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Post by Reaper on Dec 9, 2021 2:52:05 GMT -8
The Smuggler's Run had lain dormant for months. And then, suddenly, it had ceased to be dormant and empty. This change of events had drawn Reaper's curiosity. Thus it was that a commandeered TIE/sas Stealth Assault Shuttle and half a dozen Charybdis-class Gunship's traversed the void between the Erebus and the spaceport of Skip One. As soon as the craft touched down, several bulky looking white armoured droids rushed down the landing ramp and secured a perimeter. Each of them contained a pair of identical swords sheathed upon their backs, while the red slit of light seemed to be scanning the area within the spaceport.
As soon as the landing site was secured, the heavy footfalls of Reaper's boots against the ground echoed through the mostly empty space. A loud metallic clang rang out as he stepped foot upon the spaceport floor, his grip tightening upon the handle of his axe. His gaze shifted then toward the spherical ship that now occupied the space
Hmmm...
The disgruntled sound was digitised by the speakers in his helmet and echoed into oblivion. Without a further word of command, Reaper left the droids to remain at their posts as he reached out with the Force. He followed its pull toward the single lone sentient being that had arrived here, for good or ill
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Post by Nebula "Nibs" Enibry on Dec 9, 2021 15:15:28 GMT -8
[ Nebula “Nibs” Enibry | Control Room | Skip One | Smuggler's Run Spaceport ] Attn: Reaper This wasn't too bad, honestly.
Nibs sat in the rotating chair in the Control Room, spinning around and staring up at the ceiling. She was still consolidating data and running checks to ensure the entire place was suitable for habitation. That meant she had to scan every single room, corridor and facility for atmospheric variance, power allotment, and recovering whatever data she could slice out of the spaceport's computers. No matter how thorough, there was always some ways to recover data.
That was when she felt a sense of foreboding and dread fill her heart for no reason.
Stopping her spin, she looked through the viewports of the Control Room and nearly fainted. A shuttle and an escort of gunships had just docked, and her ship's floodlamps were still on. It was very obvious the ship was active and in use. Oh blast it!
She was quite a fair distance away from the ships and her attention was drawn to the being in the shuttle. She felt more than knew for certain that someone was in there that could make a huge change in her life. What that change was, she didn't know. Glancing over at her pressure suit lying in another chair as if someone had bodily vanished from it, she decided to forego putting it back on. Atmosphere and life support was fully restored in this section, so she had no problems, but Nibs realized belatedly she should have closed the bay doors and activated the shields when she had the chance. Now she had to deal with whoever was out there.
Once more, she had a strange feeling come over her, and she knew that the game was up. Whoever it was out there, knew exactly where she was.
Walking slowly and like a condemned marching towards death, Nibs exited the room and descended the stairs.
As she got closer, she saw just how big the being was, and he had an entourage of battle droids the likes which she'd never seen before. Clutching her datapad against her chest dependently, she slowed down as she got closer, stopping altogether at ten paces from him. He wore heavy armour and had a honking big axe. her five foot frame made her even smaller and pathetic before this giant. Her blaster was still in its holster, and she didn't even consider drawing it. She wasn't some action hero. She was closer to her ship, and if she could make a break and get inside, she had a slightly better chance of getting away if things got bad.
Somehow, she was certain that was a pipe dream. Her only chance was the goodwill of this person.
“Hi.” she said, for lack of anything better to say.
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Post by Reaper on Dec 11, 2021 23:53:01 GMT -8
Reaper barely made it to the exit of the spaceport complex, when the five foot girl appeared before him. Instead of trying to run or hide, she had chosen to come forth and confront him. Nothing about her screamed that she was a threat to him. The Force emanated weakly from her and she did not appear to be equipped with many, if any, weapons. His grip remained firmly upon the neck of his axe, ready to slide it into an attack hold should the need arise. For now, his power dwarfed her own, and his forces outnumbered her
Interloper... What brings you here, little one?
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Post by Nebula "Nibs" Enibry on Dec 13, 2021 19:09:29 GMT -8
[ Nebula “Nibs” Enibry | Control Room | Skip One | Smuggler's Run Spaceport ] Attn: Reaper The primary question, Nibs could understand, but getting the prefix address of interloper was curious, to say the least. She didn't quite know how to take that, or whether she ought to be offended or more worried. Her mind went through all kinds of variables like she was sifting through data on a pad. Incidentally, she had her datapad clutched against her chest with both hands at present, more to give her hands something to do rather than because she needed to.
She finally settled on a frown, even if an irrational part of her wanted to go down on her knees and beg for her life.
“Interloper?” said Nibs, “the place was practically devoid of life and activity. Do you own the place? I...needed a place to lay low. And I'd heard about the Smuggler's Run through snippets and rumours among the law enforcement types, and legends I managed to slice from databanks across worlds. But like I said...when I got here, there wasn't a soul in sight...until you.”
She glanced over at once of the droids and nodded at it, “Nice droids. Oh, and uh...who are you? I'm Nibs.”
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Post by Reaper on Dec 17, 2021 4:53:42 GMT -8
Her audacity was commendable. He was a tank compared to her meek frame. Many in her position would have indeed fallen to their knees and begged for their life, but not this girl. She seemed to stand in defiance of him. For that, he respected her enough not to immediately strike her down with a stroke of his axe
Considering I either killed or scared them all off... yes, I suppose that does make me the owner here by default... If you wish to lay low, then I suppose you've found the perfect place. Not a single other soul knows you're here. Welcome to the realm of the damned, Nibs...
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Post by Nebula "Nibs" Enibry on Dec 17, 2021 14:36:06 GMT -8
[ Nebula “Nibs” Enibry | Control Room | Skip One | Smuggler's Run Spaceport ] Attn: Reaper “......” Okay, on one hand, this big galoot certainly looked like he could back up that claim. Who in the blazes wanted to tangle with this nightmare brought to life anyway? She was honestly torn between trying to be a sycophantic best friend to him or wetting her trousers. And on the other hand, he was like something right out of a crazed fantasy holovid that Corellians were so fond of making...aside from porn.
But she brought her mind back to the present.
His response was enigmatic, ominous, and very very open to interpretation. So she did the best thing she could think of and roll her eyes once, with a small smile, “Very droll,” she said, then pointed at him as she turned her profile sideways to look over at his ship, “and yeah, I totally noticed how you never gave your name in that entire sentence. Clever, if a little rude, but if you're owner, I guess that's your right.”
She examined the craft, and knew what it was, but in the spirit of conversation she looked over at the giant and said, “TIE Stealth Assault Shuttle? Real nice.”
BEEP!
Nibs' datapad chimed loudly, and she examined it, eyes widening with intrigue, “So uh...you know how you said you scared them all off?”
She turned the datapad screen so he could see it, and there were several green blips in the Red Shift that were moving about. Clear signs of life.
“Not a single soul, huh?” said the small-sized woman in a sardonic tone.
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Post by Reaper on Dec 17, 2021 20:24:33 GMT -8
His gaze bore down upon her, his words clearly bringing her pause before she gathered her courage back together to try rebuke him somewhat. He loosened his grip upon the haft of his axe, letting it slip through before bringing the blade up to rest upon his shoulder. She had not been scared yet, so perhaps he might need to try a little harder. Or perhaps he needn't worry at all
If you don't know my name already, little one, then you don't want me to tell you what it is. And thanks, I stole the shuttle from an Imperial Facility fresh off the line...
He grunted as her datapad went off a moment later and Nibs seemed to get cocky with her proclamation there were still signs of life in the Red Shift. He suspected he already knew who some of them were. For the most part though, they had remained quite and unobtrusive. They'd seen the carnage he'd wrecked when the group of bounty hunters had come through trying to drum up support to take him down
Some people are a little more stubborn then others... What's your point?
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Post by Nebula "Nibs" Enibry on Dec 17, 2021 20:48:12 GMT -8
[ Nebula “Nibs” Enibry | Control Room | Skip One | Smuggler's Run Spaceport ] Attn: Reaper He seemed more conversational now, though he also seemed to be weighing out if he wanted to try intimidating her. How did she know that? Intuition, maybe.
She did goggle at the fact he had the audacity to steal this fresh from an Imperial Facility. Said a lot more about his abilities. She didn't plan on goading him unnecessarily, but she felt the worst of the dangers were over, where he was concerned. She was no threat to him, and she really knew nothing about him, except he had some fairly gonzo looking armour.
And he killed a lot of people, enough to scare an entire planetoid of inhabitants away.
...Most of them anyway.
She narrowed her eyes at him and drew closer, clutching her datapad to her chest with both arms again. “I'll find out,” she said confidently, “I'm a slicer, and you look pretty blasted unique. And my point about there still being people around?”
She shrugged, “Nothing, really, except it's nice that it won't be as lonely as I thought. Wanna go see them?”
She actually reckoned more on nobody wanting to mess with her if she stuck close to a behemoth that reportedly scared criminals stiff, and stole an advanced Imperial ship right from under their noses.
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Post by Reaper on Dec 17, 2021 21:25:40 GMT -8
He grunted again as she drew close, her datapad clutched once more to her chest. Like a child that was impressed by their cool relative that had been off on adventures and came home around the holidays. While she posed no threat to him, he got the feeling she was going to cause him trouble
I don't suspect you'll need to try all that hard...
When she asked if he wanted to go see who ever it was taking refuge in the Red Shift, he turned his head in the direction of the Cantina. There was something blocking him from sensing the obvious signs of life there. No doubt they'd acquired materials and means to remain under his radar, presumably because they did not intend to mess with him. It would be cruel of him to barge in upon them when he had no real cause to. His gaze settled back upon Nibs then, sighing as he did so
Not particularly... But I don't suppose you'll leave me alone unless we do, hmm?
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Post by Nebula "Nibs" Enibry on Dec 18, 2021 8:10:24 GMT -8
[ Nebula “Nibs” Enibry | Control Room | Skip One | Smuggler's Run Spaceport ] Attn: Reaper She frowned. It seemed like he was already putting up with her. Why? He really looked like a herald of doom, but was she assuming things on his outward appearance? After all, she knew there were murderers and criminals who looked like sweet gentle angels, why could this big bloke not turn out to have a compassionate or gentle streak? Well, that was also assuming...and maybe overthinking things. If he wasn't going to turn her away or have her shot and done with, best not complain about and be thankful.
So she smiled and in a cheerful tone, said, “Right in one!”
She danced her fingers over her datapad, and a previously unlit corridor brightened, and she turned towards it, tilting her head over her shoulder to look at the giant. And they began to make their way towards the Red Shift.
“So you got any name you prefer to be called by? Or should I just call you Big Scary Guy?”
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Post by Nebula "Nibs" Enibry on May 25, 2023 16:45:07 GMT -8
[ Nebula “Nibs” Enibry | Main Hangar | Skip One | Smuggler's Run Spaceport ] Attn: Reaper Nibs was only ahead of the rush, it seemed. Shortly after she'd exited the turbolift, people began filling the hangar, racing towards their ships. It was still going to be a few hours at the soonest before they'd be able to start exiting. The ships had been left dormant and untouched for months. A lot of checking up will be needed.
To help them along, Nibs started activating the service droids, the few remaining ones that still functioned or were relatively intact. She'd need someone to bring in a shipment of droids soon...
“G'day, miss!”
“Oh Force!” Niibs jumped when a voice sounded almost directly behind her, she saw a plump elderly man with a beard and a big wrench slung over his shoulder grinning at her, “Yeah?”
The man grinned, “Name's Gus. I'm the lead tech and special round 'ere. Now we're startin' back up and all, whaddaya reckon I should work on first? The droids? Or the ships?”
After a moment's thought, Nibs decided, “Droids first. Many hands make light work and all that. And see if you can find admin droids in the piles.”
She looked around and noticed a few people gawking at her own ship, which currently sat smack in the middle of the hangar, looking like a strange ball full of satelite dishes. Right ahead of it was Reaper's ship.
“Ya got it, lady!” The old man headed off to do as instructed.
“It's Nibs, Gus. And thanks!”
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Post by Reaper on Jun 4, 2023 14:46:42 GMT -8
The droids had returned to the Hangar Bay well in advance of everyone's return and already had the Charybdis-class Gunships prepped and ready for take off. The TIE/sas had also had pre-flight checks run by the droid crew and thus was ready to go as Reaper and Deni turned into the Hangar.
His focus sweeping across the Bay as people rushed about getting their own sips back up and running with Nibs seemingly at the centre of all this organised chaos. He was certainly close to admitting that he might have underestimated her abilities. As he drew close to the Shuttle, he tapped a couple commands, causing one of his droids to disembark the Shuttle and head over to where the slicer was working away. Reaper coming up close behind
One droid, as requested...
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Lotus
Member
Posts: 14
Affiliation: The Thrall Collectors
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Post by Lotus on Jul 1, 2023 19:32:33 GMT -8
Lotus sat lounged in a chair, overlooking one of the impressive views of the collections of asteroids from within a seedy bar. Around them stood some of their most loyal mercenaries, the MOST loyal were the ones back on the Calamity which was currently hiding in deep space. They were waiting on the person who hired them to reply to the coded message they had sent. So for now the Zeltron was enjoying some well earned rest, relaxation, and recreation. The 'recreation' in question approached carrying a tray of 'relaxation.' The Twi'lek set down the drinks on the table, but before she could depart, Lotus caught her by the wrist and pulled her down onto their own lap. Where are you off too in such a hurry? Cooed the pirate. If you're going to bringing me drinks I think we should get... acquainted. As the pair were leaning in to each other, Lotus' communicator, which had been set on the table, hummed to life. What!? barked Lotus, clearly irritated at the interruption.
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Grand Inquisitor Zariel
The First Order
Make no mistake, war is coming. With all its glory... and all its horror.
Posts: 115 
Affiliation: First Order
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Post by Grand Inquisitor Zariel on Jul 1, 2023 19:39:26 GMT -8
I would suggest greeting your employer with a touch more respect. Zariel's disinterested voice crackled from their small blue projection. The Grand Inquisitor had worked with Lotus in the past, before the Diarchy was founded. She had relied on Lotus to provide people power to keep her ragged fleet operating. And now, in preparation for her own quest she had turned to the slaver again, knowing that Lotus could be discreet about the job, and they were always effective. You said you had what I sent you after?
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Lotus
Member
Posts: 14
Affiliation: The Thrall Collectors
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Post by Lotus on Jul 1, 2023 19:46:16 GMT -8
Even though her attention was now fully on Zariel, Lotus kept the Twi'lek on their lap. They smirked and lowered their head while still looking up at the image of the Grand Inquisitor. You know you like it when I'm disrespectful. Lotus whispered playfully. But if you're going to be no fun today, and all business, then yes, I have it. Even with all your intel, took us a while to find the wreckage. Lost some fighters in the asteroid belt. Maybe you could... "compensate" me for the trouble? Lotus gave a suggestive wink so that there would be no confusion about what kind of "compensation" they were after.
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Grand Inquisitor Zariel
The First Order
Make no mistake, war is coming. With all its glory... and all its horror.
Posts: 115
Affiliation: First Order
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Post by Grand Inquisitor Zariel on Jul 1, 2023 19:58:53 GMT -8
Zariel's cold and neutral expression nearly broke to roll her eyes at the Zeltron. But she kept her cool, even as Lotus tried to fluster her with talks of compensation. The icey ISB Director cleared her throat before replying, still keep an even tone. We can discuss any financial compensation when you meet me at these coordinates. Zariel transmitted the location. I know you typically try and avoid the Mid Rim, but there is plenty to keep the powers that be too busy to deal with slaver scum like you. Zariel cut the communication shortly after, to avoid giving Lotus any more opportunities to talk back.
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Lotus
Member
Posts: 14
Affiliation: The Thrall Collectors
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Post by Lotus on Jul 1, 2023 20:07:20 GMT -8
Lotus' breath quickened and they got an almost ravenous look while biting their lower lip. You know it's unfair when you talk to me like that! And I'm gonna get that payment from you one way or another! As Zariel's image faded away Lotus lept from their seat, nearly sending the Twi'lek tumbling to the floor. They then seemed to remember her presence and smiled wickedly. They helped the server up off the floor before pushing her into the arms of one of their mercs. You, lovely creature, are ours now. Lotus tossed a handful of credits onto the table, clearly meant to cover the drinks and the girl. And with that, Lotus and their retinue departed for their ship, Petal.
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Post by Nebula "Nibs" Enibry on Jul 2, 2023 20:31:24 GMT -8
The droids had returned to the Hangar Bay well in advance of everyone's return and already had the Charybdis-class Gunships prepped and ready for take off. The TIE/sas had also had pre-flight checks run by the droid crew and thus was ready to go as Reaper and Deni turned into the Hangar.
His focus sweeping across the Bay as people rushed about getting their own ships back up and running with Nibs seemingly at the centre of all this organised chaos. He was certainly close to admitting that he might have underestimated her abilities. As he drew close to the Shuttle, he tapped a couple commands, causing one of his droids to disembark the Shuttle and head over to where the slicer was working away. Reaper coming up close behindOne droid, as requested... Nibs turned at Reaper's metallic voice and smiled. She marvelled at how just a short time ago, she'd been expecting death at his hands, and now she's standing here, smiling at him. Worrying about him. She knew he was a most capable man. But her intuition was telling her that she ought to be with him, even if not directly, at least through proxy. The fiery-haired bar owner was looking around the Skip with excitement, until her eyes landed on a wrecked ship, then she scowled, glared up at Reaper, and turned her back to the ship.
“Thanks, Reaper!” said Nibs, “I'll just be a mome-heh...”
She'd just noticed the designation of the droid Reaper had chosen for her was, 'N1B5'. It didn't help that it seemed quite small. She shut down the droid, opened up its torso chassis port and inserted a chip into the primary circuit control board, and closed it back up. When she turned it back on, the lights of the droid's eyes turned from red to blue. Nibs then put on a pair of optic aids, and suddenly, the droid began to move on her command, and through the optic aid, she could see what the droid saw.
“Perfect!” Her voice came from both herself and the droid at the same time, “Visual and audio input and output is functioning.”
She gave Reaper a thumbs up, which the droid mimicked at the exact same time.
[ Deni "Red Ripper" Lake | Main Hangar | Skip One | Smuggler's Run Spaceport ] Attn: Reaper Deni turned back to watch the young lady do her mechanical magic, and whistled, “Grand job, lass.”
“Th-thanks.” Both the girl and the droid said together, “I'll be boosting the signal transmitter through my ship over there, so I can basically be with you through this droid. There might be a few seconds delay in my responses once you reach the Core Worlds, but if you find any relay aerials that you can point out to me, I can use them to boost my signal.”
Deni blinked, then looked at Reaper, “Hope yeh got all tha', yeh big bloke. I jus' hope I get t' beat somethin' up. Now lassie...”
She turned back to look at Nibs, “Yeh wan' me t' get yeh anythin' while I'm oot 'n th' Core?”
Nibs grimaced, “Just take care, and come back safe.”
“Sure we willh!” replied Deni quickly, “we've got yeh wi' us!”
She tossed the girl a casual salute and turned, lightly tapping Reaper's arm with her fingernails, “Let's take us a look at yeh fancy-pants ship then.”
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Post by Reaper on Jul 19, 2023 14:36:35 GMT -8
He ignored the glare from Deni, well aware of the reason behind it. Any reaction or response he gave right now would not alter its condition or change what had already happened. Instead he kept his focus on the quick and short work Nibs did to the droid he had loaned to her. At least in a fight he would be able to more easily identify which unit was hers. He then got to endure the double voice of her actually speaking and the droid mimicking it with barely any noticeable delay
Good...
At least once they were taken off it would be reduced to a single echo of her voice. He looked down at Deni as she seemed perplexed about the aerial relay request. It seemed he had perhaps overestimated her knowledge in such an area. It wasn't long till she was pushing him to get going
Someone's rather eager...
He lead the way up into the TIE/sas Stealth Assault Shuttle, waiting until Deni and N1B5 had boarded before signalling the mechanised crew to take off. The loading ramp closed up as the Shuttle and the Charybdis-class Gunships began to lift off from the Hangar Bay floor and took off out into the void surrounding the Smuggler's Run
This way.
He guided Deni up to the cockpit then, with the viewport providing visual on the string of asteroids that made up the Run. But soon the asteroids gave way to the empty void, before being filled once more, this time with the Erebus-class Dungeon Ship as they drew closer and closer to it
The Erebus, another liberated reward...
The TIE/sas angled toward the bridge, before landing in a hangar bay close by to it. More of the ninja like droids were within, guiding the ship down before getting to work running maintenance and a refuel as Reaper lead the way out of the Shuttle. His HUD flashed up with several reports relating to news stories from the Core Worlds passed through criminal nets
So... What do you think our first port of call should be? I'd recommend avoiding First Order territory if we can...
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