laneys.info Beware of Yankees, drunks, and loose women.

A very short trip would give Gratia little time to contemplate the previous revelations and act on them accordingly. Time was of the essence and she could afford no mistakes as at least a pair of enforcers were hot on her trail. She had to assume so at least. No doubts, her droid gave them a good fight but, realistically wouldn't last long.

Cross-legged on the dark blue carpet, she sighed and allowed her mind to delve into the Force. The door was secured but, she knew the crew would have little trouble getting into a room on their own ship. Hopefully, they would respect her privacy for she wasn't the best pilot in the world. Slowly, the three beings onboard with her evanesced into the currents of power that she swam into hungrily. Spiritually, her soul filled quickly and she was again ready for any eventuality ahead. As she concentrated, her mind began forming images of three men in darkly padded armor underneath long, black coats as they walked through a busy thoroughfare. Markings on their necks gained her attention as she maneuvered around to notice the small tattoos etched below their left ears. Earned through tests of skill and willpower, these assassins were part of the Brotherhood and the creases emanating from the corners of their eyes and mouth told of veterans.
Their surroundings appeared like a long concourse to a starport and she hoped it wasn't the one they were headed to.

The vision faded as her breathing steadied and Gratia relaxed. An unwelcome presence stood in the doorway as blue eyes opened and looked up to see the redheaded first mate. "Hi."

He nodded, "You into some type of meditation or something?"

"Very astute," she replied dryly and knew as the words rolled from her tongue, a translation was in order as his head cocked to the side, prompting her to smile.

Ervin shrugged. "I've seen a lot of older guys do similar things back on Tython some years back. Kind of cool."

"Hmm," she pushed herself up and stretched.

"So....you want a tour of the ship?"

"Not really, but thanks." Seen one you've seen them all and she knew that wasn't his motive for the invitation.

"Okay." Green eyes drifted through the narrow confines between the two sets of bunked beds.

"How soon do we arrive on Istria?"

"Shortly. Probably hear the old man announce it over the com here in a minute or two. He loves that stuff, makes him feel important."

Blue eyes smiled at the naivety. "Yeah, I'm sure that's what it is."

"How old are you?"

One question a woman is never asked. "Why," she straightened as hands went into pockets, lightsaber felt underneath her right armpit.

"Just curious. Not that it matters." As the uncomfortable discussion continued, the pilot's deeper voice soon interrupted.

"Strap in, we're arriving at Lockport in a few." Gratia moved towards the galley as Ervin headed into the gunwell and she plopped into the couch and pulled the belt across her lap, then buckled it. Why would these guys need to stop over at a casino, she mused. The owner was a well known criminal which put her on the defensive immediately. Time would tell as she waited as engines strained against the planet's atmosphere and soon she heard the repulsor engines kick in and bring them in for a landing.
Unbuckling her belt, she waited as the crew made their way into the galley and stood near the entrance as Arlen pushed a button next to the now opening rampway. It lowered to more humid air and the cacophony of distant whine of nearby engines and other passing traffic as she rose.

"What's the plan," she inquired and gained Arlen's attention.

"Have a pickup which is going to take a day, so I thought we'd get a room here and give us some time to lose some money."

She nodded with little enthusiasm. "I gave you all my money as the droid had the rest in my bags," she lied. "Think I'll just stay on board." A revelation that met with a long pause as all three of them stared at her blankly. "Or not."

"I'll float you some money," Ervin volunteered. Being in debt to the wide-eyed teenager wasn't what she had in mind but, it may not matter anyway if the trio that she had seen in her vision were here.

"Thanks," she smiled noncommittally and moved to follow them down the ramp as each dipped into pockets and pulled out their identifications and realized she had none of her own. A checkpoint at the entry to the starport would also be a hurdle, but none that she hadn't faced before.
Sunlight pierced the partly clouded sky as the large, half-circular landing pad broke up the distant jungle with grey permacrete. No fence but, she had a feeling the open land between was secured somehow. Another tidbit of information that might be useful later as Gratia remained with her trio of male counterparts who now walked into the shade of the long windowed walkway which looked familiar. Her senses piqued, she continually scanned the crowd for the trio of enforcers.