Desert Heat [ORC Dominion of Manas | P,57]

[Rosalina]

Objective: 2
Location: Kafez, plains
Engaging: [member="Thal"]
Nearby: @Karrigan’Xalda [member="Mala"] [member="Thuumal Xevshe"] [member="Chedi Iqari"]

Alm blinked. Again, she simply could not understand what the outsider was saying. A familiar feeling of frustration tightened her chest for a few moments—until recently, this had been her every day situation. Alm’s Basic was passable now, but she’d had a lot of trouble communicating in the past.

This…wasn’t the best situation.

“No Huttese.” She grunted, having recognized a single word. “Only Basic and Nasvalo.”

Blaster fire erupted somewhere close by—too close—and the source of the sound was intercepted by an armored figure on a speeder bike. The newcomer deftly removed the pirate from this mortal world with a well-placed rifle shot to the chest.

Before she could say or do anything else, the creature at her shoulder let out a predatory caw before taking flight. Byamba was a Shuvu, a bird of prey. Her people tamed them to be hunting partners given their carnivorous nature and excellent eyesight. They also proved to be useful in combat.

Though they were on the outskirts of the city, the bird had sensed that they were being watched. Well, seen rather than sensed. Like a good hunting comrade, Byamba ascended into the sky going away from the city and into the grassy plains. Then he took a sharp downward turn while letting out a screech—right toward the Mirialan and Falleen. Outsiders!

Alm paid little attention to her partner’s departure, figuring that he’d found something of importance elsewhere. The bird was likely just smart enough to see that they were under assault from beings not of this planed when lead to the conclusion that he should be attacking everyone not tall and tan.

“Fight slavers.” Alm looked at Thal and tried to catch the eye of the armored person, extending her hammer towards the streets. “In city.”

She turned towards the girl who was clinging to her arm and said something quickly in their native language. The girl went off like a shot heading towards the mountains while Alm took long strides into the city proper.

 

[Mala]

"Eighteen fat pirates, sitting on a ship."

Mala wriggled into the vents once more, her song echoing throughout the craft and she crawled to her stash. A central point where the vents crossed over each other she collected the small pile of things she's brought on board. Her sling shot, her lightsaber (the greatest shiny of all her shinies), a couple of ration packs, because Cato made her carry them just in case and an odd assortment of brass chess pieces, wire twisted to form bangles and shiny pieces of chrome.Stuffing her shinies back into their correct pockets she crawled back out of the vents and scarped for the exit. There was a pirate, cowered behind some crates, his trousers were wet and even without tasting the air, Mala could smell the urine from him.

The slingshot in her hand put him out of his misery with a flash of yellow, even if only temporary. She clambered onto the crates and surveyed the area, spotting the city in the distance and ignoring anyone else who might be close by. There was where she'd find more treasures. Jumping off the crate with a happy shout she bounded towards it.

[member="Thal"] @Karrigan’Xalda [member="Thuumal Xevshe"] [member="Alm"] [member="Chedi Iqari"]

 

[Saffron]

Objective: Haven Shipyards Major Contract | Location: Manas, Sel


"Miss Saffron, we are here." Elthree would inform Saffron. They came to a rather large building. It was interesting architecture. Part of it carved out of the very cliff beside it.

"Fascinating," Saffron would murmur to herself. They were ushered inside, the majority of those inside Tsolvalo allowing them entry. A young woman approached the young blonde woman and her droid.

"Greetings, my name is Asha." she said. She had dusky brown skin and large hazel eyes. "Are you looking for someone?"

"Hello, my name is Saffron, I am here to meet with Adria Van." Saffron told her. The woman's face brightened in knowing.

"Ah, yes. Please, come this way." a small gesture would indicate for Saffron to follow her.

Saffron gave her a grateful smile. In her mind, she hoped that this would go well.

A few minutes later and after being led down two corridors and one length of stairs, they came to a wide open area. Further ahead were two double doors. Led towards that direction, Saffron took the time to study the intricate mosaic artwork on the walls.

"That is beautiful work." Saffron would say, gesturing to a particularly beautiful mosaic of a setting sun and vast desert.

"Thank you, we have artisians that know the old ways of making glass from the sand. They use mixtures hundreds of years old to craft different shades."

How curious, Saffron would wonder. How old world traditions clashed with those of modernization that surrounded them here in Sel.

 

[Klesta]

Objective 1: Business (peddling ergonomic assessments)
Company: Sith Inquisitor
Allies: TBD

Now we're getting somewhere, he thought, while realizing that he could add a clause about a progressive rollout of an ergonomic assessment regime among the planet's civil service. Also, he believed the terms of the contract to be nearly complete, so that, in fact, he could print a memorandum of understanding because the actual contract would still have to undergo the usual bureaucratic processes, which could take days, weeks even, especially with ramifications extending this far into the bureaucracy's working methods. While the WH&S director was, in fact, surprised that they could get a deal done so smoothly with an ergonomic assessment provider that could also train the planet's workplace health and safety inspectors, Klesta, on the other hand, was more willing than the other bidders to do the training portion. The manager may have come to realize why all other bids seem to fall apart: the other providers were unwilling, or unable even, to let go of their control over their business. Probably because they may have been unable to provide the service to the specifications required.

"I suppose the time has come to close the deal"

 

[Enyo Typhos]

Objective 1: Business
Objective: Archangel Major Contract | Location: Manas, Sel


Civilised conversation ensued. The HRD was offered traditional tea and refreshments. Graciously, she accepted. Archangel HRDs were capable of doing most things humans could, such as eating, drinking, sweating and crying. Obviously they did not gain anything from consuming food and drink, but it helped them blend in.


In any case, Tess outlined Archangel's business plan. Archangel intended to secure a tibanna gas mine. A suitable location had been determined. Obviously it would pay a fee to the government to secure the mining rights. Archangel could afford to pay a generous one because most of its employees were droids. This was convenient because they did not need to be maintained.


Likewise, Archangel would offer its services to improve and modernise infrastructure. Its machines could toil day and night and it had sophisticated HRDs that could supervise them. Likewise, HRDs could serve as assistants, companions and bodyguards for the rich and powerful, tailored to their exact specifications.


Finally, Archangel intended to construct a state-of-the art cybernetics and medical facility in this city. It did not take long for it to become apparent that this field was of particular interest to the local politiican. Reading between the lines, his interest in artificial organs was obvious. Of course, Archangel would allow health inspectors to inspect its facilities to verify the high quality of the products. They could even arrange a tour of their headquarters. Talk continued for a while along these lines.

 

[Karrigan'Xalda]

[member="Alm"], [member="Thal"]


Blaster fire erupted around her. Slavers fired upon natives, natives fought back. People died or cried in pain. With counterfire coming her way, Karrigan'Xalda ducked for cover. A blaster bolt grazed her face. Thankfully she wore a helmet, but she still felt a burn. The violence stirred something aggressive and primal inside her.


Precomition screamed inside her and she hastened for cover as a grenade was lobbed her way. The blast was deafening, causing a shockwave that tossed the speeder around. She grunted, spitting blood as she got up, feeling a sharp pain from being showered with shrapnel. Fortunately, there were others there to draw much of the enemy fire.


Muttering an incantation in her native tongue, she called upon the power of the spirits and the Great Karishzar. Abruptly a strong wind caused a column of sand and dust to rise into the air. The shroud obfuscated her approach as she approached the city proper. Rather than rely on her physical eyes or her helmet's sensors, she let the spirits guide her. She could not maintain the camouflage for an extended duration. But long enough to get close enough to scythe corsairs with her poisoned blades.

 

[Chedi Iqari]

It was so loud that Chedi could hardly hear himself think - not only was there blaster fire that echoed around him - it seemed close but he could not tell from which direction. On top of that, he heard the most blood-curling screech barreling towards him , from the sky. He had never been so frightened in his life. All he could think was "must run". He had to get our of there. He tried to scrabble to his feet but couldn't seem to find his balance. When he did finally manage to stand, he just ran. Ran as fast as he possibly could. Must run! Must get away! He could hardly hear Mr. Xevshe behind him screaming "Chedi! No!"

[member="Karrigan'Xalda"] [member="Mala"] [member="Alm"] [member="Thal"] [member="Thuumal Xevshe"]

 

[Klesta]

Objective 1: Business (peddling ergonomic assessments)
Company: Sith Inquisitor
Allies: TBD

"You have to understand this is not the actual contract and a MOU is not legally binding here"

"Thank you for your business: anything else you would like to discuss?"

Signing the memorandum of understanding is one thing, but for the MOU to become an actual contract, it will have to go through the bureaucracy, and perhaps the scope of the contract is so big that it may even qualify for major-faction status; that was the main proviso that might cause issues among the bureaucracy, whether on Manas or on Demonsgate. In effect, this means the ORC can actually declare the MOU to be null and void. But these were hurdles that would not deter the Jawa, even after the two copies of the MOU were each given to the parties entering it. And yet, he had a reason to be optimistic, and he would probably be able to field preorders elsewhere on Manas if he was able to advertise on the proper channels. Zonju might be our southern news antenna, they never did a whole lot of ergonomic assessment work, he thought, while walking out of the office with a copy of the MOU.

"Nothing"

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

"So you want us to help your exiles by smuggling Mandalorian ships from our legitimate business through ORC? You crazy? We'd have Judges swarming our establishment in days. Nothing gets past them."

"I promise no issues from the Judges," Gil said calmly. "Not only is my brother a Judge but..I've known many of the Judges for a long time. Besides, they don't care unless people are smuggling people for sale and I promise there would be none of that."

"Hmm..."

"Zeke would pay handsomely. Your company would become the envy of Outer Rim."

The two brothers sat in thought and looked at one another before the tall one spoke for the first time since Gil entered the shady hole in the wall.

"We will need to discuss in private. Give us few minutes." And as quickly as he was ushered in he was ushered out back into the small starport.

 

[Saffron]

Objective: Haven Shipyards Major Contract | Location: Manas, Sel
Post 5

Adria Van was a young woman, with thick black hair she braided into a dozen thick plaits that hung just past mid waist. Her clothing had touches of traditional dress but with a more modern look.

“Welcome to Sel,” she began, her voice a husky rasp as she held out a hand to the blonde.

“It is a pleasure,” Saffron, “ thank you for your time.”

“Please sit,” Adria said, gesturing to a lounge seat. They both sat, with the offer of manasian tea.

“I’d like to thank you for the opportunity to discuss Haven Shipyards and what we can assist with Sel.” Saffron began,” we are happy to provide energy solutions with MaraTibx through solarium technology and offer options that can utilize your tibanna and maximize profits with less of a carbon footprint in processing. We would be happy to pay taxes and a percentage of the refined product.”

 

[Enyo Typhos]

Objective 1: Business
Objective: Archangel Major Contract | Location: Manas, Sel


Negotiations took a while. They ended amicably. "I believe we have a deal, Councillor. I am pleased we could do business together. Archangel will be in touch with your office so that we can hash out the details." A great many would still need to be decided upon. Likewise, preparations would have to be made for the visit of the Sel delegation to Archangel's official HQ.


Said HQ was largely an office front. Archangel did not actually produce anything there...especially nothing sensitive. But several HRDs, droids and cybernetic implants were kept on site so that it could demonstrate its products to visitors. Many clients preferred to see things with their own eyes, after all. So while the bureaucracy would still have to process matters, Tess had reasonable cause to calculate that matters would conclude in a satisfactory manner.


As she left the building, she received a transmission stating that the survey of the Tibanna gas deposit had beed concluded. Archangel would be setting up a mining station. Likewise an appropriate site had been found for the construction of a medical facility, which would specialise in the provision of artificial limbs and organs.

 

[Thal Mantis]

Objective: Kafez
Friends: [member="Alm"]? l [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] l

Her words made some semblance of sense. She was as confused as he was. He snapped his head to the forming storm- one of supernatural origin. He rotated the stick in his hand, and sauntered his way towards the town. He was shot at by several pirates, panicked, wild shots that went wide. He stopped and held his arms out, stripping himself of his upper garment that they provided him. The large tattoo on his back of the crumbling Red Tower was visible now, as well as the fact that Thal was built like a fridge made out of protein.

He rolled his shoulders and twirled the stick in his hands, and then held his arms at his side, laughing as he walked to the town.

They couldn't kill him. They were not worthy.

The first pirate came up to him, net and stun baton in hand. The net went wide, a trick he had experienced many times in the arena. He maneuvered his body under it- not to the side. He rolled up to the pirate's feet that threw it, and grabbed his ankle. The Trandoshan gave a confused gurgle as he fell maw-first into the ground. The sand softened the blow of the impact. However, Thal's stun stick at the base of his skull did not appear as soft.

He turned his head, dropping the Slaver's now limp body. The girl with the hammer had her answer of who Thal was with. He laughed, covered in blood.

Thal, the deathless slave, was going to seek his retribution.

 

[Thuumal Xevshe]

Post #4
Objective: #2
Location: Outskirts the City of Kafez
Allies: [member="Chedi Iqari"]
Others Nearby: [member="Thal"] | [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] | [member="Mala"] | [member="Alm"]

Xevshe wasn't sure if he was still hallucinating or not. Chedi didn't seem surprised by Xevshe's sudden warning but when Xevshe had visions he quickly lost the ability to distinguish between the fanciful visions in his head and the reality he was living in. He was too far away to hear what the two figures standing nearby were saying but he was too close for comfort. A few seconds later blaster fire made it clear that Chedi's instincts had brought them to more danger...

...And pain. Great pain. Deep underneath the many scars on his arms and back, Xevshe could feel the slaver's whips cutting into his flesh all over again. Anger welled up within him. He could feel the pain and the anger shifting, not within him, but outside of him. It flowed from the city nearby, through the bloodied man and enveloped Xevshe in a cloak of pain and anxiety. His hands tightened around his blaster rifle. The gun fire grew louder as the sounds of violence echoed around the small hill. And suddenly he began to understand who the man was, why Chedi had brought them to this location, and what he would have to do next.

His realization was short lived, interrupted by the loud shrieking of a bird of prey. He looked up in time to see the bird closing in on their position. There was no time to think and no obvious path forward. Xevshe looked around for cover, but there was none to be found. Lying prone, the falleen would be an easy target for the incoming bird. He rolled onto his back, preparing to defend himself. Out of the corner of his eye, Xevshe saw a look of sheer terror fall on Chedi's face, as the younger man suddenly grew restless, seemingly preparing to run. Xevshe cried out, "Chedi! No!"

This had gone south faster than he had anticipated.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Objective : Business | Location : Outskirts of Kafez/Kafez



The small contingent of Salacia Consolidated workers slowly got out of the speeders that parked outside the main hub of Kafez. Streets were narrow and crowded and their driver mentioned it would be nearly impossible to navigate. No one seemed to mind either way, eager to visit the ancient and storied city. Their meeting was near the city center, a bit of a hike for unseasoned off worlders.


It didn't take long for commotion to strike - blaster bolts echoed out, bouncing off stone structures and cracking through the valley like lightning. Streets immediately panicked, it was clear that blaster sounds of this nature (or at least at this time of day). The group was caught in the middle, not sure who to trust. No one knew of the pirates in the area.


Security already suspected it was an ambush of key players in the company. Kill a few, hold a few for ransom and half the city could be living on easy street.

 

[Rosalina]

Objective: 2
Location: Kafez, plains
Engaging: [member="Thal"]
Nearby: @Karrigan’Xalda [member="Mala"] [member="Thuumal Xevshe"] [member="Chedi Iqari"]

One by one, the slavers fell to the rebels of the Outer Rim and their allies. A motley crew to some, they would never not be a hodgepodge of various races with…interesting weaponry.

Alm swung her hammer wide, caving in the chest of one pirate before shooting another in the throat with her side arm. The young woman found that with proper training, she had surprisingly good aim.

By now she understood that this bare chested man was on their side—at least for the time being, given how he brutally tore apart any pirate within range. While Alm did not find that odd given the situation, she did find his laughter strange and somewhat unsettling. But an ally was an ally and her people were in trouble.

She whistled sharply , calling out to her creature companion. Byamba, the hawk that was descending upon perceived enemies Chedi and Thuumal, shifted his path to glide past the prone Fallen. Slipping into a wide arc, Byamba looped around again to head towards the inner city and accompany his Master.

Amidst the chaos, the remaining slavers would eventually realize that they were outnumbered and attempt to flee. The Coalition and Friends™ would just have to deal with them their own way.

As the fight died down, Alm turned to face Thal. “Injury?” She asked, splaying a large hand across her own chest to ask if the man had been injured anywhere. She couldn’t be too sure given the blood that painted his skin.

 

[Thal Mantis]

Objective 2
With: [member="Alm"] and friends
Near: [member="Thuumal Xevshe"] l [member="Karrigan'Xalda"] l [member="Chedi Iqari"]

The fight was short, brutal, and Thal killed a lot of them. Mostly with his bare hands, or bludgeoning them with the stun stick to death. He was an effective killer, years of killing honed in the Red Tower's gladiatoral pits put on display.

When the fighting ended, and Thal and the company he was with had slain the enemy, more or less. Thal stood victorious, soaked in the blood, tears, and sweat. He was thirsty and the sun was beating down on him. He had never seen the sun so plainly. He couldn't help but look up at the star, floating in the sky. He wondered why he had heard that people worshiped it.

He looked at the nearly-broken stun stick and tossed it to the sand at his feet. It clattered next to a slaver that he had vanquished. He walked back, feeling dizzy. He needed water. He needed rest. He had his revenge for the time being. He hazily made his way back over to the woman with the hammer. She gestured to his chest. He looked down at it, touching it.

He made a motion of eating, and then pulling an imaginary free weight up to his shoulder. She must have not seen someone so physical here.

Or pale, maybe.

He noticed how pale he was, compared to her. Made sense, in the long run. He looked up at the sun again. He made a motion to speak, but his mouth was dry. The blood had caked on his skin. He had a few cuts, burns and scrapes. The fights here had been fairly one-sided. Thal outclassed the slavers in pure savagery, pure desire for violence. They could not beat him because he simply wanted them dead more. And it had expended nearly everything he had in the process. And in the brutal heat of the desert- an environment in which Thal had never been in, took it all out of him. He stumbled for a moment, before collapsing before [member="Alm"] and her bird. The anger, the tidal wave of rage floating across the force- subsided, when Thal hit the sand, falling victim to the intense heat.

Before he slipped into unconsciousness, Thal looked to the sky. Perfect teeth broke into a grin. If he was to die here, he would die a free man.

 

[Gilamar Skirata]

A few Hours Later

Again Gil was in the room with the low hanging light. Again he was speaking to the two brothers. They had brought him back in with some very specific demands thinly veiled as proposals for the two companies to work together in order to bring MandalMotors parts and small ships into the Outer Rim Coalition. While Gil was able to whittle down some of these demands, the one that he couldn't get out of was the re-selling a portion of the Mandalorian goods brought into ORC space to the Outer Rim Coalition's Judges and militia style military.

Either way Gilamar walked out of that StarPort and back into the heat with a contract signed that would help his people here and that was all he could hope for.

 

[Ordo]

...hours later.


He stumbled a step as the dry pounding heat assaulted his heavy frame. Slitted eyes saw the small collection of rocky dried stone buildings from miles away and after an hour he cursed the clear desert air for its clarity. He cursed his feet also for their betrayal before he straightened and pulled a small flask of black liquid and swallowed it down.

The bitter liquid stretched out through his veins a moment later like scalding finger into gloves. He groaned briefly as the alchemy took affect and he felt his muscles forget their fatigue. He stalked forward casually slipping his steel from its scabbard on his back with a slight hiss.

"Steel is for men." He told the air as his feet carried him forward.

He came upon the first sentry in a thunder of sand and swirling steel. The man was not on his guard and his head fell beside his crumpled body as the dry sand turned red. His business was killing, he had no emotion for it. There was no glory, no parades for heroism, only death dealt swiftly with practiced hands.

The outpost was unprepared for one of his occupation. They had preyed on the weak and didn't plan for the rancor. He paused as the last one lay gasping at his feet.

"Steel is for men." He said sheathing his blade, "but the curr gets the boot."

A quick stomp and his work was done.

He walked away.

 

[Saffron]

Objective: Haven Shipyards Major Contract | Location: Manas, Sel
Post 6

"That does seem like a viable proposal." Adria Van replied. With both sitting down, they were able to discuss the offered proposal. To confirm that what she said was properly documented, Saffron brought out her datapad with the exact terms of her proposal in writing.

"You may review the details. As you can see, Arceneau Trade has a policy of ensuring that you are properly compensated for the space, materials, and may also see an increase in trade traffic that could bring an increase in economic growth for Manas."

Adding, the blonde added, "I am aware that tradition is very important to Manas, so we want to ensure that we do not overstep our bounds and are able to work with your guidelines and boundaries on what you are comfortable with."

It was a generous offer. Although one might be suspicious of it. Manas was deep in Kathal Space, while Arceneau was a household name throughout the galaxy, not every planet was familiar with it. Manas had just opened up to trade.

"For peace of mind, you are able to cancel this contract at any time. We only want to ensure a mutually beneficial business relationship."

A pause, then finally Adira spoke, "It seems almost too good to be true." she added, watching Saffron curiously. The blonde gave a small cordial smile.

"Arceneau Trade is a large conglomerate yes, but we adhere to a set of standards. Standards that have allowed us to trade with all entities across the galaxy under a neutral flag. If you like, we are more than willing to provide a list of references from our various business contracts for both government entities and companies themselves if that will provide you peace of mind."

Adira gave a nod.

"That would be useful information thank you."

It was a first step, but one that would eventually lead to a partnership.

 

[Talon Vosra]

A small smile spread acrossed her lips as she heard Sebastian's voice over the intercom. He was a hard worker and exceptionally bright. His innocence and love of science was oddly endearing.

"Thank you, Sebastian." She said kindly in response, "Excellent work. We'll be arriving shortly and I'd like you to accompany me, please."

She gathered her datapad and pocketed her comlink as she stood. Her shoes clicked on the polished deck of the ship as she walked and looked at her datapad. She had presented her pitch to the ORC but she was certain they would question the cost. It was expensive technology to implement and she knew that very well but she was certain they could work something out.

She walked down the corridors toward the ship boarding ramp as it began landing procedures. It was a diversion at the very least, even if only for moments. She tucked her datapad under an arm and put on her happy public face as she waited for Sebastian to meet her. It was looking like it would be a good day overall.

[member="Sebastian Thel"]