Alone In The Station [Nallia]

[Syravari Elik]

Putting an asterisk next to both names, he knew now that it was a great thing that they had found one another again. "I don't trust any of our contacts initially, even when we've known each other a while. Most of these guys that we deal with are criminals, so that goes without saying." He mused on the life that he was asking her to be a part of now and knew there were a lot of things that she needed to learn, beyond the business side of things. "Which means that you're going to have to learn how to defend yourself." Steel-blue eyes looked up to her. "Not too late to make a run for it," he grinned, hoping that she wouldn't and assumed that his concerns were unwarranted. He had seen this look before and knew she was hooked now, but it still felt odd to assume things right now.

Growing up in a brothel was starting to pay off, it seemed.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia laughed, "Honor among thieves, but not trust."
When she hard him ask about staying, she nodded. "You don't think I'd run, do you? I just got you back."

Realizing what she said, she blushed and nodded. "And I guess by 'defending myself' you mean fighting?"

The idea of actually learning to fight wasn't as scary as some things in her life. She could already kick, bite and claw with the best of them. But something told her if she were up against anyone with half a brain, it wouldn't be enough.

"What do you want me to learn? And who's gonna teach me?" She knew that if it were serious, Syra wouldn't think twice about dumping her with someone for a couple weeks to learn what she needed. Despite being his lover, she had a feeling the ship and crew as a whole were sill his primary concerns. And she was a weak link right now.

She just didn't realize she was 'his' weak link, as much as he was hers.

[Syravari Elik]

"Once we get back from the meeting I can start training you how to shoot. Rather you know that first," he stated, knowing firing a blaster was typically the easiest and quickest skill to pick up. "Might come in handy here and I know for a fact it will once we leave and get back to work." Sniffing, he glanced again to the computer screen as it's random symbology rotated quietly. "There's a firing range up a level so we can start there. I don't have anything here aboard that would suffice, and I'd rather most of my crew know how already, but," he shrugged, returning his attention back to her again. "Don't worry about it, we'll get you situated before you get into any firefight."

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia nearly laughed when Syramentioned her learning to fire a pistol. “You really are desperate,aren't you?” But she knew he was right. If she couldn't helpprotect him and the ship, then staying in the galley was her onlyoption. And that didn't sit right with her.


Despite her anxiety at firing a weapon,she knew her new lover wouldn't steer her wrong. Nodding as sheglanced at the screen after him, she turned back to smile. “I willbecome the best shot you know.” She assured him. It might take awhile, but she would make sure every lesson he taught her she wouldtake seriously and excel at. How else would she be able to help thosewho couldn't help themselves.


How could she help Syra, Brannoc andthe rest, then she wasn't really worth the rescuing was she?


“Is there anything I need to knowabout this guy we are meeting this afternoon? I don't have to sitwith you while you talk business, unless you want me there. So longas I can keep an eye on you,” she winked and set her hand on hischest, “then I will be content with that.” She knew it would be aslow process, being allowed information and learning the ropes. Butthe fact he was willing to let her tag along, though she sensed itwas partially because he didn't trust the others not to give hergrief about their new relationship, was a big step. Something shewouldn't have imagined in the Syra she knew a month ago.


She wondered what really happened tohim to cause such a change.

[Syravari Elik]

"If you're going with me, then you'll be sitting next to me. Devon's got at least four with him at all times, so Brannoc and Eddie will be there with us just in case. This guy's not going to pass up on money and we've already established that the casino's going to draw a lot of business that he may be able to help cash in on with shipments of various types of rare alcohol and things like that. He blows this and he's ass out as well," his demeanor sobered as he glanced toward the door on the opposite side of the room. "Then I'd have to kill him and take the warehouse anyway."

Glancing at his chronometer, he knew they should probably get going so patted her on the hip and thigh with the left hand that hadn't left yet. "Come on, let's get the guys and get this over with." Rising after her, he followed to the entryway and tapped on the comm panel to the left of the door. "Brannoc, you and Eddie meet us at the ramp."

"Be right there," Brannoc's signature voice replied.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia was glad she wouldn't be theonly one at his side. She bit back a squeals as he slapped her hip,unable to reach her backside. Laughing as she kissed him she rose andfollowed him as they left.


A thought struck her as they wereheading down the hallway to meet the others. “Just curious... wouldyou consider letting him use the Casino as a place to ship elsewherefrom? You may get a tighter hold if you offer to be a small waystation for him. Being able to cut one more station out of his stopsmay not only make him more eager to join and behave, but give youextra leverage if he starts to sour. And knowing who HIS customersare, because of them coming there, would also give you an additionbusiness base to draw from as you grow.”


As they rounded the final corner andsaw the others, she finished. “If you are just another purchaser,you have no leg to stand on other than his lost money if he tries topull out on a cranky day.” She paused to wave to the others smilingand continued. “But if you are a station point, then he couldn'tjust pull his business without losing more than just his cut at thecasino.” She knew it made sense in her mind, she just hoped it didcoming out of her mouth. “The Overseers liked that most about beinga switching station as well as resupply. If someone got ornery, theycouldn't just pull out. If they did they also lost all the businessthat picked their goods up from the station. Wasn't sure if somethinglike that was a consideration. Just a thought.” She grabbed herleather jacket from the hook at the entry to the bay slid her bootknife out setting it on the shelf. She didn't trust the station tonot 'lose it' and no weapons were allowed. Seemed easier to justleast it on the ship.

[Syravari Elik]

Listening to her ideas, he was pleased that she wasn't just a great cook and pretty face as they headed for the main lobby aboard his yacht. Nodding, "Good idea. May have to put you in charge of finance once we get things going, and help me with the business side of things," he motioned to Brannoc and Eddie as they approached the two pirates. "They have no clue."

Brannoc smiled wryly, "Yeah, yeah".

Armed and ready, they left the Grosetto and headed into the deeper parts of Cloud City's underbelly. The eventual address of his new casino which lay on one of the main thoroughfares and Syravari was excited about all the ideas that he had in mind for the business. Hopefully Molly would help with the brothel side of the business and with that, just a few more key people to find and hire to keep an eye on things while they were away on the main moneymaker. As they approached the warehouse district, he became quieter as steel-blue eyes scanned alleys and those hanging around a maroon colored speeder in the avenue, brightened by the overhead lights and luma lamps on the fronts of each large building to either side. Soon, he noticed Devon who straightened and took in the entourage with the pirate and slaver. "Showtime," Syravari stated.

[Nallia Oberon]

The brunette laughed as Syra mentioned putting her in charge of finance. "I don't know about that!" She laughed. "I know a thing or two about people, that's all. You learn a lot when folks treat you like you are invisible. But I don't know anything about keeping books or payroll." She knew she could help, but even she wouldn't get ahead of herself and pretend she could handle anything he tossed at her.

As they joined up with the others, she smiled and nodded. Brannoc looked from her to Syra and back again. His smile grew brighter and he merely nodded before falling into step with the group. "'Bout time..." he muttered and coughed as Nallia frowned at him.

Nallia had grown up shuddering in the face of the type of men they were approaching. But even as she felt that side of her rising to the surface, she glanced sideways as Syravari. She was to he a partner, and lover, to the man then she had to straighten up and pretend they were the type of men she dealt with every day. Cloud City was enough like a station to not intimidate the space girl, but still open enough to make her realize that her upbringing had been lacking and the worlds and galaxies around her were full of wonder.

As Syra mentioned Showtime, the girl settled her shoulders square and kept just behind and to his left. Brannoc was behind and right and Eddie brought up the back of the diamond shaped entourage.

[Syravari Elik]

"Was hoping you'd make it," Devon greeted, glancing to the pair of gunmen, then to the young woman with them, smiling. "Damn, you sure know how to pick 'em," the mercenary's gaze returned to the slaver. "She have a sister, or you up for sharing?"

Not amused in the least, "No and no," his tone more than evident and Syravari was finding how much easier it was to get to that point now, having shared his most intimate moments recently with Nallia. "Let's just get down to business. How's that?"

"Okay," Devon grinned, nodding. Turning, he motioned to the datapad laying on the hood of his speeder and picked it up, handing it to the new owner. "Everything's there, just sign and date on the bottom." His hands lowered to his sides, continuing to eye Nallia as Syravari began reading.

Brannoc and Eddie keeping an eye on the others in attendance, not all of them males, Syravari noticed how both of his men stepped to either side a bit, keeping better angles on the other group. Perusing the main points of the contract, he knew the previous owner was going to try and get everything he could for the property, but money wasn't an issue right now and Syravari knew he was going to make more than enough in the first year to cover it. Removing the stylus on the side, he began signing his name and then dated the entry and once done, took out his own comlink and inserted it into the small slot on the top right corner, gaining a copy of the contract. Now that the formalities were completed, he retrieved his comlink and slipped the slender, white device into his jacket and handed the datapad back to Devon.

Glancing over the signature, the mercenary then handed him the passcard to the locked building. "Looking forward to this place," he stated, handing the datapad back to his Twi'lek associate. "Heard you're going to have a brothel as well," he smiled, eyeing Nallia up and down. "Going to make a ton."

"That's the plan," he replied, knowing they were all going to look, but touching was another matter entirely. "See ya around."

"Yep," Devon winked at Nallia.

[Nallia Oberon]

It took every ounce of self control tonot want to take a swing at the man who propositioned her thru Syra.But as Syra's negative responses sounded loud and clear, withabsolutely no room for misunderstanding, she settled for tighteningher fists and remaining a bit more behind him as Eddie stepped to herleft to cover them all a little better should trouble ensue.


When everything was said and done, shewatched her lover slip the data stick into his pocket and she halfturned to go. Unfortunately it wasn't quick enough to miss the winkthe man gave her. Without thinking, she muttered under her breath asshe turned, “Not a chance...” She then bit her lip and hoped noone heard her. It wasn't her intention to start trouble, and shehoped it wasn't going to happen by accident. With her back to thebusinessmen, she scanned behind them to make sure no one was movingin at some silent order given by the stranger.

[Syravari Elik]

Devon chuckled as Syravari and his pair of gunmen turned to leave, "Definitely like her spirit," he complimented sarcastically. "Might wanna keep a tighter leash on her before she gets into trouble."

Not appreciating the stab, the pirate and slaver's eyes narrowed through the dark glasses that he wore. "Worry about yourself," he warned. A statement that garnered more than one sneer and move toward a weapon, though none drew. Smartly. Continuing on now that the veiled threat had gone unanswered, Syravari kept Nallia close and in front of him as they moved, waiting for that signature sound of a weapon sliding from a holster, but none came as the quartet soon disappeared into the crowded walk.

"Want me to pay him a visit later," Brannoc inquired, stone faced.

"Nah," Syravari replied, right hand on Nallia's right shoulder. "He makes a move, I'll do it myself."

Nodding lightly, as if disappointed, they headed for the nearest turbolift cluster and soon left that lower suburb, heading back to the ship.

[Nallia Oberon]

Nallia apologized as they reached thelift's upper destination. Syra's dismissal of it eased her mind alittle, but she also knew she would have to learn to bite her tongueor one day they wouldn't get so lucky.


With Syra's hand on her shoulder, shefelt better and let her pace match his as she moved closer. Back atthe ship, she watched the others go off to do their thing. Turning toSyra, she laughed. “Guess I will go see to making sure yourfavorite steak is on board for dinner.” She rose and kissed hischeek. “Can't have the celebration dinner on slop.”


Before he could stop her to say thatwasn't her job anymore, she ran off, tossing her jacket onto the hookand grabbing her knife off the shelf to shove back in her bootmidstride.