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((Opening Crawl)) A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away..
STAR WARS: Tapestry, The Tattered Edges
Episode I: AS THE WHEEL TURNS
The galaxy is in a state of constant turmoil. With the surprise emergence of a new Sith Empire, the tentative peace assured for the last century by the Galactic Alliance and Jedi Order has been shattered, while Roan Fel, the Emperor-in-Exile, strives to regain the new-found glory of the Empire, and restore the galaxy to order under his rule.
Profiting from the chaos is the Fringe element. On the frayed outskirts of civilized society live the pirates, smugglers, bounty hunters and others that thrive on the strife and discord engendered by a galaxy perpetually at war. But even on the Rim, far from the core of galactic civilization, legends are born, heroes die, and even the lowliest moisture farmer will make decisions of epic proportions.
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The Wheel is a massive space station located in the Besh Gorgon system, in the Mid Rim. True to its name, the station is ring-shaped with four spokes meeting a long, tower-like section piercing its center. Home to all manner of smugglers, gamblers, tradesmen, and thrill-seekers, the Wheel has managed to remain a position of neutrality in the galaxy for centuries. The means to maintaining this neutrality comes through all manner of bribes, treaties, kickbacks, tax payments, and even the occasional military action.
But what the Wheel is best known for is its many casinos and entertainment facilities. Amongst the most popular of establishments is the Wheel Within a Wheel Casino and Resort, home to the hottest sabacc tables in the galaxy... or so it claims. Beings the galaxy over come to the Wheel Within a Wheel to spend and make their fortune, as well as to escape the rigorous laws and restrictions of larger galactic governments.
In fact, crime lords, entrepreneurs, and even major governments use The Wheel, and the Wheel Within a Wheel Casino in particular, as a neutral stage for sensitive negotiations.
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"You see?! Naxy found you one o' them... whatchacall'ems... Sweet-liver deals, eh?"
The Sakiyan's shrill voice screeched over the clamor surrounding the big gambling wheel. Waiving the Mandalorian over, Naxy Screeger began walking towards a doorway shrouded by a beaded curtain.
"Naxy Screeger always hits the... whathis... Jack-kettle!"
When Naxy holds the curtain aside, Al'verde sees poshly appointed auction hall just beyond. The dull whisper of conversation drifts to him at the doorway, and all manner of species sit huddled over various tables within. Off to his left, and around the large Barabel that had been quietly flanking the door, he sees several tables of items being sold after not being bid on in the auction. In the middle of one of the tables is a set of Beskar'gam, although obviously not as heavy as that which the Mandalorian wore himself.
Al'verde had heard rumor that an assortment of antique Mandalorian goods were to be auctioned off, and a couple of inquiries lead him to the Wheel Within the Wheel Casino. Lead him to Naxy Screeger, somehow had access to the auction and would allow the Mandalorian in for a small finders fee.
On a raised dais at the center of the room, the auctioneer is presenting his next item: A large crystal and metallic casket, which appears to be currently occupied.
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Kanos watches as the Mandalorian marches past him into the auction hall, accompanied by a rather twitchy Sakiyan. He had been stationed there on security detail, along with his Barabel counterpart, and both now stood flanking the door.
As the Zabrak swept his gaze over the auction hall's inhabitants, he had to keep himself sharp lest boredom take over. At one table an Ithorian sat nursing a drink, anxiously looking over his shoulder every so often until the latest auction came up, whereby he sat forward at the edge of his seat. Another table near the Ithorian held a Zeltronian who seemed more interested with the small computer sitting in his lap then the auction itself. A couple, human male and female, sits in a shrouded corner of the hall, their heads bowed together likely whispering sweet nothings to one another. Not too far from them, a Feeorin with a cybernetic eye scowled at an Aqualish, who could only be described as wearing a poodoo-eating grin.
Yep, looks like it was going to be another boring detail for Kanos…
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“An even 200k, Kurr. The ship is practically brand new, and Master Rav is almost giving it to you… With a small finders fee, of course.â€
The Aqualish leered across the table at Kurr, its mouth quivering in an approximation of a cruel smile. On the table between the two lay a datapad with a binding contract scrolling across it and a fingerprint capture device at its bottom, and a cylinder lock attuned to the security systems of a particular vessel.
The goon's cruel smile grew even deeper and more malicious as he leaned back in his chair. When Kurr had contacted Rav about securing a loan for the ship, the old pirate had offered Kurr an even better deal: a fully armed Nemesis-patrol ship Rav had requisitioned from a small-time Black Sun vigo that had run afoul of the one-legged Feeorin. Kurr knew that Rav was charging him easily an extra twenty-thousand creds ontop of what the patrol boat cost brand new.
"And we both know Rav the Crimson Axe ain't one to be refused. So whadya say?"
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Nestil and Jaster sat off in a corner of the dimly-lit auction hall, speaking to one another in hushed tones. Both Imperial Knights were covertly dispatched to the Wheel to meet with an informant who claimed to have had information vital to the effort to restore the true Emperor. They were told to look for the Ithorian in red, but so far a handful of Ithorians dotted the patrons of the auction hall, but none seemed to be wearing anything particularly crimson.
"Would either of you two lovebirds care for a drink?"
A Devaronian waitress sidled up to their table and offered menus.
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The Ithorian had been nervously sitting through the auction for close to an hour now, but it did not seem that Rehn was the one he was looking out for. Sheffro Gil'usa, the bothan owner of the Wheel Within the Wheel casino had ordered the young Zeltronian to begin following the Ithorian when Rehn's attempts to figure out how the hammerhead kept winning proved fruitless. But so far, the only peculiar thing the Ithorian had done was be twitchy, and there were countless number of those sorts all over the station.
An alert chimed in on Rehn's personal computer: an angry message from Sheffro asking about his progress.
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"Feast your eyes, ladies and gentlemen, on the next wonder we have to offer!"
The Krish auctioneer made an overly-dramatic bow and flourish towards the casket-like device behind him. As he did, it slowly spun on a revolving dais built into the floor, but judging by the awful grinding noises coming from the dais it hadn't been properly tended to in a long time. Frowning briefly, the Krish recovers his perpetual smile as he stands aside so that the audience may gain a better view.
Standing nearly three meters in length, the box is richly made by seemingly simple in design. Blue metal of an unidentifiable origin makes most of the casket, while the lid and parts of the sides are made of a semi-opaque crystaline material. The casket is in overall good condition, but the keen-eyed can see a few old scorch marks, chips, and scratches where multiple attempts had been made to open it. Those close to the stage can see what appears to be a young human male sleeping inside of the casket, completely oblivious to the world.
"Here for your bidding pleasure, we have... a Jebble Box! One of only two to have ever been found, this relic of ancient times is said to house a king of a long extinct civilization, and the secrets to all of his riches! Shall we begin the bidding at 50,000 credits?"
As the bidding began in earnest, a barely-perceivable change began in the so-called Jebble Box. The crystal of the oubliette became more and more transparent, and it slowly became more clear to all the spectators that the casket held a tall youth with light brown hair who was mostly nude.
Before long, the bidding came down to just two: the twitchy Ithorian and an attractive blonde woman wearing a long cloak of expensive silk. Rehn and the pair of Imperial Knights notice that the Ithorian has been using a bright red bidding paddle, when just about everyone else have been using the casino-provided paddles, which are a dark brown.
"Going once! Going twice! Sold to the Ithorian in Red for 1.2 million credits!"
As the Krish auctioneer banged his gavel on his podium, a loud hiss issues from the oubliette, and then a large curtain of steam. The auctioneer dives for cover, and many of the patrons go scattering away from dais as the lid to the casket slowly begins to slide open. Oddly enough, neither the twitch Ithorian or the blonde woman shy away; on the contrary the blonde woman glides to her feet and stalks her way toward Oubliette while the Ithorian does so as well, although much more timidly.
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Even the dimness of the auction hall is blinding to Wes, as his eyes hadn't been opened in close to two centuries. Awareness rushes in on the Mandalorian, and he finds himself with a sudden and powerful sickness. To either side of him is an Ithorian and a beautiful blonde, although they do not seem to have noticed Wes's being conscious.
They suddenly do become aware as Wes is unable to maintain his standing posture in the oubliette without the casket being sealed, and tumbles out to land naked on his hands and knees, retching violently. Off to his right, Wes sees a table bearing his armor and weapons, as well as an assortment of gear and other odds and ends.
Both the Ithorian and the blonde leap back from the ever-expanding pool of spittle in front of the newly-awakened Mandalorian, but as the blonde does so she draws a holdout blaster from within her cloak and takes aim at the Ithorian. At the exact same moment, three others pull concealed weapons, while the Barabel standing next to Kanos raises his blaster rifle and prepares to let off a shot.
To his credit, the Ithorian seems a great deal more agile than what is typical of his people, as he dives and hides behind the oubliette. The other attendees of the auction need no further prompting to disperse, as they exit the auction hall in a panic.
"You should have just let me have it, Ithorian. Now I will take it, and you, for the glory of Emperor Krayt!"
"Half a million credits to whoever gets me and this casket away from this station!"
The Ithorian's panicked shout reverberates in the auction hall, and it is punctuated soon after with a hail of blaster bolts from the blonde, barabel, and their associates.
Last edited by Anazider on Sun May 31, 2009 9:19 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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