.

"I won't touch anything if you promise not to crash, Ati."

[Ati Quai]

"I'm not going to crash. At least not this time. Only a few more minutes and we're home free. Well, a few more minutes and we're past the blockade and then we can drop from beneath this crate."

He pondered jokingly asking her if she wanted to take over, but decided against it. The mere thought probably would have made her vomit everywhere and well, that just wouldn't do.

Rota IV continued on its stealth passage through the blockade, staying neatly tucked into a small area beneath the belly of another much larger freighter. Once past the blockade, the freighters would diverge a bit to their various destinations on Corellia.

Luckily for them, the ship they were hiding under didn't make any sudden changes in direction. Once out of the range of the blockade, another quick jamming sequence came from Rota IV and the ship dropped from its hiding place, changing course and speeding towards the planet.

[Jordana Montegue]

Once the ship drops from its hiding place, riding along the belly of the much larger freighter, Jordana releases the safety harness and scrambles out of the cockpit.

The sound of her feet pounding against the flooring of the narrow corridor, and the random thump or whack against the walls as she run-staggers, and the final slam of the refresher door.

Jordana's stomach could take no more. But this is different. There is a fine sheen of persperation shining across her nose and over her cheeks and forehead, and she's shaking terribly. The sounds coming from inside the 'fresher are certainly not very appealing as her body works hard to rid itself of the toxins the detox machine couldn't clean out of her bloodstream.

She spends a good twenty minutes in there puking her guts out. By the time she is finished, her clothes are damp with persperation, her face is pale, she's weak and is suffering from the shakes.

Jordana doesn't call out for help when she discovers that she can't stand. She can't. It's too much to find the small amount of energy needed to raise her voice. So she leans back against the wall and decides its best to rest and ride this episode out.

[Ati Quai]

The briefest glance is directed towards the retreating Jordana as she bolts out of the cockpit, and if he wasn't mistaken, she looked a little green. He only smirks, wondering if she was going to be like this on every close-call. He hoped not considering this wasn't about to be the last such case.

Out in the open, Rota IV speeds down towards the planet, still keeping closer to the tradeway but not directly against the larger cargo ships. They'd made it past the blockade this time, and he hoped that perhaps they could actually relax a bit once they landed and got settled. He still had friends here, at least a couple if they were still alive, but more importantly, he had a hideout here. It wasn't much, probably wasn't entirely safe, but it was more than anywhere else could provide.

The rest of the trip to the planet's surface went in silence, only the sound of the ship's engines and instruments to break it. Thankfully, they also drowned out the sounds coming from the 'fresher.

It was an old garage that the freighter slowly floated into, long since put into disuse by the general public. Namely because enough credits were sent to the right people to purchase the use for the duration of his life, or until he told them otherwise. That was a bit of a story in and of itself, left for another day to be certain. For now, it served as 'home' for him.

The last hissing noises emerge from the ship as it lands gently onto the floor of the garage, Ati checking over the last couple of readings on the console before unstrapping from the chair. "Finish with the shutdown, Kaybo, I'm going to have a look around and make sure we don't have company. Keep Miss Jordana aboard the ship until I return."

And with that, coupled with the response of the droid, Ati strode out of the cockpit and to the exit ramp, boots sounding solidly down the metal walkway. Right hand withdrew the blaster from its home at his side...just in case.

[Jordana Montegue]

Kaybo does as Ati said and finishes shutting down the ship. He tinkers down the corridor, calling out "Miss Jordana, oh Miss Jordana! Where are you? Come out, come out wherever you are.."

Seriously not in the mood for the dry-humored antics of the droid, Jordana begins to respond but finds she can't; so it comes out as a groan instead. Still, Kaybo hears her and doesn't bother with manners - he just opens the door to the 'fresher and pokes his glowy-eyed head in.

"Oh! I've found ...Miss Jordana?"..., Kaybo's head tilts to the side in one quick motion, the glow of his eyes dims gently then brightens again. "Are you alright?"

Tired, Jordana kind of shakes her head.

"No, I'm not. Could you help me up?"

Kaybo tools in and helps Jordana to her feet, tossing one of her arms over his shoulders and easing her out of the 'fresher and towards the boarding ramp.

"It's one of the effects of drug withdrawal, Miss Jordana. I may have something that you can take to ease it, if you so desire."

"Th-anks, Kaybo, but no. A druggie can't use drugs to kick drugs."

"Very well, Miss Jordana. This way and we'll meet up with Ati in a moment."

Jordana departs the ship and looks around as Kaybo continues to help her inside, where they meet up with Ati as he finishes checking things out.

[Ati Quai]

It didn't take long for the smuggler to make his rounds around the area, making certain that none of the sensors had been tripped in his absence, no unwanted company waiting. Basically, to make certain the place was as safe as he needed it to be. Footfalls sound from around the nearest corner as Ati returns to the small garage that served as his hangar.

It was obvious that he had not been here in some time, with the layers of dust in certain areas. Others remained in perfect shape, as if they had just been used before the ship arrived.

Visibly relaxed, the smuggler offers a small smile to Jordana before tilting his head back behind him.

"Seems safe enough. I'll show you to your quarters."

[Jordana Montegue]

There's something about the small smile Ati gives her that just makes her knees go weak; then again, it may be part of the affects of the withdrawal that she's suffering through right now, but she returns a soft smile.

"Is this your place?", she asks as Kaybo helps her further inside.

Once to her quarters, Kaybo eases her down onto the bed and she sits there for a moment, wishing away the abdominal cramping that has begun to settle in.

"Mm. Ati ... how long will this last? I'm so sorry I ever listened to him..."; the last is groaned out as she doubles over, hugging her stomach and pressing her forehead against her knees.

[Ati Quai]

"With any amount of luck, long enough to keep you from ever starting it again. And yes, this is my place. Well, for all the more time that I spend here I imagine that's debatable."

In truth, he wasn't entirely sure how long it would last, though it had barely been a day if it had been that since her last detox, so it was still a bit early in the game. He knew it would get better before too long, but he never had the chance to see first-hand success to know how long that 'too long' would be.

"Rest here if you like. I'll be in the hangar repairing the Rota, and then perhaps I'll take a look around the neighborhood, though I imagine that will wait until tomorrow. I don't imagine that there's anything to eat or drink in here, but you can help yourself to what's left in the ship. We can stock up later."

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana has a minimum of five days. Five days of suffering the worst of the effects of addiction withdrawal. The first three will be the worst, as is evident now in the way she curls up on the bed and buries her face into the pillow. The shakes have set in and so has the cold sweat. Jordana can look forward to taking a lot of showers and going through several emotions.

Pity Ati, not her.

"Thank you ... Ati. I'm sorry; I'm so sorry..."

Jordana begins weeping into the pillow, the stomach cramping getting worse; along with the shakes.

And she is sorry - for a lot of things.

[Ati Quai]

"I know. Just lie down and relax as much as you can. I don't imagine the near future is going to be much fun for you. If you need anything, call me on the comlink. I'll come check on you in a couple hours if I don't hear anything."

Another small smile offered before the smuggler steps out of the room and heads back down to the hangar. There wasn't a lot to do with the ship as far as repairs since most of it was restocking the seismic charges he did manage to get on their last stop, Kaybo having overseen the delivery and payment of them. Beyond that, just a little tweaking here and there would be enough.

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana manages to doze off, but her slumber isn't long lived. The need for a fix is overwhelming. Waking, covered in a cold sweat and her body shaking, she rises from the bunk and heads to the door.

A peek to her right than to her left reveals that the hall is devoid of life - sentient or cyborg. Chewing nervously against her pouty lower lip, Jordana slips out and uses the wall for support as she makes her way towards the hangar area; towards Ati's ship.

Upon seeing the ship, she glances around. No sign of Ati or of Kaybo. So far, so good. By now, the daylight has waned and the darkness of night is ebbing its way in, so the hangar area isn't too well lit. She reasons that Ati must be elsewhere in his makeshift home, perhaps sleeping or doing whatever it is he likes to do in order to relax.

Walking on tip-toe, Jordana walks over to the ship and sneaks her way on board. First, she begins to head up the corridor on her right, then recalls that way leads to the cockpit. She turns and heads down in the opposite direction.

If she could see herself, she'd think she was disgusting. Her hair a mess, her face shiney with the gleen of sweat, her body shaking. The look of dire need set within her eyes is enough to make even the most stoic of men turn away in pity and shame for the young girl.

In the cargo hold, she finds a crowbar and heads over to one of the crates still on board. It takes her a few tries, but she manages to lift the lid off of one and tosses the crowbar aside; the tool landing on the metallic floor with a rattle, clunk, clunk, cling.

Bent over the side of the crate, she begins lifting and tossing out the contents, making plenty of noise. Small, valuable items wrapped careful to help prevent breakage. Not finding what it is she so desperately seeks, she turns to the wrapped items strewn about on the floor.

As if the item is the most precious thing ever discovered, she handles it with much care; easing the wrapping off of it and revealing some ancient vase. Peering inside, she sees nothing but darkness and the smell - oh the smell!- the artifact carries with it the scent of dirt that has laid undisturbed for over a thousand years.

Without any further hesitation, she smashes the vase against the floor, sending thousand year old pieces of pottery scattering about. On her hands and knees, she begins to syphon through the powder. She smells the residue on her fingertips and curses loudly when she discovers that its not the drug she urgently needs.

"There has to be some on this ship somewhere. I've never known a smuggler who doesn't transport drugs..."

Other priceless artifacts are haphazzardly unwrapped and smashed against the floor as her futile search for her fix goes on.

[Ati Quai]

The sounds carried well out of the ship with as little care as she was using to keep her actions silent, though not knowing that its her, the smuggler can only assume that someone else managed to sneak through the security and is now helping themselves to whatever they can find in his ship. And a blaster bolt to the head.

The man can move surprisingly quiet when he needs to, such as now, and with one hand holding onto one of his blasters, the other braces against the walls for support and to help keep himself more silent. Rounding the last corner towards the cargo hold, the blaster is leveled at the figure rummaging around.

"Mind telling me what the hell you think you're doing?" Simple question, though he doubted that the answer would be such. He relaxes only slightly, though the blaster remains trained on the figure as he waits.

[Jordana Montegue]

With all the noise she was making, Jordana didn't hear Ati approaching. In fact, she didn't hear much of anything because, in truth, she's so fixated upon getting her own fix that nothing else matters to her.

"Mind telling me what the hell you think you're doing?"

The last thing in the world she expected was to have someone come in behind her so this question (and the tone used to deliver it) scares the pants off of Jordana. She jumps, whirling around on the balls of her feet to face Ati; flax-golden locks slapping against her cheek with the force of her turn.

Damn it. Like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar - that's the expression that is seen on her face. Her eyes drift lower, slowly, to take note of the blaster pointed right at her.

She swallows, her fingers finding each other to twiddle and fidget as she shifts her body weight from one foot to the other. Not much she can say now, so she doesn't say a word. She just stands there, trying not to shake and sweat.

[Ati Quai]

The smuggler stands there for several long moments, the blaster still raised towards her. His eyes move to look at all that she had managed to break during her fit, and the only consolation was the fact that it was not part of a shipment, but rather of a partial payment. Just something that he could have traded off for credits. That was before they were destroyed.

The blaster is finally lowered and holstered on his right hip, his stance finally relaxing. "There's nothing on this ship that's gonna make you fly unless it's the engines, got me? So, don't waste your time or my cargo looking for it. Now, unless you want to be locked into your room with nothing but a bed to sleep on, I suggest that you try a little harder in fighting back these urges."

Without another word, the smuggler turned and walked back out of the ship.

[Jordana Montegue]

"Listen here, Ati! I am not some child you can just threaten to send to her room for misbehaving, got it!?", Jordana begins to rant as she trudges after Ati, shaking a pointed finger at his retreating back.

Having someone turn their back and simply walk away grates on Jordana's nerves like nails on a blackboard. In short, it ticks her off and riles her up.

"Yeah, keep walking, Ati. Turn and look the other way, right? Must be nice to be you, huh. Mr. Perfect!" As she states this, Jordana's arms spread outwards and she shakes her shoulders once, as if putting a visual emphasis on the Mr. Perfect part.

However, her words end there as do her following footsteps. Her shoulders slump and she crosses her arms, turning to lean back against the wall and slide down until she is seated upon the cold floor.

"God! Please help me get through this. Please...", she murmurs as her head lowers deeply; to the point that her chin almost rests against her chest.

"You didn't have to take him. He was innocent. Why did you damn me!?"

These words are shouted as she looks upwards, as if looking to the Maker through the thick hull of Ati's ship.

Realizing that the answers she seek are not going to come, she lowers her head and slips two fingers into her top; withdrawing a photo from the safe place she keeps it - against her heart.

Tired, Jordana draws her knees up and folds one arm over the top, then rests her chin against it and stares at the photograph.

"I believed them when they said he'd get better, you know. I believed them when they said it was just a bad case of the flu. I took him home and he died in my arms four hours later."

Her voice is hardly above a whisper. Perhaps she is just talking to get it out or maybe she's hoping that Ati is still close enough to hear her. Consciously, she doesn't know.

"I died with you, Drake."

With her face buried against the crook of her elbow, the hand holding the photo slowly slides to rest against the floor at her side; a sign that she is clearly defeated and has no where else to go and nothing more to lose.

Gently, her head turns and she looks at the photograph in her hand. Silky hair, honey-blond in color and as soft as velvet covers a small head. Perfect little ears that look a touch too big stick out at the side and a smile to melt anyone's heart shines all the way up into the small child's vibrant blue eyes.

Though her eyes well up with tears, a small smile appears on Jordana's face. The tip of her tongue peeks out, caressing her lower lip as she moistens it and sniffles once - quietly.

As if in silent converrsation with someone not physically present, she nods her head thrice, the motion is so subtle that one would be hard-pressed to notice unless they had been watching her for the past several minutes.

The end of her dire need for a fix appears as the shaking dissipates and the sweat ceases to dot her cheeks. However, she's left feeling extremely tired and inexplicably hungry. Even her stomach growls.

Sniffling again and swiping at the end of her nose with the back of her hand lightly, Jordana looks away from the image of her infant son and over to the mess she made.

Without a word, she leaves the photograph on the floor where she sits, then rises and walks over to the things strewn about the floor and begins to clean it up, talking to herself on occasion.

[Ati Quai]

Her voice reached his ears by the time he got to the ramp, and he paused to listen to yet another of her little rants. One of these days, she might just up and listen for a change rather than trying to shirk everything on him. Slowly and nearly soundlessly he moves back into the bulk up the ship, peering around the last corner to watch her. He hears most of what she speaks aloud, to no one in particular. He watches, too, as the picture drops to the floor. A couple more soundless steps and he leans over to pick it up, continuing towards where she is.

"I don't think you really want to lose this," he says softly, holding the picture out to her. Glancing around at the mess, he half-snorts, though it's more of a heartless laugh. "Kaybo can clean this up. Why don't you and I go find something to eat, someplace...a bit cleaner and newer than in here. Talk for a bit?"

[Jordana Montegue]

Stopped mid-sentence as she talks to herself while cleaning up the mess she's made, Jordana lifts tear-filled eyes to Ati; then to the photograph of her son which is held out to her. Slowly, she reaches up and takes it, sniffling and smiling sadly.

"No.", she states in a whisper while sweeping a fingertip over the image, removing a few small particles of dust from its glossy surface. "I don't want to lose this, thank you, Ati."

Soft eyes of striking blue lift to meet Ati's again and she watches him as he looks around at the mess, a sheepish expression crossing her face.

With a nod and a smile that stretches a little bit more across her lips, she eases herself to her feet and slips the photograph down her top.

"I'd like that - very much.", she accepts his invitation with a tender smile.

Something feels different to her already. Something she can't quite yet explain but it's the feeling one gets when an incredible peace just suddenly washes through their entire body.

Perhaps its clarity seeping in, now that she's gotten through the worst part of cold-turkey withdrawal. Perhaps its an end to the pain she's carried with her from the time Ace left her and the day she died with her infant cradled in her arms.

Who knows. Whatever it is, she's grateful for it - at least at the moment she is.


Secretly, she prays it lasts.

[Ati Quai]

"Good, I think that we could both use a change of scenery. Not that I dislike my ship, but I've seen far too much of it lately. Fresh air and some decent food will help us both out, and then we can see about teaching you to fly."

One last glance around before he extends a hand towards her, one for her to hold onto while they leave the area. Perhaps just a gesture of further comfort and security for her. Perhaps more.

[Jordana Montegue]

As she wipes a palm slowly against her thigh, she looks to Ati then down to his extended hand. A lengthy pause settles between the two as she seems struck dumb by his gesture. Eventually, she reaches out and slides her hand into his, following him through the ship and out into the street.

The last time she held hands with anyone was when life was good. She was in love, happy and had the world at her feet. Perhaps that is why it feels so strange to her now. Let's face it - currently life is hell and she actually has the clarity of mind to realize it.

*****

The fresh air feels good against her face, the gentle breeze tossles her hair around her shoulders and for the first time in a long time she smiles. Glancing down, she realizes that neither of them have released each other's hand. Did she even try to let go?

She can't recall. But, inwardly, she has a feeling that if she had tried, he wouldn't let her.

"So ....", she begins, to break the silence that has come between the two since they left his ship. "I'm really looking forward to learning how to fly, Ati. Is it hard to do?"

******


HOLONET NEWS - SPECIAL REPORT

We interrupt this program to bring you this special news report.

Fugitives on the run images of Jordana and Ati appear on the screen escaped an Imperial Blockade late last night. According to Imperial records, they are known as Jordana Montegue and Ati Quai and they are considered to be armed and dangerous. Montegue and Quai are wanted for the illegal transport and selling of slaves and drugs.

If you see them, do not attempt to apprehend them on your own. I repeat, do not attempt to apprehend them on your own. The public is asked to call local authorities and supply any information you have about the whereabouts of these two dangerous fugitives.

This special report has been brought to you by the Council for a Drug free galaxy.

******

[Ati Quai]

He was just as comfortable keeping a hold of her hand to keep her from trying to run off as he was simply to hold it. It was a bit easier considering new surroundings so that they didn't get separated. He ponders on the answer to her question before he stops dead to look at the Holonet News.

"What the junk is that all about? Selling drugs and slaves? How in the junk did they come up with that one? Something tells me that we bunched up the panties of the wrong people on that moon."

Oddly enough, he didn't sound terribly worried, even with the glances that a few passersby gave them. In truth, he was still pretty safe around here as most of those that mattered in this little section of the city knew him, and knew him better than to believe what they saw on the Imperial-controlled news. That, and he helped to keep many of their businesses running, as well as shipping certain unmentionables from time to time.

No, here they were still safe. This little section had no love for the bucketheads or their higher-ups.

"It's not terribly hard, really. A bit at first, but as long as you listen carefully to what I tell you, you'll be able to pick it up. This is our stop."

His other hand motions towards a small section of stair that drops down below the street, ending at a doorway that presumably was where they would be eating.

[Jordana Montegue]

Corellia City, Corellia - Nearly as busy and crowded as the streets of Coruscant. A good place to get yourself lost if you dont' know the area too well. Thankfully, Ati seems to know it like he knows the back of his own hand. This puts Jordana at ease as she walks along beside him, avoiding the passersby as best as she can.

As they quietly speak with each other, Ati suddenly stops and glances up to the scrolling marquee appearing beneath a huge holoscreen in the center of the plaza. Her jaw drops as she sees their images appear, her grip tightening a bit against Ati's hand.
As Ati wonders outloud what all the nonsense is about, all she can do is shake her head.

"Apparently. But um, maybe we should get off the streets, Ati. I don't like the looks we're getting from some people."

Across the way, a young boy and his father turn their attentions to the now wanted fugitives. Jordana steps in closer to Ati and glances around to the crowd. Most ignored whatever was being said on the holonet, other's gave just a casual glance up as they walked by; too busy with their own lives to give a crap about anything else.

What surprises Jordana the most is the fact that no one has pointed them out, shouted their names or informed the authorities to their presence. This perplexes her, really. She turns to look at Ati, planning to inquire as to the oddity of the situation; but she's silenced by the confident look on his face and in his body language. She just smiles to him and continues to walk along with him.

Reaching their destination, she looks down into the darkened stairway and hesitates before finally beginning to descend. It's a bit dark and dank as they descend and a musty smell lingers in the air. Of course, the sunlight isn't able to reach this area all that well, so that explains that.

As the door is opened, Jordana and Ati enter. The lighting is on the dim side, more or less mood lighting than anything else, and the aromas wafting through the air make her stomach grumble with desire. 'When was the last time I truly had anything to eat?', she ponders to herself.

Music plays over the sound system, not too loud and not too quiet; and it's not elevator music. It's nice to listen to, helping to put patrons into a relaxed state of mind. Each small round table is adorned with a tablecloth, silverware and a simple yet elegant centerpiece.

There's a bar area off to the right, filled with blue-collar workers, businessmen and a few lonely looking women. Local and galactic wide sporting events are being transmitted over several holovid screens and a couple of other patrons are nose-deep into placing bets on a few casino machines set up at two corners of the bar.

"To the bar or a table?", she asks of Ati, once she's finished giving an initial once-over of the place from where they stand near the entrance.

[Ati Quai]

"Table. Over there towards the corner. There's a back door just a couple feet away. Just in case."

Not that he really did worry. This was one of those places that didn't attract a lot of attention at all, and many of the better off clientale did enough shady deals to keep them away from Imperials if at all possible. One too many crosses for a good portion of them.

But despite all of that, the place really wasn't what one would consider a dive. Most certainly nothing like the last place he had been, or the time on Mos Eisley. One hand did remain resting comfortably against one blaster as he moved through the place, dark eyes always glancing back and forth, though he was actually looking for something this time. Rather, someone. But of yet, no sign of his intended.

Settling into the booth and sliding around so his back was mostly to the wall, his eyes finally move back to Jordana, likely noting the bit of nerves she was battling with the Holonet.

"Relax. Unless things have changed in the past few months, the Imperials won't bother to come in here, and if they do, there's likely a few others in here that garner more attention. Just pretend that we're back on the ship," he adds, pausing as if in thought. "Just without all the crying, shaking, swearing and general nuisance behavior."

[Jordana Montegue]

With Ati leading the way to the table, Jordana takes advantage of not really having to pay too much attention to where she is going; aside from having to glance ahead to make sure she isn't going to run into a chair, person or table; and she looks around the place a little more.

It's quaint, cozy and almost romantic. Almost. If they didn't have the casino on the other side, it'd be romantic. Somehow, she doesn't think this is the place were couples get engaged - at least not often.

She chuckles, sliding into the booth and settling herself so that she is across from Ati, facing him. The artwork hanging on the wall just over his head amuses her, making her smile.

"Aha, a joke. I see you have a sense of humor, Ati." Though her smile attempts to hide, it fails and she chuckles again, shifting her body weight slightly as she crosses one leg over the opposing knee under the table.

"This is a nice little place.", she comments while looking around a little more. Is she nervous? Yeah, a little. Does it show all that much? She hopes it doesn't.

[Ati Quai]

"Occasionally. When I'm able to relax enough to let it show, I guess."

Well, he does notice that fact that she fidgets just a touch more than normal, but doesn't bother to comment. No point in stating the obvious, after all. And it's not something that bothers him any great deal.

"Order whatever you want. I don't know how often we'll be able to have peaceful nights like this to enjoy decent food. We shouldn't run into trouble here, but then again luck isn't always on my side in these matters. Just enjoy it while you can."

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana smiles to Ati, then turns her attention to the server that approached the table.

"I'd like some fried endwa with a side of mounder potato rice and ryshcate. ". Jordana hands the menu back to the server while adding, "Oh, and charde to drink."

She looks to Ati as he orders, a few errant thoughts skimming her mind as she plucks at her earlobe idly.

[Ati Quai]

Well, he did tell her to order what she wanted, and for the time being, he had the credits to cover it. It would be the last decent meal they'd get for a while, even if they were safe in this part of the city. He didn't much care for taking chances with random Imperial encounters for a while.

"Are you always this expensive when you go out?"

The question is delivered in such a dry tone that it would cause anyone to laugh were they near enough to hear. Apparently the waitress did hear it as she giggles a few tables away. He was joking, of course, though it would help to ease the mood a bit. She seemed far too jittery though it could have been residual from the last of the drugs leaving her system.

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana does laugh, giving Ati a flirty look that might leave him wondering if she is or isn't this expensive when she goes out..

"Hmm. I suppose that is something you will have to find out on your own. I mean, if you're still going to teach me how to fly and all that; I suppose that means we'll be spending more than a few nights with each other."

Everyone knows that one cannot learn to fly overnight. Well, most people can't. There might be extenuating circumstances that occur in a rare blue moon where one is forced to learn something new immediately in order to save their own lives, but this doesn't seem to be the case.

A light stretch and she settles down again, tucking her hair behind her ears just before propping her elbows against the edge of the table and her chin in a cupped palm.

"So .. Ati ... you said that we'd talk. Is there anything in particular you feel like talking about or just things in general?"

[Ati Quai]

"Just in general. We've been on the run enough that casual conversation really hasn't been our strong suit. We know little at all about each other and if we're to work together, it would be prudent to remedy that situation, I'd wager."

He leans back into the booth a bit, lifting the Corellian Ale to his lips for a drink as his eyes continue to move around. All was still well in their neck of the woods, as he figured (and hoped) it would be.

"Let's take you for instance. Did you always live on Nar Shaddaa or did you lose a bet with someone to end up there?"

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana shakes her head while shifting a glance to the waitress as she comes to the their table to deliver Jordana's drink. She waits for the woman to leave before answering Ati's question.

"Losing a bet to end up there would be the more exciting response, but no, I ended up on Nar Shaddaa when my mother moved us from Ord Mantell."

The tone in her voice changes as she says the word mother, suggesting that she and her mother do not get along. Jordana takes a drink and returns it to the table.

"Your turn. How did you end up on Nar Shaddaa?"

[Ati Quai]

"Lost a bet," he answers dryly, taking another thoughtful drink of his ale.

"The first time, at least. The second time was to help a friend with a little Imperial trouble, and to smuggle off someone that was in a bit of danger. Kinda like you. The third time I was delivering some cargo and you pretty much know the rest. Thankfully, I really don't need to do more cargo runs in the near future to make ends meet. The last one was more of a returned favor than an actual payoff, though it did leave me pretty well off."

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana blinks, looking at his facial expression to see if he's serious about losing a bet. Looks like he is! With no idea how to respond to that, she just sits quietly and listens to the rest of what he has to say, nodding a few times when it's appropriate.

A few patrons pay their bill and leave. The place quiets down a little more, but soon enough it will most likely be bustling and a bit noisy. Their food is delievered and Jordana murmurs a thank you to the waitress. Hungry, she cuts up the meat and enjoys a few pieces. Once those are washed down with a sip or two from her drink, she looks to Ati, thoughtfully.

'I'm curious to know more about this second visit, but I don't think I should ask; at least not yet. I bet it has something to do with his sister.', she thinks to herself.

"Speaking of money, I'm keeping track of what I owe you. Do you think its safe for me to access my bank account? I mean, you don't think anyone would be searching for us, do you?"

[Ati Quai]

"If by anyone you mean just some random person on the street, then no, no one would be looking for you. However, anyone looking for us will most assuredly have access to banking records. Legal or illegal access, mind."

He starts on his own meal, eyes glancing around the slightly hazy room. More smoke was beginning to filter around with the more people that began to arrive, making vision a bit less clear. Especially with the lights atop the bar. He hated the lights.

"However, worry not. I know someone here that can bounce the locations a few times to scramble where you actually are when you access it. The transaction should be quick enough to keep us from being traced to it, or we can just send them off to some other random location."

[Jordana Montegue]

She nods, swallowing another bite of her meal. With a sigh, she finds herself pushing her food around her plate more than actually eating it. Tired of doing that, she sets the fork down and folds her arms against the edge of the table.

"Well. That's good, I suppose. You trust this person to do this?"

The look in Ati's eyes accompanied by the subtle nod of his head as he takes a drink of his ale is enough assurance for her.

"Alright. I don't have much saved, but I think I'll just take it all out and close the account. I just have the feeling that might be the safest way to go. Just in case. I'm sure Terrak has ways of tracking me as well."

She finishes her drink and places the glass off to the side of the table then eases her plate over next to it. While casually looking around the place, she steals a few looks across the table to Ati. There's a rougish handsomeness about him. His eyes, dark and almost brooding. She finds herself thinking that if he were to look at her, he could see straight through to her very soul.

She clears her throat, glancing down to the table. Seeing a few crumbs, she picks them up by the tip of her finger and dusts them off onto her discarded plate.

"How did you come to be a smuggler, Ati?"

Even as she voices this question, she finds herself wondering just how long its truly been since she's sat down, enjoyed a good meal and pleasant company. It's been far too long because she discovers she cannot remember the last time she has.

[Ati Quai]

Her question, while not out of the ordinary, does take him a bit by surprise. He wasn't certain entirely why he felt that way, or if it were just the fact that no one else had ever asked him.

"Hard telling, really. I imagine it started right after my first unofficial smuggling. The Imperials were pressing hard as usual, and I was forced to leave here for a time. Corellia, that is. I also took an unexpected passenger to safety. Perhaps it was the thrill of smuggling someone, perhaps it was the payment once that person was delivered safely. After that, I kept it up, probably for lack of anything else better to do with my life.

"It's done well to keep me busy, though I have slowed down a bit in the past year or two. The job has had its moments, and there have been a few times that I've been lucky, real lucky. But I'm still here, and with any further luck, I can actually relax for a while. I do have my doubts to the possibilities of that, however."

His meal is done before much longer, still in his old eating habits of barely pausing to breath in between bites. That, and the food was quite good. Especially after what he'd been eating on the ship.

[Jordana Montegue]

Their plates had been whisked away from the table a good thirty minutes ago and the two have just enjoyed spending the leisure time talking. There's still an unease surrouding Jordana, but that could be the residual side effects of going cold turkey. Still ... what she wouldn't give for a fix right now.

"Maybe we could both relax for a while if we went elsewhere? ". She blushes, "I mean ..." realizing immediately after the words are spoken just how that sounds. 'Boy, did that sound like a cheap pick up line. Way to go Jordana. Now he probably thinks I'm a harlet besides a washed out druggie.' Her eyes roll and she rakes her fingers back through her hair; one of those motions that coinsides with feeling stupid right about now.

"What I meant was ... to another planet. Or even another city on this one where there are no Imperials, hardly any population and nothing but blue skies over our heads."

There. That clears things up. It does, doesn't it? As if on cue, her brows knit gently while this thought passes through her pretty little head. Besides, I did just successfully turn the topic of conversation away from his finding out more about me. A good thing; don't want to scare off the only one who has taken the time to help me with anything just yet.

[Ati Quai]

"No need to explain, Jordana, I understand what you meant. And in fact, a place without a lot of people is exactly where we will be going. After all, we cannot start teaching you how to fly with all of these innocent bystanders around, can we?"

A small grin offered there, though Ati knew that the better part of the training would not entail actually flying the craft. There was much to be learned about the ship itself, the controls, instruments, etc. that needed to be covered long before the vertical boosters lifted that craft off the ground.

And then there still was that underlying threat of Imperial eyes. For all he knew, there could be several secret agents in this establishment right now, perhaps waiting for the opportune moment to strike. Which was not here since the management of said establishment didn't own too well to Imperial presence within the walls.

Oh, and that minor detail of him not minding being anywhere secluded with the woman that was currently seated with him. Nope, that wouldn't factor into any of it. Not at all. Liar.

[Jordana Montegue]

"No, no. We cannot have that. Knowing me I'd smoosh them all by landing on them or crash through the window of some apartment and scare an old lady into having a heart attack."

His grin is returned.

The check is brought and placed facedown on the table near Ati's hand. Jordana watches the server scurry off to another table then excuses herself, heading to the ladies room. Payment is tendered and Ati is standing near the table as she returns.

"It's a good thing this meal was out of necessity, Ati. If it weren't, I'd swear it feels like I'm a date."

She smiles, nudging his arm lightly with her elbow as she turns and heads out the door.

"Wherever it is that we're going to ... are there a few clothing stores nearby? I can't keep wearing your sister's clothes, you know. I can pick up a few things after you have your guy do his thing to withdraw my funds and close my account."

[Ati Quai]

"Yeah, there's a couple places that we can stop at before we leave. As for my contact here...I expected him to be here tonight so we may need to wait until tomorrow. There's no real hurry, at least I don't think so. We've been here long enough now that if anyone were actively looking for us, they'd have shown up."

With the dinner paid for, and the smallest of smirks at her 'date' comment, he leads the way towards the exit and steps out into the night air, holding the door open until she steps out. A rather calm night as far as the city went. Nothing of note going on, no major commotions in the street. Almost peaceful.

Perhaps that would carry over for a few days, or until they left. Maybe he'd even get a decent night's sleep.

[Jordana Montegue]

As the two stroll leisurely down the street, an odd sounding whistle is heard. Jordana glances around, searching for the bird - perhaps an exotic one - whistling in the night. However, she doesn't see anything but some people going on with their business.

"Thank you for dinner, Ati. I haven't anything that good in a long time."

Again, the odd whistle is heard.

"Ati? Do you mind if I ask what happened with your sister?", she asks quietly, glancing sidelong to him.

"If it's too painful, you don't have to say anything. We could talk about something else. Like, favorite colors - or something."

Yet again, that whistle distracts her and she stops, taking a slow look at the faces in the crowd.

"I wonder who's doing that? It's almost as if they're trying to get someone's attention."

[Ati Quai]

The whistle caught his attention as well and after the second, he wore a small smirk on his face. He knew who it was, late as usual.

"We'll talk about it later. Now's not really the place and I believe that you have some credits to get."

Grasping her hand, he leads her off in the apparent direction of the whistle, though it's down an alley and around a corner to a small alcove that one wouldn't want to be in alone. He didn't seem concerned, though, and stepped through the small doorway.

[Jordana Montegue]

At first, Jordana's hand clenches a little tighter around Ati's, her first few steps indicate that she's hesitant to go strolling towards an unknown person let alone into a dark alley. Especially with her past experiences with Terrak and his thugs.

The closer the alcove that they get, the closer to Ati she gets. Her eyes dart to every shadow, swearing mentally that each one moved.

"Ati. I don't like this. Maybe we should just go back where there are plenty of people around.", she whispers into his ear.

She gasps when a figure looms out of the shadows. In her mind, he (judged by the size and outline of the moving shadow), looks much larger than he probably is. Imaginations run wild when one is scared and hers is running into overdrive, it seems.

Pressed up snug against Ati's back, she peers over his shoulder at the man emerging to greet Ati.

[Ati Quai]

"Relax, Jordana. Nothing's going to happen."

He continues to lead the way towards the opening, an almost roguish smirk on his face as the figure appears.

"Hello, Jergal. Long time, no see."

The man returns the grin and leads the way further into the small opening, down a couple of dusty hallways into another room where there are several computers running. It was a wonder that the machines still operated considering the surroundings, but they worked just fine.

"I need to call in that last favor, Jergal, and it won't take long."

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana remained close to Ati's back until she felt a little more comfortable. Well. It also took a bit of reassurance from Ati that it truly was ok to relax.

She gave his cohort her banking information and it didn't take too long for him to do what he obviously does best.

"That's it? You're finished?", she asks, surprised when he tells her that its all done. She looks to Ati, shrugs lightly and wanders off a few paces, letting Ati and Jergal talk for a few minutes before the two leave again.

[Ati Quai]

"That's it," he answers, handing her a new credstick that would be untracable and able to be used anywhere. He spoke only briefly with Jergal, more or less outlying the fact that he would be leaving the city for a while until things settled. Not a bad idea, Jergal had concluded.

A short while later, Ati and Jordana were back at Ati's residence.

"I suggest getting some sleep tonight while there's still a chance. 'Fresher's in the back and pretty much anything around here is fair game to use. I plan for us to leave tomorrow or the next day, depending on how long it takes to load up the ship."

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana stayed up, talking a little bit longer with Ati. When he excused himself and disappeared, she headed back to the refresher and took a long hot shower. And cried.

The mirror fogged over, the hot water ran cold and then she finally turned the water off. Sometimes a good long cry is what one needs to truly feel better. It helped.

She wipes the mirror with her palm and stares at her reflection, easing a few wet errant curls away from her face. It's funny how the past haunts us. The cruel things her mother use to say to her sound like disembodied whispers now, where once they use to scream as loud as a banshee in her head.

As her eyes roam over her bare shoulders, then down her right arm, images filter into her mind. Ghostly images now. Once they were quite vivid and at times scary. Now, they remain as specters of the past - a past that she hopes one day will be forgotten.

The needle marks will fade until they are no longer visible. Mental scars will remain, probably forever, but the physical damages will vanish.

"Why would he go out of his way to help a wretch like you?", she asks of the reflection in the mirror.

The reflection just stares right back. A small smile begins to curve the edge of her pouty lips and the burden which she carried on her shoulders begins to lighten.

"Don't screw this up, Jordana. You've been given a fresh start."

And she has. The kindness, or sympathy, of a stranger has changed everything for the young, towel-draped woman. She finishes up and slides the loose-fitting shirt Ati said she could use to sleep in over her head.

A glance down the hall reveals that all is quiet. Thinking that Ati just might be asleep, she tip-toes to the bedroom and closes the door. She lays awake for a few hours, just listening to the sounds of the city until drifting off, knowing that Ati will wake her in the morning.

[Ati Quai]

He wasn't asleep yet, but he was close. Various thoughts were going through his head as he laid there, echoed by the faint sound of her footsteps down the hallway. And really, he had asked himself the same question that she asked the reflection in the mirror. Why?

The only thing that he had come up with was the reminder of his sister. And not in that way.

He saw the same helplessness in Jordana that he had seen in Alana, an image that still haunted him. There was nothing that he could really do to save Alana, having tried to get her off the drugs and actually succeeding for a time. She waited until he was a quarter of a galaxy away before diving back into the thick of it. By the time he returned from a run, she was worse than she had been. Then the night that she took a bit too much and died in his arms. That was what he saw in the mirror when he woke up, and what he saw at night when he fell asleep. It was a wonder that he was able to sleep at all.

But with Jordana, he saw the chance to actually make a difference. It wasn't a charity case for anyone. In her, he could see the potential, and what happened when that potential took a couple wrong turns. Like with his sister.

There was something more, as well. Something that he likely wouldn't admit to anytime soon, but definitely something else. A feeling. Almost an affinity.

As the last sounds of her footsteps were lost on the air, Ati's eyes closed for a night of sleep. For the first time in a while, he fell asleep smiling.

[Jordana Montegue]

Sometimes, after one falls asleep, it seems as if time speeds by. Jordana awakens on her own to a still dark room. All is quiet, save for the sounds of the occasional speeder on the street or pedestrians stumbling home from a real late night spent partying at one of the local bars.

A glance towards the window is given and she notices that the moon has since moved from direct view. 'Must be around three or four am', she thinks.

Jordana's the type of person who cannot fall back to sleep so easily once she's awake. She has to be seriously ill before that happens. She tosses the blankets aside and sits up, planting her bare feet against a cool floor. Her eyes adjust a bit better to the sparse light provided by the moon filtering in through the window, but it's just enough to make eerie shapes from the pieces of furniture in the room.

She sits there on the edge of the bed for a few minutes, listening to other noises. Ati's droid must be doing something for she hears the sound of his tin-feet against the floor as he paddles his way up the hall, away from the bedroom.

Her stomach growls. "Oh hush, I'm going, I'm going.", she says to her insistant stomach. Rising from the bed, she gives the hem of Ati's shirt that he gave her to sleep in a tug to straighten it as she pads across the room on tip-toe and opens the door.

She checks the hall, making sure it's clear. Why? She has no idea. Perhaps its just a habit she's gotten into and never realized it. Jordana slips into the hall and heads towards the small kitchen, where she opens the cupboards and refridgerator in search of a late snack. Or a very early breakfast, take your pick.

[Ati Quai]

He never was a heavy sleeper, except in certain circumstances. While they were generally safe here, what with Kaybo keeping an eye on the security measures and those measures themselves easily able to sound the alert to any unwanted guests, he still wasn't in a deep sleep. More like a nap. With that in mind, it was little surprise that even as quiet as Jordana was being, that he heard her rummaging around a bit.

He knew that it was her, since no one else would break into the place and go straight to the kitchen. Not that anyone could break in unnoticed. The smuggler sits up in his bed a moment, rubbing his eyes a couple of times before finally getting up. He was just as hungry and well, they could always just leave right now rather than wait until morning.

With a stifled yawn and bit of a stretch, he tosses on some pants before stepping out into the same hallway and down towards the kitchen. "Little early to be preparing me breakfast in bed, don't you think?"

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana jumps a mile high. She didn't hear Ati come into the kitchen. Once her heart rate resumes its normal rhythm, she finds herself chuckling.

"Do you make it a habit to scare a woman in the wee hours of the morning like that?", she teases. She takes the eggs, butter, bacon and some bread out of the refrigerator and then rummages around in the cabinets. He doesn't have all that much, but she does find a small bowl and a fork to start whipping up some breakfast.

"And who says I was making you breakfast? Maybe I was making it for myself. In fact, maybe I was making it for myself to take back to the bed I used last night to eat it."

She sideglances towards Ati and sticks her tongue out at him playfully. But, her playfulness ends abruptly when she drops the bowl of whisked eggs onto the counter; spilling some of the contents.

"Damn it.", she sighs. Jordana moistens a cloth in the sink and wipes up the mess, noticing that her hands are trembling. She looks down to the hem of the oversized shirt Ati gave her to sleep in. It's shaking too. 'Oh God, please don't let him notice I'm shaking.', she prays to the powers above.

"So. When are we leaving?", she asks after clearing her throat. Jordana continues to make breakfast, purposely keeping her back to Ati in an effort to avoid making eye contact with him.

[Ati Quai]

"Only when she's cute," he answers back with his roguish smirk, settling down onto one of the stool by the counter. Luckily for her, he only heard the bowl striking the counter as he was looking away at the time. He does, however, note the fact that she was still a bit shaky, and well, her back was to him.

No comment is forthcoming, though, which may come as a surprise. If she knew that he had noticed. He just sits there, watching as she continues to prepare her food, not really that hungry to begin with. Of course, he wouldn't turn it down if she offered.

"We can leave in the morning, or whenever you're finished eating your breakfast in your bed."

[Jordana Montegue]

"Only when she's cute,"

Unseen by Ati is Jordana's blush and faint smile. Though she does shift the weight of her body from her left foot to the right. She continues making breakfast, not saying much of anything. In fact, she doesn't even noticably look at Ati this whole time. He looks real good just sitting there without a shirt, just his pants on.

"Well, unless you can think of a reason to not leave after we eat, then maybe we should leave after breakfast."

She sets a plate of eggs, toast and bacon down in front of Ati and takes a seat on the stool next to his. A quick tuck of her hair behind her ear, then she eats.

[Ati Quai]

"I don't see why not. And, uh, thanks," he adds, nodding his head towards the food. He had only been joking when he made the comment about breakfast in bed, but he wasn't about to turn it down.

There was no reason for them to stick around here, when they could be off to his other locale on this planet where he could teach her how to fly. At least out there, they would be isolated and for the most part, free from any spying eyes. Anyone that did follow all the way out there, or did find them, would likely be looking for them and know enough about the smuggler to know the location. Something told him that they did not need to worry over much, not once they left their current position.

"We can load everything up and be gone in an hour or two, if you prefer."

[Jordana Montegue]

"Alright, sounds fine to me."

Jordana didn't eat that much. A few bites of the eggs and a bite or two of the rest was about it, really. She cleans up the mess she made, scraping the scraps into the disposal, then she does the dishes.

She excuses herself and takes a shower. Though she slept in the t-shirt that Ati gave her last night, she puts it on again after the shower. Sure, Ati said she could use what was left of his sister's wardrobe, but it just doesn't feel right to wear the clothes of the dead.

What little possessions she actually has with her are packed and tossed into Ati's ship. Jordana waits for Ati outside of the ship, laughing at a few of his droid's jokes; which are dryly delivered.

"I don't care what Ati says about you, Kaybo; I think you have a wonderful personality - for a droid, that is." Of course, the droid's only reply is a series of beeps that Jordana doesn't understand, but the tones used causes the corner of her pouty lower lip to quirk.

"I'm sorry, Kaybo. Had I known you share the same wish as Pinnochio to be real, I would have stated it differently."

[Ati Quai]

"He's real enough, or at least acts it, right Kaybo?"

The droid mutters something in another language, making a rather crude gesture with one hand. It had to look comical since the make-up of the droid prevented the gesture from being delivered in the usual speed that most presented it. That, in and of itself, made the attempt all the more humorous.

"Kaybo, go prep the ship for takeoff. There's only a few more crates to load up and I'll have that done soon enough." He waits for the droid to step up the ramp before grabbing another box and following suit. Once back down the ramp again, he looks to Jordana.

"If you can't think of anything else that we need, go ahead and get settled in the cockpit. I'll be there in a couple minutes."

[Jordana Montegue]

The unexpected sound of Ati's voice piping up from behind her makes Jordana jump with a start. She smiles to him, chuckling still, and shakes her head lightly.

"I suppose Kaybo is programmed to make profane gestures, too?", she asks in a jokingly accusatory tone, a brow arching upwards to allow the glint in her eye to shine through more brightly.

She watches the droid tinker off then Ati follow in it's wake. She takes a quick look around the area while thinking; making a mental check that she has her few possessions with her. Of course, the most important one is the image of her son and that's kept safe within the sanctity of her ... over the shoulder boulder holder! ( :b )

"Mmm nope, I can't think of anything else. Are you sure you don't want any help?"

Jordana boards, Ati having turned down her offer to help. Inside the ship, she stows away her small backpack style bag and makes herself comfortable in the co-pilot's seat of the cockpit.

[Ati Quai]

"If you're implying that Kaybo picked that up from me, I have no idea what you're talking about," he answers as he sets another box in the cargo hold, calling over his shoulder as she walks towards the cockpit, "though you may be right."

A few short minutes later, the rest of the cargo is loaded and secured and he steps through the sliding door to the cockpit, checking a couple of the panels on the side before settling into his seat. A few more checks over the systems and he straps himself in, activating the button to slide the cabin door closed again.

"Alright, let's get this party started," he says with a small smirk before hitting the V-TOLs to lift the ship off the ground, and then guiding the ship out of the hangar. Hard to believe that such a thing could fit in the area of the city they were in, and it was a very tight squeeze for the freighter to fit, but it did. Lifting slowly into the sky, the ship carries its passengers towards the outskirts of the city, where it would continue on to its destination.

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana laughs out loud at Ati's remark while securing the safety straps across her lap and chest. The fact that Ati's ship is a tight squeeze for the city hasn't escaped Jordana. A few times, her knuckles begin to turn white as she clutches the armrest a bit tighter, sure that on a few occasions he'd hit the side of one of the buildings or rear end another citizen ahead of them in the flow of traffic.

When they reach and pass the final set of buildings, she loosens her grip, relaxing now that the perceived threat of a fiery crash is out of her mind. The cityscape behind them, more open ground ahead of them, and Jordana has to smile a little bit; enjoying the change of scenery.

"How long until we get there?", she asks, shifting in the seat a little bit to turn so she can look at him better. Mentally, she slaps herself, thinking that she sounds just like an impatient child just starting out on a long road trip with its parents.

[Ati Quai]

"Not too long, perhaps an hour or two. We won't be leaving the atmosphere so we'll have to go a bit slower, plus I'd rather not attract too much attention."

He settles back into his chair a bit as the ship continues to travel above the landscape. It was a decent enough view, with actual detail rather than the usual of just some colors when viewed from high above.

"In the meantime, I could likely go over a few things so you can at least familiarize yourself with the ship."

[Jordana Montegue]

"Not leaving the atmosphere? You mean, you're going to begin teaching me to fly without having a bunch of air space beneath us?! What if I lose control? What if I crash, nosedive right into the ground?"

Jordana's eyes are so expressive. If Ati gets the chance to take his eyes from the viewport to look at her now and then as she about panics. Now that she's on the road to recovery from her addiction to drugs, the color in her eyes is more vibrant, more alive. At times, she her expressions might appear to be rather comedic, coinciding with the high-pitch cracks in her voice.

[Ati Quai]

"Relax," he replies with a small smirk, giving her nearest hand a reassuring squeeze with one of his own. At some point, she just might actually do as he says. Always getting so worked up, but something about it always made him laugh. Then again, she did look rather cute when she got all excited as she did.

"You and I will not be letting you fly just yet. I only meant that we will not leave the atmosphere during this trip to our next destination."

Kaybo adds something in another language that apparently Ati still understands, and it causes the smuggler to laugh a bit.

"Kaybo says that if you think either of us would let you fly right now, you're nuts. There is plenty that I need to explain before you can sit at the controls."

[Jordana Montegue]

Jordana smiles back to Ati, the reassuring squeeze he gives against her hand puts her edginess to ease. She nods, taking a deep calming breath, then lets it out slowly.

"Ok. Well, that's good then. I haven't spent much time in any ships so flying makes me nervous."

As Kaybo pipes in with his two cents, Jordana glances over her shoulder towards the droid. Her eyes shift to Ati as he laughs and her expression turns dry.

"What'd he say?"

"Kaybo says that if you think either of us would let you fly right now, you're nuts. There is plenty that I need to explain before you can sit at the controls."

Jordana holds the dry expression on her face, then resettles herself in her seat. "Great. Even the droid is a comedian.", she murmurs, pretending to be exasperated.

[Ati Quai]

"He has his moments, yes. Though you should feel honored since he doesn't generally insult anyone that he doesn't like or trust. Sounds odd coming from a droid, but my life would be boring if I had a normal droid."

The Corellian freighter continues on its way just a few thousand feet above the ground, lower at some points when the terrain allowed. There wasn't anything too exciting for them to see, though they had a full view of anything that they might have wanted to see. He'd seen it all more than enough times that it wasn't a primary concern.

"We should be arriving in about an hour. Until then, just enjoy the ride."