Smugglers Cove (Love2write and Silence)

Killian watched her leave there wasn't any reason to be going after her. He spent the night leaning against the wall in the hospital. His leg was sore from so much standing. The boy wasn't awake yet but, it looked like Star had something to say. The captain's leg was stiff and he turned awkwardly to take a few steps and meet her. Staring at her intently he waited for whatever she was about to say. At the same time he was wearily watching her hands for any false move.

The woman's understanding was limited. Obviously from her explanation she didn't understand the lifestyle. "Star, I have a crew to run and a reputation. Its not about getting my crew killed but, those things happen. Its a part of life and I did my best to prevent it. That's all the more I can ever do." Meeting her gaze he maintained a firm voice. "I don't have time for you to throw fits like this all the time. Currently I'm doing my best to give you space and from your story I can tell that this is not the life you were originally thrust into."
 
"No...but its the only one I got. And the only one that can get me where I need to go." She sighs lightly, wringing her hands. "Remember when you first caught me. When I told you I knew the location of the warship. I wasn't lying."
 
Killian snorted. "Hell its the only life I've got." He didn't know what else to tell her about this kind of thing. Frowning he shook his head. "You really think that I want to go find that place now?" There were only a bazillion rumors on the dangers of it. "Booby traps galore. I don't think that we have the man power to do this. I would have to study it for a while. I don't hit just anywhere. My reputation is what it is, because I plan everything."
 
"I wouldn't expect you to go in blind." Star smirks. "I have schematics, approximate coordinates, and most importantly, level five access codes for the computer. Stole 'em from a stupid black-market dealer who didn't even know what he had. But everything's back at my safe house...in alliance territory." She rests her chin on her hand. "It'd be risky going after it...but it might be worth it."
 
The captain nodded. "Well since you're so keen on getting to this treasure we might give it a shot." He didn't know what else to do. They hadn't received any other commission and this would make a killing if he could actually pull it off. Granted there hadn't been anyone else. "What about the ship? Where is it? Maybe Alliance territory to?" If it was that would be plain ironic.
 
(You can decide where exactly in this universe it is, if they end up going after it. XD )

"With this war I have no idea whose territory it's in now. But what I know from the facts I gathered is that it was on a mission towards the Corellian sector to give support to an Alliance mining colony under siege by a group of pirates. 3/4's of the way there it suddenly goes off course. Last it was seen it was headed towards the Corellian's blue star. Most people think it just collided with the star and was destroyed. But if it just missed the star it would be somewhere in the next sector. I hired a brilliant pilot to calculate where it would've ended up based on speed, remaining fuel and trajectory...of course, he didn't know he was calculating the warship's approximate location. That information is at the safehouse as well."
 
Killian nodded. "Fine we'll go. You know you're loft better so we'll have you lay out where we should be." He didn't like to give her command on something like this but, it seemed to be the only reasonable way to do things. If they got in trouble because of something he didn't know it would be on his head. So it was better to give her some kind of authority since she knew her place better. "We'll wait for the boy to get better before we go anywhere. Don't want him to think we've left him here." Had Timo been older Killian would have left him with a good sum of money and told him they would be back. However, given the boy's age he didn't want the lad to be left alone.
 
Star nodded and looked back down at Timo. "We'll worry about the details then. For now, I can watch over him if you want to sleep." She offers nodding to the cot at the back of the room and tucking an extra blanket around the still sleeping boy.
 
The captain nodded. He was tired out and the fighting had left him full of bruises. It might feel nice to get some rest and pretend that he didn't feel like a miserable monster. Early the next morning he got up and checked on the boy again. Seemed that Timo was getting some color back to his face. "Well now, looks like we got a mini smuggler after all." A chuckle started in the back of his throat.

Without thinking he grabbed Star and pulled her into a giant manly bear hug. It was about the same as he would have done for any of the other crew members. "You're damn brilliant. Drug that kid out before I could barely finish the order and..." After a moment it occurred to him who he was embracing and he pushed away from her. "You should be more careful on these kinds of raids. Gonna get yourself killed. I don't care what you thought you were doing. Should have waited for me to give the command. Damn it all."

Mike stepped into the room about time he heard the latter half of the rant. It wasn't a severe scolding. Sounded more like a moment when the captain had caught himself going soft and he didn't like the discovery. "Captain we got the ship prepared and cleared out one of the extra rooms." It had been working as storage but, they wanted to see the boy in a real room.

"Good. Take Star back with you. She's gonna need access to the control room to start tracing out a path. I'll be there to look it over tonight when we trade shifts."
 
Star flushed when he wrapped her in the tight hug, expressing his gratitude and annoyance in the same sentence. Such a strange Captain. Just when she felt as if her lungs were about to give out, he pushed her away. She grumbles at the sudden rough treatment but Mike comes in and interrupts her.

"Aye, Captain." She salutes him teasingly, following Mike back to the ship. It had been a nearly a year since she'd visited her safehouse. She wondered if it were still safe or if it had been found and looted by now. Hopefully it remained well hidden. She looks over at Mike. "Even if I spent 50 years on this ship, I'm not sure I'd ever fully understand that man."

Timo meanwhile had woken up just in time to see Killian embracing Star. He closes his eyes, certain he was still dreaming and opened them again to Killian pushing Star away from him. Now, that was more like the Captain he knew.
He grunts quietly as he sits up, pulling up his shirt to look at the wound which had been well bandaged, then groans and lays back down, suddenly light headed. "I'd better get a cool scar out of this." He grumbles to himself.
 
Mike just laughed while the woman accompanied him. "Oh you'll begin to understand in time. Captain has a soft spot for his crew and I think he might like you lass. You've officially passed the stage of scrutiny if he's letting you in the control room." The older man shook his head and made sure to keep himself quiet in case Killian heard anything. "He's a hard man for outsiders. Otherwise I'd say he's terrible soft with the crew. You've seen how he yells and puffs and huffs but, he aint got no bite unless he thinks you're a danger."

Inside the ship he led the woman back to the council room. "Well there you are." The older man just grinned. "You do know that he'll expect you back with some kind of report tonight."

************************************************************

Finally the boy woke and Killian frowned. "Don't worry kid I'll tell the doctor to make it ugly if you need. They can pucker it and made it look bad." The captain ruffled the boy's hair. "So you think you'll be on the ship soon? I've got a crew's room for you."
 
"Better not disappoint him then." Star pulls up the map and gets to work plotting their course.
**********

"Really!?" Timo raised his head, eyes widening eagerly. He moved to sit up and get out of bed, despite the obvious pain it caused him. "I'm ok. We can go now." He says determinedly.
 
Killian pushed the boy gently back into the bed. "Now just you wait. I need the doctor to release you." He grinned all the same. "Now then we've got some stuff to sell at the black market and you're getting a big pay out from it." The captain sat down and watched the boy for a few more moments. It was obvious by the lad's clutching at the stuffed animal that he liked it. Still Killian knew better than to say anything about the toy. "So...we'll talk to the doctor this afternoon and see when you can come to the ship."

********************************************

That evening the woman returned and Killian looked up at her. "Shhh....." Timo was sleeping. It looked like the afternoon visit with the doctor had been a little rough. "Tomorrow or the day after we should be able to take him back to the ship." Peering at what was in her hand he took it without asking for her permission. "What's this?"
 
Timo grumbles but the color returns to his face as soon as he laid back down. He tucks the bear beneath the blanket, as if embarrassed and trying to hide it. "Fine. But if he says a week, forget it."
****
Star lets Killian take the datapad from her, looking over at Timo sympathetically.

"The path you asked me to chart." She replies to his question. She points to a planet on the tablet in Killian's hands. "Minos. That's where my safe house is. Technically its an Alliance protected world but in reality its a major gang and smuggling planet. Authorities turn their heads for handful of credits. That's our way in."

Star taps the screen and enhances a portion of planet. "We'll dock in the city of Classin, pay the docking fee and Alliance bribe then weave our way through the Telos district. Its the straightest line to our goal. As of a year ago, Hell's Angels and the Talons were in the middle of a gang war for that district and no one owned it. I still don't know if its in a gang war or if its been claimed. Either way, our biggest concern will be getting through the territories without stirring up the gangs on either side."

She enhanced the Map further. "Our goal is on Star Blvd. I know..." She smirks. "Its why I chose it. A year ago there were a number of unfinished housing projects in the area. I chose one with a hidden basement and made it my safehouse. We are taking a risk as it may no longer be there...but...for the prize, I'd say its worth it. Did I miss anything?"
 
Killian started to scroll across the path that she had charted out for him. "Minos huh?" Zooming in on the planet he frowned. "And Star Blvd?" It was almost humorous. Handing the tablet back to her he continued, "Well we need to sell a few things at the main smugglers cove again. This time you'll have a chance to wander and..." Pausing reached up and rubbed his black curly hair. "I uh...." Glancing at the boy he wanted to make sure he was asleep. "I might be taking you to the bar." Clearing his throat the captain thought for a moment. "You don't have to come. I meant to ask if you would...Oh lord you know what I mean."

The captain turned a little red at the tips of his ears. "Get out of here." Shooing her with his hands he then remembered that it was her turn to stay with the boy. "Wait." Soon as she turned around he shook his head. "You stay here and unless you need that tablet I'll take it back with me and start some more graphing."
 
Star smirks teasingly as he talked about possibly taking her to the bar. "Captain Killian? Are you asking me out for a drink?" She laughs as he shoo's her away, his ears turning an adorable shade of red.
She stands to leave but then returns when he reminds her it was her turn to stay with the kid. "Don't work to hard." She smirks. "And...I'd love a drink when we get there."
She laughs quietly as he leaves completely flustered.

***
A few days later Star walks with Timo back to the ship. His pace was slow and awkward. Every time someone bumped into him to hard he winced but he was determined not to stop until he'd escaped from the hospital's grasp.
"Don't push yourself to hard kid." She raises her eyebrow at him as he attempted to pick up his pace.
"I'm fine. I just want to get back on the ship and get out of here." Timo nods determinedly clutching his bear under one arm while his other arm pressed firmly against his injury to keep it from jolting as much.
"You sure you still want to be a smuggler?" Star asks worridly. "We could drop you..."
"No! I want this. I want to be like you guys."
"The life isn't all that its cracked up to be, kid. Every day we're at risk of being killed. You found that out first hand." Star argues.
"I know...but...its worth it." He grins up at her, patting the pouch of credits chips in his pocket. Killian had paid him just a part of it yesterday and it had been more than he'd ever seen in his life. And to know that even more was coming?? "I love it."
"Killian's a bad influence." She shakes her head and helps Timo up the ramp into the ship.

"So, where is it? My room!?" Timo asks excitedly, looking around for his new quarters.

He gasps in admiration as he enters. He even had his own bed and dresser! He sets his bear down on his pillow and explores every inch, with a joy that only a child could have. "Your clothes have already been put away in your dresser and you can use your money to decorate it anyway you like.
Timo grins and hugs Star, then Mike then Killian with one arm. "Thanks you guys! You're all the very best!"
 
Killian set to work on the charts. He took the additional time to be sure and get the boy's room ready. Star was with him and the captain knew that she was the one more likely to be helpful and comforting to the boy. "Hurry up you lazy numb nuts." Growling at Mike and Adam the captain directed them where to shove the chest of drawers. Both of the men just grinned. They knew the captain was notorious for his lousy attitude though it was more of a façade than anything else. "Alright I'll get some of the things here loaded into it and we need an extra pair of boots. Just a size up from the ones he has. Kid's growing too damn fast."

Finally they were done setting it all up and they were ready to head off to the cove. Then the boy's voice sounded and his little head poked around the corner. Killian noted the bear under his arm and he almost felt like a blithering idiot. The whole crew knew who bought it. Ignoring the smiles from the guys he winked. "Oh right this way. I got you a room in same side of the ship as myself." It was the only room left that was half way decent.

Originally it had been part of the captain's west wing as the men jokingly called it. Slowly walking down the hall he would glance behind himself from time to time. He could see that the boy was taking his steps gingerly. However, it was all worth the work and giving up a storage room. "Well you better get some...Ugh!" Killian almost jumped except that he knew it would hurt the boy. Instead he cringed while he waited for Timo to move onto the next person.

************************************************************

The captain made sure to put on his better jacket. It was still obviously something a smuggler would wear, but he wanted to look nice. Brushing at his unruly hair he frowned. This wasn't going to get any better. He'd already done the selling and tonight they were going to wander the cove together and he was getting Star a drink at one of the taverns. Finally stepping out of the room and making his way to the main bay he glowered at Mike, Adam, and Timo. Seemed that they'd all come out to see the spectacle.

"Very nice captain. I see you got the fancy coat on." Mike grinned mischievously.

"You shut it." Grousing at the man Killian tried not to pay attention to the little bit of murmuring behind his back. He could still feel the gradual tint of red raise to his ears though.
 
"Are you going on a date with Star?" Timo asks mischievously as Killian passed by his room. He ducks into his room before Killian could punish him for the snarky comment.


"Well, the Captain does know how to clean up." Star smirks as she meets him at the base of the ramp, putting a hand on her hip. She'd taken care to style her flaming hair nicely. The blue turtleneck with a pair of worn jeans was casual but pretty. "Well, we going to get drinks or what?" She asks cheekily, already trotting off for the tavern.
 
Shooting the boy a look he pointed one finger. "You." At that the boy ducked into his room. It was a purely satisfactory response. Hopefully it worked well enough that he wouldn't be worrying about the boy trying to keep an eye on him.

About time that he arrived in the bay Star was walking down the ramp. She did take note of his time to look nice and the hint of red spread to his cheeks. "Yes I'm waiting for you. Hurry up." Holding a hand out he waited for her to lace her fingers with his. "Now I think that we'll be taking ourselves to my favorite tavern." Glancing at Star he looked quickly away. "You know I uh...I usually take my crew members out once their initiated to get a drink. Sort of neglected that duty with you." He was trying his hardest not to sound like he was interested and yet he felt her fingers play along his hand. It was almost like she was teasing him as if to ask if he held all his crew member's hands. "Um..." Clearing his throat again he glanced at her. "What kinds of places did you want to see before we get something to drink? You always said you wanted to explore the cove and we have time before we make that run."
 
Star's eyes lit up like Timo's had upon getting his new room. "The planetarium!" She declares excitedly. She waits until it clicks in his mind and laughs at his expression. "I'm joking! Who'd want to see an exhibit about stars when you already have one right next to you." Her nose turns up in a teasing smirk and she pulls him along. She downloads a map on her datapad and they follow it wherever she wanted to take them. The first stop was a famous clothing boutique, said to have some of the rarest clothing items in the world. Though why she needed more clothing was beyond Killian. She forced him to watch her try on a few outfits before purchasing one and dragging them along to the next location.

After about an hour of exploring different places she took them to an aquarium with some of the rarest water-dwelling creatures in the universe. Her mouth widened in amazement, and she pressed her hands against the glass as she observed a creature called an Octopus swim past her with its many legs. "I've heard that there bodies of water called oceans on every planet that contain creatures like this. But I've only ever seen them from space as we'd approach the planet. Its like...there's a whole 'nother planet beneath the planet's surface."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top