Mercenary Crew: Age of the Rebellion

[Rexraptor2000]

Ulim flashed a Sangheili smile at Hergat before returning his graze over the partons. "I'm lost, Hergat, and trying to find a way." he said taking up the ale bottle Hergat had given to him since Sangheili couldn't drink out of cups.

 

The Rodian looked confused, but didn't push anything about it. Instead, he asked "What brings you to this old place? Hasn't changed much, only I've had to open it to a wider range of partons due to bad bussines lately."

 

"I'm looking for infromation on Imperial patrols. I'm part of a crew now that wants to get by unnoticed." Ulim said and then emptied the bottle in two gulps.

 

Hergat chuckled and said "I don't recommend doing that. Some people here take pride on how fast they can empty a bottle. Anyways, about this crew, are they a respectable bunch? Or are they barely tame like Ldha?"

 

Ulim winced and said "Please don't metion her again, please. They are respectable ones, although I imagine, how do humans say this, 'that they would have have a hard time putting on their own diapers'."

 

They both started laughing at this, although Hergat looked a little sad at what Ulim's request ment. Then Ulim started again saying "They are a good bunch, reguardless of what anyone says."

 

Hergat relaxed himself and said "Well, I'm sure they'll do fine if you're with them. As for Imperial patrols, I'll check my sources and see what's open. In the meantime, the drinks are on the house you old Split-Lipped geezar." They both started laughing at that.

 

"You're lucky you're one of my best friends." Ulim said laughing before downing another bottle.

[JasraLantill]

"It is definetly made of metal." Zam said before the conversation went down a road that would have made him unconfitable. "but it's quite small... the Knife i mean."

Raze let out a disappointed sigh. "Figures."

 

She watched as the man discretely passed a small package to a large tough-looking Corellian standing near the door, a bounty hunter by all accounts, then with the exchange done, he began to make his way towards their table.

 

"Well, that was interesting," Raze commented over her ale. "Either we were meant to see that, or Phee is getting sloppy. Ok, get ready. Here comes Phee's man."

 

"Ms. Tarn," the man said as he approached the table. "Mr. Phee is ready to see you and your..." He eyed over Zam and Rita, quickly, but with a detailed eye. "...guests. If you would follow me, please?"

 

Raze nodded politely, but as she rose she gave Rita a reproachful look, warning her with her eyes to keep quiet. She motioned for Zam to take point, she followed, and Rita took up the rear as the three of them followed him towards the side door by the stage.

 

Barrus Phee’s office was elegantly and richly decorated, but a bit ‘overcrowded’ for Raze’s tastes. The floor was covered in luxurious carpet, expensive artwork covered the walls, and unique artefacts were displayed under lighted glass.

 

“Reisa!” The balding and fat Barrus Phee, dressed in the very latest of Corellian designed formal wear and with a bejewelled eye patch over his left eye, rose from behind his desk and greeted her warmly. “It’s been a long time.”

 

“Indeed,” Raze agreed. Time for some pheremones, she thought… “A very long time, Barrus.”

 

“And I see you are looking as lovely as ever,” Phee said to her.

 

“Thank you.”

 

Barrus slowly eyed Raze over, then Rita, and lastly, and very quickly, Zam. “And, I see you brought company, too,” he said, his eyes lingering over Rita.

 

“I did,” Raze said. “This is Zam, and… Rita,” she said, looking at each of them respectively, her gaze lingering on Rita a bit longer. “They won’t be any bother.”

 

“Of course not,” Barrus replied, nodding. With hands adorned with jewelled rings of gold, he gestured for them to sit down in plush, overstuffed chairs set out in a semi-circle facing the front of his desk. “Please, sit down. Make yourselves comfortable.”

 

The three sat, and then Raze understood why the chairs were so plush. They were too soft for any quick or surprise movements.

 

“I understand that you are looking for work of a more… ‘delicate’ nature than what is usually offered on Nar Shaddaa,” Barrus started.

 

“Discrete and delicate,” said Raze.

 

Barrus grinned slyly. “Discretion is my speciality, my dear,” Barrus said smoothly. “Unfortunately, I only have three possible transportation contracts at the moment. Business being what it is with the Empire in control.”

 

“I have no real problems with the Empire.”

 

“Ah,” Barrus raised a perfectly manicured index finger. “But you do have a real problem with cash flow, am I right?”

 

“We could all use a little extra cash flow,” Raze answered coolly. “But I’m not short on …tangible assets. They’re firm enough where they are.”

 

Barrus coughed slightly. “Yes... of course they are.”

 

“But I am interested in keeping my crew occupied. ‘Idle hands make dull work,’ and all that.” She smiled. “Hands need to keep busy in order to maintain their skills.”

 

“Indeed.” Barrus shifted in his chair. “Erm... may I offer you and your companions a drink?”

 

“I’d rather you offered me something else,” Raze said seductively.

 

Barrus cleared his throat.

 

“Something firm,” Raze said.

 

Barrus pulled out a handkerchief and patted the sweat from his brow.

 

“Like a guaranteed transport contract,” Raze added.

 

“Erm…yes. A contract….” Barrus cleared his throat again before continuing. “I think I might have something that you might like.”

 

“I’m sure you do.”

 

Barrus began to blush. “I have a very wealthy, very anonymous client on one of the Core Worlds that is extremely interested in the work of Venthan Chassu.”

 

“One of my favourite Corellian artists,” Raze said. “His ‘Selonian nudes’ in the Coronet City Museum of Fine Art on Corellia were very well received by the critics.”

 

“Indeed?” Barrus clicked a switch on his desk, and a fan began to blow cool air into the room. He stared blankly at Raze for a moment, then blinked a few times. “Erm… where was I? Oh, yes. I have recently obtained a collection of some of Mr. Chassu’s earlier works. Works that would need to be delivered to my client discretely, of course.”

 

“Of course. And, how ‘discretely’ are we talking about?” Raze asked.

 

“Eight thousand.”

 

Raze frowned slightly. Eight thousand was just not enough. “I was thinking more along the discrete lines of twenty-five. Business being what it is with the Empire in control. And surely your very wealthy client knows that discretion and anonymity can be very expensive.”

[ForceFightWMe12]

"I wish to enquire as to your plans for your time on Nar Shaddaa," he said politely, unphased by his master's outburst. "Do you plan on remaining on board the ship?"

 

"Hopefully not." Travis answered, standing and going to retrieve the parts he had thrown. He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm looking to possibly get some parts -- if I've got the cash. Why?"

[Writer]

The second Rita opened her mouth, Raze knew there would be trouble...

 

"What is this?" she demanded, hands on her hips and glaring furiously. "Are we to be so lowered to skrang as to cart about some dust-happy fool's paint splashings?

 

She turned to Raze. "Raze, you know we deserve a better job than that."

 

"Not going to be any bother, are they, Reisa?" Phee demanded indignantly.

 

"Tell him we want a better job," Rita ordered Raze, ignoring Phee.

 

"I can hear you just fine!" Phee snapped. Rita turned and flashed him an innocent smile.

 

"Oh, could you?" she asked, mimicking her innocent smile in her voice.

 

"People on Corellia could hear you fine," Raze muttered. "Please, Rita. Let me handle this. I don't need any suggestions from the hired help."

 

"Ha!" Rita laughed. "You really believe that?" She turned to Zam. "She really believes that?"

 

Raze's coloring flickered blue and she retorted, "Things were going just fine until you opened your big Corellian pie-hole!"

 

Phee stood slowly, frowning at Rita. "You want a different job?"

 

"Yes!" Rita exclaimed, just as Raze shouted, "No!" flushing violet briefly.

 

"Very well," Phee answered, raising his eyebrows. "I've got just the job."

 

"Start counting your credits," Raze growled softly at Rita. "You'll soon owe them to me."

[JasraLantill]

Raze’s skin tone had returned to its natural pale cream, but it took a lot of effort on her part to maintain it. Oh… no…. was all that she could think as Barrus crossed over to stand in front of her. He crossed his arms. Bad sign…loss of receptiveness, she thought. She would have liked to use more pheremones, but in her experience, that could lead to trouble. And she was in enough trouble as it was. Damn that loud-mouth, hot-headed, Corellian Di'kut!

 

“I’ve got a … special package I need moved,” Barrus started. “I was going to send it with…” He paused. “Someone less reliable,” he ended up saying. “But I could include it with the artwork cargo as an alternative solution to your ‘companion’s’ demand for higher compensation.”

 

“Someone less reliable?” Raze tried to read his expression, but it was ambiguous. “Anyone I know?”

 

Barrus shrugged. “Perhaps. He’s done work for me before. But on his last job, the cargo was delivered in a… less than satisfactory condition.”

 

Raze cocked an eyebrow. “Customer satisfaction is my primary concern,” she said, turning up the release of pheromones. “Always.” Barrus’ stance softened a bit, and Raze exhaled a tiny sigh of relief. “So, where is this cargo headed?”

 

“Same destination.”

 

“Same client?” Raze asked with a hint of suspicion.

 

“Perhaps,” Barrus replied.

 

“But different fee, right?” Rita blurted.

 

This time, Raze elbowed her quick and hard in the side to shut up.

 

A fleeting grin flickered across Phee’s lips. “Much different.” He bent closer to Raze, so close that she could smell on his breath exactly what he had had for his lunch that day. Ugh! How I hate the smell of ibbot… she thought.

 

“Fifty thousand,” Barrus said softly. “In addition to the eight I offered for the original cargo,” he added.

 

It was a considerable sum for a single job. What’s the catch? Raze wondered. There has to be a catch. “Fifty-eight thousand?” Raze asked. “That’s….”

 

“A small fortune,” Barrus completed her thought. “Indeed it is, my dear. Indeed it is.”

 

Raze hesitated. Something didn’t feel right to her. She gave a quick glance at Zam. He looked wary as well. She didn’t bother to look at Rita. She didn’t need to see the smug, victorious look Raze knew she had on her face.

 

“This ‘special’ package…,” Raze started.

 

“It’s fifty thousand for the package, no questions asked,” he said. “And that means, no questions answered, either.” He looked at Rita askance. “Deal?” He held out his pudgy, sweaty hand.

 

Raze took a moment to consider Barrus’ offer. It was very, very tempting, but a little voice in the back of her mind told her to turn it down. However, a larger, much louder voice (curiously, sounding much like Rita’s) told her to take it.

 

She grasped his hand. “Deal.”

[Rexraptor2000]

A few minutes after their little talk, Hergat had left to get the info that Ulim wanted, and a gang of young male humans walked in liked they owned the place. Ulim ignored them at first, as they kept to themselves, but then they started to get aggressive. It was small things at first like rude remarks to the female Twi'lek waitress and other partons who happened to walk by. Then when they started to get their drinks things got bad. They made lewd remarks to the waitress and taunts to the other partons, so the partons started to leave. And then they said that they weren't paying due to 'unsatisfactory service.' When waitress began to tell them off and one of them grabbed her arm and brought her in close to him, Ulim had taken enough.

 

Ulim walked over to them and said "I'm going to have to ask you all to leave, humans. Either that or I'll have to remove you myself."

 

They looked at him and sneared, the one holding the Twi'lek's arm saying "Go to you master, you Split-Lipped slave." And then they began to laugh at him. Of course, they weren't laughing when Ulim grabbed the man by the neck and tossed him straight across the cantina and out the window.

[The Doctor]

"Hopefully not." Travis answered, standing and going to retrieve the parts he had thrown. He ran a hand through his hair. "I'm looking to possibly get some parts -- if I've got the cash. Why?"

 

Bif seemed to brighten at his response - as much as his emotionless mind could brighten, anyway. "I wish to request permission to accompany you." He said. "I wish to observe the humanoid social interaction during the consumption of hydroxyethane, the substance commonly referred to as 'alcohol'. There are many references to such interaction in my database, thought I have yet to witness such interaction first-hand. I believe it would greatly benefit my understanding of human emotion."

[starmark2k]

Zam Remained seated the whole time, but he was so shocked to see Raze accept the deal he jumped up and looked down at the shaking hands. "Whooo, Raze. You know i'm normally the last to question you but... a no questions asked deal, Really?"

 

"Well it's too late to go back on it now." Phee said still shaking Raze's hand. "We've shaken on it now."

[JasraLantill]

"That we have," Raze said to Barrus Phee. But before she broke her handshake with him, she said, "But, we haven't agreed on terms yet, Barrus."

 

"The usual twenty-five percent up front," Phee said. "The rest on delivery. Same as last time."

 

"Barrus, the 'last time' was quite some time ago. You need to account for inflation." Raze grinned softly. "Thirty percent."

 

Phee hesitated, but after some internal debate, he gave in. "All right. Thirty. But only because it's you," he added.

 

"Always a pleasure doing business with you," Raze said, then released his hand. "I'll send you my account details before we leave."

 

Raze bowed her head politely, then nodded for Zam and Rita to follow her back out to the main part of the cantina.

 

"Zam," she said without looking at him. "What's thirty percent of fifty-eight thousand?"

[starmark2k]

"Seventeen thousand four hundred..." Zam paused for a second. "So do you want to celebrate with a bottle of Nudien champagne?"

[JasraLantill]

"We could," Raze said. "And we could use the bottle to whack Rita on the head with afterwards."

[Writer]

"Hey!" Rita protested. "If I hadn't said anything, you'd have taken an 8000 cred job. You should be thanking me... not to mention paying me the 100 credits we agreed you now owe me."

[starmark2k]

"well alot of ggod that will do you, if it turns out we're transporting a Bomb that's set to explode when we're in hyperspace." Zam said reminding them that Rita also managed to acheive us transporting an unknown cargo. "Or if a nerve toxin is released into the Enviro systems."

[JasraLantill]

"Rita, I could have talked him into at least fifteen if you hadn't opened your big mouth!" Raze retorted. "And we wouldn't have had any 'special', no-questions-asked, possibly dangerous, definitely suspicious, kriffin' package to transport to the Core!"

[ForceFightWMe12]

Bif seemed to brighten at his response - as much as his emotionless mind could brighten, anyway. "I wish to request permission to accompany you." He said. "I wish to observe the humanoid social interaction during the consumption of hydroxyethane, the substance commonly referred to as 'alcohol'. There are many references to such interaction in my database, thought I have yet to witness such interaction first-hand. I believe it would greatly benefit my understanding of human emotion."

 

Travis raised an eyebrow as he turned to look at the droid. He figured he would have gotten a pretty good idea from simply watching the crew. After a moment of scrutinty, the gunner shrugged.

 

"I don't see why not." he said, gathering a few items up and putting them in various pockets, "Just be sure to stick close to me, alright? And stick to your protocol programming -- last thing we need is to step on any toes."

[Writer]

"Oh, yeah?" Rita challenged. "And would that be before or after you offered me up as additional 'company' for that fat, bloated bantha-breathed bog-stomper? And don't tell me you didn't think of it... especially after how much he stared at me!"

 

"Phee has better taste than for the likes of..." Raze ran her eyes over Rita's rique attire. "...you."

 

"Don't be jealous..." Rita scoffed. "You know he was eyeing me. And you had to use pheromones to get on his good side."

 

"If I hadn't used them, he wouldn't have given you a second look," Raze snapped. "Let alone a first. And we wouldn't have had any job."

 

"Well we do have a job," Rita hissed. "And maybe going Coreward is a little unnerving, but we've done it before. And come back without a scratch."

 

"Well, let's just hope Ulim has gathered some info on where those Imp patrols will be," Raze muttered. "I don't want any Imperial 'entanglements'--especially with a mysterious cargo on board. Still, the next time you decide to open your mouth, at least warn me. Shutta."

 

"You had plenty of warning when I suggested my idea back on the ship, wagyx!" Rita shot back. "At any rate, count on the resident Old One to get the 'Imp avoidance info' we need. Don't know his sources, but what does it matter with info as good as he gets."

[steven]

"Ladies Ladie, handbags," John said walking up to the two,noticing the arguement, and to be honost, who didn't. "So what's going on? Did we get the job?"

[Rexraptor2000]

Ulim couldn't help but grin at the site of the waitress bossing around the gang of humans as they cleaned up the cantina, nursing their 'battle' wounds while they were at it. In reality, Ulim had just thrown them across the room a couple of times when they tried to gang up on him, and then tried to run. But his heavy repeating blaster had other ideas.

 

Then, since they had broken quite a bit of object with their impacts, Ulim decided to have the one they were harassing, the waitress, supervise them in the clean up. It was embarassing, but there was nothing they could do as long as Ulim was there. And he was going to make sure they didn't do anything after he left.

 

Hergat returned and saw the site. "Young ones making trouble, eh? Never knew that waitress could be so aggressive." He laughed to himself and said "I have your infromation on this data pad." He handed Ulim the data pad.

 

Ulim took a look at the data pad, the looked up and said "It appears the Imperials are getting very tight lately."

 

Hergat sighed and said "You're right. They've beefed up patrols and security. Almost lost a contact to them, but he got away. These are patrols for the next two months. That should last you enough."

 

Ulim nodded in approval and said "Thank you, old friend." Then he got up to leave.

 

Hergat suddenly remembered something and said "Oh, wait here for a moment." He went into a back room and came a moment later with two to packs of ales, one Corellian and the other Tarisian.

 

"Genuine?" Ulim asked raising an eyebrow.

 

"Imported directly from Corellia and Taris!" he said grinning.

 

Ulim knew he probably shouldn't, sinced it'd most likely be stolen by Rita if she ever found out about it. It was wrong though, in Sangheili culture to refuse a gift. Then he got an idea for how to use it as well.

 

He took it and said thank you, and began to leave when his attention returned to the gang. He stood up to his full height of 8ft, from his normal slouch foreward 7ft, and said "If I hear that you have done any wrong doing from anyone, I'll hunt you down and take your head as a trophy." Then he left. And he would never hear about them doing something wrong.

[starmark2k]

"yep, in fact we got two." Zam replied stepping towards his friend. "Come on lets leave the kids to their slanging match and i'll buy you a drink... trust me we can afford it now."

[The Doctor]

((Kira, you logging back onto MSN?))

 

Bif nodded. "Thank you," he said. "I assure you that I will remain a comfortable distance from the feet of our peers."

[ForceFightWMe12]

Travis rolled his eyes, tossing on his jacket before grabbing his blaster and vibroblade.

 

"That isn't what I meant..." he muttered, and headed towards the exit ramp. "You coming, Bif?"

[Master_Archon]

Otaktay wondered into his favorite bar on Nar Shadaa, and that was saying alot considering he hated anything on Nar Shadaa, and severely disliked alcohol. But he had a friend at the bar, an old rodian who understood quite a bit of Otak's language, often allowing him to speak to someone in his own tongue instead of using an annoying voice mimicry system.

 

Otak saw the gang of humans cleaning the place, looking rather frightened of something and depressed at the work they had to do. Otak took a few long strides, and was at the bar, the old rodian, Hergat, looked up from cleaning a glass, his brow wrinkled into a smile, what little of lips he had did the same.

 

"Hello Sage, how are you today?" He said rather slowly, as if Otak were stupid, or didn't understand basic, which he did, his vocal organs just didn't have the capability to form the sounds and noises of the language known as basic. Otak was very patient though, and even prefered the way the rodian talked to him, it often calmed him down, though he never understood why.

 

"[Hello]" came the reply in Otak's native tongue.

 

"What'll it be today Sage?" Asked Hergat.

 

"[info]" came the common single word reply.

 

Hergat digested this, probably trying to remember what the word Otak had said means. "What kind?" Finally came the response.

 

"[rides, ships, vessels]" came the simple response.

 

Hergat knew these words nearly instantly, Otak often asked for those things. "One moment my friend," he said kindly. Moments later he came back with nothing but a napkin with words written on it. "Okay, let me see here...hm...there's an old garbage barge..." Hergat paused, while Otak let out an annoyed low growl. "...We have a spice freighter, but that's scheduled for self destruct by a rival crime boss of the owner of that ship....hm....a ship one of my friends came in on recently, don't know much more on it....hm....and there's a small two person hyperspace capable family shuttle in own of the docks several stories up from here, in the upper middle class district," said Hergat, a little skeptical on the last one.

 

Otak just let out a half growl half sigh, causing Hergat to cringe a little. Otak looked at the napkin in Hergat's hand, an idea came to him, Otak giving a nod to himself, he patted Hergat's shoulder, giving him 50 credits for a 'goodbye' present, and turned away and left. Hergat just stood there, a little confused at what just happened, holding the 50 credit chip in his hand, looking at it like it was some sacred thing.

 

Otak left the cantina rather quickly, looking around warily at his surroundings, knowing he wasn't exactly liked on Nar Shadaa. He charged out of that small region heading for the nearby Corellian district. After enough trotting he came to the district, but didn't slow done very much to look at the scenery. But something happpened he never expected, he saw a Sangheili, but a very familiar one. Otak stopped dead, staring at this Sangheili walking off, not really pausing for anything. The Sangheili turned a bit, and this Sangheili looked very, VERY familiar, it was Ulim. Otak was more concerned than surprised, or happy, so he trotted up to the ever moving alien.

 

Otak tapped Ulim's shoulder with his clawed fingure, stepping back a bit, not knowing how Ulim would react.

[Rexraptor2000]

Ulim felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see Sage standing before him. He smiled, and asked "How are you faring, Sage?"

[Master_Archon]

Otak seemed rather surprised now, he never would expect Ulim to act like this, though not uncommon either.

 

"[Not well]" came the response in his language, he knew Ulim would understand, but it would still be difficult to communicate like this entirely, so Otak opened the panel on his wrist, and got ready to start using his mimicry system. With a couple switches pressed, he had a monotonous, human voice coming through the system in his suit.

 

"It's been hard, long, and moneyless. I need a way off this slime, ball, please, can you...tell me, where the, docking, bay, is?" Came the chopped up, but full answer, plus question.

[Rexraptor2000]

Ulim thought for a moment, and then said "There are many docking bays here on Nar Shadda, but I imagine there are more than one ship that might be availiable where I'm going. You could follow me there if you like." He talked a bit slower this time so Sage could understand.