STAR WARS: Fugitive

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

A lone, dark figure stepped from the shadows onto the landing pad wearing a long coat with the collar turned up. He was dressed in black, down to his gloves and boots. The black contrasted with the solid pink hue to his skin which showed on his neck and head. He gazed at the freighter approaching, slower for some reason than he was used to. He studied the details of its outer hull as it drew near. He had watched it land many times before, but this time felt different. A movement on the port side caught his eye. He instantly pulled out his visor from his coat pocket, set it over his eyes and adjusted the magnification. Someone was wedged between a couple of exterior panels, long hair, maybe female. A stowaway! Maybe not; Peri’s flying slower; he’s apparently aware of his ‘passenger’... maybe.... He pulled out his modified blaster, and held it at his side, casual like.

The freighter slowed more as its landing struts extended, then descended neatly onto the pad. The figure somersaulted from the side of the ship and landed in a defensive stance facing him. It was indeed a woman, human, and attractive, wearing a green bodysuit and a crimson colored vest. She relaxed her posture slowly and silently regarded him. He could feel her uneasiness, a great deal of focus and tension within her beautifully mild disposition. They stared at each other until the access ramp dropped down with Peri clamoring out toward the woman.

“Just what do you think you were doing?” he shouted at her.

“I defended your ship! Kept my part of the deal! You’re welcome,” she said evenly.

After listening to their argument continue over their lack of planning and communication, and some other confusing things she tried to turn back at Peri about someone knowing they were coming, the lone figure put away his modified blaster and decided it was time to intervene before he was forgotten.

“Peri!” he had to shout to distract them well enough, “I see you haven’t lost your touch in choosing female companions,” he chuckled, stepping up to Peri, “however, at least you’ve stepped up your criteria, between attractive looks and attracting local pirates. That’s not the ‘low-profile-Peri’ I’m used to,” he added with a smile and a wink toward the woman. “Peri’s no good with introductions,” he said extending his hand to Thera, “but you look familiar. What was your name?” he asked tenderly.

“Thera,” she said, before she could think. She instantly felt a sense of guile. I shouldn’t have told him my name, she thought. Cautiously accepting his hand in hers, she narrowed her eyes at him, “Thera Tykos,” she said carefully, “and what is yours?”

His smile fell into a grin, “I’m no one of consequence,” he winked, “really, but you’re welcome to call me anything you’d like,” he added, and kissed her hand tenderly.

“Well, then,” she rolled her eyes and looked away, “I suppose ‘hey, you’ will suffice,” she responded dryly as he held his kiss a moment.

“Alright, alright! Enough with all that!” Peri snapped, breaking their hands apart. “Apparently you haven’t lost your touch either, always a lady’s man!”

He shrugged, “Hey! At least I make great first impressions.” He glanced back toward Thera in time to see her turn her back and begin walking away. “So what do you have for me, Peri” he asked.

“I’ll show you,” said Peri, leading the way back into the freighter. “Come aboard and I’ll explain.”

Thera slowly wandered toward the edge of the pad, listening as their voices faded and began pondering over Mr. “Hey, you.” Very odd, she thought. When she couldn’t hear them anymore, she closed her eyes and followed their presences through the Force, working on telling them apart. After awhile, she felt them exchange strong, focused, angry and defensive emotions with Lady Gosell. She could feel Peri’s friend stand out like a beacon in the Force with his soothing disposition. Their emotions seemed to flow steady, calm, irritated, and then anxious, and then repeat more or less, so she left them to their business and started exploring the small landing pad. Clearing some tools off a nearby workbench, she hopped on and sat back against the terminal wall to relax and ponder. No other beings or droids appeared to be about. This place must have been abandoned or private owned. Convenient meeting place, then.