Can I loot some Power Converters? (D2, LM)

[Djanik]

"I wasn't aware this was your territory, I'm afraid."

He glanced between those gathered.

"I'm afraid the protocol wasn't clear - do you have somewhere you'd like me to drop off this tribute? Save yourself the bother?"

[Dapper Dog]

“I am glad you asked,” he said in Huttese and then waved at his allies. The duo see more speeders and riders come over the rise.

“Let’s take a ride.”

He hopped down and approached with blaster pistol in hand, “You’re driving.”

[Elaranu]

Ela knew a smattering of Huttese, but only enough to get the just of what was happening. While inside she bristled that these men claimed control over the area without lawful backing, they had numbers to back them up.

Still, they seemed more focused on blue-boy than her, so she looked at him for how he'd respond. He was the one at blasterpoint, after all.

[Djanik]

Djanik walked, hands visible, toward the speeder.

"All right. I like driving."

He glanced toward Ela, and couldn't hide a faint frown.

"I think for now, we can all be reasonable about things, right? No need to involve her in this - she's from off world, first time in the yard."

I really hope you're armed.

[Dapper Dog]

"I don't care, both of you in the speeder and then head south," he said getting in the back.

They now have an escort of speeders and beast riders. The man gave a whippoorwill and the escort echoes the call.

[Elaranu]

Nodding but still saying nothing, Elaranu climbed into the waiting vehicle. One of her pockets did have an obvious pistol shape in it, clearly something bigger than a holdout blaster.

[Djanik]

Djanik shrugged, and fired up the speeder, driving casually southward.

"You let me know where to go."

With a bland expression, Djanik watched the map, wondering where they were meant to be headed.

[Dapper Dog]

After about twenty minutes of last minute directions they come over a rise towards a large concentration of ships and a settlement that looked to be built into a Republic cruiser in the sand from the Clone Wars. The gates open as they approach and he hops out and said, “We are here my friends, now… we talk business huh?”

He gestured for them to follow and many other desert nomads watch them with interest. Mostly dark skinned humans similar to the man though there a smattering of other species like twi’leks. They are lead to a large tent and the man sits in what approximates a throne and says, “Welcome to Bone Town, so what have you brought us as tribute to scavenge our lands?”

“You got something Imperial? Or maybe you have liquor yes? Course we could just take speeder, make you walk.”

[Djanik]

Djanik observed the place in silence as they approached, a mixture of appreciation and distaste warring within him.

What a fate for a ship to befall, yet even now it was serving a purpose.

As the man gave his demands for tribute, Djanik glanced at Elaranu, and then back at the man.

"I can't say I have anything too fancy on hand. If I had known I might have brought something a little nicer."

With a small shrug, he said, "If any of the parts I collected appeal, please feel free - I'm not here to steal from anyone. If nothing I've collected interests you, I'd have to bring something on my next journey."

Crossing his arms, he added, "I'm sure that I could find something worth drinking at the Nerf, when I'm not there on business for the Hutts." A small, casual name drop, to let the local king now that sometimes meddling with a smaller fish might annoy a bigger fish. Nothing menacing, and indeed, Djanik was all courtesy. "I know hard liquor is usually in style, but they have some great correllian stouts."

[Dapper Dog]

“You see this is what I like now we negotiate! How much is the girl?” he asked with a wry smile.

[Elaranu]

"I am not for barter. You should really get standard rates if you are expecting to charge for the privilege of taking a few wires and dials rom your scrap heaps."

She kept her hands behind her back as she followed.

[Dapper Dog]

"I am not for barter. You should really get standard rates if you are expecting to charge for the privilege of taking a few wires and dials rom your scrap heaps."

She kept her hands behind her back as she followed.

“Ah but you would be queen here, I give you pretty rings and necklaces, I am king here! Imperials never come this way, they know this is ours. So you get tired of him you come live with King yes, give me many children?” he said laughing.

“But yes to business, you want to use my lands you give tribute or… swear fealty to me, your king!”

[Djanik]

"As you'll note, she isn't mine to sell."

Djanik commented, dryly.

"But I'm very serious about that correllian ale, it is both quite good, and quite available the next time I come this way."

Rubbing the back of his neck, he added, thoughtfully, "You said you wanted Imperial items... any preference what sort?"

[Dapper Dog]

“Guns… maybe one of those walker things, I am simple man I like things that go fast, blow up, or are shiny,” he admitted.

He winked at Elaranu and added, “How much for the man then.”

[Elaranu]

"More credits than you have likely. Things that are fast, shiny, or blow up could be acceptable though. Since I do like those sorts of things. Something tells me you are short in supply of such though, yes yes?"

[Dapper Dog]

"More credits than you have likely. Things that are fast, shiny, or blow up could be acceptable though. Since I do like those sorts of things. Something tells me you are short in supply of such though, yes yes?"

“I am King, I have ships and creds, some ships better than others but we make them work after a time. You need ship you come to me, I get you a good price on account of your pretty face, eh?” he offered.

“We go in my tent get you a big discount, bring your friend, eh, he get discount too, same same.”

[Djanik]

Djanik was left without an idea of how to respond to either of them.

So he fell silent, somewhat off balance.

He'd never been... bartered...

It was a novel experience. Still, the shifting mood had left him lagging ever so slightly behind.

[Elaranu]

"If I had the credits for even a cheap ship, I would not be out here scavenging parts for my repair shop. I came from Ascendency space with nothing but my tools, papers, and a load of debt. Every wire, bolt, and plate is one step closer to my having a positive credit situation."

She crossed her arms under her chest and gave a firm stare, "If we can make a deal that benefits both of us, and my partner, so be it. But I hope you can see where I come from; If my use and taking of parts is too much trouble, I may as well not and spend my time elsewhere. I can give you tribute now, scrap king, but the rest beyond that is up to how reasonable we can be."

[Djanik]

Djanik was following along, even if his brain ran off an irrelevant tangent when she said partner.

Finding his voice again, he offered, "I can bring you and yours a nice case of drinks, and if I happen to come into possession of something that would suit your fancy, I'm sure we could work something out."

He hoped that would work - this was never his strong suit - he wasn't a negotiator, or a proper criminal either.

[Dapper Dog]

The king grinned and said, "I buy your debts, give you ship and you work for me, I have needs in Rygor and after killing a few people and yadda, yadda, yadda... I no longer can go shopping at favorite market. Makes me sad, I only kill whole family... and only half the children."

"Fast ship, best deal... maybe change mind."

[Djanik]

"I don't know that I need the full deal - but I can pick up things, all the same."

Djanik gave a little shrug. "I'm afraid my debts cannot be bought off - I have things I have to do myself - that doesn't stop me from doing courier work, if there are things you need purchased and delivered... provided they don't draw Imperial attention. If you prefer that to the drinks."

[Dapper Dog]

"And you?" he asked of Elaranu.

[Elaranu]

She frowned a little, pitting her dainty chin between two fingers, "...would I be trading my debt for a price on my head?"

[Dapper Dog]

She frowned a little, pitting her dainty chin between two fingers, "...would I be trading my debt for a price on my head?"

"Oh my little desert flower, I would see to making sure your debtors were compensated," he said with a broad grin.

"Then you'd work for me, and I am a good man... mostly."

[Djanik]

Djanik watched her from the corner of his eyes. He didn't know her situation, if accepting would be as much of a prison for her as it would be for him.

He wondered just what sort of answer she would give, this mysterious and intriguing woman...