Star Wars - Smuggler's Moon (For CdW)

[Friendly Dragon]

Sha-Loh-Taan

The Tiss'shar hunter looked up at Slizzik, as the huge reptillian tried to brush away the burning metal flaking from his blast armour. He spoke rapidly in his clipped tongue.

"Fool! Your stupid incompetence has allowed the prey to escape. Find them!"

Slizzik bared his razor sharp teeth threateningly, before turning away and storming off, still swiping at his armour. He turned to his three henchmen, who were busy dragging the smouldering remains of their former colleague into a nearby alley.

"Come with me!" he snarled.

As Sha-Loh-Taan watched his cohorts leave, he activated his wrist communicator. He waited for an acknowledgment before speaking into it.

"Prepare the Voidstalker..."

There would be no escape...

OOC: please don't have them show up yet, I've got a couple of things to cover first.

[Edited by Friendly Dragon on 11-17-2000 at 05:11 PM]

 

[Hentai Man]

"bah fine watch i shall" i turned and walked out sitting down on the loading ramp of the longshot looking out over the dock

"HEY DURN IF SOMEONE KILLS YOU SCREAM REALY LOUD OK?"

he only glared back and walked off

"retard rogan there going to be here any secound and ill have to save everyone agian and not get laid* i mumbled as i sorted my equipment for the comeing hunters

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

I turned Rogan's face toward mine.
"You missed me?" I asked in a whisper.
"Yeah," he answered, his eyes probing deep into mine.
Despite my best efforts to the contrary, a tear gathered in the corner of my eye, threatening to fall and ruin my tough bitch exterior.

"Then why did you leave me?"

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan, or is it Sam?

"Then why did you leave me?" Li'Anah asked quietly.

I wasn't sure I had an answer for that, not one I felt I'd be able to tell her anyway.

"I...I ran into some trouble, had to leave in a hurry. I didn't have time to say goodbye..."

I wasn't too convinced by my words, and judging by the look on Li'Anah's face, neither was she. Her sparkling blue eyes gazed questioningly at me, boring straight into my heart.

"I'm...I'm sorry Li'Anah," I said, hanging my head, unable to look her in the eyes, "you deserve better than me."

I felt so hot as I struggled to get the words out. Part of me screamed not to say anything, but I owed it to Li'Anah. I continued quietly.

"All my life I've had to look out for myself, never been able to rely on anyone else. I never knew my father, hardly saw my mother most of the time, so I guess I learned not to let people in...not to care about anyone...so they couldn't hurt me."

"But then I met you. We had some good times...some great times, but the longer we were together the harder it was to think of it as just a fling, something that didn't mean anything. I needed to prove to myself that I didn't care about you...that it wouldn't hurt if you disappeared from my life. But..."

I slowly looked up again, forcing myself to meet her gaze.

"I was wrong..."

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

"I was wrong..."

Rogan's eyes looked straight into mine. I saw the honesty there and melted.

"Oh, Rogan..." I turned my face toward him, offering my lips...

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

I felt an odd sense of relief wash over me after opening up to Li'Anah like that, and it felt good.

She offered her lips to me and I gladly accepted, taking her in my arms and kissing her deeply. I held her body tight to mine, our lips locked, savouring the warmth of our contact.

Finally I broke the kiss, and nuzzling her neck softly I whispered into her ear.

"Li'Anah, I'm so sorry."

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

I wasn't sure I could forgive him. I really wanted to...damn! How do you trust someone who's hurt you so many times and so badly?

"Rogan," I began, unsure where I was going. "I want to forgive you. But I'm scared to. I'm scared to let you into my heart. I'm scared that you might leave again and never come back."

I stared into his eyes. He seemed so sincere. I so wanted to believe him! When the silence became unbearable, I pulled his lips to mine for another scorching kiss.

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

We kissed again, intensely and passionately. As we embraced, I thought of what she'd said. Li'Anah was right; how could she trust me not to walk out on her again, when I wan't even sure I could trust myself.

Finally our lips reluctantly parted, and I took her hands in mine.

"Look Li'Anah," I said softly, "I know you've got no reason to believe a word I say, the way I've hurt you in the past. I can't promise I'm gonna change overnight, because we both know that's not true. But I'll try -- I want to try -- if you'll just give me the chance..."

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

I hoped I wouldn't regret this...
"Okay, Rogan. I'll give you a chance," I took a deep breath. "But if you hurt me again, I'll hunt you down and hang you with your own entrails, okay?" The benefit to giving such outlandish ultimatums is that Rogan never knew how far I'd actually go.

"Rogan," I said with a somewhat worried tone, "what is all that racket out there?"

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

The hull of the Longshot muffled the noise, but it sounded a lot like blaster fire!

"Sounds like...trouble..." I said to Li'Anah, drawing my blaster. I hurried through the ship, stopping when I reached the top of the boarding ramp. Crouching behind the bulkhead one side of the entryway, I peaked out cautiously. I was surprised to see Durn casually strolling out from under the ship, wiping his hands on a greasy rag as he headed across the hangar floor.

Another blaster shot rang out, and I saw the brilliant green bolt impact against a battle scarred starship hull plate that leant up against the wall outside in the yard. I couldn't see where the shot came from, but judging by the amused look on Crucidius' face as he watched the dispay from just inside the hangar entrance, there didn't seem to be much cause for concern, so I sheepishly holstered my blaster again.

Durn threw the rag down on a workbench and picked up a datapad, before turning to face me. He gestured towards the source of the blaster fire with a glance, and shook his head wearily.

"Brea's letting off a little steam. She'll be okay, just stay out of her way for a while."

I nodded my agreement, and decided it would be wise to change the subject.

"So how's the old girl looking Durn?" I asked, patting the hull of the Longshot as I strode down the ramp.

"You gotta take it easy Rogan," he replied, shaking his head again slowly, "or one of these days I'm not gonna be able to put her back together again."

"C'mon Durn, you know I got faith in you. So, is she ready to go?"

"Almost." he said, handing me the datapad. "Just a few things left to test."

I glanced down at the datapad's display, scrolling through the list of parts he'd had to fix or replace...alluvial dampers, port landing strut, sensor dish, auxiliary thrusters, complete overhaul of the hyperdrive...my eyes scanned over the rest of the extensive list, coming to rest on the rather large credit total at the bottom.

"Ah..." I said, realising I had a slight problem. Durn recognised the look on my face -- it wasn't exactly the first time he'd seen it.

"Don't give me that Rogan, I know you got that gemstone to pay with." he said, before a look of realisation appeared in his eyes. "You DO still have it...?"

I could practically feel Li'Anah's syes burning into the back of my head...

"Ahh..."

 

[Hentai Man]

huge deviouse smile "somebody needs a loan MWA HA HA"

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

Following Rogan out of the Longshot, I came up behind him just in time to hear Durn's inquiry about the gemstone. My hand went to the necklace dangling between my breasts while my eyes drilled holes in the back of Rogan's head.

Why did I ever think he would change?

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

I turned around slowly, and my fears were confirmed as I saw Li'Anah standing at the top of the Longshot's boarding ramp. Her hand strayed to the necklace around her neck, as she glared at me with a mixture of anger and hurt in her eyes.

I remembered how genuinely happy she'd been when I gave her the necklace this morning, how much she loved it, and how incredible it looked on her. If I'd honestly meant a word of what I said to her on the ship, I couldn't keep hurting her and expecting her to forgive me. Durn would just have to understand.

"I'll work something out Li'Anah, I promise..."

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

"I'll work something out Li'Anah, I promise..."

Where have I heard THAT before? I asked myself. I started to turn around to head back into the Longshot when movement caught the corner of my eye. Light glinted off the business end of a blaster cannon pointed at...Rogan? Figured. I thought it might be Crucidius, but then I saw a long tail snaking around in the shadows. Without another thought I pulled a blaster from my ankle holster and aimed right over Rogan's shoulder.

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

I knew Li'Anah would be angry, but I was shocked when she suddenly drew the blaster from her ankle holster and aimed it at my head!

"Woah!" I said, freezing in position. "C'mon Li'Anah, let's not be hasty now..."

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

I could see the...concern in Rogan's eyes. But with him in the position he was in, he blocked their view of me. I hoped that he wouldn't move and pulled the trigger. No doubt he could feel the heat over his left shoulder. He dove right, I rolled left and all hell broke loose.

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

Time froze as Li'Anah pulled the trigger, sending an azure bolt of energy lancing in my direction. I didn't even have time to brace myself for the inevitable impact before the blast had passed me, leaving nothing but a ringing in my ear and a burning sensation in the stubble on my left cheek. Did she...miss?

An explosion and a roar of pain behind me quickly answered my question, and I dove to my left, seeking cover behind a clapped-out load lifter.

Drawing my blaster I looked across to see Li'Anah, who had gone the opposite direction, crouched behind a storage container. Two emerald blaster bolts immediately splashed against the container, pinning her down.

I jumped up from behind the load lifter and quickly scanned for the source of the shots. Three of the bounty hunters we had encountered earlier were spread out across the repair bay outside the hangar, continuing to spray brilliant green blaster fire towards Li'Anah's position. I took aim at one of them and rapid fired two shots at him - the first missed but the second caught him in the shoulder, sending him tumbling to the ground. The remaining two hunters fanned out, taking cover behind a cluster of discharged energy cells, and turned their attentions to me, sending a hail of fire my way.

I dropped quickly back behind the load lifter as the storm of blaster bolts impacted all around me. I looked across at Li'Anah.

"Go!" I shouted. "Get on the ship!"

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

"Get on the ship!"

I didn't stop to think, I just did what he said. I felt blaster fire singe the hair on my head, as I dove into the Longshot, rolling to one side, out of range. I was up in a flash. I sighted the bounty hunter on the far left who was trying to come around behind Rogan while the other kept him pinned down. I couldn't get a clean shot, so I ran to my favorite spot in the Longshot: the pilot's seat.
The engines flared to life and I maneuvered around between Rogan and the bounty hunters...

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

I saw Li'Anah make it into the Longshot, my heart skipping a beat as a blaster shot narrowly missed her. I tried to give her covering fire, but the storm of energy bolts flashing past my position kept me pinned down.

I feinted to come out one side of the load lifter before quickly rolling and glancing out from the other side, hoping to catch the bounty hunters off guard.

I just had time to see the towering reptilian form of the Barabel hunter step out from behind the wall of the hangar, noting the smoking blackened area of his chest armor where Li'Anah had presumably shot him, back when I thought she was aiming at me!

He saw me too and levelled his wicked looking blaster cannon in my direction. I hurriedly ducked back into cover, just in time as I felt the load lifter rock as it was hit by a shot from the powerful weapon. A second impact quickly followed...the lifter wasn't going to be able to take much more punishment like that.

I was in trouble, I realised, big trouble. How the hell was I gonna get out of this one?

Suddenly, I heard the familiar and comforting whine of the Longshot's engines as they fired up...

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

I maneuvered around the small hanger until the Longshot was between Rogan and the Barabel. Just in time too. I felt the Longshot shudder with the impact of blaster fire that would surely have destroyed that load lifter. Rogan leaped onto the ramp, firing at the bounty hunters as he hit the lever to close the hatch.
I breathed a sigh of relief until he appeared behind me.
"Okay," he breathed heavily, "hop up. I'll take it from here."
"What, are you nuts?" I looked at him as though he'd sprouted wings. Horns was more like it. On top of the green-eyed monster that always reared his ugly head whenever I was piloting the Longshot.
Another shot of blaster fire and the Longshot shuddered.
"Look," he said, "you know I'm a better pilot than you are."
"The hell you are!" I shouted back at him, wrenching the ship around toward the launch bay, causing him to topple backwards and fall on his ass. Good, I thought. That's the least he deserved for nearly getting me killed.
Just wait until I get my hands on you mister...I thought to myself.

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

How could she!? As I clambered back to my feet, rubbing at my aching ass, I glared at Li'Anah, sitting in my chair.

After all we'd been through together. All the good times, the daring adventures, the narrow escapes. Always being there for each other, relying on her when she was all I had, never letting me down. All the bad times too, when I thought I'd lost her, nursing her back to health. I treated her so badly sometimes, but she never complained, always forgave me.

Yep, I loved that ship alright, and if Li'Anah hurt my baby I'd never forgive her!

The ship rocked again as another powerful blast struck the hull. I ran over to the co-pilot's position, flicking the switch that caused the deflector shield generator to hum into life.

The lights in the cockpit immediately went out. With an oft-practiced motion I turned and kicked out at the wall of the cockpit, making sure to strike the fourth panel along and second one up, with just the right amount of force.

I was rewarded by the lights flickering on and off twice, and then remaining on. I grinned triumphantly -- she still loved me, I thought fondly. Let's see Li'Anah know how to do that.

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

Rogan could be such a bastard about this damn ship. God! It was just transportation!
"Fine," I said once we broke orbit.(I presume everyone who's supposed to be on the ship is...) "Have it your way hotshot." I stood up and went aft, mumbling the whole way about men who thought they were gods...

I stopped when I found the pile of panties. With a sigh, I sat down and tried to figure out why I agreed to go with Rogan. He was just going to hurt me again. I pulled out an antique whetstone that had been my father's and started sharpening my knife.

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

After closely and intently watching Li'Anah storm out of the cockpit - hey, what do you expect? She's HOT! - I settled down in the comforting familiar warmth of the pilot's seat. My hands danced over the control panel instinctively, feeling the Longshot respond to my slightest touch. Don't worry baby, Daddy's home...

My mind wandered as I idly activated the navi-comp, calling up the details for our destination and setting the computer to calculate the requisite astrogation coordinates for the jump to hyperspace.
I thought of what I'd do with my share of the treasure once we got it. I'd pay off Ko'Val for a start, get that scum-sucking leech and his bounty killers off my back once and for all. Then I'd pay Durn what I owed him for the repairs - I guess maybe I should toss him a little extra...I did get his place shot up after all.

Talking of getting shot at, perhaps I ought to do something nice for Li'Anah too, take her someplace special maybe. Probably the least I could do, considering...

And last but not least, I thought as I patted the control panel fondly, I'd spend some money on my baby -- maybe a new engine or an upgrade to the deflector shield generator. I've always been promising myself that military grade sensor dish too, or those ion guns...

Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a small red blip on the sensor screen, rapidly approaching from behind. I casually punched a couple of buttons, scanning the approaching vessel. After a moment, the image of a rather mean looking ship appeared on the screen, heavily armed by the look of it. I sat bolt upright as the ship's details scrolled up.

SHIP CLASS: TALORAN PREYCHASER
VESSEL ID: VOIDSTALKER
WEAPON PAYLOAD: TURBOLASERS, ION CANNON, CONCUSSION MISSILES, TRACTOR BEAM.

I didn't bother reading the rest.

"Li'Anah!!" I shouted. "Come back!"

I had a bad feeling about this...

 

[Countess DeWinter]

Li'Anah

"Li'Anah!! Come back!"

I ignored Rogan. My knife sharpened, I tucked it and the whetstone away and sat there, mutely going through the panties. Some of them had been favorites. I held up a feathery thong. I'd been wearing this when I met Rogan. A smile tugged at the corner of my lips. It had been....volatile.

"Li'Anah!! I need you..." I heard the note of concern in Rogan's voice and stood up. I could at least see what was wrong. Probably couldn't figure out...no, I'd better not go there. He was a pretty good pilot. Just not as good as me.

I stood behind him and asked, "What's got your panties in a knot, Rogan?"

 

[Friendly Dragon]

Rogan

As I heard Li'Anah behind me, suddenly the ship lurched and began slowing. A glance at the control panel confirmed my fears - we were caught in a tractor beam. Pouring as much power as possible into the engines, I tried to break free but the energy field holding us was too strong, the Longshot's engines whining in protest as the ship shuddered with the strain.

I struck the control panel in frustration and turned to Li'Anah, answering her question.

"That!"