Star Wars: The Star Rider Episode 1:Pilot (Part 2)

(Part 2)

The ship was impressive, Helkim had to admit. A fully custom-built ship, a unique vessel. Two Weequay, Nirk and Deek came down the ships ramp with a human male, in his mid 40's, with short Black-Grey hair, brown eyes, wearing a Grey jumpsuit.

“Your the owner of this vessel, I take it?” Helkim said.

Moz tried hard not to jump at the sight of the man's crayon yellow teeth.

“Uh...Yes sir. The Star Rider is my baby.” Moz said.

Helkim just laughed.

“Well you'll just have to talk to the Captain about that.” Helkim said

“We found some cargo on the ship, what should we do with it?” One of the Weequay said.

“Store it in the engine room for now.” Helkim said.

He pointed at one of the Weequay.

“Nirk, come with me. We're going to escort our guest to the bridge.”

The other Weequay threw up his arms.

“What? I got to carry these by myself. “ Deek said.

“Quit your bloody griping. ” Helkim said.

Helkim gestured to Moz to follow him. Nirk was standing close behind him.

Moz could only hope that this plan would work.

***

Deek was able to get the first crate into the engine room, although he obviously still wasn't too happy about the situation.

“Quit your bloody griping.” Deek recalled mockingly. “What's in this bloody crate anyway, it's heavy.”

Deek slowly lifted the top of the crate, and froze at the sight of a blaster aimed at his face.

“Howdy.” Deek heard a man's voice say. “Would you kindly lift this top up and then take two steps back?”

Deek did so.

And coming out the crate was a young man, with long black hair tied up in a ponytail, wearing a red scarf around his neck, and armor-like fabric, black jeans, military type boots, two high tech gauntlets on his hands, and two swords on his back.

Another person came out of the crate. This time it was a young woman, with long straight jet black hair, and beautiful blue eyes, wearing a long black jacket, with the same armor-like fabric underneath, along with the same black jeans, and military boots, but she didn't carry the two swords, and gauntlets like the man. Unfortunately, she did carry an assault rifle, and it was pointed at Deek.

“Uh...can we talk about this?” Deek managed to let out.

“Most certainly” Jak said. “But maybe, you could answer a question for us?”

“Sure. Sure!” Deek answered nervously.

“Punch or Stun”?Jak asked.

“Uh...Stun?”

“Well Sis, there's your answer” Jak said with a smile.

“Damn.” Sig said.

Sig fired a stun round, sending Deek unconscious to the ground.

“We're going to take the crate back to the ship, right?” Sig asked.

“No.” Jak said. “Carrying this is heavy. And it'll waist time that we don't have.”

“I don't think The Hutt going to appreciate us not getting ALL his shipments to him.” Sig reminded Jak.

“It's not like we're dumping all the cargo. If one container was enough to make him angry, he'd put a bigger price on Solo's head, wouldn't you agree?”

“I guess you're right.” Sig conceded.

“Let's hope Moz doesn't have any trouble convincing the Captain.” Jak said.

“I don't like sending Moz to do this kind of stuff.” Sig said.

“Moz knows how to take care of himself.” Jak said trying to reassure Sig. “Let's just hope he's better at talking to talking to Captains then he is talking to women.”

“What if the captain is woman?” Sig asked.

Jak made a face.

“...Damn.”

***

Moz hands started to feel sweaty. When he agreed to pilot The Star Rider for Jak and Sig, he didn't think he would be in a situation where his piloting skills would be completely useless. Sure, he thought he'd be in one or two situations where he would have to use a blaster, but not in a situations where saying the wrong word could get him killed. Jak had a plan, but what Jak plans, and what takes place isn't always similar.

They reached the bridge and standing more than a few feet away was a tall human male, with short black hair. The tall figure turned around, and Moz could see his face. He was an older man, probably in his late fifties, and had an eyepatch, and was wearing rather respectable clothes for a pirate.

“Ah. You must be the pilot of the ship we just pulled in. Correct?” The Captain said.

“Yes sir.” Moz responded trying to sound confident.

“My name Orlooko Kintashi, and this is my ship.”

“And a mighty big ship it is.” Moz stated.

“Yes. We were able to salvage it sometime ago. It is not up to standards with the modern-day Imperial Star Destroyer, but it is efficient.” Orlooko said. “But let's not waste any more time than we have to.”

Moz tried to keep himself calm. Did the Captain figure out their plan? No. He couldn't have. Unless his crew members are smarter than they look.

“I'm sorry that it has to be this way, but you don't look like you could handle a blaster, so you won't be any use to us.” Orlooko said.

He nodded to his Lieutenant, and turned away. Moz could hear a blaster coming out of its holster. Moz knew what that meant. But now wasn't the time to panic.

“I'm a damn good pilot!” Moz said putting even more confidence in his voice.

Orlooko turned around. And held up his hand gesturing to his lieutenant to not fire.
 

“Go on.” Orlooko said.

This time, Moz was confident.

“I bet a man like you needs someone to pilot some of these fighters you got hanging around, right? I'm available. Hire me and I could put those fighters or any other ship you got to good use.”

Orlooko smiled.

“For free?” Orlooko asked.
 

It was a test of course. Moz had spent enough time on the outer rim to know the answer to that question.
 

“Well...maybe for a small generous fee.” Moz said trying to match Orlooko's smile.
 

That smile didn't leave Orlooko's face. Moz had passed.

“To ask for such a thing, a very bold request indeed.” Orlooko said. “Fortunately, we do need more pilots. But I'm not going to just let you wander around my ship, you understand?”

“Of course.”Moz said.

“Good. Nirk here, will escort you to your cell.” Orlooko said.

Nirk grabbed Moz by the shoulder, and pulled him towards the door exiting the bridge.

“Captain, What are we doing?” Helkim asked.

“We are going to wait and see if he's planned anything. If he doesn't try to break out tonight, then we have a potential asset. “ Orlooko said.

“And if he does?” Helkem asked.

“Well..” Orlooko's voice turned cold. “Then we'll be including a corpse with the trash we dump tomorrow.”

***

“Everything seems to be fine down here.” The Tractor beam technician said.

“Good, the captain wants you to let him know if we have problems.” a voice on the intercom said

“Will do.”

The technician was about to turn around. But then he felt a strong arm around his throat and a hand covering his mouth. He was starting to lose consciousness.

“Shh, don't fight it.” a Man's voice said.

The technician went down quietly. Now all Jak had to do was shut down the machine. He pushed a few buttons, and pulled the lever. The machine made a low humming sound.

“Hm. Definitely an older model. Probably used during the Old Republic days.” Jak stated “How did they even- " Jak shook the thought away. "Focus Jak."

He grabbed one of his swords and stabbed the Tractor beam panel.

“Let's see maintenance fix that. ”

***

Nirk kept pushing Moz forward. They then stopped in front of a door. A particularly small door, Moz noted. Nirk pushed a button. And showed a very cramped room, with one bed...and not much else.

“What? No V.I.P treatment?” Moz joked.

“Not today.”Nirk said either not understanding that it was a joke, or just didn't care.

“Ok ok...What's that over there!” Moz yelled pointing to the left.

Nirk turned to look. And with that distraction, Moz kicked Nirk in the groin area, and then Sig made her move...

She used a clinched fist to punch the Wequaay in the throat. It finally brought Nirk to his knees. And Sig finished him off , slamming an open fist to the forehead.

Sig turned to Moz.

“You ok?” She asked.
 

“I was afraid you weren't going to show up after I kicked him.” Moz said.

“That would've sucked for you.” Sig agreed. “C'mon let's go.”
 

“Wait a second.” Moz said. “Let's make sure we aren't leaving anyone behind.”

“Are you serious? We need to get out of here now!” Sig said.

Moz ignored her. He went to each door to make sure they weren't leaving anyone behind. He found six people. Four men, all in their thirties, and two women, also in their thirties .

“We have to get them out too.” Moz said.

Sig was getting really annoyed.

“Sneaking three people is one thing, but nine is another.” Sig said.

 

“I know. But it's not like you're not capable of taking out anyone who is in our way.” Moz replied.

Sig bit her lip. She didn't want to do it, but she wasn't going to argue the point. She looked at the group.

“Ok fine. But I have rules that everyone is going to follow.” Sig said. “ If you get lost, you get left. If you get in front of my blaster, you get shot, and if you get shot, you better know how to crawl fast, because I'm not carrying anyone. Questions?”

Everyone seemed to look at each other, but no one had questions, and Sig wasn't really expecting them to, at a time like this.

“Good let's go.”