Ask Nar Shaddaa It's Just Good Business

[Dr Ilana Morata]

-Theme-​

Ilana just wasn't herself these days. Loose odds and ends. Losing so much. But it was time to move on. She couldn't linger in the shadows of others forever. Holding on to what little she had, she wouldn't look back any further, held back by regret.

Rather, she looked ahead. And she was taking those past memories with her.

Malakai was gone. She felt it, keenly in the Force. There was no answering the call, no rough voice replying late at night. She had spent enough time grieving; now it was time to pick up what he left behind, and to continue in his name. But in order for that transition to go smoothly, she had to make sure that those closest to him would be willing to keep going as well.

She waited in her private quarters on a high rise, a cigara dangling from her fingers. Dressed in sharp black slacks and a pressed grey blouse, black coat, she'd wait their arrival, along with someone she would consider soon to be hired as well.

A contract laid on the table, along with a case. She had nothing but time by now.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

The BX commando droid had some modifications made since it had last interacted with the Doctor. It took somee time to modify the blastboat the droid utilized. Bit by bit, mostly by making other droids do the work, the ship was running in optimal condition. The droid, N4-X4 who piloted the ship had also a few modifications to his own body and added some built in additional functions. It was quickly finding the freedom of not having a master even though commando droids are normally given greater freedom and independence.

Leaving the ship in a secure landing spot in the more secure parts of the moon's upper levels, N4-X4 wasn't about to skimp on credits. Coin was not a problem for the droid since it needed far less than most organics. Life support, temperature control, food, etc.

The droid wore its cloak over its body, making it seem like flowing pillar of worn grey cloth and a BX head poking out the top. The clean black surface of the droid's cold emotionless face was thanks to the coating of scatterweave on his surface. Today the droid came equipped with his usual tools of the trade were attached to his webbing underneath his cloak while riding the turbolift up the high rise.

The droid looked up and down the hall, exiting the elevator before heading towards the specific address he had been given. Outside Ilana's window she would probably see an ID-21 seeker droid for a moment which would pass by the windows and see into the rooms before waiting near the patio door like a bird watching people. N4-X4 rung the bell for the apartment since his scouting droid didn't spot any hostiles or cause for concern. "Doctor Morata. This is N4-X4. You requested my services."


@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

The door hissed open when she pressed a button for the droid's permitted entrance, and she turned to face the grey-cloaked battle droid with impassive features.

"Yes... Naxa, if you don't my verbalizing your designation number," she replied coolly, stepping over with light, graceful strides. "Thank you for arriving. I have a proposal for you, if you can spare the time." No point in beating around the bush for her, she had a tight schedule to run on things, and one of those tight schedules involved meetings, promises, and credits.

It seemed like her future was abundant in all three, especially if she played her cards right. "I would like to employ your services," she continued, gesturing towards the room if he would not move in initially, "as my personal bodyguard. If you are interested in such a privatized endeavor, please do come in."

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

"It does not bother me" The droid said plainly. It was indifferent to its naming and lacked the same perception as most socially knowledgeable individuals. At the same time, the droid was not bothered by notions of pride or ego like most organics. The commando droid had been called things some would consider foul but it never phased Naxa. Most just called him 'droid'.

The droid took a step inside after being offered entrance. The head of the commando droid swiveled to look more at the Doctor. "Who or what is it that you are seeking protection from?" The droid began walking around the high rise abode and taking it in. If the droid was going to be hired on short notice to guard the Doctor, it did not want to be taken advantage of. The last time they had spoken the droid and the doctor both had their preferences for operation. N4-X4 was already here at her meeting which the droid also calculated would have other attendees beside himself.

After a moment a ring came from the door signalling others had arrived. Outside there was the familiar masked face pf Bruggan, the Kaleesh. There was a teenager, nearly an adult most likely but still young since she had both hand stuff into her jacket pockets and an an apathetic look on her face, at least by what wasn't obscured by the mask she was wearing. Each of them clearly had a sidearm on their hip as well though the Kaleesh also had a datapad in one hand at his side.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Straight to the point; it was why she liked droids. No time wasted on pleasantries; seeing Bruggan again, she paused. The briefest of emotions flickering in her eyes before it smoothed to nothingness. Another moment spent in a high rise... two, three years ago? It felt like yesterday.

"Protection from future assassins, rivals, those that pose a threat," she answered coolly, striding over to the kitchen at the appearance of the new arrivals. "If you do not object, employ can begin right this very moment. You will be paid monthly, plus maintenance expense and any other expense justifiable for my new business intrigue."

Glancing towards the young woman, she nodded to the table. Like them, she was armed, but not openly.

"Please, take a seat. Can I interest you in any drinks?" The door would hiss shut behind them, leaving them insulated within with the good Doctor and the droid. She seemed unruffled by the appearance of this youth; rather, she seemed bemused, if any knew her facial expressions enough.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

"These terms are acceptable." The robotic vocabulator remained silent after that. N4-X4 turned his head to look the others up and down. Crossing the room the droid would stand beside the Doctor.

The newest arrivals, a Kaleesh and a human of some kind, both were armed. Ilana did not ask for them to disarm nor for the droid to pat them down. All the same, the commando droid remained standing while the others took their seats. "Sure...cognac." Bruggan said but was quickly followed by the femine though muffled voice of his cohort who simply declined in huttese.

Both Bruggan and the masked youth sat down in one of the nice chairs. "Nice hardware." Bruggan jutted his chin in Naxa's direction but spoke to Doc. The Kaleesh had been a man of few words and stoic by nature. But he was still cut from the same cloth as their shared missing associate. It was obvious that Bruggan had continued to carry on without Malakai after his disappearance though the upwards progress of Beck Acquisitions had plateaued. It was more than what they had started off with years ago when they could have fit the gang and all its assets in a single air speeder. But there was more to it now and the Kaleesh had at least filled the shoes of a boss to keep him and his employees from getting overtaken or back to square one. "I was a bit surprised when you called." He said and took the drink if one was provided.


@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She nodded once, both in response to Bruggan's brief-worded praise of Naxa and to grab the drink herself. Once poured, she would return, her steps light and graceful.

She was no fool.

She knew that if either of them wanted to, they could easily overpower her with weapons... with the consideration that they would have the arrogance to try. She also knew the likelihood of them accepting her proposition was not the keenest. All factors had been taken into consideration and categorized. If being weaponized is what made them felt safest, then she would let them keep them. She also had gotten a white wine to go with her as well; she settled in the chair opposite and leaned back, the figure of poise and refinement.

Hearing Bruggan talk, she paused, then nodded once. "Yes. I meant to before. To ask... if you had heard anything from him yet." Even saying his name wasn't something she could quite work up to yet. She took a sip of wine, delicately setting the drink by the side. "It's been a long time, you see... and I had a feeling something was wrong." She gazed at him evenly, hoping he would contradict it, even though in her core she knew it was true.

Best to discuss that first.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

N4-X4 would remain silent all the while that this discussion took place. There was not a lot for a bodyguard droid to do other than stand ready or move around the apartment. The seeker droid would end up doing the moving while the commando droid stayed at its client's side.

"'fraid not. It wouldn't surprise me if he were dead. Usually how things goes..." The kaleesh shrugged a bit at the circumstances. It was an unavoidable thing in his line of work. "You called me hear to ask about Kai?" He turned his head to look at the younger woman who had no idea who Kai was. She just crossed her arms and looked around, like she was bored.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

Once again she smiled thinly. It was neither a pleasant nor a warm smile, the cold chill to her expression matching the frost within her gaze. "Of course not. Something better than an old friend."

Glancing at the female once, she leaned back, and absently tapped a fingernail against the table. "I'm starting a venture myself, and was keen for a merger between us." No point in flattery or dancing around the subject; Bruggan and she did not seem like the type of people keen to dance around the subject, so she would be direct.

"MorataCorp is a medical supply and research field. Unfortunately in this galaxy, you need connections, associates." She glanced at him once, expression unwavering. "Beck Acquisitions is also in need of more connections and associates for certain trade. In return to this joint venture..." she paused, tapping something on a datapad also on the table, "I offer you a broader audience for the consumers you need. In return I would like a portion of your shares of the businesses. And an additional credit boon should you agree."

She was no fool. Spice was their major ply, but Beck was overshadowed by the Syndicate. By a long shot, their main supply credit line was limited to the Outer Rim. And even with acquiring other 'businesses', it was a growing money pit as Syndicate hold was always under attack by others. She was offering an expansion.

Yet... he could refuse. And if he did, what a pity it would be.

There were perks to having a droid bodyguard, after all. One of which was they didn't ask questions.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

While Ilana had mainly interacted with Malakai Beck, Bruggan had been been present on numerous occasions during their escapades. He had an idea of who she was as a person. At the same time, he also believed the Doctor knew he was wise enough to pick up on her mannerisms. She had been the only other person the Grysk had taken a special interest in. To a degree, Bruggan had even felt a pang of jealousy in the past. But now he looked across at the Arkanian as a businesswoman making a proposition.

The reptilian eyes of the Kaleesh flicked towards the droid and then to its counterpart towards the balcony. She looked like she had stepped her game up. In fact, she was beginning to put into practice what Malakai had maybe taught her. But hearing this time it was not squatting or exploiting some sort of loophole. The Doctor sounded like she had the means to pay for the room which was even better. If that were the case then Bruggan could consider her a more reliable client than any others than he currently had.

A hand reached up to rub the side of his mask like a man might stroke beard. "I think that's doable. Definitly. But what what kind of portion do you have in mind?" He wanted to see what kind of deal the woman made. He knew how Kai had done business. But aside from her small business outside of her quad five, Bruggan didn't know too much about her. But not knowing a potential business partner was not something he considered a dealbreaker. It could just be a process.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

While Malakai had been the master of their operation, she knew Bruggan to be the foreman. If something needed done, he'd have it completed. It was good he asked portions, however; she knew rather than to aim high. Instead, she struck a number that would appeal to his own larger portion mentality, and ensure at least gracious relations between the two.

Memories nonwithstanding.

"Thirty percent," she answered coolly, "And a small percentage of your arms dealer acquisitions. From that share, say, five percent."

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

While.Bruggan took a moment to let his yellow reptilian eyes look at the doctor from behind his masked face. The lids narrowed a little in scruitny but soon the head nodded. "Thirty sounds agreeable. Arms though...that's something you want to tread likely with Doc." There was a warning to it but not one meant to be a threat.

"I didn't peg you for a kingpin. Are you asking wanting in on the profits or hardware?" The leg of the man came up to his knee as he leaned back a little in his seat. If it was just money influx, that was one thing. It was a matter of laundering. But if she was saying she wanted to have blasters and body armor shipped at her order, that would be something specific.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

He observed her, just as much as she observed him. It was calm, clinical, as though this were nothing personal. He was giving her advice... and yet the only advice she would have wanted was from someone long gone. So she wasn't going to dwell too long in it.

"You didn't peg me for anything the last time we met," she rasped calmly, but nodded.

"I merely ask for five percent of the hardware; I am acquiring a new business set up, but the previous tenants are going to prove a problematic stand, more than likely. I would like to be prepared in advance." She still watched the Kaleesh, but senses remained fine-tuned for emotions, general thoughts broadcast loudly enough to give her advanced warning. She was no fool. Kai would have surely obtained armament for Acquisitions, he attempted to during their last mission together.

A mission she would finally settle, either alone or with Bruggan's assistance was up to him.

However, she didn't say as much but merely waited.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

The Kaleesh gave a gruff singular chuckle in amusement at the Doctor's response. "Fair enough. I'm all for privatized security." He looked over at the Arkanian's droid companion again and then back. "These tenants...are you looking to get extra help? Nobody I know I hope." She knew well enough that he and Kai had a history of squatting. A soft chuckle came from underneath his mask. "Additional services could optimise operations. Provided they were not a hinderance."

<"What'd you say scrap metal?"> The female muttered in huttese in a slightly electronic but warning feminine tone. "I can translate if you prefer. I have recently upgraded." The droid began to modulate it's vocabulator for a moment to mimic the huttese instruction file. Bruggan held up a hand more towards the partially masked youth that had been silent until recently. Her eyes looked underneath the mask but it wasn't anger she had expressed. The Doctor would be able to feel it, Bruggan would know suspect it, and N4-X4 would be able to detect it. She was confident she could take the commando droid on. But the bodyguard was not intimidated. <"Enough of that."> Bruggan said, the young woman slumped back into a seat a little, her mask discharging a little bit of steam.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She tilted her head, listening to the exchange. "Call it mutual rivals," she murmured quietly, "but if you're offering assistance, I would accept it. Are there any terms attached to this help?" She would be blunt about it; however, the teenager's outburst didn't seem to ruffle Doc's proverbial feathers in the least. Rather, she kept her gaze trained on Bruggan.

If he couldn't keep his little pet leashed and muzzled properly, she would.

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

There were no qualms brought forth by the Kaleesh. Seeing his cohort settle down again allowed him take an audible breath and look back towards the Doctor. N4-X4 did not see any reason to move or intimidate since there was no threat. "No terms. Maybe a favor later?" It was good to get a deal started off right. If there was something worth claiming that these 'rivals' had then maybe Bruggan could use that favor. "Everything else I think is...amicable."

If the Doctor had more business to discuss then Bruggan was willing to hear it. The scatterweave covered commando droid wondered how much strength the gangsters had. His client wanted to absorb their business though, at least if his calculations were correct and the droid had not misunderstood something. His primary functions were far different from a 3PO unit. The Doctor's well being was N4-X4's primary concern and so far this was just another meeting between organics with influence.

@Killa Ree

 

[Dr Ilana Morata]

She nodded once briskly, then slid the datapad forward. The same one as what Naxa was given to sign now was presented to the Kaleesh, features calm. "If we're in agreement, then please sign. And I anticipate doing business with Beck Acquisitions." A faint smile touched her lips once more, but it was humorless, a mere turn of the lips.

"As for the favor, I will happily fulfill what I can from my end."

@Darasuum

 

[Naxa]

The Kaleesh leaned his rather broad body forward and took the datapad. Looking it over with his yellow reptilian eyes and then back at the Doctor one last time, he signed it. Handing the device back over with his four fingered hand. "I'll drink to a deal sealed..." He looked at the droid, knowing it didn't consuming food or drink.

Bruggan would have the last of his drink that resided in his glass. But afterwards he would say his goodbyes. The BX commando droid a statue all the while. Photo receptors didn't look like they were staring at any one thing. The regularly looks of both the Beck Acquisitions representatives were observed by the droid who regarded them in return. Moreso, the room around, the high rises and other pent houses, they were also still secure. This would remain the case even after Bruggan departed with his right hand. The young girl made what sounded like a robotic tisking noise as she made departing eye contact with the droid.

With the hiss of the pent house door would close. The droid turned to the Doctor. "You keep peculiar company."

End Thread​

@Killa Ree