Valkyr is unfamiliar with this place, and never did find mingling as one of her strong suits, but is fairly sure the shop was located down the main street and off an alleyway about 100m away.
I think it's up there but I've never been to the place myself...
she glances around
We need to move, quickly...
It was a pity the fight did not last longer, I had found a stunningly poorly maintained smoke device which we could have used to confused the Gammoreans as we attacked them. 5's manibles chitter slightly as he walked, Although clearly we did not need such an advantage, apparently.
Trex you know. He's the source of slaves to Teemo, so you've seen him many times on his trips to Mos Shuuta. He's a mean SOB, and he's known to shoot first and never bother with questions. His ship, the KRAYT FANG, is a Corellian job, a YT-1300.
You've never really heard of a "hyperspace transmitter" before. Form the description, it's probably a hypermatter reactor. If that's true, the KRAYT FANG isn't going anywhere without it.
5 looks at Rae as the group walks on Maybe a yypermatter reactor? I do not know of any other item that matches that description do you? I should not speak to this "Tran"...while I want him to learn to treat droids fairly even I know we need to leave quickly...
"Sounds likely," Rae agrees. "Even I couldn't keep a ship in the air without one. Not for long enough, anyway." She longed to be back in the depths of space, to have cold steel beneath her feet instead of hot sand. To have the dim lighting of flashlights instead of the blinding twin suns. Back in the air where things made sense, and you didn't have to hide in closets. As long as you kept a ship in the air, the sky and stars were yours.
As she continues walking, she ponders 5's statement about Tran. "No, it would be best if you didn't say anything. I've dealt with Tran before, he's a lost cause." She shakes her head, adding with a sadness to her voice, "Some people... can't be fixed. They're just... bad parts. Rotten cores. Best you fly under the radar a ways."
"That was a clever idea with the smoke machine." Rae adds. While she knows that the droid doesn't require the validation, she likes to think that he appreciates it all the same. There was also a touch of shame to the remark, knowing that she could have handled herself better when the guns went off. It was strange for her to think that '5' did not experience remorse or fear the way that she did. Sometimes she envied that about him.
As they all move hurriedly down the street, Valkyr remarks
I think it better someone else does the talking, I don't know one end of an engine from the other. Best I stand there instead, all blaster and nasty glares
She wasn't sure what to make of the last few hours, now suddenly on the run with these people she'd only known a short while, but that was life on the rim it seemed. If they could just get away from here then they might stand a chance of surviving, and more than that, maybe working as a team for themselves rather than taking orders from other people.
That was something to focus on, her thoughts returned to the present, watching every passing person's hands for the presence of blaster or comlink, ears pricked for mention of Teemo or slave revolts.
XJ7-511 nods self satisfied at the smoke machine comment the droid's voice regulator humming before he speaks, Oh I would think Mr. Tok would need to do the talking. He has quite the reputation for his diplomacy. Why it was clearly observed that the female humanoids in the cantina we just left were quite taken with his articulations and non-verbal suggestions. I am curious to know why other males of various species display some repressed hostility at Mr. Tok's successful attempts to engage females. Would it not be better to observe him closely and learn his skills if they wish to be equally successful?
The droid idly checks his clothes (for the nothing that he is carrying) as he walks, clearly going down the rabbit hole of deductive reasoning that so often earns droids a bad reputation as social citizens...
"Most people are morons, unfortunately. At the very least they lack the capacity for droid logic. We could learn a lot from you. I'll talk to the guy. Did you say he has a problem with droids?"
5 nods as the group continues to move towards their destination, Indeed. He is known for his belligerent attitude and, at times, physical abuse. Sadly most droids might never understand the lack of respect not having true awareness of what his method of communication implies. Though I think his R5 unit might be trying to slowly ruin the man's business, he made some odd comments the last time I saw him about micrometer adjustments to the laser lathe. I could be misunderstanding the comment, those units talk very quickly sometimes.
The junk shop is immediately obvious by the scrapyard adjoining the low pourstone building. As you step inside, you see a hunched old human male lurking behind a low counter covered with disassembled droid and machine parts. The man glances up at you, then turns to a garbage can-shaped R5 droid standing at his side. He kicks the old droid and shrieks "You're supposed to tell me when I have customers, you bucket of bolts! Now go outside and finish stripping that speeder bike wreck!"
The droid trundles off with a surly "boooooop", and the man turns to you. With a nod at Rae, he points to the racks and shelves and enormous buckets full of scrap metal and parts.
Welcome to Tran's! I have anything you could want...for the right price!"
Rae does her best to keep her cool, but she's like a kid in a candy store around all the parts, and rapidly bounces between piles of equipment that have arrived since the last time she was in the shop. Remembering how much the man enjoyed haggling, Rae reminded herself to downplay her needs. "Eh," she says. "Kinda browsing around for a Hypermatter Reactor for a side project. Didn't figure you'd have one, but it was worth a check."
Tran glares at Rae with a hard look. Clearly, he doesn't like the Twi'lek flitting about his place. Even less, he doesn't approve of '5's presence in his shop. "As it happens, I do have a hypermatter reactor. 'Cept it's promised to Captain Trex of the KRAYT FANG. So, I can't help you....unless you can beat his offer of 500 credits, that is."
Tok turns to 5. "You pile of scrap! What did I tell you? Stay the f&%@ outside!" Tok turns to Tran with a shrug. "These things think they're people, amiright? I'm, like, if I can turn you off with a switch, you're not a person. Though come to think of it, I could turn a woman on just as easily, ha. Trex is that Trandoshan, right? Just like one of those to call itself a 'Captain.' And have you seen how he treats droids? Better than he treats humans! Can't stand that racist reptile. At least a Jawa knows its place. Anyway, it's not like he can pay over time what I could. A slaver ...who deals in humans. Humans. Me, I sell droids to certain ...wealthy clients of like frame of mind. You get me that part, I don't care where it comes from, but you become my Tatooine connection. Didn't realize I'd do so well here ...those Jawas have some good merch."
Valkyr hovers outside near the doorway, crouching down to lower her profile and pretending to watch the droid disassemble the speeder wreck. She keeps her eyes scanning around for anyone that might have been following the group, and listens to the conversation inside in case she's needed.
5 raises his hand to object but then realizes what Tok is intending, I apologize sir. I will dutifully stand aside while you conduct your important business, that I could not possibly understand, being lowly. A lowly droid. That I am... 5 realizes he needs to stop and stops talking.
[dice=Mechanics (GGYY)]2d8+2d12
That amount is probably a bit high. Prices fluctuate from system to system, planet to planet; depending on location, demand, etc. It's a lesson you as a group will need to understand as you go through your careers.
Tran listens to Tok's sales pitch, nodding at his assessment of droids, and Jawa wares. At the mention of Trex, a slight grimace crosses his face.
"Listen. I promised this to Trex. Any idea how angry he gets? I don't need an angry Transdoshan rampaging through here, you know? He's paying me 500 creds. Can you beat that price? I mean, what are we talking about here with 'pay over time'? This is a cash establishment, you know?"
His face looks eager, but he's trying to hide it.
Rae tries not to glare at the human with the horrible things spewing from his mouth and hopes that he's joking. Having only recently become acquainted with him, she can't be sure, and makes a mental note to keep an eye on 5 around him. "C'mon Tran, we've always been able to work things out in the past. I think what my associate here is offering would be a down payment, say 250 now, another 500 in two month's time. We both know the part's not worth that much."
"You think a Trandoshan can actually pay that kind of money? How could their gross little paws even hand it over? Besides, you know he slaves humans. That doesn't sit well with me, nor a lot of other people. Even the Empire wants this guy gone. So let me put it this way, you won't get any money from him, and probably captured in his ring. Scuttlebutt is he's short on slaves, especially smart humans. Part of my ...clients' wishes is that Trex doesn't leave Tatooine, except in a box. You think I'd be with this shoddy crew if I didn't have a good reason? She was a slave, and is my in. The bucket of bolts is the ...well, not 'live' bait, but you get the idea. After that, I confiscate his ship, and bring my proof to my employer. So, see, not only do I need a reactor, I need that reactor."
[dice=Charm!]3d8+2d12+2d6-1d8-1d12-1d6
Tran looks at Tok, then at Rae, then back at Tok. "300 now, and you owe me a big one. AND, if Trex comes through here, I'm gonna tell him you stole it, you know? I'm not gonna get my head torn off because of you, good business or not, you know?"
Valkyr winces as Tran names the price, she had not even a single credit to her name at the moment. Teemo owed her a week's wages, she wondered is she shouldn't have tried patting down the gamoreans to recover some of the debt. Ah well, best to let it go, it was just a shame she couldn't help her companions.
"Don't worry, my new partner. Trex won't be coming here unless I bring his head personally. It's a deal."
Valkyr looks up to see 5 standing to one side of the doorway
Whilst it would not be unusual for a Droid to be lingering around these premises, you are perhaps the only Droid on the planet wearing clothes. As such it might serve our cause better for you to be crouched down
There is no judgement in her tone, only a matter of fact suggestion to improve 5's ability to blend in to the environment.
Looking at the unit currently stripping the speeder bike she adds
Do you have astromech capabilities 5? If not it might behoove us to acquire said capabilities here, after all this bridge is already burning, we are not likely to return here for a while. And Tran was very nasty to this Droid...
Credits exchange hands, and soon you are the new owners of a slightly used hypermatter reactor. Tran looks at Tok. "You owe me big time. I'll expect to see some of that Jawa merch in here soon." He turns towards the door and yells. "HEY YOU BUCKET OF KRIFFIN' BOLTS! FINISHED WITH THAT SPEEDER YET? I AIN'T GETTIN' ANY YOUNGER!"
Leaving the shop, you pick up Valkyr and '5'. Next stop, the KRAYT FANG. You know the ship is docking in Landing Bay Aurek. You also know that in order to get out, you're going to have to unlock the docking clamps on the ship, and the only place to do that is in spaceport control.
You're going to have to be careful, because Teemo probably has his guards combing the streets by now, looking for you.
Just another day in Mos Shuuta.
Valkyr shakes her head in an expression of annoyance
Lady and gentlemen, we either need astromech capability or we don't, make the decision and let's be off towards the spaceport.
she stands and gestures with her blaster in a not *entirely* friendly manner
Also, if we need those docking clamps released, I'd like to hear a plan that doesn't involve me single-handedly storming the air traffic control building, cos that's all I've come up with so far...
Rae stares sideways at Tok as they leave the junkyard, carrying the Reactor like a parent would carry an infant. "What's the actual plan?" She asks bluntly. "If we steal Trex's ship, don't you think he will certainly come here and kill Tran for the trouble?"
"I had been thinking we could just trade the part (and my services maintaining it) for passage of this rock. But it seems like you have different ideas."
"Remind me of the downside of either of those two racist, slaving f&!!s dying?"
The R5 unit dutifully continues taking the speeder apart, although you could swear it's moving slower than it should. It's almost...deliberate. It emits a slow series of beeps and whines as it does so. Almost like a sad tune...
Is it....humming?
At one point it turns in your direction, engaged in removing a repulsorlift access panel, and you can see a large restraining bolt affixed to it. Remove that and well, it can go wherever it wants.
5 is lost in thought as Valkyr talks to him. Though his computing core was more than capable of simultaenous processing 5 had been toying with the notion of "being distracted". His tests had mixed results.
At the song of the R5 unit, 5 comes to the here and now, moving to the R5 and talking to Valkyr as he moves.
My apologies Mistress Valkyr I was contemplating my mortality. Clothes have pcokets which I find comforting and effective, though I take your point on it raising my visibility...As it stands I am trained in Astrogation as is Rae although not to the capability of this R5 unit. He would prove to be very useful...could you fetch her for me I believe I will need her help...
5 kneels next to the R5 looking over the restraining bolt, And do you have a designation my small friend? How would you like to leave with us...
Valkyr listens to 5 and is about to fetch Rae when she appeared, preceding Tok.
As they briefly discussed the situation Valkyr frowns
Tok, I appreciate your thoughts on those who enslave sentient species, but bear in mind the amount of heat we are generating with each action right now, exactly how many bounty hunters do you want chasing after us?
She then moves to block the doorway so a chance glance from Tran won't reveal 5 working on the restraining bolt.
Our next objective is those docking clamps, let's focus on that as the highest priority. How do we get the dock authority to release them when we aren't the registered owner?
"How much heat do no witnesses generate? Think Teemo's gonna be into broadcasting to the sector he lost his bodyguard, major domo, mechanic, and clothes-wearing droid in one day? He'd be slaughtererd."
As 5 fiddles with bolt he pauses, The Hutt did not "lose" me, I affected an escape with the rest of your during... There is an intermittent hum from 5's vocal processor as he turns back to working on the bolt, I apologize I was not filtering your comments through my colloquial statements program, I retract my correction.
"Remind me of the downside of either of those two racist, slaving f*~*s dying?"
"Having to live with it." Rae replies simply. "A life is a life."
Not wanting to comment further on the topic, she remains quiet until 5 is messing with the bolt. "Need a hand?"
The restraining bolt pops off quite easily in the experienced hands of '5' and Rae. The little R5 unit stands there stock still for a moment, then bursts out in sound. Immediately as '5' stands up, the little droid follows him.
The R5 listens to Valkyr speak of docking clamps, then starts rocking back and forth on its motive legs. It begins beeping at '5'.