Aftermath Session XXIX

[baronsamedi]

I find myself in a state not uncommon for me these days: Worried. Worried to some degree for my Herd, but actually more for new friends really than the Herd. Mostly because the Herd can protect themselves…not that I will leave them to do so. New friends can’t defend themselves as well.

Oh, and I am afraid of Greegan killing himself. Not deliberately, but given his aptitude for things not involving droids, he might be safer if he were simply trying to do that.

We got up to face a new day on the Wheel. Khayall and I together agreed strongly we should not go anywhere by ourselves; That caused Sheela problems last time we were here, and while she has recovered I am sure her pride still has something of a bruise, though she would never admit it. Elili wanted to go shopping and Greegan wanted to—sigh—look into swoop racing, so Elili, Greegan, my droid, and Sigma went to go…shopping. Ero it seems wanted to take in some culture, so Jek, Khayall, Namri and I went along with her. She was the one we were guarding, after all. Nika apparently threw caution to the wind and went gambling alone, we found out later. Fortunately nothing bad happened to her, but I think we need to sit down and talk to the young Chadra-Fan about gambling problems.

[Editor’s Note: The Shopping trip went well enough. It reminded me of my time on Naboo, or working for Master Toodly, when I was sent shopping. Being a striped purple Astromech Droid, I made to appear as Elili Shiil’s possession, just in case bounty hunters were looking for her. I was correct to be paranoid, though the precaution did not, I don’t think, do any good. One shopkeeper selling jewelry, especially lekku jewelry, seemed a little suspicious to me.

We dropped off Elili Shiil’s goods at the Yanab Sunrise and moved on to getting Greegan signed up for Swoop Racing. This seemed like a bad idea to your correspondent, but he was not to be talked out of it. We went to the office of one Miggy, who was both the most erudite (but not by much) and loudest dressed (by quite a bit) Gamorrean I had ever encountered. Miggy was, well, as polite and tolerant of Greegan’s antics as he could really be asked to be. He made it clear this was a bad idea and seemed mildly stunned Greegan walked in with no swoop and no experience. He advised Greegan he would have to get a swoop and would have to qualify, which Greegan took in stride. I did not remain long enough to hear a heavy sigh when we left, but I suspect it was inevitable.

Our next trip was to a junkyard, where Greegan found a…most curious looking device. It was called a “Desert Skipper” and seemed to be little more then four engines on two connected thrusters with a chair bolted between the thrusters. I am not programmed with a sufficient gift for understatement to simply say it did not look safe even compared to swoops, and I cannot find a quip to do justice to how dangerous the contraption looked. Suffice to say, Greegan loved it, and had it hauled to the ship so we could fix it up. –R5-D7]

Our team was protecting Ero looking at the acts when I saw that there were a pair of poets, claiming to be the last children of the Forest Song Herd. I…at the time, was convinced it was a plot to kill me, so said nothing. I know, I am starting to sound like R5. Anyway, these two Ithorians named Meeru Dagowa and Voon Deeso were performing. Someone else saw it…I think…I was distracted. Anyway, they decided they wanted to go. I was not going to stop them from going, and when Ero seemed interested I went.

It was very sad. Meeru was very lovely, playing music while Voon spoke. I tried very hard not to react. I need to be strong, after all. Jek and Khayall wanted me to talk to the performers after the show. I argued…a little…but they talked me into it. Between Jek and Ero we got a short audience right away.

I am no good at talking to Ithorians. I told them who I was, and they were very surprised. They did not know all the facts, and I filled in as much as I could without betraying my comrades very quickly. Ero talked me into staying to talk to them. I worried about it, but I stayed. Conversation was nice and Voon was eager for information. Meeru was more nervous but spoke some. As it turns out, they are part of a group who were not on the Forest Song when it was destroyed. They have been raising money for a monument for the lost Ithorians. It seemed very noble.

I wanted to help them but I could not abandon the Herd I had found. Truthfully, I felt terribly guilty about not staying with and protecting Ero during the few hours I was with them…Ero and the rest of the Herd guarding her. I left with a rather significant feeling of disquiet as too many things were running through my mind. Wanting to spend more time with them, how pretty Meeru was, the joy and terror I felt when I was asked to join them…it was too much.

Then I got back to the Sunrise and saw the abomination Greegan purchased. It was truly hideous, like two thrusters with four engines bolted together with a chair attached. I did not want to go near it. Of course, Greegan, R5, Sigma, and Khayall were repairing it. I went to bed.

We had another day before the meeting. Khayall gently reminded us we should not travel alone this time. I wanted to speak to the Ithorians again, and Namri was kind enough to come along. Jek and Sheela went barhopping I think, and Greegan, Sigma, R5 and Elili all went to help Greegan test out his abomination. Khayall went with Ero out.

Voon, Meeru and I had dinner at their hotel. I left Namri at the bar and went up, and spent the better part of the day there. Meeru is really pretty. One thing, however, deeply troubled me. Meeru made what sounded like reference to the fact they may need help, or something, but Voon was quick to end that avenue of conversation. When he left us briefly, I asked, and Meeru revealed that they, too, had found themselves in debt to this awful Shackler person who was on the station; they borrowed money to get started with their show, and Voon considered the monument more important than repaying Shackler quickly, so they had fallen behind. This concerned me greatly…I knew Jek had run afoul this Shackler. Voon returned, so I could not pursue it further. He did see us close together (so Meeru could whisper) and misinterpreted it I think. I confess her proximity did not bother me at all.

I got Namri from the bar (apparently, based on the tension in the air, suitors had been dealt with) and we returned to the Sunrise. I wanted to speak to Jek immediately, but it turned out other things were going on upon our return.

[Editor’s Note: Greegan’s test drive of the Desert Skipper did not go well. It turns out my fears regarding Greegan’s talent as a pilot and preparedness were all well founded. He did not destroy the craft but did damage it in the runs around the track. The people running the track forced him off, but I think he mistook their terror for enthusiasm, poor bastard.

We were repairing it when we heard blaster fire. Elili Shiil and Sigma had gone for a walk when there was some shouting and blaster fire. I rolled up in time to see an Ithorian fleeing as Elili shot at him…one of Master Dumaw’s blasters I think. The Ithorian was not one I had seen…tall like Master Dumaw but lankier, like most Ithorians. Speaking to Elili Shiil it turns out the Ithorian recognized her and was trying to get the bounty for her safe return to her mother. It sounded like he was legitimately concerned for her safety, so he was probably surprised when she turned the gun on him.

Best he learns that lesson now.

I suspect it was the little creep at the jewelry shop yesterday. His punishment will come. Sigma seemed rather…agitated given he had just been in combat, which is usually a plus for him. He and Elili Shiil wanted to speak with Jek right away, however. Fortunately, it did not take long to get the death wagon fixed. –R5-D7]

Namri and I arrived at roughly the same time as others. I wanted to speak to Jek, but there was something of a convergence on him. Elili and Sigma blurted out that Jek’s ladyfriend Nil’s vehicle was being sabotaged, based on something they overheard. The race was due to start soon, so we hurried that way. Enroute, I mentioned Meeru and Voon’s issue, but Jek was, understandably, distracted.

Namri used her mind control powers to get us into the employee-only areas of the swoop tracks, and found a human and a Xexto…a little multiarmed guy. They were clearly not anticipating resistance. The human was knocked out by our blasters set on stun, but the Xexto escaped, albeit with injuries.

This Gamorrean guy in a loud shirt with little glasses came in with Nil and some guards. He apparently knew Greegan, just because he clearly disliked him. Or maybe it was Greegan’s charm. The Gamorrean’s name was Miggy, and he apparently ran the Swoop races. He was, fortunately, inclined to believe us, no doubt because of Nil’s obvious connection to Jek. They took the remaining thug away. Also, Namri used her mind reading powers to figure out which of Nil’s people let him in, and he got hauled off too. I suspect they had a beatdown coming courtesy of Miggy.

I thought Miggy was kinda badass, honestly.

Well, Nil won her race, not to our surprise. She and Jek left together, and I returned to the ship. I have a lot of people to worry about.