"Not so fast, Captain,"
Tresse groaned as Skavak stepped in front of her and Corso, holding his blaster in her face, "Oh. There you are," She grumbled, "Was wondering when you'd show up,"
His smile was as slick and greasy as his hair, "It wasn't very nice of you to run away from my men like that,"
"I wasn't aiming to be nice. Besides, I'm pretty sure having me ambushed ranks a little higher on the rudeness scale,"
"All depends on your perspective," He shrugged, "But the past is the past. What I'm concerned about now is the cargo aboard your ship. My cargo,"
Pinching the bridge of her nose and shaking her head, she sighed, "Look, all you had to have done was not flipping shoot me in the face and just pay me exactly what you promised. Then we wouldn't have had any of these issues,"
"Look, Captain, nothing personal here. I'm just practicing good business skills and saving money. Budget cuts have to be made, and you are now considered 'frivolous.'"
"Frivolous?" She repeated, "Never have I ever been called that. Skavak, you have one more chance before I blow your head off," She pulled her free blaster out, aiming in his face, "Extra 30 percent on top of everything you offered me, and we'll call it even,"
Tense seconds passed by as they stared each other down. Corso still hung onto her, glancing nervously between Skavak and Tresse. Neither seemed willing to back down.
"How about 15 and I let you both go?" Skavak offered.
She glanced at Corso, his swollen eye and crusty nose, "Fine, I can deal-"
She didn't finish her sentence as Skavak jumped at her, ready to pistol whip. Pushing Corso away from her, she twisted the other way as Skavak missed, "Okay, fine, no deal here, scum sucker!" She yelled angrily. Few things made her angrier than cheap shots.
Slamming her whole body into Skavak, she shoved him against the wall, punching her knee into his gut. At first taken by surprise by the ferocity of her attack, he recovered, grabbing her throat. Whirling around, he swung her into the wall, holding her up as her legs flailed. Dark spots clouded her vision as she struggled to dig her nails into his face.
Suddenly, Corso stood up and wrapped his strong arm around Skavak's neck, pulling him away. He held Skavak's throat in the crook of his elbow, clutching his own wrist to hold tighter. Skavak tried to fight the farm boy, losing his grip on Tresse. She slid to the ground, recovering and coughing. Skavak reached behind, punching Corso in the face, but he was not letting go, even as fresh welts rose on his face.
Finally, Skavak's eyes bulging out, he choked and gargled until he stopped moving. Corso let him go, the thug landing on the floor. Tresse and Corso stood over them, she holding her blaster over his head.
"He's still alive, Captain," Corso said. Exhausted, he leaned against the wall, doubled over as he gulped air, "What's your plan?" He looked up at her, his face swollen and discolored.
Tresse toyed with the trigger, gnawing her lip, "Leave him," She finally replied, tucking her blaster back into its holster, "Let him tell all his friends not to double cross me. If he shoves his slimy face in my business again, though, then we can blast him to next week,"
"Sounds fair enough, I suppose,"
"Don't worry about him. Let's get you some meds," Tresse said, turning away. Skavak's comm started buzzing. They looked at it where it had fallen a few feet away from him, "Could be his boss," She said as she picked up off the ground and answered it.
A handsome man with a fine suit, his hair a distinguished gray, was on the other line. His dark eyes didn't seem fazed as she answered it.
"Skavak won't be available for a few hours," She said, "And I'm no secretary, so sorry, call back later," Just as her thumb reached for the end call button, the man spoke.
"I know, Captain Finn, I was calling because I wanted to tell you something,"
"Me?" She asked, shocked.
"Yes, you. I wanted you to know that I saw what you just did to my men. You know, labor is expensive these days. However, I am extremely impressed with your performance. Same to you, Mr. Riggs," He said to Corso, who just looked dumbstruck, "I am going to make you an offer, Captain. There are several new spots open in my organization. If you both accept, then I will allow you to live. Reject my offer, and well, must it be said?"
"What kind of an organization needs 5000 kilos of ammo and firearms and is willing to kill people for it? I only transported this for an army, not a gang,"
"We're not a gang, we're a revolution. This is your only opportunity to become our ally, Captain Finn, otherwise you will be our enemy. When the tides change, you will drown without us,"
Corso looked at Tresse, "I don't like the sounds of this," He said quietly.
"Me either," She replied to him, "Sorry, mister whatever, but I don't plan on being a part of your 'revolution,'"
"Then you both will die,"
"Wasn't planning on living forever, anyways," She snapped off the comm. She sighed, "Your friends certainly ruined my day," She said to Corso as she offered her arm to him to hold on.
"No friends of mine," He leaned carefully on her, trying to keep most his weight off of her. Stars, why did he have to be such a stubborn gentleman? "But what's your plan now?"
"Not my first death threat. Heck, not even my first one for today. If I lay low for a little bit, everyone will inevitably forget I exist. What about you? Where will you go?"
He looked out at the Ord Mantell landscape as she ushered him back to her ship for first aid, "I don't know. Not sure I ought to stay here…There's not much left here for me but hard memories," His voice trailed off.
"I've got a spare cabin if you need somewhere to hang out for a while," She said faster than she realized. Well, that was a stupid thing to say, she scolded herself. His brown eyes widened like a lost puppy.
"Really, Captain?" He exclaimed, "I think that would be a good plan! I mean," He calmed down a little,
"Since we're staying in different cabins, of course, otherwise it would be indecent," Blush rose in his cheeks. She fought the urge to roll her eyes, "But, gee, this is great,"
"I'm glad you think so," She kept her voice enthusiastic, even though she was dying a tiny bit inside. She liked him plenty, don't be mistaken, but stars did he wear her out. Now she was going to have to share the Sphincter with someone and a boy nonetheless. Thoughts of upturned toilet seats and weird smells filled her mind. He'd be always hovering around, opening doors and smiling at her. Cripes, he'd probably be the type to make breakfast, too. Only temporary, then he'll get bored of me, she promised herself. After that, he'd be gone, leaving her back to her own devices.
It couldn't be for forever, right?