Star Wars: The Bounty (Closed)

[SiaKlynn]

Barton walks into the penthouse of the Morning Star Skyrise and drops his entrance key on the table beside the door. “Petra, you here?”

He yells into the dimly lit apartment on the off chance that his daughter might be home for once, but there is nothing but silence. Walking to his room Barton steps to a closet with a keypad to the side, punching in his code the door slides open and he sets the case in his on the self. Entering another series of numbers the door slides shut and locks. “I need a drink,” he mumbles.

Walking back into the living room Barton steps to the sideboard when his wrist communicator begins beeping; looking down at his wrist he wonders whose calling. “Hmm, local channel.”

Pressing the answer key, “Hasting.”

“Bart, hey it’s Milo from Craven’s, look sorry to bother you, but I wanted to do you the courtesy. It’s your daughter, she’s down here with a few of her friends and there’s been some trouble. I don’t want to involve the authorities, so would you come down?”

Swearing beneath his breath, “Yeah, Milo – I’ll be there in a few minutes.”

Ending the conversation Barton walks to the door, picking up his access key from the table on his way out. Two minutes later he’s in his private air car on his to Carven’s and trying to keep his temper in check – he wished Petra would stop hanging out with those troublemakers, but she refuses to listen and he is bailing her out – again. It didn’t look good if he can’t control his daughter. Perhaps it is time to take matters into his own hands and deal with these would be criminals himself, pressing the comm button, “Drake, pull up in front of Craven and leave the engine running I will only be a few minutes.”

“Yes, sir.” The driver voice sounds over the speaker as the car pulls in front of the Craven’s front door.

Barton exits the car and nods to the doorman who pulls open the door, “Evening, Mr. Hasting.”

“Wallace. Milo called, where is my daughter?”

“She’s in his office, sir.”

Barton heads further into the club, weaving between the night crowd ignoring the calls of his names of acquaintances and straight back to Milo’s office. The bodyguard standing in front of the door acknowledges him with a nod and opens the door. Stepping into the room his eyes immediately fall onto his daughter sitting in a chair looking upset and mad. “Petra, you alright?”

He doesn’t wait for her to answer before looking to Milo, “Thanks for calling me first. I appreciate it and if there is any damage I’ll pay for it just send me the bill.”

“Sure thing and I hate to do this, but your daughter and friends aren’t welcome here anymore. If she’s here with you that’s fine, but I run a respectable place here.”

“I understand Milo, thank you.” Stepping across the office Barton extends his hand to Milo, who meets it with a firm shake. “Good night.”

“Night, Bart.”

Barton turns on Petra with a frown, “Let’s go.”

Petra stands up and straightens the short blue dress, tugging at the skirt so that it comes to mid thigh then looks to Milo, “I’m sorry, Milo…I didn’t mean for it to get so out of hand.”

“Yeah, well make sure you tell your friends they’re permanently banned from the club and if you’re not careful your reputation is going to get you banned from the other respectable establishments as well.”

Barton takes his daughter’s arm and leads her out of Milo’s office, she tries to tug away, but his fingers tighten around her arm and he drags her along with him uncaring if she’s embarrassed. When they walk outside he pulls her to the car, “Get in now!”

Turning on her heel she opens her mouth to yell back at her dad, but stops short as she meets his angry gaze, a raise of his brow challenges her to speak back to him. Petra’s nerve withers and she does as she’s told climbing carefully into the car while tugging at the hem of her dress and then slides down the bench seat attempting to place as much distance as possible between her and her father. Barton climbs in after her and shuts the door taking a moment to gather his thoughts. Pinching the bridge of his nose as he leans his head back against the seat he begins slowly, “Petra, I cannot continue to bail you out of these ridiculous situations. It is time you take responsibility for your life and those people you call your friends –“

“Dad, you are not allowed to lecture me about my friends when you consider your friends...”

“No,” Turning his head dark green eyes meet those of his daughter as both hands rest on his knees, “you do not get to throw what I do back in my face. What I do has provided a good life for you and yes I have indulged you too much, so I bear some of the blame, but you are 24 years old – it is time to grow up.”

Petra hates when her dad doesn’t yell, but instead talks to her in that “I’m so disappointed tone” it always makes her feel guilty. “Dad, this wasn’t my fault, Ren was only trying—“

“Enough Petra, I don’t want to hear your excuses! I’ve told you I didn’t want you to see Ren anymore he’s no good for you.”

“He’s only a friend….we haven’t dated in months.” Petra lies, well not technically, since they broke up months ago, but that didn’t stop them from fucking when the need arose or when she happened to crash at his place.

“No arguments, Petra. I’m putting my foot down, if you want to continue to live with no purpose then you move out of the penthouse. It’s time you did more than sleep all day, shop and party at night. I want you to get a job or help organize a charity or at least volunteer for one or I will cut off your trust fund. Then we’ll see how real your friends are and if they’ll bail you out of trouble.”

She doesn’t know what’s worse the thought of having to work or losing her trust fund, “Dad, you can’t be serious? It’s not fair.”

Barton stares at his daughter and feels for the first time that he’s been a bad parent, “I am serious it's time things change ….you’re a smart woman and I don’t want to see you waste your life. So, until you can prove to me you’re responsible and have earned your trust fund I am placing a freeze on your accounts.”

“What? No!” Petra yells at her dad, “You can’t!”

“I can and I will. You will have a weekly allowance until you’ve learned a little more responsibility.”

Barton’s voice is calm as he makes this decision though Petra begins to rant in that high pitched grating tone. Tuning her out he thinks they should be home by now and looks out the window – odd why were they not in the city, pressing the comm. button “Drake, what’s going on? Where are you taking us?”

There is only silence over the speaker, “Drake?” Barton calls a little louder and then looks at his daughter who has quieted down. “Don’t worry honey I’m sure it’s only a malfunction.”

His fingers move to press the button to lower the divider, but nothing happens. Touching another button to test the locks on the door and still nothing. This is not good, but he cannot panic. Reaching into his jacket he slides the DL-22 blaster from the side holster and rests it on his knee, his thumb casually switching off the safety.

“Dad, what is going on?” Petra asks with panic in her voice as memories from her past kidnapping surface in the back of her mind.

“I don’t know, sweetheart, but you must stay calm.” Barton looks out the window trying to get his barings on where Drake or whoever was sitting in the driver’s seat is taking them.

[kircanos]

Kircanos listened in to the banter going on in the back of the hover car, what a spoiled little brat he thought as he worked his way farther away from their house and to where he wanted to go. He heard the request made for the current drivers name. He ignored it, he didn't want to seem to overly excited about this job he was impersonating.

He keyed up the comm “Oh sorry Sir” Kircanos said in his most apologetic tone “I didn't realize that you were talking to me” he paused “Drake called in sick and I was sent to replace him” he said letting that hang in the air. “The holo net said that Corsec has a blockade on most of Drake's pre programmed routes home so I'm taking a bit of a detour to try and avoid the traffic there” he said and then added “We will have you soon as possible” he said and closed the channel.

He wasn't sure of Barton would buy it, in his line of work paranoia was a way of life. Kircanos pressed his lips together, he hadn't had time to rig the car the way he had wanted to. He had time to slice into the computer and lock out any commands except for the ones that came from the front seat terminal. He hadn't had time to install gas diffusers in the rear air vents so he could put them to sleep and have a nice quiet ride. He grinned, but this was going to be much more interesting.

He knew Barton carried a DL-22 blaster, it was a decent weapon but the DL-44 pressed into his side made gave him great comfort if things ended up in a firefight. He only had to worry about himself, Barton would be worried about protecting his brat of a daughter, and that would give Kircanos an advantage if he needed it. He had spent a good amount of time studying the dossier of this target, their history of close calls let him know they would be alert to most of his usual tricks, but if it came down to brute force he wouldn't have a problem exerting that either.

He keyed up the intercom again “I'm sorry Sir, looks like Corsec is doing some major raids tonight. We are going to have to go a little more out of the way” he said. “Im trying to arrange some alternate transportation for you so we can get you home as soon as possible” he said and then shut off his mic.

[SiaKlynn]

Remain calm, easy for him to say, he’s always been the epitome of calm, but she, well she tends to overreact. Turning her gaze to look at the divider she wonders who’s sitting in the passenger seat and what the frick happened to their driver Drake? Picking at the hem of her skirt she can feel every muscle in her body tense and she tries to keep the panic rising under control. The memories of when she was 10 years old and kidnapped along with her mother begin to surface – what would happen this time? There is no one to demand a ransom from. Then the voice sounds over the speaker, “Oh sorry Sir”

Petra shoots a glance to her dad to see if he recognizes the voice, but his face reveals nothing. The voice continues, “I didn't realize that you were talking to me” he paused “Drake called in sick and I was sent to replace him” he said letting that hang in the air. “The holo net said that Corsec has a blockade on most of Drake's pre programmed routes home so I'm taking a bit of a detour to try and avoid the traffic there” Another brief pause “We will have you home soon as possible”

The comm clicked off. Silence, it is deafening, she wishes her father would say something – anything – green eyes stare at her father and his collected manner is just as unsettling as the stranger’s voice and his obvious bogus story. “Daddy, what is going on? Are we in trouble?”

Barton turns his attention to his daughter, she hadn’t called him daddy in years, he missed the young bright eyed girl, the woman sitting next him he barely knows and he has no one to blame but himself. The older she grew the more she looked like her mother and the pain of how he let her die still haunts him. The driver’s story was ridiculous and a dead giveaway that things were about to get ugly. His only priority is Petra’s safety even if it meant his end – he knew it would happen one day – he had many sins to answer for, but it should not have to include his daughter. “Yes, Petra we are in trouble, but I promise I will protect you and you must promise me that you will not make any unnecessary sacrifices, if you can get away, you leave me behind. Promise me.”

“NO! I won’t just walk away – what am I suppose to do without you?” Petra’s panic takes control as she practically screams at her dad.

“Quiet, Petra.” Barton says in a low controlled voice, “The divider does not block out the sound and the less our host hears the better. I will try to negotiate your release, but I don’t know what this is about …it is possible we’re both the target.”

Then the voice speaks again, “I'm sorry Sir, looks like Corsec is doing some major raids tonight. We are going to have to go a little more out of the way. I’m trying to arrange some alternate transportation for you so we can get you home as soon as possible”

Petra whimpers softly as she turns her head to look out the window, tears well up and tumble down her cheeks, she doesn’t want to die and though her dad isn’t exactly her favorite person she doesn’t want to lose him – she doesn’t want to be alone.

Barton looks to his daughter and grimaces knowing he can’t count on her to do as he says; pressing the intercom button he says gruffly, “We’re both professionals so let’s drop the shit story and you be straight with me on the situation. As you know my daughter is back here with me, she is my only concern; if you let her go I can make it worth your while.”

“Dad!”

“Petra, shut up!” Barton snaps and then turns his attention back to the speaker, “Can we strike a deal?”

Releasing the button Barton hopes this matter does not include him and his daughter then the thought occurs to him that perhaps he isn’t the target, what if she is? His fingers tighten around the butt of his blaster as he grits his teeth, no one had better been stupid enough to try and harm his daughter – that would be suicide for all involved.

[kircanos]

Kircanos listened to the offer from the man, he mulled over the options he had now. His cover story had been blown away, things were pretty much out in the open even if he didn't want to admit it. He took a deep breath and let out a low sigh as he pressed the com to open the channel “I'm not interested in what you have Barton” he said in a cool monotone voice “the job is to bring you in, your daughter is of no concern to me” he said and then let go of the mic.

His eyes scanned the readout on the vehicle to make sure all of the systems were running and to check their location on the navimap. The blue dot glowed indicating their position on the map, they were only a few kilometers from his intended destination. A small private space port where he had docked his ship.

He opened a channel to his ship and started up the preflight diagnostics, he wanted the ship ready to fly when they got to the spaceport. He thought about the whiny daughter in the back seat, she wasn't really worth anything to him, but she could be useful in keeping Barton in line. He grinned, he cold probably put up with her to make his delivery and get back to let her off.

He keyed his mic again “No harm will come to her if you do as your told Barton” he said allowing his voice to take on a more gravely tone, “if you get out of line then I can't guarantee anything” he said and then let go of the mic.

He slowed the vehicle as they reached the front of the space port, he pulled into a parking bay and turned the vehicle off. He reached under his jacket and grabbed his DL-44 “Drop the gun on the floor” he ordered as he turned to look into the back seat.

[SiaKlynn]

“I'm not interested in what you have Barton” he said in a cool monotone voice “the job is to bring you in, your daughter is of no concern to me” he said and then let go of the mic.

Barton lets out a sigh of relief that his daughter is not the target, but it also means she’s expendable, pressing his lips together he wonders if he can make a deal for his daughter’s safety. Glancing to Petra, she is looking out of the window; he knows she is barely keeping it together. He’s sure a few bad childhood memories are haunting her right about now. “Petra.”

He waits for his daughter to look at him, “I need a promise from you and no arguments. Your cooperation will save your life, so please, keep that sharp tongue of yours quiet.”

Petra stares out the window because she knows if she looks at her dad she will lose her composure. Their kidnapper’s words made it very clear that her dad is the prize and there would be no ransom, she is going to lose him, especially since he will sacrifice himself in order to save her life. Turning her head to look at dad she feels the sting of tears prick her eyes, but she swallows hard to keep from crying. Green eyes shift to look at the divider and then back to her dad could she make such a promise? For him, she will. Closing her eyes she nods her head twice.

“Good. I will try to negotiate with him to agree to bring you home safely after he’s delivered me to whoever I pissed off enough to put a price on my head. Typically, my identity is secret on jobs, but anyone with enough power and money would be able to get my name. Thinking back on the last couple of jobs I was sent out on I’m guessing this contract on me was placed by the Hutts – they’re the only ones with enough power and arrogance to purposely strike at Black Sun.”

The speaker crackles to life once again, “No harm will come to her if you do as your told Barton” he said allowing his voice to take on a more gravely tone, “if you get out of line then I can't guarantee anything”

The hit man comments calmly, “Hmm…I may not need to negotiate it appears this man has some honor, but it not above using his every advantage to make this job go smoothly and keep me in line.”

Petra stares at her dad as he speaks so matter of fact about the situation. Didn’t he care about his own life? “What if we try to contact Black Sun before this guy hands you over?” she asks softly.

Barton relaxes back against the Bantha leather seat, his hand still on his blaster, “We may not get a chance depending on how good this guy is and I’m assuming he’s good to have taken out Drake; however if the chance arises it is an option.”

The car slows a few minutes later and the divider between the front and backseat is lowered. Their kidnapper revealed and he’s pointing a DL-44 blaster straight at them. “Drop the gun on the floor.”

Without a word Barton flicks on the safety and leaning forward sets the blaster on the floor. Straightening up his eyes slide to Petra before looking back to the bounty hunter, “You have my word, I won’t cause any trouble on the agreement no harm comes to my daughter.”

Petra is barely holding it together her emotions teetering between hysterics and fury those green eyes containing a smoldering fire of contempt for this man though surprisingly he is not what she expected. From what she can tell in the dim lighting this bounty hunter is attractive and not too many years older than she, but in a different light this opinion could change.

[kircanos]

Kircanos nodded as Barton offered his word to do as he is told “Good, now were going to get out of the car nice and easy” he said as he pointed the gun to the door on the side. “I want her to go out first and then you to follow” Kircanos said as he reached and unlocked the doors from his data pad. He reached around him and opened his door, he watched as they complied with his requests. Things were going good so far, but there was still quite a ways to go.

He watched as Petra opened the door and started to step out, as soon as he saw her go he made his move. He pushed himself out of the car and down the length of it reaching her quickly. He kelp the blaster low at his side as he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him. “Act right and no harm will come to you or your father” he hissed as he looked at the door opening.

“Now you Barton” he called coolly as he held the turned her to place her between him and the open door “hands first” he finished as he watched the older man follow his commands and side out of the car with his hands out.

Kircanos notched the perfume coming off of Petra, it was a pleasant smell, probably a pretty pricey one. She was a cute girl, a little bratty, but cute. “Now were are going to go over to the blue HWK-90 he said nodding to the one of the far side of the docking bay. He nodded for Barton to go first and watched as the man did as he was instructed. Kircanos pushed Petra forward moving her in the same direction that Barton was walking.

They crossed the distance quickly to the ship, Kircanos wanted to get this done quickly. The hangar door hissed and dropped down as they got closer to the ship. “Inside” Kircanos said as they all started up the ramp.

The interior of the ship was dark and cool, a few lights flicked on as they made their way to the main corridor of the ship. Kircanos stopped them in front of one of the doors, he let go of Petra keeping the gun in his hand as he reached around her and keyed open the lock to the door. He took a hold of Petra and pulled her back. “Your in here Barton” he said as he motioned for him to enter the room.

[SiaKlynn]

“Good, now were going to get out of the car nice and easy” he said as he pointed the gun to the door on the side. “I want her to go out first and then you to follow”

Petra stares at the bounty hunter, not quite meeting his eyes, before her gaze tracks down to the gun trained on her father. Swallowing hard to keep the fear at bay she turns her head to look at her dad. Barton looks to his daughter and nods once to tell her to do as instructed. Pursing her lips together she grabs the handle of her purse tightly in a fist and presses her hand against the door’s release handle, which slides open with a ‘snap-hiss’. Pausing for a moment both feet swing out of the car and set on the ground before she pushes herself out of the back seat. Not ten seconds later the bounty hunter has his fingers wrapped tightly around her upper arm, “Ow.” She whimpers and reflexively pulls her arm back, but he pulls her close shoving the barrel of the blaster into her side, “Act right and no harm will come to you or your father.”

His hisses and she snaps her chin up so those green eyes can meet his defiantly. Petra is confident this man will pay for his actions. There is no way her father’s employer would allow this man to live when he finds out what he’s done and if he did – well – she too knows people.

“Now you Barton!”

He says gruffly, forcing Petra to turn around. She can feel the barrel of his blaster press into the middle of her back while his hand squeezes the tender flesh of her left arm and they wait for her father to exit the speeder.

“Hands first!”

Barton complies with the order sliding across the leather seat and sticking his hands out in front of him before stepping out of the speeder to a standing position. He meets Petra’s eyes for a moment and then looks to the bounty hunter, who is manhandling his daughter and his upper lip twitches, a subtle sign he is annoyed. Barton tells himself that his life may be forfeit, but Petra will remain unharmed if this hunter wished to live to see another day.

“Now we are going to go over to the blue HWK-90.”

Barton follows the bounty hunter’s gaze across the docking and takes a step in the direction of the ship. Behind him Petra stumbles on her three inch heels as she’s shoved forward, but quickly regains her steady steps. The hem of her tight blue dress rides up past mid thigh and she tugs at the skirt to keep it a modest length though the rest of dress is cut low in the back and front; meant to show off the shapely figure of its’ wearer. Her heels click against the durasteel ramp of the ship and echo as he pushes them further into the belly of what is to be their prison.

When they come to the door to Barton’s “cell” Petra looks straight at her dad feeling a spark of fear, which shutters through her body. If her father was to be in there by himself then that means she would be left alone with the bounty hunter. Her breaths grow heavier and she looks to her dad and he looks to her with an apology in his eyes. “I’m sorry, Pet…you be good and stay safe.” Barton’s eyes shift to their jailer, “You have my cooperation, but if you lay an inappropriate hand on my daughter my cooperation ends.”

With that said Barton steps into the room.

[kircanos]

Kircanos nodded at Barton's thread “her safety depends on you” he said as he reached forward and pressed the button for the door to lock. The heavy metal door closed quickly with a hissing sound, the locks clicked into place with an echoing clank. He gave Petra's arm a squeeze “Move” he said as he shoved her forward a little.

They moved down the corridor of the ship till they came to another room. He pressed the button for the door to open. It was a small room like the other one, it was pretty empty except for a bench that was built into the wall. He turned her and moved her into the room “Your in here” he said as he shoved her forward and shut the door.

He locked the door and let out a loud sigh, things were going well this far. He keyed in a lock code to the door and made his way to the cockpit. The computers were already warmed up and a course plotted. He scanned over the readouts to make sure all of the preflight checks were green. After he was satisfied that everything was good he engaged the inertial thrusters and started to lift off. He guided the ship up out of the docking bay and into the main traffic lanes of Coreilla. Hey made his way through them to a place where he could start his atmospheric ascent.

The ship groaned a little as it started to escape the planets gravity well, Kircanos kept his fingers light on the control pad as he guided the ship out into the traveling lanes in the ship. The ship twisted and flew as he pointed into the direction of the drop off. When they were finally far enough from the gravity shadow of the planet he engaged the hyperspace engine. The ship shot forward as he lept into hyperspace flight, Kircanos leaned back in his chair and looked at the readouts. Everything looked good and they had a few hours before they were going to be at their destination.

He stood up and stretched he tense muscles out, he went back o the corridor and keyed open the lock for Petra's room. “You hungry” he asked as he looked across the empty space at her.

[SiaKlynn]

Petra watches her father walk into his cell and then shivers as the metal door slams shut. “Move.” He says and shoves her forward causing her stumble on the heels, turning her head over her shoulder she shoots him an icy glare, but keeps her mouth shut. The sound of her heels clicking against the durasteel floor echoes all around until they come to another door far enough away from where her dad is kept that it will be impossible to communicate with him. Her captor continues to manhandle her by shoving her into the room causing her twist her ankle on her heel as she stumbles forward and has to catch herself against the wall. She turned around, this time to snap at him, but the door closes too quickly leaving her alone in the dimly lit room.

Limping to the bench Petra sits down on the hard surface and brings her ankle up to rest on her knee, rubbing the sore muscle, she assesses it’s not even a sprain, but it hurt. Why did he have to be so rough? She was doing as she was told. Leaning against the wall she tosses her purse to the side and leans her head back against the cold wall as her feet hit the floor. What a nightmare and she wouldn’t be in this mess had she just walked away from Ren earlier tonight, but he had been on one of his jealous tirades. Tonight she had been out on a date with respectable man, a nice man named Kasper Jenner. He is an accountant with a local prominent accounting firm whose largest client happens to be Black Sun though the name is buried beneath several legitimate businesses on the books. He’d seen her one afternoon while she was having lunch with Sage and Lilith and paid their bill creating an opportunity to speak with her. The date had been going well until Ren showed up and picked at a fight. Kasper left with a broken nose, Ren stormed off after she refused to leave with him and Milo banned her from her favorite nightclub. All of that was the least of her problems because she’s been kidnapped – again and all because of her dad and his line of work, however this time is different. There will be no ransom, no negotiations and she is going to lose her father. Closing her eyes Petra tells herself not to cry and to be strong. She would get through this and maybe if they’re lucky someone will be sent to retrieve her father before it’s too late. He’d always told her this could happen, but she always thought of her father as untouchable.

The ship shutters as it takes off and soon she feels the pull against her body as it enters hyperspace. A couple of minutes later her thoughts are interrupted by the crack of the door and she hears her kidnapper ask, “Are you hungry?”

Petra rolls her head to the side, still seated on the bench, and stares at him with the red rimmed green eyes shaded by auburn bangs, “No, being kidnapped is a bit of an appetite killer.”

[kircanos]

Kircanos smiled and nodded as she gave him her snide remark about loosing her appetite. He let out a soft laugh “Oh I thought by now you would be used to it” he said as he leaned in the doorway and smiled. She was a very pretty girl, he liked the contrast between her hair and her eyes. He wasn't sure if the colors were natural, the things they were doing now with gene manipulation therapy was making it hard to judge what was real and what wasn't.

He grinned at the surprise at his comment about her earlier kidnapping, he nodded softly “Yes I did a little reading up on you before I took the job” he said as he stood up and walked into the room with her. “We've got a few hours before we reach our destination” he said as he leaned his back against the wall and looked down at her on the bench “is there anything I can get you Petra” he asked calling her by name.

“Once we have reached our destination and made the delivery” he paused “I can take you back home or to another planet if you wish” he said. “From what I can tell you are of no interest to my employer” he said as he looked across the room at her. His dark brown eyes locking on her green ones.

Her angry gaze showed her emotions clearly, he didn't really have to question what she thought of him or how she felt about him. He wasn't sure if she was dangerous or not but it was probably going to be best to play it on the safe side. “Would you like anything to drink” he asked as he started to move towards the door. He didn't want to give her free reign of the ship but he thought offering her a few niceties might make her a little easier to deal with on their return flight. He turned while he was in the door way to look at her again.

“Your know your father understands the risks of his work” he shrugged “we all do. We know what it can mean for us and for those close to us” he said as he looked back at her.

[SiaKlynn]

“Oh I thought by now you would be used to it” he said as he leaned in the doorway and smiled.

Oh, he is a riot; Petra rolls her head back looking up at the ceiling and hopes he’ll go away, but no such luck. “Yes I did a little reading up on you before I took the job” he tells her as he straightens up and joins her in the room.

Closing her head briefly she takes in a breath and then replies sarcastically, “I’m sure it was real difficult scrolling through the gossip trades to read the latest lies about me…my life is practically an open book.” Opening her head to look at him, “My kidnapping was one of the most covered news stories at the time.”

Petra tries to sound tougher than is, in reality she is scared for herself and her father, they might not have the best relationship, but he has always taken care of her especially after her mom was killed. The bounty hunter appears unaffected by her sarcastic words and asks as he leans against the wall. “We've got a few hours before we reach our destination is there anything I can get you Petra.”

She isn’t surprised when he calls her by name, but it does sound odd to hear him speak to her as if they’re familiar with each, as if they are or could be friends. Lowering her gaze to look at him, “No, I’m fine.”

She didn’t want anything from him she wanted to go home with her father, but she knows that is impossible. He continues on explaining what is ahead, “Once we have reached our destination and made the delivery. I can take you back home or to another planet if you wish” he says. “From what I can tell you are of no interest to my employer”

She meets his gaze and shivers. He might have no problem being civil with her, but he wasn’t one to be trifled with and he is serious about his line of work, he reminds her to some degree of her dad. Closing her eyes she swallows hard trying to keep her composure.

“Would you like anything to drink” he asks as he starts to leave her room.

Shaking her head her voice cracks, “No.”

At the door he pauses in the door and turns around to look at her again, her eyes are still closed, but she hears him say, “You know your father understands the risks of his work. We all do. We know what it can mean for us and for those close to us”

“I know,” she says softly, “I’ve known since I was a child…and lost my mother. You may have him collared because you were lucky enough to nab me along him, but he has friends in high places – don’t think it is as easy as delivering him to your employer and returning me home.”

[kircanos]

Kircanos nodded and listened as she spoke, her red hair swaying just enough to get in her eyes. He turned in the doorway and smiled a sad smile “I think we have a pretty decent jump on any of your fathers friends” he said as he pursed his lips and frowned “at least there are the ones that you should worry about” he finished and then stepped out of the doorway. “I'll check on you in a bit” he said as he pressed for the door to shut, it hissed and snapped shut.

He stood there for a moment as he pondered her words, she did have a very good point, there might be someone after them. This job had been going relatively smoothly so far, using Petra to gain Barton's compliance had been a stroke of luck. He pursed his lips once more, luck that he hoped would hold out, at least through this job.

He made his way down the corridor, his shoes echoed off the durasteel flooring. He went to his room on the ship and changed out of his drivers outfit. He pulled on a pair of brown cargo pants and a black shirt. He grabbed his gray nerf leather jacket and headed back to the cockpit, he checked on his positioning, everything looked good. All of the instrument readouts looked normal and everything was in the green.

He sat down in the captains chair and leaned back, Petra was a pretty girl, he had read about her in the tabloids, mostly recent stuff. She had gotten the reputation for being wild and spoiled, he had definitely seen that side of her when her and her father were arguing tonight, but he felt that there was more to her than being a brat. When he had talked to her he saw fear, it wasn't a fear of him, but of loosing her father. Something about the way she sat and looked up at him, she looked like a little girl, it was almost cute in a way.

An indicator light flashed and beeped at him, demanding attention. He sat up and looked at it, they were about to come out of hyperspace and make their way down to the planet. He flipped the controls to manual and disengaged the hyperspace engine. The ship shuttered as it came back to normal space, he engaged the ion thrusters and set a course for the gravity well of Nar Shadda.

He piloted the ship down to the planet and secured a docking bay for his ship. They touched down with a bit of a jolt as he locked down the inertial dampers. Time to make the deliver, he thought as he grabbed his blaster and made his way to where Petra was.

[SiaKlynn]

“I think we have a pretty decent jump on any of your fathers friends”

"Perhaps, but you do know who my father works for?" Those jade eyes glaring at him, trying to keep up a tough girl image even though inside she is frightened, "Of course you do. In any case, they are everywhere...makes it hard to get a jump on an organization who is everywhere."

He mostly ignored her retort, but does say with a frown, "At least they're aren't the ones that you should worry about” he finished and then stepped out of the doorway. “I'll check on you in a bit” he said as he pressed for the door to shut, it hissed and snapped shut.

She sits listening to the echo of his steps down the corridor of the ship till they are silent and then lets out a sigh. "Well, he's a lot nicer than the last pair of kidnappers."

She mumbles to herself as her hand reaches behind her neck and rubs a thin line of a scar. The last time she was kidnapped she wasn't fed and water was scarce for the ten days she was held separate from her mother though she could hear her scream several times a day. As Petra grew older she wondered if her mother dying was a blessing. Since she was young the kidnappers hadn't bother her much, but the second time her father had refused to negotiate they'd demonstrated their cruelty by taking a vibroblade to her skin.

Shuttering at the memory Petra leans her head back and closes her eyes telling herself that this time she's safer and that somehow her dad will find a way to save them. She must have drifted off to sleep because it felt like no sooner had she closed eyes did she hear the door hiss open. Blinking her eyes open she looks to see the bounty hunter standing in the door way of her cell.

[kircanos]

Kircanos opened the door and motioned for her to come with him “It's time Petra” he said as he watched her get up off of the bench and make her way towards him. He had his blaster slung low on a his hip. He had the snap unlocked but he hadn't removed it yet, he let Petra come to him. His face was cold, he didn't show any emotion, his face didn't express any of the anxiousness that he felt at finishing this deal.

He took a hold of her arm and started to lead her down the hallway, they paused in front of the cell her father was in, Kircanos keyed in the entry code and opened the door. The metal door snapped open with a loud hiss “Alright Barton” he said as he reached down and pulled the blaster from his side. He held it in his hand keeping it low at his side. Barton had been compliant so far, he didn't feel the need to threaten his daughter further. Barton knew that Kircanos would do what it took to get the job done, he watched as the man slowly emerged from the cell. Kircanos watched as he shared a look with Petra, he allowed them the moment.

“Alright” he said breaking their gaze “were going to make our way out of the ship nice and easy” he said nodding to Barton. “Then we're going to make it to the entrance to the star port, once there my employer will be there to take possession” he said coldly. “After that I will return Petra” he said giving her arm a squeeze “back to Corellia”. He glanced down at his watch, it was close to time to make the delivery.

“Lets go” he said making a flicking motion with his blaster. They headed towards the ramp, it slowly lowered with hiss as the vacuum seal was broken. The lowering pistons hummed as they allowed the heavy metal ramp to descend. They all exited slowly, Barton in the lead.

The space port was busier than Kircanos had expected, several other ships were offloading and there were people moving around everywhere. He didn't like the feel of this, there were to many people and to many variables that he couldn't control. He kept his head moving as he searched the faces and hands of the people near them as they made their way to the entry of the space port.

A warning bell stared to go off in Kircanos head, he saw the same thing in Barton, the crowd was thick here. Kircanos heard a crack, as a blaster bolt sizzled over his shoulder, the smell of ozone hung thick in the air as another bolt sizzled past him.

Kircanos slammed to the ground, he pushed Petra down with him as he kept his eyes on Barton. He had crouched low as he scanned for cover. There was a set of crates to their right “Over there” Kircanos yelled as he grabbed Petra and started to drag her to the crates.

[SiaKlynn]

Petra can hear the approaching steps of Kircanos grow closer to the cell until the door slides open and the bounty hunter stands in the doorway. “It's time Petra”

It’s all he says and she quietly stands to her feet walking a few steps to meet him. She looks up at him for a moment, but unlike before he looks cold and emotionless, the friendly chat is over. The moment she steps over the threshold his hand grips her upper arm and though she wants to give him a dirty look the young woman decides to cooperate without the attitude. He had been nice enough even if he is about to hand her father over some disgruntled outlaw. Walking down the corridor Petra can feel a lump in her throat as she knows she is about to say good-bye to her father, possibly forever. When they reach his room she swallows hard determined not to show such a weak emotion as tears. Kircanos opens the door to the room and her dad is calmly standing at the doorway. Their eyes meet and Barton raises a brow, a smile breaks across Petra’s lips and she gives a single nod. Yes, she is fine and the bounty hunter had not mistreated her.

“Alright” he says interrupting their quiet moment “we’re going to make our way out of the ship nice and easy” He says to Barton and Petra notices the bounty hunter is once more holding his blaster. “Then we're going to make it to the entrance to the star port, once there my employer will be there to take possession” he says in an even and cold voice. “After that I will return Petra” he said giving her arm a squeeze “back to Corellia.” He glanced down at his watch, “Let’s go” he says motioning with his blaster for Barton to move ahead of them.

The trio walks to the ship’s ramp and Petra looks out into the bustling docking bay even she knows this is the ideal situation when transporting prisoners especially ones without binders. Of course her father might as well been bound as long as Kircanos has the blaster in one hand and her in the other. Without argument Barton leads them down the ramp and walks carefully through the crowd. Though Petra remains strong on the outside she feels sick to her stomach and regretful to all the grief she’s put her dad through over the years. In the mist of these thoughts the area around them breaks into chaos as two blaster bolts shoot into the crowd. Screams fill the air and people scatter, some hitting the ground like herself as Kircanos pulls her to the ground. She hit the metal floor hard unprepared for the fall. Before she can locate her father the bounty hunter shouts “Over there!”

She cringes as he grabs her arm once and drags her to a stack of crates for cover. “Daddy!”

Petra screams trying to look for him as she is quickly pulled through the hysterical crowd and stumbles along Kircanos’ side. Several more blaster bolts shoot into the crowd as the assailant attempts to take them out. Two bolts hit the crates and a third strikes Petra in the hip causing her cry out. The bounty hunter didn’t have time to coddle, even the wounded, so she is practically tossed behind the safety of the crates. Struggling to keep from crying she curls behind the crates and waits for her dad to join them, please let him join them, don’t let him be dead.

The moment the blaster bolts scorched the air Barton was on the ground. His eyes scanning the area to find the location of the sniper, but there are too many people in the way. Hearing Kircanos direct them to a pile of crates he nods, now is the time to escape, he will not leave his daughter alone. Keeping close to the floor he heads towards the crates trying to stay in the cover of the crowd, but it thins and a shot strikes him in the back. Grunting Barton collapses on the floor and can feel the sticky warmth of blood begin to pool in the middle of his back. He tries to drag himself forward, but excruciating pain shoots through his lower back and legs. Gritting his teeth he gives in and lays flat on the ground, if he was lucky the attacker would think he’s dead.

[kircanos]

Kircanos takes a deep breath as he sneaks a look around a the crates, he sees that most of the crowd has scattered and that Barton laid there in the middle of the walk way. Kircanos can see the baster bolts in his back, the burnt jacket he wore steamed where the shots had hit. He shook his head, that didn't look good at all, “Damnit” he swore under his breath. He turned his attention to Petra, he touched her and turned her towards him as he started to scan her body looking for any signs of injury.

He sighed as he saw the spot on her hip, it had signed the cloth and looked like it went through to to the skin, but it didn't look that bad. “Are you alright” Kircanos asked as he squeezed Petra, “can you move” he said as he turned away from her and looked back over the crates to try and spot where the shots had come from. He could see a few spots where a sniper might hide, but couldn't find anything for sure that gave away their position.

They were good, damn that wasn't good for them, he looked again at Barton, he didn't see any movements coming from the body. He turned to Prudence “We have to get back to the ship” he said cooly, he was trying hard to keep his emotions in check as not to scare her. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a datapad. He keyed in a few commands and slip it back into his pocket. Looking over at Petra he grabs her arm “Stay right behind me” he said as he grips his blaster in his other hand and peers over the side of the crates. He lifts the blaster up and fires of a few shots at the spots he things might be where a sniper would hide.

With a grunt he stands up and pulls Petra with him, he sprints as fast as he can pulling her along with him. Adrenalin and fear course through his body as they emerge from cover, he pulls her quickly past Barton's body. He hopes she didn't see it, he didn't look but he knew it wouldn't be a pretty sight.

They get back to the ship with out any other harassment, they must just have been after Barton. Kircanos thought as they reached the ramp. He pushes Perta up the ramp “Get in side” he says as he spins around with his blaster at the ready searching for any threats coming after them.

[SiaKlynn]

Her back pressed against the crates Petra breathes hard as the blaster wound burns and throbs, beads of sweat collect along her hairline and drip down the sides of her face, eyes squeezed shut she tries to ignore the pain. “Where’s my dad? Can you see him?”

She asks Kircanos, who doesn’t answer her question, which she takes as bad sign. This attacker must want her father as well or perhaps they’re after the bounty hunter. Feeling the touch of his hands she opens her eyes finding her vision blurred by tears. “Are you alright?” He asks as his hands squeeze her gently, “can you move?”

“I’m alright…I don’t think it’s bad, but it hurts.” Her voices strains to remain steady, “I can move.”

She watches him turn away and while he assesses the situation she tries to move. Pain sears through her hip and up her side, gritting her teeth she ignores the pain and reaches for the strap of her heels. She would not be able to run in them, especially with the twisted ankle and wounded hip. Unfastening the strap she slides the shoe off and then removes the other, clutching them in her hand she looks to the bounty hunter. Why was there still no sign of her dad? Was he hurt? Dead? Or captured by another? She knows he wouldn’t leave her to save his own life.

“We have to get back to the ship” he says coolly. She watches him pull free a datapad and press a few buttons before looking back at her and taking her arm, “Stay right behind me” he advises and then fires off a few shoots in what looks like a random direction before pulling her to her feet and forcing her run with him towards his ship. The pain is strong, but the adrenaline and need to survive keeps Petra from crumpling to the ground. She stays as close as she can to Kircanos, so she doesn’t see her dad lying on the ground until they pass them, “Dad!”

She cries out and tries to pull away from the grip Kircanos has her arm, but it’s no use he squeezes harder and then forces her up the ships ramp, yelling, “Get inside!”

“My dad, he’s hurt…we can’t just leave him!” The pain is near crippling, but she stumbles down the ramp and into Kircanos gripping his shoulder, “Please! We can’t leave him…” she begs.

[kircanos]

Kircanos shook his head “No” he said calmly as he turns to his his dark brown eyes taking on an icy cold stare. “If we go back out there they will kill us” he said his voice steady and low “and from the shots he took” he paused and shook his head “I think it might already be to late” he said as he looked into her eyes starting to well up with tears.

Kircanos took a hold of her arm and started to drag her up the ramp “He wouldn't want you to risk your life like that” he finished as his grip tightened around her arm as he shook his head. He was irate at himself for letting the situation get out of control like this. He started to go through everything that he should have picked up as a warning sign, his mind started to race. He shook his head, he didn't have time for that now, he needed to get them out of there. Once they were safe he would have plenty of time to figure out why this happened.

He turned and stared to move up the ramp, his hand still around Petra's arm as he pulled her up the ramp with him. She struggled against him as she looked down the ramp, as soon as they were in the ship he hit the button to retract the ramp. The motors whirred as the pulled the large metal slab up into the ship, Kircanos let go of her arm and headed down the hallway to the cockpit. He heard the familiar metal clank and hiss as the ships hull was secured and pressurized, he slipped into the pilots chair and began to look at the readouts that were already flashing on his screen.

He turned and looked up as Petra came into the cockpit, a blank stare on her face, her eyes glazed. He frowned, he had seen that look several times in combat, he stood and helped her to sit down in one of the chairs. He felt bad for her, a little bit of guilt crept in as he knew Barton had died when he was in his custody. He finished the pre-flight checks and lifted the ship up and out of the docking bay. He hadn't checked in with the planetary control, he wasn't planning on leaving just yet.

He flew out of the city and started to scan for a place to put down. Once he had found a suitable clearing he sat the ship down. He turned to Petra “Lets get that looked at” he said indicating to her side “I've got a bacta patch that we can put on there”. He stood up and walked past her as he went to find the medical supply kit.

[SiaKlynn]

“No.”

“I can’t leave him, he could still be alive!”

Petra pleads with Kircanos, but his mind is set on keeping them both alive, meeting her gaze with a cold look in his eyes, “If we go back out there they will kill us. And from the shots he took,” he paused and shook his head “I think it might already be too late.”

Kircanos then took a hold of her arm and started to drag her up the ramp “He wouldn't want you to risk your life like that”

“Why do you care?!” She shouted at Kircanos tugging her arm sharply, but his grip already too tight, tightens more. “He’s my father I can’t just leave him.”

The struggle was pointless she didn’t have enough strength to free herself, stumbling up the ramp she stares her father’s fallen body until the ramp is raised and closed. Kircanos then releases her arm, walks away, but she doesn’t move continuing to stare at the closed ramp. Feeling the ship shutter beneath her feet as the engines roar she turns around and limps down the corridor pressing her hand to the wall for support until she enters the cockpit. Leaning against the entrance she stares in a daze out the viewport, she doesn’t even notice Kircanos help her sit down, her gaze fixed forward she watches them raise into the sky and skim along the countryside. What would she do now? Yes, she had plenty of money, but her father is gone – she is alone. Closing her eyes she struggles to breathe steady as the grief begins to crush in on her chest. Unaware they’ve landed until she hears him say, “Lets get that looked at.”

Tears hang from thick lashes which then tumble down her cheeks as she opens her eyes to look up at Kircanos, “I've got a bacta patch that we can put on there”.

He tells her before rising from the pilot’s chair and leaving the cockpit. Leaning her head back against the chair Petra isn’t sure what hurts worse the pain in her hip or chest. Every inch of her aches, what a nightmare, and yet she survived. The spoiled daughter of a hitman still alive, but he is dead. A rush of anger seethes behind the grief – these men will pay for what they’ve done – she will use her resources to find out who ambushed them and then she will make sure they suffer. When Kircanos walks back into the cockpit she looks up at him and partially blames him for her father’s death, but knows he can help her, so that is what she will pay him to do. “I want to hire you to find out who ambushed us and when you find them I will see to it that they suffer before paying with their lives.”

[kircanos]

Kircanos sat down in his chair and handed the bacta patch to Petra, he looked across the small space at her. He could see the pain and anger in her eyes, they glittered with emotions as she lifted her shirt and placed the cool gel on her charred skin. He sat quietly as he thought about her offer, he knew she had the money to pay for what she was asking. He knew he could find out what she wanted, he had pretty decent contacts, and even a few that he trusted. The question that he had is what she would do if he found out who did this, she was angry now, but would it last.

He cleared his throat “I can find out who did this” he said as he looked up at her. “but you know that won't bring him back” he said as he straighted up. His dark eyes started past her for a moment “killing for revenge leaves you hollow” he said and refocused his eyes on hers, he forced a smile on his face “it isn't what you think it would be” he said as he turned and looked at the data screen.

He stared a the green readouts for a few moments, seeing the data but not really paying any attention to it. He looked back over at her “We need to head back into the city” he said “but I dont want to fly back in, we have to go on foot” he said as he started to make a note of the supplies that they would need. “Do you think you can make it” he asked as he looked back over at her.

He waited for her answer and then stood up to start making preparations for their journey, he reached edge of the cockpit door. He stood there for a moment, his hands on the cold steel frame, he hung his head “Im sorry Petra” was all he said as he made his way down the hallway, his boots claking off of the steel grating of the hallway.

[SiaKlynn]

Taking the bacta patch from him, she tilts on her side and inches up the skirt of her dress until the wound is fully exposed. If not of the sides of the chair she sits in she too would be mostly exposed in front of him though he didn’t appear to be looking directly at her. Pressing the patch against the bloody and charred skin her features tighten in pain till the cooling affects of the medical patch begin to sooth the wound. Tugging her skirt down she leans back in the chair and stares at Kircanos, waiting for his answer.

“I can find out who did this” he tells her, “but you know that won't bring him back?”

Petra meets his gaze with a raise of her brow, “You don’t think I know? But I’ll be damned if I’m going to allow those scumbags to continue to breath while he’s dead.”

“Killing for revenge leaves you hollow.” He continues his dark gaze focusing on her eyes as if to make this point more valid. “It isn't what you think it would be.”

Petra laughs; she hadn’t expected him to say what he says when she asks to hire him. “Wonderful, a bounty hunter with a conscious,” she bites out, “save your advice for someone who cares. I want those men dead and either you can help me or I’ll hire someone else, besides I’m sure you can use the job since you’re short the credits for failing to deliver my father.”

He appears to allow her attitude to slide informing her as he looks from the control panel back to her, “We need to head back into the city, but I don’t want to fly back in, we have to go on foot.”

She stares at him wondering why they’d go back does this mean he’s taking the job? Is he going to help? “Do you think you can make it?”

Pressing her lips together she looks down at her hip and presses against the bacta patch, “I think so, but I don’t have suitable shoes for walking.”

She watches him as he gets up and wonders why they had to head back, did it have to do about finding out who ambushed them? Kircanos pauses by the door and apologizes, but for what she isn’t sure – the death of her father? Kidnapping? Both? Ugh, too many questions and he didn’t seem to be one for talking. Pushing up from the chair she tests the weight on her injured leg, it was tender, but she could walk. Following him out of the cockpit she asks, “Why are we going back? And what’s the deal with walking?”

[kircanos]

Kircanos nodded at her comment about footwear, he stood up and headed out of the cockpit and pulled open the door to a compartment on one of the walls. He reached in and pulled out a smaller pair of boots. They weren't the flashiest things but they would get the job done, he reached out and handed them to Petra.

He went to another compartment and pulled out a pair of blasters. He checked the power packs and slapped them back into the gun with a metallic click. He flipped of the safety, the gun whined as it charged up. He slipped one of the blasters into the back of his pants and held the other one loose at his side.

“We need to get back to the star bay as soon as we can, try to find out what happened, who they were and try to pick up a trail” he said as he looked at her “before things get to cold”. He turned and walked down the hallway “And as for walking, I don't really see any other way of getting there” he said as he turned back towards her “unless you have something else in mind” he questioned.

“Once we get back to the city I have a few contacts there that can help us get some stuff that we need” he said as they made their way to the access hatch. He pressed the button for it and it hissed open as the humid air of the planet filled in past the recycled air of the ship. He stepped down the slowly descending ramp and looked around, the trees here had grown thick so they would provide pretty decent cover for the ship. He looked back as Petra stood at the top of the ramp “You ready” he asked as he looked out over the thick woods and then down at his chronometer and tried to decide the quickest route back to the city.

[SiaKlynn]

“Why are we going back? And what’s the deal with walking?”

Petra asks as she stands there in the corridor of the ship Kircanos doesn’t respond right away instead he walks to a compartment on the wall. When he pulls out the spare boots her brow raises and not because they are unfashionable, more out of surprise – would these even fit her? Dropping the heels in her hands to the floor she reaches for the boots. They are heavy and bulky; she cannot imagine these will be easy to walk in especially with the blaster wound throbbing on the side of her thigh. Leaning against the bulkhead she carefully pulls the boots, which are at least two sizes. Her feet slide around on the inside even when pulling the laces as tight as she can, but they’ll be better than her heels or going barefoot.

“We need to get back to the star bay as soon as we can, try to find out what happened, who they were and try to pick up a trail.” He explains, “Before things get to cold.”

Petra nods and thinks perhaps they can also find out if her dad survived the attack – if he did perhaps she can hire him to save her father. If she offers more than the bounty on Barton Hasting’s head then they could forget this whole awful night ever happened. As Kircanos turns away he says over his shoulder, “And as for walking, I don't really see any other way of getting there unless you have something else in mind?”

“No.” She says quietly and takes a tentative step forward the muscle in her thigh quivers, but the pain is dull – likely she will feel it later. Limping down the corridor she hopes it’s not too far back to the city or else the bounty hunter will have to carry her. “If my father is alive…we have to rescue him from those people. I can pay you.”

She says this as they walk down the ramp, “I have the means to match, if not pay more than the current bounty on my father’s head.”