Retrade Invitation: Couples' Night

[Tribunal Power]

---

Dear Ms. Dervish and Mr. Sharp,

I hope this message finds you both in good health and fortune. The latter is a thing ever perused but rarely acquired, in my experience, and often at the expense of the former. I do hope the two of you have avoided such a vice.

I have contacted you regarding an opportunity. You have both been noticed and selected by an organization you may or may not already know. The Ona'bak Retrade would very much like to interview you regarding employment.

I urge you to come to Coruscant. Dock in spaceport Cespa-5 in the high district of sector BB15. We will know when you arrive, and the manner in which you do so, and you will be contacted again upon arrival.

Please do not show this message to anyone. It would be most regrettable to change your status from person of interest to an information liability. You will find this message has an encrypted subprogram that will ensure its deletion in three standard cycles. If you have not responded by that time, this opportunity may be closed, and I can no longer offer the protection the Retrade extends to its people of interest.
We patiently await your appearance.

--PRIME EXECUTIVE​

​

---

 

[Cassanova]

After keying in a transmission in reply which was short and sweet, and while its' contents were largely unimportant, the gist would have been that the dynamic duo would accept the offer and be landing today. Shyra, as always at the helm of the ship, however in contrast to her usual singlet and leather pants, she had opted for something more... fashionable. Naturally, with all the extra money that Shyra had at her disposal, she went right crazy and walked into the stupidest, most expensive fashion store on Corellia, and got a complete head-to-toe guide on the latest Coruscani fashion. After an inordinately long amount of time, she eventually settled on an outfit. The same outfit that she was wearing for this meeting with this Ona'bak Retrade... whatever the hell that was.

Shyra's white pants, and coat were coupled with a rarity for the space-born pilot: Makeup. The latest styling of a cyan blue line across her eyes, which accentuated her vibrant green eyes with ease. Despite looking 'a million bucks', Shyra still cursed and kicked the control panels on The Hansa as the ship settled down into the Cespa-5 spaceport, in the classy district of BB15. The choice of landing locale was the first clue as to why Shyra went nuts and spent up big on clothing. BB15 was famous for fashion, class, status, and judging anyone who didn't fit in. Naturally, Yuri was being useless in his room, doing something fancy, or pointless - Shyra could never tell which. As a mercenary pilot that she was, Shyra rarely left the ship without her 22T4 hold out blaster. Today was no different. It was, however tucked away in a neat holster mounted to the small of her back, easily reachable by her right hand.

Standing up, and completely unbefitting of her attire she yelled, "Yuri you goddamn nerf herder. Get up here! I'm not gonna cop the flak for you not being here when they contact us! There's time for your makeup later!"

Abandoning her pilot's chair as the ship whirred down, Shyra quickly then adopted a seat at the communications console, and leaned back, kicking her feet up on the adjacent chair. As she opened a frequency, and tapped at the console a moment, Shyra released a sigh and waited patiently, not only for Yuri to come up to the cockpit, but for this unnamed Prime Executive to contact them and give them their next set of instructions.

 

[Gaja]

Just minutes ago Yuri was in the shower, his hands pushing against the wall as the stream of water ran down his entire body. But even now as he got dressed the tall man thought about the upcoming meeting with the Ona'bak Retrade. He didn't trust them, not yet at least. And while his source of info on Nar Shaddaa confirmed that such a organization did in fact exist, Xalax couldn't give Yuri any further info on them.

Which as a result had Yuri wonder if this was not a trap of some sort. Or maybe he was just being suspicious because the word Nar Shaddaa came into play. Smiling as he thought back to his days working for the RKD Syndicate and being a slave Yuri couldn't help but think back to that night when he made things right. And all that happened since...

And then the pilot started yelling. Damn woman, couldn't she have given him one moment to be nostalgic? Guess not... So with a swift jump the muscular human exited his quarters, weapon by his side along with a datapad and some other stuff. He didn't really go out of his way to dress up like Shyra did, didn't mean he wouldn't have liked to. Just that he didn't have time to go shopping since he had to take T4 to maintenance and to get some upgrades for the little guy. Therefore Yuri entered the cockpit in his typical, though recently purchased flightsuit.

Adjusting his jacket while he entered the cockpit Yuri grinned. "Don't you look dashing..." Hopefully they wouldn't have to wait long, since they were on Coruscant and the former gladiator and bank robber had plans. He wanted to buy some new gear on one of the black markets, possibly a new ship. Maybe some new clothes, get a hair cut, eat something that wasn't from the ship and maybe buy a droid or two. Or twenty if they shipped them for free... "So about the Narglatch for our base..." Here he went again...

 

[Tribunal Power]

A transmission pinged the ship once they had landed, a brief one that said only, "Welcome to Coruscant. Please exit your craft."

Once they did, they would be greeted by two men in upscale suits, hands crossed behind their back. One man would step forward to greet them while the other sent word to his superior that the identities had been confirmed. The security was to ensure no insurgents infiltrated Retrade property just because they arrived in the appropriate ship; each security officer had been thoroughly briefed on the appearance of the Retrade's newest guests, and there was no doubt that the two that had just come off their ship were legitimate.

"Good afternoon," greeted the man. "If you'd follow me, please, I will escort you to your meeting."

The two men would lead them into the docking station and then back out on the other side, crossing a plaza to reach the tram station. Selecting a specific private tram, the two escorted Yuri and Shayra on board and took a seat as it began moving. After several minutes of speeding through the city, the tram came to a stop and the security officers stood.

The doors opened and on the other side were more security officers, these ones armed with rifles. Behind them was a meager looking door, locked and unmoving. The two were escorted off the tram and one of the security guards turned to unlock the door, giving it three hard raps.

On the other side was a room with another door on the opposite wall. there was a large grey table and several ornate chairs around it, stark against the somewhat run-down look of the room in which they were placed. There were no windows; only a single lamp overhead that cast shadows in the corners of the room.

The two security guards stepped into the room with them and closed the door. The sound of the lock engaging behind them echoed slightly in the mostly empty room, and for a moment, nothing happened. Then, the door on the far wall opened, and an esteemed-looking Thyrsian woman entered with a briefcase.

"I apologize for the state of this room," said the woman with her brightest smile, setting the briefcase down beside the table. "I'm afraid it was established on rather short notice. This is only temporary housing, exclusively for our meeting. Please, sit, be comfortable. I'll have tea, shortly."

Scooting out a chair but not yet sitting, the woman moved to her side of the table and placed a palm down upon it, leaning over to offer her hand to the both of them. "I am the Prime Executive. Please, call me Lorelei. A pleasure to meet the both of you."

As she took a seat in her chair and scooted toward the table, she added, "Let's get down to business, shall we? I'm sure you have questions."

 

[Cassanova]

Shyra was reminded of 'Fred', the mysterious businessman who had purchased Yuri's old ship, The Woodpecker several months ago, the way the operation was largely silent, well-armed, and very clearly well-funded. Possibly a link that Shyra may have to ask about another day, but for the time being she and Yuri were largely on the back foot. Truthfully the room was in an appalling state, but Lorelai's manners and apologies balanced the equation for Shyra. Naturally a 'burn' location is needed for such secretive meetings - especially if the meeting didn't have a particularly positive outcome.

Shyra, before taking a seat, shook Lorelai's hand and nodded appreciatively, not only for the meeting, but she may have let her eyes linger on the Prime Executive just enough to enjoy the well-presented figure of the Thyrsian woman. Quickly averting her eyes and refocusing her mind to the task at hand, Shyra nodded.

"Firstly, I think we'd both like to thank you for the opportunity you've presented to us," Shyra watched Lorelai closely, knowing that Yuri would be watching the guards closely too. He would be thinking along the same lines as Shyra regarding the weapons each of them were carrying. They each had at least one weapon, and the lack of searches meant one, or many different things. They didn't care that the crew had weapons because they would be easily overpowered by the folk in the room, or because a psych profile had been done and neither Yuri nor Shyra were likely to open fire in a business meeting. There was also the other, more preferable option which was that Lorelai and her team were simply displaying a show of trust. Shyra appreciated the gesture either way, and felt a little guilty for feeling the need to carry it.

"Questions a'plenty. But I imagine we could start with the obvious," she smiled and placed her hands, palms up, upon the table as a sign of good faith, "What's this opportunity that was mentioned to us?"

 

[Gaja]

Leaving the ship Yuri came face to face with two men who appeared to have been sent to pick them up. The man didn't introduce himself, instead greeted them and offered to take them to the place where the meeting would be held. With a nod Yuri confirmed it and soon enough he found himself on tram with Shyra and the two men making their way to this mystery spot.

There was not a whole lot of talking happening while they traveled, though Yuri was cautious of things around him even if his face didn't show it. He appeared to be observing the sights, the ground in front of him, Shyra and their two guides. He hoped that this wouldn't turn ugly, but in the case that it did... Enough to say that Yuri wasn't going to make the same mistake as he did on the DTC Daedalus.

But luckily nothing happened to confirm Yuri's distrust of these two and so eventually they reached their destination. A large group of armed men awaited them, leading them through two sets of heavy doors. His brown eyes looked around, this would be a private conversation indeed, not some small time deal made in a Cantina over some ale and bantha meat. Eventually the duo reached the room where they were greeted by a rather exquisite looking woman. This woman, Lorelei, so she was the Prime Executive who contacted them, she seemed polite, apologizing for any possible negatives in their current dealings. Yuri smiled as Shyra replied and too a seat himself.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Lorelei. I would also like to know how it was that you noticed the two of us along with what my partner already mentioned." Yuri didn't invest much in secrecy, unless the job would demand it so it was possible that some of his former employers suggested him. Or maybe Xalax? It was however unlikely that they'd known about his most recent job, or any of his assassinations, he was very discrete about that. Either way he was curious as to what the job offer was, what did these people want with them. Information about them was limited at this point so he'd have to get some more from Lorelei.

Also due to the behavior of their hostess Yuri saw that this deal was legitimate so he opened up more towards the idea of possibly working with, or for, the Retrade depending on what was offered at this table. But so far everything looked alright to the muscular human as he awaited a reply...

 

[Tribunal Power]

Lorelei was pleased with the pair's manners. Smiling, she nodded to her obligingly, and replied with "The pleasure is ours," she replied, speaking on behalf of her establishment.

Turning her attention to Yuri as he inquired about how they discovered them, she grinned. "Oh, you've been on our list for some time. I'd prefer not to say how we spotted you, initially-- a lady never tells secrets, you understand. I will say, however, that some time ago we spotted your Thunderclap in the Lybeya system, just beyond the confines of a nearby operation of ours. It bore watching, and so we watched, but our patrol lost you near one of the Vergesso belts. The sighting was very brief, just long enough to identify the ship-- but there were more, and we began to postulate that there was some sort of operation there, beyond our sight. Then, not long ago, we receive word that the Canon Bank of Mygeeto was robbed, and that despite the authorities' best assurances, there were no suspects. And what do we find in a remote roll of security footage from a port near the bank? Your Thunderclap, leaving the planet around the time the bank's robbery was discovered.

"It took a few greased palms and a few sliced docking registries, but we managed to track down your ship's serial number. It was registered to a four-centuries-old woman who lives, of all places, on an uninhabited rock sometimes called a moon. Once we were able to connect that ship to your names, which as I mentioned before were already on our watch list, we knew we would be remiss not to extend our invitation at once."

Just as she finished, a young twi'lek woman in a business dress stepped from the room behind Lorelei, a tray of tea in her hands. She laid it on the table, and Lorelei waved to the three glasses that surrounded the pot. "Tea, if you'd like? Ada, do bring some sugar, and milk if our guests would have it, hm?" The lavender-skinned twi'lek nodded silently and turned toward the rear room again. "Even in times of emergency, I find tea a necessary thing. One can hardly do business on rash nerves, wouldn't you say?"

She was insistent that they choose their cups first, should they desire tea, as an extension of good faith that it was not doctored in any way. Should they choose their drinks, she would take the last remaining cup and enjoy it. After taking a long sip, she held her cup in two slender hands as she said, "Now then, down to business." Leaning forward in her chair, she stated, "I'll be very clear with you. I'm quite interested in whatever your establishment is in the Lybeya system, as it is just on the edge of our largest area of operation. To secure territory there would be the next step in spreading our influence further to the galactic west. I would very much like to know more of your set-up there, perhaps even see it with my own eyes, if it could be arranged. As of yet, your tactics of evasion and camouflage have eluded even our best espionage patrols, and we are at a loss-- which, needless to say, colors me quite impressed.

"And so I offer you this: if your establishment is of satisfactory size and position, perhaps we could extend to you a contract of consignment. That is, we could channel some of our clients' business through your establishment, allowing us to extend our influence and, if you have any other activities there, bringing financial interest to your operation. Furthermore, we would promise your operation the protection of the Retrade Pirate Fleet, as it would then be a Retrade interest. Being troubled by Alliance law or the odd bounty hunter would be a thing of the past. And if this business were to take, and if the revenue was solid, then you would become Underlords of your very own enclave of the Retrade, right there in your lap."

Reaching to the briefcase she had brought in, she lifted it to the table and popped it open. "I have here a contract outlining just what I've explained to you. There's a bit more, but not to worry-- it's nothing troubling. You don't have to sign it now, but if you are to become one of us, then it will need to be handled. The Retrade is very concerned about keeping its members content, because content members are loyal members."

Removing the contract, she slid it across the table to them. It was only one page, front and back, and was very simple; it essentially said what she had explained with little else, and eluded to a newer contract that would need to be signed upon complete initiation into the organization. The Retrade was never listed by name, nor any of its members, but at the bottom was two lines for the pair of signatures.

Lorelei moved the suitcase aside and leaned on the table, intrigued to see their reaction.

 

[Gaja]

Leaning against the comfortable material of his seat Yuri carefully listened to what Lorelei had to say, as this was a subject he was greatly interested in. So there were other criminal organizations that had their sights set on him as well, though he was glad that not all of them wanted his head on a plate, if they knew he was actually alive. But alas as the Prime Executive implied that the dynamic duo may have robbed a Mygeeto bank for roughly 20 million Credits she gained the full attention of the muscular man. He didn't smile, but he wanted to, he liked this woman and their organization. They were good, and Yuri liked that in a possible partner. And as the woman stopped talking because a Twi'lek entered the room with their tea Yuri's general attitude changed a bit.

It changed in a more positive direction, his body language wasn't that a distrusting man but of one who actually wanted to be in the room and showed interest in actually forming some sort of relationship with this organization. "Tea is great. Thank you." Extending his hand he was the first to take a cup of tea and bring it closer to himself. Closing his eyes and bringing the cup just under his nose he allowed the heated beverage to release its heat and smell in to his nose for a few seconds before placing it in front of him. "I feel like this is a good start on both sides, so please continue." Offering her a reassuring smile the initial tension that could be felt seemed to vanish, at least as far as Yuri was concerned.

So while he followed the next part of Lorelei's offer with great interest he did so while noticeably more at ease. This might actually turn out to be the answer to Yuri's recent questions. Questions and concerns that Shyra shared... And seconds later as the woman sitting across the table continue she revealed that her biggest interest was their base in the Vergesso Asteroid Belt, to which Yuri raised an eyebrow. His brown eyes shifted over to Shyra, but he said nothing as Lorelei further inquired about the base. It was most certainly a touchy subject for the two Freelancers, they didn't talk about it at all in public, but needless to say that this was a special event.

Looking back at their beautiful hostess Yuri smiled as he saw a contract being handed to them. "Hmmm Miss Lorelei, Miss Lorelei. You are right about content members being loyal members. Your offer is tempting... and above all else fair. So I'll be fair and honest with you as well. I like the way you do things, it reminds me of Nar Shaddaa and my time there. So I can't say I speak for my partner over here, but I'm interested in possible doing business with you if our base pleases you, which I'm pretty confident it will and possibly more."

Looking at the two men standing by Yuri smiled as he returned his full attention to the woman sitting across from him. "I'm sure you'll come to realize that Shyra and I have very specific skill sets that might help your organization greatly as long as you are fair with us." Yuri wasn't sure if Lorelei would have them sign the contract right now or if she wanted to see their base first, but either way he had no problems doing so. Bringing the tea close to his face he awaited Shyra's reply while taking one or two small sips of it.

 

[Cassanova]

Shyra, far more impulsive than Yuri shrugged at the sight of the contract, and gave a quick visual check of Yuri and then Lorelai. Pulling a pen from the desk, Shyra merely signed the document, and slid it to Yuri. "I don't see the point in playing coy about this. Clearly the Retrade is dug in deep, so even if we walk away to try and do research we won't find anything, and a job offer so..." she politely nodded towards Lorelai, "...generous won't come by again."

The pilot did however have one or two questions, "So you think it was us who robbed the Bank on Mygeeto? Hope you're not a customer - I'd hate to have to return your money..." a wry grin crept over her face as she adjusted the white jacket around her chest. "How'd you figure it was us? and how the heck did you follow us back to Lybeya? I pull two or three jumps when we go back..."

 

[Tribunal Power]

Before Lorelei could respond to what Yuri had said, Shyra snatched the contract and signed it. A smile crept along her face as she did so, and she happily took another sip of her tea. "It appears we are in business together, then."

The young twi'lek returned just then with a small cup of sugar and an ornate spoon. Quickly slipping two spoonfulls into Lorelei's tea, she turned to the two guests and offered the cup, giving them sugar as well if they desired it. "You'll find the Retrade has access to nearly anything you could possibly want, and everything has a price," she explained, before mixing her tea idly and taking a sip. Turning her attention to Shyra, she commented, "Now then, to your question...

"One of our patrols was in the space near the Lybeya system when they detected a ship exiting hyperspace not far from their route. Your ship exited hyperspace, then immediately jumped again. As per patrol protocol, our ship was performing observational duties, which includes transmitting their viewspace via privately-secured transmission to a terminal for later viewing. Your ship was recorded, however briefly, in the area. At first we thought you were some form of espionage sent to inform on our nearby operation, and so we increased security and patrols nearby. Later, it happened again, but this time much further from our operation. Because of the time that had passed between the two instances, we began to theorize that you were not spies, but perhaps bandits on the run. And s, we thought, where would they be running to? Because the Lybeya system was the nearest one, we assumed it was somewhere in the edge of the system. We sent in a few patrols but found nothing extraordinary. Then, some time later, we discovered the heist, and the rest is history." Taking another sip to finish her tea, she set the mug aside and commented with a wry smile, "A very specific set of skills, indeed."

Standing, she extended her hand across the table to her new partners, withdrawing the contract with the other. "I suspect we will have a very fruitful relationship, Ms. Dervish and Mr. Sharp. Another time, I'll stop by your hide-away, if you'd so kindly provide me with the coordinates. I will likewise provide you with the location of the enclaves you may be in need of using from time to time."

As they shook hands, Lorelei would smile and say, "Welcome to the Retrade."

 

[Gaja]

Just seconds before Lorelei had a chance to take the contract back Yuri saw Shyra sign it, so he signed the damn thing as well. And with that it was official that the two of them joined up with this organization. Surely it would be an interesting partnership with lots of excitement and adventures... Lots of shooting and explosions, and hopefully money as well. Although the explosions really only happened when Yuri teamed up with a certain Kushari, why was that?

Anyhow standing up Yuri shook Lorelei's hand as the deal was closed and the two humans were officially Underlords of the Retrade. With a polite smile Yuri returned to his seat and continued to sip on his tea as the Prime Executive welcomed them. "Thank you." From there on out the meeting went smoothly, certain ideas and plans were shared and the new additions to the Retrade learned where the other Enclaves were, but they also shared that they would need the Retrade's help, in the form of credits, to fix up parts of the VAB so that it can function properly... All in all it was a great day for both sides, a lot of potential was sitting at the table and plotting. Little did they know just what kind of opportunities were on the horizon, beginning with a dangerous mission in Chiss space in the not too distant future.

~ Thread End ~​