Chapter 4 – Heroes and Villains

[AN: Laryn, I'm dedicating this chapter to you, since you said the last chapter of BLP was too short. *impish grin* Hope you enjoy this one - I think it may be the longest single chapter I've EVER posted!]

Space: the Final Frontier.

Okay, so totally the wrong fandom, but I couldn't help it – the words just resonate. I don't think it's because of the words themselves, because it's not the space that's interesting, it's all the things that are out there in the space that are. I think it's more the way they're said – awe and reverence and hope and excitement, all the things that prickled my skin as the Nothing Succeeds Like XS roared up through the atmosphere and out into the darkness beyond.

By this point I could tell that I'd fully integrated into the game world physically. If I concentrated on disengaging and reached my arms out as far as I could, or stretched my fingers and wiggled them, I could still faintly feel the restraints that supported my body in the testing room. But when I looked around me or placed my hand on an object that my eyes told me was sitting right there, it felt like I really was touching something that had real, physical substance.

There was a galaxy map on the bridge, like there had been in-game, and it worked similarly, though the Imagineers had also included the 'pinch' and 'stretch' movements that most people would be familiar with from touchscreen devices. I also found out, somewhat by accident, that voice commands worked as well. I'd said to Victoria that we were going to Ord Mantell, and she replied, "Course selected. State 'confirm' to set." I hesitated for like half a second, then cleared my throat and said, "CONFIRM," making sure to enunciate precisely and give it a bit of oomph.

Patrick Stewart, eat your heart out.

We dropped out of hyperspace in-system, and it was easy to pick out Ord Mantell, what with the small flashes of light from the laser cannons. As I flew the XS nearer, there was a crackle of static, and I heard a voice say, "Unidentified freighter, please give your destination and purpose."

A green light was blinking on my dash. There was a button next to it, and when I pushed it, I heard the speakers squawk a little. "This is the Nothing Succeeds Like XS, and I'm heading to Rendia Freight to pick up some cargo. Might grab something to eat at the cantina over at Fort Garnik."

I let go of the button and there was another squawk, and a moment or so later, a hiss, just before the same voice replied, "There's a local insurgency, and they've got a few cannons and some merc fighter ships trying to create a blockade. We'll give you all the support we can, but you should add power to your shields before you try to run it."

Grinning, I punched the button again. "Well aren't you just a thoughtful fellow. If you're planetside sometime soon, I might have to buy you a drink," I replied with a chuckle, rolling my eyes even as the offer left my lips. I hadn't meant to make any kind of invitation! It just kind of … flirted itself, somehow. I shook my head with a sigh. "I appreciate the help." I let go of the button and increased power to the shields, as he'd suggested, and then pushed the yoke forward, feeling the answering surge from the sublights.

There was a hiss and a bit of a laugh through my speakers. "You take care of yourself, ma'am." He didn't say more than that, and I must admit to being a bit miffed. Not that I'd meant anything by it anyway, but darnit, he was supposed to be wiled by my irresistible feminine charms! What kind of spacer was I, anyhow?

But, then, perhaps there'd been other folks around, and he probably wasn't supposed to be flirting while on duty. Meh, who knows? I grinned as the XS zipped into the fray, a prickle of adrenaline humming through me.

Within seconds, I was in the middle of everything. Since this was a blockade run, I decided not to worry about firing back, and focused on avoiding the shots that were directed at me. Victoria kept me informed about fighters beside or behind me, and there were several holo-displays I could peek at that showed various angles around the ship. It really wasn't all that difficult to slip past the fighters, and I found myself throwing in a few extra loops, rolls, and zigzags here and there. For practice, I told myself. Not because I'm showing off or anything.

I could feel the resistance of the atmosphere through the control yoke and focused a bit more on what I was doing. I slowed down just a touch for the approach, coming in a good bit faster than was necessary – or safe – but why not? At the last minute I pulled back and shifted from sublights to repulsors, touching down as gently as that little white feather that bookends Forrest Gump.

For a moment I just sat there, beaming broadly. I'd done it. I'd successfully made my very first journey as a pilot of my very own starship. I reached down and lovingly ran my fingers over the controls and readouts on the dash. Okay, technically you might still actually belong to Rogun, but I don't care. You're my girl, now, and I'm going to take good care of you, I thought silently to my XS. I am going to get that horrible, horrible man to stick with me while I go running around Mantell doing whatever it is they have me do, so he won't be able to get his filthy mitts on you. And you know how much I must love you to put up with having him around.

I unlatched the safety harness and stood, stretching my legs before heading through the ship to the airlock, and then down the ramp. Fresh air was nice, actually, though I could smell traces of smoke and something else on the breeze. At first I thought it was from the fighting, but then I remembered the idiot seps and the crazy location of their super-secret hideout: under the damned volcano.

With a grin I shook my head and made my way toward the warehouse. Someone was headed out toward me, and even without the unmistakable tattoos, I would've recognized him instantly.

Skavak.

I am quite confident that there is no one else in the entire TOR game world who is as universally loathed as the so-called 'Jackal of the Stars.' I'd expand it to the Star Wars universe as a whole, but as much as everyone despises Skavak, I think we can all agree that Jar Jar Binks is even worse. Skavak, at least, is someone you're supposed to hate.

And believe me, we do.

"Those were some pretty impressive maneuvers, Captain," said Skavak, his brows lifted in approval. "Don't think there's a single mark on that ship of yours."

That's right, you mongrel, she's MINE. So you can just get rid of the ideas that I darn well know you have. I smirked, putting one hand on my hip. "That's why I get paid lots and lots of credits," I retorted. "Cause I'm just that damned good."

He looked me up and down kind of speculatively and I was a little annoyed with myself when I realized I didn't mind one little bit. Besides, if he is interested, so much the better. It'll make it that much easier to keep him around me and away from my ship.

"Well then, let's get you loaded up and on your way," he said, heading over toward a stack of crates. "Things have been getting worse rather than better around here lately, despite the Republic's involvement." There were a series of explosions nearby, and he looked over toward the door with a frown. "And it sounds like the fighting's getting closer."

I stepped over beside him. "In that case, can I lend a hand? From what you're saying, it seems like it'd be a good idea to get moving as quickly as I can."

He looked up again, and a slow, devilish smile pulled at his mouth and sent a sparkle into his gaze. "Aw, c'mon, Captain," he said with a chuckle. "How'm I supposed to impress a talented woman like yourself if you won't let me play the big strong man and load up these crates for you?" His tone was the perfect mixture of self-deprecating wry humor, and even knowing exactly why he was pouring on the charm, I was impressed. He had quite a knack.

I had to find some way to keep him off my ship – or some way to make sure that at least I was with him every time he so much as set one foot up the ramp. Fortunately, just then, the story intervened.

"Skavak!" shouted another voice I recognized immediately. A moment later, the tall, broad-shouldered figure of Corso Riggs came barreling into the warehouse. "We got a big problem." Though he'd been running at top speed, he didn't seem more than moderately winded. "Damn seps took over the local air defense cannon."

Skavak frowned, shaking his head. "Woah, hey, slow down there, kid. What're you talking about?"

Corso's jaw flexed as he tried to keep his cool. "They sliced into the cannon's targeting computer remotely. Cowards wouldn't even show their faces, accourse," he grumbled angrily. "But they just took out an incoming Republic transport. Absolutely destroyed it," he said, his voice suddenly hoarse.

As he listened, Skavak frowned even more deeply, and he motioned for me to come over toward them. "That's bad news for you, Captain," he said. "It won't be safe for you to leave until that defense cannon is back in the hands of the Republic – those separatists will blast anything coming or going."

"So what's the big deal?" I asked, slipping my thumbs into the pockets of my trousers and shifting my weight to one side. "I dodged plenty of sep fire comin' in. I can just as well dodge it on the way out."

Corso stepped forward, jabbing a finger at me. "Uh-uh. No way. I saw your fancy flyin' on the way in, and you're real good, but that was against a buncha jury-rigged sep guns. An honest-to-goodness Republic cannon has all kinds of tricks, an' I don't much like the idea of watchin' you get blasted out of the sky."

A slow smile pulled at Skavak's lips. "Be an awful shame to see a pretty lady like you get vaped," he added, his voice deepening.

And there's my cue. I took a step toward him, allowing my gaze to drift to the arrogant curl of his mouth, linger there for a moment, before lifting again to his hard blue eyes. "Bet you say that to all the girls, Mr. Skavak."

He didn't make the slightest effort to hide the once-over he gave my figure, and then he casually replied, "Aren't too many of 'em who have your kind of style, Captain. And it's just Skavak, by the way."

"Oh? Intriguing. I like a bit of mystery." Hopefully I was coming across as coy rather than clumsy. But then, a womanizer like Skavak probably didn't really care much about my personality anyway. Abruptly, as though suddenly remembering, I cleared my throat and stepped back. Bit of a challenge here. Don't want to be obvious. "So, uh, what's this about remote-control cannons?" I asked, turning to Corso.

Naturally, he didn't look any too happy about the situation. "You'll need to take out their tech stations – they're probably using several so that they can bounce the signal back and forth, else the Republic troops could triangulate 'em an' jam the code."

I wanted to apologize, but it would ruin my play. "I… I don't mind helping out, but it's sure to be dangerous, and I don't know my way around here," I said, looking at Skavak hopefully.

"Yeah, well, you can take the kid along," he said, fumbling a bit. "I mean, I've gotta load up these blasters for ya."

"He could do that!" I replied, turning to smile brightly at Corso. "Wouldn't you? … uh … what did you say your name was?"

"Corso Riggs, ma'am," he replied through clenched teeth.

I turned back to Skavak, licking my lips just a touch. "I just – I don't know where I'd be going, and I'd hate to find myself lost, or – or trapped in some back alley somewhere all by myself." I took another small step toward him. "I'd just feel ever so much better if … if I had someone with me." I smiled again, slowly, lips parted. "Someone who would take care of me," I breathed. I knew I was definitely stepping into 'blatantly obvious' territory here, but I was gambling that (a) Skavak wouldn't be able to miss the innuendo, and (b) he was apparently used to having women throw themselves at him.

Help came from an unexpected direction. "Yeah, Skavak," came Corso's voice, sounding thoroughly disgusted. "I'll load the blasters. You go take care of the lady. Since you're so good at that."

"All right then," Skavak replied, his grin promising all sorts of things I didn't really want to think about. This was Disney, so it wasn't likely to get any more suggestive than a fade-to-black, right? "C'mon, babe."

Somehow I managed to avoid punching him in the teeth as we headed out of the warehouse.