Public Welcome to Siren City

[Sidra Velair]

ATERA
SIREN CITY

Sidra exhaled quickly through pursed lips and pinched the bridge of her nose. Siren City was one of the main trade hubs in this star-cluster, where trade flowed in from the Unknown Regions and then to the other nearby worlds.

This meant, in theory, the Interstellar Merchant-Captain's Guild should have a guild house here. At the very least, an office of some sort.

They had a room in a cheap-looking hotel, which she was sure used to be a storage closet, with illegibly posted hours. Its guild master was nowhere to be seen. There were no rooms to rent for captains, so either she stayed aboard the Trotter or found a public hotel.

In most areas of the galaxy, that would be doable, and she could arrange it through the Guild. But not here. She turned and strode from the hotel, its old boards creaking beneath her shore boots as she stepped out into the street.

It was early yet, so not many were up and going. Frustration seethed and she kept her mouth pressed closed to hide the displeasure.

This was unjust. She did not deserve to be here. Yes, she was in command of her own vessel, earlier than most of her family at her age, but she had been shipped off to the far side of the galaxy. Her profit margin would be tiny, even if she did independent deals.

The crew was small, thankfully, so at least only a few old hands were forced to witness her humiliation, and they were retiring soon anyway.

One punch. That was all it took to land her on this Force-forsaken outpost in the middle of nowhere. He had insulted her and her family, but he was heir to one of the Svivreni Old Families. And the Velairs were New Money.

So off she had to go. But she refused to let that stop her. Her family, his family, they would see they were wrong about her.

Velair Mercantile House would turn a profit here and establish themselves.

Her future depended on it, unless she wanted to go crawling back home to live in obscurity on some remote estate.

 

[Angelus Hafey]

"Look my dear friends, this is a simple purchase for a much better tomorrow, surely you both understand that?"

In a nearby landing field in Siren City, rather close towards the Guildright/Public Hotel housing, a human struck a match and lit the pipe in-between his lips as he gently smoked while a few gang members looked over at him. Today was the day to preach towards newer technology, a newer tomorrow for those that wish to take their warfare to the next level. This was the Kiania Gang, a lawless group that had been slowly growing into power but been in need of some more upper-class firepower against gangs on planet. Motioning with his left hand towards the two A/D Bombers, he blew out smoke before holding the pipe with his right hand.

"These two bombers are just the right kind of firepower required. Two bombing bays with a wide assortment of ways to use them and pre-programmed guidance system, not including the six frontal hybrid beam cannons that switch from Ion, to Blaster, to Solar Ionization quickly to go through more modern shielding. Has the newer SLAM Mark Two shoved inside for peak speed performance to and from areas, with its own even ECM Jammer installed to make your approaches much easier on their supposed dated technology."

"And how will that help us? Two stinkin bombers against an squadron of uglies?"

"Simple. Find the hanger and bomb it while under cover of the ECM. Two with one just in case it is shot down or misses with the run. Very simple and very effective."

"Oh yeah? If it works as well as you think, perhaps we can take one for a test run."

"Test runs we discussed be after the purchase of one with the other-"

"Seventy Grand is a lot of credits to throw at a single bomber when we can purchase a couple old Ys to do the same job!"

"A couple of Ys that will get blown when getting to close. I implore you to at least try this out through purchase with discounts given if displeased with the product."

"Wait, I thought it was returned if dissatisfied?!"

"I am a bit smarter than that. I stand by what I said."

"Alright fine, we will just take it then, blasters okay?"

Then the leader of the four pulled out a blaster quickly and fired it directly at the humans forehead whom merely stood there. The blaster bolt smashed directly into the forehead but a soft blue hue dissipated it rather quickly as the hat of his gave a soft glow. Staring down at the four, he made a simple motion with his right hand as the blaster of his pulled out with incredible speed in his hand and shot the leaders blaster out of his hand and proceeded to keep it aimed at him. Speaking rather calmly for a man whom just got shot at, he lifted his head up to get a better look at them.

"I don't accept blasters, just credits. Unless you want that refunded as well with interest."

Rather quickly, the four started to scurry off as Angelus looked in a bit of confusion. Once again, he lost another sale, something that seemed to be a running trend in this town. Flicking the blaster back and forth with his fingers, he slid it into the holster on front and sat down at the landing bad with the pipe still in hand, placing it back on his lips to keep smoking.

If a droid had luck, his was just bad then.

Sidra Velair

 

[Sidra Velair]

Angelus Hafey

Now what? That was the question Sidra was assessing for her and her crew. They needed to arrange for fueling, getting their paperwork sorted out, lodgings, watch schedule.

Perhaps there was another hotel or something near the space port since she couldn’t rely on the Guild this far out. She would have to connect her data pad.

“Looking for a deal, yeah?”

Sidra froze, her fingers flexed, as a withered old woman hobbled in front of her.

“Perhaps,” Sidra said with a shrug. “What are you offering?”