Zai nerves were frayed, he was badly on edge. Every day it was the same routine, after the First Order posted that bounty on his head. Sleepless nights, always looking over his shoulder. He knew he was in a bad position. He'd spent the last of his credits covering his tracks, both physically and digitally. It was expensive to remove details from the holonet, and even then he could only hide so much. He was almost ready to go into hiding, he just needed one more, very important, thing. Money.
In desperation he'd sent feelers throughout the galaxy, searching for a business partner. But few were interested in his small-time company. Then just as he was about to give up entirely, he was contacted by [member="Lord Mettallum"]. The only catch? He wanted the designs, not the droids themselves.
He clutched at his drink in his favourite cantina on Ryloth. He glanced over his shoulder for the eighth time and debated how he would reach the Metal Lord. He didn't have enough money to hire private transport, so he would have to take commercial freighters. And even though he was far from First Order space, the chance of being spotted by a bounty hunter was great. The situation became a catch 22 as he realised the longer he stayed in one place, the more likely he was to be spotted.
His train of thought was interrupted as a ornate golden droid approached him. He swallowed and reflexively reached for his blaster. The droid held her arms up as a symbol of peace.
"This one means you no harm. I bring you a message on behalf of Lord Metallum". Zai hesitated, but eventually let go of the hilt of his weapon. She seemed harmless enough, though her gold plates attracted the attention of all kinds of swindlers.
"Very well" He replied.
"What is the message?" She cocked her head to the side at his response and said:
"Lord Metallum invites you Loronar, where the two of you will discuss the terms of the business arrangement". She produced a formal invitation that repeated exactly what she said, with the addition of a Lord Metallum's signature. Zai didn't like the idea of meeting on the Metal Lord's lands, but he sensed he was out of options.
"Very well, I suppose you have a transport to take me?" "Rightly so" She replied. Ignoring the stares of the other patrons; Zai followed her out of the cantina.
The flight over was uncomfortable. He sensed the droid might have been programmed to interact with organics, but was set on minimum function. She had insisted on taking his weapon, but he gripped a small pen knife in his pocket all the same. They passed the Jade moon and landed on the metal lord's ship,
The Metal throne. He was greeted by more of the Faithful, who escorted him through the metal lord's palace. The ship was huge, and Zai felt small under the weight of it all.
The faithful led him to a large room where he finally met the metal lord himself. Zai bowed his head as a sign of respect.
"Lord Metallum, thank you for letting me into your home. I've come to discuss the terms of our agreement". He shuffled a bit and waited for the response.
