Side Story I - Meet the Pilot (Zorto, Baran)

[Manah]

SIDE STORY I

MEET THE PILOT

(Zorto, Baran)

With still several hours before arriving at Illarreeen, Sindor Krow and Baran Dur made their way to the Reaper's main hangar, where Zorto the Hutt's ship, the Belsiac's Shadow, awaited them. It would be their infiltration vehicle for the incoming mission, and as such, they intended to familiarize themselves with it a little, especially the former Inquisitor, who had never even seen it.

The Shadow was a surprisingly well-maintained Class 720 transport, obviously modified by its wealthy owner to be more heavily armored, and equipped with a military-grade Proton Torpedo launcher, likely as a deterrent to prevent conflict altogether rather than as a real intent to make it a warship. Its regular double laser cannons had been improved into a dual-linked laser cannons turret, making it quite effective if it needed to be against smaller opponents, however.

Upon stepping inside, they could see the main purpose of the ship, however, was clearly to be a comfortable home away from home for the Hutt. The ship's interior had been reorganized to allow freedom of movement for their large companion, while still being equipped for a humanoid pilot and guests, with appropriate comfort one could expect for a Hutt's guests in a ship like this. Whether a Mandalorian or a crime lord, no Hutt disliked comfort nor luxury.

Meanwhile, awaiting them inside, were Zorto himself, who had returned to the ship a bit earlier, and his lovely personal pilot, a former Chiss smuggler turned Hutt's assistant turned Imperial agent along with her boss. The woman was beautiful, with light blue skin, blood red, keen eyes, and long straight hair in a ponytail going down to her waist in her back, but was dressed in a fairly practical, light yet reinforced common outfit expected of many spacers on the fringe of space, protective yet allowing for mobility. She had a fairly nasty scar on the left side of her face, likely caused by the claws of some wild creature, but it had luckily not damaged her eye, nor did it diminish her beauty much. Still, she was clearly one who favored a good blaster, quick thinking and survival skills over diplomacy, fancy clothes and etiquette.

"Looks like we got company, boss", she said, smirking at the guests as she was performing some maintenance on one of the ship's systems.

[Hoots Rowlet]

"We sure do." Zorto said. "This is one of the guys Dark Helmet has me working with. Try to keep the sass to a minimum, he's got those weird powers too." He warned.

[psychoboy]

Baran walked inside, looking around quickly before noticing the man and his assistant murmuring to each other as they stared at him. Eyes narrowed, he walked stiffly over to them. "Can I help you?"

[Manah]

(OOC: They're not murmuring, actually. They're both talking with normal tones of voice, quite audibly.)

"Sure thing, boss", the pretty Chiss pilot said to the Hutt, smiling, before glancing back at their Talortai guest. "...Can you help us? That's a strange question. Isn't that what we should be asking you, given how you're the ones coming here?" she pointed out.

"Whatever", Sindor said, shrugging. "Just coming to take a look at the ship we're going on a mission with, is all."

"She's a beauty, ain't she?" she said, walking up to Baran and holding out her hand. "...I'm Koraj'ayde'neevah. You may call me Jayden for short. I'm Zorto's personal pilot."

[psychoboy]

Baran looked down with a start at the personable Chiss, not used to people acting... friendly around him. "O-oh... it's, uh... a pleasure to meet you, Jayden." He reached his hand out tenderly, grasping hers and moving it up and down in what could only vaguely be described as a "handshake."

[Hoots Rowlet]

If Zorto had issue with the exchange between his pilot, and comrade he did not show it.

"Awww. You knocked over my figures again." Zorto cried out as he rearranged the display on the dashboard so that all the figurines were in the proper position this time. "Come on Jayden, you have to be more careful. What is Asunka from Lightsaber Art Online ever do to you?" He asked wiping some grime off the holo-animation waifu before setting it back in it's proper position on the makeshift diarama.

[Manah]

Jayden seemed somewhat amused by the Talortai's apparent nervosity around her, as she shook his hand surprisingly firmly.

"Pleasure's all mine. Make yourselves at home", she said as she let go, turning to the Hutt. "What can I say boss, I ain't the tidiest person ever", she said half-apologetic.

She then continued: "Anyway. The Shadow is a modified Class 720 freighter with a reinforced hull. It's regular laser cannons have been replaced by a dual-liked turret for greatly increased versatility, and we have a proton torpedo launcher for that good little extra 'oomph'. We're thinking about possible improving the shield generator and the hyperdrive, along with other things, but that's it for now. As you can see, I make sure it's kept in perfect flying condition. It is our home away from home, after all."

[Hoots Rowlet]

After setting the figurine back up Zorto just sighed in relief. "Okay, now we can get going."

[Manah]

"Well, we're not there quite yet", Jayden pointed out. "Would you like to watch an holotape in the meantime, or...?" the pilot suggested.

[Hoots Rowlet]

"Yes please. I need to unwind." He said putting on an old episode of Mighty Morphing Power Droids, and sitting back to enjoy it.

[Manah]

While Jayden kept discussing with the Talortai, Sindor walked up to the Hutt's side with mild curiosity.

"...What are you watching?"

[Hoots Rowlet]

"Oh this... Power Droids. It's about a group of regular service droids who gain the power to morph into superheroes and fight monsters controled by an evil Wizard."

[Manah]

"Heh. Transforming for more power in order to fight for the greater good. I wonder if such an ability exists somewhere in the galaxy", he pondered, observing the show for a moment next to the Hutt.