Trouble Brewing Chapter 1 - Finally Formos Forms (IC)

Soon enough, despite the grumblings of the use of sublight speed, a few checks here and there on smuggled items, and a droid who loves to grab drinks for anyone and everyone, the dusty brown ball of Formos comes into view. The planet looks for all intents and purposes a giant rock sitting in the black pool of space. There aren't many defining marks on the planet, but being on the near end of the Kessel Run and linking up with many hyperspace lanes, Formos has a bit of a reputation. It also has a reputation for delving out glitterstim, a potent narcotic inducing all forms of telepathic highs.

Slowly, but surely, the ship is guided into the dingy and quite dusty spaceport within the confines of the only major settlement on Formos. The port is considered a Limited Services Port. It only has a large duracrete area for spacecraft, a small control tower, and a number of small sheds. 

Immediately, you spot four Imperial troops scouring around and looking here and there, but as soon as they arrive, they disappear, merely a formality checking on the smuggling operations with little to no interference. 

The ship clanks down, steam emitting out as it anchors to the ground, and the engines come to a whining halt. Those who take a glance out see Formos for what it truly is. A ragtag settlement on the fringes of the galaxy, mostly lawless, most likely rough, and definitely a bit on the dangerous side. 

As soon as you all step foot on the planet, you are struck by the stale and parched atmosphere of Formos. The air is obviously breathable, but quite desiccated. It doesn't take long for many of you to feel thirsty after having been only on the surface for a few seconds. All around you, a marketplace conducts business. Water, offworld food, weapons, trinkets, and the like are being sold, traded, haggled for, and bought. The sounds of those wishing to make a profit fill your ears.  

Thain, having been given a map of the small settlement in order to meet with the go between as quickly as possible, can see that the only major parts of the settlement are the cantina where he is going to meet the contact, the living habs, and a small barracks.

Nulyn dismounts from the ship, in his full getup, with his blaster strapped to his chest. Having a big gun out in the open wasn't an odd thing on the fringe... it was almost a requirement by some.

"Not the worst planet I've seen," Nulyn says taking in the dusty brown rock that is Formos.

Nulyn's red eyes scan over the immediate landing area trying to get a better look at the area and who might be watching.

Spoiler:

Braybric was next.

Unlike Nulyn, he did not have his weapons in the readied position.
His browned armor and jumpsuit underneath matched the dirt and dust of Formos.

His unusually bright eyes searched the area, tacking in as much useful information as he could.

"Just wait until you see more of it." he says cynically.

Tuth walks down the ramp ducking his head to avoid hitting it on the way down he was unarmed as he walked down the ramp and let out a huffing sigh

--Thain you bring us to such wonderful places--

Sent from Topic'it App

DY-50-N stamps down the stairs after his careless charges "Sirs, Sirs! Please let me go first, there may be danger." Pushing or slipping his way through to the front as required the droid scans for trouble.

Spoiler:

The is far from what Nial expected. He knew he'd be getting dirty, sure, but this place was...rustic. His fingertips caress the holstered blaster as he takes in the sights, or lack thereof. His datapad hangs in a satchel over one shoulder.

Boots clanging on the stairs, he eyeballs his companions as they get their bearings and watches the droid push his way to the front of the small group.

"Well, here we are, I guess. It's as dry as a sandtrooper's bootheel out here. Let's grab a drink?"

The wind picks up as dust blows around the landing pad. Droids scurry about making the necessary adjustments to the ship and begin to give it the once over for any sort of mechanical problems or possible parasites that may have already begun to attach themselves to the bottom of the vessel. It's business as usual and you see a rather large mass of all manner of life going about their business in the marketplace outside the spaceport. There a few buildings here and there that will be easily identifiable on the map that was given to Thain in order to make the deal smooth and seemingly effortless. 

Nulyn, having a keen eye for movement in this particular crowd, is able to make out a sign behind an aging human woman that reads "Mama Nobah - Cheapest Water on Formos." A few people come and go to her to get their parched mouths quenched from the massive jug she carries on her back. She yells like many of the other sellers, but seems to be getting many more customers than they do. 

DY-50-N is able to make out something rather peculiar and mainly due to the fact that he can make out that the Tritonite speaking isn't using the common tongue to get his message across. He does his best to preach his message, but mainly gets bumped and even tripped up at times by the rougher types, not really seeming to enjoy or even understand his message very clearly. He is a pest to them, in the way, and seemingly not made out for this type of world. 

(OOC: This covers your successes. The advantages will come into play depending on what you guys do.)

The droids gaze passes over the Tritonite, the bug-like creature didn't appear like a threat which due to DY-50-N new body-guarding protocols meant he could be one. He was duly noted, but all in all the landing pad seemed 'safe'.

DY-50-N relaxes by 10% but remains vigilant "All seems safe sirs." his hand remains close to his holstered pistol "Nial's suggestion seems wise. Sir Thain, time to meet your contact?" the droid inquires.

Thain raised an eyebrow at Tuth and opened his mouth without saying anything with a shrug for emphasis. It was as though he was saying, "You know me" and "What can ya do?" all at once. The air was dry and the sun unforgiving, but it was nothing worse than what he remembered of the home world of his species, Iridonia.

He had looked at the map some fifty or so times on the flight over. Every detail was memorized. He did it for two reasons; one, he was bored out of his mind and wanted to familiarize himself with their shit-ass mission. Two, and more importantly, it wasn't exactly smart to pull out a map and look like a tourist unless he wanted to play an angle. The group came out, some with weapons in plain sight. They were going the "show of force" route. It made sense to look like they knew what they were about.

"Yeah, but let's do this smart, eh guys? Just in case things go south, which they are so keen on doing, let's keep a couple outside the cantina. That way we don't come in showing all of our cards and have some backup for when shit gets hot." He shrugged again. "Who knows? They might underestimate us and we come out on top."

But he knew better than to be so positive.

Braybric nids and smoothly thumbs the safety switch on his blaster to off.
He left it holestered as not to draw unwanted attention, but made sure it was within easy reach.

"This smells too convenient." He grumbles.

Sent from Topic'it App

Turh inhales and then shudders

--Smells like day old bantha shit to me, I mean I guess it could be a set up but there's probably easier ways to do it then drag us to the ass end of nowhere--

He stretches out
--Naill's right lets get a drink and do the job, whose on back up duty?--

Sent from Topic'it App

Nulyn spots the cheap water seller. He keeps her in mind if the group needs to hydrate before heading away from the settlement.

"I'll post up outside." Nuyln says as the group forms their plan for the meet.

As the plan is set in motion, the commotion of the marketplace, which seems as normal as many of the other spaceports frequented in your time as members on the edge, continues on. Soon enough, the maze of alleyways appears on the path towards the cantina. 


It isn't long before something rather peculiar happens. The maze of alleyways, with hastily constructed dwellings sitting on either side of the path, has plenty of obstructions that make it rather difficult to navigate quickly. As the group passes a narrow dark alleyway off the main path, nestled between two large warehouses, you hear a commotion. There is a loud rattling noise and quite an annoying buzzing noise from within. The rattling stops almost as abruptly as it began. 

A buzzing, faint voice calls out. 

"Hello! Bzzt! Help pleazzze! I need help!"

The noise apparently comes from a large blue trash compactor next to one of the warehouses.

Tuth looks around at the others and cocks his head

--Everyone else heard that right?--

Sent from Topic'it App

Nial undoes the snap of the holster over his blaster, looking warily down the alley way at the compactor.

"Sounds like somebody's stuck! Let me see if I can get this open!"

He looks for a handle to open the compactor, or a datajack to plug his datapad into.

Nulyn sighed to himself when Nial took off towards the noise. The choice was made though and Nulyn wasn't going to let Nial go off alone.

He stands behind Nial as he looks for a way to open the compactor. He has both hands on his blaster just in case.

Tuth lets out an exagerated sigh, being helpful only caused trouble but he leaned against the wall and did his best to look intimidating to deter anyone else taking an interest

--Maybe who ever it is will pay for the rescue?--

Sent from Topic'it App

Braybric was just as annoyed as Tuth.

"I suppose Ill trail in behind, could be a trap....."

He readies his blaster psitol and moves in a few paces behind Nulyn and Nial.

As Nial peers into the trash compactor, he is able to make out the rather unfortunate and badly damaged form of a droid. The 3PO protocol droid, made by Cybot Galactica, isn't doing so hot. His head is dented, one of his eyes is smashed to bits, his body has been pulled apart, and all manner of wiring, hydraulics, and hardware are strewn about inside.

The 3PO droid looks up with his one good eye.

"Ah! Bzzt! Greetingzzz! Zzzo glad you found me. Pleazzze help! Bzzzt! They took my f-friend! Pleazze help zavvvee R4-W9! Zzzzzbzzzz! We werezzz jumped and theyzzz have taken h-him!"

Nulyn relaxes when he see it's just a protocol droid. He looks at Thain and D in turn, "Do we have time to deal with this? I'm always up for some frontier justice." He then looks back at the 3PO, "Could be a fun hunt."

Thain ran up beside Nial. If one of them was getting the rest into trouble, there was never a good reason to hesitate.

He twists his mouth sideways as though thinking when he sees the droid.

"Hold it there, friend. Who took the R2 unit and what did you two do to deserve it?"

The droid's one eye moves over to look at Thain as sparks fly from one of his many busted components.

"Yezz, sure, of courzze. You zeeee, bzzzt, my friend R4 was prizzzzed among the smuggling community. Our old mazzter, before she died, bzzzt, has us manumitted. Freed so to speak. Anywayzzz, R4 haz some of the most useful knowledge, bzzt, regarding the Kessel Run. It has been said that he runs the most comprehensive navigational analysis of the Kessel Run."

There is a long pause where you think the droid might have just said his last words, before he continues.

"And so, around 20 standard hours ago...I believezzz, bzzzt, we were set upon. I do think they were mostly humans...however they were wearing hoodzzz. Before my eyes went dark, I saw them fit a restraining bolt to R4. While I cantzzz be zureee, bzzzt, this could be the work of a one Bandin Dobah, a rather notorious up and coming, bzzzt, smuggler. Hezzz been quite keen on muscling out other smuggglinzz ventures."  

Tuths ears prick up and he makes an impressrd chuffing noise as he moves towards the trash compactor speaking in a low rumble

--We could make a lot of credits off that data if we could get our hands on it--

Sent from Topic'it App

Braybric slows down behind the others, about 10 meters. He was wary of a trap still though the situation seemed to say otherwise.

You never knew what can of human/alien garbage you would find on a dove world like this.

Sent from Topic'it App

DY-50-N stood at the ready. His glowing emerald optics scanned about for threats while his hand hovered over his blaster. The information the R unit held sounded valuable and was probably something at least some of his companions would give the hind teeth for.

DY-50-N couldn't care less, or to say he had no thoughts on the matter. He was here to protect and serve.

"The data? Hell, why take a piece of the pie when you can have the whole thing?"

Thain fixed the 3PO unit in its good eye. "We do this for you, your lives are pretty much in our debt. That ain't cheap out here. You guys are free units now right? If your friend is as useful as you say, we might have a place for you on our team."

Seems the rest of the team made up their mind with finding the protocol droid's friend. However, the teams other obligation was scratching at the back of Nulyn's mind.

"Should we split up? We do have other obligations to attend to. I can easily track down whoever took the R4 unit. Might need some backup though."

The dying unit stares over at Thain with what could have been seen as a curious expression.

"Bzzt, while I would lovzzz that. I fear that I am not long for thizzz universe. My internal systems will shut down...in approximately 2.4356789 ztandard minutezzzz..."

The light in his eyes begin to fade as many of the various systems within him begin to falter and crumble.

Nial regards the dying droid grimly.

"Well, I'm a decent technician, but even I'm not sure I can put this jigsaw puzzle back together. My forte is systems, not droid repair. I think he's had it."

Nial looks at the droid's smashed carapice. Impulsively, he grabs the droid's cracked, fading head and slips it into his bag. He might be able to pull some data out of it later. If worse came to worse, he could conk someone over the head with it.

"Ok. If we're splitting up, I think I should go with Nulyn. I want to get a look at that droid. However, I haven't been this far out on the frontier before. What do all of you think?"

He looks at the rest of the team, his hand hanging near his belt.

DY-50-N looks between Nulyn and Nial as they discuss splitting up as what accounts for concern registers in the droids systems. It would be impossible for DY-50-N to be in two places at once to ensure his new charges didn't come to harm.

"Masters, do we think this wise. How can I protect you if you're in two different places?"

Tuth looks at Thain

--They can go hunting the droid while we hit the cantina?--

Sent from Topic'it App

Braybric adds, "If the droid is about to kick it, we should take him aboard. Even if we cant rebuild it, could sell it for scrap or something?"

If they split up, he wasn't sure which bunch he should go with. The group looking for the R4 would almost definitely find trouble, but cantina's in places like this were.....suspect at the least.

"If we are splitting up, I think Ill be of more use looking for the droid."

"Wise? Probably not. Then again what have we ever done that was wise, D?" Nulyn says with a smile.

Nulyn's eyes then start casing the area. Those who dumped the protocol droid were definitely those who took the R4 unit.

Peception Roll:

There wasn't much activity in this particular side alley as most of those in port were either in the cantina or at the main avenue in front of the spaceport. The droid speaks up.

"Masterzzz, in my experienzzze, it would be prudent to check the cantina, bzzzzzt, for any and all information...at leazzzzt that izzzz my opinion..."

The droid sat for a few more minutes, awaiting any other questions.

Soon after, its lights flashed one more time before going out, nothing left within the circuitry.

It appeared there was a decision to make. Split or ride together.

After obtaining the information from the droid, it was quite apparent that there was someone in the station causing trouble and he had the name of Bandin Dobah. He was the Big Man around these parts and it would seem like these droids were unlucky enough to come into his crosshairs.

Soon enough, the droid powers down and you are left with simply a pile of circuitry and metal that wouldn't be doing anyone any good. He'd be collected at some point and turned into a shiny metal cube.

+++++

It wasn't long before you were all on your way, heading towards the cantina as it seemed like this would be the most logical step in the process of either getting on your way with your original mission or finding out more about this droid that could either be a lucrative business opportunity or a shiny new addition to your own smuggling vessel. In either case, it would be best to find out information at the cantina.

As you make your way down the alleyways, you see all manner of street vendors selling everything from food to illegal weapons. What you didn't see much of was the Empire. Not that it was non-existent, but from what you did see, they didn't particularly mind what was going on inside the port. It was a free-for-all, and they weren't about to get in the middle of it, lest they feel the fallout from interference. The less they did the better for them.

The weather remains dry and hot, making you ever more excited to find the cantina and quench your thirst. Some of you were used to this, but others needed to find a drink, and fast, lest you become dehydrated. And that wasn't the best on a world like this, where everyone was looking to take advantage of the poor and unfortunate...

+++++

But it isn't long before you find the cantina, which appears to be the busiest place in town. Who woulda thunk? Outside, it is dusty and old, a building that looked like it wouldn't offer much on the inside...

However, you are pleasantly surprised at what you find. As you enter the lobby of the cantina, you are aware of a change in atmosphere. The air conditioning alone is almost as refreshing as the beverages served at the well-appointed bar promise to be. The cantina is clearly a popular spot for locals to mix, though it isn't so crowded as to make it impossible for you to get seats. All manner of humans and aliens rub shoulders at the bar, and they even seem happy to let droids in. To your right, near the door, a flickering holoscreen displays the rotating 3D head of a tough-looking adult male Aqualish, with scrolling text advertising an Imperial bounty.

The cantina consists of two levels, the main level with the bar, and a circular balcony level above, with semi-private booths. The balcony is not too high above the first floor, making the whole arrangement feel more intimate and closed than its size would suggest. To one side of the cantina, the balcony is broken by a raised stage upon which Fia Mund, billed as the Sullustan master of the Kloo Horn, plays his instrument. His playing is essentially free form jatz incorporating a surprising baka rock influence. It shouldn't really work, but he makes something fresh of it and generally receives an approving response from the audience.

From what you can tell, there are mostly humans inside the cantina, but there are also a good proportion of Devaronians, Duros, and droids, one of which is an interpreter for those whom don't speak each others languages. A pair of courting Twi'leks sit in a corner, too busy to notice you come in...or anything else for that matter besides themselves. A garrulous Toydarian flutters near the bar discussing a dubious business venture with a figure dressed in a huge and enveloping red hooded cloak.

Thain's contact is nowhere to be seen, which is slightly troubling, considering he was supposed to be here before you...

Most of the conversations, from what you can hear, aren't exactly interesting. In fact, they seem rather mundane. But who would speak about their shady business in such an open atmosphere? In any case, it was time for a drink or perhaps some snooping...or even some information gathering.

Hell, what else was there to do in a cantina?

Nulyn didn't want to see the protocol droid go to waste... at least no all of him. So, Nulyn yanked the droids head off and stuffed it into his pack. Maybe one of his more technically inclined crew mates could do something with it later. That or Nulyn could sell it.

Nulyn plants his sporting blaster on a table claiming it for his team. The Chiss doesn't order anything from the bar... instead he takes a few sips of water out of his canteen. Nuyln wasn't a drinker... dulled the mind and was dehydrating.

"We're either early or in for some trouble." Nulyn says taking another sip of water and noticing their contact wasn't around.

Seb slides into a seat next to Nulyn, unlike his new shipmate he often acted before thinking it through. He was thirsty, so he gestured to whatever was serving for some kind of alcoholic brew.

"As long as trouble pays I'm not to bothering" Seb growls back, his non drinking hand close to his blaster.

"Trouble just means more trouble. It rarely pays... unless you like digging through pockets when the trouble is dead. Not like they're going to need what they have on them anymore." Nulyn smiles at the morbid comment.

Nulyn was always practical. A lot of time on the frontier taught you that you let nothing go to waste. A dead friend or enemy wasn't going to need his items. Might as well put them to good use for yourself.

"Trouble be fine if it pays and if trouble has value in its pockets then I'll have a rummage." as he converses with the Chiss he looks about the bar to see if there are any gambling opportunities.

"I find that with the right words, trouble can pay even more than its opposite. Been so long since I have found that I have forgotten the word for... 'not-trouble.'" Thain took a seat with the crew.

Fexxle Throt.. where are you, you fat son of a nerf-herding bitch?

He had what Seb was having. A good drink to sip on always helped him think. Although, Thain being Thain, a plan was already forming.

"I trust everyone is still on the clock? There looks to be all manner of potential marks in this joint. Let's sit tight for a moment and see if Fexxle Throt shows up. If he doesn't within fifteen, we can start sifting through the information highway."

He kept his eye on the Troydarian and the cloaked figure in particular, making sure a few of the others were also aware of their presence.

Tuth does his best to be unnoticed, which goes about as well as you would expect. He looks about the cantina warily, as if expecting attack.

--Don't like this Thain-- his growling voice is low as he follows the Zabrak to the bar
---Your boy doesn't show we have a ship with cargo I don't want to have.--

Thain nodded at Tuth. He was right. But Thain always saw an opportunity. He threw the Wookie a wink.

"We'll get to the bottom of this. Might be our lucky day and he finally pissed off the wrong bandit. Then we have cargo to sell."

Tuth lets out a chuffing sigh before growling his order to the bartender

--When are we ever lucky?--

Sent from Topic'it App

"'Not-trouble'... I think one would call those peace or tranquility." Nulyn says with a smile.

He points a finger at Tuth, "I'd say never. Remember that business on Garel? Thought it would just be a routine cargo trade. Instead we get jumped by some crime lord's dudes looking to screw over the one we had the cargo for."

Braybric sits in a chair and leans back, propping his feet on the table.

His manner looked easy going, but he was on edge.

where was the contact? why wasnt he here?

Those facts made the whole thing seem like a setup. But he was here to patch the blaster holes, add his own to whoever scraggs caused them, and that was about it.

A rather saucy looking Twi'lek female makes her way over to your table at the behest of the big man behind the bar. She sways her hips from side to side, smiling ravishingly at you all. She gets to the table and drops a few coasters around for the drinks. In basic, she begins.

"Patrons, I am Afik'Duto, it's my pleasure to serve you on this fine day. We have our basic drinks on tap for 5 credits and our more adventurous concoctions for around 7 to 8 credits. We also have some things to munch on as well. What can I get you started with?"

She looks around at you all, awaiting a reply. When she gets the order, she flies away at speed to grab the drinks as quickly as possible. It seems to take no time at all and she is back with what you have ordered. In the ever continuing role of hospitality, she tries to make a bit of small talk, while passing out the drinks.

"Haven't see you in here before...what brings you to our lovely little backwater?"

She says it idly, knowing that generally she doesn't get much of a reply from most patrons, but she does this to pass the time more than anything else.

Thain grinned at Nulyn's nostalgic moment. That had been a lot of fun, even if they almost got dead. "Yeah, you're right. I'm sure this will be a shit show as well. At least we'll have a good time."

+++

Thain smiled charmingly at the Twi'lek, holding out his hand and gently taking hers.

"The name's Kreeos. Thain Kreeos. Maybe you've heard of me; they wrote a biography about how I seduced a baker's dozen worth of Twi'lek princesses in only a handful of parsecs. Of course, the real version of that story lasts much, much longer."

He gave her hand a gently kiss and let it slip away.

"My associates and I have just stopped in for some water and something stiffer. In fact, we were looking for a man who goes by Throt. He's hideous, so I doubt you would acquaint yourself with the likes of him."

He watched her eyes very closely. The eyes never lied, but he felt as though he had her firmly in his hands, like putty.

Nulyn watched Thain work his magic on the Twi'lek. Thain was a master at what he did... that was mostly talking. It got the crew some good deals and worked them through some trouble as well. Sometimes it got them into trouble.

It seemed that Thain had her hook line and sinker. A perfect catch.

Nulyn looks over to their medical expert, "Doc, drink up." Nulyn slides his canteen over to him, "Place is dry and hot. I think you know more about heat stroke and dehydration then any of us here."

He smiles through his beard,
"They didnt teach me nothing about that. All I got a few sessions on was blaster wounds, broken legs, ect ect."

He turns his attention back to the Twi'lek, something about the vampric teeth and the yellow eyes never appealed to him.
"If its all the same to you miss Ill hold off for now."

Nulyn smiles warily and pushes his canteen closer to Braybric, "That Imperial education was mighty in depth for the battlefield. Guess they forgot that things other then blasters, grenades, or other things that go boom can kill."