Friendly Competition

[Sumas Solus]

Tatooine/Anchorhead​

14:23 local time​

Czerka might be a pretty scummy company but they pay very well so that was alright. They also commanded massive influence and had markets in almost every area in the galaxy. So it's to be expected they don't like competition...though it seems not everyone got that memo.

An aspiring weapons dealer on Tatooine had gotten his hands on some really nice stuff(including Czerka tech) for fairly cheap prices, which allows him to sell these products for much cheaper than Czerka normally does. It's cases like this that shows how much Czerka likes to take advantage of their customers. But that's not what the Zabrak and his friend are here for. They're here to make sure that aspiring vendor doesn't get ahead of himself.

Clad in his Beskar'gam, it was clear that Sumas was a Mandalorian. But instead of the horns and Solus colour scheme he chose to use a more covert look to not make his clan look bad. Besides it looks more like something a merc or bounty hunted would wear which suited him just fine. He had all his gear on him in case he needed to send a loud enough message for the growing vendor.

He stood by his ship's hangar, looking around as he waited for his companion to catch up with him.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Many things that Eva Stark did not enjoy compiled right on Tatooine. The first? The karking heat. Born and raised in frigid temps, she could manage. Even though she had adapted to life near a forge, she needed a break now and then. But on this scummy backside planet, the heat was everywhere. And not to mention the sheer amount of people that drifted about in the oppressive environment. Thirsty dealers and scrappy people. If ever there was a planet suitable to the Andar of below, this awful place was it. Give her a nest full of Zakkegs any day, she had rather that than being here for too long.

There was covert, and there was the Stark covert.

She had borrowed some wanderer's rags; her armor no longer fit just as well as it used to, and if she had worn it, she would collapse from heat exhaustion far sooner than most.

Well hey, at least she would get a free tan, she thought wryly, shifting her weapons beneath the thin cloak, the hood thrown over dark brown hair. She wasn't wearing the light armor simply for fun or ill-fitting, however; fighting in close or far quarters was easy with all your equipment easily accessible.

She had landed some time ago, idly wandering as one without an agenda would until her companion would arrive. In typical form, the T-visor was still necessary... she smirked, arms crossed beneath her bust as the woman coolly eyed the Solus head to foot, perking a black brow.

"At least this time ve do not have to fish your equipment out an armory."

@KinkyPrawn

Spoiler: outfit w/out cloak

 

[Sumas Solus]

Sumas was inspecting one of his pistols when he heard Eva's voice close by. He looked around a bit and quickly found Eva approaching. He smiled behind the T-visor and made his way towards her. "At least." he said with a laugh as he quickly got to her. He nodded in a direction and started to lead the way to the target's shop. "This time at least it's an easy job. Just go in, rough up the poor kriffer and get paid a pretty sum for it." he said casually, giving her a quick rundown. Some people eyed the Mandalorian and his companion, but otherwise they didn't bother. No one ever cared about anything on Tatooine. "So what have you been up to since the last time we saw each other?" he asked her, deciding to strike up some idle conversation while they walked.

Soon enough the arrived at a building that looked just like the rest, with a logo on top reading "Lock 'n Load". The sliding door was open and inside was a young man that looked half Sumas' weight. Though his face looked like a womp-rat. Maybe this job might not be so bad after all...

"Welcome to 'Lock 'n Load', the one-stop shop for any gunslinger, hunter or killer on Tatooine!" he said with a voice bubbling with enthusiasm. Why he didn't just go work for Czerka directly was a mystery. There were various weapons all around the shop locked with chains to deter thieves. Sumas couldn't deny that he was fairly impressed by the selection. "Okay, I like this place." he said under his breath to Eva. "I got a few things that might compliment that T-visor very well, if you wanna take a look." he said as he leaned on his counter, looking at the two warriors. "I heard about you and your variety of gear all the way over at Mos Espa. Heard you're making Czerka look bad." Sumas said with a smile, deciding to dig around a bit before simply destroying the place.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She sighed. Most wanted to rough up a person, it was because it was a serious offense. Or worse, an actual threat. But on this little backways dusty ball, why did it matter? So they were now hired thugs... Skuld thought her services a bit more important than that, surely.

It was strange that the man wanted small talk. She slanted him a sideways glance, one black brow raised. "Oh, the usual life. Family. Business. Being dragged across the galaxy." A small smirk quirked, but it vanished the moment they stepped through.

Oh this was karking brilliant.

Why would Czerka be troubled by a small backways shop that dabbled in the possible black market? They were a corporation.

But...

A job was a job.
@KinkyPrawn

 

[Sumas Solus]

"Oh don't sound so depressed. This will be fun! Just mess a small time gun shop owner up and then take home a fat paycheque. What's not to like?" Sumas quipped as they walked to the shop.

Inside the shop the young man seemed quite happy to make some small talk with the two new customers that wandered in. After all, a good relationship with customers meant potential good business in the future, so who was he to complain? "I'm certainly glad the name's reaching all the way over there. It would definitely help the business." he remarked.

Sumas wandered around a bit, looking over some of the various kinds of rifles and pistols. It amused him that he was actually selling Czerka weapons for cheaper than Czerka Corp was. No wonder he was growing so popular. He looked over some pistols and compared them with the enormous Strills on his hips. But nothing seemed to compare in his opinion. He liked his big guns, so they were perfect for him. Done with looking around he made his way to the counter and rasted an arm on it as he looked the man in the eye. "You should keep in mind, however, that having your name get around might not always be the best for your business." he said calmly.

The man looked a bit confused, blinking a few times. "What do you mean?" he asked Sumas, his eyes darting between the two 'customers'. His hand disappeared under the counter, causing Sumas' own hand to draw his pistol halfway out of the holster. His hand on the counter also tensed just in case he needed to disarm the kid. "I mean that you have been catching the attention of a big company...one who's weapons you're selling for cheaper than they are." he explained to him.

"I think it will be better if you two leave." he said coldly, shifting his gaze to Eva.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She chuckled at Sumas' chipper mentality towards what they were about to do, but facts were facts; this was just business. There was nothing about this that tied her to Blackwell, or to her own business as Jarl. This was simply helping Solus... in fact, if anything, she wanted Czerka to suffer more the ill effects of their ridiculously expensive equipment than anything else. But they were just barely branching out here.

…She sighed when the man eyed her coldly, her own expression turning cold, remote. It was as if a mask had settled over her features, lips curled back in that smile still.

"Not wise, lad." One black brow perked, and her fist tensed. At a moment's notice, it could spring to life... and the young man's life would be forfeit. "You have many other fine wares; vhy not focus on those instead. Cease with Czerka wares... and ve will let you keep vhat's left."

There was a hum, as her ax crackled to life with a yellow glow. "But to start a fight in a weapons shop with two fighters... not smart, boy." If he tried to attack, she'd have no choice but to strike out. A shame, really. He was just a boy, and he did have some fine wares.

@KinkyPrawn

 

[Sumas Solus]

The boy listened to what Eva had to say, but he didn't back down. He only tensed up more as her axe came to life with that trademark crackle. Sumas also tensed up more and drew his pistol further. "Their stuff are overpriced, I'm helping people out. Why should I stop?" he asked coldly, looking between the duo. Sumas holstered his pistol and pulled out an adhesive grenade. He primed it and lobbed it into one of the shelves to ruin the merchandise sitting on top of it. He quickly threw a second one into another shelf and ruined those items as well. Naturally the kid looked quite furious.

"What the hell is your problem?!" he shouted. Sumas reached over and grabbed the kid's collar to yank him closer. A wrist blade emerged from his vambrace and scraped against the kid's throat. "You listen very closely. You will stop selling Czerka stuff and transfer a percentage of the income you make to them, or you will sell out to them. Is that clear?" he asked softly, his green eyes staring right through the boy.

He turned his head to look at Eva then her axe before looking back to the boy. "If you don't, I'll hand you over to her." he continued, stepping aside to let him see her exotic weapon. "Uhhh....yeah." he finally said with a gulp. Sumas let him go and took a step to the side in case Eva had an input of final message to add just to make the boy squirm a little further.

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

Sometimes, life presented itself with a rare opportunity. While Sumas was distracting the lad with his destructive tendencies and threatening the boy, Skuld had a brief opportunity to scan his wares, and was disappointed to realize one thing.

He had no Blackwell on his shelves, and nothing that spoke of real quality. Even if they were Czerka products, she doubted that the boy was the only source of where these pirated wares were being sold. Most likely, a third party was involved... and if that was the case, giving them a message was the quickest way to ensure that not only her pockets were fattened by Czerka credits, but that Blackwell would have another vendor to market their wares.

She powered her axe off, and slowly walked towards the boy, head tilted slightly. Her expression was cool, almost nonchalant, as she stared him head on.

"Boy."

The term was spoken flatly, one hand on her hip in case the lad tried anything stupid one last time. "Czerka is not worth the bother. Understand? Tell your resources this; if they want a more lucrative business to sell their wares, come talk to Blackwell. I'm sure we can provide better arrangement," she smiled, but it was an icy one, almost like a baring of teeth. "And more quality resources. If interested..." She slid over a business card. "Meet us for business at Mustafar. But if you continue using Czerka.." She sighed heavily, then eyed the lad slowly, her hand reaching out to the lad's throat. He flinched, but didn't pull back as she inspected him, disappointment showing clear in her cold blue eyes.

"There are more ways to skin a cat."

The boy paled further, and she decided a worded threat would have to do.

He knew what she was. And the myth of her people was often enough to push the message across. She tilted her head to Sumas, giving a small smile.

"Shall we leave?"

@KinkyPrawn

 

[Sumas Solus]

Sumas stood with a giant smirk behind his T-visor. The boy looked as pale as a corpse as Eva scared any sense of defiance out of him. The boy made sure to listen up, not resisting as Eva yanked him around. She explained her alternative...ultimatum more like...and he made a mental note of the place she mentioned. He didn't want to mention that he actually never heard of the name before, something told him that would simply end with disaster. And he actually valued his life.

"Mustafar. Blackwell. Got it." he stammered quickly, taking a step back in a vain hope of getting out of range of the beast of a girl.

Sumas nodded at Eva's question, standing aside to let her pass first. "After you." he said casually, holding his ground. Once she passed he would give the boy a final glare and then follow her way out.

The boy watched them leave, then leaned over the counter to keep watching. "What a lady..."

Outside Sumas walked side by side, finally allowing himself to give a hearty laugh. "You couldn't resist recruiting a sales rep, could you?" he asked her with a grin stretching from ear to ear. He gave her a light tap on the shoulder. "Come on, I've seen mummies more hydrated than you. Cantina's right up ahead. I'll pay." he offered happily. He knew she couldn't drink alcohol in this state anymore. But that wouldn't stop him from offering. Who knows, perhaps the cantina had some nice juices or milkshakes. That actually sounded wonderful right now...

@Killa Ree

 

[Eva 'Skuld' Stark]

She had to admit, seeing the boy look ready to collapse amused her. It's not like she would have maimed him... much... but business was business, and the boy was just a messenger on a dusty little backwards planet. But the heat made her itch for something... something cold, sweet, or insanely spicy. She was very nearly tempted to just rip the lad apart if he smart-mouthed her... perhaps she had been spending too much time around smart-mouthed young Empire agents these days, or smart-mouthed Mandos… or just annoying people in general that tried to spike her blood pressure at every given moment.

She slumped her shoulders at the mention of a cantina ahead, and suddenly, all she wanted was something tall, glowing, and definitely forbidden in her state... but perhaps she could make do with something non-alcoholic. A burst of dust and gritty sand blasted with the heat in her face, and she gritted her teeth, wiping away dust and sweat.

"Ja, is fine," she muttered, giving the male a wilted smirk. "But then ve get the kark out of here, this heat vill kill me otherwise."

@KinkyPrawn

/End Thread