Private We're not Friends!

[Raphael Gallustrade]

Cantonica, or more specifically, Canto Bight. Place was...well, it was interesting. Like many places that had a wage gap between the rich visitors and the poor workers. It was one of the places that really reminded him of the more rich places of Nar Shaddaa: Nice hotels, resorts, casions and other such things on top and slums and squalor, down below. It was one of the things that always brought Raphael to such places.

Yet, in this instance, there was something more that had drawn the young jedi's attention. One of the things that he knew was that smugglers, slicers and mercenaries loved to talk, and smugglers, especially, had so many different forums that they would talk on. These holoboards, of course, were things that Raphael kept his eyes on. Oftentimes it was an easy way to find where some of the best of deals and the worst of people. In such instances, he did not take each and every job; in fact he took very few jobs from those boards, making sure to keep his old slicer handle in good standing on the board.

But, one day, when he was looking through one of those boards, there was a strange group of messages that showed up focused around Canto Bight. There were many smugglers talking about an "easy payday" from this planet. Bring some dead folks, or some artifacts and you could make a killing.

Both of these things raised giant red flags, in Raphael's mind. At the very least cultists, and at worst dark siders, were most likely behind it. He was back into the swing of things, though, and he was able to move much quicker and easier than he had been and he knew how to wield the lightsaber in either hand, at this point. He'd have to do some reconnaissance, see how things were, and the only good way to do that...

Raphael had been watching the holoboard for the last few days, waiting for something on Canto Bight to show up mentioning that exact thing, and the moment that it appeared...

"This is NOI. I'll take the job. Can discuss details in person. Just need a landing pad, discreet, preferably."

Then he leaned back and waited, hoping that they would take the bait, as he started booking for his favorite rental junk.

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Sector 3. Platform 5. Don't be late"

Thus was the deal sealed, with a single text.

This is how many individuals became mules for someone who went by the handle "Ronin-1". From there, they made their way to Canto Bight, they docked their ship in a shady part of town near the slums far below the radiant casinos and resorts on the cliffside.

And every time, a masked woman stood waiting for them at the edge of Platform 5, a skirt of black zeyd cloth and a cloak of pantora silk completely obscuring her body, appearing as if they were a floating wraith who stood by to see this cadaverous cargo to the stars. A pair of custom commando droids always stood by her side, wearing matching cloaks. They were for show really, and no smuggler's tale ever made mention of them having to lift a finger. Not yet.

But Raphael Gallustrade would soon be privy to a far greater secret the tales failed to prepare one for.

The oppressive, twisted presence of The Dark Side. Her signature in the force was something exotic, a swirling storm of energies far too ancient to emanate from a young woman, either an apprentice who had not yet learned to conceal their presence, or a dark lord of such confidence that she made no attempt. Either way, This mass of sorrow and chilling hate permeated the very air around her. Yet stranger still, another presence stood beside it. No thoughts could be read from it, it's emotions carefully hidden behind that strange mask. Something dark. Something equally powerful.

Yet, a feint glimmer of light shone even still.

Whoever, or whatever "NOI" was meeting with, they were not what they seemed.


Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

The location of where to land had been recieved and, as he lifted off in the junk freighter that he always rented, for such things. He was simply passing himself off as a slicer/mercenary/smuggler. The ship's engines roared to life as he considered what Canto Bight must've been like. He'd never heard of such a place and didn't know what it would be like, but he was excited to see. It was going to be a marvelous place, from the top, and a terrible place from the bottom. There was always that disparity, though it didn't matter much to Raph.

He pulled the lever down, as the indicator flashed, only little annoyed that he needed this ship for such covert operations. Maybe he'd find a junker somewhere and just fix it, sometime, that way he didn't need to keep renting this piece of junk. It looked decent, on the outside but needed indoor work. He grinned, putting on a little pilot helmet, as he pulled the lever dropping out of hyperspace near Cantonica. The coordinates punched in led him towards the planet's surface, where he frowned at the opulence of the casinos and resorts. But it led him down and around them, far below them, in fact. The town below was squallor, plain and simple and the fact that they were meeting down there, didn't surprise him. As normal, he pulled in as much of his own prowess in the Force as he could, making sure that he could not be very easily detected.

As he started landing the freighter, he was suddenly very glad that he did. He'd landed before the darkness hit him, and he shuddered, leaning forward in the chair for a moment. Breathing was difficult, for a few seconds, before he finally managed to shake himself back up, as he got to his feet, opened the cargo bay, and headed down to meet with his "client". He took a breath, before he did and walked out.

"You the client?" he asked, the vocabulator disguising his voice. "Nice place, you got here. Wasn't expecting the droids, admittedly."

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

The figure remained eerily still as the smuggler approached, the only outward sign disproving that she too may have been a droid being the subtle tilt of her mask as she observed the man up and down, taking stock of a potential hire. He was of an average height for a male, just barely short of her own in fact, and so probably a human or a near-human with very few deviations. Assuming this was true, he looked to be a healthy weight, probably of athletic build under those rugged clothes.

Most smugglers she'd met were either on the thinner side and struggling to make ends meet or heavy with successful payouts. Either this one also ventured into the mercenary business from time to time or he was a gunslinger used to delivering under duress, in which case he belonged to a more useful breed of smuggler than average.

A useful catch, if he was as he appeared.

"You the client?" he asked, the vocabulator disguising his voice. "Nice place, you got here. Wasn't expecting the droids, admittedly."

Typical of smugglers, he opened with a hint of jovial sarcasm, directed at the bleak slums in this case. He also mentioned the droids, though it was difficult to tell if this was a genuine surprise or idle conversation as many smugglers were exceptionally talkative compared to most in the underworld. In cases like these, it was a trait she actually found quite useful.

"They are certainly a rare find these days," An equally modulated voice admitted from behind the mask, speaking with an imperial accent which subtly bled through the electronic interference as she mused, turning but briefly to regard the unmoving droids.

"I am the one overseeing this exchange, yes. Although, the cargo is still being prepared for you. I hope you've time for a brief chat? Standard protocol, I interview all first time employees this way. You understand, of course"

She issued a statement more than a question, although there would be plenty of those.

"The questions will be simple enough. How you found our account, why this job in particular, and so on"


Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

"Must've cost you a fortune." The reply on the droids was fairly swift, denoting an understanding of electrical engineering as well as automotans as a whole. "Damn impressive models. You'll have to tell me who your supplier is. Drek, I'd want one for myself..." He hated this kind of act, it was so disengenuous, at least the part about wanting one. He, himself, could build droids, but he didn't wanna let on that kind of information. Realistically, the less someone like this knew of him, the better.

He listened, chuckling. Yeah, that made sense. It wouldn't do to just let out important cargo around just anyone, but, at the same time, he also understood he need to get out a good word. Still, he'd been through this enough times that it just felt like old hat, at this point.

"Sure thing," he replied, stretching. "I've been travelling for how long? Might be good to sit down and have a bit of a rest, for a bit. Good to know what you need from me." He paused for a moment. "Beyond discretion, of course."

He chuckled at the list, nodding. "Yes, of course. The basics. Fairly old hat, at this. Do my best to maintain a low profile. Don't get involved in the larger concerns of the galaxy. Just do the job, get paid, and make sure to eat then sleep. Most smugglers're dumb. Blow their big scores on drinks and celebrations. Eat well and sleep well or you suck at your job." He shrugged. "Lead the way."

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Hah" She laughed softly in agreement.

"I can appreciate pragmatism, it's a welcome change, actually. Just be sure you're not living like a monk at all times, there is more to life than work"

Perhaps it was an unusual way for a darksider to think when so many sith demanded everything from their servants for little to nothing in return, but then again she was a strange person all around, and perhaps the dark side of the force left one more inclined to indulge oneself than not. Why should she expect more of her hirelings than of herself?

With "NOI" now in tow, The Ronin beckoned with a gloved hand for him to follow as she and her droids began walking away from the platform.

"Come, there is a particular angle behind one of the docking rings where no one will bother us. I conduct many of these interviews there" Actually it was one of a few locations she alternated between, but he didn't need to know that.

It would be a short walk to the place in question, a shaded area between one of the docking rings and a section of the city wall that looked to be newer, built a little too close, such that they nearly touched at it's deepest point. The Droids stopped several paces before she did, guarding the entrance to the alley-like nook as the masked figure leaned back against the wall, arms crossed over her chest in a gesture that revealed the shiny slick sleeves of a bodyglove, though the cloak was designed for free hand movement without compromising coverage, and so whatever arms or armor she wore remained concealed.

"Now then, once more from the top: who told you that we were hiring before you approached us?"


Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

He was glad that his joked had landed, that was one of the most important things, connecting with a client, not that she really was one. Still he had to keep up the illusion, though he chuckled, when she mentioned that he wasn't living like a monk. Oh, if only this potential "client" knew. Though, after what had just happened, after what he'd felt, he knew that he couldn't let her know his true nature.

"Sure, there's more to life than work." He nodded, in agreement. "And sometimes you need to get a bit sloshed, or plastered. We all need that celebratory time, here and there. Just saying most smugglers blow all their money and don't have anything els to live on, while others hoard it. Either way is pretty bad, miserly or overspending. I'd rather have some creds in the bank."

He nodded, as she beckoned him to follow. The feeling of the darkside was so prevalent, not only with her, but wtih the entire slumbs themselves. Desperation, anger, sadness... For a moment, he had to hold himself back from connecting to the Force, lest his newest client and associate realize that he was not just a mercenary and smuggler, but a Jedi. That was always the best way to do things. He couldn't help but smile, under the mask.

He walked slowly around the side, following her, his appearance must less ostentatious, as he was just in a jacket and pants with boots. While she leaned against the wall, Raphael stood not too far away. Her first question, however, made him chuckle.

"Dunno how much you know about smugglers..." The vocabulator, couldn't hide his amusement as he replied. "But, like all contractors, we talk. Might wanna check the smuggler net. People have been talking about the "easy work". I couldn't hide my interest. When I saw it posted? I knew I had to take a job like this." He chuckled. "No job is ever as easy as those idiots on the smuggler net are saying it is. At least I'm hoping that you're about to tell me that they're just lying," he added. "Otherwise, I think I'm going to be a bit disappointed."

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Disappointed?" She hummed in amusement.

"I suppose I don't know the smuggling business well then. I would have assumed an uneventful job to be a good thing. Your job description is to move things from point A to point B without losing the haul, nothing more and nothing less"

The masked woman shrugged, unsure whether this was merely bravado or a genuine statement of his. Although she supposed the enthusiasm for more dangerous work was also useful, if given direction.

"Mind you, we've more... active work, available to those who prove reliable. Something you could work up to"

Twice she had asked for a name, if indirectly. And twice now, he had given her nothing specific. Hesitant perhaps? she was unsure, but he had already given her more to think about, and there were other more important questions to ask.

"I don't suppose they ever bothered to watch the cargo being unloaded? Or perhaps they'd rather not talk about what happens when the box opens. The work is easy enough, but living with what you've seen? I hope you're not squeamish. You'll understand, once you reach Yalara"

A cryptic warning perhaps, but necessary in this line of work.

"Do this for me, and we can discuss moving more interesting jobs if you like. Stick around for more or not, either way, we reward good work"


Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

He shrugged, as she asked about it being a disappointment. "Sometimes it's a good thing. I take this thing from here to there, but you need to remember most people that are smugglers're in it for a thrill. Least the good ones." He chuckled. "Why in the galaxy would I want an easy job every day? Might as well go and get a desk job in the Core. No no no no no." He shook his head. "But if that's what you're about, sounds fine." Raphael shrugged, a moment. Though he chuckled, when she mentioned more active work.

Yet, it was when she'd asked about them talking about cargo unloaded, or the boxes being opened. Now that he thought about it, no. That was a good point, none of them had mentioned the unloading, or unboxing, of the cargo. He wasn't entirely sure that going there was necessarily a good idea, but it was going to be the best idea that he had to find out about this place. The planet didn't sound familiar, though.

He shook his head. "Nope. Nobody mentions drek like that. Usually just imagine that you have them make some kind of... deal or a sign something that keeps them from going into detail, though I wouldn't be surprised if they squealed about everything, to be honest. Sounds weird that they didn't." Raphael laughed. "It's either that bad, or you've scared 'em that much. If it's the latter? I've gotta say that's really kriffing impressive." He seemed to make a mental note of the name of the planet. "Yalara... Never heard of it. Just need the coordinates, and I can head off, once we're done, here."

He tilted his head. "Ya don't mind, my askin', what's in this for ya? I mean, you the owner of the planet? Just kinda seems weird... But who'm I to complain about a job?" With a light nod to his head, he took a bit of a step to the side.

"I see... Well, I'm always up for interesting jobs. What other questions ya got?"

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"It's either that bad, or you've scared 'em that much. If it's the latter? I've gotta say that's really kriffing impressive."

"I'd like to think the cargo sends a message all on it's own" Kaila hummed.

In truth she expected her smugglers to talk some, asking NOI how he found them was merely a protocol, a way to catch... irregularities. If someone didn't find this operation from areas of the net which she was watching, then something was wrong.

But to tell anyone what happens once the cargo reaches Yalara? Perhaps most assumed they'd become the cargo next trip.

She'd like to keep it that way.

"Ya don't mind, my askin', what's in this for ya? I mean, you the owner of the planet? Just kinda seems weird... But who'm I to complain about a job?"

"Hmm."

She crossed her arms, wondering if it was normal for smugglers to ask so many questions or if this there was more to it then that.

"Put simply, I pay my debts. It just so happens that the master of Yalara is not interested in money, but something else entirely. There are far stranger things than I out there, and I intend to stay on their good side. Do yourself a favor, and do not linger overlong. Offload the cargo, and then leave"

The Ronin doubted anyone would want to stay there long anyway. If the stench of Yalara didn't deter them, the locals would. It was a place only the mad dared tread, and even she didn't stay longer than needed to complete her studies.

"As for my questions," She continued

"I'd like to know how prepared your ship is to hide this haul, oh and..."

"Where's your card? I'll need to verify it, like we discussed in my encoded message" She decided to throw him for a loop and watch his reaction. The question alluded to a card that never existed, designed to test him. If he was legit, of course he'd ask what the hell was happening here. If not? If he was an alliance spy or bounty hunter that had intercepted her smuggler somewhere between establishing contact and arrival, then he might assume there really was a card that only the real smuggler would know of, and so he would panic and try to make up an excuse, maybe even ask to check his ship just so he could escape in it.

Or of course he could be an independent investigator, but that would be foolish wouldn't it? There was no money in that, right?


Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

Raphael tilted his head, at theat. That was only a bit concerning, that the cargo spoke for itself; that denoted the ominous, if not outright malicious, cargo. Not like that wasn't new to him. He'd delivered bombs, delivered live attack animals, all kinds of things back before he joined the Jedi. Surely whatever his client wanted wasn't too crazy, though he'd have to keep an open mind, for that one.

Perhaps it was more the way that she'd said it, that piqued his interest than what specifically the cargo was. Perhaps he was getting some kind of seriously bad feeling from this "client". Or maybe, it was just the overall feeling of not having done much undercover work, in a while. Every time that he thought of what had happened... Then again, the mission with Valery hadn't gone badly, at all.

There was something more to this, he could practically feel it, and it felt like he would be learning something important, fairly soon. It was like always. Something was just on the tip, the very periphery of his awareness and understanding, but it always left him, keeping just out of reach. He'd figure out what was later, he was certain.

But when shed asked him about a card, the helmet regarded her a moment longer.

"...what the chit are you talking about? You never sent any encoded message, and you didn't say nothing about a card." His reply was short and irritable, albeit feigned irritability. He had to give the appearance that he was at least suspicious of her, if not outright upset by what her attempting to change their "deal" at the last second. "Look, I'm up for a nice, quick job and an easy payout but don't star tryin' to make noew things at the last second, yeah? Not something I appreciate and not something that was mentioned."

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Oh, that never gets old" she chuckled

"You can relax now, I'm merely testing you. You passed, if that makes you feel any better"

The Ronin pushed herself off the wall and pressed a button on her vambrace, summoning a hardlight interface, which appeared to open up some payment options and a lot of numbers. There were millions of credits in these account, and the last set of digits were steadily rising and falling back and forth as money left the account only for new money to be added just as quickly, anonymous payment notifications coming in from a variety of sources. Most importantly however, she already a blank payment open, ready to fill in NOI's information and conclude the deal.

"I suppose the final test is just ensuring my cargo reaches it's destination, and I'm sure you're tired of my comedy routine already, so let's talk business"

She looked up at the sky, pretending to think about the price for a moment. In truth she assigned a standard price for most of her smugglers and to a degree she didn't need to worry about the money anymore. But she enjoyed keeping up appearances anyway, as she had a soft spot for theatrics here and there, and it kept people guessing. Especially first time employees.

"I can give you five thousand now, and an additional ten thousand once my haul reaches Yalara. Do we have an accord?"



Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

Keeping up that beautiul persona of his, Raphael gave a bit of an annoyed grunt. Most smugglers... well, they wouldn't have necessarily balked at something like that, but they wouldn't have been happy to hear about being tested. Still he shrugged. He couldn't quite complain, given that he kne he was getting paid for the job. Still, something about this whole situation, how she acted, how she felt... There was more to this than what the people on the smuggler channels really gave off. That was what he got, he supposed, for trusting smugglers.

He watched, seemingly unimpressed, as she brought up a hardlight interface from her gauntlet. The numbers were staggering. Not that he'd not seen them before, but from someone that seemed this...underground, the credits steamed up into the millions. going town by amounts that would barely be noticeable, at these sums, and then refilled and then dropped... it was a continuous exchange. FOh what he wouldn't give for being able to slice a terminal here.

With a bit of a tap, a bank account for NOI appeared, easily ways for his information to be inserted. Still it was fascinating to see someone living like this, with all this money being exchanged constantly, and not to be living the high life. Or they were, and this was the lower aspect of their "high life". Raph didn't care much. He was the guy that liked living in the lower corners of the world. Where there were always people to help.

Still, he had the slightest of worries about this new contact. She was rich, she was powerful and had no doubt that she had, at least, a fair bit of training in the darkside. Even wile accepting something like this, he'd have to be careful. Still, for the time being... caution to the solar wind....

"Sure, I'll take the job. Lemme know where I can get the cargo loaded onboard and I can get underway."

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Excellent," she swiped a few more options, and the money appeared in NOI's account just like that.

"I chose platform 5 for it's privacy" and because it was in her territory "so I think it'll do nicely."

"Walk with me while my people prepare the cargo"

She began the brief trip back to the landing platform as the droids rejoined them, all the while her grim cargo was being loaded onto a small convoy of landspeeders somewhere else in town, bound for the platform.

Although the woman took a more "scenic route" this time, taking them a part of the spaceport that overlooked the slums below.

"Is this your first time in Canto Bight, NOI? most only know of the city for it's casinos and resorts, and the lucky ones are allowed to retain their fairy tale image of this place when they come, blissfully ignorant of the conditions beneath it all. But I suppose that's not a shock to you, is it? I'm sure you've hauled to and from places like this plenty"

She glanced to him, curious what he thought of it all or if he'd prefer they skip the pleasantries and continue their work. Then again, if he was a smuggler, perhaps he'd humor her awhile longer.



Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

The information for his account closed, the moment that the down payment was sent, and he nodded, once, a note of smuggler satisfaction. He tilted his head, noting the platform number, and privacy of the platform, itself. Even now, he appreciated privacy, less people to see the deal, less to be concerned about, when it came to deals. Typical smuggler/client operations. He stepped around, as she asked him to walk with her. His feet making little sound, as he followed, he took great care in the secrecy of his tasks. He watched as the droids returned, flanking the two.

He followed her around, as they headed to a portion of the spaceport with a view of the slums, a view he'd seen many times. Decadence atop poverty was a theme he'd become accustomed to as both a smuggler and information broker and as a Jedi. The helmet gazed down dispassionately as he hid his emotions and thoughts behind it.

"Yeah." His reply was expedient and pragmatic. "This's my first time on this planet, and the city." A shift, as if bristling. "But no, it ain't my first time seeing things like this. All planets have it, though, even planets you'd think wouldn't. Corellia, Alderaan, Coruscant. You can't get away from it." Then he leaned on the railing. "After so long, though, you stop thinkig about it. The people'll either claw their way up, or they won't." The helmet turned to her, as he stood back up. "S'how most people like me start, down there. Or on Nar Shaddaa. Or Coruscant. Or anywhere else. Ya wanna make it big, you've gotta know that you'll sacrifice some stuff."

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

She stopped, giving him a moment to lean on the railing

"No, I suppose you can't run from it"

There was a hint of sympathy behind that sigh of hers.

"But what if they given a head start?" she turned to face him.

"I'd like to think that's what me and my people are doing here, sharpening their claws as they pull themselves out. We do some nasty things of course, you're aware of that much, but we maintain a balance of sorts. Give and take, whereas the people in those casinos up there," she pointed at the upper city

"They just take. But I think, with a little nudge, that will all come tumbling back down to these people one day. We just have to make... sacrifices... as you put it"



Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

The helmet turned to her at the mention of a head start, he didn't tilt his head, this time, but listened closely. A head start?

He followed her finger as she pointed up, speaking of how things were. She wasn't wrong, in a way: the people that owned the casinos, the resorts, they did take whatever they wanted. It had been the same back at Nar Shaddaa. She described her people in a more positive light, though he didn't know what people that she meant and the tilt of the helmet, most likely gave her a more direct understandng that he wasn't quite following what she meant by "her people". There was no mention of people in the job.

"I mean, yeah, that's true. Owners often take, people that work are left to fend for themselves, fighting for whatever's left. If there's anything I learned as a slicer, though, is ya gotta be careful about how much ya nudge. Too much and you get drown, instead of win." He was following, definitely. He didn't entirely agree, but he also didn't completely disagree, either. "I can see where you're comin' from. What kind of sacrifices were ya plannin'?"

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

"Oh, getting our hands dirty, to start" she hummed, holding out her leather-clad hands to emphasize the point.

"With mud, with dust or blood, it makes no difference really. You have to build a foundation first, something for people to stand on. Stone by stone, or bone by bone. Then you build a little higher, inch them closer to the ladder these... owners, as you so accurately put, used to climb over them. But the trick is, you can't just knock it down, the capitalist ladder is too strong nowadays..."

"...but you can put one of your own at the top" One could almost envision the smirk behind her mask.

"One day the owners will be the ones making sacrifices, And we'll be the ones holding the ritual knife"

She turned away, gesturing for him to follow.

"Sometimes you can give a woman all the money in the world, but she'll remember what it felt like to fight for scraps. I'm sure you've delivered things for the disgruntled working class before, this is no different. I'm just the spokesperson, with a slightly different definition of sacrifices than most"


Raphael Gallustrade

 

[Raphael Gallustrade]

He watched as she gestured with her hands, as if emphasizing the poing, as she spoke about getting their hands dirty. There was a strange kinship that he felt to her, a momentary connection of understanding and he felt a little bad for her. Not pity, but that pang of sympathy that racked him, from time to time. Oftentimes, with darksiders, they let out some of the things that had helped lead them to choosing the path that they had, and Raphael quite often could understand the whys. The issue he'd noticed was accepting and moving on.

"Too strong, huh?" he asked, watching her. "Capitalism, as a concept, is too strong to knock down." He hummed a bit. "Not entirely wrong, I s'pose. But I don't think 'bout that much. Usually I'm delivering things to places that some people don't want them."

Yet, when she mentioned putting one's own at the top, he could practically hear his employer smiling. There was an elation that he could feel, just from the way that she was speaking. It wasn't happiness, however, at least not how he'd normally think of it. It was certainly excitement, though. He tilted his head at the mention of a ritual knife, however. They were very... pointed ways of speaking.

He began to follow again, glancing down at the slums below the starport, a final time. They were people he wanted to help, but he couldn't solve their problems for them. It used to burn him, but he knew that he couldn't fix people, nor could he act like a god, nor could he be justice itself. He had too much bias for that. The more that he'd learned of the sith and of the Jedi, he knew that neither side was exactly how they looked on the surface. There was more nuance to both.

"You're not wrong, that I've delivered things for working people, before, nor am I saying it's different." He took a few steps forwards. "I will admit that your definition of sacrifice is definitely different that most people's. Most people think of it as going without one of their favorite foods, or without alcohol, for a bit." He chuckled. "Still, credits're good. I guess I'll see what's up with this planet, when I get there, eh? Any stipulations, while it's being loaded?"

Kaila Irons

 

[Kaila Irons]

She would nod to the smuggler, believing they understood one another to some degree.

"Easy, Just the three: get it to Yalara in a timely fashion, don't talk to the wrong people, and don't change your mind when you see the cargo"

The Ronin chuckled, continuing towards the platform.

The sound of moving landspeeders grew closer as they reentered the spaceport where they would soon find one pulling in to join the other two waiting for them as organic workers began moving the cargo aboard. They wore simple jumpsuits of from one of the local garbage disposal companies and they themselves belonged to a variety of races both alien and human alike, idly chatting with one another as they casually went about their work as if it were a normal centaxday.

But the cargo itself was far from casual.

They appeared to be some kind of casket-shaped containers made of durasteel, each coated in a black spray-polymer coating of reflec and sealed by Magna lock with a display of coordinates, and a blinking red light.

The masked woman traced her hand along the edge of one such container as it was lifted off the ground via repulsorlift, it's surface cold to the touch.

"The locks are programmed to release soon as they reach the correct coordinates, at which point I'll transfer the remaining Ten Thousand credits"



Raphael Gallustrade