Eras and Sho withheld nothing as Climber and Trace listened patiently. When they had finished laying all their cards on the table a thought occurred to Eras. With suspicion growing in his voice, he turned towards the Clone Captain.
"If you have our lightsabers…you must know where my ship is. They were hidden aboard."
"Your ship is safe, for now. We've kept it hidden. Good thing everything you've said checks out with the ship's log as well as your droid. What was his name? SCR-P5?", responded Trace.
A surge of relief swept through Eras, but it was tempered with caution. Nar Shaddaa was no place for trust. The underworld of the Smuggler's Moon could devour any trace of loyalty if the price was right.
Climber carefully studied Eras and Sho, calculating his next step. "Looks like the two of you need help if you want to continue with your mission. We would be willing to provide assistance…in exchange for your help with a little problem of our own."
"What did you have in mind?", asked Sho.
It was now the Captain's turn to show his hand. "We are a growing cell within the Alliance…one of many I hope. New arrivals join our ranks every day with a burning desire to throw off the chains of oppression forged by the Empire. Our ability to equip our fighters is limited. That's why we chose Nar Shaddaa. The odds of 'acquiring' what we need, without drawing the Empire's attention, are in our favor."
"You're with the Alliance?!", asked Eras, barely able to contain his excitement. It had been so long since he'd had good news.
"That's right kid.", answered Brax who had entered the Command Center unnoticed.
"What is your cell called? How many fighters do you have?", Sho joined in his comrade's enthusiasm. "Have you any information on surviving members of the Order?"
"Easy there boys…Those are the same kind of questions an operative for the Empire might ask.", spoke Trace with a tinge of caution in his voice. Eras and Sho's demeanor sobered at this. "If you want information, you're going to have to prove you're not with the enemy. You've got to help us first." The Clone turned towards Brax. "Status update."
Brax smiled. "Ninx needs a few things from Paolo's, but overall, he's pleased."
"Well there's a first…", quipped Climber. He turned to Eras and Sho holding up one of the lightsaber hilts. "This used to be a symbol of Justice...I know the past destroyed many things, even a sacred trust between those who fought side-by-side. But I'm choosing to take a leap of faith. Your ship is almost ready and I'm going to give it back to you. You could just fly off into the sunset, or you could be a part of something bigger than all of us. The choice is yours." He placed the saber in Sho's hand.
After a moment, Sho looked to Eras then turned to the Clones. "We'll help you if you promise to help us."...
…Paolo's Chop Shop…
While Sho remained with Climber and Trace at Central Command, Brax and Eras were tasked with gathering important equipment from a local garagein the Red Sector known for dealing in "rare ship parts". The pair walked quietly along the rundown streets. This city level was hauntingly empty, with only an occasional passerby. The few that crossed their path looked over Eras with curiosity.
Feeling out of place, Eras readjusted the clothing Brax had provided. "This outfit is drawing too much attention. I thought discretion was the name of the game." From the matching boots and gloves of fine Sullustian leather, to the deep green, high-collared tunic made of Karlini infused Fleuréline weave, Eras cut quite the dashing spacer.
Missing his Clone armor, Brax sympathized with his comrade. "Normally, I'd agree with you kid, but Paolo's doesn't sell to just anybody. You have to look the part if you're going to convince them you're a serious buyer." He led them to the entrance of a garage that looked as if it should have been condemned long ago.
"This is Paolo's Chop Shop?", Eras asked with an eyebrow raised in skepticism.
"Watch and learn, kid. Let me do the talking and follow my lead.", ordered Brax.
Eras nodded and trailed the Rebel through the entrance doors. The room inside was just as lackluster as the building's exterior. Rows upon rows of scrapped ship parts littered the garage, most of which appeared to be salvaged rubbish.
"Can I help you?", a gravelly voice asked from behind a cluttered counter. Eras turned and was forced to look up at the towering figure. It turned out to be a Kaleesh who introduced himself as Ishtah.
Brax handed the data pad containing the list of parts. Ishtah poured over its contents, pausing periodically to look up at them in surprise. He went back to the counter and pressed a comm switch.
"What is it?", demanded an annoyed female voice.
"There are two gentlemen here looking for some specific merchandise.", responded Ishtah who placed emphasis on the words "specific merchandise".
Moments later, a door at the back of the garage opened, revealing a Dresselian. She wore a kind smile. "Good evening gentlemen! I am Zegundis. How may my associate and I be of service?". Ishtah handed her the data pad. Her friendly disposition vanished faster than it had appeared.
"Ninx sends his highest regards.", said Brax courteously.
"I bet he does.", the Dresselian retorted dryly. "These parts are hard to come by."
"But you somehow manage…right?", questioned the Clone with a raised brow.
Zegundis smiled. "Of course. Do you have the payment?"
Eras held out a magnalocked case that could be opened only with the proper code and voice activation signature. Zegundis motioned to the Kaleesh who stepped forward. "6-3-8-1 Ion.", said Ishtah after pressing a thumb to the magnalock scanner. The case opened, revealing a dozen or so encrypted microchips.
After inserting each chip into a data reader, he nodded in acknowledgement to his employer. "The transponder codes check out. We can begin assigning them immediately."
Satisfied, Zegundis motioned to Brax and Eras. "Thank you gentlemen. Your order will be processed immediately and delivered to the agreed upon coordinates. If you'd be so kind as to follow Ishtah here, he will show you out."...
…Central Command…
No sooner had they returned to Central Command than Brax and Eras found themselves ushered rapidly onto a small scrap hauler. "What's happening? Where are we going?", inquired Eras.
"All will be explained shortly. For now you're going to want to follow me…", answered Trace as he led them to the cockpit where Climber and Sho waited. "...We're going to 'The Chute'."
Once they had taken their seats, Climber eased the hauler into the dense Nar Shaddaaian shuttle lanes. Vessels of every shape and size whizzed by, reminding Sho very much of Coruscant. "I told you I would return your ship after you helped us. I'm a man of my word.", the Alliance leader's voice interrupted his thoughts.
The ship came to a halt in front of an old holographic advertisement. Eras was confused. "Is someone meeting us here?" No response was given.
Crackling and popping sounds came through the open channel. "Climber. I have your order ready. It's been one of my more interesting projects. Confirm my payment has been processed and will be delivered to the following coordinates.", a mysterious voice broke through.
Entering an encrypted code into his comm link, Climber relayed the required information. "Confirmed."
Only the sound of the open channel's audio wave accompanied the silence throughout the cockpit. A green light pulsed on the ship's controls, signaling the message had been received and accepted. "Thanks. You may enter. Make sure to disengage any weapons you have. The laser cannons are quite sensitive. Other than that, you know my rules.", the voice spoke once again.
"Copy that.", Climber said as he edged his ship towards the holoscreen. "Here we go."
"What are you…". Sho's words were cut short with Trace placing a hand on the Jedi's shoulder.
"Don't distract him.", he cautioned.
The hauler passed through the holographic advertisement, entering into a very narrow tunnel cleverly hidden behind it. The confined space was just large enough to accommodate one ship at a time. Turbolaser cannons and an advanced turret defense system lined both sides, declaring nobody would enter or leave without permission.
Rising out of his seat to gaze out the viewport, Eras could not hide his astonishment. "What is this place?"
The scrap hauler exited the cramped tunnel, emerging into an open expanse. A massive facility lay at its heart, surrounded by countless ships being repaired and modified. It was a spacer's paradise.
"Welcome to the 'Spacebarn'.", answered Climber. "Your ship was badly damaged by Grakkus's thugs. We managed to get it here for Ninx to take a look at. It wasn't easy and it was very costly."
Brax chimed in. "It's why we had to go to Paolo's. We traded those transponder codes that could have been used on our own ships in exchange for parts to be sent to Ninx. It was payment for both the equipment we needed as well as repairing your ship."
"Why are you helping us?", inquired Sho.
"Like we said, we need to stand together if we're going to have a chance at defeating the Empire.", responded Trace.
"Who's this Ninx you keep mentioning?", Eras changed the subject.
"You're about to find out.", answered Climber who set the hauler down on a designated platform. A figure stood waiting for them on a nearby landing pad…