Kai's Journal #1
[encrypted holojournal, entry one; estimated date: early 2 BBY]
We arrived in the Force-forsaken spaceport of Keyorin yesterday, and the first thing I could think of was leaving. The Outer Rim is worse than I imagined; dust, weary travelers casting furtive glances at every strange face, minimal sanitation, and more dust.
During the long jump here, I did a lot of thinking about my future. Uncle Garm suggested I spend some time away from the Core, and that it certainly wouldn't hurt my education to understand the Outer Rim. I really owe him for his help on Coruscant, and reading between the lines of our final, hurried talk, I think the best way of paying him back is to make some connections out here, even put down some roots and bring some culture and order to the Rim. It doesn't hurt to extend the family influence out here - maybe start a business and figure out some strategic trade routes - a lot of possibilities. Charisma and business sense go a long way, and my connections certainly won't hurt.
Uncle Garm had one contact here that he said he trusted - a grizzled Corellian named Han Fel. Unfortunately he was leaving for business in Corellia, but he directed my to a Cantina with a list of trustworthy people. He suggested I meet with an acquaintance of his, a Sluissi named Slenahn. Apparently a trustworthy pilot who is looking for adventure. So 88 and I headed out. I carefully concealed my Force Pike under my cloak - it's a bit out of place out here at the edge of the Empire.
Security was lax, and I suppose everyone here is fully armed. 88 seems to be itching to try out his blasters, but I reminded him about what Uncle Garm said about avoiding Imperial attention. The last thing we need is some backwater official breathing down our necks. I still don't know if my activities were noticed, but I haven't picked up any warrants or Imperial news items through my diplomatic channels.
Slenahn and I hit it off fairly well, I think. He has a keen mind and seems to know his way around here. We talked for a while about ideas and direction, but unfortunately he's about as broke as I am. Too bad I can't access my accounts back home, but I don't want to risk anything right now. Anyway, I think I struck a chord with him when I spoke about my vision for my “ideal colony” - equality for all sentients with democratic representation, freedom from slavery and a commitment to diplomacy and negotiation over violence and force; although, it can be hard to tell with Sluissi.
We made a pact to work together to get off this planet, to find some work and build from there. I had put together some basic documents earlier outlining this commonwealth enterprise proposal, and I'm quite pleased with the way this is shaping up. As we finished, we noticed a commotion at a nearby table, and went over to chat with an engaging Ryn.
I've come across a few, and most of them I met seemed to be decent fellows. He happened to have a job proposal for us, but I think I was still suffering from too many days in a tin can ship - in hindsight I don't think the negotiation went very well. In any case, we were enlisted to fly a shipment of meds, and we at least managed to convince him to cover our costs. We holo'd it up in proper fashion (I knew the classes at the U of A weren't a waste of time!). Slee, 88 and I were eager to get started, and maybe too eager. I have a bad feeling about this…
On our way to the spaceport to check out the ship, we were waylaid by an awkward man clothed in an Imperial Officer's garb. He was edgy and suspicious, and we knew something was up. He asked to see our papers and tried to convince us to head into a side alley (I may be new to the Rim, but honestly…). We politely declined and continued on our way, only to bump into a class 4 droid. 88 already had his blasters ready, and this droid was merely armed with a knife.
I have no qualms about disassembling a droid, and while I dodged past him 88 fired a salvo that knocked the droid's knife right out of his hand. I suspect AD-88 is not a mere protocol droid - Uncle Garm has some explaining to do. I had a feeling that reinforcements would arrive, as would be standard protocol in most textbook ambushes, so with a stroke of inspiration I threatened the droid in a most convincing manner. He must have calculated his odds without a knife against three agile opponents, and ran off, muttering threats. And he mentioned something about weapons on our ship… most curious.
We arrived at the Docking bay and I helped Slee inspect the YT-1300. We didn't find anything suspicious, and it looked sturdy enough. The Ryn included a decent Z-95 as an escort ship, equipped with a basic hyperdrive. Gaul had a de-militarized one we'd race back at Crevasse City - good times. I wonder how they're doing…
Our inspection was cut short in any case; just as we were examining the cargo. Slee & I looked at each other, and with the incident along the way I told him to get her ready to fly. He ran towards the cockpit while 88 and I stepped out onto the ramp. The droid was back, with some friends. The leader's name was Hosk, and apparently he didn't like our Ryn employer. And he wasn't interested in talking, and I wasn't interested in losing my first job out here. I didn't have much time to choose, but in the face of serious firepower, I signalled 88 to cover me and I dove for the Headhunter.
The goons didn't seem to have any sort of aim. In a different situation it would have been quite comical. Hosk was speaking into a comlink, and I saw 88 fire at him. That won't help our future negotiations with him. I think I need to have a talk with my droid about diplomacy.
We managed to both lift off before they could bring the heavy weaponry to bear, and it looked like home free. We already had the clearance, and just had to clear the atmosphere and get our bearings. But two nasty headhunters flew up behind us and opened fire. I guess those arcade sessions as a kid came in handy, and after spinning a few fine maneuvers I torched one after he took down most of my shields. 88 apparently is handy at a turret as well, and the second Z-95 pilot ejected while his ship was… decommissioned. A short fight, and unfortunately necessary. I think my priority is to refit our ships with ion cannons. No sense in blasting expensive equipment. I prefer salvage over littering.
Slee transmitted jump coordinates, and I settled in for another long ride. While I appreciate the time to study (thankfully I have some decent political & history holos along) and journal, I definitely miss the Core. What I wouldn't give to take a walk in Alderaan's valleys again, or take a dip in the Caldera. Is there any beauty like that out here in the Rim?
