Star Wars Character Cafe - Trix Chapter 2

TRIX

CHAPTER 2

If Lo didn’t like the idea of flying Trix all the way to Tapan, she absolutely hated the thought that Aayla Sedota was going to be traveling with them. Aayla personified everything that Lo hated about Twi’leks. She was the stereotypical half naked dancing girl with an excellent figure, long shapely legs and perfect lavender colored skin. It wasn’t until she saw the two Twi’leks together that she could believe that Trix may have been as old as Maxx had claimed she was. When a woman like Aayla hit the dance floor, Lo knew that it was time to head for the bar. There was no way any man would notice her when someone like that was showing her stuff on the floor.

An uncomfortable silence hung over the passenger compartment of the robo-hack as the four of them rode to the spaceport. Lo was brooding about how she was going to survive this trip to Tapan while the Twi’leks’ presence reminded her of how plain and unfeminine she was. Maxx and Trix were worried about the confrontation that loomed once they had reached the safety of the Wild Nerf. Aayla was scared and confused. She had no idea what all the trouble was about, but she was certain that she was to blame for it.

***

TC-23J was surprised when Trouble informed her that Maxx and Lo were returning from the club with a pair of Twi’lek women. She didn’t expect the two of them back for another two hours. Besides, Maxx wasn’t much for company and Lo had absolutely no use for Twi’leks. She became even more concerned when Trouble recognized the yellow skinned woman as Trix, Maxx’s old lover on Tapan. “As if I don’t have enough to worry about as it is,” she thought.

***

The four of them entered the ship and walked straight for the ship’s lounge without saying a word. Maxx sat on the port side of the table, sharing a bench with Lo while Trix sat on the opposite bench with Aayla. Maxx waited until TC-23J had served drinks and everyone had something to sip before speaking.

“Do you have any idea how much trouble you may be in?” he asked Trix.

Trix frowned as she listened to Maxx’s words.

“I really don’t think I’m in that much trouble,” she replied. “I really appreciate your giving me a lift home, and I am more than willing to pay our agreed price for the comfort of a safe passage back to Tapan, but I’m just having a little booking trouble, that’s all.”

Maxx slowly shook his head.

“Do you know of anyone else who has had a reservation canceled because the flight was oversold?” he asked.

“No,” Trix said, “but then Aayla and I were the only nonhumans on this flight, we’d be the first people to be bumped.”

Maxx nodded thoughtfully.

“That may be true,” he replied, “but there’s still something about this mess that doesn’t add up. You’ve told me that you couldn’t find any passage off of Etti IV, I presume you really mean ANY passage and not just the first class cabins. “

“Sith,” Trix replied, “I’ve tried everything, first class, coach, even steerage class.”

Maxx frowned; he couldn’t say he was surprised.

“And nobody has approached you suggesting that they could get you a berth to Tapan for a slight or not so slight fee?”

Trix shook her head.

“I even offered to pay twice the price of a first class cabin for a pair of unused crew berths,” she replied. “There just isn’t an available berth on a commercial flight off this rock.”

Max shook his head.

“There are probably plenty of berths available on several commercial flights between here and Tapan,” he replied gravely. “There just isn’t one for you.”

Trix’s eyes widened in horror, she just couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

“What!?” She asked.

Maxx sighed and shook his head; this wasn’t going to be easy.

“How much do you know about the Corporate Sector?” he asked.

“Just the basics,” Trix sighed. “That it consists of a huge number of formerly uninhabited worlds that were colonized for business purposes, and that it is governed by the Corporate Sector Authority but is still subject to Imperial rule.”

Maxx shook his head; he had hoped that his old friend would have done a little more research.

“Did you talk to Marshal before leaving Tapan?” he asked sternly.

Trix nodded solemnly.

“Marshal has never had any business in the Corporate Sector, but he warned me to watch my step.”

Maxx stared at Trix thoughtfully.

“Did he give any reason for his concern?” he asked.

Trix sighed nervously.

“Not really,” she replied. “He just said that he had heard that the Authority was corrupt even by Imperial standards.”

Lo winced and Maxx chuckled ruefully.

“That’s like saying that it is not good to get on Darth Vader’s bad side,” he replied. “The Corporate Sector Authority is controlled by the business interests that it is supposed to regulate and those various business interests often work together against outsiders. I’m afraid that people like you and me have even less protection here than in the Empire.”

Trix’s lekku tensed up.

“Then what are YOU doing here?” she asked her eyes widening.

“Making money hand over fist,” Maxx chuckled. “The corruption in this sector provides all sorts of business opportunities for those of us who are not above breaking the law. As an outlaw I have learned to look after myself and seek no protection other than what my skills, a fast ship and a blaster can provide. So the Corporate Sector works for me, I’m afraid that it just isn’t working very well for you.”

“I see,” Trix replied nervously, “then you’re suggesting that my booking problems aren’t a coincidence?”

Maxx smiled sadly.

“I’d be surprised if they were,” he replied, “At its best, the Corporate Sector is only concerned with profit and loss and the profit motive means that someone with money to spend never has to go without something they want, if they want it badly enough. If you had been bumped from your first class cabin, the ticket agent should have offered to bump one of the business or coach class passengers for a fee. I could imagine you having to pay first class for a berth in coach, but you shouldn’t have to resort to finding a berth on a tramp freighter. “

Trix’s lekku shivered as the impact of Maxx’s words hit her.

“I see,” she replied pensively, “then you think someone has it in for me?”

Maxx nodded.

“I’m guessing that your rival at the auction has decided that it would be cheaper to kidnap Aayla than to win a bidding war. He called in a few favors, so that he could keep you on Etti IV until his hired goons could track you down and take Aayla by force. I don’t think he’s going to drag the Authority into this, but one never knows.”

Lo shook her head.

“Why wouldn’t the Authority get involved?” she asked, “They’ve never had any trouble hassling us before.”

Maxx chuckled.

“That’s because we’re criminals, and any independent ship owner is a suspected smuggler in the Authority’s eyes. Trix, on the other hand, is a legitimate business woman. If her rival drags the authority into this, he risks attracting the attention of the few honest people working there. It’s easier to just use thugs.”

“Then what should we do?” Trix asked nervously.

“For starters,” Maxx replied firmly, “you and Aayla should not leave this vessel under ANY circumstances. The two of you were seen leaving the Bantha Trax with us, so it won’t be that hard for the wrong people to trace you to this ship. Thankfully, Lo and I have put our ill gotten gains to very good use, so the two of you should be safe as long as you’re inside the Nerf. If we’re attacked, I’m pretty sure that we can raise ship and fly around any combined force that our adversaries and the Authority will throw up in our way. Mind you repairs can be expensive and I would prefer to raise ship legally if I had a choice. I suppose that somebody should go outside and assess the situation. By the way, is there anything you need from your hotel room?”

Trix shook her head.

“I’ve left some clothing and a few personal belongings there,” she answered, “but I have the essentials with me.”

“Good,” Maxx replied standing up.

“Where are you going?” Trix asked.

“Out,” Maxx replied firmly. “As I said, someone needs to go out and gather a little intelligence. On this ship, that someone is usually me.”

Trix frowned thoughtfully.

“Is that wise?” she asked.

Maxx nodded.

“We need to know what we’re up against so that I can plot our next move. Don’t worry, I’m taking precautions. Jay?”

“Yes sir?” TC-23J replied crisply.

“Get the makeup kit and meet me in the refresher station.” Maxx said as he walked across the main cargo hold. Lo, Trix and Aayla watched him leave.

“What did he mean by precautions?” Trix wondered aloud.

Lo chuckled.

“Knowing Maxx, it means that he will be well disguised and secretly armed to the teeth.”

“I do hope he’s careful,” Trix replied nervously. She was afraid that she had given her old friend more than he had bargained for.

“He’ll be fine,” Lo replied coolly, “If Maxx knows one thing its how to take care of himself.”

***

Trix could barely recognize her old friend when he emerged from the refresher station. In fact, she had to take a second look to make sure that the man standing before her really was Maxx. He had replaced his grey sport coat and slacks with a pair of loose stained mechanics coveralls. His reddish brown hair was now black and greasy and his skin was darker than it had been an hour ago. His face was covered by what appeared to be two days worth of stubble and he smelled of perspiration and various ships fluids. Lo nodded thoughtfully. Maxx appeared to be just another of the many down and out mechanics that roamed this part of the ramp looking for work.

Maxx walked over to the equipment locker and pulled out a tool satchel, several battered looking black cases and a pair of vibroblades.

“I hope you ladies don’t mind my using more than my share of the table,” Maxx said conversationally as he placed the open satchel and cases down.

The two Twi’leks watched nervously as Maxx unsheathed each vibroblade and examined it. The smaller one was resheathed and slipped into one of the many pockets in the coveralls. The longer one, the blade was over fifty centimeters long, was slipped into a special sheath in the interior of the tool bag.

“Do you think THAT is necessary?” Trix asked as she watched Maxx open the largest case and examine a crude looking blaster carbine that had a second barrel under the main one.

“I hope not,” Maxx replied abstractly as he slipped two fresh power packs into the carbine and put it back into the case. “Still, we are parked on the rough part of the ramp and I may run into your ‘friends’, so it doesn’t hurt to play it safe.”

Trix frowned.

“It COULD hurt if the Authority catches you walking around the spaceport lugging a small armory,” she replied sternly.

Maxx chuckled as he examined a small holdout blaster from the smaller case.

“I’d like to see them try,” he replied as he put the small pistol back into its case and deposited the slim case into another pocket of his coveralls. “The cases are something that Lo cooked up during one of the Nerf’s many upgrades. Not only do they look like standard tool cases, they scan like they’re carrying the various tools a tech might have regardless of what they’re actually carrying. Trouble, how’s the view?”

The small astromech rotated his cylindrical head and informed Maxx that the ship’s cameras and sensors couldn’t detect any life forms outside.

“Good,” Maxx replied cheerfully as he stood up. “See you later.”

With that, Maxx walked towards the engine room.

“Shouldn’t he use the boarding ramp?” Trix asked as she watched him go.

“Maxx prefers to use the freight elevator in the engine room in times like this,” Lo replied coolly. “It makes it easier for him to leave the ship undetected.”

“I see,” Trix replied as she turned to look at Lo. The latter seemed to be uncomfortable meeting her eyes, so she turned away. “This wasn’t going to be easy,” she thought.

***

Aayla was tired, so TC23J led her to the makeshift passenger cabin she had set up in the aft port cargo hold and soon the young Twi’lek was resting peacefully. Lo had hoped that Trix would turn in at that time, but to her consternation, the older Twi'lek just walked to the autochef, refilled her tea, and returned to her seat in the lounge. Lo shrugged and reached into her bag and pulled out a cheap duraplast pipe and a small tin of tobac. She knew that Maxx usually frowned on smoking in front of nonsmoking passengers, but she didn’t care. If she was going to put up with him flying two Twi’lek women all the way to Tapan, Maxx was going to have to cut her a little slack. In a way, she hoped that Trix would complain or at least seem uncomfortable, but she just stared out into the distance. Trix even waited for Lo to get comfortable with her pipe before speaking.

“It’s strange…back when we were together I was always the one doing the teaching, but now it seems that I am the student.”

Lo turned her head and stared at Trix for a few seconds.

“What!?” she asked between puffs on her pipe.

“I was just thinking about how much Marcel has changed since he left Tapan, he wasn’t like this back then.”

“His name is Maxx,” Lo growled.

Trix nodded.

“I know,” she replied, “it’s just that I can’t help thinking of things in terms of how they used to be. A side effect of getting older, I guess.”

Lo frowned.

“You don’t look that old,” she replied.

“Thanks,” Trix replied gently, “but I’ll turn fifty next year.”

Lo’s eyes widened and she accidentally blew into her pipe causing a cloud of ash to fly out.

“You’re fifty years old!” she cried.

“Almost,” Trix corrected.

“You don’t look it.”

“Thank you.”

“I mean you REALLY don’t look it. If I didn’t know better, I’d think that we were the same age.” Lo explained.

“Well, I take good care of myself,” Trix replied, “It’s a necessity in my line of work. Mind you, after trying to keep up with Aayla out on the dance floor, I feel every year of my real age.”

“I see,” Lo replied, she found it hard to be sympathetic to anyone who looked that good.

“Marshal has been trying to convince me that I should retire from running the lounge so that the two of us could spend more time together. Who knows? In a few years, I may just take him up on it.”

Lo tamped her pipe relit it and gave Trix a puzzled look.

“Marshal?” she asked.

“Marshal Thonas,” Trix replied, “my lover.”

Lo’s eyes narrowed.

“Does Maxx know about that?” she asked.

“Of course,” Trix replied agreeably, “I told him about it shortly after we met.”

“He seems to be taking it well,” Lo replied, her head was swimming in confusion.

“Marshal was sort of like a father to Maxx, so I think he’s happy for the two of us. Besides, I think my old friend has his eye on someone else,” Trix replied conspiratorially.

“Aayla?” Lo asked, her eyes starting to narrow.

“No, silly, you.”

“Me!?”

Lo was so shocked that she didn’t notice that her pipe had fallen out of her mouth and had spilled hot ash all over the table.

“Yes you,” Trix replied. “Think about it, what in the galaxy was Maxx doing in a place like the Bantha Trax?”

“Well,” Lo replied sheepishly, “I asked Maxx if he wanted to join me.”

Trix smiled triumphantly.

“And on your invitation, Mr. peace and quiet went out to a place that has crowds, bright lights and loud music?”

Lo frowned.

“But I’ve been trying to attract his attention for a whole year,” she replied. “In spite of that, we still sleep alone.”

Trix frowned thoughtfully.

“I suppose I bear part of the responsibility for that,” she said sheepishly.

Lo’s eyes widened in bewilderment.

“You!? How?” she sputtered.

Trix sighed.

“I may have taught Maxx a few things about love,” she replied, “but I really didn’t know that much about it and I never taught him how to begin a relationship with someone else. Back when we were together, I was the one who took the lead. I was the one who first said, ‘I love you,’ and the one who initiated sex. I don’t think Maxx knows how to express his feelings or ask if you share them.”

Lo shook her head.

“But you seem to know our feelings so well,” she replied cautiously.

Trix shrugged.

“Practice,” she replied. “Ever since I was a girl, my security has depended on my ability to keep others happy. As a slave, I had to please my master, as a courtesan I had to satisfy my customers and remain on the right side of the authorities. Now it’s even more complex, if I misread the wrong person, I could lose everything, wind up in jail or worse.”

Lo blinked.

“Dead?” She asked.

“Even worse than that becoming a slave again and having to service my master and anybody my master wants me to ‘take care’ of.”

Lo shivered.

“I see,” she replied.

“The point is,” Trix replied, “I have to be very good at reading people. When you walked up to us at the Bantha Trax, I knew there had to be something between you two. Maxx hadn’t spoken much about your relationship, but he seemed to feel guilty when you showed up and you seemed to feel betrayed. As we rode back to the spaceport, I found myself thinking about how I might get the two of you together.”

Lo leaned back as she pondered the Twi’lek’s words. The thought of being with Maxx was exciting, but almost too hard to believe. Why would this Trix want to help her?

“Why are you doing this?” She asked.

Trix took a deep breath, this wouldn’t be easy.

“Partly as one last favor to a man who has done so much for me, partly to repay you for allowing Maxx to fly Aayla and me home and partly because…well, I want you to understand this.”

Trix reached into her handbag and pulled out a tiny datapad. She placed it on the table and switched it on. Above the datapad, a small three dimensional image of a toddler appeared. It was clear, even to Lo that the girl was Trix’s child with some human. There was some similarity between the mother and daughter, but the face was much rounder and while Trix’s lekku came all the way down past her waist, the girl’s lekku barely touched her shoulders. The child’s yellow skin was notably paler than Trix’s.

“Are you trying to tell me that this child is Maxx’s?” Lo asked in a mixture of confusion and horror.

Trix nodded.

“When I learned about Maxx’s trouble with the authorities on Tapan, I rushed over to Marcel’s place. I just had to see him one last time. Our goodbye got a little out of hand, and I didn’t have time to take, um, precautions. I guess I thought at my age…and yet…”

Lo leaned forward and stared at the image. She had just learned so much in such a short time that she didn’t know what to make of it all.

“She doesn’t look much like Maxx,” Lo finally replied.

“I know,” Trix replied. “I have no idea why her face is so round. Still, what else could it be?”

Lo shrugged.

“Somebody else’s?” she asked provocatively.

“There was nobody else,” Trix replied sadly. “I was faithful to Maxx while we were together. After he left, I hurt so badly I just didn’t have any interest. Then I found myself, well you know. So Maxx just has to be…”

Lo frowned.

“Or so you say.”

Trix nodded.

“Or so I say,” she replied serenely.

“What do you want?” Lo asked.

Trix looked across the table and stared right into Lo’s eyes.

“What I really want is for Maxx to know that he has a daughter and for Tre’la to know her father. I’d like it if the two of them could establish some form of bond, but given the circumstances…”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Lo replied harshly.

“It may not be,” Trix replied somberly. “Still, I want Maxx to know about his daughter.”

Lo shook her head, as if that would be enough to clear it.

“Then this help you’re offering is to get me to tolerate the idea of Maxx having this half breed as a daughter!?”

Trix’s face took on a firm, dignified expression as her eyes bored right into Lo’s.

“This is NOT some kind of business deal. I want to help you because Maxx is an old friend and I want him to be happy. If you want my help with Maxx, you have it regard less. Just understand this Lo Price, I am going to tell Maxx about Tre’ la, and life will be easier for all of us if you accept the idea that Maxx is going to want to know his daughter.”

Lo’s eyes narrowed a bit.

“Are you sure of that?” she asked pointedly.

Trix nodded sagely.

“I am,” she replied firmly. “I’ve known Maxx for some time, and I am fully aware of how much it bothered him that he never knew anything about his mother. I imagine that he’d want his daughter to know him.”

Lo frowned.

“If she really is his daughter,” she replied crisply.

“Oh, she is,” Trix replied serenely. “I understand your doubts on the matter and I don’t mind if you tell Maxx about them. I just want you to understand it if he takes an interest in Trey’ la.

Lo sighed.

“I don’t know,” she replied, “Everything is happening so fast and the only thing I know is that I’m tired and want to sleep on it. Mind if I turn in?”

Trix smiled warmly.

“Be my guest,” she replied gently.

With that, Lo stood up and walked to the refresher station. Once she had left, Trix picked up Lo’s forgotten pipe and emptied it into the table’s ash tray. She then used her hands to sweep up the spilled ash and deposit it into the ashtray. After Lo walked by on her way to the crew berths, Trix noticed TC-23J standing by the engineering station. She was staring at Trix, her hands planted firmly on her hips. Trix returned the droid’s stare and wondered what had gotten into her cognitive matrix.

“I see you’re already starting to stir up trouble around here,” the droid said bitterly in Twi’leki.

Trix pressed her lips together.

“Then you don’t think Maxx should know about Tre’ la?” she replied pointedly.

The droid shook her head.

“Actually, I think it’s important that Maxx develops a relationship with his daughter, and I am certain that she IS his daughter,” she answered firmly. “What I do not approve of is the way you are planning to stir things up with Miss Lo Price.”

“Why not?” Trix asked. “I sort of understand why you didn’t approve of my relationship with Maxx, but this is a much better match. Not only is Lo the right age and species, but it would seem like her proclivities are a good compliment for Maxx’s.”

The droid slowly walked towards the table and leaned forward, putting her face about a meter’s length from the Twi’lek’s.

“You don’t understand,” the droid replied quietly but urgently. “This could ruin everything!”

Trix stared intently into the droid’s photoreceptors and wished that they were as expressive as human eyes.

“You’ve never given me anything to understand,” she complained. “You’ve always warned me about how our love was endangering Maxx, but you’ve never bothered to explain how or why.”

The droid moved her face a few centimeters closer to Trix’s face.

“There are some things that I cannot explain, particularly not to YOU.”

Trix’s eyes narrowed.

“And I will not be ordered around like some slave girl by a mere droid,” she answered sharply. “I know Maxx, he is a gentle soul who needs to love and be loved. There are already sparks between him and Lo, why shouldn’t we use them to kindle a fire that can warm the two of them?”

TC-23J shook her head.

“I’m afraid that this fire of yours will leave Maxx badly burned.

Trix nodded and then leaned forward and gazed even more intently into TC-23J’s photoreceptors.

“That is a risk that all lovers take,” she replied. “I know Maxx, he is strong enough to handle the good AND the bad.”

The droid continued staring into Trix’s eyes.

“Don’t be so sure of that,” she replied with a quiet intensity that Trix had never heard from a droid before. “If you only knew Maxx’s destiny, you would not be so quick to interfere.”

Trix moved a little closer so that the tip of her nose was only a few centimeters from TC-23J’s faceplate.

“Then you had better tell Maxx about your plans for him soon, because he is bound to find love sooner or later, with or without my help.”

TC-23J was saved from thinking up a reply by the low hum of the Nerf’s freight elevator. She turned to look at Trouble, who was plugged into the ship’s engineering station. The Nerf’s cylindrically shaped astromech swiveled his head around and softly whistled that Maxx had returned. TC-23J stood up and walked over to the autochef to fix some herbal tea. She knew that Maxx was bound to be tired after his long walk.

As Maxx strode into the main hold, he stopped at the engineering station and patted Trouble on the head.

“Hey buddy,” he said warmly, “any problems while I was gone?”

Trouble didn’t want to get involved in relaying the details of Trix’s and TC-23J’s spat so he just replied that Trix and TC-23J were arguing in Twi’leki.

Maxx frowned. Surely Trix’s relationship with Marshal had eliminated their old bone of contention.

“Do I want to know what the two of you have chosen to fight about now?”

Trix held back and let TC-23J answer.

“Probably not sir, it is a bit complicated.”

Maxx smiled grimly.

“Then it’ll have to wait,” he replied firmly as he sat down across from Trix and accepted the cup that TC-23J had given him. “It looks like our enemies have been on the move.”

“Oh?” Trix replied, her eyes narrowing a bit.

“These people are a little more sophisticated than I had expected. I didn’t find the roving bands of swoopers that I thought I’d see. Instead, I was stopped by a gentleman claiming to be a bounty hunter. Mind you, if he was a bounty hunter, than I’m Darth Vader. He showed me holograms of you and Aayla and claimed that you were running an illegal brothel on this side of the ramp. I replied that I wish I had seen the two of you as I had just been paid from my last job, but had not. That seemed to satisfy him, still, we had best be on our guard.”

Trix frowned as she considered the news.

“You expect trouble then?” she asked.

Maxx nodded.

“I always expect trouble,” he replied, “That’s why I’m still in business.”

“What do you intend to do?” Trix asked.

Maxx smiled grimly.

“I intend to be prepared,” he replied firmly. “Trouble!? I want you to keep a strict watch outside. Sound the alarm if you spot anything unusual. If it looks threatening, fire up the engines and be ready to lift off even if I’m not in the cockpit.”

Trix was surprised when Trouble hooted a quick affirmative. Marshal had often told her that this particular astromech, which he used to call Sithspawn, had confirmed his low opinion of R5 units. She was shocked that Maxx was willing to give such a droid so much latitude in responding to an emergency. Maxx seemed to read her thoughts.

“Yes,” he replied firmly, “I do trust him to do the right thing. That little droid and I have been through a lot together and he has always managed to come through for me.”

Trix nodded sagely and secretly hoped that this wasn’t the time the R5 chose to let them down.

“Jay, I want you to take your post at the com station. Let me and Trouble know of any transmissions that indicate that our enemies are zeroing in on us.”

“Yes sir!” TC-23J replied with martial crispness as she sat down in the seat by the engineering station.

“Trix, nobody is to leave the Nerf without my permission. Make certain that Aayla knows that. If we have to lift off, go directly to the lounge and strap yourselves in.”

Trix nodded.

“I’m sorry to bring you into so much danger,” she said gratefully.

Maxx favored her with a smile.

“It’s what you’re paying me for, remember?” he replied chivalrously.

***

Lo was only mildly surprised when she woke up and Maxx told her that their enemies were on the move and that he needed her to do a quick examination of the ship’s systems. After two years of crewing on the Nerf, she knew Maxx well enough to assume that he was right about Trix and Aayla being in grave danger. She was also familiar enough with Maxx’s methods to know that he would want to make certain that the Nerf was in top shape before heading into a possibly dangerous situation. Lo didn’t expect to find any serious problems, the two of them had just gone over the ship after their last Rampa run. Still, it wouldn’t hurt to check everything one last time. Besides, it would give her something to do before the fun began.

As Lo entered the engine room with her tool bag, she was surprised to find Trix waiting outside the doors that connected the port cargo hold to the engine room. The Twi’lek had traded her gown for a pair of electric blue leggings and a form fitting greenish blue blouse that came down to mid thigh. Lo slowly walked towards her.

“Sleep well?” Trix asked conversationally.

“Yes, thanks,” Lo replied nervously. “Look, I’ve given it some thought, and I’d like your help with Maxx.”

Trix smiled warmly.

“You’ve got it,” she said enthusiastically.

“Thanks,” Lo replied with a nervous grin. “I used to think I had a lot of experience with men, but being with Maxx makes me feel lost. I’ve tried everything, even falling into Maxx’s berth drunk. That usually gets things going for me, but not with Maxx.”

Trix’s smile waned a bit and she slowly shook her head.

“I could have told you that THAT wouldn’t work,” she said. Maxx may be a criminal, but he is a gentleman at heart. He would never take advantage of an intoxicated woman.”

Lo frowned and chewed on her lip.

“Even if she wanted to be taken advantage of?” She asked.

“But how would Maxx have known that you wanted to be taken advantage of?” Trix asked in reply.

Lo shrugged.

“Ok, ok,” she replied in resignation. “You’re the expert here, what should I do?”

Trix grinned wolfishly, this was going to be fun.

“Wait until the two of you are all alone and tell Maxx how you feel about him.”

Lo blushed and shook her head.

“I’d sound like an idiot,” she replied nervously.

“So what?” Trix answered. “You’re not trying to convince Maxx that you’re a great poet, you just need to convince him that you share his feelings. Once you’ve gotten that off your chest, all you have to do is kiss him.”

Lo winced.

“Kiss him?” she asked nervously.

Trix arched an eyebrow as she gazed into Lo’s eyes.

“You have kissed before, haven’t you?”

Lo shook her head nervously.

“We didn’t waste our time with things like that at Freighter House.”

Trix frowned thoughtfully.

“Freighter House?” She asked.

“The coed fraternity that I lived in during my college years,” she replied. “The men and women of freighter house tended to prefer the direct approach. I remember one of the professors I slept with tried to kiss me, but I didn’t like it.”

Trix frowned.

“Do I want to know?” she asked.

Lo shrugged.

“How should I know?” she replied.

“You just seem to be too intelligent to need to cheat like that,” Trix replied.

Lo giggled.

“No, it was nothing like that,” she replied nervously. “The stuff they presented in class was child’s play as far as I was concerned. I just gave myself to a few of the sharper profs in hope of learning a little extra.”

Trix winced.

“Well, that is an, uh, novel approach to learning.”

Lo chuckled.

“Say what you will,” she replied, “but you’d be surprised at the things I picked up that way. Once, Dr. Owens had to leave right after, well you know, and he asked me to lock up his office after I had gotten dressed. I managed to come across the most interesting research paper on hyperspatial streamlining. I had my datapad with me, of course, and I managed to download the paper and his other research on the matter before I left.”

Trix nodded thoughtfully as another wolfish grin spread across her face.

“I see,” she said politely. “Still, if you’ve never kissed before, you’re in for a treat. Kissing can be one of the most sensual things lovers can do together. Its amazing that something so simple can make you react on so many levels.”

Lo’s eyes narrowed a bit as she tried to understand what Trix was saying.

“It just seems like lip mashing to me,” she replied.

Trix chuckled playfully.

“It can be like that if both you and the person you’re kissing don’t know what you’re doing, but if one of you understands the magic, it can be something else. Believe me, Maxx knows how to kiss.”

Lo chuckled.

“Taught him yourself?” She asked.

“Of course,” Trix replied, “and if I do say so myself, I did a very good job of it.”

Lo sighed. She thought that this kissing stuff was stupid. Still, she wanted Maxx badly and if his old girlfriend said that the way to Maxx’s heart was through his lips, she’d kiss him.

“OK,” Lo replied nervously, “I’ll kiss him, but how do I do that?”

Trix smiled warmly.

“That’s the spirit,” she replied, amused at Lo’s reservation. “All you have to do is ask.”

Lo frowned nervously.

“But how do I ask him to kiss me?”

“Well,” Trix answered, “after you tell Maxx how you feel about him and he tells you how he feels about you, just ask him to kiss you.”

Lo frowned, she still had no idea what she should do.

“But what should I say?” she asked nervously.

Trix fought to keep from shaking her head, she had trouble believing that someone who was supposedly so brilliant, could be so clueless.

“You could just say, ‘kiss me,’ that should do the trick. Still, it might be better if you admitted that you had never kissed a man before, that you had never wanted to kiss a man before you met him.”

Lo’s eyes narrowed as she listened.

“It sounds kinda stupid,” she said uncomfortably.

Trix shrugged.

“Maybe it does, but lovers often sound stupid and awkward, at least in the beginning. The thing is, if Maxx knows that you are inexperienced, he’ll be more careful in initiating the kiss. Besides, I think it will be a turn on for him.”

Lo smiled nervously.

“You mean like taking a girl’s virginity?” she asked.

Trix smiled back at her.

“Exactly, in both cases, you’re being introduced to a new world of sensuality. The difference is that most girls have had their first kiss before entering the deeper space of sexual intercourse.”

Lo nodded.

“I’ve always done things differently, what about you?”

Trix frowned, she didn’t like talking about that part of her life. Still, she did want Lo to continue to trust her.

“My training in the erotic arts included a lot of practical instruction in the art of kissing. The deeper parts of sex mostly involved bookwork.

Lo’s eyes widened as she listened.

“You were trained in the erotic arts?” she asked out of disbelief.

Trix nodded.

“Did you think Twi’lek women were born knowing dance, massage and the erotic preferences of the galaxy’s various dominant species?” she asked.

Lo shrugged.

“I guess I never thought much about it,” she replied. “All you aliens are something of a mystery to me.

Trix pressed her lips together as she listened. She didn’t like being thought of as one of “all you aliens,” still, it was an improvement over last night.

“Oh, and one last thing,” she said. “Be careful to initiate contact out of TC-23J’s view.”

Lo stiffened, she didn’t like being told by a stranger to keep secrets from “mother.”

“Why?” she demanded.

Trix took a deep breath and let it out before speaking.

“After you turned in,” she said, “TC-23J informed me that she did not approve of my plans to help the two of you get together.”

Lo’s eyes grew impossibly wide. She couldn’t believe that Maxx’s sweet little protocol droid would be plotting against her.

“What would Mother have against me!?” she asked.

Trix sighed.

“I don’t think she has anything against YOU,” she replied, “She just doesn’t like you and Maxx being lovers.”

“But why!?” Lo demanded again.

“I believe you came dangerously close to answering that question,” she said thoughtfully.

“What?” Lo asked, her eyes narrowing.

“You called her ‘mother,’ remember? Mothers tend to be protective of their children. If I understand the thrust of last night’s argument, she was afraid that Maxx would suffer if things didn’t go well. She also said something about Maxx’s destiny, but she wouldn’t explain what that destiny was.”

Lo shook her head.

“Mother has always been secretive about some things. She has never said much about whom Maxx’s birth mother was, or her reasons for sending Maxx to Tapan.”

Trix sighed.

“I know,” she replied, “and that has been hard for Maxx to take. The only thing he really knows is that his mother was flying a Corellian YT-1210 when she met his father. Maxx’s father assumed that she was an independent cargo hauler, but neither of us bought that.”

Lo gazed into Trix’s eyes, eager to learn anything she could about Maxx’s past.

“Why do you say that?” she asked.

Trix pressed her lips together thoughtfully.

“For one thing,” she replied. “Most of the tramp freighter pilots I’ve known are barely able to eke out an existence. Any money they earn from hauling cargo has to go back into supporting the ship. How could Maxx’s mother afford a top of the line TC series protocol droid? Those things cost over ten times what a perfectly serviceable three pee oh does. That would suggest that Maxx’s mother was reasonably wealthy. I also wonder why Twenty Three Jay would be so reluctant to tell her charge that his mother was a freighter pilot. I mean it may not pay well, but it’s not that bad of a profession.”

Lo stared into Trix’s eyes and pondered the question.

“I know!” she cried excitedly, “Maybe she was a smuggler!”

“Hmmm…maybe,” Trix replied thoughtfully. “That would explain her ability to afford and part with a TC series droid and why she sent Maxx to be with his father. Still, why would Twenty Three Jay be so reluctant to tell Maxx about his mother’s past?”

Lo frowned.

“Maybe she didn’t want him to follow in his mother’s footsteps.”

Trix shook her head.

“I don’t think so. I don’t think she has ever tried to keep Maxx from breaking the law. She may have objected to our relationship, but never to Maxx’s courier work or his plans to eventually break into smuggling.”

Lo closed her eyes and pondered the matter for a few seconds.

“I don’t know,” she finally said, “I just threw that out as a possibility.”

Trix smiled agreeably.

“I know,” she replied, “It’s just that I’ve been curious about Maxx’s past, and his secrets for so long that I can’t help analyzing any possibility that comes along to see how it fits into the whole picture.

“Now if you don’t mind, I’m going to see what I can learn about our present situation.”

Lo smiled.

“Happy hunting,” she said cheerfully.

“Same to you kid,” Trix replied as she turned and left the engine room.

***

Maxx frowned thoughtfully as he examined the underside of the hull one last time. Things were going about as well as he could have expected. He had performed a quick diagnostic of the sensor suite and control system and was pleased to know that everything seemed to be in top condition. His inspection of the freighter’s exterior showed that the outer hull was free of any unexpected damage or add ons. If anyone had guessed that his “Little Bantha” was harboring the two Twi’leks, they hadn’t tried to attach a bomb or a homing beacon to the ship’s exterior. The other signs appeared to be good. TC-23J reported that the Nerf’s com system had yet to pick up any threatening news and Trouble had noted that all had been quiet outside the ship.

The one thing that bothered Maxx was that his call to the spaceport’s control tower requesting permission to lift off was answered by news that the automated clearance system was temporarily out of order and that he would have to visit the Port Captain’s office and request the clearance personally. Maxx had trouble believing that any major spaceport in the Corporate Sector would allow their automated clearance system to remain out of order for even a few minutes. Apparently their enemies had some very powerful connections with spaceport control. Maxx didn’t want to face the added trouble of blasting out of Etti IV illegally, but he was not about to risk leaving the ship just to file a flight plan. He was just going to have to hope that he was up to facing both the Authority and his enemies at the same time.

***

Lo was busy inspecting the ship’s power cores and didn’t hear the freight elevator lift Maxx into the engine room. She wasn’t even aware that anyone was there until Maxx tapped her on the shoulder. Lo suddenly yelped in surprise and dropped the hydrospanner she was holding. She sighed as she saw that it was only Maxx.

“Oh, it’s only you,” she said as she caught her breath.

Maxx smiled, it felt good to see her standing there.

“Who did you expect?” he asked a hint of amusement in his voice. “I think Boba Fett has better things to do than hassle two Twi’leks and a couple of freighter bums.”

“You sure about that?” Lo replied playfully. “The way things are going for us, it may not be long before we do have Fett on our tail.”

Maxx chuckled; there was more truth in that than he cared to think about.

“Is that why you’re trembling?” he asked.

Lo smiled nervously, she had hoped that it wouldn’t show.

“I guess that I have something to tell you,” she replied, her voice quavering. “It’s just that I don’t know how to say it.”

Maxx frowned thoughtfully.

“If you’re leaving the Nerf,” he replied, “you’ve picked an awfully bad time.”

“No! No! No!” Lo corrected urgently. “I don’t want to leave you! Not now! Not ever!”

Maxx arched an eyebrow as he listened.

“What is it then?” he asked.

Lo frowned, how could she say it?

“It’s just, well…you know…I like you a lot.”

Maxx smiled, he wasn’t sure what Lo was getting at, but he liked the way it seemed to be going.

“I like you too Price,” he replied warmly. “I appreciate how well you have been able to put up with all the things that go with crewing on a smuggling ship. I also appreciate the way you have tolerated my bringing Trix and Aayla on board. I know that it hasn’t been easy for you.

Lo moved towards Maxx and smiled playfully.

“It wasn’t that bad,” she replied, “and having your old girlfriend around has been kind of interesting.”

“Oh?” Maxx replied curiously. “Do I want to know how?”

Lo smiled nervously.

“Probably not,” she replied. “I only wish I was beautiful like her.”

Maxx gazed into Lo’s eyes.

“I think you’re beautiful,” he replied warmly.

“No I’m not,” Lo replied sadly. “My nose is too big, my chin is too weak and my breasts are too small.”

Maxx moved towards Lo until there was less than a meter between them.

“You’ve got it all wrong,” he replied gently. “I like your face just the way it is, it reminds me…well it reminds me that you’re you.”

Lo moved forward so that there were only a few centimeters between their noses.

“And my breasts?” she asked nervously.

Maxx sighed.

“I like them too, but I can’t think of a nice way of saying that.”

Lo smiled as she looked up at Maxx.

“Don’t bother,” she replied, “just kiss me.”

With that, Maxx put his right arm around Lo’s shoulder blades and pulled her up against him, his left hand held the back of her head and he leaned toward her lips and started kissing her. Lo was shocked by the sensation produced by Maxx’s lips playing against hers, she couldn’t believe that anything this simple could produce feelings that were so powerful. Suddenly her knees buckled, throwing the two of them off balance. They fell on the engine room’s floor with Maxx landing on top of Lo. Maxx peered into her eyes, his face radiating concern.

“Lo! Are you all right?” he asked.

“Whoa,” she gasped. “I’ve never felt anything like that before.”

“But are you alright?” Maxx asked.

“I just don’t believe it…yeah I’m alright, just shocked. You?”

Maxx smiled.

“I’m fine, but then I had something soft to land on.”

“I know,” Lo groaned in mock agony. “Maybe you should give me another kiss to make it feel better.”

Maxx smiled.

“Your wish is my command,” he replied chivalrously.

As Maxx’s lips pressed against Lo’s, he wrapped his arms around her torso and rolled so that when the kiss ended, Lo noticed that she was lying on top of Maxx.

“Why?” she asked.

“It was the least I could do,” he said.

Lo smiled.

“You know,” she said mischievously, “now that I’ve got you down here, there’s something I’d like to do.”

Maxx smiled.

“I’d love to, but no time.”

Lo frowned, she knew that Maxx was right.

“Just for that, you owe me another kiss.”

Maxx smiled.

“As you wish,” he replied and grasped the back of Lo’s head and pulled her into another kiss. Suddenly the ship’s warning claxons went off.

“Emperor’s black bones!” Lo yelled as Maxx gently them onto her back, stood up and helped Lo to her feet. They could hear the engines spooling up as they dashed out of the engine room.