Everard was gently rocked awake by the familiar hum of the engine, for one brief moment he was enjoying the comfort of his bunk and the calming sounds of the ship. Then he heard an ear piercing scream, bouncing down the metal hallways of the ship. Everard jumped in shock, jerking his eyes open accompanied by the tensing of the rest of his body, instantly the peace he had briefly enjoyed had popped like a bubble as reality came rushing back like a whirlwind, the stress of their current situation and the tensing of his body also brought the pain in his leg rushing back in force. The pirate was once again expressing his displeasure at his imprisonment, occasionally mixing in a bribe for his freedom followed by a threat when his requests went unanswered. Everard threw his legs over the side of the bed and sat there rubbing his face as the screams continued, a heavy pounding and a tall silhouette passing by his door and retreating down the hallway told him that Azalin had gone to take care of their malcontent friend. In just a couple minutes the noises had stopped and Azalin had returned with the man walking in front of him in a pair of binders, guided by Azalin's strong grip on the back of his neck. Everard dressed as quickly as his remaining damaged leg would permit, after putting on a pair of long brown pants to accompany a dark black pair of shoes and a long white shirt he put on his thin blue vest and strapped his blaster back into its place on his right hip. He brushed his long white hair out of his face, his family had always had white hair from the time they were born until the time they died. The men didn't typically mind but the women felt a sense distress at one point or another as they believed it aged them prematurely, he chuckled to himself gazing in the mirror as he thought about how his sister had whined and whined whenever the thought occurred to her. Stop it, he chastised himself, don't think about them. He didn't need any distractions today as he grabbed his makeshift cane and began limping out into the common area. He was the last one to arrive including the newcomers to the crew. Upon spotting him making the short walk Issei immediately got up and went to his side, gripping his arm to steady him. Everard was touched by the gesture, that was until Issei felt the need to open his mouth.
"Don't worry gramps I got you"
"Shut up Issei"
"Don't say that Grandpa we've almost made it"
"I can still reach my blaster you know"
Despite their brief exchange Issei's help was much appreciated as he gingerly lowered Everard into a seat at the end of the long semi circle sofa the others had settled upon. Everard returned the concerned motherly glances of Jen and Raven as they cranes their necks about halfway down the sofa to get a good look at him, in turn he did his best to impart upon them that he was fine however he was afraid it looked more like a grimace. Azalin started talking almost the instant Everard had sat down.
"Once we enter Coruscant space, we're going to contact the authorities on the comms, I'll make the transfer myself as quick as possible and we'll be out of here before they recognize a thing, questions?"
His delivery was so crisp and confident Everard couldn't help but believe one of their plans might actually work out like it's supposed to for once. However a quick scan around the room told Everard his fellow crew members didn't share even a modicum of their leaders bravado. Jen and Ely were grasping their hands so tight they'd gone white, faces fixed on Azalin. Everard couldn't really blame them everyone aboard the ship, even the newcomers, had a warrant for their arrest in republic systems. Everard was staring down the barrel of a five to ten year sentence himself for various robberies and scams, but he was 19 Jen and Ely, in their forties, had been at this far longer and would likely never see the light of day again.
Nevertheless their little freighter hurtled closer and closer towards their potential imprisonment at the hands of the republic. As soon as they dropped out of hyperspace and the planet appeared below Azalin rushed out of the still common room and into the cockpit to try to get them on the comms. He came back a few moments later and paused before saying
"They want us to meet them directly at the prison, there's no going back now."
"Let's just hope they don't lock us up with this stupid son of a bitch" Everard muttered more so to himself than anyone, but nervous laughter broke out nonetheless. Everyone's nerves were frayed, tension was always high before a job but at least they knew if it was done right they'd come back free, their fate was to be decided for them one way or another today. As they dropped into the atmosphere, despite his nerves Everard couldn't help but marvel at the magnificent shining structures on this planet, a sparkling metropolis. They made their way across the city, passing the monstrous Jedi temple as they went. Everard has always wanted to visit the temple and join the order, but instead his first visit to coruscant might take place in the mushroom shaped building he determined must be the detention center. Ely, back at the controls confirmed his suspicions for him as the ship began to slow and rotate in preparation of lowering its boarding ramp upon the landing platform, as the ship turned Everard caught a glimpse of a dozen armed republic troopers in shining white armor with a bright red trim dancing down the creases, blasters glinting in the bright sun, Everard also saw a man standing in front of the row of troopers, dressed in fine brown robes, a tall regal looking man Everard could tell even from the distance. A Jedi. His nerves still stretched to their limits, got an infusion of excitement no matter how bleak the circumstances he had always wanted to meet a Jedi in person.
The ship settled down against the platform with a slight jolt, the exit ramp rattling and squeaking as it reached for the ground.
"I need to fix that" Ely muttered as he re-emerged from the cockpit.
As one the crew rose and went towards the ramp, Azalin in the lead escorting the prisoner out in front, with Everard bringing up the rear assisted again by Jhulian. They all stopped before the ramp where they wouldn't be visible to the troops down below even Azalin stopped for a moment and just for that moment Everard thought he saw panic in the hard etched face and glowing red eyes. Just a moment however, before he's stepped out into the bright evening sun.
There was complete silence over Azalin's comms other than the disgruntled groans and protests of the pirate as he was passed from the care of the Drakon crew into the presumably loving embrace of the republic jailers. Then they heard the voice that could only belong to the Jedi calling out "Commander you may go ahead and load their spice and credits" a couple of troopers made their way to the cargo loader, Ely dashed off into the cockpit again and the crew heard another rickety sound as it was lowered and raised again. Over the comms Azalin's voice came bidding the troopers fairwell and heard his foot clang against the metal ramp as he started to climb back up.
"Wait" Came a kind but firm voice from the ground Everard heard without the comms "We know who you are."
Upon hearing that the crew exited the ship as one lining the sides of the ramp, causing the troopers to raise their blasters in alarm. Everard was the last one out the door, they'd left him a spot just to the right of the entrance and he hobbled into position. The Jedi's bright green eyes settled on him for a moment flashing between his face, his hair, and his cane.
"Are we under arrest?" Azalin's cold voice called from the bottom of the ramp.
"Not necessarily." Replied the Jedi shortly
"Would you mind enlightening us to what the hell that means?"
The Jedi looked slightly affronted but spoke in a level tone nonetheless "We will allow you to leave this planet, but you will be hunted by the republic from nearly the moment you clear the atmosphere. However, I think we are in a mutually advantageous situation."
"How do you figure?" Azalin asked a bit of the edge lost from his voice.
"If you complete a job for us the republic will absolve you of all past wrongdoings and compensate you for your trouble."
Everard could see Azalin's mistrust of this robed man fighting with their need for money.
"Alright we'll consider it what's the job?"
"There's a planet in the outer rim named Voss, the planet is embroiled in turmoil between its two inhabitants the Voss and the Gormak. The Voss are hunted by their neighbors and live relatively isolated lives in the city of Voss-Ka. The republic typically resupplies the city to compensate for its lack of resources, however in a bid to get the Gormak on their side the imperials have placed a blockade around the planet, not technically breaching their non aggression treaty Voss signed to maintain its neutrality. However, if the republic is caught trying to sneak past an imperial blockade the empire will be able to justify responding in force against the Voss people and forcing the planet to their side and into a conflict they do not want. That is why we need your people to bring these supplies past the blockade, your neutrality makes you perfect for the job. Will you help us?"
"We'll do it" Azalin said without a moments hesitation, an excited gleam in his eyes as he turned around to face his crew.