Smuggler Archive
Thread: ....and a new era begins
One month ago, in the Bestine cantina.
"I...I...can't believe he's gone..." Daxuk said as he slowly downed his eighth utozz in less than a hour.
"Honey, he knew the risks, he knew the danger.....he died doing what he loved to do" comforted Shirin, beautiful wife of many years. She eyed the bartender with the stern look of "that will be the last for him".
"Damn rebels, its all their fault, they just had to get that cargo out that day. I warned him, I warned him that the stuff was too hot but did he listen?"
"Did he ever?" smirked Shirin
That brought a snort from Daxuk...no, he never did. But this time time it cost him. A surprise Imperial blockade as he was preparing to leave the system. He tried to use his rank, tried to run but in the end it was all for naught. To top the loss off, now he had the rebels coming to him wanting thier money back. Figures. They tried with words, they tried with force, then they decided better when Shirin rounded the corner with one of her new pet rancors.
Dax smiled, her and her pets. She had a natural gift for animals and healing, but of late she had given up her doctor profession ...she had been looking to do something else more interestesting. Still, all those pets....she always goes running when she hears of a possible new lair to collect a new species from. Shes built up a impressive collection.
As he was downing the last of his drink, a small figure approached the table. Daxuk, silently but quickly, had his pistol in his hand and ready to go. Shirin smiled at the stranger but he knew she was ready too.
"Daxuk?" said the small, apparently bothan figure, and reach into his cloak.
Guns where in the man's face before he could blink.
"Slowly hun" said Shirin with a smile
The man, as directed, slowly extracted a small box from his cloak and placed it on the table. "I was told to give this to you" the bothan squeaked .
"Who sent you?" Daxuk said
"Balakor Halasin"
"Bal?" Dax nearly dropped his gun... then cocked it in anger....."what sort of game is this?" he snarled through gritted teeth.
"Easy dear" Shirin said and placed a had on his arm. "You, " pointing to the bothan, "open it"
The bothan, trembling, did as he was instructed and opened the box. Inside was a key and a vid screen. He slid the content over to Dax. "For you sir" and stood there.
Dax quickly examined the screen and noticed no traps on it. He clicked it on. Slowly a imaged formed on it.....Bal stood there in the screen grinning. Dax was dumbfounded.
"Hey bud, hope your not drinking too many of those utozz, but, knowing you, you are. Never understood how you could drink that stuff, but Im sure Shirin is there making sure you don't pass out again. Hey Shirin" and waved in the screen. "Well I guess you were finally right, that mission was too tough, but what the helll...it was good money."
Damn Bal...
"Anyhow bud I have a little something for you, a little going away gift. Go to that place that I love to go on that planet."
Dax blinked....that was here in Bestine incredibly. This was were Bal started his life as a smuggler. He took in Daxuk as taught him everything he knows and even learned a few new things himself. They would run missions together right out of this bar. Slicing was Bal's trademark and this is where Dax met Shirin those many years ago.
"I am gonna miss those Kesel runs with ya....hope I didn't lose my ship in the process".
He did. Bal for all his talents was a horrible pilot, he used his wit and smooth talking to get him out of most situations. Most that is.....
"Good luck out there bud, Shirin take care of him. I am off to new unknown adventures.....take care" then the screen blinked out.
Dax sat back and looked at the blank screen. He looked over to Shirin, she was just as shocked. She looked over at the bothan and threw him a 10k credit chip. He ran out as fast as he could.
"Shall we?" said Shirin and rose from the table.
"Yeah...........yeah" stated Dax blankly....he reached over and grabbed the screen off the table.
They drove out tot he location Bal mentioned. A house that looked like every other. He stammered up to the door, it was locked.
"The key dear" whispered Shirin
"Oh yeah" Daxuk fumbled and found the key. He slid it in and the door hissed open. They walked in, Shirin clicked on the lights. At firs they thought they may be in the wrong house. The house was immaculant. Everything Bal had collected over the years was in this this this house. Last time Dax saw it, not two months ago, it had a few crates of laser knives, mol clamps and such with a bed to crash on after a long mission. He knew Bal had this stuff but never saw it all in one place. The room was a glow with paintings and art work, crystals, furniture of every kind, schematics of all types, an other stuff he had never seen before....a giant krayt skull modifed with a chair in its mouth...where the hell did he get that?
"Dax, come here...quick" Shirin yelled from the floor below. Dax ran down, gun in hand. He burst in the room and stood silently. All of Bal's Smuggler gear was here......armor, tools, modified clothing, and guns....man, Bal loved guns. Five packs of guns of every type lined up in a row. There on the wall was his pride and joy, a modifed DE-10. He loved that thing, it never left his side, he loved it so much that he put an anti-decay kit on it. It cost him millions, Dax told him he was nuts, but Bal did it anyway. He even sliced it himself, total taboo to slice your own stuff, but he wouldn't have it any other way. He pulled it of the mount and stared at it in awe.
Bal would never leave alot of this stuff behind....why.........then it hit him like a rampaging banth.
He knew...Bal knew...that this may be the last run. Damn you Bal....why did you listen, thought Dax.
Suddenly a droid in the corner of the room sparked to life, tweated loudly, then shot an image to the center of the room....It was Bal again.
"Well bud, don't stand there with you mouth open, you and Shirin got to get busy....alot of money to be made out there. Shir....remember what I taught you...you'll do great...you have the gift." he winked and the image was gone again.
"Remember what he taught you?"
"What can I say..." as she twirled a laser knife in her hand "Apparently i have a knack for this" she smirked.
Dax smirked back......
"Well you heard Bal....there's money to be made....Lets get started."
Both laughed and geared up.
....................and so it begins
Very good begining , btw! Gonna treat us with the couple scoundrels adventures?
Welcome to June '03 all over again, folks!
/cheer for the good story
Sorry to see people leave, but hopefully some will come back to us, someday...
