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In the story "Tenric's Gambit" Dale mentions a trip Tenric took to Dantooine. That trip was part of a multi-Authored Fan-Fic that is about to be finished. I got to thinking...why was Tenric on Dantooine? He just shows up in the story (brought in by another author) and I wanted to know why.

The next story, called "Eclipse" will address that missing link.
Stay Tuned......

"Gambit Inc." Sequel to "Tenric's Gambit"

The sequel to this story is now posted in the fanfic area at:
http://www.wordcraftcafe.com/
and accessible to members.
It is entitled "Gambit Inc." and is a cross between the story lines of a fellow fanfic writer, Jedi Ranger, and Tenric’s. Jedi Ranger carried much of the story as we collaborated on the details.

“Gambit Inc.” establishes Orlan and Dale in their new business and sets up some new contacts that will serve Tenric well in the future.

Please stop by, Join, and let us know what you think of it.....

If I obtain Jedi Ranger's permission the story will be posted here as well.

Tenric's Gambit: VI

Here, for now, is the end of the story. I would be happier actually writing the confrontation with Dalba and the establishment of Orlan & Dale's business, but time constraints (and other duties) prevent it.
Hope you enjoyed the story.....please feel free to leave comments or feedback as I am interested in both.

Thanks for reading!!

Part VI

Tenric paused and closed his eyes momentarily. His brow furrowed a bit and he took a deep breath. Dale and Orlan looked at each other as Tenric seemed to finish whatever he was doing then raised his hand to order another Ale.

“I have been putting this little operation together for awhile now, since just before Dalba cheated Dale out of his liberty actually.” Tenric began. “I wanted to find a way to free you from Dure-Lite Orlan, and also free Dale from his debt to Dalba. It seemed best to find a way to combine both objectives and cut the risks thereby.” Dale and Orlan exchanged looks once more.

“Go on,” Orlan prompted, “We’re listening.” Dale simply nodded.

“Dalba was my sponsor for this race. I sought out her sponsorship as a means to gain her trust.” Tenric confided. “I will use the winnings from the race to pay off Dale’s debt.”

“But it isn’t enough.” Dale interrupted.

“It will be when I ask her how much my interview tomorrow morning will be worth to her.” Tenric continued. “You see she has gotten a reputation for being soft among the Hutts and her underlings have begun to grumble and challenge her. If she wants to stay in power here on Soma III she needs to solidify her control.”

“How will your interview help her do that?” Dale asked, while Orlan sat thinking about what Tenric was saying.

“It will help her image immensely when I confess to the reporters that my desperate gambit was fueled by both the awe and fear I have for Dalba. I will say that my desperate need to not disappoint her drove me to accomplish what I did. I will be very sincere.” Here he paused to sip from his newly arrived ale.

“That might actually work!” Dale sounded hopeful now.

“It will my friend, Dalba is desperate and I will be handing her just what she needs.” Tenric encouraged.

“But,” Orlan interjected, “How will she spend this extra sum you offer her? Tempting as it sounds, what will make her underlings buy into it?”

Here Tenric fixed Orlan with one of those stares of his for a moment or two. It gave him the creeps, but he had become used to them over the time they had known each other. Orlan had his suspicions, but kept them to himself. One did not openly discuss certain things nowadays.

“Astute as always my friend,” Tenric replied. “Dalba’s underlings will buy into it because I will be freelancing for her, for a time, to ensure they do.”

“But, you can’t!” Dale began in a splutter of ale. “I’d rather it was me serving that worm than you!”

“Dale,” Tenric soothed, “Trust me on this. I have need of what Dalba can give me with this exchange. The arrangement will be temporary and at my discretion.”

“Need! What could you need from a Hutt?” Dale protested.

“I am about to embark on a new career, if you will, and an association with Dalba will strengthen my entry into it.”

“Just what, if I may ask, will this new venture be?” Orlan asked.

“But!” Dale managed say before Tenric raised his hand to gain their attention.

“I am going to begin Bounty Hunting for Dalba. I will do so until I have enough of a reputation to go it alone.” Here he smiled as both of his friends began to object. He raised his hand again and continued. “I know you are confused and cannot see me as one of the ‘filth of the galaxy’, but there are extenuating circumstances.”

“Such as your Uncle?” Dale almost whispered as he caught on. “Like that trip to Dantooine last year.”

“For one, yes.” Tenric confirmed. “My uncle left SomaIII to take his place in the Clone Wars and fell in battle. I wish to find his remains and bring them back home. My first attempt was misguided, to a point.” Here he once more quieted their objections. “It matters not which side he was on, the truth remains the same. Bounty Hunting will provide me both the credits and cover for traveling widely as I must.”

“What is the other reason?” Orlan asked. Dale had almost forgotten there was a second reason as he contemplated what Tenric was saying.

“The other reason is to be of service to those who have been most injured by Palpitane’s power grab. Those who have been disenfranchised, outlawed, and hunted. The injustice of it has burned within me since the beginning and the time is right for me to step in.”

“But I still don’t…” Dale began.

“I think I do.” Orlan stated flatly, interrupting him. “Things make sense now that you have said it.”

“Said what?” Dale asked feeling somewhat left out.

“You are both intelligent and wise Orlan. Please explain it to Dale after you are free from Dure-Lite.”

“You may count on it. Now just how am I to be free?”

Dale crossed his arms in a determined huff but kept silent as Tenric finished explaining his plan to them.

“Dale, you are a natural pilot and a gifted mechanic. You can feel when something is not right with a ship. Orlan, you are an amazingly gifted engineer and designer. Together you can make your own way in the galaxy free from the Hutts or the glory-stealing bureaucrats of Dure-Lite.”

Once more Orlan and Dale looked at each other as the service droid arrived with a fresh round for all.

“The credits Dale has amassed to pay back Dalba combined with the investment capital Orlan will receive when he announces the founding of his own custom shipyard will set the two of you up in business. Racers from all over the quadrant will flock to you for their needs. Then others will follow. Between the two of you I foresee great advances being made.”

“Exactly why would I make such an announcement Tenric?” Orlan asked.

“Because in my interview I will also give you full credit for saving my life today. It was your modification to the shield generators and repulsors that allowed me to survive being hit by that asteroid. No other racer on the circuit would have survived.”

“Neither would you without those damned reflexes of yours.” Orlan stated.

“True. However even without them there would still have been a fighting chance. Together you can both rise above the mining colony and make a difference that counts.”

“Where shall we find a base of operations?” Orlan asked. “Since you have planned everything else.”

“There is an abandoned asteroid mine in the ‘suicide sector’ that will do nicely. Dure-Lite examined it a generation ago but decided it was too costly to mine. Then the Hutts set up a mining base on it and ran it dry. It has lain dormant for over a decade now, the durelium depleted. Neither the Hutts or Dure-Lite ever made legal claim to it and neither will judge it worth vying for when you claim it.”

“You sound so sure of all this Tenric. How can you know?” Dale asked. “I mean it sounds great and would sure take care of my family, but…”

“I have done my homework on this, be assured my friends. It only needs your agreement to make it happen.”

“I suppose it would work,” Orlan mused. “And, naturally, you’d drop by during the course of your ‘service’ to those poor souls you mentioned.”

Tenric just smiled at his astute friend. Yes. Orlan was the right choice for this, and with Dale along it was sure to flourish.

“Um, Orlan?” Dale turned to face his table-mate. “I’m in if you’re in. Anything’s better than the way things are now, and if we can help Tenric here…..”

“Yes. We can help Dale, and running my own business on the side will be fun as well.” Orlan replied, “It appears we have a deal Tenric.”

“Great then let’s drink to it!” Tenirc said as he raised his ale. All three drank to seal the deal, and Tenric drained his flask. “Now! Dale and I have an appointment with Dalba down below, and you my dear Orlan shall need a good night’s rest if you are to start drawing up your business venture plan in the morning.”

With that they rose from the table and separated for now. Dale and Tenric headed for the gambling dens below to face Dalba, and Orlan headed home. He was overwhelmed with all he had learned this night, and with what the future might hold. As he headed off down the street he began running the numbers in his head and mumbling under his breath….

“At least three ship bays, zero-g fabrication unit, some sort of perimeter security.....and a full engineering simulator….”

Fade to Black / roll credits & play theme music….

Tenric's Gambit: V

part V

Dale wandered down to the cantina he and Tenric usually met at. The Shaft, as it was affectionately called, was an interesting place. Carved from a building sized boulder it had several underground rooms used for playing Sabaac as well as other, less friendly, games of chance. Tenric liked the place mostly because he liked the owner. Old Ragün had been a friend of Tenric’s grandmother since before he’d been born. Ragün ran as clean an establishment as the Hutts would allow and was respected by all the miners, human and non-human alike. The Hutts might run the lower levels, but up top he was boss. The fact that his grandson was highly placed in the local Enforcer Brigade also helped keep the peace. There were arguments aplenty, and fistfights were common, but if you pulled a weapon or drew unnecessary blood you’d end up not only banned from the establishment for life, but also might just be summarily arrested and shipped to the Asteroid mines for “community service”. Many said Kessel was a preferable fate.

Dale got a booth and waited for Tenric. Only his friend’s last remark kept him from getting drunk and going below to face Dalba now. Tenric seemed to have a plan of some sorts to help him pay back the money he’d lost to the Hutt playing sabaac. He’d had an Idiot’s Array, a guaranteed win, but a seemingly random ‘shuffle’ had given his hand to Dalba at the very last second. Accusing the Hutt of cheating would have been suicide so he’d had to accept the loss. Now he owed the slimy cheat enough to buy a small freighter, and he couldn’t pay. He’d scraped some of it together with his racing winnings, but time was up and today’s loss sealed his fate, unless Tenric had an Idiot’s Array of his own to play.

The Holo-Vid at the bar was tuned to the news coverage of the race. The reporter, a canine-faced Bothan, was repeating the ruling that had just been handed down by the racing commission.

“In an unprecedented decision the judges have decided to pool the credits for first, second, and third place and split them evenly between the three winners. The official statement cites the heroic actions of the three winners in preventing loss of life as the basis for their decision….”

Dale shook his head as he did a quick calculation. Even if Tenric were to give him his third of the winnings it still wouldn’t be enough. Still, if Tenric felt there was hope he was willing to feel it too. Maybe the money would be enough to buy more time.

“…Furthermore, stay tuned for at first light we have been promised an exclusive interview with the racer who had all of us on the edge of our seats. Tenric of Darkwood Settlement has promised to let us in on what inspired him to such lunacy and greatness.”

Dale stared at the screen. “An interview, huh?” He thought, but his musing was interrupted by the arrival of Orlan. He looked around, spotted Dale, and headed over. Dale knew him mainly through Tenric. He was an engineer with Dure-Lite by day and Tenric’s ship mechanic and developer by night. He couldn’t recall how they had met, but they seemed to get along quite well.

“Hey, how’s it going Dale?” Orlan said as he sat down and ordered a large ‘Hutt-Buster’ from the service droid that approached. “Tenric told me last night to meet you two here around now. He said he might be late.” He finished with a frown. “He is alright isn’t he?”

“Yeah. He’s ok. Got banged around a bit but he’ll be fine.” Dale replied. “ Should be here in a bit. He got the med-techs to play up the injuries so he could avoid the media hounds ‘til morning. He was dropped off at Dure-Med a while ago and will…”

“…Be along any time now,” called Tenric from the doorway. Both men swiveled to watch their friend come across the room to their table. As he did so many patrons lifted a glass in salute or greeting and the buzz in the cantina switched notably to the topic of the race. The Bacta-patch was gone and the “gash” on the left side of his head looked well on it’s way to healing cleanly. He was wearing a loose tunic and pants, probably from the med facility, and though a bit pale looked well enough.

As he joined them in the booth the server-droid whizzed up and said in its metallic voice, “Ragün says this table drinks for free tonight.” With that the droid put two large Corellian Ales and a ‘Hutt-Buster’ on the table and departed. Tenric waved his thanks to the bar and grabbed his glass. After draining it in one long draught he put it down thoughtfully. He gazed at it a moment or two with that look of his, kinda like he was far away and running his body by remote. Dale and Orlan were looking at each other, wondering which of them should speak first, when Tenric shook his head, looked at them and said…

“Well, let me tell you why I’ve thrown this little party…”

Tenric's Gambit: IV

Part IV

The Holo-coverage switched to commercials for race sponsors Incom and Byblos Drives, in order to allow the producers and judges time to decide what to do about the finish. Never before had there been a tie for any position in the Somantus Slalom. Indeed the race was dangerous enough that many thought of it as pod-racing for idiots and nearly every race used to end in numerous deaths until the local Dure-Lite engineers had come up with a shield/repulsor combination that could usually save a ship from glancing blows. All racers were now required to have the modifications made in order to race.

Dale headed over to the landing pits to see if Tenric was any better off than his ship. He knew there was no way the crippled Z-95 could land planet side which meant his friend would be coming down in either a med transport or on the media-sled. He wasn’t sure which he hoped for, since the trip planet side in the media-sled could be the more painful of the two. He waded through more than a hundred spectators waiting for the sleds. Reports being piped over the address system from the comm. channels said Tenric was ok and the media-sled would be mobbed when it landed. Dale looked from the crowd by the media bay to the med pit. The reports said Tenric was ok, but knowing his friend he headed for the med pit anyway.

Sure enough when the med transport landed Tenric was strapped to a grav-bed with full life sensors engaged. There was an audible gasp from the nearby media bay as they took him from the transport and the crowd took notice. Dale was wondering how he could find out how bad Tenric was when one of the med-techs called out to him.

“Hey, you there! Your name Dale by any chance?” called the med-tech, causing the guard to glance at both of them.

“Uh…Yeah that ‘s my name.” Dale responded somewhat cautiously. “Why?”

“He said you’d be here waiting and he wanted you to come along.” Came the reply.

The guard eyed Dale’s zero-g racing suit and the advancing mob and quickly waved him in past the barrier. Dale headed over to the medical speeder they were loading his friend onto wondering what was going on. As he got in he saw that Tenric had a bacta patch across the left side of his head and some visible scorching along the arm of his suit. The med-tech gave Dale an odd look as he closed and secured the hatch, then turned and winked at him.

As Dale was trying to figure out what that could mean the med-tech went over to Tenric and shut off the life sensors and remove them. The Speeder rose and headed out toward the Dure-Med Facility as the med-tech took a seat. Dale waited a moment then slid up to the bed and took a look at his friend. Tenric looked disheveled and beaten up, but otherwise not too bad. The left side of his head had apparently been burned by whatever had scorched his flight suit. There was a bruise on his chin as well.

While Dale was still taking stock of his friend’s injuries Tenric popped his eyes open wide and said “Boo!”. This had the intended effect of surprising Dale enough to cause him to jerk back, knock his head on the wall of the compartment, and slide off the seat. Tenric sat up laughing, then coughed and grimaced from the effort. The med-tech also thought it was funny.

“What the hutt are you doing!” was all Dale could manage by way of protest.

“Tenric wanted to avoid the media and asked us to play it up a bit.” The tech answered while Tenric recovered from his coughing fit. “ His ribs took a beating and he got a nasty gash on his head, but otherwise he’s fine.”

“Yeah, forgot to max out the inertial compensator’s in all the excitement.” Tenric offered with a lopsided smile. “Got banged around a good bit by that big ol’ rock.”

“Everyone thought you were dead when that rock hit you. What happened?” Dale asked.

“Well I had seen it coming and knew Halphon and Guurk wouldn’t so I turbo’d up between them and told them to roll out fast. Then I threw everything into the shields, nearly broke the control stick banking hard, and got bounced clear over the neighboring rock, well…skipped over the rock is more like it if you believe my ribs.” He finished while gingerly testing his side.

Dale just shook his head. “Only you could have lived through what you tried. Heh, only you would ever have even tried it in the first place.”

“Hey, can’t let my best friend end up enslaved to the Hutts.” Tenric replied.

“Well thanks for at least trying.” Dale offered dejectedly as the speeder stopped at the med facility.

The Med-tech told Tenric to lay back down. When Tenric asked why he was told that since he had wanted to “play it up” he would now have to endure an examination and convince the droids he was alright as well.

“Ohh Burble-blow.” He responded with a laugh. “I guess I got myself into that didn’t I?” He said as he lay back down. “Dale. Remember my Ale. I’ll be along as soon as I can.”

Dale turned to leave and heard Tenric call out to him as he was taken into the med-facility, “Besides I’m not done trying yet!”

Tenric's Gambit: III

part III

“Gentle Beings,” the announcer began a moment later. “It appears that Tenric’s Gambit has failed. After his dramatic rescue of a fellow racer and death-defying battle to take the lead it seems…”

The spectators saw it before the announcer had and a sharp intake of breath was heard from everyone followed by a rousing cheer. There on the heads-up display a green dot, Tenric’s dot, had emerged from the backside of a neighboring asteroid. The other two lead ships had just recovered their vectors and were speeding away from the area. The Announcer, having found his voice by now, was even more enthusiastic than before.

“Against all odds and in defiance of reason itself it appears that Tenric not only survived the collision, but is still in the race!” It came out as a nearly unintelligible shriek, but no one was paying attention.

The vid feed hastily swung in the direction of the asteroid and needed a moment or two to lock onto the ship. When it did the cheer died as disbelief took over. There in the center of the display were the remains of Tenric’s Headhunter. One wing had been sheared off near the engines and the nose looked as though it had been chewed on by a hungry rancor. There was a nasty looking black smear behind the cockpit usually occupied by the shield generator and another along the port side. It seemed impossible that the ship was still space-worthy, much less pilotable.

“Wait!” The announcer called out. “It appears that Guurk and Halphon have changed course.”

As the crowd watched in stunned disbelief the two other lead ships took up escort positions to either side of Tenric’s ship. Even as they did one of his engine exhaust valves gave way and was blown off.

“Well now I shall have to retire my friends.” The announcer continued in a subdued tone. “For I have witnessed this day not only the improbable and impossible, but also the height of the racing spirit. I have just been informed that both Halphon and Guurk have comm’d their withdrawal from the race. It appears they are each using their damaged shield generators to extend a bubble around Tenric’s ship.”

There was a burst of traffic over the comm. channel and the announcer continued.

“Both Halphon and Guurk have confirmed their withdrawal. They claim they are honoring the pilot who saved their lives by warning them about the rogue asteroid in time for each to escape the collision. Both affirm that Tenric would have won the race had he not changed course to warn them.”

Surely enough all three ships now flew in tandem with Tenric’s wobbling at the center. Together they moved out of the field and headed toward the finish line. The other racers, having now caught up, came screaming toward the finish trying to beat the limping trio. Their lead had been too great though and all three crossed the finish together a few seconds ahead of the pack. The crowd cheered wildly and several made attempts to hug Dale as he stood there blinking, trying to fathom what he had just seen….

Tenric's Gambit: II

part II

….Giving his friend’s ship a last glance Tenric looked ahead and focused on the race. He knew Dale needed the prize money to pay off Dalba, the local Hutt Boss, and keep his family from debt-enslavement. The other racers were so far ahead though that he doubted if even the Force could make enough of a difference. Nevertheless he had to try so he opened his throttle to its maximum, switched on the turbo compressors, and sank into the currents around him to see if he could find a way through.

Around him space took on a hazy, yellowish, caste while the myriad asteroids and other detritus wore hues of blue, red, and orange. Knowing his chances were slim Tenric decided that the direct approach would be the best. He set himself on as straight a path through the course as possible. The rules called for each racer to follow a pre-set course, but allowed ample room for course corrections and deviations due to the random nature of the asteroids. Through the Force, however, he could see the pattern behind the randomness. The currents showed him which ones would cross his intended vector and allowed him to make last minute dives or rolls to avoid them.

He ramped his shield generators up to one hundred and twenty percent and willed them not to burn out. He knew he’d be getting too close to some of the rocks and would need the protection. Slowly he made up the distance, shields bucking the ship like an angry rancor, closing the gap as the other pilots wove through a dense portion of the course. Then, after a few near misses, he found himself back in the middle of the pack. It was much harder to pick a course with all the other pilots around him. The individual ripples their thoughts and intentions caused in the currents confused things considerably. Still Tenric was able to gain steadily upon the leaders.

Skirting a tumbling rock the size of a Dreadnaught he cut it a bit too close and was bucked so hard by the shield recoil he almost lost control. The maneuver worked though as it allowed him to leapfrog into third position. He briefly considered staying put, his nerves were a bit frayed from the close call, but the winnings wouldn’t be enough. Taking a deep breath to calm himself, and sending a silent plea to the Unifying Force, he dialed his engines to one hundred and ten percent and hoped the thrust valves didn’t fuse from the over heating he knew would occur because of the turbos…..

….Dale managed to land his wounded Headhunter safely, despite a second engine giving out on the descent and his control panel flaring up once more. Gotta hand it to Incom, he thought, these Headhnters could take a hell of a lot of punishment and fly with half the systems out. Once on the ground, he tossed his helmet to the service droid and headed for the nearest holo-net screen. He found one in the main port hanger that was tuned to the race. A few dozen spectators milled around it as the announcer kept up a running commentary. Dale saw that one ship had been singled out by the producers and knew it had to be his friend’s.

“…Absolutely amazing!” the announcer went on, “that pilot is either insane, or is one of the most gifted idiots in the galaxy!”

Here a sub-screen popped up showing a close up of the ship, identifying it by its markings and number since the transponder signals tended to bounce so erratically off the asteroids they were useless.

“We have an ID on the pilot now. Just a minute.” The announcer was saying, “Yes. It makes sense now. None other than Tenric, out of the Darkwood settlement, is piloting that ship.” The announcer’s tone implied his opinion clearly. “So I was right on both counts then.”

The crowd laughed at the remark, some nodding in a knowing way. On the local racing circuit Tenric was known to be both brash and brilliant. He often took chances no one else even had nightmares about and had lived through each of them…so far. People loved to root for him; especially since most of them believed each race would be his last.

“The racers have cleared the outermost barrier now and are making the far turn to head back through the field in a dash for the finish. Tenric has taken third and is close behind Halphon and Guurk.”

The screen now split top and bottom giving viewers a real-time vid feed on the bottom and a heads up graphic depicting the course, time, and position of the leaders. Dale found himself wondering about the odd things that had happened in his ship. He watched Tenric draw a nearly straight line through the field and take the lead while the announcer was nearly apoplectic with the sheer insanity of what he was now calling ‘Tenric’s Gambit.’ It should have been impossible.

“Never in all my years of racing have I seen such a display of insane piloting! I cannot believe it, but he might actually pull it off!” The announcer was nearly frothing now. “To come from so far back and gain the lead is unimaginable!” Then he seemed to remember the other racers, “Halphon is closing in though, and Guurk is solidly in third. This is still a race any of them can win.”

As he stared at the screen Dale recalled the time he and Tenric had been playing in Darkwood. They had been racing then too and Tenric had suddenly shifted his stride and knocked him clear off his feet. He had gotten up intending to at least break a nose or an arm over the insult when he noticed Tenric in a crumpled heap. An assassin viper, a carnivorous amphibian half-toad half-snake, had bitten him. He had carried Tenric back to his homestead afraid he would be too late. Tenric’s uncle though was a skilled healer and was able to save him. The next day he had visited Tenric and chided him about the fact that he was bitten as repayment for his dirty trick. Tenric had humphed and said he guessed so, but there was an almost amused look in his eye when he did.

It was a few days later that Dale had revisited the spot. Tenric was still a bit weak and had stayed home. When he re-ran the incident in his mind he realized that the assassin viper had most likely been striking at him and not Tenric. By bumping him when he had Tenric ended up in the same spot Dale should have been…

...A blinding flash on the holo-screen brought Dale out of his reverie. A careening asteroid had come from out of nowhere and crossed paths with the lead ship. The other two leaders had pitched violently to avoid being hit and each had been thrown aside by the recoil from their shields. The announcer was silent, and the crowd deathly still. Tenric’s ship was no longer in frame and the heads-up graphic could not pinpoint his location….

Tenric's Gambit: I

Got another story of Tenric underway here. Takes place roughly 2 years after Order 66 (-18 BBY) in Tenric's home system.
Here he is full-grown (@21 yrs. Old) and risking all to help a friend in need....

Tales from Soma III: Tenric's Gambit

Part I

"Hutt-Slime!", exclaimed the pilot as sparks erupted from the control panel accompanied by a wisp of smoke. Even before the alarm sounded, a drop in the ship's vibration rate told him one of his engines had just given out. He wrestled with the suddenly sluggish control stick and was forced to concentrate more on completing the race alive than trying to win it.

Several hoots and cheers came over the comm as the nearest ships shot past him to vie for the lead. He watched dejectedly as his hopes for winning literally flew away from him. He needed the prize money badly enough to have risked his life in this speed demon of a ship. Now it seemed as though it had been for nothing.

It wouldn't normally be such a dangerous situation since the fire suppression system would have handled it almost as it happened. The problem, however, was that the system wasn't there. In fact there were a lot of things considered standard that were missing in the stripped down Headhunter he was flying. Speed and maneuverability were paramount in this race so concessions had been made. As it stood now he wasn't sure if he could maneuver back out of the asteroid belt, much less finish the race. Of course, the fire might just deplete his life support and solve that problem for him; or one of the turbo burners could backlight and....

Up ahead one of the racers executed a tight flip-roll and broke from the pack. It turned back in his direction and was shortly flying in tight formation with him...too tight.

"Tenric, get the hell away from me man, she could blow any second!" He shouted into the comm

"Dale, just shut up and listen!" came the curt reply. "Shut down your oxygen and take as deep a breath as you can. Then run the emergency test cycle on the cockpit scrubbers!"

"No way man!" Dale responded, "I can't hold my breath long enough for that trick to work!"

"Then we're both going to die out here." came the emotionless response.

That got his attention. He had been prepared to die in this race if necessary, but not to take a friend with him, especially not Tenric. With him gone Tenric would be all his family had between them and debt-slavery to the Hutts.

"You never do know when to back out my friend." Tenric comm'd in response to his thoughts. "Now do it before its too late!"

Dale wondered again at how his friend had changed over the years. He'd grown from an impish and mostly shy boy to a gregarious and, still a bit impish, young man. The biggest change, though, was that Tenric had become focused in a way that could be scary and had an odd way of looking at you. He thought and reacted faster than anyone should...and he was almost always right. Dale knew it had something to do with Tenric's 'Uncle'. The old man had that same focused intensity and odd far-away stare. Since he left Tenric had.....

"Dale! Now!" Tenric ordered.

Dale realized he had begun to drift off; his Oxygen must be more depleted than he thought. With a shake of his head he flipped the switches and did as his friend instructed. Immediately he felt the rush of air as the scrubbers strained to evacuate all the air in the cockpit. The process took two full minutes and he had never been able to hold hid breath more than one and a quarter.

Just as he was beginning to crave air he felt something clamp itself around his throat. Amid his rising panic he realized he couldn't have taken a breath if he wanted to. His head was spinning and he felt as though he might black out. Suddenly his control stick seemed to move by itself and steer him past an oncoming rock twenty times his size. The pressurization alarm began to ring and he fumbled with the switch trying to get oxygen back into the cockpit. Then the switch just flipped on its own and he heard the life giving hiss of re-pressurization. His throat opened then and he could breath.

"Dale. Dale, you ok in there?" Came Tenric's voice over the comm.

"Ye...yeah. Think so." came the weak reply

"Ok buddy. You'll be safe along this vector. How's your air?"

Dale glanced at the readout. There was enough to get home, barely, but finishing the race was out of the question. He would need to use his emergency canister though in order to make it.

"Get home safe my friend." Tenric comm'd. "Let me worry about the race."

"There's no way you can win now!" he sent back "they're too far ahead!"

"Correllian Ale, cold, at the usual place." was Tenric's reply as his ship screamed off after the other racers.....

Decisions.....decisions

I have several Tenric stories either done or in progress.
Do I post what I have....kinda piecemeal....and then work on finishing some of them?
Do I post them in chronological order as they are finished?
comments or thoughts welcome....