A regular day of the old mercenary

[Ved Lyuban]

Coruscant. It was Ved's first visit on this planet for the past twenty years, although he perfectly remembered his last days here before he had travel to the Mid Rim. As the mercenary, he believed it was the important quality of everyone whose job related with a danger. And what more important, with a loss of credits. But if the first thing has been heavily motivating the old captain to pick any job, the second one forced to do it carefully, so Ved keeps his balance with demands and their costs. This was one of several reasons why he returned to the Core World planet. Old, but reliable scheme of making profits.

After Ved had landed his "Mako" in Eastport Docking Facility, the man decided to visit a familiar pub which he used to visit during his first years of military service. It was actually a good place to relax after a hard day. Before Ved had committed his actions, he looked in a mirror in his captain room to check if he looks bad or very bad. The face he saw either looked not as bad as might be, but linger travels had made their job. The mercenary looked like a homeless who have been drinking for several days without a break, albeit Ved was sober for a long time. He was about to fix this thing alongside with a search for another job. And so he went where he wanted to, picked his rifle in case of suspicious persons, but left his armor on the ship. It was simply unnecessary here and will not make him look better. He doubted, that he will be sent to the Underworld today, but who knows. Lyuban came here to get a job and as soon as he will get it, he will fly away from here at once. In case nothing interesting could hold him.

And so he made his way to the Jhikl's Bar. It was surprisingly empty today, considering the fact that it was almost evening. Twenty years ago at the same time, this place was usually full of visitors. But the music and interior were the same what is pleased the old mercenary who was simply glad that this place was still here. Ved knew the owner of the Bar and the last time he has seen him, Jhikl had has some debts with a Coruscant' bank. And seems like he had solved them. The only thing that changed here was the bartender.

"Hello, traveler. Can I help you?". Asked man the bartender behind the bar counter. He looked really affable, but Ved doesn't care, but answered in the same way.

"Yes. Is Jhikl nearby? I need to see him". Taking a seat on the opposite side of the bar, replied Lyuban.

"No, he has gone an hour ago and you probably won't see him today. Maybe I can do something for you instead?". Replied back bartender cleaning a glass as if hinting how exactly he could help. And the old mercenary got an idea of it.

"Oh, yes. If you have Cheedoan or Corellian whiskey, give me some, please." Pronounced Lyuban and took out his datapad on the bar surface. He wanted to check the news on Holonet and check his mail from previous employers. The bartender had got it and once he poured half of the glass, he left Ved with his own thoughts.

 

[skar-Lo-Rex]

Coruscant what a dangerous melting pot of different nations. The Raptor thought as he walked down the ramp of his ship. The reptile had come to the core planet with the hope of selling some droids customers either sold to him or never returned to his shop to reclaim the droids. The male thought that Coruscant is a dangerous place because there are some very judgemental beings who will wrongly judge a Tiss just because of what they are. His red eyes cautiously studied his surroundings as he made his way through the dark, scarcely lit back streets.

The reptile had very little hope to make some sales. In a ways he was right to be low in hopes. Skar had just got here from Corellia where he was literally chased out of the market streets after a woman screamed for a reason that was not his fault. So instead of pressing his luck and putting his life in danger the Raptor decided it was best to leave. Yes every time he travels his life is at risk, but the beings in the market were very on edge after the event with the woman. The Raptor hoped and prayed that his luck here will be different.

His path took him to the brightly lit streets of Coruscant, that were also crowded with beings from every corner of the known galaxy. Here his luck approved a little bit as a couple beings were willing to buy some of the droids. The Raptor gave them the location of his ship and told them when to meet him there.

After successfully securing some sales the Tiss walked into bar of sorts. Or whatever tney are called. The Raptor walked over to the counter, "Hello friend.." He said to the bartender who glanced at Skar as he finished cleaning a glass and walked over, "Can I have a glass of Corellian Whiskey?"

"Does a creature like you have the money to pay?" The bartender asked rudely only to be shoved away by the other, "Please excuse him. Yes you may have some Whiskey. On the house as an apology." The second bartender said as he poured the Tiss a glass and handed it to the reptile, "Thank you." Skar hissed softly then made his way to a table in the corner. Taking a seat there the Raptor stirred his drink with a single claw.

 

[Ved Lyuban]

There was nothing interesting in the HoloNet news, almost the same as was yesterday. Of course, Ved could afford to do nothing for a month or so, after that he has to find another source of incomes to maintain his ship and his body. Some parts of his ship should be replaced as well because they had started to cause a failure sometimes and makes every long trip the Ruusan Roulette. And when the man almost found a job somewhere related to the securing a trading group, a Tiss'shar had come. It was the first good event in Lyuban' life for the last three months! Tiss'shars were rare guests on Coruscant and meet one of them here was... a gift. At least for Ved who liked their business grip and their appearance. When he was working for a Tiss trader in the past, Ved felt himself the happiest man in the world, although he knew, that his employer has cared only for profits. If he could, the mercenary would try to work with that reptile once again, but unfortunately, the reptile hasn't been answering on his e-mails for ten years. Perhaps this time the luck will be on Ved's side.

Lyuban' face became frowned when one of the bartenders started his speech. Ved was a bit drunk and could easily smash the bartender face for his words, but once the moment was handled by another bartender, the mercenary relieved. It was a strange feeling for a type of man like him, but Ved... felt sorry for Skar. Racism wasn't a common thing in the Galaxy, but that is the thing which sometimes put Ved in a dangerous situation. And it could happen right now if another man doesn't rush with the apologies. And once both tapsters had gone, leaving Ved and Skar almost alone, the mercenary has hidden his datapad and approached the table where Skar has been. Then he tried to speak with the Raptor.

"Corellian whiskey... I didn't know, that Tiss'shars drink mighty alcohol. Don't worry, mate, I'm here not to abuse you. I have some experience with your kind in the past and I could say it was... great for me and that trader. But what are you doing on Coruscant? Is your business is so bad that you ventured to visit the Core World?". Ved tried to look friendly as best as he can, but actually, he looked like a sick with his friendly grimace. The only friendly thing was a tone he talks. Calm and equable like he was talking with his old friend. He never was able to make a friendly face because of his love for the alco and basically, he looked much older than he could. But who cares?

 

[skar-Lo-Rex]

The Tiss'sharr quietly sat at the table drinking the whiskey he ordered. The Raptor's eyes cautiously followed Ved as the mercenary walked over to him. Naturally and understandably Skar wondered if the human was coming over to cause the Raptor problems. But reminded himself the man could be coming over to have a friendly conversation.

Sipping his drink the reptile kepts his talons wrapped around the glass as he listened to the slightly drunk human. Skar chuckled, the chuckles sounding like trills to the human's ears, "I drink the mighty whiskey from tike to time." He simply replied as he took another sip of the alcoholic beverage, "Actually quite the opposite. I have been traveling around to sell droids. The sales have been successful so far. And I enjoy traveling." The Raptor spoke in the human's language as best as he could. Skar didn't bring his protocol droid so that he could practice the basic language of the galaxy.

The Raptor wondered why of all the beings currently in this establishment that Ved decided to come over to talk to him. The Raptor tilted his head in thought, "Please excuse my question... But why are you here talking to me when there are others who you can speak to that speak your language?" He asked gesturing to the others sitting at various sized tables.

 

[Ved Lyuban]

Ved smiled when Skar asked about the language. The Raptor probably was afraid, that Ved could be a maniac or a pirate who could rob Skar by any chance. And the mercenary was understanding that. The only thing he couldn't get is why the reptile on the opposite side of the table did fly so far away. Droids aren't an illegal thing, hence the markets for selling those robotics are open almost everywhere. Seems like Skar simply was having a hard time selling them. And Lyuban was suspecting who could cause Rex to arrive on Coruscant.

"As I said before, I have had some experience with people of your kind. And I should admit it was the most interesting contract in my life. I even could speak on Tiss'sharl for a little, although it looks silly and extremely funny when pronounced by humans due to the anatomy of our bodies and vocal abilities" Slowly started Ved with a friendly tone and leaned against the back of the sofa. He was trying to recall every detail of that trip with the Tiss trader who is, except a good amount of credits, was able to teach Ved her language. This is why Ved could understand Skar' speech (not fully) in case he would start to speak on Tiss'sharl. "I know, that you, guys, are an excellent businessman's. And I just thought, that maybe you need a bodyguard or skilled pilot to assist with your goals. It would be a real pleasure for me to work with you. And after all, I see you're working with droids. Perhaps you can help me with their software..."

The mercenary had assumed, that Skar-Lo-Rex could refuse the offer for cooperation, but Ved' point was, is that if the Raptor was about to trade in the Core Worlds he probably needs a someone, who can take care about racist persons. And do it physically because quite often some people don't understand the first time. And hey, meet a Tiss'shar on Core Worlds planet was a pure luck and in case the reptile will accept the Ved' offer, Skar can get the most loyal and reliable partner ever.