Meetings with Trandos

[Diocletian Solus]

DICE​

Raubeek is a trandoshan, who wishes to downsize his repair shop as he is getting older and works less. The shop is a large one, able to service light freighters and the trandoshan simply doesn't need a shop that large anymore. He would like to downsize to a smaller shop where he might tinker in his old age and not have to keep up with the hustle and bustle of the larger shop.

Raubeek wants to live comfortably, so wants ample compensation for this large repair shop in the Corellia Sector of Nar Shaddaa. The trandoshan has put his shop on the market to see what he can come up with for offers but has not had any real interest as yet. Raubeek also has a son, one that has just reached fifteen years old and is now considered an adult among the trandoshan culture.

Raubeek is extremely fond of his son to spite the fact that he has decided to join the underworld of Nar Shaddaa and not take over his father’s business. Entering the criminal underworld of Nar Shaddaa, Raubeek’s son quickly developed a love for the various gambling dens in the city. Sabacc can be a harsh mistress and lady luck does not always go the way of the bold. Credit is a wonderful thing, it keeps the party going even when you are out of cash. Eventually that bill comes due and someone has to pay the tab.

Diocletian walked into the office of the Raubeek Freighter Repair and Storage and greeted the large Trandoshan in his own language as he rose from behind a large desk. “Honor to you and your family Raubeek.” said Dio in the traditional Trandoshan greeting. He smiled as warmly as he felt he could, hoping to start the negotiations off on the right foot. The older trandoshan met Dio half way and extended a hand to him in way of greeting.

“You do my family honor with your kind introduction, welcome to my shop.” replied Raubeek while shaking Dio’s hand warmly. He looked over the Mandalorian’s shoulder at Vu’thari and nodded to him as well in way of greeting. “You are both most welcome here, I wish it have been at a happier time.”

Dio could see the pain on the old lizard’s face as he considered the recent events. Knowing that dwelling on the problems would not get the deal done, Dio interrupted his thoughts “My thanks Raubeek, have you had time to consider our proposal?” He made his way to the seat on the other side of the desk that the Trandoshan offered. He took a seat, allowing Vu’thari to make his own decision. He wanted this to go smoothly so he would humor the requests of the Trandoshan as long as they remained easy to do so.

Raubeek looked at Dio and sat in his own chair, eyes going back and forth between he and Vu’thari before he asked, “Can you really do what you say? Can you free my son?”


@Mithias

 

[Vuthari]

Raubeek Freighter Repair and Storage
Corellia Sector
Nar Shaddaa

There were many sections of Nar Shaddaa that remained a mystery to the twi’lek—this was one of them. The real estate was phenomenal, from a business perspective. It was a corner parcel on top of the high rise, which allowed freighter access from the side and from a lift to the roof. If there was a spot to have for their next endeavor, this was it. Looking around, the wheels were already spinning on how to use the layout to maximize their assets.

Raubeek was a trandoshan. For the most part, the twi’lek made it a rule to avoid that species—it was as simple as a risk reward thing. However, Dio knew how to speak their tongue and deal with their lot, so when the pair went to meet him, the Jedi remained completely silent—smiling and responding when needed. Trandoshans had a reputation for murderous rages, so Vu’thari wanted to do nothing to test that reputation.

“You are both most welcome here, I wish it have been at a happier time.”

Vu’thari dipped his head in respect and continued to listen. Dio asked the old trandoshan if he had considered their proposal. Raubeek had one concern—his son. It appeared to the Jedi that it really didn’t matter what was changing hands…as long as he got his son back. Then he looked at Dio and back to Vu’thari and asked in desperation if they thought they could truly free his son.

Throughout the meeting, Vu’thari reached out to the older trandoshan, sensing his emotional state, particularly to determine if the emotions being displayed were an act or something else…

It was like running into a brick wall. The twi’lek’s head started throbbing from the exertion. Without warning, the Jedi couldn’t help himself—his stomach rapidly tensed in knots. Unable to get up in time, the Jedi turned to the side and vomited out his entire lunch. He frantically tried to catch it before it spewed all over the trandoshan’s well-kept floor, but it was a useless gesture. Looking up and over the table at the trandoshan, he said sheepishly, “Sorry…my dinner.”

Looking over at Critas, he shrugged and scrambled to clean up his own vomit…

@Critas
OOC/Dice Thread

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian looked between the Trandoshan and the Twi’lek, feeling kind of like the devil and the deep blue sea. He noticed Vu’thari doing that squinty eye thing he sometimes down and frowned. Now was not the time for one of his headaches. Dio cleared his throat, trying to take the attention away from the twi’lek who looked like he needed a refresher and soon.

It was just at that point that the twi’lek decided to vomit all over the floor of their hosts office. The reek was horrible and Dio had to raise a hand to his face to try and stifle some of the smell. What did Vu’tari have for lunch, that was awful. Trying hard to keep his composure, Dio found he had to look away. Luckily Dio had a high constitution and was able to keep from bringing up his own lunch as well. That being no mean feat in the current circumstances.

As he heard Vu’thari squishing around behind him, trying desperately to clean up, Dio sighed and addressed Raubeek. “We promise that we will do all we can to release your son. In exchange I believe we can help one another. You wish a smaller shop and a simpler life, we would love a larger shop and an upgrade in business. So, in exchange for releasing your son, we make a trade. Is that agreeable to you?”

Dio could see Raubeek trying to concentrate on the deal while watching Vu’thari out of the corner of his eye. Dio couldn’t blame the Trandoshan, if someone had vomited in his office, Dio felt he too would be preoccupied by it. So, he waited patiently for the Trandoshan to come back to his senses. Eventually the look of horror left his face and he turned back to Dio and nodded, “Yes Yes, the paperwork is already done, all we need do is sign it. Which I will do once my son is out and off planet.”

Dio turned to look at Vu’thari as he continued to clean the floor. How much did this twi’lek eat today? He smiled and tried to be reassuring in his manner to Vu’thari. “Do you have anything to add my fragrant partner?”

@Mithias
DICE

 

[Vuthari]

Raubeek Freighter Repair and Storage
Corellia Sector
Nar Shaddaa

There were worse things…but this was pretty high up on things that could go wrong. Desperately the twi’lek scrubbed the floor, getting some good old-fashioned elbow grease into the trandoshan’s rug that spanned the breath of the table they were sitting at. While calling on the Force was something Vu’thari could do in his sleep, sometimes the repercussions of doing so could take a tremendous toll. This was not the first time Vu’thari would nearly pass out from exertion tapping the Force…and it would not be his last.

“Do you have anything to add my fragrant partner?”

Rising up from floor level, the twi’lek’s head lifted up table level. There was no point in trying to look dignified—he was cleaning up his own puke. Clearing his throat, the Jedi responded, “Well, nothing about the contract persay—that piece of this is fairly straightforward. Actually, my question centers on your son. Do you think he will resist leaving the place he is imprisoned? I do not know the circumstances between the you and your young one. I ask this only so that we may be completely prepared when we go get your son…

@Critas
OOC/Dice Thread

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian looked between Raubeek and Vu’thari as the latter asked about Raubeek’s relationship with his son. He hoped that this had not all been in vain. A poor relationship between father and son could toss a monkey wrench into the whole situation. Raubeek seemed saddened by the question and got a bit of a faraway look on his reptilian features. When he spoke, it was laced with regret and he turned away from the pair.

“My son and I quarreled the night before his arrest. I tried to reason with him regarding his gambling, but he would not listen. I am afraid things were said that can not be unsaid. I cannot guarantee that he will go with you if he knows I am involved.” The Trandoshan stood there for several moments, in quiet thought.

Dio allowed the father his grief. He could almost see himself having a similar conversation potentially with his own son. He hoped beyond hope that his son would not find himself in a situation such as this one. He considered something for a moment and then circled the desk, placing a hand on the shoulder of Raubeek in sympathy. “I too am a father of a son. There are times when we as parents must do what is best for our children, even if they do not agree. This is one of those times, I think. Besides, we just won’t tell him who sent us.”

Raubeek smiled at the last bit and turned to regard Dio. He nodded and placed a hand over the Mandalorian’s hand on his shoulder. It was meant as a gesture of thanks for the support and the comment. Dio nodded and released the shoulder, returning to the other side of the desk and after a nod to Vu’thari he stopped to regard Raubeek.

“Once we are successful, where do you want us to take him? I assume you do not wish us to come here. Do you wish to see him before we leave then?” asked Dio. He looked over to Vu’thari as if for confirmation, hoping he might have more questions. Dio felt out of place allowing the Trandoshan to be alone after the conversation.


@Mithias
DICE

 

[Vuthari]

Raubeek Freighter Repair and Storage
Corellia Sector
Nar Shaddaa

It was a simple question about his son. Really, it was more instinct than the Force. After vomiting, the splitting headache that arose afterwards discouraged any more reaching out to sense emotion. It was already a tremendous strain being in the heart of Nar Shaddaa and calling on the Force. But now, he felt like he would vomit again if he even tried.

Regardless, he tried to listen to the conversation without his head starting to hurt again. He followed most of their conversation while finally finishing up the cleaning of his vomit. Climbing up off the floor, the twi’lek threw away the soiled rags in the bin designed for them. After washing his hands, he joined the trandoshan and Mandalorian back at the table.

They then began speaking about their sons. While Vu’thari knew Dio had a family back on Mandalore, the two never spoke of it—just like he didn’t speak about his deceased family. Hearing Dio speak about his son validated why he had trusted the human for so long. Vu’thari could feel pangs of sadness start to creep up within him. Taking a deep breath, the Jedi closed his eyes and then pushed down the emotions into a lesser state—he did not suppress them, but instead made their impact on this heart less severe.

Dio looked over at Vu’thari expectantly, hoping he might have any other questions, but the twi’lek gave a look that let the human know he didn’t have anything else for the trandoshan at the moment.

@Critas
OOC/Dice Thread

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Raubeek seemed to consider Dio’s words about options for after the breakout. It appeared to Dio that the lizard had not really considered it, perhaps he did not think they would get that far. Regardless of the Trandoshans feelings about their chance of success, it was a question that needed answering so Dio asked again, “Raubeek, were should we take your son once we have him?” The second time seemed to break the Trando from his reverie and he answered by opening a drawer on his desk.

“I have a clutch mate who lives on Hollastin. You can take him there. They always liked each other. If you do that, he will know that you have spoken with me.” The Trandoshan handed Dio a card with a comm number and an address on Hollastin. The name on the card was “Geraak” and before pocketing the card, Dio memorized the number. Dio knew Hollastin was in the same cluster as Nar Shaddaa and not too far away. It would not take long at all to drop the kid off once their work was done.

Raubeek continued to speak, pointing to the pockets where Dio put the card, “Once you get on planet, call Geraak and let him know what is happening. He will assist you and take my son off your hands. Hopefully he will not mind the life of a moisture farmer until I can get the heat to die down here or at least get enough credits together to pay off Loobey the Hutt.”

Dio nodded in a knowing fashion as he was very familiar with Loobey. “I have worked for Loobey in the past, he is not someone you want to owe. I can understand why you were not able to pay for your sons release. He most likely wants to play with his new toy a bit. I will spare you the details but let’s just say the sooner we get him out of there, the better.”

Raubeek raised one hand and turned to pick up a data pad from the desk. “There is one thing that may help you, I found out where they are holding him and was able to get a schematic of the place. I hope it helps out.”

Dio took the data pad and quickly glanced at the screen. Sure, enough it was the layout of the storehouse complete with security cameras and lock timers. This was a gold mine and Dio looked up and nodded his thanks to the Transoshan. “This will help a great deal, thank you.”

Raubeek just nodded and sat back in his chair, “I had obtained it when I had the ludacris notion hat I might go after him myself. Now I shall leave that to you and your associate.”

@Mithias
DICE

 

[Vuthari]

Raubeek Freighter Repair and Storage
Corellia Sector
Nar Shaddaa

Vu’thari listened to the exchange, making sure he understood the details being discussed once they got Raubeek’s son. It was always important to understand the exit strategy in any of these scenarios. Taking the young trandoshan to the wrong place could get him killed just as if he would have stayed in his cell. Regardless, having a plan during this phase was a necessity.

A thought came into the Jedi’s head and it was a sickening thought. It was better to air it out now than to let it hang, “Raubeek. How do you know that Loobey is not going to come after you. Does the Hutt not think you will want your own son back? I cannot imagine that you will not be paid a visit following the liberation of your son.”

The old trandoshan shrugged and did not seem worried, for whatever reason.

The Hutts were not kind souls. They did not forgive and they certainly did not like to look foolish. If a Hutt lost a bunch of slaves or prisoners, it would give the appearance of that Hutt being weak. So, recourse would come swiftly. He was quite sure Raubeek and Dio knew these things—you didn’t live in Nar Shaddaa as long as the three of them had without understanding the Hutts and how they operated to some degree.

“I have another request, if you do not mind, Raubeek. We would like for you to throw your client list into the mix of this, should we retrieve your son…”

The trandoshan frowned at Vu’thari and said with resilience, “While I may be in a pinch and need help getting my son out of this mess…I will not give my list to you. Our deal is as stated, twi’lek.”

The last part was nearly spat. It was clear the trandoshan was done dealing with Vu’thari. Raubeek turned to Dio.

@Critas
OOC/Dice Thread

 

[Diocletian Solus]

Diocletian raised a hand to forestall the anger of the Trandoshan at the request for his client list. He smiled, trying to look humble and said, “My partner did not mean to offend you Raubeek. It is something that can be a bargaining chip in these sorts of negotiations, it is not a deal breaker. We respect your privacy and that of your clients.” Dio hoped that would cool the fire that had kindled in the old Trandoshan’s heart. He was well aware that they had a reputation for temper and he had no interest in seeing it up close and personal.

The problem of the retribution of Loobey the Hutt was not indeed their problem, it was Raubeek’s. Dio had worked with and for Loobey in the past and knew he was a professional in the underworld. He would not seek reprisal on Dio and his crew, quite the opposite. Loobey was a Hutt who knew a business opportunity then he saw one, he might even seek to employ the small crew in the future. Of course, he had to find out who had committed the deed and Dio hoped to keep that from happening as long as possible, just in case.

Dio watched as the fire seemed to ebb out of the eyes of the Trandoshan. Apparently, his words to the Trandoshan had returned the lizard to the task at hand. He nodded to Dio and tossed a small frown at Vu’thari. It seemed the twi’lek was not going to get a Christmas card from the Trandoshan this year. But then this was a business transaction and not an attempt to make friends. It was business and there was a lot at stake on both sides. Tension, it seemed, had made it inevitable appearance as both sides started to consider its options and decisions.

Recollecting the data pad that he had placed on the desk when he thought he might have to break up a struggle, Dio looked at Vu’thari and nodded simply that it was time. Turning around he sighed and looked at Raubeek, squaring his shoulders towards the lizard, “May luck find us all.” said Dio in Trandoshan.

Raubeek mimicked the gesture from Dio and replied in his mother tongue, “Lets hope she knows the way.” the traditional reply.

@Mithias
DICE

 

[Vuthari]

Raubeek Freighter Repair and Storage
Corellia Sector
Nar Shaddaa

Credit had to be given where credit was due—Dio knew how to work a situation. It was a good thing because ever since he tried too hard to get a read on the old trandoshan, he became a walking trainwreck.

What’s new…

The pair walked out of the shop and headed back to their smaller place of business to talk out the next steps. For five years, Dio and Vu’thari had traversed the bridges and walkways of the Corellia Sector and never gotten jumped. The odds were actually pretty impressive considering some of those times were in the wee hours. Now, the Underworld, where they got spare parts and discarded tech, was a different story. The twi’lek couldn’t remember the last time they didn’t run into confrontation. Fortunately, some of those “confrontations” did not result in hostilities. Many times they would halt the pair, hoping for fear. Instead, they got two Nar Shaddaa denziens who were armed and did not back down. The bravado actually avoided more conflict than invited it.

As they strolled back to their speeder bikes down the walkway a spell, Vu’thari looked over and confessed, “Look, sorry I almost blew it back there. I get sick at the most inopportune times.”

Dio smirked and nodded. There was really nothing more to be said. Vu’thari was amazed at the relationship he had carried on with these Mandalorians. They were trusted allies, but there was still a lot of trust to be given and taken. Perhaps the biggest strain on their relationship would be when he revealed to them he was a Jedi. It was not a conversation he looked forward to having, but it was inevitable.

Walking in silence the rest of the way, they made back to their shop where the real work would begin…planning and preparation to break the young trandoshan out of his imprisonment…

THE END​

@Critas
OOC/Dice Thread