If You Want Blood, (You've Got It); Nar Shaddaa + Space

[Mac Cheydin]

Mac paced the length of the docking bay the Centurion’s Blade was occupying, his eyes studying every inch of the ship. It looked much better than it had back on Ossus, as he’d invested a fair amount of credits to get her in tip-top shape. Some changes had been made to, and they were more than a little obvious. It didn’t take an expert to see just what changes had been made, and what had been added. She did look a real beauty where she stood, but that beauty escaped most, some people just didn’t appreciate a proper ship.

He paused in his pacing, eyeing the top, his mind going through more planned upgrades and modifications. Those would have to wait, at the moment he didn’t have the credits or the leisure to spend more time upgrading the Centurion’s systems. A job was fast arriving, and he had to wait for a passenger. Bringing his hand up, he looked at the chrono around his wrist, idly watching what time it was before letting it drop again as he resumed his pacing.

Contacting Shay had been easy enough; he hadn’t spoken to her personally, however. He’d called during the night cycle of the planet Ossus, mostly good planning on his part, Shay made him… uneasy. If he could delay any direct contact, he would, but at the moment he couldn’t avoid it much longer. He’d left explicit instructions as to where the docking bay where the Centurion was located and by what time she should be there, nothing else other than that. If he knew Shay, or at least he thought he knew, then she’d be pretty on time, even if she wasn’t, he’d still wait.

He didn’t want to go through that stalking business again.

With a sharp whistle, he called for both his vornskrs, knowing they were stalking around somewhere in the docking bay, looking for those annoying ranats, most likely. The sounds of hurried paws from one direction made him turn, seeing the two creatures racing up to him. Sam’s gait was enthusiastic, almost panicky in the movements, he was still growing into having a larger body and his large puppy paws were giving him some trouble. Tysk, however, came in a more subdued manner, being the eldest and the more experienced, she knew how to properly walk around without tripping or falling over.

Sam slid past him, having failed to slow down in time to stop on the greasy deck right by Mac, while Tysk calmly trotted up to him and nudged his hand. Sam recovered and bumped into his leg. With a small chuckle, Mac gave them both a scratch behind the ear, before he made his way towards the ramp of the Centurion. He’d have to double check his equipment just to keep him from getting too restless.

He’d been preparing for this moment for months, years even if he admitted to himself that all he’d done through the years was merely to build up to this gig. Preparing himself for the moment, he didn’t care if it was intentional or unintentional, what mattered was that it was finally here. He could almost feel it, but he wouldn’t be celebrating anything yet. A whole myriad of things could go wrong, at least he’d be taking them with him if he happened to take his final jump on this shindig.

Yes, failure was an option for him, but failure would be the end of him, and hopefully, all of them or most of them too. He wasn’t too bothered when facing his potential mortality, it had been something he’d been prepared for each time he was shipped out on one of the Confederation’s crusades. He’d been unwilling to meet it then, as he had attachments, but fate had rid him of those.

But in reality, he still had those attachments; he wouldn’t be planning this if they were still alive. Funny thing, fate.

[Shay Marin]

For someone who despises Nar Shaddaa, I end up spending an awful lot of time here. Indeed, she'd been on the smugglers' moon more times in the past few months than any other planetary locale. Dolomar was the only other world the Jedi Master liked to visit less than this galactic cesspool. Still, there had been no help for it at any of those times in the past, just as there was no help for it in the present. Shay hadn't made the choice of a rendezvous spot, after all. Someone else was to blame for that, if 'blame' was even the right word for it.

After 'negotiating' for permission to land in the relatively secure Corellian Sector, Shay had hastened as best she could through the Lucidity's shutdown procedures. Given that the Delaya-class courier was far faster than most would ever guess given her outdated design, she'd made it to Nar Shaddaa with plenty of time to spare for her owner to meet Mac's 'suggested' schedule. There was no real reason for her haste under the circumstances, at least from an objective standpoint. Now from a subjective standpoint... well, that was a whole other game of bollo-ball. You must be in deeper than you thought, if you're letting emotions command priority over practicality.

Stifling her internal monologue for now, Master Marin finished securing her ship for standing idle. It pained her in a way to leave her ship behind on this trip, but again there was no help for it. Mac would without a doubt prefer to use his own vessel, and Shay wasn't about to try to argue with him on that point. She'd practically bullied her way on board for this little excursion as it was--even if said bullying had been accomplished in a very Jedi fashion--and she didn't intend to make things any more difficult for the smuggler than she already had. Besides, an argument would pose a delay, and she expected Mac would want to depart as soon as she arrived. He wasn't exactly the most overly patient person she'd ever met. Smirking faintly at her own train of thought, the blonde woman gave the Lucidity's port forward aerofoil a gentle pat. "See you later, old girl."

With a small amount of residual reluctance on her part, Shay departed the landing pad. Out of habit, the Jedi Master pulled her cloak of anonymity around her as she stepped onto the elevated walkway. Not that it was strictly necessary; her current outfit of black boots, slacks, and oversized leather jacket paired with a midnight blue tunic wasn't anything that would set her apart from much of the rest of the sector's populace. Her lightsabers were, as usual, hidden away beneath her loose clothing, as were all her other weapons save her sidearm. Still, it wouldn't help the situation for her to risk being randomly waylaid along her chosen route. Such things were awfully popular on Nar Shaddaa, after all. Shay doubted Mac would leave without her even if she was late, but she aimed to be punctual regardless.

Hands tucked into her jacket pockets, she allowed her automatic navigation sense to direct her to turn at the appropriate points while the rest of her brain contemplated other matters. Do you know what the hell you're doing? That question had been running through her mind every now and again ever since she'd talked to Lysander. Her answer had always been the same: yes. That hadn't stopped her conscience from continuing to prod her about it all the while.

In a way, it was reassuring, to know her ethical sensibilities hadn't completely failed her. On the other hand, it was downright annoying. Shay wasn't used to questioning herself much at all. Not that she was so very arrogant, but she was normally sure of herself before she took any sort of important action. Not this time though; doubts lingered on despite her best efforts to dispel them.

It's too late for second guessing now. You forced your way onto this transport, and now you're going to have to ride it. Stow away your emotional baggage already and strap in. There won't be any time for it later. Shay knew the truth when she 'heard' it. She couldn't allow her ambivalence about the wisdom of spending such time around someone she was so attached to cause her to hesitate in the thick of combat. His life--and her own--depended on her keeping things straight in her head. The Jedi Master had no doubt she'd be capable of doing so when the point came, but her inner voice would continue to remind her of the risks all the same.

At last she arrived at her destination, which prodded her into setting all those extraneous thoughts and concerns aside for now. She let her psychic screening effect fall away as she strode across the greasy metal 'deck' towards the familiar lines of the Centurion's Blade. The vornskrs would no doubt notice she was there before Mac did; it was her habit to step quietly, and they could 'smell' her coming. The sight of the two dark-furred canines sitting at Mac's feet brought a gentle smile to play on her mouth. He wasn't exaggerating about how much Sam had grown!

Then it was the ship that drew her attention away from the man, and her lips pursed together as she let out a low whistle of appreciation. The freighter had certainly patched up well, and had gained some 'improvements' besides. "Someone just bought themselves some nice toys," she commented wryly, letting her amber gaze travel across the lines of the new shipboard weapons. "Are we planning a naval assault here?"

[Mac Cheydin]

Mac noticed the two vornskrs react to something as he stood by the ramp, a quick glance towards the docking bay entrance told him he couldn’t see anyone, which probably meant a Jedi was approaching. With a quick order, the obedient dogs sat down and remained still. By default they picked up Force sensitive’s as their favourite prey, but he’d trained them enough so that they only went after anyone who was an apparent threat, instead of doing it for the hunt. After a few moments, Shay wandered into his sights, her clothing appropriate for one wandering the streets of Nar Shaddaa. It was hard to believe she was a Jedi.

He stood still as she approached, watching the gentle smile come when she looked at the two vornskrs. With a small hand gesture, he gave the two creatures free reins, Sam was trotting away from him the moment he completed it, Tysk remained by his side, calmly taking in the sight of her pup greeting the Jedi in the enthusiastic manner he liked to act.

"Are we planning a naval assault here?"

Letting a slow grin cross his face, he shook his head with a small laugh. “No, but that might be safer than what I have planned.” This was true, as they’d be right in the middle of things rather than floating outside blasting the place to oblivion, but that tactic wouldn’t ensure the permanent death of the kriffing pirates. No doubt Shay was curious as to what exactly the plan that he’d been putting together was.

“These add-ons are something I’ve been planning to get for a long time; they just came at a very fitting time.” He’d had the credits and time available, and he knew he couldn’t use all he had on explosives. These were more long term than a mere grenade. “They add to her charm, don’t they?” Mac smirked, turning to look up at the Centurion himself.

Pulling himself away from watching the ship, which he’d been doing almost constantly lately, it appeared the new armaments had a more distracting effect on him than he’d counted on at first. “Why don’t I tell you the plan?” His suggestion was worded as a question, but it wasn’t really one. She’d have to listen whether she wanted to or not, but Shay, ever the diligent Jedi, probably wouldn’t turn the offer down even if she could.

Turning up the ramp, he quickly ascended and made his way to the cockpit. Now that Shay was here, he was eager to get moving. Shay would have to hear the plan as they moved. The hyperspace trip would give them enough time to go over the details anyway.

[Shay Marin]

The smile on Shay's face widened significantly when she spied Sam rushing towards her. In a scene that had probably never occurred anywhere else in the galaxy before, a Jedi Master crouched down to meet the charge of a vornskr with open arms. "I almost can't believe this is the same animal," she stated with a laugh, even as she proceeded to give Sam the attention that the eager canine demanded. "Did you actually miss me, or do you greet everyone this way?" Not actually expecting an answer from the vornskr, she grinned down at the black-furred beast, careful to avoid contact with his wagging tail as she stroked down the length of his back.

"No, but that might be safer than what I have planned."

"Guess that was just wishful thinking on my part then," Shay quipped, turning her attention as well as her face back up towards the smuggler. Mac looked a lot happier than the last time she'd seen him, which was something she was thankful for. His aura wasn't precisely content, but it was a great deal more 'settled' than how it was when they'd ended their previous encounter. How long it would stay that way... well, that remained to be seen. Force knows I'm going to try to avoid our next argument as long as possible. We don't need the distraction.

"These add-ons are something I’ve been planning to get for a long time; they just came at a very fitting time. They add to her charm, don’t they?"

Amusement flared brightly in her amber eyes even as she moved her head in a small nod. "Not to mention her damage output." Being a Jedi, Shay herself wasn't precisely 'into' heavy firepower. However, also being something of a gearhead at heart, she couldn't help but have at least an intellectual appreciation for a well-made weapons system. "Your bird cleans up nice." The Centurion now outwardly looked like the efficiently functioning vessel Shay already knew her to be. Everyone on the Dolomar mission owed that ship for getting them out of there alive, so Master Marin was glad to see the girl get some gentle treatment for a change.

"Why don’t I tell you the plan?"

Shay cocked a brow at him, her smile transmuting into a smirk. "About time." There was no real heat behind the statement, keeping it from becoming an accusation. Honestly, she didn't begrudge him keeping his plan to himself up till now; it wasn't as though she had expected him to spill the details during his midnight comm call, after all. No... the curt message stored in the Lucidity's computer that had met her when she'd checked that morning had been almost precisely the sort of thing she'd expected from him. Guess I am getting better at predicting him. Which isn't necessarily a good sign...

Master Marin rose back to a standing position as Mac turned away and headed up the ramp. Why do I always end up in the position of playing follow-the-leader with him? This is one game I've never liked playing much. Once again, there was no helping the situation; this was his ship, his plan, his personal vendetta. With a quick gust of a sigh, Shay strode after him, Sam bounding alongside her in hopes of receiving more attention. "You're shameless," she chuckled down at the young vornskr as they both entered the Centurion proper.

Following the sounds of his footsteps and the 'feel' of his presence, Shay tracked him down in the cockpit again. Once there, she quickly took a seat in the co-pilot's chair, Sam settling at her feet to receive more petting. The Jedi Master didn't want to waste time any more than the scoundrel did. "So where are we headed, precisely?" Another thing he hadn't told her yet along with the plan was where this nest of pirates was actually located. Not that the place was quite as important as the people, but she was an admittedly curious woman when it came right down to it.

[Mac Cheydin]

"Not to mention her damage output."

Mac smirked, the damage output was very satisfying. What he couldn’t do before he could do now, if only because of his increased firepower. Of course, there were some minuses with looking so obviously geared up. His ‘legitimate business’ would start looking suspicious, even if it was legit. It did look more like a smugglers ship than a normal freighter with a captain that kept solidly on the right side of the law. Ah, well, not a big loss for him, the legit jobs rarely, if ever, brought in the credits he wanted. Legit jobs only worked when you needed a break from running or if you weren’t in a tight spot with the credits.

"About time."

He gave a shrug at her statement, noting the meaning the statement could have carried, but which the Jedi left out. The reason for keeping his plan a secret was not to keep her deliberately in the dark, but merely because he’d only just finished the details, and he preferred speaking in person rather than through a communication link. You never knew who could be listening. None of the lines he used were particularly secure, unlike the Alliance and Confederation, he wasn’t made of credits.

"You're shameless,"

“Don’t give him any leeway, he really is shameless in all respects. He’s tried to suffocate me in my sleep a few times. Can’t seem to remember that he isn’t a tiny puppy anymore,” Mac called when he heard her words to the pup, turning back to look at the pair as he scratched Tysk on the head. Sam wasn’t much trouble normally, but he had his moments where he was particularly unruly. It came with being a puppy, if a very large and dangerous puppy.

"So where are we headed, precisely?"

Sliding into the pilot’s seat, he worked by automatic to fire up all the ships systems and get them working. The process was so familiar to him that it barely took an effort, even when he was rushing it. He knew the Centurion’s systems like the back of his hand, she hadn’t failed him yet, and she wouldn’t anytime soon if he had a say.

“They’re holed up in some nondescript asteroid belt in the Hoth system, in the Anoat Sector. Geniuses have moved from Taanab to take on a more galactic plundering business.” His tone stiffened, and the resentment could be easily felt. “They’ve made a whole base in a large asteroid. I’ve checked around and it’s some long abandoned mining facility.”

He paused in his talk to comm. the spaceport authorities, asking permission to lift off, it was quickly granted and he gently grabbed the Centurion’s controls, lifting her up as swiftly he could and blasting for the skies. Keeping his focuses on the controls, he continued.

“I’ve managed to integrate myself into their fold, I’m not with them, but I work for them, shipping goods and the like.” He gave a disgusted sound, clearly conveying how little he’d liked that. “They trust me now, so I’ve got an easy in.”

[Shay Marin]

"Don’t give him any leeway, he really is shameless in all respects. He’s tried to suffocate me in my sleep a few times. Can’t seem to remember that he isn’t a tiny puppy anymore."

Shay's laughter rang out within the confines of the Centurion's cockpit once again at that mental image. The thought of the hard-edged smuggler being in such an adorable--if inconvenient--position was hysterical from her perspective. "I've heard of metaphorically smothering someone with love before, but that's the first time I've known it to literally happen!" Still laughing, she turned her gaze back down to the vornskr at her feet. "Good thing he warned me, in case you want to try that trick on me while I'm here." The last time she'd slept in the same bed as the puppy was a pleasant memory, but he had been much smaller then.

Keeping Sam distracted with one hand scratching behind his ears, the Jedi Master absently watched Mac go through the ship's initial start-up procedures. It was obvious how well the man knew his vessel, since his eyes didn't even have to glance at the controls in order for his hands to operate them properly. Shay experienced the same sort of phenomenon with the Lucidity; even without the aid of the Force, she was certain she could go through a warm-up and takeoff blindfolded. While Jedi weren't supposed to form attachments to possessions--except their lightsabers--she had nonetheless 'bonded' rather closely with her personal vessel. Inanimate object or not, it was common spacers' wisdom that if you took care of your ship, she took care of you.

"They’re holed up in some nondescript asteroid belt in the Hoth system, in the Anoat Sector. Geniuses have moved from Taanab to take on a more galactic plundering business. They’ve made a whole base in a large asteroid. I’ve checked around and it’s some long abandoned mining facility."

Shay dragged herself out of her surprisingly affectionate musings and placed herself squarely back into a 'business' mindset. The amusement in her amber eyes fled in a flash, to be replaced by a more thoughtful expression. His words thus far didn't require any comment on her part, and so she merely nodded a slow acknowledgment of them. Her ever-busy brain filed away this information and began to immediately puzzle over it. After so many years of having to piece together scraps of data on her own, such things had become automatic. She couldn't shut off her tendency for constantly analyzing everything and everyone around her even when she wasn't on duty, technically speaking.

The Jedi Master waited with her usual patience through Mac requesting liftoff clearance and him subsequently taking his bird into the air. Their destination didn't surprise her; the Hoth system had been used on and off for centuries as a base for various criminal operations. Even though it shared a sector with one of the main Confederation-controlled planets, it was still remote enough to serve the purposes of those wanting to keep shady business secret. I'm sure they make quite a killing--pun not intended--from preying on the ships headed up and down the Corellian Trade Spine.

"I’ve managed to integrate myself into their fold, I’m not with them, but I work for them, shipping goods and the like. They trust me now, so I’ve got an easy in."

Shay could sympathize with his sentiments on the matter of having to cozy up to the people you wanted to destroy. She'd had to do similar things more times than she cared to remember over the years. The three month stint on Tatooine getting to know a slaver ring had probably been the worst; it had taken every ounce of her Jedi control and every sliver of her acting 'chops' to keep those scumbags in the dark about how much she'd constantly wanted to put a lightsaber through them. "Sounds familiar," she murmured understandingly in response.

"So what's the plan? Not the same one as last time I did an infiltration with you, obviously. I'm not exactly dressed for it." Master Marin was secure enough in her serenity to venture to make a subtle joke about the whole Tatooine mess. Talking with Lysander about the kriffing corset story had made the subject a little easier on her sensibilities anyways. Talking with him about anything generally did that, to be honest.

[Mac Cheydin]

”I'm not exactly dressed for it."

“If we could get away with it, I’d have done that just to see the sight again,” Mac quipped, smirking as he broke out of the atmosphere of Nar Shaddaa. In truth, that line of thought hadn’t actually occurred to him as he planned. He wasn’t one for tactics such as those, not like he could pull it off himself, so he rarely considered it an option anyway. However, the thought of a reprise of the event on Tatooine, now that was something he wouldn’t mind, if you removed the Zeltron out of the equation. He didn’t think she liked him much, not that he could blame her for it, he’d be sore too if someone tossed him in the street.

Turning back to business, he headed towards the point where he was out of the gravity well of Nar Shaddaa and could make a clear jump into hyperspace to get to the Hoth system. The hyperspace trip would take days, due to the distance between the Hoth system and Hutt space, but there were plenty of things to occupy himself with during the trip. But in order to keep his sanity, he’d have to step very lightly around Shay. He really didn’t want another argument on this job. While he knew both of them would keep it together despite any disputes, he didn’t want to chance it.

“I’ve told them I have someone interested in joining them, as they think I’m on their side, they’ve said yes to checking out the new recruit. That’s how we’ll get in, I suspect they’ll want to do some background checks before they give us any answer, so they’ll hole us both up somewhere, under a friendly guise of course, if they see anything amiss, they’ll most likely come and argue, maybe fire some shots.” He shrugged, as if the thought didn’t bother him at all. “But we won’t give them that much time, when they have us holed up somewhere, we’ll get to business. Shoot the guards, and then proceed to blowing the place up. It’ll all be very straightforward.”

Swiftly, the ship came to her destination. Mac set in the planned hyperspace coordinates that would bring them to the asteroid belt. Hitting the switch, they made the jump to hyperspace without a hitch, which was to be expected. He’d be complaining to get his money back if the thing failed on him right after getting it fixed. Reclining in his seat, he knew he had many, many hours ahead of him.

“Oh, and you’re a wanted escapee from Kessel who murdered a few people on Coruscant when they tried to arrest you. You used to smuggle, but branched out into the mercenary business, where you did something illegal that got you landed on Kessel in the first place.” He gave a small shrug. “You’re called Lyrin Vash, the complete file on you is on the holotable.” He waved vaguely beyond the cockpit.

[Shay Marin]

"If we could get away with it, I’d have done that just to see the sight again."

For once, Mac's emotional response to a particular stimulus was downright predictable, even stereotypically male. Both her brows quirked a touch upwards as she picked up on said response. Since Shay had been the one to bring up the subject in the first place, she wasn't particularly bothered or insulted by the direction his thoughts had gone. There was the momentary thought that perhaps she shouldn't have reminded him of Tatooine, but she dismissed that reasoning as irrelevant, since the damage was already done.

"I'll take that as a compliment." She meant the words alone, and not the feeling beneath them, though part of her chimed in that being physically desired was something she should feel complimented about. That's enough of that out of you, libido. This time her smirk was self-directed. "I think that would make it a grand total of two you've ever given me." Her expression paired with her relaxed body posture as she leaned back in her chair made it clear she found the subject funny rather than offensive. Shay wasn't someone who needed flattery, to say the least.

"...But we won’t give them that much time, when they have us holed up somewhere, we’ll get to business. Shoot the guards, and then proceed to blowing the place up. It’ll all be very straightforward."

The Jedi Master mulled over his words for a time after he had finished speaking them, running the scenario he outlined through her mind in search of any major flaws or potential snags. In the end, she only found one. "How likely are they to physically search me? Not only would I prefer to avoid being pawed by pirates if at all possible, but if they find one of my lightsabers, that's it. I can most likely mentally 'distract' them from noticing their existence during said pawing, but there's always the chance of there being one especially strong-willed piece of scum in the sewage pond."

Maybe he'd be surprised that she'd brought them in the first place, but she thought it likely that he'd know better than that. Everyone knew the old line about how a Jedi was supposed to be married to their lightsaber, didn't they? Unless it was simply too dangerous to risk them being discovered--like Dolomar--or physically impossible for her to carry them under wraps--like Tatooine--they were with her on every mission. "If I'll probably be searched, they'll have to be left behind somewhere on the Centurion."

"...You’re called Lyrin Vash, the complete file on you is on the holotable."

"I sound like a lovely woman," Shay opined sarcastically, levering herself out of her chair. "Sorry Sam, duty calls." More than familiar with the layout of Mac's ship by now, the blonde woman exited the cockpit and moved off to her left through the 'common' space towards said holotable. She had a brief flash of memory from the last time she'd approached the table, and again she was reminded of Elina's disappearing act. Somehow, I'm going to find the time to track her down. I still don't get anything resembling the stereotypical Jedi 'bad feelings' regarding her, so she can't be in serious trouble. There's many kinds of 'trouble' though, and some of them are entirely self-inflicted.

Dismissing the unnecessary thoughts from her conscious mind, Master Marin caught up the indicated datapad in her hand, beginning to read over it even as she retraced her steps back up towards the cockpit. It's not as though she needed to physically see to find her way around, even if the location hadn't been so familiar to her. However, at some point between Shay's departure and her return, Sam had decided to jump up into the seat she'd recently vacated. He was looking particularly smug and self-satisfied with his new vantage point. "Definitely shameless." Shaking her head and chuckling softly at the sight of such canine glee, she selected another chair to settle in. "Is this a real person I'm impersonating, or someone you made up? If it's the latter, thank you for keeping the alias short."

[Mac Cheydin]

"How likely are they to physically search me?”

“Very unlikely. They’re cautious, but not that smart. They think you’re on their side. You being with me also adds a bit to the guise of you being trustworthy, as I’ve been trustworthy, so far.” He gave a small shrug, finding himself more or less devoid of emotion as far as the lightsabers went. He’d expected maybe a little surprise, but that wouldn’t make sense would it? She was a Jedi, of course she’d have a lightsaber. It would be interesting to see her use it, if she ever drew the weapon.

"… somewhere on the Centurion."

“It’ll be safe to carry them with you,” he told her, leaving out the fact that it’d be safer for them both if she carried them. No doubt she knew how to use the things, which would be very handy against a horde of angry pirates. Explosives weren’t always as nifty as a blade of pure energy. Then again, a blade of pure energy had a better chance of making sure you cut off your own limbs, which was why you had to know how to use one.

"I sound like a lovely woman,"

“Oh, you’re absolutely charming,” he said with a chuckle as she left the cockpit to find the datapad with her needed information. It had been fun to cobble together Shay’s identity. He wasn’t a slicing whiz at all, his skills were limited in that area, but he knew several who were whizzes, some even better than what Mac had seen of Davies. Calling in a few favours and waving some credits around had gotten him the attention of one of them. He’d learnt a bit, while at the same time having a bit fun making the identity one nasty schutta. It hadn’t been intentional on his part, but he felt he’d need to catch the pirates’ attention somehow. He doubted they’d be as enthusiastic as he thought they would be if this promising recruit was someone like Trell, rather than Vash.

He cast a thoughtful look up to the bulkhead of the cockpit, his mind wandering to the lightsaber. Mainstream thinking about those things were that they were effective at scaring people and killing them, but he’d heard some mentions of more unusual uses, like slicing through a metal door, or something equally as odd. He admitted to himself he wouldn’t even be thinking about the thing if he’d remained ignorant to the true identity of ‘Brin Trell’, but now that he knew a Jedi, his interest in the inner functioning of the systems was sparked.

If only he could get his hands on one.

He jerked out of his reverie as Shay entered the cockpit again, throwing thoughts about lightsabers aside and throwing her a curious glance, an act which he regretted doing mere moments after. She’d wonder what it was, most likely, Jedi could feel that sort of stuff.

”If it's the latter, thank you for keeping the alias short."

“Made up. Had some fun with it, learnt some things in the process. It was interesting.” He shrugged, leaning back in his chair and wondering what he should do first. There were still some tinkering to be done to systems on the ship, nothing vital, but still, they could be improved on.

That would at least be better than thinking about lightsabers.

[Shay Marin]

Now what in the name of the Force was that look about? Whatever Mac had been curious enough about to slip enough by showing it also had him backing off the subject mentally in a hurry. This inevitably led to her own curiosity getting uppity about wanting to know what he wanted to know. Of course, no matter how much she was tempted on the subject, she wouldn't be so rude as to pry into his skull for the answers. Which I wouldn't be tempted to do at all if he was as 'perfectly forthcoming' as he claimed.

"Made up. Had some fun with it, learnt some things in the process. It was interesting."

"Yes, I can see where you had your 'fun'," Shay responded with another smirk as she scrolled through her new identity's rap sheet. This wasn't the worst character the Jedi Master had been asked to play, but she wasn't someone any sane sentient should trust with their lunch credits. The 'Lyrin Vash' persona would end up being far more divergent from Shay's true personality than 'Brin Trell' had ended up turning out. Then again, Shay was always up for a challenge. She only hoped she didn't make Mac all suspicious of her again during the process; Jedi probably shouldn't be able to pretend to be a cold-blooded killer as well as Master Marin could.

The details of the murders 'Lyrin Vash' had committed on Coruscant had Shay shaking her head slightly in mild professional disgust. "Apparently I'm a sloppy killer too. Look at all this physical evidence I left behind! I really ought to know better." Shay herself did, and had utilized that knowledge on more than one occasion to cover up her tracks. There were more than a few 'unsolved murders' out there that were her doing. "Then again, I was probably in something of a rush at the time. Either that or I just don't care." It was amusing to her in an ironic sort of way to try to figure out the motivations of a fictional person. Everything that drew her attention ended up analyzed in a similar fashion.

"I must say, I get to play the most interesting parts when I work with you. Maybe I should start thinking of you as my talent agent." The very idea of Shay quitting her 'day job' to work as an actress was so absolutely ludicrous that she found herself chuckling at her own small joke. As if she wanted to be someone that high profile anyways. The past several weeks spent on Ossus had conclusively proved to her that she was not all that comfortable with receiving a large amount of personal recognition. Guess I'm getting old and set in my ways or some damn silly thing like that. All those years of sneaking around have shaped me into someone who's perfectly happy with remaining anonymous. "Any other information I should know about these guys? Numbers, base layout, that sort of thing?"

Master Marin fell silent for several seconds, frowning down at the 'pad in her hand as though considering something on the screen. In truth, she was actually giving that earlier look of Mac's some further thought. Coming to a decision, she lifted her gaze from her reading material and focused her attentions back on the smuggler. "If you have a question about something, feel free to ask it. I don't guarantee an answer, but I don't mind questions."

[Mac Cheydin]

“I should start thinking of you as my talent agent."

Mac let out a laugh, finding the idea of him as a talent agent endlessly amusing and quite horrifying at the same time. The whole idea seemed so far fetched, it was something he couldn’t imagine, and he didn’t want to imagine it. Too awful of a thought. He grimaced, something akin to a child finding something unsavoury in his food. “Please don’t, I’m already a smuggler and a bounty hunter, I don’t need another career added to the list.”

”Numbers, base layout, that sort of thing?"

Patting the pockets on his jacket, he looked thoughtful for a moment. “I haven’t set foot in the whole base, mostly only the hangar and storage area, but I managed to get the mining company who worked there to, uh, lend me their blueprints.” His hands patted down his jacket, one hand paused and then he reached inside, pulling out a datapad. “I always forget I have that pocket there,” he muttered, handing her the ‘pad absently.

“It’s probably not accurate, as the pirates have probably either collapsed something or made some more room.” He shrugged, getting out of the pilot’s chair, drawing the conclusion that he didn’t have any other information to give her, so he could get to work on the odds and ends that came to mind. There was always work to be had on the ship, he’d think twice before giving in to boredom.

”I don't guarantee an answer, but I don't mind questions."

“Huh, what?” He said, frowning at her, feeling honestly confused at her question. His brain caught up with him when he realised. “I don’t have any questions.” He gave an indifferent shrug. “Why would I?”

Stepping towards the way to the main hold, he turned slightly to Shay. “I’m just going to do some tinkering, you can stay in the same cabin you used last time. I’d close the door before you fall asleep, properly.” He cast the canine sitting in the co-pilot’s seat a significant glance. “You’ll be hacking fur if you don’t.” With a small chuckle he left the cockpit, seeking out something to occupy his mind.

[Shay Marin]

"Please don’t, I’m already a smuggler and a bounty hunter, I don’t need another career added to the list."

His reaction to her off-the-cuff statement was nothing short of priceless, and Shay didn't bother trying to repress the grin that stretched across her mouth. If he thinks having a mere two careers at once is bad, he's not talking to the most sympathetic of audiences here. She'd lost count of precisely how many jobs she'd had to fill in her lifetime, often having to juggle several of them at once. Always dwelling beneath them all was her true calling as a Jedi, which was the 'career' responsible for her job-jumping ways. "As you wish."

"I always forget I have that pocket there."

Mac's momentary memory failure struck Shay as somehow rather... endearing. She wasn't precisely sure why that was the case, but the perception existed nonetheless. Not that she'd ever tell him such a thing; she'd given him enough of her honesty as of late only to have it mocked, laughed off, or ignored. Even a Jedi had to draw the line somewhere on the level of abuse they were willing to endure, no matter how patient and tolerant they were. Especially if I do walk away from him after this trip. No need to dig myself a deeper emotional grave than I already have. Dismissing the entire train of thought from her mind as unproductive, she leaned forward in her seat and gently tugged the offered 'pad from his hand. "Thanks."

"It’s probably not accurate, as the pirates have probably either collapsed something or made some more room."

The Jedi Master observed the process of Mac rising from his seat with a thoughtful expression. Was he retreating from her again, or was there another reason for his seemingly sudden urge to depart? Either way, this was one time she wasn't following after him. Bad habits needed to be broken eventually. "You're probably right about that. It's still something for me to work with though." Shay possessed an excellent sense of spatial awareness, which when combined with her command of the Force made it easy for her to navigate any location she'd seen a layout of before. Any alterations that had been made to the original plans would simply have to be dealt with as they were found.

"I don’t have any questions. Why would I?"

For a second Shay considered arguing with him on the subject, but she soon decided against it. If he didn't want to admit what he'd been so curious about regarding her, then he'd just have to stay curious. So would she, for that matter, because it would be unethical to pry further. Besides, pressing Mac for an answer he didn't want to give would only serve to annoy him, and she'd promised herself she'd do her best to avoid arguing with him on this trip. "Alright," she replied calmly, turning her discerning amber gaze back down towards the datapad she'd retrieved from him.

"I’m just going to do some tinkering, you can stay in the same cabin you used last time. I’d close the door before you fall asleep, properly. You’ll be hacking fur if you don’t."

"Understood," she offered in an absent-sounding reply, never looking up from her examination of the base plans as he exited the cockpit. Shay estimated that it would be best that he thought she'd dropped the previous topic entirely. The last thing she needed was for him to start feeling uncomfortable around her. More than he already will be. After all, we're going to be spending several days together in close quarters, with no one else around to distract us from irritating eachother. Force give me strength!

[Mac Cheydin]

((Jump to pirate base, Anoat Sector, Hoth system, asteroid belt.))

“If you two will just wait here, we’ll check the details,” the pirate leader said, looking quite a sight with his prosthetic eye and scarred face. By his tone, it was clear what would happen if they got impatient and decided to wander, and the two burly guards waiting outside the room, one Trandoshan and one human male, promised quite painful results. “Just ask the guards if you need something.” He gave them both a firm nod, and a slight excited glance at Shay. No doubt he thought she’d make a great addition to his selection of cutthroats and murderers.

“We’ll do that,” Mac said, hiding the sneer that threatened to surface. It wouldn’t do to make them suspicious now, when coming so close to the fruition of his plan. He gave the pirate leader a small salute, and the pirate grinned, showing off a row off crooked teeth, before he turned and left the room, the door sliding behind him, leaving Mac and Shay alone.

He stood for a moment, staring at the door, looking pensive. It would be very touch and go from here. He didn’t have enough intelligence about the place to have a plan other than ‘aim and shoot’ when it came to this part. No doubt they’d have to keep it quiet at first, take the guards out quietly, and make sure no blasters went off. If someone came running, it could be one or more coming to check out the noise, they might not be able to fight off many.

Throwing Shay a glance, he gave her a nod, clearly indicating that they’d get moving soon. Quickly patting himself down, he made sure everything he had was secure. While he wouldn’t be throwing any grenades anytime soon or planting his bombs yet, he had to make sure they were properly fastened. The bombs would come in handy sooner or later. He’d be aiming for the pirates’ personal power plant with the detonators he had, that would cripple them enough to create lasting damages. He wasn’t satisfied with only that though, he’d feel better if they all were wiped out.

“I’ll take the Trandoshan,” he said, breaking the silence as he reached into his coat, pulling out his vibro-knuckler and slipping it over his fingers. It would be better to get close and personal at first, yes. Maybe he could work out some of the aggression he’d heard someone said he had. He neglected to turn the thing on, however. The weapon was effective enough on its own, if he turned it on things would just turn nasty.

Palming the door open, he poked his head out, his body moving with as he kept his hand concealed. The Trandoshan and human looked at him, the Trandoshan asking what he wanted with a few clipped words in Huttese. Before the two could react, he grabbed the Trandoshan’s blaster rifle with his left hand, yanked it and swung with his right fist, aiming at the Trandoshan’s exposed neck. He trusted that Shay had moved to take care of the human as he’d attacked the other guard.

[Shay Marin]

'Lyrin Vash' returned the pirate leader's nod with a slight one of her own, her eyes cold and hard as they gazed back into his scarred countenance. She hadn't once allowed a crack to show in her icy exterior since Mac had escorted her onto the pirate base. The impression she had given of a brutal predator barely restrained beneath a frozen shell of civility had gone over well with the outlaws. Beneath her layers of pretense, Master Marin almost found the entire situation humorous. If only they knew who and what they were welcoming into their ranks... but of course they didn't, she and Mac had both seen to that.

Once the one-eyed man had left them alone, 'Lyrin' vanished as abruptly as she had appeared, exposing Shay once more. The Jedi Master permitted herself a small expulsion of breath that was almost a chuckle before falling back into her more usual sedate calm. Turning her gaze to the man beside her, she watched him stare at the door in silence, letting him think through whatever pensive thoughts were in his mind without interruption. Whatever concerns Mac was currently entertaining didn't appear to be enough to warrant any true hesitation on his part, as within a few seconds he turned to her and signaled they would set out soon with a nod.

Shay returned his gesture in kind, then closed her eyes briefly as she summoned forth the appropriate state of mind for a Jedi about to go into battle. What slivers of emotions she usually permitted herself in her day to day life drained away, even as all her senses heightened in acuity. For the first time in a long while, Master Marin opened herself fully to the flows of the Force that existed everywhere in the galaxy. This was not the place for subtlety, for doling out careful trickles of that universal energy to be applied in delicate manners. No... this time out her methods were to be blatant ones, in order to ensure the success of their 'mission'.

"I’ll take the Trandoshan."

"Right." Her tone was surprisingly subdued for one about to go into battle. Most humans would no doubt be practically vibrating with the rush of adrenaline at this point. Of course, Jedi had quite a bit of control over their physiological responses to the circumstances they found themselves in. As a Jedi Master, Shay's command of her body's functions was near perfect. She didn't feel any chemicals burning in her blood, only the energetic pulses of the Living Force as she drew upon it to grant her greater combat prowess.

Following closely after Mac as he moved to the door, Shay reached inside her jacket and freed her primary lightsaber hilt from its confinement. She didn't immediately turn it on; while they might not recognize the sound for what it was, the guards would no doubt be able to hear the hum from the moment the door was opened. She hung back momentarily as the smuggler stepped out first, drawing both of the pirates' attentions away from the doorway and her. The instant Mac made his move, she did as well, suddenly darting out across the threshold in a blur of motion. Given that they wanted to start things off as quietly as possible, she activated her lightsaber at the last possible instant, the distinctive snap-hiss punctuating the air even as she swung the silver blade at the human guard.

Since they wanted to waste as little time as possible to give the pirate gang the least amount of forewarning of something having gone horribly wrong, Shay chose to go immediately for sai cha, a beheading strike. Normally this was reserved only for the most dangerous of opponents, but it was the most efficient way to kill her target before he realized what was happening and was able to bring his own weapon up to bear. The elegant maneuver was wasted on such scum, but sometimes you had to make accommodations for the situation.

(( Did Mac successfully slice open the Trandoshan's throat? Did Shay successfully decapitate the human? ))

[Xira Stone]

((The Trandoshan and Human are both caught completely off guard, not having anticipated an attack from within especially led by one of their own. Mac's vibro-knuckler does its job well, slicing through the fleshy neck of the Trandoshan. The Trandoshan garbles out something unintelligible in Huttese as blood begins to spurt from the open gash in his throat before collapsing against the wall, and ultimately to the floor. The Human's a bit better off; he feels nothing as Shay's blade slides across his neck, severing his head from his body which sinks to the floor. The head rolls a bit before hitting the adjacent wall and stopping--there's an unnervingly relaxed expression on its face, showing that the Human had no time to react.))