4374/Smuggle Me This

Smuggle Me This
Date of Scene:	01 August 2016
Location:	Millennium Falcon
Synopsis:	When Transporting Undisclosed Cargo Goes Wrong...
Cast of Characters:	814, 774

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Han Solo (814) has posed:
"Hang on, Chewie. We're going around."

The Scruffiest Looking Herder of Nerfs, Han Solo, is sitting in his chair and working the controls to the Fastest Hunk of Junk in the Galaxy at this exact moment. His eyes are boredly focused on the long line of ships in front of him. He knows good and well that if he sits in this anti-gravity traffic for too long he's going to either go crazy or his ship's going to get recognized and he's going to be in some serious bounty trouble. So, instead, he focuses on getting the Falcon to a higher speed through which he can go up and over the ships in his way.

There's a nagging growl that comes from Chewbacca the Wookiee as he flips a couple switches on his side of the cockpit. He shakes his head and goes back to looking out of the window.

"Yeah, yeah. I know. But we're not going to get caught. When do we ever get caught?" Han says with a smirk.

Chewbacca just turns to look at Han. Just /looks/.

Han doesn't even have to look back at Chewie to know what's going on. He leans into the next weave around another ship attempting to dodge the traffic jam. "Okay, but do we ever /stay/ caught?"

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
    As it so turns out, there may be another bit of trouble that our hero has not counted on. His cargo. It's doubtless the large waist-high shipping crate has been strapped down well, to prevent it from moving around during the trip. The orders were to be careful with it, as there was something fragile therein.

    Well... apparently there IS something fragile therein...

    "...Ugh. Maker, what did I drink?" That is a very groggy, very British-sounding voice. The crate rattles. "Wait, what the devil?" Rattle rattle BANG! "What is the meaning of this?! Let me out of this box at once!" Rattle bang rattle!

Han Solo (814) has posed:
Han's eyes go wide as he figures out that something is not right. Could have something to do with the voice that's not his being heard all the way up in the cockpit. "Chewie! Stowaway! Check that out!" Han's focus is on piloting the Falcon right now and he can't get too distracted while he's bobbing in and out of various space-faring vessels.

Chewbacca is already on his feet by the time Han has mentioned things. He doesn't need his bowcaster to get over to crate. He growls at the sounds of a voice coming from the crate and raises a hairy fist.

"What?! Somebody's in our cargo?!"

Chewbecca growls an affirmation.

"Well get 'em outta' there so we don't lose any more creds on this deal!"

Chewbacca growls and nods in absolute loyalty before his powerful claws and strength reach for the crate and Chewbacca just YANKS the the lid off. Wookiee strength!

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
And what should come out of the cargo container but a well-dressed fellow with dusky skin and gray eyes. Very angry gray eyes, it should be noted. Though in the face of a Wookie that will likely not last long. Short, well-groomed black hair and an equally well-groomed mustache. Well, they probably were before he ended up in that shipping crate, at least. Now they're mussed and he's got the equivalent of crushed packing peanuts all over him!

    "What exactly is the meaning of shoving me in this box--" He turns around just then... and sees a hairy chest. Not just 'large hairy man' hairy... but 'furry creature' hairy! He blinks. His head tilts back and his gaze goes up... and up... and up... and he finally sees that he's not looking at a human. He's actually not sure what he's looking at. But it has teeth and is holding the top of a shipping crate that has just been ripped off with brute force! A natural reaction takes hold.

    "Aah!" he falls back, forgetting that he's still in a crate. Said crate topples over, with the man in it, and he starts to scoot back. "Maker's Breath!" he declares. "What the devil are you?" He's most definitely confused, there's no mistaking that.

Han Solo (814) has posed:
"Han Solo. Captain of the Millennium Falcon."

Han must've put this thing on Autopilot because he's standing next to Chewbacca with his blaster in hand and aimed in the direction of this spaced invader. "And this?" Han reaches out to pet Chewbacca with his smile attached to his face like this. "This is the guy that's going to send you on a one way trip to Out There if you don't start talking. And fast." Han doesn't seem as though he wants to blast this dude into smithereens but the blaster in his hand is definitely ready to do just that.

Chewbacca tosses the lid of the crate off to the side in an effort to show his strength even more. He seems to be quite interested in the possibility of hurting this ship invading enemy. He growls a warning in the direction of Dorian.

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
To his credit, when there's suddenly a gun in his face and an angry Wookie throwing things standing over him, Dorian doesn't wet himself. In fact, he scowls. "How should I know what's going on?" he grouses. "The last I remember I was looking into my glass at a bar thinking how unusually swimmy my head had gone after just one. The next thing I know, there's a walking throw rug and a thug with a gaatlok weapon in my face."

    It should be noted, however, that despite the bravado of his words, he's keeping his hands where they can be seen. Not to mention he also appears to be looking around, just quickly casting his gaze around, as if looking for exits. And then his gaze returns to Han and Chewie-- it's a very typical once-over, a sizing up. He's estimating his chances.

Han Solo (814) has posed:
It's not a gun! It's a blaster! A DL-44 BlasTech Heavy Blaster Pistol. Modified! It's a very amazing weapon! Or should be. Well, it works for Han. Right now, even as lazily as he holds it, he looks like he could shoot faster than this guy could move. Maybe that's just the way he wants things to look. Han's working The Bluff.

    "Listen. I don't know what you got goin' on, kid. And I don't really care. But I'm gettin' paid a lot of money to get you to Thedas. Now you can either ride in the box or out here. But if you try anything, it's not my blaster you're gonna' have to worry about." Han holsters his blaster and thumbs over to the Wookiee. "It's him."

Chewbacca takes this opportunity to step closer to Dorian with a threatening growl. Showing those teeth.

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
    Dorian's gray eyes narrow. "Yes, I'm sure you are," he notes, of Han being paid a lot. He scoots back again as Chewbacca nears him with that growl. Though once he's satisfied with the amount of space between him and the growling thing, he stands up, dusting himself off. "Bloody packing peanuts..." he grumbles, dusting the remnants off himself... and out of his mustache.

    Then he faces Han and Chewbacca again. "I do hate to be the bearer of bad news. But you see, if you bring me to Thedas, you'll be guilty of kidnapping," he notes, crossing his arms over his middle. "I was somewhere else BESIDES Thedas of my own free will, I can assure you."

Han Solo (814) has posed:
"Cargo is cargo. It's not my fault it woke up." Han says with a bit of a grin. "Besides, it's only kidnapping if I get caught. Which, I can assure you, will never happen. I don't get caught."

Even while Chewbacca is attempting to continue looking threatening he can't help but to stop and roll his eyes just for a bit.

Han does grin though. "If you have a better offer though, I'm listening." Han moves to the side of his ship and leans against the wall a bit. Arms cross over his chest and he waits to be wowed by this counter offer. He can smell the credits already.

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
    Dorian scowls. "Well of course I don't," he admits. "My father's a magister and has the backing of practically an entire empire at his disposal." 'Empire', huh? "Being decidedly no longer in my father's graces, of course I don't have access to the kind of funding he does." Pause, sigh. The anger drains from Dorian, and when he looks at Han this time, it's with significantly less of a growl.

    "All right, look," Dorian begins. "I'll do what I can. I have a few friends in Thedas I can talk to. It's not going to equal or surpass what he can offer, but it's all I have." Here his expression goes stubborn. "But I am /not/ going back to Tevinter. I'm not going to bore you with the details, but what awaits me is brainwashing and slavery. And I will not go back to it. Not on /his/ terms. When I go back, it will be on /my/ terms."

Han Solo (814) has posed:
Han doesn't like having a bit of a heart. It really gets on his nerves. He knows all about having to deal with an Empire. He flies under their radar on a regular basis. But in the end he's still a businessman and he's got some serious debts to pay if he's going to continue being, well, alive.

It helps that Chewbacca has backed off completely at the mention of slavery. He's been through that himself and there's a reminding howl sent in Han's direction because of it. Han just gives his co-pilot a nod. "Relax. I'll cut him some slack." His eyes move back over to Dorian. "Here's what I'm gonna' do for you because I got enough trouble on my tail that I don't need to add kidnappin' to the list. I'll take you as far as Naturia. You have your people meet us there with the money and you can do what you want from there." Han holds up a gloved finger. "But I think that means you owe me one."

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
    Dorian seems to noticeably relax when Han agrees not to take him back to Thedas. "Thank you," he replies. "I'm sorry I couldn't offer you a better deal. Hopefully it's a debt I can pay some way. Money or a favor, whichever. I'm a skilled mage; even if I can't pay you in money I'm sure there's something I can do."

    He pauses a moment, looking on his person for something. "...Ah, venhedis." He hisses the unfamiliar word, to no one in particular. The Multiverse translates this, all right; it comes out as something like 'son of a bitch'-- something one typically says when disappointed. "They would have taken my radio, wouldn't they? My Medi-porter too." He grumbles the rest under his breath, "I'll have to get those replaced. Getting them back would be better for all, though... the last thing Tevinter needs is to get its hands on teleportation technology..."

    He sighs then, and looks to Han again. "You wouldn't happen to have a spare radio I could use, would you?" he asks. "I'm afraid the ones who drugged me took all my methods of contacting others."

Han Solo (814) has posed:
"Don't thank me yet. Who knows what's gonna' be waitin' for us on the other side. And I ain't one for surprises." Han says this and then moves back towards the cockpit. Chewbacca follows and leaves it wide open for Dorian to come ride up front with them. Might as well keep him close so that they can keep an eye on him, just in case.

"A mage huh? Why don't you jus' hocus pocus somethin' up?" The sarcasm is pretty evident as he and Chewbacca take their seats. "Who're you tryin' to hail? I've got some pretty long range comms. Got a frequency?"

Chewbacca growls in Han's direction.

"No, I don't care if it's a private conversation..."

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
    "That's not a terrible point," Dorian agrees, to the mention of what's waiting there. Wryly, he notes, "Maker knows what sort of hoodlums my father's hired." He does not like this thought, at all. As for surprises? A smirk. "That makes two of us." He does follow into the cockpit with the others, though he stays back.

    The question of the frequency gets a nod, though the mention of a 'private call' gets a devious little grin. "Luckily, no. There will be no kissy-faces over your radio," he promises. As for who? "It's a friend of mine, someone I've known since I was a boy-- my contact, the one I spoke of earlier." He relays the frequency. Perhaps surprisingly, it's actually a location within Thedas.

Han Solo (814) has posed:
When the frequency is input and the radio kicks in the location, Han turns to look over his shoulder at Dorian. There's a moment where he rolls his eyes and looks to Chewbacca. Chewie gives him a shrug and the look on Han's face when he returns to focusing on the controls is one that will become famous one day.

"Callin' Thedas, huh?" Han flips a switch to open the frequency to the cockpit's intercom system. Han sits back and lets the Falcon cruise a little bit.

"... I've got a bad feeling about this."

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
    "Thank you," Dorian replies. At the mention of a bad feeling? "Not to worry. I trust him," he assures Han. Though under the circumstances, that may not be too terribly reassuring! Nonetheless, Dorian calls over the open frequency, "Felix. Are you there?"

    "...Dorian? Is that you?" It's a similar voice, one with the same sort of accent and inflection, but it sounds a little less hoity-toity.

    Dorian sighs, relieved. "Thank the Maker you answered." He straightens. "Yes, it's me. Felix, have you heard any rumblings out of my father? Specifically about my returning?"

    "Just the usual. Though he does seem to be more worried of late," comes the reply. "I take it that's why you're calling on this frequency and not your usual one?"

    "I'm afraid so," Dorian confirms. "Block that other frequency; the radio was stolen from me. Seems the fellow I had drinks with last night was one of my father's. As near as I can figure, he slipped something into my drink and I woke up stuffed inside a box aboard a ship. It's good that he botched it like this and didn't administer enough of whatever it was he gave me. Instead of killing me with too large a dose."

    Felix replies, alarmed, "Andraste's tits, Dorian! Will you BE CAREFUL?!" Despite the note of anger, it's easily seen as being more worried than truly angry. "Festis bei umo canavarum!" That gets translated too-- the sentiment is similar to 'you will be the death of me'.

Han Solo (814) has posed:
Han rolls his eyes through this entire exchange. He manages to find a way to look annoyed every time either one of them speaks. It's almost as if their accents are making it even worse for him. He attempts to focus on flying the Falcon through these Space Ways but there's just so much accented foolishness going on around him that even Han finds it difficult to concentrate.

    It takes him a full moment to make sure that the conversation is over before he reaches up to flick off the radio. "I don't know who your father is but if he's got connections the way you seem to think he does? You probably just put your buddy in big trouble. Bet you he was listenin' in on that call." Han's just offering his opinion where it's not needed. Because that's what he does sometimes.

    Chewie starts prepping the hyperdrive. There's a low roar of agreement to Han's words as the Wookiee starts twisting knobs and flipping switches.

    "You're gonna' wanna' buckle up, Prince Alarming. Hyperspace ain't no magic trick."

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
    Dorian bids goodbye to Felix, after assurances that Felix would 'fix everything'. However, the warning from Han gets a frown, and he turns his gaze on the smuggler. "What else would you have suggested?" he asks. "Besides, Felix's position is... unique. His father will protect him. And my world is archaic in the extreme compared to yours. 'Radios' didn't exist until my world unified."

    The mention of buckling up gets a wince. Though he doesn't complain, he just heads for one of the seats. Surprisingly he seems to know how to operate the seatbelt, despite being from an archaic world. "I assume it isn't. Definitely SOUNDS terribly unpleasant," Dorian remarks.

Han Solo (814) has posed:
Han's smirk becomes more evident as things are primed and ready to roll. He waits for the signal from Chewie that comes via a navigational howl and Han's eyes check the screen to make sure everything's on course. "Unpleasant?" Han grins and reaches over to the Hyperdrive, planting his hand on it in the same way he's always done. There's a moment where he peeks over his shoulder to look in Dorian's direction with a smirk. "Try /Unbelievable/." Han pulls back on the Hyperdrive and the Millennium Falcon lurches forward, stars becoming nothing more than the hyperspace continuum as the ship takes off!

    Han smiles this entire time. He loves this part.

Dorian Pavus (774) has posed:
    Dorian does... not so much love this part. He'd swear his stomach was left behind when the ship lurched forward. The look on his face is clear. There is so much nope there. So very much nope. He raises a hand to his mouth, pressing the back of one finger to his lips and squeezing his eyes shut. Apparently rich boy's stomach doesn't take well to sudden jolts! Though to be fair, he calms down quickly. Since it's just that one jolt-- and probably an accompanying one when they leave hyperspace-- it's not so bad...