Star Wars: The Station - Character RP - ALWAYS OPEN (IC)

[Charlemagna]

Alba Joostal

Alba was looking around aimlessly, wondering how long was too long to wait, when the blue-skinned Pantoran slumped into the seat opposite her.

“So, you want to talk to me? Think my station sucks?”

The icy tone made the hairs on the back of Alba’s neck stand on end. At first, there was only blind confusion, then the realisation dawned and Alba’s cheeks turned bright red. The Pantoran – who Alba only now realised was the aforementioned Nat – crossed her legs on the table, and Alba hastily moved her drink back before it was knocked over.

Amber eyes locked onto hers.

“Ahh...” said Alba, wetting her lips nervously. “You’re Nat. Hi.” She shrugged to fill the silence and she ended up tripping over the words; “I never said this place sucks. I merely… suggested it could use some cheering up…”

She’d probably completely messed this up, and any chance of a spa had disappeared before this conversation began, but Alba figured this was her last chance to try and sell the idea, so she blundered on blindly; “Listen - you’re a business person. So let’s - let’s get down to business. The fact of the matter is this delightful, exciting place is missing something vital - a place to unwind and relax. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t love to be conducting this very conversation in the blissful tranquility of a traditional Naboo Bathhouse rather than... here?”

[Cheye]

The Hangars

"How far is the crater?" Liehiry asks.

The Gigoran looked down at Liehiry for a long moment, then simply shrugged.

“Don’t look at me! I’ve never had a chance to leave the station since I’ve been on Orondia.” Aveff’s robotic voice-box sounded. “If you have a starship, you should find the crater marked on the planet’s surface on your nav-computer. From what I’ve heard it is… big.”

Aveff handed the datapad back to the mercenary and turned to key shut the door to the mechanic’s hangar.

“I’m not sure there is much more I can assist you with...” The Gigoran’s vocorder let out as the beast rumbled, his attention still focussed on locking the bay door. “If you require help retrieving the mechanic, I am sure you will find other mercenaries like yourself here at the station.”

Outside

"PIG MEN WANT FIGHT HAHAHAHAHHAHAHHA" Razius exclaimed as the gentle tension in the air began to settle between Jokir and Udamos both uncertain of the others intentions but clear that it would end poorly.

Jokir gave the monkey a smack with his foot urging a grunt with a stop to the laughter before the moneky began crawling up his various pockets, gadgets and other kit to his shoulder.

"Just beyond the station, she'll hold until I get back. Anyone got a ship I can hire to take me back on board?" He reached into a container on his belt issuing a heightening of the tension before he removed several golden chips "I've got Canto Bight casino chips if this place is trying to avoid paperwork..."

Chief Udamos eyed the Kowakian Monkey-Lizard disdainfully. Grish and Grak for their parts were amused by it, and they snorted something humorous and chuckled to themselves behind the Chief’s back.

Udamos addressed the Anomid; “ Unfortunately, the only person on station payroll with a ship is the aforementioned mechanic, Kidern Karrak, who has gone missing… We do have someone looking into his disappearance, but we would welcome further assistance if you’d be interested in helping to find him? Once he’s back, I’m sure Kidern would sell you some parts and provide a lift back to your ship in gratitude?”

Udamos sighed before adding; “Otherwise, you’ll have to try asking in the cantina tomorrow, as knowing Oleg, he’s probably shut the bar up for tonight. It’s likely you’ll find a pilot kicking about in there who may be persuaded to help get you back to your ship in return for some of those Cantocoins of yours.”

Udamos gestured to Grish and Grak, who took a few seconds to notice the hand signal and then stood down, lowering their force-pikes and slinking off back towards the other landing pads.

“The choice is yours.” Udamos said firmly, before stepping aside so the Anomid could get by if he so chose.

Natalya Sadaar - The Cantina

Alba Joostal

“Ahh...” said Alba, wetting her lips nervously. “You’re Nat. Hi.” She shrugged to fill the silence and she ended up tripping over the words; “I never said this place sucks. I merely… suggested it could use some cheering up…”

She’d probably completely messed this up, and any chance of a spa had disappeared before this conversation began, but Alba figured this was her last chance to try and sell the idea, so she blundered on blindly; “Listen - you’re a business person. So let’s - let’s get down to business. The fact of the matter is this delightful, exciting place is missing something vital - a place to unwind and relax. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t love to be conducting this very conversation in the blissful tranquility of a traditional Naboo Bathhouse rather than... here?”

Nat continued staring at the girl as she spoke, making a mental note that she was perhaps overdoing it slightly on the intensity.

She was about to reply when the Mon Calamari who leaned against the bar with the meiloorun juice turned to her and spoke. His timing was excellent, Nat chuckled mentally.

"You know if there's any demand for ship repair around here? A fish's gotta eat you know?" Urchuln laughed at his own self-deprecating joke, as referring to Mon Cal as "fish" was widely viewed as derogatory.

“Yeah!” She nodded eagerly. “I like a fish who gets straight to the point.” She smirked, flashing a pointed glare at the girl who sat opposite her.

“So, our station mechanic’s gone missing which means we haven’t had anyone facilitating repairs. Station Security are looking into finding him…” She points towards the Mon Calamari, “If you’re any good with a blaster, it’d pay to join the search? But if you’re only good with a hydrospanner, then I suppose you could fill in for him until he’s back?”

Nat paused, stretching her arms emphatically and shifting her legs as they rested on the table between her and Alba.

“Either way, the person to speak to is Chief Udamos…. He’s the Nautolan in the uniform you probably walked past on your way in. He'll be able to direct you as needed.”

She smiled at the Mon Calamari before turning back to the girl.

“Would you relax? I’m just messing with you....” She grinned as the girl sat nervously. Nat decided she had tortured her enough; “A spa is a great idea! Especially given how much space we have on the concourse right now. We could easily renovate one of the stores that got abandoned when the fuel line was cut. I’d suggest the one on the left, just as you come out of the cantina. Keep it close to the drinks, y’know?”

Nat drew her datapad from her utility belt and began keying the screen, still with her feet up on the table. “Sianni is gonna’ love this…” She muttered casually to herself, before speaking more loudly to Alba; “So, what do you want out of this arrangement? You just have the idea, or are you looking to sell me a renovation? Come to think of it... just who are you anyway?”

[Nuxipal]

Nivea Atrix
Landing on Orondia Station

"Why didn't you check the fuel gauges? How incompetent can a droid be?" Shouted a human woman as the ship touched down in the hangar. Her captain, a Dathomirian woman, a few years younger than she, shook her head before saying, "You realize we paid for a full tank of fuel. Once we find a job and get a full tank of fuel, we are going back to Nar Shaddaa and cutting that Bith in half." The Dathomirian woman wore power armor and a cloak which hid her lightsaber. A reconstruction of her original saber, but still effective.

Exiting the cockpit of their freighter, she approached a Duros and Human and said, "Lets go, Gus. Udan, you are in charge. Make sure R2-N7 actually stays plugged in. If he gets rowdy just threaten to have him memory wiped. We can't actually afford it, but we can always threaten it." The Duros nods to his captain and said, "Will do boss." He headed towards the cockpit while the Human, who had a blaster rifle slung on his back. He looked like he was willing to shoot and kill anyone. Its why Nivea recruited him. Gus Neda was indeed wanted in several Republic systems, but the Confederacy had issued him a pardon for his service thus far. "So, Nivea, what exactly did we want to do to that Bith?"

He seemed to be thinking way too far ahead right now. Nivea was more focused on getting themselves some credits and getting the ship refueled so they could make their way to some Confederacy outpost to get another job. "We'll think it over when we get there. We have other problems to deal with first."

She leads the fighter towards the cantina of the station. Hopefully to find a job and get some credits. Upon entering, Nivea looked around and Gus went to distract himself knowing he'd be signaled if needed. Nivea scanned the room with her eyes, reaching out with the force as well. She looked for other force sensitives, which could give away a Jedi hiding here, as well as trying to find someone who needed a job. She approached the bar counter and said, "Could I get a drink please?"

[Derika]

"If it's the Separatists, then I'll be fine. Thank you." Liehiry responds. He enters his ship and takes off.

[Greater Persian State]

Orondia

---

Urchuln nodded slowly, almost theatrically. Internally he was amused at this one's quickness to use the fish word.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't packing. I certainly am, you can't mess around these parts. I'm sure you know that. But I'm quicker with a blowtorch than a pistol. I'll find that tubular fellow you mentioned." Urchuln gave a small two finger salute and walked off. He walked by the table of that gangly Quarren again. He'd look into that later. Urchuln opened the door and exited the bar. He approached Nautolan outside.

"Hey, the top lady over there said I got the job filling in for the mechanic. If you could just direct me to the proper location, I'd be thankful."

[Pax Nerdvana]

The Cantina

Dak eyed the big alien, and said,"When we make a deal, we follow through with it to the best of our abilities. We'd be happy to haul another cargo for you at some point. You're cargo's down in the hangar. I'll send the order to have it unloaded now." He pulled a comlink out of his toolbelt, and spoke into it,"Jek, can you and your brother unload the cargo?" Jek said,"Yeah, it may be a while without any help though. We really should invest in a cargo handling droid." Dak said,"I agree, but that's a discussion for another time." With that, he holstered the comlink. Jes said,"We still need to pay the droid". She tossed some credits to the astromech for the drinks. Dak said,"Nice meeting you, Graneesh." Now, his mind was thinking about if they could pick up another cargo here. He hoped they could, because that would save fuel. He sipped his drink.

Static beeped cheerfully at the humans as he scooped up the credits and departed, heading for the bar to deposit the payment with Oleg.

Graneesh nodded respectfully to Dak as he finished speaking.

“Was good meeting you too Stones. I’ll go check on the cargo.” The giant Crolute nodded and turned to waddle away. “Enjoy your drinks and er.. may the force be with you... or whatever it is they say…” He muttered as he departed.

Across the cantina, another patron suddenly looked over to them. He was a quarren who had detached himself from the humans and Kubaz he had arrived with and had so far been leaning idly against the central stage.

Once the astromech and the hulking Crolute had departed, he slowly rose and glided across the dingy cantina towards their booth.

“Excuse the interruption.” The alien muttered, holding his drink in one hand as the other rose to thoughtfully stroke a tentacle. “Did I hear correctly that you are ‘the most efficient freighter crew that bulging ball of flesh has hired in weeks’?”

“Oleg,” she declared, rising to her feet. “Put the drinks on my Tab. I’m going to get to work... this miserable place needs cheering up!”

Then she paused, considering Oleg's words; “The owner of this place…what was her name, Nat? If I was - if, mind - to design and set up a kind of spa thing… how exactly would I set up a meeting?”

The Pantoran finished serving the Mon Calamari a Meiloorun Juice and waited until after she had taken payment for the soft drink to address the girl with the four foaming not-so-soft drinks and pile of info pucks.

“I’m sure Nat’s free right now, eh Oleg?” She said, playfully interrupting and slapping the Lasat on the arm as if she’d known him for far longer than she had.

“I’ll let her know you want to talk to her about err ‘cheering this miserable place up’!” She exclaimed matter-of-factly and raised her datapad, keying it dramatically for effect before pointing to an empty booth across from the bar, one down from where the human couple sat, conversing with the suspicious looking Quarren; “Why don’t you take that booth over there and Nat’ll be right along.” She smiled a warm, friendly smile, and even though her face wanted to turn it into a prankish smile, her self-control prevented her from giving the game away just yet.

Oleg said nothing, and merely turned to help Static process the sale of the Corellian’s drinks at the bar and update Alba’s tab while he was at it. He gave a big yawn and checked the chrono on the wall behind him. It was almost time for him to come off shift. Normally that'd mean closing the bar, but with business as lively as it was right now, he wasn't going to do that.

He scratched his head. He needed to check with Nat whether she wanted to keep the cantina open, but she was in the middle of a prank. Oleg had to admit, it was a far more refreshing style of ownership than the one he had previously been accustomed to.

He turned to the droid.

"If I slip off to rest, you're alright covering the bar, aren't you? Now I've shown you how to process sales, I don't see a problem with a droid tending bar! You can tell Nat we hit closing time, but I wanted to leave it up to her to decide whether to shut things down given how many punters we have in at the moment... Tell her she'll have a hard time knowing when to pack in herself on a planet with no natural day-night cycle. All I know is that my shift is up." The Lasat chuckled. It had been an easy day for him, given the first half of it the place had still been empty.

Still, they were back in business now, which meant he needed a nice long rest...

Station Entrance

The Escape pod was cramped enough without Razius in it but Jokir knew well enough the monkey lizard would just break something. As it began drifting towards the station he tapped at the small console by his right hand directing it down towards the surface of Orondia and the station’s landing pads. He’d have to find a way back on the ship but that was tomorrow's problem...

Chief Udamos stood at the large metal doors that led from the main concourse out onto the station’s main docking platform and landing pads, watching them rise and listening to the familiar hum of the pistons that raised them.

If the reports from station control were correct, and they were always correct, then an unidentified escape pod had just landed on one of the outer pads.

Escape pods usually spelt trouble, if not for the poor souls on board, forced to evacuate a crashing starship, then for the people who rescued them when they turned out not to be poor souls at all, but rather pirates looking to take advantage of anyone honourable enough to investigate a distress beacon. Udamos had known more than one former-colleague who had wound up meeting that inglorious fate.

The nautolan shifted as starlight bathed the entrance way, then he keyed his wrist-pad again.

“Silas, do you copy?” He spoke into it.

Nothing.

As good a security officer as he was, Silas Axin had a habit of being conspicuously absent whenever control reported anything abnormal to security.

“Aveff?”

“I am still at Kidern’s hanger. The mercenary is investigating inside.” The Gigoran’s robotic voice-box stated back.

Udamos sighed.

“...Grish?”

The Gamorrean grunted after a few seconds, and after a few more, both he and his brother Grak rounded the outer walkway from the direction of the other landing pads. At least, Udamos had always assumed they were brothers, it was hard to tell really, given the Gamorreans struggled to hold even the most basic of conversations.

“Let’s go.” Udamos instructed, the Gamorreans grunting away as they fell into a flanking position behind him, their force-pikes raised for potential combat, rather than slouched over their shoulders, just like Udamos had taught them. He knew they still didn’t hold them that way when he wasn’t around, but he had bigger worries.

They rounded the wide outer walkway towards the pad where the escape pod had reportedly touched down, wind blew at his head-tails, and he placed a hand on the handle of his blaster pistol cautiously as the trio drew in towards the pod.

“This is Chief Udamos of Orondia Station Security.” He readied himself for potential action as he spoke, his voice was as solemn and stern as ever; “Please stow any weapons you may have and emerge from the pod with your hands up! I assure you this is a most welcoming port, and you will not be harmed! Any acts of violence towards the station will be put down most severely!"

Dak Stone
Dak looked at the Quarren, and said coolly,"Yeah, that's what he said. What's it to you?" He took a sip from his drink. He hoped that he could actually get a nice cargo out of this, and make a little more money. Jes placed her hand on the butt of her blaster pistol, under the table where it wouldn't be visible. She wasn't overly fond of Quarren, having had some bad experiences with them in the past.

[Charlemagna]

Alba Joostal

“So, what do you want out of this arrangement? You just have the idea, or are you looking to sell me a renovation? Come to think of it... just who are you anyway?”

Alba sat in stunned silence. Utterly humiliated as she was, she was having to fight off the strong urge to laugh out loud at what an idiot she’d made of herself. She made a point of leaning back in her seat, and stretching out.

Then she grabbed her Fuzzy Tauntaun, and downed it in one.

She set the glass down theatrically.

“Alba. Alba Joostal.” She said by way of introduction. “I work for Galaxica Travel Agency – their dedicated representative for this famed tourist hotspot. I expect you’ve walked past my stall in the concourse. Although, as I’m sure you’ve realised, this is quite possibly the worst posting any travel agent has ever received in the history of the galaxy.” Alba snorted derisively. “Frankly, I’m bored out of my mind, and I figured setting up a spa would give me something to do. That – and I’d really like to be in a spa myself, right now. I can design something, organise the admin side of things, source people to help build and staff it.”

Alba wasn’t actually sure she could, but she was enjoying a new Fuzzy Tauntaun-induced confidence, combined with the couldn’t-care-less attitude of one who’d already reached the deepest level of humiliation.

“Of course – I'd never do anything without running it by you...it’s your station!” Alba laughed, a slither of nervousness creeping in. “So I guess the question is... what do you want to do now?”

[Sarrin]

Urchuln nodded slowly, almost theatrically. Internally he was amused at this one's quickness to use the fish word.

"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't packing. I certainly am, you can't mess around these parts. I'm sure you know that. But I'm quicker with a blowtorch than a pistol. I'll find that tubular fellow you mentioned." Urchuln gave a small two finger salute and walked off. He walked by the table of that gangly Quarren again. He'd look into that later. Urchuln opened the door and exited the bar. He approached Nautolan outside.

"Hey, the top lady over there said I got the job filling in for the mechanic. If you could just direct me to the proper location, I'd be thankful."

Jokir raised a brow as the Mon Calamari interjected.

"Sounds like your mechanic problem fixed itself." He remarked walking into the Cantina past Udamos glancing for any additional security as he walked. A missing mechanic meant an unmanned shop and unmanned parts, especially if his replacement was busy being interviewed for the day...

[Cheye]

The Cantina

Upon entering, Nivea looked around and Gus went to distract himself knowing he'd be signaled if needed. Nivea scanned the room with her eyes, reaching out with the force as well. She looked for other force sensitives, which could give away a Jedi hiding here, as well as trying to find someone who needed a job. She approached the bar counter and said, "Could I get a drink please?"

A bronze-plated C1 astromech droid beeped cheerfully to the new customer, his short outline was almost concealed behind the bar, but he waved up in greeting with a mechanical pincer.

He then beeped questioningly as he gestured with the same pincer to the selection of bottles and metal pipes above the bar. They contained a wide variety of different beverages, both alcoholic and otherwise from hundreds of different worlds.

The droid appeared uncertain as to which of these many drinks he should pour for this Dathomiri newcomer…

Dak looked at the Quarren, and said coolly,"Yeah, that's what he said. What's it to you?" He took a sip from his drink. He hoped that he could actually get a nice cargo out of this, and make a little more money. Jes placed her hand on the butt of her blaster pistol, under the table where it wouldn't be visible. She wasn't overly fond of Quarren, having had some bad experiences with them in the past.

At the far end of the cantina, the Quarren shifted, and spoke with his voice lowered to avoid attracting attention from any of the other customers.

“I’ve had a little disagreement with the captain of the freighter that brought me to this backwater.” He nodded over his shoulder to the Kubaz, who was somewhat better dressed than the humans around him. The group were preparing to leave the cantina after finishing their drinks, and only one of the humans even looked towards the Quarren, though they made no effort to say goodbye as they finally departed.

“He has chosen to renege on an agreement to transport myself and several crates worth of cargo to Kijimi. We encountered some… philosophical differences… and failed to talk them out over a drink here.”

The Quarren sighed and stroked his tentacles nervously as he glanced back and noticed the crew disappearing out of the door, the Kubaz’s shoulder cape fluttering as an Anomid passed him by coming into the cantina.

“Basically, I need passage to Kijimi with my cargo, or its stuck here, and well… I can’t afford it to be stuck here. Do you think you would be able to help? I will pay well.”

Natalya Sadaar

“Alba. Alba Joostal.” She said by way of introduction. “I work for Galaxica Travel Agency – their dedicated representative for this famed tourist hotspot. I expect you’ve walked past my stall in the concourse. Although, as I’m sure you’ve realised, this is quite possibly the worst posting any travel agent has ever received in the history of the galaxy.” Alba snorted derisively. “Frankly, I’m bored out of my mind, and I figured setting up a spa would give me something to do. That – and I’d really like to be in a spa myself, right now. I can design something, organise the admin side of things, source people to help build and staff it.”

Alba wasn’t actually sure she could, but she was enjoying a new Fuzzy Tauntaun-induced confidence, combined with the couldn’t-care-less attitude of one who’d already reached the deepest level of humiliation.

“Of course – I'd never do anything without running it by you...it’s your station!” Alba laughed, a slither of nervousness creeping in. “So I guess the question is... what do you want to do now?”

Back across the bar, Nat nodded thoughtfully as Alba spoke. It sounded to her as if she was offering to do all the hard work. That was good, but the involvement of Galaxica Travel Agency could be an issue...

“Your idea’s got a lot going for it, Alba Joostal.” She smiled reassuringly…“But is it really your idea or is it Galixica’s?” The smile vanished.

Nat took a moment to look around the cantina, although most of the patrons were now departing for the chrono-indicated night, a few latecomers had arrived, and something seemed different about two of them. Both the woman at the bar with the chalk-white skin and the Anomid who swaggered through the doorway caught her attention for a reason she couldn’t quite determine...

Shrugging off the sensation, she turned her attention back to Alba.

“Before this conversation goes any further, I want to know what cut I’m getting, what cut they’re getting and what cut you’re getting. Also, who is covering the renovation costs here? Because if it’s me and my business partners, my cut had better be bigger than anyone elses!”

The Pantoran’s tone was firm but she remained visibly relaxed and offered Alba another sweet smile as the girl considered.

Outside

"Hey, the top lady over there said I got the job filling in for the mechanic. If you could just direct me to the proper location, I'd be thankful.

“Hello there.” Chief Udamos turned and nodded respectfully to the Mon Calamari who had approached from the direction of the station.

Jokir raised a brow as the Mon Calamari interjected.

"Sounds like your mechanic problem fixed itself." He remarked walking into the Cantina past Udamos...

“Indeed…” The yellow skinned Nautolan nodded thoughtfully, his gaze suspiciously following the Anomid as he walked around the outer walkway from the landing pads and into the doorway to the station’s interior concourse.

When he was finally out of sight, Udamos turned back to the Mon Calamari; “Thank you for offering your assistance to Miss Sadaar. I am Chief Murr Udamos of Station Security.” He didn’t smile. “Please know that we are hopeful that Kidern Karak will be returning to us soon, so you will not be provided with a formal contract.”

The Nautolan’s voice was stern and his tone rigid, but to even the casual listener it was clear that was just the way he always was.

“Let me know what kind of experience you have and if you have any tools at your disposal and I will point you to the best place to get started?” He asked matter-of-factly, his tone betraying the fact that he was glad to have someone to fill in.

He went on; “The station came back online this morning and station control are already sitting on a backlog of simple maintenance requests from some of the freighter crews stopping over. If you think you can handle some of those tonight, that would be helpful?”

As the two aquatic aliens spoke, on one of the other landing pads across the station, an old D-5 Mantis Patrol Craft powered to life.

"If it's the Separatists, then I'll be fine. Thank you." Liehiry responds. He enters his ship and takes off.

“Mantis; this is Orondia Station.” An unfamiliar voice crackled through his ship’s comm as Liehiry finished prepping the ship for takeoff.

“Officer Aveff advised control that we should keep in touch. Just to make sure we don’t lose you out there like we lost Karak.”

There was a crackle of static as he fired up the engines.

“Patch us into your personal comm frequency so we can keep in touch, just in case there’s anything up there we should be worried about?”

And the ship lurched into the ever-night sky...

[Greater Persian State]

Orondia

---

Urchuln smiled happily in contrast to Chief Udamos.

"Fantastic. Fully understood, I wish you the best of luck in finding your lost mechanic." Urchuln looked over to the ship launching at the other end. "Yes...best of luck." As he paused as the engines fired in earnest.

"As for your concerns, I have an R4 Unit and all the tools I'll need for those light maintenance operations and more. As for experience, I've spent my life dealing with ships since I spawned. Some were born with the gun for the data pad in their hand, I was born with a hydrospanner in mine." Vas became serious as he met Udamos's stern look. "I hope you'll find that I can meet the tasks you require."

[Puertollano]

A week before...

Gehena, Orondia

The dust settled on the Malifient-class CIS Frigate after a crash landing onto the surface of Orondia. Survival of the Super Tactical Battle Droid, Gehena, was not assured. The Droid, using its superior logic processors, was able to land the frigate without the total decimation of the ship and the many droids on board. Gehena ran manual diagnostics on the frigate. It was not in a good shape. The hull had a large, gaping hole, the engine was totally fried and the navigation computers on the bridge were all but burnt up on the descent down. What little remained were two B-2 Super Battle Droids and three engineer-specialized B-1 Battle Droids, which would come in handy for repairs. Gehena had very few options - and her processors analyzed all of them. Without an effective communications link to the Confederacy, Gehena was stranded until she either fully repaired the frigate, or obtain communications elsewhere on the backwater planet to call in the Droid Army. Gehena's information banks acknowledged the existence of Orondia Station, but it was too far to travel without transport, and the droids were desperate to save as much energy as they could.

While the B-1's were conducing preliminary repairs to the frigate, a Besalisk appeared on the horizon. Orondia was Hutt-aligned, the Confederacy had a fragile peace with the Hutt Clan, and as a representative of the CIS, Gehena was not compelled to disintegrate the lonely traveler. As the Besalisk approached, Gehena engaged her diplomatic protocols and caught the Besalisk by surprise after stepping out of the cracked shell of the Maleficent. "Before moving any further," Gehena stated. "I should have you know that scrappers are prohibited from even laying their fingers on this frigate," her hands were held gently behind her back, concealing an E-5 Blaster behind. The Besalisk was in a kind of shock, he had never seen a Super Tactical Battle Droid before. Considering as to whether he should just try to blow a hole in the side of the droid, two B-2 Battle Droids appeared the crash site, stationing themselves behind Gehena. "I'm just a mechanic," the Besalisk said. "I wasn't aware anything survived that crash .. y'know, if nothing had survived, you don't want to waste good equipment." Gehena jumped on the new information. A mechanic would be useful, but he was still arriving to scrap the property of the CIS. "If your only concern is about material gain, rather the advancement of inter-galactic independence and self-determination, we can offer you scrapped Baktoid Automata destroyer droids that were rendered offline in the crash for your services." The mechanic thought it over. It was probably his better chance to live, plus he gets to take home a few broken Droideka models. "You have yourself a deal, my metal friend."

[Derika]

"Copy that." Liehiry responded to the unfamiliar voice. Within a few seconds, they were patched into Liehiry's comms. The Mantis continued to fly over the planet

[Charlemagna]

Alba Joostal

“Before this conversation goes any further, I want to know what cut I’m cutting, what cut they’re getting, and what cut you’re getting. Also, who is covering the renovation costs here? Because if it’s me and my business partners, my cut had better be bigger than anyone else’s!”

Alba hesitated, mulling over her words. “I can assure you this has nothing to do with Galaxica,” she said finally. “They certainly didn’t come up with the idea, and I’m pretty sure spa resorts would be outside their usual remit.”

As she spoke the words, Alba experienced a wave of resentment. Sure, she’d signed up in a hurry for Orondia station without knowing what she was getting into, but since then she’d heard so little from the company she was meant to be representing that she’d felt all but abandoned. What did they care about this little outpost? And in turn, what should she care about them?

“In fact,” Alba continued, somewhat recklessly (but hey, the Fuzzy Tauntauns were working their magic). “This would be entirely my undertaking, so I really don’t think Galaxica have any business being involved at all. Or informed, for that matter.”

“Of course,” she added. “a bit of funding to get everything started would be appreciated… and I’m certainly appreciative of the fact that I’d be using up space on your station…”

Alba was thinking hard; the more of Nat’s money she needed to borrow, the larger cut Nat would inevitably want - and that was a long term consequence. She started to wonder where else she might acquire funding. Galaxica did do grants or sponsorships for certain projects… but Alba didn’t want them involved, and she highly doubted that money intended for Galaxica organised tours would be allowed to fund a luxury spa on an isolated, far-flung planet with a very low tourist foot-fall. Unless, of course, Galaxica didn’t know where the money was going…

Alba considered. “I might be able to source my own funding - I’ll need to look into it. Assuming you’re not footing the bill, how does 30-70 sound? 30 to you, 70 to me, that is. I would be the one doing all the work after all.”

[Puertollano]

Currently...

"Copy that." Liehiry responded to the unfamiliar voice. Within a few seconds, they were patched into Liehiry's comms. The Mantis continued to fly over the planet

Gehena, Orondia

A star ship was skirting towards the frigate, the first sign of contact since the mechanic had arrived. The mechanic had made great headway into the repairs on the ship, but nowhere near its completion. The repairs team realised that they would need expensive fittings to replace important tubing in the engine room, material that would be unlikely found on world. Maybe the newcomer could help in that, Gehena's processors thought. But their intentions for arriving needed to be established first. She dispatched the two B-2 Super Battle Droids for when the Mantis landed to inquire about why whoever it was, was there. Gehena would observe the interaction from the bridge of the frigate, wiping down the dust that had condensed itself on the windows.

[Derika]

"Spotted the crater." Liehiry reported. "Landing now."

The Mantis in the crater, as Liehiry walks out. All of his weapons were holstered, including his electrostaff.

[Cheye]

Outside the Station

Urchuln smiled happily in contrast to Chief Udamos.

"Fantastic. Fully understood, I wish you the best of luck in finding your lost mechanic." Urchuln looked over to the ship launching at the other end. "Yes...best of luck." As he paused as the engines fired in earnest.

"As for your concerns, I have an R4 Unit and all the tools I'll need for those light maintenance operations and more. As for experience, I've spent my life dealing with ships since I spawned. Some were born with the gun for the data pad in their hand, I was born with a hydrospanner in mine." Vas became serious as he met Udamos's stern look. "I hope you'll find that I can meet the tasks you require."

Udamos nodded to Urchuln, his expression still unsmiling, but seemingly more relaxed than it had been while the Anomid was with them. “Excellent.” He replied.

Then there was a moment of silence between them as the Security Chief checked his wrist-mounted holo-interface and pressed a few keys on the device before reading to himself and nodding again to the Mon Calamari.

“If you want to get your tools and your droid, and then head over to Pad Two to get started, you will find a freighter captain who has requested assistance with a coolant leak. Station Control were going to advise him on making a temporary fix, but if your skills are as you say, and you have a droid to back you up, you might be able to provide more… reliable... assistance?”

Udamos glanced to the stars overhead for a moment as he thought to himself, then looked back at the Mon Calamari.

“Someone on the security team will check in with you after that to make sure you don’t have any trouble getting paid for your work and to give you a datapad so you can monitor the work requests yourself.” Udamos paused. “You won’t know it, because there is no daylight on Orondia, but the station is entering its night-shift. Given you are not on contract you can work whatever hours you like, but do take the chance to grab a rest when you can as well... I assume you have accommodation?” The Nautolan asked, and then added; “Also I didn’t catch your name?”

Natalya Sadaar - The Cantina

Alba hesitated, mulling over her words. “I can assure you this has nothing to do with Galaxica,” she said finally. “They certainly didn’t come up with the idea, and I’m pretty sure spa resorts would be outside their usual remit.”

“In fact,” Alba continued, somewhat recklessly (but hey, the Fuzzy Tauntauns were working their magic). “This would be entirely my undertaking, so I really don’t think Galaxica have any business being involved at all. Or informed, for that matter.”

“Of course,” she added. “a bit of funding to get everything started would be appreciated… and I’m certainly appreciative of the fact that I’d be using up space on your station…”

Alba considered. “I might be able to source my own funding - I’ll need to look into it. Assuming you’re not footing the bill, how does 30-70 sound? 30 to you, 70 to me, that is. I would be the one doing all the work after all.”

“Hey, if the corporates aren’t involved I’m definitely listening...” Nat nodded to Alba, thinking on her offer for a moment. “But... then again, if the corporates aren’t involved… the odds of this actually getting done rest solely on you.”

The Pantoran pointed her fingertip towards the slightly-intoxicated human and looked her up and down.

“I mean, if you can source your own funding you’ll definitely earn my trust on that front. In which case I’ll agree to… let’s say... 50-50.”

Nat distracted herself, wiping dust off the red lapels of her jacket as she mulled the whole deal over and waited until Alba was about to speak before adding; “I’m not haggling on that though as it's still my station and you’ve just admitted that you’ve got nowhere else to go sell this dream. I’m betting your contract with Galaxica means you’re going to be stuck here on Orondia either way. So if this is the only way to make life easier for you, you can at least meet me halfway?”

After another pause, she removed her legs from the table and leaned across it, raising her hand for the human girl to shake...

[Puertollano]

Gehena, Orondia

"Spotted the crater." Liehiry reported. "Landing now."

The Mantis in the crater, as Liehiry walks out. All of his weapons were holstered, including his electrostaff.

By the time the ship had landed, the B-2 Super Battle Droids were waiting below. The two of them stood, with their arms raised in preparation should the newcomer attempt any violent measures. When Liehiry stood out of his ship, the Mantis, the B-2's approached further, however cautiously.

"State your intentions," one of them barked out, although still in the deep, robotic tone.

[Nuxipal]

Nivea Atrix
Orondia Station

Nivea pointed out which drink she wanted and put a credit chit down for payment. As she waited for her drink she looked at the sources of interest for her. An Anomid who just walked into the Cantina. Additionally, a stronger source was emanating from a Pantoran who was sitting across from the bar. She looked out of place to Nivea, but she also looked quite comfortable. Maybe a diplomat, but certainly not a Jedi. With no actual Jedi being present, she felt a little safer as her drink arrived. The strong presence from the Pantoran was interesting. Something like that should have been detected by Republic doctors when they were an infant. Somehow this girl slipped by the Jedi Recruiters.

She looked for Gus, to make sure he hadn't gotten himself into trouble. Nivea spotted him sitting at a table getting something to eat and drink. So he'd be distracted for awhile. She decided to investigate this Pantoran a little further. Currently she was talking with a human woman. About what, she wasn't sure, but it appeared to be businesslike as the Pantoran was acting as if she was in charge. Deciding that may be a good source of a paying job, Nivea chose to walk over towards the table, but instead of outright interrupting the ongoing conversation, she instead said, "Excuse me Miss. When you are done here, can I have a word with you?" directed to the Pantoran.

She put on her best, 'I am an important person' voice that she learned to use from her Jedi Master. She didn't want to outright give away she was a force user, not unless it was required, but she did want to make sure that the Pantoran would not leave once her business with the human was complete.

[Greater Persian State]

Orondia

---

Urchuln nodded "Thank you sir. I've got a bed in my ship and all necessary accommodations." Urchuln pressed a button on his arm to alert his droid to head to Pad Two, and another to activate his ship's security system. I'll see what I can do over there. My name is Urchuln Vas. Good to meet you Mr...?" Once Urchuln got his name, he went off to his ship to collect his toolbox and then to Pad Two, where he found his droid waiting. He greeted the captain and spoke to himself and his droid as he approached the ship further

"Time to get to work." Urchuln scoured the underside and back off the ship and opened up the cooling system. Sliding underneath it he began to work. He opened up his digital assist on his arm and looked through the visor it opened up, he identified some minor breaks and fissures in the cooling system and his droid began to work on them while Urchuln began to plug leaks and reached into his spare parts bag to see how he could make a long term fix. With hard work, perhaps it could be done...

....

Although Orondia remained as dark as before some time had passed. Urchuln slid from underneath the ship and stood up, his back ached from the movement and Mon Cal, being a vertebrate species experienced back pain all too well. He bent his back rather awkwardly and cleaned up this things. He happily said to the captain that "I would advise not moving her for another rotation, but then I think you're all good."

Urchuln headed back to the security station to get paid and go to bed. He arrived at the station, leaning onto it.

[Derika]

"I'm looking for a mechanic that left from the station." Liehiry responded sternly

[Puertollano]

Gehena, Orondia

"I'm looking for a mechanic that left from the station." Liehiry responded sternly

The droids advised him to follow along, as they took him to the Frigate. There, in the crash zone, the Super Tactical Battle Droid Gehena was waiting. The B-2's relayed the message from the lone traveler to her and she replied.

"The mechanic is here," Gehena said. "But you cannot have him. He is working for us now, as part of an exchange of services."

[Derika]

"Look clanker, I will be leaving with the mechanic. So you can either choose to lead me to him with your circuits intact, or your last memory will be of me blasting your head off. You're a tactical droid, right? Make the right decision." Liehiry responded sharply.

[Puertollano]

Gehena, Orondia

"Look clanker, I will be leaving with the mechanic. So you can either choose to lead me to him with your circuits intact, or your last memory will be of me blasting your head off. You're a tactical droid, right? Make the right decision." Liehiry responded sharply.

Gehena analysed him. "Your threats of violence are worth nothing. The mechanic is working for us, we are paying him cordially. The mechanic will continue to work for us until he wishes to stop. Any attempt at violence against me, or my other droid units will lead to the termination of the mechanic. I don't suspect you will be paid for a cold, dead body."

[Derika]

Liehiry grabbed his pistol, but didn't aim at the droid. "Show me where he is."

[Puertollano]

Gehena, Orondia

Liehiry grabbed his pistol, but didn't aim at the droid. "Show me where he is."

"If you wish," Gehena replied. She too, kept a close hand on her E-5 Blaster and the B-2 Battle Droids walked cautiously behind the mercenary. She brought them inside the wreckage of the frigate, where the mechanic was welding some old tubing back together again. He took of his face protective mask and looked up to the mercenary. "This man here has arrived to take you - please assure him that you are working for us, now."

The mechanic obliged, put down his weld, dusted off his hands and stood up. "That is correct," he said to the unknown man. "The Super Tactical Droid is offering good compensation, some old Droideka parts, for my work here. You see, this CIS Frigate came crashing down and I was interested in scrapping all that I could from it. Until - I realized some inhabitants survived the crash - my fried Gehena here. It's better work here than it ever was on the collapsing station. I get better hours and I know that I have a lot of work ahead of me. A little sense of job security."