2468/Welcome To the Jungle

Welcome To the Jungle
Date of Scene:	16 June 2015
Location:	Faraway Galaxy <FG>
Synopsis:	While haggling for parts in Port Pixelito, Juno Eclipse comes across a somewhat familiar face...
Cast of Characters:	428, 814

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Juno Eclipse (428) has posed:
The planet Malastare is a lush jungle world located in the Dustig Sector of the Mid Rim Territories. Although there's little of interest to Imperial authorities, it nonetheless claims a place along the major Hydian Way super-hyperroute; one of five that cross the galaxy itself. Although it seems to be an inhospitable place, between its native fauna, flora, and uncomfortably high gravity (and largely is inhospitable), there are still major cities – such as Port Pixelito, the planetary capital and spaceport.

As a matter of course, cities on Malastare don't rise very high into the skyline. The planet's potent gravity prevents architecture from straying too far from the jungle loam, so buildings are short, ugly, squat things. A far cry from the graceful spire of the Jedi Temple on Coruscan, but they work.

Located in the urban sprawl of Pixelito is a repair shop that promises its services with no questions asked, advertised in green and yellow pixels on its signboard. It's owned by a human by the name of Berkelium Shyre, whose lower half is cybernetic after a land mine accident, and whose uncanny skill with machinery has built himself quite a reputation for a good solid storefront. Shyre himself is a big man with a mop of messy blonde hair, straight as straw, with a placid countenance.

It's also a favourite place for a certain Imperial fugitive to find parts she wouldn't be able to find anywhere else.

The storefront is a haphazard mess of shelves up to the low ceiling, all crammed with parts, components, droid pieces, and stranger things; a pair of Kowakian monkey-lizards chase themselves around the shelves, chattering noisily all the while.

Summer in Malastare isn't a very forgiving time. The heat is sweltering; between the gravity and the humidity, it'll make even the most stoic souls wish they hadn't come here.

That seems to be the case for a solitary blonde woman perched on a stool at the counter. Between the heat and the gravity, she's drooped over, wilting more than a little at the local conditions. Shyre himself seems wholly unbothered by the woman's wilty demeanour.

She's wearing just a white tank top and dark leggings, along with scuffed combat boots, and she still looks somewhat overheated. She is, however, wearing a blaster at each hip, featured rather prominently – but to an afficionado, they're standard-issue Imperial sidearms. Curious.

Come to think of it, there are a few notices that have been making the rounds in HoloNet News postings, local and multiversal – a bounty for the capture or death of Imperial pilot turned traitor Juno Eclipse, callsign "Blackout," and her service photo looks astonishingly similar to this woman...

Han Solo (814) has posed:
"Come on, Berks. Cut me some slack. I just need a couple Vratorian Couplings. You know I'm good for it."

Smuggler of Repute and Legend, Han Solo, is following the cyberenhanced Shyre around the store to try and convince him with his special brand of negotiations: Practically Begging.

Chewbacca is off in the corner, looking through a couple of the 'clearance' boxes. He lifts his head to growl in Solo and Shyre's direction. Solo only stops talking to Shyre long enough to respond to his co-pilot. "So what if I said that last time! That doesn't make it any less true!"

Upon hearing that, Shyre just cybersteps even faster to get away from the Scoundrel that's trying to get something free from him. Again. This is probably a common occurrence when Han Solo stops by this shop.

Solo doesn't even pay any attention to the overheated stool warmer. He's too busy trying to make a deal.

Juno Eclipse (428) has posed:
"Hngh." The blonde woman picks up her head, glancing back over her shoulder as Shyre makes his way back behind the counter. It doesn't last long; she's too tired, and only puts her head back down on her arm... although her other hand rests on the stock of one blaster. She's cautious, even if she looks like she wants to melt. "Save your breath," she calls, to the smuggler. "He's not going to cut you a deal. Shyre's prices are final."

She puts her head back down, before frowning and looking over her shoulder again. She hadn't particularly been paying attention until Chewbacca spoke up, but... yeah, that's a Wookiee, and you don't really see Wookiees out here in the sticks of the Mid Rim. "It's not too often you see Wookiees out here," she adds, glancing back somewhat dubiously to Han Solo. "I'm sure you've got some interesting stories."

"Who knows? It might pass the time while we're both waiting." She gestures to the stool across from her – two of them, in fact, in case Chewbacca wants to sit down instead of pawing through clearance racks. "What do you say?"

Han Solo (814) has posed:
"Stories?" Han turns his attention to Juno at this point and it seems that he's certainly a bit more interested in her than making a deal at this point. Not in any way that's unprofessional. Wait. Considering that his profession isn't exactly that professional in the first place it might be considered something a bit different than professional courtesy.

Smugglers can practically smell other smugglers. Or at least the same 'types'. It's a small galaxy.

Han offers a bit of a shrug, tugging on his vest a bit before he leans slightly onto one of the stools that's been offered. "I only need one." Solo leans against the counter and drums a couple fingers across the top of it.

"Kessel. Run." Han smirks. He's pretty sure that'll get the reaction he needs. Which would be any reaction to help him brag.

Juno Eclipse (428) has posed:
Studying the smuggler for a moment, the blonde pilot seems to be racking her memory for some reference to an incident like that. Kessel Run, Kessel Run... but nothing she's ever spotted in the HoloNet feeds ever mentioned anything like that, and she's been scouring them over the last few weeks for news of Imperial activity...

"Sorry." She shrugs, brows arching at Han. "That doesn't ring any bells for me, not really. Why don't you have a seat and tell me about it? I guess your Wookiee friend can find whatever you were looking for."

She seems to consider for a moment, even as her hidden hand remains on the blaster. She offers the other. "The name's Juno. Juno Eclipse." A calculated risk, maybe, but evidently she feels confident she can take these two – or, more likely, run faster than they can, if push comes to shove. "I remember seeing you in the Bar and Grill at the Edge of the Multiverse, the other night, you and your Wookiee friend. It isn't often you see a Wookiee outside of Kashyyyk. Especially not these days."

Han Solo (814) has posed:
"Solo."

Han figures that his name should actually carry some weight. He doesn't need to drop the 'Han'. His reputation should be filling up this woman's mind by this point. At least, that's what he's used to. Granted, she could be trying to set him up and take him in for one of his hefty bounties but maybe not.

Han ain't worried. He shoots first.

Han crosses his arms over his chest to make himself look even more vulnerable or at ease. Even though he's got his peripheral vision all over the entire store. And he's pretty sure that Chewbacca is keeping a close eye on him, as well.

"We don't have eough time for me to explain the Kessel Run. Look it up. You'll be impressed." Han smirks for just a moment. "Yeah, me and Chewie? We frequent dives like that in between jobs. Keeps us grounded."

Juno Eclipse (428) has posed:
Han figures the name ought to carry some weight, and it... apparently doesn't. There's no spark of recognition behind the woman's crisp blue eyes. None at all, no more so than when he had mentioned the Kessel Run. She must come from a wholly different part of the galaxy. It would make sense, as her voice carries the clipped, precise tones of the Core Worlds. But... at the same time, even some of the folk in the Core Worlds had surely heard of the Kessel Run, right?

Resting an elbow on the counter, she curls a loose fist, dropping her cheek against it. Although she watches Han, her regard seems somewhat languid, likely a result of the summer heat. That free hand stays out of sight, though... possibly resting on one of the two blasters she's carrying.

"I've heard of the Kessel Run, but only in passing. All I can tell you is that only an idiot risks that smuggler's route. It's crawling with Imperials. There are far better things to throw one's life away for than ill-gotten goods." She sighs. "Alright, I'll look it up. I can't promise I'll be impressed, though." Juno flashes a brief but somewhat flat smile, and it doesn't quite reach her eyes. "I'm not an easy person to impress."

Her eyes flick over to the Wookiee, regarding him thoughtfully for a moment. Against her better judgement, and against Malastare's monstrous gravity, she pulls herself more upright to study 'Chewie.' "That seems like an odd name for a Wookiee, although I admit I don't know much about them..." She snorts, softly. "Actually, it's hardly a 'dive.' Go into any of the cantinas here, and you'll find them a lot less welcoming than the Bar and Grill. I'm quite fond of the establishment, myself, although it takes a bit of getting used to when one intends to go into their ship's cargo hold, and instead winds up looking into the interior of a restaurant that wasn't there five minutes ago."

So, she's some kind of pilot, and she has some kind of starship. Or she works on a ship. She doesn't really seem a piloting sort, does she? "So, you made the Kessel Run. Obviously you must have a nice ship. What sort of thing are you flying, to be able to risk skinning the plating off your hull beside the Maw?"

Han Solo (814) has posed:
Han has to actually fight the urge to tell his Kessel Run story because he's wanting this woman to find out about everything on her own. "I'm usually the exception to that rule." That's right, Han Solo is naturally the type of person that manages to skim past those that are hard to impress and throw them into a state of impressedness. Rather, that's what Han Solo thinks about himself anyway

Chewbacca growls from the corner, lifting his head up from a box of different wires. He's starting to get tangled a little bit.

"Quiet, fuzzball!"

Han turns his attention back to Juno as he's questioned about his pride and joy. Once more, he's banking on his simple response bringing up all sorts of reputations. He even takes a moment to pause with dramatics and sits himself further onto the stool. He sits up nice and proudly, almost like a father that's about to talk about his daughter.

"The Millennium Falcon." The proverbial mic has been dropped.

Juno Eclipse (428) has posed:
"And so modest," Juno counters, no sooner than Han declares himself the exception to the rule. Although there's a brief flicker of annoyance, she isn't yet to the point of throwing something at him. She'd dealt with worse in her TIE pilot days; there had been plenty of swaggering TIE jockeys who thought themselves superior to her because she's a woman – and then she proceeded to outfly them in every respect.

She would never lie to herself; she enjoyed those sweet, sweet successes far more than she had a right to.

Chewbacca's distress earns a glance, Juno blinking a bit at the sight of tangled Wookiee. She hops down from her stool, very carefully, because breaking an ankle isn't really high on her list of priorities. Making her way over to him, she carefully reaches up to start untangling poor Chewie. "Here, let me help you. No, don't move, you'll only tangle yourself up more..." Her touch is light, and she even offers the Wookiee a smile. She must be braver than she looks – most people are uneasy, at best, in the presence of a borderline annoyed Wookiee. When you've faced down Vader... "There. Is that better?"

She cocks her head to listen, even as she studiously works towards untangling Chewie before he does any property damage. And then Han announces his ship, which...

...draws absolutely no recognition from the pilot. She stares, somewhat blankly, at Han.

"What?"

Han Solo (814) has posed:
Chewbacca is more than willing to allow Juno to help untangle him. He doesn't look particularly happy about not being able to move. The Wookiee even spends a few moments in a huffed pout whilst allowing Juno to get him free and clear of these horrible and unrelenting wires. By the time he's free, he gives a low growl of gratitude to Juno. His growl at Han is a bit less so.

"Hey, nobody told you to diggin' 'round in there." Han holds his hands up, clearing himself of all charges.

Chewbacca just huffs and moves on to looking at something a little less bad for his hair. Like things that could be used for weapons.

Han finally turns his attention back to Juno. He honestly cannot believe that any of this name-dropping he's doing is working. He almost frowns. Almost. He just raises a single eyebrow for a moment and his head tilts slightly. There's a long pause and then he just has to ask, "You've never heard of the Millennium Falcon?"

There's... he just has nothing to follow that up with. He can't even. If there was space Tumblr, he'd be posting about this right now. Can't. Even.

Juno Eclipse (428) has posed:
There's surprisingly little in Shyre's shop that could be used for weapons. While it's probable that such things do pass through his hands, it's not the kind of merchandise that would be kept up in public view. Too easy for a bored Imperial to stumble across that kind of thing. No, everything in the front is just harmless things, like landspeeder parts, appliance components, and more rarely, generator components or parts from similarly industrial equipment. There are starship parts, here, from older and markedly less military models, but those don't seem to be too common.

Juno leans against the shelving unit once she's gotten Chewbacca free, nodding absently in acknowledgement at his gratitude. At least, she hopes that's gratitude, because it sounds an awful lot like the noise a predator makes before tearing off the head of its prey. She, unlike Han, does not know Shryiiwook. And it all sounds threatening to the uneducated.

"Can't say I have." Juno shakes her head, eyes closing momentarily. She can't help a faint half-smile at how crestfallen he seems, gesturing to indicate the shop and its surroundings. "I'm not from around here."

That much is patently obvious; her accent stamps her as a Core Worlds resident. Possibly Imperial, although she seems to spend too much time looking over her shoulder to be one of their number. "I doubt you're from around here, either, though. Most people don't stay on Malastare if they have a choice in the matter." Well, excepting Shyre himself, anyway.

Han Solo (814) has posed:
"Well, if SOMEONE would spot me what I needed, I could finish patching up the Falcon and I'd be on my way. But SOMEONE is not cooperating." Han makes sure that the owner of this establishment can hear his non-whining. It's just enough to maybe help him feel bad. Either way, Han is just going to pretend that Juno didn't just crush his possible legendary status by not knowing anything about him or his ship.

"I'm usually not from around anywhere. It makes things easier when I have to disappear." That isn't Han admitting that he's a smuggler or anything. Because he does pick up on the fact that she's got some kind of Imperial accent. He's definitely not going to admit anything. Not without his hand on his blaster. Which it is. It always is when he's dealing with people he's just met.

Chewbacca has moved right on to looking at parts for the Falcon. Maybe he can find something that makes this whole thing easier since a certain SOMEONE isn't going to just let Han have anything on credit. Even though he's good for it. Kind of.

Juno Eclipse (428) has posed:
"Give it up. Shyre doesn't flex on his haggling, and you can't guilt him into anything. I tried, once, but you're just making yourself look like a fool." Juno flicks one hand in careless gesture. "I suppose that's sensible enough, if you're what I suspect you are. You can never be too careful."

She glances sidelong to see what Chewbacca's up to, but the Wookiee seems to be much better off now that he isn't tangeled up in cables. She leaves him be; without knowing his language, there's little she can say to him.

Those crisp blue eyes turn back to Han. Lowering her voice, she glances to the doorway and then back to the Totally Not-Smuggler. "I know someone living on the edges of the law when I see them. You're avoiding Imperial attention, aren't you?" There's no accusation in her voice or her eyes at all; if anything, it seems to be a question of genuine curiosity.

Han Solo (814) has posed:
"Imperial attention? Now why would they even take a second glance at a no-good spacer such as myself? I'm really just here to grab a couple parts for my ship. Nothing more, nothing less."

Han only pauses for a small moment. Long enough to look over at Chewbacca. Chewie gives Han a small nod. Han then turns to look back at Juno, this time leaning onto the counter that he's been lingering near for the longest time. "Unless you've got something better for me to do." Han tests the waters a bit. "... and the credits to go with it." There we go. Definitely had to make sure he threw that part in there. Can't have people thinking he does any kind of work for free.

Juno Eclipse (428) has posed:
Juno's gaze flicks between the smuggler and the Wookiee every few seconds, as though to gauge their reactions. Although she seems to be gauging them and studying their reactions, she makes no effort to hide that she is. They seem to have a reason to avoid Imperial attention. Like as not there's a mutually beneficial reason for this; Han's last comment more or less confirms it, and the pilot gives a faint nod.

"I might have some work for you." Her fingers drum on the counter as she considers. What to do with a smuggler? His very line of work and mercenary nature makes him a liability, but he's a liability she can potentially use. "No, not right now, yet. I may have work for you in the future, though... there's a lot of work that needs doing, and you seem like the sort of fellow who doesn't shy away from work." Juno flashes a flat smile. "Not if there are credits on the line, anyway."

Carefully hopping down from her stool, she inclines her head to smuggler and Wookiee both. "I should be going, in the meantime. I've waited here long enough." So, she's probably not comfortable sitting around in one place for too long. She must have secrets of her own to hide. "Nice meeting you, Mr. Solo. And your friends, too." A toss of her head indicates the rummaging Chewbacca. "I should be going, though. I hope you get the parts you're looking for."

If he doesn't move or speak to stop her, though, the former Imperial will move to slide out the shop's single entryway.

Han Solo (814) has posed:
Han just gives a nod to Juno as he watches her head over to the exit. He finally brings one hand off his blaster as he relaxes. It takes him a moment to realize that Chewbacca is standing next to him with a pile of power converters in his arms.

"No. No way. Do you remember what happened last time I let you install those?" Han gives a mighty point back towards the section where those belong.

Chewbacca growls and drops his head a bit, turning to head back to the crate where he got them from in the first place.

"... I can't believe she's never heard of the Millennium Falcon."