Fandom Edge of the Empire and the Age of Rebellion

[Pash Odir]

The wince had been seen, turns out she cared more about his opinion of her than he thought. He kept his view firmly on the display, a few hours in hyperspace followed by some artistic flying through that field. His eyes though were itching to check on Ardana


"Is everything alright?"


The Rodian had brought in some caff, he never bothered to remember her name but no need to be rude


"Yes thanks, oh and thanks for the Caff, i could do with some of that stuff urgently, Ardana?"


"Leave it on the side please" Wow and there it goes back to cold hearted Ardana it is, what was it with her and women?


"Okay miss" and with that the Rodian exits nervously


"You dont have to be so mean, her brother could be in a lot of danger"


"Yeah but doesnt mean i have to be cosy with her, she isnt part of the job"


"Fine, im going to check the turrets, if you find me sleeping at one dont wake me"


"I'm not going to check Pash, do as you wish"

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

And just like that the moment was gone. Her eyes fell back to hyperspace emotinal walls fully back in place. Once she was alone again she picked up the caff that the rodian had bought, taking a big sip before resting back in her chair. It was there that she dozed off, the half finished cup of caff resting just beside her.


She was a dancer, the grand palace, painted in decadent golds and greens was her home. No this wanst right, she had left this place behind. She swore that never again would she be subjected to this slavery. And yet, there towering before her stood the slobbering form of Borvo the Hutt. It wasnt him who drew her eye, but the human male stood there beside him. She'd know that mop of black hair and those violet eyes anywhere. Pash.


"This one was trying to escape." He told his employer, who looked less than pleased, bellowing in huttese the order for her death. There was no remorse in Pash's eyes as his blaster leveled at her.


"No!" She woke with a start, the noise was not the firing of a blaster but the alarm, warning her they were just about to drop out of hyperspace. She rubbed her eyes feeling a little unsettled by the dream but concentrated on what she now had to do. There was an asteroid field between them and where they were going, and she was the one who had to get them there. She turned to the astromech droid as they dropped out.


"Get me the most dierct route through this place." She commanded and with a few melodic toots the R2 droid obliged. She put the hastily drawn up map on screen and began their journey through this death trap.


"Come on Ards you can do this." She muttered steadying her breathing and her hands. the asteroid feild was daunting, one hit from one of the larger pieces and they were done for. She looked over at the little astromech droid who was helping her keep the ship steady and updating the map of the path before them. She hit the ships communication with her left hand, wincing a little at the motion. "Get to those guns please boys. More than likely they have some anti-ship defences i'm going to need you to take out. " As though on que through the asteroids, a man made blip appeared on her sensors. "What the heck is that?" She asked out loud.

 

[Pash Odir]

Pash woke to the sound of alarms, ironically the same sound that had plagued his dreams with blasterfire. Sitting up in his seat he heard the call of "Anti-ship defences i'm going to need you to take out" before checking his slaved datapad and running a quick scan on the system. Rocks were everywhere but this huge asteroid dwarfed the rest. Give it a few billion years and it would be planet sized but Pash only cared about the small anti-ship drone that was orbiting.


"Do you think we can sneak past it?"


"Not a chance in hell Pash itll warn all inside, rather fight them out here"


"Okay then, lining up"


His hands steady up as if he is threading a needle, eyes focusing and *ZAP* laser cannon away, hitting but hardly damaging the ship


"Damnit that thing is tough"


"Yeah and it's yowling now"


Sure enough a signal was being sent out down to the asteroid below. Before long a Z-TIE ugly was on its way


"Shoot that sonnbitch guys i cant outmaneuver that ugly!"

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

"Shit" She said as the ugly appeared on her sensors. It bay have been a hideous cross between starfighters, but it still had much more manouverability that she did. She juked to the left, the sound of smaller rocks impacting the shields distracting her for a second. The ugly opened fire on then, and she did her best to avoid the laser fire. Jayne opened fire on the ugly, scoring several hits blackening the hull. She juked again, applying the etheric rudder to make a sharp turn to the right, putting an asteroid between them and the next burts of laser fire. The large asteroid shattered allowing the fire from Pash's guns to hit through the debris.


"Nice shot." She said over the coms, breaking from the asteroid field and speeding towards their destination.

 

[Pash Odir]

"Not bad at all Pash" Speaking to oneself was not the sign of sanity but considering he was a live he could do with some congratulating every once in a while. The asteroid itself looked lifeless but scans showed three energy signatures. Heading for the biggest Ardana performed some amazing bits of flying inside the tunnel keeping the ship steady.


"We are coming up on the cave now Pash" And so they were, a huge cavern, desolate but for a medium freighter in one corner, surrounded by crates of spice.


"Okay bring us in close, lets find out who is round here, Jayne stay on the lower guns we may need fire support, everyone else with me"

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

She set the ship down softly and jumped up, quickly changing out of the over sized shirt, in to her usual tight fitted vest. Before turning and sprinting through the ship to join the others. The bandage over her shoulder was still visible beneath her brown leather vest, but she seemed alert enough. Her blaster was already in her hand, prepared for whatever they faced here. There was a chill in the cavern, that raised goosebumps along Ardannas arms.


"Its too quiet." She said looking about her. Arlak shifted his gun, the Trandoshan clearly on egde.

 

[Pash Odir]

They moved cautiously, Pash at the front this time after a furiously whispered arguement with Ardana, blaster rifle at the ready. The asteroid had obviously gotten atmosphere from somewhere . The ship looked empty, cavernous as it was the cargo bay was only looked partially filled. Cautiously each corridoor was checked, slowly but surely each compartment was opened until finally the cockpit was reached with Bandin Doba sitting in the flight chair.


"Hold it Doba!"


"Ah it is nice of you to finally join us, did you really have to search every room?"


"You looked relaxed for someone about to rot in an imperial mining cell for the rest of his life"


"Oh im sorry mr um Odir was it? I just cant do that, and my friends wont let you take me"


"What fri...Oh"


Pash turns to see several blaster rifles aimed at the group, he knew he had missed something, and the look Ardana was giving him did not help in the slightest.


It was on the way outside (probably to their execution) Arlak and Pash glanced at one another, and a plan formed, as soon as they got in range of the ship gun Pash yelled "DOWN" and pushed Ardana to the ground as Jayne opened up. Instantly several smugglers were vaporised by the laser cannon as weapons are dived for, several well placed slashes later and Arlak is standing over Doba, claws bloody with smuggler.


"SSsssssssssssooooooooo Dobbbbaaaaaaaa, where isssssssss Godon?"


"He is on the ship, in the passanger compartment, i swear just dont hurt me!"


Binders are put on, weapons retrieved and soon Godon is found safe and sound in the passanger section.


"Oh thank you Arlak I didn't know if you would come and find me"


"SSSSSSSssssssssssssssave it Godon, you caussssssssssed a lot of trouble here"


"Sorry Arlak"


Ardana on the other hand had found the jackpot, 3000 creditsworth of Glitterstim all for the taking. Carrying it back Pash and Ardana recapped


"So it was a trap"


"Yes Ardana"


"And you going first accomplished what? considering they were behind us"


"Look lets just get him to Kessel and leave, i need some sleep"


"We all do Pash, we all do"

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

She swore internally, turning to face the blasters that wee aimed at them. She really didn't want to get shot twice in a day. Walking back in the direction of the ship she hesitated once, only to be jabbed in the back with the barrel of a blaster rifle. She swore and glared daggers at the gard but kept moving. As they moved in to the flightdeck she felt herself forced down, Pash half covering her body with his own. She squeaked in pain as her damaged shoulder hit the deck but managed to keep quiet otherwise. The cannon fire made her ears ring, and Arlaks movements were so fast she barely saw them. It was over as quickly as it had begun, and she pushed Pash off of her, wincing a little as she did so. As the boys delt with the prisoners she searched the bay, striking gold. Once the Glitterstim and their captives wee loaded on to the ship she joined the others. She always felt dwarfed by them, all of them over six foot tall and her barely five.


She opned her mouth as though about to say something but stopped short. Instead she turned on her heel and headed towards the flightdeck. She ran the pre flight checks and prepared herself for getting them back through the asteroid feild.


Once free of the dangerous field she jumped to hyperspace, heading towards Kessel, glad that this would be over soon. She took the time in hyperspace to rest a little, suddenly feeling exhausted.

 

[Pash Odir]

Pash loved hyperspace, the peace, the quiet, such a change from his nightmares. He could sit like this for hours, meditating, it wasnt something that bodyguard often did but Pash found it easier to come to terms with the horror of the universe. It wasnt long before something stirred on the edge of his senses.


"Yes Ardana?"


"Look we know that we work well together, and I don't have to like you, but thanks, for saving me"


"Hey you'd do it for me alright? No worries, youre on my crew, nothing i wouldnt do"


"Okay then" Door sealing behind her Pash turns to see a small cup off well brewed caff sitting near him. She had become more stealthy than he had thought, but not so much that she wasn't easy to read at times. Pash's meditation drifted into somthing much deeper.......


"This is your pilot speaking, please get the kriff out your bunks and get ready, Imperials make me nervous"


Pash rushed to the viewscreen, no matter how ugly it was Kessel held a special place in Pash's heart, but now is not the time to go into why that is. It was time to dock, and Pash needed to hide his guns.

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

She returned to the flightdeck, rubbing her eyes and leaning against the closed door. What had come over her lately, it was not like her to accept help from others, least of all Pash.


"Pull yourself together Tarkona." She said moving over to the consoles, looking over everything before falling back in to her chair and curling up. She pulled one lekku over her shoulder, leaning on the arm of the chair where she quickly fell asleep. It was a light dreamless sleep, and she woke up as tired as she had been before. But Kessel loomed before them as she droped out of hyperspace. The planet was ugly, misshapen and barren. She knew that slave labour was the main workforce here, and that made her even more angry.


Giving the call for the others she began to dock, knowing that here she was going to have to deal with the imps. When the ship was powered down she rose to join the crew, Arlak had gone to retrieve the prisoners so she settled beside the huge silver wookie.


"Lets hope this goes to plan."

 

[Pash Odir]

Being frogmarched to see the Warden was not Pash's idea of a good day, luckily no stripsearches were made so his now broken ID tag remained hidden.


"So I see we have ourselves a bounty hunting party eh?" The slimy man disgusted Pash almost as much as the uniform he wore, he hated the Empire, nothing more so than those in the officer's uniform. They thought they were above all the grunt work, the killing that they gave the orders for, the aliens, the rebels, they deserved better than that.


"Well sir we got your bounty, so we are just here for a reward"


"Well Mr hmmmmmmmm Odir is it? Give us a few minutes to find all the credits and you can be on your way"


Minutes later there was a problem


"I dont care if you dont have the full 10,000 youre giving us 10,000"


"We only have 2000 to spare and this chit for the other 8000 when you hit any core world"


"Not good enough Sir, i dont care if you represent some empire but..."


"Oh and we will take that crate of Glitterstim too, it belongs to us" DAMNIT why hadnt they hidden that? Ardana was going to kill him


"Now go away on your little ship, maybe when you come back, we will have more money, if you dont go coreward that is"

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

Ardana remained in the ship whilst the others were away, she was wanted and she was an alien. Two things that the imperials would have jumped at. She stayed in the cockpit, pacing animalisticly hoping that they would be ok. Upon hearing footsteps she hurried towards them, assuming it was the crew returning. It was an imperial search, they had the crate of glitterstim in hand.


Why the heck had they not hidden it. She cursed the lot of them but stood back in the doorway, no one had noticed her yet and it was safer that way. They left with the goods and a few minuites later the crew returned, looking irritated.


"So which idiot decided the glitterstim didn't need hiding?" She hissed, stepping out of the shadows, her eyes instantly falling on Pash. "Incompitent fools." She growled before turning away and dissapearing down the coridoor.


The ship was back in the air in no time and she was glad to be away from that hellish place.

 

[Pash Odir]

Always about the money, they survive gunfire, ship attacks, get a bounty off of imperials and she reprimands him for not hiding something she could have hidden herself? It made him angry but he knew they had been under a lot of stress so he meditated untill he had calmed down. Jayne walked in looking apologetic, Pash gave him a calm stare until he went about his work before working things out on his datapad. The ship was in need of repair, needed a few upgrades too and they had the money for that, but not if they kept wasting it on things like forgetting to store the cargo. A quick word with Godon might by useful if he had any contacts so Pash moved off to deal with him, cursing his own stupidity at the thought of losing the stim.

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

She snarled and kicked the chair, before falling down in to the seat. She didn't even know why she was angry, she didn't think she really cared about the stim, but something had pissed her off. She took a deep breath and calmed herself, staring in to spacel. She attributed the exhaustion and ache of her shoulder to most of her bitter mood. It reminded her to apply a bacta patch to the wound to accelerate the healing, she removed her top and the bandage, the wound looked good. No signs of infection, so she applied the bacta patch and re-clothed. She didn't really know where they were headed so she keyed the coms.


"Pash. are you free?" She sat back and waited for a response, feeling much better now the bacta was working.

 

[Pash Odir]

"So youre saying that there is a guy who owes you a favour on Bespin, and he can upgrade our ship?"


"Not for free but he will give you a good rate and considering i expect illegal things are being installed? i saw that stim, plus i can get off there, find another job"


"I dont care if you have another job Godon" Pash exclaimed blaster pistol suddenly pressed to Godon's throat "I'm pretty sure you wern't captured by that bounty hunter and this whole ploy was to get more treasure for him, so you'll have a word with your friend and if you're lucky i wont shoot you after"


"Of course of course just put me down please"


Suddenly the intercom buzzed "Pash, are you free?"


Lowering his blaster a quick tap of his datapad opened the door controls to Pash


"You're a lucky man Godon, now you will stay here till we reach Bespin, if you try to leave I will take pleasure in killing you"

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

There was no radio response so she began looking through information on her datapad, reading and learning more. It was the footsteps in the hallway beyond that made her look up.


"You know it pays to tell the pilot where we are going." She turned to look as Pash entered the room, her green eyes meeting his violets. "So please tell me you had some luck with that rodian son of a bitch." she looked back infront of her, toying with one of her lekku.


She assumed the rodians would want droping of somewhere, Godons sister had been delighted to see her brother returned safely, she had offered to cook the whole crew a meal in thanks. Unfortunately the understocked kitchen ment it was mainly protein rashions but she guessed it was the thought that counted. Ardana just wanted the both of them off the ship.

 

[Pash Odir]

"Bespin, we need repairs and better ship upgrades, some guy owes our Rodian not-so friend a few favours, maybe get a job too, we need the credits"


Ardana seemed to have calmed down, at least her playing with her lekku meant she was more bored than pissed off with him. At least Godon was locked up for now, Pash was sure he would find sometime to feed him, maybe.


"So how is the shoulder by the way?" checking down he thought of some of the injuries he had sustained over the years, the blackened shoulder was almost as bad as the ion burn he had receieved back against the smuggling operation on Nar Shadda. His favourite was the scar of a near miss disruptor rifle that had taken a layer of skin of the the back of his leg back in the PDF, but now was not the time for that.

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

She adjusted their course to get them to bespin, tapping a few keys on the console before turning back to Pash.


"You think we can trust his word?" She asked, her tone almost soft. Her hand rose to where the bacta patch was healing her shoulder.


"Its fine. just a graze. It will be mostly healed by the time we reach Bespin." She looked down again. She was about to thank him for protecting her, but something stopped her short.


"Thats all I needed you for. I'll alert everyone when we get close." She turned her back on him once more, returning to her datapad.

 

[Pash Odir]

She had looked like she was about to say something, but instead brushed him off as if nothing had happened. Why didnt she care? More importantly why did he? She was crew, he would have done the same for any of the other. Caff it was, glancing at the female Rodian (should he lock her up? who cares i dont think she was in on it) and the droid (maybe demand it as payment? nah i respect droids enough not to) Pash quickly dropped a cup of caff before filling another one and moving to inspect the damage caused by the ugly.


"Jesus christ Ardana another couple of hits and we would have been space dust, please keep her in better nick" Was murmered, but not loudly enough anyone could hear lest he piss her off more


He looked forward to Bespin, no one trying to kill them there yet

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

She dozed for most of the journey to Bespin, feeling a lot better when she awoke. She alerted everyone and began the descent to the planets docking yards. The planet was the total contrast to Kessel, it was beautiful, the city they approched suspended above the clouds, clean and new. She took a deep intahe of breath, she was going to like it here.


"Were here." She said shutting down the ship and getting up to leave. She checked she had all of her weapons and once happy she joined the others on the duracrete outside.

 

[Pash Odir]

Godon looked nervous, a glance behind to check Ardanna coming down off the ramp before sending the ship doors the code to close and lock.


"Dont be nervous buddy" Pash said gently "just put us in touch with your buddy and we will sort the rest"


A name was given and the Rodians left, Godon realising his ship was a long way from Bespin while his sister giving a quick wave to Pash with the promise she would check on them again if she could. Pash didnt really want her to and could imagine Ardana's reaction if she did.


"So Ardana, care for a drink?"

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

Ardana glared at the retreating forms of the rodians. Good riddence she thought, that Godon had bought nothing but trouble. She opted to look around, watching the other people. They all seemed happy to be going about their own business, none of them paying the crew of the Randy Gammorean. Pash's voice jerked her out of her reprive.


"Thats probably the best thing you have said all week." She teased, the ghost of a smile appearing on her face. They headed towards the cantina, walking in pleasant silence.


"So who are we meeting?" She quizzed looking up at Pash.

 

[Pash Odir]

"Not fully sure of his name Ardana, but ill know him when I see him" He had contacted the man who seemed very intersted in his line of work as weel as the upgrades he needed. He had arranged to meet in the Cantina once again, it was odd how everyone always wanted to meet there. Ugnaughts scurried about, obviously the advance payment for their ship repairs had gone through, better send the others to the cantina while he dealt with matters of an old friend he had to see in security.


"So Pash Odir is it now? Or should i still call you Captain?" Jetak had never been one for nicities


"Good to see you too Jetak" A friend since the beginning of his career, Jetak had always been loyal


"It isn't good to see you my friend, we in corsec still patrol here, there is some measure of autonomy on Calarissians part but dont mistake, we rule here"


"Like when we were on Smugglers Run? on that OP"


"Captain if you bring that up again i will not let you leave here, not outside custody, i dont care if you deserted rather than finish that op, but we finished it, and we killed a lot of rebels that day"


"Women and children aren't rebels and you know it, alien or not" Pash strode off, sickened with himself for coming there, vowing never to see Jetak again.

 

[TheMoonageDaydreamer]

This was the first planet where she didn't feel overpowered by the number of people towering over her. Whilst her and the crew sat and relaxed in the cantina Pash vanished off somewhere, and though she was curious she didn't care enough to inquire. She cradled the glass of ale, everyone laughing and enjoying the relaxation, something that was so rare for the crew. She even offered to buy a round. She smiled merrily and rose to head towards the bar, leaning against it and trying to get the barman's attention. Someone wolf whistled at her and she did her best to ignore it, but the intoxicated man swaggered over, a sly grin on his face.


"Well hello lovely." He slurred making Ardana roll her eyes. "And whats an exotic beauty like you doing in this shit hole." He wasn't unhandsome, but he was clearly well on the way to drunk.


"Drinking and minding my own business thank you." She said turning her back on him. This only served to aggrivate him and he pressed her against the bar, a hand either side of her body, towering over her.


"So rude. Its impolite to turn your back on someone who's talking to you." Arlak was watching and had gotten to his feet, drawing the attention of a few of the pubs other patrons. Alas he had no time to hurry to her assistance, because in one swift move she had spun in his grip and bought a knee up to his groin. He recoiled, a ripple of laughter running through the cantina followed by several shouts of 'Served you right.' He stumbled away to sulk and Ardana returned to buying drinks. She slumped down in the booth, her booted feet up on the seat, leaning back against the Trandoshan who congratulated her with an almost spine shattering slap on the back. They sat together, waiting for Pash to return.

 

[Pash Odir]

Pash walked in to see Ardana and the others sprawled around a table, the others all drinking heavily while Ardana keeping herself alert, instantly spotting him. Rather than immediatly sit with them he ordered a drink, a cool Eriadan blend they served for that little bit extra. He walked over with his drink and sat down, chair fron facing forward in case Arlak tried to stab him with those claws. It wasnt long before their contact arrived. A pale human with blond hair and blue eyes strolled in and made a beeline for their table.


"Can weeeeeeeeee helppppp you?" Arlak asked, his tongue flickering as if already tasting his flesh


"Are you the ones Godon mentioned?" the man said, slightly more worried now


"Yes we are, now what can you do to help us?" Pash was sick of these doublespeaks and games


"Well if you could help me moving some cargo you'll have a very good rate on........ whatever upgrades you need"


You know whenever someone paused, it must be illegal, it was the done thing. Pash looked to Ardana, he wasnt sure if they wanted to get mixed up in this again and as she was the injured one it made sense for her to be the one to answer.