I sat in the corner of a booth in a bar that was located in the spaceport on the small but habitable moon Hovan. I was not yet out of money, but considering that I was out of work, I couldn't see as that I had much hope. My only hope was that someone had missed their flight, or needed to get off quickly, and would hire me for the job. As soon as that was arranged, I could use that money to get me back to Yobina, where a wealth of jobs for smugglers like me awaited. But, things didn't look too hopeful. I had money enough for maybe two days, if I stretched it thin.
As I sat, drinking the glass of water I had been given, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. Slowly I turned my head up to investigate. I was looking towards the door when my eyes saw a beautiful, and likely young, Kopan female walk through to the bar. Sure doesn't look like the type who would be caught dead in a place like this, I thought to myself. She's a walking target for any of the myriads of criminals that are in this place. And sure enough, as I looked up, I saw a tough looking Yourtiki begin to walk through the crowd in her direction. I grimaced slightly, and checked for my blaster. Silently I flipped the safety off of it and brought it to bear underneath the table, hoping nobody would notice as I slowly scooted to the edge of the table.
I saw the woman walk over to the bar and order a drink. From here, it looked like a vodkaline. I couldn't tell for sure though, and she downed it quickly. The girl was maybe 5 feet tall I guessed, with dark brown hair, brown eyes, and full lips. She looked rather like the pictures of Hispanic women I had seen, those that had once lived on Earth; before it had been destroyed in the second galactic war of course. In fact, the only way I knew that she was Kopan, was because of the coin she had tossed the bartender. I could instantly tell from the distinctive blue color, it was made from the distinctive metal known as donais. It was only found on Kopan, and only a Kopan native would be likely to use one of those coins. Anyone else would get it exchanged as soon as possible. She had noticed the Yourtiki heading her direction. "Good evening sir," she said to him. "Is there something I can help you with?"
The Yourtiki was almost 8 feet tall, and was obviously drunk. With all the weight of his furry body, he leaned over and said to her, "I'll just take your purse and there won't be any need for violence."
"And if I refuse?"
He slipped a blaster from a compartment on his utility belt and fired. But it was too late. She'd ducked down to grab a knife hidden underneath her pants and tossed it straight up and into the Yourtiki's heart. All the Yourtiki had managed to do was blast a hole in the floor. Clearly, I had underestimated this girl. She walked over to the Yourtiki, retrieved her knife from his dead body and casually walked back over to the bar. She leaned over it and asked the bartender a question. I couldn't hear what she said, but the bartender pointed in my direction. Slowly, she walked over to me. Those patrons who hadn't left after her bold display made a path for her. She slid into my booth, and I pretended not to notice. "That was cute," she told me. "You had your blaster ready the whole time. You thought I'd be the damsel in distress, didn't you?"
I looked up at her casually. "Well," I admitted, "the thought had crossed my mind. What can I do for you?"
"The bartender said that you were looking to give passage to people who needed a ride off the moon. And I do. I need a ride to Jougin 9. Can you do that?"
"I think I can manage," I replied to her, still casually. Maybe things were finally begining to look up for me? "I'll want ten thousand credits, up front. And then ten thousand more, upon arrival."
"My, that's expensive," she said looking at me coyly, "but I suppose quality does have a price. Where are you staying?"
"Aboard my freighter," I replied brusquely.
"Ah, the comforts of budget living," she laughed. "Would it be alright if I saw the ship before I make up my mind?"
