Phoenix Rising, Phase 1 (Invitation)

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*Death's Head continues to travel through hyperspace as an awkward silence fills the cockpit. Clearly, the pilot and his passenger are none to pleased with this arrangement having been forced into this by Kyra. One can tell that these two have a long history and there was no love lost between them.*

*Gurv glares over at Rubin.* "How much further until we are there? Your heap has been traveling for some time."

*Rubin stares forward but clenches his jaw.* "This is a state of the art ship. It's been through more than you old man so sit back and enjoy the ride."

"Don't you tell me what to do, Rubin! I have more experience than you. Why do you think Kyra sent me with you? She doesn't trust you. Nor, do I."

*He laughs.* "Do I look like I care what your opinion is? Now what is it we are going to do?"

"I'll tell you when we're closer. Just in case you get an idea to pull something."

*He turns and looks at Gurv smiling.* "Sure. Sounds fair. BUT I personally like to know what I'm getting into. How do I know this isn't a trap?"

*Throws the datapad down and glares at Rubin.* "Just fly the ship!!"

"Sure, old man." *He chuckles.*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*Gurv mumbles something under his breath and watches Rubin out of the corner of his eye. He knew of the whole story behind Rubin. The man was full of deceit and always looking out for himself.* "How much further?"

*Rubin checks the screen and looks back at Gurv.* "About 20 more minutes. Now do you mind telling me what this is all about? I thought Kyra was wanting this information on the Hutts quickly."

*He looks straight ahead and clenches his jaw.* "She is. That's what we are doing. Vogga has a shipment leaving Nar Shadaa this morning. We're gonna intercept it."

*He turns around to glare at Gurv.* "She's going to rob a Hutt. So, we are going to waltz right into space and point our lasers at them and say hand over your cargo now and expect them to do it?"

*He smiles.* "Not scared are you, Rubin? I thought you were a ruthless bounty hunter used to things like this."

"Exactly! Bounty hunter! Not pirate!

"That's why I'm going to board the ship and you are going to fire upon anyone that interferes."

"Wait a minute! Do you know the cost of durasteel right now? If my ship gets any damage, I won't be able to afford paying for repairs. This is suicide."

"You'll be well rewarded. Besides, you might get a new ship out of it. Anything would be better than this heap."

*He gets ready to yell at Gurv and have his fist meet his face when suddenly the proximity sirens go off.* "Damn, I thought I lost them. Hang on! We're gonna be delayed a little."

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*As Death's Head approaches Nar Shadaa, suddenly a couple of hapan fighters surround them.*

****************COMM*********************

Rubin, surrender or face the consequences!

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

*Rubin laughs.* "I don't surrender. Sorry fellas." *He begins to flip some of the switches as other monitors pop up in front of Gurv.*

"Let me guess. You killed someone and they are after you...." *He looks at the screen before him recognizing the symbols and grasping the controls in front of him knowing Rubin will need his help.*

*Rubin smirks.* "Not exactly. I don't think now is the time to get into it."

*A blast is heard and billowing fire at the port side of the ship.*

*He laughs nervously* "There's our warning. The next one will be a dead hit....or so they will think."

*He watches the radar blips on the screen watching their moves.* "You do know what you're doing, right? Or does the old man need to bail you out?"

"I can handle it...watch this"

*Suddenly Death's Head rolls to the right just as the ships begin to fire upon them again. The ship barely makes it out of the way before the missiles sail past the location they were just at. However, they change course and begin to turn to the right. Obviously, these are attuned to his ion signature.*

*He crosses his arms in front of his chest laughing.* "Thought you had them didn't you. Admit you are out of your league."

*He ignores Gurv's comments and brings the ship around in front of the two fighters gunning her with all the speed in her as they enter into a game of chicken.*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*Gurv looks at Rubin thinking he knows what the man is planning but begins to move his fingers across the console moving power from secondary functions of the ship to reinforce the shields and weapons. The lights in the cockpit dims and he smiles as he manages to finagle about 30% more power into the shields.*

*The ship takes heavy firing but the shields manage to hold in front. However, the missiles begin to close in range.*

*Rubin looks up quickly when the lights dim in the cockpit but focuses on the task at hand. He narrows his eyes and clenches his jaw as he pushes his ship as far as she can go. He knew the guts of these Hapan fighters and their arrogance. They wouldn't back down....he was counting on this. As the ship grows even closer to the two fighters they begin to peal off one right and the other left as Rubin manuevers his ship up into a steep climb. His arms are locked as his grip on the column turns white.* "Come on...come on baby..."

*The missiles behind Rubin's ship begin to veir course a little. After picking up another energy signature they decide to follow it. The Hapan fighters are seen trying to shake them off. Inside the pilots and their co-pilots are working hard to keep the distance from the missiles as well as trying to regain control of them. However, the signals have been jammed somehow.*

*Gurv hops out of his seat and runs back to the turrets in the back seeing a droid already working to fire upon the ships as they increase distance. He watches as one missile strikes one of the Hapan fighters and pieces fly striking the other missile causing it to prematurely blow.*

*Pieces of metal and wires with extreme force behind them slam into the remaining ship as well as Death's Head. Alarms go off in the ship as the rear deflectors are knocked out but the shields in the front still hold. The other Hapan takes a stronger hit being closer to the missile and one wing is sliced through a piece of the metal. It loses control and begins spinning in space hitting a satellite and exploding in a great burst of white light.*

*Gurv makes his way back to the cockpit smiling as he claps Rubin on the back.* "Maybe you aren't so bad afterall, kid." *He sits down in the co-pilot's seat.*

*Rubin looks at Gurv and lets out a sigh. He doesn't say a word. Instead he moves the ship closer to Nar Shadaa.* "When's this shipment supposed to come out?"

*Gurv picks up the datapad off of the floor and looks at it again pursing his lips together.* "45 min left. Time for us to sit back and make ourselves fade into the background."

*Rubin flips a couple of switches on the console bringing the ship down to impulse speed and stands up stretching.* "Good." *He walks back towards the back of the ship.*

*Gurv watches this with some interest wondering what the man is thinking but quickly turns his attention back to the datapad going over everything one more time.* "I wouldn't grab a drink just yet. We need you sober for this. Those Hapans were nothing."

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*He begins to drift off a little when something tells him to wake up. He looks at the chronos and sees they still have 10 min to go. However, as he looks out the viewfinder, he sees the freighter they are supposed to go after just coming into the orbit of Nar Shadaa having just left the atmosphere. He double checks the markings on the freighter with what Kyra had showed him and calls back for Rubin.* "Rubin, up here now!"

*Rubin comes up with his eyes reddened and wide. He rubs his hand across his face.* "What? No need to yell."

*Gurv doesn't even say anything about his intoxicated condition as he points to the freighter.* "Something's up and I don't like it. That's our ship but she's moving way too early. Either someone pushed up the time or they know about something." *He turns to glare at Rubin this time clearly indicating he had something to do with it.

*He raises his hands up defensively while furrowing his eyebrows.* "Hey now! I didn't do anything so don't look at me like that!" *He sits in his seat and works on the comm system turning some dials as he tries to hack into the commuication system of the other ship.*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*He curses as he slams his fist into the console.* "Come on!"

"What? What is it?"

"Damn Hutts changed the frequency they were using. They couldn't have found those listening devices......something happened......" *His face goes slack as he runs his hands over it again and shakes his head with disbelief.* "Trulian....that little...."

*He crosses his arms in front of him glaring at Rubin.* "Time is running out...wish to fill me in?"

*He looks at Gurv with his face red.* "Trulian helped me get into Vogga's place. I had to convince her to help me......Guess, Vogga found out or she let it slip."

"Great. That's just really *bleep* great, Rubin. Is there anything you can't mess up? Think for once with your head!! Now, we are going to have to find out about that shipment."

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

"We don't have a choice. I don't see anymore shipments coming....wait a min....there's another freighter leaving on the other side of Nar Shadaa."

"We have no choice but to get them both."

"Get them both....are you crazy old man?! Once they see us take one ship, the other will be out of here before we can find it's signature."

"Not if you're as good as you claim you are. Come on, we're wasting time. Let's go!"

*The ship heads towards the big freighter in front of them as attempts are made to hack into it's system unsuccessfully.*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*They continue to approach the ship when all of a sudden a transmission comes across.*

*****************Transmission******************
Vogga's swollen face is seen on the screen in front of them as he lets out a deep laugh. Drool goes down the side of his mouth.

(In Huttese) Good evening, Rubin. You thought your little tricks you could get away with. As I speak to you, the freighter in front of you is loaded with enough explosives to knock it out as well as you and any other ship in close proximity. You will never come after my shipments again. I suggest you tell me the name of who you are working for quickly. We might be able to negotiate peacefully.

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

"I never reveal my sources, Vogga. You should know that by now. How many jobs have I done for you.

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

(In Huttese) This is most unfortunate. Such information I would pay well for....last chance before you are blown into Ord Mantell's atmosphere...

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

"Fat chance, Vogga. By the way, you should take a bath. You reeked last time I was there.

*********************************************
Vogga laughs Bold words coming from you, Rubin. It was nice knowing you.

*The transmission ends*
*********************************************

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*He guns the engines and heads towards the freighter faster.*

*Gurv turns to him confused.* "What are you planning?"

"I'm going in. That ship has a bomb on it that will knock us out and I might be able to dismantle it. Besides, there might be a clue on it about the real shipment. Vogga is playing with us."

"Let me get this straight, you are going in there to dismantle this bomb that he says we don't have enough time to get away from....AND you think Vogga gave us a clue to the real shipment..."

*He turns his head briefly at the older man and smiles* "Hey, I'm open to any better ideas..."

*Sighs* "Can't think of any right now."

*Stands up forcing Gurv to take the controls.* "Good, because I need you to dock that ship and let me know how things look here. I'll be back as soon as I can."

*Before any other words can be expressed, the ship comes up beside the freighter and begins docking procedure. Gurv begins to handle things from their end as he hears Rubin grabbing some equipment and standing ready at the bay door.*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*Once the ship docks the doors open and Rubin doesn't know what to expect. Vogga could have the ship abandoned controlling it remotely or there could be something or someone on board.*

*He leans up against the hull of the ship as the door opens and pulls out his blaster ready for anything. Once he hears nothing, he glances around the corner and heads through the flimsy corridor connecting the two ships. Sirens are heard and red lights flash through the freighter. So far, he finds no one. "There's gotta be a few traps in here. This isn't like Vogga."

*A female's voice is heard over the speaker.* 2 minutes until core breach and counting.

*Another voice is heard screaming....a female's voice...*

"Trulian....Trulian!!! Where are you?!!"

*At the sound of his voice 4 droids come out to meet him in the corridor and begin firing their blasters at him.*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*He rolls out of the way across the hall leaning against the cool metal turning around the corner a couple of times to shoot at the droids. His blasters fire rapidly and with precision knocking one droid out easily after hitting it's central processor. However, the other droids soon activate their shielding and advance. He pulls out a ion grenade and throws it down the hallway short circuiting their shields and quickly runs out firing upon them before they can fire back at him knocking out two more before he has to duck back again for cover. Blaster fire clips his shoulder as he turns and sees more coming down from the other hallway.*

90 seconds until core breach. *The female voice calls out again over the intercom.*

"No pressure....right."

*He runs out firing directly at the head unit of the droid causing it to lose control and fall to the ground firing randomly. Rubin has to duck to miss the firing but laughs as two more droids are knocked out before the fallen droid is rended useless.*

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*He runs away from the other droids needing to stop the core from exploding as he runs down the corridors. As he comes to the doors leading back towards maintanence and the engines, he finds it secured shut with a blast door. His gaze searches around looking for a console but seeing none. A curse escapes his lips as he runs back up the hall two doors and slides through the door before it opens all the way. His tunic is already covered in sweat. Quickly, his hands move hacking into the system trying to bypass all the codes.*

60 seconds until core breach.

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

[glow=green,2,300]Access Granted. All blast doors have been opened.[/glow]

*He makes an attempt to restart the core's security measures.*

[glow=red,2,300]Warning: Core breach in 45 seconds. Access to Core system denied.[/glow]

*He curses and runs back to the maintanence area stopping only long enough to throw a few more grenades at the 6 droids pursuing him knowing his time is very very limited. Finally, he makes it to the core reactor and punches in the code he had hacked earlier from the console and still it doesn't let him in.*

[glow=red,2,300]Safety protocol enacted. Core breach in 30 seconds and counting.[/glow]

"GRRRR!!!! I've had it with safety protocol!!" *Both blasters come out as he quickly attaches a small bit of explosives and stands back shooting at it to activate the charge blowing the door off to the reactor room. He knew the charge could have blown him up with the ship and Rubin too but it looked like they were heading into the direction anyway.*

*He makes his way to the main terminal and begins punching in codes trying to access the system but keeps getting "Error Password Not Recognized" messages.*

10 seconds and counting.....10.....9.......8......

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*He wipes the sweat out of his face and blinks it out of his eyes as he continues to enter the code.*

7...6...5...4...Core breach terminated. Cooling systems activated at full capacity.

*He slumps over the console for a moment as one of the droids enters the room and fires on him again coming close to hitting his chest. Fluidly, he pulls out his sword and charges at the droid cutting it in half.* "Trulian....I've got to find her."

*He runs down the hallway yelling her name.* "Trulian!!! Where are you?"

"RUBIN!! Down here...past the cargo hold!"

*Rubin makes his way down the hallways following her voice and finally coming to the door she is in. He runs inside seeing her in tears as she is chained to some metal shelves. He shoots the cuffs holding her and looks her in the eyes.* "Are you ok?"

*She nods her head and clutches onto him.*

"Come on, we better get out of here before Vogga figures out his plan has been interrupted."

[Lady Zahra/Jules]

*He grabs her arm and runs back towards the docking bay entrance and back into Death's Head. Rubin re-enters the cockpit followed by Trulian and sits down his seat. His hands begin to work breaking the dock with the freighter not saying a word to Gurv.*

*Gurv looks at the twi'lek woman curiously before turning back to Rubin.* "Good work, Rubin. You had me worried." *He looks back at the woman and glares at her.* "Who's this with you?"

*His voice comes coldly to Gurv showing he doesn't appreciate this questioning.* "Leave her alone, Gurv. She's a victim here."

*He narrows his eyes.* "Is that a fact? She looks like a spy to me. She was on that ship for a reason."

"That's it! I've had it with your mouth, old man." *He gets up from his seat and grabs Gurv by the shoulders pulling him up out of his chair.*

"What are you going to do, Rubin? You can't take me on. Come on...hit me!"

*He rears his hand back just as Gurv hits him hard in the stomach.*

"HEY!! Stop it you two! I'm not a spy!"