Ask Smuggler’s Paradise

[Ferrin Sipal]

To the surprise of nobody, Ferrin had plenty of experience navigating the depths of Nar Shaddaa. He was hardly the most traditional Jedi, and the Pantoran had frequently snuck away from the Temple as a Padawan - eagerly enjoying the parties and pit fights that occurred on the Smuggler Moon. However, it was the first time that Ferrin had made the journey for official Jedi business.

While dozens of Jedi mobilized to defend their territories or fight the Exalted, Ferrin had accepted an assignment that took him deep into Hutt Space. Rumor had begun to circulate regarding arms smugglers making deals with Darth Raze - working with the devil to supply arms and munitions.

Assuming their source was accurate, it was imperative to disrupt the flow of weaponry flowing into the former Dark Lord’s hands - and Ferrin was responsible for sniffing out any possible lead.

To his own dismay, the Pantoran was dressed in a simple pair of pants and blast vest - opting for a tight, v-neck shirt underneath. His lightsaber was tucked into the utility pouch on his belt, kept out of sight for the passers by.

Despite his toned down appearance, the Pantoran still stuck out amongst the crowd due to his vibrant complex and bright, lilac hair.

Each step took the Pantoran towards one of the many pit fights that were occurring across the Lower Levels. Ferrin had already narrowed his search to a notorious, Rodian Arms Dealer by the name of Taz Corbo, either as the culprit himself - or the man with enough insider knowledge to point the Pantoran in the right direction.

The Rodian was rumored to adore the fights, and Ferrin could only hope that locating him would be the easiest part of his job.

@Sreeya

 

[Z'Kair]

He loved these pit fights. People always carried too much credit, and he could pickpocket the hell out of the crowd. He swiped a few credit chips, but he was here to work tonight. He had to meet with Taz Corbo to discuss details on smuggling his goods into Core space. With the abomination chaos, it was easier than ever to make it into Core airspace. Nevertheless, Kai liked to be on the safe side and have transponder codes ready.

Kai had to muscle his way past the crowds, ignoring the various squeals of delight he got as his poofy tail passed by. Several girls tried reaching out to scratch his ear or pet his tail and he had to bite back from extending his claws and lashing out. The tip of his tail twitched impulsively from agitation, but he finally emerged in the viewing area where Corbo was seated.

“Duma!” He said cheerfully, patting a seat next to him.

Kai dabbed his tongue against his knuckle and rubbed it against his pierced ear where someone had touched it, “Yo.”

“Staying to watch the fights, I hope?”

“No can do,” He said with a fanged grin, “I got a date tonight so wanna get on my way. Got those transponder codes for me?”

“Yes but there has been a change of plans…. We think you should get a fixed rate of a thousand peggats.”

“Excuse me?” He said, a growl slipping into his tone, “I was supposed to get 10%.”

“You must understand..the customer raised the quantity significantly and 10% is..well it’s just too much..”

“No one else is running the trade lines to land on those god forsaken Core planets,” He took a step towards the Rodian, visibly angry, “I’m risking my life going there!”

@Altaris

 

[Ferrin Sipal]

It didn’t take too long for Ferrin to make his way inside the arena - slipping past security and stepping into the packed, circular gallery. The sound of thousands filled the air all around him - cheers erupting as two individuals fought below. An Orcolan and Wookiee mercilessly took swings at each other, each blow sending ectasy through the spectators.

Even as his gaze lingered on the fighters, Ferrin casually weaves his way through the crowds - gradually making his way towards one of the restricted boxes within the arena. They were built in the event that any Hutt opted to join them for the fights - but functionally served as a VIP section.

If Corbo was to be found, Ferrin had a hunch of where precisely to look.

The Force flowed from his fingertips with a subtle wave, ‘encouraging’ the bouncer to move out of his way, allowing Ferrin inside. Meanwhile, the Rodian placed a hand on Kai’s shoulder.

“I wish things were different kid, but my hands are tied. It’s just too much, you know how it goes. He said with a sigh. “Consider this the price of admissions - the start of larger contracts for the Sun.” He said with a hint of devilish smirk. “A Thousand today - and a long term investment.” Of course, could any of that actually be trusted?

“I trust I can still rely on you.”

@Sreeya

roll: 10/20 getting to Corbo to eavesdrop

 

[Z'Kair]

“Whatever,” He said gruffly, jerking his shoulder out of Carbo’s grasp. Of course he’d do the job still. In his line of business he couldn’t afford to be picky. But if Carbo thought Kai wasn’t going to steal some of the merchandise to make up for his cut, he was mistaken. By then he would be in the Core and the Rodian could do nothing about it. As long as the blowback from the big bad getting pissed landed on Carbo instead of him, Kai couldn’t care less.

The Fiani stormed out of the area, ears flattened against his skull and tail swishing angrily to and fro. He was inside his own head and fuming as he walked out. He didn’t realize there was someone standing right there, and he unceremoniously trucked right into them, likely sending the Pantoran tumbling. Kai didn’t bother apologizing, casting a brief glance before he rolled his eyes and kept going.

If Ferrin managed to overhear any of the conversation, it was clear that Carbo had just made an enemy of his smuggler.

@Altaris

 

[Ferrin Sipal]

Subtle as it might’ve been, there was no mistaking the displeasure that spread across Corbo’s jubilant countenance - lips pursing and starry eyes narrowing into thin daggers. The Rodian had enough experience to know when one of his underlings had been spurred, rather than accepting the generous offer for what it was. He didn’t feel a lick of sympathy. Kai would either fall in line or be replaced like every smuggler before him. There was always someone more reckless. More thrill-seeking. More desperate to take on the risky jobs for less credits.

Quality smugglers were hard to come by - but most were a crown a dozen. As far as Corbo was concerned? The kid was the latter.

“I was sure you’d see it my way, kid.” He said simply, leaning back into the comfortable chair he’d paid a premium price for. Suction-cup fingers popping as he drummed them against the armchest. Perhaps the Rodian underestimated the Fiani and his anger. Perhaps he didn’t. In any event - Corbo didn’t dwell on the matter any longer - turning his attention back to the fighting pits.

Meanwhile, Ferrin kept entirely to himself - golden eyes cast across the gallery and towards the pits below. Of course, it was the conversation taking place between the two criminals that consumed the entirety of his attention. The Pantoran kept a respectable distance to avoid suspicion, but close enough to overhear the vast majority of the conversation. He could tell that their little exchange hadn’t gone well, made all the more obvious by the prompt storming off that Kai proceeded to do.

Walking directly into Ferrin.

The Jedi was, as expected, sent tumbling. Missing his footing, Ferrin stumbled backwards a few paces of the gallery before slamming into a heavily-tattooed Houk behind him. The resulting domino effect sent the beverage flying out of man’s hand and into the crowd, and a string of profanities from those hit soon to follow.

Rather than glaring back at Kai or sticking around, Ferrin quickly shuffled through the crowd and away from the ensuing chaos in the gallery. His thoughts lingered on the Fiani, however. If the man was involved with the smuggling operation into the Core, then the Pantoran was on the direct right track to ensure its failure. And if Kai had made an enemy of his employer, perhaps he could finesse the smuggler into helping him do it.

Minutes passed, before Kai would find the same Pantoran rejoining him on the balcony overlooking the pits - hands casually tucked into the pockets of his pants. He glanced over the edge, before returning his attention to Kai. “I’m guessing you aren’t pissed just because the Wook got his ass handed to him,” He smirked a hint.

“Boss give you the raw end of the deal?”

@Sreeya

 

[Z'Kair]

Kai was still fuming as he stood at the balcony, barely paying attention to the fight below. He hadn’t been lying about having a date later, but he was in no mood even for that now. Corbo ruined his entire month. He was banking on this job being a big one to allow him to breathe easy for a while. There was no rest for the wicked, but the payload would have kept him off the streets for a bit. He was hunched over the railing, smoking a cigarra as his tail gloomily swished side to side.

When the Pantoran appeared, he cast a sideways glance and glared at him. Was this tool eavesdropping? Clearly almost getting run over didn’t drop enough of a hint. Kai looked back ahead of himself, “None of your business, blueberry,” He said curtly. He didn’t budge from where he was, but the way the point of his tail jerked erratically suggested he was very annoyed.

@Altaris

 

[Ferrin Sipal]

If Ferrin was internally put off by Kai’s attitude, it didn’t manifest outwardly in the slightest. The Pantoran nonchalantly turned so that his back was facing towards the pits, both elbows resting against the dirty, metal rail that framed the gallery. Even if the Fiani wasn’t looking at him directly, it would be impossible to miss the casual and flippant smirk that the Pantoran wore - entirely comfortable within the seedy environment. It was precisely how he’d operated on a dozen missions prior, and earned a fair bit of concern from his fellow Jedi over the years.

“Could be my business - assumin’ you lighten up a bit, Tails.” Ferrin said, his gaze briefly flicking back towards the crowd as he spoke. “Couldn’t help but overhear your boss over there cuttin’ your rate out of left field. But that’s how Corbo works, ain’t it? Always screwing over the people actually doin’ the work.” The Pantoran said with a huff. “I would know with him.”

“Luckily for you? I’m thinkin’ there might be an opportunity to make some real peggats. Make double whatever your cut was, and royally fuck over that fucker in the process. If you’re in the market for a new business partner,” On the surface, it was clear that Ferrin would want a cut of his own.

Ferrin finally pushed off from where he was standing. “But, if you’d rather take the shit end of the deal? Don’t let me stop you.” He shrugged a bit.

@Sreeya