Nig Makes Her Name

Shensenn · Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2006 6:49 am Post subject: Nig Makes Her Name

Nig dropped to her knees in one of Coruscants soiled alleyways. Her colour shifted from a sewer green to a sickly yellow. She shuddered with fever. Nig clutched her arm where the infection had started.
She hadn't been making out so well since she had left her fathers family. Nig had injured her arm a week ago and her fever was now at its peak. If she didn't get medical help soon she would die. But Nig was a fighter. Her father had raised her that way.
"You sick?" the man she was about to do business with asked. He pulled a switchblade from his pocket. Nig couldn't see what it actually was. She managed a strangled word in heavily accented basic, "Fev'r"
Her colour shifted from the sickly yellow to a feverish red as if her skin was interpreting the word. The man shook his head. He moved towards her but stopped and jerked around suddenly at the sound of a siren. Before she knew it the man was gone.
Nig hissed angrily. She tried to get to her feet but instead fell into darkness...

Later... Much later Nig woke from a dream. There had been officers in her dream, and a shiny medical droid and... Nig got to her feet. She felt strong again. Someone had healed her and then thrown her into a cell.
Nig hissed in anger. Her skin shifted from its regular deep blue to a dark red. Sucking in air Nig forced herself to relax. She made her skin camoflague to the wall beside the door.
Dirt would not keep her locked up like this... Someone yelped in dismay. Feet shuffled in panic. Where was the prisoner? Where? The door to her cell opened and Nig leaped into action. With her iron fists alone Nig sent the first officer bowling back. He thumped against the opposite wall and landed akwardly, unconsious. Next she grabbed a vibro rapier from the seond gaurd and activated it under his ribs.
The third gaurd she leaped on. In a painc the fourth and last gaurd fired his blaster four times. His companion fell with a dead gargle. The man yelled in horror and scrambled back the way he had come. Away from the orange eyes and floating vibro rapier.
Nig grinned and hissed. She burst through a door and scrambled out of a window. Her feet thudded on hard pavement as she ran away from the compund. Away from the horrified officer that was muttering about a Colour Shifter.

Panting slightly from running Nig stopped just outside of Coruscants main space port. She needed a ship off planet and fast. It was only a matter of her finding someone that didn't need credits.
Straightening up to her full high Nig slid her stolen vibro rapier into a thin leather belt she wore around her waist. She brushed past a few beings and kept her deep orange eyes open for a Trandoshan or another being closely related. Nigs father would surely dissapprove of her riding with some greasy humans...
Annoyed with herself Nigs skin changed to a deep green colour. Maybe she should just find some greasy humans. Maybe her father would actually care. Nig touched her scarred dorsal ridge and hissed in anger. She convinced herself to not think about her father. Nig would get a ride off planet. Humans or Trandoshans it wouldn't matter.

***

Coruscant was bustling as usual as Shensen made the final checks on his ship. He disliked Coruscant simply for its general attitude toward non-humans. He stood after making a few last modifications to the electrical relay and wiped his scaled hands on a rag. His hood hid his face well, but anyone glancing at his hands would know he was T'Doshok or Trandoshan as most offworlders called them. He glanced back among the crowd milling about the Starport.

Ruffians looking to pick a pocket or follow some unsuspecting traveler into the labrynth of side streets, refugees that only had enough credits to get them this far, or scam artists trying to use guile and grandiose promises of wealth to relieve the foolhardy of what little they had.

One would think security would be tight at the Empire's nucleus, but the Stormtrooper patrols rarely got involved unless something was done under their noses.

Shensen started to turn back when something caught his eye. A young woman darting among the throng looking for someone...or something. He reached out with the force and tentatively probed...she was running from something, but he didn't sense she was a threat of any kind. Probably another case of bad youthful decisions made in haste. The Force knew he had made plenty of those himself.

"Company might be nice." Shensen said aloud to himself.

He stood beside the ladder to the cockpit of his ship with his hands folded in front of him at his waist until he made eye contact with the young woman. She had deep orange eyes easy for him to pick out at this distance. They were quite lovely. Shaking his head slightly and silently admonishing himself, he made the slightest of nods towards his ship and then waited. The next move was hers, but he had a strong feeling the choice was already made for her.

***

Nig looked back at the Trandoshan. He nodded towards his ship. The Aar'aa wasn't sure if she should feel disappointed that she was going agasint her fathers will or if she should be glad that among all the human activity she had found a Trandoshan.
He looked decent. A smuggler maybe? Nig stalked towards him. Her skin changed from its irritated green to its more regular dark blue. Although she relaxed Nig wanted to let the Trandoshan know that she meant business. She wasn't just a female ready to breed. With her clawed hand on the hilt of her vibro-rapier Nig asked in her heavily accented basic where he was going.

***

Shensen watched calmly as she approached, her skin changing from a green to a blue. Her hand rested familiarly on the hilt of her blade. He had no doubt she knew how to use it. No sane woman would be traveling around without protection of some kind. Her wariness was noted and understood before she came to a stop in front of him. She asked where he was headed in a heavily accented basic, but she could have spoken almost any language and he would have understood.

"Tattooine." He responded serenely, also in basic. He despised the language, but it was an unfortunate necessity. "But I am in no rush. I can take you where ever you wish to be. I get the feeling that YOU are in somewhat of a hurry so hop in and you can decide where we're going once we're airborne."

Nig nodded. She didn't know many other planets but Tatooine souded familiar. A dry dessert place. Two suns and lots of heat. One of the best enviroments.
Nig could practically hear the disdain in his voice so she switched to her native tounge. It sounded very similiar to the Trandoshans native tounge. To any other it would be a series of grunts, growls and hisses. In a slightly impatient voice her words translated to, "No hurry. Merely anxious to be off this planet made of garbage. Tattooine should do fine..."
Nig paused with her head slightly inclined to hear his name. She was anxious to get off planet though. The humans looked at her as if she were a poisionous snake. Her hand tightened on the hilt of her blade slightly. Nig could be dangerous, although she wasn't poisionous.

"Where are my manners? It must be all the time around these humans. I am known as Shensen." He said with a formal bow. She had thankfully switched to her native tongue. "Let us be away from here then. " He said motioning to the ladder.

Once she had climbed in and made herself comfortable he boarded as well. The cockpit hatch lowered into place with a click and the hum of the engines rose in pitch as he increased power to the engines.

"Molten Scale, you are cleared for take-off in space lane 11-439A." The voice came across from Coruscant flight control.

"Confirmed." Shensen replied as the Molten Scale lifted from the landing platform, spun around and smoothly headed out.

"We'll land in Mos Eisley." Shensen said turned toward his passenger. "Bestine is a nicer city, but it is the also the stronghold of imperial power there and the humans are much like those in Coruscant. Eisley is more a haven for the seedier types. Humans there don't look twice at aliens and it is a good place for those who don't wish to be found. I've spent much time there myself on occasion." He said with a toothy smile.

"I don't know what you're running from and it is not my place to ask." He started, noticing a slight tightening of her lips. "Do not deny it. My people know much about the hunt and you have the look of the hunted. There is no shame. I will swear to you that as long as you are in my company no harm will come to you." She looked a little more relaxed, but he sensed much tension in her still. "Try to get some rest, it looks like you could use it."

The Molten Scale eased out of Coruscant's orbit and he started to punch coordinates into the navicomputer.

Shensen and the Molten Scale. Nig was glad he had asked no questions but he seemed a little too modest. She glanced at him as flight control dirrected him.

"I don't know what you're running from and it is not my place to ask. Do not deny it. My people know much about the hunt and you have the look of the hunted. There is no shame. I will swear to you that as long as you are in my company no harm will come to you."

Nig only nodded. He seemed convinced that Nig had hunters after her. Nig wouldn't deny this fact but she was pretty sure that it wasn't true. Sure a few humans have draw blades in her face, that was natural in her recent business. She had also been locked in a prison cell but Nig was sure that that had only been because she was found in the wrong place at the wrong time. They had healed her after all. The animals probably thought it to there benifit. Nig lifted a corner of her mouth into a smile as she remembered the look of the one officer she had left alive... And what had he called her? She couldn't quite remember... Colour Shifter or something. She liked the sound of that.

"Try to get some rest, it looks like you could use it," Shensen finished. Nig wasn't tired at all but she wanted to see the ship. She hadn't been in many (nor had she really wanted to be in any) but this one held her interest. When she had been young Nig had had to travel in a cargo carrier. She hardly remembered it but knew it had been unpleasant.

"Where will I be sleeping?" She asked. Her blue colour going slightly opaque. Aar'aas were known for there ability to blend with their background.

"Well this is a Rihkxyrk pirate-class starship, built more for speed and combat than comfort." Shensen replied.

"Normally this is only a one-man craft, but I've made some modifications to the cockpit to allow for two. Your seat reclines using the button there." He said pointing to a pair of buttons.

"The bottom button will lower your seat down into a hollow area underneath us and then recline your seat. The other button brings you back up. Unfortunately I couldn't do the same thing for my own seat, but it's best the pilot not be sleeping anyway." He finished with a chuckle.

"You should find Tattooine to your liking." He said changing the subject a bit. "It's nice and hot there, plenty of game to hunt, lots of trade...I've always been quite fond of it. It also amuses me to watch the humans dash about when a sandstorm rolls in." He laughed richly at the last memory of such a time.

His navigation console beeped several times.

"Looks like we're set." He said glancing at the console briefly. The engine pitch rose to a crescendo and the tiny pinpoints of the stars turned into lines as the Molten Scale lurched into lightspeed.

Nigs eyebrows raised at his laugh. Nig rarely laughed and wasn't accustomed to hearing laughter often. Watching the humans scurry away from a sandstorm must be very amusing. Nig rarely laughed and wasn't accustomed to hearing laughter often. She was glad she would finally get to move away from Coruscant.

"You have any family? Someone you can call when you get to Eisley?" he asked. Nig hissed quietly and shook her head, "I left my family and they have forgotten me."

She could tell that Shensen wanted to know more but Nig knew he wasn't likely to ask questions. Nig continued, "Two years ago my sister died. My father never liked me..." absent mindedly Nig rubbed her scarred dorsal ridge on the back of her head, "My brothers where just as bad. Now my closest family is the best paying client."

Fools. Probably all dead by now, Nig thought. Although she knew it wasn't true, at least her father wasn't dead. Not yet. Nig thought of the promise she had made to herself. Nig would make it happen, she felt sure of it.

Shensen listened intently as the young lady recounted some of her family history. He sensed a particular dislike for her father.

"A shame, I have been told a family holds bonds like no other." Shensen said a little forlornly. "I don't remember my parents at all. I grew up on the streets of Bestine with my adopted brother Hammar; he's Ithorian. We don't talk much though. Our lives seemed to have taken very different turns once we left Bestine." He finished pensively.

"Good friends can make up for lack of family." He said brightening a little.

"I've made friends with almost all types - Bounty Hunters, Smugglers, hackers...some think of them as scum, but the way I see it everyone has to make a credit or two." Shensen stated stoicly, then his face darkened. "Except for wookiees...nothing good there. I'd rather sunbathe with a human before speaking to a wookiee even though either might soil me so much I'd have to molt right then and there." He finished with a harumph.

"So what is it you do by trade? Lot's of work to be had in a place like Eisley...for the right person."

Nig smiled as Shensen harumphed. She knew Trandoshans and Wookiees were not a pair to put together.

"I do what seems best at times. Mostly spying or shadowing work. Sometimes assasinations. Always local... I haven't seen many places aside from Aar and Coruscant," Nig said, still in her native tounge.

"I look forward to seeing Tatooine though. The cold doesn't work well on an Aar'aas senses," Nigs skin continued to look more and more like the ship around her.

"You keep changing like that I'm going to feel like I'm talking to myself soon." Shensen joked.

"Always work for spies and assassins. You should pay Jabba a visit at some point - he's a hutt, but not so bad as people say. You do the job, you get paid. Make a habit out of botching assignments and you get Bounties on your head....it's all quite fair I assure you."

"Should you get bored of Tattooine or Jabba, you can always head to Nym's place out on Lok. Lok is much like tattooine, although not as hot in my opinion. Only thing with Lok is that there's one way in and one way out - not the best setup for most in your trade who always like to have options."

Shensen watched the young woman soak up the information like a Kamino sponge and saw the look of excitement and adventure and things new in her orange eyes although she had a great sabaac face. Was it really so long ago that he had been just like her? It sometimes seemed that way.

"Ah but I babble too much. If you've only seen Aar and Coruscant, you must have questions. Please ask and if it is something I know of, I will tell you." Shensen realized just how long it had been since he time to relax and enjoy a conversation. All these weeks of running had set him into a melancholy mood, but this young Aar'aa made him remember how nice it was to talk of trivial things other than death. He waited expectantly...

Nig found herself liking Shensen more and more as the time went by. It was nice talking to someone that could actually feel amusment on a subject that wasn't death. She didn't have many questions. Most were about the planets he had seen. After adjusting her chair slightly she asked him the question that had always been silently waiting to be asked.

"What do you know about the Force?" Nig hadn't heard very much about it. She knew little about Jedi and there awe inspiring talents and despite herself she had always been interested in the subject.

"The force eh? Well the force is some sort of energy made up of all living things. This energy surrounds us and binds us all together so I'm told. It is said that some may harness this energy...become one with it and use it to their advantage." Shensen said carefully.

"There's a few books on it in the Theed library on Naboo, but other than that most of the Jedi and force sensitives were wiped out long ago - just after the clone wars." Shensen said thoughtfully. "I do suppose some survived the purge, but they are hiding if they know what's good for them."

The sound of the engine dipped as the Molten Scale slowed out of lightspeed. "Looks like we're here. We should have our feet on the ground in another 10 minutes as long as traffic isn't too heavy."

Shensen punched in his ship codes along with his personal identification number and sent it to the Eisley control station.

A few seconds later his comm buzzed. "Molten Scale, you are cleared for landing on South platform 43H. You may start your approach bearing on vector 1.354.67."

"Confirmed control. Beginning our approach." Shensen replied, taking the ship out of auto pilot. "Better buckle up, this will get a little...interesting."

Nig nodded. That was a dissapointment. Who ever she met must have only been an old hag pretending to know about it. She buckled her restraints and put her chair more upright. Nig was eager to stretch her legs now.
She watched silently as Shensens large, scaled hands moved across the controls.

Shensen started out following the approach vector mentioned, but his way was more fun. He took the ship directly toward a crossing spacelane.

He deftly weaved his way among the other passenger cars a ships occupying the space lanes. Steep inclines, sharp drops, and several barrel rolls later he switched on the vertical thrusters and slowly set the Molten Scale down on the landing platform.

After shutting down all systems, he released the hatch. The heat of tattooine hit him hard as the hatch lifted. He sat a moment enjoying the heat after the cold of space, then adjusted his lightsaber underneath his robe and climbed down to the sandy surface.

Shensens fancy flying made Nig a little nervous but she didn't show it very much. Unbuckling her restraints went into the warm air of Tattooine. Nig found herself liking the dusty planet instantly, although there was a little too much sand for her taste but it gace good cover. Traveling in secrecy would be as easy as breathing for her.

She turned back to face the Trandoshan just after he had adjusted his saber. Her lips stretched into a tight smile and her skin was already composating for the sudden change in surroundings. Nig found she didn't want to have to leave his company just yet.

"Where do you go from here?"

Shensen stared thoughtfully at the City of Mos Eisley. His flying didn't seem to bother his passenger much, but he didn't expect it would considering her line of work. People with soft nerves didn't survive long. He was sure she would do well here.

"First I'm going to hit up the Lucky Despot. It's a crashed freighter turned into a cantina - nice place. I'm going to get a drink - maybe gamble a little and then head out to where ever the sands happen to blow me. Perhaps I'll pay Jabba a visit." Shensen shrugged. "I've got all the time in the galaxy to decide."

Shensen had a few scores to settle here from a long time ago, but there was no sense dragging the Aar'aa into it. He suspected with a few well placed bribes she would have her hands full of work and be rich within a couple months.

Shensen motioned ahead, "Come. I'll show you around."

Adjusting her thin fiber cord belt slightly Nig followed Shensen into Mos Eisley. The occasional womp rat could be seen along with Jawas, rusted droids and sulky humans.
Nig wondered if she wanted to pay Jabba a visit. She hadn't learnt much about Hutts aside from the fact that the look like gigantic, over grown, talking slugs. She didn't like the thought of working for a slug. Nig decided that she would figure things out once Shensen had showed her around.

The precarious pair made their way through the dusty streets of Mos Eisley. Shensen pointed out the main structures as well as some not-so-well-known places. The streets were busy, but between the two of them they had enough glares to clear their path to the ramp leading into the Lucky Despot.

The inside was dimly lit, but well cared for and decorated. Plush couches and chairs were scattered about with small tables in the entertainment room. Shensen took his companion around to see the gambling room as well as the topside patio, then returned to the mainroom. They were seated shortly and sipping on drinks within minutes.

Shensen sighed and stretched his feet out to the side of the table as he sipped contentedly on his drink.

"Now this place - well this town really, is run by the Lady Valarian. She's only slightly better looking than Jabba, but she's the mite in his ear. She's been taking chunks out of his business for about a year now. She's very polite and proper on the outside, but that woman is tough as an old interdictor cruiser. That being said, should you happen to speak with her I wouldn't mention Jabba's name unless you have a really good reason."

Shensen looked around casually and then drained the rest of his glass.

"If you'll excuse me a moment." He said as he rose from his chair.

He made his way over to a human woman in robes with braids in her hair who was busily looking over contracts.

"Still trying to count your millions Kavas?" Shensen said as he approached.

The woman looked up sharply then her face softened slightly. "Shen you old voritor, I thought you were dead."

"Disappointed?" Shensen asked.

Kavas shrugged. "We could have used you a few times so I'm sure we may have need of you in the future..so no, I'm not disappointed."

"Well you may be yet. I'm out of that business now. Things have...changed for me."

"Ah struck it rich somewhere and decided to retire eh?" She said with a smile. "So what brings you back to this hole?"

"Some unfinished business. I have a few debts to pay then I'm out of here. Is Val busy?"

"She's always busy, you know that." She chuckled. "Not too busy to see you though. Go on up."

Shensen nodded and turned up the ramp leading to the "business lounge" as it was called. The door whispered open.

"Well I'll be dipped in bantha poodoo. Shensen Debloodletter. I heard the Molten Scale landed not too long ago, but I figured someone stole your ship." Valarian said jovially.

"I knew you knew I was here. Thought it would be impolite of me not to drop by."

"It would have indeed. So you here for work? That overgrown slug seems to make more work for me by the minute."

"Afraid not." He cut her off. "I've got my own business to attend to, but I didn't arrive totally empty handed."

Valarian leaned back in her chair and folded her hands in her lap.

"I chanced to meet a young woman from Aar. Our paths led us here and she seems like she could be the replacement you've never been able to find for me." Shensen finished with a smile.

"You always did think too much of yourself." Valarian laughed. "So where is she? What's her name?"

"She's downstairs and I don't know her name. Never asked and she never offered it, but I sense she has what it takes. Of course she's a silently willful being - who knows, she may refuse any offers. She knows enough of the scene here to make her own decisions so don't think you can lowball her."

Valarian's eyes narrowed. "I don't know her - she'll get offered the same as any new blood."

"Come now Val, anyone hand delivered and recommended by me has to be worth more than that." Shensen said seriously. He was prepared to bring the force to bear on her, but he felt he could win her over the old way. "Besides, she's a colour shifter." He said off-handedly. He could see the wheels turning in that big head of hers.

"Alright, I've got more work than I can handle and need the help. If it wasn't you I'd probably laugh in your face and have you killed."

"As I would expect you to, but I will be thankful I am me." He chuckled.

"Have her talk to Kavas if she wants work. Now get out of here you overgrown dewback."

Shensen bowed slightly as he made his way back to their table and ordered another round.

"I had a lot of good times here. I've taught you what I can given our short time together, the rest is in your hands now. Kavas over there will give you better than average paying work or there's the Hutt. Anything other than those two is smalltime and won't pay worth your time." He said downing another glass of jawa beer. "I've made arrangements for us at the Hotel here, you're paid for for a month whether you stay or decide to go elsewhere. I see a bright career ahead of you if you play your cards right." He finished with a grin.

The band was playing softly as they commonly did in the afternoon hours, but the place would be crawling after dark. He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes and enjoyed the music - a piece of Dosh origin, horribly butchered, but nice nonetheless.

Nig watched her surroundings and left her first drink untouched. Nig liked the style of the place and Lady Valarian sounded a hell of a lot better than working for an over grown slug. It sounded like Lady Valarian could give her bigger credits and better business oportunities. She nodded at the advice Shensen was giving her and watched as Shensen approached a human female.

Her gaze drifted casually. A small variety of beings sat on chairs or at booths. None of them looked at her and she didn't recognize any. Nig was half expecting to find her father lurking nearby and looked at the drink infront of her.

No wonder why nobody had looked at her. Nig looked like she wasn't even there. A little annoyed that she had let the thought of her father bother her so much Nig forced her skin to darken. It went from the bright red of the booth she sat at to a slightly darker crimson.

Nig lowered a questioning eyebrow as Shensen returned with a bow and her untouched glass was replaced by another. She wondered why Shensen was being so kind to her when he didn't even know her name. But Nig didn't give him much time to respond.

She stood, thanked him and said she would be sure to repay him once she got the chance. Nig walked to the human he had been talking to earlier.

"Kavas," she greeted the woman with a serious tone, "I'm looking for employment with Lady Valarian..."

The two talked for a while. Nig gave her name, capabilities and answered some other question. Nig was employed but Kavas didn't give her a job. Kavas only handed her a comm link witch Nig slipped into her fiber cord belt.

Waving a silent good bye to the Trandoshan Nig went back into the heat of Mos Eisley. She wanted to explore on her own now.

His young companion had made a rather hasty departure. No doubt eager to be out and about exploring. Shensen fondly recalled his first time here, it all seemed so new. That was the lure of course. Once you got to know a place well enough it lost that allure and then you left to find a new unknown. He had been just about everywhere now, but the path he now walked was full of unknowns.

He remained for another hour or so to give the young lady a headstart. He didn't want her to think he was following her. He nodded goodbye to Kavas and tipped the bartender on his way out. The suns were still high and the heat was most pleasant.

He pulled his hood over his face a bit more and walked slowly through the streets. He seemed to choose streets randomly, but he knew exactly where he was going. Using the force, he created a large bubble around him. No one paid him any attention and no one would recall having seen him pass them. He entered the dingier part of Eisley. Mainly slaves and low income families in this area. Dirty children ran through the streets but they avoided entering his path without realizing it.

Straight as a compass he walked to a single door in a row of small city homes. Motioning with his hand the door opened for him. The voices on the other side of the door stopped as it opened and remained quiet while he entered and shut the door behind him.

"Who are you and what are ye doin here?" Came a rough voice accompanied by the sounds of blasters being pulled from holsters.

Shensen slowly raised his head and pulled his hood back so they would know who it was. Who was about to kill them all.

The men wasted no time on words. Blaster fire rang out from the first man's weapon, followed by more from the others. Shensen's blade hissed to life and he began the dance. The twin bladed saber twirled easily in his hands as he deflected shot after shot while closing the short gap in the cramped rooms. Some of them met his blade, others met his claws from hands or feet. He fit his years as a Teras Kasi Master into his new life and blended the styles. If a foe was not rent in two by his blade, he had his face ripped off or his flesh rent by claws before dying painfully later.

Shensen lost himself in the dance of death. Soon all had fallen and he stood with blade out beside him still in an offensive stance. His tongue flicked out, but he smelled nothing but blood and burnt flesh. His saber hissed off and was replaced back on his belt. He removed a worn crumpled paper from his robe and threw it on the leader. It had been the charter they had signed to provide protection on an expedition on Dathomir. They had robbed him and abandoned him and only his own ingenuity and the force had saved him from certain death.

He pulled his hood back up and made his way back the way he had come. He headed for the Spaceport. Maybe he should give Jabba a visit.

He stopped in the street and stared off at nothing. The force called to him...something pulled at him and it was not here. He strode purposefully back towards the Spaceport. It was time to leave.

Nig stepped away from a shadowed wall and resumed her exploration. She wanted to get to know the city without letting the people get to know her. The young Aar'aa climbed on top of a tall building.
It over looked about half of the space port. Without really knowing she was doing it Nig located the ship that had brought her here. To her dismay she saw Shensen closing its ramp. The Molten Scales engine rumbled to life and it lifted into the air.
She was dissapointed that he had left so soon but for some reason Nig was sure they would meet again. Before Nig could finish her study of the view the comm link she had been given beeped. The Aar'aa moved stealthily back to the Lucky Despot. She now had a purpose. Nig had a job to do.
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