I do not own Star Wars or any of the characters.
New Job
Damian leaned against the stack of crates, waiting patiently. Beside him, Barriss was explaining some of the finer points of the Smuggler life to Jek and Shaeeah Lawquane, while also neglecting to mention anything that had to do with alcohol or sex.
"Alright, now what are the two things we never deal in?" Barriss asked.
"Slaves and drugs," Jek and Shaeeah responded.
"Good job," Barriss beamed. "You know, Damian, I'm pretty sure that Cut didn't want these two to grow up smugglers."
"Probably not," Damian agreed, seeing the shuttle descending from the clouds. "You kids got your blasters?"
"Ready," Jek nodded, resting a hand on his blaster pistol.
"Ready," Shaeeah said, lifting her rifle.
Damian drew his own blaster as Barriss set the blaster rifle Wolffe had given her on her shoulder. The shuttle landed and Ohnaka stepped off of it, smiling broadly.
"Well well, if it isn't young Damian," Ohnaka greeted. "And who is this lovely woman? Such beauty should be a crime."
"Why thank you," Barriss smiled. "But you're going to have to keep your hands to yourself. I'm not into pirates."
"As you wish," Ohnaka smiled. "And who are these two? Damian, don't tell me you settled down."
"No no," Damian chuckled. "Meet Jek and Shaeeah. My new...apprentices. Jek, Shaeeah, don't believe a word Ohnaka says to you."
"Oh, you wound me," Ohnaka said. "Was it not I who took you in and taught you how to be a Smuggler?"
"Yes," Damian said. "And that's exactly why I'm not letting them near you."
"That's fair," Ohnaka shrugged. "So, I hear you have something for me."
"Yes," Damian said. "A business proposition. That Imperial shuttle over there is...no longer a viable mode of travel for myself and my friend. It's yours. Scrap it, turn it into the Empire for a reward, appropriate it. Whatever. We just need a lift to Coruscant with these crates. And we'll need you help, procuring shuttle once we get there."
"Deal," Ohnaka nodded. "For thirty percent and a favor, within reason."
"Just the deal," Damian said. "One of our friends needs the money for...rent."
"Very well," Ohnaka said. "But you'll oh me a slightly less reasonable favor."
"Fine," Damian said. "Can we go now?"
Ohnaka nodded and they walked onto his shuttle while one of the members of his crew got on the Imperial shuttle. They all took off, flying to Ohnaka's cruiser and getting off the shuttle. Once off, Ohnaka led them to the rooms they would be staying in, Jek and Damian sharing one and Barriss and Shaeeah sharing another.
"Chow's in about an hour," Ohnaka said. "Oh, and Damian. I'm so glad you broke out of that prison. One of my employers died in the riot. So since I got payed up front for the job, I took the cash and sold the shipment for an extra profit!"
He laughed and Damian stared at him.
"Who did you rip off?" Damian asked.
"Some hut," Ohnaka chuckled.
"Hondo, please tell me you're joking," Damian said.
"It's fine," Ohnaka said dismissively. "We'll give them some free gear some other time to smooth things over."
Damian groaned and Ohnaka left, the door closing behind him.
"What's wrong?" Jek asked.
"The Huts are a gang family, one of the most powerful in the galaxy," Damian said. "And they have a lot of very dangerous mercenaries and bounty hunters on their payroll."
Jek nodded and Damian picked up his electrostaff.
"Have you ever had any training from your father?" Damian asked.
"A little," Jek said. "Not in the use of an electrostaff though."
Damian nodded.
"You're going to learn," Damian said. "This is going to be yours soon."
Jek nodded and Damian handed it to him, showing how to actually work the staff to start with before showing him how to wield it. After about forty five minutes of it, he took the staff back and they left, meeting Barriss and Shaeeah in the mess hall. Once the food was done, they got some and sat at their own table, eating quickly before going to one of the observation decks to be alone.
"I don't trust Ohnaka," Barriss said.
"Hondo's not going to betray me," Damian said. "Which means you three are safe. He would steal from me, given the opportunity, but only if it doesn't endanger my life. Even as screwed up as he is, he really does look out for me."
"Don't you remember the most basic rule you told me?" Barriss asked.
"There is no honor among thieves when money is involved," Damian said. "I know. Ohnaka's not above double-crossing. But I was a part of his crew, and he is loyal to his men."
"But you're not his crew anymore," Barriss pointed out. "You're competition now."
"I've never been Ohnaka's competition," Damian said. "I've called jobs off when I found out it interfered with Ohnaka's job."
"So you're loyal, but is he?" Barriss asked.
"Yes," Damian said. "You'll see."
Barriss nodded and Damian held his electrostaff out to Jek, who continued to train. As he did, Damian walked to the window, staring out into the stars.
"Is he Force Sensitive?" Barriss asked.
"No," Damian said. "But I caught him staring at the staff a bunch of time so I figured he might as well learn to use it before he steals it."
"You're going to let him?" Barriss asked.
"I don't use it," Damian shrugged. "And besides, he's a good kid."
"That's very generous," Barriss said.
"Don't tell anyone," Damian smirked.
Barriss smiled and looked back at Jek who was going through everything Damian had taught him one after another, focusing and restarting anything he messed up again and again until he got it right.
"He's determined," Barriss said.
"He watched his mother and father die," Damian said. "He wants revenge."
"That's fair," Barriss said.
"I know," Damian nodded. "Tell me something. Why am I training to be a Jedi?"
"Honestly?" Barriss asked. "I don't know. You just are. Isn't there some reason?"
"I don't know," Damian sighed. "I was content as a smuggler. But then once I busted you out of jail and got my saber back, you just started training me. Then I decided to have Ahsoka train me too, and I really don't know why I'm training at all."
"Well, maybe you just want to be a better smuggler," Barriss said. "Maybe you feel drawn to the Force and you feel a calling to be a Jedi. Or, maybe you want to start a rebellion against the Empire."
Damian snorted.
"Not a chance," Damian smirked. "I'm no rebel. I'm a criminal. I'm content as a criminal."
"The Empire's going to keep sending Sith Stalkers after you, you know," Barriss said. "Until they die or you get what you want."
"I know," Damian sighed. "For now, though, I think I could use a sparring session."
Barriss grinned, nodding as they both switched their Lightsabers to training mode using the Force and backed away from each other. With nothing better to do, at least they could pass the time by inflicting pain and humiliation on each other.
Read and review. Still need suggestions for Barriss's significant other. And also, I'd like ideas for different designs of Sith Stalkers to pit against the characters, and who should fight which. Damian needs two to himself, the first(which was obviously based off the Force Unleashed armor) and one other, Barriss and Ahsoka each need one, and maybe one more. So about four more total. All parts of the Sith Stalkers are for you guys. Species, gender, outfit, equipment. Even cause of death. Thanks in advance. oh, and PM me links to pictures if you can.