Private Kadavo Below

[Anet Raine]

KADAVO
Mining Settlement

Harsh and toxic weather, a barren landscape, and remoteness have kept any serious takers from colonizing Kadavo.

Once upon a time, it had been an important pitstop along a prominent slaving route, but that was a long, long time ago. In the recent century, Kadavo remained practically abandoned, save for a single interested party - the Hydian-Wyl Mining Company - which claimed dubious charters from 'local' authorities for exclusive mining rights to the world. For now, their interests are limited to prospecting and the single tiny, unnamed settlement erected to support it.

There was a general store, a company 'office', and some abodes for workers and travellers both.

Inside the cantina was practically the entire population. Workers, spacers, and one archaeologist who had negotiated the rights to excavate a nearby site. Enter Anet.

"Your droids are outdated, underprogrammed, and overpriced. I cannot simply solve this problem by buying more. You will give me a refund, or supply me with better models."

This had all been part of an ongoing argument for the better side of half an hour. She was up against a particularly stubborn Ithorian, who had to rely on a specialized translation device to communicate in basic. There was a small hiccup... The man who sold him the device failed to mention that it was programmed to translate into a very particular dialect.

"Calm ye bouyant bosom, wench, I cannae provide the refund ye seek! I hardly break even as be, 'n ye failed t' mention any fine particularities fer the automatons."

Anet groaned with frustration and brought her fist down onto the table. "We agreed that you would supply good droid workers. Millennia-old cargo haulers and refurbished pit droids are hardly worth their scrap. They've caused more damage to my site than they have helped!"

Mercy

 

[Mercy]

Anet Raine

Mercy was walking past the store when she heard the raised voices and then the fist slamming down on the table.

Ever the shit stirrer, she immediately poked her head in and then the rest of her body followed in. Casual like. First pretending like she was part of the scenery (already difficult looking the way she did), as if she was shopping. Until finally her trajectory tugged her along to the counter with the Ithorian behind it and Anet in front of it.

"My oh my, we are certainly causing a scene, aren't we?" Mercy drawled lazily as she looked from one to the other.

The Ithorian seemed entirely done with it all once the hulking mountain decided to walk into the shop. It wasn't enough that he needed to take lip from the girl, now he had to deal with what clearly seemed to be some sort of Sith.

"Ach, an' now th' Dark Lady herself swoops in t' mock our squabblin'. Aye, a scene it be, though I wager ye'd nae have it otherwise. Best careful though, lass — these tables dinnae take kindly t' fists, an' me purse even less kindly t' refunds."

Mercy chuckled at that and glanced to Anet.

"What is it that you do, darling?" Trying to decide for herself if this was worth the effort. She was a pretty thing, yes, but Mercy had gone past the habit of saving pretty ladies just because of their face.

 

[Anet Raine]

The approach and presence of Mercy was certainly a tone changer, if nothing else.

Anet wasn't sure she had even seen a woman so big - at least one who appeared near-human. There was also a familiarity to her aura, one that reminded her of the dig site. Dark and twisted.

She glanced back at the Ithorian, still very annoyed by his translator. She waved a dismissive hand, a nonverbal way of saying 'this conversation is over' as she turned her full attention to the red-haired meat tank.

"What is it that you do, darling?" Trying to decide for herself if this was worth the effort.

"If it's so important for you to know... I am three months behind, and this vendor--" she threw him a cold glance, "--sold me unsuitable droids despite knowing full well I needed them for a delicate excavation. They have not only failed to live up to the task, but they've nearly damaged priceless Si--err... 'cultural' artifacts."

She spoke so matter-of-factly and continued to toss him judgmental looks until the last syllable.

Anet sighed and cleared her mind. "Apologies... I am a scholar with Shey Tapani University's School of Cultural Studies. Historian and Archaeologist."

She flicked away a strand of loose hair.

"And you?"

 

[Mercy]

Anet Raine

Oh, the antics with the Ithorian definitely got to her, but that was only amusing to Mercy.

"You poor thing..." Mercy echoed lightly as she flicked her gaze back to the shopkeep before it went back to Raine. She took in the whole title and job function in strides. It did pique her interest though. Archaeologist usually meant artifacts of some kind. Not all of it was profitable, in fact, most of it would probably be rubbish that only a museum would be interested in. Alternatively, desired by older middle-aged rich men who wanted to seem like they knew something about the world in a bid to seem more interesting.

"I am Mercy." She said simply because in truth she assumed that Raine would know. Her name had become part of the household brand after her showing in the Kaggath.

Her likeliness broadcasted across the whole Galaxy and her feats written about.

It wasn't quite like waging war and becoming infamous, but Mercy would take it.

"Perhaps I can assist. Money... is not a big concern of mine. I do not mind a new set of droids... but nothing is for free in this world, miss Archaeologist. You will give me first pick from your sites wherever they work and in return you don't have to pay for them or their continued use."

Mercy smirked and leaned in slightly.

"Fair?"

 

[Anet Raine]

Anet had spent so much of her time out here, in the middle of nowhere, absorbed in nothing but her work, that she really hadn't tuned into galactic pop culture for some time. So no, the half-pantoran was well unaware of this woman or her exploits, but she wouldn't be surprised to find out. After all, Mercy was the spitting image of trouble, and her demeanor screamed it.

She crossed her arms. "That's an odd offer coming from someone I just met. Is this what you do?

"Learn what someone does for a living, then deal them for a cut of their labor within seconds of acquaintance?"

They were snappy words from the mouth of someone who never threw a punch in her life.

The Ithorian took a cue from their distraction and dipped out of the scene as fast as he could, disappearing deep into the back of his shop. Even his 'out for lunch' sign had activated.

Mercy