A First Encounter

[Vaelak Za’ataris]

He listened carefully as Zakir explained him about the missing droid parts. He than takes the coin purse from his bag, Counting the amount. "Mhm, Should be enough" He says and gets up,checking his blaster pistol is in its usual place once again. "Lets get moving." After saying this, Vaelak opens the door, He and Zakir both grab the protocol droid, Vaelak holding his arms and head, Zakir holding the droid in its legs. They Slowly moved it outside, Heading to the store. The middle city, Unlike the under city, Was a lot cleaner, It looked like a decent place to live, No dying people laying everywhere, No destroyed buildings, No rioters and gangs walking around, They even had police patrols here. People were heading each one to his own business. After a while they arrived to a small electronics shop. As they stepped inside with the broken droid. A Rodian shop keeper was greeting them with a fake smile. He was ugly, his smile and the way he was looking at them already gave away he was looking for money, and thinking how to make the most, Vaelak would choose a diffrent store, But since he only knew this shop, He had to deal with the sketchy looking Rodian. They placed the droid in front of the Rodian. Vaelak turned to Zakir and asked, "So...That's your part now. Search for whatever the droid is missing, Ill wait here."

 

[Zakir Thaun]

"Mhm." The two rose from their seats, heading out to the middlecity. It was indeed different- more civilized, an atmosphere of prosperity accompanied them as the strolled through the wide streets, from time to time if they were to look aside they could witness the expense of the city, spanning to the horizon, swarming with traffic, lights and tall towers. They continued on until the store appeared before them, they entered to be met by the decieving-looking Rodian, an immediate sensation of discomfort wrote on Zakir's grimace, one of distaste. Zakir bobed his head to Vaelak before casting his attention to the Rodian as he approched the two,
"Protocol Droid logic processor, we need one." Zakir cut the Rodian before he managed to emit a voice,
"Ohh, yes, yes, come." Zakir accompanied the Rodian to one of the many shelves attiring the shop. The abomination sniffed in some boxes before fetching an electronic, offering it over to Zakir. Zakir had a quick look, examining the piece closely.
"If this is fake, trust me, you'll be the one to pay." he announced before returning to the counter, and the three would sit the droid on a table and install the processor.
The droid's hollow eyes suddenly flickered on in light, breathing life to him. He greeted the three hastily in it's metalic voice,
"Processing data...."
"..."
"O-oh, hello."

The three didn't bother to reply, they stood him on his feet and paid the credits. They left the store, heading back to Vaelak's house with their working droid. The droid remained silent all along, only replying when called for. They entered Vaelak's apartment, settling at the couch while the droid scrutinized his new residence, scarring the data in his memory card. They were all set and fixed to do as they wished now.
"I guess that sums it up." Zakir echoed, clapping his hands together.

 

[Vaelak Za’ataris]

Vaelak sat there the whole time, Next to the droid, Staring at his future companion. While Zakir and the Rodian were looking through the different electronics, He mumbled to himself, "Hmm...I wonder how useful will this droid be.." Not to long after that, Zakir and the shopkeeper return, And both take a seat next to the droid. The Rodian installs the new processor, Making the protocol droid wakes up from its long sleep. Vaelak inspected the droid, Making sure the chip is working as intended. They left the shop and started their walk towards Vaelak's apartment. The sith pureblood broke the silence. He looked back at the droid, Smiled and said with a commanding voice, "As your new master I would like to know what are your abilities and skills." The droid than replied, "I am the 2V-R8 protocol droid. My main uses are flying and directing the ship. In need, I can cook, I have a big veraity of recipes from all across the galaxy. Another function I have is an alarm clock, built inside me. So you don't come in late anywhere! Sadly, I cannot fight, But i provide a perfect protection shield, You can use me as cover master, I would gladly die for you!" Vaelak listens to the cheerful droid, Having a disappointed look on his face, "It appears that this droid is completely useless." He sighs, directing the sentence to Zakir. "We could upgrade him later, If we will find use in it, For now, We found ourselves the cook and driver of the ship. That's something." The three continue their walk home, Vaelak was not satisfied with his new droid, But at least he knew he wouldent have to make food for himself anymore, He was thinking about his future, Where should he head now?, Where will he find a new master for him?, or perhaps a fellow dark side user, to teach him the basics and direct him to his larger goals. They arrived home, Vaelak sat on the couch, the droid came in last, locking the door after everyone else. He stood silently and looked at Zakir, who was clapping his hands. "Well, now that we have a pilot, we should find some kind of freighter, or perhaps steal one." He chuckled, "We should pay a visit to the local airport. Maybe there is something worth stealing there"

 

[Zakir Thaun]

"Aye," he agreed with the pureblood's statement. They became a crew, and they needed a vessel. "Stealing a ship isn't the easiest thing to do... Especially in a spaceport like Carrania's... We should try the outskirts of it, if we get lucky we can fetch one." he stated, lifting from the couch. "We'll do it tomorrow, I already have something in mind." he was certain in his words. He exchanged a nod of his head before exploring the rest of the apartment, settling himself as the sun hid behind the tall towers and darkness fell on the middle-city, a generic evening overwhelming the busy day.

// Next Day //​

"Hrmh." The Zabrak unlocked his eyes as the daylight of the sparking sun glimmered through the shallow window, striking in his eyes and brightening the messy living room. He brought his feet to the ground, letting out a yawn as the thin rag covering him swayed down to the floor in his careless actions. It was a beginning of his second day on Serreno, and he already planned to scatter off of it. He rubbed his eyes before clicking the lights of the apartment on, igniting the power and the service droid. On the thin corridor breaking from the living room Vaelak rested in his room. His rest was interfered with the murmuring of the metalic droid, and the two already distasted it. They woke and readied themselves, their belts wrapped tight around their waistband, their pouches stuffed and their blaster-pistols in the holsters. They made their way outside with their newest companion, making their way down to the undercity.

The city was breathed life and the middlecity woke up in the morning sun, they passed the checkpoint and darkness consumed the atmosphere... It seemed as if night was endless there, and drunkards and thugs minded their business as if they hadn't slept in a long while. They proceeded down to it, the foul smell of poverty sipped to their nostrils "We're going to get three fake mechanic licenses... Know anyone?"

 

[Vaelak Za’ataris]

"Already a plan huh? Well I would love to hear it, But that is for tommarow" Vaelak replied, adding a lazy, long yawn at the end. Seeing that Zakir has already found himself a comfortable place for the night in his apartment, he stood on his feet and dragged himself into another room. He jumped on his couch, his mind occupied with thoughts. And without noticing, he fell asleep.

/ / The next day. Carrania, Serreno. / /​

​

This noise, a noise he has yet to recognize.this loud, irritating sound woke him up from his sleep. Its been less than a full day he knew and lived together with this droid, and he already had the urge to blast his companion's new proccesor out. 'oh well,' He thought to himself 'I will get used to it in time'. He forced himself off the couch, as he was still half asleep. Rubbing his eyes, he went to the living room, meeting the annoying protocol droid, and the much less annoying friend of his. "Morning, Partner for crime" He smiled weakly. They prepared themselves and went outside. Going through the undercity once again, he sighed "I hate this place so much, A place for lowlife scum and thugs", nevertheless, they continued their marching. "Unfourtenatly, no. But we can ask some of the people around. Maybe not everyone here is a complete fool."

 

[Zakir Thaun]

"Mhmm..." he merely hummed in respose, his eyes sharpened at their surroundings. The many lights of night clubs, cantinas and humble casinos kept the shallow alleyways flashed.

The biggest one, widening it's entrance open for all to join was his pick.. Such an establishment must've been a part of a criminal organization of sorts, otherwise it wouldn't have survived it's first nights. He motioned for Vaelak and 2V to follow up and the three trailed to the Casino. The noise of the busy institution and it's flashing lights welcomed the three as they stepped in. It was vast from the inside, spreading of tables, polls and bars stocked with people.. Many odd kinds lingered there, some busy on their gumbles, some discussing over a drink and some just leaned there and gazed. Twi'lek dancers roamed in a variety of stages, attracting many for the show, while others encouraged their friends on their highest bets. It was a flourishing and wealthy institution in the heart of a dying city. 2V was ordered to stick behind as Vaelak and Zakir stepped forward to a distinct counter and echoed swiftly to the bartender, "Where'd I get fake licenses?" The bartender took note of them and quickly guestured his head to a certain reinforced door, guarded by a pair of buffed guards. The trio made their way closer to the door, daring to exchange a certain look with the pair of guards. They sidestepped and widened the door to enter. 2V was muted, left outside the door and the two proceeded in.

They descended a step and the room was before them, a weary red Devaronian leaning behind the barred counter quickly took note of their presence. He fell forth, his eyes rolling dully.
"What'chu need?"
"Three mechanic licenses."
"Hmh.." the exhausted 'black-merchant' shuffled to the side of the counter, passing by the many shelves and boxes laying messily behind it. He slid three empty cards through a metalic machine of sorts, "Names?"
"Tugg Forh, Keylev Rist and 2V-T4." The Zabrak relpied and the trader pushed the cards in the machine and typed some details. He flicked a lever and the three cards were marked. "Three hundred credits."
"Com'on, Vae. You know what we're gonna get." he motioned for the tired Devaronian holding the three cards behind the counter. Regardless that they had to pay for that logic processor, Zakir knew the plan wouldn't work without these fake cards. He intentionally applied pressure on the situation, using the tired Devaronian's impatient grimace in addition.

 

[Vaelak Za’ataris]

As they stepped inside the nightclub, a twi'lek waitress already walked up to the three, She wasent dressed properly, or looked too healthy. Like a lot of the guests in this place, which showed, once again how low and horrible place it was, clearly not the kind of environment Vaelak saw himself wandering in. Anyhow, He payed the waitress a few coins, and was handed over a glass with juice of some kind. He didn't even bother to drink it, He bought it just to look like the rest, blend in. Once inside the small, discreet room, Vaelak got rid of his drink. Facing the Devaronian and hearing his offer, he used the remaining credits he had on him to pay for the fake licenses. "I hope they worth the money, We have nothing left, Partner."
He directed this sentence at the Zabrak. And than added while taking the papers from the vendor, "So, Are we done now?"

 

[Zakir Thaun]

"Aye, aye." The Devaronian nodded, counting his golden credits in exchange for the cards. The three cards were of light blue colored hardened-plastic, with faint green patterns coded differently on each, a seal of sorts marked at the corner of the card.
The Zabrak hummed positively and the two made their way out of the room. They reactivated 2V and strolled back to the uppercity, exhaling in relief as they hoped to escape that foul district for good. They boarded a transport shuttel and made their way for the Spaceport of Carrania. It was flourished with crowds, over-loaded of traffic and deafing of it's noise. The three shoved their way through the crowds of the big building and trailed to one of the many halls breaking off. They proceeded onwards with the straight-forward hall until they were halted by a security checkpoint. The Zabrak had managed to fetch a toolkit held by a random in main hall and the two identified themselves, flashing their new license cards to the wary guards, then let to pass through the busy checkpoint. A few moments afterwards, many landing pads planted inside the surface horizonde before them. Countless ships docking and deporting their yards, it was their chance. They jogged to one of the farest corners, and the amount of activity in these parking lots was reduced tremendously. They dared to take a look at the different ported docks below them as they made their way inbetween those, until they were astonished by a VCX-820 escort freighter, painted silver and glimering against the noon sunlight. The two agreed for their pick and made haste to descend their level to the landing pad. Mere moments of walks and lifts later, they stood right before it... But it wasn't so easy. A checkpoint designed specifically for this vessel was set in place, with three armed guards manning the entrance point to the landing pad. They took immediate notice of the three in the distance, forcing them to approch.
"What are your business here?" One of the three guards stepped closer, scrutinizing the trio.
The Zabrak replied confidently, "Here to repair ye vessel, ain't ye the ones called a mechanic?" He successfuly faked a rough accent, grimacing tirely at the guards in his tricky maneuvers.
"Mechanic? We weren't told of this." The rest of the guards hopped from their lazy seats to stroll closer, standing both beside their comrade.
"Ye tellin' me I came all the way over 'ere instead o' finishin' me drink, mate? You trynna fool me?" He quirked his eyebrows, featuring distaste and mild fury.
"Erh.." The guard looked between his comrades just to be repaid with the same shrug of misunderstanding. "Let me call my supervisor." He reached for his holo-comm, dispatching his inquiry. "
Mechanic? Let him through, they probably forgot to report.." The one in the comms replied, and the three were let past, quickly boarding the vessel.
"Get on with it, droid, and don't dare to talk." The Zabrak lifted a finger of intimidation and dare in the droid, a faint moment before he was to express his irrelevant opinion.
The protocol droid made haste for the head of the freighter, while the two others were finding their place in it; disabling communications with it's former owners permanently.
The power ignited, stealing the immediate attention of the guards. "Hey, stop!" They called out from the barrier just as the bridge lifted close. They fired their blasters helplessly at the vessel in hopeless attempts to stop the thieves.
It raised from the platform as Vaelak and Zakir made it to the pilot's chamber where V2 would already settle and man. They emitted a few chuckles before their newly claimed ship left Carrania far behind, readying for their jump to lightspeed- unknown of their destination, they cheered in celebration as they researched their new ship.

 

[Vaelak Za’ataris]

/ / Somewhere above the city of Carrania / /​

It was too soon to celebrate. Before they could jump to lightspeed, what appears to be a group of Tie fighters, each one of them had the emblem of serreno's armed forces on their left wing, it was now obvious those Tie fighters are after the stolen VCX-820, and the crew oporating it. "Well well well...Company...Already? Time to test the fire power of this freighter!" Vaelak yelled from the captain's deck, standing next to the droid, who was preparing to dodge incoming fire. Having already explored the ship, Vaelak knew exactly where to head. He ran to the front position, manning the Auto blaster cannon. "Alright...How do I-" He said while aiming at one of the Tie fighters engine, hitting it directly there, and sending it down in flames. "That's how." He said to himself, while two more Tie fighters appeared infront of Vaelak, shooting blindly at his position. "Don't worry master! I have you covered!" The protocol droid announced through the ships communication device as he activated the deflector shield, blocking all incoming fire towards the sith pureblood and giving him some time to react. He aimed at one of the Tie fighters cockpits. With a direct hit, he killed the pilot inside. The aircraft flew blindlessly into the second Tie fighter and squad leader of the group, resulting in a massive explosion. "Was that the last of them?" He asked through the communications device, expecting an answer from Zakir. While it finally seemed quiet around, it wasent true at all. A small, different kind of Tie fighter appeared from nowhere, Silently drilling through the freighters roof. Inside this aircraft, was a small, 6 men elite police force, and the last obstacle the crew had to face before continuing to travel safely. They jumped inside and split. Vaelak could sense them. "Mhmm...So it was not all of them." He whispered to himself and smiled, while taking out his DL-44 blaster pistol out of its holster, Just when the door to his position opened. And two members of the boarding group breached in. Using the small size of the room he was in, He jumped up from his seat, firing towards the two. One of the soldiers fell on the ground, screaming in pain, and possibly alerting both the ships crew and the boarding squad. He was bleeding, placing his hands on his scorched wound and trying to stop the bleeding- with no succses. Another shot was heard. It was directed towards the remaining soldier. He fell on the floor, a hole in his forehead. "Too easy." He laughed, while looking for the four other left soldiers. Who were searching for the Zabrak.

 

[Zakir Thaun]

The blasting fire of the pursuiting TIE fighters indeed halted their cheer. Vaelak was instantly dispatched to the front blaster canon, leaving Zakir clueless in the pilot's deck. He jogged out of it and calculated the position of the other cannon just as the blasting fire of the TIE fighters came to impact, shaking the ship and forcing Zakir to stumble forth, holding into the wall. He made a run for the door to his right in an attempt to locate the other cannon, but he arrived at the seemingly cargo room. It was filled with boxes and crates, marked with the same emblem of Serreno's forces that the TIE fighters right behind them carried. He bothered to unlock one and peek in it's contents. It was a shipment of E11 modified blaster rifles, hence the force dispatched to return the craft and it's cargo. His eyes widened and he quickly fetched one rifle, inspecting it. Another quake tossed him back, and he quickly made haste out of the room. By then, he assumed the fighters were gone in Vaelak's inquiry over the comms. "I think I know why they were after us... There's a shipment of rifles in the cargo room." He voiced into the holocomm in his vest, exhaling sharply. The breach team was clear to him as they drilled through the roof. He hastily backed to the room and took cover behind a cornered crate. The first blaster shot of Vaelak triggered his attention and he quickly assumed Vaelak was captured and eliminated, but the second blast reassured Vaelak's survival. Two of the squad unlocked the cargo room door and safely secured it at first glance, the flashlight attached to their blasters carefully swaying through the cargos. They backed off of the room, seeking to make haste for their wounded comrades. They met the floor at the second they rotated in the impact of Zakir's blaster spray.

Two others were left, and they were cautious. It was a deathmatch, truly, two outlaws versus two peacekeepers, hunting eachother for the first shot in a game of survival. They tossed smoke frags from the back of the ship, in the room where they hid, and quickly recovered to track the two outlaws through the stream of smoke.

 

[Vaelak Za’ataris]

Still being in the same room as earlier, he heard the small, quick exchange of fire that was going on in the other part of the ship. Vaelak quickly took cover behind the front wall of the room, waiting for his prey, in this case, the two remaining soldiers. And just like he imagined to himself, not even a minute would pass before the two decided to check his hiding spot. One of them was trying to move his dead comrade out of the way, while doing so, the second one entered the room, not noticing Vaelak behind him. It was too late. Vaelak took hostage of the man, disarming him and firing at his friend. Before any of the two could react he pierced his hostage's head with another shot, covering the already red skinned sith with blood. "So that's what they call special forces here? Sad, well at least those were the last two of them, I hope." he said, making his way out of the room to the main hall by moving over the dead bodies.

They were cleared of hostility, or so they thought. They continued their way out of Serreno, unaware of future encounters.