The Four Roses - Mos Eisley, Tatooine

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea, having been an NCO in the Republic Army, firmly believed that a leader should lead by example. Thus she always made sure she did some of the duties of her subordinates so that she could understand what it was like. Thus, in the pre-dawn chill of a Tatooine day she was standing duty with a few of her troops by the gates of the docking bay. This was important on several counts because Tatooine was a place where might made right, and if she didn't put guards in they would be vulnerable to theft or worse.
"What what're we even waiting for, boss?" one of them asked. She was a female Zabrak, tough and wiry.
"Waiting for someone. they'll be here soon," Tegaea replied confidently.
"Another stray?" the other solder asked. He was a grizzled soldier missing an ear and part of his left cheek.
"We're all strays, rejects and refuse. But together we're stronger than armies," Tegaea said fervently. She grinned. "Besides, you didn't protest me springing you from prison, Graz."
Graz grunted something. Then his head pricked up, his prosthetic ear gave him sharper hearing than any normal human. "Speeder's coming," he said.
"Good." As it approached and slowed Tegaea stayed in the shadow of the doorway. "Password?" she called to the visitor. The street was otherwise empty. She wondered if Siobhan or the others were awake.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan was indeed awake and standing a bit further away in the shadows after having made a quick patrol to make sure that they weren't surprised by one of the many criminal gangs that held sway over the few inhabited settlements on Tatooine. The only law known to people on this gods-forsaken world was that of force, but none had come to challenge her yet. This was both good, as it ensured that they didn't garner unwanted attention, and bad because she would not have minded a decent brawl, assuming the criminals posed a challenge and weren't just fools who thought they could make quick credit.

She had retrieved her lightsabre from a sealed compartment back on the ship. It had been too valuable a weapon to take with her and give up to the bouncers back in the bar, and she certainly had not wanted to call attention to the fact that she was a Force-user. The energy blade was not activated, but she held the hilt, ready to ignite it if need be.

One of the mercenaries heard her boots on the ground, Siobhan was by no means particularly stealthy, and quickly brought up his blaster rifle. Siobhan did not bat an eyelash, and the mercenary lowered the gun. "Easy, buddy, just little ol' nice me," she said sardonically, spotting Thane, a grizzled, heavily scarred merc with some hefty cybernetic implants.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" he asked sarcastically. "It's krayt dragon season on Tatooine, only reason to come to this wretched little planet, if you ask me. We should go big game hunting."

"Eager for the treasure?" Siobhan asked. "Y'know that these stories about them hoarding lots of gold and stuff are just stories." She stepped closer to the group, keeping her eye on the road.

"Pfft, please. A dragon head would make for a fine trophy. It would fit in perfectly with the trophy cabinet. And you can make a fortune with dragon leather on the right markets. I've heard whispers of...shapeshifting dragons. That would be such a glorious challenge to prevail against."

Siobhan shrugged. "I killed a draken once. Big, tough bugger."

"Kept the head? No head, no proof, it doesn't as a win, any hunter knows that."

"Now you're just jealous. Ask Tegs. We felled the beast. Still sore about me winning the contest on Dahomey?"

"Don't start fibbing, it's evident that I prevailed. Even you admitted that the APC had more troopers in it than the mech and I got rid of the repeater emplacements during the final push and I saved your arse from that sniper."

"And I cut a bloody swathe through their ranks before that. Besides, cutting the mech's legs right under it was more stylish!" Then she heard Graz speak up and heard the sound of a speeder's engines, the vehicle coming closer. "Our friend, stay alert," she said quietly to Thane, moving to the doorway but sticking to the shadows to join Tegs, stretching out with her senses to ascertain whether there was anyone following their possible recruit, assuming it was her.

 

[Vora Kaar]

Zero remained silent. He didnt like to talk to the other soldiers and nether did they. He was just feet from the door. hidden in the shadows. He sharpened his daggers and would always sharpen them when he was waiting. Everyone thought he was crazy for it, but he liked sharp objects. they were fun to play with. When he heard one of the soldiers say that someone was comming. Zero put the daggers up, and pulled out his dual GH-44 pistols. Everybody was on guard. Zero heard Tegaea say for the person to stated the pasword. If the person would give the right one, he would put down his weapons and let them pass. If not then they would have blaster holes where their eyes should be.

 

[D' Orrin]

Orrin was the kind of guy that liked to cling to the shadows. It was one of the things he was taught when he prepared himself to be the renewed Black Spirit. But what he was doing as of this point was folding his arms up in front of his chest and lleaning up against an adjacent wall from the shadows. He was one to pretty much always wear black armoring so that he better fit in with the shadows of the surrounding area. His right eye blinking only so slightly for a bit as as he was scanning the area a bit. After, his eye would cease with the blinking before he'd actively look around. His head turning from one side to the next before he'd resume his prior position. He really wasn't one for socializing. He really wasn't sure how to at this point in his life.So he'd wait for something to happen as he;d just stand there. As if he were some sort of silent sentinel . A few thoughts were going through his mind, from both his organic as well as his cyber brain as h ewas rolling his eyes at some of the things that were going through his head from the cyber brain before he'd huff out a sigh and shake his head. A deep inhale came from him before he'd exhale in a slow degree from his mouth. For now he was content to look on and watch what would happen as he'd make fun of some of the things his cyber brain would suggest.

 

[Malica Drezyan]

Malica looked left and right down the deserted street before muttering "Gundark," into the opening of the metal door. An odd password, Malica thought. She wondered why Tegaea had picked it. The ride to the space port had sobered her up and she was getting skittish. Maybe her nerves were causing her to analyze things too deeply. Malica went to reach into her satchel and stopped herself, opting to calm her anxious hands by clutching the handlebar of her bike and stuffing the other one in her pocket to touch the dagger that Tegs had given her.

The docking bay had a large garage door labeled with a sloppy 18 in white paint. Few other docking bays were occupied. Malica squeezed the handlebar, impatient for Tegaea to grant her access. Since she entered the port, Malica was paranoid that someone would recognize her and ship her back to Four Roses, like a teenager who ran out for the night. Malica adjusted the strap inside her helmet, making sure it was tight.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea held up her hand to her people, but then heard the password. She lowered her hand and stepped out into the dim light.
"Welcome, Malica. Come inside." She looked to her troops. "Seal the doors and keep watch, we're leaving soon."

They let Malica through, and then Tegaea went to join her in the corner of the docking bay. There, the Omega ships were parked; a sleek interceptor and a deliberately dull transport. The transport however had been extensively modified to conceal a turbolaser duo and several lighter blaster turrets.
"Glad you could make it. No problems?" she asked Malica. She looked over the speeder. "Nice bike. Did you want to take it with you? We have room in the hold."

It was probably time to explain a few things, as the girl looked rightfully skittish. "We're Omega Pyre, the largest paramilitary and private security force in the galaxy. We do things the governments can't or won't do, from playing as mercenaries to slicing data or selling information. We don't do slave trading or smuggle drugs though. That's the spiel I give everyone, so I'll tell you now why you'd be smart to come with us; we can get you off this rock and get you opportunities. I grew up in a shit-hole slum and I have forced my way up. I'm no sappy idiot though, I want people with talent to get a chance to prove themselves, and you have talent." Tegaea smirked. "You're hot too, so I'm always looking to get the pretty ladies to join us!"

 

[Vora Kaar]

Zero had let Malcia come in. he had put his pistols up and went over to Tegaea and Malica to hear what they were talking about. He listened to the hole conversation and was glad that she could come with them. it ment another person that he could team up with. even thought he didnt like teams he knew that she needed perfosinal training. And it was porbably going to be ether him or Siohban teaching her.

Zero then waited for Malica's reply. if she still wanted the speeder then he would put it in teh transport ship for her.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

"Heh, and people say I'm horny," Siobhan murmured, chuckling, when Tegs made her comment about pretty ladies. She had to agree with the sentiment though! Clearly she would need to be disciplined for this disrespect. She had come in after lingering at the gates for a moment in case someone tried to get the drop on them. She gave the bike a passing glance, Siobhan had a thing for wild driving.

She leaned casually against a wall, observing Tegs and Malica. "She's right, y'know, we can get you off this rock, but with us you show there's more to you than the trash on Tatooine thought possible," she said softly. "We're professionals, not rank amateurs in shiny ships. When we go into combat we actually plan our operations properly, hit hard, get the job done, profit. Everyone here's had to fight their way to the top instead of getting life handed to them on a silver plate." Maybe not the most elegant metaphor, but then Siobhan was no wordsmith! "You got guts, you got skill, that's what we're looking for. And there's lots of perks," she gave Tegs a sly grin.

 

[D' Orrin]

And poof! He was all up in the shadows. He wassilent for the time being. No one had said anything directly to him and as of yet, there was no reason for him to say anything. The only thing that would have really given his presence away was his right cybernetic optical sensor. A flickering electric blue light was blinking in a fast repitition for a few brief momens before it would die out. And since they were all gathered in a more or less secure area he felt that he could remove his helmet. His hands going up to the side of the pressure locking mechanism and releasing it. A slight hiss sound eminated from the sides before it loosened up enough for him to take it off.

He'd set the helmet in front of him quietly. The point of his being there wasn't to draw attention. Tag had wanted to speak with Malica, so the main stage was set for them. After having placed his helmet on the ground he'd take a small step away from it and would fold his arms up in front of his chest. Making sure to do so as quietly as possible, though in an unconscious manner. Stealth was just one of the many things that was rather literally beaten into his daily mannerisms. Keeping to the shadows for the time being as he'd observe the goings on of the meeting and what everyone else had to say. Though he was truly curious as to whether or not Malica would say yes to going along with them.

 

[Malica Drezyan]

Malica laughed, charmed by Tegaea and Siobhan's welcome. She listened carefully to Tegs' description of the organization, removed her helmet, and tucked it under her arm. "It would be an honor to join Omega Pyre. Count me in." Malica said, and held out her hand to Tegs.

Unlike those who infested Mos Eisley, Teaga Alcori didn't look like a disorganized slumlord with a pack of credit-hungry criminals. Malica sensed she was in the presence of a seasoned military strategist and was curious to learn more about the woman who was now her boss. Malica wondered what Tegaea had saw in her beyond her skills as a dancer. Tegs had never actually watched her perform, had she? While Malica took great pride in her craft, her new boss didn't seem like she could be seduced into throwing out an invitation to join Omega Pyre as if it was a single credit chip to be slipped into a dancer's g-string. What exactly had she and Siobhan investigated that led them to believe Malica was suited to join their ranks?

Malica tried not be intimidated by the crew of experienced mercenaries that surrounded her. She kept her focus on Tegs. The crew appeared skeptical, especially because she'd been recruited from this dry dumpster of a planet. The crew was unaware of what Tegs and Siobhan referred to as Malica's "talents", unless they had visited Four Roses during their stay on Tatoonie. (Or, god forbid, expirenced Malica dance at different point in her career...) She saw the man she had encountered at the bar earlier, who had put a tracker on her speeder, and hoped that his knowledge of her profession hadn't spread to his comrades. The crew looked tough, Malica thought, as she quickly examined them. She noticed a man in black leaning against the docking bay wall who had several cybernetic advancements on his body.

This could be a clean start. Finally, a chance to be something more than a decorated piece of meat. Malica was ready for the chance to prove herself. Of course, she was happy to serve Omega Pyre in anyway they saw fit, even if that meant performing again. "I'd like to keep my bike," Malica said, "Hasn't let me down yet." She gave the body of the speeder bike a couple knocks for good luck.

 

[Vora Kaar]

Zero then walked over and whispered to her "I wont tell" he then grabbed the bock and walked it over to the ship for Malica so she could finish talking to Tegaea. He saw a man over to the side that had enhcanements. He had never seen him before and walked over to hism saying "Who are you ane what are you here for?" He didnt care if he was a leader of some faction or the lowest hobo on the streets. he found aout about them and he wasnt going to let that pass by with out note.

 

[D' Orrin]

His attention went from the general area and then towards Zero as he'd be approached. A slight glance over at the guy with his eyes going down and then coming back up at the man's form for assessing him a few times over while still leanning with his arms folded up in front of his chest. He contemplated not answering, but then again that could lead to some sort of confrontation and a confrontation among comrades would be something that was looked down upon by the leaders of the faction. A slight huff of a sigh was given as he then sucked his teeth before answering the man.

"D' Orrin Kelva'Sh. Omega Pyre. Is there something that I can help you with?"

He was very sarcastic with the tone in his voice. Though at that point he'd move up off of the wall and be standing at full atention and height while looking at the guy that had approached him.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea nodded, and gestured to the Zabrak and Graz. "Take the bike aboard and make sure it's properly stowed. This is your properly, Malica, you look after it and pay for it out of your wages." She held shook hands with Malica. "Welcome aboard, hon. We'll draw up your contract once on board, but the rules are pretty simple. You get paid a base salary, then a percentage of any operations you're involved in. Look after your comrades, pass on information to myself, Cira or Siobhan, and keep yourself ready for action. Go on board and get yourself comfy, we'll be leaving soon."

Looking over she saw a confrontation brewing between Z3r0 and the unexpected stranger. She held up a hand. "Hold off, Z3r0, he's one of ours. Did you get what I asked, D' Orrin?" she asked.
They had not been to Tatooine just to recruit cute dancers, but as a way for D'Orrin to demonstrate his skills by stealing a certain item from a Hutt. Malica had been a happy discovery while she'd been waiting for this and other business to be concluded.

 

[Vora Kaar]

Zero was unammused at the mans tone at him. He then backed off because of orders from Tegaea. He didnt know about his Opp, and there for did not know about the man. He was oblivously a Stealth guy like him. but he was different. He was a Cyborg. He didnt wait for the mans reaction. all Zero did was walk away towards the ship. A person he didnt like already was here. Shaking is head he was suprised that the man gave hm that tone. Zero does not like to be talked down to. Even though he takes orders. That doesnt mean that he likes them.

 

[D' Orrin]

"I got it. Wasn't too hard. An area with a bunch of guards usually indicates where something valuable is. I left it on my ship. Figured I'd meet up and report back first. "

He'd answer as his attention was focused on Z3ro for the time being. Watching him back off in a begrudging manner as if he really wanted to do something else. Who knew. Maybe they'd have some sort of duel later. But for now they were under orders. His right optical would give off a deep blue glow that seemed somewhat unnatural for a moment before it would dim and slowly fade until the glow had ceased. After he'd pick his helmet up and place it back on his head and let the locking mechanism set back into place. The next thing that Orrin would do, was not so that he'd be showing off, but to give Z3ro something to think about before he took any sort of aggressive action in the future. Orrin would be walking out towards where Teg and everyone had come in from. Though he was walking straight into a wall. What was he doing? As he was walking toward the wall he was performing a technique refered to as Art of the Small. Manipulating his molecular structure and increasing the space between them without actually compromising his own structural integrity. Allowing him to walk through the wall as if he were some sort of ghost. The technique, or at least the way that he used it, would most obviously become taxing if used over and over again. So he figured after that little "Demonstration" he'd walk on towards his own ship to retrieve what Teg had sent him to go get to begin with.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan paid little attention to the interaction between D'Orrin and Zero, standing down after Tegs gave the order. She smiled at Malica and gave her a comradely pat on the shoulder with her flesh hand. "Welcome to Badass Mercs, Incorporated and congrats on moving up in the world, hun. Let's get you on board," she said warmly, or at least as warmly as the ex-Jedi could sound.

She glanced over towards the assembled mercenaries in the docking bay, then at Tegs. "Hmm. We didn't cause any mayhem. Not even a bar fight," she said sardonically. She had always preferred Nar Shaddaa!

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea watched the little display, slightly impressed despite herself. " I've never seen you do that, Kerri," she said accusingly. "And you said you couldn't do 'magic shit' with the Force!"

Still amused, she led her way up the ramp and on board the transport. Soon enough they'd blast off from Tatooine forever. Or probably not, as this dustball seemed to produce an inordinate amount of Sith, Jedi, Princesses, and so on. One wonders how there was anyone left on the planet after all the heroes and villains departing....

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Siobhan shrugged. "I prefer throwing heavy things around. Like vehicles. Causes lots of mayhem. Maybe I didn't list all what my 'Force' can do in the contract," she winked at her boss. "Maybe a little persuasion could coax them out of me, Boss," she emphasised, following Tegs and the rest of the mercenaries up the landing ramp towards their transport.

"Still think we should've gone krayt dragon hunting. Big game, great risks...an extraordinary prize for any hunter," Thane muttered, understandably disappointed about not getting the chance to test out all his new weapons! After all, wars had been started just because admirals wanted to try out their shiny capital ships.

"Aw, I'll call the friendly neighbourhood Sith alchemist and get them to provide a super mutant dragon just for you," Siobhan quipped.

Thane raised an eyebrow. "It better be a shapeshifting one. And I get to determine the colour. Not a white one." Alas, the ex-Jedi did not get the reference. Unlike a multiversal counterpart of hers, she had not dealt with colour-coded, shapeshifting dragons yet.

"I'll get you one in pink," she said innocently, whereupon Thane glowered at her.

Tatooine was surely a fun place, what with the bars, the tusken raiders and the krayt dragons and the seemingly infinite number of escaped slaves that became heroes. One wondered how the escaped slaves were actually employed. After all, there was no cotton, no gold, nothing at all of worth on this wretched dustball. Siobhan would to end up some place with more mayhem soon, though, even if that might mean bludgeoning her way through paperwork before.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea raised an eyebrow. "I think you'd best demonstrate these 'talents' to me. I am always interested in what the Force can do for me."
And so the ship rose into the air, departing for space where it would return them to Fondor.