| Posted by GM (Paul) on 11-28-2001 | |
PAZURKA - Paz City
Xeb's hoots of adrenaline-charged enjoyment received two thumbs up from Getthel, the little Veknoid looking back at him with a massive grin made comic by his oversized goggles - and almost ploughing into a clump of bristly palms for his trouble. Back down on the beach, soon all Ahrkid and Teri could see were fleeting glimpses of blue-white engines and the occasional plume of sand or displaced water. Handing Ahrkid the macrobinoculars, Teri returned the horned smuggler's smile, correctly interpreting the glimmer of regret.
"Some other time, huh?" she said rhetorically. Still smiling, she tugged on the youth's arm. "Come on. They're going to be at that for a while - we might as well make ourselves comfortable."
Hand signalling their intent to the two slicers when they whizzed past, the younger pair returned back through the compound in search of supplies for a more lasting stay on the beach. The first pass through Getthel's improvised training course had set Xeb's heart pumping at double-time, but after the second time around the unknowns of the experience had diminished greatly. With fear and uncertainty burnt from his blood, the Twi'lek was ready to try increasingly innovative and reckless feats, which earned a loud chatter of approval from his pint-sized flying partner. Howling along in Getthel's wake, Xeb became especially good at riding the slipstream of other fliers, allowing him to ease and prepare for more strenuous feats. Such as the rapid-climb-and-dive, where he could burst up and over an obstructing slicer in only seconds. That one had given Getthel quite the turn, the daredevil's flabbergasted look alone almost repaying the injury of Uthari Five.
If Xeb struggled in any area it was with balance on some of the inverted maneuvers. Being of greater size, the smuggler couldn't match Getthel in sideways flight, or upside-down. Otherwise he managed to display competence in nearly all departments. And by the end of the day his board control was that of a natural's.
It was just after midday when the two racers glided back to the compound for lunch, Teri and Ahrkid walking through to join them. When they hadn't been admiring Xeb's increasing adeptness on the sky slicer the smugglers had been sun bathing or dabbling in the water. A favourite a had been hurling throwing discs back and forth along the beach - Ahrkid's superior strength causing Teri many a graceful sprint across the wet sand or into the effervescent surf.
Seating themselves at a bench just outside the repair shed, they found Taytul back working on his slicer, and long-armed Fuuni carefully polishing Rokko's impressive grey and gold machine. Ahrkid had got a mumbled reply about Rokko being the "big man" from Getthel before, but Xeb's light reminder of his interest in the other competitors sent Getthel scurrying back to the house for more than just lunch. He returned with a hover-tray of fruit and light, nutritious "racer supplements", and a programme.
"Rooko Zhoo," Teri read off the datapad, shooting her shipmates a wry look at Getthel's by now notorious slaughter of names. "Expected team tactics aside, still Lerros Group's best chance-"
"Thas us," Getthel said between slurps on a tall glass of Ee-two.
"This bruiser's clash with the Nagai Marow will be the slash-and-bash event of the race." She glanced at Xeb, a touch concerned. "Well, at least one of the bad seeds is on our side."
Lorrdian Cabu D'Oro and rising star Ctulu Katzl from OutRight Racing were also noted as worthy contenders for the 20,000 credit purse for first place. The datapad was loaded with whole megs of stats and commentaries and articles on the circuit and Pazurka that Teri skipped over.
"Got your work cut out for you, gunslinger," she said affectionately, half-sitting in the Twi'lek's lap to plant him a kiss. "We better put these last few hours to good use."
PAZURKA - Izlot Qar
Wanting nothing more than to blow the scene as soon as possible, Koyle opted for the direct route - straight between his two Vodran interdictors!
The pair balked at the surprise tactic, allowing the little bug to weasel through almost before the aliens knew what was happening. One Vodran tumbled back on his butt as the other made a desperate grab for the elusive Verpine. The lamplight of freedom pooled before him, but at the last instant Koyle felt a rude jerk from behind. He'd been grabbed by the scruff of the neck!
PAZURKA - Ar Tesh Tay
"Yes," Gessepe added his voice to Adonis and Ouphil's assent, "sorry, and thank you for your trouble."
The Captain issued a quiet suggestion they replace their chips for the trip back. The Bothans didn't bother to disguise an insufferable smugness as the smugglers declined to continue the tour - a fact that no doubt aggravated an already Penterra Slade. Their day's outing had been ruined through no fault of their own - just because someone wanted them dead. How was that fair?
At least Ouphil found a modicum of satisfaction in seeing Kunje and MacFeron sent packing and banned from the tour. However he knew firsthand their penchant for retribution: They would bear watching, slumped angrily in their boats. And that was on top of his continuing concerned duties towards Adonis and Gessepe...
Which were suddenly and unexpectedly activated. It was a scream that alerted the smugglers, followed by many more shouts and much hand-waving. Eyes darting towards the shoreline, our heroes turned just in time to witness a most unwelcome sight bursting through the rushes, yellow eye flashing across the bobbing flotilla -
A second Hunter-Killer...
Koyle: New round. Brawling parry to break the hold.
Adonis, Ouphil, Penny: Rounds! Probe is about 25 metres away, and it's scanning the group. Ranged combat is an extra level of difficulty for the crowd of boats. Should get a diagram up for you shortly.
Qs anyone?]
------------------------------
"That's all. It will be finished tomorrow, and will no doubt be the finest literary work since William Shakespeare's Gay Boys in Bondage." - Joss Whedon, footnote to Buffy the Vampire Slayer pilot draft