The Outer Rim – Yarith Sector

I blasted out of hyperspace some time later. I was firmly aware I was flying nearby old battlegrounds – Hoth. I grinned. I missed the old days. I kept focused, and piloted the Basilisk towards my target location – Lydos Station. It was constructed out here roughly 40 years prior, and was host originally to roving bands of pirates and murderers, the usual sort that frequented these parts. As the Republic became wrapped up in war with the Mandalorians, they began policing these sectors, forcing out certain underworld elements from the region. When the crazies left, others came to fill the vacuum – merchants. While not murderers themselves, their prices seemed cutthroat enough. I landed the Basilisk in one of the hangar bays. Fully equipped, I exited the ship and headed inside the station.

A durasteel maze. Reminds me of The Panzershell. I thought to myself as I walked about. There were stores along every corridor, with plenty of traders carousing about. I didn't bother asking for where an information dealer would be. I'd find Bogart's contact soon enough. I walked up a short flight of steps, and found myself entering a section of the station that was not so frequented. In fact, no merchants or traders were along this strip. The lights were dimmed down here. The durasteel walls were bare…but there was a door. A blast door. I walked to the intercom, and before I pressed a button, whoever was inside had already noticed me.

"We don't see your kind out here much, Mandalorian." The voice was Alien, for sure. It was speaking Huttese, but the accent of the species…I didn't recognize it. I glanced up, and spotted a security camera. I pressed the 'talk' button and looked up at the camera.

"I understand that information is your business."

"Perhaps. Why so curious?"

"I'm not here to play games. Bogart sent me." I replied. To that, the blast door opened, revealing a large, darkened hangar bay filled with shipping containers. Initially reluctant to go inside, I activated my helmet's NV…there was nothing inside except for stacked shipping containers.

"Please, enter. I mean you no harm." The Alien said over the intercom. I readied my suit's weapon systems…and walked inside. As I went in, the blast door closed behind me. The cheap tricks didn't scare me. As I walked further in, I heard something swiftly pass by behind me, like a 'pitter-patter' or 'titter-tatter' sound. I quickly turned around…and saw nothing. I certainly wasn't dealing with anybody humanoid. I equipped my rifle, and pressed forward, through the corridors of shipping containers. Still…my sensors were going wild, detecting all sorts of critters scurrying and crawling about. Somewhere behind several containers was the space entrance into the hangar, which was well lit…I turned off my NV, but kept my rifle up as I walked to it. It was the end of the hangar, between the containers and the force field. To my right, a figure finally emerged, and my eyes lit up with surprise behind the visor as a demon appeared.

"Don't worry. He won't harm you." The Alien voice from before said. I quickly turned to my left, and was greeted by my host – a giant spider, sitting in its web high up in the corner of the room. "And neither will I. Please, put your weapon away."

"I don't think so." I shot back. In truth I was horrified – I hated spiders. I could deal with wolves, pirates, murderers, bounty hunters, Dark Jedi, but creepy crawlers, big ones, made me shudder. I hid my fear.

"Very well. But please, don't be afraid. If you are a friend of Bogart's, what have I to gain by stringing you up in my web and saving you for dessert?" The creature said. Was that a joke? "Allow me to formually introduce myself. I am Zu'mar Duras'sie, information dealer. This gentleman is my bodyguard." Zu'mar said, using one of his giant legs to point to the other creature…a Stenax. The large Demon looked…possessed? His eyes were blank, nor did he blink…he was just there. I then noticed a smaller spider attached to the back of his neck. Mind control? "And you are?" Zu'mar asked.

I was too shocked by the state the Stenax was in to answer for a few moments, but finally replied. "Fett. Douglas Fett."

"See, there we are. Now we are introduced. So tell me, what can I do for you?"

"I, uh, um…well."

"I know. You've never seen my kind before. Its alright, I get that all the time. Would you like to speak to my bodyguard here instead?" Zu'mar offered. To that I bucked up and shook myself out of my initial shock.

"No."

"Very well. What then can I help you with?"

"I want to know where I can go to upgrade my starfighter. A Basilisk War Droid."

"An infamous machine indeed. Curious, very curious…"

"Can you help me or not?"

"Of course. Allow me a few moments to consult my sources." Zu'mar replied. To that, several smaller spiders, like the one attached to the poor blokes neck, skittered about Zu'mar's web. Little 'nodes' who were subservient to their master. A very interesting species…I observed the Stenax, who continued to look like a mindless slave. The spider node on the back of his neck lit up with small white flashes, and the Stenax suddenly walked away in the direction of the blast doors. Moments later, the nodes on Zu'mar's web skittered away, leaving just me and Zu'mar. I kept my rifle ready. "You can't trust these little buggers. Minds of their own and everything."

"Ah…." I replied, recognizing the obvious irony in that statement. Was that a joke, or was he that paranoid he couldn't trust his own creations, subservient as they were? I shook my head and looked up at Zu'mar. "What can you tell me?"

"I know where you can go to complete such a task. But you won't like it."

"Just tell me."

"The Republic has been working on experimental technology. They have conducted tests on their starships, which have maximized the power of their shields, stealth fields, and weapons systems. Its supplemental technology, but I think its what you're looking for."

"Works for me."

"The problem is, the data is closely guarded within their shipyards at Foerost. And being a Mandalorian, they wouldn't take kindly to your presence."

"That's none of your concern." I replied briskly.

"Very well. Here is my offer. Most of my clients pay a hefty sum for my services. In your case, I'd like a copy of that data. If you don't return a copy to me, I'd be tempted to cash in on that bounty."

"Fair enough. Anything else I should know?"

"I suspect you will need clearance codes. I will have those furnished to you. Since you already know this is a suicide mission, I guess there's nothing else for me to tell you. Good day." Zu'mar said. I nodded to him and headed to the blast doors. The Stenax handed me a datapad with the codes, opened the blast doors for me, which closed behind me as I left.

One of these days, Bogart has got to tell me how he met this guy