A Necessary Deal

[Daxton Bane]

[member="Pharazon Draken"]

"Me? I'm strictly in this for the money. Save enough credits that I myself a small moon perhaps. More than enough fools out there running about wanting to be heroes, no need to add to the mix. Besides being a hero doesn't pay the bills, does it?"

"Now I for one, am a straight up businessman. I leave politics to the fools amd daydreamers. If they want to go after one another then I'm fine with it as long as there are credits for the taking."

Excusing himself to go the galley he comes back with a couple of ice cold beer. "Correllian. I hope you don't mind."

 

[Pharazon Draken]

“Corellian will be fine, I assure you that regardless of its quality it will be better than the concoction that is brewed on Hapes, dreadful stuff.”

“I would not disagree with you either, heroes seldom live long in these turbulent times, but sadly sometimes the politics are forced upon you, by those you once trusted the most of all” he said darkly, expression matching his tone.

Quickly shaking off his melancholy he took a drink from his beer, it was cold and refreshing and aided in the gradual relaxation of his body. His time of vengeance would come, but it was not today. Today, he smuggled who knows what across the galaxy for a strange man in an intriguing old ship, Hapes was irrelevant.

“Have you ever been to Hapes Nathan? One would think it a marvellous and peaceful place were they just to have seen it or glimpsed the mists, one would of course be wrong.” He said, genuinely interested in how far this mysterious smuggler had roamed. If he had been to Hapes… He may be of some use to me in the future if I should need to return to Hapes unannounced, or be able to introduce me to people who may know more about the true depths of the Satinar’s treachery.

Pharazon was slightly concerned that he was revealing too much about himself, but quickly dismissed those worries as his accent and facial features would betray him even if he said nothing if this Nat was a worldly man.

“If I might also be so bold, where did your associates find this ship? It must be 800 years old but you wouldn’t know it from the parts, it must have had dozens of complete refits” He said, his enthusiasm for the ship permeating every word.

He took another drink from his beer and looked around the cockpit “You Corellians do make some exceptional things, though I doubt many of my kin and noble ladies in the Consortium would admit it” he said wistfully. He glanced at some sensor readings to ensure the jump continued, as expected nothing was different, it would be some time before they left hyperspace so Pharazon focused on his drink and this mysterious fellow. He considered asking him about his blaster skills, but decided to wait as he had no desire to sully the conversation with talk of Vlakis and his filth just yet.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

[member="Pharazon Draken"]

"Aye. I have been to Hapes but not in this rig. You would find that in my line of business it pays to be versatile. I dare say I have visited most of Core at one time or another and just about every piece of rock short of the outer rim. Seen some real strange things too."

Gesturing with his bottle he continued, "She ain't much to look at I will admit. But there lies her beauty. Most folk would dismiss her for a junker ready for the scrap pile but if you look closer short of weapons most of her systems are mil spec or close enough. She hides many secrets. See that panel on your right. Slide it down and key in 80234."

Should the young man do as instructed the systems would shift from a commercial grade scanner to a far more efficient military grade one.

"Same goes for the shield and power output. Ths baby can take up to three times damage than it normally should without breaking up." A sense of pride was clear in the smugglers voice.

 

[Pharazon Draken]

Following Nat’s instructions Pharazon quickly realised just how peculiar this ship was indeed.

“She truly is marvelous” Pharazon said, slight awe tinging his voice. “I can see why you choose this ship for this venture.”

“I take it that there must also be several hidden smuggling compartments?” Pharazon asked, clearly hoping the answer was yes.

“Truly marvelous, I do envy you Nathan, no doubt do many others.”

Continuing to drink, Pharazon dove into examining the newly unveiled systems and functions of the ship, partially because he may need them in the future and partially because he just wanted to see.

After he had done so for quite some time until he was satisfied, Pharazon calmed down slightly and turned to Nat.

“A truly excellent ship...”

“However Nathan, I must ask you something, back in the cantina… I have never seen someone draw and shoot so many times with such speed before…” he said, clearly nervous under his facade of curiosity at the line of questioning.

“How did you do it? Cybernetics? Some combat stimulant perhaps...” Pharazon asked, slightly puzzled over how he had done so, but more so nervous that it may be because of something far more powerful that Pharazon had only ever seen a few times before during one of his other ventures on Nar Shaddaa. If it was that, Pharazon felt a growing chill in his stomach rise that he had been suppressing since the shooting that there was far more to Nat than than met the eye.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

[member="Pharazon Draken"]

"Under the main galley pod. Doesn't appear on any specs plus its well shielded so unless they are tearing her to bits there is no way anyone would know you have nearly half a galactic ton of contraband."

When the subject switched to him he gave the other man a guarded look before shrugging. "Paid for a blackmarket upgrade. Highly experimental, totally deniability kind of upgrade. Didn't understand the science of it but I do know it has something to do with nanites. Are you a techie kind of guy?"

 

[Pharazon Draken]

Nodding with a slight grin Pharazon absolutely knew this ship had to have smuggling space, it was just like the stories and myths of the Millennium Falcon from centuries ago, a different model to be sure but int the same vein that excited Pharazon.

“I am certainly interested in technology, but I wouldn’t say I have any special talent for it, I like computers, starships and their components of course, and know how to use them from when I served” he said, wincing for an instant at the memories of his departure from the Hapan Royal Navy, quickly composing himself again he added “but I certainly could not tell you anything valuable about your enhancements” slightly separating and emphasising the last word, still wary but not willing to push the matter.

“I can tell you that whatever they are you are lucky to have them, I do marvel that even with the galactic order crumbling around us technology manages to surge on” he said allowing himself to dismiss the matter for now.

“So, is there anything you had in mind to do until we reach Coruscant, a game of cards perhaps? Additional secret directives?” Pharazon asked genially, gesturing down the cockpit access corridor toward the lounge and galley. He was also trying to steer the conversation away from Nat’s abilities which he knew from the look Nat had given him was not a topic for polite conversation.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

[member="Pharazon Draken"]

Spending the rest of time in hyperspace playing a rivetting set of Sabbac, it seemed time passed by too fast when the proximity alarm rang and they emerged from hyperspace.

"Looks like we are here. Remember the plan and guide us in."

 

[Pharazon Draken]

Exiting hyperspace into the outer Coruscant system, Pharazon took a comprehensive scan of the surrounding space for any Alliance or other undesirable patrols with the ships upgraded sensors. Carefully reviewing the results, Pharazon was satisfied that there were no more than a few picket vessels at this range, closer to the planet things got a little more interesting but nothing seemed to be actively hunting them. Nevertheless, Pharazon did as Nat had requested them when they first boarded and that he had readied as they entered hyperspace. Setting a casual course further into the system, Pharazon reactivated the system’s transponder, checked it was still set to channel green and eased the thrusters forward.

“Hopefully the pickets won’t take much notice of an outwardly run down old freighter given the level of traffic in system but I intend to draw as little attention to us as possible, just another filthy outer rim freighter looking to make some creds in the core” Pharazon said, focusing on piloting and his consoles rather than turning to look at Nat.

“If we have to get get closer to the planet we may have to deal with the defence fleet and planetary control, I now await further instructions and contact from your associates.” Pharazon said, slipping into his military focus and instincts, making sure the ships encrypted net connection was active and secure.

Hopefully his ‘friends’ arrive soon and our exchange will not be too suspicious like some cheap holofilm, I can only hope this cargo is not too obvious or detectable or those Alliance ships may shake off their laziness Pharazon thought to himself, while double checking the ship's various weapon and defence systems, trying to settle his growing feelings of paranoia.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

[member="Pharazon Draken"]

It seemed like the bribes worked, as no one gave the freighter more than a passing glance, just another pimple on the face of the busy trade world. Manning the comms he jotted down precise instructions for the space lane they were to use and soon they were on the ground in a space platform surrounded by several armed creatures that all but screamed thug on their foreheads.

Waiting at the base of the ramp was a female human with bright red hair dressed in flight leathers and an orange protocol droid carrying an expensive looking leather case.

Signalling Pharazon to join him, they walk down the ramp and his companion greeted the female with a smile on his lips. "Trisha my dear. This is a delightful surprise, I am flattered you would meeting me yourself. May I present my pilot Pharazon, Pharazon may I present Trisha Deveers, leader of the Aspect Quazars."

She gives his a quick one over before getting to the business at hand. "You had better come through this time Nate. I want to get my money's worth or its coming ouwt from both your hides."

"Not to worry, my dear." He reassured her as cargo droid unloaded the contents of the ship on the platform. Opening one of the crates marked HEAVY MACHINERY He revealed an unactivated Battle droideka inside,while those marked MACHINERY PARTS contained roughly a dozen plasma carbine rifles.

Offering his wares for closer inspection he said, "I got the weapons you as requested. Do you have our money?"

When the redhead nods, the protocol droid hands over the case which contains cred sticks filled with a filthy amount of credits. Nate and the redhead shake hands and the thugs depart with their purchase.

Nate waits until their are long gone before he relaxes and says to Pharazon, "Here is your share as agreed. God I need a drink right now. Care to join me lad?"

 

[Pharazon Draken]

Swiftly and subtly Pharazon flew through the Coruscant system and clogged space lanes and landed the freighter precisely where instructed at the specified coordinates. Shutting down the engines and flight controls, Pharazon joined Nat as he exited the ship down the ramp onto the landing platform. Pharazon had expected the thugs, and boy, they were big. But Pharazon was big too, so he was not so easily intimidated by this set of stinking muscle. Their leader and her droid however seemed far more reasonable setting Pharazon’s nagging anxiety slightly at ease.

At Nat’s signal, Pharazon made his own way down the ramp to stand to the side of Nat for the deal, while he was hired as the pilot he was also responsible for making sure the deal went smoothly. Even with the “ambiguous” to put it mildly legal status of this lucrative business venture, Pharazon took his bond seriously and would not be a treacherous serpent unlike some in his family.

As Nat introduced him to this Trisha, Pharazon silently inclined his head in greetings and respect to her as she looked him up and down. He had nothing to say as per his agreement with Nat and did not wish to bungle this deal at the last moment after finally arriving here. What a deal it was, a fully operational battle droid and exceptionally illegal plasma rifles. Pharazon was most impressed, not to mentioned relieved that his cargo was not something more sinister, not that it would have mattered if he had only found out now. After his departure from Hapes Pharazon cared little for punitive restrictions on arms trade anymore, beings of all description will always kill each other, whether it was with legal or illegal equipment did not seem pertinent to Pharazon anymore. He neither knew or cared who these Aspect Quazar fellows were or had any strong desire to find out.

Watching the exchange of money however was tense, but it seemed he would not need to kill anyone else and they received their rather large payment. Pharazon nodded with a grin to Nat as he looked at the case after their business associates had left and not returned to kill them in an unsportsmanlike manner. The tension he had felt about the deal melted away, leaving only his lingering worries at being betrayed at the last second, This Nathan seems reasonable though, for a Correllian and a smuggler at least Pharazon thought though.

“A most agreeable suggestion” Pharazon remarked cheerily as he checked and took his share.

“While we are doing that I would like to discuss your ship’s future”. he added with a sly grin he thought would not have looked out of place on the sleazy Correllian's own face. Entirely friendly of course, Pharazon had finally decided that he liked or could at least partially trust Nat to not kill a potential future associate who had proved himself useful and had no desire to do anything untoward against the portly Correllian.

“So, shall we find a bar or cantina to enjoy the spoils?” Pharazon asked asked with the same jovial grin, they had come full circle, beginning in a filthy cantina on a filthy planet and concluding their dealings just the same.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

[member=Pharazon Draken]

Finding the dive was the easy part and the liquor flowed freely after flashing some credits, they were even able to secure a couple of female companions to join them.

"I am going to miss flying her but I have a new berth at dawn so its the scrap pile for her. Unless you are interested........ I have this feeling the ship likes you. Mind you there times she throw a tantrum, blow a gasket or whatnot. But she is still a gem. If you take her off my hands then I would be a happy man. Still there is a matter of payment......Oh don't frown lad, I don't want your credits. All I want is a favor, to be paid at a future date, no questions asked. So are you interested?"

 

[Pharazon Draken]

For a time Pharazon and Nat enjoyed their drinks and company, though at first Pharazon was uneasy around their new female friends, as he was around all women. He was certainly attracted to them and these individuals seemed pleasant company, however, he had never really gotten over his ingrained suspicion, deference, and residual distrust of women after he had left Hapes. He knew he was often overestimating them, but in his mind he could not be too careful. However, after a time Pharazon actually found himself enjoying their company as he released ever so slightly his previously suppressed and repressed emotions as time since he left Hapes went on. Then he made his offer to Nat. "If it is either me or the scrap yard I would be remiss if I did not at least make you an offer on that ship, I would also be lying if I told you that I was not going to attempt to buy it from you even if it was not to be destroyed, I... desire it greatly." Pharazon said excitedly.

When he was first considering how to phrase his offer on the ship Pharazon had not even considered the possibility that it might be accepted, he just could not let it go without trying to acquire it. Now, hearing Nat offer him the ship, for no upfront cost either, Pharazon could hardly believe his ears. However, the final part of Nat’s offer was what made Pharazon’s anxiety and ingrained suspicion rise. He needed a ship, that was certain, but he did not like making promises of future service, it was too close to the how the great game was played back on Hapes.

You are not on Hapes anymore Pharazon, neither can you afford to continue your charade of being disgusted by the intrigue, do what must be done, or stay here on Coruscant and be in the same situation in a few months as on Nar Shaddaa.

Focusing his anxiety into convincing himself the necessity of this action, Pharazon felt another part of himself slip away, but it was far too late for character or morals for him anyway, he would survive, and do it by any means necessary. Vlakis and his thugs, those men in the hanger, those he had fought on Nar Shaddaa before meeting up with Nat, they had died because Pharazon was stronger, he deserved to live. Remaining uneasy but having reached a conclusion Pharazon once again looked into Nat’s eyes “I would be a fool not to consider the implications of this bargain” he said in a low voice. “However, I also would be a fool to not know that this is how the game in your line of business is played.” He sat for a few moments more in silence, committing himself.“Very well Nathan, should you ever require this favour I will respond, no matter its subject, though I do not know what the future holds for me so I may not be the same the next we meet.” Pharazon said, giving words to the emotions he had been feeling for weeks now, he and his life were going to change drastically, and soon.

“That ship of yours… of mine now I suppose, I feel is nearly any price, any necessary deal.” Resuming his drinking and carousing Pharazon knew now that he would do nearly anything for survival… So that he may someday wreak a terrible vengeance on those that had wronged him and reshape his destiny.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Toasting the deal, the few hours became a blur of hard booze, and soft women. By the time [member="Pharazon Draken"] woke up it would close to noon. The room would be strange and unfamilar as were the naked women sleeping off a booze and drug induced stupor.

The room was mostly a mess, clothes and empty bottles scattered everywhere. A colorful bird was sitting on top of the overturned holoviewer giving him a baneful glare while bobbing its head up and down.

As soon as he starts moving a holo will play. Its the image of his friend with a mischevous grin on his face. "I would have woke you up but I am not much for goodbyes. She aint much to look at but I think I left her in good hands. Keep your head down kid and may the stars always guide you home. "

 

[Pharazon Draken]

Ensuring that both he and their companions left their impromptu accommodation with some dignity, Pharazon made his way to Nat’s… his… ship. Strapping himself into the cockpit pilot chair, Pharazon began to plot his next move. Deciding on continuing his journey toward the galactic south, Pharazon pondered the strange smuggler’s final words to him. A part of him knew he had met someone of great resource and likely great power, but another dreaded the promise he had made to a man he knew next to nothing about.

Dismissing that as much as he could from his mind, Pharazon left Coruscant in his new ship and broke orbit. Pondering his experiences since he left Hapes, Pharazon steeled himself as he set a course in the navicomputer and watched the stars turn to lines, taking his body and life into the unknown once again.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

Spoiler

Cheers for the RP and many thanks for putting up with my disappearances. I had a great time and look forward to if we RP with each other again in the future.