No Light

[Olan Teff]

Location: Nar Shadda - Black Sand Bar

It had been several weeks planetside since the first tidbits of information were leaked on purpose by the Slicer, the item was something many may have been looking for. A key. A special one unlike many others. One of few to a ship, thought lost for a long time-with items collected together by a rich madman.

Few weeks later, a name and locale were attached to the key: Olan Teff, Black Sand.

This information quickly spread offworld to many sectors. Along with the old tale of the abandoned ship drifting in space, with no answer to where it went, or why it disappeared.


In the far corner of the quiet bar for pilots, Olan sat quietly, looking over the starmap holo in his hand-for the thousandth time since getting it. Eyes every so often looking up from the map to the bar around him.

Two men in fancy business attire entered the bar and looked around. Looking for someone.

Lowering his eyes back to the map in his gloved hand, he took his legs off the table and brought them to the floor, making the blood red sash he wore at his hip flutter. He looked like a man of many conflicts, everything was starkly contrasted to the other.

"Excuse us."

Looking up from the map in his hand, Olan looks at the two businessmen whom had found their way to him. Flicking the map off with his thumb as he did so.

"You are excused, now what do you want?"

The two men looked unfazed by the abrupt rudeness from the Spacer.

"Are you a...Mister Teff? We are looking to buy an item off of you."

Shifting his eyes between the two he leaned back in his seat.

"If it is what I think you...want, the item in question, I can't sell it."

A look passed between the two men before they continued.

"We can make it worth your while. There is a very interested party that wants the key."

Olan shook his head slowly. Folding his arms over his chest, the bright blue jacket he wore seemed to glow in the light of the room. "Sorry, can't. There is something on there I want. And that is that."

A moment of silence passed between the three.

"That is unfortunate. We shall relay this to our employer. Good day."

The two men turned and left the table abruptly, moving to the other end of the bar and taking a seat. Far away, but definitely not out of sight.

"Cryptic, stuffy, gave up easy...probably bad news." He muttered quietly to himself. Going back to studying the starmap once again, but keeping an eye on the two businessmen.

 

[La'kuus Quelin]

The bar was unusually clean in a physical sense, from the others in the area. Strangely, it didn't seem like there was many maid bots on duty though. As a guard in an unusual sleek uniform ( http://starwarsrp.net/topic/73700-ge-sl1/ ) La'kuus wasn't on her best behavior when it came to looking in to make sure nothing shifty was about. In fact, it almost looked like she was off-duty completely.

After a while of just walking in tiny circles, La La stopped to eye the two business men questioning... an old friend. She blinked calmly at the pair, then walked off as they did. She went into the staff room quietly and changed into a modern set of clothing, tying her hair into a neat set of buns around her head. Once finished, the guard off-duty packed up and went out to get a drink.

Maybe someone would try to sell her something today. She could honestly use the amusement of trying to figure out how something worked without so much as reading the instructions.

 

[Harli Hayes]

Harli sat on her bar stool, an amber drink in her hand. She barely paid attention to the drink, but rather the man across the room. In his hand was a starmap, one he seemed very interested in. Her gaze then turned to the two men dressed in business suits as they made their way across the room to the said man with the starmap. "Curious." She thought. They were to far away for her to hear the conversation, but the emotions on their faces and body posture told the story. They were displeased by the confronted mans decision. She watched them till they left, then turned her green eyes back to towards the man with the map for a brief second. Before, finally, back to the drink in hand.

 

[Olan Teff]

@La'kuus Quelin [member="Harli Hayes"]

Olan continued to study the starmap for a long while. He felt though like someone...somewhere was watching him. You know that feeling you get when the hair stands on the back of your neck? This was one of those times. Scanning the bar, he did not notice the owner to which he felt this tingling. But it was there.

Best course of action? Move. Get to the bar, act like you are getting a drink. Move closer to the exit.

Closing the map again, he stood up and began to walk his way casually to the bar. The heavy soles of his boots seemed to crunch on the metal beneath his tread. Thankfully the bar wasn't unnaturally silent. Off in the corner a mashdroid game going on. Some of the other patrons chatted amongst one another.

Maybe you should have been blatent, Ollie, send out a help wanted ad. Probably safer than this. Eyes at every corner now are tracking you.

That little voice of himself liked to chide him, a lot. Taking a seat at the bar, rolling one of the stools out for him to properly sit on. He hadn't notice La yet from what it appeared. Or at least, if he did, he's being low key about it.

Harli on the other hand, he sat right next too. Not even knowing she had been one of the eyes on him.

Putting up a hand to the tender. "Caff, please. Going to be a long day." The doors opened to the bar as several patrons left. Letting some of the hot muggy air from outside flow in, in a large gust, and was succinctly stopped when the door slid shut again. Air once more a chill, with a slightly smoky aroma.

 

[Harli Hayes]

[member="Olan Teff"]


Harli watched with mild suspicion as the man got up and made his way to the bar, pulled up a stool and sat down.... right next to her. There were only two things that could have brought him over here. Luck, either good or bad, or he realized that she had been watching. When he placed an order with the tender and mentioned that it was going to be a long day, Harli couldn't help but give a small smile. "From the looks of the people who follow you around, you must always keep busy."

 

[Olan Teff]

[member="Harli Hayes"] @La'kuus Quelin

The Caff was deposited in a cup and brought to Olan as Harli spoke to him. Turning slightly in his seat, he gave her in return a warm smile, which made even the scars on his jaw line look like they were smiling. He was clean shaven today of all things.

"Always kind of been that way. You don't live without making someone mad, somewhere. Else you are just hiding from what you really wanna do."

Shifting his brown and blue eyes onto the two businessmen whom were watching him quietly. One looked to be making a call after a moment. Eyes roving over the bar, to catch La in his sight for a moment, giving her the same warm smile and a small nod before looking back at Harli. "How about yourself? Ever had a unpaid escort?" That smile turning into wily grin at the jab towards the suits, voice a bit impish and playful now.

 

[Harli Hayes]

[member="Olan Teff"]

Harlis smile grew a little bit wider this time at Olans response. Maybe it was just random luck that brought him over here, after all his biggest concern seemed to be the two men in the suits. Her eyes trailed off towards the two men for a brief second, then back to Olan. "I've stepped on a few toes before, angered some of the wrong people." She raised an eyebrow at his last question. "Only when the need arises. I take it quick and subtle is a necessity right about now?"

 

[La'kuus Quelin]

La La slowly let out a growling grown. She stared at the blue drink in her mega super 48 ounce mug, then lifted it to her mouth and slowly gulped down. Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. Gulp. Emptying the glass, she placed it down and slid a few credits over the counter before getting off and walking back to the staff room, patting Olan on the back as she went by.

Well, maybe it couldn't be identified as a slap with her unnatural protein bar strength, but yeah, a friendly slap. She gave the two talkers a small shining eye look, before walking through the door and disappearing into the room. She had something else to prepare. Oh, they had fafers in the room! La'kuus slowly scooted to the counter and slid every single one of them into her bag. And a tiny device for opening bottles.

Sliding around the counter while she was at it, she stole some different spices and sugars, eventually filling up her bag with what was supposed to be all the staff's break.

 

[RC 212]

[member="Olan Teff"] [member="Harli Hayes"] @La'kuus Quelin

"I'm guessing the best course of action might not be to act at all." Vassara shot from two seats down. She was covered in her newest disguise today, a black cloak. Except the rucksack and shotgun on her back made it appear to bulge a little. Still a disguise was a disguise, and nobody would question it here.

She slammed back another shot and set the glass down on the wooden bar, sliding it away and turning her head to regard the duo. One was a deadringer. She was in the business of reading people. Spacers were people type of people. Without those skills you wound up either dead or on the wrong end of someones pointy stick. Dirty coat, sketchy air about him. Definitely a Spacer.

The other one not so much, but she guessed an assassin from the talk about subtlety.

Then again being propositioned by shadowy underworld types and telling your mark you'd tell your boss always ended badly. For anyone involved. Subtle or not.

"You look like you are making your way to the exit about to bolt. Which would also be a bad idea. In fact you're kinda stuck here buddy."

The bartender brought her another drink, in an old dirty glass as she was accustomed to. This one as well went back in a fluid motion and she slid it back, with a few credits neatly inside where the liquor had once resided.

"So what do you say? Do you and your starmap need an exit?"

 

[Olan Teff]

[member="Harli Hayes"] [member="Vassara Raxis"] @La'kuus Quelin

"What is this subtlety you speak of? This is a foreign concept to me. But I think it may be just what I need." That wily grin still on his face, tone still playful. Head turning to regard La as she passed by and swatted his back in a comroderic way.

About to turn his attention back on Harli, his head went to the new voice from down the bar. The cloak did give the person a ungainly look, as he knew not that the bulge on her back was a pack of all things. "Yeah, I do need a good way out. Problem is I also need crew. Though, the fact stiffy over there is probably calling in reinforcements, will probably curtail the recruitment process a tad."

Taking a sip of the Caff in his hand. "Mmmh. Good stuff. I expect at least five more to show up in the next few minutes." Reaching into his jacket he pulls out a small envelope, opening it up and taking a look inside. Appearing to count something.

 

[RC 212]

[member="Olan Teff"]

Vassara laughed, Quite the joker this one, though judging by the activity of the crowd inside the room he was soon to be dead. She'd seen plenty of grizzly things in her travels, best not to add any more. She rose now, thumbs slipping into her belt loops and stalked over to Olan, just a hairs breath away from his face as he counted.

"You can can get a crew anywhere mate, you only get one head."

The crowd rustled a little more now. Vassara closed her eyes for s brief second, dropping al thoughts from her mind. She let it clear, the chaos began to fade away and she could feel the intentions of each and every life form in this room. There was two by the door, they were definitely ill intent, and several more lurked outside.

Outside the front door triggered wave sin her gut, and out of raw instinct she snaped her eyes open and sank her hand to butt of her Czerka Machine pistol. Too packed for shotguns and she didn't need her guest to know she was a Jedi just yet.

"They're already here. Let me get you out, then we can talk about finding you a crew and the map."

 

[Olan Teff]

[member="Vassara Raxis"] [member="Harli Hayes"] @La'kuus Quelin

A slow huff escaped out of Olans lungs as he heard what Vass had to say. Stopping his counting as he looked up at the tender.

She is right, you have been made here-go somewhere else before you end up dead.

Slipping several credit chits out of the envelope, he slides them across the bar. It looked to be a good chunk of money. "For any damages." A half smile appeared on his face before it went to a semi-frown.

Lifting the cup of Caff back up to his lips he looked about. Focusing on Harli a moment.

Don't get her killed by being too close, dimwit. Make some space...even if their bad shots, if you are clumped together-someones gonna get hurt.

Leaning slightly to his left, making a bit of space between him and Harli. Making it look like he was retying the laces on his boot. Head down, he spoke low, only those close to him (Harli, Vass and La) could possibly hear him. "Any idea on a escape plan? My first thought was go out fighting through the front door, but that sounds a bit crazy-saying it out loud. Open to suggestions."

He was remaining calm, making himself appear like nothing was out of the ordinary. From Harli's angle she can see into the left side of Olans jacket, it looks packed with multiple hand-made explosive devices, and a handle of a blaster seemed to be sticking out a bit-right underneath his left arm.

 

[Reno Jendir]

'Crew you say?'

Reno said aloud, not peering up from his drink. He had been sitting at the bar nearby them, listening attentively to the conversation. He glanced their way, his glistening eyes peering at them from under his hat.

'Need a pilot?

Reno felt he had been at this bar for too long. Ever since he had made enough money to last him a good few years, he had become more lazy than ever. But his thirst for adventure undermined any other feelings he had, and the crazy and mysterious things these strangers had been talking about seemed as good of an adventure as any.

 

[Olan Teff]

[member="Reno Jendir"]

Olans head popped up as Reno spoke, finishing tying his boot it appeared. A grin crossing his face. "Pilot or Co-Pilot, either works. I'm not the best tripper this side of Shadda, so a good pilot would be nice. How long you been behind the stick?"

Twisting in his seat to look about, he popped his back a little bit. Semi-limbering up for the most likely event the place turns into a battlezone.

 

[Reno Jendir]

Reno smirked widely.

'As you seem to be holding the sacred key of whatever, maybe I should co-pilot.... I've been here for a while, used to be one of the best pilots around here, but I haven't flown in a little while.'

Reno watched as this person, and the others around him, began twiddling their blasters and other various weaponry. He slowly got up from his stool and leant back on the bar. He moved his head a little closer to this new acquaintance, whispering.

'If this goes south, I've got your back'

His hands placed themselves on his upper legs, his right hand resting upon his trusty S-5. He wasn't much of a shot, but he definitely wouldn't back down from a fight.

 

[Olan Teff]

[member="Reno Jendir"] [member="Vassara Raxis"] [member="Harli Hayes"] @La'kuus Quelin

A nod would come from Olan after a moment of chewing on the mans words. Looking across the bar. Holding out a gloved hand to him to shake. "Welcome to the crew of the Avalon, names Olan." This moment he took to stand up from the stool in a fluid motion. It was practiced. Hes been in this situation before, as it was just too casual of a move.

 

[Reno Jendir]

'Reno, its a pleasure'

He said firmly shaking Olan's hand, giving him a grin. He went back to his stance, his fingers tapping on his holster. He peered around the room, looking at each individual, almost trying to see each of their motives. Would any of them attack us, or even help us? Who knew, but he was sure it most likely wasn't going to end too well.

 

[Olan Teff]

[member="Reno Jendir"] [member="Vassara Raxis"] [member="Harli Hayes"] @La'kuus Quelin

Returning the hearty and firm shake with one of his own, letting go after a moment. Nodding to Reno gently. "Good to meet yah, Reno."

At that moment, the hostiles Vass had felt earlier cane in...with a few extras on hand. Eight in total. They tried to look casual, but it was a terrible ruse, they looked like they had never been to this bar-let alone any bar. Alien and men dressed in fancy attire, more suited to a business district. Some of them tried to filter out from the door way and into random positions around the room, trying their damndest to look innocuous. And as said before, utterly failing.

The regulars even gave them a weird look.

Two walked over and began to converse with the original two whom had talked to Olan.

"Yeah, I think its time to go..."

 

[RC 212]

[member="Olan Teff"] [member="Harli Hayes"] @La'kuus Quelin [member="Reno Jendir"]

"You are absolutely right."

Those were the only words that needed to be said. Vassara had no use for her disguise now, it would only slow her down, constrict her movement. Part of her fighting style relied upon dexterity, which a cloak did not provide. With a flourishing movement she ripped it off the cloak casting it aside. From her pack on the top two cylindrical spheres floated out and into her outstretched palms.

The men looked right at her, all of them suddenly drawn in by the theatrical movement. Which was exactly as she intended.

"Towards the back of the room, in the left corner. I'll be by in a second."

The spheres activated now, her thumb pressing on the devices and they began to tick tick tick!

"Grab her, grenade!"

It was too late, with an arm aided by the force she tossed them straight down at the deck, letting the little spherical balls bounce and roll in opposite directions.

BOOM!

Smoke filled the room as they popped. It was not a stellar explosion but with enough sonic force that she felt the pressure wave frazzle her mess of hair before the room filled with a thick acrid smoke. It was blinding, unpenetrable, so thick you couldn't even see your hand. But she was no mere mortal. She was a Raxis, equipped with a deep gut sense for direction. So slowly as the chaos unfolded and patrons began firing blindly in the dark she stepped back, making her way on instinct alone to the rear of the bar, one careful foot in front of the other.

"Ready to bounce folks?"

 

[Reno Jendir]

'Here we go!'

Reno spoke loudly as chaos ensued. He pulled his S-5 from its holster and fired wildly into the barrage of oncoming blaster fire, keeping close to Olan as he did. He didn't want to lose his new friends in the smoke. A projectile from a blaster skimmed one of his legs, making him grimace in pain, but he bit his lip and continued.