Private Dealers Win

[Dar Skuldir]

Location: Ukatis
Arriving at Castol Industries Galactical headquarters

​

The cabin of the small private transport shuddered slightly as it entered the atmosphere, providing a smooth ride from then on as it was cleared for landing in one of the kingdom-styled cities of the planet. Ukatis was within Galactic Alliance territory, and while it was ruled by monarch dictatorship, certain operations in this sector were likely granted liberties by the Galactic Senate for trade and transport to some degree.

Dar Skuldir could think of plenty other planets that would be better options for companies, but Castol Industries Galactical had done well for itself regardless apparently. The old man looked out the viewport, staring at the approaching structure as the craft he sat in slowly settled towards the designated landing pad.

In truth, the white bearded man was quite out of place in this setting, his expertise being relegated towards the more underworld aspects that some businesses tended to get involved with. He did have a few key connections that were likely to be of use to someone like the infamous Ferol Casto who had summoned him, however Dar was unsure as to how they would be received by someone operating mostly in GA space.

The boarding ramp lowered, and Dar proceeded to disembark, wearing a generic looking set of rifleman armor as he continued to the meeting.

 

[Ferol Casto]

Location:
Ukatis


Ferol Casto sat patiently, awaiting the arrival of Dar Skuldir . In the large meeting room, overlooking the city, he thought of what to say. He knew that Dar would be no coward, however, a mission of the degree that he wanted, only few would accept. This was far from what Ferol normally did, he was a CEO, not a bounty hunter. But he was always interested in the Sith Holocrons, which he would only dream of possessing.

His droid walked up to him, informing the arrival of Dar Skuldir. Now, it was business time. He watched through his tablet the security footage of Dar walking through the building, walking into the elevator, then going up to his level. He did notice that Dar was probably carrying a blaster, but so was Ferol. Then he heard the turn of the lock, and there stood Dar Skuldir, staring Ferol down. If a Rodian could smile, Ferol would have been. “Sit down, please, if you wish.” Ferol offered. Dar Skuldir sat down, still keeping his eyes locked on Ferol. “Let’s get straight to business, shall we?” Ferol said, trying to get things moving. “Well, the idea of the task that I hired you for, is a dangerous one. Would you like to hear my idea for the task, Dar?” He asked, cocking his head at Dar.

 

[Dar Skuldir]

In fact, Dar was not currently armed at the moment, having thought whatever weapons he carried were likely to be confiscated upon arrival on the planet. Certain places in the galaxy were like that, and Ukatis was likely one of them for those not in high standings. It was a miracle the visibly aged man was even standing at all, though humans were often known for their endurance.

Now however, he was sitting in the office of Ferol Casto , nodding slowly before taking a moment to examine the place. "Sure didn't come all this way to say no."

The contacts that had reached him had been vague, but Dar was used to dangerous jobs for those of the expendable sort. He could keep a secret too, which made him valuable in this line of work despite his advanced state.

 

[Ferol Casto]

Ferol was happy with the answer. It meant that he could get on with this as soon as possible. He took a look at his tablet, which had recorded the conversation, and it gave him suggestions. He then glanced at his droid, who gave him a nod of approval. “Well, I admire your determination. The mission will be difficult, as our target will be to locate a Sith Holocron.” He stayed silent for a moment, considering if something else would possibly be useful to say. “And, as for the planet that we are travelling to, I must meet with my contact on Yavin. We will then go to all of the planets that he suggests.” He looks over at his guards the Sceptors, who stood emotionless, looking straight at the window behind Ferol. He then looked back at Dar, attempting gain any knowledge of what he was thinking, however to no success. If only people were like glass.

 

[Dar Skuldir]

After so many years, especially in his profession, Dar had become somewhat proficient at masking his true emotions on any given matter. His gruff, wrinkled stare remaining unchanged for the most part as he listened to Ferol Casto , a slight furrow of his brow once all was said and done.

Then he leaned forward, fixing the Rodian with a narrowed stare, disregarding the others present in the room as the meeting continued.

"Sith holocrons are more popular than ever in the galaxy... Might not be worth taking trips across the galaxy if you're not picky. Might even have some leads of my own."

Dar didn't want to or care to know why Ferol wanted such a device, but the Rodian didn't seem like the force-using type to the old man. Maybe a collector of sorts, one risking significant charges if discovered with it by GA authorities. The New Jedi Order didn't take kindly to Sith business after all, but luckily they were mostly busy with the Mandalorians.

 

[Ferol Casto]

Ferol wasn’t a force user, in fact, he was just trying to get a collection. He also wasn’t meaning to keep the artefact, but keep it and then sell it to the Sith Order, possibly. All was business to Ferol. He was also intrigued that Dar knew something about Sith Holocrons, as well as where he could possibly find some. Of course, Ferol would have to keep it hidden from authorities, but he was used to it anyways. He had shops off of Scarif anyways. He decided it was time to get back to the point.

“It’s time that we go, I believe.” He said. “We will take one of my starships, a D5-Mantis, along with a squad of my guards.” He gestured behind Dar to where two of them were standing. He stood up, and grabbed his tablet. Six more guards came into the room, fully armed. “Shall we?” Ferol asked, once again gesturing behind where Dar was sitting, but this time to the door.

 

[Dar Skuldir]

With that, the old man stood and began to follow the lead of the group, taking his position next to Ferol Casto as they made their way through the hallways of the company headquarters. Entering a turbolift that would take them to the hangar level, Dar could not help but let out a chuckle.

His own freighter was still at the city spaceport, and while naturally he would prefer to travel on it, he wasn't in a position to argue here. Besides, he had never even heard of a D5-Mantis before.

As they stood in the lift, the bearded man's face craned slowly as he spoke to the Rodian.

"A D5-Mantis? The Fakir sector is a shorter trip than Yavin, could search up leads on old Sith planets with that library there. You know the one?"

 

[Ferol Casto]

Ferol looked back at Dar, noticing his craned neck. “You seem like you know what you’re doing.” He said, happily. It was always good to have someone experienced. “And yes, it is a shorter trip to go there, and that is what we will do. I appreciate your help, Dar.” Ferol, in a matter of fact, didn’t know the library, however, if it could mean a lead without paying any credits, he was all ears. He walked into the starship, and his guards in a second one. “Would you like to tell me the coordinates to the library?” He asked politely to Dar. He fiddled around worth his red bandana, excited to make money on this.

 

[Dar Skuldir]

After taking a brief moment to examine the D5-Mantis as they approached the ship in the hangar bay, Dar followed Ferol Casto up the boarding ramp as it dropped, before slowly settling into the copilot seat in the cockpit.

"Traveled enough in my days to know where's where. Yavin isn't out of the picture, it's just on the other side of the galaxy."

Running his hand over the navicomputer console, a set of coordinates was input that would lead the ship on a path into the Colonies, between the Core and Inner Rim regions. Their destination was the Halowan system in the Fakir sector, an infamous industrial planet to anyone that knew their galactic history.

"The trip shouldn't be longer than a day or so. Your contact on Yavin could meet us if necessary, long as they have a powerful hyperdrive."

 

[Ferol Casto]

“Of course, though I’d rather make this quick, if the circumstances become desperate.” He said, trying to sound neutral, while trying the best he can to prevent the meet-up with his contact. “Shall we get on, then?” He asked, once the coordinates were put int the nav-computer. He then pulled up slightly and put the thrusters on. Leaving the hangar, with the second ship close behind, Ferol hoped that the library would be quick, considering being off-planet for a long time would risk business time.

“We’ll get there soon.” He said, once they were off planet. “Now let’s go.” He said, pushing harder on the thrust.

 

[Dar Skuldir]

The ship propelled itself upwards through the planet atmosphere, Dar feeling himself pushed into his seat as the vessel ascended into space at a quick pace, Ferol Casto increasing the thruster output. The ship performed well, that was for sure.

Once the ship was close enough to align with the Corellian Trade Spine hyperlane, the old man began to power up the hyperdrive from his copilot seat. Leaning back once more as they jumped to lightspeed, Dar watched the stars outside the viewport coalesce into stretched lines before the familiar blue hyperspace glow illuminated the cockpit.

Swiveling about in the chair, he faced the Rodian now. "This ship has a good hyperdrive itself, we'll arrive soon as you say. We could get the information we need by contacting the library in orbit or heading onto the surface. Your choice."

He paused, taking a look about again. "Where'd you get this thing anyway? Got a story?"

 

[Ferol Casto]

Ferol, keeping one hand on the thruster, looked over at Dar. “About the first question, I’d rather land on the planet, it makes it easier. I’d also prefer that the librarians don’t know what we’re doing.” He looked at Dar. “As for your second one, I bought them off the...” he paused for a moment, not wanting to give away info that could be turned over to GA authorities. “I bought it off a dealer.” He said, letting it slip. Ferol would’ve liked to say something else, but he’d prefer not to lie now. It was bad for business.

Ferol looked out the ships front windows, looking at the stars. He took a glance at Dar Skuldir , and decided to start conversation, he was bored, anyways.

“And tell me, Dar, where do you come from what’s your story?” He asked.

 

[Dar Skuldir]

"Definitely easier to avoid GA interrogation," the old man spoke with some amusement in his tone, slowly rising from the copilot seat and taking a look at a nearby console display on the wall. He scanned over a layout of the D5-Mantis, giving a nod to himself.

He didn't care to have certain details from Ferol Casto , but the more he knew about this ship, the more prepared he would be during their trip. There was a small medbay on the lower level of the ship, that was good to know.

Without turning to look at the Rodian, Dar continued. "Lived on Nar Shaddaa most my life. I've seen my fair share of Sith artifacts smuggled about before... Usually for much shadier customers."

 

[Ferol Casto]

Good, Ferol thought. The less he cared, the better. “Sounds… interesting.” Ferol said, pausing in between words. The team was now approaching the planet. After a long wait, he was almost there. Ferol rubbed his hands together. He couldn’t wait any longer. Then one of his guards came in over the comm link.

“Sir, we have found a suitable spaceport for the both of us to land at.” The Sceptor said, keeping his voice emotionless.

“Good.” Ferol said. “You take the lead, we’ll be close behind.” Ferol looked over at Dar. “Well, this will be interesting, won’t it?” He said, with happiness in his voice.

The Sceptors ship pulled ahead of their ship and end towards the spaceport. Within minutes they will land.

 

[Dar Skuldir]

After their exchange of words, the duo waited out the majority of the journey silently, Dar busying himself with whatever schematics of the ship were available for viewing. There was a certain bias he held for CEC and their products, but the D5-Mantis was impressive so far, despite it's dated design. That thought urged an amused grunt from him.

Now that their flight was coming to an end though, the old man strapped back into the copilot seat. Running through all the necessary procedures, the duo prepared for landing, getting clearance from the spaceport authorities after all checks and fees were taken care of. The Spector's ship was likely to have gone through the same process already, and soon their crafts were settled in docking bays not too far from the grandiose data library.

"Long as we don't attract the wrong attention, we'll get our leads. This place isn't as vast in size and information as the Jedi Archives, but it'll do."

Standing, Dar gave a nod to Ferol Casto as he exited the cockpit, heading down to the lower level of the ship where the boarding ramp now opened. A brief speeder taxi ride would take them where they needed to go on Halowan, the barren industrial world not having much else.

 

[Ferol Casto]

Ferol steeped off the vessel first, greeted by the squad if Sceptors in two lines of four. Once himself and Dar Skuldir were in front of them, the Scpetors followed behind. Ferol signaled to one of the Sceptors to call a speeder taxi. Once that was done, they waited by. Ferol tapped his foot on the ground, waiting impatiently.

“Oh, this is going to be fun!” He said to himself, letting his entrepreneur side leave him. One of his guards turned his head towards Ferol “What are you looking at?” Ferol asked, irritated.

“Nothing, sir.” The guard responded, obviously scared for his job.

By the time the taxi came, 15 minutes had passed. Ferol and Dar stepped in first, then the Sceptors, resting their blasters. Then one of the Sceptors spoke up and said, “To the library, as fast as possible.” He said, sternly towards the stunned taxi driver, who obviously was stunned by the ten people in his speeder.

“Of-of course.” He said, stuttering. And then they were off. Ferol took his tablet out and began searching for his contact. He needed to tell him that they didn’t need to go to him, and otherwise, if Ferol didn’t tell him, it would become awkward.

 

[Dar Skuldir]

The ride on the speeder taxi through the smoke-filled skies of Halowan was brief, but allowed the group to glimpse much of the planet as they approached their destination. The majority of air traffic was comprised of large and small cargo transports ferrying their loads from the shipping docks to the various industrial zones across the planet.

Luckily the trans-system data storage library was located in a more tourist-central area, and soon their speeder taxi touched down on a small landing spot just outside the structure, those that walked the ferrocrete street hardly noticing the arrival at first.

Ferol Casto and his entourage were sure to draw some eyes as they exited the speeder, Dar looking out of place as he followed them into the lobby and reception area where Dar went ahead and paid the required fees for their visit under one of his names.

In the main area were several aisles of holobook shelves, various other data storage systems and computer consoles built into desks for those to browse the information repository. It was a quiet place, and so Dar spoke in hushed tones. "Long as we search historical references and the like, shouldn't be too hard to find a suitable planet once associated with the Sith... Unless you want to head into Sith Order space."

 

[Ferol Casto]

The speeder taxi descended through the smoky skies of Halowan, providing a fleeting view of cargo transports and industrial zones. Ferol Casto, flanked by his entourage and accompanied by Dar, approached their destination—the trans-system data storage library. A swift touch-down on a landing spot outside the structure went unnoticed by the locals immersed in their daily routines.

Exiting the speeder, Ferol and his companions entered the library lobby. Ferol took charge, ensuring the required fees were promptly paid under one of his many aliases. The quiet surroundings hinted at the enigmatic nature of their visit, drawing subtle glances from those present.

Moving into the library's main area, Ferol took the lead through rows of holobook shelves and computer consoles. Speaking in hushed tones, he articulated the plan, "Long as we search historical references and the like, shouldn't be too hard to find a suitable planet once associated with the Sith... Unless you want to head into Sith Order space."

Ferol approached a computer console with an air of authority, delving into the vast digital archives. He leaned in, addressing the group, "We're aiming for historical data on Sith-affiliated planets. Keep your eyes open for any connection to the Sith Order or potential strongholds."

The library's atmosphere maintained a quiet hum as the team immersed themselves in the records. Soft sounds of holobooks being retrieved occasionally disrupted the stillness. Ferol, deeply engrossed in his task, analyzed the information, each discovery contributing to the depth of their quest.

 

[Dar Skuldir]

The old man only stared blankly as his words were repeated back to him, slowly turning away to carry out his task. If the Rodian needed to be in charge, that was fine with Dar, a holobook in hand and smirk on his lips as he began to search through the holobook's interactive interface.

With the emergence and abundance of Sith in the last one hundred years, since around 800 ABY, the spread of Sith temples and sites alike had also increased, and so it was only a matter of time before the group found some references that would suit their needs.

Some references were more modern, whereas others would be considered ancient history by anyone's standards. Dar had been sarcastic earlier, but he hoped Ferol Casto wouldn't pick any locations under rule by the current day Sith Order. This job was already suicidal enough as it was.

Standing from the desk he sat at and turning off the console after taking down some information, Dar made his way back to the Rodian and his guards in the library. "I've got some sites, but nothing much. You?"