*Nicfer Luthol was happy to work with her father as a part of his crew. It did not bother the young Zeltron that some of that business could be considered…“questionable.” It was honest work in her eyes. *
That was until one job went very wrong. Their crew was caught by the Inquisitorius, a division within the Brotherhood that worked as intellegence operatives.
*Nicfers father begged the Inquisitorius to take his daughter, highlighting her latent abilities in the Force as an asset. *
*The Captain of the operation, known as Charon, saw her potential and agreed that Nicfer would be commissioned to work for the Brotherhood and the Inquisitorius, with her fathers crew kept as collateral to her cooperation. *
Begrudgingly, Nicfer agreed, determined to protect her father and her crew.
*After serving with the Brotherhood, and run-ins with the Children of Mortis, she was able to prove her worth while working with Clan Arcona. But with Captain Charon’s alleged retirement, her commission was left in limbo. *
Until she got a mysterious message from someone called “The Blindman” on Port Ol'val. It was a shadow port in the Dajorra system that she had heard talk of but never visited. Whoever this blindman was, they had allegedly purchased her commission, and she would be entering their service…
Port Ol'val Dajorra System 43 ABY
Her docking fees had been covered. That was the first of many, many reasons Nicfer was already suspicious of whatever was going on. As she passed the security keycard to the dock worker, she held the Verpine’s beady, bug-like eyes with a steely gaze. “If anything out of place, and I’ll know,” she drawled.
“Understood, honored guest,” the bug-like humanoid bowed respectfully.
“Uh huh…” the Zeltron kept her eyes narrowed as she stepped down the ramp and looked around. A sign read “The Docks”. Not very creative, but, at least it was up front.
Her boots clanked faintly over the metallic catwalk and she breathed in the circulated, artificial air of the hallowed out asteroid-turned-shadow port. She made her way past another sign that said “The Ducts”. The lighting changed, but as she walked through what looked to be mostly a commuter tunnel, she saw a Zygerrian leaning against the side rail. A familiar Zygerrian with indigo hair in a braid.
“NICFER!” the Zygerrian said brightly, trying her best to strike a cool pose but nearly tipping over the guard-rail in the process.
Nicfer’s eye roll said more than anything she could’ve expressed verbally. Already the energy was too high and that was just with two of them. She fought the urge to turn on her heels and just walk back to the ship saying ‘NOPE’. Not that she could do that anyway. She had a feeling with her slave contract bought by the “The Blindman”, her ship was likely already being impounded.
Terrible name. Doesn’t even strike fear into people. Just sounds like you can pull a fast one on him.
“Careful, hard to look cool when you are in a bacta tank, floating like a science experiment or local circus curiosity.”
It was hard to tell if she was joking or hoping to will the event into exisitance by speaking the words out loud.
“If we are going to to do this, you need to be at like… A three on the energy scale. One would be ideal.”
Nicfer aimed low. Three would be ideal, she’d settle for an eight. Anything was better than the fifteen they were currently at.
Zig pulled up short, closing her mouth before she could say her next follow up comment. “Er…yes, sorry, just it’s been a minute and I got excited to see you,” she brought her voice down to what she would consider a six. She desperately wanted to hug the Zeltron, but resisted the urge. “The ‘Boss figured you’d want a familiar face, sorry that I’m all that was available,” she rubbed the back of her head as she smiled. “Welcome to Port Ol'val,” she gestured as the exit to the Ducts that opened up into Jerem Plaza.
“Welcome is not what I’m feeling,” Nicfer’s words were not dripping with the usual sarcasm. Instead it was more like she was having an idle thought out loud. “It is a nicer cell, but still a cell.”
She looked around where they were. Really taking it in and her mind started doing what it always wanted to do. How would she get in? Get out? Where would she set up distractions to pull attention.
“And you are fine Zig. You are not Steve Jerryson or that Zabrak from… I dont’ know ages ago who was painful to interact with. Honor and straight combat.” She rolled her eyes. “Fair fights are for the over confident and those that lack imagination.”
She finished giving her evaluation and decided she should get out of here, but it would take time. Enough time it might just be easier to keep working her ‘contract’. But she would keep an open mind on the matter.
“So, do I get the free tour or am I going to be ‘confined to quarters’ first thing.” She did air quotes around confined to quarters.
Zig raised a hand and opened her mouth to respond, but then closed it and slowly lowered her hand. She did this a few times as Nicfer spoke. When Nicfer mentioned the ‘Zabrak’, she broke into a fit of laughter and snorted, covering her mouth and nose with her hands.
“Karran,” she said between breaths. “His name is Karran and you’re so right.”
She sobered as she continued to listen, slipping her hands into her pockets and glancing around at the bright lighting, plethora of stalls and small shops, and the denziens of Ol'val milling about. Her home when on shore leave.
“I’m not sure what you mean by conf–” she paused and tilted her head, as if listening to something. She tapped her ear, a small ear-piece visible agains it’s pointed, angular opening.
“Read from the…but that’s so lame W-I mean, Mister Blindman…okay, okay,” she shook her head and checked her datapad for a moment. She cleared her throat.
“I suppose you can see the sights on your way to your assignment, and your meeting with the big boss,” the Zygerrian explained. “This here is Jarem Plaza. shops, cantina’s…”
The people of Port Ol'val had no underlying similarities. Species of different shape, size, and dress were aplenty, likely due to the amount of transplants. The locals were from all over Dajorra and some from further out into Hutt Space, trying to lay low or pursue their business off-grid.
Nicfer waited for Zig’s laugher to stop. Unamused as always, but curious why her ‘superior’ was raising her hand to speak like they were a student too eager to learn. She did roll her eyes when it became apparent that her host was not aware of her situation. Either they didn’t trust her or everything was need to know. She could appreciate the need to keep everything restricted, but it would make figuring out an escape much harder. Not that this was the worst place she had been forced to work. Seeing the shops and people of the station, Nicfer was surprised to see how crowded it was and the number of shops.
Guess it is a good cover? Seems hard to operate with so many civilians about.
“Why all the shops and people? I thought this was more base can shopping retreat.”
Her face darkened.
“Have I been transferred here to work retail? I think I’d rather be confined to quarters. Or shot.”
Nicfer thought about and wondered why she was even asking these questions and asking for the one credit tour. She wasn’t here cause she moved. These were not her friends. This was work. Forced work. She was only given decent treatment cause she could wiggle her fingers and make things happen.
“Forget it. Let’s get this show on the road. I already have an assignment? Just take me where I need to go.”
Her expression switched from curiosity to that of inscrutable. It was like she just threw a switch and she was back to business.
“No need to distract or win me over. I’m here to work.”
Zig guided the two through the crowd of milling denziens. “Hey, nothing wrong with retail,” she started to say, but then seemed to reconsider her words. “Well, no it’s a lot of work actually, and I just manage a shop. Thank god for hired hands…and no, you’re not. You’re going to be working with myself and the others, who you’ll get to meet. No one tends to get shot, but there is a running joke about everyone being eager to jump in front of a blaster bolt for the other…”
She gestured towards the area around them as they walked.
“Ol'val is a shadowport, but as its evolved and grown, it’s really become more of a haven for people who are looking to get away from different things. Part of that involves the cover or semblance of normalcy. It comes with having a culture of stability but also respect for anonymity. So wether you were framed for tax fraud wiring and had to flee your home for safety, or killed a rapist in self-defense and were prosecuted anyway, or just got caught smuggling the wrong Hutts cargo…there is a place for you here.”
They moved past the Plazza and turned down towards a path that lead to a large complex built seemingly into the rockbed of the hallowed out asteroid.
“House Qel-Droma, who we both more or less work for, helps manage all of that. It’s a weird symbiotic relationship, but it’s been beneficial.”
She gestured at the twin double doors that looked…nondescript. It was clearly a large facility, but it blended in with the other architecture fairly well.
“Welcome to Phantom Complex-” she raised a finger towards Nicfers face, “-and yes, the name is corny, we can snicker over it later over drinks, yeah? Let’s get you to the boss so he can explain everything better than…I can.
Nicfer wrinkles her nose at the comment of jumping infront of blaster fire.
“What? Why? That’s what cover, shields, and enemy combatants are for. Diving infront of blaster fire leaves you wounded and your comrade out of cover. Is this why you will take anyone? Replenishment of numbers.”
Nicfer did at least keep quite when Zig talked on a place for anyone. She was that anyone. Not by choice but she was glad it should be held to hard agaist her.
Standing before the doors, she sighed and looked at Zig as she says the words “Phantom Complex”. Her expression that was barely hidden annoyance.
“Just call it secret base. At least it will not be cringey.”
“I don’t know, something about the power of friendship mixed with a recurring martyr complex? Probably something in the water on Selen,” she waved a hand dismissively.
“That’s what I said when I first got here!” Zig said with a big exhale. “Anyway, let’s go meet the boss.”
Phantom complex was indeed a secret base. On the outside, it looked like any ordinary building. But once you got past reception, that’s where the “cool” parts began.
Zig was quiet, for once, as she tried to play the part of dutiful guide. She wasn’t a great actor, but Kaliska was a natural at dealing with people which was rare for someone with her mechanical-oriented mind. Usually those types liked to sit quietly by themselves, but Zig thrived on meeting new people and making new friends.
Which is why she was the perfect emmisary.
The Blindman adjusted his cloak. It was a billow cloak, dramatic and tailored to him. Capes were a no go, but he had to admit, wearing a cloak was pretty dashing and cool. He understood why his brother was so fond of them.
He kept his hood up to shadow his face.
The doors slid open, and the audience chamber opened to the Blindmans office, as the Zeltron and Zygerrian entered.
“Ah, Ms. Luthal. We’ve been expecting you,” the Blindman spoke, the only thing visible beneath the shade of his hood were his white teeth and fair skin.
His voice was low and a rich barritone, weighty and easily filling the space. The lights were dimmed faintly, but still able to see the impressive looking desk he was standing behind with hands folded behind his back.
“Welcome to Phantom Complex.”
Zig did her best to keep a netural expression on her face. She pointedly did not look at Nicfer, hopeful to not give anything away.
Nicfer picked at imaginary dirt under her fingernails as the ‘Blindman’ spoke.
“Coooool.”
Her words dripped with sarcasm. Barely able to hide her annoyance.
“I’m at the SecReT BAsE. Are you going to show me your overly complex death ray next? Maybe some over complicated way to kill someone which leaves plenty of time for someone to escape.”
She stopped picking at her nails.
“You didn’t monlogue, so you got that going for you.”
The Blindman looked to be starting to sweep into, on queue, exactly that. His hood slid back slightly, still obscuring his eyes and hair, and his arms went out wide as if preparing a grand performance.
“—if only you knew the depths and power of…dammit, I walked right into that, didn’t I.”
Off to the side, Zig pinched the bridge of her angular nose and sighed.
The Blindman seemed to consider his options. Then he shrugged and pulled his hood back. He had angular features and bright emerald eyes. His long hair was combed and pulled back down to his shoulders blades. “So, you’re still going to get the monologue, but I do genuinely suggest you give us a chance and hear me out,” he said as he pushed back from the desk and came around to lean on it, glancing between the two girls.
“My name is Wyndell Tyris, and while we haven’t met, I actually was around when you two had your exhibition on Kashyyk. I’ve also obviously read your file. And yes, I can read, believe it or not.”
With his hood and robe pulled back, he was wearing a black nerf leather jacket with green accents. At each hip in a cross holder was a pair of matching blaster pistols. There was no lightsaber to be seen, even though even without trying, Nicfer could sense the weight of his presense in the Force.
“I have recently been appointed Quaestor of House Qel-Droma. Which also makes me…the Blindman. Laugh at the name all you want, but I think you already know the value and power we gain by using this moniker for whoever is leading the House…”
He trailed, giving her room to either refute, acknowledge, or respond.
“I mean, if you weren’t the ‘Blindman’,” the verbal air quotes heavily implied by her sarcasm, “And if you didn’t have that hood up you might have seen that coming.”
Nicfer let him give the rest of his spiel before continuing again. The imaginary dirt was back under her fingernails. It was persistent judging by how long it was taking her to remove.
“I mean listen or not, I don’t have the right to leave. You could just tell me to tell with it and I’d be stuck. So sure, if you just wanna chat, I’m your captive audience. At the cost of whatever my contract is. Just know you’ve only paid me to listen, I’m not laughing at your jokes.”
She tried to keep her mouth shut after that rant. But just couldn’t. If she was going to get in trouble, she might as well go all out. No need to half ass anything.
“And yeah, fake names are great. But the Blindman? You sound like an easy mark. Why not Shadow Fixer or The Invisible Hand or even Edgey the Darkedge. Just not the Blindman.”
Wyn sighed and looked at Zig for…help? Zig actually blinked. Then smirked, and folded her arms across her chest. She wasn’t going to help. She was enjoying this.
I get no respect. Kids these days.
“Those sound arguably more lame. The invisible hand makes me think of something lewd, and it would only be Edgey the Darkedge if my Brother were in-ah right, sarcasm as a defense mechanism. Sorry, my kid is about two years old now and my brain has been mostly honed towards thwarting his little schemes he’s already cooking up…he hasn’t discovered sarcasm yet but we’re all screwed when he does…”
Wyn shed the robe entirely and rolled his shoulder as if he’d just stepped in from a winter walk. “Anyway, you can keep being dramatic about your indentured servitude, but maybe you’d like to read the actually agreement I had some smarter-than-me-people notarize and make look all fancy?”
He padded forward and handed her a datapad with an—admittedly—very well detailed and formal looking contract.
“` Nicfer Luthal has been transferred to the service of House Qel-Droma from the general ranks of the Arcona Armed Forces. Her previous debt has been paid in full (and yada yada yada).
Nicfer will instead be assigned to a position aboard the Voidbreaker II, under Captain Mune Cinteroph and Vice-Captain Zig Kaliska. She is expected to lend her talents and assist the House with its operations.
In exchange, Nicfer Luthal will have full use of House facilities, training material, armaments, meals, boarding, funds, and resources to pursue her goals. She is free to visit and travel at her leisure, within the scope of Clan and House missions or campaigns.
And her fathers crew will be allowed to operate freely without penalty.
”`
“Oh no, stability and support, right?” Wyn said as he monitoed her reaction to reading the datapad, sarcasm dripping in his drawl.
Nicfer read through the data pad. This was… unexpected. And made her previous ‘woe is me’ statements lose all their bite. Hard to complain about being forced to work when you aren’t a slave or ‘indentured servitude’ as was the nice way to put things. She looks up from the data pad and frowns.
“I think I’d rather be dramatic and sarcastic. It has been working so far and you seem to appreciate it, boss.”
If there was any respect on the word boss, it was stuck behind three blast doors of annoyance and four ray shields powered by sarcasm. But after that comment, she goes quite. Tucking the data pad away into one of her belt pouches as she seems to think on something. When she speaks up again, it was as if someone flipped a switch. Any hostility and sarcasm was gone.
“Gamblers Purgatory and its crew. Captain Vash. They are all free to do as they please?”
Wyn’s face went serious, his usual mirth and aloofness completely erased. Wether the aloofness was an act, or the sterness, was always up for interpration.
“We’ve reached out in good faith to…engage in potential future business dealings with Captian Vash that may be of benefit to House Qel-Droma,” Wyn explained in a sober tone. “But yes, they will be treated as allies when in Dajorra space.”
There was no ill-intent in his words, but he did seem to choose the words themselves with premeditative intent. No threat, per-se, but there was an unspoken admission that should the Gamblers Purgatory and its crew attack or interfere with “The Blindmans” operations, conversations would take place. Such was the way of the underworld and it’s relations to the rest of the galaxy.
There it was. There was the catch. Play nice, or others would pay. They implied it was on their own dealings, but she felt like she could read between the lines well enough. She tried to keep herself neutral, but there were tells. Her body was more stiff. Her lips tightened as she fought a frown. The complete lack of sass or sarcasm in her voice.
“Okay. Got it. So, what else? What are these ‘missions’ I am going to take part in?”
Wyn seemed to relax a bit, picking up on her body posture. “I mean it, Nicfer. We’re happy to help, but you have to respect our need to protect ourselves as well…”
He closed his eyes and then seemed to concentrate. His hands rose in front of him. Then he opened his eyes, focused, and Nicfer and Zig could see the images of…a space ship.
The Voidbreaker II. It floated in front of them like a holoprojection, but there was no…projector.
An illusion? she realized. That detailed? That was…really hard. Who was this guy?
“For starters, we’ll get you set up on the Voidbreaker. Zig will help make sure you get situated and have whatever you need. You’ll rotate between the ship and here, as well as trips to Selen for the better weather. Just remember while the asteroid is smaller, we don’t have any shadow-dieties – that i’m aware of at least – lurking deep in the mountains here.”
He dismissed the illusion, then held out a hand calmly towards Nicfer. “Hate me if it helps, distrust me or us if it makes you feel better. But know now that you are one of us. And we protect what is ours.”
Zig blinked twice and stared at Wyn like he had grown a second head. Was this really Wyn? The same person who had pretended to be a snake and blend in with the grass to observe the training? The goofball who was such a good bartender you’d never know he was just playing the part of an informant?
Maybe there was hope for the House. She glanced at Nicfer and tried to project a smile and assurance.
Nicfer wasn’t sold. Or maybe wasn’t as sure in what Wyn could do. She looked around the room for something like a well hidden projector. Or some sort of droid that had crawled into place when she wasn’t looking. When she couldn’t find one, she gave up and focused on the image of the Voidbreaker II. It was a high quality image, and the more she focused, the more the hairs on the back of her neck stood up. Something felt off. Felt weird. Like she was picking up how deceptively dangerous something was. She tried to push it from her mind and tried to focus.
“I normally sleep on my own ship. Just nice and private, and I know the door locks work. Am I still going to have a room on Voidbreaker too? Or is it more like I have a bunk and a locker type situation?”
When she heard the part about shadow deities not lurking in places, she just rolled her eyes. Felt like a joke that fell flat.
“Can’t hate what I don’t know.” She lied through her teeth. She hated plenty of things she didn’t know. “And I don’t trust anyone. So, don’t be too offended. But sure, I’ll give you a chance. We’ll see if you lot can deal with my winning personality and friendly disposition.”
Nothing about what she just said sounded friendly or like a winning personality. Nicfer gave Zig a half smile. Well a half Nicfer smile. A corner of her mouth turned up so slightly, you’d need a microscope to see the change.
“So what’s next on the tour? More hidden holoprojectors and monologs?”
“I’ll let Zig sing the praises of the ‘breaker. It’s her baby afterall,” Wyn explained. “The rooms are small, but again, there’s multiple pools, training facilties, a fully staffed mess, medical bay, and a helps keep the miles off your ship. You also get a room here if you so choose, which is a bit bigger just less amenities. I’d consider this more of a place to stash things or lay low.”
He smiled faintly. “I know you’re used to being different for your gift of the Force. You’ll find you’re not as alone here. If you need anything, or are worried about something, let the Captain know, or myself.”
He offered his hand to Nicfer, his expression and body posture relaxed.
“Alright, sure. I’ll go with chatty and leave you here, broody boss man.”
She was ready to leave before the comment of The Force, now she wanted to run. She fought the urge with a deflection. A hard eye roll complet with sigh. She had been told she had talent and her abilities beaten into her by early memeber of this organization. But to her The Force was a tool. One she reluctantly carried.
“And all the Dogma that comes with it? We’ll see. I think I still have the scars from my last lesson.”
Seeing Wyn’s arm flinch she turns as he extends it. Acting like she hadn’t seen it.
“Back to the tour. What’s next? The medical bay for my attitude adjustment? Or the mess to get me eating and keep me from talking?”
Wyn’s facial expression showed nothing beyond a friendly, if a bit sad, smile. His hand lowered, then returned to his jacket pockets. “Everybody’s got scars, kid. Enjoy the rest of the tour. Be seeing you,” he flashed her a knowing grin.
Then the image of his body…faded away. Like the transition between slides on a presentation deck.
“OH GODDAMIT WYN,” Zig swore as she stepped forward and waved her hand through the space the Quaestor had previously occupied. “A Force Projection? You couldn’t come meet us in person. RUDE!”
She exhaled slowly. “Sorry, I’d like to say you get used to it after a while, but karking space wizards and their tricks.” She mumbled to herself in what was likely Zygerrian.
“If I was him, I wouldn’t have wasted my time on me either.”
If Zig hadn’t been trying to wave a hand through the air where Wyn had been, she might have caught a smile from Nicfer. But it vanished just as fast as it appeared.
“I’m a space wizard, too.” Nicfer changed targets from Wyn to Zig. “Do I rate down at Wyn’s level too? Or is it only certain space wizards that catch your ire?”
“Mostly him. He’s really good at Illusions and tricks. That’s the worst part of it. People usually overlook him. His brother is Exarch and former Consul and former Voice. But he’s always been there in the background, playing the support role. Definitely a Lucio,” she said referncing a popular holonet game character.
She shrugged, missing the smile or any reaction.
“But he’s a good person. Genuinely wants to help. Also, not like I’m one to talk. My girlfriend has a fetish for putting herself in danger, and my ex is a scary Sith Alchemist that can drain people until they wither like a husk.”
She folded her arms across her chest, then glanced at the Zeltron. “I think you’re a pretty cool space wizard, from what I’ve seen. I’m probably the worst person to help with anything relating to that, but the Captain probably would know more! ” She finished excitedly.
“Sounds like he might be worth getting to know then. Standing out is not how I like to be. My Fa-… I was always taught the best way to do things is to make people think you didn’t do anything at all. If you appear competent, people ask you to do shit. Ugh, tiring. If you are doing illicit things, appearing like you didn’t do anything keeps people from looking at you longer. I think he might have master that lesson.”
Nicfer kept her comments to herself about Zig talking about her death wish girlfriend and what sounds to be a NASTY ex. ‘Note to self, don’t date inside the organization. Sounds bad.’
“Yeah well, the Captain might know more.” Nicfer piped back up, “But I am more than just a space huckster who speaks in riddles. I’m also a a pilot with a nasty temper who would prefer to verbally assault before physically assaulting with a blaster. Who helps with that?”
Nicfer gestured for Zig to take the lead on guiding before stopping and looking frustrated. She was ENJOYING her conversation with Zig. ‘Not allowed. Stop it.’ She willed her self to not give into Zig infectious friendly personality. ‘At this rate I could make a friend. Can’t have that.’ She muttered the words out loud as she thought them, not realizing her inner thoughts were slipping out.
Zig grinned. “I mean, I helped design the gym and training center for physical assault. Always happy to have a good ‘tilly on the training matts.” She flexed her fingers, and electric current sizzled on her shockboxing gloves.
As they walked back towards the docks, through the crowds, Zig’s sandy eyes slid sideways towards Nicfer, her long lupine ears twitching faintly, but she said nothing and pretended not to hear what was being mumbled.
“I’d say there is merit to blending in, not standing out too much. The price of being competent. That’s how they roped me into being Captain, you know. Had a good run, me-thinks, but I like being in charge of engineering and the consistency of being vice-deputy-captain better.”
Nicfer eyes Zig as she sets off her shock gloves and looks unamused.
“I didn’t know you hazed the new recruits. I’ll opt out of getting my ass kicked under the guise of ‘training’. Next time you have a new recruit, let me know and I’ll join. Or if you have a shooting range. I’ll do that too.”
Nicfer tapped her blaster on her hip. Still wild they let her keep her weapons. I guess they were not worried about her starting issues on station.
“Both of those titles sound exhausting. I don’t think I even wanna deal with a co-pilot. Not unless it was a droid. Last co-pilot was just a disaster. Steve Jerryson. Truly terrible.”
She lowered her fist, fake-pouting. “No fun, but sure, we can find a redshirt for you or some other greenie.”
She waved to a few locals, nodded at some others, even traded a grunt with one of the Trandoshan vendors as they made it to the docks.
“I read the briefing,” she paused and then blinked. “Well, you actually met my girlfriend on that mission. Zuza, the short fiery one that drop-kicked the hostage?”
“Don’t call me no fun. I have plenty of fun.”
Nicfer seemed the most rattled by that one comment than the entire exchange so far.
“It’s just that getting pounded into the dirt to prove a point sounds like not a lot of fun. Rather just say you’re better and keep my teeth.”
Nicfer kept quite after that last comment about the briefing. as she tried to recall anything about that event. She feels like she would’ve remembered that part.
“Sorry, doesn’t ring a bell. Not that it really matters. I’ve been doing a lot of solo assignments. Something about not playing well with others.”
“Hehe, pounded,” Zig giggled then snorted. “That’s okay, if I had a credit for every lone wolf or porcupine that stumbled into Arcona…well, I’d have…a bunch of credits?”
She tilted her head, then paused as they came up to the dock. “So…mind giving me a ride? I can patch the coordinates in and direct you to the ‘breaker’s location. I promise not to touch anything…”
She flashed a big grin and one hand slid casually behind her back where she crossed her fingers.
“Don’t be a child.”
Nicfer noted that down. Can deflect with crude humor. At least she was learning something.
“And not a lone wolf. I don’t mind working with others so long as they are competent. Or at least don’t want to see everything as a frontal assault.”
Once at the dock, Nicfer was going to scout of Zig’s ride when she asked for the lift. Her eyes narrowed and hands went on hips when Zig said she wouldn’t touch anything.
“If you are not going to touch anything, how are you going to get on the ship? Or are you going to sit on a mag cart the whole time?”
“Competency isn’t an issue we have here, especially on the ‘breaker,” she replied crisply, her smile static and her eyes focusing intently as if daring a challenge. That one struck a cord towards the Head of Engineering and former Captain.
As they arrived, Zig tilted her head, but was already ignoring the Zeltron as she admired and studied her ship instead.
“The 2400’s sure are beauties of engineering. You don’t mess with the classics, I always say…she’s in good shape but could use some upgrades…happy to do some install work eventually-”
She blinked, then realized what Nicfer had said, playing it back in her head first. “I mean, usually only Zuza gets to handcuff me up, but if it means getting a ride, whatever floats your space boat,” she smirked. “I took a shuttle here because I was letting the engineering team practice on my ship back at the Voidbreaker. They need to learn how to repair her in case I’m mid-mission or need the extra hands.”
Nicfer smirked as she had touched a nerve with Zig. No matter how unintentional it was.
“Never said this group wasn’t incompetent. Interesting you thought I was talking about the crew on the breaker. Maybe I should worry.”
As much as Nicfer wanted to continue giving Zig a hard time, she had talked about her baby. And Nicfer couldn’t help but talk about her ship.
“Yeah. It might be my favorite model. They fly like a fighter but have the space to live in. Just nice to have something like this that is both exciting to fly and feels like home. I have a list of modifications a mile long, but I just hate the idea of her being down for so long as the work is being done. Really want to overhaul the hyperdrive. And drop some cargo space to drop in an oversized power system, but I would be stuck planet side for SOOOOOOO long.”
She was daydreaming of the idea of a new power system and the fastest hyperdrive she could shove in the thing before Zig’s comment of handcuffs registered. Her expression hardened. Whatever defenses she had lowered were back up in place.
“Just get on the ship and ask before you tweak anything. Like the thruster system. Yes, I know they are over charged, that’s by design. They are in tolerance range.”
She lead the way up her ramp to her ship as she thought ‘if you squint at the spec sheet really hard’. In the ship, it was relatively clean. Like shiny floors and polished wall panels. The doors to all the rooms were open as they walked, except for one that was closed up tight and clearly locked down. The only spot that looked like it was not kept was an exposed floor compartment that Nicfer had to hop over.
“Power relay keeps throwing sparks and overloading when I lightly push the ship. Worried something has come loose or a cable has been exposed. Don’t worry, she’s still space worty.”
Zig was half listening, half studying the ship with the eye of someone who had been raised on and around spacecraft. She had built them from scratch, taken them apart piece by piece, and could recite the history of production line and different models and the years they enetered or left production.
“Hyperdrive upgrades are a sinch, as long as you don’t overpay for a brand new one. Folks think that a used or reconditioned one is dangerous, but only if you don’t have a certified tech reviewing and working on it. If anything, a reconditoned drive can work better than a factory model with less rate of failure.” She tapped a clawed finger to her chin. “Can definitely reconfigure the cargo to allow for a alternator upgrade to the power core, add some auxiliary routing sinks to increase efficiency….just need to find the right part, and again, don’t buy off the shelf, they do a ten-percent markup for the logo.
She blinked. "Hm, oh, right!” She actually went quiet as she entered the ship, her eyes darting from this, and that, again half listening.
“Oh, I’m not worried. I can tell she’s a fighter already. Just needs a little TLC…nothing me n’ the nerds can’t fix up if I can get some leave-time to go visit a few scrapyards. I heard there’s a new one in Arx they’re actually letting members check out for salvage!”
“Bold of you to assume I pay for anything.”
She shrugs and gives the smallest of smiles.
“Once a thief, always a thief. Or so they say. It is just finding a way to steal labor and not getting caught while stuck in one spot.”
She continues on to the cockpit where she slides into the pilot’s chair like it was a part of her. She wasn’t the best pilot. There were people who could fly circles around her. But this was where she felt most comfortable. On her ship, going somewhere she’s never been before. Or just drifting in space with only her music and the hum of the ship to keep her company.
“So,” She said running though a very shortened pre-flight check. “You are going to ride co-pilot. I know it is not a long flight, but I know if I take my eyes off you for a moment, you are going to be going through my stuff. So, sit.”
She points to the chair next to her as she continues her preflight check.
“It’s not stealing if they aren’t using it anymore,” Zig nodded solemnly.
Then she sat exactly where she was instructed. And even tucked her hands under thighs and gave as innocent a smile as she could muster.
“Yeaaaah,” Nicfer drew out the word as she remembered a previous heist. “I’ve never let something still being in use stop me from stealing something.”
She wrapped up the preflight check and signaled to be clear for take off.
“The best time to steal a blast is right before someone tries to use it on you. Best time to take parts from a ship is right before you need to make a fast get away.”
She gave Zig a look of, ‘Remember that’ as she got the ship airborne and turned around in the hangar.
“What parts do you use in the Voidbreaker?”
Nicfer didn’t let her get a chance to answer before accelerating way too fast out of the hangar. As an angry voice cut in on the comms, Nicfer squelched it with a flick of a control.
“Wheeee” Zig exclaimed. Space was fascinating. For so long she had longed to fly through it, but had always been stuck on the ground. Learning about every part, every function. How to repair, how to patch, how to repurpose, how the joystick calibration and servos all worked…but never able to fly beyond an old simulation in a pilots VR helmet. How one persons junk was actual treasure. It wouldn’t be until her later teen years where she finally got a chance to leave Mos Kenny and take to the stars.
The feeling would likely never die.
“So, it really depends. She’s a Minstral-class yachy…” Zig started to list out the year it was produced, how many were made, how many had failed or needed repairs and why it was actually a good utility vessel and the custom modifciations she’d installed and built with the team and maintained, and- “But yeah, we get discretionary funds based on the sucess of missions or operations we’re deployed on. Which means we can buy more cool stuff!”
Nicfer just shook her head as Zig got started. She was trying to be a butt and goad Zig into thinking she would cannibalize the Voidbreaker for parts. But you get a spacer talking about their ship and nothing was going to stop them. So she just let it go and kept the idea in her back pocket incase she needed to bail from this new House with speed.
“You mean the House gets discretionary funds. I can’t imagine I get paid. At least nothing more than enough for rent, upkeep of items, and food.”
It would have been easy for her to just plot a course and fly straight and true. She could have done it in her sleep. But this was a chance to show off and let off steam. No way she was going to let that go. She took off from the asteroid base Port Ol'val and flew through the debris field around it just as fast as she could push it, without blowing the relay she had pointed out earlier. A roll here, a sharp turn there, she even threaded the needle a few times to really get her blood pumping. Though though one she heard some pings and scrapes. She was going to be buffing that out later.
“We get a salary, it’s just small. But it does come with benefits, medical, resources, gym, weaponry–we don’t have to steal. Do you have any idea how many databases you can read through? Each Clan gets access to the Shadow Academy’s archives and I set up a remote hop I can access from my terminal. Schematics galore! ”
She didn’t comment on the piloting. She just enjoyed the flight, kept her hands pinned under her own thighs. So many things she could help fix…but there would be time. She had to earn the trust, and not scare Nicfer off.
“Yeah. All the bells to go with-…”
She let it drop. Even she was getting annoyed with herself. She pulled the ship out of the debris field and took them straight in. No more fancy flying. No more verbal sparing. Just full burn to get to the ship as fast as she could. She went through the motions of the approach. Slowing down, transmitting call signs, even following the flight path that was dictated to her. Literally the opposite of what she had just done.
“We’re here. Lets get this done.”
She pushed the control stick away and got up from her chair and moving at speed to the loading ramp that was lowering from a quick hit on the release button from Nicfer’s fist. More to blow off steam than due to a quirky button. She didn’t even wait for Zig. A stark contrast from how she had watched her like a hawk before.
Zig blinked, then looked around at the cockpit. There were four things she could fix..right there. But she said she wouldn’t without permission, and didn’t want to scare the new friend away. Patience.
So she bit down her urge and instinct to fix and tinker, and quietly unbuckled, then padded down the ramp with Nicfer.
“Welcome the Voidbreaker II,” she said with a grin and an expansive gesture. “Well, the hangar bay at least. The rest of the ship is much cooler, I promise.”
Zig passed by, then took the lead, walking towards the turbolift entrance. “Anything you want to see first?”
She saw some of the redshirt crew moving towards the ship, but she waved them off.
“Quarters probably. Then whatever you feel like showing off. Which I guess would be the reactor and maintenance bays.”
Nicfer slowed down to let Zig take the lead. Not out of kindness, but because it was easier to duck away if her guide was too busy talking to see what the people behind her were doing. That and speeding up just seemed like so much extra work. She almost groaned thinking about it. She also saw some crew approaching, but she assumed her ‘mess with me at your own peril’ stare drove them off.
“You are the boss. So whatever you say goes.”
“The rooms are small, but definitely more than a quarter,” Zig quipped. “Also. Not the boss. Just the ‘deputy, m'lady.”
She tapped a few buttons on the lift and the two were transported towards the Crew Quarters level.
“Everyone serving on board gets their choice of one of the rooms. We can procure furniture and different pieces based on budget. If it’s something I can make…I can usually get it approved by showing how I can save money building it myself.”
“First. Dad jokes are gross. Second. Call me m'lady again, and you will wake up one day to explosive decompression in your room.”
She spent the whole lift ride to the crew quarters level glaring daggers at her tour guide and responding with boss at every chance she could get.
“Bed, shower, toilet, and locker. Nothing else needed. This is just a home away from home when I can’t be on my ship. And I doubt you are gonna wanna kit out the room on my ship with your supplies.”
“Hot,” Zig grinned as she listened to the threats. It did help that the Zeltron was cute. Fortunately, the Zygerrian had been training her resolve around cute, tall girls and was practically a natural.
“Totally fair. Though if you decide to file down your hedgehog spikes, I don’t mind helping with your ship. Or showing you how to help with it. It’s a hobby and something I enjoy. I don’t need or get anything out of it. That’s…one of the benefits of being here I guess. But you can sleep and be wherever and I already cleared it so you have free parking on the ship or docking on Ol'val.” She smiled.
“You know, when you say things like this, you take call the fun out of being mean.”
She takes the data pad without really asking and looked at the screen. She glanced at it for a second before looking back up.
“It doesn’t say which ones are occupied. So I guess 301 or 338. If they are taken, move down the line until I get to one that is free.”
Zig nodded, seemingly having memorized the assignments for fun. “We’ll pen you in for 301. Mostly because my bias towards being closer to Engineering than the Computer Core….” she nodded thoughtfully. She tapped a few buttons. “Make it so,” she seemed to mumble to herself, quoting a famous holonet show.
“Make it so?”
The Zeltron was puzzled but didn’t follow up. It was just weird. She knew Zig for all of thirty minutes and knew that was not a natural line.
“What next? Rest of the tour? Torture room? Med bay for a control chip?”
“Don’t be silly, we put the control chips in when you’re sleeping, silly,” Zig grinned and looped her arm with Nicfers and lead her back to the lifts.
“Do you have any interest in…engines and the core ship system? I know it’s foreign or boring for some. Otherwise, we can check out the training area or the pool…”
“Nah, we can hit the engine and systems rooms. Wouod be good for me to know the whole ship from front to back.”
She was trying to keep her disinterested tone, but she was clearly interested. She also skipped the comment of chips getting installed at night.
“Becides, when I steal the ship, I’ll have to know how to operate it.”
She points in the direction she thinks they should be going based on standard ship layouts.
“This way?”
Zig didn’t blink at the theft comment, but nodded and gestured for the new crew member to lead the way towards engineering.
“What, you hired the criminal. Don’t be shocked when I say criminal things.”
Nicfer shrugs as she takes the lead.
“I wouldnt worry since I likely can pilot something this big.”
Yet.
“And what does this take to run? Like ten people who are master at what they do in starship operation? More if they are more rank and file right?”
“Roughly 37 crew members full time, with a few Qel-Droman’s assigned to different roles. I’m the head of engineering, but I don’t really count as the crew as I’m also deputy officer….” Zig explained as she gestured towards the engineering bay. There was lots of impressive looking machinery, and Zig walked explained as much as she could.
She kept checking to see if Nicfer was getting bored. She was probably boring her, so she slowed down a bit and then gestured. “Well…Criminal or not…we are really excited to have you on board. I will take you back to the hangar bay if you want…and you can have some time to think things over. I can help coordinate moving your stuff to your room if you want?” she tiled her head.
“Yeah, sure. Lets head back. I’ve already dealt with more people than I am use to in one day that I am not trying to rip off, steal, or hurt. I need to recharge. Then we can go from there.”
—–Later on border Nicfer’s YT-2400—-
Nicfer was pacing in her cargo bay, pile of ‘things’ stacked next to the loading ram, but with the ram closed. Nicfer had finished her packing for her room in less than five minutes. She didn’t have much and she wasn’t moving everything. Just some things. Things that she could part with if she had to cut and run, but didn’t just want to get rid of.
As she paced, she rambled.
“Just move your crap in. What does it matter?”
“There is a mag cart just out side.”
“I could just yell at some hanger lacky to take it to my room! I don’t even have to do it!”
She was arguing with no one but herself. While unpacking and moving things into a room was not a big deal for most people, it was a big deal for her. It meant she was going to stay. That she was going to settle for sticking with this Brotherhood. It meant it would be harder for her to leave.
“Just do it! You made a decision. Commit. Hesitation will get you killed!”
She was now repeating the same words her father would tell her. Commit. Go with your gut and push through.
“…So will rounding a corner at full speed into an ambush.”
Nicfer’s “mom”, the first mate of the crew her father ran would always counter with that. Wait, plan, execute. She could argue herself in circles all day. She had to think of something. Both would tell her to do something.
“This is so STUPID! AHHHHH!”
She picked up spanner and hurled. Frustrated she could not make a simple decision.
A warning alarm blared and the ramp started to lower. Intentional or not, she had hit the ramp open button. Looks like fate made her choice for her. Her academy teachers would say The Force made the decision. She would have told them where to stick their data pads.
With the decision made she stormed down the ramp and pointed to the first person she saw working in the hanger.
“You! With me! I have cargo to unload and taken to room 301.”
They almost looked dumbfounded at the sudden flurry of activity.
“NOW!”