Johnathan Castle [Retired]
The Organization
Machines got ta talkin'. I got ta listenin'. Ever since then, I've been fixin'.
Posts: 157
Affiliation: Draykon Crew Mechanic/Bartender Extraordinaire/Organization Mechanic
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Johnathan Castle [Retired] on Apr 25, 2017 14:41:10 GMT -8
A half dozen years had rolled by since Johnathan Castle had found himself in the Red Shift. First shipping out with Captain Montrose, then relocating to Captain Reynolds crew, Castle had been on one helluva ride since he had last been here. Not that he minded being here. Sure, it was poorly maintained, dank and housed all manner of unsavory types, but it had held the feeling of home to him. Castle himself was no criminal. He was a mechanic. And a damn good one at that, if his previous 'employers' had any input. While it was morally questionable that he hung around these types and didn't generally stick his nose where it didn't belong, it was one of the easiest ways to find work doing what he enjoyed. Fixing things. That was his one true desire. To fix and maintain someone else's livelihood. Castle had no desire to own his own ship. Nor did he have any desire to settle down from traveling. The 'verse, as many of the smuggling trade referred to it as, was vast. And traveling the stars had always been a dream. Having been raised on Agamar, a small agri-world, Castle had learned to appreciate the little things in life. Having traveled with Montrose and Reynolds each for a time had reaffirmed that appreciation. He may not have been rich when it came to credits, but he was certainly rich with life experiences. And to him, that was more important.
Seated at the bar, Drelldel, the Trandoshan bartender and owner of this particular establishment, poured him another three fingers of what passed for the finest Corellian Scotch in the joint. It wasn't the greatest, but it also wasn't as bad as some of the other swill Drelldel liked to serve up on occasion. As Drelldel finished pouring his drink, Castle plucked the streaky, water-spotted glass off the bar, inclined his head in Drelldel's direction to indicate his thanks, and took a sip of the amber liquid. He cringed slightly. Not due to the associated burn a liquor such as Scotch, but because it tasted more like a soggy ashtray and burned engine coolant than actual Scotch.
"Damn, Drelldel! I thought you sent the new guys out to get you better liqour. The hell is this?" asked Castle, casting the amber liquid that still remained in his glass a wary look.
Drelldel walked over, like a typical bartender, polishing a foggy glass with a horribly stained rag. And horrible was probably an understatement. After overhauling a Hoersch-Kessel TX730 sublight injector systems, he could still have cleaner rags then the one Drelldel was using.
"Is good stuff. You don't like?"
Castle listened to Drelldel's guttural growls, hisses as the Trandoshan spoke to him in his native tongue. Castle raised an eyebrow.
"No Drelldel, I don't. Unlike most of your patrons, I still have the ability to taste things. This tastes like a Wookiee smells, I'd reckon, after baking in the sun all day on Tatooine."
Drelldel chuckled at Castle's remark. Or at least what passed for a chuckle from the Trandoshan.
"Gimme a glass of that fancy lookin' blue stuff up there...no not that one...yes! That one." said Castle as he pointed to a oddly shaped bottle containing an almost neon blue looking liquid.
Castle watched Drelldel pour the liquid into the foggy glass he hand been 'cleaning'. Castle rolled his eyes and accepted the drink, slamming it back. It was sweet, but had a bitter after taste. And then the room seemed to tilt oddly on its axis. Castle placed both hands on the bar to keep himself upright. Again, the Trandoshan bartender chuckled. Castle had no clue what he had just drank, but holy damn was he officially sauced. More so than he had planned on getting. As he sat there, trying as discreetly as he could, remain upright in his seat, a gruff, aged looking human spacer came up to him.
"You gotta problem with Wookiees, boy?"
Castle sighed.
Frack. Here it comes. And just when I was starting to enjoy myself, he thought to himself.
Castle pivoted on his seat to face the spacer.
"No sir. No problems here." Castle teetered slightly on his set, struggling to retain his focus on the man before him.
The spacer snorted in disbelief.
"I don't believe you. Your statement offended my friend over there...if I was you, I'd be leaving real soon. 'fore he decided ripping your arms off for fun is a good idea."
Castle listened to the man, but wasn't really hearing what he was actually saying. Normally he was a fairly level-headed person who didn't like physical confrontations. But apparently he was no longer in charge of his own actions. At least at the moment. Castle nodded to the spacer and slid off his bar stool. He staggered a little. As he turned to go, he heard the spacer make a snide remark.
"That's right boy, run along and go play elsewhere. This ain't a place for kiddies."
Castle paused and stiffened.
Now, normally he'd ignore such comments and walk out. Or, depending on the severity or how blatantly disrespectful a comment was, he'd make a stop in the parking lot to tamper with a speeder or bike. Unfortunately the Red Shift didn't have a parking lot. And Castle wasn't in any condition to be tampering with anything. The few beer he had before the partial Scotch and the snazzy blue drink ensured he was happily inebriated. Which is why what happened next was pretty spectacular...
Castle balled his right fist and spun towards the spacer. The swing was true. He caught the startled old spacer square in the jaw. As the spacer took the hit and crashed to the floor, Castle stumbled slightly, pushing his empty glass to the floor as well. It shattered. And then the Wookiee at the next table over stood up. He snarled and growled angrily. Castle paled slightly. Due to the alcohol or the sudden fear of being beaten with his own fist, was anyone's guess.
Smooth, Castle. Very fracking smooth. Now we are intoxicated, just punched out a spacer and his angry Wookiee buddy, who is at least seven feet, pushing 3 bills I might add, is raring to beat seven shades of stupid out of you. What's your next move? he thought to himself.
Fortunately another occupant within the Red Shift had taken notice of the commotion. Someone who frequented the Skips for business and was fairly well respected in the underworld due to his success on Ord Mantell...
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Jerrak Vao
The Organization
Posts: 81
Affiliation: Bounty Hunter's Guild
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Post by Jerrak Vao on Apr 25, 2017 16:41:15 GMT -8
Jerrak Vao, now a formidable source of pretty much anything one in the underworld could need, spent most of his time on Ord Mantell. Running his business took up most of his free time. But on occasion he would find time to come back out to the Run and mingled with the less frequently bathed and downtrodden. Keeping up appearances was something he liked to do. And anyone worth their salt in this line of work knew better than to screw with him. Being cut off from Vao's resources, information and occasional goodwill usually resulted in the death of any would be smuggler, merc or bounty hunter. Running in more civilized circles was a different story, however. Not many appreciated his line of work, though many did admire how he managed to get it to all come together. But that was Vao's secret. He'd take it to the grave before he shared it. Leverage was key in the life. And right now, he had plenty.
Sitting in a booth with several members of his personal freelancing mercenary group, Vao's Marauders, he was sipping on a Coruscanti Rye. From his own personal stock, obviously. Drelldel tended to sell the good stuff on the side and left the crap for everyone else. A sudden commotion at the bar grabbed his attention. Vao's lekku twitched slightly as his eyes darted over to the bar. He clenched his jaw and watched. After a few moments, he recognized the young human male at the bar. It was Johnathan Castle. A damn fine mechanic that has served both with Aedon Montrose and Nathan Reynolds.
What in the flying kriff is he doing here? Wondered Vao to himself.
Vao watched Castle and another human interact. From this vantage point, he also noticed a Wookiee and two more human sitting at a table taking a keen interest in the interaction. Vao peeled his eyes away from the scene for a moment and nudged the Mandalorian sitting beside him.
"Oi. Looks like trouble be brewing..." said Vao quietly, as he jerked his chin in the direction of the bar.
The large Mandalore looked up from the pile of glitterstim and yarrock before him and glanced in the direction Vao had indicated. After a few moments, he nodded. Vao motioned to the line of booths near the back of the bar and small half wall that separated the bar from the kitchens. Reynar nodded in silent agreement. As Reynar slide discreetly out of the booth, Vao downed his drink and stood up, casually stretching. As he moved away from his booth, one of his Rodian mercs reached for his weapon. Vao very subtly shook his head no. The Rodian relaxed, but kept his eye on the boss. As Vao approached the bar, Castle spun about and cocked the spacer square in the jaw. Vao smirked as the spacer dropped like a limp noodle.
Kid's got a nice right hook, thought Vao in a small amount of admiration. As he drew closer to the bar the Wookiee stood up and growled angrily.
Aw kriff! Kid's gonna get his head squished real quick. Bugger's lucky I like him, thought Vao to himself. He knew this was going to be messy. And it happened sometimes. Castle had merely been overheard by a crotchety old spacer with a bug up his ass about something. And he just happened to have a Wookiee sidekick.
As the Wookiee lumbered over to where Castle was barely standing upright, the humans at the table all stood up. Knowing this was delicate, Vao discreetly reached his left hand inside his vest, undid the clasp on his double holster and curled his thick blue fingers around the grip of one of his DL-44's. As the Wookiee cleared the end of the bar and took one giant step forward, effectively closing the gap between himself and Castle. At the last possible second, Vao muscled his way in between the two. Startled, the Wookiee grumbled something incomprehensible to Vao and was about to physically pick Vao up. As the large furry hands came down and gripped Vao's shoulders, Vao grabbed a handful of the Wookiee's chest fur in his free hand and pulled down. As the Wookiee grunted in surprise and anger, Vao freed his sidearm and thrust the barrel up between the Wookiee's ribs. Vao, straining to hold the Wookiee in this hunched over stance, gritted his teeth and spoke to the Wookiee.
"I'd reconsider, friend. One human ain't worth yer life, is it?"
At this point, the Wookiee was pissed. And reasoning wasn't registering within his mind. And despite Vao's reflexes, the Wookiee clamped his hands on Vao and threw him aside. In the process, Vao pulled the trigger once as close range. Singed fur and burnt flesh greeted his nostrils. The Wookiee howled loudly in pain and released Vao. Vao's grip on the Wookiee's chest fur didn't relent, which resulted in a fist-sized clump of fur being ripped away. As Vao hit the floor with a large THUD, the Wookiee was on Castle. As the other humans from the table rose to step in, Reynar popped up beside them with his sidearm drawn.
"Uh-uh-uh. Sit!"
All three humans looked at Reynar for a few moments then raised their hands in surrender and sat back down. Reynar smirked.
"Smart move."
While keeping an eye on them, he nodded to Vao. Vao then got back on his feet, rather annoyed now...
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Johnathan Castle [Retired]
The Organization
Machines got ta talkin'. I got ta listenin'. Ever since then, I've been fixin'.
Posts: 157
Affiliation: Draykon Crew Mechanic/Bartender Extraordinaire/Organization Mechanic
Traffic Light: Green
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Post by Johnathan Castle [Retired] on Apr 25, 2017 18:50:03 GMT -8
After Castle had swung at the old spacer, everything after that became a blur. There were flashed of brown coupled with angry growls and snarls. Most likely the pissed Wookiee. Then a Twi'lek stepped in, his back to Castle. And then suddenly the Tw'lek was gone. How? It took Castle a few seconds to process that the Wookiee had physically thrown the large blue Twi'lek.
By the time his drug addled brain had processed that, however, the Wookiee had him by the scruff of the neck and was picking him up. As the Wookiee raised him to face height, Castle had a brief moment of clarity.
First, obviously there was more to that funky blue drink than just alcohol. This was screwing with him in ways alcohol never did. That was his first mistake. Second, the Wookiee's nose was right in front of his face. A perfect opportunity to turn this around. Provided he could remain coherent and conscious long enough to get his stupid ass out of the Red Shift. But first thing's first.
Willing his left arm to cooperate, Castle balled his fist and swung out at the Wookiee's nose. Feeling the moist, soft nose beneath his knuckles. And then the Wookiee yowled in pain, releasing his grip on Castle. Castle hit the floor with a THUMP. Right on the broken glass and blood dripping from the Wookiee's nose and chest.
At this point, Castle would rather close his eyes and wait for the mind numbing sensation to pass, but a part of him knew he needed to get up.
Pushing himself up off the floor, slicing his palms open on the shattered glass in the process, Castle got to his feet unsteadily, leaning on the bar for support.
This was very much not the ideal situation, but it was what it was. And now Castle had to make the best of it.
As the shock from being punched in the nose was wearing off and rage began taking hold, the Wookiee snarled loudly and lashed out, his long arms easily catching Castle in the chest, shoving him backwards over the bar stool behind him. As Castle and the stool toppled to the floor loudly, Castle merely laid there in a heap, trying desperately to process his next move. Willing himself back up, Castle slowly but surely got back on his feet. Wiping the blood away from his nose, he stood ready to face whatever else the Wookiee was going to dish out. But before the Wookiee could do anything more, the large Twi'lek was on his feet, pistol in hand...
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Jerrak Vao
The Organization
Posts: 81
Affiliation: Bounty Hunter's Guild
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Post by Jerrak Vao on Apr 26, 2017 22:11:59 GMT -8
Stunned, laying on the floor a few feet away from where he had originally stood, Vao processed what had just happened.
That goddamn walking carpet just kriffing threw me. That's it. Time to end this, he thought to himself.
Rising to his feet, Vao collected his pistol and turned to face the Wookiee and Castle. The Wookiee snarled and swung out his long arms, catching the poor lad square in the chest, sending him over a bar stool and to the floor. Noticing how dazed and completely out of it Castle was, Vao double checked the charge on his power pack and leveled the pistol at the Wookiee. And then he began to walk forward.
"Yer a daft bag 'o hair, ain't ya?" he called out loudly.
The Wookiee turned to face him. Seeing the DL-44 leveled at him, he snarled angrily, but remained where he was. Taking another step forward, Vao spoke again.
"I don't know ya. I don't want ta. But one thing's fer certain. Yer leaving. NOW!" he shouted the last word angrily.
The Wookiee, instead of listening to Vao, growled and whined at him. Vao chuckled in disbelief.
"Clearly, ya ain't the brains o' this here operation. So I'll spell it out fer ya." Vao stopped walking and shifted his stance, squaring off with the Wookiee. "I will bury you and yer pals if ya don't run along. Last chance. I don't give three..." Vao trailed off, allowing his words to sink in.
At this point, the Wookiee was mad, wounded and clearly confused. But, knowing what a fully enraged, wounded Wookiee was capable of, Vao would not hesitate to put him down. He wanted to believe that the Wookiee and his pals were smart enough to leave, however.
Unsurprisingly, the Wookiee glanced around briefly, snarled, then roared loudly and lunged forward. Vao's trigger finger tightened just that minuscule amount needed so that the hair trigger would discharge the weapon. Once. Twice. Three times. After the third shot, the Wookiee staggered sideways and crumpled to the floor. As this point, all the mercenaries sitting at Vao's booth were on their feet, scanning their surroundings. Vao, completely uninterested in what was happening around the bar, stepped up to the fallen Wookiee, aimed his pistol at it's head and discharged three more bolts into it's head. He then walked over to Castle, passing the stunned spacer. Without glancing down at him, Vao pointed his pistol down and pulled the trigger as he tried to plead. As the pistol kicked back in his palm, the spacer flopped back down from his semi upright position. He approached Castle, looking the boy over. Placing a blue hand on his face, he examined Castles eyes. They were unfocused and bloodshot. A sign of poisoning. Vao whistled to the Rodian and pointed to Castle.
"Belruk, get him to the Clinic. He's been poisoned." shouted Vao in Rodese.
The Rodian knonw as Belruk nodded and moved to pick up Castle and help him to the Med Center. Jerrak then hollered to Reynar in Mando'a.
"Take those three out back and deal with them. I'll deal with Drelldel."
Reynar nodded and motioned for the three now terrified humans to get to their feet. Shoving them along, Reynar took them out into the 'alley' behind the Red Shift. Vao, on the other hand, picked up the overturned bar stool and sat down at the bar. He set his sidearm down on the bar, just out of reach. And then he glared at the Trandoshan in silence for a few moments before speaking to him in Basic.
"Drelldel, Drelldel, Drelldel. I helped ya keep this place open after those asshole Syndicate thugs came through here. I supplied ya with liquor and customers. Hell, I even cut yer protection taxes down by seven percent, ta help out a family man..."
Vao leaned back in the stood and tapped the bar. Without missing a beat, the now very nervous Trandoshan grabbed a clean glass and poured Vao a drink. Vao cleared his throat, catching the Trandoshan's eye. He then looked up at the blue bottle and back at Drelldel. Again, without missing a beat, the Trandoshan reached up for the bottle and set it down beside Vao's glass. Sighing wearily, Vao leaned forward and grasped his glass. After smelling it briefly, he downed the entire glass. He then grabbed the oddly shaped bottle and cracked the top off. Smelling it, he took a swig. Swishing it around in his mouth, he then spat it at the Trandoshan who recoiled away from him.
"Ya goddamn brain dead lizard! It's spiked with yarrock! A hallucinogenic that'll end up killin' someone."
Vao leaned back in the stool again.
"Why is good, reliable help so kriffin' hard to find?" he muttered to himself.
And with that, he reached for his pistol and discharged two bolts square in Drelldel's head. Exhaling slowly and clenching his jaw hard enough to cause his lekku to twitch in annoyance, Vao hollered to the rest of his crew.
"Clean this shit hole up and shut 'er down for the night. And tell Reynar ta meet me up at the clinic..."
Sliding off the stool, Vao turned to walk out, swearing under his breath as he holstered his sidearm. That mess was going to cost him. Not that it mattered, but that wasn't the point. It certainly wasn't Castle's fault either. Thankfully the nightmare was over for now. Tomorrow would be a different day, however.
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Kaarn
Member
Posts: 50
Affiliation: None
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Kaarn on May 2, 2017 16:27:05 GMT -8
As Jerrak Vao pushed the old, hinged door to the 'Red Shi_t' open, he was met in the doorway by a thin, tall sentient wearing a long coat, reaching almost to his knees. Shifting his head as a snake might view a mouse, eyes never blinking, never leaving the pulse of the man's thick throat, and the whites of his eyes, he inclined his head ever-so-slightly in greeting, then, as Vao was blocking most of the entryway to the Shift, the thin man raised an eyebrow questioningly.
"May I?"
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Jerrak Vao
The Organization
Posts: 81
Affiliation: Bounty Hunter's Guild
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Post by Jerrak Vao on May 2, 2017 17:37:29 GMT -8
As Vao walked out the the Shift, mind all abuzz with questions and worries about the fallout from this little 'incident', he almost didn't notice the Nagai approach. Vao eyes the thin, pale figure before him, unsure of what to make of him. He had a youthful appearance to him, but his eyes gave him away. The look that Vao knew all too well. This man had been the bringer of death and also had witnessed more than one ever should in a single lifetime. The Vao's eyes move to the two swords slung across his back. Judging by the hilts, expertly crafted. Vao flexed his jaw for a moment, thinking.
While it wasn't his establishment, he was the supplier of it and had been since the Syndicate tore through the Run like a rampant disease. Knowing he was going to catch flak from someone or another sooner or later, he made his mind up.
Inclining his head respectfully, and maintaining constant eye contact, Vao spoke.
"I suppose so. Don't pay no attention to the mess. Also, any o' my boys give ya any grief, politely tell 'em to piss off. And mention Vao cleared ya ta drink what ya want."
He finished speaking, still keeping eye contact with the Nagai. Finally, deciding the young lad wasn't a problem to him or his boys inside, he stepped forward and off to the side, permitting the Nagai to enter the Shift. Vao then decided he'd best make his way to the nearby med clinic to check on Castle. Poor bugger had been poisoned with yarrock. An unpleasant experience, to say the least. And with that, Vao began walking to the clinic, leaving the Shift behind for now...
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Kaarn
Member
Posts: 50
Affiliation: None
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Kaarn on May 2, 2017 17:58:26 GMT -8
The Nagai nodded, the barest hint of a movement, and watched a moment as the man departed. Opening his jacket, he stepped into the cantina, and descended the few stairs to its' sunken floor-level. He took it all in, eyes moving fluidly from man to man, the blood trails on the floor (Wookiee, by the smell of it...) the chairs knocked over, the smear of brains on the transparisteel behind the bar (Trando. No question.) Noted the tension and the apprehension in every one of the men present. The Hunter stepped carefully, gliding over the spilled blood, and around a kicked-over stool, and came to rest in the middle of the space, a few good paces from the bar, a few better paces from the men who had previously been at Vao's table. When he spoke his voice was devoid of emotion, save a hint of amusement.
"Vao says I can drink what I want..."
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Jerrak Vao
The Organization
Posts: 81
Affiliation: Bounty Hunter's Guild
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Post by Jerrak Vao on May 2, 2017 18:33:59 GMT -8
As the Nagai entered the Shift, two Rodians busy cleaning up what was left of Drelldel from behind the bar, made no acknowledgement of his approach. Partially because they couldn't see him, partially because they didn't care. A large armored Kajain'sa'Nikto, or "Red Nikto", however, turned to face the Nagai. Because of their lack of the proper anatomical infrastructure, the Nikto's face remained neutral. His cold, black obsidian eyes void of any emotion, belying his true intelligence.
Fortunately, or rather unfortunately, as was the case with this particular Nikto, he wasn't all that bright to begin with. Instead, he relied on his imposing size and skills with the large Heavy Repeater he was toting to do the explaining for him.
"Excuse me?" he asked in Huttese.
Gulmar's grip tightened around the grip of his Repeater, unsure of what the Nagai's response would be. Fortunately for the Nikto, Belruk entered. The large Rodian called out to Gulmar in Huttese.
"Gulmar, relax. He says the Boss said he could drink, let him drink. Go stand outside and guard the door until I find a better use for you..."
As Gulmar relaxed his grip on his repeater, he grunted dumbly to Belruk's orders. As he walked passed Belruk, the Rodian shouted to him again in Huttese.
"Take your kriffing brother with you too, you giant oaf."
As Gulmar grumbled, a second Nikto, a few inches shorter than the first, walked by, also toting a heavy repeater. Belruk then addressed the Nagai, speaking to the sentient in plain Basic.
"Apologies for the brute. Only reason the boss hasn't spaced him is because he's one helluva shot. Please, if the Boss said you could be here, help yourself. No one else will give you trouble."
With that, Belruk walked off, helping one of the other Rodians drag the Wookiee corpse out of the Shift through the back. As they disappeared, a hulking Mandalorian sauntered by. Without so much as even acknowledging the Nagai, he shoved passed him, heading for the front door...
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Kaarn
Member
Posts: 50
Affiliation: None
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Kaarn on May 2, 2017 18:46:36 GMT -8
Maybe he was going soft. Maybe he had bigger Opee to fry. At first, Kaarn let the intrusion slide, recovering his stance after the shove, and letting the Mandalorian pass. There was nothing to gain by killing this man. Not here, and not now. However, Kaarn couldn't quite let it be. Before the man was out the door, he called after him in Mando'a:
"...what is your name?"
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Jerrak Vao
The Organization
Posts: 81
Affiliation: Bounty Hunter's Guild
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Post by Jerrak Vao on May 2, 2017 18:57:35 GMT -8
Reynar had just finished shoving past a thin little Nagai and leapt up the few steps to the front door when he froze in his tracks. Slowly turning around, Reynar eyed up the almost frail looking being.
"I am Reynar of Clan Vao. Formerly of Clan Bralor. Who is asking?" he snapped back in Mando'a.
He was annoyed, but also intrigued. This man had balls, that much was for certain. And Reynar could respect that. Not many would call after him after he had just shoved them around like that. Now, to see where this went next...
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Kaarn
Member
Posts: 50
Affiliation: None
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Kaarn on May 2, 2017 19:05:25 GMT -8
Kaarn never forgot a Mark's face. And a name... well, that was just good insurance. He filed it away for future reference (and by reference, he meant profiling and recon, prior to retiring.) He nodded solemnly, and continued on his way to the bar.
"Let it be, Reynar of Clan Vao, formerly of Clan Bralor, current resident of Skip One... let it be."
And he sat at the bar, deciding which bottle would do.
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Jerrak Vao
The Organization
Posts: 81
Affiliation: Bounty Hunter's Guild
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Post by Jerrak Vao on May 2, 2017 19:12:43 GMT -8
Reynar's eyes narrowed suspiciously.
The Nagai's voice wasn't threatening in anyway and yet, Reynar couldn't shake the fact that he felt as though he had just been threatened. Had he more time, he'd have followed up on this a little more closely. Instead, he had to get to Vao. A comm had just come in on an old frequency he used to use. And it sounded important.
Deciding to take the more civilized route this time, Reynar merely called out as he turned to leave.
"Enjoy your drink."
And with that, the hulking Mandalorian exited the Shift in search of his Boss, Jerrak Vao.
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Aedon Gavin Montrose
The Organization
Enjoying a well-aged bottle of scotch...
Posts: 356
Affiliation: "Veritas" Crew
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Aedon Gavin Montrose on May 3, 2017 16:17:44 GMT -8
Aedon and Na'me walked around the corner to view the long stretch of walkway leading up toward the "Red Shift". It didn't take too much longer for the duo to spy who was guarding the door - a couple of well-armed, red-faced Nikto. Members of Vao's squad, who were likely standing in for the bouncer that usually guarded the door. It made Aedon wonder where the large Rodian (called Gortor, if the Zeltron remembered correctly) had gone off to. He didn't recall seeing the frill-head in the security footage, either. Must've had the night off, from the looks of it.*
*Aedon remembered the two mercenaries from his time with them during the Syndicate raids. Gulmar and Oklar, if he recalled correctly.As the two of them approached the door, he gave them a wave. They paused him at the door, looking him over.
"Fellas...really? You're gonna act like we never knocked over a casino together?" He looked over at Na'me. "I really thought I was more memorable than that."
"Seriously...I mean, how can you forget that mop, guys?"
The Bothan gestured to Aedon's very-violet hair.It took the two xenos a moment for the memory to register, but they went ahead and waved the two of them through. Aedon gave them a smuggler's salute, and then began to make his way inside. From the looks of things, the whole cantina was nothing but Jerrak Vao's men. Na'me took a moment to wave at the few members of his own species who were among them - honorary members of Vao's squad, but then again, Bothans were known for much more than their tenacity in battle. Those men still held their uses, Na'me knew that much all too well.*
*It wouldn't be but a few moments longer before Aedon would find himself at the bar, surveying the "clean-up" that was taking place. One of the other Nikto - the green skinned one that Aedon could never place a name to - nodded over in his direction. He asked what Aedon wanted to drink in his own broken Basic, and the Zeltron looked to Na'me to see if he wanted anything.
"Whatever's on tap, man. I'm not picky."
"Scotch. A few fingers from that bottle of Vettec's will do fine."
He began to scan down the bar.The group had taken care of most of the mess, but, it was still about the run of the mill for the old bar's reputation. It wasn't until Aedon's eyes came across a certain long-haired Nagai that he felt his pulse quicken and his hair stand on end.His hand instinctively gripped the pommel of his rapier, even as his other one reached out and tapped the inside of Na'me's elbow. The Bothan stood between him and Kaarn, so the motion may not have been entirely-noticeable.When Na'me looked over at Aedon, he saw the Zeltron looking past him. He wanted to follow his gaze, but saw the manner with which Aedon's dagger-glare peered beyond him. Instead, he pulled his chin toward his shoulder, looking back that way. When he saw Kaarn, his brow furrowed. He let out a light sigh, and only bothered to turn himself just enough to view Kaarn. His look could be characterized as "nonplussed," and his tone when he spoke to the man was just as even.
"Tir Kaarn, quite a surprise to see you back here."
The Nikto managed to bring them over their drinks, setting them down as the two of them grabbed their respective glasses.Aedon took a moment to sip his scotch before acknowledging the man.
"I do believe it's been...literally years since we last bumped into each other, hasn't it?"
~*Not nearly long enough, though.*~ He thought, taking another sip.
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Kaarn
Member
Posts: 50
Affiliation: None
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Kaarn on May 3, 2017 17:02:08 GMT -8
Kaarn did not look up from the bar, but helped himself (and the newcomers, it would seem) to the bottle of scotch, placing it on the bar between himself and Na'me.
"Never you mind, my Kadas'sa friend. I've got this." He uncorked the bottle, leaning over the bar-top and grabbing three glasses, splaying them out in front of the two arrivals. Pouring three generous helpings, he placed the bottle back on the bar, and picked up the glass closest to himself.
"It has been awhile. Seems we did not part under the best of circumstances, as I recall." He took a healthy dose of the liquid, hissing through sharpened teeth as the fire-water burned its way down. "Ohhh, that's good. I was trying to decide what to have, and your timely arrival made my mind up for me." Raising the glass in Aedon's general direction, without actually turning to look him in the eye. "Cheers."
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Aedon Gavin Montrose
The Organization
Enjoying a well-aged bottle of scotch...
Posts: 356
Affiliation: "Veritas" Crew
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Post by Aedon Gavin Montrose on May 3, 2017 17:26:43 GMT -8
Kaarn did not look up from the bar, but helped himself (and the newcomers, it would seem) to the bottle of scotch, placing it on the bar between himself and Na'me. "Never you mind, my Kadas'sa friend. I've got this." He uncorked the bottle, leaning over the bar-top and grabbing three glasses, splaying them out in front of the two arrivals. Pouring three generous helpings, he placed the bottle back on the bar, and picked up the glass closest to himself. "It has been awhile. Seems we did not part under the best of circumstances, as I recall." He took a healthy dose of the liquid, hissing through sharpened teeth as the fire-water burned its way down. "Ohhh, that's good. I was trying to decide what to have, and your timely arrival made my mind up for me." Raising the glass in Aedon's general direction, without actually turning to look him in the eye. "Cheers." ...Somehow, "taken aback" wasn't quite strong enough a descriptor of how the two members of "Veritas" crew reacted to Kaarn's demeanor. It was quite the 180 from their last encounter, to put it lightly. Not that Aedon really cared. That the Nagai was willing to pour them a drink was enough of a peace offering to let whatever water go under whatever bridge it karking well pleased.The Zeltron eased his hand around the offered glass, raising it in response to the "cheers" offered up by Kaarn. Na'me did the same, although he didn't really care for scotch that much to begin with. Both of the beings never really changed their stone-faced look, but they didn't shy away from the drinks, either.Finally, Aedon broke the momentary silence that had ushered itself in, allowing the liquor to warm his body and his words as he spoke.
"I'm not gonna lie, Kaarn. It makes me more than a little uneasy, seeing you here. Am I to believe that we're about to have all manner of nostalgia walk through that door?"
It was, of course, a reference to the last time that the three of them had been gathered in this very room. And back then, they weren't the only ones present. "Shaggy" was also there, along with half his crew and...well, Aedon didn't care to recall "Lil' Mal" at this point, but there she was. In all her raven-haired, blue-eyed, frotzing glory. That was an entirely-different time, in those days. Aedon was far from the man he was now, and he'd learned since then to play things a lot more cautiously. If this was a sign of things to come, the Zeltron wasn't exactly looking forward to the rest of the story.
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Kaarn
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Post by Kaarn on May 3, 2017 17:47:34 GMT -8
The Nagai did not look up from his drink, but his eyes ran ice-cold for a moment, all life and mirth draining from his features, before adopting a more pleasant, neutral mask of emotion. (and it was a mask.)
"I sincerely hope not, Mr. Montrose. Not my intention, nor my wishes. In fact, I came here for you." A momentary pause, as the two figures before him, fully aware of his occupation, reconcile themselves to his meaning. At this he takes great pleasure, a raspy, alien laugh escaping his thin lips. "Not for you, Aedon. For you. Your brethren." He drained the rest of his glass, again, licking his lips with an abnormally long tongue, and those vicious, sharpened teeth. Pouring himself another round, and offering a pour to the two men before him, he finally swivels in his seat to face Aedon and Na'me, his un-zipped coat revealing his arsenal beneath, of which the Nagai seems to take no notice.
"Forgive me ahead-of-time, for speaking ill of those not present to defend themselves. I am here on a mission of mercy. Mercy, for you that is. I think you likely know I hold no love for one Galdaart Fel." pause, again, the toothy smile "I can see by your reactions you are familiar with the brigand. Well. Today I come with news that you, and those of your ilk should know. News that would very well mean your lives, and the lives of those you care most deeply about. It turns out that Galdaart Fel and his crew are First Order spies."
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Aedon Gavin Montrose
The Organization
Enjoying a well-aged bottle of scotch...
Posts: 356
Affiliation: "Veritas" Crew
Traffic Light: Yellow
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Post by Aedon Gavin Montrose on May 3, 2017 18:44:28 GMT -8
When the first words came from Kaarn's mouth, Aedon's primary response would have normally been to start drawing weapons. He knew that was the wrong way to spin things with the Fel-hating assassin, though; so he decided instead to just go with the flow.He held his hand over his glass, declining the offer for a refill. His other hand, still resting on the rapier at his left side, tapped the pommel lightly as he listened to the rest of the Nagai's "message of mercy".When he dropped the "thermal det" that Fel was working for the First Order, Aedon's left eyebrow raised in response. It wasn't entirely outside the realm of possibility that Galdaart could be capable of being such a man. Aedon knew enough of Fel's past to keep an open mind when considering such things.*
*It was when he used the words "and his crew" that Aedon scoffed.He shook his finger toward the assassin, being careful not to do so anywhere in his personal space.
"...Well, kriff...y'had me going for a moment there, man. Fel, I could believe...but you're gonna sit there and tell me - with quite the knack for feigned concern, I'll grant you - that the First Order would be able to get Malora to do their dirty work for them?" He nudged Na'me with a press of his hand. "Kark, I didn't realize I'd been born yesterday, eh Na'me?"
The Bothan had been relatively silent up to this point. His muscles stiffened for a moment when Kaarn brought up the First Order, but he was able to relax when Aedon began to discard the notion.The Bothan knew that the First Order was responsible for a great many things, not the least of them being turning allies against each other by use of underhanded tactics. And it wasn't as though the whole of the Smuggler's Ring was against the First Order. Some of them were able to find employ with the Order, using the opportunity to make credits along the way. None of the Ring really held it against each other - there were lines drawn in the sand when it came to which operations they supported, sure. Fel hadn't crossed any of those lines. Na'me had worked close enough with the Resistance to know that Fel's crew hadn't been on the wrong side of things, either.Shrugging when Aedon acknowledged him in the conversation, Na'me retorted.
"I mean...you can be a ditz sometimes, Gav, but I'm pretty sure we've been able to be on the upside of the information curve in the past long while. If Fel's crew would have been on the F.O.'s payroll, I'm sure we'd be in a lot deeper pile of sithspit than we are right now..."
The pair of them weren't trying to be disrespectful, but, it wasn't every day that you were just informed that some of your oldest acquaintances were in bed with a military warband whose sole purpose in their existence seemed to be sucking the fun out of every fracking thing in the galaxy...
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Jerrak Vao
The Organization
Posts: 81
Affiliation: Bounty Hunter's Guild
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Post by Jerrak Vao on May 3, 2017 19:17:37 GMT -8
Vao, along with his hulking Mandalorian and the mechanic genius known Johnathan Castle, made their way back to the Red Shift. While not normally the type to give to shits about anyone's authority aside from his own, he was kinda of curious to see how Aedon was going to react. After all, before the Syndicate came through and fracked everything up, Aedon and his associates were pretty much running the Skips from the Crow's Nest. Shoving those thoughts aside, Vao nodded to the two Niktos guarding the Shift. Gulmar and Oklar may not have been the smartest two out there, but the were tough. And they followed orders real well. Which made them easy to deal with. As Vao pushed the door open and walked passed, he spoke to them.
"Boys. Mighty fine job yer doin'. Keep up the fine work."
With a slight chuckle, Vao entered the Shift. Taking the few steps down, Vao instantly noticed the unmistakable purple hair that belonged to Aedon, as well as his neatly groomed, tan-furred Bothan associate, Na'me. He also recognized the Nagai with them as the one he'd allowed in earlier. He didn't know the Nagai's name, but that wasn't important at this point. As he approached the bar, he could feel the unease and tension in the air. Laughing heartily, Vao broke it as he spoke loudly to them.
"Aedon Gorram Montrose! How ya been, kid? Yer looking well these days. And Na'me, ya furry bastard. Keeping this one outta trouble, I assume?"
Grinning from ear to ear with a genuine smile, Vao was actually happy to see them. He didn't keep in contact nearly as much as he should have, but he always helped them out whenever he could. Like leaving the Bothans from the Marauders behind to run Intelligence on the Run. That had undoubtedly helped keep Aedon and Na'me privy to anything and everything important on the Run. Stepping aside, Vao spoke once more.
"Aedon, I believe you remember Castle. And this hulking individual is Reynar Bralor." he said as he indicated to both Castle and Reynar respectively.
Casting Reynar a quick glance as he pulled up a bar stool, the hulking Mando wandered off to go sit with the rest of his crew. Slipping from his jovial mood to a much more serious one, Vao looked at Aedon.
"Forgive the intrusion, but I received yer message. Actually expected ya ta be a little more pissed at me than ya are. It was a hasty decision that should have been avoided. Rest assured, the Shift will be well compensated and Drelldel's family is being relocated and taken care of. I look out fer those who work fer me..."
Trailing off, he motioned to the Green Nikto standing behind the bar for a glass. As it was placed down in front of him, Vao then slid the glass down, passed both Aedon and Na'me, to the Nagai still holding the bottle.
"Care ta fill 'er up, son? Seems I could use a drink right 'bout now."
As Vao waited for the Nagai to fill the glass up, he looked back to Aedon, waiting for the possible berating he fully deserved.
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Kaarn
Member
Posts: 50
Affiliation: None
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Post by Kaarn on May 3, 2017 19:27:47 GMT -8
Tir Kaarn canted his head at an angle, raising his own eyebrow, not in response to any words spoken, but when Aedon decides against a further refill. In a moment of 'suit yourself,' Kaarn fills his own glass, and takes another drink. He is legitimately bemused. Upon the entrance of Vao, Castle and Bralor to the 'Shift, Kaarn pauses, turning to take in the new arrivals. Upon Vao's suggestion, he fills the Twi'lek's glass, depositing the bottle back on the bar-top.
"By all means, gentlemen. This concerns you, as well. Mr. Castle. Mr. Vao. The asteroid field surrounding the 'Run obscures what -- 60, 70 percent of incoming and outgoing holonet transmissions? And even with a signal bounced off as many of the larger skips as you can muster, your comms window tops out at what -- 45 minute intervals? I mean... that's from my own simplified research. Can't profess to having it down to a science. How much traffic do you think you miss on a daily basis? And that's assuming you have someone on payroll to monitor the 'net for intel all cycle long." He doesn't pause to be corrected or allow for interjection. "It doesn't matter. You know it to be true. I know it to be true. And those in power in the Core surely know it to be true. You're so far outside the loop, you miss half of what's on the feed on a daily basis. And that's self-imposed. And --" he looks around at the state of the Red Shift, and by proxy, the Skip -- "It's not like you run a military-grade operation here."
He took another drink. None of what he was saying was said with derision, or malice. It was just said in a matter-of-fact tone. And the damnable thing was, he was (mostly) right. At least, right enough to not sound like he didn't know what he was talking about. Because he did.
"I'm not going to convince you of what Fel has or has not done. It's all there. In black and white. With pictures, and in some cases, video." He lays a data-disc on the bar-top. "As for your assertion about Karana Malora, Mr. Montrose. No -- certainly, you are somewhat correct. Ms. Malora and co. suffer from that greatest of passive sins -- hope. They have continued their search for Fel, almost to the exclusion of other, more profitable ends. In their naivety, they are guilty by association, according to the Imperial Bounty bulletin. Fel's sins will be repaid ten-fold on his associates." He sips once more from his scotch, surveying the room.
"Did you realize that the Nikto destroyed their own planet -- decimated it's environment -- to save themselves from fate? Barbaric..." Turning back to Aedon and Na'me "It's all there, for you to do with as you please. Read it, set it alight, it makes no difference to me. But know this: they are coming." He rises, nodding slightly to Aedon and his partner, before turning to depart. At the foot of the stairs, he turns back to them. "You do realize... YOU are his associates, do you not? You. Draykon. Tawaza. Malora. Stealer. Ashern. Drabini. They've got your names. They've got your sheets... I'd be guessing if I told you why I think they haven't moved against every smuggler with even the barest hint of a connection to Fel yet... but I would imagine it's because you were being useful."
"You are all marked men. And the next time we meet, it may be under different circumstances." That toothy smile. Now... if one of you was to bring him in... dead... well.
Goodnight, Aedon."
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Kaarn
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Post by Kaarn on May 3, 2017 19:37:00 GMT -8
Partial list of Datadisc's contents:
--Lord (at the time - Emperor) Sinistra's order to release prisoner Fel, associated Intel files and traffic. --List of known associates and dossiers, including Karana Malora, Wade Connors, Liya Tawaza, Erin Darkwell, Jace Stealer. --'Handler' dossier, background and whereabouts: Melia Tervho. --List of Fel's activities under Imp Black Ops, spanning two years. Also, a complete listing of Fel's prior Imperial Navy record. --List of activities and whereabouts while on loan to Juvex Corp. --Copy of Imp-Spec-Ops bounty and orders surrounding Galdaart Fel's termination, and the termination of his crew and 'unlawful associates.'
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