Log:Hutt Cartel: Eebua visits his new starport
Eebua visits his new starport
OOC Date: October 12, 2016
Location: Lord Eebua's Starport
Participants: Eebua Gnuda, Ax, Qadira Suuryet, Narsai Ordo, Snogrutt, Alana Zee, The Hutt Cartel, Waywards, Nar Shaddaa Civil War
Dusk has settled over the Smuggler's Moon, causing what was once known as Parmac's Starport to be bathed in that pale orange and pink glow that precedes darkness. The sound of groaning and grunting voices and the sharp crack of a whip and harsh voice of a slave driver disturb what would otherwise be a somewhat peaceful afternoon. The cause of this disturbance soon comes into view as a great many slaves come struggling up the ramp onto the main deck of the Starport, struggling mightily under the immense weight of the new namesake of the starport Lord Eebua Gnuda. The procession is flanked by a large contingent of heavily armed Trandoshan security personnel, mean and angry looking one and all. Lord Eebua raises a great meaty arm and calls out for the slaves to halt as his purple eyes find the golden likeness of himself and the slaves gladly comply. Eebua is placed gently on the deck before his statue and looks upward into the sixty feet tall likeness of himself in admiration.
Kadi is just slinking out of the Waywards Hangar, in armour, with her usual couple of droids. She comes to a deadstop. Stares. Mouth opens, closes, and then her expression goes set, neutral, though there is a hint of pain around her eyes. She glances back at the door to the hangar, sighs, and starts to walk towards the ramp down. But then she stops again, staying back out of the way of the incoming procession of ICK. The entire sight really just makes her clench her hands into fists at her side, but she isn't stupid, and she isn't exactly the qualified fighting type. "Maybe I should go back inside and try this again later," she murmurs. Lily beeps something in binary along the lines of "Best idea you've had all day, boss." Fluffy just lets his tongue lol out like a hot canine might.
The Waywards have had a private hangar here at Parmac's for quite a while now, one of the first of the new influx of citizens to set up shop here in the last year. The guild has operated quietly, for the most part, and until recently, they were quite active. Of late, however, the hangar doors have been sealed shut more often than not, and the comings and goings have slowed. Internal security was on high alert and ships were kept in a perpetual form of stand-by.
The leader of the Waywards guild, an Echani known as Ax, makes his way out of the personel door of the hangar, dressed in high-end, black market armor, and carrying a pair of pistols on his hips. His white eyes settle on the gaudy statue, a chagrin look on his face as he stares at it for a moment before shaking his head and moving over towards his wife. He doesn't say anything, but the view of the Hutt and his contingent of guards does draw his gaze, with a stern, go-to-hell look to his eyes.
There appears to have been a reason for Lord Eebua's visit, other than the admiration of his new Starport and taking in the golden statue erected in his honor. What is likely the captain of the Trandoshan security team lifts one clawed foot and kicks one unfortunate female slave squarely in the back, sending the woman sprawling hard to the deck plates. "Go and get it!" the trandoshan hisses with venom, brandishing his blaster rifle at the slave and then at the Hutt Cartel Hangar. The poor woman crawls as quickly as she can in that direction, either to escape another attack by the guard or to show that she is complying. She eventually makes her feet and sprints into the hangar. She is gone for a short time before she comes laboring back with a massive golden something clutched in her hands. She approaches Lord Eebua where he sits, gazing at his statue and then kneels, struggling to lift what is in her hands upward to him.
The massive Hutt turns his eyes downward, and his wide ear hole to ear hole mouth curls in a pleased smile as he bends, his bulk rippling as he reaches down and lifts the large golden thing from the woman. The purpose of the intricately carved piece becomes known in short order as the Hutt lifts the CROWN upward and places it atop his own head. The item itself is carved wonderfully and inset with numerous precious gems of large sizes. Lowering his hands, Eebua takes a moment to impress this upon his mind forever, before he apparently catches sight of Ax and Kadi out of the corner of his eye. Turning in their direction he booms, "Ahhh! Wayward. How are you? Come! Join us!”
Kadi stiffens, but her attention goes to her husband as he comes over. She is about to suggest to him her best ever idea, when Eebua rather takes things out of her hands. "Too late," she says, and Lily's answering whistlechirp is decidedly hangdog. There is a moment, a deep breath, and Kadi reaches a hand out to Ax. "Guess we kinda have to, right?" she says softly. Nope. Totally doesn't want to go there, but bad timing is definitely working against her this time.
Lurking somewhere near the procession is Alana Zee. She's not exactly part of it, and she's not exactly not part of it; she's talking to a Trandoshan here, a Twi'lek there, a human elsewhere, just a few words murmured, maybe a smile, sometimes a hug. It's not what you know, but who you know, right?
It's not so much into the spaceport as out of it Narsai steps, emerging from the Thunderheart where it rests near the Malachor. This much noise and fuss? The Mandalorian's solo emergence might be a little suprising. Regardless, the woman emerges with armor still streaked with black grease and grime from a good day and a half maintaining her new 'friends'. Old technology sometimes needs a bit of fine-tuning after such a long time in 'standby'. With her helmet tucked under her arm she emerges into the light rain and slides the final piece of the Beskar'gem over her head, obscuring her face and shielding her from the weather in one simple move.
Snogrutt is sat atop a packing crate, leaning against another stack of packing crates. The big piggy has his eyes closed, chest rising and falling. Snot oozes from his nostrils as his chin rests atop his chest, letting out a muffled snoring sound with every inhale, lips flapping as he breathes out, fast asleep.
The abuse of the slave does not go unnoticed. Hands instinctively go towards the pistol on his hip, but don't follow through. Too many people, including himself, would get hurt or killed if a firefight ensued right now, and Ax knew it. One shot from his disruptor... it's all it would take, but that pistol had one extremely fatal flaw, it's range was severely limited. "7 meters," he mumbles to himself, but shakes off the urge. He leans in to his wife, speaking softly to her for a moment. "He's fat enough to hit with a ship's cannons."
Then, Ax is looking up towards the slug and his entourage. "Lord Gnuda," he says, addressing the Hutt in a strained tone of cordiality. With Kadi's hand in his, he begins pulling her towards the slug slowly, leaning in close to her for a moment before looking back towards the Hutt. "In sense of hospitality, might I ask that you have your men refrain from beating your servants in front of my wife?" The Echani had met with the Hutt once before, and his views on slavery were made known to Eebua, though he did concede that such things were legal here on Nar Shaddaa. "If you cannot refrain from such, then I kindly ask your leave to take her where she doesn't have to witness such deplorable behavior."
Lord Eebua Gnuda looks as distinguished as a thirty feet tall Hutt can look in his new crown, at his new starport, surrounded by his minions and his living possessions. His purple eyes light upon Ax as the man begins to approach with his wife at his side. That smile persists at the Echani's request, and the Hutt looks toward his security team as they begin to hiss in laughter at the Wayward leader's request. "Now, now..." he cautions his soldiers. "Do not laugh at an honest request. The Waywards are our friends. Treat Ax and his wife with the support that they deserve as allies to our cause. You did not see them foolishly coming to the aid of NSec, did you?" The Trandoshan laughter tapers into silence, though sharp fangs are bared in evil smiles as all eyes turn toward the two Waywards.
Looking back toward Ax and Kadi, Lord Eebua gestures with a hand and says, "Forgive my brutal associates. They are from a less civilized world than you and I. Their natures are different. They are simply enjoying the just reward of our victory. And to them... they are just possessions. The same as if someone had struck a pet that did not obey, or a ship with a wrench when it did not function correctly." Kadi's lips curve into a smile at Ax's words, as he speaks quietly to her, the amusement shortlived, but providing enough strength to move forward along with her husband. Once they arrive at Eebua's areas, she inclines her head, politely. "Lord Gnuda," she says, her voice soft, but certainly solid enough. She doesn't try for anything more, simply acknowledging the giant slug. A breath, a thought, and then she adds, "You honor us with such kind words." A half glance over at Ax.
Still hanging back ever so slightly, that T-visor of her helmet leaves Narsai's thoughts on this display obscured by armor plating. Unless one was a mindreader anyway. While the rain, abraisive as it can be on Nar Shaddaa, works as slowly easing the grime from the plating the Mandalorian woman herself watches the whole exchange from her ship nearby. she's almost standing there protective of it. The last thing she'd want is some over-eager merc to go waving wrenches near her pride and joy after all. That might lead to violence.
"I am well acquainted with their kind," Ax says. "I've killed enough of them who targetted associates of mine, and more who tried capturing people to sell into slavery when I was around," he adds, his hand squeezing Kadi's. His tone wasn't one of bragging, just being factual. His eyes don't leave Eebua. "As for NSec, we had an arrangement. They stayed out of my way, and I stayed out of theirs. I'd paid them enough money over the year for that, had they offered any of it back, well maybe I would have stepped in and things would be different, or maybe I'm just smart enough to stay out of fights that I cannot win."
Ax looks about the starport for a moment, his eyes landing on the giant statue before looking back towards Eebua. "So, I've heard that there are going to be new taxes levied against businesses who operate out of this starport, what can we expect in return? Parmac's wasn't the most hospitable area, but it had its perks. A great deal of trade and wealth traveled through here, trade that will surely be hampered as the starport is no longer neutrally affiliated."
Snogrutt gives a little snufflesnort, something awaking the piggy. Blinking owlishly, he reaches down to scratch his tummy, wheezing as he leans up and slides off the packing crate. Hunched over a little, he squints as he looks about the spaceport. His nostrils flare, sniffing at the air, evidently on the lookout for something tasty as he sniffs about the packing crate area.
Lord Eebua Gnuda and says, "It is fortunate that you did not throw in with the pitiful NSec worms. All that would be different would be the tarnishing of our friendship and we would not want that, now would we?" There is no attempt at intimidation on the Hutt's part either, after all, he holds all of the cards presently. His eyes shift back toward Kadi and the crowned Hutt bows his head graciously, "Of course, Lady Qadira. I trust that our relationship will continue to be one of mutual respect and kindness." Eyes shifting back toward Ax, Eebua nods again and says, "Yes. There will be new taxes, though of course, there are always ways around such things. Friendship with the ruling Hutt would no doubt earn you special treatment. Making oneself useful to the powers in charge is always a good first step. And in return, you will be afforded the safety of my rule. Nar Shaddaa will be safer under Hutt rule once more. This has always been the case."
Alana Zee drifts through the crowd to within earshot of Ax's conversation with Eebua the Mighty. She listens casually, smiling at the Hutt's words and giving a little nod here and there, but mostly she's studying Ax and Kadi with her cool gaze. She's acquired a bottle of something, and takes the occasional swig.
"And this is why the Hutt District is the most dangerous of the primary districts upon this moon?" Ax asks. "While Parmac's wasn't perfect, it had its perks, and it's vow of neutrality was very beneficial to business at large. Already, we are considering leaving the area because of such loss of neutrality. I guess we are simply awaiting to see how things pan out." There's a brief moment as Ax looks over the Hutt. "I am a businessman, and must go where the profits are, Lord Gnuda, I hope you understand," of course, there was an undertone to his voice, not hiding the fact that it had less to do with profits than other things. "I operate in Hutt space, I follow the laws as far as they apply, but I expect there to be some reprecussions from your assaults, for it has disrupted a great deal of trae throughout the Rim. I am sure it did not go unnoticed." Ax looks to his wife, lifting her hand to his lips and giving it a kiss.
Looking at the entourage, his eyes linger on Alana for a moment before going back to the Hutt. "My concern is for the safety of my people. Some are former slaves, freed off-world by force or purchased and set free by myself or others in my guild. As you can understand, they aren't overly comfortable with your security forces guarding over what they've considered their home. I have told them, that they had nothing to fear, of course, for you are a businessman as well, and I'm sure that as such, you aren't going to take unnecessary risks that could prove rather costly over a handful of people who weren't taken from you or yours."
Kadi smiles at Ax, staying quiet now. She listens to the conversation, but isn't the business side of the guild, so really doesn't have too much to add. Her gaze does go to the folks around the starport, those who aren't Trandoshan or ... servants. Noting who she might see, and what they might be up to, as she can. Though her gaze keeps coming back to Ax and to Eebua, with all the worry and concern that she tries to keep hidden.
The Hutt Lord raises a hand, gesturing toward the Trandoshan security detail in a readying fashion though one that calls for a hold. The Hutt's smile has faded as he looks toward Ax and his voice fallen as he says, "The Hutt District is dangerous to whom? To the enemies of my people? The kind of people who have attempted to take bits of our moon from us, deservingly so as it was wrestled from the hands of undeserving Hutts. To myself and my allies, the Hutt District is the safest on this moon. Even the precious Corellian District has parts of it that are unsafe. The area where Naelyn's Circus is, for one." The Hutt has researched his areas outside of his own District. "As for the trade effects in this area... This is /Hutt/ space. My people are allied with me in this pursuit. Those who are deserving will still find profits, the likes of which Parmac's did not allow. Those who set themselves against me, will know woe."
Alana does not commit lese-majeste by interrupting or intruding upon the Hutt's conversation with Ax, but she grins a black, wicked grin at Eebua's assertion that the Hutt district is safe. Safe for some, maybe, and she feels deep in her pocket at some largeish, fist-sized object before withdrawing her empty hand once more.
Freed slave? More then one Mandalorian could be counted amoung that number, even if Narsai herself wasn't. Arms crossing over her chest she continues to listen in to the discussion she's not truely part of, but finds an intrest in none the less. Her time trading for profits between mercenary work? It was more then a little bit brief, but the trade of others funds the credits that go towards the sort of work they do, which in turn helps the Mandalorians rebuild one step at a time. One way or another, the flow of things through Nar Shaddaa had the means to shape a lot of the galaxy.
Ax doesn't seem phased by the gestures, he was either overly brave, overly confident, or incredibly stupid, or possibly a combination of the three. "The Hutt district is rife with scum who target anyone they consider an easy target. They cowardly ambush people who are there to do business or the likes. Of course, this doesn't affect you, is likely underneath your notice," Ax says. "I assume the same will become of Parmac's," he obviously refused to call it anything else. "NSec prevented such things from taking place here, or at least stopped a good bit of it. Will the same be true of your new security force, Lord Gnuda?" he asks, glancing towards the Trandoshans for a second.
Kadi's gaze goes over to Eebua as he's talking about Naelyn's Circus. She's quiet, listening and saying nothing. Nothing at all. She does glance back at the statue, thoughtfully. Briefly. "NSEC did have their moments," she admits, quietly. "Though I am sure they were not so good as could be." There, a backhanded compliment for the Hutt, sort of.
"Lord Eebua's Starport," the massive Crimson Hutt asserts overtop Ax's claims. "You would do well to maintain the bonds of our friendship, Ax. As the soon to be ruler of Nar Shaddaa, I would caution you to deflate your ego some small amount when addressing me," is added slowly, as if for the Echani's benefit and to ensure that the man understands. "I value your friendship, but do /not/ need it. I will make that very clear to you." His eyes shift to take in Kadi, and then across to where Narsai stands outside of her ship, before returning to Ax. "So long as you are a friend of Lord Eebua, you will have nothing to fear. You will have my protection. As I said, there is /scum/ committing those same wrongs in the Corellian district, yet you are too focused on your dislike of the Hutts to see that, though I do not expect much more from these inferior species."
And at that, Alana slinks off. Possibly to commit a wrong or two. She slips through the crowd, smiling here and there, pressing the flesh, until she disappears out of sight through the Trandoshan cordon.
"I apologize for any offense, Lord Gnuda," Ax says with a slight bow of his head. His hand still gripping Kadi's, he glances about the starport. "I believe we have overstayed our welcome here, Lord Gnuda. Maybe it is a better idea to simply relocate our business to the Corellian District, maybe go clean up some of the scum from the areas surrounding the circus. I'm sure it shouldn't be too difficult. I'm a wealthy man, maybe a few million spent on proper mercenaries could sway the scum to vacate or find somewhere safer to haunt." He offers another bow to the Hutt. "By your leave, Lord Gnuda." He glances to the statue again. "Nice likeness, though I don't think it's big enough."
Kadi squeezes Ax's fingers with her own, staying quiet as she sticks with him. "I am certain that there will be future opportunities for business," she says, with a slightly alarmed look over at Ax. "The statue is quite shiny." She does step back, just one step, but then waits, both for Ax and for the Hutt to decide they're done with the discussion. Hopefully.
