Ask [Taris] Less Than Legal Means

[Jado Veren]

Jado had run into a bit of a pickle. On one hand, his lungs were badly damaged and he desperately needed bacta treatments if he didn't want to end up in a coughing fit in the middle of a raid again. On the other hand, being a Mandalorian crusader didn't always pay much and what he'd need to cure the coaxium damage to his lungs would cost a pretty penny. Thus, he resolved to use some...less than legal means to acquire what he needed from people who wouldn't miss it. With the rich and powerful ruling over the rest of Taris both literally and figuratively, an infirm Tarisian aristocrat seemed the perfect target for such an operation.

With Taris in Sith-controlled space, Jado was reluctant to perform such a smash-and-grab without some type of assistance. His trusty G1-A was still on the surface of Contruum after being heavily peppered by repeater fire, so the only available rides on his budget would be requisitioned Mandalorian starships that would be immediately identifiable to anyone born within the decade. Thankfully for him, though, there was a new smuggler who was looking to make their way into the market, and they didn't want credits for this particular job; just part of the take, which took no negotiating on Jado's part. He'd need someone able to hide the goods and navigate space quickly to get away with this.

This Brezze Swalcry was a weird one for Jado. He'd been across the galaxy twice and hadn't come across any Latero in all of his travels. His curiosity urged him to ask questions about the man's heritage but, remembering that he was dealing with an outsider, kept his mouth shut for much of their trip. He had even more questions about the affluent battle droid the guy seemed to command that he'd hope to discover answers for along the way. When the Latero's 578-R transport rocked out of hyperspace, Jado stood from his passenger seat and walked to approach the cockpit and check their progress.

"We make it?" he asked absently, looking across the cockpit's older displays from a distance.

@Njack177

 

[Brezze Swalcry]

Brezze was slightly annoyed, we fly all this way and this Mandalorian doesn't say one word? he doesn't ask about his B1 battle droid that is damn near reciting prose? doesn't mention how smooth the ride is? Brezze quietly thinks to himself this guy just doesn't appreciate fine work. Brezze thought that all he could hope for is that the Mandalorian was trustworthy. he looks at B13p0 and says in Laterian.

"This is going to be a long day." B13p0 turns to him and says "Roger, Sir."

It feels like just yesterday since Brezze was on Dantooine, even though it had been years. Building his droid, his ship, and what became his life, thanks to the Sith and now here he was entering Sith space to steal bacta. Because of this Brezze was already on edge, Sith had killed his family he didn't want to be next. But he desperately needed to open channels, and meet the right people. Brezze hoped that this Mandalorian was a step in the right direction, a way to finally put his master plans in motion.

"We made it just fine. Any idea where to put down?" Brezze said turning to his passenger.

@Burpee

 

[Jado Veren]

At the sounds of a language he didn't understand, Jado quirked a hidden brown under his helmet. He certainly didn't expect to understand the native tongue of a species he'd just met, but the fact that the battle droid understood the Latero piqued his curiosity. Hell, the fact that the battle droid was in one piece was weird enough. Most of the B1's Jado'd seen were piecemealed together with mismatched parts these days. Brezze might have a collector on his hands here.

"Good. If you head to the northeast end of that swampy looking area there, the spaceport should reach out via comms. Can this droid of yours still handle a blaster? I'm hoping we won't make big enough waves to need 'im, but it would be good to know just in case."

As the Latero continued the suggested flightpath, Jado could faintly hear the comms crackle to life in the cockpit; just on schedule.

"Hail, Unidentified Civilian Transport, badge 578-R. Please state what your business is in the Talinn district."

@Njack177

 

[Brezze Swalcry]

Brezze debated for a quick minute, telling the Mandalorian the truth about the droid in the co-pilot's seat. The droid was currently running a subroutine in its programming. As of right now the B1 battle droid was nothing more than a 3p0 unit, but if it registered Brezze say a phrase, it would go right back into battle droid mode.

"The droid is a 3P0 unit with B1 wrapping he doesn't fight."

As a signal came over the comms asking their business in the Talinn district, Brezze bristled. He hated this part. Time to explain that he's about to land with a droid that looks like a weapon, and someone that was a weapon or at least looked the part.

"This is 578-R Transport. We have one passenger we are dropping off, and hoping to find some work as a courier. Be advised that part of the ship's crew is a repurposed B1 Droid reprogrammed to a 3P0 unit. Please do not shoot him or he will whine all day, and he is hard to find parts for."

@Burpee

 

[Jado Veren]

"Ahh, a shame. Neat to see him in one piece though." Jado leaned against the inner wall of the ship with his arms crossed over his chest, waiting for landing. "I figured we'd grab a quick bite at a cafe across the lane from our target building. That way we can get a decent look at it and talk through our plan."

When Brezze answered the surface transmission, there was brief radio silence for a few seconds before a response came back. "...All clear for landing on Dock 18. Welcome to Taris." There was no mention of the droid. Either the air traffic controllers didn't care or system security had okay'd it after hearing Brezze's explanation. Either way, they were clear to land and get started with their heist.

The Talinn district was fairly nice on the upper levels, with much of the polluted skyline being adorned with gawdy penthouses stretching up from the wretches below. If you weren't looking at the surface below the towers, it seemed like a nice place. Large walkways connected the various highrises together for pedestrians and many speeders zoomed in lanes between them. Jado hadn't eaten this morning, so stopping by the cafe would serve more than just a quick scouting spot.

@Njack177

 

[Brezze Swalcry]

As Brezze put his ship down on the landing pad of dock 18 he already knew what happens next. As the ships doors opened, Brezze took a step back as he grabbed his passengers arm and pull him back. as a small army of security guards boarded the ship, B13p0 stepped forward and greeted them.

”Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, I am B13p0, a droid in the service of Brezze Swalcry. I am made to understand that my appearance may be startling to some of you so I am willing to undergo any diagnostic or verbal tests you like to ease your trepidation.”

Brezze sat down. “You may want to sit down, Jado. This is going to be a while.”

Brezze stood back up, and his jaw hit the floor as he saw the other protocol droid board the ship. He had never seen one fully operational up close before. He got the AA-1 Verbobrain and the TranLang III communication module off of a scrapped one on Dantooine. He'd deleted most of the obscure languages to fit the B1 battle droid programming back in. Brezze’s work had never been checked like this before.

“Oh… crap.” Brezze whispered.

@Burpee

 

[Jado Veren]

As the ramp opened up to show the troop of guards waiting, Jado was somewhat taken aback when the little Latero grabbed his beskar vambrace and pulled him back. It was ballsy to grab a Mandalorian unexpectedly, especially on a vambrace fully loaded with whistling birds. Once the brief shock dissipated, however, Jado relaxed, realizing this little Brezze was not a threat to him, and watched on as the battle droid address the skeptical crowd.

Jado let out a heavy sigh and facepalmed his helmet when B13P0 submitted for diagnostics. This was tighter security than he had ever received upon landing on a shithole like Taris. He didn't have an immortal soldier in tow, of course, but the reputation of Mandalorians preceded him. When Brezze expressed some concern, Jado crossed his arms and turned his visored helm toward the Latero.

"He doesn't fight..." he stated flatly. "That why you're sweating thermal detonators?"

Jado was somewhat amused at the whole situation. He honestly didn't have much stake in the Latero or his odd droid, so if security decided to apprehend them, all he'd be down was a ride off this rock. Ultimately, though, Jado didn't want to wait anymore for the bacta treatment he desperately needed. He'd stick his neck out a bit for this smuggler if it meant they both left Taris with what they came for.

@Njack177