Smuggler's Blues: A Storm Hawks Story

Chapter Twelve - Business Concluded

After killing Oz, Blackjack Jet finds himself semi captured by the Shadow Hound. The trip was silent and awkward as the Blizzarian Smuggler pilots the Highway Star to Rasha's Compound. As they landed, the Shadow Hound gets up. 

Shadow Hound: Move it.

Left with no other choice, Blackjack Jet complies as he slowly gets up. The Shadow Hound then leads him outside the Highway Star where Rasha and her enforcers are waiting for them. 

Blackjack Jet: Rasha. Did anybody tell you that you got serious impulse control problems? I told you I'd get your blasters!

Rasha: I got impatient, Captain. You better have my blasters or we got a serious problem.

Blackjack Jet: I got your blasters, Rasha. It's in the cargo hold. Go see for yourself. 

Rasha turns to two of her enforcers and nods to them. Without saying a word, the two enforcers enter the Highway Star to check the cargo hold. Despite the dire situation, Blackjack Jet still finds time to joke. 

Blackjack Jet: Hey! You break it, you buy it!

Soon enough, the two enforcers exit the Highway Star carrying a crate. As they placed the crate in front of Rasha, the female Raptor crime boss opens the crate and inspects the contents inside. As she does, Blackjack Jet can't help but feel anxious about this. He knew full well that Rasha could shoot him down on a whim. As Rasha inspects one of the blasters, Blackjack Jet makes a quip.

Blackjack Jet: Don't use me as a test dummy. I'm fine right where I am, thank you very much. 

After inspecting the contents of the crate, Rasha approaches the Blizzarian Smuggler. 

Rasha: The blasters seem to be in pretty good condition. What about Oz? 

Blackjack Jet: That son of a bitch is dead and burning in Hell. I made sure to send him your regards. 

Upon hearing this, Rasha was pleased. Though she wanted to personally deal with Oz, she was satisfied just knowing that he was dead. 

Rasha: You did well, Captain. Not only did you get my blasters back, but you also dealt with that cheating son of a bitch Oz. I'm impressed, Captain. 

Blackjack Jet: I would've probably have gotten it done a lot sooner if you didn't send a Bounty Hunter after me, but I'm willing to look past that. 

Rasha: I can't make exceptions, Jet. What if everyone who smuggled for me bailed on me when a job went sideways? I couldn't take that chance. 

Blackjack Jet: Aw now you're just hurting my feelings, Rasha. I've always been good to you, you know that. Even I get bad luck sometimes. Wasn't my fault Oz pulled a fast one. But look at it this way, these blasters would look good on your crew.

Rasha didn't care too much for the Blizzarian's joke, but she couldn't help but chuckle. She then whistles to one of her enforcers who delivers Blackjack Jet a suitcase. 

Rasha: Here's your payment for a job well done. I threw in a little bonus for your troubles. 

Blackjack Jet: So that's it? I'm off the hook?

Rasha: You're off the hook, Jet. You got me my blasters back before that backstabbing son of a bitch could sell them to someone else. As for that bounty on your head, consider that lifted. 

Upon hearing this, Blackjack Jet breathed a sigh of relief. He turns to the Shadow Hound and pats him on the back. 

Blackjack Jet: Well that was fun. Maybe next time. 

Rasha: Shadow Hound. Since you did technically fulfill the contract, let us discuss your payment. 

Shadow Hound: I'm sure we can come to an agreement. 

As the Shadow Hound walked away from Blackjack Jet, the Blizzarian Smuggler smiles to himself. 

Rasha: A pleasure doing business with you, Jet. 

Blackjack Jet: Likewise....I guess. I'll be sure to enjoy my payment in your honor. Maybe I'll buy the you and the Shadow Hound a drink next time I'm in town. 

With that, his business with Rasha had been concluded. Blackjack Jet wasted no time in boarding his ship and departed from Rasha's Compound with haste. As the Highway Star is in flight, Blackjack Jet puts the ship on autopilot and takes a moment to take a breather. 

Blackjack Jet: Goddamn that was a close one......

Blackjack Jet opens the briefcase and saw all the credits he earned from the job along with the bonus for getting rid of Oz. While this job had it's ups and downs, the Blizzarian Smuggler couldn't argue with the reward.

Blackjack Jet: Heh. Talk about a job well done. 

With that, Blackjack Jet kicks back on the pilot's chair and pulls out his lucky harmonica. He then starts playing a tune. As the Highway Star flies, Blackjack Jet looks out the window and sees the Condor flying next to him. At first, he pays no mind until he sees a familiar face.

Blackjack Jet: Well I'll be damned....

As Blackjack Jet spots Tara, she quickly spots him. As Blackjack Jet nods to her, Tara promptly flips him off. The Blizzarian can't help but smile at that display as the Condor flies past. 

Blackjack Jet: Heh. Good kid.

Blackjack Jet continues playing his harmonica without a care in the world. Despite the many narrow escapes in the last few days, Blackjack Jet couldn't help but smile. While he would most certainly take a vacation for the time being, the call of the Smuggler's life would just be too much for Blackjack Jet to resist. Blackjack Jet would simply wait until another job came calling.