Snake Charmers

[Jsc]

Night Station
Teros V
Edge of Mandalorian Space

Qwag's Cantina​

Teros V was a mining system once run by a Duros Compact. She had been stripped clean of her resources long and left abandoned to time and fate. Recently however, an alien fleet of vagrants had taken up shelter in the system to escape Republic and Mandalorian hostilities. The broken rocks and leftover materials created a wonderful EM masking effect that left the area unwelcome to military vessels and missile boats. More and more refugees had been piling into the system too creating a, sort-of, temporary hub of trade and heavy burdens. Organized crime and piracy had yet to make head way in the system too given the large military operations nearby. It wasn't a desperate place, but it was close.

Some bigwigs from the Mara Corridor had warped in a Space Station just last week. A fun little retrofit that was acting as the hub of the refugee work efforts. They called the bright silver place: Night Station. It reminded Sam just a little of Cloud City. It was still relatively clean too.

Jedi Knight Sam Jhovna, recently promoted, had ventured to this station in search of rare Jedi Crystals. The Ossus Academy was nearby and their science division had been given a tip about a wandering trader who made refuge here. Some where in this cloud of refugees, smugglers, vagrants and misplaced mercenaries; there was a Crystal Trader with many potent secrets to be had. All she had to do was find him.

Night Station had only one cantina. Giant though it was. They called the place Qwag's. Rumor had it the drinks were horrible too. Best to start there.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

Circe was still in the strange transitionary state she once was. She didn't know if she had a body, or was real, or anything. She could've inhabited a Croke for all she knew. What mattered was that she was here, intending to get her hands on some Adegan crystals for the next generation of Subach product. The design would be responsible for the development of the next Subach fighter, one produced on a limited scale. The Adegan crystals would be used for both a stealth generator and for the control systems of the craft themselves, allowing them to have a more direct link with their Force-sensitive pilots.

"Excuse me, but do you know of anyone selling Adegan crystals?" She spoke to the bartender, well within earshot of Sam. If the woman heard her, well... Who knew what could come of it?

 

[Jsc]

Sam was passing the bar when the Force floated the words to her. It looks like she had a lead already.

Attempting to be as casual as possible, the Knight slipped into a chair near Circe. She smiled in her direction and made herself out to be just another patron of the bar. Her Force Signature was vibrant and it wouldn't take a second glance to know she was a Force Adept.

Sam ordered a vodka soda with two limes. Waiting to overhear a valuable conversation.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

"Well... There are plenty of crystal dealers in the marketplace. I dunno if they're frauds or not, but they seem to get good business. Heard a lot of Tapani noblemen go there to purchase crystals for those lightfoils." She nodded, smiling.

"Alright then, thanks for the tip." And with that, she stood up, moving to exit the bar. Soon, she would have the crystals needed - hopefully they would be of the higher quality, preferably Pontite.

 

[Jsc]

Sam nodded and moved to engage Circe in conversation,

"Excuse me? Might I overheard that you were looking for crystals? ...I myself share the same goal. Mind if I follow along and chat?"

She beamed an effortless smile and did her best to look unassuming.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

"No, of course I don't mind. Particularly not when the person wanting to come along is such an attractive woman as yourself." She smirked, eying over the fellow Force-user. She could tell the woman was a strong Lightsider - just as she could be told to be a Darksider. No malignant tendencies were detectable, but then again, Circe was rarely a truly malignant person.

"Then again, I thought you would try to bite first."

 

[Jsc]

Sam smiled and they walked, and talked.

"Why thank you. It's always nice to be appreciated. Hehe. I myself was looking for a good place to purchase crystals on this station. Thank goodness I found you. Is it for business or pleasure? I find this star system to be a dreadful bore."

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

"A mix of both. I have a special project I'm working on, and I need good-quality Adegan crystals for use as a part of it." A soft chuckle crossed through her lips as she considered the circumstances. "Well, let's see... How about you and I get the crystals, and we keep in touch?" Smiling, she motioned for the two women to head to the shops. Maybe they would find what they were looking for.

 

[Jsc]

Sam seemed surprised at her offer,

"Well. I'm not entirely sure that's appropriate as of yet. Though I understand the connection you're making. Your a Force Adept yourself, aren't you? I can sense your influence. I myself have a use for the crystals in a similar fashion. No doubt we share many hobbies on the subject. Would you mind if I pried?"

Curious was a good word to use. Sam had figured this other woman for a mere passerby. Now she something much more of an Enigma. Her beauty was inspiring and their connection was genuine. But they shared no intimacy except for mincing words. Perhaps it was simply a cultural vocabulary that separated them. Sam could not yet tell.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

"Yes, though I'm dark, similar to your being light." A smile crossed her lips as she considered the circumstances. "I don't intend to use them as saber crystals, though. That would be far too easy of a project. I intend to use them in starfighters. Very , very special starfighters." She smiled, giving a soft chuckle.

"Starfighters only we can use."

 

[Jsc]

"Oh my. I've heard of that concept before. Though I must admit, I've never flown in one. It must be a completely new experience. I would relish the chance."

Sam smiled as they walked. She liked this kind of casual interaction. It was natural and flowing. Perfect for getting to know someone.

"You wouldn't happen to be a pilot yourself, would you?"

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

"I am. As well as a designer of starships and starfighters. I've worked at Subach-Innes for some time now." She smiled, considering the circumstances. "This starship will be quite special..." Turning to Sam, she raised an eyebrow.

"Would you like one?"

 

[Jsc]

Sam seemed surprised,

"Me? Oh no. I'm quite sure I can't afford it. Hehe."

She raised a palm to continue,

"Thank you though. I appreciate the thought."

Sam smiled and stopped for a moment,

"Well. I think our seller was supposed to be around here somewhere. See anything?"

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

"You don't have to pay for it." She smiled, getting into schmoozing mode. "You help me... I'll help you. Sound fair enough, darling?" She chuckled, considering that a relatively fair trade. "To say the least, you'll have the only Light version of it. All the rest are going to be heavy."

That was the truth, after all.

 

[Jsc]

Eh?

"Umm. ...No. No, I don't think so. ...Thank you though. It sounded like a mighty fine offer. Heh."

Sam smiled a fake smile. She didn't make deals with complete strangers for hardline tech. Shoes, maybe? But not entire starfighters. Heck, Sam was a terrible pilot anyway. Best to pass on this one.

"Anyway. I sense something funny with that bothan male over there. He's just eating lunch, I know. But something about him seems off. I think he might be our seller. He's definitely a Force Adept. Best to start there."

The Force had a funny way of speaking to Sam. This might be a wild goose chase but it was a fun place to start.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

With a nod, Circe moved to follow the woman over to the mysterious Force Adept. "Hey there, handsome... I heard you were in the business of... special things. Things a girl wants - maybe some crystals for a new ring of mine."

And the irony was, she was getting married soon. Hopefully.

 

[Jsc]

Sam listened playfully as Circe spoke. The Bothan was clearly surprised by their presence. He seemed suspicious for a moment but the desire to make some quick cash eventually dominated his candor.

"Not me. I'm just a collector. Smith Victory. That's who you want. He makes and sells all kinds of crystals. The old kinds. The powerful kinds."

The mutt looked between both women and nodded.

"He lives down in the Narrows. Just past the Scrapworks. Not safe for most, but you two might find a way in. I have a good feeling you'll know it when you see it."

He stood up and grabbed a duffel.

"Now if you'll excuse me. Duty calls. ...Sith Assassins got my number and I'd rather not entertain more visitors."

The bothan gave a wiry smile and took his leave. Though it was obvious from his tone. The Narrows was almost definitely, a trap.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

A trap. Of course it was. But Circe was a Sith sorceress, and traps were something to of course be ignored.

"Shall we go and see what awaits us?"

A smile crossed her lips as she eagerly prepared to travel with the Jedi woman. Hopefully, this would be as fun as she thought it would be.

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

 

[Jsc]

Sam wrinkled her nose. She was allergic to traps it seemed.

"I suppose it's our only lead at this point. Still... I doubt it will be very safe. We should be careful."

She thought about disguises, or maps, or crawling through vents, or pretty much any other clever idea to escape the coming storm. Sadly, she just wasn't talented enough in those areas for it to matter much.

"Alright. I suppose we'll just waltz right in. I mean, what's the worst that could happen? Right?"

She didn't sound very reassured.

"Mm. Anyway. I think it's this way. Should just take ten minutes to get there if we take the lift. No rush, I suppose."

Sam shrugged and headed out. Doing her best to be confident and act like a leader. If only for herself.

[member="Enigma"]

 

[Onrai]

[member="Sam Jhovna"]

"Well, let's get this party started."

Circe was eager to get in and acquire the Adegan crystals necessary for her to further the construction of her special starfighters. She could only hope the Sith enjoyed them.

She knew she certainly would.