Chapter 1: A Mandalorian Never Forgets

[Bohemond]

Resyr opts to leave his backpack in the ship. If he needs climbing gear and a thermal cloak for a meeting, then things will have probably gone well off the rails. "As long as we stay near the docks, it shouldn't be an issue," he replies. "We'll want to look like mercenaries, but do we want to look like a team of Mandalorians? It may be too late, given our mode of transport. But if they know Tristan was a Mando, they might be a tad suspicious of all three of us strolling into the cantina." To be fair, Resyr isn't entirely sure what the correct solution is. He could probably hang back unnoticed, but it also might be better for him to do the talking, given that they're taking the contract under false pretenses.

[Othniel]

"Plan seems fine to me. Besides, I'm kind of itching to try out these jetpacks," Lorn says, checking his gear. "And it'll let us return to the ship more quickly should the need arise."

[Shurijo]

Stepping out of their craft, they find the docking fees are a modest 75 credits per day, and docking bay security is tight. Security droids, as well as guards, patrol at regular intervals to ensure that ships within the bays aren’t maltreated by scofflaws, thieves, or ship-jackers.

Opening the message, they see a hologram of the woman identified as Lassa with the message attached:

Welcome to Saleucami. I look forward to
meeting you all and have arranged for a
private conference room at the Paradise,
a cantina on the edge of the spaceport.
Once you arrive, preferably within the
hour, I will ensure you are properly
refreshed before we get down to business.

The part of the city bordering the starport, known colloquially as "the Traders' Belt" (or, more simply, "the Belt") is a mix of cantinas, gambling dens, overpriced shops, massage parlors, and other forms of entertainment designed to please space hands, merchants, and anyone else looking for a little rest and relaxation.

Pedestrians and landspeeders crowd the streets as the group make their way into the Belt and towards the cantina. As they near their destination, the sun begins to set and the crowds begin to dissipate. As the daylight fades, they begin to notice more grim-faced thugs aimlessly wandering the streets and standing on street corners with menace in their eyes.

From the outside, the Paradise cantina appears to be just another cantina. A large Aqualish bouncer in a dark green suit stands near the entrance, observing anyone who enters, leaves, or walks by. He doesn't give you any trouble, but he does stare at each of you intently as you enter through the cantina’s bubse wood doors.

The interior of the cantina is dim and smells of smoke and distilled drinks. Though the Paradise is furnished like any other cantina in any other Outer Rim starport, there is a subtle buzz of business in the air. At first, the patrons seem to concentrate more on their hushed conversations than their drinks then when you enter, their conversations pause for a moment before returning to their hushed discussions.

As you stand in the entryway, your eyes adjust from Saleucam's gloom to the cantina's, you notice several patrons looking over you for a long moment before you are interrupted by an approaching a male Twi'lek in a crisp brown suit. "You have come to see Lassa," he states. "I will take you to her." The Twi'lek turns on his heel and walks slowly toward the rear of the cantina.

OOC

Are you wearing helmets? Have jetpacks, etc. Seems like at least Oth is wearing jetpack. If wearing helmet upon entry, then your eyes don't really need time to adjust sense the visor would auto correct that, etc.

Pausing for a bit for reactions, or inner-party talk, before we get into the NPC chat

[Muskrat]

OOC

Rayne is in full armor, including her jetpack, but has her helmet off and tucked underneath her arm.

Rayne wonders what the looks were about. It could just be that a group of Mandalorians were an unusual sight. It could be the patrons were worried about a heavily armed group entering the cantina. Or it could be connected with whatever had happened to Tristan. They really had no way of knowing at this point. Maybe they'd find out something in their meeting with Lassa.

She glances at the others before following the Twi'lek, but has nothing to say herself, at least nothing she wants to share in front of strangers.

[Othniel]

Lorn gives the bouncer a brief nod as he passes by, following on the heels of Rayne. When they are greeted by the Twi'lek, the pilot gives their leader a brief shrug and gestures in the direction of the Twi'lek as if to say, "lead on."

OOC

Helmet on precisely to remain aware. Jetpack equipped. Blaster holstered, of course.

[Bohemond]

Resyr walks along with his team as they make their way towards Paradise. He has left his backpack and its contents in the ship, but took the gear normally on his person, as well as the jetpack. The idea of roaring through the air alerting every potential security detail, official or otherwise, goes against his style. But having to hustle back to the ship on foot while his comrades jet away is less favorable, so he decides to go along with it.

Once in the cantina, the Mandalorian glances around, making sure to shift his eyes rather than turn his head so that the patrons won't notice him observing them underneath his helmet. He is unshaken by the looks his group receives, given the cantina doesn't seem like the place locals come to in order to celebrate birthdays, but Resyr will try to notice if anyone pays special attention to them. When the Twi'lek speaks, he follows to the private conference room that was mentioned in the message.

[Shurijo]

The Twi'lek walks towards and then opens a metal door. The man then stands aside waiting for the Mandalorians to enter.

The three peer into the the room beyond the metal door showing it is lit by a series of carved crystal globes hanging from the ceiling. A large conference table dominates the center of the room, surrounded by comfortable-looking chairs. When they enter, they notice to their left, a bar gleams with glasses and a wide array of bottles.

Lassa stands to greet you, a welcoming smile on her lips. "Ah, the Mandalorians," she says, inviting you with a gesture to refresh yourselves at the bar. "There's not a lot of Mandos in these parts, or any parts nowadays. Your reputations certainly precede you... assuming you're actually Mandalorians under that armor." You're uncertain whether her comment about your reputation is a compliment or a veiled insult.

[Muskrat]

Rayne sits down and shrugs. "We're Mandaolorians. But do you actually care if we are or not--or just if we can get your job done?"

[Shurijo]

As they enter the room, the Twi'lek closes the door behind him. He stands next to the door, his hands behind his back, and stoically observes every move made within the room.

Once the pleasantries are out of the way, Lassa explains the contract in greater detail. "While some losses in transit are expected and accounted for, the Zann Consortium's shipments have been unusually beset by pirates of late. After investigation by my security organization, the Blood Bone Order, we have uncovered the identity of these criminals—a syndicate known as Crimson Dawn."

Looking directly at the Mandalorians, she continues, "I know some of the Crimson Dawn history and why Mandalorians might be interested. I know Crimson Dawn were part of the Shadow Collective during the Siege of Mandalore, but I'm not sure of how much that played into the death of your Duchess or events leading up to the Siege."

"We are interested in bringing this criminal syndicate to its knees. To do this, we are issuing a bounty
for its leader, Qi'ra. Stories say she was sold into slavery to Dryden Vos, the former leader of Crimson Dawn. She then killed Vos and took over the organization."

"Over the last few years, she has eluded many bounties, including a recent one with the droid called IG-88. She is highly skilled in the martial arts of Teräs Käsi. Should you agree to take the contract, it will be your responsibility to bring her to our justice, dead or alive, with proof that it is indeed Qi'ra."

Lassa waits for a response to indicate the group accepts the contract or has any questions about the contract details.

[Muskrat]

Rayne wonders if this isn't all a little too convenient, but for how she plays along. "Any notion why the Crimson Dawn is targeting your consortium so heavily? I don't want to pry into business matters that are none of our affair, but it helps to know what's going in judging whether to take the job and in, ah, trouble-shooting."