Ask Nar Shaddaa Dug His Own Grave

[Arthos Vizsla]

"I told you - no kidnappings."

Arthos was beginning to think that coming to Nar Shaddaa looking for work had been a bad idea - but he had long since come to the conclusion that accepting a job from Mik Czyk, small-time Dug crime boss, was definitely not worth it. Staring down at the "crime boss", Arthos crossed his arms even as he eyed the pair of Trandoshans that acted at the bodyguards to the Dug criminal. They were twins, Bash and Crash were their nicknames, and Arthos was a whole lot more concerned with them than he was Czyk himself.

"Come on Mando! All I need you to do is kidnap one little person and my empire will be fully established!"

Except Arthos had told him the "no kidnappings" rule when he was first hired.

And the "one little person" was some rival crime boss who was apparently sending a representative round to them today to see about forcing them to join. The "plan" was that Arthos would kidnap the representative's boss and force them to join Czyk rather than the other way round. It was a dumb plan even before it involved Arthos kidnapping someone.

"Not after the last kidnapping job, I told you this. I'm not kidnapping anyone."

He said it with finality but Czyk seemed to be getting more and more upset - and seemed to be listening less and less because he immediately waved off Arthos' comment and made for his desk. The office was quite big, situated right at the back of the warehouse that Czyk owned and operated his spice operation out of, but the desk the Dug sat behind was absolutely over-sized to compensate for something. Bach and Crash took up positions behind Czyk to either side of their boss and Arthos knew he wasn't going to like this meeting.

"Look Mando, do this for me and I'll make you rich. You bring the representative in from the front business we have set up and then just stand behind them in the corner. If I give you the signal cus things have broken down? We stun em and move on with the plan."

Not agreeing to the plan at all, Arthos wanted to rub at his nose in annoyance but that would involve removing his bucket in front of a stranger. Instead, he left the office and made his way through the lines of people wearing aprons and gloves as they cut spice with inferior mixing agents to dilute each dose. Ignoring the guards on duty and the product, Arthos stepped through into the "front" business that covered the entrance to the warehouse. A fake business wasn't required on Nar Shaddaa at all, but it did help with moving product to other planets.

That Czyk the Dug's front business was a nail salon was ironic as all hell to Arthos, who stood out like a sore thumb amidst all the people getting their nails done. He didn't know what the Oracle's representative looked like - but he was fairly certain they'd pick him out as the odd one out as far as the scene went so he just... tried not to stand awkwardly as he waited.

@Sreeya

 

[Cipher Six]

Six had no choice but to go along with whatever new demands came from the Oracle. She had to play her cards right to keep a low profile and appear as yet another obedient insurgent. Sgt. Jenna Barnes- not even Lt. as was her actual rank. She was dressed in mercenary attire, her hair falling at her shoulders. The insurgents were outfitted with obsolete and crude weapons. Perhaps this ‘deal’ would get some more credits funneling in.

She stepped in and spotted her contact right away. She hadn’t dealt with Mandalorians often, but she certainly had done her homework back in ISB space. For now, she played her role and opted to see where this would go. Naturally, without her resources she had no way of expecting a kidnapping.

“Hi there,” She greeted the Mando, her piercing eyes fixing where his visor was, “I’m here for a facial, can you take me around the back?”

God. This was the most unconvincing ‘cover’ ever, but she stuck to the script. Not only was her code line just terrible to begin with, but for some reason a fully armored Mandalorian was the one escorting her to the back of a salon. It was either this or hair removal, and she made her unfortunate choice.

@Nefieslab

 

[Arthos Vizsla]

He was doing his best to keep an eye out for who he thought might be the contact... though when he spotted her, he immediately stiffened in place. There was no way she didn't notice the way he seemed to freeze upon seeing her. This... this was the woman he was supposed to escort to Czyk? Well she was definitely the type because he was beginning to think that wearing such an outfit had to be illegal.

Taking a breath, he tried to calm himself down as she approached. He was still not great at talking to women but he was getting better - he just needed to calm down.

Of course then she spoke and even Arthos knew that what she said could be taken in very interesting ways. The creeping heat started at his lower neck and spread up his cheeks as he tried to not visibly react. Still, his mouth ran ahead of himself.

"I'd love to."

... the kark was that?

It certainly wasn't the code phrase! Panicking, the Mandalorian took a little step back and raised both hands, shaking them from side to side slightly.

"Ah... n-no no... not what I meant to say! I meant to say um..." he racked his brain and uttered the code phrase quickly, "Can I take you around the back...? Ah, right! 'Only if you've already prepped'!"

Ah.

Karking Czyk and his dirty karking mind.

Arthos hung his head ever so slightly and turned, opening the back doors into the storeroom, the one just before the spice cutting warehouse. Ushering her inside, he'd close the storeroom door before turning back to the Oracle's hired woman, tilting his bucket slightly.

"... I expected more of you. Does the Oracle usually send people alone to these kinds of meetings?"

@Sreeya

 

[Cipher Six]

Six blinked a few times, wondering if she misread the code he was supposed to say. However, it became apparent that he simply fumbled. Unlike him, she wore no helmet and he would plainly see the amused smirk on her face and the glinting points of fangs, “A shy Mando?” She remarked with a quirked brow, “That’s pleasantly refreshing,” She said breezily as she followed him. They were all the broody or meathead types that seldom made for pleasant conversation.

She shrugged at his question, “I suppose the Oracle thinks I’m good enough for several,” She said. Truth be told, the Oracle was definitely not as well positioned as they wanted to project. There were supposed to be more insurgents joining her, but many of them died in the last failed attack.

Six turned when the two trandoshans emerged first. She gave them a nod, “I know I don't have the proper hairstyle for this, but where's your boss?” She asked them right away.

The Dug was mysteriously absent. Mainly because he expected Arthos to suddenly knock Six out.

@Nefieslab

 

[Arthos Vizsla]

Oh by the spirits, she noticed. Of course she noticed he was acting like a teenager noticing an attractive woman for the first time in his life - he honestly thought he was past this! Instead he was making a right tit of himself in front of this woman. Part of him wanted to just call it here and head back to Mandalorian space.

But a Mandalorian didn't run away from a battle... even if it was a battle against his own social awkwardness.

"Y-yeah I'm sure the Oracle is confident in your abilities." he agreed with her quickly, anything to not continue on the conversation about how stupid he was acting, "Lets get you to Czyk."

When the Trandoshan twins showed up, Arthos relaxed for a second because it meant he was no longer alone in a conversation with a beautiful woman he'd acted like an idiot in front of. Of course, he then tensed right back up as both Bash and Crash did their best to loom menacingly in front of the woman.

There was a pregnant pause where no one answered Six's question about the boss before Bash and Crash shared a look before pointedly looking over her shoulder at Arthos.

"... I said no, guys. I don't do those kinds of jobs."

Bash hissed in annoyance but Crash actually spoke for once.

"Give her the moneyssssshot!"

Arthos scowled even as he blushed.

"I'm not giving her the moneyshot... karking over-sexualised code phrases... she's here to meet with Czyk so get him out here so we can get this over with."

First time in a standoff with a his face almost glowing red underneath his helmet but it was definitely a standoff at this point. His right hand was resting against his holstered blaster pistol and the twins had palmed their own. This was becoming yet another reason why Arthos was beginning to regret signing up to work with Czyk.

In fact...

"What's the Oracle's view on people having job types that are off limits? They accept that?"

It may be time to switch up the name on his cheques.

@Sreeya

 

[Cipher Six]

There was something undeniably adorable about a guy the size of Emryc Thorne blushing and fumbling over his words. She wondered what he looked like under that helmet. For now, she had only the Dug’s ugly mug to look forward to. So it was extra annoying when it didn’t make an appearance.

There was nothing but silence for a few seconds. Six wondered if these imbeciles understood her. She opened her mouth to try in Huttese when one of the Trandoshan’s barked an order. Moneyshot? Six grimaced immediately, speculating on the code names. However, she quickly realized what was going on, whipping around to look at the Mando.

She hadn’t exactly come totally unprepared. While the others flirted with their blasters, Six looked at the Mando as soon as he spoke. Did she hear him correctly?

“Time to find out,” She said quickly as she drew out her weapon, aimed and fired at Bash’s chest, followed by Cash.

Dice: 18/20

@Nefieslab

 

[Arthos Vizsla]

Bach and Crash both twitched to draw their blasters as Arthos did the same - though none of them were paying enough attention to Six to catch that she was already moving before they were. Bash's staggered away, spinning backward with a surprised expression and a splash of blood as a hole was shot into the centre of his chest.

Crash received a matching hole to his brother from Six and a shot to the gut from Arthos, who had managed to draw on the second Trandoshan in the time it had taken Six to adjust her aim. With both of the twins staggering backward to crash to the ground, Arthos let out a sigh.

"Guess we will..." he remarked as he took two steps forward and fired twice more, blasting both downed brothers in the face, "Can't ever be too careful with Trandoshans."

They had a nasty habit of being left for dead, escaping, healing and swearing revenge. It had never happened to him before and he was going to continue doing his level best to make sure that it never did. Taking a breath, he straightened himself up and turned to face Six for a moment before nodding.

"Alright, lets see if we can't get you to your meeting with Czyk."

Pushing open the doors that led further in, Arthos raised both eyebrows as he stepped into the office of the Dug crime boss to find him quickly trying to stuff as many Hutt Peggats into a sack as physically possible. He audibly cocked his blaster and Czyk froze before turning to face the Mando and Six.

"Mando... you couldn't give this pretty lady one backshot for me? Really?"

Karking hells, he'd only just stopped blushing. It was made worse because he did actually think that a backshot was the right term for a, um, 'special shot' from behind. Gods and spirits he was really regretting having any kind of deal with the Dug.

"No, still. And what's with all these bloody code phrases anyway? You get your start making bad holoporn or something?!"

There was a moment where Czyk seemed to kind of just shrug slightly as if to say 'what can you do?' and so much suddenly made so much sense. The code phrases, the large number of male help that had muscles but no combat experience and bulges that weren't concealed weapons... karking hells. He gestured to the Dug mutely for a moment, as though presenting him to Six before muttering away to himself.

"I need better employers... karking idiots who kidnap princesses and porn directors playing at crime lords... kark me."

Rolled 16/20

@Sreeya

 

[Cipher Six]

Six was largely unimpressed by the Dug that realized he was cornered. She stared blankly at yet another innuendo. What was with these people? She leveled her blaster and shot the Dug in one of his elbows (normally she’d cap a knee, but…). Czyk groaned in pain on the ground and Six walked over, her blaster still trained on him.

“Oracle is taking over management around here now,” She said firmly. All things considered, this went smoother than she expected. This job was originally meant for more people, so the stakes were higher. However, having a cooperative Mandalorian certainly helped things. Six eyed him for a moment.

“Well, I know someone that’s hiring,” She said with a smile. She made him nervous - she would have to use that to some extent. She wasn’t sure how much she trusted him - there was no trusting anyone in Hutt space. However, she would shoot herself in the foot if he actually worked for the Oracle. She would work a few more jobs with him to decide if she could tell him she was undercover or not.

@Nefieslab

 

[Arthos Vizsla]

Well Arthos wasn't going to lose any sleep over the treatment of Czyk - the dug hadn't endeared himself to Arthos in their limited time together that much was for damn sure. The smell of melted dug flesh wasn't pleasant but he ignored it with practised ease and instead holstered his blaster pistol, happy that he no longer needed it immediately.

He did his best to ignore the way the dug angrily muttered away to himself. He was certain that Czyk would work for the Oracle though because, at this point, he didn't have much in the way of a choice. With Bash and Crash dead, the dug had workers but he didn't have any muscle anymore.

Turning his bucket to face the beautiful woman who had walked into his life asking for a facial, Arthos tried not to smile. It felt goofy-looking and he couldn't even see it!

"W-well glad I auditioned well." he joked in a slightly uncertain way, laughing awkwardly at his own comment before adding, "I did audition well, right?"

Ah kark!

His 'audition' had only consisted of him turning on someone who had tried to employ him! He was going to lose out on any future jobs because of this unless... unless the audition didn't end here. Which it wouldn't so long as there was more than just this. She came here to fold a 'business' under the control of the Oracle so, it stood to reason, she wouldn't have an issue with doing more of the same.

"Just in case you need to see more of me and my work - there's an aftermarket starship workshop that Czyk used to work with. Add extra speed to his cargo and the like. Think turning that over would work as an audition? Or at least extra credit?"

The kark was he doing? Ugh he sounded like some dumb over-enthusiastic teenager.

@Sreeya

 

[Cipher Six]

Six was popping a new blaster pack into her piece as the Mandalorian fumbled over his words. She glanced over at him, blinking a few times, “Yes, darling, you auditioned perfectly,” She said with an amused grin. How old was this guy? He looked massive but his mannerisms reminded her of a teenager. You never could tell with these Mandos and being armored up all the time.

She paused when he mentioned the workshop. On paper it sounded exactly like the kind of thing Oracle would be after. This was where she had to make a hard decision - they could go after this, but she couldn’t risk Oracle actually getting more resources. It would have to be operated and managed by someone Six could trust to shift loyalties on a whim. Her gaze lingered on the Mando for a long moment.

“What’s your name?” She asked after a pause.

@Nefieslab

 

[Arthos Vizsla]

Ah there was something about the way she grinned at him and called him "darling" that made Arthos want to squirm a little bit - it took a lot of his self-control to resist the urge even if he couldn't resist the blush that made its way back to his cheeks. He was beginning to worry he might be glowing bright enough for her to see it through his helmet. That he had done well enough to not have to immediately fight her over his betrayal of Czyk was good.

Still, the praise did actually have the effect of making him stand up a little straighter. In his experience people tended to feel more comfortable with him when he was at least somewhat slouched so the action likely made him appear at least a few inches taller immediately.

He was reviewing what he knew about the chopshop down the road when she asked him something he hadn't actually expected - which probably spoke badly of him actually. Caught off-guard, Arthos didn't even consider giving this unknown criminal woman a false name for his own security.

"A-ah, Arthos Vizsla. Rally Master of..." he grimaced as he trailed off slightly, before adding, "Well, of Clan Vizsla."

He had been Rally Master of the Mandalorian armies under Mand'alor Nox - he had led corps and divisions and more for years of warfare before he had even reached 18... but the armies of Mandalore were shattered and broken. He couldn't claim to be a Rally Master of the army when he hadn't managed to rally it behind him to keep it together now could he?

"What about yours um... ma'am?"

She didn't look like a ma'am to him and he was really hopeful that she was a 'miss' rather than a 'mrs'.

@Sreeya

 

[Cipher Six]

The Mandalorian was so adorable that she was almost regretful of using her alias, “Jenna Barnes,” She said, “You can call me Jenna,” She added with a smile that revealed that glint of her fangs, “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Arthos Vizsla,” Six said, “I’d love to have a Mandalorian on my side. These jobs…get very dangerous,” Oh yes, she was going to play up the ‘please protect me’ angle. He seemed the type to bite. At the end of the day, she needed him more loyal to her than to the Oracle.

“Where is this workshop?” She asked curiously, leading the way out of the salon. Six paused, glancing around, “You wouldn’t mind if I get my nails done, would you?” She asked sweetly. Honestly, if this was the front business cover, why not use it? It was her way of paying Czyk for the trouble of blowing out his elbows, “You’re more than free to join me,” She said with a smirk.

After acquiring perfectly manicured fingers and toes, she was ready to get back to tracking down the workshop, “How did you get into this business and being so far away from your people?” Six may not have worked with Mandalorians, but she knew how their cultures operated.

@Nefieslab

 

[Arthos Vizsla]

Well he wasn't sure what he expected from her name but maybe it wasn't to find out that it was as ordinary a name as she was an extraordinary beauty? Still, he wasn't going to complain. Having something to actually call her was the bare minimum of good manners he supposed so he was happy for it. When she mentioned having a Mandalorian around because the missions were dangerous, he tried, he really did, to not let his chest puff up.

But it did despite his best efforts.

"Well protection is something we Mandalorians specialise in." he managed to tell her without stumbling over a single word, "We can handle danger."

Wait that first part sounded like... ah he could worry about what he was saying later. And he would, likely picking over every awkward moment as he stared up at the ceiling and wondered why he was like this in front of a pretty woman.

"The workshop is a block or two down the road." he told her with a shrug, even as they stepped into the nail salon area of the business, "I um... I already got them done?"

Taking his right glove and gauntlet off, Arthos showed his very pale skin, long fingers and perfectly maintained nails. He shrugged as he pulled the gauntlet and glove back on.

"One of my clanmates told me that a real man needed to have his fingernails kept trim... not sure why but she seemed insistent on it and her friends agreed so..."

Was it weird that he got regular manicures? No... no it was just to make sure he was still ready to be a real man whenever and however, that was all it was. As they hit the road, Arthos kept his head on a swivel, his bucket moving back and forth almost constantly as he kept an almost paranoid level of care.

"Adopted mom handed me my bucket and a pistol and told me at 15 I needed to learn to be a bounty hunter and mercenary to earn credits for the clan." he admitted openly, "My unit from the crusade um... well they're not around anymore. Alright so this place is run by a guy by the name of Oleck, he's a Falleen and a sleemo. Probably the type to give up his business because a pretty enough face asked nicely..."

He turned to look at Jenna as they stood outside the single story building with one half of the structure seemingly made of rolling metal doors that were currently open to reveal several ships and speeders being worked on by droids and organics alike.

"Ah... you've got a pretty enough face but I... don't think you'd like his terms. Like I said, real sleemo."

@Sreeya

 

[Cipher Six]

Six’s brows rose at the sight of his slender hand and the perfectly manicured nails, “Your clanmate is right. Nothing more attractive than a man that takes care of himself,” She said with a smirk. She heard his description of Oleck and crossed her arms over her chest.

“Now why do I need to be the pretty face?” She asked with a quirked brow, “When I have a big, tough man like you to put Oleck’s head through a wall?” It was a fair question, “Some means of persuasion are universal, love.”

With that, Six stepped into the workshop, not spotting the Falleen just yet. She looked around and saw droids working at various stations. There were parts being constructed from cannibalized ships and other materials clearly salvaged from military engagements.

“Don’t tell me he sells all this back for flight use,” She remarked with an expression crossed between horror and admiration.

@Nefieslab

 

[Arthos Vizsla]

... okay so he might have to give that particular clanmate a bottle of something huttese because it seemed she had, in fact, known what she had been talking about. He did his best to cover his hand back up as quickly as he could, however, not wanting his pasty pale skin on display for too long - it felt strange not to be covered up by layers and armour.

When she pitched her plan, Arthos nodded along with it. He had run some protection racket scams before and he knew enough about violence to know that it was capable of moving things along in awkward social situations. Such as a sleemo not wanting to give up his business.

"Easier for me to grab his head when he's distracted by you." he managed to comeback fairly quickly before nodding, "Violence works for me though."

Looking around at the droids and organics at work, Arthos sighed a little bit when he noticed some of the workmanship. Mainly because some parts of obviously bad quality were probably newer than half of the patch jobs he'd done on his own ship and he'd still put beskar to durasteel that his could outperform anything they had in stock here.

"Must be a hell of a good salesman." he muttered before catching the eye of one of the workers, "Hey! We're here to see the boss - business to discuss."

The worker eyed the two of them oddly before shrugging and disappearing into the back beyond the workshop. Arthos continued to eye their surroundings, noticing the way that the workers and droids seemed to start inching away from them, still working but finding work to do away from them. Before he could draw any conclusions, the owner came out from the back.

"Ah customers! My associate here assures me that you are here on serious business - a bulk order perhaps?"

@Sreeya