The Outlander Club

Icrarusk made his way across the room passing several beings who didn't give him a second glance; it was unlikely any individual would take a long enough look to recall him but better safe then sorry.

You see back a few billion millennia the early predecessors to the Stennes Shifter had adapted an ability for survival, it helped fog the mind, a simple trick that allowed one to go unnoticed. Thankfully it was a talent most Stennes Shifter still possessed and it allowed him to mask his presence or blur the mind. Generally Steclan opted to blur rather than to mask, hiding entirely was often a bigger flag in the air then the other.

He sent a sinewy spider web of a tendril into each mind that subtly made Steclan uninteresting, so should any being have been asked who he was, none could have said, and for a description of him.....well, that would be near impossible.

So he moved like a ghost across to the agreed booth and slid across the seat opposite the two beings, an Iktotchi and a Devaronian. He then began to expand the veil slightly so the two beings would become aware he was there. He allowed a wry grin to play across his face as he watched them fail at attempting to make their sudden surprise at noticing him. But he was careful to hold up his hands palm facing to quiet any suspicion.

"Gentleman, be not alarmed, I appreciate you meeting me like this, rest assured the credits are at my disposal, so I believe you have some way of aiding me."

It was the Devaronian who leaned in close, displaying the whites of his vampiric teeth.

"Tricks aside, we speak only in money. Fifty thousand now."

He carefully slid a small disc across the table, but held it firmly under a three pronged grasp and away from Steclan's reach. The Devwronion's eyes narrowed.

"Credits exacting fifty thousand, if you please."

It was now his turn to grin wickedly.

Steclan leaned back nonchalantly, elbows resting on the top of the seat.

"If you want three quarters now, then you need to show me that the device on the table has what I seek."

The Devaronian took a glance at the Iktotchi who had moved and said little until now, he nodded once and placed a reader for the disc upon the table. The Devaronian fitted the disc into the reader and a small projection sprang up. A ball shaped planet in miniature. The Iktotchi stretched a clawed digit as though tapping the planet.

"Our information is correct, on this planet is what you seek, there are several maps and details and read outs. And this..."

The Iktotchi pressed a node on the device and the image changed to a strange and ancient looking structure, a temple of some kind.

"Where they are believed to reside, you will pay fifty thousand now, then meet us at docking bay twenty three."

The Devaronian withdrew the data disc from the reader. He pointed to the reader.

Steclan knew that design, he had seen several images, but there was no proof it was inhabited. It was the inhabitants he wished to track down, and what he had spent months trying to achieve. This could be a scam or a wild goose chase and one hundred and fifty thousand credits was a substantial sum to part with in total.

He wet his dry lips.

"How do I know the building is inhabited still?"

The two opposite eyed each other, the Iktotchi then turned to Steclan.

"You don't, we don't, if they wanted to be found so openly then they would announce to the galaxy, but they are a myth, secretive and illusive, to have what we have found is invaluable information, what more we shall take you to their abode. This is dangerous talk, you understand. Finding what we have could cost us dearly. You have five seconds to pay, or we cut our ties."

The manner in which the Iktotchi said 'cut ties' told Steclan that he meant it in more than one way.

He slid his credit card into the reader, input the amount and the code and the deal was done. They handed him the disc and told him they would depart in half an hour. They then rose and left, five minutes after Steclan too departed the Cantina, still debating whether he had made the most important step or the greatest mistake.

NPC: *Adonias, a 17 year old human male standing at 5'11 with shaggy brown hair and bright blue eyes entered the cantina. He carried himself in a confident manner and kept his hand near his blaster, holstered on his right thigh. He wore clothing that immediately gave him away as the smuggling type but he also had on a black armored vest, matching shin guards, and vambraces. They were made of a cortosis weave and could withstand the blunt force of a lightsaber strike or light blaster fire. His eyes swept through the crowd until he spotted the one he was supposed to meet but crossed paths with a rodian, death-stick dealer.*

"Hey, you looking to buy death sticks? I sell the best on the market. Decently priced!"

*Adonias gave the Rodian a hard look and with a low growl gave the Rodian a fair warning*

"I'm not interested. Continue to detain me from my business...and I'll blast you..." Adonias sneered.

"Of course, of course! Carry on!" the Rodian stuttered nervously, wringing his hands and bowing to the human while gesturing for Adonias to continue on his way.

*Adonias shoved the Rodian aside and ignored the scantily clad females who gave him multiple invitations to join them for an evening out. He was relieved when he finally met his contact and sat down before his employer.*

"So...I hear you are in need of a smuggler. Before you speak the only things I care to know are these: Cargo type, weight, destination, and cargo recipient."

*The mystery employer, cloaked in shadow spoke with a deep voice...humanoid from the sound of it*

"Cargo type: spice, weight: 220 kilos, destination: Tatooine-Mos Eisley, cargo recipient: Milo Travis. He can be found in the Krayt Dragon Inn. Full payment will be processed upon delivery."

*Adonias folded his hands and leaned forward with a casual air*

"I require partial payment now in the amount of 500 credits. For time, labor, and re-fueling purposes. Upon delivery the receiver may deduct what you pay me now from the full amount. Should any...unfortunate circumstances arise and either hinder my on-time deliver, or the loss, or damage of the cargo...I will compensate for the loss."

*The mystery employer nodded minutely*

"Very well. You shall have your partial payment as requested. However, be warned that should the... unfortunate...circumstances as you've suggested were to occur, I'm afraid the compensation required would be triple the amount the cargo is worth. Do we have an accord?"

*Adonias nodded grimly and shook the employer's hand. It was only after he counted the credits the employer handed him that he turned and left the establishment to return to the landing platform where he'd left his ship. Now all he had to do, was await the arrival of the cargo. It didn't take long for it to arrive. Soon it was loaded and the 17 year old smuggler lifted off and blasted away from Coruscant.*

Jax looked at the figure sitting down before him. He bristled. All of his senses were on full alert. Every inch of his body was telling him to run away, that he should not be dealing with this unknown figure.He sensed something in the force, something dark, something dangerous... And yet, he was, at the same time, drawn to it. Why? Why did the force draw him here?

"Who are you?" Jax mustered the strength to ask. "Why was I led to come here?"

Jax was bewildered.

"I'm Jaxon Polaris. Now that I've given you my name, you have to give me yours. Why the kriff was I led to you?"

Was the force leading me to him? Does my destiny lie with this stranger?