The Circuit (IC)

[Rabobankrider 3,410]

Dilhun would be about to step between Zara and Sonnray as she extends his hand, but stops as his employer responds in kind. Still, you can never be too sure with strangers. He hovers pensively over the pair as they talk. He had a tendency to make social interactions a little awkward, but Sonnray had learnt to deal with it. 

[Shlambate 2,679]

“My talent has never been on the race track.” Krydil says while giving Zara a look of “Really? Now?” “I however am the best Mechanic this side of Cerea” He extends his hand to Sonnray. “As I demonstrated on your Speeder.”

[Tramp Graphics 2,328]

“Lei Mei Ennithyme,” Lei Mie croons, coming up besides the newcomers. “It’s my first year, and I’m eager for ‘action’.”

[btmaja 31]

Sonnray retains his smile as he eagerly looks the crew over. "Yes... I see the potential here for a peerless stable of racers. Your enthusiasm is to be commended. But we'll need more than enthusiasms if we're going to make champions of you. And make no mistake, if you sign with me, we'll settle for nothing less. I'm not just looking for racers. I'm looking to forge legends. We'll be aiming for the big leagues. Enough of these tiresome street races; you all seem far too talented for all that. You'll be training to go against the best opponents we can find, working our way up towards the best circuits on Corelllia, and perhaps beyond. Big risk, bigger reward. Do you all feel up for that?"

[Jonas Shaaf 83]

Cormil sheepishly walks up to Zara and whispers in her ear.  "This is awesome.  But I need my bike back..."

[Edgehawk 3,168]

"I'm your hsuaberry. I can race as big as you're willing to spend, but the time to register is now." 

Zara is not sure now is the time to broach the subject of Cormil's swoop with their enthusiastic potential benefactor...

[Shlambate 2,679]

“Pick your favorites then, just avoid the Downhills please.” Krydil says addressing all of the racers. “Seriously those crashes aren’t good on the bikes or the people riding them, **** the demolition derbies are safer.”

[btmaja 31]

Sonnray looks at the others quizzically. "I'm not exactly sure I'm following the conversation... Are you racing with a malfunctioning swoop?"

[Shlambate 2,679]

"Never, no one in my shop comes out with a malfunctioning swoop." Krydil says answering Sonnray  He then looks to Zara and Cormil and gives the two of them a wink. "Cormil and Zara were doing some trick jumps yesterday by the beach and well Cormil and his bike got separated after one of the Jumps. Naturally Zara went out with Cormil this morning to search for the lost swoop. That's why they weren't here when you dropped off your Speeder for repairs.  I'm sure they will find it sooner or later so I can get it into tip top shape in no time." He smiles looking back to Sonnray.

Edited August 6, 2019 by Shlambate

[btmaja 31]

Sonnray scratches his head, a slight look of concern flashing across his face. Nevertheless, he recomposes himself before speaking: "I understand. As long as you understand that I'd be a lot more comfortable sealing the deal if you all had working swoops. Once you've recovered the vehicle, we can seal the deal."

[Jonas Shaaf 83]

Cormil glances nervously at Zara. 

[Edgehawk 3,168]

When they have the shop to themselves again, Zara outlines a basic plan. "Cormil and I need to get into that yard for a closer look. Krydil, you can occupy them, talk shop, inquire about obscure parts, whatever. Lei Mei.. just be yourself.. sure to help divert their attention away from us."

[Shlambate 2,679]

Krydil looks to Zara confused, "Who has the bike that I need to distract? Do I need my knuckles?" He asks pulling out the fist weapon. "Hold on and where did this bike end up? there are a lot of Yards in this town!"

[Edgehawk 3,168]

"Pretty sure the Blues boosted it, but my sparkling personality was not enough to secure its return."

[Shlambate 2,679]

"Blasted Blues!" Krydil curses, "I ain't too sure they will be disracted by me, but we definitely ain't fighting this on out. You sure my Car talk will  be the best way to distract them?" He asks a bit confused as to how he would distract a biker gang?

[Edgehawk 3,168]

"I don't know, Kry... But we can't let this opportunity just slip away. Cormil needs his swoop back. I'm sure the two of you can turn their heads long enough for us to sneak in. Unless you have something else in mind?"

[Shlambate 2,679]

“Maybe we get your girlfriend in on the action.” Krydil says looking at Zara with a grin “Send Corsec an anonymous tip about the Blues. After they crack down on them we go in and get the bike!” He says thinking it was a good idea.

[Tramp Graphics 2,328]

15 hours ago, Shlambate said:

“Maybe we get your girlfriend in on the action.” Krydil says looking at Zara with a grin “Send Corsec an anonymous tip about the Blues. After they crack down on them we go in and get the bike!” He says thinking it was a good idea.

"I'm not sure that would be a good idea," Lei Mie replies. "Corsec might just lock the place down and then impound and confiscate everything."

[Edgehawk 3,168]

"Ari. It's Zee. No wait- hear me out- just listen." Zara is not at all sure she should be making this call, but she and her friends really need this break.

"We have a shot at going legit. The races that matter. The Circuit. There's some hotshot sponsor courting us, wouldn't know a flashfury from a flash-in-the-pan, but he's got the creds. One of my mates lost his swoop on the way home last night. Boosted by the Blues- pretty sure it's still at their lot- one with the shack at the edge of town. We need it back. I need it back. Look, I blew it at flight school, that ship has flown... This is my chance. This is it. I need this. I'll do whatever it takes."

[Rabobankrider 3,410]

"Yeah, I know. my team were chasing your lot remember? I was up until this morning dealing with the blasted party". The voice of Ari was tired and frustrated, but there was a slight softness to it. "Have you ever tried to cart sixty drunk race-nuts into a station? I swear next time I'm going to recommend concussion grenades are deployed". 

With this rant over, the officer quietens down to listen to Zara. "Look, Zar. I've heard you say you're going into racing a dozen times, you really think this is going to be different? I know that I helped you last time with the impound office, and I would try and help you now, but we didn't pick up your speeder last night. Do you know where it is?" There was a tinge of sympathy to what Ari said. This wasn't the first time they'd talked about the dream of this racing career. 

[Edgehawk 3,168]

"I was racing last night, because the underground races are the only ones most of us can afford. Scorso is trying to open racing up for the rest of us, and I want in. Given the chance, you know I can bring the talent." In a rare exertion of self-restraint, Zara does not voice her opinion that CorSec could have better spent the night rounding up real criminals. 

"I have it on good authority that the Blues have our swoop. They hang out at a gambling shack next to the scrapyard they use. Just outside of town, I can send coordinates." Zara tries to bite her lip, but she just can't... "It shouldn't be too much harder than herding drunks after a race. The cowards steer clear of the other gangs."

[Rabobankrider 3,410]

"Yeah, I saw you make a run for it. You know, this time, I was this close to catching you" Ari would say, teasing Zara's competitive nature a little. "Look, I know you've got the stuff, but that's not all there is to being a racer. I'm not getting into that again though".

There was a long pause as there was the sound of a computer console in the background as Ari worked. "Right, that place is a known hangout for Booster Blue and a bunch of other gangs. The captain has marked it as a no go site. Too many big hitters go up there from the north-east sector to play cards or something. I'll tell you what I can do, for you. I'll send a panther up there, they'll flash the lights a little, spook anyone there out into the open. It should give you time to grab your speeder. Just don't be seen alright? If they see you up there it'll just cause you more problems. That's the best I can do, alright? And hey, you owe me one". 

[Edgehawk 3,168]

"Yeah, yeah, I owe you. An hour after dark, say? We'll be in place, ready to move in when the lights start flashing." That should be all the help we need to slip in undetected! "And Ari... you were nowhere near catching me. I just hadn't decided yet if I wanted to be caught or not."  

With that, she ends the connection. "Okay. So who's in?"

[Shlambate 2,679]

“I’m in I’ll ready the truck.” Krydil says pulling out the keys to his swoop transport truck. “Just try not to attract the cops to us, if you do I’ll need one of you to do the get away driving!”

[Rabobankrider 3,410]

Eventually the evening came around, and the hustle and bustle continues around the workshop and the crew. The north-east was always busy, with the gangers rarely letting the place fall quiet for two long. Still, they were far enough away from the border to avoid stray blaster fire for the battles that broke out on the street. Many were still on the streets, celebrating the Three Crown Cup race from the day before. In the past, depending on the size of the victory celebrations could stretch through most of the week, driving the planet to almost a standstill. There were few planets that could match the ingrained importance of the racing culture that Corellia had. 

As time came to leave, the crew pile into the back of Krydil's truck, stumbling over the boxes of tools and spare parts that were left over from the last job. It smelled of oil, and was certainly a far throw from the vehicles that Sonnray was used to travelling. Three could sit up front at a squeeze, but the others would be forced to find something to hold onto in the back.

Dilhun looks around the interior of the truck with a sniff before backing away to stand beside his employer. "Do you want me to remain with the speeder, or accompany you on this, endeavour, sir?" 

With there decisions made, the ride back to the shack was under way. The truck rattles a little as the engine roars to life, this rattle becoming an audible bang as it reverberates through the hull of the vehicles (a problem found with most old speeder trucks). Still, they made good time, and begun to make their way up the dirt track towards the shack. There were a few laybys and smaller abandoned paths along the way that they could pull into, allowing them to stay out of cover of the Booster Blues and the corsec when they arrived, if they so chose. The sun had set, providing good cover for their exploits when it came time.