Ask Tatooine Desert Parlay

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

A Sail Barge was not an uncommon sight on Tatooine these days. Nor'baal considered how much things had changed of late as he sat on the deck of his barge, overlooking the endless rolling dunes of the desert planet that he called home. Since becoming the 'Supreme Mogul' of the Hutt Clans, he had overseen the separation of the Hutts from the other Syndicates - long thought an unattainable fantasy. Yet, that had bought new and fresh dangers, ones he intended to see off.

Today was the start of that plan.

He had summoned a set of pirates he had become aware of here to Tatooine to speak to him. As ever, one had to be careful with pirates, and so here he sat on his throne, the hookah pipe attached to the arm and an RSKF pistol hidden within the compartment at his right hand. Four swarthy Gamorrean Guards, two to either side of him, looked over the proceedings. Resting in front of him, three Correllian Hounds slathered. Each of his guards held a cruel-looking axe, and had a pistol and a blade at their hips - their traditional armour, updated with Beskar stolen from Kotiis attempted assassination, adorned their well-set frames.

Gesturing to his droid, which stepped around a mean-looking Rodian lingering at the back of the throne, he commanded the guests to be shown in. <Donesa bu Kohhodeth, jot ten neu whao la doth fet bu hotpa Jee gee che hoohah.> he barked in his native Huttese, as the scum-bags where shown in.

 

[IG-178]

IG-178, a metallic blackish-blue humanoid, strode confidently onto the deck of the Sail Barge. In one fluid movement, it pulled off the black robe it often wore to hide the threat underneath. Its frame radiated a presence of power and awe. Its sleek body moved with a grace that was both unnerving and fascinating. Its blue artificial eyes glinted with a strange kind of intelligence, as if it was constantly assessing and analysing its environment.

IG was the first to arrive and as it stepped closer to the throne, it slowed, using its array of sensors to scan the deck for any potential threats and calculating offensive measures if required, but it was clear that it was here for something else entirely. What that something was, however, remained a mystery.

It addressed the Hutt sitting in front of it with respect and, in stunted Basic, said, “Great Nor’baal, I am here to... assist you.”

 

[Linjal S'Nad]

Linjal much preferred the label 'entrepreneur' instead of 'pirate'; being a pirate was a wild, crass profession, more comparable to a hammer than a scalpel. An entrepreneur, by comparison, was refined, composed, controlled...

...and endlessly ambitious.

Unfortunately, Linjal's ultimate goal of taking control of Zygerria and restoring the planet to it's rightful place as the preeminent slaving hub in the galaxy sometimes required him to take on less than desirable labels; so here he was, being introduced to Nor'baal the Hutt as a pirate.

At least the Hutts understood the value of slaves; Linjal was confident that it would only take a momentary demonstration of his ruthless efficiency in order for the seeds to be sown for a fruitful relationship in the future. Right now, the Hutt was in a position of power, but Linjal hungered for the day when the negotiating table was more even. Linjal's hand flexed unconsciously at the thought, but he knew better than to rest it on his neuronic whip in the presence of Nor'baal.

A bow in the direction of their Hutt host was required; Linjal hated bowing to other creatures, but at least it gave his eyes a momentary break from taking in the decidedly unpleasant snacking habits of Nor'baal the Hutt. Unlike the IG droid, Linjal wouldn't say anything; not unless prompted, and most certainly not while he was still assessing the dynamics of the others in the room with him.

@Nor'baal @BlueGreen

 

[Vaidas]

Vaidas was just 20,000 credits short of being able to buy himself a new ship. The receptionist waved him away and asked for the next customer. To say Vaidas was pissed, was an understatement. He was sure the initial offer was 120,000 credits for the damn thing. Not 140,000. Luckily he already had some work lined up. If he didn't hurry his ass up, he would be very late.

It took him a few hours but he finally found the Sail Barge he had been looking for. He climbed on board and strode towards the Hutt. He stopped just a few feet away from the Zygerrian, and curtsied to the Hutt. He's heard plenty of things about Nor'ball the Hutt. How he double crosses even the finest of assassins, pirates and the like. It was deemed to be his speciality. If Vaidas is going to be honest about it, he's a little jealous of the Hutt's skills. He wasn't looking forward to the job, but at least he knew he would be rewarded well... if he made it out alive.

@Nor'baal @SlagathorTheUnknown @BlueGreen

 

[Gunner Alesto]

Gunner srood outside arms crossed and his signature guns on his belt. Slug throwers were safer to use against force users as they couldn't be deflected back at him. Though the ammunition was a bit harder to come by. He was here to get a job done and make a quick buck, and from looking at the others he smirked. They were an odd crew, but he'll see it through. The crew back on the Grim Grave needed the money and that's why he was here.

Once he was invited in to see "The great Nor'baal" he entered with the others and smiled as he went to greet the big slug, "Well how are ya boss man?" It wasn't formal like the others but a greeting nonetheless. The Nautolan crossed his arms and kept his cheesy grin. This was fun so far. Why were others so scared of the Syndicates and the Hutts? Seemed easy enough to come in and make some money.

@Nor'baal @Resonance @SlagathorTheUnknown @BlueGreen

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

As the assembled pirates made their way in, Nor'baal signalled for seating and refreshments to be brought out for them. In a matter of moments, the group would find themselves arrayed in a circle, seated on the floor, resting on cushions, with hookah pipes, trays of food and goblets of drink about them. It was precisely in this manner that Nor'baal felt business should be done.

<Jee panweba tee-tocky chespo dan che uba, peee la chespo che mi?> he replied to the pirates introductions with a mild boast, as he settled into his reclining pose and took a huge drag on his pipe <Jee doth dotmay bai cahla ba makacheesa cay na veiee, da caiot chaweka ten bacdop du dosoue kayihei.> he began, teasing their interest.

However, Nor'baal was not one just to dive directly into things when there was food and drink to be enjoyed. He preferred to make his potential business partners wait, and, whilst they did so, wonder just what it was the Hutt had in store for them. As music began to warble around the room, he spoke again <Kolka, konza an yocola mee cuanesa. Toupee mi, kava gee bu keueka-ou dowapkeieu mee yanee see alay?> he enquired, as a collection of Gamorreans drifted in, bearing carafes of wine to refill the guests glasses on demand.

 

[Linjal S'Nad]

Linjal didn't trust the refreshments that Nor'baal provided them- there was no way in hell he was going to let himself get drugged by a Hutt- but refusing the proffered drinks could be just as hazardous to one's health, so he selected a beverage with all the grace he could muster and pretended to nurse it in an environment that suddenly felt more like a fancy party than a Hutt sail barge... if one could ignore the stench of their host, that is.

Although Nor'baal asked as to their success over the course of the war, Linjal suspected that the seemingly polite inquiry was couched in a desire to exploit whatever advantage he could. To admit losses would be tantamount to indentured servitude, while bragging about profits was one way to ensure that the Hutt would find a way to get a cut before they left.

"Your Unrivaled Girthiness" Linjal said smoothly, taking an educated guess at one of the hundreds of flatteries Nor'baal had bestowed upon himself, "surely you know, better than anyone here, that such conflicts breed opportunity?" A rhetorical question; Linjal and the rest of the crew wouldn't be here if Nor'baal hadn't devised a plot to fatten his coffers.

@Nor'baal @Scoobert @Resonance @BlueGreen @Olwin

 

[Alberich Wotan]

Alberich stepped into the room and his helmeted gaze could almost be felt by the others. Gunner was here, and that was why he was here. His slugthrower was held in its hip holster just in case anyone would want to hurt the negotiator he brought. Gunner had to make this deal work out, he had to. Their reputation and aspirations hinged on it. His armor softly clicked together as he stepped around the room and leaned against a wall.

He was short and broad, built obviously differently than most in the room. Yet he knew most everyone here would have the same key factor if this would work: guts. The slaver seemed to have some, but most if it seemed to be brains. Gunner was... Gunner, he and Alberich worked together enough to know he was good in his old way. An IG-100 would be great to bring on the crew, they are rather powerful war machines. Yet the other being he was not sure about. So for the while, he simply stayed quiet.

@Nor'baal @Scoobert @Resonance @BlueGreen @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[IG-178]

IG-178 surveyed the other guests sat in the circle, being a droid it didn’t have any food or drink, and sitting on a cushion was a new experience as were most things, as it had only recently been reactivated. The droid was aware of its own limitations, yet it still monitored its surroundings.

It noticed that the Zygerrian present wasn't consuming anything, only pretending to drink. IG assumed it was due to some form of self-preservation, which was the wisest course of action. As if on cue, another guest entered the room, wearing a mask that obscured their features. IG-178 could not tell who it was, but it was clear that the guest was relatively familiar to some in the circle, as the droid could sense an air of familiarity from them.

It was an interesting situation that IG found itself in, but it felt confident and secure in its place among the gathering.

@Nor'baal @Scoobert @Resonance @SlagathorTheUnknown @Olwin

 

[Gunner Alesto]

When the big hutt had spoke, Gunner nodded at the greetings and hospitalities, and when he heard the question about business being affected by the war, the Nautolan spoke up without hesitation. "Ya know, it hasn't been hard honestly. Both ISC and Sith are too worried about each other that it's slowly becoming easy pickings on the neutral cargo ships." Gunner would grab himself a drink from one of the servants and nodded to them whispering, "Thank you." And to top it off he shot them a wink.

Then it was back to the Jabba look alike. "But boss man lemme tell ya, the convoys for the Sith and ISC have gotten stronger and a little harder to penetrate without dying." Alesto took himself a sip and stretched his arms out with a deep exhale, "So anyway, what's this job you got big boss man?"

Gunner noticed Alberich, and could only imagine what Alberich wanted to say. It had mattered much though as the Nautolan was not shy to speak up and get his point across. In joyful fashion as well. Nothing was going to bother him today. He was getting some work, but not any work. Hutt work. Hutts paid good money, and that folks.. that's what it's all about.

@Nor'baal @Taz @Olwin @Resonance @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

Being doused in a few hearty doses of flattery was doing wonders for the Hutt's titanic ego. Linjal was quite correct, he would not have asked them to come here unless he had an opportunity from which all present could prosper.

The Galaxy was a fast-changing place. Nor'baal, now near his four-hundred and sixtieth year, had not seen such a state of unrest for generations. For some it was disconcerting, for those with the innate ability, the instinct, to make credits, chaos such as this was the ideal opportunity to do so. The threats facing the Clan had grown in number but perhaps reduced in faculty since he had taken over the show.

None-the-less, the Hutt intended to be prudent.

Crimson Dawn, Cymorrah - both families boasted of a degree of influence the Hutt did not intend to put to the test. However, one had to project strength as well as wealth, in order to keep such threats at bay. He had fleets, thugs, and credits beyond counting, but a few pirates could go a long way as well.

Then there was the Empire, the Consortium, the Alliance, the New Republic, and the perfidious Jedi. All potential threats the Hutt had to ensure could be kept at bay. As he looked across the band of pirates, Nor'baal was confident they could get the job done, and command the reputation Nor'baal needed from them.

When Gunner spoke, Nor'baal clocked him as the group's leader. He held himself with the measured confidence of a man at ease in a group who looked to him for direction. So, he waited for the 'Captain' to conclude, and made his ideas known. <Bu keueka-ou hatkocanh woy baucayii see mee, um tee bu Lanka, an paupe tee uba.> he began, placing his drink down as he spoke <Cay mah dan, an mah wanka mee, Meecooda moolee mee kohetkoha, an pee bagn uemonoy koee hocan pineu uba peee u kulle rah an woe phata, wa banbonzay yoian wata du Yih Bmola.> Nor'baal front-loaded his proposal with an offering of a safe harbour, before he cut into the meat of the deal.

<An cay mah dan nan chaweka che ten tytung. Bu Kacmahea gee doth bahiy doi Yih Bmola, juju pankpa doth jeday um baw wah paknee ata. Meecooda domkamokha-en uba cay cuee cakanle boga, um du moova mee-> he smiled, in a slightly unsettling way <-kuna kee metpa hhont bu monbox'a, don bu Lou lkele Biu, an bidkana Yih can heee bai broaden tee kanwuee, cay bakopa Beh banba- woy hee du bu tahba banpop, bai lhotesa mee patka. Jeejee hatkocanh tasag wa cahla dee koudanesa bai doth wamma bai bu Lanka, an uba, du moova mee che pankpa, banbonzay yoian du Yih Bmola, an mah bmantahou, uba kaza Kohhodeth bai bu Lanka.>

 

[Linjal S'Nad]

Linjal knew that he didn't really have a voice here, but the deal seemed straightforward enough. A little piracy, in which the Zygerrian could likely also enslave the helpless merchant crews they encountered for his own budding slave empire, was fine with him. Moreover, the title, "Privateer of the Hutt Clan", didn't seem to imply that he'd end up owing his entire life in service to Nor'baal the Hutt. That was the one advantage of being a low-ranking member of the crew, he supposed- if things went sideways, it wouldn't be his head on the line, and he could leave the agreement whenever he liked.

"Your generosity is unparalleled, your Eminence" Linjal said, raising his glass in the Hutt's direction. He couldn't speak for the crew, only himself; so piling a little more flattery on their host was the best he could do in the moment.

@Nor'baal @Scoobert @Olwin @BlueGreen

 

[IG-178]

IG-178 remained silent and unmoving, its internal processors whirring as it carefully calculated the proposal. Every potential benefit and risk was weighed and considered, and it soon became clear that this was a very good opportunity for the droid. After all, it had been designed for close quarters combat, and what better place to show off its abilities than on a bustling starship?

IG-178 finally responded to the Hutt's proposal, displaying its best approximation of enthusiasm. "Great Nor'baal," it said, with all the energy it could muster, "this truly is a great opportunity, and I would be in favour of it once terms have been agreed,” Unsure of it’s place in the team IG started the negotiation and cutting to the chase add “Can we agree on a 50/50 split of all spoils?”

@Nor'baal @Scoobert @Olwin @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Gunner Alesto]

Honestly the deal sounded great to Gunner. He figured the Hutts would cash there catch in the deal at some point but for now, he needed a way to get what he need for the crew. So if working with the big bad Hutt himself was how he did it, then so be it. This was what needed to be done.

Looking to Nor'baal he would smile and speak up, "Well your high prestige, sounds like we have a deal." The Nautolan would have to find a plan to hide away from the Hutts at some point but for now they were giving him pretty much everything he wanted out of this, so he needed to see it through. Plus, he may even get some new friends out of it as well.

Looking back to the group he'd place his hands on his hips, "Alright, who's ready to do some robbin'?"

@Nor'baal @Olwin @BlueGreen @SlagathorTheUnknown

 

[Nor'baal Desilijic]

The deal was quite a satisfactory one for the Hutt. He secured additional 'muscle' when it mattered and managed to get them generally directed in the rough whereabouts of rampant bounty. What wasn't to like?

<Jeejee gee wa bargon, kohhodeth.> he chuckled, spreading his hands out wide as called in servants to bring more food, drink and spice for his new allies.

"His grand enormity extends his regards for this new alliance and wishes you the great bounty of the space lanes, from which both Hutt and Pirate alike may profit - at an even split in the traditional Hutt manner, sixty to the exalted one, and forty to the humble privateers." the Hutts droid interjected, clarifying the terms of the deal "In return for protection in Hutt Space, the patronage of the Clan, and a new vessel, his majesty is sure that this shall be considered a generous deal."

 

[Linjal S'Nad]

Linjal was surprised; a 60/40 split was more generous than what he would've offered in the same position, but that was why Zygerrians were the superior species and why Linjal would soon amass wealth and fortune enough to turn a Hutt green. There were still a few more details to work out, however, and Linjal felt it the opportune time to ask a question while Nor'baal seemed to be in a good mood.

"We are indeed humble privateers" the Zygerrian agreed, glancing for just a moment too long at some spice brought in by a rather attractive Twi'lek, "representing the Supreme Nor'baal. Which ship shall we terrorize your enemies with, mighty one?"

He might even drink, if the ship was cool enough.

@Nor'baal @Scoobert @BlueGreen