VIDEO | OPEN | morning-ish on Friday of week 57

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Is anyone in town in need of maintenance or repair workers, especially for mechanical or computer-based systems? My droids are in need of jobs to keep them busy.

[Luke presses his lips together indignantly, as an indication that this has become a problem lately.]

One is an astromech, specializing in starship maintenance and navigation but he could probably do work on just about anything. The other might be tricky. He's a protocol droid and while he's capable of typical labor it's not his specialty. No one needs a translator by any chance, do they?

[Yeah, okay so it's a long shot but he thought he'd check. He's pretty desperate to get the droids especially Threepio out of the house without the guilt of begging someone to babysit them for him.]

Well, let me know. I'll have my comm on me all day.

Comments

[heartofasun]

[Trance has experience babysitting annoying things. Dylan nominated her substitute scolder in his absence. ]

I'm working on repairing the gardens in Salvation. They could help out and keep me company. Maybe the protocol droid can help water the plants. Or talk to them. They might be a bit lonely. And dead. Well, only some are dead. I'm working on it.

I bet I could talk to your protocol droid in new languages he could learn. Would any of that be at all useful?

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke looks surprised. Possibly surprised that such a brilliant solution presented itself so quickly.]

That... actually sounds perfect. Why didn't I think of putting them to work on the ship? They won't be bothered by some of the side-effects we experience and they could possibly get some important systems up and running.

Yeah, I can't see any reason why that wouldn't be a great way for them to spend their time. And I'm sure Threepio would love to learn new languages. The more the better.

When are you usually over there?

[heartofasun]

[Trance smiled, looking calm, collected, and like everything was going according to plan. Or at least, if it wasn't, she could fix it.]

I'm glad I could help out. I'm sure you had other things on your mind.

I'm usually at the farms from 5 am to 2, and then I'm at the ship for the rest of the time.

[why yes,she really does mean 'the rest of the time'.]

When would you like them returned? Or would you like to just stop by and pick them up when you need them?I'm sure I can find plenty of things to keep them busy. I'd be like entertaining Harper!

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke tries not to blush at the "other things" comment. Let's be honest, though. It's true.]

I think they can get around on their own. And there's usually a transport or two heading to and from the ship every day. We can try things out for a few days and see what works best.

And you're there until everyone usually goes home? [Yeah, he totally misunderstood her there.]

[heartofasun]

[Trance worked with Dylan Hunt, who, to be honest, was the biggest slut in the universe. Then there was Harper, the engineer who hit on anything with breasts, and Beka, whose libido interfered with her better judgement. Really, Trance was an old hat at this.]

No, I'm there always. Unless I'm not. I don't sleep....Much.

Video

[kettchmeifyoucan]

One two three NOT IT!

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[See face in icon. Your maturity knows no bounds, Wes.]

Relax. You already did your time.

Besides, I need jobs for these two, not just a sitter. They cause problems when they get bored.

[kettchmeifyoucan]

[See that face? He knows no shame.]

Keep them busy, right.

["Send Threepio to shuffle papers for Nem" would have made sense]

Well, astromechs seem to come in handy. And someone in the civvie sphere must have something for Threepio.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Sure, I've already got a couple people offering good work for him. Trance wants him to help her out with the gardens on the Salvation. And Artoo'll have no trouble at all.

It'll all work out. The important thing is that they'll be out of the house.

[kettchmeifyoucan]

Cramping your style, are they?

[last_ofthe_jedi]

You could say that. It's just-... well, it's almost impossible to get anything done with those two around. They seem determined to disturb us at the worst possible times, if you catch my drift.

[kettchmeifyoucan]

Anything... that what the kids are calling it these days?

[Yeah, he catches your drift, Luke.]

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Smirk.]

It's not just that. Kaylee and I want to start a family and... well, that's why I say we're not really getting much done. Threepio's always barging in wanting to know if there's anything he can help with and there really isn't.

[kettchmeifyoucan]

You...

[That was not at all what Wes was expecting to hear. He'd assumed this had to do with Threepio's well known tendency to interrupt intimate moments (You learned a thing or two serving under General Solo) and Luke's even better known tendency to be constantly at it with Kaylee.]

Big step.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Maybe to some people. The logical one if you ask Kaylee and me. [He shrugs, completely unintimidated by the alternative opinion.] And it's what we really want.

[kettchmeifyoucan]

Didn't say it was a bad one. Just a big one.

[He's all for going for bits of life and happiness, after all]

Dibs on bad influence uncle.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke actually laughs out loud.]

You're the only one I'd want for the job.

[kettchmeifyoucan]

It's hard to find someone who can match my particular talents.

[He's still a bit surprised though. THen again, that other Luke hadn't had the best luck in love.]

[colonialcopy]

Actually, yes, officer. I will once the arrangements are made to haul my ship closer to town. Mechanical work especially.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Oh hey, that's great. Artoo would be perfect for that sort of job. Just come talk to me when your ship arrives and I'll send Artoo over whenever you need him.

What kind of ship is it?

[colonialcopy]

Good. He'd already volunteered to help out himself, so it's good that he's got permission now.

It's a Colonial Raptor. Sort of a multipurpose ship, though I mostly get assigned scouting and bombing missions.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Uh oh. There's a little change in Luke's expression. That sounds like a neat ship. Suddenly it occurs to Luke just how long it's been since he's actually flown a ship and he's hit with a powerful yearning to figure out some way to get himself into a pilot's seat again.]

Great. He'll, uh-- he'll be out to help when it's time.

Though you know, I wouldn't mind helping, either. I've been doing work on ships and other machinery for a long time. If it wouldn't be a crowd-...

[colonialcopy]

[Sharon laughs, her expression turning mildly amused. That was two pilots now, this police officer and Wes, who clearly wanted to get their hands on her little ship. Raptors weren't as flashy as Vipers, but apparently it was enough to get these guys going.]

You wouldn't? Well, it definitely wouldn't be a crowd, officer. Wouldn't have pegged you for a mechanic, though.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Well sure. Actually, that was my first job. I started repairing droids and moisture vaporators for my uncle when I was five. [Luke chuckles a bit. Okay, it wasn't a paying job necessarily, but he sure did do it for most of his life.]

This law enforcement gig was just sort of offered to me because I'd done some work protecting the town and Sybil thought I'd be useful. Back home I'm a wanted criminal, believe it or not.

[colonialcopy]

[She flashes a grin]

Oh, I don't hold it against you, officer, you just never told me your name before. And I'd believe it. Back home I'm a lieutenant in the Colonial Fleet Command, I've been trained to look out for troublemakers.

And alright, sure, though I'm going to have to veto anyone but me going anywhere near the weapons systems. Classified stuff.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke's eyebrows disappear under his bangs in surprise. He had no idea he's never told her his name.] No? Really? Wow, I guessed it just sort of skipped my mind with everything that's been happening the past couple weeks. I'm Luke Skywalker. Commander, actually, if you're counting ranks from home.

I-uh, I promise I'm not usually a troublemaker. Usually. [He smirks. There are a few people in town who might disagree with that statement so Luke makes sure to cover himself just in case she happens to talk to any of them.]

[colonialcopy]

[She nods, still smiling.]

No real point in counting ranks here, Luke, it's just habit. And I'll take your word for it. I'm Sharon Agathon, or Athena to other pilots. You're welcome to call me either.

How long've you been out of the cockpit, anyway?

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Alright, Athena. [He's a pilot, too. May as well.]

Oh boy... About a year now, I think. I haven't touched a ship's controls since I got here. Just haven't been any available to me. For a fighter pilot that's cruel and unusual punishment. [He smirks, but it's true. Luke might be seriously experiencing withdrawals here.]

[colonialcopy]

Sounds about right. My husband can barely go a week, and it's been three or four for me.

[She shudders to think of Starbuck on this rock...]

Do the Authorities at least give you a car to drive?

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Oh, I don't work for the Authorities. Just local Poseidon law enforcement. They're not affiliated with each other. Though I wish they were, I might be able to get bigger things accomplished around here.

No, sometimes I get access to various vehicles but nothing consistent. Lately I've been saving up with the hopes of someday buying something for myself but it doesn't look like they sell skyhoppers around here. [Luke's mostly joking about that. He didn't expect them to, but he can dream, can't he?]

[colonialcopy]

Heh, well, maybe they'll let you buy a nice hovercraft.

[Better than a ground-car...]

Well, Raptors generally need 2 pilots, so when I get this thing operational, you and Wes can take turns.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

[Luke grins.]

I'm going to hold you to that.

[He's far more excited about this than he's letting on. Luke will try his darnedest to make sure this happens.]

[colonialcopy]

Good. Because I mean it.

[Let's be honest, she can tell.]

Just...have to figure out how to break atmo without the defense grid going crazy on us, but, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it.

[last_ofthe_jedi]

Break atmo?

[Luke's eyes light up. He's been grounded for so long, first in Mayfield and now on Verdana, that he'd forgotten that was even a thing that could happen here.]

Right. Gotta work on the defense grid.

I'll, uh, I'll talk to somebody.

[This has now become Luke's number one priority.

... Okay, maybe his number two priority. You know, because of the whole having a baby thing. That has to come first for obvious reasons.]

[colonialcopy]

Yep, get into space?

[She smirks, knowing she got him.]

Of course. Definitely. If there's something I can do, let me know.

[She doesn't know what he'll do, but if he can do something...it's better than nada]