Meeting with the Hutt

[Bradok]

Mangus had never liked Hutts much, before and after his time on Nar Shaddaa, but in all his time around them he had come to somewhat respect them. They were crude, in business and life, but highly effective hen it came to getting things done. With that in mind it was now great feat for Mangus to turn to newly risen Hutt Cartel for the financial backing he so needed to get his start. After his meeting in the cantina with Esme Mangus had promptly booked passage to the White Palace, it wasn't an easy fear or a cheap one, but he arrived there nonetheless.

Taking in the scenery wasn't on his list of things to do here, no, in fact Mangus tried his best to ignore his surroundings as he entered the structure. That, however; was no easy feat as he would soon discover as his eyes began to wander to and fro within the palace walls. It was an impressive place, there was no denying that, and clearly the rumors he had heard about the reemergence of a more powerful Hutt Cartel were more than true from the looks of things. As he walked through the entrance corridor he was stopped by what appeared to be an advisor of secretary of sorts.

"What do you want here Human?" He said as he approached Mangus and eyed him awkwardly. Mangus was use to this tactic, a bit of intimidation to throw off the unsuspecting. He had helped do it to other many times before, and was not about to show weakness and be cast aside. "I'm here to see Sempra, I'm the one who sent word ahead about the loan." Mangus said sternly with his hands on his hips. With no further word the advisor moved the side and pointed him in the right direction.

It took a bit of doing, but eventually Mangus found his ay into a grand room and at the other side sat the one he came to see. "Your eminence." Mangus said as he approached Sempra. "I believe we have business to discuss?"

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

The air was filled with light laughter and sound of moans and pleasure. The evening had been set to a calm one as Sempra the Hutt wished to work at peace. The screen on his right held information about a recent events which Sempra followed greedily.

The shadows held several watchful eyes and most likely a sleeping creature as well as [member="Mangus Abraxius"] entered the throne of the white palace. A slave desperately tried to gain the attention of the looming hutt with an exotic dance. It was a skinny looking human male. He wore traits that telled about a former muscular and fit body. But the muscles had long since dwindled and his former beauty was a pale memory to the room. Below his arm and knees small dots marked his skin, a common trait for spice addicts. Desperation shone from his eyes as the fate of such individuals often were gruesome in the white palace. When the visitor entered a rough loking gamorean started to pull the crying slave away to give room in front of the throne.

Sempra raised his eyes slightly at Mangus greeting and then returned his attention to the screen. Just as one might have thought he ignored the man the hutt spoke, still with his eyes on the screen.

“Yes mr Abraxius, I understand that you seek some monetary support? Hum?”

 

[Bradok]

"Yes." Mangus said calmly as he stood in front of the throne. His eyes wandering about the room and lingering on the slaves, most notably the one being drug away. Mangus detested slavery, all that knew him understood this to be fact, for he had been a slave when he was a boy and the memories of those years still haunted him. Mangus knew, however; that despite his hate for it there was nothing to be done at this moment without bringing upon his early demise. Swallowing his pride he fixed his stare upon Sempra, the Hutt of all Hutts as it were. He had pulled the Hutt Cartel up from the ashes, and it was by his will and his alone that Mangus was here now.

Mangus knew that his future hinged on the Hutt before him. Watching as his eyes scanned the screen to his side, no doubt detailing some of shady business dealings. "Yes, I've worked as a freelancer out of Nar Shaddaa for years." Mangus spoke, his voice cracking a bit as he bit his lip in disdain for the acts being committed around him. "I was told to great and generous Sempra could afford me the funding to begin my on smuggling trade." Mangus went on, making sure to pause out of respect just in cause his host wished to interject. "I need enough to have a ship built, fuel, repairs and maintenance for a while. I am sure your magnificence knows the details as well as I."

He didn't like kissing up to the Hutt but Sempra had power and influence, and Mangus had to respect that. After finishing speaking Mangus would cross his arms in front of him and wait for the Hutt to reply. As it were, Mangus was at his mercy. His future hinging on Sempra's next words. It was an odd occurrence, but then again he knew he wasn't the first to come before the Cartel and ask for money.

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

The flow of currency was a fascinating thing to behold. Every message, every praise, or threat represented credits at some point. Sempra sighed - some did represent pride of course. It was a trait he knew all to well. Sometimes it worked in his favour, sometimes it opposed his wishes. Pressing the diggits before him he approved of such a display of pride that did not work in his favour to be put down.

Like a dog he mused.

He turned his large head away from the screen and looked upon [member="Mangus Abraxius"]. The man was not afraid. It told the hutt that he had dealt with the underworld before. He stood tall, straight back eyes forward. This is a man with clear objectives. He held his hands folded a sign of a uncertainty?

Correcting his position Sempra beckoned for a slave to approach carrying a tray with all sorts of drinks and food upon it. Sempra grabbed a chalice of spiced wine and held it under his nose. He thwirled it some as he glared at his guest for a moment.

"You stand before me asking credits to start an operation mr Abraxius. This is a smart move, as long as you will manage your bussiness properly. I can provide such aid to you. But it will of course require something in return."

 

[Bradok]

It crawled into his nose as he stood there before the Supreme Mogul, the smell of spice and sweat. It was an odor Mangus had long since grown accustomed to whilst working as hired muscle on Nar Shaddaa not too long ago. It seemed to follow the Hutts wherever they may go, but it was odd that it never truly emanated from them. No, the smell came from the filth the Hutts attracted. Scummers, Bounty Hunters, Runners, and even Smugglers Mangus thought as he gave a silent chuckle. He had always thought he better than them but at the end of the day he had been right there with them, and there lie the reason he needed this break more than ever. He wished to change and leave this type of life behind for good, and Sempra seemed just the one to give him the means.

Then it came, the almighty catch, but at no surprise. Mangus had not thought for a moment that this generous loan would come free should it be give. He was at Sempra's mercy, and all the Hutt had to do was name his price. "I am most gracious Sempra, what boon do you ask?" Mangus spoke plainly, musing and going along with the dramatics befitting a dealing of this sort. In truth, while he did not show it, what Sempra would ask of him frightened him greatly. Mangus had gone to great length to cut ties with everyone from his past and pay off old debts and the last thing he wanted was to owe someone else, but it wasn't his choice anymore.

"For the amount I asked for I am prepared for damn near anything." Mangus finished, putting his hands to his side and awaiting the Hutt's answer. Whatever it may be Mangus was ready, he only wished his time in this den of sinners would come to an end. He still had much planning to do and things to arrange, but then it hit him. Perhaps this Hutt could do far more than just loan him the needed Credits, perhaps he could even help with the next step of his journey. Mangus would of course wait until their primary dealings were done before bringing such things up, but before he left he would find an answer.

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

There was slight muffled silence in the air. Many of the rooms shady inhabitants eagerly tried to listen to what sort of debt this new interesting smuggler would end up in. As Sempra knew these little vermin all to well he waited. He waited and let his eyes travel the room stopping on a few he knew sometimes needed an extra reminder of who was in charge. Eyes in the shadows dropped and none met their hutt masters gaze. Wether it was out of fear, respect or their own debts to the hutt throne they had stood in that position themselves at one point or another.

Sempra took some pleasure in reminding his subjects of this at times. He grimaced and then after a few moments returned his attention to [member="Mangus Abraxius"]. This man would no doubt try to start a bussiness of sorts. A space traveller was always very good to have in ones service and there were many things Sempra could use him for. But, it was usually a mistake to rush these things he decided.

"To build a ship, is a costly endevour and onto that a sum to keep you sailing for a while. The hutt scratched his chin thoughtfully. I expect an interest on this loan of course and then I require boon, to be collected upon my choosing. But do not worry, I am a man of bussiness and I want my assets to fully function and be prosper as to I do not expect this boon out of you until upon a later time."

Sempra tried his wine and enjoyed its dry taste as it found its way down his throat, a few drops slipped out from his mouth causing thin red ripples from his mouth. For a moment the hutt made an appearance as a blood drinking monster, eager to sink its teeth in the next victim to satisfy its ancient craving for more... always more....

 

[Bradok]

It wasn't the scenes of depravity going on around him, nor the smell that filled his nose that truly struck home where he was and whom he was dealing with, but the silence that now engulfed the room. A room filled with rampant laughter and the cackles of the ne'er-do-wells gathered with the halls of the palace, all silenced by the stare of Sempra. He was one of the fastest rising and most powerful crime lords in this sector of the Galaxy, and he expected all those around him to know it. After a time, and some inner debate, Sempra finally spoke clearing the tension from the room and alleviating Mangus apprehension.

"That is a fair deal, and I can expect no less." Mangus spoke out with relief in his voice, but he did not relax yet, He knew all to well the business here wasn't over until he left with the Credits he had come for. "Will we be dealing with cold hard creds, or an account transfer" He asked as he looked around at all of the hungry eyes falling open them. Mangus of course preferred them to be transferred into his newly doctored account, but Hutts rarely did business that way to his experience. Sighing, he remembered that he had another favor to ask of Sempra and one that would be beneficial to both of them.

"I do have another suggestion, in regards to the ship." Mangus spoke rather boldly as he took a step forward. "I know you on several other companies. If one of them deals in the building of ships, or refurbishing of old ones, then e can cut the cost it would take to build one. It'd be cheaper for me and you still profit." Mangus finished, hoping that last line would sink the deal.

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra rose his head and looked thoughtful, calculating. He placed his chalice, almost tenderly, at the arm rest of his massive throne and seemed to toy with its wine moist edges for a moment. A single smuggler was sometimes worth more then an army of berserking gamoerans. Sempra knew this but did not wish it to be revealed to easily. Still, [member="Mangus Abraxius"] was right. this could benefit them both.

"You are well informed mr Abraxius" he began.

"Information is a dangerout thing you know. Be careful about what you hear." With a raise of his hand he stopped a brutal looking weequay warrior from approaching. The creature probably missinterpreted what Sempra meant. On another day, in another mood it might have been what the hutt had wanted. But not this time.

"I mean that as a friendly advice, nothing more." he added more to calm his thugs then anything else. "We shalth deal with hard credits my friend. But since you are interested in using my own shipyards I can instead simply transfer the money to it. It would save you the trouble of carrying all those slipery credit sticks." Sempra was still waiting to see if the man would slip somewhere, reveal something. So far he had been cool enough not to. And the hutt began to think that this was an associate he should not underestimate.

"I will arrange for you to acquire your ship from Ubrikkian Industries. I assume that you are looking for a standard freighter? Or did you have something special in mind?"

 

[Bradok]

Mangus took the words warning in stride, and even as the Weequay approached from his rear he stayed calm still. He knew all too well that fighting here, even in self defense, would spell his death so to avoid that horrid fate he did would any good patron of the Hutt Cartel should do. Keep his mouth shut. Sempra, however; dismissed the guard rather quickly and corrected his meaning for all there to see and understand. Mangus had dealt with many Hutts in his time on Nar Shaddaa, but Sempra seemed a bit more cunning than the average gangster he had encountered.

"I agree completely Sempra." Mangus said in a casual tone. "Hearing the wrong thing can make a dead a man." He continued chuckling a bit before addressing the matter of the Credits. "That would be fine. I'd rather not carry around that many creds if I can help it." He finished, looking to Sempra then back to the Weequay guard just to make sure he had truly backed off. Their business was, more or less, coming to an end rather quickly and without problems. That was a good sign, but you were never truly free of strife when in the company of Hutts.

"A standard freighter with removal of the hangar to increase the size of the cargo bay and build smuggler's holds." Mangus spoke plainly in retort to Sempra's inquiry. Of course he was planning on adding a few personal modifications on down the line, but just to get a working ship as his on paper was a giant leap in the right direction. As he stood there, arms crossed, a wry smile could be seen appearing on his face.

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

The room went back to its casual chatter as the deal seemed to work in favour of [member="Mangus Abraxius"]. to some it was a dissapointment, to others it did not mean anything but more time to continue gambling and drinking.
The music resumed and some of the drugged dancer looked up waiting for their turn to enter the center of attention again. But the hutt was not quite finished and so they waited.

"Then we shall produce such a ship for you mr Abraxius. It will hold what you demand and I will make sure any costs are covered. You can worry about paying back once you have your operation up and running." he said with a generous tone. Best scenario was to see this smuggler fail, come and ask for more money, more favours to finally be indebted to such a degree that would not be able not to start working exclusively for the cartel.

but all in due time he mused.

"You can stay the night here, as my guest in the white palace or perhaps find transport at the hangar for a mean to travel to Dnalvec. I will have the ship tranfered to that location, dock 3, once we got the final details managed for you."

 

[Bradok]

The announcement that Sempra would indeed construct the ship brought glad tiding upon Mangus ears. He could, of course, went to another nonaffiliated shipbuilder and had what he needed done just as easily but this way he stayed in the good graces of his benefactor and cut down the cost a bit. The mood of the room quickly changed back to normal and the patrons that filled Sempra's throne room began their normal chatter and gambits as if the events that had unfolded before them never came to be. Though as Mangus thought on it he knew that most of them had probably seen this same scene unfold more times than he could fathom.

"Thank you Sempra but I'm afraid I will be taking my leave for the docks." Mangus said, bowing before the Hutt and taking a few steps back. "I look forward to seeing both you and the ship in Dnalvec." He finished before turning to leave. Though his business with Sempra was not done completely, being able to continue it somewhere other than the White Palace brought about a great sense of relief. Those around him all cast sideways glares and glances his way, no doubt hoping he would fail so they could watch Sempra have him thrashed or worse within this very hall, but Mangus was resolve and would not give in so easily.

As he exited the palace he was thankful that the passage he had booked to get here was still waiting on him in one piece. In all truth he had more expected the ship to be burning or stripped for parts but that was not the case. Only the pilot seemed shaken as he motioned Mangus to hurry opened the door pods, so without wasting any time Mangus did as he was bid. Another short chapter was over, but the story was just beginning. Next he had to pick up his ship, and he only hoped it would go as smoothly.

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Flora Burn]

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]
Flora need a new ship, hers got toasted at apatros and it was time for hutt to pay up. Though she knew she could not demand it, as it she end up as rancor poo. So she sat down in a corner, and drank her rum with a few her crew mates. She paid a price that day, but then again she was a pirate and it was part of that life

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

He stood in the adjacent hallway one of the seven eye's in vicinity of [member="Sempra the Hutt"], the rivulets of florescent green light rolled out and onto his face, a steely figure made up of organic and inorganic shapes, sharp inclines and pointed plates. In some places there was a dark sheen where cloth had been newly and inexpertly used to shine the plates. There were tool marks gauged into living bone and a round holes in the upper abdomen, maybe a breathing apparatus. The femurs had been sliced into duel plates that hinged off a robotic skeleton and moved when the cyborg did as he approach [member="Sempra the Hutt"].

He wore a long tattered coat made up of individual squares of fabric, sowed together with intricate lines and points. And with a wave of the machines arm it was sent dancing on the movement and artificial wind that drifted in the dim, a display of showmanship. "A moment of your time my lord."

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra watched the future smuggler leave his prescence and returned his attention to the screen. Dancers spread out and began entertaining the rough crowd in the room.

With the clicking sound that [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] so often made Sempra knew that cyborg commander was closing and as a he adressed the hutt Sempra pushed away his screen once more.

"Most valued, admiral and major domo. Speak your mind, you of course have my ear."

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"In regards to wounded pride, what will our response be to the Viate Alliance." the voice was hard and not without inflections, it was steely but had an underlying human quality that spoke of a greasy and cruel nature. "Will we be backing their opponents, or sabotage and vandalism be our game." he paused to adjust himself the scythe like nail's of his feet cutting thin lines of the cold durasteel floor. "Or will we forget their transgression for the time being?" [member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

Sempra leaned back, frustrated about their recent forced retreat from Apatros. He did crave vengeance - one way or the other. But he was also a shrewd tactician, percieving this for what it was. A bussiness opportunity wrested from them.

"They have wronged us and cost us a substantial amount of income councilor." he stated with a grim face. "We must make sure to cover our losses and I see noreason why it should not be on their expense?"

Sempra turned on the holoprojector and a star map flashed to life in front of the throne. Sempra leaned forth, tuning in on the area where the vitae alliance had their strongholds.

"They are obviously backed by those of the republic, and hence those of the rebel alliance" the hutt spoke more to himself and nodded.

"Let us strike here, he pointed to a trade route used by civilian companies. I have had my eyes on this route for some time. there is regular shipments of phirak to and from the core worlds of the vitate here. they originate from republic located companies." he nodded to his own words.

"Assemble a fleet of pirates and attack their ships, steal its cargo. It would come as a surprise to the republic escorts, only giving their allies in the vitae a short pause to come and aid them."

"I belive some of our associates are getting eager to strike, I advice you take the discussion to them.. It is time to test the strength of our fleeet. We need to be coordinated and show our enemies that it is a mistake to meddle with out affairs."

Sempra leaned back again glaring across the room.

 

[Raiz]

In the steam filled hallway stood a giant of sorts, towering above the regular passerby and only the ever brave stopped to take a good look. Those who took the time to observe the giant noticed an armour of old days past, two hand blasters at each hip and a large staff attached to the back of his chest plate with the only noise emitting from its helmet was a muffled one but undeniably the sound of heavy thick breathing.

Once he has waited long enough, he would slowly make his way towards [member="Flannigan Mcnash"]. The sound of his boots stamping onto the floor would echo throughout the vicinity and only add to the thoughts of what was beneath the armour he donned. Once by the side of the android, he would take to a knee facing [member="Sempra the Hutt"] and would bellow in a voice muffled by a helmet.

"My supreme mogul."

 

[Flannigan Mcnash]

"This Sempra, is my immortal warrior." he signaled the IG Assassin droids that guarded Sempra, to act as if the giant [member="Alkah'Kahtel"] was attacking, the first shot chimed from the barrel and left through the giants throat, before it could become an all out melee he called the droids away. "Nigh unkillable my lord."

[member="Sempra the Hutt"]

 

[Raiz]

As [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] gave his signal to the nearby IG droid the giant felt a wave of uneasiness, immediately felt the searing heat of the beam forcing its way into the back of his neck-plate and through his throat, ending as a blast burn on the floor below him. Soon after a surge of anger would wave through the giant's body but disperse as quickly as it appeared in him.

He would remain kneeling in-front of [member="Sempra the Hutt"] which gave the Hutt vision of the injury which consisted of a large hole through his neck. If continued to view, they would notice worm like movement of muscle threads flailing until meeting another and once they have met, the threads would begin to wrap around one another to begin the simple regeneration of his neck. Moments later, despite the burn marks upon the armour that he wore, one would not think that the giant was recently shot through the neck.

 

[Sempra the Hutt]

As [member="Alkah'Kahtel"] entered the throne room of the white palace Sempras eyes widenend. He had not seen such a large creature for some time. Noticing that [member="Flannigan Mcnash"] was on top of things he relaxed somewhat and heaved himself upon the throne to get a better look at the creature.

"A truly remarkable display." he voiced, more to himself and the cyborg commander then his new visitor. Then he turned his head toward the warrior on knee.

"Welcome to the white palace warrior. You shall find that we have use of your strength and abilities, serve us well and prosper in our shadow." he spoke and gave the creature a nod of recognition.