DAYUM!

[Gradoona Pod-Floewander]

"fwooooo"

Even a sigh from a Herglic was a big thing. Air rushed from Lieutenant Gradoona's cranial blowhole, drawing every eye in the passenger compartment on the shuttle. For her part, she pretended not to notice everyone's attention on her. The shuttle techs had to remove two seats in the cabin for her to even fit. Even then, she occupied an entire two seats. That was the price you paid for leaving the comfort of Giju for a life of conscientious adventure. Back home, most of her people had accepted the Empire as an inevitable evil. Considering the alternative, she couldn't exactly blame them. The Empire didn't suffer insurrection kindly. Rather than accept that fate, Gradoona had taken to deep space like so many others. A natural talent at engineering found her in quick demand on everything from bulk freighters to cruisers under power of the Alliance.

And those winds of change were blowing yet again as she watched the massive structure of Jovan Station loom large in the tiny viewport adjacent. It was visible only a moment as the shuttle oriented itself to slip through an atmospheric shield in one of the smaller bays on the outer hull ring. Within, a glimpse of the village in deep space. A bustling frontier town just getting settled in some respect. Gradoona's broad beak mouth parted slightly in a smile. She couldn't wait to see it all.

"Shuttle TV-452 arrived. Prepare to disembark."

Other crew members made to stand, but Gradoona cleared the way before them, raising her massive 6'5" height to a hunch as her blowhole kissed the roof of the shuttlecraft. The seats she occupied sighed in relief as her nearly six hundred pounds lifted off.

"fwooooo"

She click-clacked in Herglese, reaching above her seat to remove her baggage, nearly clocking a human in the head in the process.

"Sorry! Sorry!"

Gradoona put a broad webbed hand up in apology.

"fweee!"

"Yeah. Don't mention it." The fellow Alliance tech rubbed his noggin, not wanting to cross words with the hefty slab of alien as she thudded down the walkway and gangplank, but not before pausing to turn sideways and squeeze through the shuttle door like a groff hound through a cat door.

"Nnng...gggh."

"fwoooooo!"

[Vek Vek]

The figure that had been occupying the window seat adjacent to the Herglic gasped in relief, his bulbous eyes nictitating several times as he patted himself down.

"Bloodflow restoration to extremeties. Tactile stimulation renewing with...uncomfortable sensory effect."

The Durwi physician quickly ran through his self diagnosis, breathing in and out deeply at a quickened pace. He paused, canting his head thoughtfully.

"Negative indication of pulmonary edema or trauma."

He paused, running a finger along his right arm with some distate.

"Exposure Hergelius Terrestrialis epidermic discharge. Disinfection recommended."

Slowly rising to his feet, the Doctor pieced his baggage together, mumbling to himself the entire way as he departed in the wake of his massive neighbor.

[Gradoona Pod-Floewander]

It felt good to stretch, and Gradoona at last raised her arms out as she no longer had to worry about being crammed in a sardine can. Her blowhole sighed fwaaaaaaa in relief as the small alien she'd sat next to passed by, fastidiously administering an antibacterial towelette to his arms.

"It was good talking to ya, Doc!" she called out to him in a chipper tone punctuated with clicks and chirps. Well, she'd done most of the talking. About everything Wondering what the food would be like, talking about when to raise a bet in Sabacc. The big stuff, really. He mainly answered in one or two word bursts and spent the whole flight looking uncomfortable. Most people who sat by her did.

[Captain Monmoo]

"Hidoe! Heyo dalee!" Monmoo bein cheerfully greeting de outlaunders comin to Jovan Station. His machineek rollin beside him on da feetwalkin, displayin holographic ads for themsa blob races. The skeebeetle was Alliance, and hisen and others was comin on board, and hesa gonna have new customers!

"Looky palos, mesa smilin to see all'n yousa." His wide mouth be stretchin to a grin as he spake, his hailu tied behind his head. "Other bars? Garbareeno! Monmoo's Blob Place da best! Don't be makin a boopjak, we got gup and good tonguegrabbin at Monmoo's! Even Oma-Oma would - Hata hata!" His eyestalks goggled as the biggest alien he ever be seein comin outta da skeebeetle like a quiglee from the ome-goosa.

Monmoo quickly straighten up, tryin to cover and keep his keeclumbsie, and hopin this biggun not a wappi marsune! "Welcome, welcome!"

[translation (http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?55866-Gungan-translations-no-copek-allowen!&p=1034055#post1034055)]

[Vek Vek]

Doubling over the antibacterial towelette for another pass, Vek Vek frowned at the approach of another discomforting life form.

"Amphibiambularus Gungae. Motor skills disconcerting. State of euphoria common of species."

The Doctor's mouth twitched as he crumpled the towelette in his hand.

"Patois and diction...baffling."

Vek slowly moved behind the Herglic engineer as the Gungan waxed vociferously about...well who knew. Perhaps it was a challenge to a feat of strength, and the cetacean would then tear the amphibian in half. Hmm.

The Doctor pulled a recording device from his bag. Tapping a button, he spoke into it.

"Order bacta."

[Gradoona Pod-Floewander]

"Blob races!"

Gradoona's voice trilled with chirps and squeaks as her blowhole shweeeeee'd in excitement. She jumped up and down, a dull thud that could be felt by those around her. She hadn't seen a blob race since her stint on Umgul five years ago! She'd won a thousand credits last time! Nevermind that she burned all that up over the next day in a dejarik tournament. It was exciting! Though not a sport for speedsters, it was the skill and creativity of the racing blobs and figuring which one had not only the ability, but the situational awareness to negotiate the course.

They also had food too!

The Herglic's thick hands thudded together in an excited clap. Less than a day in and already a better posting than her last two!

[Captain Monmoo]

"Ahh, ah, yes! Blob racin!" Monmoo mui grins. "Wesa havin the best races in da sector! And wesa umi-yumi..." He rolled his eyes and licked his lips. "Berry good! Berry berry good! Hopen to see yousa dalee? Yousa will shu it!" The marsune seemin wulli enough, if no melli.

[translation (http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?55866-Gungan-translations-no-copek-allowen!&p=1034055#post1034055)]

[Vek Vek]

"Egad!"

So close to the epicenter, fight or flight responses acted upon the Durwi physician in a peculiar manner as he fell to the floor and curled into a protective ball. When it was clear that he was not to be trampled, Vek stuck his head out from protecting hands, and considered what had transpired analytically.

"Adrenaline release considerable. Heart rate and blood pressure elevated. No blunt force trauma extant. Response to threat stimuli...embarrassing."

[Gradoona Pod-Floewander]

Pausing in her excitement, Gradoona noticed the pathetic heap of Durwi collapsed like a slug on the ground behind her. Oh no, she'd been making a spectacle again.

Haauuum her blowhole mourned. Looking around, more than a few people weren't sure whether to panic or not. The station was probably structurally sound. To be sure, the Herglic c-c-clicked, her ultrasonic response music to her ears. Solid as a rock. No, moreso! She took a deep breath of relief, and hweeeeeee'd.

"Oh Doc, don't stay down there guy. Come on..."

Scooping the compliant Doctor up in one arm like a sad puppy, she reassured him.

"I'll buy you a drink, how's that?"

[Vek Vek]

Oh no, she has me!

Panic was a biological response to stimuli, often with good cause. Vek steeled his mind to apply himself.

"Drink. Supposition, alcohol. Depressant. Offset accelerated heartbeat."

Nictitating membranes half-slide over his eyes in a blink.

"Social lubricant. Behavior modification. Moderation suggested, though ability to moderate ironically inhibited by consumption. Fascinating contradiction."

"Is that a yes??" a loud voice squeed above him as an arm the size of imagined deities jostled Vek like a parcel of fruit.

"Compliance irrelevant." he replied fatalistically.

[Ydran Esk'avar]

Chief Inspector Ydran Esk'avar stalked the docking concourse at a steady and deliberate pace, his chest raised and his arms folded behind his back, his sidearm secure at his right hip and his stunstick swinging from his left. He preferred a rate of roughly 1.6 meters per second. This was marginally faster than the standard walking speed of the average adult humanoid but still slow enough to allow him to observe his surroundings in detail. And detail was everything. Some said the devil was in the details. But Ydran had been prowling the darkest cesspits of the galaxy for the past twenty-six point six standard cycles, and had never encountered him. In his venerable experience, ordinary sentients were more than capable of inspiring lawlessness and dissolution without the help of supernatural sedition.

Case in point: the Bothan security chief found his attention drawn to a minor disturbance surrounding an adult Herglic female, two meters, excess of two hundred fifty kilograms, a Durwi, one-point-seven meters, fifty-five kilograms, and a Gungan merchant, one-point eight meters, seventy kilograms. Herglic was accosting Durwi while Gungan was peddling wares of indeterminate nature with the aid of astromech droid. What appeared to be a harmless, if undisciplined, inter-species interaction may in fact conceal any number of violations against station safety regulations and commercial bylaws.

Ydran adjusted his angle of approach without altering his pace, which brought him within easy hailing distance of the trio of aliens. "Gentlemen, lady," he growled. "Any problems here?"

[Gradoona Pod-Floewander]

Gradoona's wide beaked mouth cracked into a smile, revealing for a moment a row of ponderous conical teeth and a broad pink tongue curled in on itself in an obvious Herglic expression of happiness. He called me lady! She c-c-click-squee'd. Usually if other aliens didn't gawk or act terrified or refer to her as "it" then they opted for the galactic default of male. Her femininity buoyed, she offered a greeting wave to the security officer.

"No problems, sir! We're just stretching our space legs and about to get a little R&R before checkin!"

[Vek Vek]

Bobbing along with the Herglic's movements helplessly, the Doctor looked pleadingly at the Bothan.

"Dispensation of alcohol recommended to circumvent onset of panic stimulation!"

[Ydran Esk'avar]

Ydran's gimlet eyes flicked from Vek Vek's gasping face to Gradoona's pacific grin with equal dispassion.

"Madam, I must advise you that physical harassment may legally be considered assault and battery. Please set the Durwi down."

[Captain Monmoo]

The passengers of da skeebeetle was talking to da bombad Bothan security chief. Monmoo hums to hisself, stepping off in another direction, his machineek rollin along nexta him. No wantin no trouble with the chief! Some of the hisen had been wandering over desa, and hesa needed to spake with thesa too!

[translation (http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?55866-Gungan-translations-no-copek-allowen!&p=1034145&viewfull=1#post1034145)]

[Anauri Rabeak]

Spire 1: Crew and licensed contractors, primarily, but with spire 6 suffering intermittent power failures, civilian traffic had entered into spire 1's fray. It wasn't how Chief Engineer Anauri Rabeak wanted it. Nothing aboard Jovan was how he wanted it, but the fact that everything was such absolute shit was the reason he was there in the first place. Make a name for yourself resurrecting old Imperial hulks into useable Alliance craft, and you somehow know they'll reward your hard work with even harder work to be done in the name of the Alliance.

But Anauri wasn't Alliance. Nor was he Cizerack. No, the stocky, brown-furred engineer was an independent Nehantite who'd landed a job so many of his race would be envious of. Envious not because of the hard work at the beginning, but for the glory it would bring later. Jovan Station was to be a centerpiece of Alliance trade and diplomacy. A shining beacon of hope and unity among dozens of cultures. At the moment, however, the only thing shining was the roof of the greasy spoon, and occasionally spire 6 when the lights would flicker on and spark. To call Jovan Station a fixer-upper was an understatement. Anauri would categorize it as a body-off restoration nightmare.

Speaking of nightmares, he looked down upon the countless dozens of newcomers milling about in the central lobby of spire 1, and he reached up to push back his cap and scratch his head at the sight of his new engineer.

Holy fuck, that is a fat fuck. He thought to himself.

That is a space whale. That is what yo momma points to when she calls something fat. That... might as well be a Hutt. That's our new engineer?

No mirth was even hinted at upon the Nehantite's graying muzzle as he descended the stairs down to the main deck. Ydran had alread found the talking barge, and was likely questioning her about her weight lest she might be beyond capacity.

That's mean. But true. Mean-true.

"And put him down nicely, please," Anauri called out, padding forward with sure step. "Chief Inspector, I believe this is one of mine. Gradoona, I believe?" He sized her up, pink eyes looking up and down that massive body. "Welcome to Jovan. I'm your boss, Chief Rabeak. Not getting into trouble already, are we?" he asked, voice gruff and tempered by decades of whiskey and stims.

[Gradoona Pod-Floewander]

With the threat of criminal noncompliance hanging over like the saber of Exar Kun, Gradoona eased Vek Vek to the ground. Her genial expression evaporated into an expression of Oh.

"haaaaum"

Come on, girl. Not the best foot forward. And the boss is looking too! Aw, Penguins! The Herglic grimaced, or at least the most Herglic equivalent as she threw her head back and closed her eyes.

"Sorry Doc. Sorry...er..."

Her eyes traced the contours of the Bothan's uniform and suddenly widened.

"...Chief Inspector."

Double penguins!

Picking up her bag, the Lieutenant calculated that was the end on any designs of R&R. No sense showing as a slouch for the new boss.

"No trouble boss. I mean Chief!"

Triple Penguins!

"Chief!"

Gradoona's broad shoulders seemed to sag a little.

"Lieutenant Gradoona sir, guilty as charged."

[Vek Vek]

Visibly shaken, the Durwi Doctor retrieved an antibacterial towelette for each hand from his medical bag. He fastidiously began to use both in broad swipes over his entire body as he paced, muttering.

"Restock antibacterial towelettes. Priority need. No. No. Alcohol primary need. Responsible use only. Physician heal thyself."

[Anauri Rabeak]

"Relax," Anauri chuckled. "You technically don't start full employment for a few hours. Just came down to make sure you got in safe."

The Nehantite's pink eyes drifted over to the obsessive-compulsive walking stick he presumed to be the new doctor. "Funny, usually it takes a day or so, here, before you want to break out the booze. Lieutenant, I don't mind drinking off-shift, but I expect you sharp and sober come work time, understand? You come to work drunk, you'll be seeing a lot more of our intrepid Chief Inspector, here."

And if you come to work any fatter, you can dress in black and pretend to be space itself.

[Ydran Esk'avar]

Ydran hmphed at that, puffing out the long whiskers on either side of his downturned muzzle. "I have better things to do with my time than enforce your work rotas. Refrain from breaking any laws, and I'm sure we'll get along fine. Speaking of which..."

The Bothan marched after the Gungan, who was skulking off with his holographic sandwich board. "This is a busy docking facility, not a carnival boardwalk. Your advertising droid poses a hazard to traffic." He wrinkled his nose at the wobbling astromech and added, "Not to mention good taste."

[Captain Monmoo]

Oie no! Monmoo stops walking, one cloppen up, and turnin slowly around. "Oie, Boss Esk'avar, mesa yous humbule servant." He bowed, hailu flip floppin even though tied. "Mesa mackaneek samp monad, itsa doin what itsa wants!" He gives it a kick with hisa cloppen, and then hops around. "Hata hata! Mesa sorry, Boss, mesa tryin to be wulli; mesa seein mesa makin a boobjak. Sorry, sorry,"

Monmoo ducks hisa head a bit moule, pushin da mackaneek across da feetwalkin toward desa Blob Place.

[translation (http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?55866-Gungan-translations-no-copek-allowen!&p=1034069#post1034069)]

[Narssiska Vraska]

"I could not help but overhear. If you are looking for a drink may I ssuggest the Sshattersstar Lounge?"

The voice came from behind the group. A noticeable hiss accented the words. The air filled with the aroma of rich spices and luxurious perfumes. Narssiska Vraska stood tall and proud, chin up, eyes focused. Clad in fine black silk with frills and a hood that fit awkwardly over the cranial ridges that adorned her green scaled head. At either side she was flanked by two similarly dressed individuals, clad in black robes and hoods with veils that hid everything but their eyes. Their shape, despite the layers, was noticeably female, of heights and shape that disqualified them as humans.

"I am the owner and purveyor, Lady Vrasska. It is not far. Just up one level on the merchant quarter. Please come by to eat, drink, and be merry."

The Cyrillian was just fetching her newest acquisitions; new alien females for the more adult sections of the Shatterstar. She had spotted the group of aliens gathered and heard the little one mentioning a desire for alcohol. She would have passed the group by if not for change in interest of the Security Chief giving her a window of approach. Ydran Esk'avar and her could do rounds for days with the former ever so suspecting of the latter. She had assured the Bothan that everything she did was strictly legal. She ran a bar and strip club, not some sweaty brothel or spice den.

She took a special interest in the Herglic engineer. She was certainly a variety of alien the Shatterstar did not count in it's repertoire.

[Gradoona Pod-Floewander]

"Relax," Anauri chuckled. "You technically don't start full employment for a few hours. Just came down to make sure you got in safe."

The Nehantite's pink eyes drifted over to the obsessive-compulsive walking stick he presumed to be the new doctor. "Funny, usually it takes a day or so, here, before you want to break out the booze. Lieutenant, I don't mind drinking off-shift, but I expect you sharp and sober come work time, understand? You come to work drunk, you'll be seeing a lot more of our intrepid Chief Inspector, here."

And if you come to work any fatter, you can dress in black and pretend to be space itself.

"Oh yes sir. You can count on me sir!"

Gradoona c-cclick-squee'd as she saluted, drawing a thick hand as high as it could go on her bulbous head in salute. Her beaked mouth mimed the happy expression of exposed teeth and rolled tongue as before, but inward she was freaking out.

He thinks I'm a total lush. Oh penguins, the first impression is the most important one and now he thinks I'm just a walking kegger don'tchaknow.

The Herglic was vaguely aware that the entire time she was thinking this, her mouth was still running.

"Actually sir, I think I'm just going to, you know, acquaint myself with all the power node schematics and maybe tuck in extra early all bright eyes. That's what they call me, Bright Eyes Gradoona. Wake up with the penguins and all that y'know. Yes siree."

[Vek Vek]

Doctor Vek paused in the midst of the two hawkers of debauchery, quickly flicking his eyes to and from.

"A quandary. Multiple venues to imbibe intoxicants."

Knitting his fingers together in contemplation, the Durwi continued to prattle.

"Must choose responsibly. Construct scientific model to reach solution. Need control variable."

[Ydran Esk'avar]

Ydran turned and noted the opportunistic appearance of Madame Vrasska, no doubt intent on tempting more customers to her den of ill repute. The Bothan didn't disapprove of such establishments on principle. Prostitution was not illegal in the Raashaala sector, and businesses like Vrasska's helped to keep the carnal transactions away from the public eye. They also invariably served an important role in the criminal ecosystem. Even if the lady of the house was skimming off a little profit from the other vices that were served in her rooms, Ydran would tolerate it for the sake of knowing where to find the dealers.

That didn't mean he wasn't watching her.

"There are any number of respectable establishments on this station you might consider," he said to the group at large. "Directories are on display at regular intervals, I suggest you avail yourselves. In the meantime..."

He quickened his pace to catch up with the fleeing Gungan and his slow-rolling droid. "I'd like to have a look at your blob-racing operation. You do know tampering with the sport is punishable by death on Umgul?"

[Narssiska Vraska]

"Feel free to come anytime Insspector Essk'avar." She called cheerfully after the fleeing Bothan, a smug smile on her face. "You sshould all sstop by the Sshattersstar ssometime. I have a lady, or lad..." She arched an eyebrow at the Chief Engineer, "...for everyone. Drinkss, food. Whatever pleassure you dessire. I musst be off. Welcome to Jovan."

With that she whisked past the collection of aliens in a flurry of lace and robes.