The Melting Pot

[Outlander]

Luno jerked up in his seat, his eyes jolting open. Damn, I guessed wrong! I was hoping saying that they were younger would pass along the idea that the job would be easy. I did not take into account any ethical rejection. He scratched his head, looking Tala in the eyes. I think we are losing her! Quick, say something to keep her interest!

Ufie stepped forward, towards Tala. He held his hands out toward her, palm down, as if to calm her. "Miss Tala, I assure you, these are not children. They are only clones."

"No. They are children. Clones just means that they're children from a singular genetic source." Tala pointed out.

 

[Luno Palono]

Try something else! Uhm...tell them they're adults! Luno sat on the edge of his seat, one eye half-closed. He was certain the deal was already lost, but he still wanted to salvage it. If not for the job, then for the chance to get one of these ladies on the operating table back at "The Lab".

"Of course, Miss Tala," Ufie said, taking a firm hold of each side of his head, "I knew that. Doctor Palono knew that. What he meant was, they are not actually children. I made a mistake when I told you their age. I meant they are several years into their life cycle. Biologically, they are close to the age of 17. Practically full grown. That's more reasonable, right?" The droid was shaking slightly as he finished.

 

[Outlander]

"Except you're a droid. You wouldn't make that mistake." She said, leaning back again in her seat. Her features froze in a half-scowl. "Hey, guys. Could you come here for a moment." She said, nonchalantly. Two armed guards appeared in the doorway, one grey Zabrak female in combat armor and a blaster rifle, the other a fully armored mandalorian in steel grey armor wielding a pair of fletchet pistols. They didn't appear hostile. More or less intent on standing where they are.

 

[Luno Palono]

The appearance of the guards severely unnerved Luno. I think we might have to call this one a bust, Ufie. We'll have to try some other time. Let's go ahead and get back to the lab. I would like to leave this planet behind. He stood up, patting the front of his labcoat to make sure it wasn't severely wrinkled.

Ufie straightened up also, steadying himself and putting his arms down at his side. "It is clear that Doctor Palono and you have differing ideals and will not be able to come to an agreement." He glanced between Tala and Rikva. "He would like to leave now, please show us the way out."

 

[Outlander]

Tara chuckled. "Now, Doctor. It isn't that simple." She stood up and walked to the console under the screen. An archive appeared on the display, and she started navigating through historical records.

 

[Unbound]

Rook peeked through the doorway, seeing Tala, two mercs and a Twi`lek as pale as the snow. There was a droid and someone in a lab coat in there too. "May I interrupt?" He said entering the room.

 

[Outlander]

Tala looked back momentarily. "Sure." She said simply before going back to her searching.

 

[Hiro]

Rikva scooted in her seat, adjusting herself uncomfortably. I'm seventeen. She kept the death glare on the doctor. If he passed with Tala, he is easily losing Rikva's trust and respect. Along with friendship. Everything he's saying just makes her hate him more. "B-but, I'm also seventeen."

 

[Luno Palono]

At this point, Luno was almost completely annoying Rikva, more concerned with whatever it was Tala was doing and the number of armed individuals steadily increasing. I've gotta think of something...I am certain I cannot best all these people in combat. At the very best, I might be able to surprise them and knock one or two out, but the rest could easily overpower me. I don't think the half-breed really trusts anything I would say, so I can't try to talk my way out. But what other option do I have? He began to pace the room as he thought, stroking his chin. The longer it takes me to think of something, the less likely I'll make it out of here.

Ufie glanced back and forth between Luno and Tala. When Rook entered the room, he jumped a bit and backed up towards Luno, who was still pacing. "Miss Tala, there is no advantage for you in keeping us here against our will. Certainly, if what the doctor proposes is so morally objectionable, he won't be able to hire anyone else and therefore none of his plans will ever come to fruition. He is no physical threat. Perhaps the best he can do, should you release us, is get in trouble with someone else. That will leave you entirely guilt free." The pit droid was fairly desperate at this point, and it came across in the way his voice warbled.

 

[Hiro]

Kliff unlatched his helmet. Today was a good day. Today was a fine day. Whatever day it was. Hell, everyday is a fine day for Kliff. He walked over shortly after Rook. "Does the job pay?"

 

[Outlander]

Tala looked back from her screen, finally having found what she was looking for. "Doctor, please come here for a moment."

 

[Unbound]

Rook just observed the doctor, sitting opposite to Rikva. Something smelled fishy, but the doctor and his droid were in the middle of mercs` group. Rook`s hand was close to his blaster. Just in case.

 

[Luno Palono]

Luno continued pacing, trying to arrive at a solution. "Doctor," Ufie urged, pulling on Luno's labcoat, "I think it wise that we do what Miss Tala desires, seeing that we are currently under her power." Luno paused, glancing over at Tala. He took a long look around the room, seeing that yet another new arrival had appeared.

Ufie. Please don't pull on my coat. I would not want that to be our last interaction. With that, he briskly stepped over to Tala, holding his head high. Due to his short stature, however, it wasn't that high at all.

"...last?" Ufie shuddered, grabbing hold of the sides of his head again.

 

[Outlander]

Tala moved aside, showing the historical archive on the screen. "Here. This is an archive we have on the Mandalorian Scientist Demagol. You might want read up on that."

 

[Luno Palono]

Luno took his time reading the archive, absorbing all that he could from it. This Demagol. He's a man after my own heart. I would love to get my hands on some of his research. Tragic, though, that he had to waste so much time in a false identity. Imagine the things he could have done... Luno tapped a finger to his chin thoughtfully. However, I think the ideal position I should take is that of confusion. Ufie, I spoke too soon. We may have a way out of this yet. Tell her I am distraught at reading these words. Why would she put me through something like this?! He clenched his hand into a fist and brought it down in the palm of his other hands, his eyes narrowing in anger.

Ufie seemed relieved, gesturing with both arms towards Luno. "Miss Tala, I think you have upset Doctor Palono. His thoughts have become somewhat incoherent. He seems confused as to why you would show this to him."

 

[Outlander]

"Doctor, you remind me a lot of him." She said, explaining. "Us Mandalorians view his actions so harshly that his name is now synonymous with both 'Sculptor of Flesh' and 'Butcher'."

 

[Hiro]

Kliff didn't mind Demagol. No, he didn't understand his actions. Nor would he repeat them. But Kliff is something different and he doesn't intend to tell Tala in case her morals conflict.
Good thing Rikva has it covered. "I doubt Kliff would think low of him."

 

[Luno Palono]

Luno kept of his charade of seeming emotionally distraught. He took a few steps back from the archive as he ground his fist into the palm of his hand, his eyes narrowed, staring at the ground. On the inside, however, he was quite calm. Interesting. Keep assuring her of my abhorrence to the Zeltron. This 'Kliff', however, may be of use. If what the albino claims is true, we may have a chance at this yet. Don't address him just yet, we need to focus on making sure the half-breed is less aggressive. Tell her I would never want to associate with such a man. If Luno could have smiled sinisterly, this would have been an ideal opportunity.

Ufie stepped up to Luno, placing a hand on his side as if to comfort the doctor. "Doctor Palono is insulted that you would group him with such a monster. A name like 'Butcher' would not beseech him at all. I don't know what you think of Doctor Palono, but you have obviously gotten a false impression of him."

 

[Outlander]

"It was the whole 'Kidnapping Children' thing that gave me that impression." She said.

 

[Hiro]

Rikva coughed. It wasn't a cough anyone could pick up on, but Kliff knew a little too well. "That was one time."
"You're a monster." She spat at him before storming out. He laughed nervously as she left. "Kids, huh?"