A Question of Trade

[Saric Noms]

​

Hemelder Aurek - Cheapside

Saric left the unmarked freighter they had come down onto the corporate moon in. He was not wearing anything identifiable as imperial, but rather wore simple dark robes.

He had a new companion with him, an Acolyte by the name of Aerak. "Stay close," he said, "we need to find our contact, but more importantly, we need to find out how he gets higher up the food chain."

Following a chance discovery on Kooriva, he had discovered that there were illicit consignments being sent from the planet. They had not been able to stick around to discover the nature or destination, but they had two leads. One was being decoded by intelligence as they spoke. The other was a small pendant, found on the neck of the killer of the dead daughter of the exiled governor. The substance on that pendant was rare, and valuable. There were only a few known dealers of it, and one of them was a black market dealer on the commercial moon of Hemelder. This is what brought them out of Imperial Space to the market streets the now walked, keeping their eyes open for sellers of trinkets and jewellery.

@Lloyd Gross @Aerak Medus

[Death Disabled]​

 

[Xannytoes]

Aerak Medus​

Aerak sighed. He'd been preparing for a pretty dangerous mission in the Outer Rim. Something to do with some Mandalorians disrupting a supply route. Only to be called off at the last second. Something about some illegal dealings. It was probably going to be some small time gang looking to earn a couple of extra credits. Nothing you needed to send a Force-wielder to deal with. But no, he'd been passed up for the Mandalorian mission and sent as protection for this nosebleed.

The area itself was disgusting. It had earned the name Cheapside, and fought hard to defend that title from others. Refugee sectors had more appeal, and more valuables to steal. Most of the jewellery here would look nicer if it were burning, yet supposedly there was a dealer of rare substances here?

His thoughts were broken with Saric mentioning about needing a way up the food chain.

"Make a splash?" Aerak offered, "Most crime lords are always looking for new talent... or threats to their business. Find me this dealer and I'll give the gangs something to talk about over drinks tonight."

 

[Hal Pert]

“I hate landing on Hemelder. So many banthan ships coming in and out, flashy billboards—” Hal rubbed his eyes, allowing them to water and blink for the first time in several minutes.

“Tricky landing pads…” The mechanical voice of D.A.N. quipped from the rear of the cockpit.

“Hey! That was one time. And, I’ll have you know—” Hal was cut off again.

“How about you just go do your job so you can take me someplace nice, maybe on Toydaria? We’ve got at least a month before the next shipment.” Beas, the Zeltron co-pilot was stretching out in the cockpit. She kicked her feet up onto the console and laced her fingers behind her head. She gave him a quick wink and pulled her cap over her eyes.

“Toydaria?! What a dump…” Hal muttered under him breath as he grabbed his repeater and datapad and slipped them into his backpack. “Alright D.A.N., you’re with me.”

*********************************​

Hal and D.A.N. rode through the city’s repulsor tube system along with a crate of Zolam Resin. The stuff was supposedly very valuable but Hal didn’t get it. Diamonds, Gold, this Zolam stuff, the beauty was all in the eye of the beholder. And Hal’s girl wanted to splash around in the mud on Toydaria for fun. The repulsor came to a stop and Hal pushed the crate out of the tube and on to the bustling street below.

Hemelder was a melting pot for the entire galaxy. It may not be some cultural monolith but every system in the galaxy depends on trade and there’s a good chance that trade comes through Hemelder. Here on the streets of the black market of Hamelder, things were usually dealt with quickly and quietly. Most of the merchants had a reputation to keep intact. No one wants to buy from a guy whose shop gets a new blaster scorch every day, after all. But the nicest of all beings on Hemelder was an old Rodian female named Ookelle and she was Hal’s contact.

Hal strolled up to her stall and she motioned for him to enter into the enclosed container behind the stall where she kept most of her excess goods. After a few moments Ookelle joined him in the container. Hal opened the crate he’d brought from his ship and pulled out a small box from within. Ookelle raised an eyebrow and shuffled closer to him. He opened it up and the Zolam bracelet within shone brightly even in the dimly lit container. Ookelle smiled and then peeked at the rest of the contents in the crate.

“Is this it?” Ookelle asked, confused and inquisitively.

“Can I ask you a personal question?” D.A.N. interjected as he floated up closely to Ookelle, photorecepter looking her straight in the eye.

“No.” Hal and Ookelle said together as if they’d been through this a hundred times. “Something happened on Kooriva, couldn’t get the whole shipment off. There’s been less and less these days anyway. The guys further up the chain are starting to get nervous. If I were you, I’d start looking for a new supplier.”

Ookelle looked satisfied with the answer and waved him off. “Well, get all this unloaded and don’t forget to come say bye before you head out.”

 

[Saric Noms]

Saric walked up the line of stalls with his eyes open. He was looking particularly for the sparkling resin near the back of counters or up in high corners.

After a short time, he saw something that caught his eye. The store was unmanned as yet.

"Can you make a distraction if we need one?" he said to his colleague, "or make a snatch if it comes to it?"

He leant over the counter and tried to peer into the back.

@Aerak Medus @Lloyd Gross

 

[Aerak Medus]

Aerak Medus
​

Aerak glanced at the store Saric was staring at. He shrugged. "I could easily snatch something away with the Force, but I'd much sooner distract."

Without waiting for his companion's approval, Aerak stepped forward toward a small crowd of people. He eyed one, a big, burly man with a mustache falling to his two chins. A bump, a shove and soon Aerak was arguing with the man. Insults were traded regarding the other mother's nocturnal activities. Quickly, the people gathered turned their attention towards the two, watching with a mix of enjoyment and disgust that their shopping had been interrupted.

 

[Hal Pert]

Ookelle’s hand reached out for the handle to the container. Just as she did a there came a ruckus from the street. It sounded as if there was a scuffle going on just beyond the door. She glanced back at Hal and motioned toward the Zolam. “Cover all this up quick and get out of here, quickly.”

“Come on, Ooke.” Hal said with a smile as he began hurriedly unloading the product into a hidden compartment within the container. “You’re losing your edge. It almost sounded like you cared more about D.A.N. and me than someone finding your stash.”

“Keep bringing me that resin and it may be true one day. Oh and bring that pretty little thing of yours around here next time, I miss that face.” Ookelle said with a bright smile.

“I like that face. Which is precisely why it is safely on the ship right now and not out in that mess.” Hal said motioning to the increasing noise coming from the street. Ookelle gave him one more of his dismissive waves as she pulled open the door and put on her most impressive loud auntie impersonation.

“Gentlemen, please….” Was all Hal was able to make out before the door slammed shut.

“Alright, D.A.N.” Hal said as he shoved the last of the Zolam jewelry into a hidden compartment. “I’m really going to need you to behave and not get us shot okay?”

“No promises, man.” D.A.N. said as Hal straightened up and dusted himself off. He attempted to catch his breath and prevent looking like he’d just moved nearly a ton of cargo in about five minutes. Once he felt centered enough he approached the door. He gave one last look at D.A.N. and pressed a finger to his lips to indicate D.A.N. remain quiet. Hal turned the handle and stepped out onto the street amidst the chaos of a brawl.

“SHE SAID, ‘THAT’S THE BIGGEST LEKKU I’VE EVER SEEN!’ SO I TOLD HER, THAT’S WHY I BROUGHT YOU TO THE LEKKU MUSEUM. WHERE TICKETS ARE 1,000 CREDITS PER PERSON.” D.A.N. yelled loudly as they exited the container. Hal closed his eyes for a second in disbelief and surveyed the situation in front of him.

 

[Saric Noms]

Change of plan. Apparently smashy smashy catch-ee monkey.

Saric didn't like having to change tack on the fly, but he had to react. There wasn't time to berate the acolyte, the damage had been done. He hadn't even been able to clarify that by snatch he meant a person, not these trinkets.

Therefore as soon as he heard the other Sith arguing, he pretended to have noticed something at a stall 2 desks down and tried his best to slip into the crowd. He did however, put himself at a vantage point to see who came from out the back of the one where he had spotted some resin.

A Rodian female came out, trying to keep the peace. Saric assessed the situation. She seemed to be local - the others seemed to respect her. If she was the one he was interested in, she wasn't going anywhere soon. He could therefore wait and watch. After a short while he would loiter near a new stall, perhaps buying some refreshment to make him look busy.

 

[Aerak Medus]

Aerak Medus​

With the argument having reached the delicate balance between insulting one's family and all-out street brawl, Aerak decided his work was finished. After throwing a few obsence gestures, Aerak turned to escape the crowd. Some Rodian had showed up to help calm the people, and Aerak wasn't willing to stick around whilst she looked for the cause of the disturbance. Thankfully, some loud mouth had started screaming about an overpriced Lekku museum, and it gave Aerak the opportunity he needed to slip away.

Instead, he pulled himself into a disgusting alleway off to the side. He leaned against the wall, his dark clothes blending well with his shadowy hideaway. He glanced around the area, searching for his companion. The crowd had cleared a little, but even with people returning to their business, Aerak still couldn't spot Saric. He growled under his breath. What was the point of causing a distraction if he wasn't going to snatch whatever it was he wanted from the stall?

Whatever. He'd done his part. Maybe Saric had grabbed what he needed and fled the scene? Best thing to do now was to wait for him to reappear or send a message. Aerak kept his eyes towards the stalls, his fingers gently drumming the hilt of his lightsaber.

 

[Hal Pert]

Ookelle was diffusing the situation and to be fair most of the tussle was over. Hal gave Ookelle a questioning look and she returned it with a subtle shrug. Whatever had happened was over by the time she’d gotten on to the street it seemed. Hal surveyed the crowd to see if anything stood out. There were a couple humans paying particularly close attention to the situation but Hal knew they were venders. Ookelle returned to her booth and checked out her display case to ensure everything was still there.

“We good?” Hal asked, still surveying the crowd.

“Looks like a grumpy customer came across another grumpy customer.” Ookelle said as she returned to her regular post.

“Hey, before I forget: I’m looking for a clean transponder. You got any leads?” Hal asked.

“Transponder, eh?” Ookelle gave Hal an appraising look. “Is it for your current vessel or a new acquisition?”

“That’s none of your--”

“New.” D.A.N. interrupted.

“Then I’d suggest Bothawui. Now get out of here and off planet quick. Something doesn’t feel right.” Ookelle said out of the corner of her mouth. She too was surveying the crowds and side streets.

“Thanks.” Hal said after giving a menacing glare towards D.A.N. Hal turned down a side street and headed for the nearest lift tube back to the starport decks. It was a pretty short walk and he was watching his back the whole way. As soon as he got to the tube he pressed the button to call a lift. “Keep your eye open D.A.N."

 

[Saric Noms]

Luckily for Saric, he had by chance positioned himself by a stall between the one he was interested and the nearest lift tube. Had he not, perhaps the mission would have been over before it began.

As the human passed him, Saric reached out with the force at his ankle, just as the heel lifted from the ground. Pushing it against the opposite ankle, it would cause the man to half stumble as they caught one another.

At immediately the same time, Saric would swoop in to catch him by the elbow.

"You ok there? People are always just dropping things on these streets, aren't they?" He affected to look at the man afresh. "Don't I know you from somewhere?"

 

[Aerak Medus]

Having finally spotted his companion, seemingly about to kiss some human, Aerak moved in. He pulled his hood a little tighter, making sure to avoid the man he'd annoyed earlier. The acolyte moved in behind Saric's new friend, stopping a short distance away. Perhaps he knew something relevant to the mission? He'd let Saric ask. Aerak wasn't much of a people person. Not unless it involved enhanced interrogation.

 

[Hal Pert]

Hal walked purposely towards the lifts. Something caught his foot and kicked it into his opposite ankle. Hal stumbled into the arms of another man. As he did he took a chance glance behind him and saw a fairly empty street. So this man must have used the force or something similar to affect Hal’s gait. He wasn’t aware of any Jedi operating in this area, not that Hal knew the movements of any Jedi. But it was far more likely that the Imperials had gotten wind of the Zolam trade being conducted under their noses and sent a Sith enforcer.

Hal studied the man as quickly as he could. He was wearing nondescript dark robes, he oozed of Sith. But if there was one, Hal needed to have his eyes open for the second. The Imperial was asking Hal questions, while he was doing so Hal jerked his elbow away from the Imperial hoping to at least get some distance between the two of them.


“I’m afraid your mistaken. I do my best to avoid men of your specialty.” Hal knew he wasn’t going to be getting away from the man easily but figured he could still walk away with his life if he was careful. “But perhaps you could just let me know what you wanted with Ookelle, and I can be heading back to The Asparagus?”

Hal chanced a glance over to D.A.N. and saw his photoreceiver switch from a light blue to a cyan. Nearly imperceptible to anyone not looking for it. Hal’s eyes settled back on the man standing in front of him, waiting for him to make the next move.

@Saric Noms

 

[Saric Noms]

"And what might you mean, men of my speciality?" Saric didn't wait for a response, nor did he allow the man to break away easily. He surmised that Ookelle was the shop keeper, unless it was this creature's own name. He decided to go for the jugular: "you're a smuggler, aren't you? That's why you avoid 'people like me'?"

He guided their walk down a side alley where they wouldn't be seen by passers by.

"I should probably introduce my friend. He likes to... interrogate. Perhaps he won't be necessary, if you tell me who pays your bills."

 

[Hal Pert]

Hal was being drug into a side alley. He moved compliantly with the man but tried again to remove his arm from the the man's grasp. He would speak with the man but he wasn't going to be man-handled by him. And if it came to blows Hal would need some distance between the two of them. As they walked the Sith asked Hal if he was a smuggler and if that was why Hal avoided people like him.

"I'm not a smuggler!" Hal yelled indignantly. It was partially true, the Zolam Resin wasn't exactly illegal, as far as Hal knew anyway. It was just sourced illicitly. The portion Hal was transporting was supposed to be heading on a transport to an authorized Imperial port where they would no doubt send the credits on to some bureaucratic Moff to lining his pockets. Instead a portion was going into Hal's pockets, Ookelle's pockets and about a half dozen other beings pockets before the bulk of it ended up in some crime lord's pocket in Hutt space. "I transport illicit goods through unclaimed space, thank you very much."

"I don't think I need to remind you that neither empire has authority on this blessed piece of rock." Hal said smiling and motioning to the bustling space port that surrounded them. The Sith threatened to introduce Hal to his friend. Hal took a glance around and saw no one else that seemed to be in company with the Sith. But Hal didn't let his eyes deceive him, if the Sith didn't want to be found they had magics to keep themselves hidden.

"Look, you want answers? I get that." Hal said keeping his voice even and calm. If he was going to make it out of here alive he had to defuse the situation and get everyone talking calmly. "But. You aren't getting anything out of me until you let me go and sweeten the deal a bit. I've got names, numbers, and aliases of everyone taking part in this little gig. I have no problem passing that information along. But it's going to mean credits and a more delicate approach."

Hal smiled disarmingly and prayed the Sith would go along with it. D.A.N. floated next to Hal and his photoreceptor turned a deep crimson red. "Yeah, punk. My man's a flower. You gotta be delicate with those things!"

@Ulysses

 

[Saric Noms]

In the alley, Saric allowed his quarry to twist out of his grip. He would, however, position himself between the other man and his escape.

Saric listened to the man squirm with his words, trying to define himself as something other than a smuggler on the basis of technicalities. Then he offered to stitch up his co conspirators.

"Ah, a smuggler and a grass. I might just like you." Despite his words, he was filled with nothing but scorn for this lowlife who had no respect for law or justice and would sell out his friends. "Forgive me, but how would I know that the list is accurate? You are such an upstanding and honest member of society, after all"

Then the droid floated up to them and issued its thinly veiled threat. Every fibre in Saric wanted to unleash lightning through its circuits, but he held back. Instead he simply replied: "I'm an excellent gardener, but some flowers need pruning if they don't give up their corruption." Saric immediately regretted the mixed metaphors, but he thought it made an adequate threat. In order to drive the point home, he lifted his unignited lightsaber and pointed at his new friend.

 

[Hal Pert]

Hal was glad to be free of the man but knew the danger was not yet over. The Sith questioned the accuracy of Hal's list and then proceeded to scorn Hal for being dishonorable. Hal wondered how many people this Sith had torn asunder for being 'dishonest'. The number might be small but Hal found the clash in ideologies ironic despite the given situation. "Again, I've been trying to tell you. There is nothing illegal about what I've been doing. I transport fancy looking rocks from one planet to another. The rock isn't illegal based on the loading ticket, my transport is legal, the two planets I transport them between are legal. Just because you don't like what I'm doing doesn't make it wrong."

The Sith went on after D.A.N. interrupted and mentioned that Hal needed to be pruned for not giving up on a life of corruption. He followed up the threat by pulling out a lightsaber and pointing it at Hal. Hal threw his hands up in the air defensively. The air traffic overhead grew more noisy and at that point Hal smiled. A datachip flew up from Hal's pants pocket and floated up to his hand where he grabbed it between his index finger and thumb. Hal smiled. "You may disagree with me; but I'm not going to lie to you. You wanna find the head honcho? He's on the top of the list."

Hal tossed the datachip toward the Sith and began walking slowly backwards down the alley. The overhead traffic had turned into a roar as Hal's vessel descended toward him. Hal pointed up to the vessel and gave the Sith a stern look. "That would be my wife and she's got a twitchy trigger finger. I bet you're good with that sword. But I haven't even seen a Mandalorian take on a turbolaser. So you stay there and I'll just be going."

Hal continued to back away and head toward the boarding ramp that was lowering so Hal could make his getaway. "Two bits of advice. First, smugglers never sell their friends. They'll all be notified I had to use the chip, except the man you're after, so you better act fast before he figures out we had to burn the trade. Secondly, no one names their ship after a vegetable. If you're going to make it in this industry, you gotta do better about pick up on code."

Hal was still far enough away from his ship the Sith could make a move. He hoped the threat of the ship opening fire on him would be enough to make the Sith think twice and just take the chip. If he wished to talked more Hal would be happy to oblige him, but now that the tables had turned maybe the Sith would think twice about the threats.

 

[Saric Noms]

Saric cursed himself for letting this smuggler get the better of him. Nevertheless, he thought his adversary was a bit gloaty about the "code". If his wife - if that was what she really was - had been listening the whole time, there was plenty to alert her to the fact all was not well. It was a risk Saric had taken.

In any event, he had the list. What happened next was for another day.

End thread
P.S. sorry for the delay. I thought I had posted, but Galactic politics overtook, so I never checked​