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Governor's Gambit - Star Wars SI into Imperial Governor
- Thread starter Freefaller
- Start date
Yacov
Not too sore, are you?
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Considering this ship cost 500 million credits new and the thing can probably hold over a tenth of Ugea's population by itself? Yeah I can see this thing helping with Minda's housing and orbital infrastructure.
I can see this thing being a gathering point for the temporary shipyard workers. For all planetside housing will have way more amenities, spacers are probably going to want to stay in the black most of the time.
As a plus, since this thing is not on Ugea, that means a lot of the service requirements can be adjusted and probably just shipped to other locations than the Hulk itself.
Yeah especially with how "corpo friendly" this section of the galaxy gets in canon with how Penstar ran things. It is probably better to keep the hooks the mega corps have in Minda to a minimum.
Ah an ambitious native who just wants what's right for his system. I can see why the Empire doesn't favor Tion. Probably gave off Separatist vibes.
Dear Force, the Guild is making an investment bank/hedge fund. I guess with all products trading and new businesses opening up it was inevitable. I suppose if the Bouny Hunters Guild can have a bank, the Guild can have one too.
Perhaps Gary can tap his colleagues on Muunilinst for aid? Besides Muunilist, most Outer Rim based banks are pretty brutal in terms of interest rates. Banks on Tatooine consider a 15% interest loan to be monstrously generous for instance.
If they do really well, the Guild may be able to convince the Empire to move its Imperial payroll garrison to Clok. I imagine the Myto's Imperial payroll has to be kept somewhere in the sector after all.
The fact that it will be located on a heavily Guild influenced world can be swept under the rug. Just ignore the fact a Guild world is where all the Imperials paychecks will come from in this sector.
AND it is also an insurance and marketing company? Truly the Guild Exchange will be a black hole of evil. It is going to make all the money if they can get their roots into the Myto Sector.
Last edited:
ZzzSlothzzZ
ergo audacia
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Suit Simp
hmmmmmm.
I'm beginning to doubt.
Just slightly
Clok's time is now!
Invest in the future, with Clok!
*Hit's Prompt firmly with a Planck*
Now he's Free...Freeefaller
Omake: Building a Castle
New
Yacov
Not too sore, are you?
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Omake: Building a Castle
POV: Vio, Andrennian Catina owner,
Vio's Cantina and Roughhouse, Edin system, Highreach, Edinspire, 1ABY
Vio wiped the counter and a glass clean while he surveyed his castle. This Cantina was supposed to be a short term thing. A way to launder his Black Market savings into cleaner assets to make ends meet. Just because you were getting out of the game doesn't mean all the money you made before was spotless.
However as time went on, Vio found himself growing more and more comfortable with his position as a Cantina owner. Sure the goods and services he was moving may no longer be illegal, but there was a certain thrill that could be found in running a smooth operation. Watching what you built earn a profit and know that you made it happen.
"For the last time Quamall, I ain't serving you reactor coolant. I don't care if you want to see if you can regenerate through ingesting it."
Unfortunately there was always troublesome people to deal with no matter your profession. People who would take one look at the status quo and try something off the table just to see what happens. Case in point, this pain loving Abyssin at his counter.
"C'mon Vio. This current bodyguard job is as slow as a Hutt being driven to attend a charity event. No one has shot me in days. I need to check if I am losing my eeeedge."
That must be devastating for poor Quamall. He was the best bodyguard in the district and always took on the most naive offworld merchants under his eye. What few of his clients realized was that his "benevolence" was just an excuse so he could jump in front of blaster fire for his own amusement.
"Look, I can't source you the reactor coolant. However, in recognition of you always recommending my Cantina for your clients' meeting location, I can arrange something. I will have a talk with Mwork about upping your opponent's voltage for this week's Shockboxing match in the Roughhouse."
The Cantina's Aqualish bouncer/referee hates it when Vio interferes with his shockbox matches. Treats the whole thing like some Sacred Shaak. However if a boxer wants to make a match harder on himself on purpose, that could probably be swung. Far be it from Mwork to stop fighters from "challenging themselves". Speaking of his employees…
"Oi Nil! Quit making goggly eyes at those Droid Balls and keep making the rounds! The Bounce room in the Roughhouse needs cleaning!"
It wouldn't do if one of the main attractions of Vio's Cantina got a bad reputation for cleanliness. When he bought this place the Roughhouse in the basement had all the markings of a training ground for one of Edin's ex-gangs. Damaged, but still sturdy targets, sound proofed walls, the lingering smell of used explosives, burn marks everywhere, the works. Probably why he had been able to acquire the property for so cheap.
These days Vio had the Roughhouse converted to house all sorts of physical activities and games. A way to allow the more physical minded citizens in Edinspire to stretch their muscles in an increasingly crowded city. From playing with blasters in the Bounce room, to launching Rocket Darts, or getting their blood up at the weekly Shockboxing night.
"Boss you know Ballzabub has been having trouble merging since last week. I have to watch how my babies are doooing."
Vio was regretting ever introducing Nil to Droid Ball Fighting. The game had soaked up all the Rodian'sattention span. She was a hawk at picking out cheaters and thieves when she could focus, but her eyes were always drifting to the Droid Ball table. If she could spend all day managing matches, she would.
At least it kept her from going back to pickpocketing. Vio had a good thing going here, and no criminal activity in his Cantina was going to ruin it. No one would find even an unsanctioned Sabaac game in his home. He had to report a smuggler last week trying to peddle Death Sticks. It made him feel dirty how clean he'd gone.
"Vio you cantankerous old monkey. Let the little sow enjoy her youth while she has it."
Vio suppressed a wince as the elde-mature Gamorrean Matron entered his establishment. One of the few contacts from his old line of work that stuck around. Miss Gam and her meat processing company had been a fixture of the Edinspire cityscape for over three decades. Which often made her impossible to avoid when you worked in the service industry.
"Miss Gam! How lovely to gaze upon your visage again. Here to organize another shipment of Potwa Beer for one of your parties?"
Potwa Beer was always the way to keep Miss Gam on her sweet side. A method Vio had only expanded when he and her started up their current business arrangement. Luckily he was able to help the brewers he knew offworld get their flimsiwork in order to continue to move their product under the new Guild regulations.
"Oh Vio, you know just what I like. Unfortunately I am just here to visit an old friend and brood. So just some Muja Fruit juice for me. Wouldn't want to get too rowdy this early in the afternoon, would we?"
Better for Vio's sanity if Miss Gam didn't get rowdy in his presence ever. For all Miss Gam dressed like she belonged at an opera, she was still a Gamorrean at the end of the day. One that Edin's previous gangs stayed well away from, and with good reason.
"It's my sons you see. They are not applying themselves enough. I keep encouraging them to join the Guild so they can earn some mortts, but it is like talking to a butchered corpse. Not much for conversation and only fit for getting shoved into the grinder."
The underworld still tells tales of when a Houk gangster came to her company to try and extort her for credits. Miss Gam introduced him to her Cleaver, and his henchmen got to experience the grim fate of being beaten to death by the two halves of their still very much alive and screaming employer.
Later that month Miss Gam complained to Vio that it took a few more swings for her than it usually does when she beats someone to death with body parts. Vio had assured her with all the seriousness of a man on death row that the gangster was just soft and fat and it had nothing to do with her end of things.
"Speaking of butchery. Did I ever tell you how glad I am that I can be blessed with your product? Those slices of Shaak really bring the Cantina Special together."
He was only laying it on a little thick. Miss Gam ran a tight ship when it came to quality control. The Cantina Special of Grilled Shaak Cheese on Buckwheat with Forrolow Berry Jam and sliced Shaak meat was a hit among his customers. Some of them were even asking him for the recipe.
"Vio, you know you don't have to sweet talk me. My little Funny Monkey will always have a place in my life. Save that for weaseling those poor Guilders out of their loot. Don't think I don't see the scoundrel you used to be when you see those fresh faces walk in."
Bashfulness was the last thing Vio expected to feel from this conversation. He wasn't even doing it for the money at this point. He wasn't just trying to keep his skills sharp. Not his fault for being unable to resist someone laying an iced honey cake right in front of him.
"Just trying to impart my wisdom to the next generation Miss Gam."
It wasn't even anything dangerous or illegal like blaster or grenades. These Guilders would walk in complaining about being unable to offload a few containers of Tibanna Gas or a crate of plasteel. Like they had never met a fence or a flexible wholesaler in their entire lives.
So Vio earned some money on the side acting as a middleman once again. In little quantities here and there with word of mouth transactions. Not enough to attract the attention of the Guild or anything.
"On the topic of wisdom. Quamall, my dear. Would you be willing to give a mentorship program for my sons at the Guild?"
Quamall narrowed his eye at the Matron. Looking like he was just offered a rotten nerf steak. To be fair, he kind of was.
"No way Miss Gam. Even I know how much your kids spend on their PADs instead of swinging their axes. My reputation would be down the drain in a month. I'm not crazy."
As his patrons descended into playful bickering, Vio thought on his life. What had happened to this planet where a criminal like him could earn a semi-honest living?
——
A look at how the former criminal element could be adapting to a more lawful environment on Highreach. Everyone still has hints of The Bad Old Days, but they are moving on with their lives.
Crossposted on SB and SV
POV: Vio, Andrennian Catina owner,
Vio's Cantina and Roughhouse, Edin system, Highreach, Edinspire, 1ABY
Vio wiped the counter and a glass clean while he surveyed his castle. This Cantina was supposed to be a short term thing. A way to launder his Black Market savings into cleaner assets to make ends meet. Just because you were getting out of the game doesn't mean all the money you made before was spotless.
However as time went on, Vio found himself growing more and more comfortable with his position as a Cantina owner. Sure the goods and services he was moving may no longer be illegal, but there was a certain thrill that could be found in running a smooth operation. Watching what you built earn a profit and know that you made it happen.
"For the last time Quamall, I ain't serving you reactor coolant. I don't care if you want to see if you can regenerate through ingesting it."
Unfortunately there was always troublesome people to deal with no matter your profession. People who would take one look at the status quo and try something off the table just to see what happens. Case in point, this pain loving Abyssin at his counter.
"C'mon Vio. This current bodyguard job is as slow as a Hutt being driven to attend a charity event. No one has shot me in days. I need to check if I am losing my eeeedge."
That must be devastating for poor Quamall. He was the best bodyguard in the district and always took on the most naive offworld merchants under his eye. What few of his clients realized was that his "benevolence" was just an excuse so he could jump in front of blaster fire for his own amusement.
"Look, I can't source you the reactor coolant. However, in recognition of you always recommending my Cantina for your clients' meeting location, I can arrange something. I will have a talk with Mwork about upping your opponent's voltage for this week's Shockboxing match in the Roughhouse."
The Cantina's Aqualish bouncer/referee hates it when Vio interferes with his shockbox matches. Treats the whole thing like some Sacred Shaak. However if a boxer wants to make a match harder on himself on purpose, that could probably be swung. Far be it from Mwork to stop fighters from "challenging themselves". Speaking of his employees…
"Oi Nil! Quit making goggly eyes at those Droid Balls and keep making the rounds! The Bounce room in the Roughhouse needs cleaning!"
It wouldn't do if one of the main attractions of Vio's Cantina got a bad reputation for cleanliness. When he bought this place the Roughhouse in the basement had all the markings of a training ground for one of Edin's ex-gangs. Damaged, but still sturdy targets, sound proofed walls, the lingering smell of used explosives, burn marks everywhere, the works. Probably why he had been able to acquire the property for so cheap.
These days Vio had the Roughhouse converted to house all sorts of physical activities and games. A way to allow the more physical minded citizens in Edinspire to stretch their muscles in an increasingly crowded city. From playing with blasters in the Bounce room, to launching Rocket Darts, or getting their blood up at the weekly Shockboxing night.
"Boss you know Ballzabub has been having trouble merging since last week. I have to watch how my babies are doooing."
Vio was regretting ever introducing Nil to Droid Ball Fighting. The game had soaked up all the Rodian'sattention span. She was a hawk at picking out cheaters and thieves when she could focus, but her eyes were always drifting to the Droid Ball table. If she could spend all day managing matches, she would.
At least it kept her from going back to pickpocketing. Vio had a good thing going here, and no criminal activity in his Cantina was going to ruin it. No one would find even an unsanctioned Sabaac game in his home. He had to report a smuggler last week trying to peddle Death Sticks. It made him feel dirty how clean he'd gone.
"Vio you cantankerous old monkey. Let the little sow enjoy her youth while she has it."
Vio suppressed a wince as the elde-mature Gamorrean Matron entered his establishment. One of the few contacts from his old line of work that stuck around. Miss Gam and her meat processing company had been a fixture of the Edinspire cityscape for over three decades. Which often made her impossible to avoid when you worked in the service industry.
"Miss Gam! How lovely to gaze upon your visage again. Here to organize another shipment of Potwa Beer for one of your parties?"
Potwa Beer was always the way to keep Miss Gam on her sweet side. A method Vio had only expanded when he and her started up their current business arrangement. Luckily he was able to help the brewers he knew offworld get their flimsiwork in order to continue to move their product under the new Guild regulations.
"Oh Vio, you know just what I like. Unfortunately I am just here to visit an old friend and brood. So just some Muja Fruit juice for me. Wouldn't want to get too rowdy this early in the afternoon, would we?"
Better for Vio's sanity if Miss Gam didn't get rowdy in his presence ever. For all Miss Gam dressed like she belonged at an opera, she was still a Gamorrean at the end of the day. One that Edin's previous gangs stayed well away from, and with good reason.
"It's my sons you see. They are not applying themselves enough. I keep encouraging them to join the Guild so they can earn some mortts, but it is like talking to a butchered corpse. Not much for conversation and only fit for getting shoved into the grinder."
The underworld still tells tales of when a Houk gangster came to her company to try and extort her for credits. Miss Gam introduced him to her Cleaver, and his henchmen got to experience the grim fate of being beaten to death by the two halves of their still very much alive and screaming employer.
Later that month Miss Gam complained to Vio that it took a few more swings for her than it usually does when she beats someone to death with body parts. Vio had assured her with all the seriousness of a man on death row that the gangster was just soft and fat and it had nothing to do with her end of things.
"Speaking of butchery. Did I ever tell you how glad I am that I can be blessed with your product? Those slices of Shaak really bring the Cantina Special together."
He was only laying it on a little thick. Miss Gam ran a tight ship when it came to quality control. The Cantina Special of Grilled Shaak Cheese on Buckwheat with Forrolow Berry Jam and sliced Shaak meat was a hit among his customers. Some of them were even asking him for the recipe.
"Vio, you know you don't have to sweet talk me. My little Funny Monkey will always have a place in my life. Save that for weaseling those poor Guilders out of their loot. Don't think I don't see the scoundrel you used to be when you see those fresh faces walk in."
Bashfulness was the last thing Vio expected to feel from this conversation. He wasn't even doing it for the money at this point. He wasn't just trying to keep his skills sharp. Not his fault for being unable to resist someone laying an iced honey cake right in front of him.
"Just trying to impart my wisdom to the next generation Miss Gam."
It wasn't even anything dangerous or illegal like blaster or grenades. These Guilders would walk in complaining about being unable to offload a few containers of Tibanna Gas or a crate of plasteel. Like they had never met a fence or a flexible wholesaler in their entire lives.
So Vio earned some money on the side acting as a middleman once again. In little quantities here and there with word of mouth transactions. Not enough to attract the attention of the Guild or anything.
"On the topic of wisdom. Quamall, my dear. Would you be willing to give a mentorship program for my sons at the Guild?"
Quamall narrowed his eye at the Matron. Looking like he was just offered a rotten nerf steak. To be fair, he kind of was.
"No way Miss Gam. Even I know how much your kids spend on their PADs instead of swinging their axes. My reputation would be down the drain in a month. I'm not crazy."
As his patrons descended into playful bickering, Vio thought on his life. What had happened to this planet where a criminal like him could earn a semi-honest living?
——
A look at how the former criminal element could be adapting to a more lawful environment on Highreach. Everyone still has hints of The Bad Old Days, but they are moving on with their lives.
Crossposted on SB and SV
Last edited:
Ethertank
This sign can’t stop me because i can’t read
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with all these deals las is making everyone is going to think he's a shoe in for the position of Moff and as they happily drag a weeping las to his new deck they'll think it's tears of joy as his plans and ambitions finally came to fruition.
Chp-73
New
Freefaller
Know what you're doing yet?
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Chp-73
Alvi Mola
Minda system, Ugea, Accordia
1 Month before 1ABY
Alvi walked with perfect posture down the streets of Accordia as it bustled about her. Her dress uniform was immaculate, her steps measured.
It was annoying, that much was certain. However, she had a good reason for it.
As she rounded the corner, she laid her eyes on the building ahead. It was Nabooan in style, with pillars and a large dome on the top. Its second floor held ringed balconies, plant life overflowing from the planters.
It was so unlike Edinspire, which was filled with the constant noise of construction and the generic skyscrapers and buildings. Accordia was a cultural melting pot of sorts for the sector, and with Las allowing for buildings to be built as they pleased, within the law, a million different architectural styles popped up.
From the classic Imperial brutalist structures to Lothal-like spires and some buildings that reminded her of the images of Coruscant she had seen, all golden curves.
A few Alderaanian-style buildings could be seen in the distance, white synth-stone gleaming in the afternoon sun. Internally, Alvi winced.
An entire planet. Gone. She'd heard those remaining Alderaanians had scattered, with some finding a home on Minda. The towers themselves were all connected with walkways, as the entire complex was stuffed to the brim with corporate offices and various restaurants catering to said offices. The Four Sages, the complex was called as it sat in the dead center of the financial district, surrounded by other buildings and offices.
Shaking her head free of her thoughts, she turned back towards the Nabooan building where she entered. Swiftly, she gave her name to the host, who had a waiter escort her to one of the second floor balconies.
There, she saw the reason why she dressed up. Sitting in a chair, eyes gazing out over the street, was Shal.
Her sister.
Alvi quietly sat down across from her, afraid to make the first move.
That's not to say she was afraid of Shal, no. Shal was a protective figure in her life, saving her from the worst of Mothers wrath more than a few times.
No, it was the other person sitting at the table that was the source of her fear.
"Oh, Alvi, darling! It's so wonderful to see you again~. How long has it been again? At least a few years, yes?"
The man who sat at the table seemed to draw the eye naturally. He wore stylish Coruscant styled robes, colored teal green on Imperial grey adorned with a tasteful selection of jewels lining the front edges. A well maintained, curled handlebar mustache of brown hair added a mature flair to an otherwise young face and stylish, long hair.
"It's been three years." Stated Shal simply, eyes still focused on the cityscape.
"Ah, yes, of course." The man easily agreed, his voice smooth like silk. He lifted his cup to his lips, taking a slight sip. "Quite nice, this tea is. The recipe must be authentically Nabooan, just like when I visited myself."
Surprisingly sharp and intelligent eyes turned back to her, the man's face youthful looking considering his true age.
"It's so nice to see you again darling. How have things been? I heard you were reassigned here after that horrible incident with the Grand Admiral. Are you still the main test pilot for that project of his?"
Alvi kept her composure, back straight, muscles taut as she answered. She tried not to dwell on how he knew about the Defender project.
"I've been f-fine, sir." She stuttered out, internally berating herself for the mishap. His eyes seemed to bore into her, and she resisted the urge to look away.
"You have your mothers eyes, you know." He stated simply, though an undercurrent of emotion seemed to flit across his voice, hiding as quickly as it emerged.
Before she could respond, Shal cut in, clearly annoyed.
"Enough. You called us here, so get it over with already."
He gave a light chuckle. "Oh relax. I'm not here to interfere, just to visit. Is it so odd for me to take an interest in your lives? Especially with all the upheaval recently."
The man gave a theatrical shudder. "That Alderaan business was truly horrible, wasn't it?"
Shal's eyes narrowed dangerously. The few times a month Alvi got to see her had shown her that she very clearly disliked mention of the incident. Alvi herself never pushed the topic out of fear that it would damage their growing relationship.
"Regardless, you both love me anyways." He said with an exaggerated tone.
"If love meant tolerance in your head, then yes." Came Shal's dry reply.
He let out a gaudy chuckle, hair gleaming in the afternoon sun. Whatever gel he used probably cost more than her monthly salary.
Then he stops for a moment, eyes gazing out over the city.
"Your brother's done quite a bit, hasn't he? In just three years, no less."
Alvi stiffened even more, Shal doing the same out of the corner of her eye. Las was a delicate subject among them, for lack of a better word.
Their brother wasn't really their brother anymore. Despite the connection not being the best, there had always been that implicit feeling of family. That no matter what, they shared the same blood.
That feeling was gone now.
"Oh? Has little Las changed that much?"
Alvi snapped back to her senses to see him leaning forward on the table, head propped up on his elbows, porcelain teacup forgotten.
An inquisitive gaze raked over the two of them. "I'd heard he suddenly became a really hard worker. Hard not to notice, what with all this improvement going on."
Shal's gaze narrowed even more, to the point that Alvi wondered if she just wanted to close her eyes.
He noticed, of course. One doesn't make it as a high society info-broker without noticing the little details.
"Shal, dear, jealousy is unbecoming of you! How will you ever find a partner and settle down with such an attitude? Gosh, I swear, your mother has rubbed off too much on you all." He said with a theatrical shake of his head, as if he was performing for an audience they couldn't see.
"...Maybe she wouldn't have rubbed off on us if you'd been around, father." Shal ground out, patience clearly running thin.
For a length of time so small Alvi was surprised she could perceive it, her father, Dornun Mola, looked the tiniest bit guilty. The look then vanished faster than a class 1 hyperdrive and he was back to neutral.
Overhead, the low rumble of a transport passed by, moving towards the spaceport. Imperial symbology plastered on the side. He looked up into the sky, tracking its movements.
"Ah. That must be the shipyard workers getting off their shift. Did you know that little Las is bringing in droids to supplement the workforce? It's a very heated topic amongst the workers, I hear. One can only hope it pans out, considering all the debt he's in."
After that, the conversation lapsed into an uncomfortable rhythm. Father did most of the talking, dropping tidbits of information here and there, sly jokes and charming facades controlling the flow the entire way through.
Eventually, Shal got tired of the whole thing and left, an uncharacteristic look of anger on her face. Alvi made an excuse shortly after, not wanting to be alone with him.
As she left, she swore she could see his face morph into something a little sadder.
-
Selun
Minda System, Ugea, Accordia
As Selun's Action VI dropped out of hyperspace around Ugea, the first thing he noticed was the shipyard.
A gleaming ring of berths, lit up with more lights than he could count. Ships swarmed the structure, many making their way to and from the surface.
Upon getting in range, the comms lit up, and he responded to Custom's hail.
As a certified Guild trader, he was afforded lower fees and a quicker process through Customs. Soon, he was landing in one of the shipyards many, many hangars.
He watched as rack after rack of droids were removed and loaded onto the yard's internal cargo trains. Selun had heard the Minda yard had a worker shortage, but droids?
It was like a strike waiting to happen. Regardless, Selun asked the official in charge of overseeing the shipment. After all, this was Minda. People were more open around here.
"Oh, the droids? They're not replacements, not really. The thing is, the yards aren't nearly up to full capacity, so the droids are here to supplement the rest of us. At least, that's what the Governor says."
"And what do you say?" He asked, curiosity growing.
The customs official gave him an odd look before shrugging.
"I say that it's too early to tell. Maybe people will be fine. Maybe we'll see the first organized strike since the Governor's first day in office. Regardless, the yard is missing workers, the factories are starting to sell overflow, and the workers are worried."
Selun nodded, finished up the shipment, and headed back to his ship.
A few weeks later, Selun landed back on Sullust, and did as he always did, and as every other spacer did when they landed back home.
He headed straight to his favorite bar. It was crowded, as usual. It was a cut below what a captain like him might visit, considering the kind of scratch he made now. Still, it was the bar he had frequented since his first job offworld.
It was chock full of the kinds of people you'd expect, really. Factory workers. Metallurgists. The people who worked the Empire's mines and factories.
As always, he got drunk with some friends, and started talking. About life, about love, about loss.
About Minda.
"...and the sector has this thing called the Guild! It's great I tell ya. Lower fees, streamlined contracts, safer lanes! And Minda, oh Minda! They treat them well over there. One of the few ports where I'm not charged extra for not being human. They even give their workers benefits. Benefits! Honestly, if not for the booze here I'd live there I tell ya!."
In his drunken haze, he failed to notice that the bar had gotten quieter, with more patrons looking in his direction than not.
A few days later, an engineer's Warren-clan booked passage to Minda.
The first of many.
-
Yo. Not happy with the latter part of this. Still feel like I gotta put out something today.
Should I? No. Will I? Yes. I am flying by the seat of my oversized clown pants after all.
-Freefaller
Alvi Mola
Minda system, Ugea, Accordia
1 Month before 1ABY
Alvi walked with perfect posture down the streets of Accordia as it bustled about her. Her dress uniform was immaculate, her steps measured.
It was annoying, that much was certain. However, she had a good reason for it.
As she rounded the corner, she laid her eyes on the building ahead. It was Nabooan in style, with pillars and a large dome on the top. Its second floor held ringed balconies, plant life overflowing from the planters.
It was so unlike Edinspire, which was filled with the constant noise of construction and the generic skyscrapers and buildings. Accordia was a cultural melting pot of sorts for the sector, and with Las allowing for buildings to be built as they pleased, within the law, a million different architectural styles popped up.
From the classic Imperial brutalist structures to Lothal-like spires and some buildings that reminded her of the images of Coruscant she had seen, all golden curves.
A few Alderaanian-style buildings could be seen in the distance, white synth-stone gleaming in the afternoon sun. Internally, Alvi winced.
An entire planet. Gone. She'd heard those remaining Alderaanians had scattered, with some finding a home on Minda. The towers themselves were all connected with walkways, as the entire complex was stuffed to the brim with corporate offices and various restaurants catering to said offices. The Four Sages, the complex was called as it sat in the dead center of the financial district, surrounded by other buildings and offices.
Shaking her head free of her thoughts, she turned back towards the Nabooan building where she entered. Swiftly, she gave her name to the host, who had a waiter escort her to one of the second floor balconies.
There, she saw the reason why she dressed up. Sitting in a chair, eyes gazing out over the street, was Shal.
Her sister.
Alvi quietly sat down across from her, afraid to make the first move.
That's not to say she was afraid of Shal, no. Shal was a protective figure in her life, saving her from the worst of Mothers wrath more than a few times.
No, it was the other person sitting at the table that was the source of her fear.
"Oh, Alvi, darling! It's so wonderful to see you again~. How long has it been again? At least a few years, yes?"
The man who sat at the table seemed to draw the eye naturally. He wore stylish Coruscant styled robes, colored teal green on Imperial grey adorned with a tasteful selection of jewels lining the front edges. A well maintained, curled handlebar mustache of brown hair added a mature flair to an otherwise young face and stylish, long hair.
"It's been three years." Stated Shal simply, eyes still focused on the cityscape.
"Ah, yes, of course." The man easily agreed, his voice smooth like silk. He lifted his cup to his lips, taking a slight sip. "Quite nice, this tea is. The recipe must be authentically Nabooan, just like when I visited myself."
Surprisingly sharp and intelligent eyes turned back to her, the man's face youthful looking considering his true age.
"It's so nice to see you again darling. How have things been? I heard you were reassigned here after that horrible incident with the Grand Admiral. Are you still the main test pilot for that project of his?"
Alvi kept her composure, back straight, muscles taut as she answered. She tried not to dwell on how he knew about the Defender project.
"I've been f-fine, sir." She stuttered out, internally berating herself for the mishap. His eyes seemed to bore into her, and she resisted the urge to look away.
"You have your mothers eyes, you know." He stated simply, though an undercurrent of emotion seemed to flit across his voice, hiding as quickly as it emerged.
Before she could respond, Shal cut in, clearly annoyed.
"Enough. You called us here, so get it over with already."
He gave a light chuckle. "Oh relax. I'm not here to interfere, just to visit. Is it so odd for me to take an interest in your lives? Especially with all the upheaval recently."
The man gave a theatrical shudder. "That Alderaan business was truly horrible, wasn't it?"
Shal's eyes narrowed dangerously. The few times a month Alvi got to see her had shown her that she very clearly disliked mention of the incident. Alvi herself never pushed the topic out of fear that it would damage their growing relationship.
"Regardless, you both love me anyways." He said with an exaggerated tone.
"If love meant tolerance in your head, then yes." Came Shal's dry reply.
He let out a gaudy chuckle, hair gleaming in the afternoon sun. Whatever gel he used probably cost more than her monthly salary.
Then he stops for a moment, eyes gazing out over the city.
"Your brother's done quite a bit, hasn't he? In just three years, no less."
Alvi stiffened even more, Shal doing the same out of the corner of her eye. Las was a delicate subject among them, for lack of a better word.
Their brother wasn't really their brother anymore. Despite the connection not being the best, there had always been that implicit feeling of family. That no matter what, they shared the same blood.
That feeling was gone now.
"Oh? Has little Las changed that much?"
Alvi snapped back to her senses to see him leaning forward on the table, head propped up on his elbows, porcelain teacup forgotten.
An inquisitive gaze raked over the two of them. "I'd heard he suddenly became a really hard worker. Hard not to notice, what with all this improvement going on."
Shal's gaze narrowed even more, to the point that Alvi wondered if she just wanted to close her eyes.
He noticed, of course. One doesn't make it as a high society info-broker without noticing the little details.
"Shal, dear, jealousy is unbecoming of you! How will you ever find a partner and settle down with such an attitude? Gosh, I swear, your mother has rubbed off too much on you all." He said with a theatrical shake of his head, as if he was performing for an audience they couldn't see.
"...Maybe she wouldn't have rubbed off on us if you'd been around, father." Shal ground out, patience clearly running thin.
For a length of time so small Alvi was surprised she could perceive it, her father, Dornun Mola, looked the tiniest bit guilty. The look then vanished faster than a class 1 hyperdrive and he was back to neutral.
Overhead, the low rumble of a transport passed by, moving towards the spaceport. Imperial symbology plastered on the side. He looked up into the sky, tracking its movements.
"Ah. That must be the shipyard workers getting off their shift. Did you know that little Las is bringing in droids to supplement the workforce? It's a very heated topic amongst the workers, I hear. One can only hope it pans out, considering all the debt he's in."
After that, the conversation lapsed into an uncomfortable rhythm. Father did most of the talking, dropping tidbits of information here and there, sly jokes and charming facades controlling the flow the entire way through.
Eventually, Shal got tired of the whole thing and left, an uncharacteristic look of anger on her face. Alvi made an excuse shortly after, not wanting to be alone with him.
As she left, she swore she could see his face morph into something a little sadder.
-
Selun
Minda System, Ugea, Accordia
As Selun's Action VI dropped out of hyperspace around Ugea, the first thing he noticed was the shipyard.
A gleaming ring of berths, lit up with more lights than he could count. Ships swarmed the structure, many making their way to and from the surface.
Upon getting in range, the comms lit up, and he responded to Custom's hail.
As a certified Guild trader, he was afforded lower fees and a quicker process through Customs. Soon, he was landing in one of the shipyards many, many hangars.
He watched as rack after rack of droids were removed and loaded onto the yard's internal cargo trains. Selun had heard the Minda yard had a worker shortage, but droids?
It was like a strike waiting to happen. Regardless, Selun asked the official in charge of overseeing the shipment. After all, this was Minda. People were more open around here.
"Oh, the droids? They're not replacements, not really. The thing is, the yards aren't nearly up to full capacity, so the droids are here to supplement the rest of us. At least, that's what the Governor says."
"And what do you say?" He asked, curiosity growing.
The customs official gave him an odd look before shrugging.
"I say that it's too early to tell. Maybe people will be fine. Maybe we'll see the first organized strike since the Governor's first day in office. Regardless, the yard is missing workers, the factories are starting to sell overflow, and the workers are worried."
Selun nodded, finished up the shipment, and headed back to his ship.
A few weeks later, Selun landed back on Sullust, and did as he always did, and as every other spacer did when they landed back home.
He headed straight to his favorite bar. It was crowded, as usual. It was a cut below what a captain like him might visit, considering the kind of scratch he made now. Still, it was the bar he had frequented since his first job offworld.
It was chock full of the kinds of people you'd expect, really. Factory workers. Metallurgists. The people who worked the Empire's mines and factories.
As always, he got drunk with some friends, and started talking. About life, about love, about loss.
About Minda.
"...and the sector has this thing called the Guild! It's great I tell ya. Lower fees, streamlined contracts, safer lanes! And Minda, oh Minda! They treat them well over there. One of the few ports where I'm not charged extra for not being human. They even give their workers benefits. Benefits! Honestly, if not for the booze here I'd live there I tell ya!."
In his drunken haze, he failed to notice that the bar had gotten quieter, with more patrons looking in his direction than not.
A few days later, an engineer's Warren-clan booked passage to Minda.
The first of many.
-
Yo. Not happy with the latter part of this. Still feel like I gotta put out something today.
Should I? No. Will I? Yes. I am flying by the seat of my oversized clown pants after all.
-Freefaller
Natelord28
Know what you're doing yet?
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Id love to see more of the Mola clan!
Mr.Dr.Professor Patrick
Versed in the lewd.
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Jeez, the Molas are all a bunch of hypercompetent autists with terrible family skills.
AldariSiradla
Spirit Boy, Police Girl
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How very sly~
From one happy drunk...
A whole planet's worth of engineers will flock to Minda.
Soon the system will have all the knowledge they can hold!
Ah, to see the Father now.
An info broker, a spy, a deadbeat.
Looks like there's trouble in the Mola Family~
And poor Las might need the soothing presence of Mugwuffin because of the family BS~!
oscar e Sampedro Lopez
Experienced.
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Thanks for the chapter
Profilozof
Versed in the lewd.
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Molas are such a mess.
unlawfulwaffle362
I trust you know where the happy button is?
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There will probably be a need for a public state of the union type address with the upcoming New Republic structuring. It'd be a great opportunity to address the droid supplement to the work force.
"Replacing workers with droids?! I can't get enough workers for them to be replaced. I need ALL the workers right now. Every single one. But there's not enough of them. So I need to support the workers I do have by automating the tedious bullshit so they can deliver the best they can. That's basic numbers. If you want to work in the shipyards, I welcome you with open arms and a droid minion to support you."
"Replacing workers with droids?! I can't get enough workers for them to be replaced. I need ALL the workers right now. Every single one. But there's not enough of them. So I need to support the workers I do have by automating the tedious bullshit so they can deliver the best they can. That's basic numbers. If you want to work in the shipyards, I welcome you with open arms and a droid minion to support you."
UndeadLord22
Fan Composer
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The family get-together is gonna be fucking hilariously awkward for our MC.
Them trying to get back together (siblings at least) whilst him is wanting to distancing himself from them. Be close professionally, not showing any familiarity or family relations.
So distant that even the Mother would find it discomforting. Ohohohoohohohohoooo
Them trying to get back together (siblings at least) whilst him is wanting to distancing himself from them. Be close professionally, not showing any familiarity or family relations.
So distant that even the Mother would find it discomforting. Ohohohoohohohohoooo
None of your bee wax!
Small circles, repeatedly...
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The only family gathering where everyone; "keeps each other at arms length", in both meanings. It`s like every evil stereotype exists in that family, in one form or another.
Andrew1993
Not too sore, are you?
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I still feel bad for the oldest sister shal, she legitamitly showed worry over las being too far away for her to do anything to help him, and for not being closer to him during her interlude, alvi is meh at best she really didnt show much remorse
ImperialBriton
Getting sticky.
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It would be funny if Las actually gets along with his father. Not really remembering the man (being the youngest), and being kept in the dark on his actual job (assumes hes an actor), having similar dramatic flairs, and almost revering him in a way.
In adventently, while trying to talk to his father, who managed to 'escape' mother, and trying to do 'research' into the broader Empire so he can more easily make a runner; he actually interacts with a member of his family, and reveals some of his fears.
Information, his broker father will use dearly, to try and keep his daughters in his life.
In adventently, while trying to talk to his father, who managed to 'escape' mother, and trying to do 'research' into the broader Empire so he can more easily make a runner; he actually interacts with a member of his family, and reveals some of his fears.
Information, his broker father will use dearly, to try and keep his daughters in his life.
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carbon1923
Fun.
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At least he has a good excuse for being so different. Either he changed or his mother would kill him. And as for why he's so distant, spite for abandoning him as a child.
He can even add that now he's "free", he can be who he really is, not the mask he hid behind.
He can even add that now he's "free", he can be who he really is, not the mask he hid behind.
KonahrikYol
Local basement dweller | dumber than a leming
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ojousama laugh hit different with this family drama.
ZzzSlothzzZ
ergo audacia
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Oh that is a thing that exists...
I was under the impression that Momma Mola undertook parthenogenesis.
Like a shark.
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Yacov
Not too sore, are you?
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Nice to see an Alderaanian enclave in Ugea. Good workers and fairly educated given schooling was free and the former world.
Oh I can see Las hating his dad, or at least his fashion sense. The man managed to make Imperial style look gaudy. Imperial style!
Good to know both parents lack empathy or tact. Dornun, might have sympathy, but it is clear he doesn't understand his daughters. Then again it is hard when you don't contact them for three years.
Yeah Dornun's going to faint when he sees the conditions Las works under.
Coruscanti info broker. Dornun better not have turned Rebel. Although I guess maybe the Senate being arrested may have dried up his clientele pool back in the Core. At lot of his long time customers are probably dead, hiding, gone to ground, or have fled the Core right about now.
Oh Dornun talked at them and not with them. Yeah I can see why that ticked off the sisters. Bit of a fail there Dornun.
Fun fact, Sullust has a workers union, the Cobalt Laborers' Reformation Front. Despite the scary name, all they really did was send letters to the governor, advocate for better working conditions, call for more autonomy, organize protests, and provide material support to the Rebels. Still got most of them detained as radicals and their planet occupied even more heavily by the Empire.
And now we are seeing the results of populace advocated by said workers union being given a description of everything they were wanting and were denied.
The CRLF did a great job making all these skilled workers want more benefits, and the local Imperial government did a great job not giving them said benefits. Yeah there is going to be an uptick Sullustan workers heading for Minda for quite some time.
Also fun fact, there is actually also a Alderaanian Enclave on Sullustan as well. Maybe the two enclaves can become pen pals.
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paxus22
Know what you're doing yet?
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cant remember which chapter but is las intending to use the kuat debt to have Core World political ally, for when the new republic reduces orders to kdy and kdy need to protect las thus the debt/repayment ?
also he has CEC from corella who needs his resources for their ship yards. .
so he has 2 core world votes? or at least interested parties who economy when NR reduces shipbuilding will needs las to prop them up for a time.
what next minda becomes new alderaan and therefore inherits their influence lol
would be funny to see what other worlds join the minda collection lol
also he has CEC from corella who needs his resources for their ship yards. .
so he has 2 core world votes? or at least interested parties who economy when NR reduces shipbuilding will needs las to prop them up for a time.
what next minda becomes new alderaan and therefore inherits their influence lol
would be funny to see what other worlds join the minda collection lol
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AHHGKS
Experienced.
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I would think that since the Sullustan captain was complaining about the booze in Minda, then there will eventually be people from various worlds with experience in making booze eventually deciding to start up distilleries there. Hearing about how there are potential places to build distilleries and make booze to sell will get people like some Mandalorians (Mandalorian black ale) and maybe some Corellians. Heck since it looks like there's an enclave of Alderaanians on Minda, then there might be Alderaanian style vineyards being set up.
TftC!
TftC!
Objectivepersona
Getting out there.
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I wonder if Las will be friendlier with his father. After all, Las was often with his father rather than his mother
Fragment of Serenity
Yu-Shan's Paperwork Ninja
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Honestly, I have a distinct feeling that Las (old him) was... less than fond of the man. Likely driven by jealously and possibly an inferiority complex.
Modern him probably just doesn't give a shit as he has too much paperwork to be worrying about.
sperance
Connoisseur.
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I mean, Dornun didn't even tell Las he was in Minda. So that says a lot about how their relationship was.
Yacov
Not too sore, are you?
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Omake: You Came to the Wrong Neighborhood
POV: Sly, Imperial Data Center U-825, Edin system, Highreach, Edinspire, 1ABY
Sly kept her eyes forward as they walked down the hall. The Imperial military uniforms they stole always fit just wrong for Balosars like her. Especially the hats, but it was needed for the job. This payout better be worth it.
"Just to the right down that way will be the terminal we need. There's no one in our path I can sense."
Conno proved more than just a pretty face during these past few jobs. The Gotal could navigate Imperial facilities like the back of his hand. She didn't even have to hijack the camera feeds with him around. Sly would take navigating a network over staring at these bland walls trying to find her way around.
"Alright there's the door. Conno, use the retina pattern Dat got us."
Bringing up his Retinal Implant to the panel, the simulated eye brought a beep and a green light from the door's scanner. Soon the two of them were in the terminal room and Sly was taking out her electronics lock breaker to open the cage to the terminal.
The cage wasn't on the blueprints Dat provided, but they were half a decade old anyway. It makes sense for the new governor to approve some cheap upgrades to the infrastructure to look good on the reports. The lock didn't stand the chance and they were in.
"Alright. Give me about five minutes and I will have the location for every MPL-57 shipment in this system."
The mention of their target brought a smile to Sly's face. Every crew, cartel, and syndicate needed extra firepower. This data is going to let whomever they sell it to have the easy pickings to upping their boom factor. Rolling back her sleeve, she injected some Longsight then got to work.
Two minutes in and her DataSearch Engine 9C still hadn't found the files they needed despite the power condenser running hot. The amount of what was essentially junk files was staggering. Who would want to keep track of the amount of Agamarian soybeans shipped into Edinspire on a daily basis? Conno's head snapping up broke Sly from her musings.
"Cones up. Looks like two Imps are heading our way."
Not good. Sifting through all this dross data was going to take longer than she thought. Having to mulch all these useless scandocs was taking too much time. Frustration and mental strain forced her to snap at her teammate.
"Well you're the con artist. Get out there and charm us up some more time!"
Conno nodded before stomping his way out of the door. She would have to face the consequences for that later. Turning back to the terminal, Sly felt a rock start forming in her gut.
——
POV: Conno, Imperial Data Center U-825 hallway
Shaking his cones, Conno took a deep breath to compose himself before the Imps rounded the corner. This would be easy. Edin was as lax as any Imperial controlled system could be. Just another gig being used as a sacrificial bantha for his teammates' screw ups.
"Showtime Conno. Time to play the part of a confused alien in need of some human guidance. Get bullied for a bit, take a hit if you need to, get them to move on, get the score, and then spend a nice weekend on the sweetblossom."
At least he was getting paid to take the Imps' abuse unlike the average citizen. All that talk about tolerance and lenient rule only translated to the Imps here being lazy. Letting species that weren't human work in Imperial facilities just means they were an easier mark than the last few places. People like him could wander around in uniform and no one would be any the wiser.
"You there, what are you doing on this level?"
Conno intentionally fumbled getting out one the forged identichips while doing his best to appear meek in the face of his "superiors". Dat assured them that the credentials provided them for the job were durasteel clad. Apparently they were sourced from an Imp that used to work here before the new governor took over. Conno bleated out a shaky response with well hidden confidence.
"P-please have mercy officer. This one was hired as a technician last month. I received orders to come here."
The Imperial officer met his response with a raised eyebrow and some confusion. Just as planned. Imperials loved groveling underlings. The ego of this officer was probably as big as that droid's head behind her.
"And what were those orders, exactly?"
Time to use what was around him. The best lies have some fragment of the truth mixed in after all. Luckily their breaking into the terminal room provided ample material to work with.
"The door to the terminal down the hall has been acting up. Giving off signals it should not. It will still take some time before it is fit to be in your presence."
A bemused smirk told Conno that his explanation was successful. These stupid Imperials. All it takes is showing your belly and they buy anyt-
Conno didn't even sense the fist until it connected with the side of his head.
——
POV: Sly, Imperial Data Center U-825 Data Archive
This job was getting more aggravating by the second. It was like they built this network to be a pain to navigate. Even the encrypted stuff Sly managed to break into looked like complete nonsense.
"C'mon, how many files about medical supplies can one system have? And what's all this talk about some kind of web?"
There is no way a A9G-Series data storage unit could handle this much data. The whole network would be lagging from the thing trying to kee…
"Wait. The network is running smooth. This isn't an A9G. Frak!"
The Patch Sly had installed gave a chirpy sound as it was shorted out. Klaxons began to ring out as the terminal took on a crimson hue. This response speed could only mean one thing.
"This was supposed to be minor facility! Why is there a team of EI-9 network security droids guarding this place!?"
This job is a botch. She needs to contact Conno before things ge-
The only warning Sly got about a hostile being in the room was when the jolts ran through her body.
——
POV: Dat, Dingy Safehouse, Edin system, Highreach, Edinspire, 1ABY
Dat was sitting in his chair breathing in some wonderful Honeyblossom scented methane. The last few jobs had been lucrative so he had splurged. A little reward for what was shaping up to be a very productive year.
"Just have to wait for the latest haul by the pair and then it will be time for some upgrades."
The Morseerian's current set of data forging equipment had served them well enough. The minor Imperial bases and criminal networks they had infiltrated didn't need the most robust of covers. However there was room for improvement.
"Good enough for small bases. Imps and thugs there are only in it for the pay."
They'd need to step up their game if they wanted to hit more heavily defended targets. Dat had a line with an outlaw tech who could hook them up. They mainly did starships, and enough credits could have them boost his mobile data workshop.
"Same old hustle, just different systems, eh Ingram?"
Learn the latest political power play. Track down a flimsipusher who lost the power play. Listen and nod to their sob story about how losing their position means they can no longer pay the debts at the dens they frequent and now they need to skip town. Then milk them for all the credentials from their old workplace in exchange for a new identity. The fact this has become routine for Dat really shows the moral state of the galaxy.
"Yes everything is coming up Pure Saabac for people like us."
Just as the words left Dat's mouth, a rolling sound echoed through the room. At first he thought a piece of kit had fallen off his work desk. However, the bright flash disproved that theory.
The Breath Mask that had been filling Dat's lungs started malfunctioning. This caused him to gasp and cough as his airflow was sudden disrupted. Ingram, his trusty IG-RM bodyguard and enforcer droid, fell to the ground with a thud. The removal of his loyal protector sent Dat's instincts into overdrive.
Dat scrambled to catch something resembling a breath. He grabbed and swung around his EE-3 Carbine Rifle, desperately searching for the threat. One moment he caught a glimpse of the barrel of a AJ-23 Concussive Rifle. The next Dat's back impacted the wall of his safehouse and everything went dark.
——
POV: Commissioner Yardus, Edinspire Network Security Department
Commissioner Yardus gave a heavy sigh as yet another stack of reports greeted him after his lunch. Every script kiddie and amateur slicer thought they could have fun with the city's infrastructure. Not knowing or caring that when they got caught it only increased his workload.
"Commissioner, got another solved case for you."
Yardus tried not to glare at his secretary. She was just doing her job after all. Better see what the latest nerfherder with a datapad got up to.
"This one seems bigger than most files. A bevy of Class Two infractions, with talk of bumping some up to Class Ones? Who are the perps, and how badly did they screw up?"
Usually reports only take up a few pages. This one took up dozens. Yardus was already calculating an extra hour in his workday approving and signing everything.
"A slicer gang got caught in one of the data archives in an Imperial Data Center. Apparently they've been hitting facilities all over the Oversector for the past year. Unfortunately for them the Center's security decided to splurge and get EI-9 network security droids guarding the facility.
The droids uploaded backups from the affected areas into their quick load hidden computer cores when the attack on the network began, then alerted security before moving in to apprehend the slicers. No data was lost, although apparently even the attempt to trash the system to get whatever they were after has made those in power very prickly for some reason.
The infiltrators gave up their contacts fairly quickly. Drugs already in their system made their resistance brittle and prone to cracking. Their hideout was raided before the day was over and their forger is in intensive care. An ex-administrator who was supplying the intel was tackled by starport security after trying to flee under a false identity. Even the freighter the slicers operated out of was impounded. Overall an open and shut case."
Yardus was only half paying attention after the "all over the Oversector" part. Crossing all those lines of jurisdiction was going to make this case a nightmare. A nightmare Yardus does not want mucking up his department. Him and his employees had better things to do than chasing glory from troublesome big cases.
"If they have been hopping sectors then it is above our pay grade. Send a message to Assistant Governor Darna and make the initial preparations to transfer them into the custody of the Imperial Sector Rangers. No need to get into a blaster measuring contest over who gets to be the ones to punish these criminals."
Let them handle this piping hot chokeroot. Given the gangs' frequent hits, the Rangers probably have an open case on them. Hopefully Yardus can get this done before the sun goes down.
"Right away sir. Also the Shaak Street Slicers have been getting their computer spikes into the traffic lights again."
So much for being home for dinner. Yardus can only hope his wife doesn't make him sleep on the couch again.
——
I wanted to make a heist Omake. Then I realized it would probably be people against Las' regime doing it. So I made it a failed heist instead featuring criminals slightly less competent than they think they are and slightly more comfortable than they should be. Turns out Darna takes network security pretty darn seriously. Who knew?
Crossposted on SB and SV
POV: Sly, Imperial Data Center U-825, Edin system, Highreach, Edinspire, 1ABY
Sly kept her eyes forward as they walked down the hall. The Imperial military uniforms they stole always fit just wrong for Balosars like her. Especially the hats, but it was needed for the job. This payout better be worth it.
"Just to the right down that way will be the terminal we need. There's no one in our path I can sense."
Conno proved more than just a pretty face during these past few jobs. The Gotal could navigate Imperial facilities like the back of his hand. She didn't even have to hijack the camera feeds with him around. Sly would take navigating a network over staring at these bland walls trying to find her way around.
"Alright there's the door. Conno, use the retina pattern Dat got us."
Bringing up his Retinal Implant to the panel, the simulated eye brought a beep and a green light from the door's scanner. Soon the two of them were in the terminal room and Sly was taking out her electronics lock breaker to open the cage to the terminal.
The cage wasn't on the blueprints Dat provided, but they were half a decade old anyway. It makes sense for the new governor to approve some cheap upgrades to the infrastructure to look good on the reports. The lock didn't stand the chance and they were in.
"Alright. Give me about five minutes and I will have the location for every MPL-57 shipment in this system."
The mention of their target brought a smile to Sly's face. Every crew, cartel, and syndicate needed extra firepower. This data is going to let whomever they sell it to have the easy pickings to upping their boom factor. Rolling back her sleeve, she injected some Longsight then got to work.
Two minutes in and her DataSearch Engine 9C still hadn't found the files they needed despite the power condenser running hot. The amount of what was essentially junk files was staggering. Who would want to keep track of the amount of Agamarian soybeans shipped into Edinspire on a daily basis? Conno's head snapping up broke Sly from her musings.
"Cones up. Looks like two Imps are heading our way."
Not good. Sifting through all this dross data was going to take longer than she thought. Having to mulch all these useless scandocs was taking too much time. Frustration and mental strain forced her to snap at her teammate.
"Well you're the con artist. Get out there and charm us up some more time!"
Conno nodded before stomping his way out of the door. She would have to face the consequences for that later. Turning back to the terminal, Sly felt a rock start forming in her gut.
——
POV: Conno, Imperial Data Center U-825 hallway
Shaking his cones, Conno took a deep breath to compose himself before the Imps rounded the corner. This would be easy. Edin was as lax as any Imperial controlled system could be. Just another gig being used as a sacrificial bantha for his teammates' screw ups.
"Showtime Conno. Time to play the part of a confused alien in need of some human guidance. Get bullied for a bit, take a hit if you need to, get them to move on, get the score, and then spend a nice weekend on the sweetblossom."
At least he was getting paid to take the Imps' abuse unlike the average citizen. All that talk about tolerance and lenient rule only translated to the Imps here being lazy. Letting species that weren't human work in Imperial facilities just means they were an easier mark than the last few places. People like him could wander around in uniform and no one would be any the wiser.
"You there, what are you doing on this level?"
Conno intentionally fumbled getting out one the forged identichips while doing his best to appear meek in the face of his "superiors". Dat assured them that the credentials provided them for the job were durasteel clad. Apparently they were sourced from an Imp that used to work here before the new governor took over. Conno bleated out a shaky response with well hidden confidence.
"P-please have mercy officer. This one was hired as a technician last month. I received orders to come here."
The Imperial officer met his response with a raised eyebrow and some confusion. Just as planned. Imperials loved groveling underlings. The ego of this officer was probably as big as that droid's head behind her.
"And what were those orders, exactly?"
Time to use what was around him. The best lies have some fragment of the truth mixed in after all. Luckily their breaking into the terminal room provided ample material to work with.
"The door to the terminal down the hall has been acting up. Giving off signals it should not. It will still take some time before it is fit to be in your presence."
A bemused smirk told Conno that his explanation was successful. These stupid Imperials. All it takes is showing your belly and they buy anyt-
Conno didn't even sense the fist until it connected with the side of his head.
——
POV: Sly, Imperial Data Center U-825 Data Archive
This job was getting more aggravating by the second. It was like they built this network to be a pain to navigate. Even the encrypted stuff Sly managed to break into looked like complete nonsense.
"C'mon, how many files about medical supplies can one system have? And what's all this talk about some kind of web?"
There is no way a A9G-Series data storage unit could handle this much data. The whole network would be lagging from the thing trying to kee…
"Wait. The network is running smooth. This isn't an A9G. Frak!"
The Patch Sly had installed gave a chirpy sound as it was shorted out. Klaxons began to ring out as the terminal took on a crimson hue. This response speed could only mean one thing.
"This was supposed to be minor facility! Why is there a team of EI-9 network security droids guarding this place!?"
This job is a botch. She needs to contact Conno before things ge-
The only warning Sly got about a hostile being in the room was when the jolts ran through her body.
——
POV: Dat, Dingy Safehouse, Edin system, Highreach, Edinspire, 1ABY
Dat was sitting in his chair breathing in some wonderful Honeyblossom scented methane. The last few jobs had been lucrative so he had splurged. A little reward for what was shaping up to be a very productive year.
"Just have to wait for the latest haul by the pair and then it will be time for some upgrades."
The Morseerian's current set of data forging equipment had served them well enough. The minor Imperial bases and criminal networks they had infiltrated didn't need the most robust of covers. However there was room for improvement.
"Good enough for small bases. Imps and thugs there are only in it for the pay."
They'd need to step up their game if they wanted to hit more heavily defended targets. Dat had a line with an outlaw tech who could hook them up. They mainly did starships, and enough credits could have them boost his mobile data workshop.
"Same old hustle, just different systems, eh Ingram?"
Learn the latest political power play. Track down a flimsipusher who lost the power play. Listen and nod to their sob story about how losing their position means they can no longer pay the debts at the dens they frequent and now they need to skip town. Then milk them for all the credentials from their old workplace in exchange for a new identity. The fact this has become routine for Dat really shows the moral state of the galaxy.
"Yes everything is coming up Pure Saabac for people like us."
Just as the words left Dat's mouth, a rolling sound echoed through the room. At first he thought a piece of kit had fallen off his work desk. However, the bright flash disproved that theory.
The Breath Mask that had been filling Dat's lungs started malfunctioning. This caused him to gasp and cough as his airflow was sudden disrupted. Ingram, his trusty IG-RM bodyguard and enforcer droid, fell to the ground with a thud. The removal of his loyal protector sent Dat's instincts into overdrive.
Dat scrambled to catch something resembling a breath. He grabbed and swung around his EE-3 Carbine Rifle, desperately searching for the threat. One moment he caught a glimpse of the barrel of a AJ-23 Concussive Rifle. The next Dat's back impacted the wall of his safehouse and everything went dark.
——
POV: Commissioner Yardus, Edinspire Network Security Department
Commissioner Yardus gave a heavy sigh as yet another stack of reports greeted him after his lunch. Every script kiddie and amateur slicer thought they could have fun with the city's infrastructure. Not knowing or caring that when they got caught it only increased his workload.
"Commissioner, got another solved case for you."
Yardus tried not to glare at his secretary. She was just doing her job after all. Better see what the latest nerfherder with a datapad got up to.
"This one seems bigger than most files. A bevy of Class Two infractions, with talk of bumping some up to Class Ones? Who are the perps, and how badly did they screw up?"
Usually reports only take up a few pages. This one took up dozens. Yardus was already calculating an extra hour in his workday approving and signing everything.
"A slicer gang got caught in one of the data archives in an Imperial Data Center. Apparently they've been hitting facilities all over the Oversector for the past year. Unfortunately for them the Center's security decided to splurge and get EI-9 network security droids guarding the facility.
The droids uploaded backups from the affected areas into their quick load hidden computer cores when the attack on the network began, then alerted security before moving in to apprehend the slicers. No data was lost, although apparently even the attempt to trash the system to get whatever they were after has made those in power very prickly for some reason.
The infiltrators gave up their contacts fairly quickly. Drugs already in their system made their resistance brittle and prone to cracking. Their hideout was raided before the day was over and their forger is in intensive care. An ex-administrator who was supplying the intel was tackled by starport security after trying to flee under a false identity. Even the freighter the slicers operated out of was impounded. Overall an open and shut case."
Yardus was only half paying attention after the "all over the Oversector" part. Crossing all those lines of jurisdiction was going to make this case a nightmare. A nightmare Yardus does not want mucking up his department. Him and his employees had better things to do than chasing glory from troublesome big cases.
"If they have been hopping sectors then it is above our pay grade. Send a message to Assistant Governor Darna and make the initial preparations to transfer them into the custody of the Imperial Sector Rangers. No need to get into a blaster measuring contest over who gets to be the ones to punish these criminals."
Let them handle this piping hot chokeroot. Given the gangs' frequent hits, the Rangers probably have an open case on them. Hopefully Yardus can get this done before the sun goes down.
"Right away sir. Also the Shaak Street Slicers have been getting their computer spikes into the traffic lights again."
So much for being home for dinner. Yardus can only hope his wife doesn't make him sleep on the couch again.
——
I wanted to make a heist Omake. Then I realized it would probably be people against Las' regime doing it. So I made it a failed heist instead featuring criminals slightly less competent than they think they are and slightly more comfortable than they should be. Turns out Darna takes network security pretty darn seriously. Who knew?
Crossposted on SB and SV