New Beginnings

[Madeleia]

Neon lights illuminated the crowded streets amid the rush of speeders passing by, footfalls on the duracrete sidewalk and voices of those that the pair passed here on Axxila. Black Sun had been the elusive, dark monster that loved the shadows of large, industrial hubs like this one and attracted those like Madeleia to the money that could be made. Smuggling paid the bills, but being a mechanic and pilot was her passion. As long as it was fast, she mused as the shapely blonde continued meandering through the evening foot traffic, her younger brother in tow.

"Sure this guy's even here," T.J. queried from behind and to her right. "Senka said Barrin likes to travel."

"Quit worrying," Madeleia replied, keeping her eyes on those they passed. The large mix of alien races that called this world home also invited a lot of other problems, she knew. "We'll just make our delivery and you can be back to your bartending girlfriend in no time."

Chuckling, his natural charm had gained him quite a few potential problems with their adventures. "Eh, she's cute I guess."

Finally noticing the blinking sign to the apartment highrise sandwiched between a deli and a grocery store, Madeleia slowed and angled her journey toward the door, right hand now instinctively on her T6 Thunderer. Rust colored leather jacket fell over close fitting, black pants, and knee-high, leather padded boots. Pulling on the handle to the door, she stepped inside and the tumult of the street behind them soon muffled as her brother joined her in the lobby of this dank residence. Hazel eyes glanced left to the Weequay standing behind the long desk, leaning on it as he glared at them.

"Hi," Madeleia greeted tentatively as she approached, also noticing the pair of Devaronian seated in the small alcove behind her now, pretending to watch the holoprojector. "Looking for Barrin. I have a delivery for him."

Glancing between the two humans, the leathery skinned, muscled alien didn't move for a long moment. Then, with a sudden inhalation of air he stood, arms dropping to the counter top. "You're late."

Raising her left arm, she glanced at her chronometer. "Umm, we're an hour early."

"You're later than we'd like," the glare from the dark eyes said volumes as he moved toward his left and reached for something underneath the counter, then raised a comlink. "Boss, the girl's here."

A few tense moments lingered as she could feel the pair of horned aliens behind them move, leather chairs groaning in protest.

[Madeleia]

Gliding down the stairwell to her far right, a small probe droid approached the counter, stopping within ten feet of them. It's larger radial projector came to life and a life sized image of a Herglic male emerged. "Seems things have grown quite lax lately with your employer," Barrin's deep, gravely voice began. "I tell him to send me an added three dancing females and he only sends me one."

A comment that caused Madeleia to take a step back. "Wait, what? That's not what he told me..."

"Don't interrupt," Barrin's large, bluish ghostly form leaned in. "You're cute, for a skinny human, but not what I ordered at all."

"You sure we have the right address," T.J. leaned in, whispering.

"Now would be a bad time to figure that out," she replied without thought, hand on her T6 as the two Devaronian rose.

"I want my dancers," Barrin interrupted. "And I want them now."

"Okay," she raised her left hand defensively. "I'll find them for you. Promise."

His dark eyes narrowed, "You're not leaving Axxila until you do. Now get out of my sight," he turned to the pair of thugs now facing the two humans. "Follow them and make sure they get me what I ordered," he commanded, then returned his gaze to the pair of smugglers. "If by tomorrow morning they don't have the three, then shoot them and take their ship."

"Three dancers coming right up," T.J. promised with pretended confidence.

[Madeleia]

Walking hurriedly down the sidewalk, now free of the Herglic and the rest of his gang, minus the two now trailing them, Madeleia raised her datapad and confirmed the address for their delivery as well as the number of crates ordered. This didn't make any sense, she mused as she turned it off and dropped the slender device back into her jacket pocket. "I don't get it. He never said anything about dancers." Angrily, she shook her head as hazel eyes scanned the surrounding businesses, all alight as the sun had long set on the urban world.

"Hate to think that he stuffed them in those crates," T.J. mused aloud.

Madeleia stopped, turning to him. "Wait, what did you just say?"

"Hmm?" Blue eyes gazed back at her.

"The crates? You can't be serious."

"Stranger things have happened, but don't worry, I've got this covered," he grinned roguishly and motioned beyond her with an upraised chin. "I know just the place."

"How's that even possible," she turned and followed alongside him. "We've never been here before."

"Don't have to know the layout of the city, just be streetwise like me," he glanced at her sidelong, grinning. "Seems big Sis still has to learn some things." He continued strolling down the sidewalk with confidence and soon approached the front of a strip club and walked in.

Madeleia slowed in disbelief. "What....?" Glancing back to the duo of gunmen still on their heels, she smirked and followed him inside. Leaning toward him, the music pumping through unseen speakers and through the murky air clouded by cigarra smoke and perfume. "You get my ship stolen and I'm going to shoot you myself."

"You worry too much." Walking through the crowded tables and booths, some of the patrons getting a more intimate dance by scantily clad women, T.J. casually led Madeleia toward the far left and a curtained doorway to the side of the central stage now sporting a Twi'lek whose moves were amazingly smooth. Entering the dressing room, the younger, straw haired mechanic approached a group of curvaceous dancers, now all eyeing the pair. "Hey ladies, like to make some big money?"

Concernedly, Madeleia watched as her brother complimented and conned these women and was definitely impressed by his swagger, though she still wasn't totally sure about this plan's success. However, desperate times....

[Madeleia]

"Sis," T.J. proudly walked toward her trailing the trio of dancers that he had just hired. "This is Candy, Crystal and Diamond," he introduced, motioning to each voluptuous female in turn.


"Pleasure," she half grinned, still wondering in the back of her mind if this was a bad idea. Not like this club was only two blocks from Barrin's hideout or anything. Turning, she followed her brother and his entourage toward the main entrance, meandering back through the crowded tables and soon noticed the duo of Devaronians that looked a bit shocked, then suddenly amused as they also fell in behind her. Chuckling between themselves didn't sit well with the smuggler as they exited the loud establishment, though she was glad to be free of it finally. Having grown up in the sleezy backwater of Plagen, she had seen and heard it all at one point or another. What was missed was definitely made up for when she visited Corellia not that long ago.


Still smiling, the two gunmen following not that far behind her was starting to aggravate the blonde and she soon slowed her pace. "What's so funny?"


Eying her, they smirked as one finally spoke up, his chiseled teeth formed into long rows of fangs unnerving to most. "You taking them to the boss or going to enjoy their company yourselves?"


"Why?"


"Cause, if your brother thinks they'll be satisfying to Barrin, he's the owner of that club."


A fact that made her stop in her tracks, then turn her attention to T.J. "Hey, stop."


Turning as he escorted the girls, one on each arm. "What?"


"Not going to work, bro."


His brow furrowed in confusion. "What are you talking about? They're gorgeous."


"Not what I meant. Guess who owns that club?"


Now slowing his pace, the tall, gangly mechanic turned. "Who?"


Angling her head downward, she shot him that judging look which made his demeanor melt considerably.


"You're kidding."


"Wish I was." Motioning to the two guards, now chuckling, she could see the disappointment in her brother's face. "Waste of time and money."


"Honey," Candy purred, right hand now on her escort's chin. "Tonight's going to be a dream," she motioned to her two companions. "Well worth it, babe. I promise."


His heart rate accelerating, she could already tell he was about to get himself into trouble, so approached and yanked the brunette's hand from his face. "Goodbye. Nice meeting you." Waving them off, Madeleia's right hand fell to her stubbed carbine holstered on her right hip.


"Can't we just....," T.J. pressed as the girls broke from his embrace and began walking back toward the club. "Uhhh, you're killing me. Know that?"


"Not as badly as if Barrin takes my ship, oh streetwise guru," she shot back. "We need to get serious about this, right now."


Sighing, he continued watching the girls sashay through the crowd and soon disappear. Motioning to them, his pleading eyes gravitated to Madeleia. "Uhh. Why do you do things like that to me?"


"Keep you out of trouble? Still wondering that myself," she shook her head and stepped beyond him, now wondering where they were supposed to get these dancers now. The clock was ticking.

[Madeleia]

Hazel eyes soon spotted a holocom booth nearby and Madeleia immediately crossed through the speeder traffic toward it, her trio of males in tow. Meandering across the avenue, she soon reached the other side and made her way to the booth, praying it still worked properly. If she was going to get any answers, her boss needed to be the one to fill in the blanks. Noticing the door locked, the overhead occupancy light on, she stopped and waited, turning to her brother and tonight's personal entourage.

Glancing to the booth, T.J. smirked. "Don't think we're going to get Mouse to come all this way and get here by the morning."

"Not calling her," the smuggler crossed her arms impatiently, hoping whoever was in the booth now wasn't dead or talking to their long lost parents on Dantooine.

Sighing, he leaned against the back of a bench. "So, what's the plan then?"

"Want to see if Grym can illuminate our situation a little."

"Illuminate, really," T.J. chuckled lightly, glancing toward a passing group of female Twi'lek.

"Need me to spell that for you?"

"Don't be a bitch," he whispered, then immediately raised his left hand in defense, though too late as the slap connected with his left cheek. "OW! Damn."

Hating that word, hazel eyes narrowed as she felt her blood boil. "You know better."

"Relax. I was just kidding."

"No you weren't," she turned as the sound of the release on the booth's door now opened to reveal the gangly human male now stepping out, his brown hair matted to his head and matching the unkempt and large clothes he wore. "About time."

Getting in the face of a Sullustan male, the skinny street urchin's displeasure was immediately apparent. "You told me the twelfth," he yelled, forefinger in the alien's face now backpedaling. "I now find out they already got someone else for the gig. Thanks a lot."

Madeleia stepped into the booth, letting the fight ensue without her participation as she closed the door and turned to dial in the frequency that Grym had always used for his contacts. Scanning her, the two mounted holorecorders on either wall to her right and left mimicked the image now before her. "Hi," she greeted sarcastically. "Guess what?"

Lips pursed as he shrugged. "I give."

"Barrin wants his dancing girls which I didn't know he needed. So, where are they?"

"You left too fast. He called right as you two were heading out."

"Ah," she nodded. "So, this is my fault. Couldn't call me and let me know that we needed to turn around or make other arrangements? What the frak, dude?"

"Don't sweat it, I'll make a call and have Turyn drop them off on his way to Vinsoth." His narrowed eyes and agitated look a signature for the man. "Anything else?"

Shaking her head, she cut off the feed, turned and stepped out. <in progress=""></in>

[Rathe White]

Rathe had been listening to the as much of the conversation he could listen too. Barrin was not someone to mess with and it seemed the two siblings had missed something very important. What was worse was the fact they had tried stealing his own girls to give back to him. Rookie mistake. Either they didn't know what they were doing or they had been set up, it was as simple as that.

When the pretty blonde stepped out of the booth, certain she was the brains of the operation, Rathe approached casually. This T.J. didn't seem to be so keen about it though. Oh well, he just brushed the protest aside before it could even be uttered, and reached out with his hand to introduce himself to Madeleia.

"I'm Rathe, and I hear you have a problem with dancing girls. Now either the two of you are pretty dumb, or you are about to realize you've been set up to take the fall. If I were you I'd be looking for a way out, or someone who actually could get you some new girls. Fortunately for you, someone who can get you new girls found you."

He let the proposition sink in, or the offer of one. All the blonde had to do was ask what the deal was and they could begin negotiating. Fortunately the pirate had many connections, smuggled when he had to, and it afforded him his own independent network of associates which were not the nicest people to be seen with. They got the work done however, and Rathe could care less about their morals or ethics as long as they did. He didn't have to be like them, but the truth was, he kind of was. That was the pirate in him after all.

"If I were you, I'd follow me when I walk off."

Rathe turned and headed toward the direction the pair had just come from.

[Madeleia]

Noticing the handsome, dark haired man walk up, Madeleia initially moved to her right thinking he needed the booth, then was surprised at his insult. Brow furrowed as hands went to her hips, glancing to her brother and then the two Devaronian gunmen working for Barrin. "Did he just...?"

"Pretty much," T.J. nodded, eyeing the mysterious newcomer.

Mouth opening to reply, she again was taken aback by his arrogance and then realized that they were in that part of town right now, which meant guys like Rathe were a dime a dozen apparently. Moving to his right side, her brother and the mercs now falling in behind, hazel eyes took in his steel-blue. "Look, I don't know who you're usually dealing with, but calling someone an idiot, and then making me follow you like I owe you something is poor salesmanship. Just saying." Shaking her head, she kept in step with the handsome local, avoiding collisions with more seedy looking passersby. "How do you know Barrin anyway?"

"Bet this is another circle jerk like the one you got from Grym," T.J. interjected.

[Rathe White]

"Listen sweetheart, I'm about to save your pretty little ass okay. Everyone here knows Barrin, at least who he is. Whoever fed you the contract set you up, simple as that."

Rathe kept moving and made no indication that he was going to slow down. He was not comfortable with the fact some of Barrin's men were walking with them, but what was he going to do about it, nothing because Barrin wasn't a man to piss off. It was Rathe's arrogance which kept him alive, and he didn't see it as arrogance, but confidence. The pirate had to have a sense of bad manners to keep people from wanting to follow, usually. Unfortunately his salesmanship wasn't the best when he was being genuine. In this case he was. Why? A pretty face was a good enough reason wasn't it, and the fact he had overheard about her ship. A captain needed their ship.

"I didn't call you an idiot by the way, just observed one thing or another. You made the assumption."

The pirate ignored T.J. For the most part. He could say that he was dumb, but Rathe was certain his sister would not appreciate it. The only thing T.J. needed to learn was when to keep his mouth shut as far as he was concerned, though Rathe likely deserved the insult with his approach.

He led the group down a back alleyway and knocked on the old looking door. A slide compartment opened, then closed, before the door was opened to them. With a nod Rathe stepped in, lifting his finger to his lips indicating the other four needed to keep their mouths shut. He was going out a limb taking them to this place, but within a day it wouldn't be there anymore so he wasn't too concerned.

"You play your cards right and you walk away with three dancing girls. If you don't we are going to be getting shot at. Make sure you don't let your brother here do any of the talking, and don't let those thugs with you say anything about Barrin. If these people smell Barrin in this anywhere we are all in deep pooodoo okay."

[Madeleia]

His first reply made Madeleia's stomach churn to the point where she wished she could reach across several parsecs and strangle Grym with her bare hands. Following up with the second gained her attention once more, "Yes, you did. Dumb is pretty much the same thing. Some people got shot for that kind of shit back home," she added, knowing he knew nothing about her, even her name which he hadn't earned yet. Sighing, she then noticed their guide now divert to the alley and immediately her right hand fell to her T6, keeping her senses open and aware as neon lights were lost, giving way to more shadows and obstructions that were always great hiding places for drunks or thieves.

The warning gained her attention as she glanced back to T.J., "Hear that?"

"Not a problem. But, if this is all just another elaborate trap, can I shoot him first?"

Madeleia shook her head, "No," hazel eyes turned to Rathe. "That privilege is mine." Backing a step as they walked down the dank alley, she then turned sideways and slowed a bit, eyeing the two Devaronian. "Can you two keep who you work for on the downlow?"

"Not a problem," one replied.

Happy with that much, she turned back toward their unknown destination and hoped that this venture to Axxila wasn't about to end in a hail of gunfire.

[Rathe White]

Whatever... Rathe was not going to argue semantics with her. She was too pretty and too stubborn for that. The blonde could think what she wanted to about what he had said for all he cared. This is why Rathe was rarely a nice person, because he got slapped for it. He knew he would end up regretting this somehow. He usually did. Rathe never learned though, and just kept pushing them deeper into the belly of the beast.

The lighting was dim, and the smell of sweaty, compact bodies assaulted the nose. It was much like the smell of a room where a couple had just been engaged in a rather heated intimate affair except the body odor was stronger. About that time the realization would hit them that Rathe had led to the a slavers den, and this was where they were going to find their dancing girls for Barrin. If they pulled this off then the woman and her brother could turn the tables on whoever it was that set them up. This is why he worked independently of course, in this world anyone would stab you in the back if they had the chance to, anyone.

"We're just up ahead a few more meters," he said before they were stopped.

A large burly sort of transdoshan was standing guard, and that was enough to stop the group. Another male looked their way and sent over their boss. She was a petite sort of Zeltron, pretty, exotic, and one of Rathe's many past indiscretions.

"Well well, look what the cat dragged in," she said as her eyes looked over Rathe, then the group, stopping on Madeleia "Honey if I were you I'd run from this guy right now. He'll show you a great time, but always leaves ya filled with regret."

"Ouch, Inna, sweetheart. We didn't come here for any of that. They need some dancing girls is all, and I knew you were in town. Whatever you're doing its from them not me. Though... Any chance I can convince you to regret something a little later."


A hand reached out and slapped Rathe across the cheek. It stung.

"I'll take that as a no."

[Madeleia]

The growing reek in the air could be attributed to several things that she had come across in the past, but few things stank like body odor or other fluids that seemed to fill the narrow confines between the two large buildings. Slowing as the sight of the trio, especially the female, emerged in the dim light of a flickering glow lamp attached over a door to the far right, Madeleia was interested in the exchange between the female and their guide. So, he had quite the past. Not a surprise with a mug like that, she mused and smirked at the slap.

"Well, if showing me a good time means there aren't three girls here worth my time and money, then yes, I agree."

"Hmm," Inna grinned, motioning toward the door that she had stepped from. "I have a large selection, but how do I know you're not Sector Rangers or something?"

"Look, we can play this game all night, but I don't have the time." Noting the female's hesitation and the Trandoshan's eagerness to seek more favor from the Scorekeeper, she removed a credstick and held it up. "Buyer standing here, ready to deal or walk. Up to you."

Chuckling, the Zeltron slaver glanced to Rathe, "I like her."

[Rathe White]

Straight and to the point, Inna had always liked that, and well, so had Rathe. The pirate loosened up a bit with a smirk of his own when Inna mentioned she liked the woman. She wasn't dumb that was for certain. Time would tell how resourceful she was, but if it meant anything so far it was enough to make Rathe think he could work with someone again.

"You think I'd bring you anything less sweetheart" Rathe faked being hurt by the insinuation. "I might be no good for some things, but we both know this is something I've always been good at."

"And what exactly is that Rathe, finding pretty ladies to work with and use for your own advantage?" Inna smirked, but then dropped it. The game was already getting boring to her especially with credits in the air. She reached out and took the credit stick. "You've always brought me well paying buyers Rathe, I'll give you that. Almost makes up for breaking my heart."

So Rathe was a heart breaker now. That was news to him. Inna never seemed to be interested in anything but what he could do for her. That was the thing about scoundrels like them, they were guilty of most everything they hated in the rest of their kind. The transdoshan pls stepped out of the way letting the trio further into the den. Cages were lining either wall, several of them full, some empty.

They were led past the main chamber, deeper into a nicer kept section. This was where the dancing girls were kept. Their apprearance had to be maintained, no bruises, and they had to be well fed. No one wanted unhealthy women dancing for them. Rathe eyed the "nicer" accommodations these girls had. Most of them were Twi'leks, some Zeltrons were in the mix as well.

"So, does your contract specify a certain color," he asked Madeleia as she stopped just next to him.

[Madeleia]

As they continued following Inna into the slaver den, hazel eyes noted the unkept interior, dirty and probably only rented for a short time until money changed hands and Inna and her group would move on. Keeping on the move also kept every outlaw and criminal from being found by the authorities or rival gangs, especially when you were working in their territory. A tidbit that Madeleia kept to herself in case this deal went south for some reason. She was sure Barrin wouldn't mind knowing about a slaver setting up without paying him rent. But, that was for later as they turned into another room sporting caged slaves of varying ages and races. Her stomach turned a bit more at the thought of what these people had gone through and what they were headed for. Turning her attention forward, ignoring the stench and pitiful looks, the smuggler sighed lightly as she then took in the nicer accommodations for the pricier picks. Music played in the background, vainly muffling out male voices of a group in the next room playing cards and apparently enjoying two more females.

"Pick three," Inna stated, pleased in what she had to offer.

Nodding quietly, she could already hear T.J.'s thoughts even without looking at him as she perused the very attractive, shapely females well fed and cleaned often, apparently. She just wanted to get out of here and finish this delivery. Five seated on the large, comfortable looking bed rose, the Twi'lek's seemingly familiar with one another which would make things hard for them if three of them had to leave. Thoughts drifted through her minds as she scanned between the faces as Rathe asked her about choice. "Not really. Don't think he cares."

"Who," Inna inquired.

Hazel eyes glanced to the slaver, "These are gifts to a friend." Refraining from telling her who, Madeleia chose self preservation right now over the rights of these females before her.

Nodding quietly, the Zeltron didn't seem to care as long as she got paid.

Motioning to two tattooed and pierced Twi'lek, and then a smirking Zeltron, Madeleia had made her choice. "These three here."

"Alright," Inna smirked as she slid the credstick into her datapad and extracted the price, then handed the new owner back the slender, white device. "All yours."

"Thanks," she motioned to the trio to follow, then as she moved to leave, glanced back to Rathe. "Owe you a drink at least," she smirked before continuing toward the first of several doors to freedom.

[Rathe White]

Rathe chuckled at how T.J. couldn't keep his eyes off the ladies on the bed. They were very familiar with each other, and like the typical young man T.J. was captivated. This was exactly why men like Barrin wanted their dancing girls. It made men forget their brains and get talked out of more credits than they ever intended on spending. Then there was the interaction with Inna and Madeleia, who seemed to have things under control. He had to admit the blonde was pretty good at what she was doing. Her brain was certainly not missing a single step, and covered well when asked about who the girls were for.

"Thanks for the help, Inna," Rathe said when the transaction was complete. "Always a pleasure with you."

"The pleasure is always mine, believe me honey. Stick around long enough to catch up next time, hmmmm sugar?"

"You bet dearest," Rathe said following Madeleia out the den, and back toward the staircase. She said she owed him a drink at least. Damn right she did. He saved her butt, her ship, and whatever else Barrin would have done to her had she come back empty handed. The blonde may have figured something out, but Rathe had been in a Good Samaritan type of mood. It was rare, but Madeleia benefited for sure.

When they got clear of the building and back on the street it was the blonde's turn to lead the way. Rathe would have to be careful though. He wasn't exactly on the best terms with Barrin, a fact he neglected until about now.

"How about you wait on offering me that drink until we get out of this one. I'll go with you to Barrin's but not inside. Make your drop, get your ship, and then we can talk. I'm not sure you want me going into Barrin's place with you exactly."

[Madeleia]

Breathing a sigh of relief once they cleared the building and knowing that she had what she needed to keep herself and her brother alive as well as keeping her ship. A fact that would have made her more apt to start shooting her way out instead of letting their two hangers-on get their chance to enliven their night. Heading down the long alley, she turned to Rathe as they neared the street. "Take it you know him better than we do," she guessed, smirking. "Believe me, I'd rather keep my interactions with him as quick as possible too." Noticing in the corner of her eye how protective T.J. was all of a sudden of the trio of slavegirls, she shook her head, then looked back to the nearest corner and headed for it.

"Do we have to go straight to him," T.J. asked distractedly.

"Absolutely. Or I can tell Senka you've been cheating on her already."

Chuckling, the mechanic and her fellow smuggler apparently chose to reply to her while eyeing the Zeltron female. "Nice bartender over at Casey's that we met earlier. Just a nice girl, that's all. I can't talk to an attractive female without everyone thinking that I want to sleep with them?"

"Yeah, wonder where I got that idea," Madeleia asked, glancing to Rathe. "You have any brothers or sisters that you regret not strangling when they were little?"

"Don't listen to her, buddy. She loves me."

"Yeah, like a rash."

[Rathe White]

"Oh I know him alright. Still trying to pay off my debt from dumping the last batch of cargo he had me haul for'im. Run into a little trouble, and the illegal stuff has to go, but these guys never understand that..."

Rathe laughed at the interaction between brother and sister. It was a classic thing to watch. Too bad he didn't know what that was like. The pirate was like most, if he had family he didn't know it. What Rathe did now was something he was raised doing, and it sure beat anything else someone of his poor socioeconomic background could have been doing on a world like this.

"No siblings, but plenty of people I could strangle. Inna back there... closest to a sibling you could say I guess."

His attention, and comments turned to TJ for once.

"Sorry T.J. but you're pretty predictable. You've been banging all three of these girls in your head before we walked out the door with them. The smug look it all over your face no matter how you try to hide it. Gotta teach you to hide your intentions a little bit better other wise you're gonna get your sister into some trouble in the future."

Rathe turned back to the blonde as they approached where Barrin was holding out. He sure hoped she made this quick.

"Your call. You want me in or out, cuz I'm staying here if you don't. I still want that drink though so don't go skipping out on me, beautiful."

[Madeleia]

Madeleia grinned as Rathe tried to school her brother and though she had plenty of long talks with him, she understood her brother and knowing how he operated helped her in tight spots. They were close, but outsiders didn't quite understand how those from Plagen showed their affections. Typically with several punches and more than a few bruises. Chuckling as her new friend now tried worming his way into her affections, as they approached the apartment building, she slowed and turned to him. "Won't take long, so don't see a reason for you to get involved with him unless you hear any blaster fire," she stated, glancing to the pair of Devaronian now making their way to the door and entering.

Leading the girls into the main lobby, T.J. playfully smacked Rathe on the arm, "Difference between us is I've never slept with my sister, since you like Inna that much. But, you know, hey," he shrugged, chuckling as he moved inside, following the dancers.

"Ignore him," Madeleia grinned and moved to follow. "I won't guarantee that those two thugs won't tell him you're out here, so."

Heading inside, she watched as T.J. had already started telling the Weequay doorman about how he had purchased these girls for Barrin. Typical of her brother, she could already see his foot nearing his mouth.

"Got 'em before sunrise," the large, muscled mercenary grinned and keyed in a message to his boss. "Lucky for you. We were already assessing your YT too."

A comment that melted Madeleia's expression as she felt a wash of adrenaline through her body. "No need now." Her tone darkening, T.J. eased from the trio of slavegirls and his hands lowered as the hovering probe droid descended the stair once more. Within moments their benefactor's image was cast to the floor, now looming over them.

"I see you didn't have any trouble finding me some entertainment and though they're not my normal choices, they'll do," his deep voice boomed. His long, bulbous head turned to the Weequay, "Arrange for transfer of the cargo and pay these worms, then get them out of here."

"Yes, sir."

Breathing a sigh of relief, Madeleia watched as the two Twi'lek and Zeltron were escorted upstairs by the two Devaronian guards, soon disappearing in time with the probe droid. "I'll go have the cargo bay opened up and your guys can get their items," Madeleia stated.

Nodding, the dark toned guard keyed in another frequency and made the arrangements. "Once the crates are unloaded, they'll have your money," he informed.

Though she wasn't totally keen on that arrangement, she had already gotten herself in over her head with this deal, but at least T.J. had learned a few things. "Thanks." Turning, she led her brother back outside.

[Rathe White]

Rathe waited for what seemed an eternity, though it had only been five minutes. In that time the pirate accomplished to lean against the wall by the door, light a cigara, and start smoking. In fact he was smoking it as the pair walked out without the girls, but also it seemed with no credits, and no ship anywhere to be seen. Was something wrong? Nah, it was likely just Barrin being Barrin again. Rathe exhaled the smoke and stamped the the cigara out on the bottom of his boot as he turned to look at the woman.

"Everything go okay in there, you don't look happy." She didn't either. Rathe knew when a woman looked upset. He'd pissed enough of them off. Still he didn't like it, especially when one was trying to get in good with the woman. "You get your ship back?"

This was one of those navigate carefully type situations. If Rathe said the wrong thing he was going to be in trouble. Usually he didn't care about being in trouble, but these two were good, even T.J. if Rathe was forced to admit it. The pirate could use them for bigger jobs than they could pull alone. Their instincts were good, and had Rathe spotted some grease on the boy? If he was a mechanic well that was a bonus.

​"You're not dead and no blaster fire, so that's good right?"

[Madeleia]

Walking out into the cooler air, night continuing on with the traffic never seeming to lighten in this neighborhood. Though she assumed that most of them were either undercover cops or gangsters out with their crew or girlfriends. Noticing Rathe's silhouette to her right, she grinned knowing he wasn't going to pass up another chance to hang with them a bit longer. Door closed behind them now, T.J. also a bit quieter. "They didn't take the ship, but I have to go supervise the offload of their cargo, then we can hit that bar if you wanted."

Chuckling at his second comment, she shook her head and even though everything seemed good so far, something about buying those girls and then turning them over to the crimelord still didn't sit right. "Nope, got to leave the Thunderer in the holster this time." Turning, she began heading for the hangar complex. "Any one you walk away from, right?"

[Rathe White]

"Well Barrin is just milking you for all he can get out of you isn't he," Rathe said as he followed along. At least Madeleia wasn't trying to ditch him or telling him to shove it. In fact, she seemed a bit more amiable than before. Now that her ship was safe, she must have been able to get some of that stress off her mind. "I'll hang out with ya at your ship. Hate to see Barrin cheat you out of your credits. He's known to be stingy that way."

Rathe had yet to really tell why he knew Barrin so well. They were old business partners, Inna too. That's why they had to be quiet about who the dancing girls were going to. Barrin had screwed them all over after having to dump the cargo, and Rathe and Inna both were trying to get payback in their own right. This led to a difference on how to do that however. Rathe was a not nice man, but slaves, he didn't mess in that. He still kept tabs on Inna though. He had to know she was safe.

"Hey, it's okay for you to walk away and still feel bad about the deal. It sucks to walk away when you want to do more and can't because you're outnumbered 30 guns to 2. Only way to deal with guys like Barrin is friends you can trust, and contacts you can't, but hate him more than you can't trust them."

Rathe nudged Madeleia's shoulder and smiled at her.

"C'mon gorgeous, let's get your ship back and then go have that drink. Oh, and you guys gonna give me names or I gotta give you nicknames this whole time?"

[Madeleia]

Listening to his commentary about how to do business on Axxila, Madeleia was more intrigued now about how he and Inna actually knew one another, but felt safer not asking right now. Typically getting deeper into an outlaw's life story usually got you dragged down with them and the last thing she needed right now was more trouble on this industrial nightmare. She had enough of her own issues with acquaintances and supposed family.

Hazel eyes turned toward the sidewalk as she noticed the raised crosswalk that conjoined the parking garage with the starport and as he nudged her playfully, the smuggler glanced at him sidelong. "Madeleia and this is my brother, T.J.," she motioned to her left to the quieter mechanic, his cap worn backwards as usual when on a contract.

Nodding to Rathe with an upraised chin, the twenty-five year old grinned, "Gorgeous isn't going to win any more points with her," T.J. chuckled. "Many have tried and crashed and burned," he informed, keeping his eyes now on the thinning crowd as they neared the busier starport.

"Yeah," Madie's face melted a bit as she also now kept a closer eye on those around them moving toward the crosswalk. "We'll leave that one alone for now."

[Rathe White]

"Madeleia, nice name, pretty sounding. T.J. not bad either. I'm Rathe. I'd give you a last name but it's just an alias. I'm not sure I even have one to be honest."

Rathe chuckled at T.J.'s advice. The pirate was not one to crash and burn. There were three types of women in the galaxy and Rathe had known them all. There was the kind who would do anything male attention, and they were pretty easy. The kind that made you work for it, and they hard, but well worth the effort. The third kind, well you just avoided them. Madeleia didn't strike Rathe as the third kind though.

His eyes moved when hers did. Rathe was quick to pick up on the fact she was watching the company which they were about to be joining in the spaceport. The pirate just nodded.

"Best if we do poppet. We can always pick it back up over that drink you promised.

Rathe just grinned as he looked to T.J. just a reminder the drink had been her idea. It was too fun to tease T.J. and the poor lad left himself wide open for it.

"Let's worry about your sister's ship right now huh? We can trade jabs later."

[Madeleia]

"Not a problem, sport," T.J. replied as they got the clearance from the small standing light to cross, avoiding traffic now stopped. "Ship better be there or I'm going back to Barrin's and taking those girls back."

"That's not even funny," Madeleia eyed him askance, a glare that he was all too familiar with as they soon reached the far side. "Becoming suicidal isn't any way to finish a contract and be able to spend credits on that junker you left in the cargo bay."

"Junker? Wow," the tall, gangly bike enthusiast acted hurt. "That Firebird is a one of a kind and when it runs, you'll be drooling all over that new jacket of yours." Leaning forward, he motioned to his sister with his thumb. "Get her? Classic bike they only made twenty of and I have the only working model."

"Working is a bit of an overstatement," Madeleia countered as they neared the front entrance to the starport and entered as the double doors slid aside.

"Will be. Already got the parts on order." T.J. chuckled. "She's just jealous that I was the one that found it."

Shaking her head, she glanced to Rathe. "Please, shoot me."

[Rathe White]

"I don't know about shooting you. You still owe me that drink, and I kinda like this sibling banter going around. Besides how am I gonna prove T.J. wrong if I shoot you?"

Rathe was enjoying the banter just a tad too much. It had been a while since had been in a setting with people who that close. It was refreshing, and also reminded him of what he had lost. Maybe it could be there again, but that was something he wasn't going to bring up. The blonde and her brother likely were not looking for a partner in crime. Then again, why shouldn't they be. It wasn't like Rathe had not made himself useful to them.

"I like a good soeeder bike myself, but the real money is custom work. If you're any good at getting this classic restored you should consider custom choppers."

He smiled with the encouragement to get into honest work if he could. He could tell T.J. had the knack for fixing things the way he talked about the bike. Honest work was always a steady source of income and had a longer life expectancy rate. Guys like Rathe, they didn't last long, and the ones who did were constantly looking over their shoulders. The near thirty year old was old for their line of work and he knew it. If he could spare T.J. then maybe he was doing a good thing.

"I can't wait to see this bike, and this ship... you know... if you need an extra mate... I can pull my weight."

[Madeleia]

"Wanna talk about swoops," T.J. began, "Need to talk to her. That's her area of expertise. Me, I like speeders and bikes, never got into the racing stuff."

Madeleia then listened as Rathe all of a sudden wanted to be a part of their crew and was a bit taken aback as they turned into the large, open starport's main lobby and headed for the stair. "Thought you were already in business," she queried. "Also, don't think I want you bringing your bad rep with Barrin down on us. Nothing personal." She still wasn't even sure what it was that he did for a living besides make bad choices with women.

Descending the wide stair, she guided both males toward the right, then continued toward one of the many corridors that led to the host of docking bays.

"What do you do, anyway," T.J. asked, passing a large group of Duro chattering on in their unique language.

[Rathe White]

"No skin off my back. I'm in business for myself, but can't always get the work I want alone."

Rathe shrugged it off as he followed Madeleia back around the corner. They should be nearing the ship at this point and Rathe still wanted to see it. T.J. asked what he did. Great question. Rathe wasn't exactly keen on sharing everything, but what he would share, he did. The thing was Rathe did have his own reputation, and it wasn't always a good one. The Pirate had been around the block a few times in his career, and that meant he'd pissed off quite a few people.

"I've been in a bit of everything. Mostly I smuggle these days, but when I have a crew, well then we make raids. I'd rather hit a cargo transport any day then have to smuggle the goods and worry about pirates myself. I guess you could call me a pirate if you wanted to. It's why Barrin doesn't like me so much. His taste in crime has always been a bit more sophisticated than the much simpler version I prefer."

He was a criminal, but they all were. T.J. and Madeleia had to admit they were criminals at some point. Yes the worked in certain areas, but smuggling, that wasn't exactly legal. Rathe was working on being a "cleaner" criminal, but there was a part of him that still loved the thrill of the chase and the rush of a good fight.

[Madeleia]

So, there it was she mused as they neared the entrance to their docking bay, entering the temporary code they were given, she pushed the button afterward and heard the click within the massive blast door. "Sophisticated," T.J. smirked. "Wow, we've graduated Madie. Isn't that awesome?"

Chuckling, she turned and as the door opened, she glanced into the large waiting room full of holoprojectors advertising many of the businesses here on Axxila as well as latest news feeds from around the galaxy as the trio entered. Turning left now, she noticed how empty the lobby here was, since no one had wished to hire them for passage, she felt a bit better that there weren't any unexpected guests seated in here right now. Continuing on toward the main entrance to the hangar, she glanced to Rathe, "Sure you want to come in here with us? These guys all work for him too," she shrugged, knowing if his debt was as important to the crimelord as Rathe's life was to him, there could be a problem.

Letting him decide, boots continued pounding off of the duracrete floor as she and T.J. rounded the corner to see the Auburn Sunrise still parked where they left it. "That's a sight for sore eyes," she commented. The YT 2400 had many upgrades, though most were unseen and under the hood, as it were. Evader GT's had been installed before she inherited the vessel, but many of the smaller tweaks had been all her and T.J., but the group now lingering around the empty cargo skiff weren't who now turned to see the pair approaching. Their supervisor a Weequay and not the doorman at Barrin's apartment building, which was a relief.

[Rathe White]

"I'm not concerned about these guys," he said pulling the band out of his ponytail and letting his hair hang loose and hide his face. "They aren't about to recognize me."

The pirate grinned as he rolled in behind Madeleia and T.J. First rule was they always looked at the first guy, never the rest. Since Madeleia was supposed to be there, the assumption was Rathe was too. They'd never stop to look close enough. All Rathe had to do was keep walking like he belonged there. If that meant boarding the ship the he would do that too.

The blonde flew a YT-2400. They weren't Rathe's favorite, but better than nothing. The design always seemed an awkward one to him, and the pirate hated awkward. He loved Corellian engineering though, so the ship made up for it in those ways. Corellians made their ships highly customizable, and that was everything in the smuggler's world.

"There is a bar on the otherside. I'll wait for you there. Just in case."

[Madeleia]

"Suit yourself," she replied, keeping an eye more on the crew that the Weequay had brought with him, now perked up and listening to a call on his comlink, then nodded. "T.J., open up the cargo bay from the inside, and keep an eye on these guys," she stated in low tones.

"Okay," he replied, then diverted toward the access panel for the ramp as Rathe also headed in a different direction, leaving Madeleia alone with five hired loaders. Two Twi'lek, one Rodian, one Human and a Devaronian, all now dropping off of the skiff and walking casually toward the cargo entrance that would be lowering shortly. Another thing that caught her attention was all of them were armed, either shoulder holstered or belly and she felt the air tense a bit. Or was that her? Once her brother was inside, she moved toward the nearest landing strut and kept all of them in her sights, the Weequay apparently only here to supervise aboard the skiff, which gave him half cover as well. Right hand lowering to her T6, she leaned on the strut and soon heard the cargo bay lower and eventually tap the ground, servos whining in protest which soon quietened. Their shipment now in full view, stacked neatly on a pallet which they began unloading by hand. "No lifter droids around here," she queried to the Weequay.

"Nah," he shook his head, leaning on the rail. "These guys are cheaper," he grinned, still keeping an eye on her as well. "They break down we just grab another one off the street."

Nodding, she grinned and returned her gaze to the loaders, all seeming to glance between her and their boss as if waiting for something....

[Rathe White]

Rathe just continued toward the bar feeling the tension in the air. He knew what was about to go down, and that's why he wanted the drink. He looked at the barkeep, a yellow hued Twi'lek with all her wares hanging out. Her outfit left little to the imagination, which brought a smirk to Rathe's face. He peeked, it was only natual. Rathe took a shot of whiskey, and reached down to his DL-44.

Two men came up from behind, one placing a hand on his shoulder. A smile crept on his face as the man's face as Rathe looked over his shoulder. Rathe returned the smile as his hand slowly unsheathed his blaster. Pulling it out slowly, Rathe pointed the muzzle at the man's knee. His other hand patted the other man on the hand as he squeezed the trigger and blasted the knee of one before quickly shooting the other man in the face. All the crew, they were hitmen of Barrin's. This whole thing was a set up.

With two men dead Rathe took another shot of whiskey and walked back toward the shuttle bay. He stayed around the corner to watch was about to go down. If Madeleia needed him, Rathe was there. No way he was letting blondie out of his sight especially when she owed him a drink and he wanted to stay on her good side.

[Madeleia]

As the first two reached the skiff with their crates, she waited for that signature twitch or movement that symbolized a firefight was about to go down, though as she noticed the Weequay's left arm drop as the line of loaders were now nearing his vehicle, she didn't hesitate. Speed drawing the T6, it's holster cut down the front for easy access, she leveled it upward from her hip and snapshot at the supervisor, the explosion of the carbine catching everyone's attention. The bolt hitting him in the lower abdomen, he doubled over, dropping whatever he had gone for. Dodging behind the landing strut, Madeleia now switched her aim to the first two now turning and moving to draw, both Twi'lek apparently having some foreknowledge of what was supposed to happen here. Firing once into the chest of the first, she kept on the assault, shifting to the second as his partner's left arm went to the wound as he fell to his backside. Another shot as his blue skinned companion drew his pistol from his belly holster at his lower back, she knew it would never be fast enough for someone who's weapon was already out.

Another explosion from the T6 echoed in the large hangar, no doubt security being alerted if Barrin hadn't already paid them to take a smoke break, the third now wounded, his weapon arm useless at the elbow.

Wondering now where T.J. was, Madeleia moved her aim toward the last three who had now already dropped their crates and ran for cover, the human behind a far landing strut while the Rodian and Devaronian went farther, jumping behind the fuel servicing station. What a mistake.