Chapter 8: "Now This is my Kind of Job!"

1 year later:

The young twi'lek girl just nineteen years of age was living the life. Having left her job at the bank and promising to stay in touch with all her friends, Sabine and Snix she had earnt enough money to start piloting lessons and even purchase a simulator model to see what space travel would be like. It was then she decided she wanted a change of scene, to help people in the galaxy who needed it, to see the galaxy and live life in the fast lane. There was a whole galaxy out there waiting to be explore, only a soul adventurous enough needed to uncover it. Every night after work she had been attending a flight academy, working her way up the levels until she had reached advanced flyer. She felt she was ready to handle her very own ship, burning the thrusters, hyperdrive itching to roar in search of adventure. Every night before she went to bed she read two chapters of advanced piloting manuals and starship hyperdrive engine patterns until she could recite them off by heart. Having put the whole episode of her last partner, Alexia now left behind it was time to start a new chapter in her life. One which would open many doors. Tomorrow Iz'phal was heading to the Coruscant docking bay in the spaceport to pick up her clientele package. It was a list of goods and items, what needed to be delivered, to whom and where. She was going to become a curior, a space captain with excellent piloting skills travelling the galaxy dropping off various cargo to a whole host of different worlds. Iz'phal would be working freelance for now, with her own ship, name and business but perhaps in the future if she made a good name for herself the senate or maybe one day the republic would hire her for her services. The pay was good for a starting rate and yes, the hours were long, sometimes flying overnight was necessary but the travelling and seeing new places drew her to the position like a magnet. This was the new start she had been looking for and it couldn't come at the better time. She needed to get off world. Alexia had still been trying to visit her and had begun pestering her with messages and calls. So much so Iz'phal felt like placing a restraining order on him. Well, no matter what that cruel cat did he was not coming back into her life. Iz'phal had scolded herself for sleeping with him again in a moment of weakness when he'd come knocking with a bottle of brandy and she'd allowed him into her bed. It made her cringe to think she'd let him walk over her like that but having now straightened that out, now a single woman with no attachments or anything to hold her back it was time to start a new, time to show the galaxy what Iz'phal Trua could do!

The light blue-skinned twi'lek stared in wonder at the vessel that had been provided in the docking bay. It was bit of a chunk of metal she admitted, looking a bit worse for wear but this was going to be her home, her ticket off Coruscant, her first starship and to her it was wonderful. It's lumps, and dents made it even more special.

"Iz'phal Trua…" sounded a gruff voice behind her and at this she jumped, heart spiking as she whipped around to see a republic authority officer, a clipboard and docket in his hand as he approached her.

"Ah finally law enforcement, glad to meet ya!" Iz'phal beamed as she shook him warmly by the hand, having a firmer grip than he'd expected as the spaceport official yanked his hand from her glove and looked her up and down before frowning.

"You're Iz'phal Trua huh? Figures you'd be a woman…The guy who gave you this job said you were one of the greatest novice pilots in galactic history…Still…" he sighed before looking at the paperwork in his hand, Iz'phal narrowing her eyes at him not appreciating his comments.

"And just what is that supposed to mean?" Iz'phal cut in, her voice wavering on the cusp of anger as he waved a gloved hand in front of his face, determined to get this briefing over with. He had ten more pilots to brief this morning and didn't want this girl taking up unnecessary amounts of his time.

"Never mind, never mind…Here…" The transport officer snapped handing her the docket as she scanned it, working her eyes down the list. "You'll find the cargo already aboard and the ship is fully fuelled and stocked with supplies. Take your time to read and sign, who knows what terms and conditions these people put down…" Iz'phal raised an eyebrow curiously before spying her first destination at the bottom of the paper and her heart almost rose into her mouth.

"Erm sir…" Iz'phal questioned curiously as the officer by this point was tapping his foot impatiently, a scowl etched across his face for her taking so long.

"What is it now Trua?!"

"Are you sure you have the right pilot. This is only my first job…I mean perhaps something a little less on the republic priority list…" Iz'phal was sure he'd given her the wrong job as she just couldn't believe her luck. He shook his head and folded his arms across his chest.

"You're Iz'phal Trua right?"

"Course I am!" Iz'phal snapped, annoyance rattling around in her head "What kind of nerf-herding son of a…" she began but he cut her off, almost looming over her.

"Then that's your job. I was instructed by the military officials to give this docket and the ship in this hangar to Iz'phal Trua, the top student from the flight academy, newly graduated and ace pilot. Unless they were wrong and you're not up to the job then I understand…" the officer sneered as he held out his hand to retrieve the paperwork but Iz'phal just eyed his sceptically before signing it with a flourish and handing it back to him.

"I'm taking the job sir. Now if you would excuse me I have a delivery to make. Those troops on Ord Mantell aren't going to equip and feed themselves you know!" Iz'phal harped excitedly, not believing her luck as the transport officer rolled his eyes before turning his back to her, wishing her safe travels as he exited the hanger. Iz'phal knew that this was it. This was the chance to make things right, to do a good service for the galaxy, build a new life and put Coruscant behind her. Perhaps she would come back a visit. She spent the next hour checking off the list in her cargo hold making sure everything was secure in the crates, ready for transport, the food and weapons tightly packed and stowed as she made her way up the boarding ramp and made herself at home. She zoomed straight to the flight deck and familiarised herself with everything, map bridge, weapons (if needed), main flight controls, hyperdrive computer and various other intricate pieces of instrumentation that other novice pilots would have struggled to get their heads around, but she knew…Knew what every piece of this ship was for and its function. You can make any hunk of metal in this galaxy get off the ground and to where you want to go…You just need to be in harmony with the machine…One of her professors from the academy had said in her opening class as feeling an adrenaline rush pulse through her she seated herself at the main controls, running her slender hands over the controls which had seen better days, but they were still useable. Feeling like she was about to enter a new world she slipped on her piloting gloves, goggles and headgear, pulling the flaps down tight over her ears and the guard down over her eyes as she sat in the captain's chair for a moment, not believing the opportunity she had been given. Her first job was to deliver a major set of supplies the republic troops battling against the separatists on Ord Mantell. She knew she would help the republic someday but didn't think it would be this soon. Realising the importance of her job and where she had to be, knowing it was going to take at least three days to jump through light speed to get there, she buckled in and began the take-off cycle. Her elegant fingers flicked effortlessly over the equipment, pushing and popping in switches into the engine buzzed into life and she could feel the heat of the main thrusters from where she sat. A sad pang rose within her heart, as she was about to get the ship of the ground and blast into the stars, hands clasped around the controls. She was leaving her old job, her home, everything that had made her feel so welcome on Coruscant as that was a new start for her. Khaled, her oldest and dearest friend, Mr Timax, Snix and everyone at the bank and of course Alexia, the man whom she'd used to love. Forgetting about that entirely she focused on the good times. She would come back and take the guys at the bank out for a drink, Iz'phal having officially handed in her resignation the week after she had received the piloting job. She would also come back to visit Khaled, the man who had helped her turn her life around. Without him none of this would have been possible. She owed him everything. Snapping out of the nostalgic trance she pressed more buttons and flicked switches until the instrumentation panel and lights whirred into life, pulling the controls back as the hangar doors opened, seeing the skyline of Coruscant, her face lit up with excitement, hands tightening on the steering yoke just wanting to blast out of here.

"Thank you Khaled my friend…Thank you for everything!" Iz'phal smiled, hoping wherever he was he could hear her as she burned the rear thrusters and yelled out, heart pumping with exhilaration as the galaxy was now her oyster and she was free, free to be whoever she wanted to be. Yeeeeehaw let's go! Iz'phal shouted as with a new job, new prospects and hopefully new adventures and friends on the horizon she zoomed off into Coruscant's atmosphere, leaving the capital in her wake as soon the black and white dots of space met her, and she was ready…Ready for the adventure of a life time.

After soaring through space for three and a half days Iz'phal had arrived in the Ord Mantell system. Not much from above as she began the landing cycle, the planet looking just as war torn and barren as had been described to her but thought it was better once she was docked. The truth was when she'd checked in her ship with arrivals and her republic contacts had arrived to take the supplies from the hold, that the planet was a war zone and sadly she would have to come to terms with that. Seeing the supplies had reached their destination safely, Iz'phal proud to help the troops anyway she could as she took a walk. She needed to check into a room for at least two nights before her next job. Perhaps there was a nice part of the village she could feel comfortable in, with locals who would make her feel welcome. That made her feel much more relaxed as she went to find a place to stay. It was part of the job that freelance space captains could take a few days rest from work, just to adjust their body clock and mind from space travel before they could take on the next delivery. Iz'phal just wondering where her next job would be. Perhaps somewhere beautiful like Alderann or cultural like Malastare. But here was where she was needed and so she was glad to be hear, regardless of what the state of the politics and government was like. As she took a walk through the main village known as Kalikori she couldn't help but feel nervous as she slung her small bag of possessions over her shoulder and made her way for shelter. She knew there was a war going on and that this wasn't the place to be exploring. So she quickly found a little holding area which even though it was outside had a cosy bunk, was well sheltered and had cooking equipment and power. It wasn't much but it was a place to shelter and have some down time as she paid the blonde-haired woman who was running the gig two hundred credits for a few nights. The woman almost snatching her money before going back to her galactic news tabloid paper.

"The things that happen in this galaxy these days…Would you believe it. The nerve of some people…You know I bet a Wookie would even have shock reading this!" The woman rolled her eyes, Iz'phal not sure if she was talking to her as she was about to ask what this was about when two voices sounded behind her, cat calling and unpleasant. Here we go! Thought Iz'phal crossly as she ignored them and begun to unpack her bag, rummaging in the small holding area to sort out her bed and plug in everything electrical she owed like her sabacc chip set, an electronic novel she had been working on and personal navi computer. The two voices still jibing at her, until a third cut in more sophisticated and serious. At the nature of his voice, something attracted her to it as she turned her face to see who owned the voice and her heart nearly leapt into her chest. A well-dressed man, a soldier and very young by the looks of things stood behind her, his long black trousers tucked into his short boots, a rank plaque displayed on the tunic which covered his chest, a strange symbol she'd never seen before on his arm. What compelled her to look at him was his handsome face, black hair not a wisp out of place tucked behind his ears and brilliant, bright blue eyes. Iz'phal's cheeks took on colour as she blushed, pretty eyes full and vibrant. Their eyes met and for a moment the soldier didn't know how to react. It was almost as if she was a magnet and he was in her electric current. He was fixated by her beauty for a moment before the two men either side of him spoke up, obviously irked by their superior's silence.

"Lieutenant what you say? Bet you a hundred credits she'll come back to my bunk for the night!" One of the soldiers wagered as the other snorted, standing up straight, planting his hands on his hips, knowing his comrade was always outspoken but this was to bold.

"You got to be kidding Sergeant. You stand as much chance with that girl as you do with a Gran's mother. She's too good for you. Besides I can offer her what you can't!" the other soldier retaliated as Iz'phal heard the argument about the break out and almost laughed. A part of her was obviously annoyed at her past coming back to haunt her. Men just wanting to use her, only attracted to her physically but then she saw the funny side and remembered how lovely it was to have people arguing over her like she was some sort of prize, it gave her a strange thrill.

"Like what! Last girl you had ran away from you and you said you could charm the horns of a Krayt dragon. Lieutenant please can't we just loosen up on regulation for a minute here. We've been working our fingers to the bone on this godforsaken dust ball and haven't seen so much as a Hutt let alone a girl…You wouldn't find one like this in a long time…" The sergeant began but the Lieutenant broke his trance at Iz'phal to snap at the soldier in his command, face a mask of seriousness.

"You know as well as I do that is out of the question Sergeant, you cannot just go violating Imperial law when it suits you. I'd never thought you'd stoop that low. Now out of my sight both of you!" Their superior snapped, seeing the anger flare up in his eyes and both soldiers wanted to protest but that was a bad idea.

"But Lieutenant Quinn you said we could…" the sergeant began but he lost his temper, a gloved hand pointing in the direction of the Imperial base.

"I said nothing of the sort Sergeant, now both of your return to your post before I have to report you to Imperial command!" Quinn threatened as groaning and now niggling at each other with verbal jibes about who had slept with the most women as they dared not disobey a direct order from their superior and would rather stay in a job. When his soldiers had dispersed Quinn slapped a black gloved hand to his forehead, shaking his head in disapproval muttering something to himself as he had completely forgotten about the girl, the lovely twi'lek who had started this bickering in the first place.

"I'm sorry about them miss. My men did not mean you any harm…" he wanted to continue the sentence but found his words lodged in his throat, still stunned and taken aback by her beautiful face and eyes to speak properly. But this was not mere lust like his soldiers had sought over. She looked into his eyes and saw a genuine, kind expression and so let down her guard. He had obviously told his men to back off and so was nothing them. Struck her as the kind of person that treated the people around him with respect. Still Iz'phal wondered who he worked for as she made eye contact with the black haired, blue eyed soldier behind her, obviously making his way up in the ranks…He looked important.

"Oh don't worry about that sir…All fun and games if you ask me. Besides I get it a lot!" Iz'phal chuckled, seeing him quirk an eyebrow curiously at her, wondering what she meant by that, but she continued to unpack her stuff, contended that was settled in, the novel she was writing sure to keep her busy.

"I'm sorry…" The Imperial Lieutenant replied, gazing at her with a rueful expression, guessing with his calculating mind, adept at reading people that she had been through a lot and preyed on by all kinds of people. The thought of nonsensical people like his soldiers who didn't know how to treat women getting their hands on her made him sick. It was people like them that deserved to be alone in the galaxy, deserve to have no one.

"Don't be sir, seriously it's fine. I'm away from all that now, well kind of and here on a delivery job. What's your business on Ord Mantell?" Iz'phal asked curiously as she unpacked one of the pre-flight non-perishable meals she had made earlier in the galley of her ship and broke it open to heat up over the fire she'd managed to light. She admitted to herself she was hungry and needed to keep her energy up. Quinn knew he could not give her a truthful answer. He was a high standing Imperial soldier and therefore was not at liberty to disclose any personal mission information, but he could give her the rough details, as a strand of his black hair blew in front of his face, immediately tucking it behind his ear.

"Seek and destroy. Me and my men are routing out Separatist targets. Just watch yourself out there. This planet is not safe by any stretch of the matter and I wouldn't want you getting hurt. Seems like you've been through enough already…" Quinn could tell by reading her facial expression that she had a painful past, a past dark and full of ugly twists and turns but didn't want to go into that. He'd just laid eyes on her and that wouldn't be appropriate to discuss with her. Iz'phal just gazed at him in surprise as her heart leapt…How could he know?

"How did you…?" Iz'phal began, eyeing him sceptically as before she could dwell on it anymore she wanted to know who she was talking to as she rose to her feet and dusted herself off, extending a light blue hand. "Iz'phal Trua, star captain and delivery courier at your service!" Her customary sweet smile lighting up her face and again he was almost transfixed by her eyes, pinioned by the enthusiasm and innocence in their gaze as he pulled himself together and took her hand in his black gloved grip returning the smile.

"A Courier? Now that explains why you're hear. Lieutenant Malavai Quinn. It makes a change to see a refreshing face on this world. I hope you're not staying too long to get caught up in the fighting. Even one wisp of warrior's blood hear, and the republic will snap you up. I suggest you stay away from them until the fighting's over…Wouldn't want a lovely girl like you getting hurt" he complimented as Iz'phal blushed slightly releasing her grip on his hand as she returned to her meal, looking warmly at him, eyes gazing fondly in his direction.

"That sweet of you to say Lieutenant but I'll be fine. I won't be hear long enough to get scouted by the army. Besides I'm a pilot, not a solider…I don't know how you people live like this. Life is a constant war for you…How do you deal with that? I know I couldn't…" Iz'phal sighed as she looked down at the food bubbling in the pot, the smell making her hungry. That reply stunned Quinn slightly. Not only was she a beautiful girl, making a decent living and earning good money but she had a good brain, seemed quite a philosophical and intellectual person at heart. A girl with brains and looks…Something you don't see every day. Quinn told himself furiously inside to snap out of it. He'd only just met this girl and didn't even know her, even though she seemed lovely. Besides his position in the military and his work made it out of the question. Women were seen as a distraction in the military and so any prospects of settling down with a girl and retiring early was drummed out of the soldiers in training. Some of them like mindless drones but Quinn was different.

"It's something we deal with Iz'phal. You chose the soldiers life you stick with it…Besides I am proud of what I do. It's an honour to be a part of the cause. What cause do you fight for? Are you Republic? Empire? Do you have an allegiance?" He asked her, Iz'phal now not sure how to answer that as she was about to respond when a voice filled with authority sounded in the distance, the familiar siren blaring, summoning all Imperial troops back to the base and sadly he knew he had to obey. She spied him looking at her in regret then looking at his troops making their way back to the base and guess something was paining him, but she didn't want to pry, after all they had just met.

"It's okay you have to go, I understand. You have a duty to attend to. That's very important. I admire you for that…Good luck Lieutenant. I hope this isn't the last we see of each other…And please be careful out there…" Iz'phal whispered in regret as he approached her and slipped something into her hand.

"Don't worry about me Iz'phal. I am more concerned for you. Don't stay here any longer than you need to. It's dangerous for you to be here. Just be safe…I'm glad we met Iz'phal. You seem the only person on this planet with a shred of personality. We'll meet again I'm sure of it…" Quinn smiled warmly at her as knowing he couldn't shirk from his duty, he gave her a last longing look as he pulled his black coat further around him and started up the long winding hill for the Imperial base. Iz'phal just stared after him for a moment, not sure what to say. He seems nice…Iz'phal reminisced then shook her head, wanting to get that handsome face and piercing blue eyes out of her brain before the image consumed her. As she took a forkful of the Bantha meat stew that she had managed to burn she opened the piece of paper he'd placed in her hand. Her heart nearly leapt into her chest as it was his holo frequency number and a word written underneath it. She couldn't help contain a smile as this was the perfect start to her new job. Friends? And then the number. Her heart did a little dance in her chest as she held the paper close to her, admitting they'd only just met but he was exactly the sort of person she could become friends with. Approachable, honest, kind…And damn handsome too…Iz'phal thought dreamily as she shook the images out of her head before going back to her meal and reaching for her novel. She was going to finish her latest chapter, the bit where the twi'lek settlement was saved but every so often the images of his new soldier kept coming into her head and she began to fanaticise a little. Into the night she wrote until her eyes drooped, and she was ready for bed, clambering onto her padded mattress which she'd set up and pulled the covers her. Ready to get some shut eye she saved her novel onto her portable disc and fell asleep in seconds, even with the noise around her.