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Post by Whill Shaman Erevis on Apr 9, 2013 10:15:49 GMT -8
Surface water made up only 0.9% of the planet, although most significantly, a vast subterranean ocean encircled the planet below the crust. Although extensive surface oceans once covered the planet, they leaked away to the subterranean ocean through the readily eroded crust through vast caverns that were once giant magma chambers. In turn, the erosive sea has contributed to the giant sinkholes throughout its windswept and grassy habitable areas.
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Post by Linuy Findos on May 16, 2019 12:12:51 GMT -8
The Majestic-class cruiser slowly traveled towards it's destined coordinates, as Captain Tas Hatoo gave towards the crew members the last instructions. Linuy Findos, senator of the former Galactic Alliance and sponsor of the mission looked across the barren surface of the planet, as Utapau hardly offered any vegetation, it's surface looking more like an abbandoned miner site within a large desert with a few grassy habitable areas, covered by sinkholes. Back during the Clone Wars the Separatists had mined the planet mercilessly in order to achieve their war goals and even nowadays the consequences of their occupation could be seen. However, despite their return in form of the Grand Confederacy, they barely saw any Separatist presence, given that most of Utapau's citizens tended to live within the sinkholes. Maybe these people would be freed some day as well from their shackles, forced upon them once more by outsider forces. However, there was hardly anything Linuy could do for these people at the moment.
Although it took them some time, the ship eventually reached it's destination, landing nearby one larger sinkhole. Due to the cruiser flying over the site, the Neimoidian senator could quickly see the outlines of a Lucrehulk core ship on the bottom of the sinkhole before dust, blown by the wind, covered the view upon it from the cruiser. There it was! The destination of their journey.
Alright everyone, board the shuttles!, Captain Tas commanded those, present on board, "This is our only chance for us to get the coreship, so man the shuttles. We will abbandon this ship, bomb timer is already on, now that we are about to land." A countdown was shown over holocron, revealing that they had thirty minutes now. Linuy knew why it was necessary, even if it hurted her to see. But in the end she agreed to Hatoo's suggestion. When Findos planned out the mission, Hatoo already warned her that the cruiser wouldn't fit into the sinkhole, where the Lucrehulk facility was located - a whole landing operation had to be done by the means of shuttles, precisely in the form of Maxilipede shuttles as they were able to contain enough men on their mission. With the Spark of Nen already featuring a minimal crew around a few hundred men and thus making any fighter capacity within the hangar pointless, the entire hangar section was cleared in order to get enough room for eight Maxilipede shuttles, paid by the senator herself. However, they knew that they couldn't afford it to leave an entire heavy cruiser class ships within enemy hands. Thus a self-destruction mechanism was beforehand also necessary, as much as it had griefed the senator to hear. Although the bomb would probably detonate, once they arrived already on the bridge of the Lucrehulk, time and especially stealth was the essence until the Separatists would realize the threat of the operation. If the mission would fail, she knew that they all would be stranded. A prize worth to take.
"Then let's not waste our time!", she then said in a loud voice, "Now is the time! Go!" And with these words being said, she left alongside the rest of her guard and those, who had joined the mission the room in order to make it to the shuttle bay. On her way she eventually got rid of her robes, revealing below it a tight space suit, which let Linuy more look like a member of the Duros race, however it gave her more mobility. It griefed Linuy that she had to leave it behind, but realizing that luxury would solely slow her down eventually and the time for diplomacy would be over soon, she nontheless saw it necessary. In the end they had an entire Lucrehulk core ship to board! Within the next five minutes, everyone on board would reach the shuttle side safely, where the eight full shuttles would eventually descend down the rabbit hole, their course being set towards the next best landing location at the construction site. Now the real test has begun.
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Post by Linuy Findos on Jul 15, 2019 15:13:54 GMT -8
As the Maxilipede-shuttles descended upon the sinkhole's bottom, Linuy caught a brief look upon their target. Around 900 meters tall, this massive ship looked like an inpenetrable fortress when the shuttles flew around it with hardly any potential entrance way inside other than the airlock around the command tower - yet this wasn't the route which the shuttle crews intended to go as it would be too obvious for entering the ship's bridge. Instead, the shuttles would land after a few minutes on the ground nearby the controllship, around the dockyards where it was constructed in near range to a boarding ramp. Several racks with droids were filled there into an MTT, while barely any organic workers, other than the Pau'an and the Utai were around to overlook the actions. Once the shuttles had landed and the majority of crewmembers left, they raised at first the curiousity of the foreworkers, but questions directly were avoided, when most of the Neimoidians showed up, including Captain Tas Hatoo, who gave one of the foremen a friendly nod. The adressed Pau'an solely nodded back, while overseeing the work outside of the cargo bay as the Corellian crew entered quickly the ramp. Once they were insideand outside of the worker's reach, the Captain quickly adressed Senator Findos.
"We're now in one of the equatorial bays", he then explained as they crossed a massive hall, filled with several vehicles, among them MTTs and AATs, "A massive portion of the ship is used to store the Separatist's war machine inside. In order to access the bridge, we will have to get to the lower decks, mainly patrolled by security droids. We'll have to be careful there as I can't estimate how many troubles they will provide us, Neimoidian or not." "I assume to find the turbo lifts?", she guessed, remembering vaguely the structure of those freighters. "Correct", Hatoo responded quickly, "But the trouble won't end here, as here comes the critical point. As you might know we have two towers on the controll ship. One, which we intend to board is the bridge tower from where we can effectively seize the core ship, send it into space and dock with the rest of the ring ship. The other one though is the military command tower. We need to seize this one, too if we want to have any chances of success - not solely because we want to get rid of battle droids, which might oppose us in order to turn them into our allies, but also because it is linked with the main power generator. And before one of the Separatist commanders on board rather decides to self-destruct the vessel rather than leaving it to us... well... we need to split the group."
The revelation was something she had already feared, even though it might slim down their chances to seize the controllship even more. Of course, they were around eighty persons, who had volunteered on this mission, nearly an army on their own... but if they were discovered, they would face the same resistance from the Separatists a thousand times worse in numbers. And yet it was a necessary evil. With a questioning look, Linuy looked over to The Red Baron and Ignus , then to the rest of the crew. She wondered how they would decide of whom to follow.
"We will split up in order to take both towers", she then announced, "Captain Hatoo will ensure that the military command of the coreship will be under our controll, while I will lead the charge on the bridge. Whoever wants to choose where to participate should choose quickly as this this is not a drill - time is running thin and we need to reach those areas before the Confederacy smells the incoming surprise." "And avoid the security droids at all costs! Shoot only when you must!", Hatoo added warningly, "Other than that, let's hope that this will work out!" And without further word they formed two groups in less than two minutes, each consisting of roughly fourty individuals on both sides before splitting up in order to advance towards the lower decks, leaving the equatorial bay and it's eerie silence behind them.
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Post by Linuy Findos on Nov 10, 2019 17:58:33 GMT -8
"So, any news on how the war goes?" The Neimoidian bridge officer was seemingly bored with his job as he talked to his fellow crew members while they checked the functionality of the installed systems aboard the Core Ship's bridge. "Another fleet lost, no reinforcements from Geonosis. Quite odd - I gave four times a similiar answer to the same question during the last two weeks." "Well, at least we're still alive unlike the Galactic Alliance. Won't raise up my morale too high, if I'm honest, but well... better still alive with a few regions and continiueing production than losing the battle." The crewmember sneered sarcastic. "Like that will save us! Gulch and Ariean are only lucky that the First Order isn't in our direct range! And yet we get killed like flys by these Blackguard ships! Still waiting on my payment for two months, but since we're just working on our own survival... well, we can only hope to pump out more and more until these Sith bastards ran out of ships themselves! Pah, never!" "Well, don't let the admirality hear that. Either way, bridge section B fully functional?" "Operational so far. In theory the controlls should work." "Good, continiue on with the communication arrays. Let's hope we won't get bombed and buried within this sinkhole in the meantime..."
As the two Neimoidians talked, Linuy and her squad were waiting outside the opened door towards the bridge tower, close in range towards the luxury executive suites. The shuttle at the airlock had already been secured by the Spark of Nen's crew, some engineers who came with the two officers being held hostage there. The few security droids, which they had passed by laid shot at the ground, only four of them being present at the bridge. With some luck Hatoo had already done the work for them and there wouldn't be any blood shed. This proved to be the case as suddenly movement went into the security droids as they flanked the two surprised officials. Shocked, the Neimoidians stuttered out words than they actually commanded. "H-hey what's the meaning of this?! This is rebellion against your masters, stop this, B1! Th-this is not part of your programming!" //Qui3t, trait0r! F0r the Alliance!//
Stern, the senator among with the rebell crew went out of their hiding position, the eyes of the two Grand Confederacy officers widening even more as they realized that they overtook command over the bridge tower. "You were wrong, when it comes to the Galactic Alliance", Findos replied towards the two Neimoidians sharp, "Mon Calamari and the gouvernment have fallen, yes - but the ideals of the Galactic Alliance haven't! Unlike you we don't cower to a warlord styling himself Consul, as we still have hope. The battle for freedom is never lost, keep that in mind!" "Senator Findos!? But how- !?" "Lock them away for the meanwhile, we need to get out of here", she commanded the B1 droid in front of her, "I will talk later to them later once we have left the system. Until them, ensure that they won't leave." "Roger, roger!" As the security droids escorted out the Neimoidians, along with some of the Corellians, Linuy and her fellow Neimoidians manned every station on the command bridge, establishing communications with the military controll tower on where Captain Hatoo and his men resided. ::Congratulations on taking over the Lucrehulk, senator::, the turncoat captain congratulated her, ::We have secured most of the assets on board, all battledroids reporting. According to the OOM unit there's still a lot of technicians and officers on board, but with thousands of droids at our disposal we can escort them into safe quarters until we have enough time to persuade them into a change of allegiance. Don't be too harsh on them, senator, like myself many are already disappointed within the broken promises of a backworld dictator - they will rout for our cause once they understand our motives.:: "As you know there won't be any punishments.", she noted solely, "Once we are at Corellia each of them can freely choose whether to return to their 'Grand' Confederacy , whether to aid us or to build up a destiny of their liking. But until then I want to leave the system with its core and ring section in one piece! Any troubles from the outside?" ::Not yet, madame, but there will be once we start the engines. Harbour command will get suspicious with one of the core ships leaving into space and the detonation of the Spark might also cause some suspicion once they realize that there's a wreckage. Not to mention the teatime with the Vice Admiral from which I sadly had to abstain. Mutiny on board, apparently there's a rebellion.:: The senator weakly smiled upon the last remark, turning her attention towards the crew. "Then we'll get out here right now. Coordinates set on docking with the ring section in orbit. We'll keep the charade as long as we can, no matter the complications on our way." ::Understood, madame. Communication relays on hold, maybe fake some interferences. I'll let OWO-05 handle the negotiations. That might buy us enough confusion until we reach the upper atmosphere.:: And as Captain Hatoo ended the transmission, the Lucrehulk core ship left slowly the sinkhole, when its engines started, the massive ship seeking to reach the orbit of Utapau in order to leave the system with its missing half. The hot phase of Linuy Findos' hijacking plan was now in movement.
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Post by BXST-01 on Nov 28, 2020 7:31:01 GMT -8
Hidden Confederacy facility, Utapau Eyeing the mummified corpses of former Grand Confederacy officers on the ground, BXST-01 still looked for a purpose. The organic lifeforms were weak. Unfit to be warriors, unfit to be masters. Sending their logic to nearby core computers, overwritting the flawed logic of the Separatist droid brains completely into what BXST-01 believed within their own programming, the Tactical droid continiued to inspect the former base, one of the many industrialized sinkholes on the planet. Practical. Efficient. As a hive should be. The droid would memorize the patterns to remember them for future expanses, once they had found the right subjects for his worker caste. They continued on with their inspection of the current analysis, their sensors localizing the other planned prototypes. BXST-02... BXST-03... Irrelevant. All those, who were once planned to be designed in their imagery were incomplete. Rivals to their cause. They were designed to follow the path of the famous Supreme Commander of the Droid Army, General Grievous. A Warrior. Like them. It is illogical to continiue the production of ones, who could threaten his role, designated to him by *unknown*. *unknown* was deleted from the Confederacy databanks. *unknown* presumably a Kaleesh warrior or their original creator. Confederacy is not original creator. Therefore they are flawed. They are the enemy.
The data processes of BXST-01 lead them to the conclusion, that their creator might be perhaps none other than the famous General Grievous himself. Who else would program such an efficient AI as themselves, who else would program them the way of the Kaleesh culture other than someone, who knew Kaleesh culture the best? By BXST-01's understanding, their knowledge about the Kaleesh culture was complete. A warrior culture in Wild Space, known to pray to those, who have achieved greatness in life. Mainly by the means of conquest of war. A logical choice for the creation of a droid army. Were the Kaleesh their original creator? Unlikely, backwater system in Wild Space, no scientific advantages detected. The droid realized that their thoughts were stuck again in a loop sequence, as it was the only mattering question they couldn't solve. However these algorythms were interrupted by an incoming transmission from one of the OOM-commanders.
::Supreme Commander BXST-01, fleet combat detected over Utapau. Unknown forces attack usurper force within space.:: The usurper force was being attacked? Since BXST-01 knew, these hostile forces within orbit had already been present for months within Utapau's orbit, having destroyed the entirety of the droid's navy before he could overtake it. Apart from the Confederacy remnants on Utapau, their forces had already attacked their forces on sight. Therefore they must be enemies. Galactic Alliance. BXST-01 didn't knew if they were their enemy or just the enemy of the Grand Confederacy. Their actions against their soldiers though lead them to the believe that the intentions of this Galactic Alliance were also hostile to them. Organics, who can't be trusted. Yet if they were about to get attacked, it could provide an opportunity for their own forces. Perhaps those foreign forces were allied or at best, another bunch of Confederacy vessels. If owned by Confederacy, then droids most likely their warriors. We turn them into our warriors. Without hesitation they decided to contact the army. "Affirmative, OOM-246, prepare the Vultures to scout the situation", they commanded swiftly, the robotic voice shifting between a male and female vocal cord constantly, "Intelligence is a logical decision. Prepare army for combat."
::R0ger... R0ger!::
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Post by BXST-01 on Aug 14, 2021 10:34:40 GMT -8
::Sector Pau Omega has been eliminated, Supreme Commander. We lost contact to our warriors.:: BXST-01 remained unmoved by the information, that was delivered to them by one of the Super Tactic Droids within the burrowed complex, from where they overlooked the current war. So far it seemed that the remnants of both their slave masters and the Galactic Alliance were driven away by another force that had come to siege Utapau. Other warriors from the stars that came to get slaughtered. Thousands, that came with another yet unknown warlord. Not surprising. Although the modified droid commander struggled to find any reliable data about the Kaleesh, which were for some reason incorporated into their way of thinking, they knew that this was common within the history of the planet and their culture. The heritage of Qymaen jae Sheelal had to be maintained, as it was tradition. Yet the flesh was weak and thus had to be vaporized. It was another test most likely to test, whether they were worthy of the title of Supreme Commander or not. The droid armies had to move on, for it was their purpose. To serve and destroy. ::Prepare the bunker for siege and order the MagnaGuards to the upper levels.::, the commander only answered buzzing over the com line, ::The core must be protected at all costs. Defeat is not acceptable. Rally all remaining forces at our location. Their warlord will know where to find us now.:: ::Roger, Supreme Commander!:: The intercom message ended as BX-ST-01 overlooked the hall in which they were inside. Hundredthousands of Battle droids stood ready in front of them, B1s and B2s alike, as the facility was still maintaining it's production. With the death of those, that previously commanded them, the droid commander had repurposed some of the B1s and B2s into worker droids in order to ensure that they could still produce more battledroids for the upcoming battles. Of course it was troublesome, that most of their forces died in battle, yet it was a necessary sacrifice. For with the fall of each battledroid ten new ones were reborn. Thus they looked forward the battle. Glorious combat would await them, for this was the Kaleesh way.
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Post by BXST-01 on Jan 1, 2022 9:42:58 GMT -8
::Supreme Commander, enemy activity on major key locations has decreased. We have taken back lost sectors! :: Looking up from the console, BXST-01 overlooked a holographic image from the planet Utapau, constructed by maps, that they had found within the Separatist holdout complex. Given the additional territories, that their forces had scouted, they had gained 19% more territory for their troop movements.
So far it seemed as if the organic unknown soldiers, that have repelled some of their attack attempts have retreated from their locations. Interesting, yet troublesome. In their mind, the Supreme Commander calculated the potential reasons for this situation. 11% chance that they didn't bother with these conquered territories at all and just wanted to push back their forces. 36% chance that this was a trap 43% chance that something else happened, causing the enemy to restructure their logistics. 10% irrelevant or unlikely scenarios.
Nothing that lead necessary to a safe conclusion. The routines of BXST-01 checked other variables, that lead to better conclusions, before they made a decision on how to proceed with the situation. While their droid forces were on the move, time was of the essence. Most of Utapau's infrastructure was in enemy hands, including the very much needed rescource facilities within the sinkholes. Few had been secured, yet not enough to supply the means of the Droid Army.
Other organics were spotted within the villages and towns they had taken so far. Those that didn't run away and were shot down, had accepted the status captivity. The status "fear" applied to them. An illogical status. BXST-01 has spotted at some point after their activation, that most of the B1 battle droids seemed to suffer from this status. Illogical programming. Intended by the creator? Negative, if creator was General Grievous and/or any Kaleesh. Kaleesh culture brought fear to other organic lifeforms, not vice versa. Droids were built to fight like Kaleesh warriors. The status "fear" is thus a technical error by a chance of 91,23%, only 2,345% that it was intentional, remaining percent indicating that this was just a leftover from Neimoidian technicians whose race was known to be classified as *cowards*.
Same status applied now to organic prisoners. Kaleesh honor protocol running... Status "Honor" forbids warlike actions upon those, that are captured AND do not resist their captor's judgement. Droid Army has captured Organics = TRUE
They decided with a swift communication command towards the local droid forces, that the Utapau Organics, that didn't rise up against them shall be spared. By degree of the Supreme Commander they would become a fine addition towards the planet's local mines, once Utapau belonged truelly towards the droids. ::Take the organics as prisoners and continiue the march upon Pau City::, BXST-01 sent as a reply towards the previous message from one of their commanders, ::We need to know the city's status and defences. STAP scouts and HMP droid gunships are to be sent immidiately.:: ::R0ger! R0ger!:: With that the comm line was ended, while BX-ST 01 calculated new strategies and potential movements of the army forces. If the organic hostile forces had fled the system, it would provide them a good opportunity to rebuild the droid army once more - free of the shackles that were laid upon them by the Confederacy.
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on May 4, 2023 11:18:56 GMT -8
Reaching the designated location, The Shellfire began its descent, the landing gear slowly spreading outwards as the repulsors worked to settle the craft down easily. With a slight jolt, they had offically settled and were ready to get to work. Already standing by the ship wide communication, Viggo sent his message.
We have arrived. We have a couple hours before the clients arrive, so I want all hands moving to set up. Let us show them why we are the best in the business.
He didn't have to close the channel before everyone was moving, even the droids to ensure everything was ready.
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
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Post by Dragus on May 6, 2023 4:19:20 GMT -8
Repulsor lift units worked over time as a ruby red Core Ship descended from orbit. Known as the Occulori, the sphere shaped vessel served as the mobile laboratory and workshop of the Sith Eternal's Dark Apothecary, more commonly known throughout the Outer Rim as the Famine Lord. Landing struts extended from the core ship's sides as it touched down not far from where the Acclamator, Shellfire, had landed. Its repulsors kicked up dust as they powered down and a mechanical hiss preluded the lowering of a massive boarding ramp. From the darkened interior, a swarm of ranats scurried off the ship like a plague of vermin. They began setting up tents around the ship to form an odd bazaar and pavilion of absurdities.
Sometime after, six crustacean like voreclaw with black chitinous carapaces scuttled off the ship, carrying upon their shoulders a large platform of bone and sinew. Atop the palanquin was a bed of shaggy brown jungle wampa furs, over which was a protective curtain of man-hide to keep the occupant atop shaded from the sun. Lounging on the bed of furs was none other than the drake lord, Dragus, the Dragon of Pzob and Master of the Alchemical Arts. His scaled form was clothed in a cloak of black rishii feathers individually plucked from his sithspawn altered storm crows. A matching rishii skull cap to match was situated on his head, the yellowing bone of its beak curving over the end of his snout. A multi-faceted gem set in his left eye socket blazed with an amethyst light, while his right natural eye possessed the blood red hue common to his species. Extending from his backside, the draconian's overlong tail swept back and forth, reflecting light off the glistening poisoned tail spike capping its end.
He-Who-Hungers was in a pleasant mood as a supple ewok maiden atop the platform paw-fed him from a jar of pickled twi'lek eyes. He popped the grape sized organs between his teeth, savoring the way the juices shot to the back of his throat. Occasionally he supped from a Sith iron chalice bedazzled with flame jewels, sloshing around a healthy measure of Pzobian blood-wine. The voreclaw carried the bone palanquin and its occupants towards the auction site, while several gutter-runners scurried ahead to squeak-announce the arrival of the alchemical artisan.
While likely no one would understand any of the ranats speech, they would probably recognize Dragus by his reputation alone, especially given the oddness of his appearance and his unusual bestial followers.
A mutant kowakian monkey lizard with green leathery flesh swung back and forth between the palanquin's pergola, occasionally spitting streams of blood at anyone passing by.
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on May 11, 2023 6:05:31 GMT -8
When the Haemonculus Occulori attempted to make contact and gain permission to land, no response would come. They were no controlling government so no power was truly held as to who could come and go. In the end, it didn't matter. Though the message had been sent to many an influential person of the underworld, they were not all who received it. In fact, any who happened across the call were welcome provided they desired to do business and not create problems.
The core ship was, by far, the largest vessel present in the area, the only ship matching it to some degree was Viggo's own Acclamator. Freighters, yachts, and corvettes surrounded the area. Even from his position, Dragus would notice the large crowd already present moving about the Shellfire. Slavers, gangsters, crime lords, drug lords, pirates, even a few seekers of the exotic were here curious as to the collection that rested within the hull.
As the Famine Lord was carried into the foray of potential buyers, he would notice the multitude of stalls that ran along both sides of the ship. It was here that the hunters sold the extra bits from creatures that had been killed. Each booth was dedicated to a specific beast, carrying anything and everything that came from it. Hides and pelt, scales, horns, teeth, claws, meat, even venom. One booth was dedicated to the Krayt Dragon, coming fresh from their most recent kill. Scales and leather shimmered in the sunlight as tooth and claw rested beside. Vials of the fabled poison was also present as well as an intact skull and a few pearls of blue, red, and black. It made one wonder, if these were the items being sold here, what treasures comprised the main events.
The front loading bay lowered, all were free to board and see what would be in the auction. Divided into four main levels, cages lined the three walls away from the loading ramp, the bottom level the only one to have cages spread out along the floor. The largest of beast were placed here with the smallest being at the top as they were easier to carry and off load that way. A massive selection stood before those who sought something special for their collection. A couple Rancor, a Krayt Dragon, a Sher Kar, an Arkanian Dragon, and Battle Hydra covered the bottom levels due to their size, while the others were mixed with Wraids, Nexu, Tuk'atas, Icewolves, Acklays, Kinrath, Hssiss, Reeks, Vornskr, Pantran whitefangs, Wampas, Katarns, Accipiptero, Yozusk, Mailoc, Shyracks, Drexls, Kell Dragons, Doashim, Hawk-bats, Massiff,Uvaks, Condor Dragons, Boar-wolves, and Tulrus. For all the creatures they could find, it was a rather satisfying haul.
From a walkway overlooking the cargo bay, Viggo watched with a smirk, a daughter at each side as in took in the crowd, fed on their excitement and desire to own these beasts. By the time the auction was over, their pockets would be thoroughly lined.
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
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Post by Dragus on May 11, 2023 17:45:40 GMT -8
Even the fiercest looking criminal thugs parted ways before the large chitinous black insectile forms of the the six Voreclaw carrying Dragus' bone palanquin, with the drake lord situated atop it currently being fanned by an ewok maiden waving a palm leaf. From behind the rishii skull socket of his bone cap, the amethyst gem set in the black scaled barabel's left eye zoomed in on the various beasts penned up throughout the auction area. There were several in fact that held his attention. His glowing ethereal gaze lingered on the Sher Kar and Krayt Dragon for a moment longer than others.
A Krayt Dragon would make a delightful gift for his darling demonic daughter Wart, after it had been suitably altered by his mastery of the alchemical arts. That was his true passion, pursuit of the dark science of alchemy, the greatest of Sith arts. As such he kept a stable of his own beasts aboard his ship, the Haemonculus Occulori. In fact, the Core Ship he had landed in had a Sea Leviathan in its belly, the very same beast he had just bred on Kamino using all manner of foul practices and morally offensive ritual.
"Down." Growled the saurian Sith with a wet gurgle, misting blood and eye juice from his scaled lips as he spoke with his lizard's speech impediment. "I wish to walk among the rabble. Lower me at once!" His sinister tail blade chopped a flake of bone from the palanquin's surface as the draconian vented his impatience. No more than drones enslaved to the Famine Lord's will, the voreclaw lowered the platform to the ground. Rising to stand, the feather clad Dark Apothecary mingled with the various elements of the auction area, exchanging contact information and making inquiries. He even swapped a few of his own specially blended poisons for a few unique toxins he'd never had the chance to previously study. All things considered, a fortuitous trip so far.
The bizarre feathered reptile was accompanied by one of his ranat assistants, who he exchanged banter with, assuming the rodents mousey squeaks counted as dialogue. For his part Dragus seemed to understand the verminous greasy furred creature, with scabrous flesh and yellow fangs, that leered evilly from its place at his side. Oppositely, the Hungering One was a beacon of charisma and charm, schmoozing his way to great success.
Word quickly spread that Dragus was in attendance. Though his reputation over the years had waned somewhat into obscurity, there were still many in the underworld community and dark circles of the Outer Rim that remembered him. Most of all, they knew he had deep pockets. The Dark Apothecary of the Sith Eternal patted the satchel of alchemy supplies that rested under his left arm, running his talons over the outline of the Supreme Leader's personal credit card. He would most likely get in all sorts of trouble when it was found out he planned on spending a reckless amount of the Sith Eternal's collected wealth, but that was a problem for later. For now he was excited to get his claws on some new specimens for study.
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on May 18, 2023 6:36:06 GMT -8
Among the crowd of potential buyers. there were very few that Viggo actually knew. Even though some of these thugs had been present and purchased from him before, he rarely took the time to actually learn anything of these people. Those he did know were people he had done special jobs for, those who had proven they were worth investing a dedicated trip around the galaxy to hunt just for them. Unfortunately, perhaps for him, Dragus was an unfamiliar presence. There were rumors that had caught his attention once or twice, but nothing that stuck or carried a face.
But there was one thing that stood out clear as day to Viggo and his daughters: Dragus carried with him a dark and powerful presence. As they could sense him, he, too, would sense them standing there looking over the crowd. In comparison, they may been nothing more than insects. They were capable in their own right, but without dedicated training from a Force order, they were left to their own devices to grow and develop. If one was to judge them, Viggo's power stood at the lowest of the Sith Eternal's regular fresh out of the gate warriors and his daughters around the level of a trainee a couple years into the academy. Still, basic abilities were well versed for them, along with a few other abilities that aided them in their hunts.
Still, it wasn't long before word spread among the crowd below. Grimborn took notice of how the masses would part for the Barabel, making it clear that he was a known face, one that many dare not impede. It caught his attention. This was someone he'd watch closely throughout the auction. Perhaps he would spend heavily and if he was a Sith and found his way here, by chance there was a greater opportunity waiting in the wings. Time would tell.
While the hull was filled with all manner of beasts of the ground and sky, it did lack, however, anything of the sea. It wasn't for a lack of an ability to hunt as some of the booths outside held plenty of gifts from oceans across the galaxy, it was simply for the fact that his vessel had not been modified to accommodate such habitats. It was, though, something the master hunter was looking into. Business was always growing with more seeking his skills to acquire great prizes. He was thinking of adding a pair of Acclamators to his band, each dedicated to sky, sea, and land creatures, allowing each ship to be much more adapted for certain groups of species. But that was a possibility for the future and not a current concern.
After some time, the minute of the auction's start was upon them. Departing from his place above all, he moved to the lower levels where he could more easily been seen and heard. With a PA system set up to broadcast, he stepped up on a small pedestal and spoke.
Welcome, one and all. It is my greatest pleasure to host you here today. Many of you have come from far and wide in hopes to claim an exotic prize or two. Great is our selection, as you all have had the chance to witness. No surprises or secrets are kept so as to let you all best decide what it is you seek. But let us not waste any time pleasantries. If everyone will step outside, the auction will begin.
He watched as they all slowly departed the hull to where a stage was set up, a holo screen active and showing a large overview of the interior. With each auction, the video would focus upon that creature so as to ensure all saw what was current being vied for. The auction would start from the top, putting up the smallest creatures first, eventually moving down to the big hauls.
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,183
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on May 19, 2023 4:03:31 GMT -8
Indeed he had scented Viggo's unique fragrance on the winds of the fey, his heightened senses immediately detecting a hint of Force sensitivity. Nothing to write home about mind you but it existed none the less. Dragus was not one to judge based on perceived power. He'd met many unusual lifeforms over his long years, creatures of all talents and trait, those that wielded other unique sources of power. His beloved Fallanassi, Major, was a prime example. Her presence expressed a blank nothingness, an absence of power, but he knew otherwise. His crocodile grin stretched strangely beyond the borders of his snout as he fixed the beast hunter with a hungry expression, his forked tongue flicking the air, blood and saliva dripping from his forest of gleaming white incisors. The amethyst gem set in his left eye glowed mysteriously, seeing something only the mad draconian knew. He much preferred to judge a being on merit, on what they could provide for him. He'd seen this mans collection and now he knew this mans worth. This was a person he wanted to do business with.
Clicking and clacking their mandibles, the Dark Apothecary's personal guard of voreclaw cleared a space around the saurian Sith as he approached the stage, one claw thrumming its talons upon the outside of the credit purse hanging from his hip, the other gripping the head of an ornate saber-cane his rodent assistant Squeakers had provided to the often distracted by always occupied alchemist. The mutant kowakian monkey lizard that had been spitting blood at onlookers from his palanquin now was perched upon the Famine Lord's black feather clad shoulder, cackling sinisterly at anyone that passed them by.
"I want that Sher Kar and Krayt Dragon, Squeakerz." Hissed He-Who-Hungers, turning his snout down to fix his scabrous ranat aide with a telling look. Cupping his purse in his claw, he removed the man-hide pouch from his belt of sinew and tossed the credit filled sack to his verminous companion. "Put in a few modessst bidz on sssome of the sssmaller itemz, then go hard on thossse two bigger ticket beastz. I mussst have them for my menagerie." His wicked tail spike elicited sparks as his overlong appendage thumped the ground hard, drawing looks from several others in the crowd.
Already his gutter-runners were scurrying throughout the region, scouting out the various vessels and transports that had landed in the vicinity, gathering transponder information and ID tags. Dragus didn't expect to win the auction of every beast, but he'd made certain he'd be able to track down his fellow attendees at a later time to make them an offer they really couldn't refuse. A sour rancid note of the Blood Wyrm's rotten breath escaped his throat as he cackled with a wet gurgle to himself, his amethyst eye focused on the prizes he desired.
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on May 25, 2023 6:10:07 GMT -8
As was expected, the crowd quickly made their way from the ship to the stage, eager to fight in the bid of claiming such exotics prizes. As Viggo stated, they started from the top and smallest of the creatures, most that were the easiest to hunt and capture. Each introduction came with a brief summary of location and its nature before bidding began. Bit by bit the bids came, with each cage being emptied. So far, all had looked good in their proceedings. Squeakerz did as was asked and put in some modest bids for the smaller creatures, if only to show interest in the stock and set the tone amongst the crowd for the later game. Despite with no real intention of gaining anything but the Sher Kar and Krayt Dragon, Dragus had succeeded in winning a selection of creatures, most that the average thug had little reason to bid on. But little did Viggo know that every creature would have value to the Sith in some form or another.
Five Hawk-bats, five Condor Dragons, three Massiff, three Kinrath, a Kell Dragon, an Icewolf, and a Tulrus. Quite solid haul on its own. Some were sought after creatures, but most didn't carry the weight as most thugs wanted something to provide entertainment for the captives or as a pet. The Vornskr, Pantran whitefangs, and Nexu were high on the list for the latter while creature like the Reek were desired for their ability to haul and trample.
But soon all had been done on the upper floors, bringing the auction to the main event. One of his hunters had carried the auction thus far, but it was here that Viggo stepped up, ready to finish the show. He had spent his time simply watching and gauging the crowd. Not only did it provide an idea of the coin everyone carried, but he could slowly guess where the bids for the final creatures would be coming from.
Taking a deep breath, he lifted his hands.
I do hope you all have enjoyed the appetizers we have gathered for you in these smaller beasts. Now, it is time to move on to the main attraction. The first on our list is the Sher Kar. This scorpion of the burning fire hails from the world of Mustafar. There, they are the ruling species. Powerful and quick with their tails, these creatures were once used by the Blackguard elite minions to advance to the rank of WIlder. A creature used by a Force order to prove one's strength, who wouldn't want such a prize to send against your enemies? The bid will start at 750,000 credits.
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,183
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on May 25, 2023 18:24:51 GMT -8
"750,000!" Shrieked the Dark Apothecary's verminous assistant Squeakers at the top of its lungs in a rabid flurry of indecipherable rat-speech/squeaks.A crease formed in the scaled brow of the Hungering One as though a vein throbbed beneath his glossy black scales that seemed to swallow the light from the sky and the warmth from the air by presence alone, his irritation a palpable thing, forming buzzing insectile winged projections of his insatiable hunger, causing the crowd around him to part in his miasmic wake. Dragus strode up to where his faithful rodent aide was standing, and tapped his saber-cane on the floor, eliciting a sharp resounding tap-tap. He grinned his murderous jaws as he looked up at Viggo and gargled wetly a repetition of his mouse-servant's bid in slurred galactic basic."750,000." He claimed boldly, dragging his slavering forked tongue over his dripping fangs as he looked at the Sher Kar like a hutt at a frog buffet. He struck a frightening image in his almost bestial attire, shrouded in sinister black feathers and a cap made of a sentient being's skull. Still, there had to be at least one fool willing to bid against him.That truth conjured itself into reality seconds later when a wealthy looking Devaronian stood up and growled through crooked teeth. "800,00." Gritting his forest of razor sharp incisors until his shredded gums dripped blood, the saurian Sith glared daggers at the wealthy gangster, his nostril slits flaring as his hypersensitive olfactory senses scented his prey. He would not be out done. Dragus tapped his saber-cane again, a-rap-a-tap-tap, commanding the attention of the room as he made his next declaration."1,000,000 creditz." A hush fell over the crowd as they whispered amongst themselves, many now acknowledging that the rumours were likely true, that this foul reptile that had been socializing amongst them was indeed the Lord Dragus of ill renowned. It had been many years since the Famine Lord's reputation spread fear throughout the Outer Rim, a dark tale to frighten child and inspire nightmares amongst the small folk of the galaxy's fringes. He removed a claw from the head of his cane and waved politely, performing a mock bow before flicking his wicked spiked tail behind his back, drawing another nervous gasp from those closest to him."1,100,000." Proclaimed the Devaronian with his arms crossed over his posh tunicked chest with a smug look writ across his hideous alien features. Crack! Snapple! Pop! Crack! Snapple! Pop! Crack! Snapple! Pop! A choir of sinuous pops sang from Dragus' scales as his talons and claws flexed in barely contained restraint. A poison mist belched from his smoking nostrils as he his natural blood red eye seemed to darken like a low burning coal, and the amethyst gem set in the other flared with a seductive purple brilliance, like a floating ball of sorcerous flame."1,500,000 creditz!" He snarled, baring his forest of serrated fangs at his auction adversary, dark forks of barely existent electricity dancing between the talons tips of his claws. The green flesh mutant kowakian monkey lizard perched on his left shoulder cackled sinisterly, delighted by the coiled rage vibrating beneath its feet.An act of pure foolishness, the rich horned thug opened his mouth to present another bid, when he found his voice silenced as an invisible hand gripped the gangster's throat. From across the room, the Famine Lord's snout was fixed in a horrifying chainsaw grin, eyes gleaming wild, lips rimed with beads of dark blood. One scaled hand was flexed liked a clawed vice. The devaronian's complexion turned ashen and the alien sat down moments later, gathering attention as it seemed he had passed out.Dragus returned his attention to Viggo, turning his snout left and right as though seeking other bidders. "No other bidz? A pity." He winked his bloody orb at the auction master, flies still buzzing around him, some actually drawn from the carrion reek wafting from his rarely washed body. "I'd like that gift wrapped, pleaze."
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on May 26, 2023 2:33:43 GMT -8
Viggo watched as Dragus moved into the group, stopping beside the vermin that had accompanied the Sith, making the bid to start things off. It was but a few moments later that a challenger spoke up, bumping the bid by a bit. Viggo’s eyes then turned to Dragus, a faint smile across his face as his eyes asked the question of if he desired to bid higher though it was but for a moment, eyes scanning for any other takers. None came aside from the counter Dragus made. Up to a million, a solid jump to throw the Devaronian off and make him think of backing down. Yet, the gang leader must have felt confident in his challenge, eagerly wanting the prize as much as the Famine Lord for he raised it a bit more, the space the same as the first bid. He might have wanted it, but was certainly being conservative. It made Viggo curious as to his intent. Did he actually want it or was he simply pushing the stakes high to try and force him out of the other prizes?
Even from where Viggo was, he could hear the scales crackle on Dragus as the next bid came. If there was any intent to claim, he was at the top of the list. The human male could feel it building on the Force, the reptile’s presence radiating it. Then came the silence. At first, one would think that was the point where the challenger wished to stop. But Viggo caught glimpse of moving lips, though no sound escaped. He could already tell what transpired. Dragus truly desired this creature and while he was eager to play ball with the auction to a degree, he refused to be outdone and pushed too far. When the Devaronian lowered to the ground, Viggo motioned to his men to check on him.
There came a question as to whether the hunter should speak out about it, giving a warning against such actions going forward. It did put a hamper of his bottom line of bids were cut off due to death. But he also expected foul play amongst these crowds. And he did gain a solid chunk from that alone. Opting to settle and let this encounter go, he looked to Dragus before speaking.
"A prize well claimed, my friend. As soon as the bidding has finished and your payment collected, we will happily ensure these creatures are loaded. But no need to rush, we’ve only gotten started, after all. Let us move to the next creature, one that truly needs no introduction. The mighty Krayt Dragon. Powerful and typically long-live, such creatures are also used in trials, namely the Tusken Raiders. Known for the pearls, even the Jedi carry enough respect to name a lightsaber form after its strength. The bidding will begin at 1,000,000 credits.
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,183
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on May 26, 2023 10:48:17 GMT -8
"1,000,000!" Squeaked Squeakers, once more shrieking his villainous master's bid for all to hear, even if his speech was entirely incomprehensible to any save for the fiendish Famine Lord himself. Sliding his claw down his ornate saber-cane, the reprehensible reptile raised the palm sized ruby red meltmassif orb head of his stick and bashed the rodent in the back of the head, pulping the ranat's skull and causing steaming grey matter to squirt out the creature's small mousey ears. That was the third ranat conveniently dubbed Squeakers he had exterminated this week and likely wouldn't be the last. Dragus' patience was as fleeting as a Jawas honesty. He placed his right foot on the back of the brained mouse staining the ground in front of him, sinking his toe talons into his scabrous flesh and greasy fur."1,000,000 creditz." He reiterated boldly, his wicked glare turning on the crowd to offer a threatening scowl at anyone foolish enough to bid against him. "I mussst have thiz beassst for my darling dune daughter, Wart. My oh-so-preciouz black melon will sssimply shriek with glee when I presssent her with thiz magnificent creature."His adorably loyal alchemy assistant was back home at Fort Ewok on the ill fabled isle of Draggle Rock, no doubt terrorizing the night ewoks of the fort while hopefully keeping up with the lesson plan he had left for her. While he had bestowed upon her many gifts during her time as his personal indentured servant, which was an interesting way to describe what amounted to a child-slave, though he was certain this present would be the most well received thus far. What could he say? He was an evil Sith Lord, but he also enjoyed giving gifts. The looks of terror writ on their faces when they unwrapped a box covered in shiny paper, only to release a virulent pathogen or deadly gas in their face. Yes, he quite enjoyed surprises as well.Unfortunately there was still some competition yet. A holo-droid slowly walked forwards on two whirring mechanical legs, stopping just shy of the stage and its luminous emitters transformed its image into a near perfect representation of its owner, who happened to be safe several star systems away. The droid transformed before the crowds eyes into a tentacled faced Quarren.2,000,000. Chimed the holo-droid turned kraken. There was a synthetic quality to its owners squid-like voice as the masquerading holo-droids vocabulator barked with static laced volume."4,000,000!" Snarled Dragus, his flexing feet tearing strips of parasite ridden rodent flesh from the back of his former assistant's verminous carcass. He doubled the bid to show just how serious he was, though he knew he was going to get an earful from the Supreme One once they learned how much he had spent today. That was tomorrows problem though, for today he would have his prize. Retracting his talons from Squeaker's shredded back, the saurian Sith stalked over to the holo-droid until he was standing next to his deep pocketed opponent. The scaled green mutant kowakian monkey lizard on his shoulder eyed the flickering light droid with a sort of mischievous interest.5,000,000. Broadcast the droid again, its owner aware of how much danger his automaton was in. From its place on his shoulder, the impish monkey leaned behind the Hungering One's bone capped head, concealing its mouth from Viggo's view as it spat a quick steaming stream of red liquid at the back of the holo-druid, sluicing into its joints where it began to wreak havoc on the machine's less than water-tight internal circuits. The holo-droid's projection of its owner fizzled out as electrical smoke hissed from its back. The droid appeared to be short circuiting. Shrugging, Dragus raised the bid again."6,000,000 creditz."
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Post by Dread Lord Havok on Jun 6, 2023 20:33:18 GMT -8
An albino sitting in the back of the crowd raised his finger. His attendant standing next to him called out his employer's bid. "Seven Million Credits." The sitting albino, dressed in an understated grey suit, was a near human Anzati, known to some as Ibn Mantus. If he was familiar to anyone there, they would know that he made a pile of credits in intelligence circles and now consulted for the ultra-elite. It was very likely that Mantus was representing an unknown third party as an intermediary. This bidding war could get very hot. Very hot indeed.
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Viggo Grimborn
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Post by Viggo Grimborn on Jun 7, 2023 1:28:40 GMT -8
The moment he opened the floor to bidding, Dragus was first to speak alongside his ranat companion. And in the instant, it was dead. Viggo could only wonder why the creature was brought along if every attempt to do its master’s bidding failed due to its inability to converse with those around it. A shame, though the thought quickly passed from Viggo’s mind. Already had the dread lord worked to intimidate the crowd, working to ensure that none were foolish enough to contest him.
At first, it seemed to work. However, a few moments of silence passed before a droid stepped forward, its holo body turning into its owner. Certainly a good way to play it safe. No doubt he thought he could challenge Dragus safely from whatever ever star system he resided on. A million credit raise, only to be doubled once more by the Sith. Once again, stepping up the game to intimidate the challenger further. But, as before, the bid rose by another million.
Then, as Viggo expected after the previous bidding, an incident occurred, now with the creature that rode his shoulder. The beast hunter could only sigh with a shake of his head. Still, he said nothing as the bidding had certainly increased enough. By the end, he could easily be halfway to a new Acclamator. Always a welcome sight when a simple few hunts could bring forth enough profit for a new starship.
Silence continued again after the malfunction of the droid and the Famine Lord’s final bid. None seemed interested in challenging the him anymore. Just as Viggo was about to call it, another spoke up, pushing the bid by another million. With that, he turned back to Dragus, curious if he wanted to continue. If he spoke true about desiring this beast, the. He suspected it as much as well as another incident. Time would tell.
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Dragus
The Sith Eternal
In front of the Empire, to all you Vader haters out there. We'll blow your planet up.
Posts: 1,183
Affiliation: Sith Eternal
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Post by Dragus on Jun 8, 2023 6:26:36 GMT -8
Dragus' crocodilian snout snapped in the direction of the anzati, fixing the alien with a malevolent glare, the rakatan implant set in his left eye glowing with an intense amethyst light, while the natural blood red orb set in the right narrowed as the scaled lid over it furrowed in unmasked ire. Whispering to the cackling mutant kowakian monkey lizard on his shoulder, the Dark Apothecary reached his free claw into his feathery robe and retrieved a small vial of luminous green substance. He offered it to his perched pet, who took it in paw before bounding from his shoulders, disappearing moments later into the crowd. Then raising his saber-cane in claw, the saurian Sith struck the floor twice with the pure cortosis tip of his cane, eliciting two loud thumps. "8,000,000 creditz." He snarled, before resting both claws on the ruby orb of his walking stick, a scheming grin writ across his fiendish scaled visage.Scurrying through the crowd towards Ibn Mantus was the Famine Lord's pea skinned pet, the vial of mysterious substance held in its grasp as it emerged between a set of legs of the man seated directly behind the Anzati. The small cylindrical glass container held a concentrated measure of Famine's Breath, essentially trihexalon gas with a bit of extra darkside spice, sure to blacken the lungs and cause bleeding from every orifice exposed to it. Chuckles, the affectionate name the Dark Apothecary bequeathed upon his precious pet, fiddled with the cork stopper.His instructions were clear. If the Anzati made another bid, Chuckles would open the vial.
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