Skyriver Galaxy
Outer Rim Territories
Karthakk Sector
Karthakk System
Maramere
Trade Federation Installation
Control Room

Captain's Log, Supplemental:

We are about to beam down to the surface and meet with the pirate leader known simply as Nym. From what the records show, Nym is a fiercely independent individual but one who has a deep hatred of the Trade Federation. It's our hope that this hatred will make him at least open minded to our offer of mutual peace.

End Log

Nym was born during the waning years of the Galactic Republic, though reports on his past were not at all reliable. A male Feeorin, one of the last of his species, he was orphaned as a child on the tough streets of Lok, a barren and lawless world located in the Mid Rim's Karthakk sector. Nym began to join up with the various pirate crews who frequented Lok's spaceports, and being raised by such harsh criminals tempered his physical skills and abrasive personality. By the time he had reached adulthood, Nym had earned a reputation as a capable pilot and mechanic, a fierce fighter, and a talented tactician.

He took part in violent free-for-all fights in the Blood Pits of the smuggler's moon, Nar Shaddaa, once going toe-to-toe with a Trandoshan. After winning one contest, Nym received a tattoo; the symbol was at the time meaningless but would take on significance later in the Feeorin's life. Having become well-known and highly respected throughout the underworld, the Feeorin ultimately assembled his own, loyal crew of pirates and cutthroats and took to the space lanes, practicing piracy along the busy hyperlanes that went between the Core Worlds. At some point in his life, Nym's left hand was severed at the elbow and he had it replaced with a metallic prosthetic hand.

Nym quickly became a feared figure along the hyperlanes he plundered. He made every attempt to minimize the bloodshed during his raids, unlike many of his fellow pirates, known for cruelty and violence, relying instead on speed and effectiveness to get the job done. Eventually Nym returned to Lok to construct a stronghold, which his pirate crew operated from during their years of raiding Trade Federation supply lines along the Rimma Trade Route and the Corellian Trade Spine. Nym later stole a cache of experimental Merr-Sonn Munitions Scalphunter prototype weapons from the Trade Federation, but despite the weapons' value, he was unable to find any buyers.

Nym's depredations eventually earned him the ire of the Trade Federation, who hired mercenary Vana Sage to capture and imprison him. However, Nym escaped from his imprisonment, only to find that Sage, who had been double-crossed by the Trade Federation herself, wished to ally with him to inflict further damage on the Trade Federation. Furthermore, the starfighter pilot Rhys Dallows, whose homeworld had been invaded by the Trade Federation, and the Toydarian smuggler Reti joined with them as well. Together, the four launched a number of raids on Trade Federation property, culminating on attacks on the Trade Federation blockade of Naboo and the destruction of a Trade Federation droid production facility on Eos. Those actions earned Nym a pardon from the Republic, though he continued his life of piracy.

Their efforts helped win the battle, though Nym asked for no reward. He earned a pardon from Supreme Chancellor Palpatine himself; the Naboo amassed a small reward to thank him for his efforts; and he was offered a place in the Royal Naboo Security Forces. Nym turned it all down, and though he took a job with the Republic Special Task Force to advise its pirate-fighting patrols for a short time, he wanted to return to his previous lifestyle and live dangerously. He parted ways with Sage and returned to Lok, but he quickly found that the Trade Federation was using his base as a staging ground for their raids in the Karthakk system; without a proper crew, Nym knew he could not take them on, but vowed to eventually purge them from his world.

Like practically everyone else in the galaxy, he knew about the United Federation and the other galaxy and even laughed when he heard how they had humiliated the Trade Federation during the battle of Naboo. Still, there wasn't much that interested him as if they couldn't be useful in freeing his home system from the Trade Federation then there wasn't much else, he needed to know.

Still, since they and the Jedi had been kind enough to blast the entire Trade Federation attack force that had been after him, he supposed he could humor them a bit. He and Jinkens watched as pillars of light appeared before them, materializing into the Federation landing party.

Their apparent leader, Captain Pierce faced him and Nym had to privately admit to being impressed the human didn't bulk under his glaring. "Mr. Nym, I presume?"

"You got it but drop the 'Mr'. I work for a living."

"Of course. I am Captain Jeffery Pierce." The man gestured to himself and then to his landing party. "This is my First Officer, Commander Lara."

Lara nodded.

"My Chief of Security, Lieutenant Commander Michael Sinclair."

The next was a human male with dark brown hair and brown eyes.

"My science officer, R'Meera."

R'Meera simply nodded.

"And my medical officer, Dr. Vorzok."

The last was a Vulcan, wearing a lab coat instead of the signature red Starfleet uniform over a grey turtleneck.

The Vulcan raised his hand and offered the Vulcan salute. "Peace and long life."

Nym scoffed in response as the door opened and in walked Reti and Gallia. "Reti, you better have good news for me as I still am not happy you brought a Jedi of all people here."

"Nym, I know you don't like it, but we really need some help." Reti hastily explained, his Toydarion wings fluttering faster than usual. "The Trade Federation has been cracking down on us hard and the rest of the crew was caught. We need some help."

Nym then glared at Gallia. "I told the Republic that I'd shoot the first ambassador they sent down to my system. But you've done me a good turn, so I'll give you a chance to explain yourself."

"How gracious." Adi Gallia said sarcastically before answering. "I'm here to investigate the Trade Federation presence. We believe they're conducting an illegal operation in this system."

"Nice of you to finally notice." Nym drawled. "The Nemoidians have been looting this sentence for ten years."

"I'm here now." Gallia simply said. "You might as well let me help."

"Fine but no lectures and no Jedi mind tricks and Reti," Nym looked back at Reti. "If she causes any trouble at all, I'm holding you responsible."

"No problem." Reti quickly said.

"And you." Nym looked back at Pierce. "I already have one Federation on my back. I don't need two."

"I assure you, we're not here to take over. If you care to answer a few questions, we'll leave." Pierce stated.

"And what questions do you have?" Nym crossed his arms.

"If the Trade Federation were conducting research into developing a secret weapon, do you have an idea where it might be?" Pierce asked.

Nym seemingly pondered that question before shaking his head. "There are too many spots in this systems where they could be making some sort of secret weapon? Now my question is this, what kind of secret weapon do you think they are working on?"

"Starfleet Intelligence made it a point to keep an eye on the Trade Federation for the last ten years and recently they got wind of strange activity coming from this system." Pierce explained. "We believe they might be trying to create a weapon to use against us given that they are suspected of already trying to murder the former Senator of Naboo."

"That's a quite the speculation, Captain." Gallia commented.

"But no less true. They are at least considered suspects by the Jedi Council, aren't they? After all, both Senator Amidala and Admiral Kirk humiliated Viceroy Nute Gunray at the Naboo ten years ago. Starfleet Intelligence believes they have not reduced their armies despite their leaders having been to court four times and Gunray does hold a rather large grudge against the Senator and Admiral Kirk." Pierce pointed out. "If they were bold enough to blockade and invade an entire planet, why wouldn't be surprising that they are conducting illegal operations or making a secret weapon?"

"And you're here looking for this weapon?" Nym questioned.

"We're looking for evidence of a weapon." Pierce corrected.

"I thought you guys said you couldn't get involved fighting them." Reti cut in.

"Correction, I said we couldn't officially intervene on your disputes with them. They already have attacked us and purposely provoked us into fighting back." Pierce corrected. "No offence, but the United Federation of Planets can't be seen taking the side of pirates, in a neutral system or not."

"So, you saying you don't plan on taking over and telling us what to do?" Nym asked skeptically.

"Nothing of the sort. We're just looking for confirmation but if you are willing to help us we might be willing to provide some form of aid." Pierce answered.

"Oh?"

"In exchange for helping us find any evidence of a weapon, you are free to dock your ships on the Hathway and use it as a form of sanctuary for rest and recuperation. As long as you give your word you won't try to steal anything from us or cause trouble." Pierce clarified with a small smile. "Given that this system is neutral, you might be the closest person to being considered its leader aside from the Trade Federation."

"That's it?" Nym didn't look impressed. "Just a mere rest stop? I'd have been more tempted if you offered your transporter technology."

"Need I remind you, Nym that we're not on your side any more than we are on the Trade Federation's side. The difference is that we have no intention of taking over this system. And we don't give our technology out freely, especially to people who officially labelled as pirates." Pierce stated. "But we can offer medical and logistics as long as you agree to be open and honest with us about what is happening in this system."

"He's got a point, Nym." Reti offered and stiffened when Nym glared at him. "Just saying, is all."

Nym turned his gaze back to Pierce. "Fine, we'll play nice with you, but you keep your ship back. I don't like the idea of suddenly being teleported of my ship."

"Very well, then we have an agreement." Pierce smiled.

Nym turned away and faced his crew. "Now, we have to get back on schedule."

"What's the plan, Nym?" Reti asked.

"It's time for a jailbreak."