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As the group makes modifications as they see fit to the Scimitar, Cardis Rin gets his people working on new identifications for the group.
The Collective - A bounty hunter team from the Unknown Regions, the rumor mill has been swirling related to their activity since they appeared on the scene nearly one year ago. Many believe they are a remnant group of the feared GenoHaradan long believed extinct returned to the core to recaim that group's prominence in the galaxy. Whatever the truth of the rumors, they have received the death sentence on three systems due to their penchant for collecting bounties on any and every target, even Imperial ones...
"Well, if you're rumoured to have slain a Jedi, at least you'll have an excused to carry a 'sabre"
"Hah. Even my cover is a genetically modified killer." Taras shakes his head and continues working. "I'm ready to go once we finish here."
"Excellent. These identities will be good for our cover. I may carry one of those vibroblades in place of my rapier to look the part a bit better."
"And speaking of things to sell the part better..." He hands each of the others a single thermal detonator, and Siar a snare rifle. "These might help us quite nicely. I've also acquired 10 explosive charges and a surveillance tagger, just in case."
"Well, if you're rumoured to have slain a Jedi, at least you'll have an excused to carry a 'sabre"
"Ah, indeed, but I carry two..." Noss drawls, then chuckles, "But for the sake of the subterfuge I will only expose one of them to scrutiny."
The upgrade to the hyperdrive has already paid dividends netting you an arrival a few days faster than the initial navigation system which was in place.
The Scimitar and its Bounty Hunter crew lift off from Coruscant and through the heavy traffic of the center on the new Sith Empire.
Once in orbit, Cardis punches in the coordinates and the familiar sight of the stars streaking across the viewport fold into the wormhole of hyperspace travel.
You arrive in Huttspace in four short days ready to begin the quest that Darth Wyyrlock has placed in your path. As you exit hyperspace you begin to circle the planet. From space the planet appears murky in some spots with other splotches of greenish tint.
It is not easy to ascertain if there are any cities on the surface. In orbit there is a space station still under construction but which has light spaceship traffic so it is at least partially operational. Your presence here is either ignored or undetected as no officials have attempted to hail you on any frequencies yet.
Noss looks down on the planet, his face impassive. Turning he comment to the others, "I never paid any attention in my stellar cartography lessons. Any of you know anything about his world?"
Siar issues the description of the world without embellishment, citing as if from a textbook.
"I see no reason to visit the planet, I doubt any of the locals know anything of import to us."
Siar has changed into "infiltration gear" in anticipation, loose dark clothes - skin subtly darkened and hair slicked back tight to her head.
"Let's go meet Popara, then."
Cardis turns the Scimitar towards the moon where Popara waits, eager to accomplish their mission.
Taras nods at Cardis's words, and returns to the cargo bay, where he continues to put some touches on his costume as well as making sure his lightsaber is in perfect working order.
As the Scimitar heads towards the station you are hailed on the comm.
"Unidentified ship. State your purpose for approaching this station".
Siar glances to Cardis, Should I introduce us, or do you want the honours?
Flipping the switch to broadcast their false transponder ID, Cardis says, "This is the Hunter's Pride, requesting permission to land. We have a meeting with Popara the Hutt."
You hear something attempt to obscure the comm,
Hunter's Pride, you have permission to land at bay Y 23, a representative will meet you there".
"We are not the first ones here"
"Then let us hope we are not too far behind any other competing groups - and that we can quickly close the gap."
Following their homing beacon in, Cardis brings the ship into the designated docking bay.
Noss leans is as the transmission reveals they weren't the first to arrive to meet the Hutt.
Straightening, he glances at Cardis as he watches the station get closer and closer, "Indeed. We must act with surety and boldness; this situation will hopefully breed caution in any competitors."
Cardis brings the ship to the Landing Bay with no incidents.
As you disembark the doors to the station open and a group of four wookies approach the ship. The smallest of the hairy beasts speaks to you in its bestial language.
Noss stops and crosses his arms, looking at the wookies.
"Any of you know what the furball said?" he asks the others, a smirk on his face.
Sighing, Cardis looks at the Wookie and says, "None of us speaks your language. I don't suppose there's a translator nearby, is there?"
Taras stands near the back of the group, knowing he doesn't speak the Wookiee language. Didn't exactly expect that.
"I do not speak their tongue, but since they are not trying to hurt us, I can only assume they want us to follow them?"
Siar watches the Wookiees, to see if they affirm her suspicion, moving casually towards them.
The lead wookie speaks to his companions and chuckles he then motions you towards them. The group turns to head back through the doors expecting it would seem, for you to all follow.
Carefully watching them and his surroundings, Cardis follows the Wookies, hoping they'll take them to Popara.
Noss chuckles as well, as if in on the joke. He then joins the others in following the wookies inside.
As he walks, he extends his feelings, trying to determine if any other Force user are nearby.
Taras feels Noss's probing of the Force, and joins the other Sith in searching outward for any other Force users... while also shielding himself from their senses.
You walk through the station and are unimpressed. It is clearly not finished or if it is it may be one of the most bland constructions ever made. Nothing stands out about it not the architecture nor decorations. Even the color of the steel seems drab, especially compared to Coruscant.
After passing through a large hall you enter a promenade which is still under construction as there are dozens of works busy moving back and forth to construct the place. The workers comprise many races and all rush about as if frantically trying t make up for lost time.
Soon you pass through the promenade into another grander hall. Sounds of laughter echo own the hall from the room at the end. The group of Wookies lead you to this room where several life forms sit watching a Devaronian female perform an exotic dance. One corner of the room is poorly lit and blocked off by a screen.
As you all step into the room the woman stops dancing and the crowd jeers. The head wookie barks loudly and the crowd quiets down. Your group walks through the crowd led by the wookies to stand before the screen.
The screen is pushed back ever so slightly and a Klatooinians pokes its head out and addresses you all, "Are you here to see Popara about a mission? If so, what are your names?"
"Salacious Jerricko, Rylat Forveth, Colvin Dashwind, and Kadavo Spectre, Cardis says, indicating Noss, Siar, Taras, and himself. "We are The Collective, and we are here to discuss the Indexu Spiral."
Noss crosses his arms and glares at the Klatooinian, while thinking to himself, "Now then, which one was I? Ah yes, Salacious....wonderful name..."
As Cardis gives your names the crowd begins to murmur. The Klatooinian steps back behind the screen for a moment and you hear whispered conversation take place.
The screen is then pushed away revealing a Hutt. This Hutt however is not the same Hutt you saw in Wyyrlock's holoprojector. He is a bit smaller and clearly much younger.
He speaks,
As you can see Popara, my father, is not here. It seems someone has been spreading false rumors regarding my Father's whereabouts. No doubt they wish to retrieve the prize that he offers and have played a dirty trick on their competitors.
I came here to see if a group would be willing to work for me having missed an opportunity to do business with my Father. Are you interested in such an opportunity?"
As he begins speaking, a small R4 unit rolls forward and projects a holo image of his translated Huttese into Basic.
"Ah the Collective. Your reputation precedes you. I have heard many rumors regarding your group. Rumors I should wish to see proven first hand.
As you can see Popara, my father, is not here. It seems someone has been spreading false rumors regarding my Father's whereabouts. No doubt they wish to retrieve the prize that he offers and have played a dirty trick on their competitors.
I came here to see if a group would be willing to work for me having missed an opportunity to do business with my Father. Are you interested in such an opportunity?"
Cardis narrows his eyes. We were told Popara was here. If Imperisl Intelligence has failed in this, they will pay dearly.
"Under normal circumstances, I would say yes. However, we have already been offered a large reward for retrieving the information about the Indexu Spiral. Now, if we could receive that information in exchange for aiding you..."
Cardis eyes the Hutt, looking for signs of Deception.
"Rylat" narrows her eyes and starts checking for exits and evaluating the potential combatants in the room. She wishes she'd had time to arrive separately from the others and get a sense of the station beforehand - this situation is making her skin crawl.
Noss stares at the younger Hutt, his eye expressionless. Only a slight twitch at the corner of his right eye betrays the emotions roiling within. The sudden urge to kill every living thing on the station surges through Noss' limbs , only reined in by his discipline and knowledge that might sabotage the mission.
Still some of his anger bleeds out, as he raises a hand and points at the Hutt, "My friend here is diplomatic to a fault. You know our reputation, you know what we're capable of. Tell us where your father is....now. We'll consider your offer after our business with him is finished." he says through clenched teeth.
-> 31
The Hutt laughs at Noss' threat.
The hologram translation flashes from the R4 unit. "Where my father is does not matter. He has no doubt already hired a group to perform the task at hand that he wishes to have done. However, if you perform a task for me, I can get you that which you desire".
Siar you look back and see the group of Wookies as well as the others in the room bristle at Noss' threats. The largest wookie seems especially rankled.