"Certainly master Dare. We'll do our best to redirect their attention. But since you mention our next mission, perhaps you know what the Emperor has in mind for us?"
Garrett sighs when he looks over the crate of spice, before ordering some more parts for himself. "They're going to wonder why there's so many droid parts lying around the ship... unless it's one of the techs here who knows." Garrett frowns when he hasn't been contacted by one of the ship's scientists. "What, do I have to send them another message? How long does it take for them to get here?"
the Mess Hall
"I think nothing yet. Things are still shaking out. He does not want to commit you all when another more crucial issue may arise."
Garrett
One of the scientists finally arrives, that felt like it took weeks!
"Sorry for the delay ahh... Yeah, so, what uh do you need me here for?" He is looking around the room and you assume wondering what all the parts are for with no droid in sight!
Then he pauses, "Hey, what is that?"
He approaches the crate and looks at the spice within, "Interesting, where'd you find this stuff?"
---
Errin joins the others in the lab with the recently arrived scientist.
"I feel like I've slept for a month," she says, stretching before her newly-modified blaster rifle catches her eye.
"Is this mine? Oh Garrett, you shouldn't have. If I hadn't see the hydraulic fluid pumping through your chest, I'd think you were trying to win my affections."
In response to the scientist, she says simply: "We stole it from a Hutt."
"Don't kid yourself." Garrett grins at Errin admiring the gun, himself working on cleaning and reassembling his new prototype rifle purchased from a contact on the ship. The gun's polished durasteel gleams in the ship's light, and as he finishes assembling it and inserts a power pack, it lets out a low hum. "I don't have time to watch all of you at the same time; it's better for me if you can shoot someone down without my help." When the scientist takes a look at the spice, Garrett nods at Errin's comment. "Stole is a... harsh word. We may have acquired it, without his knowledge, in exchange for some rendered services."
Shortly after, Rennah steps through the door grabs her lightsabre and ignites it with a hiss.
Taking a moment to admire the sharp contrasts of the blade, she nods her thanks at Garrett.
"Call it payment, that he didn't know about.... But what exactly IS it?"
perhaps what ever It is, I could have a look and help determine such a thing Rai's own light saber is hidden on his person secreted away... better not to advertise he thinks to himself.
Above Yavin IV – The Yavin System
The scientist responds as he draws out a scanner to analyze the contents, "Oh it's a stim spice for sure. Not quite like any I've ever seen before though. Might take me a day or two to tell you what exactly the hell this stuff is. Mind if I take a scoop for some further testing?"
"Go for it. Not like you're gonna sell us out to the Hutts, right?" Garrett gives a halfhearted grin as he examines his new rifle, before shrugging. "Just let us know when you figure out what it is."
Above Yavin IV – The Yavin System
The crew takes the next few days getting resources in order until they are contacted by the scientist, Roland Ceel, who requests that the group meet with him.
Roland nods to you all with a grim look upon his face. "This spice is... dangerous. Spice, in any of its dozens of varieties, is the plague of the galaxy; a horribly addicting drug that its victims would lie, steal, assault, and murder for. It makes the Sith benign. Those who suffer from it suffer in silence and once they fall into the cracks are the forgotten faces of the galaxy.
Despite this, Spice mines can be found in several other planetary systems throughout the galaxy, including those of Ryloth and Naboo and of course Kessel. One variation of the narcotic is known as ryll, was mined on the planet Ryloth and has both scientific and recreational applications. Sansanna and Glitterstim are other types of spice that can be found anywhere throughout the galaxy.
None of these are comparable to what you have brought on board."
What is so different about this spice then others? Rai asks leaning back scratching his chin tuft.
"So, are the Hutts mining this stuff somewhere, or altering a more common type of spice to be more powerful? And where is it coming from?"
Above Yavin IV – The Yavin System
"Besides being more addictive, it's properties I am not entirely sure. I would need to test it on a subject to know".
The scientist shakes his head Errin's question, "That I also cannot be entirely sure of. You believe the Hutts are behind this?"
"Could it affect judgment and rational thought? Some of the people we ran into, seemed to be out of their minds, and incapable of coherent thought. We got attacked by a bunch of thugs, and even after seeing their fellows mown down, with nary a scratch on us, they still kept coming. - Who in their right minds keeps running and attacking when they see a red lightsaber hissing to life?"
Rennah looks around at her companions.
"Errr.. present company excepted, of course."
"Don't look at me. I'm much more comfortable only seeing that red glow through the lens of my scope, thank you. Dealing with those Jedi was bad enough, I'm going to leave it to you next time. Still, they didn't seem to mind I was providing covering fire either. Even if they thought they could overwhelm you, you'd think a sniper on the rooftop were turn them off."
"I don't know that the Hutts are behind it, but they were the ones transporting it. But, it wasn't supposed to be on that ship. It was hidden from Popara, the Hutt we were supposed to be contracting with. It was a side deal between two other Hutts. I don't know how deep this goes."
"It certainly seemed like everyone still alive in that city was a little bit crazy,and lots of them were taking this spice as an antidote for the plague."
still, it seems someone may have infected a whole planet just to test a new brand of spice as a cure on the population . Rai says with a bit of respectful disgust
Above Yavin IV – The Yavin System
The scientist shrugs at Rai Zon's comments, "That would be the Corporate Sector then behind it. Perhaps collusion?
Either way, if this thing spreads across the galaxy it could be the worse drug epidemic we've seen. Perhaps ever.
The Emperor should be made aware".
"Well, that's not very nice. That idea didn't come from someone who had any belief in the sanctity of intelligent life. meaning it was probably either a Hutt or a droid. It's smart, but... well, evil."
”The Emperor should be made aware".
”Well, what are you doing still standing there? Go tell him.”
Rennah looks up at Errin's tone and grins to herself.
"Maybe we should tell him. If you give us a copy of your research and your estimate of a worst-case scenario, we can take it to him, and see what he wants to do. I suspect that he'll be wanting us to take care of it though. ESPECIALLY if the Corporate Sector is involved. Those people have taken greed to an entirely new level."
"You're right, he probably will. So much for a vacation, I guess. Let's get this to the Emperor then. If he's going to send us out to deal with a drug problem, we might as well get moving now, right?"
Above Yavin IV – The Yavin System
He pauses for a moment at Errin's statement, unsure of whether he should laugh or run right out the door straight to the Emperor!
Rennah's response clearly calms him down, he hands to you a holo recorder, "This has the information you will need to present to the Emperor. Good luck and remember under no circumstances should you attempt to try any of this stuff".
---
The team, heads to the Emperor's quarters on the ship, of course, even with your recent success, getting to the Emperor is never that easy.
A few checkpoints and guards later you all find yourselves in a set of quarters in the bowels of the ship with a clear observation deck that gives the Emperor and all of you a view of the Yavin system. He is alone, as far as any of you can tell anyhow. He turns to all of you, "I did not send for you. At the moment I've nothing I need done that requires your specific set of skills, well, nothing I wish to utilize you on at the moment anyway.
Tell me then, what do you wish to meet with me about?"
"My lord, I'm afraid we bring some troubling news regarding the spice that we picked up from the Hutts. The scientists have analyzed the stuff and these are the results."
Rennah then hands over the holo-recorder.
"To give you the short version," Garrett quips while Rennah hands him the data, "It's bad. Apparently, one of the most dangerous drugs in the galaxy. It was some of the hidden cargo that Popara's son and another Hutt were moving, unbeknowst to Popara himself. Your scientist seems to think it could cause the worst drug epidemic the galaxy's ever seen. He said he thought you should see it, so here we are. We figured you'd see it faster this way."
this drug was being used as a plague antidote on the last planet where the group encountered the sith and jedi. Apparently it made the gangs attack without thought foaming at the mouth. We believe either the hutts or some corporate entity has infected the planet in order to addict the entire population for a test run of the drug.
“Gotta wonder where the Hutts got it,” Errin says. “Smuggling spice and selling it is right up the slugs’ alley, but not designing new spice.”
Above Yavin IV – The Yavin System
The Emperor sighs, "It is truly a terrible thing when beings could be so cruel as to create such a substance for mere profit.
The galaxy burns at war and while those who could and should put a stop to such horrors are distracted, this drug may make all we fight for irrelevant.
I had wished to reserve your group, including t's newest member, for a role that either pulled us closer to the Galactic Alliance or struck out at the Sith.
However, if this situation is as dire as you believe it to be, I may need your group to deal with it. Is this a task you would be willing to handle? Especially knowing that once more you would have to deal with the vile Hutt gangsters?"
"Much as I diskike the Hutts, I stand ready to serve. Whichever task you deem most important it the one I shall pursue."
this drug sounds like a threat to all free minded souls. I am yours to command, yet following this path will be easy.
"If it gets us off this ship and into some action, I'm all for it," Errin says, letting her exasperation at the extended period of inactivity show.
"It beats sitting around on a ship all day polishing my gun." Garrett shrugs with his customary irreverence. "That, and whoever's orchestrating this drug trade is a powerful enemy. Taking them out of the picture can't be bad for us, or the galaxy."
Above Yavin IV – The Yavin System
The Emperor nods, "I know that despite the dangers you will do what must be done.
Somehow, I knew that this very conversation would take place today. I have been mulling over all last night a transmission intercepted that was intended for "Dengar".
I meditated upon whether to pass the message along to you all as I did not wish for it to tempt you away from the next mission that I had been anticipating would be required of you all.
It seems that the Force has decided that whatever this danger is, it is your group that is destined to address it".
He clicks a button on his desk and a holographic transmission emits from the end nearest where you all sit. You are greeted with the face of a jade green protocol driod. "Please stand by for a personal message from the magnificent Popara the Hutt", states the droid. "May his name ever be sung with praise".
There is a burst of static and Popara appears looking much the same as the last time you saw him. He is calm, and despite the fact that this is a recording, you get the feeling he is looking right at you. He speaks in Huttese, and the voice of H-3PO translates.
"Gentle and capable friends", says the Hutt, "I wish to invite you to meet with me at the soonest convenient moment. Come to my home on Nar Shaddaa. I will be hosting a series of banquets and wish for you to attend. At that time, I would like to discuss a loose end from your adventure on Endregaard. I believe a storm is coming, and I want to be prepared. Come as soon as you are able. I will be waiting".
Statis flashes again, and H-3PO reappears, "Popara, may his tongue always be tipped with sweets, requests your response to his message. Coordinates and approval codes for landing will also be transmitted for landing as this message expires. We will meet again on Nar Shaddaa".
With that the message terminates.
"The smugglers moon. Best tie up your wallets folks. Garrett, I suspect you should contact Popara and transmit a message saying that we're on our way. Probably include something about him making it mutually beneficial to both sides for us to attend."
Rennah mulls over things for a few seconds.
"Guess I better start painting up my armor again as well. Damn it."
"Yeah, I'll let him know we're coming. It seems like Popara isn't the one behind this, though; he seems like an outsider, and he didn't know the spice was on the ship in the first place. Could it be a power play, trying to oust him?" Garrett shrugs, getting ready to head out and send the message. "I'll make sure he knows it'll be smiles all around, Rennah, don't worry."
”Oh, this should be fun,” Erin says, the grin spreading across her face genuine. ”The last time I was on Nar Shaddaa I lost two ships, got shot by my employer and ended up in a cage fight with a Wookiee. And we still came out ahead.”
"Sounds like a good night out Errin. But let's try to keep hold of the Emissary, shall we? The other parts though... Well, yeah, It's Nar Shaddaa. Par for the course really."
Rennah grins to herself for a moment.
"A bout of Huttball might be fun though."
well I shall have to hold on to my credits and keep in the middle of all of you as I am not as experienced in cage fights, wookies, and Huttball. Rai says with a grin and a nod to his new compatriots.
when do we leave?
Rennah looks at the Emperor
"With your permission sir, I suggest now?"
Above Yavin IV – The Yavin System
The Emperor nods, "Proceed and may the Force be with you".
-------
Garrett sends a message to Popara which H-3PO acknowledges and Kaldo gets the Emissary prepped and ready to go.
The travel to the Smuggler's Moon take nearly 8 days but is as smooth as hyperspace travel ca get considering the current state of the Galaxy.
--------------
Nar Shaddaa
The Smuggler’s Moon is like a mudwasp nest, with craft buzzing around it at all times. A number of ships have collected in a holding pattern at the trailing LaGrange point, waiting for permission to land.
You punch in the clearance codes and receive immediate clearance and directions for landing. Your nav computer connects to the Nar Shaddaa master traffic relayer, and you are brought into a tight orbit and then dropped down between the colossal skyscrapers of Nar Shaddaa that rise up from the moon’s depths like irregular jagged teeth. The narrow spires and blackened domes appear simultaneously magnificent and malignant. Cloud cars and swoop bikes dance between the spires, and catwalks and bridges span the bottomless canyons between them.
You drop now into one of the canyons and the sunlight disappears above you. You pass frightfully close to other buildings as you plummet. Eventually the descent slows and you touch down softly on a landing pad suspended between two of the great buildings. You feel it would take a good pilot to lift off without any computer aid. Kaldo grins at the rest of you, ”Don’t worry, I can pull it off if we absolutely have to”.
Waiting for you outside on the ramp is an old friend, Mika the Hutt, a pair of Nikto bodyguards armed with carbine rifles, and a jade green protocol droid, H-3PO. He waves up to the cockpit in greeting.
Having repainted her armor once more, Rennah remains silent as she exits the s&!#, scanning the area for any threats and waiting for Garrett to take the lead in the conversations.
At the same time, Rennah opens herself to the Force and sees if she can detect any threats.
Rai will don his armor as well before the ship lands and then when it does disembark with the group his light saber carefully hidden on his person. He will keep careful eye on the group.
Errin inhales deeply as she exits the ship, the stench of oil and swamp rot bringing back many thrilling memories, and a few dark ones. The Smuggler's Moon had been one of the places she cut her teeth as a bounty hunter. She wondered if any of her old dives were still here. Then again, finding new ones was part of the fun.
"Keep your wits about you. There's a million ways to get fleeced on Nar Shaddaa, and they don't stop once they have all your credits," she says, nodding at Mika and his guards as they approach.
"It's not hard to land on Nar Shaddaa and leave on a slave ship, if you're not careful. That, or end up as spare parts." Garrett just gives Mika a curt nod to acknowledge the Hutt, trying to keep up the persona he'd been presenting. "Let's see what they want."