Open Nar Shaddaa Under the Table

[S0-T0]

Though a lone droid certainly wasn't commonplace among the nightlife of Nar Shaddaa, no one knew Soto was a droid. He had managed to cleverly disguise himself by wearing gloves, boots, and a dark cloak. The only visible aspect of the droid's body was his glowing yellow eyes, ones that could be mistaken for a sith's at first glance. Thanks to his master giving him some room to roam free, Soto could begin his path to becoming a true sith lord.

While Nar Shaddaa wasn't exactly a darkside nexus, there were plenty of criminals who could supply him with what he needed. In this particular instance, he would find himself searching for someone selling lightsaber parts. The droid already possessed a training saber, but it's capabilities were... Less than lethal. Finding someone who could either get him a new weapon, or improve his own, was the objective of his mission on the syndicate world.

Soto sat at the bar of a rough cantina near the planet's most bustling city center. The establishment was known as the "Rancid Rancor", and was filled to the brim with patrons. Everyone but the droid had a drink in front of them. Though the people around him were celebrating, the budding sith had come here on business. Rumors told about an illegal arms dealer who occasionally frequented the establishment. It was supposedly a run-away chiss from the far reaches of the galaxy, imagine that...

Deciding to try and 'blend in' Soto would give the bartender a wave "One round please."

 

[Zergo Rurik]

This particular cantina wasn't exactly the Kubaz's type. The music was boring, and so were much of the patrons. "Rancid" is a fitting title. But that stopped mattering when a stack of credits was placed down by the human male that sat across him. He swiped the payment with a gloved hand, nodded his head, and tapped his nose twice. When the man stood up and left with a pleased smirk on his face, Zergo Rurik sank back into his seat at a dark corner of the establishment. Hardly anyone noticed the Kubaz in his black cloak. On the other hand, he noticed and watched all of them from behind his protective goggles.

It had been dull jobs for months now — humans spying on their significant others, small-time politicians nosing in on other small-time politicians, businessmen putting surveillance on their competition. Those were typical, but they were also safe and good for Zergo's wallet. Sometimes though, he'd wish that something more exciting would come along. A figure at the bar had just caught his gaze when another stranger, a female this time, Falleen, occupied the seat across him.

"Can I help?" His manner of speaking Basic sounded minimized and cramped, the words spoken a little too quickly. The Falleen went on to ask about a former client of his, and placed a glossy credit chip in front of him. His attention was halved between her and the yellow-eyed figure sitting at the bar. He narrowed his own eyes before he turned his head to the Falleen, hearing a small buzzing noise between them. He tore away from the stare for just a second, and sucked a poor beetle into his snout. The buzzing stopped.

This time he spoke in Kubazian: "Information on my clients are not for sale." The tone was high-pitched, and while foreign to her, audibly annoyed. He accompanied his statement by pushing the chip back to her, and wagged a finger, praying she would quickly leave him alone.

@James Steel

 

[S0-T0]

While Soto could be socially awkward at times, there was no mistaking a Kubaz and the reputation their kind had as expert spies. Spotting the only one in the bar wasn't exactly a challenge. Across from him was another uncommon sight, not rare, but uncommon. A falleen was attempting to pay the man, or perhaps bribe him, but was swiftly declined. Perhaps this was the type of guy who knew a thing or two about the black market around these parts.

seeing that his business with the pervious woman was about to conclude, the disguised droid would stand from his seat before being shouted at by a bartender "Hey! You forgot to pay!" All it took was Soto opining up his cloak a bit to reveal a lightsaber... "A-Ah... On second though, it's on the house..." He would begin walking through the cantina to eventually stop at the Kubaz's table.

The robed droid would have his hood down, disguising the fact he was indeed a droid, and quickly spoke in a low but organic-sounding tone "Is this seat taken...?" he would gesture towards the falleen who was just turned down.

@Iyan

 

[Zergo Rurik]

While the Falleen kept insisting, Zergo had already shifted his attention to the small commotion by the bar. He easily saw the sudden fear on the bartender's face when he got a peek inside the figure's cloak. The Kubaz didn't like signs of trouble outside his own business, and mentally decided to leave soon. First, he tapped the translator device that hung on his baldric, causing it to flash a couple of times.

"Leave, there is no help for you here. Jeku will know of your visit," he spoke and the device automatically translated the words to her with a robotic voice. She stood up with a horrified look on her face at Zergo's bluff. A terrible fate would be waiting for her if he reported her inquiries to her master. But the slaver no longer paid for the private eye's services, so in the end it was just a cruel bluff. And an effective one, because now she was cursing him and hurrying out of sight just a new figure appeared in her place.

It was the sign of trouble from earlier, now standing before him. Leaving the cantina would be the safest move, but curiosity won over. He gestured to the seat as a response, permitting the figure to join him. "Yes?" He managed the word in Basic without the device's help.

He began to study who it was he was talking to. But everything was concealed, except for a pair of yellow, sinister eyes. That and the bartender's reaction were the only information the Zergo could work with. Naturally he was more curious, though he didn't show it, to hear what the stranger had to say.

@James Steel

 

[S0-T0]

As the previous client left the presumed spy, Soto would take the seat across from the man. The droid would sit down with a thud, but continue to keep his true appearance hidden. Reaching into his dark robe, the sith-in-training would reveal a training lightsaber, and set it on the table between the two of them. The droid would quickly begin his explanation "My name is Soto... I'm a sith apprentice looking for an improvement to my weapon... You seem like the type that might be able to help me."

A lightsaber was an impressive weapon to most, and the untrained eye wouldn't realize that the blade on the table was strictly for training. It released a stunning shock on impact, rather than a deadly slash. That needed to change, and fast. "The weapon before you is no true lightsaber... Not yet... If you can help me locate a red kyber crystal, or saber, I'll pay you what credits I can scrape together, and this sith will owe you a favor."

He tried to make the offer as appealing as possible, though he knew it was a difficult task. They were searching for a crimson blade after all, not the weapon of a jedi. Thankfully, ancient battlefields tended to be ripe with these weapons.

@Iyan

 

[Zergo Rurik]

When the lightsaber was placed on the table, Zergo instantly recognized the unique weapon and instinctively slid his seat back a few inches. A Sith apprentice — that information alone dissolved his curiosity. Too risky. Even now, he could guess that the lightsaber between them was drawing attention from the other customers.

He listened to the details, taking note of what the stranger needed and of course...what he was willing to pay. The credits didn't sound great if the potential client had to scrape some together like he says. The next thing was a favor from the Sith, which easily sounded more valuable. Then again, it would be irresponsible to accept a job if the client can't pay anything upfront. The Kubaz already learned that many years ago. But the job had bigger issues than down-payment.

The translator device communicated a mildly inaccurate translation when he spoke again: "I hear about a...collector, who might have this item you want. But...this district that the collector operates in...it is full of infected. Collector is probably dead. Anyone who goes there looking for her will be dead, too."

What he said was no bluff or attempt to raise the price. More than half of the planet is infected, and Zergo Rurik was one of the unfortunate ones who didn't get a way out. The Sith's offer might just be his ticket, but he couldn't possibly fight his way through the streets and survive for more than an hour to reap the rewards. And if he didn't stick his neck out, there was a good chance that he would die here instead. It was quite the dilemma. But surely other opportunities, ones that don't involve dark, vicious sorcerers like this one, will present themselves.

@James Steel

 

[S0-T0]

So, there was in fact a chance the droid could get his metallic hands on a true lightsaber. Collectors were a fairly rare sight in the galaxy, but thankfully Nar Shaddaa had one. There was of course a catch, as the ASM infected were in the surrounding area he needed access to. Thanks to him being a sith, the infection would have little effect on Soto, as the force protected him.

There was one silver lining to the situation, if the collector was dead, then he wouldn't have to haggle with anyone. "Infected... That does complicate things, but the force will conceal me from them. If the collector is dead, that may be better for my situation. It cuts out the middle man..." The droid would retrieve his training lightsaber with a gloved hand, returning it to his hip.

"I know you may feel... Uneasy, but helping me locate this district is of vital importance. If you can take me there, I think I have a plan to avoid the infected." If what he knew about the virus was true, then perhaps he could sacrifice his old blade in search of another.

@Iyan

 

[Zergo Rurik]

The Sith's determination came as a surprise to Zergo. He knew about their kind's power, but not enough to tell if it would be enough to overcome the waves of infected on Nar Shaddaa. Even if it would be easier to navigate areas that have been abandoned by evacuees, they would be lone targets on the streets.

He sat still for a while, hands together and fingers lightly tapping against each other. A plan was forming in his mind, but everything still relied on the Sith's ability to keep them both alive.

"State your plan," the translator device repeated what he said in Kubazian in a flat tone, revealing none of his dubious tone. "If it is a good plan, then we strike a deal. I take you to the collector's cache. Your payment: you provide me transport out of Nar Shaddaa as soon as you get your weapon. And give the credits owed."

In truth, he thought of other ways that the Sith would find what he wanted without Zergo having to risk his neck by personally taking him into the district. He has rarely, if ever, taken jobs that required him to bring a client along in the task.

But if Zergo doesn't go, the stranger will almost surely ditch him without honoring the deal. He has to make a profit from this, especially when the reward means escaping the planet with his life.

@James Steel

 

[S0-T0]

So it seemed they could actually reach an agreement, if the sith droid could give his new kubaz friend a lift off the planet. That much could be arranged, thanks to some contacts he had through Dusty. Whatever trials he needed to go through to reach a new lightsaber would be worth it in the end.

This would lead to the explanation of his plan. "I can use the force to hide my life energy from the infected. I'll pass right through them like a ghost. As for taking you with me, I have the ability to create one big and obvious distraction." He would once again reveal the training saber at his side. "The infected are attracted to loud sounds and bright sights... When we get close to our destination, I'll activate the blade and toss it as far as I can manage... The infected will chase after it, and in turn buy you some time. It will be of no use to me after I acquire a true lightsaber anyhow."

Soto felt it was a solid strategy, and hoped the man before him would agree. There was a lot riding on the success of this mission, and the droid could never pull it off without a guide. "...Then, I'll call in a few old friends, and we leave."

 

[Zergo Rurik]

The plan didn't sound very reliable. It will create a distraction, sure, but for how long? And what if they come across more than one pack? Zergo has never worked with such uncertainty, and especially with someone else, ever since his old crew abandoned him long ago. And he wasn't eager to start again now. So in his mind he started throwing additions into the Sith's plan.

"We enter the district through tracks." He pointed a finger towards the ceiling. "Authorities will not see us on railway. We bypass blockades. And no infected up there." The last one was at least a good guess.

There was nothing in the Kubaz's home that would help them fend the infected off. Only the vibroknife and the old stun pistol under his cloak would serve him in self-defense. As for any treasures that he might want to bring with him, there would be better ones in the cache. Still, he had to think of resources. They would need more than the one lightsaber for the worst scenario. His head turned, slowly observing the almost-emptied establishment. Until his gaze landed on a figure wearing a basic set of durasteel plates.

"And I will need something to protect myself. That..." He nodded at the armor of the unsuspecting Rodian. "That will do." He looked back at the apprentice, expecting him to understand what Zergo's last request was. The Sith would be a better threat to the Rodian than the Kubaz was, after all.

@James Steel

 

[S0-T0]

Soto felt almost embarrassed as the kubaz easily spat out a more complex and sound plan than his own. Taking the rails would indeed remove them from the eyes of the authorities, and also help them avoid the infected entirely. Being a droid, he lacked street smarts, and this was an occasion where it showed. The sith would simply nod as the alien explained, "Hmm, indeed. A good addition to my thoughts."

Of course, before they set out on their little mission, his new ally would need some better armor. The rodian's set looked fairly sturdy, and the droid sith would pick up what the kubaz put down. "Of course, but a moment..."

The imposing cloaked figured would stand up before briskly walking toward the rodian. He would quickly wrap an arm around the dark green alien before speaking, "OH my friend, it's been too long!" The man would then remark in a confused tone "Wha-? I don't know you freak!?" Before the man could pull away however, the robed droid would grab him and quickly step into an empty broom closet! Few patrons would notice the commotion over the establishment's music, but perhaps Zergo would hear the muffled screams of a suffocating rodian....

A few minutes later, the droid would emerge from the closed with the plated armor in-tow. He would simply walk back to their table and set it on top before explaining, "I think he'll be lying down on the job for a while... Now, my name is Soto. Who do I have the pleasure of working with?"

 

[Zergo Rurik]

The set of armor on the table was used and rugged, but it was better than having nothing to shield against bites. It was retrieved quicker than expected, too. The Kubaz had observed his new accomplice's strength when he handled the Rodian, and reminded himself to maintain his caution around the savage Force wielder.

He strapped the pieces of armor under his cloak, securing his forearms, shoulders, thighs, and calves with durasteel plates. The breastplate's fit didn't match him well enough and would unfortunately restrict him from moving carefully, so it was discarded.

"Zergo." He buzzed his own name after the Sith said his. "This will do," he repeated as he stood with durasteel peeking from under his black cloak.

Their preparations took him back to the life of a thief, of high stakes heists with a skillful crew. Back then it filled him with excitement. But this is a different venture altogether and he wasn't very happy to take it on. This time he only had a mere stranger to back him up. So far, Soto has delivered with the armor. A good start, at least...

@James Steel

 

[S0-T0]

His newfound ally wasted no time, field stripping the armor for it's protective plates. It would provide some degree of protection, along with a rugged look. With the both of them now prepared, they would have to set off toward the rails. While the droid sith lacked knowledge about the city world's underbelly, Zergo seemed to know a thing or two.

They would need to keep a tight formation to both avoid the infected, and make it across the tracks safely. Deciding it was best to have the kubaz take the reigns on this one, Soto would announce "Excellent. Well met Zergo... Considering you know these parts better than me, feel free to lead the way. I've got everything I need."

The droid would cross his arms before preforming a series of simple stretches. They didn't really help him in any way, it simply sold the fact he was organic.

@Iyan

 

[Zergo Rurik]

"Agreed."

The Kubaz stared watching the Sith Apprentice do his stretches. When he was done, he led the way out of the cantina and towards the nearest station. There, they could access the tracks. Silence was eerie in a world like Nar Shaddaa that was usually bustling with activity. Now there was only the rare echo from afar. Shattering glass, groaning metal, and the howling of unknown creatures that lurked around. Zergo quietly navigated in the shadows, being as invisible as he can manage. If anyone was looking out here, he and Soto would easily stick out like two sore thumbs on the empty streets.

Once in a while, a scarlet holosign greeted them:

CODE RED
MASS GATHERINGS ARE RESTRICTED
UNAUTHORIZED PERSONNEL MUST STAY HOME
PLEASE REPORT ANY SIGNS OF INFECXMFN
FSKMFF ISL FKMDFSKEF WP KMVX​

The rest of the message was scrambled letters, either glitched or vandalized. Zergo ignored them and approached a tunnel of stairs that went upwards. With the city locked down, most of the public-access turbolifts were also disabled, so this is their access to the tracks.

"Fast but quiet," he said in Basic. The translator had been turned off to minimize their noise, but it also limited his choice of words. The tunnel was pitch black, prompting Zergo to pick at his goggles as he entered. A narrow beam of light came on from the attached mini-torch. It was just enough to show the path directly in front of him. As soon as he could see, there was a pitter-patter of movement above. Possibly some type of scrap rats.

But he was mistaken.

A claw swung wildly at Zergo's eyes before a face became visible under the light. It was a humanoid of some type — but so deformed by the virus' effects that it was completely unrecognizable. The mindless monster targeted his shoulder with its teeth. The Kubaz thought fast enough to aim his shoulder plate, but his voice buzzed in a panic as the monster bit the steel. Pushing it away hardly solved his problems — it was strong and aggressive, Zergo was lanky and light. But it at least set some distance when he fell rolling down the steps, the damaged shoulder plate hanging awkwardly from his elbow. He was still trying to get up in the dark, scrambling at Soto's side, when the infected creature rushed down to them once more, baring its sickly teeth.

@James Steel [dice roll didn't turn out so well...]

 

[S0-T0]

Soto followed the kubaz's lead down the rails, and their journey seemed to be going well so far. They had progressed quite a bit towards the district in question, and past many warning signs. Of course their luck would run out eventually, and that eventuality came quickly. As they made their way down the path, the pair would be beset upon by an infected.

The creature nearly managed to bite Zergo, but narrowly missed. Fortunately for Soto, being a droid nullified any chance of disease... While he would usually pull out his lightsaber in a time like this, the blade was far too loud, bright, and ineffective. He would need to handle this with brute force and precision.

The robed droid would waste no time darting towards the creature, and would grab hold of it's neck with his right arm. While he was no force user, the droid's hydraulic systems would be more than enough to assist with what came next. His gloved hand, attached to a robed arm, would lift the creature into the air by it's neck. In a single, swift motion, Soto's grip would crush the beast's neck.

The infected would gargle in pain before falling silent, and then to the ground. "That was a close call... The force can enhance one's physical capabilities for short durations." He would use that last part as justification of his inhuman-like strength. Of course, not too far away, the sound of more infected could be heard. Taking on one was a challenge enough, but a small group could be trouble.

Soto had one major advantage however. He was equipped with a motion sensor some droids used as a 'second sight'. It allowed him to see things his photoreceptors could not, just as if he had the force. "I sense more of these creatures ahead. If we're quiet, we may be able to sneak around them," Soto offered.

@Iyan [Thankfully, mine did lol]

 

[Zergo Rurik]

The Sith's display of strength was incredibly brutal. Nothing like the private eye had ever seen before in hand-to-hand combat. As the beast fell mangled on the damp tiles, Zergo recovered himself and fixed the shoulder plate on his side. The piece was fine, but a blurry mess seemed to be covering part of his field of view. The beast's claws had left wide scratch marks on his protective goggles, rendering the right side close to useless. It would've been favorable to remove it completely so that he could see clearer, but the Kubaz would risk damaging his eyes under Nar Shaddaa's rays. He would have to bear with it. The thought of being half blind in a way made him afraid. An investigator, a spy, a lurker, without his vision — it was a nightmare.

It took everything to fight the urge to turn back and leave his escape from the planet to luck. But his luck never showed up when he was waiting for it. So he relied on himself and the savage by his side, thinking of it as a really, really dangerous job. Like old times. To be sure, he unsheathed the vibroknife from his left boot. His former instincts may have gone down the tube but he's not willing to die in this dump, so he must try.

"Yes, we sneak around them inside terminal." he simply responded to Soto's intel while continuing up the tunnel. Finally, they could see the train terminal. On a regular day, thousands of rushing civilians would line up at the ticket machines and the gates. Now everything was empty and untouched.

Before he proceeded, Zergo added a warning: "But at the tracks we are not able to sneak." He pointed to the train tracks at the other side of the gates. Part of the tracks were in the open air, but others were encased in tubes that would certainly limit the two if they had any unwanted encounters inside. The only ways off the path would be the next stations. "Straight path to the district. No infected ones on the tracks...I believe."

@James Steel

 

[S0-T0]

It seemed a stealthy approach was their agreed upon course of action, and if they could pass the station safely, it would be smooth sailing. While most droids were clunky and loud, Soto was created to essentially mimic the weight and form of a humanoid organic. This made him a bit more light on the feet than most others of his kind.

Following his guide's suggestion to head straight forward, Soto would crouch down low and begin slowing stepping forward as to not be spotted. The sounds of infected would soon grow louder as he passed into the terminal area. There were a few of the creature standing around, but all were enamored by various neon signs, holograms, and speakers which repeated announcements.

Getting past them should be fairly simple, even if there were more dangers to come in the tubes... Continuing his creep, the droid would proceed to quietly step across the room without alerting the infected. Reaching the gate Zergo previously pointed out, soto would quietly remark "My, these things are dumb..."

@Iyan

 

[Zergo Rurik]

Sneaking across the station was easier than expected, with the Sith equally light on his feet. The two crouched and walked along the sides of the station, passing through any cover they could get from the infected.

Finally they reached the gates that led straight to the tracks. To the side, a pair of humanoid creatures were crouched over an unfortunate soul. Zergo could only imagine what it was like to be at the stations when the virus started its spread. He pushed the image of chaos from his mind and ducked behind a turnstile that reeked of blood and rottem flesh. A metallic creak echoed from where the feeders had been before it turned into heavy footsteps approaching the gates...

His hands scrambled where he sat, searching for any piece of junk that would get them a way out. Finally — a loose screw! The footsteps were getting more urgent when he threw the piece aside. With a sharp clunk, it landed by one of the Code Red signs. Instantly the footsteps rushed — but away from where the Kubaz sat.

It was the best window they could get. Zergo dropped from the edge of the station and onto the tracks, expecting Soto to take the same opportunity. The drop wasn't exactly low, but he was certain the Sith could easily land it. Down here they didn't need to crouch to stay hidden, as long as they kept to the edge.

Zergo didn't dare to make any noise as he waved Soto towards him. With his body pressed to the wall, he started walking the path away from the terminal.

@James Steel

 

[S0-T0]

Following Zergo wasn't much of an issue for the droid. The entire time they were crouching, Soto would subconsciously mimic the kubaz's movements as he took the lead. Being a machine helped him to replicate the movements, though some steps of his here and there were a few inches off.

The cover they managed to find consisted of short concrete barriers and damaged benches, but it did help with their approach. When they finally reached their destination, it was up to Zergo to get the gates open. Thankfully, he pulled through in the nick of time. After being waved down, Soto would hop down into the tubes, but also made a conscious effort to ensure his hood wasn't flipped up in the process.

The droid's motion sensor would do a quick scan, picking up nothing in the near vicinity. "It seems our path is clear for the moment." Frankly it made sense. How many infected would have been out of their transports, and on the open tracks during the time of the infection? Not many, or any at all really.

All that was left was to reach the collector's district, and then stash...

@Iyan

 

[Zergo Rurik]

The path ahead was clear, like the Sith said. If there were any obstacles on their way, the duo would see it from afar. It was still best to stay alert while they navigated the planet in its unpredictable state. Up here, they had a good view of the city. Lights flickered in the city below. Sometimes a shadow would swiftly pass by and disappear into narrow alleys. It was a ghost town, a total opposite of the noisy world that they knew.

Once the station was far behind them, Zergo provided more details about their destination.

"Collector calls herself Gremka. But sometimes just the Collector. Luckiest scavenger of Nar Shaddaa," the translator repeated for Soto.

"Lower Industrial District is where we go. No evacuation aid as virus spread. No credits, no bribes, no way out of city. Same as rest of Nar Shaddaa. Even luckiest ones are dead." There was bitterness in his tone as he explained what happened to Gremka's district, but the device removed all emotion, thanks to the robotic speech.

Again, the Kubaz eyed the Sith's concealments and wondered if they were all required to hide their faces by their masters. He had never spoken to one before this, nor did he know much about their religion. To the Kubaz, the Jedi and Sith were all the same cults full of odd ones. At least he knew enough not to voice out his opinions. He merely observed, walked, and waited to see if the silence would prompt Soto to reveal more about himself.

@James Steel