Ask Disconnected

[Roman Kallo]

​

"This is bullshit" Roman huffed.

He had only been on this miserable world an hour or so and it was already grating on him. After the battered sector transport he hitched a seat on landed on Pho Ph'eah in a hurry, he didn't think it could get any worse. But then he had waited ages to speak to the dockmaster, only to get stonewalled.

"It is fact, young man" the six-armed Pho Ph'eahian growled. "No one comes or goes from here right now, whether your ship is repaired or not".

"But why?!" Roman hissed, balling his fists. He had heard mutterings of some issue with the outpost towering over him, but none of the locals would tell him a thing. In fact, they were acting like he was a piece of shit on their shoe. His fellow passengers were getting none of it.

"Security" the alien said disdainfully, as if it was all the answer Roman needed "I'd arrest you for being involved, if you hadn't arrived afterwards..."

The dockmaster walked off without a word, muttering something about Roman being a stained soul. He reached out briefly as if to try and throttle the man, but stopped himself just in time. It would do not good to give himself away here. Not until he had a way out.

He leant back against a lighting column, crossing his tattooed arms and surveying the dockyard and complex above with gritted teeth. Lights did seem to flicker oddly in windows and distant alarms sounded here and there. The stallholders selling their gadgets and gizmos at the yard entrance kept looking up warily.

Something was up here and for once it was not Roman Kallo's fault.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor was leaned up against the wall, facing the transport he’d been ushered off of. He’d been the one to slice the transport’s hyperdrive coordinates system and alter the route to here. Not because he was trying to cause chaos, but because he was trying to make money. A connect back on Nar Shadda had linked him up with some small time pirates looking to make a quick buck by jacking hyperdrive systems and their tibanna fuel.

And Connor was always down for easy credits.

Unfortunately, it seemed like all the heat had spooked his clients and until it faded, there’d be no exchange. So Connor had made his way away from the vessel, his ears pinned back in annoyance and a lot cigarra in his mouth. His fit was casual for him, the standard affair on the lower levels of Nar Shadda. He plucked his smoke from between his lips after a sharp drag off of it.

<Fucking pigs.> He muttered in Huttese as he exhaled a cloud of smoke.

@Alhon

 

[Roman Kallo]

More of the locals shuffled past Roman giving him nasty sideways looks as he stood stewing. It was torture.

He needed information, or a way out of here, but these six-armed freaks were not going to give him either. The acolyte spied a young guy across the tarmac, also cooling his heels by the looks of it. Then Roman saw the smoke of a cigarra and that made his mind up.

He swaggered over, thumbs in his belt loops. "You got a cig mate?". He had smoked his last in the anxious descent.

Roman gave the guy his best friendly smile, measuring him up as he drew closer. The other man was a similar age and height from what he could tell and looked just like any other Outer Rim wanderer. Then Roman noticed the sharp green eyes and pointy ears. Ok, well they were a bit different.

"You stranded here too?" he asked, looking for common ground. Human or half-human, this guy was the best prospect in the yard. "This place totally sucks".

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor watched as the dude who’d been arguing with the local security forces made his way from the tarmac. He watched as the guy looked around and then locked eyes on him. Fuck. Couldn’t be helped now.

The guy walked up towards him, and Connor sized him up. The dude had a lot of leather on and just as many tats. Connor quirked an eyebrow and his ears twitched at the guy’s request. Connor didn’t really want to share his smokes but when he looked around, he decided having a friendly face would be better than not.

“Yeah man.” He replied as he fished the pack out of his jacket pocket and offered one to the other guy. “Need a light too or you got it?” He asked.

Connor looked the other guy up and down, not to check him out but semi-judging his get up. Connor took a long drag off his cigarra before pointing at the dude’s vest with the same hand.

“I don’t think you’ll find a scene that blends in with around here homie.” He commented. “Nice art though.” He said, nodding towards the tattoos.

@Alhon

 

[Roman Kallo]

The guy's ears actually twitched as he thought. Neat.

"Cheers" Roman accepted the cigarra, pleased one small thing was going his way today. "I'm ok for a light". He flicked his lighter from his pocket and lit the end of the cigarra, unable to hide how much he enjoyed the first drag.

The acolyte's face hardened when the guy went for his outfit. He was cocky that was for sure, and the compliment on his tats kept Roman on his toes.

"We're not all bothered about blending in" he smirked, in reference to the other guy's casual get up. He respected the boldness - he was all about that these days - but he was not going to take lip without giving it back. Not after this morning.

"But I reckon you're the only one who likes these, in this place" Roman added, nodding at his own tattoos. He had a feeling they were the source of the locals' hostility. "If you know a way off this rock, I'll tell you where I got them done".

He took another long drag, still wondering if the other guy was stranded too. "I'm Roman" he offered, with a jut of the chin.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

When the guy thanked him, Connor offered him a shrug in reply. “Yeah, you’re welcome.” Connor was glad this stranger had his own lighter, he hadn’t intended on actually loaning him the only one he had.

Connor stood and smoked in silence as this guy quipped back. He listened as the guy talked and made comments and even an offer if Connor would help him. He got a quirked eyebrow at that, Connor did like adding new art to his tapestry. It wasn’t a bad deal and all he had to do was get this guy off this shit hole?

“Fine.” Connor replied. “You’ve got a deal but I’ve got some business here first.” He stated bluntly. “You can tag along or hang out with your best friend over there.” He stated, nodding towards the cop Roman had been arguing with earlier. “Either way is fine with me.”

Connor would take the last drag on his smoke before thumping the butt onto the ground. Before he could turn around, Roman introduced himself. Connor gave him a nod in reply.

“Connor.” He replied before starting to walk off. If Roman intended to follow, he’d have to keep up.

@Alhon

 

[Roman Kallo]

Roman smiled wryly at the mention of the dockmaster. So Connor had been watching him had he? Interesting.

"Business eh?" Roman mused. "You must be quite the entrepreneur". He was quite sure by now that Connor was no older than himself, maybe even a touch younger. He had to be a real grasper if it was true.

Roman glanced briefly back at their broken down transport. He had been fairly sure Connor was another one of the passengers, but that made no sense if he had ties on Pho'Pheah already. It was a piece that did not fit, but not that one that worried the acolyte too much just yet.

"I'll join" Roman said, deciding it was the best bet he had. He retrieved his pack and fell into step with Connor, opting to roll with events, but ready to reach for the saber hilt in his pants if things took a turn.

"What kind of business exactly?" he asked, reasoning Connor must see some benefit to bringing Roman in on it if inviting him along. "I like to know what I'm getting myself into".

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor didn’t say anything when Roman got quippy with him. He simply shrugged in reply. He supposed some would consider him an entrepreneur? But most would just consider him a criminal. Which was fair.

Connor heard Roman snatch up his bag and fall in behind him. Then Roman asked the important question, what kind of business? Connor glanced back at him, looked him up and down. His eyes narrowed briefly, almost like he was contemplating something.

“Follow me.” Connor told him.

He’d lead the pair of them down an alleyway. Then he’d pause and look towards the walls of the building. No cameras, good. Meant it was safe-ish to talk in private.

“It’s not above board.” He stated simply. “You going to be cool with that before I say anything else?” He asked.

@Alhon

 

[Roman Kallo]

Connor was a bit cagey, but that meant he was smart. When he took them into the alley and revealed his business was not exactly legit, Roman was not surprised. He had a feeling this guy was less vanilla than he had first appeared.

”More than cool” he answered, meeting Connor’s eye. Roman had spent years plying the Slick trade back on Vaynai and knew the kind of things that went off everyday, out of sight of citizen and sherrif. He might have played by the rules as an Imperial Knight, but he was his own man again as a Sith. “So we don’t need to find out what happens if I’m not”.

He found himself wondering just what Connor could be involved in, on a world like Pho’Pheah of all places. At the very least, Roman hoped it led to money or other means to get off world.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor’s ears relaxed and unpinned themselves from the sides of his head. He also wouldn’t need to reach behind his back for his tool either. At least not yet.

“Cool.” Connor replied, none of his suspicion bleeding out of his neutral voice or expression. “I had a meet up with some pirates, they buy hyperdrives, do something with them, and sell them.” Connor stated with a shrug. “Solid guy I know linked me up with them.” He continued. “I got a feeling they aren’t gonna like that I don’t have their product.” Connor explained. “So how’s about you help me out and I cut you in?”

Connor figured it was a fair deal. Plus, they could collect the credits and then kill the pirates. After all, there was a likelihood these guys were just going to shoot them after the deal anyways.

@Alhon

 

[Roman Kallo]

Connor was pretty solid, Roman was learning. Cool, calm, chilled, never rising to quips. He talked about dancing with pirates like it was just grocery shopping. After a fucking stressful morning, the acolyte realised this guy was actually bringing him down.

"Pirates eh..." Roman considered. They were only one step up from the slavers of his youth, to whom he would give nothing but a hot poker in the eye. "What went wrong with the product?". If Connor did not have what they wanted without good reason, this sounded like a straight ticket into a fight. But maybe, together, they could turn that to their advantage.

"50/50 sounds good to me" Roman answered, managing to keep his own expression neutral for once. Connor had not suggested a cut, so he took the initiative. He definitely needed more credits if he was going to carve his own place among the Sith. Roman considered asking who the pirates sold stuff onto, but such things were usually need to know. Besides, even if it was the pathetic Jedi or another enemy, that would rule out half the good deals in the galaxy.

"Just tell me you've got another gear if things get nasty?". Chill was great, but too chill could be fatal.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor shrugged when Roman mused aloud about the pirates. “Yep, pirates.” He replied, his ears flicked with impatience. Connor’s eyes had started to wander towards the entrance of the alleyway, he wanted to make sure they were still clear.

Roman’s next question got an arched eyebrow from Connor. “The problem is, it’s still connected to that ship on the tarmac.” He explained. “And that tarmac is swarming with pissed off six-armed pigs.” His ears slightly pinned themselves back. “So we gotta clear it out, which means a distraction to pull them away.” Connor stated calmly.

When Roman suggested an even split, Connor shook his head. “Nah homie, my contact, my job. 60/40 and that’s generous.” He offered bluntly.

With that Connor would lean against the wall of the building to his left. To get those cops off the tarmac they’d need something big enough to draw them away. He had an idea but he’d need to make a few calls first.

“Don’t worry about that.” Connor replied. “You don’t survive this long without being decent in a scrap.” He pointed out.

Connor would pluck his EZphone out and started making a call. Roman would hear one side of the phone call as Connor explained to someone that shit went “tits up”. Then told them the situation and asked about anyone who sold gear they could use. Connor would be quiet for a bit before he hung up.

“How good are you with uh…pyrotechnics?” Connor asked.

@Alhon

 

[Roman Kallo]

Connor was glancing up and down the alley, but Roman remained fixated on his new companion.

“Oh it is?“. If Connor had always intended to sell the transport ship’s hyperdrive to these pirates, then several things must now be true. Connor must be responsible for bringing him here. He must have sabotaged or otherwise redirected the transport. He must be the man who had so totally ruined Roman’s day. Instinctively, Roman wanted to put the criminal on his back.

But that would do him no good. His fingers balled into fists, but reluctantly flexed free. Connor was quite possibly the only person who could rescue the situation he had created. He was still Roman’s fastest way out of here, and a route to more credits.

“60/40 then” the acolyte said slowly “and as you’re the one who stranded me here, I‘m being pretty fucking generous trust me”. Connor’s success in sabotaging the transport proved he was at least a half decent criminal. Maybe forty percent of his next gains would actually be worth having.

The question about pyrotechnics made him smile. “I’ve blown a few things up in my time” he replied. In truth, Roman had blown up the headquarters or Imperial Czerka, in a move that had shaken the galaxy and helped decide a war. But Connor didn’t need to know that. “I’ll find something to go boom” Roman went on, flicking his lighter between his fingers again “unless you have anything we can use. But if you’re gonna sneak in and out with the product, you’ll need to be fast”.

Even if they pulled it off, their theft would probably not go undiscovered for long. The six arms were already pissed off as it was and they would need to move quickly.

@Apollyon

 

[Connor Vance]

Connor’s ears dipped slightly and his eyelids did as well. Roman agreed to their deal while also being mad about the deal. Connor gave a relatively unimpressed shrug.

“I don’t know man, that sounds like it was a you problem to me.” Connor replied.

It didn’t matter anyways, Roman was on the right team now, and that was team not stranded. So when Roman told Connor he had experience with pyrotechnics, his ears perked back up some. That’s exactly what he wanted to hear.

“Awesome.” Connor started. “What are you thinking of hitting?” Connor asked. “Try and make sure that it’s something that’ll cripple this little outpost for a while.” He continued. “That way we can grab a new ride to meet the clients and get off of this backwater with.” Connor stated. “I do my part and you do yours. I’ll wait until I hear the boom to get started.” Connor said with a nod. “Good luck, or whatever.”

With that, Connor would slip out of the alleyway and back towards the spaceport. He’d slip in the crowd near his mark and took a seat on a nearby bench and waited for Roman to do his job.

Wonder how big the explosion will be?

@Alhon

 

[Roman Kallo]

Roman let his frustration out with a snort. Even when you turned the dial up, Connor didn't blink. He would have to test him properly one day.

"I'm sure I'll find something" he shrugged, in no rush to share even his initial thoughts with the guy. Roman could do chill too. "Just don't leave me hanging". He winked at Connor before turning back towards the dockyard, still only half convinced the man had it in him to move fast when the time came. But he would soon find out as they parted.

Roman soon spied the fuel store, a common clutch of tanks by the side of the spaceport, heavy lines connecting them to the ships in dock. They were secured as dangerous fuel generally was, but it would be easy enough to slip in and send them up with a bang.

But what had Connor asked for - something that would cripple the outpost? The competitive side of Roman was keen to over deliver.

He had already seen the outpost was having difficulties. The flashing lights and rampant alarms he had observed on arrival told him it was not in a good state. The place was a tinderbox; it only needed one small push, one spark to send it over the edge. Roman stepped out of sight between rows of cargo crates and tried to feel through the Force for some direction.

A ship's engines suddenly roared above, a large flatbed fuel tanker banking low to dock. It seemed the Pho Ph'eahians were still taking in essential supplies, even if they were not letting anyone leave. Roman was not strong enough to affect the tanker's trajectory, but as it drew low to the ground something far simpler occurred to him.

He flicked his lighter back out and lit the flame, realising at the last moment it might not stay lit without help. Short of options, he pulled off a sock and wrapped it around the device, the small bundle catching immediately. Leaning back, he threw it with all his might, guiding the tiny package with both muscle and Force up and through the heat vent of the tanker's engine.

He made it only a few meters before the exhaust fumes caught the bundle and reacted, causing one of the tanker's engines to explode violently into the air with a percussive blast. The ship fell out of control, listing and plunging down hard. The struggling outpost's stretched deck crew were too slow to stop the tanker plowing into the superstructure, rupturing a line of conduits in a barrage of secondary explosions.

The spaceport rapidly turned to a chaos of Roman's making.

@Apollyon