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Caught in the Act 2006 short story by Mark Newbold Three years after Episode IV - A New Hope “You sure we won’t be caught?” “Positively.” “No one’s coming back?” “Absolutely.” Maarssa
Abbraynee smiled as she lay back on the bed and flicked her deep red hair
away from her slender face. Jan
grinned as he leaned in for a kiss and marvelled at the way fate could bring
people together. Not so long ago it brought
him a daughter he didn’t know he had.
Now it brought him back into contact with a very brief flirtation from
his past. Even though they’d been in occasional
contact via letter-search and the HoloNet he hadn’t seen Maarssa in the flesh
for seven years, not since his one and only trip to Coruscant. Starships that pass in the night… “What you thinking about sailor?” Asked
Maarssa as Jan pulled back from a lingering kiss. The towering smuggler grinned and rolled
over. “Ahh, this and that. How the universe keeps throwing me curve
balls.” He brushed her hair away from
her face as she smiled back at him.
“And then it throws you.” “I’m glad you consider me such a catch.” Jan
raised his eyebrows at that and grinned again. “I know a good thing when I see it. And so do you.” He kissed her again. “So enjoy me while you’ve got me, I’ve got
to scratch gravel soon.” Maarssa
gave him a wide-eyed look of mock shock and playfully thumped his arm. “Cheeky.
Are all A-desandians the same?” Jan
Lomona gave her his most disarming smile and shook his head. “Nah, just me.” They
snuggled down and kissed deeply, but after a few minutes Maarssa stopped and
raised her head. “You hear that?” “Hear what?” “There’s someone out there.” Jan
listened for a second and shook his head. “It’s just Aurran tidying up. Besides, the ship’s locked down for the night, no one can get in or out.” Maarssa
paused and cocked her head in admission. “Mmm, okay.” She ran her hands through his hair. “Where were we?” “I think you know.” They
giggled playfully and continued kissing, but after another few seconds
Maarssa stopped again. “There’s definitely something out there, I
can hear it. And it doesn’t sound like
a droid to me” Jan
glanced down, his rhythm broken and forced a smile. He rolled to the edge of the bed and stood. “Alright Maar, I’ll go check it out. But believe me, there’s no one out there
but Aurran.” He tucked his unbuttoned shirt
in. “We’ve got the ship to ourselves.” “Well you go and confirm that and I’ll
make sure you’ve got something to come back to.” She pulled back the duvet covers, still
fully clothed and slid inside. “Don’t
be long.” Jan
suppressed a grin, in order to protect his legendary coolness, and gripped the
blaster that lay waiting in its holster. “Wouldn’t dream of it.” Jan
moved into the corridor, checking left and right. To the left was the cockpit, its blast door
closed, humming away in ready mode for a quick blast-off. To the right he looked down the dark
corridor towards the bend that led to the gun bubble and main hold. He
stopped. Maarssa was right, there was something down there. He hefted his blaster from its holster and
stepped lightly in his bare feet, the cold deckplates sending a chill up his
back. His freighter was secure, he’d
made sure of that the second he and Maarssa had returned from their nights
activity on Cloud City. They’d spent
the evening gambling at the Pair O’Dice casino and
enjoying a fantastic meal at the Yerith Bespin
hotel. A leisurely walk back along the
upper plaza gave them an amazing view of the sky rodeo, a thranta
herd being ridden by their alien riders, and as they neared the secure bay
that held the Berone Sunrise they
enjoyed the sunset, one of two sunrises and two sunsets afforded to Cloud
City visitors every standard day. It
had been an amazing trip, first taking him from Amagad out to Tatooine on a
job for Jabba the Hutt and around the Outer Rim on a fact finding mission for
Glann Cipple before looping across the Corellian Trade Spine to the Anoat
System and Bespin. And fate had
combined Jan’s run to the Port Town level of Cloud City with visiting Maarssa. He wasn’t sure she was even on Cloud City at
the time, but the details on the flim card she’d given him years before was
still accurate and what had begun as a long shot in the dark had turned into
a sweet reunion. Of
course, he wasn’t meant to be doing
it. He
had responsibilities. Not only was
Cipple, his regular employer, giving him more important and lucrative jobs
but he had a family. He had his
long-term lover Frans, his newly-found daughter Paige, the droids and his
circle of friends. Liaisons like this,
which were admittedly all-too frequent, needed to stop. He was thirty-two, he had…responsibilities. Jan
shook away his thoughts as he reached the lip of the wall that would give him
a view of the main lounge. The gun
bubble was empty, but through its opaque plastisteel he could see a figure
moving. Tall, slender, possibly
female. Which meant precisely nothing;
Jan often found the female of the species to be the deadliest, depending,
naturally, on the species in question.
There
were, after all, eight sexes he still didn’t understand. He
checked himself, flicked his blaster onto stun and took a deep, silent breath
before moving into shooting range. Which was when the lights came up. “Dad!” “Paige?”
Jan blinked as the light stung his eyes and he raised his gun arm to
shield it from the glare. When the
green and purple flashes stopped pulsing he focused upon his daughter,
dressed as ever in flight jeans and t-shirt, and a gaggle of similarly
attired females seated on the blast seats dotted around the lounge. Jan leaned against the wall, his blaster
dangling loosely in his hand, and shook his head wearily. “What the freck…” he glanced at the girls and checked his language. “What are you doing here?” He moved forward and placed his hands on
his hips in his best approximation of an angry Dad. “You’re supposed to be on Wennicas with
Frans and Arach.” Paige
rolled her eyes and turned to her friends, who were whispering to themselves
and glancing at Jan. She shook her
head back at her father and moved closer. “You didn’t expect me to stay there did
you?” She continued to shake her head
at Jan and he suddenly began to feel like a naughty schoolboy hauled up in
front of the headmistress. Not that I ever spent that much time at
school. “Look, I love fixing
starships as much as the next girl, but you can only take so much. I called some of the gang and we met up on
Sullust, took a star liner along the Hydian Way and up to Bespin.” She gave Jan a grin that he recognised
because it was exactly the same as his own.
“Besides, I knew you’d be here.” “You did?” Paige
nodded again. “Sure.
It’s Bespin, it’s Cloud City.
Besides, you know the administrator, Lando Cal-someone, don’t you?” “Calrissian, sure I know him.” Jan leaned in towards Paige but kept his
eyes on the girls. “But I’d appreciate
it if you didn’t holler that one to the masses. I’m kind of flying under the radar being
here, know what I mean?” “Sure Dad.” She gave him the conspiratorial grin Jan
knew so well from practising it in front of a mirror and stepped back, when
her face suddenly changed and she frowned at her father. “What’s with the get up Dad?” Jan
placed his blaster back into his holster and shrugged his shoulders. “What do you mean?” She
raised an arched eyebrow. “Shirt unbuttoned, no shoes, hair’s a
mess.” She folded her arms, a look of
mock consternation crossing her features.
“Have you been a bad smuggler?” “No,” he replied far too quickly. “I was just about to step in the shower.” “With your gunbelt on?” Jan
struggled for an answer. “They use hard water around here.” Paige
rolled her eyes. “Yeah, I bet it’s a killer.” Jan
could feel the situation slipping away, and the stare from Paige and her four
friends was beginning to feel like the inquisition. He tried to change the subject. “So, what you ladies been up to
then?” He began to back up, down the
corridor towards his room. Paige
shrugged her shoulders and treaded forward to follow. “Nothing much, this and that. What’s a fifteen year old gonna do
anyway?” “Wouldn’t know, it’s been a while.” Jan nodded towards the four. “Who are the girls?” Paige
motioned back over her shoulder towards her friends. “This is the gang from the Livill
Station. We kept in touch and it
seemed like a good time to catch up.”
She grinned again as she prodded Jan in the arm. “That’s not a problem, is it?” Jan
shook his head. Crud, she’s caught me out and she knows it. “Absolutely not, no problem at all.” His mind clicked and he raised his eyebrows
at Paige. “In fact, I’ve got a great
idea. Why not have a night out on
me.” He reached into his back pocket
and pulled out his cred stick. “Here,
get a taxi onto the Upper Plaza, hit one of the zero-g dance domes. Buy some…fruit juice or something.” He jerked his thumb back over his
shoulder. “I’m gonna shower and turn
in early.” Paige
gave a blasé shrug and stuffed her hands into her pockets. “I don’t know, we just came from the Upper
Plaza. It was pretty dull.” She turned to her friends, a wicked grin
plastering her face as soon as it was turned from Jan. “What do you guys think? Trikki” Trikki,
an attractive blonde dressed in a red all-in-one thought for a second. “I’d rather stay in and watch a HoloVid.” “Namze?” The
brunette, clearly a few years older than the others gave Jan a lingering look
and crossed her legs slowly. “I’d like a shower too.” “Sanda? Sanda,
a plain looking girl with short red hair, nodded towards Trikki. “HoloVid.” “Perseph?” Then
final girl, a regal looking dark-skinned girl gave Paige a look as if her
answer was going to be the most obvious one in the world. “Upper Plaza of course.” Paige
gave them all a huge wink and turned back to Jan. “HoloVid it is. What you got?” Jan
was caught staring for a moment, mind ticking over, wondering how he could
turn the situation around and quickly realised that a shocking fact - against
twenty Stormtroopers he had a fighting chance but against five devious
teenage girls he was dead meat. “Fine.
Fine, go through the listings.
You can watch any of the unrestricted channels, but keep the noise
down.” He turned and walked out of the
lounge back towards his room. “I
really need to get my head down.” “Thanks Dad.” Called back Paige with a
lilt in her voice. Just as Jan was
about to re-open his door he trotted back up the corridor. “One quick thing. How did you get into the ship, I had her
locked down, Electri-Grid on and everything.” Paige
gave him a look of exasperation as she stepped down the few steps into the
galley. “Mom taught me a lot more besides getting
what I want.” She kicked the fridge
door shut and reappeared holding five bottles of juice. “Besides, I know this ship better than you
do.” Yeah, you probably do, thought Jan as he turned back and paused in front
of his bedroom door. Taking a deep
breath, and safely out of sight and earshot of the girls, he opened it. The
lights were dimmed and as he entered he was hit by an intoxicating mixture of
perfume and natural body odour. It was
a heady smell that aroused him immediately, and the sight of Maarssa lying
under the covers only intoxicated him more.
He closed the door and grinned at her, knowing full well the feelings
of nervousness, horror, awkwardness and confusion had settled into a very
unconvincing smile. “What is it?” Asked Maarssa, sitting up and pulling the
sheet up to her chin. Jan went to
speak but kept his words and ran his fingers through his hair. He checked out of the window and was
afforded a dazzling view of Cloud City by night, the Upper Plaza in full
swing, thranta’s wheeling by through the deep purple skies. He closed his eyes, collected himself and
turned back. “We’ve got a problem.” “There was
someone out there, wasn’t there?”
Maarssa sat forward, curiosity blazing in her eyes. “Who was it?” She leaned further forward. “Was there a fight? I didn’t hear one.” If there was a fight, then I lost it
sweetheart. “No, no fight. But there was someone out there.” He perched himself on the edge of the
bed. “Listen, we’re both adults. This,” he waved his hand loosely in the
air. “This is.” He paused again, searching for appropriate
words. “Starships that pass in the
night.” Maarssa
nodded, clearly not understanding a word he was going on about. “Go on.” “I’ve got a life back in the Mid-Rim. Responsibilities. But things got kind of more responsible a
few months back.” He grinned, a
genuine warm smile that brought a similar smile to Maarssa’s face. “I became a Dad.” Maarssa
nodded and reached out to take his hand, squeezing it tightly. “That’s wonderful. Boy or girl?” “Girl.” “And she’s how many months old?” “Fifteen.” “Weeks?” “Years.” “Years?” “Yeah.”
He gave her a boyish grin and scratched his head. “That’s where it gets kind of complicated.” “I should say.” Maarssa shook her head as she leaned back
onto the pillow. A frown descended
upon her face and she flicked her hair from her elfin features. “Sorry, I’m confused. What does your having a daughter have to do
with someone being on the ship?” Jan
took a deep breath and steadied himself. “Because that noise you heard was her and
four of her friends boarding the ship.” Maarssa
sat bolt upright. “You’re kidding?” Jan
stood and paced up and down alongside the long bed. “I wish I was. I don’t know how she knew I’d be here. No one knows I’m here but you and Cipple,
and even he doesn’t know my timetable.”
He glanced out of the window again.
“I’m sorry honey, I was really looking forward to tonight.” Maarssa
gave him a glance that said tonight’s activities, whatever they may have
turned out to be, were the least of their worries and began to gather her
clothes. “It’s probably time for me to go.” She shrugged herself back into her still
buttoned blouse and wriggled into her skirt, Jan watching with a look of
sorrow etched into his face. She
leaned down to slip her feet back into her heels and smoothed her clothes
down as she stood to her feet while Jan tucked his shirt back in, buttoned it
up and stepped into his boots. They
stood in front of each other, Maarssa gazing up at the towering smuggler and
gave him a sad shrug. “I guess we’re not destined to happen, are
we?” Jan
gave her a sorrowful shake of the head and leaned down to kiss her gently on
the lips. “Maybe not.” He laughed softly. “Maybe you’re just too
damn good for me.” “Yeah, that’s probably it.” She looked down, composed herself and then
looked back. “So sailor, how do I
disembark?” “Leave that to me.” He winked and placed his hands on her
slender shoulders. “Wait here.” He activated the door and stepped outside,
turning to give her a wink. “When I
bleep you on the comm. you come out and go straight down the front ramp, ok?” She
nodded and smiled again. “See you in seven years?” “It’s a date.” Jan
walked swiftly back down the corridor, grabbing his jacket from the
acceleration couch it had been carelessly thrown onto just an hour before and
swung it onto his shoulders. He set
his best game face, ran his hands through his hair and flicked the lights
back on. “Sorry to break up the party ladies, We’ve
got a situation. Paige, I need a
word.” He motioned for her to follow
as he walked through the lounge towards the Electri-Grid cage at the rear and
as she joined him he sat her down on a couch, not giving her the chance to
speak. “That was Calrissian on the comm.” “The Administrator?” “Yeah.
He wants to see me.” “Now?” “Right now.” A
look of concern fell across Paige’s face, mirroring the one that had
descended upon Jan’s. “Do you know what it’s about?” “I can guess. He must know what I’m here for. He’s on his way over.” Paige
raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Here?” Jan
closed his eyes, breathing slowly and feigning annoyance. Phew,
glad I can sometimes act as good as the kid can. “Yes sweetheart. He wants to talk. And I don’t want you kids around when he
gets here.” Paige
leaned back a touch. “Why not?” Jan
half-smiled. “Why not?
Honey, I’m carrying half a hold of DL-5, sixteen crates of Gista Spice
and two crates of derestricted blaster rifles. It’ll look pretty shabby if I’ve got five
teenage girls aboard as well, he’ll think I’m a freckin’ slaver.” Jan reached into his pocket again, fumbled
past his comm. unit and produced the cred stick. “Take this.
Do what I said, go out and have a blast. I’ll call you when I know what’s
happening.” Nodding,
Paige took the cred stick but then gave Jan a sideways look before breaking
out into a knowing grin. “I get it, I get it.” She stood as Jan stared at her intently and
planted her hands on her hips. “You
want us out of the way so you can do whatever
it was you were doing when we got here.”
She walked through the lounge and onto the corridor that led to the
cockpit and bedrooms, still talking over her shoulder as she walked. “You’ve got a lot to learn about
women. We’ve got an intuition you men
just don’t have.” She stood in front
of Jan’s bedroom door and waited for the four other girls to join her as she
hit the release. “That’s why we’ll
always be the stronger sex.” Jan
closed his eyes as the door opened.
Had there been enough time for Maarssa to get out? He hoped there had been, because if not
he’d never hear the end of it. And he
knew how good Lomona’s could be at blackmail.
He opened his eyes in apprehension to reveal a completely empty
room. Paige stepped inside, checking
the shower cubicle to the left and the wardrobe to the right. If she’d checked out of the window she’d
have seen a speeder cab leaving the landing pad, and if she’s listened she’d
have heard the front ramp closing, but she didn’t. Paige turned, red-faced but didn’t lock
eyes with Jan. “So I’ve got a lot to learn about women have
I?” He glanced at the four girls
behind him and back at Paige. “And
you’ve got a lot to learn about me.
For the last time, go out and I’ll call you later.” Paige
walked slowly past Jan and he took her arm as she moved past. “We’ll talk when you get back, right?” “Okay Dad.
Sorry.” Jan
nodded but said nothing as she silently motioned for her friends to follow,
and within a minute the Sunrise
again fell silent. Jan
sat down heavily on the edge of his bed and lay back, blowing out a long
breath. “Well I guess that’s no more
than I deserved.” he laughed. He
turned his head as he heard the door to the cockpit open and pushed himself
up to his elbows. “Aurran, that you?” There was no reply and he paused to listen
closer. “Come on old pal, I could do with
cheering up.” He
wasn’t surprised to see his trusty droid at the door, comm. unit in hand, but
was surprised when Maarssa appeared from the cockpit and leaned on the
doorframe with a warm grin. Devious little minx… “So, where were we sailor?” Caught in the Act 2006 short story by Mark Newbold Three years after Episode IV - A New Hope Histories – Following on from the Eight Sexes I Don’t Understand story of 2003, this shows Jan Lomona finally catching up with Maarssa Abbraynee, the woman he
briefly met in the Outlander Bar
on Coruscant seven years
before. On a mission for both Glann Cipple and Jabba the Hutt, and trailing around the Outer Rim towards Cloud
City, this is set just a few months after Paige’s appearance in Jan
Lomona and the Sirens of Amagad, and not long before Quest for Freedom, where the tables would be turned with Lando Calrissian arriving on Ecaps City to meet the Governor of Ecaps – Jan Lomona. Cast of
Characters Jan
Lomona Paige
Retgarr-Lomona Maarssa
Abbraynee Trikki Namze Sanda Perseph |