Everyone Likes Money

[J3C0]

[member="Rave Merrill"] [member="Marek Starchaser"]

A particularly interesting message came through the holo-net to the source of the Tion Hegemoney Bounty

​

::// Rebels, Cats, and Hunters, Oh My! \\::​

​

I have pursued the Bounty placed on the would be leader of the Rebel Alliance.​

​

In the course of my investigation i have stumbled upon information of worth. I request a meeting to discuss additional payment.​

​

::// Ceran Moerelle. \\::​

​

How odd.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Rebels. Would that be the same group of people who took the hit against Charros? He had the backing to help out. But first he wanted to talk to someone he knew and trusted. A quick message to Rave was sent.

R-
Thoughts on bounty? Coordinates of meeting to follow. Will store data
-MS

Simple.

Going right back along the transmission, he forwarded a time to meet. At a small little dinner on Dac. With that the CEO made his way to the Flow, his Santhe Challenger making his trip to Dac.

He would have a day to tare in the surf.

[member="Rave Merrill"]
[member="Ceran Moerelle"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]
As soon as he got the location of the meeting place Ceran shot off onto his ship.

There was no need to wait, no need to stall or ask for a more secure meeting place. The Tion Hegemony was about as straight as it got when it came to business deals, and that what this was. Double crossing him meant double crossing the Bounty Hunters Guild, and only a bunch of idiots did that.

It took him a day, but the Banthas Bite managed to reach Dac in almost record time, and before long he had landed on the world and situated himself within one of the hangers. He waited inside of his ship until the appropriate time, then decided to head there early. It payed to be early. From the console he pulled a small device, a recording of his conversation with Mrrew and the information that his listening device had picked up after he left.

Ceran smirked slightly, that had been a genius idea.

Before long, the Bounty Hunter found himself stepping into the diner, feeling a bit silly wearing his full gear.

 

[Corey's OOC]

He liked to keep in the know. Marek and Bright Star hired a lot of slicers and others to keep his information flowing. Not quite a shadow broker but not too far away. He figured that information was what he could provide to the Tionese.

He knew someone was waiting in the bar. The Forcenter master stepped in and looked around. Ordering a drink, he took a seat and waited. One thing here was that he was not double crossing. Being straight forward was the best defense and way to make deals.

[member="Ceran Moerelle"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]
Ceran found the man quite quickly, he had after all been expecting him and had been told what he looked like in his message, or rather a vague description.

The Bounty Hunter took quick successive steps towards the man, his boots resounding slightly as he walked through the bar. He stopped to the side of him, not ordering a drink or anything of the sort but cutting straight through to his point. Pleasantries were overrated.

“Mr Starchaser? I understand you were sent as a representative of The Tion Hegemony.” God he hoped he had the right person.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Marek liked to make sure people were in the know. He was here on Tion business but that didn’t mean that he was completely alone. He did his best to keep the two sides of his life separate and took a newer ship here. He was hoping that bounty hunters wouldn’t figure it out, and had a team from Bright Star working around the clock to help hide his trails.

This being knew what h was doing, Marek could appreciate that. Looking at him as he started talking, his nodded. “That’s correct. I have an understanding you have information for us?”

[member="Ceran Moerelle"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

“Indeed.” Ceran said quietly, then pulled the small holo-display device from his pocket.

“My contract was for the leader of the Rebel Alliace. You have no information, or rather didn't give any, through the course of my investigation I found out several things, not the least of which is the location of their home base.” He placed the device on the table, but he didn't uncover it. “I thought that bit of information would be worth far more than a simple name.”

 

[Corey's OOC]

Marek remembered supporting that bounty. He nodded as he looked over the bounty hunter. When they placed an item on the table, he tipped his head. "You went above and beyond that. Still, its on the road of the bounty. I'd be willing to revisit the initial posting depending on what you have here." Straight to the point. Marek hated beating around the bush. It just... didn't work.

Never got anything done.

Besides, he wanted to be in and out of here quickly. No telling what SpyNet was up to.

[member="Ceran Moerelle"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

Ceran removed his hand from the holo display.

It instantly activated and showed a planet, along with coordinates, a name, and everything else he had gathered on his hunt. He smiled slightly, and then pushed the device closer to Marek so he could inspect what it was.
“It was confirmed to me that this is the location of their home base. Not sure if its the only one, but my informant informs me it is their headquarters. It was further confirmed when he warned them of my coming, they most assuredly are preparing even now to ambush me.” He had been quite clever in planting that listening device in Mrrew blaster, the warning he had sent to the Rebels had confirmed everything, and the mention of a trap had lead Ceran here.

He himself couldn't take down an entire Rebel Base, but the Tion Hegemony?

Different story.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Taking a sip of his drink, he watched the hold display. What world was that? Yavin? Dantooine? Hmm... but this was good. Very good. They could crush the Rebellion with one swift stroke.

"I like your determination. Just because the bounty was for the leader, short of the base, do you have a name?"

He wanted to ask merely before adjusting the bounty. And this would be more than the name. If they could take the whole group down? Still, an assassination would be nice as well.

[member="Ceran Moerelle"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

“Ceran Moerelle.” The name wasn't anything hidden or secret. He was registered with the Bounty Hunters guild and the Tion Hegemony could access the information in a heartbeat.

The man was right though, technically he had not achieved what the bounty said. Payment had been for the Leader of the Rebel Alliance, and on that part he had not delivered. Of course he knew everything short of her name now, but actually finding her would take more work on his part. That being said, if the Tion Hegemony was satisfied with utterly destroying the Rebels infrastructure, then so would he.

Though if he was told to further pursue, he would.

Money didn't stink.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Ceran Moerelle. Alright. Marek nodded. “So, Mr. Moerelle. You have the location of their base. I’ve got a few more questions, and if you don’t have the answers, finding them will boost the payout. For the location of the base, my colleagues and I would be willing to pay 100 thousand credits? If you have information on their suppliers, or the known members of the Alliance…”

That would give the Tionese people to send other hunters after, and maybe they could con, slice, steal or beat the other names out of those.

And if they had the names of suppliers, the Tionese could do what they do best. Economic warfare, and buying out the suppliers, starving the Rebel Alliance. Marek, though, a man of his word, slid a credit chit across the table. It’d be untraceable, but legitimate in origin, and contact 100,000 credits. And not for the Abrion Sector, no, this was galactic standard credit, he wasn’t exposing his connections to the galaxy at large.

“Help us knock this threat down and you can be assured that you’ll be receiving the appropriate compensation, credits and gear, if that’s your thing.” Bounty hunters were some of the best people in the galaxy.

[member="Ceran Moerelle"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

“Hundred thousand, done.” Ceran said sliding over the Holo-display all the way to mark. One hundred thousand Credits was nothing to balk at. Of course he had to fork over ten thousand to ATC and cover some of his other expenses, but in the long run he still made a profit of nearly forty thousand credits. For three days work, that wasn't bad at all, he smirked. He grabbed the credit chit and pocketed it.

“The plant is named Hekklor, the exact coordinates of the base are on the device.” He paused for a moment when he was offered further work. “It's almost certainly a trap, You'll need a lot of guys and a lot of firepower. You got that, i'll be the first one through the door.”

He paused for a moment. “As for names, I only know the one. Kora King, I assume she is some sort of low level operative, a scapegoat for their leader who I only know as The Benefactor. Though another week or two and I could find her name.”

 

[Corey's OOC]

At least he wasn’t going to argue. Marek liked that. Nodding, he pocketed the small device. This was going to get taken by his astromech and transmitted back to the appropriate offices in the Hegemony. Simple. Then they could make a move. After thorough analysis. But it was good to have this information, even if they didn’t work on it right now, just to get the Rebels scared, and to have an ace in the hole, should they need it.

And it seemed [member="Ceran Moerelle"] was a businessman himself. That was good. “Not familiar with Hekklor.” But that wasn’t a surprise. Marek had become increasingly lame since he took his spot in the Techno Union. Thankfully he was giving most spots up and was now working as a business consultant. Gave him time to explore the galaxy and do his Tionese business, which he enjoyed.

Not to say he’d ever sell out his home government.

“Yeah, a trap wouldn’t surprise me. But if we can get a scout there, we can map the area, watch for the comings and goings, and see their suppliers. If you’re up for the challenge?” Maybe sponsor this hunter. See what good that would do in the long run.

Tempting idea, but he’d have to talk to [member="Rave Merrill"] or Danger about that.

 

[J3C0]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

“My ship isn't exactly suited for long term scouting.” Ceran admitted truthfully. The Bantha was fast, very fast, perhaps the fastest ship of its size in the galaxy. Yet it had absolutely no stealth capabilities. If he dropped out of hyperspace anywhere near Hekklor and the Rebel Alliance posted any sort of advanced sensors then they would detect him. He knew that for sure, especially since they were likely watching for him after this.

“The Bantha is fast, not stealthy.” That was the simple truth, it wasn't that he was didn't want to do it, just his ship was ill suited for the job. “If I head to Hekklor, they'll see me in a heartbeat.”

“They won't catch me, but they'll see me.” He shrugged, perhaps he would use the forty thousand in profits to upgrade the Bantha with some stealth technology.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Nodding, he was hoping that this could work out. Effective bounty hunters are good to have on pay roll. [member="Ceran Moerelle"] was working fast. “I am sure that Tion may be able to set up automated listening stations, for now we can try to get another person out there?”

“Otherwise, what is your suggestion? This is your area of expertise.” Marek’s was surviving and making business deals. “Or… are you on a specific payroll?” He wasn’t sure if any of the companies grabbed him up. But hell, Marek would trust any of the Tionese to do business deals on his behalf, so… Maybe it worked both ways.

 

[J3C0]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

For a moment Ceran thought.

“Tion has access to stealth ships? Stygium cloaks?” He was sure they did, multi-billion dollar corporations all working together had to develop some kind of stealth technology. “Use those. Drop out of hyperspace a bit away from Hekklor and move in close. I doubt they have Crystal Gravefield Traps.”

The only devices capable of actually detecting Stygium cloaks, Crystal Gravfield Traps were entirely too expensive for most major factions, something as small and under funded as the Rebel Alliance could most definitely not afford it. Suddenly he remembered something else he had learned from his contact. “Otherwise, bring a fleet. There's no way they can stand against a large fleet and if you bring an interdictor you can likely wipe them away before they can even scramble.”

“One last thing I learned.” He waited for a moment, rapping his knuckles against the wood. “They're funded by a single person, The Benefactor, their leader.”

 

[Corey's OOC]

Right, he shouldn’t be going into the what they had. “We’ve got a few different companies working on cutting edge tech. Myself, I just own and run casinos. I got out of the munitions games a while ago.” Marek followed this with a shrug. Right, he was not going to confirm nor deny. And he made sense. “Are they that ragtag?” The Corellian grinned at that thought.

All because people were attacking plantations on an arid world. Did they know how hard those were to make? Were they even the same group that attacked the Haor Chall world? Tactical advice from someone, Marek was expecting had taken a trip by the world, he nodded.

“Any chance you can take a trip back out there? Find where the funding is coming from, to the Benefactor?” He wanted the infrastructure destroyed.

[member="Ceran Moerelle"]

 

[J3C0]

[member="Marek Starchaser"]

“My informant suggested that she herself provides the funds, my guess is a personal fortune.” Though how long could a personal fortune sustain an operation like that? Ceran had no idea. He knew that his own ship cost quite a bit in simple fuel and munitions cost, he couldn't imagine sustaining an entire squadron of fighters, much less a fleet.

His head began to roll thinking of the numbers.

“Give me a week.” He said recollecting himself. “I'll find her name, and exactly where the money Is coming from.”

Hell, in a week he could likely capture her, though perhaps it was better to run free while getting information from following her. He would do either or, The Tion Hegemony he had learned payed well for good work, and Ceran liked getting payed well.

 

[Corey's OOC]

Great, so a rich maniac, wonderful. The galaxy was so fractured, what was the Rebel Alliance going after? That wasn’t making sense. He wanted to make sure they could drain their funds. That would be the smart way. And stopping the sales?

How much time? Marek looked at the man. “If you can get us anything about the movement of funds, we can take that down on our own.” The Starchaser nodded. “And the name would be perfect.”

Obviously. Then there would be a bit more pay for [member="Ceran Moerelle"], was this Hunter taking them for the money? As long as the results were good, was all that Marek was worried on.

"Just let us know how we can help."