[b][color=0072bc][center][h3]Wes Arrel[/h3][/center][/color][/b]
[color=0072bc]“And lemme tell ya boys and girls, when you’re sittin’ at a sabacc table in a cantina on Tatooine, surrounded by pirates lookin’ to collect their credits, you know what ol’ Wes Arrel does?”[/color] The spacer paused for dramatic effect. He could just imagine millions tuning in around the galaxy, on the edge of their seats, waiting for every next syllable. In reality, just a handful of scoundrels and some curious kids were tuned in to his audio holonet show, but that didn’t stop the smuggler from taking a moment to revel in his brilliant storytelling. [color=0072bc]“Your pal Wes Arrel [b]calls[/b].”[/color] He could practically hear the collective cries of amazement and disbelief at his bold move from every citizen of the universe. [color=0072bc] “Well ladies and gents, as much as I’d like to hang around and let you know what happens next, looks like Wes has gotta run. Tune in next time, whenever that might be.”[/color] With that, Wes flipped a switch on the dashboard of his cockpit, sending the Wes Arrel show to its infamous music segment, composed of about five numbers on loop until his next “broadcast”. The smuggler leaned back in his chair as the emptiness beyond his viewport slowly filled up with the sprawling planet of Gamorria, his next stop. Though hopefully not his last.

 Wes scooped the rest of the grey matter that passed for food on Republic freighters into his mouth before tossing the empty container aside and returned to the controls of his VCX-650 light freighter. Well, technically it wasn’t [i]his[/i], more like Republic property, but no captain worth their salt would admit that. Still, it was a ship that Wes found hard to love, especially when compared to [i]The Lucky Loth[/i]. Sure, the VCX served its purpose, but didn’t look too elegant doing it. Three massive engines sat at the back of the ship like a spoiler with a Class 1 hyperdrive rating, ample cargo storage, military-grade shield generators and its fair share of weaponry for a transport ship. But it lacked the character and aesthetic appeal of [i]The Lucky Loth[/i]; The VCX looked like a giant flying brick with guns and thrusters attached. Wes hated the ship so much, in fact, that he hadn’t bothered to name it. The flying brick slowly entered Gamorria’s atmosphere, and Wes went to the coms to reach out to his new Republic… Comrades.

[hr]

The VCX touched down in the docking area of the Republic’s base on Gamorria, its new construction and cleanliness sticking out like a sore thumb in the middle of the worn-down city. [i]Typical Republic.[/i] Wes lowered the boarding ramp and powered the ship down, grabbing the necessities before heading towards the door. Here, the rugged smuggler was met by something of a welcoming committee, though they were armed and storming his ship. [color=0072bc]“Hey now, just what the hell is this?”[/color] Wes cried out as the men pushed him aside and began sweeping the ship. The leader of the Republic troops marched up to him, blaster practically trained on the smuggler, who lazily put his hands halfway into the air. 

[color=yellow]“Identification. Now.”[/color]

[color=0072bc]“Hey hey hey, [i]easy[/i] there buckethead, I’m with you. Unfortunately,”[/color] Wes groaned, drawing a Republic ID from his jacket. [color=0072bc]“Name’s Wes. Wes Arrel. Republic pilot. You mighta heard of me.”[/color] The officer’s eyes shifted between the card and the man, probably in disbelief the military would recruit this scruffy smuggler. The pilot looked like he just walked in from the streets of Gamorria. Eventually, the officer let him go and recalled his men, though not before they’d thoroughly trashed his ship looking for contraband. [i]Glad they didn’t think to check the floors,[/i] Wes thought grinning. With his ship secure, the pilot scanned the base; armed guards stood in towers around the perimeter, while others shuffled back and forth setting up new fortifications and buildings. It was obvious the base was fresh, though none of the grizzled soldiers looked it. He spotted an eclectic group of individuals, mostly out of uniform, gathered in a courtyard before a high-ranking officer. [i]Looks like my people[/i]. Wes strode up to the motley crew just as the commander left, and he took a moment to look over what he assumed to be his new crew. Bounty hunters, mercenaries, with a couple of robed Jedi and Republic soldiers mixed in. Nothing too out-of-the-ordinary for a bog-standard Republic suicide mission. However, Wes was much more focused on how many beautiful women happened to be among the group rather than his quite possibly impending doom. Humans, Twi'leks, and a couple others he didn’t recognize. His favorite. In Wes’ experience, suicide missions were the best place to make new friends, and he decided to get a head start, starting with the exotic-looking Jedi girl. Too young for him, but he'd never met a Jedi before, so the pilot was a little curious to say the least. 

[color=0072bc]“Sorry, your friends at the door held me up. Just couldn’t wait to meet Wes Arrel, I guess. What’d I miss?”[/color]

[@Piercing Light]