Breeding Grounds

[Butler]

A palm slapped the round table. They laughed heartily together. A beer bottle topples over. Glasses, empty mugs, and newly filled pints shake upon the soaked surface. Credit chits slide from small piles upon the table. And three men and a mean looking woman enjoy their good fortune together. Lucifer sits among them, dressed in all white: white suit, white gloves, white shoes, long white hair slicked wet back overhead and down the neck, and white dress jacket tossed over the back of his headrest. A small red silk sash peeks out of the jacket's breast pocket.

From within the Hutt owned bar on Nar Shaddaa, dimmed amber lights inside green shades highlighting each table in the dark and one bartender on duty hidden to the side behind the counter, these four Cartel agents take pleasure in an emptied space inside a booth straight across from the front door. Outside, the sign reads The Lantern. If anyone knows anything about the Cartel, they know that this bar is owned by the Hutts and is one of many recruitment spots as well as a members clubhouse. And yet the door's always open, as they say...

 

[Rizzo]

Barrus Orar


It had been only hours ago that I'd received news of what I had a strong feeling would happen. The glossy black Sentinel landing craft sat on the landing pad behind me, the insignia unique to only Clan Orar made a striking contrast emblazoned on the wings. The ship was a sleeper, just as modern as all the rest but with the design of one of the toughest assault ships in the Empire of old. But that's behind me. Thoughts of honor and revenge swirled throughout my mind as I thought of what to do, how to save as many as possible, where we would strike back, when we would retaliate... But the fact remained, we didn't have the firepower to fight back. However, if there was anything more brutal, more deadly than the Mandalorians it was the Hutt Cartel. They monopolized the one thing that even the Imperium wants, bacta. With bacta came more money than they could possibly know what to do with on their own, but after a recent attack I'm sure the Imperium has given them a good idea of where to spend that money. The gears of war have been set in motion and we have a common enemy. Although I abhor the idea of selling out I have nothing against a friendly agreement to resist a mutual enemy. My contacts had gotten me in touch with a high ranking agent of the Cartel, a benefit of having good friends. I brought a speeder with two armed escorts to fly me to The Lantern where I'd meet a man who could help. There'd better be a damned table this time, I can't afford a slip up in negotiating here...


I entered with my two bodyguards who immediately made they're way to an empty table. I approached the bar asking for anything to make ones troubles disappear forever and where I could find 'Lucifer'. I just hope those friends aren't wanting me dead because I don't wear armor anymore, at my age you either get hit or you don't.

 

[Butler]

Lucifer's smile wore off the moment three men strolled in the front door. The others at his table soon mirrored this sentiment to varying degrees as they all stared. Two knuckles knocked modestly on bare wood. Their heads turned in. The hand violently swatted a pair of glass mugs off the table and onto the floor, shattering and spilling foamed liquid. The hand held out in a cold silence. The three men and one woman took the command and scooted out from the booth and begrudgingly found themselves a new table to sit at and brood until called upon like a pack of dogs.

Lucifer breathed a deep relaxing breath, spreading his arms out onto the booth's circular headrest, and sighed contently.

"Excuse me my friend," Lucifer pleasantly beckoned, forcing a smile and defusing the tension. "Did you say... Lucifer?"

He looked side to side with excited eyes, as though he might be lucky enough to see this Lucifer character just here or there and ask for an autograph.

 

[Rizzo]

Barrus Orar


"Well son, I guess that all depends on whether he can help a few million people out of a tough spot," I said picking up the glass of whatever the bartender felt like making. I made my way to the table the man was sitting at. "I also have a feeling that he's already answered this question before," I continued coyly, "hasn't he?"
I took a seat and set my amazing stainless durasteel cigar box on the table- Hey, a table! This just may work for well for us.

 

[Butler]

Lucifer's eyes shifted with a stalled confusion, jaw-dropped, logically blaming the man's old age for his strange segue. But Lucifer easily recovered.

"I'm sure I don't know what you mean," Lucifer playfully pouted, baby-faced. "But I think I can help you regarding Lucifer ...depending on whether I am him or not."

Lucifer's head tilted a patronizing grin, as the old man sat at his table so comfortably without hesitation.

"And who might you be?"

It was painful to ignore the guards that came with this man. But Lucifer pulled it off like a professional. And yet, just then, he realized whom he was talking to. And it showed on his face, remembering yet another Mandalorian come to benefit from the Cartel's generosity to aid the warriors now hunted by the Sith. But Lucifer preferred to let the man answer for himself. Proper introductions made for better relationships, even though Barrus was guided to this very location.

 

[Rizzo]

Barrus Orar


"My name is Barrus Orar, Alor- sorry, leader of the Mandalorian Clan Orar. I come here in peace but ironically to discuss war. I believe we have a common enemy, we being Mando'ad and the Cartel. We've both been attacked by a common enemy but I'm not sure if this is a conversation I should have with just anyone..." I replied comfortably. Part of me knew he was Lucifer while the other part of me wasn't sure. It's quite annoying that I can't simply be unsure. In any case, it was a step in the right direction and I'm just glad he's not a complete sheb'se.


My guards ordered drinks at the bar and made themselves comfortable. Its obvious that they know me well enough to be confident that they won't be needed. We've never had any trouble with the Cartel before and although I don't trust them I can trust the fact that the Imperium isn't their friend in any way, and that is our common ground.

 

[Butler]

"Well then I am your man. Lucifer. I am the Emissary you seek. And I speak for the entire Cartel when I say all Mandalorians are welcome."

Lucifer's gaze shot up from Barrus to his men ordering drinks.

"Give them whatever they'd like. On the house," he powerfully announced to both the bartender and Barrus' men.

Returning to the man who truly mattered here, Lucifer leaned onto the table and folded his hands together.

"Well then. Here we are. Two negotiators with one topic on the table. We both agree that the Sith Imperium is our common enemy. My proposition is straight forward. You Mandalorians pride yourself in combat yes? We pride ourselves in coin. Together the circle is infinite. We fund you to fight, and offer you safe haven within our territories. Unofficially, of course. There are many benefits for the both of us in our commonality. Does this interest you?"

Lucifer paused before continuing to elaborate, allowing for breaths like these to give Barrus the opportunity to voice any concerns of note.

 

[Rizzo]

Barrus Orar


Upon revealing his identity, I flipped open my stainless cigar box containing eight hand rolled cigars and the ornate lighter.
I grinned when asked if it interested me. "Very interested. But I take it you would have terms on the usage of Cartel property," I said mellowly, pausing to take a sip of whatever, then continued, "but we can't even think of fighting until our people are safe...ish. Now I cannot speak for every single Mandalorian, but I can say that every Mando I know wants to fight the Imperium, right now it's going to be harder to tell my people not to fight at this point. Every Mando'ad saved will make us that much stronger... But I take it you already know that. In fact, I'll wager that you have more information of this- um... Mandapocalypse than I do." I ended the statement with a chuckle. The Hutt Cartel knows things, they always do. If Lucifer kept talking the way he does I just may even start to like him.

 

[Butler]

Lucifer eyed the cigar box distantly with a scrutinous stare.

"Indeed," was all he replied to the sum of the old man's inferences.

"May I?" he asked as his hand reached for the entire cigar box, as if interested in its design.

If Barrus allowed, Lucifer would pick up the box and lift out a cigar. He'd look inside, smell the cigar, then place it back inside. He'd look under the box and spread his paranoid intuition through its atoms. Then he'd place the box back down where it was. Though it might look to Barrus as though Lucifer simply didn't enjoy this brand of cigar and turned it down after examination, Lucifer was in fact checking the box for any threat through the Force. Seeing as there was an attack on this very establishment a few days ago, though the attackers were slaughtered in their failed attempt and the entire incident was kept quiet lest others get the idiotic idea to attempt the same, Lucifer had reason to be extra careful when a possible small explosive was potentially near. And Barrus would be none the wiser.

If there was nothing else to the box other than a simple cigar box, Lucifer would continue as if nothing had happened.

"As long as Mandalorians, you and your friends, are actively attacking Sith Imperium targets, then we will fund you in every way we can. We suggest taking up a base within our territories. We will have one set up for you if you'd like. We ask that your ships travel our territories, adding to the illusion that both the Mandalorians and the Hutts are doubly fortified within those territories. In our equation, moving Mandalorians into Cartel controlled space is making your people safe...ish."

Lucifer smiled after repeating the Mandalorian's term. It seemed the discussion was moving rather smoothly.

 

[Rizzo]

Barrus Orar


I nodded. "Please do. We make these from our hydroponic gardens on our home ship," I leaned in and spoke a little quieter, adding, "it's not really tabac. Mostly Dlock leaves and herbs, they have a calming effect but that's it. Mostly smokeless and no addictive bantha osik and best of all they don't clog air filters." As the only nonlethal item we make, it's generally obvious that I'm quite proud of the cigars. Its proof that my people are capable of creating more than just weapons. Perhaps I should start seeking out the more artistic vode.
Then he mentioned setting up a planetary base, something I've grown to find unreliable in my time. More ideas began forming in my mind regarding the operation of what I can only hope will be an overwhelming task. My humor returned when he used my word evoking a small grin. "A base on the ground is something I've found faults in. If it's all the same, I'd like to keep any base devoted to war planning mobile or at least make it able to become mobile. Perhaps we could have a ship capable of serving as a Command Center made? That would make it easier to evac our commanders in case the base is ever compromised. As for the base's location, I believe you would know best, I'll differ to your judgement. I'd prefer if it could also double as a refugee camp, not all of them will agree to this alliance and we'll need to keep them from stirring trouble. As far as ships patrolling goes, I'm afraid we only have two crusader-class corvettes that could actually make an impression. The others are just Shakula's and they're mean and fast but wouldn't make too much of a splash, so to speak. Perhaps if more survivors fit for duty came, then we could start making a difference. That brings up a third point, there's bound to be stranded in Imperium space. Is there any way you can think of to help locate or retrieve them?"