Private Lowlifes In High Society

[Cyran Vaas]

Location: Nar Shaddaa
Objective: Crash Auction and Repo Artifacts
Tag: Kahlil Noble

​

The Smuggler's Moon, the nickname of one of the meanest places in the galaxy. Cyran never liked Nar Shaddaa. Last time he was there for a Hutt Ball game a group of aliens mistaken him for a Human before getting into a fight with the Zeltron. Humans were a minority species on the planet, making it a place where bitter aliens have used that fact to vent their racial frustrations on the minority population.

Moment’s prior the swirling blue haze of hyperspace quickly gave way to the Hutt moon from the view in the ship. The zeltrons astromech was hanging out in the cockpit and maneuvering the YT-2400 to their destination. Tonight Cyran had a new partner that he hadn’t worked with before. Kahlil Noble, the husband to a woman Cyran was more familiar with. The duo were enroute to meet up with a contact of the large man. Some sort of pirate that will give them some more information on the event Cyran and Kahlil would be crashing.

It was an underground auction, illegal even by Hutt standards, where shady dudes and dudettes would be purchasing stolen and or thought to be missing Jedi and Force artifacts. It was to be a high class venue. The two men were to go in as potential partakers and buyers to the event. Cyran himself was getting himself ready for the evening to look the part and have his equipment ready as well as making sure the tacky fake facial hair was properly fixed to his face. Having spent a few hours dyeing the fake mustache and goatee to properly match his own bluish hair.

As his ship came into reentry Cyran was struggling with tying his tie. He didn’t wear them very often but was determined to tonight as he watched a tutorial on his data pad in the lounge of his ship. The zeltron huffed and groaned in frustration at the troublesome piece of Fabric. Wondering if Kahlil was having any similar issues with their wardrobe.

 

[Kahlil Noble]

The life as a prince certainly prepared him for the high end life. Kahlil fixed his suit with ease, smoothing out any crease as he made sure his cufflinks were in place. That everything was in place. Ring included. There was little chance he'd ever remove the ring him and Valery Noble shared. For a moment he paused and smiled, glancing it over. He tried not to prize anything as a Jedi, but, yeah.

This was his, and only his.

Suit on he stepped out, rubbed the back of his neck as he ducked under the doorway. Being tall had it's difficulties for sure. ".. You need some help?" He raised a brow as he watched Cyran struggle with his tie. And tried not to laugh. Perhaps it made sense that Mandalorians weren't the best with suits that weren't armor.

"It's over, then under."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Hearing the large Jedi approach Cyran perked up and looked over at them. How they found the sight of him struggling with the tie amusing Cyran couldn’t help but crack a smirk. “Hehe, thanks I think I see what you mean.” He replied and began to fold and knot the tie more properly.

“Back home for even formal events you didn’t see a lot of folks wearing stuffy suits like this. Then off-world I started wearing a lot more practical and combat gear.” He explained some of his inexperience with more sophisticated fashion. Even then his wardrobe had a more vintage style to it.

“And there we go.” The zeltron said with his tie now tied up. It wasn’t that tight or sharp looking but the bounty hunter didn’t want to mess with it and possibly ruin what he had right now. Grabbing his small datapad to put in his pocket the ship speaks fire up with the voice of his astromech droid.

-“We’ll be arriving shortly to meet up with Mr. Nobles contact. Be ready to exit the ship shortly.”- The droid said in beeps and chirps.

With that said Cyran looked up to the epicanthix and asked. “The contact is a pirate right? Pretty odd acquaintance for a Jedi.” He’d only known a little bit about his partner for the evening, mostly just who their significant other was. “Hmm let me guess, you were familiar with this person before becoming a Jedi? Or maybe it’s like what we got going on here, and fate paired you two together at some point and made an unlikely friend?” After throwing out some of his ideas Cyran began to give himself a quick pat down. Checking off some of his concealed gear that he was taking with him to the venue for when things will likely get hostile. Unlike Kahlil, he didn’t have any special powers to utilize and needed to be prepared in a more material manner with gadgets and gizmos.

A few moments later the ship shook some as it finally landed. The two were now in place to meet with their contact…

Kahlil Noble

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"When you're running from the Sith Empire, you make friends with anyone you can trust. And you can always trust a pirate to want money, so.." So long as it was profitable, Good ol' Honzo didn't mind working with Kahlil in the slightest back in the day. At least now it was less profitable to turn him in. Probably. Hopefully. The Jedi didn't dwell on it too much. Worse comes to worse, they could improvise their way out.

And they would, probably.

The ramp lowered, and sure enough, there he was. Dressed in his finest suit, Honzo, the Weequay pirate lord. Who immediately threw up his arms.

"Ah! The runaway Zambrano boy! How big you've grown. Literally big. Aren't you a foot taller and wider since last we met?"

He snickered and shook his head. Classic Honzo.

"More or less. Got in a good work out habit."

"You'll have to show it to me some time! Later, though. The Hutt we're going to crash we shouldn't keep waiting. Babu is very.. He really doesn't like to wait. So! Come along."

With quite the flourish he waved towards a speeder close by. A fancy one at that. Who's doors opened right up as if on cue. Kahlil shrugged before heading in.

"Let's go, then."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Cyran was a little surprised with how forthcoming they were with their history in the Sith Empire. Even Cyran who really didn’t do much for them kept that part of his career deep in the annals of his personal history. Even getting chewed out by the missus at one point for it.

Walking along besides Kahlil as they met up with the Pirate. The weequay pirate noting the Jedi’s growth. Looking up to the large man Cyran found it hard to imagine Kahlil ever being smaller. But then again everyone was young once.

Seeing the air speeder they’ve been arriving in made the zeltron smirk. It was fancier than he imagined it would be. Following the Epicanthix to the vehicle Cyran remarked. “I supposed our friend Mr. Honzo is a very fair share of the profits. For providing luxury expenses like this.” The bounty hunter had imagined that along with confiscating the artifacts from the auction they’d also be grabbing the credits of those already “sold”. None of that really mattered too much for Cyran though, as a contractor his pay was fixed. So the only thing on the line was his professional reputation. Kahlil was a Jedi, Cyran didn’t think that profit was what motivated him. Their Pirate contract was the primary profiteer for this operation.

“Then again sticking it to galactic scum and villainy is alway a reward in of itself… n-no offense.” The zeltron remarked to the Weequay before stepping into and sitting in the speeder. Feeling the genuine nerf leather on the seats. Was this vehicle hand crafted perhaps? Even for a pirate lord that would seem fairly out of reach. Then again it could just be stolen, and single credit was spent obtaining the speeder.

Kahlil Noble

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil plopped into the seat shortly after a farewell with Hanzo before letting out a laugh. The Weequay let out his own, just smirking as he waved farewell to the pair. "The only venture worth it is the profitable kind. You justice seekers never make sense. But! I am making a profit, and thus, I wish you good luck. And remember! I never saw you if you get caught."

The door closed, which left the two alone in the back of the car. He looked forward, but there was no pilot. No living one, anyway. A droid already programed in the path forward.
"We'll arrive at our destination within the next five minutes. Enjoy the ride."

"Well, there we go. Be there soon. .. Should we have fake names or such? Shadow business was always more Valery's thing than mine."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

The zeltron thought some about the Pirates parting words as the door closed and they began to make their way to the venue proper, and it was close. Turning to look at Kahlil, Cyran nodded. “Hmm, yeah that’s a good idea, being a bounty hunter like myself there might be a few individuals at the auction that might recognize my name. For being a thorn in their side with their criminal operations, and a runaway prince like yourself isn’t super low profile.”

Cyran brought his hand to his chin and thought for a moment. “Um, I’ll go by… uh, Nickcaro Vegas, or Nick for short.” To the bounty hunter that alias sounded kinda cool. “As for you, how about…hm, Mr. Royals?” It would be easy for Cyran to remember since Royal and Noble were kinda the same thing. Having that thought reminded him of a conversation he had a while ago with Valery. Where he entertained a particular idea about her…

“Shadow business? Yeah I can understand that. However, I always viewed her stuff as more like being a Ninja, we’re more like uh, undercover agents.” Realistically that is basically what a Ninja was too, but in Cyran’s head the two were very different based on action movies he watched as a kid.

After a moment Cyran let out a sigh, and said. “I don’t really blame Honzo for being profit driven. After all, a lot of my contemporaries are as well.” He said, referring to other bounty hunters in the galaxy. “But if all I really cared about was making a quick buck I wouldn’t be here right now, I’d probably already be at the event, as hired muscle for the Hutts. I wouldn’t be a bounty hunter, I would be an assassin…” To the zeltron there was a clear difference.

Kahlil Noble

 

[Kahlil Noble]

"Mr. Royals?" Kahlil raised a brow, smirked. At least it still fit with Noble. Mr. Royals it was. Vegas Royals coming in to mess with the auction. Sounded like a holo show he'd watch with Vera, for sure. Maybe it was now that he thought about it.

Then he snorted. Valery, a Ninja? Yeah, he could see that. When she wanted to be, she was probably one of the sneakiest people around. Though now he was wondering what she'd look like in some kind of Ninja getup. He paused his thinking and shook that from his mind. No, no. Mission first. He could chat her up about that some other time. Much later. Way later.

"Sometimes money is what you need. Though, probably best not to sell your morals for it. Bending them though, that's not as bad. Depending on how far you bend." Not that he was one to bend much anymore. Way less than most others, at least.

"You ready, though, Mr. Vegas? Gonna be bending some rules here for sure."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

The idea that Valery was a Ninja was not hard for the zeltron to imagine at all. Give her a cool mask and paint her form fitting outfit black. To Cyran that was all that was really missing. Maybe some smoke bombs too for good measure.

Hearing Kahlil’s words, Cyran nodded. “Yeah, and I’m not ignorant to the fact that I’m pretty lucky to do what I do and still feel like I haven’t lost who I am along the way.” The bounty hunter could recognize that. Soon enough though the speeder began to pull into their destination, the automated driver letting the two men know as much.

Chuckling, some Cyran replied, “Oh yeah, though I’m not gonna lose any sleep for bending any rules on a planet like this. Given how fast and loose those in power here are with their own rules.” He said, remarking on the rather lawless nature of the smuggler’s moon. The speeder eventually parked on Cyran’s side. “Well I guess this is out stop Mr. Royals.” With that said he opened the door to the speeder, the noise of muffled jizz music coming from the building as he stepped out of the vehicle.

Around them other sharply dressed guests and visitors were outside. Either mingling with acquaintances and or friends. A least as close to a friend as you can get in these parts of galactic society. Others just seemingly haven’t made their way inside yet. Even out here the odor of cigara smoke hung in the air.

A moment later tho he approached Kahlil after they exited the speeder too. “I almost forgot, we’ll want these too.” Cyran said before handing the epicanthix a Ear-Comlink in his palm. “That way we can still communicate and not need to hold hands the whole time.” He explained, knowing that they could cover more ground when separate as opposed to together.

Kahlil Noble

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil glanced around, only briefly. This was the high life.

Man he didn't miss it.

The heavy smell of smoke and spice, the needless flash of money. It was everything he could've had and more as a Prince, and yet, never wanted. His internal thoughts faded after a moment though, instead having him look back to Cyran. And laugh. Right. Comlink would be a good idea. He took it up and popped it into his ear before grinning wide. "Probably for the best. Can't make Val jealous."

Then turned towards the club itself. He fixed his sleeves one last time before walking in, head high, smile wide. He at least knew how to look like he belonged. Inside it was as active as he thought it'd be. People dancing, smoking spice, drinking. Nar Shaddaa was truly a planet of unrestrained revelry. He wandered off almost immediately. Their job was to find their way into the auction. Better to split up.

He took the bar. "Whatever you got that's good." Kahlil flashed a charming grin as he leaned on the counter. Dropped credits. A lot of them. There was nothing like money to make a statement. The bartender raised a brow before nodding and reaching underneath for the better stock. Poured him a glass. Then wandered off to put the credits away. And probably tell someone or another about the high roller.

Good.

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

With that situated the two men parted for now, Kahili going to the bar, a good move, Cyran still looked around for a place to mingle and scout out. The building was almost like a mix between a hotel and convention center. Large open rooms for guests to move through.

There was a large holographic display, informing where and when certain attractions are. Looking around some Cyran felt the vibe of the place, it was all off. There were a lot of folks that showed glam and glitz, yet hid darkness in themselves. The venue was a real hive of scum and villainy. Worse than some shady cantina where folks at least had the decency to not pretend like they were better than they were.

Gazing back up at the display an affluent looking Neimoidian stepped close by, also checking out the hologram. Flanking them on either side was a pair of shapely looking BD-3000 luxury droids. For being rather vintage droid models the two looked remarkably pristine. The Neimoidian then asked, “Huh, do you know what time the main event will be starting? I can’t seem to find it on here?”

Cocking an eyebrow, maybe the alien’s eyes were better at smelling than seeing. “Oh, it says it’ll be starting in about 45 minutes, plenty of time to still socialize. Get your eyes on anything in particular to get at the auction?” Cyran questioned. The Neimoidan looked over at the zeltron and squinted his eyes at him. He probably did have trouble seeing.

“Certainly, one of the lightsabers they have on display over there.” They said, as well as pointing out a large display of items for guests to view before the auction which might actually be worth a look. “I won’t say which one though, wouldn’t want you outbidding me haha. My name is Paku Humo, and you are?” The sickly green alien introduced themselves, asking Cyran their name too.

“Oh I’m C-eh Sir Nickaro Vegas” Cyran almost already messed up his fake alias. Now accidentally adding Sir into it as well. “Knight of the Tapani Sector. A pleasure to meet your Mr. Humo.” The Zeltron hoped that was a good enough recovery, the Tapani sector was the only place he could think of that was still run by Nobles, at least to his knowledge. The bounty hunter at least felt like he had the martial prowess to back up such a title.

“A Tapani Knight? Very nice, well I’m gonna go see what the food court may have to offer, won’t wanna go through the evening on an empty stomach.”

“Haha, of course, well then the three of you take care now.” With that said he Neimoidian left Cyran with his two droid escorts. Looking back to the displays he would go check that out now.

Kahlil Noble

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil took a slow sip of the drink, turning to look around at the club itself. It was busy. There were all kinds of high rollers. And.. Items on display? He raised a brow, glancing through them. Ah, some of these were going to be sold, weren't they? His gaze shifted. Security. Bouncers for the most part, but he could make out a couple folks actually armed. Some body guards, others likely enforcers of the gang that ran this place.

Alright, the fighting part probably wasn't going to be fun.

He took another sip, pausing only when someone else approached him. A man with an all too kind smile.

"Welcome, welcome! It's not often we have someone flash so many credits casually. I take it you're here for the auction?"

"Mm. That I am. You know when it's supposed to start?"

"Actually, very soon. I can show you the way down, if you'd like?"

"I'd appreciate that, yeah."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Making his way over to some of the display cases showing what was to be auctioned off. They were all behind thick transparisteel. Safe to be looked at yet not touched or tampered with. Leaning in to gaze at some of the items on display. Some of which being some lightsabers like the Neimoidian mentioned. Maybe their eyesight wasn’t as bad as it seemed. They were hilts at least, if they were still functional. It’s possible that batteries would be sold separately, or whatever crystal it was that was used inside them.

Inspecting them more the weapons more closely Cyran leaned in a bit more closely. An armed guard standing close by remarked. “You can look but you can’t touch Pinky.” Darting his eyes over to them. They were a brawny looking Nikto enforcer.

Standing up straight the zeltron replied. “Ha, of course, only window shopping for now. But hey while you’re here mind telling me if any of them make purple blades?” Cyran wouldn’t have known much about the rarity of such a lightsaber. Despite it being one of the only kind he’d seen in person. The Nikto simply huffed and turned away, uninterested in answering Cyran’s question. When they did, Cyran narrowed his gaze in annoyance.

“I’m afraid there isn’t any with that particular hue Mister.” A feminine voice said from behind. Looking back Cyran was met with the sight of a lovely Orange Twi’lek woman. Wearing a rather skimpy blue dress that contrasts with her skin. Her outfit looked quite nice if it wasn’t for the shock collar around her neck. “I’m one of the curators of tonight's auction.” She said with a smile. “Tonight's lightsabers largely produce Blue, and Green as those are most typically seen with Jedi. Although there are a handful of Red bladed ones we’ll be selling tonight as well.” She explained.

“Interesting…” Cyran hadn’t known that Blue and Green were more frequently used with the Jedi. He was aware that many of their adversaries used red blades though. There only being a few wouldn’t surprise him now considering groups like the Silver Jedi and New Jedi Order are much closer to Nar Shaddaa. Meaning they could make a pretty penny for their relative rarity.

“And these display cases are gonna be moved down to the auction room shortly too. One item that hasn’t been shown here that will be for sale is a genuine Jedi Holocron though, so keep an eye out for that. But I need to get going now, since it’ll be starting shortly. Take care please.” With that said she gave a respectful bow to Cyran and walked off. Not giving her name, but then again she might not have even had one. Though she was quite alluring after she walked away Cyran griminced a little sensing her pain inside. She had a pleasant demeanor, but the heart doesn’t lie. Cyran would have no qualms ruining tonight’s event with Kahlil.

Soon after some more staff began to move the display’s out of the room and to where they’d likely be selling them shortly. After which Cyran pushed his ear some and spoke into the comlink. “Hey Mr. Royals, Just got word that there’s selling a Jedi Holocron here as the big ticket item. Crazy right? Also… what’s a Jedi Holocron?”

Kahlil Noble

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil followed the man down the stairs, a calm smile as ever on his face. A mix of slaves, enforcers, customers, thugs, drug dealers. He'd started to pick them out through the crowd. Marking targets in the back of his mind if things went to hell. Hopefully they wouldn't, but where they were going meant no room for chance.

Down the stairs and into a larger room. A display room at that, rows of seats laid out. Comfortable, exotic seats at that. Some likely tailored for some of the more prominent folks arriving. Hutts, mostly. His gaze fell on one who was already sitting there. Fordon. Notorious collector of all things Jedi and Sith.

Oh good.

He found his seat, which was far more ordinary than the others. A one size fits all for the occasional visiting royal. He settled in before scratching the back of his head, clicking on his com in the process.

"Something pretty sacred. I've got a seat downstairs and eyes on the auction. If they're selling a holocron, we're going to need to get it."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

“Something pretty sacred.” Pretty vague but maybe it was a dumb question to even ask. But it also sounded important so they were likely going to need to confiscate it. “Alright, I’ll probably be down there soon with you, save me a seat if you can.” With that said Cyran knew that the auction would be starting shortly.

Other guests were already beginning to make their way down to it as well. Among them was the host of the evening. Lumu the Hutt, a large yet classing looking Hutt, who had some sort of repulsor platform to keep her body afloat a mobile. The bounty hunter doubted that she needed it though, even Hutt obese by their own standards, could be remarkably agile and strong, still a warrior species. Only the most well off of their kind had the “luxury” of being rendered immobile by their size. Something Cyran himself couldn’t see himself being envious of.

Eventually the zeltron made his way to the auction hall as well, meeting up with Kahlil. Approaching he spoke, “Hey Ka- cough I mean, Hello Mr. Royals, I hope you managed to save me a seat, and one a little out of the way. I visited the food court and tried one of the local dishes, but the zoochberry dumplings aren't sitting well with with me. I would hate to offend the other guests.” That wasn’t true, he was just making up an excuse for them to be in a less crowded spot. That way they could talk with less risk of eavesdroppers catching onto them.

Kahlil Noble

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Well at least his name wasn't dropped. Kahlil let out a chuckle as he nodded, motioning towards one of the nearby seats. Closer to the door, at least. When they needed to get gone, it'd certainly make it easier. His gaze didn't linger on Cyran for long though. Instead back to the front, towards teh stage. Watching, closely. The auction was going to begin soon, which only meant they'd have a little more time to take stock of the situation and prepare.

"You're good in case we need to.. Handle things, without your armor, right?"

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

Soon enough the auction was starting, the presenter and speaker being that same Orange Twi’lek woman Cyran had come across earlier. As they began to speak to the evening's main event Cyran replied to Kahlil’s question. “You didn’t think I’d come empty handed did you?” He said quietly with a slight laugh. “I actually do have my armor on right now, at least the important beskar part. All the plating I normally have over it is plastoid actually. But don’t tell anyone that.” Using the same armor as stormtroopers might have sounded pretty lame. But when it came to projectiles and shrapnel it was second to none. Under which was his beskar wire-mesh vest which he had on right now under his clothes.

“I still got some of my fun gadgets and gizmos on me too, just less and tucked away. I won’t spoil it for you yet though. A magician's secrets you know hehe.” He added on with a slight chuckle. Was it helpful to keep secrets like that from his partner? Absolutely not. Was it fun though? Absolutely yes. After all, he didn't know all the cool wizard stuff Kahlil could do, so it was only fair.

Eventually the twi’lek speaker introduced the hostess of the event, The "lovely" Lumu The Hutt, getting a round of claps from many of those in the room as a show of respect to her. The large woman off in the corner was getting fanned down by one of her slaves, next to her stood another with a tray of delectable snacks, many of which still living.

“So I also heard earlier from the announcer that they are in possession of some sith items as well. Not sure if that’s of much interest to you and your organization. So far it seems the big ticket item is that holocrome.” Cyran added quietly, and already mispronounced the word holocron.

Kahlil Noble

 

[Kahlil Noble]

Kahlil raised a brow way up.

So Mandalorians had under armor like that? The more you know. But he nodded his head regardless. Tricks were going to be needed. Especially if things went poorly. When things went poorly. There was no doubt in his mind now. Sith artifacts, Jedi lightsabers. A holocron. The Jedi let out a sigh as he watched the proceedings begin. If he could, he'd take everything from here. That wasn't going to be possible.

The Holocron took precedence.

"We focus on the Holocron. If we can take anything else, we do. But that needs to be reclaimed first."

Cyran Vaas

 

[Cyran Vaas]

The zeltron has only been able to acquire a single ingot of beskar in his life. With that he made sure to get the most out of it, by having the metal thinly spread out over his chest and stomach. It acts more like an extra protective armorweave than typical beskar. It was a costly procedure from the metallurgist but one well worth it to the bounty hunter.

Cyran nodded, whatever this Holocron thing was it sounded important. If it was as much of a big ticket item as it seemed surely it would be the most protected and secured. Though the one item being of top priority might make things easier for the two of them. “You think we should wait till we see it, make sure it’s the real deal. Then work from there?” If they waited for someone else to try and purchase it they could possibly strike when the items are being transferred where they might be most vulnerable. Thing is that it might require a bit of waiting, as it would likely be the grand finale item to end the auction on a high note.

Kahlil Noble