A trip to Void Station

[RC 212]

@Count Morcus

It had been a long ride and as the pirates of the Blazing Chain exited the small shuttle they had rode in on, they looked back out of the hangar at the fleet parked just beyond the docks. Soulfire was clad in his usual white robe, with silver durasteel plate underneath.

On his fron was six slughtrowers at his side a vibrocutlass. He had only just recovered remnants of the ancient Blazing chains. They had brought vast amounts of hidden treasure with them, the last funds from the once dead and disbanded fleet, hidden away for centuries.

Now it was time to put those funds to use.

"Careful with that men, that's worth more than your lives!" He jested as two Krayt Raiders, dressed in grey leather and fur pilot suits with blue slitted helmets carried the chest down the gangway.

"Aye Cap'n, where to?"

"Follow me!"

He strode purposefully, boots tapping a steady beat. Soon they came upon the dockmaster.

"Greetings, I'm here to visit Count Morcus, business transaction."

"Your name sir?"

"Soulfire Ticon." He growled, brown eyes peering from beneath a white cowl.

"Ah yes he's been expecting you, right this way."

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count himself had been keeping himself occupied while he awaited the arrival of his new client, passing the time within his training room. He'd be sparring with his elegantly-designed lightsaber hilt against one of his IG-100 Magnaguards, working on honing his form a little. He'd always relied on a good defense when it came to battle, whittling his opponent away via attrition before coming in for a killing blow. Soon enough, the Dockmaster arrived within the chamber with his new customer in tow. He turned his head, nodding at the Dockmaster who turned to leave, leaving the duo alone in the room besides the Droid. ''Ahh, Mr. Ticon, yes? I've been awaiting your arrival.....I'm told your in need of ships, correct?'', he said casually, still sparring away with his droid.

[member="Soulfire Ticon"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Count Morcus"]

Soulfire nodded, removing his cowl to show his blonde mane of hair and deep black eyes. Like black holes in the void. He waved to the two Krayt Raiders carrying the chest, a simple signal to set it down. With a gusto he set one booted foot upon it, leaning over and resting his elbows on the knee, watching the count spar.

He was a skilled man no doubt, much better than Soulfire thought himself.

"Indeed I am Count. How fares business?"

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count grinned slightly when he spotted the large chest, obviously filled with valuable treasure. ''Quite good! My contracts with various governments across the galaxy are keeping me well funded, though those funds can always grow more..........but lets get down to business, shall we?'', he said, skillfully beheading the Magnaguard he'd been sparring with before dis-igniting his lightsaber hilt and sliding it back onto his belt. ''I take it you want to buy a Lucrehulk from my shipyards? Your in great luck, as it just so happens that a few have just finished construction today......the question is, how much are you willing to pay?''

[member="Soulfire Ticon"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Count Morcus"]

"I doubt I have enough to buy two, but I'll certainly take one of those off your hands."

Soulfire took his boot off the chest now, kicking it open. Gold pieces and gems of great value fell in a cascade from it as it sprang open. It had been over-packed, something he used for a bit of theatre in his dealings. The man's eyes would certainly gush at the sight of the wealth. These were no ordinary credits, these were pirate currency. Hard precious metals and stones that amounted to any currency you wanted to convert them too.

A bonus, they were untraceable.

"I trust you'll find this chest sufficient for your wares. I have not had an exact count, but the treasure hands around 300,000 credits, Give or take a hundred. If you're okay with a debt I can take two and bring you another lot, after a few hauls."

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count casually strolled over to the chest, examining the contents within closely, a large smile appeared on his face. This treasure was extremely valuable indeed, and the Count knew quite a few private collectors who he could off-load it upon for a very tidy profit. ''Oh, I assure you that this treasure is worth far more than that.......300,000 is undervaluing it, but it's definitely enough for one of my vessels. We've a deal. You'll find this purchase more than satisfactory. Each vessel comes equipped with standard weaponry and shielding for a ship of it's class, along with a full crew and military compliment of B1 Battle Droids and Droid Starfighters. You've just bought a flying fortress, essentially. My secretaries will handle the transaction details, so feel free to look around your new vessel. It'll be ready for you properly within a week, while we stock it with said droids and supplies.'', he said with a nod. This arrangement was very profitable, to say the least, and the Count might have just found another source of major income. ''You seem like an interesting fellow, Mr. Ticon. I look forward to the chance of doing future business with you, if that is a possibility?''

[member="Soulfire Ticon"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Count Morcus"]

"I am most grateful Count. As promised we will use extreme discretion when contacting you. Next time we arrive it shall just be me and two of my guards with no fleet in tow. For your image of course."

Soulfire nodded to the Krayt Raiders.

"Men, put the treasure back in the box, bring the count our gift!"

The Pirate warriors nodded, one kneeling and quickly scooping the treasure back into the chest. The other pressed a bottle of aged Corellian Scotch into the Pirate Lords hand and he presented it to the count with a bow.

"Future business would be appreciated. Due to the nature of our fleet we may lose a few assets that need replacing. Come shall we share a drink, swap some stories?"

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count nodded with a smile. ''Certainly. Been a while since I had a good drink. Follow me, we'll head to my lounge.'', he said, before beckoning the Pirate Lord to follow. As they strolled through the Count's vast palace aboard the Asteroid Station, Soulfire would likely spot the various historical artifacts on display. Sith and Jedi artifacts, a few ancient suits of Mandalorian Neo-Crusader armor, even a ancient hologram of the first Death Star. ''As you can see, I take great pride in my collection.....gathering relics of the past is a favored pass-time of mine when I'm not conducting business. There are relics here that you won't find anywhere else.....'', he said with a proud smile. Soon, they arrived within one of the Count's many lavish themed-lounges. This one had the look of an ancient Korriban tomb, with a stone coffee table and benches. Taking a seat, he pulled out a pair of goblets from beside him, placing them on the table. ''I've heard a great deal about your escapades in the Outer Rim. You've made a name for yourself raiding trade ships out there.....and before you ask how I know, let's just say I have a rather...large network in the underworld. It allows me to keep updated on current affairs across the galaxy.''

[member="Soulfire Ticon"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Count Morcus"]

Soulfire took his drink, sitting down and gazing across the collection with admiration. The man could've been a pirate himself. Hoarding relics of an ancient past, with so much value. Value beyond credits and simple materialism. He smirked when the old man mentioned his raids in the outer rim. They seemed so long ago, child’s play.

Still he could not deny the mans prowess, his underground networks were well enough set up to garner his name and that was feat in itself.

"Indeed those were the first days. What we intend to do now with the full might of the Blazing Chains. Well let's just say those raids will pale in comparison. Soon our fleet will be the table talk of every planet between here and wildspace."

Soulfire took a deep drink, and set the goblet down, leaning forwards and clasping his hands together.

"I notice you have taken to collecting obscure items?"

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count nodded. ''Indeed. I do quite enjoy gathering such works. I have other artifacts among my collection, of course, but the obscure happens to be a....specialty of mine. I particularly enjoy gathering relics of the Clone Wars.....the designs I've recovered have allowed me to resurrect technologies not seen since that time...'', he said, a lone droideka rolling down the corridor outside on it's patrol route. ''And I'd be eager to aid your plans, provided an.....arrangement could be made. I care not who you raid, as long as it isn't my company or any ACA businesses. I'd encourage you to raid whoever you wish outside of ACA space, however.....I've many business rivals who's weakening or destruction would prove quite....useful to me and my allies. And I'd be quite eager to ''study'' any designs they might have in their databanks. In return, I'd be more than willing to keep your fleet supplied with a spare Lucrehulk here and there, along with as many Battle Droids as you could ever need.....''

[member="Soulfire Ticon"]

 

[RC 212]

[member="Count Morcus"]

This was the most interesting proposal the Captain had ever heard. He smiled widely now, leaning back into the chair and taking another sip of the whiskey. The fiery substance burned down his throat, invigorating his senses. Yes raids on corporations headquarters could prove quite useful. But quite deadly as well...

"I like the idea, but the locations may be an issue. Do most of these companies reside within major territories of without?"

He paused and then continued, choosing his words carefully.

"Though our prowess is great and our appetites wet, we cannot as of yet engage a fleet the size of, say the Protectorate."

 

[Taa Nul]

The Count nodded slightly. ''They are within major territories, most of them, but if you can take them by surprise, they shouldn't be able to amass that quick a response. Your only real threat is The One Sith, at the moment. I hear you've riled them up, which might prove to be a ''very'' bad idea in the long-run.....my advice would be to focus on the Republic while they're weakened by their war against you-know-who. They're focusing most of their attention on the war effort, meaning you'll have an easier time conducting raids no doubt. I have a very powerful contact in the One Sith who could see that your past raids on them are forgotten, provided you cease attacks upon them....it'll also leave me in a far better position to supply your fleet even further, won't it? I'd rather not....anger my ally. Let's just say he's a Voice of the Dark Lord, and me supplying you might.....encourage his disfavor, unless your efforts are directed to other targets.'', he said before pouring himself a drink and sipping it from his large, elaborate goblet. ''I'm a powerful ally to have your back, my friend, but if we're going to conduct a beneficial working relationship, it'd be wise to take heed of my council...''.

[member="Soulfire Ticon"]