Noss stares at the chuckling Hutt for a few long moments, then cracks a sly smile, "I like you, Hutt. " he says, then looking back over his shoulder at the bristling wookies, smiles even wider.
Turning again to look at the Hutt, he asks "So, give us your proposal....and your name, so we know who we're doing business with."
As Noss speaks, Cardis leans in and whispers, "The Hutt can give us the route through the Indexu Spiral. It may also be advantageous to eliminate Popara, should the opportunity arise, to ensure he does not provide others with the knowledge. This one seems to be just as resourceful as his father."
"Then why are we still standing around debating?" Taras asks, his voice somewhat muffled by his helmet. "Let's do the job."
The prize I seek is the corpse of Mika.
There is a complication making the task one which requires professionals such as yourselves. Indeed, I am happy that a group with your reputation has arrived. The planet is currently be blockaded by the Corporate Sector Authority. In addition, the planet is suffering from a virulent plague. The CSA will let no one on or off the planet as a result of the plague.
I will need you to run the blockade, find my brother, and slay him without the other group being hired by my father finding out. It must seem as if the natives slew my brother or perhaps the plague got him. In exchange, I will give you the complete mapping of the Indrexu Spiral.
Are you still interested in this mission?"
The R4 translation, "I am Zonnos. My younger brother Mika has crash landed on a planet Endregaard which is located within the Indrexu Spiral. I have a pilot that knows one course through the spiral who I can send with you, the programs my father created can map every path through the spiral which is of course, the prize you seek.
The prize I seek is the corpse of Mika.
There is a complication making the task one which requires professionals such as yourselves. Indeed, I am happy that a group with your reputation has arrived. The planet is currently be blockaded by the Corporate Sector Authority. In addition, the planet is suffering from a virulent plague. The CSA will let no one on or off the planet as a result of the plague.
I will need you to run the blockade, find my brother, and slay him without the other group being hired by my father finding out. It must seem as if the natives slew my brother or perhaps the plague got him. In exchange, I will give you the complete mapping of the Indrexu Spiral.
Are you still interested in this mission?"
Noss ticks items off on his fingers, "Fratricide...blockade running...plague...a frame up...I must say Zonnos, you paint a pretty picture." Noss says, smiling widely, his hands now on his hips.
"Right then, who's this pilot of yours?"
"This should be quite the exciting task," Cardis says, eyes eager. "What can you tell us of both the plague and the natives of this world? Specifically their weapons."
"Relax, Salacious," Taras says, turning his head slightly to look at his fellow Sith Apprentice. "It's business as usual." Using the Force, he sends out an emotion to Noss: Caution. Their cover is a team of bounty hunters known for brutal efficiency and willingness to work. While that definitely includes certain character traits, they didn't want to seem too bloodthirsty.
And, frankly, Taras has his concerns. This isn't at all the mission they were supposed to carry out for Wyyrlock, and it would be difficult enough to not blow their cover in a fight without these extra complications. He trusts Cardis, though, so he lets the politician do the speaking.
Before the Hutt can respond, the wookies begin howling.
The largest points at Noss,
Another speaks,
A third points at Cardis,
Finally one more speaks laughing as he forces his speech out,
The rest of the crowd begins bursting into laughter. Zonnos stares at the group shaking his head with annoyance,
The R4 does not translate that statement.
"Zonnos, there appears to be humor amongst your Wookie slaves. Since they are incapable of performing the task you have set before us, perhaps you should send them away so we can avoid discussing this business with such inferiors."
Though he may not speak the language, he can tell from Zonnos's words they are the butt of some joke or other amongst the Wookies. Choosing his words to offend the Wookies, but not Zonnos, Cardis grins in anticipation of their reaction.
Taras tenses up slightly, also unsure of what has been said, but he doesn't doubt the possibilities of a fight here, even if it's only a short one. His lightsaber is in its customary sheath on his forearm, spring-loaded for easy access, and while he's sure Cardis could explain away the oddity of it--probably something about the rumors being mixed-up or just untrue, or the bounty hunters not wanting most people to know they used the weapons--he'd rather not risk it in a small brawl with thugs.
Noss doesn't even look back at the growling comments from the group of Wookies, his eyes never leave Zonnos. Stil smiling, his grin widens at Cardis' cutting remark, but he refrains from adding his own comment, nodding slightly to acknowledge Taras' silent warning.
Crossing his arms, he waits for the Hutt to fill them in on his plan.
The Hutt speaks in basic cutting the Droids translation! "My bodyguard would challenge your best fighter to show that your reputation is earned and not all talk. Is this agreeable?"
Cardis turns to the others, raising an eyebrow at them as if to say, Well? Do any of you wish to handle this?
Noss returns Cardis' questioning look with a smile, then looks to his friend Taras. The two had over time dealt death in many forms together, this would just be one more variation. The question lay in whom to choose to do the deed.
Addressing the Arakadian, he says, "Well Tar, who's it gonna be?"
Taras glances to the wookiee and sums up the opponent. Given the creature's behavior thus far, it seemed easy enough to assume he would be an undisciplined warrior--dangerous if he got his hands on him, but most likely somewhat slow and less than skilled. Neither of the Sith should have trouble with him... but while revealing two bounty hunters had lightsabers was one thing, revealing that one of their number was a skilled dual-wielder was entirely different.
"I'll take him." Taras turns to the wookiee and cracks his knuckles. "Assuming he doesn't mind the possibility of becoming a stationary carpet."
Siar catches Taras' eye, her unspoken question obvious - though she would never put voice to a question of a Sith's abilities.
Note to self: remind others to use aliases, not real names, Cardis thinks as Noss calls Taras "Tar" instead of "Colvin."
Nodding, Cardis turns to the Hutt and says, "Colvin is happy to meet this challenge. It won't be the first Wookie he's dealt with." A malevolent grin spreading across his face, Cardis says, "Perhaps he'll even allow Kyrish to keep his arms."
Niss winces inwardly at his mistake, thankful for Cardis' smooth patter.
With a sweep of his hand , as if to say to Taras, Be my guest Noss ushers Taras toward the battleground.
"Colwin, don't damage the pelt...it would make an excellent wall hanging in our stateroom. he drawls to his friend.
A wookie, not the largest one but one of his comrades, roars in challenge and draws a vibro knife as the occupants of the room begin to back away to the perimeter.
The R4 unite translates, "Very well, the combat shall be until first blood!"
Initiative - Wookie
Initiative - "Colvin"
Taras can't help but grin as the wookiee draws a knife and approaches him. This might allow him to settle this combat and also maintain cover... while perhaps embarrassing this upstart even more.
The Sith shrugs his shoulders, a reflex that would normally toss his cloak to the floor--here it simply makes sure his muscles are loose and flexible. First he brings up the Force within himself, focusing the negativity he feels thus far: the lack of information, the extraneous mission for this Hutt, and now some wookiee starting trouble.
He then moves forward toward the wookiee without any weapon, perhaps confusing him, and then he lunges with his hands out. A twist here, applied pressure there, and the knife should fall from the creature's grasp into Taras's waiting hand, leaving his enemy unarmed.
"Colvin" is able to disarm the wookie seemingly with ease. The Wookie though is no green warrior, he swings his mighty fist at Colvin looking to connect with the head of the "bounty hunter".
Fist
Damage
His strike misses the dexterous Colvin.
Taras takes the knife and dodges the wookiee with relative ease. He measures the weapon's weight in his hand and tries to figure how best to hold it--it isn't something he's used to using, but it should do the trick. He lunges forward with the knife, trying to slash the wookiee and end this quickly.
Colvin's strike is true and he slashes the wookie's flank drawing the blood that should bring the fight to a finish.
The wookie howls in rage but stands down.
"HU HU HU HU HUH", the Hutt chuckles at the fight before him.
The R4 translates, "You are everything advertised and more!"
Noss had been avidly anticipating the forthcoming battle, but his attitude deflated when the first blood rule was called forth.
Disappointed his bloodlust wasn't to be satisfied, he contented himself to watch his friend Taras' impeccable form.
He backed up to stand beside Siar, standing nonchalanltly, chin in his hand, watching the fight but also staring intently at the larger of the wookies, knowing full well that the fight's outcome was certain.
When the inevitable happened and Taras deftly disarmed and pinked the wookie with its own weapon, he smiled sardonically at the large wookie, then paced forward, clapping, to congratulate the victor.
"Well done, Ta...Colvin!" he cries, clapping Taras on the shoulder.
"Of course, Salacious." Taras turns back to the wookiee and raises the knife, deactivating it. "Take this. A souvenir of the man who taught you your place." The Sith flips the weapon to the wookiee's feet and returns to his place by the others, folding his arms and looking expectantly to the Hutt.
Cardis smiles as Taras easily defeats the Wookie. Offering a short bow to the Hutt's words, he says, "We would be nothing less. It does not pay to overstate our abilities. Now, before we get underway, can you tell us anything about the lnative life forms on this planet?"
The locals trade in animal products and geodes. The local government has ties to the Corporate Sector due to the geode trade. However, the local governor is rather weak and as a result the planet became a haven for smugglers and other scoundrels looking to escape one authority or another.
The only major city is Tel Bollin with some scattered settlements around it. Mining operations though are scattered about the planet so it is possible Mika could be anywhere having gone there to meet with a mining operation on behalf of our father.
With the onset of the plague the local authority may well have been swept away so conditions socially and politically are not clear at the moment".
R4's holographic translation scrawls out the following data, "The planet is located within the Joxin system of the Tion Cluster which due to the difficulties of getting into and out of the cluster is a backward corner of the galaxy. What the native life forms of the planet once were is not clear as for centuries humans have been the dominant species on the planet.
The locals trade in animal products and geodes. The local government has ties to the Corporate Sector due to the geode trade. However, the local governor is rather weak and as a result the planet became a haven for smugglers and other scoundrels looking to escape one authority or another.
The only major city is Tel Bollin with some scattered settlements around it. Mining operations though are scattered about the planet so it is possible Mika could be anywhere having gone there to meet with a mining operation on behalf of our father.
With the onset of the plague the local authority may well have been swept away so conditions socially and politically are not clear at the moment".
Noss crosses his arm and says, "Now then, this plague of yours. You got a shot or a pill or something to keep us from coming down with it?"
Frowning, Cardis considers what they have been told.
"Tell me, Zonnos, what the symptoms of this plague are, and how quickly it kills."
Once you are ready I can have one of my medical droids inoculate you so that you can be on your way".
The R4 unit does not translate, perhaps the Hutt wants to keep this information close to the.. well slime.. at this time.
Taras speaks up at this development, replying to the Hutt in its own language. "I hope you aren't planning on slipping anything in with this vaccine. No tricks on your end, none on ours. We're the best in the business, Zonnos. You can do well in placing trust in us to complete this mission."
Cardis notes the symptoms of the disease, and quietly provides Siar and Noss a summary of them, as well as the fact the Hutt has a vaccine, and Taras's suspicions.
Carefully observing the Hutt for signs of Deception, Cardis tries to think what diseases the symptoms might match.
The Hutt responds,
When Cardis relates the news about the innoculations, Noss grimaces, then nods, "Well, I'd rather not have to deal with thick fingers....let's get our shots and get going. "
"Any one in the local government owe you a favor?" he asks the Hutt
Once I determine either the specific disease or one that is nearly identical, I'd like to use my Connections to acquire a dart launcher (Galaxy of Intrigue) along with several darts coated with a liquid form of the disease. I'd also like to acquire a Sith Alchemy treated War Sword for Taras (War Sword is 50 Credits, doesn't list a cost for Sith Alchemy treatment). I have 8,000 credits from Connections, and ignore availability. I also reduce black market cost modifiers by one. Can I arrange a rendezvous with an unmarked courier shuttle outside the cluster for this?
Also, you have no connections in the Tion Cluster that would owe you any favors.
You receive the inoculations and head back to the ship. Cardis volunteered to go first and headed to the ship to arrange affairs.
Quickly calculating the rendezvous coordinates, Cardis knows time is of the essence, and sends the requests through. He gets a little risky with the course, but is quite confident in his skills.
That's fine. I didn't expect to have contacts there.
Note to self: make contacts in the Tion Cluster.
Noss shrugs when the Hutt ignores his question, taking the innoculation stoically and joining the others heading back to the ship.
Once there he assists Cardis in his calcuations...
Noss shrugs when the Hutt ignores his question, taking the innoculation stoically and joining the others heading back to the ship.
Cardis punches the coordinates and the familiar sight of a wormhole greets the team as they race towards the Tion Cluster.
in only three days thanks to the prowess of Cardis and Noss you arrive at the edge of the cluster. Floating in space is a ship, an A-wing Starfighter.
The pilot opens the comm, "Cardis Rin I presume?"
Activating the comm, Cardis replies, "You have found the correct ship. Do you have the requested items?"
His hand rests on the shields, in case this turns out to be a setup.
The fighter responds, "I do, do I have permission to dock with your ship so that I make the delivery to you in person Cards Rin?"