What's in the Box?

[Ghorua the Shark]

NAL HUTTA​

TEMPLE OF SIGJAA THE HUTT, BILBOUSA​

​

Nal Hutta, like it's dominant species, is nothing if not large, smelly, and a major power in the criminal underbelly of the galaxy. It is a planet of Hutts, a people without a home, who make themselves at home wherever they want. They are a people of culture, class, tyranny, and above all, entertainment.

The following holovid was broadcasted across the Outer Rim

"Good morning, good evening, and good night, fine gentlefolk of the galaxy!" A bulbous Hutt lounges on a hoverchair, a lazy smile on his face. He stares at the camera, a glazed, hungry look in it's expression. "Bounty Hunters, Mercenaries, Scum of all ages, I have the opportunity of a thousand of your lifetimes for you." The image flickers to an enormous structure, perhaps a ship, perhaps a building, in the shape of a perfect cube. "Yes, feast your eyes," the Hutt continued, "upon a Relic of the Clone War. The famed Box, a thing of beauty, is it not? But do not let it's je-ne-sais-quoi fool you. It is a deathtrap for all but the most skilled. Wouldn't you like to find out if you are among them?" The Hutt returns to the screen, thumping it's tail excitedly against the ground. "I, the mighty and generous Sigjaa, shall be the one to expose you to this opportunity. I challenge all who think themselves worthy of it's dangers to come to these coordinates. You can prove your mettle, and I can enjoy the carnage."

End of transmission.​

​

- - -​

​

The Box didn't belong to the Hutts. Or, at least, it shouldn't.

The slugs had toyed with it for the past 450 years. They passed it from Hutt to Hutt, palace to palace, parading it like an exotic beast. They used it like they used their pets, as an executioner, a source of entertainment, to slake their need for bloodshed. But it wasn't a plaything. The Box was built for Bounty Hunters. And to Bounty Hunters it should belong.

Ghorua had thought this ever since he had learned it's history.

The Shark had landed his ship into the Hutt's communal hangar fifteen minutes prior. He'd snatched up a back table in the Hutt's throne room, where Sigjaa himself was mysteriously absent. Species of all creeds and dispositions milled about, all feeling the excitement in the air. But they steered clear of Ghorua the Shark. Of course they did. They all probably knew someone he bagged.

Today was the day of Sigjaa's great tournament. Where contestants would enter the Box, and mayhem would ensue. Ghorua had secured a spot in the mayhem, as well as spots for his team. [member="Tarken Tarask"] had been crucial in gathering the right people for the job, or so Ghorua hoped. The job itself was Ghorua's idea, his legacy. But it's success would fall on all of them.

The League wouldn't just be winning the show. They were going to steal the show. Literally.

All Ghorua had to do now was wait for his team, and for the Hutt of the hour.

- [member="Gray Venasir"] - [member="Kat Kenrid"] - [member="Colden Renfrew"] - [member="Acaleus Thorn"] - [member="Chaghaal"] -

 

[Gray Venasir]

Ah, Nal Hutta. Big, slimey, filled with swamps. And the only place that looked like the Hutt's home. Which it of course was. Nothing good could be said about this planet, nor its surrounding planets. Trips to this place never ended well. But sometimes, one had to go there. Despite everything bad about it, it was a big power in the criminal parts of the galaxy, and all jobs that came from this place was well payed.

Which is the reason Gray was on Nal Hutta now. One of the slime-ball Hutts had sent out a transmition for a test. A test for anyone who wanted to try his little Box. Ah, yes, the famous Box from the time of the Clone Wars. Used to test the skills of bounty hunters, to see if they were good enough for their jobs.

Truth be told, Gray wasn't a bounty hunter. Never was, never gonna be. He was just a simple smuggler. But this Box had intrigued him. He had to try it. And the only thing that seperated a bounty hunter from a normal person was that the hunter took jobs on killing people. Well, that is a very loose way of looking at it, but it was a way of looking at them.

Gray had landed on the planet, at one of the cities not too far from the Hutt's palace. The place reeked of something Gray did not want to know what was. He rented a speeder, and drove to the palace. Once there, he had entered to the throne room, which was already full of others who would compete in the tournament. Rodians, Zabrak, Ishi Tibs, Quarren, Twi'lek, some specieses Gray hadn't seen before. Even a herglic could be seen, though he was seated in the back. Gray grabbed a drink, and went over to some of the people to talk with.

There was more than one reason he was there, though. A man had recruited Gray to help a team steal this Box. It sounded crazy. Which was the reason Gray had accepted. But there was one problem: Gray did not know much about the rest of the team, so he didn't know how to locate them.

[member="Ghorua the Shark"] | [member="Tarken Tarask"] | Kat Kenrid | [member="Colden Renfrew"] | [member="Acaleus Thorn"] | [member="Chaghaal"]

 

[EllieEx]

Tarken sat off to the side where he could watch folk enter the palace, occasionally glancing up from the datapad in his hand. the pad itself was linked to a small probe droid he had borrowed for their little endeavor, and said probe was now in the tournament's data banks, waiting for tarken's command to erase the list of participants. The idea was to wait until the tournament had started, erasing any history of their being there, allowing the league to keep future employers. After all, wouldn't be easier for the league;s hunters if they didn't have bounties themselves?

One corner of the palace was noticeably empty, save for one hulking shadow sat at the table. That had to have been [member="Ghorua the Shark"]. Tarken hadn't met the man in person yet, but he'd heard a thing or two and was glad to have him aboard. there were a few others scheduled to arrive, folks like [member="Kat Kenrid"], [member="Colden Renfrew"], [member="Acaleus Thorn"], and [member="Chaghaal"], and then there was [member="Gray Venasir"]. An oddity of sorts on that list, no official history as a bounty hunter, not that tarken could dig up anyway.

Speak of the devil​

The next man to step in matched gray's description. looks like it's introduction time after all.

Tarken sands up and approaches the man, clad in his usual black leather coat, simple holsters and of course, his eyepatch. I mean, no one wanted to look at that, of course he wore it..

"Gray? Gray Venasir?" He says once he gets close, holding his hand out for a shake "I'm tarken tarask, And I believe the shark is waiting for us"

 

[Kat Kenrid]

Nal Hutta, not a planet that Kat liked to visit. But unfortunately, one she'd been too often. Places like these were where both targets and employers all too often were. And just like so many other times, the Falleen had been called to a job, and that's why she was here. Some kind of Box, a target, and a test. She personally didn't think she was the most skilled hunter, but she was just good enough to make her way. And her equipment was definitely not an inconvenience to that either.

She'd seen the broadcast, sent out by the Hutt's, it was part of the job. But just one piece of the puzzle. She personally was a bit concerned, but she was hopeful. Sooner or later she'd find more intimidating challenges, this was going to be one of them. As she left her ship, she had most of her armor dawned already, light, fitting mandalorian armor. Her weapons were light, and even now she had her helmet under her arm rather then on her head. She didn't feel like wearing it most of the time, not until necessary.

As she walked in the Falleen mercenary glanced around, she caught glimpse of [member="Ghorua the Shark"] in a back table, along with [member="Tarken Tarask"] and [member="Gray Venasir"] who were talking. She recognized Tarken at least, that's one of the people she knew she was supposed to meet up with. And she was pretty sure about the Shark too. Though she definitely hadn't met that one yet. He was...just a bit more intimidating.

Since the two were already on the way to the...massive creature, she figured she'd stop by those two first. Rather then approaching Ghorus alone just yet, not that she felt she was a target herself. But she didn't know anything about him, best to take care in cases like this. She walked up next to [member="Tarken Tarask"] To ask him while glancing sideways, "Hiya, Kat here, have I got the right place?" she asked with a bit of an awkward smile glancing between the three she'd glimpsed so far.

 

[Acaleus Thorn]

"I won´t need them..." "Yeah and when you are overrun or if its a trap" "I think the Hutts already know that they shouldn´t mess with me or Enryu Corps, Venus" He said while getting ready on the hangar of the Batarian. Venus took out the Skorpion and threw it at Acaleus, who grab it without looking and in perfect sync "The Needles will stay in Enryu. And from you, i just needed the lift. Return to the company, i will get back in a few hours..." said while walking to the edge and jump into the void "Give them hell"

Acaleus approach the small group that was forming. Never met them before, although he heard the name of [member='Gray Venasir'] in the comms. Why he needed to past the challenge? Just because he needed to know in what he lack that could be improve. If things when down south, he could simply use the force as an advantage. For now, he wouldn´t be relaying in it "I think i´ve never meet you guys. I think i met Ghorua in a Battle of i don´t know what planet. Maybe in different sides? Good thing we never approach in that situation" said standing next to the one with the eye patch. He was wearing his regular clothes, and a shirt with long sleeves hiding perfectly the wrist lightsabers. In the back was strapped the Skorpion Evo, for any emergency "Excuse my manners, i think we´ve never met. Name is Acaleus Thorn" said.

[member='Tarken Tarask'] [member='Kat Kenrid']

 

[Gray Venasir]

"...and then I said: no, you take the blaster." Gray said to the Group he was standing With. It was met With laughter, which is not what Gray had expected from the People gathered here. Most looked to be dedicated Bounty Hunters, or People who just didn't care. So a sense of humor was not expected to be found here. "And you know what he did then?"

But he never got to tell finish that story, because the man who identified himself as [member="Tarken Tarask"] came and talked to Gray. Gray took Tarkan's hand, and shook it. "Good to meet you, mister Tarask. I'm a Gray, sure, but I don't know much about the name Venasir. Have you been drinking a bit too much, and confuse me With someone else? That is not smart to do before this tournament starts. Here, come With me, I'll help you sober up." With that, he grabbed Tarkan's shoulder, and began leading him towards the shark sitting by himself. "I'm sorry to stop the story guys. I'll continue it later."

Once they had gotten away from the crowd, and was nearing [member="Ghorua the Shark"], Gray began explaining why he had acted that way. "Sorry about that, but I rarely use my surname at parties like this. If certain individuals hear it, Things could get bad for me. But enough about that, I think another of Our team has arrived." He refered to [member="Kat Kenrid"], who had now walked up beside them.

Once they arrived by the Shark, a New individual had also arrived. One who introduced himself as [member="Acaleus Thorn"]. "Pleasure to meet you, Acaleus. I think I have heard of you, somewhere, though I can't be sure." The name sounded familiar, but not like he had heard it more than once. On some job he had done for the Coalition. "But now I forgot my own manners. I'm Gray," he said to Acaleus, Kat and Ghorua.

[member="Colden Renfrew"] | [member="Chaghaal"]

 

[Colton Renth]

[SIZE=9pt]As Colden made his way from the Hanger to the throne room, he paused slightly as he entered the room, scan the faces of those gather He caught sight of Tarkan made his over to him the massive Hand cannon on his right hip made a slight jingle in its hostler as walked the Beanth hide leather partition of armor cracked and Durastell plates rattle slightly. “This had better worth it, it gonna take me a week clean the sludge and all the other foul crap off my armor and I don’t if the smell will be gone.” He said strenly [/SIZE]


[member="Tarken Tarask"]

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Why are they all gathering over there? I reserved a perfectly good table.

Ghorua the Shark was a beast of a man. A verifiable mountain of beskar and scary, Ghorua lounged in his armor, letting his various weapons hang from a leather bandoleer and belt. Helmet on the table, one side of Ghorua's mouth was twisted upward, and one eyebrow was raised in amusement, as he watched the growing action across the throne room.

In retrospect, while one might get style points for the shadowy corner booth, the visibility isn't quite the best.

Ghorua adjusted his weight, sitting up straighter as the group began making it's way over. While he was sure this particular group was good at what they did, [member="Tarken Tarask"] was the only member he trusted to have his back. One, they'd planned this particular job together, and he was sure they both wanted it seen through. Two, Ghorua had recently joined Tarask's league of Bounty Hunters. And three, they were of the same mindset. Bounty hunters needed to have each other's backs.

In a galaxy of lawlessness, where Jedi didn't dare tread, and the Sith didn't bother to, bounty hunters were all that was left. They were tasked with keeping the peace, going to the pitstains of the universe to capture people no one else wants to. It was a tradition, one without creed or credence, that trained the brightest, the strongest, the best warriors in the galaxy.

Waxing poetic, are we, Ghorua thought to himself with a smile. Perhaps you should go be a philosopher instead.

Finally, finally, the group made it's way over to Ghorua's booth. He gestured with a large, careless hand. "By all means, sit down. Make yourselves at home. Promise I won't bite." The Shark grinned, displaying two rows of serrated teeth.

Despite his projected nonchalance, Ghorua cast an analytical eye over the group. Some were obvious includes in this mission; some were not. But Tarken chose these people, so Ghorua pushed his suspicions to the back of his mind. He nodded at [member="Gray Venasir"] as he spoke, and responded in kind.

"The names Ghorua the Shark. Bounty Hunter extraordinare. Although I realize I'm not the only one here," he said, with a sly look at Tarken. "And I sure as kark hope I don't have to explain to any of you what you're doing here."

The music kicked up a few notches as Ghorua laughed, a deep, bellowing sound.

"Introduce yourselves, then we can talk shop."

- [member="Colden Renfrew"] - [member="Acaleus Thorn"] - [member="Kat Kenrid"] -

 

[Julian Valentine]

Neos City,
Red Raven Territory. . .


Neos City wasn't just a rumoured myth among the underworld, it was a planet beyond the galactic disc. It was here the Red Ravens fled when their galaxy-spanning criminal empire collapsed, beyond the reach of their enemies. A planet of casinos, cantinas, spice dens and sex clubs. The planet that never slept. It was in this neon jungle that Julian Valentine had found a place to call home.

The veteran bounty hunter had just entered his apartment. A place he had grown uncomfortably accustomed to. He had rarely left and when he did he never traveled far. The few times he went on a hunt was to track down someone owing a debt to the Ravens in Neos City, or perhaps someone involved in a deal gone bad. So when Valentine heard about a gathering of bounty hunters his interest was peaked.

Gatherings of Bounty Hunter Guilds, Leagues, Clans and whatever else were not uncommon to him. Valentine had been around long enough to see over a dozen of such organizations come and go, some more prominent than others. He was a solitary hunter and rarely did he join others in a hunt but life in Neos City was testing his patience, and sanity. He needed an excuse to leave.

So he left the city behind and made for Nal Hutta.


The hydraulic snap-hiss of the door greeted the ears of those nearest the entrance as the bounty hunter entered. He strode forward on powerful mechanical legs. His arms lazed about at his side, nearest the blasters that rested on his hips. He wore heavy navy blue tunic and Nexu-leather bandoleer over his chest. Gadgets and weapons of sadistic and cruel nature adorned his person and a long rifle was slung over his back.

He wore little armour for a bounty hunter, save his helmet. If Ghorua was known as the Shark, then Valentine was the Hammerhead. Both apex predators in their field. Valentines eyes scanned the room, his helmet display identifying and tagging those present and assembling information decks on the bounty hunters present.

As quiet as his cybernetic legs allowed him, he moved towards Ghorua and took a place at his table, sliding into a chair without word or comment. Julian removed his gloves, tossing them on the table and his hands fiddled with his helmet, unclasping and loosening it from around his neck and slowly pulling it up and over, placing the Hammerhead helm on the table. He was in his fifties with dark brown hair and beard peppered with grey.

Blue eyes watched Ghorua for a moment as the mountain of a beast finished speaking to others present. "So, does this table have a tranquility field?" Valentine asked smoothly. The words briefly inspired memories of Frida's Spaceport Cantina for a moment and their own first meeting, where they sat under the warm golden glow of a tranquility screen. It also provided the perfect protection from wandering ears. Valentine made no introduction for himself and remained quiet as his gaze turned to eye those gathered around.

 

[EllieEx]

Tarken had arrived at [member="Ghorua the Shark"]'s table with [member="Gray Venasir"] And takes a seat not far from both men

"My mistake, Mistook for someone else" He gives gray a wink. Or at least, he would have if he had both of his eyes, it made little details like the odd wink here an there somewhat awkward when you thought about it.
Then the other members of the team arrived one by one, starting with [member="Kat Kenrid"], then [member="Acaleus Thorn"], And [member="Colden Renfrew"], Followed by [member="Julian Valentine"], Whom tarken had never met, and wasn't aware that he would meet today.

He'd spend the next few moments looking at each member of the team as they arrived and addressed the group

"Hiya, Kat here, have I got the right place?" she asked with a bit of an awkward smile glancing between the three she'd glimpsed so far

He glances up just as he finishes addressing gray, giving kat a welcoming smile "This is indeed the place, Welcome aboard kat!"

Then Thorn arrived, standing not far from tarken

"I think i´ve never meet you guys. I think i met Ghorua in a Battle of i don´t know what planet. Maybe in different sides? Good thing we never approach in that situation" said standing next to the one with the eye patch. He was wearing his regular clothes, and a shirt with long sleeves hiding perfectly the wrist lightsabers. In the back was strapped the Skorpion Evo, for any emergency "Excuse my manners, i think we´ve never met. Name is Acaleus Thorn" said.

"Well that's the beautiful thing about bounty hunters isn't it? A new job and we're all friends for the time being. Tarken Tarask, Good to meet you thorn" He says in a neutral tone. He didn't know much about thorn, save that he seemed like a man of manners and that he'd probably get along with the rest of the team, and he seemed like he could handle himself, pretty much the only three things that tarken really cared about.
Speaking of, Gray was already introducing himself to thorn and otherwise making conversation with the team, a good sign in tarken's eyes- *Eye.

Then Another figure approached the table

This had better worth it, it gonna take me a week clean the sludge and all the other foul crap off my armor and I don’t if the smell will be gone.” He said strenly

Tarken gave him a bemused smile "I know the feeling, Been a pain keeping this coat clean. But, what's a bounty without a little grime hmm?" Colden was another recent addition to the league's official roster, which pleased tarken of course. He wore all that durasteel and leather, and that hand cannon of his, a proper gunslinger by the look of it. Just like tarken himself back in the day.

Ghorua Introduced himself with a playful joke at first. Ghorua was yet another member of the league itself, A man tarken was happy to work and plan with. Not only the brawns of the operation, but the brains this time around too.

And then Valentine arrived, not that tarken knew who he was yet. He had no record of this hammerheaded bounty hunter signing up, nor did he appear on current league rosters. Maybe he signed up after tarken left for nal hutta?

"Friend of yours, Ghorua?" He says, taking a quick glance at the helmet and then to the man. He noted the tranquility screen that he had mentioned.

 

[Kat Kenrid]

Things picked up quickly, soon enough [member="Acaleus Thorn"] arrived. And smiled with a "Splendid," as [member="Tarken Tarask"] confirmed she was at the right spot. She nodded her head towards[member="Gray Venasir"] as he introduced himself, she would have responded, but things were kept on their way as they were met by yet another ([member="Colden Renfrew"]) and only then reached [member="Ghorua the Shark"].

The shark introduced himself, Kat shrugged as he said he hoped he didn't have to explain, and then said to introduce themselves. It was then that [member="Julian Valentine"] approached, asking about a tranquility field. Useful surely, but sometimes one just had to learn to speak quietly or just be careful. She noted the comment, but would introduce herself regardless, "Kat, been doing this for around the last four years or so. But I've had to deal with scum much before that. Melee and manipulation mostly but I know when to take advantage of the armor." she said simply finally placing the final piece onto her head, completing the mandalorian set of armor she had received from the woman who had saved her.

She really didn't have much too say about all this, she was perfectly fine with listening in, and now with the helmet on, paying attention to anyone else who might try listening in.

 

[Acaleus Thorn]

Everyone appeared to be ready, and Ghorua requested them to sit, and he did even with those sharp teeths pointing at them. He had to confront worst things, and as a veteran, a ghoul Rancor trying to chop his head off was number one in the charts. After listening to Eye Patch ( [member='Tarken Tarask'] )and [member='Kat Kenrid'] , he sat with his arms stretched along the booth "Acaleus Thorn. Mercenary for hire" other position to add to that would have been long forgotten. The Box would be a delight, but he needed to know about the limits "Can i use force or any equipment? I would be fine with depending on my abilities and sharp mind" he bet it was the second.

[member='Colden Renfrew'] [member='Gray Venasir'] [member='Ghorua the Shark']

 

[Ghorua the Shark]

Finally, the group gathered around the table he'd gotten for them. It was large, large enough for everyone, including Ghorua, to sit without bumping elbows. It was secluded, separated from the rest of the throne room by a small set of stairs, and curtains, which were obviously opened, to prevent eavesdroppers. And finally, it had been searched by Ghorua and his probes, to ensure it wasn't bugged.

No tranquility field, though.

Ghorua saw the hammerhead helmet before he saw the rest of [member="Julian Valentine"], and his smile widened. Ghorua gave him a two-finger salute as he walked up, and joined the merry band of bounty hunters already assembled. One of the more famous bounty hunters of their generation, Valentine had been Ghorua's mentor, all those years ago. Without the veteran hunter sitting before them now, the Shark would certainly be dead, lying in an alley, shot up after not having been careful enough.

"'fraid not," Ghorua said easily, appreciating Julian's curtness. "Apparently, this Hutt doesn't enjoy secrets being created in his home. Well, other than his own, I suppose."

Ghorua turned his attention to [member="Tarken Tarask"] then, replying with a smug expression between the three of them. "Valentine is too professional for friends." The joking tone in his voice was easy to hear, but that didn't mean what he said was wrong. "But I trust him to finish a job."

The Shark then turned his gaze to [member="Kat Kenrid"] as she spoke, squinting his eyes, and trying to keep the suspicion out of his features. Perhaps it would flatter the Falleen to know that he viewed her as the biggest threat to him. Laser bolts and bullets wouldn't kill him, but a Falleen's pheromones... Now that, was dangerous. "Good to have you aboard," the Shark said, inclining his head.

Next, it was [member="Acaleus Thorn"]. Introduced himself as a mercenary. Ghorua didn't have a high view of mercenaries, in all honesty. Of course, Ghorua had done mercenary work, paid for to fight in one war or another, but he was a bounty hunter, through and through. But revealing he was Force Sensitive brought a whole new perspective to things. He'd be sure to stand next to the man in there. "A pleasure. And as for your questions, the easy answer is 'no'. More on that soon."

Ghorua surveyed the group one last time, as if studying the varying shapes of a jigsaw puzzle, and how he could make them all fit together. He had to be careful about what he said. He'd checked for bugs, of course, but he could have missed one. He took a moment, thinking about his next words. Then, with a measured and quiet countenance, he spoke.

"You are all here because of Sigjaa the Hutt's challenge. A chance to survive the Box. And once we get through, the big prize at the end." He puckered his lips, fighting the smile. "We won't be in there alone, of course. There'll be others, looking to prove themselves, and earn the cash prize at the end. Willing to shoot us in the back to get it."

As far as I can tell, there'll be three to five rooms. Each one's got something for us to overcome. Something strange, something deadly, something that requires just as much common sense and knowledge as it does skill." The smile disappeared as he injected caution in his words. "Won't be a cakewalk. This thing was designed to test the best bounty hunters in the galaxy, and to kill everyone else."

"At the end of the Box, an awaiting Sigjaa will shower us with credits, assuming we all make it out. And then we fly away with our winnings." The Herglic let a small hauum escape through his blowhole, a subtle hint that the prize money wasn't the only thing they'd be flying away with.

"The toughest part about this all, as I may have mentioned; no weapons. It's perhaps the one tradition that this Hutt follows. Leave them at this table, they'll be safe until you need 'em again." Ghorua had a guy in here. His own protege, to ensure that they got their weapons back before things got really intense.

"Questions?"

- [member="Colden Renfrew"] - [member="Gray Venasir"] -

 

[Colton Renth]

"No weapons... so much for my go to solution." Colden replied a mix of worry, and excitement in voice, as pulled several hidden vibro knives from various hiding spots in his armor, be reluctantly, place his hand cannon and 3 dozen or so rounds of ammo for it on the table. He stretched and shrugged and "I feel naked now."


[member="Ghorua the Shark"] [member="Acaleus Thorn"] [member="Kat Kenrid"] [member="Tarken Tarask"]