Ask Better Call Norbs

Norbaal Boonta Kaatha

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Nor'baal
Joined
Feb 10, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
6
For some reason, it always seemed to rain after dark on Coronet, in such volumes that even in the Blue Quarter was subjected to a deluge, and it appeared that, here on Coruscant, the weather situation was not much better. Nor’baal could count on one hand the number of times that he had been to the deep Core, the ancient homeworld of ‘civilisation’ (at least, according to the humans), and he intended to keep it that way. In his eyes, Coruscant was little more than a stinky backwater world, jam packed with one of the worst and most hideous species in the galaxy, humans, and was best avoided.

However, for what he had planned, one had little choice than to head to the Core.

For some short while, since they had started to make waves in the Galaxy by detaining Jedi, and then receiving more support from the FWA, the criminals of the galaxy had started to sit up and take notice of these gunslinging Rangers, and Nor’baal was no exception. He had noted their broadcast first of all, advertising the fact they had detained a so-called Jedi, one who most possibly could have information pertaining to those who had murdered the son of the infamous Durr the Hutt.

So, keen to potentially cash in on the favours Durr would offer to those who helped find the murderers of his progeny, Nor’baal had contacted a fellow syndicate member (@Zay) and, putting on a tie, a suit jacket, and slicking back his toupe, had paid one of the innumerable ‘totally legit colleges’ in the Galaxy to license him as a Lawyer. As of, Nor’baal checked his datapad, yesterday afternoon at four-fifteen, he was a licensed attorney, with an LLB from the University of Jiguuna.

The campus had been closed due to a chemical spill, but still, the bit of paper said he’d qualified.

And now, standing outside the Sector Ranger HQ on Coruscant, Nor’baal breathed in, exhaled, checked his glasses weren't askew, and walked in.

After all, you gotta start somewhere.

One day, he would not need to do such grotty a thing as actually working, but, he convinced himself, that day would only come once he had put in a fair amount of graft himself. His objective today was twofold, get to know the Rangers and how they operated (and if there was any room for some deals with them) and see if he could get this Jedi they had arrested extradited to Hutt Space, or at least some information that Nor’baal could leave with so that Durr would give him what Mama had always called ‘Cash Cash Money’

Walking into the lobby, he produced a business card from his top pocket with all the penache of an actual Lawyer, and flashed his biggest smile saying ”Nor’baal, attorney at law. This is my associate,” he gestured to the other Syndicate operator ”Now then...Oren,” he checked the newscast on his datapad ”Zayparn? Zapping? How you say it? Zapen! Let him now his brief is here.” Nor’baals smile never broke, as he took one hell of a gamble and hoped that, come what may, the Jedi was, actually here, and, wanted a Lawyer.

OOC: @Zay @Sreeya +1 Ranger of your choosing
 

Jacen Cordro

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Zay
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
Messages
20
Reaction score
13
Jacen Cordro was a bottom-rung Scoundrel in the grand scheme of The Five Syndicates. Only recently was he approached to join, and shortly after he received his first job. On paper the job was simple, accompany some Hutt lawyer to Coruscant and bail out a Jedi Master from Sector Ranger custody. Of course, the simplicity of the mission hid the danger in plain sight. The Scoundrel has taken the time to do a little research into this supposed Jedi Master.

Oren Zapen was considered a master by the order, but for the life of him, Jacen couldn’t understand how the man had obtained the rank. The Jedi used to be considered peacekeepers and the wrap sheet this space wizard boasted was anything but peaceful. Normally, Jacen would have taken one look at this job, scoffed and pawned it off on someone else, but it’s attachment to Durr the Hutt made it an opportunity he hoped to capitalize on.

Few things in the galaxy could be done without credits, and clout, Durr, had both and if there was some way Cordro could cash in on it, he would, that was just good business after all. However, as they made their way into the Sector Ranger HQ, the proverbial belly of the beast, he began to have second thoughts about his inclusion in this endeavor. The Rangers had been elevated by the Prime Minister following the arrest of this Jedi, and their increase in power would only stand to complicate the con his partner was hoping to run. The only advantage he could glean from the situation was the chaos of integration, but even that was dicey.

Jacen casually took in his surroundings, half taking in the structure for his own viewing pleasure, half attempting to identify means of egress if this went bad. He’d been instructed to dress appropriately, which was never an issue for Serenno’s Prodigal son. He wore a basic black suit and tie with a white button-down shirt under a beige trench. Nothing out of the ordinary for a lawyer’s assistant. He felt naked without his weapons but was aware that any sign of aggression would lead to his untimely demise or worse incarceration.

His partner, Norbaal Boonta Kaatha, elected to do the talking and Jacen was more than happy to let the “Lawyer” take the lead. He stood a few feet behind him with his hands clasped in front anxiously awaiting the results of their first move. He had a really bad feeling about this.

@Nor'baal @Sreeya
 

Darmus Onn

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Eccles
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
142
Reaction score
86
Darmus remembered the cantina on Rodia with considerable fondness now that he had been recalled to Coruscant for what seemed like clerical duties. "You're good with slicing systems, Darmus, so you can be ranger Aran's tech support." That he was twelve years her senior and solved way more -albeit minor- cases didn't seem to matter to the Chief one bit. After all, his latest mission had been a failure and hers had been a great success. Darmus hadn't for a million credits ran in to apprehend that Jedi and his murdering accomplice. Trys Aran did. Some people probably admired Trys for her bravery, but Darmus didn't. Darmus thought about the risk she took and how she almost made her child an orphan. Some rangers were just too reckless from his point of view.

The lobby had seemed a peaceful enough place for some introverted net-skulking and yet when a Hutt in a ridiculous dress-up entered through the front door even a net-junkie like Darmus couldn't help but look up from his screen and raise his eyebrows in mocked delight. What the Kriff is that Hutt wearing?

Sure enough the Hutt, who for a human like Darmus looked exactly like Durr the Hutt, the Hutt cartel's figurehead in the Five Syndicates, but then with a painfully obvious disguise.. which was in fact so obvious that no one would ever believe it was Durr himself, then introduced himself as the Jedi Master's lawyer. "Fat chance!" the forty-something human laughed. "If I heard a joke starting with a Hutt as a Jedi Master's lawyer-" he didn't even finish, waving away an imaginary joker and rising from his seat. His screen, although not visible to the two visitors, showed a quick search query results of Nor'baal, Corellian restaurateur and proud proprietor of Nor’baals Flanth House. Turning to the silent second (@Zay), Darmus smiled, extended a hand and said, "I'm Sector Ranger Darmus Onn, but I didn't catch your name." Further ignoring the Hutt, knowing that soon other rangers would arrive to give him all the attention he needed, Darmus kept his focus on the quiet human. "How is the weather on Corellia?"

@Nor'baal @Sreeya
 

Trys Aran

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Sreeya
Joined
Jan 6, 2020
Messages
589
Reaction score
170

OOC: Asked @TWD26 what his dude's response would be to being asked about lawyers.

Trys had grown to be immediately suspicious of Hutts, and she had to remind herself that it was extremely prejudiced to think that way. She had been told Darmus Onn would be joining her. Trys had a hard time recalling who he was. She knew he was an old timer, but was he on administrative duties or what? Trys would have to catch up and get to know him later.

She was dressed in her uniform, having been told about the arrival of the lawyers beforehand. Trys had followed up with Oren before she came out to greet them, and she watched them make their way through security to ensure they didn’t have weapons on them. Her face didn’t betray anything, though internally her alarms were blaring.

“Nice of you to join us,” Trys said, giving a brief introduction. She wasn’t one to beat around the bush, and her gaze drifted from the Hutt over to his associate, and then back to the Hutt, “I had a chance to meet with the prisoner shortly before your arrival and he mentioned that he had not, in fact, asked for any lawyers,” Trys calmly blinked at the two, “Actually he said, and I quote, ‘the Force and fate are my lawyers’,” Cheesy, in her opinion, but it sounded like something a Jedi would say.

“So this is rather awkward, I’m afraid,” Trys crossed her arms over her chest, waiting for an explanation.


@Nor'baal @Zay @Ecclessey
 

Norbaal Boonta Kaatha

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Nor'baal
Joined
Feb 10, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
6
With Jacen at his side, Nor’baal felt a lot more confident, especially with two Sector Rangers (you know, the ones who lock up Hutts like him) standing within arresting distance, and so, with his smile never breaking, he took each of them on, one after the other. "Fat chance!" the first Ranger began, an aging human with rather outdated views on the roles of different species in the Galaxy it would seem "If I heard a joke starting with a Hutt as a Jedi Master's lawyer-" Nor’baals smile still held in place, as he shook his head in responce to the Ranger, who proceeded to introduce himself as one ‘Darmus Onn’.

”...you got yourself one hell of a sence of humour then friend,” Nor’baal chuckled, as the next Ranger, one ‘Ranger Aran’ judging by her badge, joined the fray. “Actually he said, and I quote, ‘the Force and fate are my lawyers’,”

Nor’baal coughed.

Nor’baal quickly covered his mouth and nose with a large, distressingly clean hankerchief, and blew his nose.

“So this is rather awkward, I’m afraid,”

You’re telling me.

The Hutt straighted up, his smile still transfixed across his face like a salesman trying shuck sand to a Tusken, as he cooly replied ”Well he always was a joker, m’guessing the stress of it all, finally sent the old brain box into overdrive if you catch my meaning?” he looked at the stony expression of the Ranger.

The meaning clearly had not been caught.

”Y’know what these Jedi are like, big believers in whatsimcallit. Y’know,” he waved as hand around as if searching for the word ”...traditional.” he made some inverted commas with his hands. ”Look,” the Hutt leaned forward as if letting the Rangers in on some deep secret ”...we both know why I’m here. Your fella, he may have information around the assassination, murder, whatever you wanna call it, of one of the Hutt bosses kids. We are investigating it at our end, in house you dig? We get a bit of face time with him, see what he knows - perhaps arrange a little pro bono legal assistance for him, in return for him helping with our,” he gestured to the Rangers, and then himself ”...investigations. As they say, a problem shared, is a problem halved.”


@Zay
 

Jacen Cordro

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Zay
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
Messages
20
Reaction score
13
Norbaal and Jacen didn't have to wait long before the rangers began to stir. The first to arrive was Darmus Onn. The ranger made a b-line straight for Jacen ignoring The Hutt all together which brought a small smile to The Scoundrel's face. Jacen took the man's hand in greeting and said, "It wasn't said, you can call me Kal." he nodded toward his counterpart and said, "I'm his personal assistant and paralegal, but as you've already pointed out I'm mostly his personal assistant."

The Ranger inquired about the weather on Corellia and Jacen shrugged in response, "Weather's always nice if you've got credits." He punctuated his response with a polite flat smile as the second ranger appeared.

Trys Aran wasted no time punching a star destroyer sized hole in Norbaal's play. It took everything in him not to lose his composure and laugh. The Hutt was slick, but Jacen couldn't help but wonder what in the hell he'd been thinking when he'd decided to take this course of action. His eyes flicked from Trys to Darmus and he was pleased to see their blasters hadn't come out to play yet. He was starting to think he should take over when his partner decided to change tactics.

The Hutt was attempting to bargain with The Sector Rangers, in their HQ, with absolutely zero leverage in his favor. His bad feeling was getting worse and he knew if he got out of here without joining the Jedi master in jail he'd be ready to get blackout drunk at the nearest bar. Norbaal was playing by Syndicate rules and Jacen doubted that was going to fly on Coruscant. However, try as he might he couldn't convince himself to leave. He wanted to know how the Ranger's operated, and he couldn't shake the feeling that the two present were worth paying attention too. Especially, Aran.

Against his better judgement, Jacen decided to stay and see how this played out. Hell, if this worked he'd make some money if it didn't... Well, he decided to try and not think about that...

@Nor'baal @Sreeya @Ecclessey
 

Darmus Onn

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Eccles
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
142
Reaction score
86
Darmus looked at Kal and pondered his answers for a moment. The weather in Corellia was always shit, no matter the amount of credits, but then a Corellian would never admit it. It appeared that the personal assistant was a bit smarter about the name he gave to Sector Rangers than his boss. Darmus had every intention to question this Kal down to his favorite color and the the nursery rhyme his mother sang to him when he was three, but the Hutt next to them made a rather shocking revelation which startled Darmus and made him turn towards him quickly.

"So you were only pretending to be his defense attorney?" He looked back at Kal and made a mental note to save the security camera's footage so he could investigate the both of them at a later date. Apparently they were both members of the Five Syndicates, or at least the Hutt Cartel. Turning his attention back to the Hutt, Darmus walked over to stand at Trys' side, "Lieutenant-" he addressed the lead investigator, "-I think Nor'baal here just confessed to Criminal Impersonation per Coruscant Planetary Law Eighteen tack Five tack one-hundred-thirteen." As he said the words, multiple rangers tensed up and casually walked towards the exit, prematurely barring any attempts at evading a possible arrest. "Kal here," he motioned towards the human at the Hutt's side, "has stated to be Nor'baal's personal assistant and paralegal, therefore be designated as an accessory to this despicable crime."

Although the sentence for Criminal Impersonation didn't exceed twelve months in prison and a 50,000 credits fine, thus the punishment for getting caught was only marginal, Darmus was amazed at the balls these scoundrels had. Luckily for Lieutenant Aran, this meant she had a lot of time interrogating two individuals who apparently had a lot of information on the Arcanist's actions on Nar Shaddaa.

@Nor'baal @Sreeya @Zay
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zay

Trys Aran

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Sreeya
Joined
Jan 6, 2020
Messages
589
Reaction score
170

Trys remained stonefaced as the Hutt leaned in as if to reveal a secret - and what a secret it was. She said nothing for a moment, looking from the Hutt to his accomplice, and then back at the Hutt, “It appears you are not aware of the fact that you’re currently in the Sector Rangers Headquarters located on Coruscant within the Deep Core. It means we're, y'know...” She said with a completely flat tone, leaning in closer, "Traditional. And rule abiding."

With that, she paused to let her partner cut in with exactly what that entailed. For whatever reason, the two thought they could waltz into the HQ, pretend to be lawyers and make demands to extract evidence for a high profile crime boss. Trys shook her head at the absurdity of it, looking around the station, “Can I have some back up to detain these men please? I need their identifications verified and a thorough background check conducted. Get me all the contacts you hit so I can follow up.”

The two had been processed through security and would have nothing on them, and they would have their comms taken away. If they tried to fight, they were completely surrounded and would be subdued within moments. Trys could tell that the Hutt was the mastermind, and her gaze shifted to land on the ‘accomplice’.

“Why don’t you come with me? I’d like to ask you a few questions,” She waited to see what he would do. If he agreed, she would lead him to a separate room for questioning. Trys knew Darmus would have the hutt under control from here.

@Zay @Ecclessey @Nor'baal
 

Jacen Cordro

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Zay
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
Messages
20
Reaction score
13
Jacen's hands were still clasped in front of him as the Rangers began to close in. A wry grin finally split his professional demeanor. He leveled his shab eating grin at Norbaal and said, "Any other bright ideas genius?" Before The Hutt could respond, Jacen was addressed by the Lieutenant.

Anger roiled over into a tempered rage, that he quickly took control over. He ran a hand through his hair and took a deep breath before turning toward Trys, "Yes, ma'am." His response was a clear indication that he was done allowing The Hutt to make the calls.

Jacen's professional veneer returned as he regained control of his emotions. A Ranger stepped forward and cuffed him. Jacen's eyes burned into The Hutt, but he didn't say another word. The Scoundrel made a mental note to never follow someone else's lead when it envolved his freedom. He didn't know how, but he'd get even with Norbaal one day, and when he did it wouldn't be pretty.

The Scoundrel was led to a nondescript room with a two-way mirror on the north wall. The room was cold and monochromatic. The Ranger that had cuffed him sat him into a metal chair and then cuffed him to the table in the center of the room. Jacen wanted a stiff drink, a smoke, and the company of a pretty girl. He'd get one of those three things, but he had a feeling Trys Aran wasn't going to spend the evening flirting with him. Pushing his personal feelings aside he chose to focus on the matter at hand.

Jacen was smart, but he's been left at The Ranger's mercy with no leverage. He was the low man on the totem pole and aside from telling them the obvious he had absolutely no real information on the syndicate. His brow furrowed in concentration as he wracked his brain for anything that could be of worth, but he was grasping at straws. He sighed, defeated. He was going to jail...

@Nor'baal @Sreeya @Ecclessey
 

Norbaal Boonta Kaatha

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Nor'baal
Joined
Feb 10, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
6
Well this certainly had not gone to plan, the Hutt chuckled to himself as the Rangers closed in. However, he just could not help himself, and as Jacen fell silent, Nor’baal spoke ”No.” he raised his hand as if to punctuate his point ”I stated I was here to act as the suspects attorney, they responded to that offer via a medium, meaning a negotiation had been opened for my services, and a counter-offer, from me, has not yet been made. Thus, The negotiation is still ongoing, that was before your co-worker,” he gestured to the male ranger ”...who moments earlier had found it humorous that anyone other than a human could be an attorney, decided to accuse me of a crime, based on nothing bar his own ‘gut feeling’, meaning you are detaining a practicing attorney, in the foyer of a police station, for an alleged crime, based on - a good thinking judge could assume - your own ill-conceived prejudices, plus you are potentially denying a suspect of an attorney, by intimidating their potential representative during a negotiation.”

The Hutt paused, as the Rangers came closer, a few of them wavering ”So what we have here is an arguable discriminatory law enforcement officer, intimidating a legal representative.” the Hutt shrugged its large shoulders ”You may dislike Hutts, but that should not impact your professional manner my friend. Now,” the Hutt starred at one of the Rangers, who had approached from the door, ”You cannot detain me without pressing charges, and, I believe I have already made it clear that I am here requesting to interview a suspect of yours, for information on a case regarding the death of the son of Durr the Hutt. Now, if you would like to impede that investigation, be my guest, but if you would like to, whatstheword…” he thought ”...cooperate with a Hutt, which I appreciate may be against your ‘traditional views’, that would be preferable.”

He watched as Jacen was led away, and tutted. "Really not helping your case here Rangers, slow down a little.
 

Darmus Onn

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Eccles
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
142
Reaction score
86
Darmus sighed, "Escort Nor'baal to interrogation unit two," he told the rangers who hadn't slowed their approach of the Hutt despite the latter's long speech. "He tried to pass himself off as the Jedi's lawyer to get in close proximity with the individual his boss has a grievance against. We will detain them so we can discover their motivations on the record." The fact the Corellian restaurateur had admitted to be in the employ of a known criminal kingpin aligned with the Five Syndicates raised further questions as to how far outside Hutt Space the syndicates managed to operate freely and under the ranger's radar, but that's a question he would ask during questioning.

As an aftermath, more out of formality than a real urge to defend himself, Darmus did respond to the Hutt's accusations. "If my joke was in bad taste I accept any disciplinary actions. Unfortunately for Nor'baal, the Hutt, he managed to foil his own plot quite thoroughly." He shrugged towards Lieutenant Aran as he watched her and Kal walked off and rounded a corner out of view.

There would be no more use for protest and Darmus would wait until Nor'baal, too, was stripped from all comms, devices and possible weapons as the went through the usual security protocols for detained individuals. Then he would lead the Hutt to a separate room and close the door behind him. Nor'baal seemed like someone who wanted to be in control at all times, so he'd be sweated a bit until he accepted that the game they were about to play heavily favored the ranger service.

If the Hutt would object further and refuse to come willingly, the present rangers would move to arrest and process him as such. That included DNA swaps, seizure of all personal affects including clothing and a more secure spartan jail cell. In case the Hutt would resist arrest, Darmus was ready for a quick draw of his blaster and fire a stun bolt.


@Nor'baal @Sreeya @Zay
 

Trys Aran

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Sreeya
Joined
Jan 6, 2020
Messages
589
Reaction score
170


Trys cut Norbaal off before he even made it halfway into his speech, “Actually the prisoner said from the beginning he wanted to give a full confession and be charged and had no interest whatsoever in having anyone defend him. Considering that he was legitimately surprised and confused to learn about your arrival, I have no intention of believing a word that’s coming out of your mouth right now.”

He had reached the end of her patience, and she wasn’t going to entertain anything else, “It’s abundantly clear you expected to come in here and get in to question the prisoner for your own purposes, regardless of who your employer may be, and that’s not going to happen till we validate you and run some background checks. By the way, that’s standard procedure for anyone coming in to question a high profile criminal - especially one that has scrutiny from FWA. If you have such a problem with that, then that further supports the notion that you ought to be charged with falsifying who you are. A simple piece of paper and whining about discrimination isn’t going to get you out of a background check. I suggest you comply or you can be further detained.”

Any arguments he had would fall on deaf ears as Trys was already walking away with his ‘accomplice’. She promptly sat down across from Jacen after closing the door behind them. Once she did so, he’d notice that her demeanor became more relaxed. She gazed at him for a moment before reaching down to pull out a cigarra, lighting it before passing the box over to him to have one.

“I’m going to be honest with you, you and your buddy are proper kriffed,” Trys said as she drew in from the cigarra and blew out a cloud of smoke, “We’re going to run a very thorough background check and call up contacts to verify, and I’m quite certain neither you nor your friend have done the proper homework to cover your asses,” She knew how the game was played - she had been a crook herself in the past.

“So there are two options here - one is that you tell me what’s really going on and drastically reduce whatever sentence comes to you and maybe even strike a deal of some sort,” Trys stared at him for a moment. He didn’t look like he was all in on whatever scheme the Hutt was playing, and he could have a lot of potential elsewhere, “Or you keep waiting here till we complete our checks, have enough intel to do all the proper paperwork and then you get stuck with the full sentence. If you have full confidence in your buddy, by all means I’ll leave you here and we can wait till I’ve confirmed both your backgrounds.”

@Zay @Nor'baal @Ecclessey
 

Jacen Cordro

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Zay
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
Messages
20
Reaction score
13
The Scoundrel raised a speculative eyebrow at the Lieutenant's offer. He’d been wrong he was going to get two of the three things he wanted today. With his hands still bound and their range of motion limited he had to awkwardly lean over to get the cigarra into his mouth but was able to pull it off none the less.

“Mind if I get a light?”

Jacen decided to remain silent as Trys spoke. She spelled out the situation and couldn’t have agreed with her more. He was utterly kriffed. He watched her lips as she blew out the smoke admiring her beauty longer than he had any right too in his current situation, but if he was going to jail, he might as well enjoy his last conversation with a woman as long as he could.

The space between them grew hazy as the poorly ventilated room failed to properly circulate the air. Jacen didn’t mind, this was the closest he was getting to a bar for a while. He considered interjecting and just coming clean right then and there, but where would the fun in that be. Life was all about timing. Knowing when to reveal your hand was just as important as having a good one. Trys seemed to understand that and was attempting to bait him into spilling his guts, which, he had every intention of doing.

Jacen wasn’t loyal to anyone. Especially, not Norbaal. Hell, he’d just met the slug on their departure from Nar Shaddaa, but before he gave up the ghost he wanted to see what exactly he could get in exchange. The Scoundrel made a show of weighing the options he’d been presented with and then made his choice.

“I’m not really sure what else I can tell you, Miss Aran. My colleague spelled out the entire mission in a single breath back there.” Jacen spread his hands as wide as his bonds would allow before saying, “That’s why I’m here, is it not?”

Cordro took a drag on his cigarra and then clarified, “I’m not saying I don’t want to help, I just don’t see what you actually need from me, and please call me Jacen. Kal obviously isn’t my real name.”

Suddenly feeling rude he added, “Thanks for the smoke by the way.”

His baby blue eyes met hers for a moment and he said, “Your people are going to find out that I’m originally from Serenno and that I’m a hell of a swoop racer, but as luck would have it, this is my first gig with the syndicate, and between you and I, I wouldn’t recommend it.”

Jacen took another drag on the cigarra and savored it’s flavor like a dying breath. He was certain Aran’s relaxed demeanor would change once she realized he had nothing left to offer. After all, that’s what The Syndicate would do.

@Sreeya @Nor'baal @Ecclessey
 

Norbaal Boonta Kaatha

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Nor'baal
Joined
Feb 10, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
6
Nor’baal entered the cell as instructed, and said nothing to the officer detaining him. Indeed, he said nothing of anything to anyone from the moment the Ranger started speaking again to the moment he finished. Once the Ranger had drawn to an end of their speech, Nor’baal spoke:

”Nor’baal Ka’atha. Corellia, I own a restaurant there. Unfortunately for you, you will find everything above board, I even have an up to date insurance certificate for the restaurant, fully licensed robotic staff, and mt taxes paid.”

He smiled at the Ranger, and waited for the next level of interrogation to begin. He was, unsurprisingly, telling the truth - he had done nothing illegal in his past, his restaurant was fully legal, and so, the Rangers would find nothing in their background checks to suggest otherwise.
 

Darmus Onn

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Eccles
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
142
Reaction score
86
As Nor'baal sat waiting in a locked room, Darmus returned to his computer and did an extended search of the individual he now knew as Nor'baal, someone he didn't trust.. at all. It wasn't just a feeling. Something definitely was fishy about that Hutt. It reminded him the Hutts back on Boonta, which is to say entirely corrupt and without a law-abiding bone in their bodies. Did Hutts even have bones?

Nor'baal's restaurant was all above boards, that much was clear. What seemed fishy was the license to practice law. It was dated yesterday around 4:15 PM and from the University of Jiguuna. Darmus also found a HoloNet article about a fellow student complaining that the campus had been inaccessible for weeks due to a chemical spill. If Jiguuna, saying the Hutts, wanted to sell law degrees to the highest bidder that was.. strangely something the ranger service couldn't do anything about. Sovereign planet and all that. Didn't mean he could wave his undeserved license around on a FWA-world, the University of Jiguuna definitely not being accredited to FWA-norms, but Darmus wasn't going to disclose that fact until the end. Even if it was all kosher and he did really go to a proper law school, which he didn't, it was the time stamp that raised the veteran ranger's eyebrows.. It took almost 48 hours to properly travel from Nor'baal's home on Corellia to the ranger HQ on Coruscant and if he had come from Jiguuna it would've taken him weeks without a high-class hyperdrive. Did they request his services while he was already en-route? How did they make contact, or rather, how did they know the attorney, who wasn't really an attorney, that wasn't an associate in any law firm was available on short notice?

That left the Hutt's admission; "in-house investigation of the murders of Durr's children." So he admitted to being part of the Hutt Cartel? Darmus wondered why he couldn't find any record of misbehavior in Nor'baal's files. A few notes about his parents being involved in shady dealings on Corellia when he was still a minor, but in the last years all he seems to have done is sit in a restaurant he owns. Did the Hutt Cartel's influence stretch so far that they were able to recruit him on Corellia without local law enforcement having a single clue?

Concluding that the Hutt was definitely fishy, but unable to proof it with a background check alone, since owning a degree you bought through the HoloNet wasn't on itself a crime, Darmus finally made his way to the room where Nor'baal was waiting for him. It only took ten minutes, which was somewhat of a personal record.

Nodding in terms of greeting, the forty-something human sat himself down on a chair opposite the table from Nor'baal. "So," Darmus sighed and placed the datapad on the table with a carelessness that showed he didn't get the dirt he was hoping for. "You said you were contacted by a medium to serve as Oren Zapan's attorney?" Because Lieutenant Aran had disrupted what most likely would've been a lengthy speech by the Hutt, Darmus wasn't able to hear the full story.. merely something about him being in contact with Oren and then an accusation against Darmus for being a specist kriffer. The usual, really.

@Nor'baal @Sreeya @Zay
 

Trys Aran

Character
Rank
Lieutenant

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Sreeya
Joined
Jan 6, 2020
Messages
589
Reaction score
170

Trys didn’t appear surprised whatsoever when he admitted affiliation with the Syndicate, “How did you come into contact with your Hutt friend?” She had no idea what was going on in the other room, but she had hopes for dealing with Jacen. He had already admitted they had Syndicate ties, and it was a matter of unearthing more of that. All of this would be recorded.

“Do you have much insight into Durr?” The Hutt was gaining a lot of attention since the Holo footages went out, “He has slaving rings that a target the Rangers are looking at has been attacking. Part of the deal I bring up would be helping us get access to that target,” It wouldn’t take Jacen long to deduce she meant the Arcanist.

“Walk me through how you came across Norbaal and how you hatched the plan and what you hoped to get out of it,” Trys was genuinely curious, “Are you in danger of retaliation from Durr or the Syndicate if you report back with nothing?” She knew Jacen had potential, but she didn’t want to set him up for failure either.

@Nor'baal @Zay @Ecclessey
 

Jacen Cordro

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Zay
Joined
Feb 2, 2020
Messages
20
Reaction score
13
A wry smirk settled on his face as Trys asked how he came into contact with his partner.

“I got an encrypted transmission saying there was a job and I was on it. The job wasn’t a question, it was an order... the kind you don’t ignore. Next thing I know I’m on a ship with Norbaal, and we’re headed here and he’s telling about how he just became a lawyer.” Jacen rolled his eyes at the last part.

Jacen considered her next question carefully, “I have some. I’ve been on a few smaller jobs as a driver in the outer rim, but the real question is do I know something you don’t.”

The Scoundrel sat back and took a drag off his cigarra.

“Durr is just as ruthless and cunning as you’ve heard. His survival instincts are impeccable, and if I had to guess I’d say he orchestrated this whole thing just to see how you rangers would react.” He shook his head as he played the whole scenario out. “Plotting is second nature to The Hutt. He’s nothing like the guy next door.”

The Lieutenants next statement made everything else all the more clear to The Scoundrel.

“Now, this is interesting.” Jacen leaned forward as he replayed her words in his mind. “I think I know the target you’re looking for.” Excitement replaced anxiety as understanding dawned on him. “Consider me very interested, Miss Aran.”

Jacen frowned at her next line of questioning but responded without an attitude reaffirming what he’d already said.

“It’s like I told you, Lieutenant, I got a message with a date and time and my fake ID. I showed up and went to work. Now I’m here.”

The Criminal had to stifle a laugh as Trys asked if he were in trouble.

“Yeah, I was sent to get info on The Hutt Cartel’s Five Syndicate representative's son's death and not only did I get nothing, but I’m sitting here talking to you. I’d say I’m pretty karked.”

He plucked the finished cigarra butt from his mouth and dropped it into the ashtray on the table.

“If I show up empty-handed with word that I was interrogated by The Sector Ranger’s floating around the galaxy it’ll get back to Nal Hutta and I’m dead, and not dead in a quick and pretty way, dead in a slow and painful way, that Durr himself would oversee. I’d rather jump into the open maw of a Sarlacc than go back to Hutt space with nothing.”

Jacen leaned forward and lowered his voice to a near whisper, “I wanna play ball, but if you want to see results I’m gonna need something to get me in the door, and I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the moron next door can’t stay here either.”

Jacen knew he was asking a lot. Trys had no reason to trust him and even less of a reason to let Nor’baal leave, but Durr was too smart to leave anything to chance. The Scoundrel could only hope this "Target" was worth more than a couple of Syndicate nobodies, and that Trys saw the purpose of this long con. If Jacen showed up and Nor'baal was missing that would put Durr and his associates on edge.

“Look, you’ve got no reason to trust me, but my logic is sound.”

He gave her a moment to think and then said, “Test me. Let me put my credits where my mouth is.”

@Nor'baal @Sreeya @Ecclessey
 

Darmus Onn

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Eccles
Joined
Jan 7, 2020
Messages
142
Reaction score
86
The Hutt just sat there and Darmus could feel himself getting frustrated more and more. Four minutes elapsed this way until the human finally gave in; "We have you trying to pass off an unaccredited law degree as a license to practice on a member world of the Free Worlds Alliance. That's a misdemeanor." He sighed and took his datapad back from the table to fill in the required forms, "As you're unwilling to cooperate, as evidenced by your silence, the ranger service will recommend three-hundred hours of community service and you will not be allowed to take the bar for five years."

That said, Darmus noticed that as the senior ranger in this whole affair he needed Lieutenant Aran's signature and thus he rose from his seat. "Sit tight, someone will come and get you within the hour." Then he left the room, paying no more mind to the Hutt but still locking the door behind him, as was customary.

Walking over to the room where Trys was interrogating "Kal", Darmus knocked on the door, opened it and smiled. "Lieutenant, could I see you outside for a moment?" He wanted to make it look like the Hutt had just thrown his accomplice under the bus, hoping the latter would incriminate himself and the Hutt for an attempt at a reduced sentence. Ofcourse, Darmus didn't know that the man had already given in and spilled all he knew.



@Nor'baal @Sreeya @Zay
 

Norbaal Boonta Kaatha

Character
Independent
Rank
Citizen

Character Profile
Link
OOC
Nor'baal
Joined
Feb 10, 2020
Messages
6
Reaction score
6
Nor’baal kept his silence as Darmus spoke, considering a fair few possible schemes for his daring escape. All of which seemed to result in him getting shot, beaten, and often both. The large Hutt decided to stay put.

I mean, it wasn’t like he could do much else.

/exitthread
 
  • Like
Reactions: Zay
Top