Joining the cause

[Rizzo]

Ma'saan Orar


At Alisha's request I answered, "I'm Ma'saan, I'm just looking for some information when you get a moment." I set Bob down on a nearby workbench. Looking back out of the entrance I saw a questionable Dug eyeing the speeder. "Will you excuse me," I dismissed myself as I walked back out to address the odd Dug.


"Oi, get away from that," I ordered. The man pulled back his vest to reveal a pistol. Is this guy serious? I thought to my self, I think he is. I guess there's a first for everything...
I pulled the automatic shotgun off my back and held it one handed in his face. Its hard to not laugh when a person trips on everything in the process of running away.


Returning the street howitzer to my back, I tried my best to suppress my amusement as I returned to the shop.

 

[Frannykins87]

Alisha's father nodded at the guests, and spoke again once Ma'saan came back.

"You may call me David, or Dave." He then offered his hands to both guests

"And I am Alisha" Alisha says with a cheerful tone, and curtseyed before her guests, smiling at them.

After Mas'aan came back, he continued "I am assuming that was someone eyeing the things outside? The clients are meant to be coming today, but attempted theft is a regular occurrence. I don't know how to use a blasters much but I do know how to set traps. There is a trip wire all around the house, and it's hard to spot. Whoever crosses that wall gets quite electrified." He grins "Of course I disabled it before you all came in." He then points at a pad on the wall above his worktable. "I recognise the noise of my speeder from miles away"


While her father was talking, Alisha was already on the droid, and took out quite a large box of tools from under the middle workbench. She then proceeded putting the leg closer so she can fix it. She will have to rewire the whole leg, and she thinks probably reinforce it as well. He smiled, then turned his head to Donkur.

"Sir no credits will be necessary for this. This planet is already drowning in selfishness, greed and villany. We do not intend to add to it. We get by enough with other work. I have been a mechanic for over 30 years now. 32 to be precise. And my princess here..." He smiled towards Alisha, who kept her head focused on the droid to try and hide her blush

"She has been learning from me since she was 12. I assure you" he puts his gaze back towards Donkur "Your Bob will be fixed in no time"

Once that was said, he spoke to Ma'saan

"Information? Sure, what do you need to know? I will help you if I can"

"He is looking for a Jawa Dad. I figured you might know him. What was his name again?" She asks, momentarily looking up at the Mandalorian

 

[Rizzo]

Ma'saan Orar


"Pepin, that's his name. He deals in a variety of parts, speeders, and a limited number of livestock," I explained, "Lately my clan has been selling and shipping him medical supplies to add to his selection of wares. He has missed two payments already and we've lost contact with his crawler. I'm under the opinion that he may need help but I can't find him. I was hoping you may know him."

 

[Frannykins87]

Alisha turned her attention back to the droid and continued working on it, having almost finished the rewiring. The way she was handling it, it was obvious she has been doing it very many times, she looked very capable. Meanwhile Dave assumed a thoughtful posittion at the Mandalorian's words, and started walking back and forth in front of his workbench.

"Well I have heard of Pepin, though do not know him directly. I have dealt with jawa within his..hmm tribe I suppose, that often referred to him. I used to trade with them parts and whatnot, mainly bought droid parts, a lot of my clients need droid repairs."

He came back close to the worbench at the end of the house, momentarily turning his back on Alisha and their guests, who could hear the noise of a keypad being put in. He then turned around again to face the room.

"However, I never had problems with payments with them...From what you're telling me, I fear that something may have happened to Pepin or his tribe for them to miss payments...Bit worrying actually..."

David scratched his head, and looked back at the Mandalorian with some concerns.

"At this moment though, I wouldn't know where to go find them..I strongly suspect it would be somewhere in the desert...You could try heading out from Anchorhead. That's when I first came into contact with them and often traded at. Though they did tell me once they went up and around Tatooine, and mentioned Mos Espa and other cities... Other than that..I am sorry, I feel i wasn't very useful.."

David looks apologetic with his las words, and leans back on his workbench.

 

[Cortan]

Well, if Donkur had one thing to say about this fellow, it was that they were very aware of the world they had lived on. And apparently quite good at his work as well, given the Vor had seen no indication of such a security measure when he arrived - which, he supposed, would be the point.
His hand brushed the bottom of his beak, listening with minor intrigue to the conversation that passed on in front of him.
"You're a repairman, not an information broker, its understandable you wouldn't necessarily know where someone is." Donkur tried to ease the older gentleman - if possibly still younger to him - about their uncertainty, though casting a gaze at Ma'saan.
"From the sounds of it however, Mister Orar, you might be to find a starting point through information already available to you." Donkur began to picture the scenario in his head, considering as well the general state of a planet like Tatooine.

"You were clearly in an existing business transaction with this Pepin, and one proving quite fruitful, that you are actually concerned by this oddity. Unless the shipments you made to him were pre-arranged to be at the same location, presumably, there was a general path and route he and his crew would be following. Whilst either would change the subsequent things you might have to follow up on, consider this - a sandcrawler, large as it is, can only get so far in a given timespan." Whilst unable to really do so, he began to 'draw' out an imaginary indicator on free space on the table, then tapping the location.
"So if say, the last place your men successfully met him was here at Mos Eisley, you could roughly calculate how far they might manage in the time since then. Remove paths that make no sense, such as routes that would not lead to inhabited settlements for weeks or months, and you narrow down his likely location further to within the realms of plausibility. Get a good speeder, and you can have them checked out soon enough..." His claws had etched out the imaginary map and spider web of possible places to check, before Donkur paused, realised what he was doing, and cleared his throat.

"...Assuming such hasn't already crossed your mind. Sorry, I get thinking about these things." Shifting slightly on his feet as he tried to find another topic to discuss, Donkur's attentions eventually turned to Alisha and her father.
"Just the two of you then? No assistants? No other family?"

 

[Frannykins87]

Alisha looked up at Donkur to smile at him, then went back to work. She had finished the rewiring of the leg. All she needed to do is to physically reattach the leg. Her father also nodded and smiled at the Vor. She stopped to listen to his discourse and placed her elbows on a free space on the worktable, leaning in with her body. She was watching Donkur's fingers as if trying to imagine in her head what he was explaining. Her father was also listening attentively, his arms holding on the bench and his legs crossed. The Vor made a lot of sense. Clearly, both Alisha and David figured, he has a lot of experience. To Alisha, he sounded even wiser that her father, which is saying something, because she always considered him very very wise. That explained why she was looking on with a lot of admiration in her eyes, which she never cared to hide. Not to people that she considered honest anyhow. When he was finished, Alisha thought she saw him shift slightly, as if slightly uncomfortable. Her father notices it as well, and he spokes first to reassure him.

"I agree with that logic actually. What Mr Ivellok said makes a lot of sense Ma'saan. In any case, I really do hope you find him." He gives Mas'aan a nod.

Then Alisha remembered she still has a droid to fix. As she was getting back on the droid, she heard Donkur's enquiry.

"Yea just the two of us" She exchanged a glance with her father, who nodded in response.

"My mother died when I was 5." She tries to say it casually, she doesn't want to linger on it, so she continues. "We were living in Anchorhead, then my dad took me here and here we are."

"Yes" Added her father, his expression saddening a little. "We had a moisture farm, or better, my wife had a moisture farm there. I had to travel to here everyday then, to hand out repaired droids. We had good neighbours there. You'd be surprised how much good is hidden on Tatooine. Farmers are good people, just trying to get a living. At least the ones I've met. When Ilara, my wife, died, I couldn't keep up with the farm AND my job both…I decided to sell the farm to one of my neighbours and move to here…"

David sighs.

"Honestly I did prefer Anchorhead, but there is more business here, and I do enjoy my job."

Alisha gives her father a quick, sympathetic glance then turns to her guests.

"Basically I'm his assistant, otherwise he would probably work himself to an early grave" She grinned at her father, who smiled back, and shook his head.

At this point, the droid's leg was almost fixed. She took the hydrospanner from her toolbox, and proceeded in firmly tightening the bolts holding it together. David continued.

"Bah, if I die with a hydrospanner in my hand I would die a happy man. Better than getting shot at, at any rate!" His expression relaxed as he gave a good chuckle.

As Alisha was finishing up the droid, she turns to Donkur.

"So Ma'saan is looking for Pepin. What brings you to this deserted planet?"

Her father listens to the answer as well. He was curious as to what species he was too, as he was not present when he first announced it, but figures Alisha could tell him later.

 

[Rizzo]

Ma'saan Orar


Donkur's idea was a good one but we haven't had contact with him for close to three months and a crawler can cover massive distance in that time. I had to think hard. I stepped outside and withdrew a smokeless cigar that my clan proudly produced for spacers. I cleared my mind.


Pepin always payed in advance, he made three payments and recieved five shipments. His local reputation suggests that he has no debts and thus no collectors. Now his crew and crawler are all missing yet it was logged that he had arrived here in Mos Eisly, where he was never seen arriving. Someone knew what he was receiving and where to collect it, they knew we would eventually come looking. They could logically assume that I would be carrying the shipment with me on my ship... "Ah, frak."


It all hit me. The Dug wasn't stupid, he was a distraction. I felt for the ship's master fuse that I always keep with me. It's was gone. Pickpocket, of course. I looked up to the sky and watched as my Y-wing took off and flew away. I casually slid in my helmet and opened a channel to the corvette we had in orbit saying, "Alor'ad, this is Ruus'alor Ma'saan Orar. My ship has been stolen, I need you to ensure that it doesn't leave the planet... And yes, you'll have bragging rights." "Copy that, Ma'saan. You know I live on bragging rights. If he tries to leave I'll catch him. Alor'ad Ryn out."


And the hunt begins...

 

[Frannykins87]

Alisha watched Mas'aan step outside without a word, and bent slightly on the bench.

"Good luck!!" She shouts after him. David smiles at her. He was proud to know he raised up a fine, kind young lady. They then hear him swear outside and the noise of a vehicle taking off.

"Oh..." Alisha turns to her father "That could have been his..hope he catches the thief..."

David looks outside with a serious expression.

Yea, I hope he does too...Anyway" he continues and turns to Donkur. "I apologise we haven't been very good hosts. Would you like some water? It is the only thing we have at the moment I'm afraid.."

Alisha meanwhile checks over the droid. She takes the hydrospanner again and looks closely at the leg that didn't snap. She thinks to herself the bolts could use some tightening as well, and proceeds to do so. She didn't think Donkur wanted another leg snap..

 

[Cortan]

Donkur let his head fall slightly as the answer to his question was given. To lose part of one's family so young... Suppose he could relate, if not quite in the same manner.
He gripped the edge of the table, nodding as David explained that nature of people's hearts here on this rather cruel world known as Tatooine, many good folk just trying to get by. In this man's case, having to decide whether to run the farm or keep doing what he was good at whilst raising his daughter - and the choice since had been obvious. They seemed happy enough as well, which did cause Donkur some mild confusion, but he supposed, some people really did just see the silver lining in things.
As the mandalorian went out for a cigarette, or whatever else people used to ruin their bodies that he could never dare touch lest it likely kill him, Donkur considered the offer of water, given his context.

"Depends on how you're getting it. If you're relying on a moisture vaporator, I'd rather not be a burden. Limited supply and all that." Donkur could always wait until he got back to the cantina, or better yet, his own ship, if he needed a drink. Thus, he raised his hand and shook his head, before looking back to his droid as it was being worked on.
"Hope nothing you'll do will be too... 'unique'. I may have to come back to Tatooine in future, but its far from being at the top of my list. And if he breaks again..." There was a small whimper from the droid at Donkur's unspoken implication, but the Vor gave the droid a reassuring pat to the head.
"I just really need to be sure he can be fixed after."

 

[Frannykins87]

Alisha smirked a little, and David chuckled at Donkur's concern about the water's origin.

"You don't have to worry about that. I do still pay a price for the water, but it is a fair price as I am getting it from the same friend that bought my farm. We have enough to go by and a little extra. We are used to this climate, but it is harsh to visitors. Let me get you a glass."

Alisha's father then turned to his right and walked at the end of the room, on the opposite side of the door leading to the courtyard. There was another door, that lead to a very tight corridor that was not visible from where Alisha and Donkur where standing, but apparently where hiding stairs, as David disappeared behind it and steps where heard going up.

Alisha turned to Donkur with a smile, trying to reassure him

"Don't worry, I didn't do anything other than fix it. I tightened the other leg as well, so there is less chance of breakage..Should the leg snap again, either one, it should be easy to fix." She looks over the droid, now fully repaired, and the leg did not look worse the wear. Of course the droid didn't look any newer, but it at least looked functional again.

Alisha manages to pull the droid up in a setting position, and then speaks to it directly.

"There you go! Bob, was it? Can you try and move your leg, just to check?" She takes a step back, to let the droid try to move.

Meanwhile, Alisha and Donkur could hear steps back, seemingly more careful steps, then David appeared from the door, with a glass on his hand, half full of water.

"There, friend, here is your water." He walks around the workbench towards the wall leading outside, and steps close to Donkur, handing over the glass.

"And I see that you finished the job, Alisha, well done. Seems good." David says, with a hint of pride in his voice, as he looks over the droid.

 

[Rizzo]

Ma'saan Orar


"Nice repair," I said as I returned to the shop, admiring the work, "not the hardest thing to repair but you definitely need to know how it's done." The cigar I was smoking was very different from typical tabac and similar products. Since it was made for use in space it made barely any smoke while it burned and didn't get the buildups of tar and such on the walls and air filters. The effect most noticeable at the current moment would be that he smelled no better or worse than before. In short, it was actually fairly neutral so long as you didn't chain smoke.


The Dlock leaves gave the user a mentally soothing effect, ideal for deep concentration and thought. Sadly it didn't help me deduce that I was being robbed before I lost my bomber and now it may very well be the only thing holding me together. I can and will find them, retrieve my property, and end any possibility of future threats but I can't being these people into my battle.


I didn't really know how to say it so I just said it, "the Dug stole my ship... Thanks for the information but I must depart now. Should you ever need me, call this number." I handed her father my business card.

 

[Frannykins87]

Alisha and David both turned to Mas'aan as he returned. Alisha blushed slightly and gave a shy smile at his comment on the repair.

"Ye thanks, but yea it wasn't too hard" She giggles and David smiled at her.

Both father and daughter then looked at him as he takes his leave. David takes the business card from him from the hand that doesn't hold the glass for Donkur, and nods.

"Sure thing. Sorry your ship's been stolen and good luck with everything."

"It was nice to meet you!" says Alisha as she approaches the Mandalorian for a handshake "We hope you can find your ship again!"

 

[Cortan]

Donkur... waited something moments, before he ultimately decided to drink. An old mind had spend several moments mulling over whether or not it would be right to accept it when water was so vital here, or rude to turn it down despite David's clear insistence. Eventually however, Donkur was able to say yes to the former - if mostly because the latter ultimately proved true - and so the Vor drank.
It was... slightly different, as water went, from what he tasted. Maybe it was why some turned to the work of moisture farming willingly - in spite of it being the most common form of sustenance in the known galaxy, basic to many life forms and found in nearly every market...
This actually tasted... good. Freshest it could possibly be, with a slight tinge that meant the liquid was not merely 'simple'. And on withered muscles, it was truly a joy.

"So, Bob, everything fine?" Eventually, he spoke to the droid that had brought him here, who responded quite happily by demonstrating the well done job on its leg. It brought a faint smile, but that faded as Donkur began to... consider something. His eyes briefly flickered between father and daughter, hand resting slightly beneath his chin.
"Would I be able to speak... with either of you? Both? At least one of you, in private?" If the Mandalorian was going soon, then it would be a moot issue, but Donkur wasn't sure if there might be other work that one of them was expected to get started on. He seemed... a bit nervous, but if led on in order to speak, he would follow. He supposed, it would give him time to consider his words...

 

[Rizzo]

Ma'saan Orar


Her handshake was almost unexpected, probably due to being robbed and threatened in the last twenty minutes. They do say bad things come in threes. I'm honestly expecting something to randomly fly out at me now.


Regardless, I returned the gesture of respect. It was time that I be on my way. With a nod to both David and Donkur I donned my helmet once more and left to the dusty street. I put out my cigar as best I could and stuck it back in the pocket it came from. I have a feeling that this situation is going to take a while to resolve. I'll need information, some money, and transport. Some Mandalorians would have stolen David's speeder to cover the last stated necessity but I'm not like that. I don't believe in abusing people who don't deserve it simply because I can, especially when there's plenty who do deserve it. Like these pickpockets who fooled me. I respect their cleverness but the odds of them surviving the next 48 hours had just become infinitesimally small.


Now that I had put sufficient distance between myself and the others I opened up to The Force, an action that would be lethal in Imperium space.
Let's see where it points this time...

 

[Frannykins87]

David smiled slightly while watching Donkur drink from the glass. He was almost heistant at first, but David was glad he drank, he seemed like he needed it, and he certainly seemed like he enjoyed it. Both David and Alisha then watched the Mandalorian leave after Alisha shook his hands. Their attention was brought back by Donkur's words. Bob responded by moving his leg fine, and Alisha beamed.

"Yay all good now. Hopefully it won't break again in a hurry."

David then looked at the old Vor with curiosity at his inquiry. He seemed nervous again, and David smiled to reassure him.

"Of course you..."

His words were interrupted by a speeder that seemed to have parked outside the workshop. David walked nervously to the outside space. He peeked his head back in for a brief momen.

"My apologies, Donkur, costumers finally arrived to take their order. Feel free to talk to Alisha while I deal with them though."

He then disappeard through the door again. They could hear them talking softly with someone that sounded like a Sullustan.

Alisha turned to Donkur smiling. She was quite curious as to what the Vor was going to say next, and it showed in a slightly glint in her eyes...Perhaps her skill were sufficient that..No, she didn't dare dream it..

"So, is there anything else we can do for you?"

Noises could now be heard outside of her father lifting the fully repaired droid and carrying it to somewhere to the front of the house.

 

[Cortan]

Donkur nodded as the master of the house took his leave to assist his customers, the aged Vor finding himself a seat as he finished considering his words. He gazed upon the young woman, considering how she might respond to what he was to say as well. This was to be the first occasion on which he would admit the matter to a civilian without much in the way of prior warning...
So, perhaps, he should ease in first.
"I... presume you enjoy working with your father, correct? You mentioned that he would overwork himself if not for you." It was possible she might answer that it was obligation rather than satisfaction, but Donkur was patient from presuming too much. He simply drummed his fingers along the edge of the seat on which he sat, waiting for a full response, before continuing.

"I ask because... I have an offer I'd like you to consider. One that could... take you away from here. Show you the wider galaxy, let you put your skills to use for greater things. But I would understand if you weren't available for such possibilities, because of what you have here." A home on Tatooine may have not been... much, by any objective measure, but it was still a home. And Donkur would admit, he wouldn't have likely left his original home if the choice hadn't been taken from and made for him. He stance stumped slightly, words caught in his throat. He took several, short breaths, before firming up.
"Its just at this point, me and my men require anyone able to take up the task. The task of taking on an Empire, so that freedom and decency may have the chance to rise once more..." Ultimately, he failed to say it directly, giving him a chance to change his words if need be, but clear enough that the message should get across.

 

[Frannykins87]

"I... presume you enjoy working with your father, correct? You mentioned that he would overwork himself if not for you."

"Well" Alisha chuckled slightly "I do love fixing things, and I help out a lot, but I think dad would be all right even without me, he has a lot of experience..."

Alisha really wanted to ask why he asked, but she guessed the Vor was going to explain himself. Sure enough, as the Vor did so, Alisha's eyes widened a little bit. Using her skills for a greater purpose...see the galaxy..she had dreamt of these things since she was 10...or even earlier...She couldn't really quite remember. At the mention of the task of taking on an empire, Alisha's expression got more serious. She understood exactly what he meant. The thought scared her a little bit, but she was also very very eager. If there is anything she learned from Tatooine, is that if the whole galaxy was under the control of evil, greed, villainy and selfishness, like if the Empire took over, it would be...terribly beyond her immagination..She shivered slightly at the thought.

"You are..part of the rebellion then!!" She exclaimed, but kept her voice down so that the costumers wouldn't hear. She wasn't stupid after all. They could hear her father discussing things with the costumers, and it sounded like most of the stuff was already moved to the costumer's vehicle.

"I...would...really really, REALLY love to help however I can!! It is something I have dreamt of doing for a while now!!I mean, yes I enjoy my work here, especially my father's company but...and dad knows this too, I don't see my future here...also, we do hear things. We know how bad the Empire is, and that it's spreading and that it needs to be stopped!" She seemed excited, and was almost says that in one breath, after which she regains her composure.

"You were talking about limited resources when fixing Bob...I am assuming that things must be difficult..."

Alisha lowered her voice and her expression seem to sadden a bit. But then she realised something and continued without waiting for Donkur to reply.

"Oh you are probably not at liberty to discuss that, or something. However, do count me in. I am ready to do whatever I can! I am not as experienced as my father is as a mechanic, but I learn quickly and I want to help!"

She looked determined and confident all at the same time as she spoke those words. Truly, she was ready to move on. They

"Though I will tell my father obviously, once he is done with the people out there...

From the outside, you could hear a speeder engine turning on and a vehicle speeding away. David came back on the doorway and barely had time to say "Right I'm..." before the sound of another vehicle that parked in front of the workshop popped up and David turned his head towards the source.

"Or not. Another costumer...excuse me, shan't be long!" He says before disappearing outside and greeting costumers. From the sound of it, there were two individuals.

Alisha turned to the Vor again, a slightly apologetic expression on her face this time.

"Ehm, sorry, should be just a few minutes.."

 

[Cortan]

At first, Donkur's expression was one of shock, to hear the young woman say the word so brazenly like this. But, as she continued, his fears and worries began to fade, and instead, slowly find his mind reacquaint itself with the notions of innocence and hope. He had expected perhaps demands, or guarantees to be made. Arguments against why they might act, that the Vor would need to find answers for and attempt to find a compromise.
But no. She simply accepted the offer and was ready to leap head first into this potential future as it was readied for her. Donkur actually blinked, somewhat in disbelief.
"No, no, don't apologise... Honestly, I'm thankful that you would be so willing."

With a small smile forming as best as it could with a face like his, Donkur rose to his feet again.
"My men and I are scheduled to meet in a local Cantina, and from there, reach a spaceport so that we might return to our ship. I imagine you'll wish to bring some of your personal belongings along, so I shall inform them to wait." Nodding, he made his way towards the door, before briefly pausing to look back as he slightly overheard what was outside.
"Although, if your business is normally this active, your father might just overwork himself without you." Largely joking, he did at least bring it up as one final consideration, as Bob slowly swiveled himself off the table.

 

[Frannykins87]

"I know right!."

Alisha grinned slightly at the Vor's joke. Her heart was pumping and she was almost in a state of shock for what she was about to do. She couldn't quite believe she was leaving the rock..

She took a deep breath to try to calm herself down. However, the thought of leaving her father...was not easy, and her expression got a little sad. Noises from outside indicated that the father's transactions were almost over again. Alisha briefly looked over the courtyard door, then turned to the Vor again.

"Yes I would like to take a few things..and explain things to my father... Shall I meet you at the spaceport or the cantina then?". She then giggled in earnest.

"Doubt you'd be very hard to spot!"

 

[Cortan]

"...Let's make it the cantina. Give you time to fully think over your decision, and you can familiarise yourself with some of the crew before we leave. Even if you find yourself assigned elsewhere in short order, knowing some names will be of use to you." Donkur's thoughts flew back to the days in which he first found himself aboard a ship, assigned to a distant corner of the galaxy. He had expected it to be the length of his career for some time, but he was assigned elsewhere soon enough. But, knowing who he worked with, even for that time, had helped him to acclimate to the atmosphere and duties far better than the loner streak ever would have.
"I hope your father understands." He trusted neither of these two to be the kinds of characters to reveal their secret, but, that was the other reason for the cantina first. If she wasn't on the level... then she wouldn't get on his ship either.

With that, he exited from the shop, Bob... well, bobbing along behind him, making their way down the street.