Astraal

~~ A comm comes in for His almighty Wyhl the Hutt ~~ My Lord Wyhl. The hunt goes slowly. I am following up on rumors of a possible recruit on Coruscant and will meet with him soon. Ganelon of Seneferia is currently with me. I'm not sure if the guards passed on the message to you that he sent from the Link. He is currently working with them and they offer their support for your Greatness and hope that their old alliance is still valid. If there is anything you require I am at your service. Astraal out. ~~ end comm ~~

"Ha ha... I'll keep that in mind next time I need a master mind for a job." Astraal slipped into the pilots chair, glancing back at Ganelon before she concentrated on the controls. "Rumor has it he's a new hunter after some experience and looking to work for the Hutt's for a while. We're always looking for new people so I figured I'd check him out and see if he's got potential." Though her comment could have had a different meaning altogether, Astraal was only interested in business.

The violet Twi'lek looked up from her meal, her eyebrow raised, "What? Let me get this right... you robbed the Link and now you work for them? Ha! How did that come about?" It very much amused Astraal that he was working for the very ones he robbed. I'd love to know how that come about... She had heard about the heist of the Link Casino - who hadn't. She'd also heard that it was a Dathomir witch that ran it but that was more a rumour she hadn't found truth behind yet. Eventually she would. The warbling of her droid gave her the indication that they were about to come out above Coruscant. She'd wait for his comment before heading to the cockpit, knowing that her droid was an excellent pilot and would handle taking them in to land at a designated location.

With her back to him as she put in another synth meal in the warmer, Astraal rolled her eyes at his announcement of his name. He just can't help himself... When she turned back to him however, she had a neutral look on her face. "It'll be ready soon." She sat on one of the chairs waiting for the warmer to beep, her mind going over the plan of action. "I figure we'll head to Coruscant first, see what information we can gather up there. I heard a rumor that there was someone asking about working for the Hutt's so I want to see who it is that's interested. While we're there, see if you can find out where those two are. Any questions?" Hearing the beep from the warmer, Astraal rose from the chair, heading into the galley to get the meals and utensils. She took them back to the table, putting them down as she looked at his dagger and blaster. She wondered if that was all he had in the way of weaponry and if she would have to supply that too.

Dancer's Run came out of it's first random jump and entered the second on it's way to Coruscant. Astraal figured that was as good a place to look for information as any right then. Maybe she'd get a lead on the ones she was sent to find. Once the ship was on autopilot, her droid there to monitor the controls, she headed back into the living area of her ship to see what her 'guest' was up to. "Well now. I guess if we're going to be working together we better know each others names. I'm Astraal." She continued into the galley to grab a bite to eat, not having had anything since she had gone into the Palace. She grabbed a synth meal, not bothering to prepare something from scratch, calling out as she put it in to heat up, "You want something to eat?"

Astraal gave a nod and signaled one of the guards again, telling them to take care of Ganelon's docking fees at Mos Eisley. "Lets go then." She gave a short tug of the leash, Vos standing and moving to her side as she sent a quick comm to her droid at her ship. Astraal led the way out of the main audience chamber and through to the hanger bay where her ship was. Once inside her ship, she pointed to the spare bunk room, letting him know that he'd be staying there. She moved through to the main hold, letting Vos go into there for the time being. Usually the vornskr was free to roam around the freighter as he pleased, though with a 'guest' it was wiser to restrict his movements, despite the neural collar he wore. In the cockpit, the droid had already prepped the ship, Astraal only having to get comfortable and lift off, which didn't take long to do. Dancer's Run skimming over the sands before pointing skyward, leaving the atmosphere and vanishing into the depths of hyperspace.

Astraal allowed a sly smile to cross her features. "You may ask, but it is best that you don't know." "For a price of course." Astraal agreed, her tone now business-like. "You would be well compensated for your services." She glanced around the large room, signalling for one of the guards and telling him to pass on Ganelon's message to Lord Wyhl. That done she turned back towards the lizard-like man. "My ship is ready to go. How soon can you leave and do you need anything before we go?"

Her quick mind processed through a number of thoughts... maybe... just maybe. She brought out a piece of paper and jotted a couple of names on it. "I need to get in touch with these people. Do you know any of them and would you be willing to help get them to meet with me?" Astraal handed him the piece of paper containing the names.

"My eyes are up here... get them up if you know what's good for you." Green eyes narrowed as she saw where his gaze rested. If it was one thing Astraal hated was being seen as an object of pure lust. Not that she didn't dress the part though, her armor accentuating her deceptively dangerous figure. Her lekku twitched as she held Vos back. "A diplomat for The Link eh? ... Lord Wyhl has retired for the moment. Are you seeking an audience with him or are you here to work?" If he was a diplomat, maybe that could partially work in her favor... if she could tolerate his slimy err... scaled presence long enough for a mission...

Astraal was so glad she wasn't like that scantily clad misfit that handed Alexander the message. Vos growled again, sending the blue skinned girl running back out of the room again, faster than she would normally have. The violet Twi'lek shook her head in disgust. She pocketed the comm. numbers of the others before leading Vos out of the room, the last of the trio to leave it. Before she went far, she noticed the blue skinned humanoid being escorted into the Palace. Astraal questioned and found out from one of the guards what the being was doing there. She stepped towards him, holding the vornskr on a tight leash as she stopped a couple of paces from Ganelon. "I hear you are to serve the great Lord Wyhl in any capacity... is that right?" She wanted to double check the information she had gotten from the guards.

Astraal nodded her head, following the other two into the room, her vornskr at her side. She felt a rush at the mission, looking forward to the challenge of it. "No questions. I'll find a 'partner in crime' and get onto it. Vos is rearing to go" The vornskr pulled at the lead, a low growling sound coming from his throat.

The violet twi'lek slipped further into the depths of the Palace, moving to one of the inner hanger bays. Once there she opened the hanger bay doors, her ship being piloted in by her droid. Once the Dancer's Run set down she boarded her ship, putting a lead on her vornskr, then leading Vos out and back into the main audience chamber. Vos growled though sat by her side, on guard as Astraal took a seat at one of the back tables. She let her hand rest on the vornskr's head, no less alert than the creature at her side. She had take note of the other newcomers before she had gone for Vos, the young smuggler waiting to see what job the great Hutt had for her to do.

Astraal bowed her head to the great Hutt, a grin on her face at the thought of the Hutt's being a power to be reckoned with once more. She moved to the side of the throne, taking a position along the wall where she could keep an eye on Wyhl and all of those that entered. She would protect the Hutt with her life. She looked forward to hearing what the plan was.

All through the time she was searched then escorted to His Highness, the violet Twi'lek remained calm, knowing that it was just precautions. She wouldn't stand for them taking liberties with her though, her cold eyes giving them all the warning they needed that she wouldn't stand for any nonsense. Standing before the throne, Astraal went down on one knee before the great Hutt. "I wish to dedicate my service to your cause Mi'Lord Wyhl. It has not been the same without the great Hutt's in power." Astraal had left her Vornskr, Vos, in her ship while she sought the audience with the Great Hutt, prefering to leave her 'pet' where he would show no threat to her prospective employer. "I look forward to being a part of your great plan Almighty Wyhl."

Dancers Run skimmed low over the sands as the Twi'lek pilot sought out Wyhl the Hutt's Palace. It just wasn't the same not working for a Hutt. The violet smuggler brought her ship to rest outside of the Palace, letting the droid take control while she stepped out of the ship. She would call when she wanted her ship. Decked out with her blasters on her hips, various other weaponry draped around her body in her special armor that protected her lekku, the young women strode towards the Palace doors. Standing in front of the door she waited to be acknowledged.

"You sure you don't need me to do anything else for you? You're not well enough yet to be considered 'back to normal, so don't tell me you are..." The younger violet Twi'lek gazed at her Aunt, her hands on her hip as she tried to make the older woman take things easy. She'd been doing odd jobs and had taken over the care of her Aunt while her Uncle went back to work. All she had to do for her own job was to check in every so often but so far she hadn't been needed for anything. She was contacted by the contractors with a progress report on the shipyards, finding that everything was on schedule. Astraal decided she'd stay abit longer to look after her Aunt, make sure she was going to be alright before she left for other places...

Dancer's Run emerged from hyperspace, immediately heading down to the surface of the planet to a set of co-ordinates of a landing pad that would get her the closest to where her sick Aunt Astra was being looked after. It had been an age since she had seen her namesake and to hear that she was ill had the young twi'lek, Astraal worried. Leaving Vos to guard her ship, as well as the other security precautions she took, the well armed young woman slipped out of her ship and through the dank streets of Nar Shaddaa. The urgency in which she moved didn't have any effect upon her own personal security as she kept a close eye out for anyone looking to make a profit from the lone female twi'lek. She soon slipped into a building, making her way up the inner stairs to an apartment. It didn't take long to be let inside, the young violet woman hurrying to her Aunt's bedside. "How are you? When I heard you were sick... I just had to get here as quick as I could... you're going to be alright aren't you?" "Yes, yes my dear namesake... I'm going to be fine. They exaggerated. But I do have to take it easy for a while. You're a good girl my dear... despite what they say about your father..." Astraal winced, knowing that not many of her mother's side liked her father... though some did, her Aunt included. It was her Uncle that didn't like him. It didn't stop them doting on Astraal though... she was the only one in their family the same shade as Aunt Astra. Her mother was blue, most of her other relatives green. There were only a few of them the more... exotic colours. "Excuse me a moment Aunt Astra... I forgot something in my rush to get here..." "Yes my dear... take your time" Now that she was relieved, seeing with her own eyes how her Aunt was, Astraal moved through to the living room and looked out one of the windows. Bringing out her comlink, she put in the codes for one of her contacts. "Your orders are to begin construction of a Shipyard. You know who to report to." ... "Yes that's right. As per prior instructions." ... "Yes. That will be all." She closed the communication and turned back towards her Aunt's room, taking the few steps back inside as she put her comlink away. Moving back to her side she embraced her again. "I missed you. It's been ages. I don't get to visit family often... and I know I should come more often. I'll try to I promise." She wondered how long it would take Animando to arrive, having given him the co-ordinates for a local cantina in which she would meet him if he decided to show up. If he didn't come soon she would head back to Corellia.

Dancers Run made it's way through hyperspace, various jumps and all the security precautions to prevent being followed... and all that jazz... on it's way to Nar Shaddaa. The violet Twi'lek at the controls desperate to get to her destination in time to sit beside her very sick aunt.

Finding Animando, Astraal kept her physical distance, Vos inbetween them. A message bleeped on her comlink, the girl checking it as her lekku twitched. "Got to go somewhere... I'll meet you back here unless it's important, otherwise you can meet me on Nar Shaddaa, here. I have to go see someone..." She sent the co-ordinates to Animando's comm device and turned to go, Vos pulling on his lead with the urgency to get back to her ship. "She's sick... I have to go..." It had been a long time since Astraal had seen one of her Aunt's and to find out that Aunt Astra, the Twi'lek in which she had been named after, was very ill shocked her. As soon as she got back to her ship, she efficiently went through her security precautions, not wanting another stowaway. Vos went on guard duty as she released him soon as they got onboard. After warming her ship up, going through all her security checks and preflight checks, she requested clearance and lifted off... heading for Nar Shaddaa.

Astraal's expression didn't waver from the want to hunt the little scutta down. She was however, relieved to be rid of Tobias. Tapping a few keys on the security monitor, she still couldn't work out how the girl had gotten in and out of the ship undetected. She'd have to have powers of invisibility to do so and she didn't believe anyone had those kinds of abilities, not even the Jedi or Sith. Taking an image print of the girl and forwarding it to the authorities, she told them to keep an eye out for the 'runaway' and that if she were found, that the Twi'lek would collect her. Placing Vos on a lead while on this planet, Astraal headed out of her ship, making sure that all of her security systems were in place. There was no possible way anyone could get in or out this time. She headed in the direction of where she would find Animando, also bringing him into her hunt for the scutta slave girl.

Hearing Tobias call out, Astraal turned back towards the security room...What the hell's he doing in there... is nothing sacred in My ship? That the security room had been locked to prevent unauthorized access concerned her... what else had he gotten into? She had many hidden recesses within her ship that were known only to her... having done the modifications herself. Vos snarled at him as she followed the faithful Vornskr into the room. Hearing that the girl had gone already... and before she'd opened the hatches, also concerned her. She began to have a bad feeling about both her passengers. Her green eyes narrowed as she looked from Tobias to the security screen. If she had indeed gone and the footage hadn't been doctored, than he either was her accomplice in escaping ... but why would that be...? or the girl was a good slicer and was worth more than she had seemed. "It's time to go alright. She's only got a small head start, Vos will be on her tail quickly. That little scutta won't get far." She wasn't a happy camper right then. Going over to one of the monitors, she tapped in a few instructions for her droid. It had remained unseen to the guests while travelling though it was exceedingly clever. It wasn't only her mechanic, it also was her bodyguard before she got Vos. If anything had been stolen from her ship, the droid would know about it.

From Space thread: A few hours later, Dancer's Run set down lightly, Astraal running through all the post flight checks and requesting refuelling and restocking. That all done, including her setting up security precautions, she flicked the internal comm stating the obvious, that they had arrived at their destination. She then went in search of the girl. -- Vos preceded her through the ship, the violet Twi'lek fingering the device in her pocket that Animando had given her. In her other pocket was the other device Tobias had given her as well. As she searched for the girl, Astraal thought about what had been said prior to leaving Tatooine... it seemed like romance had been on the men's minds, but it was far from hers... she doubted the kind of 'love' she wanted existed in the Galaxy ... it was only on the holonet movies and she wanted to be 'in love like in the movies'. Secretly she admired one of the holostars, though she'd never admit it to anyone. Her thoughts turned to the girl. Why had she felt sorry for the slave? What Tobias said made her think. She dealt in slaves every other day... was it because the girl had so many bad bruises? She had no qualms about Umaga dropping slaves down into the rancor pit... what was it that made her feel sorry for this one? She shook her head. Maybe it was because it had caught her off guard. She would make one acception only ... she'd let this one get off at Corellia and fend for herself. If she were recaptured so be it. ... And what about Tobias? She really didn't know what to think of him. He was creepy but she had dealt with men like him before. So sure of themselves. They usually slipped up somewhere sooner or later though. From there her thoughts turned to Animando... in full circle so to speak... what did he want her for if it wasn't an official mission?

There was just something about him that... she didn't trust. The twi'lek didn't care if he was one of the bosses best men... there was just ... something. She looked down at Vos, the vornskr snarling at Tobias's retreating back. Astraal rested her violet hand upon his head before turning her attention to the controls and the comm that had now lit up with a message. She opened the line, requesting clearance and receiving coordinates for landing where she wished to go. A few hours later, Dancer's Run set down lightly, Astraal running through all the post flight checks and requesting refuelling and restocking. That all done, including her setting up security precautions, she flicked the internal comm stating the obvious, that they had arrived at their destination. She then went in search of the girl.

"I felt sorry for her. Big deal. I don't want to end up in her position. So you knew she was here?" She thought a moment, turning back towards him, Vos growling all the while. "And how do you know all that went on anyway? Vos would have known you were watching." She narrowed her eyes at Tobias, wanting to know how he knew everything that he seemed to know. While she might be easier to fool, Vos wouldn't have been and he'd growled at both her 'passengers'.

"Not too much", the Twi'lek stated, trying for alittle humour. "Come, I'll show you where it is. I'll bring in some clothes while you're in there." She led her to the guest bathing room containing a small room for changing and another joining it containing the shower recess. She would place the clothes in the change room to preserve the girl's privacy. Leaving her in there, she ducked into her own room to gather up a change of clothes that might fit the girl. She came back with a set of pants and shirt with some undergarments. Placing them within the room she headed back to the cockpit, discovering that they were not far from their destination. If the girl wanted, she could get out on Corellia and start a brand new life away from her past master and no one but Astraal and Vos would be the wiser for it. She sat in the cockpit staring out the view screen at the streaks of light that the Dancer's Run surfed through on it's way to it's destination.