For the first time, Jet was thankful for Aellyn’s ulterior motives. The sudden entrance of another ship, a freighter, and the pressure it put on Abilene meant this situation, albeit one that got Fel shot, shouldn’t get any worse. He watched as the ship landed, squinting through the dust and debris kicked up by its repulsorlifts. The freighter's engines roared, but the sounds of conflict and tension were now silenced, leaving only the hum of the engines and the soft rustling of the wind. Once the dust had settled, he glanced at Fel, who responded with the universal, or perhaps uniquely Fel, ‘I’m good’ look. Jet let the man stand on his own two feet and, although a little unsteady, he seemed well enough for the time being.

He moved off, and Fel watched his partner with his peripheral, his eyes never leaving Abilene’s. [color=F7941D]“You shot me.”[/color] The old lady was cold as ice, the thaw only just touching the corner of her eyes. [i]“You’re damn lucky you’re still breathin’, boy. Aught to put you down, for what you done.”[/i] There was a sneer, a scowl on her face that said she meant every word. [color=F7941D]“Hurts, you being in my pocket like this, don’t it?”[/color] Fel was not rubbing salt in the wound of being out-gunned by a second ships’ arrival, but was legitimately apologetic about her luck, as if he almost understood and wished she’d had her vengeance. 

[color=F7941D]“What we done for you, it’s worth what we spoke about and then some. Here’s my read on it: for the goods, the heist on Lotho, getting back what was yours, you give me what you owe me. We’ve earned it. For the Kolto, sixty thou a crate would make it two hundred forty large. How be, you give us one hundred, and let Jet take what he needs from your hangar. Deal of a lifetime, Abilene…”[/color] 

Jet made his way over to the emitter, still laden with the charges laid there before. It took but a moment to remove them;, after all, they were never a threat in the first place, but possibly one Abilene and co’ wouldn’t want regardless. Tucking the charges into his pants pouches, he hoisted the emitter and walked towards Abilene’s crew where two guys, clad in mismatched armor and sporting various haphazard decorations, had come to greet him and take it from him. Jet let the emitter drop from his shoulder and into their arms, making sure they took the full weight, with a little extra force from gravity. As they struggled to adjust to the unexpected burden and were about to voice their complaints, he gave them a slight smirk, tinged with controlled fury and confidence, his expression an unspoken warning not to test his patience. They gave Jet one look and scurried back into the masses with their salvation. 

With Aellyn now leaving back into the ship, this was the opportunity to get their due. He made his way back to Fel, standing close enough that the spacer could use his shoulder again for support should he need it, though Jet didn't expect him to, of course. Fel had his ways, and Jet doubted that meant swaying back into vulnerability. The spacer's face was pale, a thin sheen of sweat glistening on his forehead, but his eyes remained sharp, determined. Jet felt a surge of respect for his friend’s resilience, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.

[colour=ff0000]“You got yours, Abilene. Now give us ours.”[/colour] His voice was calm, but the underlying edge was unmistakable. Jet's smirk returned, a calculated mixture of defiance and confidence, as he awaited her response, the tension palpable in the stilled air. 

Fel was waiting, and now Jet had said his piece as well. The two stood side by side, staring her down. [color=F7941D]“What’s it gonna be, Mayor?”[/color] Abilene reached in a pocket, and Fel’s palm rested on his blaster for just a moment, before she drew out a data-disc, and tossed it to the spacer, who caught it mid-air. [i]“It’s all there. The job, like I said. Legit.”[/i] Fel looked at the shiny sliver of tech, stuffed it in a pocket. [color=F7941D]“Seven figures?”[/color] She nodded. [color=F7941D]“And the coin?”[/color] She smiled at him, but her eyes were dead serious. [i]“I assume you don’t want a cred’ chit…”[/i] Fel laughed. [color=F7941D]“Cash is king, Mayor. Fewer questions that way.”[/color] She nodded. [i]“It’ll be ready when Jet comes down to rummage through our parts bin and fill his Jerry can.”[/i]

[color=F7941D]“Pleasure doing business with you, Abilene.”[/color] 

Jet nodded slowly at the exchange of words. The tension in the air was finally beginning to dissipate, it was time to bring this tense moment to a close. His main priority now was getting Fel back on board so his partner's injury could be tended to. 

The older lady whistled, a shrill, piercing noise, and speeders started up, breaking the otherwise silent scene — they had retrieved what they had come for. She mounted her horse, and turned the dapple to face back toward town, but called back over her shoulder at him. [i]“Fel!”[/i] He was still watching her, and arched an eyebrow in reply. [i]“One day, somebody’s gonna put you under the ground. You got it comin’.”[/i] She pointed at him, her index finger outstretched, her lips a grim line. 

He nodded at the older woman solemnly, speaking quietly enough that only Jet would hear. 

[color=F7941D]“Yeah.”[/color]