The Long Road Ahead [Stephen, Valcor]

[Kriegen]

Kriegen never liked working for the Hutts. He personally found them to be slimy and detestable, while also being literally slimy and detestable. Or something like that, take it how you will. Unfortunately for him, he needed the credits, and the Hutts had offered him quite a bit for this job, and he wasn't one to turn down fifteen thousand credits. All he had to do was accompany a smuggler and a mechanic as they transported...something, he hadn't been told what, to Tatooine from Coruscant. It was easy enough. 

The Cathar was sitting in a cantina in the Undercity if Coruscant, having a quick drink before the smuggler and mechanic arrived. He had no clue who he was accompanying, so it was safe to say he was a bit concerned that they would either be incompetent, loose cannons, or both. Hopefully they'd arrive before he got too drunk. He wanted to get started as soon as he could. He knocked back another drink, and waited.

[Valcor]

    Shorza walked slowly down the streets of the Undercity, feeling exceptionally exposed and insecure without his hulking droid to back him up. Shorza however kept his cool, maintaining a furrowed brow and cold gaze as he searched for the Cantina the group was supposed to meet at.
Normally Shorza would not have taken a job so deep in law abiding space, but Grozzack was comfortable enough sitting on his scaly butt back on Tatooine while Shorza tried to scrape together some credits. It was hard enough to take care of his plethora of machinations when he did regularly run missions, but this lull was draining Shorza of nearly every credit he had. This mission seemed like a godsend when Shorza first heard about it. High pay, simple task, no questions, not that the Hutts were really big into asking questions anyway.
    After a long shuttle ride to Coruscant, Shorza was already on the track to getting his money, now all he had to do was find this blasted cantina! Shorza cursed under his breath as he looked back down at his data pad, "It's supposed to be... Oh." he said aloud as he looked up and saw the bustling bar a level up. Shorza sighed and headed back for the stairs as he flipped his goggles down over his eyes, hoping it would make him look older to his new crew, not that it did.
    Slowly the red faced Zabrak entered the bar, his gear rattling around his belt as he made his way through the crowd, "Damn. Why couldn't the Hutts tell me what these two kath hounds looked like?!" Shorza growled in his slightly noticeable Iridonian accent. After a while of searching for, what he could only guess was a sign sitting over someones head saying they are the smugglers, the Zabrak flopped down at the bar.
    Slowly Shorza lifted his goggles as a bartender walked up to him, cleaning a glass and smiling his wide Duros grin, "Aren't you a bit young kiddo?" the Duros chuckled before Shorza lifted his gaze and flipped up his goggles to glare at the alien. "Aren't you a bit-" Shorza cut himself off, realizing he no longer had his companion to back him up. Shorza finished with a low growl before continuing, "I'm meeting someone... just a water." Shorza averted his gaze and shifted a bit in his chair, now even more uncomfortable sitting alone in a scummy bar, without his droid.

[Kriegen]

"Oh, looksssss like we got ourselvesssss a tough guy here," a particularly drunken Rodian slurred, him and his friends all leering at the young Zabrak. "Little boy lost his mama?" he taunted, befre pushing the young Zabrak aside. "You gonna cry?"

"Hey. Lay off the kid, jackass," came a male voice as the Cathar approached the bar. "I'm sure you can find something better to do than pick on some teenager."

"Back off, cat, this doesn't concern you."

"Maybe not, but I suggest you either go back to your drink, or leave."

"Or elsse what?"

"I'll make you." The drunken patrons all laughed in response, taunting and jeering at the Cathar. The felinoid alien simply smiled and crossed his arms, and the Rodian suddenly stopped laughing, clutching at his throat and gasping for air. The drunk patrons looked confused, but Shorza saw that the Cathar had extended two of his fingers. It didn't take long to realize he was choking him with the Force.

The Cathar continued to smile as he watched the Rodian fall to his knees, then look up at him as if to beg for his life. It seemed the Cathar wasn't without mercy, as he dropped his hands, as well as his hold on his throat. "Now, leave." He turned to go back to his table, just as the Rodian yelled and charged at him. He made it one step forward before a small metallic cylinder jumped into the Cathar's left hand from inside his coat, and a shaft of red energy erupted from it into the Rodian's torso. He seemed shocked, looking down at the red lightsaber that had impaled him, then dropped as the Cathar removed it from his torso, before deactivating it and putting it back on the small of his spine. He then sat back down and continued drinking his rum as patrons began to exit left and right.

[Valcor]

    Shorza brought his largest wrench to a cocked back position over his shoulder as the rather tall Rodian sneered down at him, or as much as those weird things could sneer. "Yeah I lost my mama, but I got to borrow yours so no worries." Shorza snapped back before the cool calm voice of another patron rose over the pair. The Rodian, now distracted with the other patron, did not notice as Shorza slipped the creatures wallet out of his pocket. Shorza had never been much of a thief, but this guy deserved it.
    After a few words the Zabrak youth ignored, the bar fell silent. Shorza looked to the now frozen alien to see him gripping his throat without a reason as to why. Slowly Shorza's bright blue eyes traced the cause back to the Cathar, who held up only two fingers in the direction of the disgruntled bar patron. 'That's new.' Shorza thought to himself as he backed away from the Rodian slowly, unsure what exactly was going to happen next. In an instant the Rodian collapsed, gasping and clearly furious. 'Don't do it.' Shorza thought to himself as he watched the greenish creature rise once again to his feet. The patron paused for a moment, only to let out a roar and charge his assailant. Shorza barely had time think before a bright red light protruded from the aliens back, disrupting more than a few vital processes of the alien.
    Shorza lowered the wrench he had raised to assault the Rodian, now looking in curiosity at the Cathar. He was familiar with the basics of lightsaber functionality, but had never seen one in action. He was also familiar with the colors and their basic meanings, and red was for sith in his mind.
    For whatever reason though, this force wielder stood up for Shorza and discounting his droid, not too many people did that for him. Shorza hooked his wrench back on his belt and took a seat next to the Cathar. "Err thanks..." Shorza said uncomfortably as he kept his gaze forward, gently scratching his head between his horns. "What uh... What brings you here Cat? Err Cathar?" He said uncomfortably.
    'Damnit.' Shorza thought to himself, 'this small talk looks so easy for other people.' The Zabrak had never been good at conversations, seeing as most of his time was spent with a silent droid and a slaver more interested in pelts than talking. This might be Shorza's first conversation with someone other than a client since he became an outlaw, a pleasant if awkward one at best.
    The force wielder did not seem friendly, but not quite hostile either, which eased Shorza's nerves slightly. The Zabrak could not, for some reason, shake this eerie feeling he had about his new acquaintance from his gut. With the bar now emptying, Shorza suddenly felt the full focus of the Cathar on him, and it felt as if the man could see straight through him. Shorza only shifted uncomfortably again as he took a sip from his water.

[Kriegen]

The Cathar regarded Shorza with a level gaze, then held up his hand, calling another glass to it. He caught it, and set it down in front of Shorza, before pouring some rum into it. "Drink," he said, taking a swig for himself. After Shorza finished the glass, the Cathar spoke again. "Kriegen Aurorus, bounty hunter slash mercenary. Who might you be?"

[Valcor]

    Shorza coughed slightly as the liquid burned his throat the whole way down. "Shorza, *cough* mechanic." Shorza sputtered out before sliding the glass back across the bar to Kriegen. "Say... you wouldn't happen to be here to meet someone would you?" Shorza asked with a small sneer as he let his goggles flip back down over his eyes. Shorza then turned to face his new comrade, "A mechanic and pilot perhaps?" The Zabrak said with a chuckle as he eyed the Cathar more closely, no longer fearing being murdered by the force user.
    Before Kriegen could respond, Shorza extended his hand and chuckled, "I'll keep the ship running." Now content he was in the right place, Shorza let himself relax slightly, 'Now to wait on the third member.' he thought to himself. Despite how friendly Shorza appeared on the exterior, his distrust of the new member of his team remained, as his gut feeling did not subside.

[Kriegen]

"You don't trust me. Probably the smart thing to do." Kriegen stood up. "So, you're the mechanic, huh? Well tell me, Mr Fix-it. What good are you going to be to this mission in a fight, huh?" When the Cathar stood up, it became obvious that he had two blaster pistols at his hips, and he already knew Kriegen had a lightsaber, as well as Force manipulation. He certainly didn't seem like someone to mess with, though he didn't seem particularly hostile either...then again, when do the dangerous ones ever look hostile? "Hm. Wrenches and a stun stick. That'll go great against blasters...you know, if they don't shoot because they're laughing too hard."

[Valcor]

"How the-" Shorza said standing up quickly, stumbling a bit over the stool he rose rapidly from. Shorza did not know how the force user was able to read him so easily, but he could only assume it was coming from the same source as that choke earlier. Shorza made a small mental note to hide his thoughts more around this one before returning to the situation. Shorza glared at the heavily armed Cathar, looking him up and down for any further weapons before smirking. After regaining his composure quickly Shorza retorted, "How about a big droid?" Shorza lifted up his goggles so his gaze could meet the mercenaries. "I may not carry a blaster or whatever the hell else you have up your wedged between your furry butt, but fighting isn't my job, I make things to do that." Shorza now leaned in a bit closer, partially confident that Kriegen would not kill him now that he was aware they were working together. "I can make a fighter twice what you are with spare parts and these 'wrenches' merc." Shorza practically spat, his temperament flaring slightly at the perceived insult the Cathar threw his way.

[Kriegen]

Kriegen didn't react. He merely shrugged and sat back down, finishing off his bottle of rum. He then reached behind his back and pulled out two metal cylinders. Seems he had a second lightsaber. "You realize most droids are very vulnerable to these, right? Now, I realize it's unlikely we run into anybody who has these on this mission, but you don't stay alive in this business by not expecting everything within reason. But then again, blasters are useless against a skilled duelist, but if you're as good as you say, you might be able to come up with a way to deal with one of these."

[Valcor]

    Shorza smirked and remained standing before folding his arms over his chest, "Perhaps you're right, what droid could possibly match such a weapon as that?" The Zabrak's sarcasm was thicker than a Rancor's hide as he held the back of his hand up to his forehead, feigning distress. Shorza then laughed softly as he ended his little act an took his seat again, slowly turning to face the Cathar once more. "What's the thickest metal you've cut through with that thing anyway?" Shorza said pointing to one of the mercenary's sabers. Clearly the small taunting between the two had turned into something of a weeing contest, with Shorza being the only one participating.
    Kriegen's tone was unbreakable, he was unwavering is his calm demeanor and did not seem to give Shorza's picking much credence. This only irked Shorza further, normally most people grew irritated with the back-talking youngster, but that only would amuse Shorza. This calm disinterest that Kriegen displayed only prodded Shorza to try harder to get his attention.

[Kriegen]

"The only thing I know of that I can't cut through with one of these is cortosis. These weapons are pure energy, and as such, generate massive amounts of heat. They're so efficient, though, that they do not expel energy until they hit something." Kriegen handed one to Shorza. "The blade is also completely weightless, so it's a bit tricky to get used to. The gyroscopic effect doesn't help either. Anyways, I'm digressing. Unless your droid is made out of cortosis, which I highly doubt, it isn't going to resist one of those."

He took another sip of rum. "Now, you might think I'm trying to one up you, and I'm not. I haven't seen your battle droid, so I don't know how formidable it is. But I do know that very few materials in this galaxy are able to deflect or resist a lightsaber blade. Not a threat, just something to consider, especially with the Empire returning."

[Valcor]

Shorza looked between Kriegen and the blade he had been handed warily. Every stab Shorza took at the Cathar was deflected calmly, while simultaneously standing by his points. Shorza was rarely outwitted and it infuriated him. All he wanted was to light up the saber and carve this smart ass to pieces, but he resisted. The Zabrak placed the small object down on the bar roughly before growling, "I have to piss. Keep an eye out for our pilot." Shorza then skulked off to the restroom angrily, 'who is he to talk over me like that? what is he some kind of superior being!' Shorza rarely had to keep his temperament in check, but when he did, it took all of his will. Anger ran red hot through Shorza's veins before he was finally able to calm himself and exit the bathroom. The bar remained empty except for the Cathar an the bartender, just like before. Shorza sighed, 'How dull... now we have to sit and wait on the other guy while this idiot gets hammered.' Shorza remarked to himself, naively trying to hide his thoughts by reciting hyperdrive assembly processes.

[Kriegen]

When Shorza returned, the Cathar was sitting calmly at his table, twirling one of his pistols in his right hand. "Everything alright?" he asked politely

[Valcor]

Shorza focused as much of his attention on reciting hyperdrive assembly as he could before responding, "Fine." The irritable Zabrak slowly returned to the bar, 'I sure hope the pilot shows' Shorza thought to himself as he sat silently. He no longer wished to converse with Kriegen, the damned mind reader was too good at getting under Shorza's skin and Shorza began to fear just how deep the mercenary would prod.

[Kriegen]

"Hey kid." Kriegen set a few hundred credits in front of him. "I personally recommend you get a blaster, but whatever you think will suit you is fine."

[Valcor]

Shorza turned to face the mercenary, bristling with anger, "You think I need you to buy me one?! Huh?! How about you walk me down there and buy me a pony too dada?" Shorza spat in a mixture of blind anger and snarky back talk. "Or how about you let me do my job my way, and you do yours your way. I've been doing this long enough to know what I need 'Kriegen' and it isn't some cat talking down to me!"
Slowly the Duros bartender backed up a little bit as he saw the anger in the younger patron's eyes. 'Should have brought Hex with me, that'd shut this guys fat face.' Shorza thought to himself as he held the Cathar's gaze. Despite his anger and rage attempting to make himself look more deserving of respect, all it did was show just how young and immature he was. Were it not for his droid, Shorza surely would not have lasted a year on his own in this environment with the attitude he possessed.

[Kriegen]

"Might want to curb that temper, otherwise the person trying to make sure you stay alive will just kill you himself. He'd certainly have no problem taking your share." Kriegen didn't shout or snarl when he said it, but the calm, cold malice was enough to drive the point home. "He certainly doesn't need the liability of a /child/ coming on the mission."

[Valcor]

Shorza snapped, kicking his chair away from him hard, "That's it furrball!" Shorza roared, the angles of his tattoo work on his face increasing, drawing more attention to his piercing blue eyes. Shorza's gaze burned into the seated Kriegen's head, "I'm the best mechanic this side of the galaxy, I can build an entire frigate from the ground up! And I will be damned if I'm going to be talked down to by a washed out Jedi demoted to backwater scum!" Shorza's fury was apparent. It practically filled the air around the bar, and strangely radiated with a touch of the force.
Shorza did not bother to assault the Cathar as he normally would have in this situation, he had already seen how well that worked out for another patron and fancied all of his organs intact rather than outside his body. "You come find get me when the pilot shows so we can get on with this." Shorza growled through bared teeth as he slammed a data pad down on the table with the location of where he was staying. He then briskly turned, his tools clattering as he did as he stormed out of the bar.

[Kriegen]

Kriegen simply went back to his drink. He had done what he could to prepare, now it was up to Shorza and the smuggler, whoever that might be. Kriegen could wait, especially when waiting meant he'd definitely get those fifteen thousand credits. Shorza would be back, either of his own accord or other means. Kriegen just needed to wait. Unfortunately this bar had a dead body in it, so he made his way to one down the block, taking the data pad with him.

[Stephen]

Janus fidgeted with his datapad as he walked. “The weather is quite pleasant today Janus”, his datapad chirped at him, “Your diplomatic status should allow you some of the finer sites of the city.” “Oh shut up, uh,” Janus paused his reprimand, “Datapad.” He finally finished. “You are making me look crazy in the Undercity, that isn't very safe.” “If this conversation was going to be a continuing thing, the least she could do was name herself”, he thought to himself. “Oh my, if you are in danger Janus, maybe you should make your way to the embassy!” she continued excitedly, “Should I call you a taxi.” Janus made an indelicate noise and turned his Datapad off. He couldn't help but notice that people were actively avoiding him on the street. “All the better I suppose.” he said under his breath and ducked into an alley,

He finally found himself at the bar. The Pond Skimmer was strange name for a bar in these parts, but he was sure that a few drinks could make someone tell him the origin. He was stopped before the door by an old man sitting on the ground by the door, drinking something foul smelling from a bottle that disappeared into his coat as quickly as it appeared. “You don't want to go in there boss.” He said from the curb. Janus stopped and cocked his head to the side, “Why not?” He asked, wondering why he had stopped mid-explanation. The old man took off his dirty blue hat, revealing a sweat polished balding head, “Now this is gonna sound a bit strange.” he started sheepishly, “But there is a magic cat in there terrorizing people for picking on his Zabrak son.” Janus stood for a moment, his mouth stupidly agape, “A cat? Like a tiny house cat in robes perhaps?” Janus's thoughts wandered to the magic bottle that kept disappearing and appearing in his hands. “Not a tiny cat, you idjit, a full blown cat man filled with evil choking magic.” Janus frowned for a moment before he finally understood. “Oh! A Cathar force user, that makes more sense.” He ignored the old mans further protest and walked into the bar.

Only the bartender and the pair Janus was to meet refused to abandon the bar. She stood, polishing the bar with a rag and glaring at the two others in the room. Clearly an entire day of business had been disrupted by whatever happened here. The silence hung heavy in the air, as clearly no one was having a good time tonight. “Right” Janus said slowly to himself, “First things first.” He strode over to the bar “Excuse me madam, I need two bottles of Correllian brandy, and take a hundred off of the top for expenses incurred.” He tried to keep his tone urbane as he could. He bowed his head slightly and pinched the bridge of his nose between is index finger and thumb, and spun to face his new 'business associates'. “You two, need to come with me. The cargo doesn't ship without your signature.” He paused a moment, to collect himself, “The cargo also doesn't move if any one of us ends up in a police office because one of you doesn't know what the word discreet is.” He found himself angrier than he expected. “Now if you will excuse my outburst, We have work to be done, and very quickly I imagine.” He grabbed his two bottles from the counter, and made way to the door