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Post by Deleted on Apr 29, 2020 14:10:39 GMT -8
Gromm closed the door behind them to allow the three their much-needed privacy. However, he couldn't suppress a chuckle as Mira decided to go wandering about his office and mutter something about needing an interior designer. Although she wasn't wrong in such matters, as his office was wholly devoid of any sort of personal items, it didn't change a particular aspect that she seemed to be forgetting.
I assure you, Ms. Skai, that if I require one, you'll be on the top of my list. However, my actual offices are the hangars, where I can actually do my work. This is just a temporary workspace I utilize only when necessary.
Making his round to seat himself, he paused momentarily to wrap his arm around Mira's waist and gently guide her from snooping to face the open chair next to her Twi'lek friend. With a gentle motion of his chin to indicate that she should sit, Gromm sat himself down in his chair and faced the two women. For a brief moment, his expression was serious, as though a massive weight fell upon his shoulders. He was sure that it wouldn't go missed by either one of them. Mira's race had a habit of feeling such things, while Aimee--well, she was on-guard throughout this whole encounter anyway. This surely wouldn't have gone over her head. Still, with a sigh, Gromm looked up at the two to address Aimee’s offer.
I've run across a rather problematic issue. It seems that one of my colleagues here has become aware of my side-business and threatened to report it. Conflict of interest, you see? It's also the reason why I stopped communication with you lovely ladies. I must apologize for my overt and unncessary concerns about privacy, but I'm still not quite in the clear. Still, what this colleague has done this time has gone too far, and I'm afraid that I have no other option but to request an outside source for assistance to clean up the muck they made.
Clearing his throat, Gromm could feel the heat rising into his face discussing the matters. He hoped, though, that it would clear up some issues for the two women. For the time being, though, he would leave it at that, at least until he could gauge if this was a battle that Mira was willing to help him fight. Attempting to regain his composure, though, he focused his gaze intriguingly upon the Zeltron as he inquired further on her latest project, with his charming grin reappearing on his face.
Rest assured, Ms. Skai, that while there are some of your projects I haven't been able to utilize here, many others I've been able to do so at home. Many of them have actually made it easier to pick up my side projects again. Although I certainly don't wish to pry classified information out of you, color me curious to your mysterious workings.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2020 12:47:55 GMT -8
Mira hummed with a defeated shrug of her shoulders at Gromm's assurance about his office. She wouldn't bother fighting him further, but still, she silently hoped she would get that call one day. Just because someone hardly used a space didn't mean it should be left lifeless and dull. Thus was life, though, at least to so many different people throughout the galaxy. They refused to make every moment an exciting adventure. Life was short and thus should be an ongoing party in every aspect--or so was what she learned at an early age and wholeheartedly agreed.
However, it soon came down to the business aspect--the whole reason they were there. Mira's lips pursed as she stared curiously at the man who sat before her. Even Aimee seemed to share her fair share of concerned interest as the Twi'lek blinked a few times, gauging his explanation with an empathetic pout before speaking quietly in sympathy.
"I couldn't imagine a colleague of ours getting in the way of our work, Mr. Sato. I'm sure we would be happy to assist an old client in any way we can… Right, Mira…?"
Aimee poised her question as she tilted her head towards her partner-in-crime. At first, she had been a bit nerve-wracked by the whole situation, but the more that Gromm conducted himself and spoke on these private matters, the more her spirit seemed to settle. It was a delicate balancing act for him, too, by the sounds of it. Perhaps Mira was right all along.
In a hastened answer, Mira nodded her head firmly as a radiant, infectious smile spread across her lips.
"If it's something within my expertise, I'll happily accept the job, love. Just promise me that you'll be more careful about working on any private matters while at your primary job, hmm?"
With a wink, Mira giggled and leaned forward to rest her elbow on Gromm's desk. Bringing her chin to her hand, the look in the Zeltron's eyes shifted fluidly from bubbly to a more mysterious, sultry tone. Aimee swallowed, now uncomfortable to whatever Mira was planning. Gromm may have inquired about her current workings, but the Twi'lek didn't believe leading him on to their current program would be a good idea. Surely, Mira knew the same, but that look she gave him said otherwise.
"Oh, the current encryption I use is pretty standard… just with a few radical, Skaibyrd quirks," Mira explained simply with a playful wink. "Let's just say that I do my research and take what I can for use. Quantum encryption codes and modules… Shadowfeeds… I'm just running into an issue with creating a secure backdoor for me to shut it all down remotely, just in case..."
Wars. Malicious intent. Sure, Mira knew all too well that fellow conmen, smugglers, and pirates would use her programs once released, but there was a clear line drawn in the sand. If anyone decided to use her work to perpetuate that evil in the galaxy, the Zeltron needed to ensure that she could shut it down. She still had some morals, after all, and refused to let her work be used in such schemes. At the very least, the thought was enough to put on the brakes to her rambling. Mira paused, pouted, and then dismissed herself with a wave of her hand.
"You know I'm not one to show all the cards in my hand, though, love. You know what they say. Patience is a virtue."
Mira winked playfully, while Aimee sighed, somewhat in relief that her friend kept it at that. However, the Twi'lek was still on edge to the little that she did reveal. Mira could get a little too excited sometimes, and she was sure her partner would jump at the chance to talk with a like-minded individual. Mira laughed low and beamed a confident, knowing smile towards Aimee, as if to hush those remnants of doubt. She may have disappointed her good old friend and client with such a limited explanation. Mira hoped to pique his interest for a later conversation in the future, though. There were still too many kinks she needed to work out. Before Gromm could protest in those charming ways to sweeten the deal for Mira to further talk, Aimee pushed onward.
"So back to business, Mr. Sato. What exactly do you need us to accomplish to help clean up the mess your colleague made of your work?"
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Post by Deleted on Aug 5, 2020 14:53:23 GMT -8
Mira confirmed her agreement to help, and with her radiant smile, Gromm felt some sense of relief wash over him, like the Zeltron herself was her own sun. An unexpected smile tugged at his lips at the sight of hers. He couldn't help but wonder if this was one of the possible dangers of the Zeltrons. At least he had this lovely creature on his side.
Naturally, Gromm expected Mira to be a bit tight-lipped about her projects, especially when they weren't released yet. He considered himself lucky to get a slight inside-scoop before anybody else. Mira's Twi'lek companion seemed to still be edgy, at that, so he didn't push. It would make the job that much harder on them, though, if Aimee remained so stiff and on edge. The thought made the man glassy-eyed in deep thought before speaking.
"I understand all too well, Ms. Skai."
Gromm spoke with his controlled, charming smile returning--a smile that was his own and not beckoned by her genetic guidance.
"You have my word that I'll be much more cautious in the future."
After his reassurance, Gromm pushed himself from the desk to stand to his feet. He approached one of the tall cabinets that lined the far side of his office, and upon opening it, a few business-attire jackets were hanging and like-styled shoes lined below. He picked out a matching black set of each and tossed the jacket onto the desk as he sat back down in his chair. He leaned forward, his figure hidden behind his desk as he changed his shoes, while he continued.
"The job is this, ladies. My colleague managed to swipe one of my datachips from my office and uses it as leverage over me. If we get that back, I won't have to redo all of the work, and he has nothing to threaten me with anymore."
Gromm sat up and rested an arm across his desk as he leaned forward towards the two stunning young women. He winked.
"I know it's not quite what you're used to from me, but I have my sources that tell me that such heists are also a part of your expertise."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 18, 2020 8:34:29 GMT -8
Mira tilted her head curiously as Gromm stood up to gather the few clothing items he had in a makeshift cabinet-made-closet. In contrast, Aimee shifted in uncertainty to keep her eyes trained upon the man. The Zeltron nearly bolted to her feet the moment she caught sight of the clothes, though, and was so close to Gromm that he could easily feel her physical presence with the slightest shift backward. She hummed thoughtfully as she poked her chin over his shoulder to glance through everything alongside him. To her disappointment, though, his wardrobe was filled with boring business neutrals. Of course, Mira was no stranger to its necessity, but she was still hoping to find at least a single brightly-hued item among the mix. When there were none, the Zeltron playfully sulked back to her seat with an overexaggerated sigh.
"Yes, for a much bigger fee than I usually charge you," Mira pointed out, crossing her arms over her chest with a slight pout. "Really, love, the next time you call me out here, it better be to help you jazz up your things around here."
Aimee pursed her lips thoughtfully through the whole ordeal and explanation. It certainly wasn't the usual request from their previous jobs from Mr. Sato. What more, she couldn't quite wrap her head around why they had to do this for him.
"With all due respect, Mr. Sato," Aimee started hesitantly. "Is there a reason you're paying us to do this for you? I mean, isn't this as simple as sneaking into his office when he's not there and searching for the datachip yourself?"
"Oh, Aimee," busted in Mira in dramatized shock to the Twi'lek's quietly-voiced worries. "If it was really that easy, I'm sure he would have just done that." Mira glanced over at Gromm, batting her eyelashes with a coy smile. "Right, Mr. Sato?"
Aimee blushed. "I know it wouldn't be easy, but to involve us, it just seems..." The Twi'lek's voice trailed off, Aimee unsure to the correct word to use. Everything that flooded her head, though, sounded overly accusatory and rude towards Mr. Sato. She shifted uncomfortably, shyly glancing between her partner and their client in sudden, unwavering silence.
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Endor
New Rebel Alliance
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Post by Endor on Mar 1, 2023 11:24:46 GMT -8
After several of Drenlin's attempts to hail the Incom Corporation had failed, he decided to try his luck by taking the Porkins straight to the company's headquarters. The GR-75 medium transports landing gear crunched down on an empty tarmac just outside the main office structure, kicking up a layer of dust and rust that had built up over the years. After the boarding ramp came down, the rebel exited the ship and raised a gloved hand to his forehead to shield his gaze from the rays of the mid day sun. What he saw appeared to be an abandoned building with the doors wide open. Instinctively his hand went down to the K-16 Bryar Pistol on his left hip, plucking it from its holster to hold the blaster down at waist level as he carefully entered the building. Behind him came the soft whirring tread of his R5 astromech droid, bleating and beeping in synthetic droid speech.
Briefly closing his eyes, Drenlin centered himself and drew on the Force for assistance, probing the way ahead for any potential dangers. He received nothing back but silence. Opening his brown eyes he, slipped his pistol back in its holster and assumed a more relaxed posture. With R5 in tow, he took a tour of the abandoned manufacturing plant and connected structures, learning all he could while performing a thorough scan of the entire facility. When he was done he walked back out the main entrance and returned to the Porkins. After digging out a portable long range communicator, he sat at the bottom of the ramp and worked away at the dials, trying to target a specific frequency. Feeling reasonably confident he had opened up a secure channel to Echo Base, he leaned back and waited for Endor to reply. Approximately three minutes later...
I'm all ears, Condor Dragon. Chimed Endor's voice over the communicator, using Drenlin's callsign instead of his real name, which made the rebel a little self-conscious about the channel's security. Have you secured a contract?
"Not exactly. There is nobody here, the whole place has been abandoned by the looks of it. I've seen no sign of a fight or forced evacuation. My guess would be that the company went under."
That seems to be happening everywhere these days. I blame the large galactic corporate conglomerates like Kuat Drive Yards, their monopolies make it near impossible for small business to survive. They're almost as bad as the Imperials they cater to. There was a pause as the General collected his thoughts, then continued. What shape is the manufacturing centre in? Can we salvage anything?
Drenlin shrugged, then remembered he was only transmitting audio and explained. "I mean, everything is still here. The machines are all tarped up but I think a good lubing ought to be all that's needed to get most of them running again. There's not much left to salvage except for a few crates of assorted snub-fighter parts, but the blueprints and plans for their whole product line are all here. In theory, we could manufacture what we need ourselves, assuming you can send me some labourers to help on the assembly line." He scratched his stubbly chin. "I suppose I could recruit a few of the locals."
Leave them out of this for now. His voice sounded matter-of-factly. I don't want any civilians getting entangled in our fight if it can be avoided. Don't worry, I have some friends that I think can help with your labour shortage.
After making his report and turning off the communicator, Drenlin placed his face in his hands and moaned, grumbling aloud. "I have a bad feeling about this." His concern was primarily directed at 'who' exactly Endor would be sending him. If he had to guess...
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Endor
New Rebel Alliance
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Post by Endor on Mar 2, 2023 5:52:32 GMT -8
Drenlin raised his head from the datapad he had been studying when he noticed while staring out the main office window that transports had begun to arrive. He spun his chair around and hopped up, quickly heading down the stairs and out the front door so he could meet the new arrivals in person. He shielded his face as whining repulsors kicked up a gust, as well as a fair bit of dirt, before lowering his arm and waiting for the ramps to drop. He was rewarded a few moments later by the tell-tale sound of hydraulics working as the transports unsealed and the occupants began to appear. The rebel agent and squadron member of Endor's Ewoks let out a groan as his worst fears had been confirmed. Walking off the ship in disordered rows were ewoks, lots and lots of ewoks, taking no time at all to get themselves into trouble as they investigated anything and everything.
"Hey, be careful with that!" Yelled Drenlin as a portly ewok began to fiddle with a pair of power converters, carelessly pulling out wires. Rubbing his forehead as his frustration built, he began to do what he could to direct the furry flock inside, reciting what ewokese he could from memory alone.
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Endor
New Rebel Alliance
"No man is good enough to be another's master."
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Post by Endor on Mar 3, 2023 6:34:27 GMT -8
It didn't take long for the ewoks to get themselves properly acquainted with the manufacturing facility. Drenlin spotted a number of tribal fetishes and symbols painted on the factory walls that were similar to the markings on his squadron of X-wings. They also appeared reasonably comfortable with the machines and had the assembly line running in short order. The rebel agent leaned over one of the moving lines of parts and picked up what he thought was part of the repulsor assembly for a T-47 airspeeder.
He had plans for more than just that. What's more, the General had a very long wish list he wanted Drenlin working on, one which would hopefully see the limited martial prowess of the fledging alliance grow significantly. He wasn't sure who exactly was going to be piloting these snub-fighters, other then himself of course, but those finer details were fortunately not up for him to decide.
Bringing a gloved hand to his mouth, he removed the filter of a cigarette that had been burned down to the nub and stubbed it out in a tray on the desk he was standing over, with plans for the UT-60D U-wing starfighter unfolded across its surface.
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Endor
New Rebel Alliance
"No man is good enough to be another's master."
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Post by Endor on Mar 29, 2023 6:46:00 GMT -8
With the small army of ewoks running the assembly line, things were actually moving pretty smoothly in the old Incom Corporation manufacturing plant. The last of the T-47s had been loaded up and shipped back to Hoth aboard large freighter transports. Space had also been made aboard the Star Urchin, which would be leaving the system very shortly. Other than that the vast majority of snub-fighters being assembled were X-wing and A-wing variants, destined for the Rebel fleet. A little bit of Force persuasion had helped smooth the financing, which several successful galactic corporations unexpectedly donating to the cause. Fancy that.
Teebo, one of the ewok engineers, swung across the factory floor on a length of durasteel chain as though it were a forest vine from his homeworld. The tiny bear landed gently, stumbling across the duracrete floor until he bumped into the tool box Drenlin was using. The rebel agent was currently beneath a U-wing, hands deep in mechanical guts. His face was smeared with engine grease and several cigarette stubs were ashed on the floor next to where he was working. Crouching down, Drenlin's furry assistant handed him a cold Gamorrean beer. The odd green vintage had a somewhat strong mushroom taste, but it was beginning to grow on him. He took a long swallow then placed the bottle beside the toolbox, picking up a hydro-spanner next.
"Thanks, little buddy." Said Drenlin with a smile, rubbing Teebo's head.
For his part, Teebo waddled off happy, leaving the rebel chuckling as he got back to work. Alright, he was beginning to see what Endor liked about the ewoks so much. Other than being hard workers, they were unquestionably adorable.
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