High Financing

[Fromikeable]

"Y'know, Jedi younglings learn a lot about you guys." Vance spoke with a small smile as he leaned over toward Jayec, talking with his hands. "Mostly history, but still. Past Mandalores, wars where Mandalorians and Jedi fought, that sort of thing." The speeder they were in, a larger utility vehicle, jostled between his sentences, cutting him off for a moment. He would resume as their ride smoothed out, one of Jayec's crew piloting them through the Nar Shadda smog.

"Looking back, I imagine it's because of the disproportionate amount of Jedi the Mandalorians have killed over the centuries." Chuckling a little, Vance sat back despite the violent topic of discussion. He just couldn't help but dwell on the irony of his current company. How many Mandalorians would have had to face if he'd stayed with the Order throughout the war? How many would have killed him? It was easier to imagine fights with Sith and Jedi; they were creatures of ideology and conviction, just as likely to yell diatribes as swing their sabers. But Mandalorians were different. They fought simply because... well, it was what they did.

"I'm glad I've never had to fight any of you." If that day was yet to come, then Vance couldn't say he was looking forward to it.

The whole line of thinking was suspended as their speeder began to descend, nearing their target. The Jasper Crossroads[/b] was impressive by Nar Shadda standards, but compared to other businesses operating with the Exchange, it was a bit lack luster. To the naked eye, it was an elegant Durese restaurant that could seat hundreds, demanded reservations, and didn't sell any dish worth less than a week's worth of normal groceries. The staff bustled with only the finest etiquette, every patron expected to be dressed to the nines and familiar as to which fork and spoon applied to which meal.

Beneath all of that, of course, was a massive arms-dealing operation in the basement. The only real tell was that the wait staff were all carrying concealed guns.

As the speeder finally set down, Vance smoothed back his hair. "So here's the deal. The lady that owns this place, Isora Lalo, is a boss in the Exchange. After the attack on the Eye last week, and after a friend and I dug up some dirt on it, we found out that there are more leaks than that guy posing as a guard planting bombs." That reminded him; he really needed to thank "Iris" for her help. Maybe he'd take her out for those milkshakes they'd mentioned.

Thoughts for later.

"Isora here's been acting strange since the attack. She's been shady with finances, had crates of guns go missing, the works." Pointing out the window at the restaurant, Vance lowered his voice a bit as the valets neared.

"So for now, we act normal. I'm bringing you guys in because you 'want to shop for some ordinance' and 'she's the best'." Air-quotes indicated that this was their cover. "We take a long look around, we ask questions, and we see what's up. If Isora's working for anyone else, then we shut her down. If she's clean, we find out what's got her tied up into knots. Sound good?"

[CaptainBonkers]

The lad was being talkative, which Jayec was inclined to take as a sign of nervousness. Of course, he didn't know Thel well enough yet to say that with much certainty. Might be that the lad was just the talkative type, though the latest subject at least hinted at some nervousness. 'Glad I didn't have to fight any of you folks' wasn't one of those things you typically said while calm and sober. Then again, Thel wasn't your typical person, dar'jetii as he was. 

Thelonious was strangely open about what he was, though Jayec quite appreciated the younger man's forthrightness about his past. Especially considering the hard line current Mand'alor had towards Force users. Of course, Thel had nothing to worry from Jayec or his warriors. He had killed his fair share of jetii during the war and wasn't about to participate in what to him seemed mostly like a helmet polishing competition for the younger generation that didn't get the chance to win glory during the big war. Besides, this gig he had with Miss Faine was such a cash bantha that risking it just because the Mand'alor wasn't a fan of force users. It helped also that he kinda liked the lad. 

"Sounds like a plan to me. How big of an op is she running there? Would be nice to know how many folks we might have to make dead in case the shit hits the fan."

Jayec leaned back in his seat, trying to be as comfortable as it was possible to be in a non-luxury transport while in full armor and with a jetpack strapped on one's back. The flight was still relatively smooth, despite of the Nar Shaddaa weather occasionally shaking the speeder. Farla was a pretty good pilot, so it was not too surprising. Jayna and Kenna were both also along for the ride, mostly because Jayec wanted to give his niece some field time and Kenna would have flipped her shit if he had left her back on a job like this. 

[Fromikeable]

"Last time I checked? About 50 employees." Opening the door to the speeder, Vance couldn't help but retain his smile, his presence abuzz with excitement. He was a smidge nervous, but not out of a fear of death. That morning at the Fork had been the first time he'd really fought beside Mandalorians, and from what little he'd seen, they lived up to the legends. The fact that he could work with them again, ask them about their culture, learn about their ways and their approaches to life...

It made that innocent, excitable part of his mind light up like a star.

Questions for later. As always, Vance swallowed his inquiries, getting back to the business at hand. "All of the waiters are concealed carriers. The rest of the staff is armed to the teeth, so..." He let the thought finish itself as the valet approached their speeder, hands outstretched for the keys. Retrieving them from Farla, the valets waited for the party to depart, noticeably stone-faced about it. The air they put on made them seem cool and collected despite the entire squad of Mandalorians tailing the Exchange's other head enforcer, but Vance didn't need to inspect their presences very closely to tell how they felt.

Nervous. His eyes flicked toward Jayec as they entered through the front door. Apparently Isora's staff were just as off-putting as she was.

The restaurant they entered into looked like something out of a Coruscanti district. Beautiful chandeliers the size of speeders hung in elegant patterns above fine wallpapers, vibrant carpets, antique furniture, and more pure silver than one could shake a stick at. The patrons were all dressed to the nines, many in sharp tuxedos, designer dresses, and everything in between. A few heads turned toward them as they entered; they were definitely breaking the dress code with Vance's far more casual outfit, to say nothing of the beskar'gam behind him.

A pair of waiters armed with small carbines approached them at the door, one doing all of the talking in an undisturbed, polite tone.

"Does your party have a reservation?"

"Yes, we're due for a luncheon with Mrs. Lalo." Vance rummaged in his pocket before he produced an actual invitation, the card written in precise calligraphy.

Taking the card, the waiters nodded, one directing them toward a grand staircase. "She's expecting you upstairs. Please follow me." Led by one and followed by the other, the waiters directed their new guests up two flights of stairs to a long, elegant hallway. As they passed, open doors revealed private dining rooms hosting every race and creed of guests imaginable, some abuzz with conversation, others silent as the grave. When they came upon the largest doors, the leading waiter opened them with a shove.

Within was a long table covered with neatly organized papers. At its head sat a middle-aged Duro woman sipping tea as she read and scribbled on spreadsheets and reports, quite involved in her work. For a moment, she pretended not to see them, finishing the page she was inspecting. With a final sip of tea, her rich voice rolled with a Coruscanti accent.

"Please, Mr. Arkandri, have a seat!" Clasping her hands politely, she gave a small smile at Jayec. "Do introduce me to your compatriots as well! It's been so long since I've had new company at my table."

Taking the seat he was offered at the table's middle, Vance waved a hand at Jayec, indicating that he could introduce himself and his company on his own.