Open A Larger Sum - Scrapper Auction

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

A Larger Sum - Scrapper's Auction
This thread is open to all - no restrictions on combat.

Bracca
2300​

The Vahla was, for the first time in a while, sure of his progress in life. His homeworld of Rhen Var had asked him to represent them on the Galactic Stage - choosing to end their isolationism for fear of an impending invasion. The fears where unfounded, but nonetheless Gram took the calling seriously. Their application to join the Free Worlds Alliance had yet to be formally accepted, so the mystic went about an alternative persuasion of credit gathering.

Bounty Hunting work, and this time, something more. He needed modifications for his ship, and an entirely new vessel for an enterprise in the making. It was his plan to retrofit a freighter into a makeshift workshop. It would need to be a bargain buy - not because he was strapped for credits, but rather because he was scrapping the majority of the interior for space, and customer service. And to that end, the best place for a trodden down vessel - the Outer Rim. Specifically, he had chosen Bracca.

The Scrapper’s Guild had in its possession an entire planet of derelict ships. Not all the vessels that passed through their processing planets where dismantled. The salvageable vessels were stripped or sold as is in an auction open to any and all. The issue; it was also an open auction to the seedier dregs of society. All the better, however, for the new businessman.

He’d already docked the Mantis on one of their pads, and made his across Platform Ceti. The shanty town of crates and boxes, cut and fused together with ancient ships for major buildings and offices made for the scrapper’s auction facility. There was one or two blocks worth of living quarters before an abrupt wall dividing the area. The auction items were held inside a well defended enclosure.

At the entranceway was a single laser gate guarded by several mercenaries, armed scrappers and tamed kath hounds. Laser turrets lined the wall. The line was nonexistent, so he walked up. The checkpoint guard was absolutely oblivious to Gram’s presence until at last he tapped on the metal bars separating them.

“Ea?! Qa ohk dan circaa toe?”
(Oh?! What are you doing here?)

Gram gently raised his credit chips, but the Twi’lek shook his head smugly.

“Gan sahak tlaran Tum'eni ro Vlakesa…”
(We don’t take Republic Credits…)

The Vahla frowned momentarily, before his eyes twinkled, lowering his hand to his second pouch and drawing out a hefty sum of druggat. The clattering could be heard throughout the entrance with a faint echo as the Twi’lek’s grin widened from ear to ear.

“Enough to cover my entrance fee?”

“Ka! T'u ir kuces... toe san ar fic a tersa, fel? Qaon toyid gan fa'kan dan?”
(Yes! More than enough… for me to have a tip, eh? How can we help you?)

“I’m looking for a ship, I need specifics. Happen to have any mining vessels?”

The Twi’lek began rapidly tapping on the computer terminal in front of him, no doubt searching through the manifest. The search returned with a green light - Gram could see it in the reflection from the goggles on his forehead.

“Ka, gan fic a Y-8 vashna ji t'arija bo ji fiyao- n'irs v'edigila. Mtan ohk tilsa bo Josis Cresh.”
(Yes, we have a Y-8 missing the majority of the port-side plating. Should be part of Lot C.)

“Thank you. Keep the change.”

Gram whisked past the security gate before it reactivated, spurning the advance for more money. The Vahla wasn’t fluent in the exchange rate between Druggats and GCS, but it didn’t take a genius to figure out he’d overtipped. The bidding area was surprisingly lavish compared to the exterior, with a wide fur rug covering the durasteel floor, and various weapons and armor set up along the walls. The main stage was created with stacked motivators, upon which a scrapper stood without his gear on, raising himself to the podium.

The microphone tinged to life.

“The auction will begin in twenty. Please keep to yourselves in the meantime.”

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

The Tognath took a ledge and began his pursuit. His target, a middle aged man who could wield the Force, was wanted by a few families down in Coruscant that would love for his head to sit on one of them expensive silver platers. Xol didn't care what they did with him as long as he got paid after, of course- and when the Crymorah Syndicate wanted something, you'd be a fool to try and stop them from what their reaching for.

Xol hadn't been on Bracca before and he honestly kind of liked the place. Tons of spots to hide and rest, tons of pieces of metal ripe for the taking- it was a type of heaven Xol would've prospered in if he wasn't working for a Crime Syndicate.

He had to focus, as he ran along the top of a crashed Clone Wars era Venator that had almost been entirely scrapped for parts and metal, but there were still some long strips of metal for the Tognath to run across so he could sight in his target with his Amban Phase Pulse Blaster. The man looked like he wasn't aware that there were crosshairs aimed at the back of his head, but Xol also knew this man was a user of the Force, and an experienced one at that.

"Settah mee jewz ju, meat bag." Xol muttered under his breath as he sighted in the target. A figure moved in front of Gram, a scrapper or someone dressed like one, not necessarily with the man but right in front of where Xol needed to shoot.

Xol cursed and moved back behind cover to hide and plan out a better vantage point where he could see Gram clearly. If push came to shove, he'd doff his trench coat and go ballistic until he killed the man he needed dead, but as of right now he needed to wait and see if he could actually manage to see his face clearly.

Jee 'dd kidd shash. Norce nobata Norce, sooah nobata sooah. wa-hu mattah. Widd sha keekah soh choy hit hoohat...

@Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

The seating was haphazard, but the Van Alasdaire could not have cared less. In a week’s time, he’d have a Y-8 Mining Vessel all to himself. That was quick profit, and great storage space. It would also temporarily revolutionize his bounty hunting work. The Vahla hummed happily to himself as he produced a datapad, looking over the items in the first lot of the auction. Nothing tremendously exciting - weapons and gear, mostly, though a few items caught his eye. A set of derelict MKI stormtrooper armor - but that would require the entire set of twenty, plus the armaments it came with. Some of which he was decidedly not interested in.

The next lot inventory was slightly sparing, but contained more than a few items he could use for retrofit. A set of old swoops, incomplete and dismantled, with the astromechs included. The scrap could be used as dividers, and otherwise melted down into various metals usable in metalwork. Though he had never used a proper forge before, he was looking to purchase one. His ancestors were renowned weapon-smiths, experts in the creation of bladed and battering arms. It was a tradition he was proud to carry out - as soon as he had the available resources. Which always tended to be the problem in the present day and age.

Gram's attention drifted to his memories of the past few weeks, and meetings in recent times. He was quite content to drift off into a taciturn thought bubble when his ears began to gently ring. (As the rifle scope levels on him)

Zzzzzz

The ringing started to get progressively louder, causing the Vahla's vision to blur for a few seconds. The ringing only continued to intensify, causing him to rise from his seat - instinct took over. (As the speaker moves in the way)

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

The doorway? Nothing. The assembled crowd? At least three were illegally concealing their arms, but none of them held aggressive intent in their hearts. There was something here, of that the Force was clearly warning him. It was such a threat that he knew for certain there was intent to kill. The air was thick, and cold - clammy and unwelcoming. Even the faces of the patrons began to shift into a cacophony of laughing voices where a visage was merely a mask disguising the spiritual rot beneath the surface. The room grew dark as a shadow gripped his heart - the shadow of fear, the shadow of mortality. (The shot is now clear)

The ringing stopped at the same time his lightsaber dropped from the inner workings of his cybernetic arm and clapped into his palm, firmly beneath the cloak. The guards were beginning to eye him, so he began to move farther away from the front of the stage. Slowly.

@Charles

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

When Xol found a better spot to shoot from, he crouched down low and leaned forward on a well placed piece of bent rusted metal that held his Pulse Blaster almost perfectly. Before the tognath stared down his scope for a third time, his instincts flared like it did when Xol or Akka stole something and the owner was catching on to who the culprit was. It was weird, but Xol had gotten used to the feeling that had sometimes saved his life.

He wondered if Gram had done that Jedi thing where they sense something about to happen before it happened, which was going to give Xol's next shot a little more difficulty, with or without the fact that Xol could hit Gram square in the forehead. Xol knew- somehow -that Gram was on edge and watched him through his scope as he studied the others in the crowd with him. Xol chuckled as he gently placed his finger over the trigger.

If Gram did what Xol was expecting him to, then Xol would need to fire randomly into the crowd to make it look like an indirect attack on the Force wielder. The tognath had a plan B, which consisted of his ID-21 droid, Buddy, to pilot Calypso II over to his position so he could pull a quick fly by and destroy the auction before having to leave if things went south for Xol. He was masked by darkness so his little crow's nest would be hard to spot, and if Gram couldn't be killed, Xol knew that some of the other well placed but not completely hidden rival Syndicate members would be easy pickings.

Xol inhaled as he leveled his crosshairs on Gram's handsome head...then...PHWANG! Xol squeezed the trigger and didn't bother to watch the bolt make contact and began to quickly reload his single-shot rifle. He'd tell if Gram disintegrated or not anyway. Cua dan woy tah momeu...

@Aurius

OOC: Rolled a 16/100 to hit lmao

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

-Music-​

The shot rang out - a large hissing twang of metallic vibrations. Gram ducked his head downwards as a disruptor blast vaporized the chair he was once sitting on. The entourage erupted into a steady string of curses and screaming. Blasters were drawn left and right, and the guards attention was immediately shifted upwards. For his part, the Vahla's single saber activated with azure fire, sweeping in front of him as his eyes likewise pulsated with fumes of power. Though he did not initially notice, his lightsaber had in fact been slowly changing color over time.

Likewise, the telltale sign of a powerful Vahla - eyes flaming with power - began to emerge. What had come naturally to the majority of his family had, for the most part, been lost to him. But it seemed now his skills were akin with that of his cousin.

Inhaling a sharp hit of the vaporizer installed in his arm, the Vahla closed his eyes and exhaled. But the Force was behind his breath, and his voice, filling the room with a sudden white vapor. It was a mist that emerged from the moisture in the air, and the natural dust settling the area mixed with his own illusory power. Anyone trying to shoot through this mess would have an incredibly difficult time. Besides, Gram knew full well Disruptors were incredibly difficult to aim. Unlike a blaster rifle, the disruptor's beam struck a target moments after the trigger was squeezed. You needed to maintain the bead for a few seconds longer than that of a regular rifle.

"Cease your attack."

Gram whispered. But the whisper could be heard in every corner of the room, as a powerful command. The very fabric of the Force carried his mentally projected words to every mind, every vessel, every vestige. Only the strongest of wills would be able to resist the urge to cease hostility and remain eerily calm.

Cease your attack.

The entire room stopped, as though suspended in animation. As though time itself stood still. The entourage looked at each other, noticing how natural the calm felt. How it seemed there was no reason to combat the suggestion... nobody here wanted to fight anyways.

...CEASE YOUR ATTACK....
...CeAsE YoUr AtTaCk...
...cease... your... attackkk...[/CENTER]

@Charles

OOC: I don't usually use rolls, but disruptors are hard to aim if Jedi Academy and KOTOR taught me anything lol.​

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

After Xol looked up to aim his disrupter again when it was reloaded, everything was covered in some sort of grey mist. Xol curses as now he wasn't sure if he killed Gram or if he needed to kill other random civilians. He snarled something nasty but stayed put thinking of something he could do to cause some more distress and damage to the auction. Xol's crow's nest overlooked a large gap in between himself and where the auction was taking place, so he couldn't lob an explosive far enough for it to be effective.

Xol thought for a moment more and then got up and hunched down low when he walked along the long solid beam of metal to get a better angle, and to get closer to his ship incase he needed to escape. He hunkered down in another spot where the tognath could hide behind a piece of bent scrap metal he could use as cover. He aimed down sights to see if he could spot anyone and caught a trio who were stumbling over each other after exiting the fog-covered audience. They were falleen and Xol could almost see the complete outline of their Black Sun insignias on their shoulder pauldrons.

Enemies to Crymorah, that's what Xol really saw. He choose the apparent leader and squeezed each other, his Pulse Blaster creating another PHWANG as it lobbed another stream of plasma. Xol chuckled while he watched the remaining duo freak out after their leader turned to a pile of dust and burnt cloth. They scrambled in opposite directions, which was no challenge for Xol, he preferred moving targets. One of them headed for a hallway, zig-zagging his way to safety but Xol read his movements and squeezed the trigger again, sending another super heated beam of energy into the falleen's head, which then vaporized the alien brute. The last one wasn't as squirrelly as the first and was hiding behind a bin, partially covering his body but letting his shoulder stick out. Sey babeop, Teshe Bin kung! Xol laughed maliciously as he set his sights on the idiot's shoulder and pulled the trigger a third time, sending the brute to sunder like his fallen falleen brothers.

Now all he had to do was grab their shiny metal insignias and deliver them to the nearest Bounty Guild operator for the same amount of prize money he'd get for the death of Gram. 75,000 credits sounded pretty nice right now anyway, and part of Xol wanted to wait and see if he could spot Gram in the fog, but thought that it was wiser to claim what he did kill and get the hell out of Bracca.
"Panchee! Dopeha bu pankpa an kloonkee che mah paahbenokaee. Jeejee doth jotonkee bu Tee- Jeedai nem che ateema." <Buddy! Start the ship and head for my coordinates. We're letting the Non-Jedi live for now.>

Xol told his droid in from his comlink as he ran off the ledge into the sky, activating his jetboots so he could glide to where his crispy targets were fried to death. He needed to be fast- Xol wasn't sure if Gram was the type that was into revenge. Besides, Xol could use the excuse of hunting the Black Sun fugitives that he had just killed. He had his old Bounty Hunter's Guild credentials with him- and Xol prayed to the Force that they never found out his true allegiances.

So far, everything was going semi-smoothly- just the way Xol liked it.

@Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

"Run, Jasia- AARGH."

Screaming pierced the dim as a group of mercenaries exited the smoke. Gram shook his head gently, but could not be focused on their demise. A simple tap on his commlink sent a signal back to the Mantis. His new responsibilities didn't need any perks - his family was well known on his homeworld. And so were those soldiers trained by it's tutors, and fed under it's walls from birth. The black and burgundy clad warriors were a small contingent of personal guards - only two. But only two were necessary. They would bring the Mantis in to pick him up.

"AAAAAAAAAH"

Haphazardly, the Vahla simply bought every single lot on auction, dropping the datapad with a thump and turning his attention upwards. He could hear the location of the rifle firing, and before the third shot could ring out he raised a gauntleted fist. The beams beneath Xol's feet would crumple like paper. He then wheeled and grabbed a nearby piece of durasteel pottery.

Hurling it full force at the location the Tognath was about to be.

No precognition necessary, only a carefully practiced technique. His saber was now deactivated, as he kneeled low. The only clue to his presence the occasional glare of his eyes.

@Charles

OOC: The translator seems to be a little broken when I try to translate your longer sentences. Would it be possible to include a translation?

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

(OOC: Oh snap! Sorry! I'll leave some translations for you then.)

Right before Xol prepared to leap off the edge, the metal beneath his feet crumpled from beneath him. "WaAAAAH!" He yelled for a bit as he had to quickly activate his jetboots which flickered on and off until he was suspended in the air- just as more metal hurled towards the malicious scoundrel. He avoided a few of them, but one nicked his shoulder which opened him to getting hit square in the gut by a sharper piece of scrap metal. He howled with rage mixed with agony and then began his dissent, but when he tried to land, he got light headed and stumbled across the floor, rolling onto his back to which he slid a few meters before slamming his head on the back of another beam of metal.

He grunted and tried to get up, but a sharp unbearable pain shot through his gut and up and down the rest of his body. "Tah... dotkot... docdohot..." <This...Is...Embarrassing...> He muttered as he tried getting up a second time, heaving himself up to his feet and began limping away to spot where he could get into his ship. Damn that Force user! He couldn't even grab his other prize that he successfully killed, and now he was leaving behind a trail of green blood for the authorities to follow. Xol got light headed again and toppled over, cushioning himself so the metal didn't lodge up further into his gut.

"Punchee... Jee canta Dobra uhobaw, pha mee banwauesa an oto vo bu pankpa t'chuta. Jee hatkocanh bargon cay tah ka kee..." <Buddy...I think I'm screwed, save your skin and keep the ship hidden. I'll deal with this myself...> He said into his coms as he rolled onto his back and scooted himself away into a discreet corner, drawing one of his DE-10s and kept himself from leaving a blood trail with his other free arm. He was gonna see if he could wait for the chaos to calm down and then set out for his ship if he had the remaining strength left.

Today was not going as smoothly as Xol would've liked, that's for sure.

@Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

It was over in a moment. Whatever the attacker was trying to accomplish, Gram was happy to say he had likely put a stop to it. Apparently, he had used the Force without thinking. Originally, his intention was to simply throw a single chair, not the entire room. But the damage was done, and the scrappers were none too happy about it. Though, none of them thought to attack the mystic for obvious reasons. They simply kept their weapons trained on where he had been, and where he was as he emerged from the smoke, gently looking down at the green droppings.

He threw the rest of his Druggat bag into the air, following their path as the group of mercenaries and guards fought each other to catch it first.

That was a spectacular ambush. A newbie, no doubt... if he'd gotten that shot off it would've been a very different story.

He found the attacker hobbling away, a blaster pistol in one hand and a commlink in the other. With an audible sigh, Gram called out forcefully. The Vahla had no intention of killing this one, he simply wanted to know why they had decided to attack. Were they after him? Were the Falleen the actual targets, and this alien simply had an itchy trigger finger? Had the Sith finally put a bounty on his head? There were many unanswered questions. Besides, the being had a better chance of living through him than the Scrappers or the Cartels. Henchmen would soon be everywhere, spreading out to find the sniper and eliminate them.

"Hold on!"

He kept his saber level, and waited until the being turned a corner to catch up, bursting into a sprint with the intention to tackle the Bounty Hunter to the ground. If he was fired upon, he would reactivate the blade and swat the shots. Or disable the attacking arm. Either way worked for him.

"I said stop running, damnit! DO YOU WANT TO DIE?!"

@Charles

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

Xol heard the calls from his original target- he really didn't want to let Xol go, did he? Finally he whipped around, but the pain in his stomach shot up his gut and into his chest, creating an intense heart burn. He holstered his weapon and fell down flat on his but, breathing heavily as he tried cushioning where the piece of metal was still lodge in his gut.

He still scooted away from the non-Jedi, staring at the blade in awe and fear. "Doh fa, Banwauesa Echuta... Jee cha dayan uba chakaph mah flunka, Jee roe bla! Nobata dayan bai luaha, uba cacme moh..." <Beat it, Skin Shit...I don't need you patronizing my failure, I already know! No need to gloat, you pompous rat...> Xol clutched his gut a little harder, he was still bleeding out quite a bit. "An nobata, Banwauesa Echuta, Jee cha banag bai chateua- cha poupiua uba woy bap, hee um baw wah jotke tee-tocky... Doh Fa!..." <And no, Skin Shit, I don't want to die- don't reckon you do either, so for the last time...Beat It!...> That's when the pain became unbearable and he blacked out for a few seconds.

When he awoke from his very brief slumber, he was on his back staring at the sky. He didn't have any more words for the Jedi. He had won. Xol and lost. The Tognath grunted in pain and dismay in his ability to complete the given job. He was so angry and bitter in the past but now he was only...disappointed. He swore he could hear Akka lecturing him about controlling his natural aggression.

He wished her hands could brush against his just one more time...

@Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

Gram was listening. Wordlessly.

Freeing his left hand, the Vahla immediately jabbed the Tognath in the neck with a stimpak. He would immediately begin to feel the effects, but a quick glance downwards proved to the mystic he needed to be acting faster. The only reason the trail ran cold - the Bounty Hunter had bundled his armor - it was pooling out the bottom. Gram deactivated the lightsaber and ripped off his cloak, placing it behind the being. He didn't much care for any complaints. Grabbing the blaster from his fallen foe, Gram turned and two shots into the wall to their left, causing it to crumble into the entrance of the walkway. If somebody wanted to follow them, they'd either need to find a speeder or start climbing.

Turning back to the alien, Gram facepalmed. He had fainted onto the cloak, getting the verdant sanguine everywhere. Quickly, the Vahla unharnessed the armor and allowed the front to fall forward, revealing a snapped bar of durasteel embedded into his abdomen. With that realization, the Vahla froze up. Gram could hear the sounds of an engine approaching, but he was not confident the medical facility onboard the Mantis was enough. He stared blankly at the warrior as he began to come about, both of them looking at each other in shock and fear. This was not going to happen to him, not this time - not again.

"No no no no... NO!"

The Vahla kneeled and closed his eyes, trying to will away the frustration. Trying to stave off the fear of failure. But no matter how hard he attempted to summon the will within himself, he could not. Alone, the Vahla had no chance of healing the Tognath of such an injury.

But you are not alone.

Gram's eyes opened, shocked to find the metal shard was in his hands. The Tognath's wound was closed - but the scar was visible, and internally the damage was still somewhat present. Only the most basic of healing was preformed, much to Gram's surprise. Moving too fast would cause immeasurable pain. The engines continued to whine, and a hail of blaster fire began to ring out. The towers were firing on his ship! What in the name of the Force was this?! The Mantis did a quick turn and was lost from sight, his comm crackling open even as the mystic himself fought to stay conscious.

Overuse of the Force had it's consequences.

"Sir, we can't get to you. Get to the sewers and we'll extract you from the northern pipe juncture."

"I... don't think that's... an option..."

"Sir?"

"Help!", he hissed, injecting a stimpak into himself. Last one. There were no more second chances, for either of them. And now, they had to decide whether murdering each other was more important that surviving to get off the planet.

@Charles

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

Akka was sitting next to him.

But he couldn't move to embrace her- instead, she was ripping something out of him and it hurt like hell. Then, when she finished, she showed off what she had in her hands; it looked like a parasite. Xol knew exactly what it was, too. He wanted to die, but indirectly so to speak- he wanted to cause havoc so that maybe he would get shot to death and join his beloved. He provoked fights to see if something actually managed to kill him.

But Akka only wanted him to live on.

Xol's eyes shot open and he began breathing heavily- it was like a war movie of some sort. Blaster turrets flying at a passing ship, yelling and screaming all around him- but the Jedi! Xol's first instinct was to shiv him until he saw the piece of metal that was stuck in his gut in the Jedi's hands. When Xol felt where his wound had been, it as closed and healed- though it still ached and felt very uncomfortable. Whatever the Jedi did, it had saved him...and as much as Xol regretted it, he was in the Jedi's debt.

"Sonpa, Jeedai... Jee cohbanmah um baw wah bakang dah mee nem- moulee rah doth moulee rah, peee uba bla." <Thank you, Jedi...I apologize for the attempt on your life- money is money, as you know.> Xol said sheepishly. Where were his blasters? There were guards everywhere- Xol spotted one of his DE-10s and snatched it from the man, and holstered it. He very slowly got to his feet, grunting and grumbling about the pain, but he was glad he wasn't dying anymore.

He watched a Mantis fly over them- it was the ship that was being shot at, and Xol could remember hearing some faint yelling about being picked up. Then the puzzle began to look complete- that was Gram's ship! Oh this would be easy! All Xol had to do was discreetly get to his Calypso II and fly Gram to his own starship. Then Xol would no longer be in his debt and could kill the man another day!

"Aha HAAAA!" Cheered the Tognath as he chuckled at the brilliance of his plan. "Ahu, Yanay Bo, Jee gee yoieu wa pankpa t'chuta da doth tee bom bom koumhaptece doi wata. Roachee mah panbipa an Meecooda yoieu uba mo tah kanway hhee." <Alright, Honorable One, I've got a ship hidden that isn't too far from here. Follow my lead and I can get you off this hell hole.> He offered to shake the man's hand, and then tried speaking in his best Basic, "Truce?"

@Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

"Whoever sent you here meant for you to die. I'm licensed, just like you."

He wasn't here to check whether the Tognath was actually in the Guild. If he was, it was simply that he hadn't bothered to check on his chain code before being sent out. Maybe he never got a fob or a chain code and was going off of word of mouth. Either way, anyone who knew of him well enough to put a bounty on his head was sure to have some inkling of his nature. The observation was dry and extreme, and perhaps not explicitly true. But if it made this being understand that coming at him a second time would be a death sentence, it was well worth it. Gram hadn't been hunting in quite some time, he had not contacts in the Guild to back up his claim.

"If credits are what you want, I'll hire you on. Assuming you survive the day."

Gram's eyes were locked on his ship. He was seriously considering disabling the weapons platform. But as it was, he would need to argue with the Scrappers for his credits, on top of trying to avoid their scrutiny. If a stray camera had caught him aiding the Bounty Hunter, life would become much more difficult. Hiring the Bounty Hunter would ensure two things - a connection to the Underworld, and a hired gun to summon as needed. In his new line of work, he would be an invaluable asset. If Gram equipped the Tognath with the skills necessary to take down Force Users, it would also be a mutually beneficial arrangement. Much like the one the Tognath proposed.

"You do it without trying to kill me, and I'll make you one of the most feared Bounty Hunters in the Galaxy."

Gram nodded assuredly, cautiously avoiding the handshake. Too often was such a gesture followed up with a dagger in the back. Gently walking to the edge of the collapsed entranceway, he listened for the telltale signs of movement. There were most certainly guards trying to determine the extent of the damage, but they weren't aware of anyone behind the rubble. They could continue down the residential area for now, until they widened the search area. His ship was no doubt grounded and being searched - but he wasn't worried. As necessary, Z and his current guards would get the vessel out of harm's way.

"Two. Armed and unaware. None ahead, yet. Lead on."

@Charles

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

Xol chuckled- most feared Bounty Hunter in the galaxy? Hell. Yeah. That sounded like music to his cybernetic ears!! The Tognath honestly wasn't surprised he lost to the non-Jedi, which was why he decided to pick off the other Black Sun scoundrels that were present at the auction. They really stirred up quite the trouble in just a short amount of time. But, thinking back to Gram's proposal...Maybe Xol would let this one live. For good. He made a private vow that he would never hunt Gram again- especially after the comradery he should today.

"Uba gahke bla kava bai woy yanee, Yanay Bo." <You sure know how to do business, Honorable One.> Xol grumbled as he nodded his head to confirm he was willing to be hired out by this guy. Zaa Fenn would love to have such a person as a contact and employer, and if Xol played his cards right, he could use Gram to take out the other Syndicates. This partnership was going to be very beneficial, and as far as Gram was concerned- Xol was apart of the Bounty Hunter's Guild. For the time being anyway.

After waiting for some guards to pass by, Xol kept his profile low as he snuck through the scrap yard, pacing behind terrified locals to blend in a bit. He held both DE-10s up inside his sleeve so it looked like just the very tip of the muzzle was showing. They were getting closer and closer to Calypso II, and at the rate they were at, they would be home free. A guard had abruptly stepped in front of them, asking for IDs, but Xol made quick work of him; quickly holstering his weapon and drawing his vibro machete that strapped to the back of his waist. The slash was clean and got the guard right in the throat so he couldn't scream for help. Then, Xol shot him in the head and moved on as it seemed that some Cartel members had spotted them.

When they turned the corner, Calypso II, was waiting right in front of them about fifty yards out. Xol sighed happily, but his relief was cut short as the Cartel members began firing their weapons at the duo.

"Punchee, yoieu bu pankpa dopeha an kouwahe bu vap douchaueu- Jee gee yoieu wa neyekonka." <Buddy, get the ship started and open the main hatch- I've got a visitor.> And soon enough, Buddy had done his job, as he heard the Firespray-31's engines fire up and the main hatch open. Xol ushered Gram towards the ship first, covering the Force user's back while he dual wielded his DE-10s.

"Konza jot, echuta kloonkee!" Xol yelled as he began getting to work, slinging his weapons and dodging left to right to draw their fire. He nailed one in the head with a few well placed blaster bolts, then laid about four bolts into the chest of another one, and then shot the bigger one in the crouch just for the fun of it before blasting his brains out. Then, Xol retreated to his ship, hoping Gram had taken some institutive into trying to get it into the air.

@Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

"I believe that mutual benefits can be useful things."

Gram winced visibly as the guard's head hit the floor, almost bereft of the torso. The Bounty Hunter had agreed to work together, and thanks to his quick thinking, the being might be molded into a weapon. A weapon that could, perhaps, even kill a Sith. If trained correctly, and given the appropriate armaments, of course. This was dangerous ground to tread... many force users had apprentices of some kind. But this would be nothing of the sort - strictly a by the book transaction basis. The only time this hunter would ever need direct guidance was at the beginning. After that, he either succeeded on the path laid out for him, or would fail in the attempt.

From the brutality he had witnessed here today, it was obvious that this Tognath had what it took to stand up to the bloodthirsty. He shed no tears for the fallen guard, but internally regretted not intervening. There had been no reason he had to die - a simple strike to the temple would have sufficed. Now that the two of them were approaching his hidden vessel, it seemed they were in the clear.

Completely unnecessary...

Then the ground rustled in the distance, and a single shout rang out. A beam of light flickered towards them, followed by a dozen more - the cartel had found them. Knowing full well he could not use the lightsaber again (not without incurring the ideals of a hefty bounty) he instead wrapped a cloth around his face and drew his Bryar pistol, holstering the saber in the process. As the ducked beneath the underbrush into a derelict hangar, blaster fire began to pelt the durasteel above them. The tognath elected to stay behind momentarily, picking the mercenaries off one by one with his pistols.

Show off. Now, where the hell...

This was a firespray. Oh, by the Force, this was like walking on ancient history. He had studied the specs of these models when he was just a small Vahla lad. Running to the cockpit, the mystic immediately fired up the engines, setting them to 1/4th sublight speeds. After the main control panel flared to life, he brought the deflectors up to full and rotated both forward canons downwards - opening fire. It would be well out of the Tognath's range, but rain hell upon the incoming masses.

"Ars, I'm transmitting you coordinates and ID of a Firespray-31. Rendezvous with us there, we're making our own way out."

Turning around to greet his taciturn ally, he rose from the pilot seat and fastened himself into the co-pilot's. The commlink buzzed back to life, replying with a confused tone.

"We?"

@Charles

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

When Xol entered the ship again, his flaring side ache caught up to him and he took a seat in the co-pilots seat and groaned a bit when he sat. Buddy had flown from an access panel and chirped and buzzed upon Xol's arrival, hovering on his shoulder to explain everything that was going on that Xol had already been aware of. Xol chuckled at the eagerness of the droid and continued to listen until Buddy finished his recap.

Gram was piloting his ship as expected, something that Xol would've been on edge if the situation was different. They were no longer enemies, which still took Xol a minute to think about. He had just tried to take this man's life, and in return he was promising to help him kill others? It was strange, but Xol couldn't refuse the offer that was given.

"Uba doth chobaso, Yanay Bo." <You are welcome, Honorable One.> He reminded the man who saved his life.

"Um kolka... Puahesa mi dah kava tee kaae pantahlea hatkocanh joday. Jee banag bai bla ritke kava wahca ta woha doth joday pin." <But please...Enlighten me on how our little partnership will work. I want to know just how closely we'll be working together.> After what Gram had shown today on his attempted assassination, Xol would've actually preferred they work together- an honor the Tognath rarely showed anyone.

@Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

"That will be determined by your skills and worth. In all honesty, your display here today proves to me you need guidance."

Gram was careful with his words here. The Tognath was skilled, no doubt about that. Naturally skilled. But skill without experience meant precious little in combat. Had he come with a single goal in mind - to kill Gram, no matter the cost - he might have succeeded. That was the type of mettle required to even hope a chance against the Vahla's enemies. His very body was marred with that willingness. Anything less was a waste of time and effort. For him, the Tognath, their prospective opponents and anyone else. This being wasn't the only one who requested his assistance, he had an entire planet to take care of. Assuming his bid as a politician worked out. Then, the real fun began.

"With the right equipment and mindset, you would be a formidable warrior. I will equip you with the tools and knowledge necessary to hunt..."

-Music-
​

Gram turned to his ally grimly, his eyes becoming cold. A look of utter seriousness, one that could not be mistaken for anything but. This was something that needed to be understood - if even a wink of this left the vessel they would both be dead or worse. The ultimate backup plan. The Sith were too powerful... the Jedi needed warriors willing to take extraordinary risks. But the Tognath would not care who he was fighting for, so long as he got the credits he was due. Nor would he show quarter to the enemy, as young Liu's Jedi training would demand.

"...the Sith. You will have the privileges of being among the few feared by those who believe themselves above fear...

...If you feel you are up to the task."

@Charles

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

Guidance? Xol wanted to spit in the man's face and go off on a monologue explaining that why he worked alone. But Xol only sat and listened, biting back his sharpened tongue. Gram was by far one of the most experienced pieces of prey the Tognath had ever had the honor of hunting.

Maybe this wasn't a failed mission at all. Gram wanted to train Xol on how to defeat Sith! What lunacy! But...Xol got thinking about the option- about Xol's own potential. He tried his best to push back the memories of rage and agony he felt when he lost his first home and only beloved to the assault of the Sith. Oh, how he wanted to repair the favor and strangle them beneath his hardened fingers.

Xol slammed his fist on the arm of his seat in fury and roared with anger- but none of which was directed to Gram.
"Che uba, Yanay Bo, Jee hatkocanh killee bu yoskah whao uba wamma mi jop. Jee cha ata baca meoo, um banpop bla." <For you, Honorable One, I'll kill the galaxy if you paid me accordingly. I don't only cherish riches, but also knowledge.> Xol remembered Akka's sacrifice...The way she begged him to live...The last bit of her message was always blurred but now it was clear- clearer than it's ever been before.

Xol was to live...to see other's die.

"Uba doth wa ritke yae. Meecooda matmaph da. Jee roe gee andoba caieu wanka see manka. Wamma mi cay tytung mee bla, an ta woha naa fa wa bargon." <You are a fair man. I can respect that. I already have another potential source of income. Pay me with all of your knowledge, and we'll call it a deal.>
Then Xol chuckled a bit, "But...I do appreciate...tips, heheheh..." That was probably the best Basic Gram would ever hear from the Tognath, regardless of how much more time the two spent with each other.

@Aurius

 

[Gram Van Alasdaire]

"Trust me, you won't need tips. You'll be a top hire."

Gram's hands danced over the terminal, moving the vessel out of firing range as the Scrapper's scrambled to get ships off the ground and after them. Unfortunately, their efforts would ultimately be in vain. The firespray had left orbit and only continued to accelerate as the Tognath took the controls. Their conversation had been fruitful, but so far that's all they had to show for their effort. Conversation. He needed to get onto his vessel, for a number of reasons. Firstly, he needed to give this being one of his encrypted communicators. Then, he needed to get to work finding a suitable location for a hideout. The only place he could think of was his parent's homeworld of Rhen Var.

"The coordinates to rendezvous with my ship should be set. Once I'm aboard, I'll get to work on locating you a target."

Once a hideout was set up, Gram would have a fallback in the dire situation that his plans were uncovered. Furthermore, it could serve as the main area that he met with others. The Vahla didn't really have a primary residence beyond his ship, and blaster fire in such an enclosed space was a bad idea.

@Charles

 

[Xol Zaa Fenn]

Xol was loving this guy more by the second. He chuckled while he took control of the ship and flew it towards the set location Gram plugged in. There was something about the way Gram spoke that made Xol believe he could trust him- which never happened before. Most of the time he trusted only his weapons, but Gram was...different. Xol could feel it. He wanted to trust him.

"Uba doth cohai see mi pioye uba canta Jee noa-a andoba Preef Callo." <You are speaking of me as if you think I'll be another Preef Callo.> The Tognath gestured for Buddy to take control of the ship for a moment so Xol could look Gram in the eye.
"Jee hatkocanh bimay jen." <I will surpass him.> He stated determinedly. That Rodian was insane with a gun- but the Tognath could use three- all at once with his droid arm.

Xol then hit the hyperdrive, and sighed knowing he could finally relax. His side kept flaring up, but it was because of how tense he had been during their heated escape. His hard exo-skeleton carapace that covered over his actually flesh-like body provided to be very useful light armor of sorts, but in the end it still didn't make him invincible. He was just more capable of being maimed and walking away from the fight than a normal fleshling. It was a perk of being a Tognath.

Surely, this new job opprotunity with Gram would prove to be an additional perk to not being a Tognath, but to being Xol- the Tognath who worked with Gram.

@Aurius