Date Night on Taris
"He missed! How could he miss‽"
"What the fuck‽ He was only five meters in front of you!"
My laughter is drowned out by the people surrounding me shouting and yelling at the match. I focus back and continue watching as the Antarian Rangers (Unrelated to the Jedi affiliated group.) get slowly whittled down by the Ord Mantell Arsenals in the Blaster Pit tournament due to a Ranger whiffing a nearly pointblank opening to knock out the Arsenal's captain. I shake my head in disbelief as the game ends with the Arsenals' team only down by four with the whole 13 man Rangers team completely wiped out.
I lean back into my chair in the seating area in the bar and take a sip of my drink. Beside me, Dani stops snickering at the upset.
She muses, "Well Cün, I'm surprised they bothered to form a team. The only good shot was their Captain. Hell, if these guys are a representation of what the Jedi are supposed to be protected by, then
damn. "
I smirk and shake my head again while the screens change to another round. I say, "That's because he was obviously an ex-ranger. I mean taking out three guys himself before finally being shot down with sheer volume of stun fire? There's no way he's not. The rest were complete embarrassments though, I'll give you that."
Dani giggles, nods her head, and says, "I can't believe it, but I'm actually enjoying other people get shot for fun. How did you get me to watch this game?"
I smile and answer, "Because I wanted to see the Mandalorian Guardians wipe the floor with everyone else and you were bored with the swoop races."
Dani huffs but the smile doesn't disappear. She asks, "So what's next, Cün?"
I look back to the screens and groan. Dani smirks and tilts her head.
"Bad match up?"
I nod my head and grimace.
I reply, "One of the worst. We get to watch as the Wookiees relax while stomping the Nabooians."
Dani bursts out laughing.
She gasps out, "The Nabooians have a Blaster Pit team?"
I throw my hands up and say, "Apparently."
We both turn back to watch for a while until my personal commlink beeps. I frown and get out of my seat. I feel Dani about to get out of her seat but I wave her off. I quickly exit the bar and move into a side alley before answering the message.
"Barnas."
"Yes, ah. Hmm … Where order wanes."
My eyes narrow and I whisper, "We live and thrive."
"When the ... poison is abundant."
"We lap it up in ecstasy."
"What lies in wait?"
"The pit."
"Good, good. Horrible code phrases. Right! *clears throat* There's a VIP I need to meet at the Box. You're the nearest Watcher open for reassignment. His name is Mungo Baobab, black haired with beard, wearing white shirt and blue vest, one level up and three blocks southwest. He's waiting for a ride in a small park. Pick him up."
And with that the commlink goes dead. I blink and stare at it for a moment before explosively sighing.
I grumble, "Well there goes
my evening."
"Didn't you say you would take the rest of the day off?"
My eyes go to Dani leaning on a wall near the alley entrance. She's glancing outside to the streets looking unimpressed. I chuckle darkly and walk towards her.
"I did, but when someone with access to my
personal commlink gives one of the highest levels of codes and then gives an assignment, either some idiot is getting 'let go' or it's something actually serious."
Inside my own head I add,
'And considering the destination is the Box, I doubt it's the first.'
Dani's eyes widen for a split second before they relax again. She bumps off the wall and follows me as I move towards the parking building.
I look back to her and ask, "Why are you following? You could stay and relax some more."
Dani crosses her arms and simply says, "I'm making sure you have help with whatever you're doing."
I say, "It's a simple escort mission. Pick up the VIP and see them safe and sound to the destination."
She sputters, "An escort mission?
You‽"
I laugh at Dani's disbelief. I nod my head and respond, "Remember the bluemilk run on Coruscant?"
We arrive at my rented speeder and get in. I notice Dani leaning back into her seat as I turn the speeder on and take off.
Dani scoffs, "That was actually important though. Plus you were on duty."
I smirk and say, "We're always on duty."
Dani elbows me in my ribs.
"You know what I mean!"
I grunt and then chuckle. We fly in silence for a moment until I spot the park. It's a small circular area with a few trees, benches, with a single connection to its level.
I start flying towards it when Dani asks, "So where's the destination we're supposed to go to?"
I almost say it before pursing my lips and thinking. I answer, "I'm honestly not sure whether or not you have clearance for it. I don't even know if
I have clearance for it."
Dani's eyes furrow for a second and then she gives me an unamused glare.
I shrug and say, "I'm being serious. I don't think the VIP is anyone special but the destination that was given
is. In one of the datapads I was given, it was simply mentioned regarding an asset and that's all I was allowed. Thinking on it, I don't even have the coordinates."
Dani murmurs, "But the only ones with more access than you are either need-to-know or on the council."
I give her a look that says, 'Yeah. So think about it.'
I hover a little over the edge and get out. I ask Dani to keep an eye on the speeder while I get the VIP. I look around and spot someone who's likely it. A guy with black hair and beard and wearing a white shirt is looking curiously over at me.
I walk up to him, nod my head, and then ask, "Mr. Baobab?"
The young man grimaces and then says, "Just Mungo is preferred. Are you the guy Talesan sent to get me?"
A spark of realization shoots through my brain but thankfully it doesn't show on my face.
'So that's why I didn't have access to the Box. I'm dealing with Mr. Paranoid.'
"I believe so. I was told to pick up someone by your description and take them to somewhere. If you need to, you can clear it with Mr. Fry."
My commlink beeps again at that moment. While a nervous looking Mungo hesitates, I answer the call.
"Hello?"
"Give the commlink to Mr. Baobab please."
The same voice as before is heard. I pause before asking, "I assume that this is one Mr. Talesan Fry?"
"Yes, yes. Now, please?"
"Of course."
I hand the commlink to Mungo and he raises it to speak.
"Talesan?"
" … "
"Yeah, I'm doing fine and yes, I was easily able to lose my bodyguards."
" … "
"Sure! You didn't give my escort the coordinates?"
" … "
"Oookay."
" … "
"Yup. Got it. See you in a bit."
Mungo then hangs up and hands me the commlink. He then takes out a small datapad and fiddles with it. I put my commlink back and look expectantly at Mungo.
I ask, "So I'm assuming you're going to be the one to give directions?"
Mungo gives a wry smile and says yes.
I sigh but shrug and then motion for Mungo to follow me back to the speeder. Dani looks curiously at Mungo. I step into my seat while Mungo jumps into his.
I look back at him and ask, "So Mungo, where to?"
I ignore Dani's confused look and listen as Mungo gives me the directions. I put in the coordinates and my eyes narrow as I see that we're heading down to the lower levels and then to a small travel nexus.
'So the Box is still off limits, huh?'
Dani's eyes narrow as well and sighs. We take off downwards and there's a moment of tense silence before Mungo speaks up.
"So, are you guys assistants of Talesan or something?"
Dani's raises an eyebrow and looks to me. I smirk and then answer, "Not quite. I'm an assistant to an assistant to a ... project partner of Mr. Fry."
Dani breaks out into a giggle while Mungo looks confused.
"So you don't work for Talesan?"
I shake my head and say, "No. It's just that my group's boss has a deep … business interest with Talesan Fry and part of the agreement is a sharing of resources."
Mungo seems intrigued and turns to Dani.
He nods to her and asks, "So are you the same?"
Dani looks between me and Mungo a few times. A large grin takes over her face causing me to narrow my eyes.
Dani answers by saying, "No. He
was my date for tonight."
I smother a snort and simply give her a look. Dani's only response is a smile and a wink. I send a glance over to Mungo and see him shuffling uncomfortably.
He says, "Ah. Enjoying the games?"
My mouth twitches and at the same time me and Dani say, "We were."
"Ah."
Dani breaks out laughing and I snicker as well. I shrug and say, "Part of my job is being on call all the time so don't sweat it."
Dani adds on, "
Too much."
Mungo relaxes a little and chuckles.
"Sorry. This week is definitely one for the games and not work."
Mungo slumps back into his seat and grumbles, "But duty calls."
Dani snickers and says, "And it's so loud and annoying!"
I smile myself and joke, saying, "Duty is such an obnoxious thing, isn't it?"
Mungo laughs at that and nods his head. The rest of the ride is a bit more relaxed. We arrive at the travel nexus and let Mungo off. Once again, I get a call. I roll my eyes and answer it.
"Mr. Fry?"
"Yes. I'm going to ask that you stay there and wait for Mungo to return. It should only be an hour for our meeting to hash out the basics. Details can come later. Now, please hand the comm over to Mungo."
I grumble internally and hand over the commlink to Mungo. I slump in my seat and frown. Dani notices that and scowls.
She says, "Don't tell me. We're being told to wait for him to return from wherever he's needed."
"Yeah."
Mungo taps me on the shoulder and hands me back the commlink. He pauses for a moment to think before saying, "There should be at least a couple of bars nearby with screens of the games. I'll call you when I'm done with the meeting."
Dani's eyes light up and she climbs over me to hug the guy.
"You are the best! Thank you!"
Dani lets him go and Mungo laughs awkwardly. I shuffle in my seat and give him a shrug. Mungo walks away and I wait for Dani to get back into her seat. She looks at me pointedly and says, "So. Bar?"
I laugh and fly off. We get into a bar and watch a few more rounds of the Blaster Pit tournament. I might have missed the game but, as I expected, I learned that the Wookiees absolutely trashed the Nabooians with only two losses. I don't know if the Nabooians will have a team for the next time. In the few recap holoreels showed, they just looked so defeated. We both laughed ourselves silly at that.
Eventually, however, I got a call from Mungo and we headed out. Instead of the one hour, it was three. By that time Dani was more than a little tipsy and we were both tired. Mungo also looks tired but walks up to us with a skip in his step.
He notices our mood and smiles. He waves at us and jumps in. I take off and ask, "Productive meeting?"
Mungo laughs and says, "Yeah. A lot more than expected. I guess I should have expected it, but I didn't realize you worked for Lady Ciaran."
Dani tenses up but I pat her leg and she relaxes. I smirk and nod my head.
"Yeah. I'm sort of like a business analyst."
Dani, who I'm beginning to realize from the growing blue blush is turning drunk, bursts out laughing and folds in on herself.
Mungo grins and after a moment he says, "Or something."
Dani then stops laughing immediately. Mungo glances at her but misses her eyes flashing. Thankful for that, I calmly nod back. I breathe in and out and then say, "Or something."
Mungo gives a short chuckle and leans back. The rest of the trip back to the park is quiet. Before Mungo leaves he thanks me and says, "If you get a chance, say hello to Ciaran for me and thank her for her business!"
I nod my head and watch him walk away. I don't take off this time. Instead, I relax into my seat and look up and around. It's dark. I sigh and get ready to drive when Dani leans her head on my shoulder.
I look at her and ask, "I thought you were good at holding your drink."
She snorts and gives me a fake glare. She says, "I can. I just enjoyed drinking tonight just little too much."
I smile and take a hold of the wheel. I ask, "And why is that?"
We take off and Dani murmurs, "I had to drink for the both of us. You … you boring person."
I laugh and head for the tower we've rented apartments at. I park and help Dani out. She leans on me for help and I ask, "Is it possible for you to deal with your drunkenness with the Force?"
As we shuffle towards her room she says, "Hmm … maybe. I like the buzz though."
"You're long past 'the buzz'."
She giggles and we finally arrive at her door. She manages to open it but doesn't stand up immediately.
"Hey Cün?"
I look down at her and tilt my head.
"Yeah?"
"So about that date I mentioned … "
My brains abruptly halts for a moment. Thankfully, it restarts quickly enough.
I hesitate before offering, " … Tomorrow?"
Dani's soft smile breaks into a wide grin. She quickly stands up with a peal of laughter. She walks into her room and then points at me.
"I'm not drunk enough to forget you saying yes, so I'll hold you to that!"
She goes back to laughing and the door closes on me. I just stare blankly into the closed door and think about what just happened.
' … You were also not as drunk as you wanted me to believe, huh?'