In this we trust

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

New Cov was a jungle world. Thick dangerous plant life, horrible dangerous animals, and many other unknown dangers made the world nearly unlivable. However, it was a rich source of biomolecules, and with all things, if there where credits to be made, there would be corporations to take advantage of it. They built massive domed cities that were scattered across the green landscape. The Unyielding Faith orbited the planet, and a single fighter escaped from the hanger. It roared down to the planet's surface, entering a vent at the top of the dome. Soon it found itself settled on the ground, and out climbed Allya.

The small teen was dressed head to toe in her beskar'gam, the traditional armor of a Mandalorian. However, for this trip, the coloration was different and there would be no markings for the CIS or her clans'. She moved with purpose as she sought out the Dusky Musk Cantina. There was man she needed to find. While he wasn't the greatest legend in the midrim, he was well known, considered talented and had a reputation for discretion. She needed Arbit Elre.

Young Mandalorian walked through the streets. Due to her armor, most gave her a wide birth. Even short Mandalorians were not something most civilized people wanted to run into. And if you were not civilized, you wanted to run into them even less. Dirty streets led her to a dingy place with a sign that flickered in neon: The Dusky Musk Cantina.

​

She entered the bar. Smoke filled the air, and the ding of glasses and the chattering of patrons created a cacophony when it mixed with the old juke box that played in the back. It was an interesting place. She had been to many just like it. Dive bars, places where you could find work, but where the wrong type of people never stepped foot. Gave you an edge. Helmet scanned the faces of so many as she walked towards the bar. It spotted the one she wanted and she slid up next to him. “Whatever ale you have.” The voice of the teen came out of the voice filter, giving it an edge, like it had come from a comm unit. Helmet turned to the man. “Arbit Elre, correct?” Both gloved hands rested on the counter top, away from her weapons.

[member="Arbit Elre"]

 

[Arbit Elre]

The Iktotchi man glanced sidelong at the newcomer to the bar. As she sat beside him, he took a large swig of his grog and set the mug down with a *clank*. At the sound of his name, he looked back at her briefly, noticing her choice of armor. He chuckled lightly as he took another drink before finally speaking in a gruff, slightly drunk and mocking tone. "And what is it that brings a proud Mandalorian to grace the streets of a god forsaken hellhole like the slums of Oskal?" As he says this, he reached his arms out in a dramatic movement, indicating the area around him and clearly meaning the domed city as a whole. "B'cause other than cheap alcohol and some decent ship parts, ya' ain't got much ta' find 'round here."

The man turned on his stool roughly, the rusted metal squeaking beneath his weight. He grabbed his mug and downed what little was left, then looked into the mask of the Mandalorian before him, keeping the tail of his long leather coat hanging on the butt of his blaster pistol, keeping it somewhat obscured from view. "Somethin' told me I'd be able to find some money if I came here today. Seein' as yer asking for me specifically, you my pay day?" He smiled viciously, his sharp teeth interlocking into a savage grin of greed. The sharp horns hanging from the sides of his head were covered in burn marks and cuts, clearly showing some close calls in his past. Something about his demeanor screamed confidence, though if it was backed up by skill or was mere arrogance could only be guessed at. Either way, it was clear he had seen his fair share of combat, even as young as he was.

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsx05iGapR8​

Under her helmet she smirked. He was like her. Confident, with a lot of words. It was perfect. As her drank came, she paid the bartender with a credit chit, a big tip. He would understand. However, the girl didn't take the drink. For a Mandalorian she was well above the age of adulthood, however, she had learned long ago to not trust the drinks in places like this. “What else would bring me here? See anything beyond you worth a damn?” She turned and leaned back against the counter as the music grew louder. The jizz wailer music filtered through the hall. What was this? The best hits from six hundred years ago?

A hand rested on her hip. “Ten thousand up front. Six thousand more upon completion. Forty percent of whatever we find of value. Sixteen thousand known value, with the potential for a lot more. And if you do well, plenty more jobs if you want them.” Arms crossed now, and she turned to look at the male.

Internal scanners examined the male, and she wondered if he would go for it or not. “If it's agreeable, lets go someplace less noisy to discuss details. If not, the next drink is on me, and I'll then vanish out the door. What do you say?”

[member="Arbit Elre"]

 

[Arbit Elre]

Arbit chuckled slightly at the offer, then leaned against the counter, mulling it over. "Straight to tha point then, aye? That's a lot o' jink, little lady. Ta offer so much, must be an important job." His hand unconsciously toyed with the tip of one of his horns as he thought. When he finally looked back at the Mandalorian, his eyes burned with greed. "Ta even have so much ta offer, yeh must be either filthy rich or a part of something big. So I'll hear yeh out at least." He stood up and rapped the table two times. As the bartender approached, the Iktotchi held out a credit chip worth much more than the drink he had just finished. He said simply, "This should cover the tab." The bartender grasped the chip tightly before pocketing it. The bartender spoke to Arbit so that only he could hear before turning away and tending to another scumbag that had approached the bar.

The Iktotchi turned back to face the young girl before him, standing at his full height of 6'3" and grinning down at the armor. He nodded his head in the direction of an old tattered rag meant to serve as a curtain. "Bout the only place we'll get any privacy 'round here, but the 'tender won't keep us a secret too long. He's got 'big pockets' so to speak." Without another word or waiting for a response, he walked towards the back of the run-down cantina. Pushing the curtain to the side revealed a small hallway with a few doorways on either side. He walked briskly to the furthest on the left, sliding the door open entering without hesitation. He sat on a dingy couch in the corner, awaiting the Mandalorian with an inquisitive interest and hopeful intrigue. The faint music could still be heard slightly, but was barely noticeable over the opportunity of a score.

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

She followed him into the room and closed the door behind her. The Mandalorian was small, only 5'2'', so easily dwarfed by the larger male. As he slid onto the couch, she pulled out a vid-vox scrambler, and activated it. It would create a field where eaves dropping equipment could not record what was going on.

“You can call me....” She had dropped her Sith name, but it would work well in this situation. If the man decided to not take the mission, she needed him to have as little specific information as possible. “Vexia. I am looking for a man who can fit in with pirates for a time. I want to blend in with your crew, we head to a pirate haven, spring a few...prisoners, gather some intelligence, and blow the place sky high. Your reputation has you as a mercenary, you can go wherever you want. You are good enough people want to hire you, but not so well known people know to fear you yet.”

She sighed and shook her head. “I will only give you details as to where we are going, who we are rescuing and what we are looking for, once we are on your ship, and under way. This is as much information as I can give you until you accept the mission. However, once on your ship, ten thousand will be transferred over. Another six thousand upon mission completion, and if we do a good enough job, a bonus, so long as I complete all of my objectives. Three thousand more. Yes, it's a lot of credits. But I have taken into consideration the risk, as well as the importance to me. I dislike haggling, I want to make sure its worth your while from the get go. So, what do you say?”

The small Mandalorian certainly talked a lot!

[member="Arbit Elre"]

 

[Arbit Elre]

As the small Mandalorian spoke, Arbit listened intently, a constant grin on his face hidden behind his hand as he contemplated the deal. The warrior sounded young, almost too young to really be experienced with any sorts of business. Then again, who was he to judge? He was doing mercenary work as a teenager, so who's to say one couldn't be a strong warrior. As the girl spoke, Arbit's smile only grew larger. He liked people that would rather throw a high number out than haggle. Made the process quick, and profitable.

When the girl finished speaking, he leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees, folding his hands and staring at her for a silent moment, his sharp-toothed grin returning. "So, you wanna play pirate, break intuh a crime cesspool, spring some prisoners, an' destroy it all on the way out." The large Iktotchi laughed as he relaxed back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling for a few moments before his gruff voice broke the silence again. "Ya know, normally ev'ry instinct in my body would blow this off as a scam or joke. It is quite the job, 'specially for only a couple people to pull off." The man stayed silent for a few more seconds before he looked back at the possible employer, his pale tan eyes resting on the visor of her helmet. "But for some reason, I gotta good feelin' 'bout this 'un. The credits would certainly help out, and I'm sure I'd be considered for future jobs as well." After a moment he added, "Well, if'n we survive this one that is."

He let out a lighthearted chuckle, then stood up, losing his smile, and walked towards the small Mandalorian, reaching her in only a couple strides. After a moment of staring down at her, he smiled wide again and held out a rather large hand, though relatively small for an Iktotchi. "Alright, I'll take yeh up on it. But if I see things are goin' too far south, I ain't gonna wait around 'til I die." His vicious but oddly kind smile shone bright as he unconsciously tapped his blaster on his hip, waiting for the girl to grasp his hand in agreement.

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

With luck, the man wouldn't understand who, or what she was until the fighting actually started. At sixteen Allya was an adult by Mandalorian standards. She was second in command of the Confederacy's commandos, and Sith raised and trained. It made her a bit confused spiritually, but, combat wise.... The girl raised a gloved hand and took his in hers. While small, the grip with which she shook his hand was firm, and intense, with a strength one would not expect. “I'm not asking for anything that I believe is impossible. I have faith in your skills, and in mine. It will be dangerous, but the danger means more pay off. If we pull it off, there is bound to be spice, weapons, armor, credits, and other stolen goods. As I said, forty percent of that on top of the guaranteed pay. I am not going to lie to you, or act as if you don't have a right to know what is going on. Nor am I going to play you for a fool, or as an expendable resource. I prefer to keep things simple and to the point. You do your job you will survive, I will guanrtee it. And when you survive and you walk away with a lot of credits. It's my type of business.”

She tapped a button on her bracers and brought up an image of a Knight of Ren. “I'm after this man. These pirates did business with him, and may have a clue where he went. Beyond that, let's wait till we are underway. But it doesn't seem as if you want out at all.” The girl smirked under her helmet. “It will be fun. A chance to prove you are better than the rabble, make good caps, and if you are interested in it, to create good will with some major galactic players.”

Allya moved towards the door. “Payment when we reach your ship. Hopefully we shouldn't have any trouble getting there. Though I did notice some rabble asking around about you. We may want to move quickly if we want to avoid any unnecessary entanglements.” She deactivated the comm jammer and pushed open the door. The girl did not wait for him, she simply walked back out into the smoke filled, noisy room, and towards the door. Either he followed, or he didn't. Either she made the correct choice or she hadn't.

[member="Arbit Elre"]

 

[Arbit Elre]

Arbit's smile only grew as the small Mandalorian grasped his hand with an unexpected strength. He had certainly come across someone that had the strength to hold their own, and that only made the task that much easier for the pay. Plus, maybe it would be fun, getting into the pockets of some big time holders of power. This was his ticket to real wealth, and he certainly wan't gonna pass up this opportunity.

He looked at the target displayed on the hologram, memorizing the features for future reference. The warrior sure knew how to keep a conversation interesting, and seemingly exactly what spoke to Arbit: money.

As the Mandalorian headed out of the room at a quick pace, Arbit had no trouble keeping on her heels with his lengthy strides. He followed close behind her, heading for the star port in relative silence. As they neared it, a vision struck Arbit. He smiled broadly, then spoke in a calm tone. "Say, I never did ask. What 'bout your ship? Yeh had to 'ave gotten here somehow or other, and public transport don't seem like your style. You just gonna hop on some stranger's ship, someone who's known to be a killer and will work for whoever pays most, and fly off into the stars without a care to your way out? 'Cuz that don't seem too bright for someone of your status, all due respect."

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]

 

[Allya Vi'Dreya]

As he spoke, Allya laughed. It was a beautiful, melodic sound, even through her helmet. She shook her head. “How many people do you think I've killed to gain this amount of confidence? And how much power do you think I possess? If you killed me, that would an incredible feat. And there would be no place in the galaxy you could go to escape what would happen. But you won't. You are like me. You want to prove yourself. You're the best, you want everyone to know it, and you want to get rich doing it. I have no doubt with your skills, you could find some way to end my life through trickery and the like. And I have no doubt with mine, I could do the same to you. But there is no fun in that.”

She gestured. “I have every intention in going on some strangers ship, having very little idea what the end outcome will be. And I have every intention of making that stranger wealthy, and with enough jobs of enough difficulty that by the end of it all, he will be legend in his right. If that isn't enough for you, feel free to try and kill me.” Her voice went dark, and if he had any ability to feel the force, it would prickle through him in warning. “It would be interesting to see what happened.”

“As for my ship, it will be following us. They won't be far behind if we get into a scrape we can't get out of. But the reward, for me at least, is far to precious to pass up. Big gains take big risks. And only you can get me passed the outer defenses without my prize being destroyed. So, I'm taking the risk.” The girl gestured with her hand. “After you.”

[member="Arbit Elre"]

 

[Arbit Elre]

Arbit laughed at the girl's confidence. She had spunk, and showed promise to be a lot of fun on this upcoming mission. As they neared the hanger for Arbit's ship, he held up a hand to stop the girl's movement. "Hold on, this'll only take a second." With that, he rounded the corner and opened the hangar door, his hand on his pistol. As soon as the door opened, he stepped through without hesitation and drew his blaster, firing two shots. As if on cue, shots rang out from all over the hangar. When the shots finally stopped as suddenly as they had started, Arbit stood in the center of the hangar, only a smoking hole in his long coat showing any sign of the firefight. He smiled back at the Mandalorian. "Ten shots, ten kills. This ain't the first time they come after me, so I'm ready for 'em now. I think I got a price on my head or somethin', because people just seem proud to fire shots at me." As he speaks, he holsters his blaster and walks towards the ramp of his ship. "Hope yeh didn't forget nothin' on your ship, because I don't feel like waitin'."

With that, he kisses his hand and taps the side of the entrance ramp to his ship, smiling his whole way in. It wasn't a very big ship, just a fighter at best, but it was home for the renegade. He ran his hands through a few storage drawers on the ship before settling down in the pilot seat, waiting for his employer to join him. "Come on, then. I ain't got all week."

[member="Allya Vi'Dreya"]