The Life and Times of Jarik Solo

Chapter 8

Looking back on it, Jarik thought that perhaps running wasn't the best thing to do in this situation for various reasons, the most important being that he was on the roof of an apartment building.

Jarik skid on his heels in order to stop before he unintentionally launched himself off the building.

For a moment, he didn't turn around, not wanting to face Xista's disapproval. He could almost feel the disdain at his stupidity radiating off of her.

Instead, he just chose to look down at the glittering city down below, feeling the wind ruffle his clothes and hair. He so desperately wanted the night to swallow him up.

It was Xista who decided to break the silence. "If you wanted to leave so badly, you could've just asked," she deadpanned.

With a highly bewildered look on his face, Jarik turned towards the Falleen, his embarassment forgotten momentarily. Cocking his head to the side questioningly, he asked, "Why?"

Her face turned stony. "I'll help you on the condition that you stop asking so many questions. I have my own reasons, okay?"

Mutely, Jarik nodded.

"Now, if you want a ship, you're going to have to head to the Eastern Fallen Shipyard. Your old ship is, obviously, a lost cause."

Her expression turned curious. "By the way, my father wouldn't say anything to me particularly about it, the security patrol mentioned that they salvaged something very interesting from your ship."

Minions of Xendor, he thought. I completely forgot about the weapons. I'm a dead man.

He knew that whoever was paying him all those credits would not accept failure, and they especially would not accept the destruction/confiscation of the weapons.

Once they caught wind of the situation, Jarik knew that he'd probably have a bounty on his head that was on par with Han Solo's.

"Hello? Hello!" While he was dwelling in his own misfortunes, Xista had stepped right up close to his face, and was clapping her hands in front of it.

Ignoring her, Jarik kicked right into his fully aware mode. "Listen, Xista. We have to go tight now. It's really urgent."

She let out a heavy sigh. But before she could say anything, he cut her off.
"Right now."

Xista rolled her eyes, but turned around and started speedwalking to the other edge of the roof. Jarik ran to keep up.

She gestured downwards. "Emergency escape ladder. Never been used, so be careful and try not to fall." With that, she swung over the edge and began her downwards descent. Jarik had no choice but to follow.

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