Nar Shaddaa - The Matted Coat Cantina

Price Bostoco watched the two human strangers carefully wind their way through the various patrons and the smoke of the cantina. Their clothes were not as expensive as he had expected. The way they moved through the crowd suggested wealth and comfort in upbringing and a noticeable discomfort in their current surroundings. One of them, a slightly shorter and slighter person, was trying very hard not to shy away from some of the more grotesque patrons of the bar. When a Shistavanen sniffed and leaned towards her with a growl, she did shy away. Price gave a small, wry grin as the stepped over to his booth. "Evening;" he said casually, "set for 'while."

"Thank you, Sir;" said one of the strangers, a male. He pulled back the cowl of his cloak and revealed a generically handsome face with dark brown hair and surprisingly ill-trimmed facial hair - not that Price could judge too harshly. It had been some weeks since he had shaved and he certainly needed it himself. The other figure lowered her own hood, revealing matching dark brown hair to the man and a delicate and attractive face. Price cleared his throat and sat up just a little straighter. "I'll order some drinks - whatever you like."

"I'm obliged, Mister Bostoco;" said the man and ordered from the terminal on the table. When the other had as well, he placed his forearms on the table and said, "Now, Mister Bostoco, I am Shen Teraan and this is my sister Tanna. We have a proposition for you."

Price nodded slowly as one hand toyed with a cred coin of the Old Republic denomination. "We have a lead on a possible lost pirate treasure fleet from nearly four hundred years ago;" said Shen, ignoring when Price rolled his eyes and continuing just as if he hadn't. "Rumor has it that the trade lanes were being raided by some kind of genius who knew how to anticipate when someone would drop out of hyperspace and where and would snatch them and escape and hid every bit of the loot somewhere."

Feeling indulgent, Price lifted one bushy eyebrow and said, "Until now, I assume."

"No, it is still a mystery BUT-" said Shen, lifting a finger to forestall any comment or remark, "we have a place we can start a serious search. My sister and I are putting together a crew to find this lost treasure fleet."

Price nodded slowly before leaning forward and resting his elbows on the table. "Look, Mister Teraan, I appreciate the offer but I ain't so sure about it. There are always rumors of this sort - secret treasure, and the like. I had some smooth talking gambler try to sell me coordinates to where the Katana fleet supposedly had been found. Even if this is the case, how is it that someone like me can help you? Do you know what I do for a living?"

"Yes, sir;" said Shen emphatically, "we know you're one of the galaxy's best wranglers and big game hunters - a vocation that places you in good standing and favor with nearly every fringe organization from the Hutt Cartel to the Zann Consortium. I even heard you acquired stock for the Corporate Sector for one of their new livestock raising ventures. This means that if anyone can keep us out of trouble with one or another of the criminal groups while we search, it's you."

Price chuckled and shook his head. "I think you might be over-simplifying the situation, friend. If I'm caught in the presents of one faction by another, the other faction will just assume I'm with the first and try to kill me and anyone with me. Criminals aren't all that choosy when it comes to killing rivals and don't feel any sort of loyalty towards someone who sold them some animal, living or dead, that one time."

"Even so, you're less likely to be shot on sight by most criminal groups. Is that safe to assume?" asked Tanna Teraan, speaking for the first time. Her voice was a little low and even a little husky. It was natural, not something she was trying to do but Price decided he like how it sounded. "Yes, Ma'am, it could be. Problem is, I still have a hard time seeing the risk as worth the reward. Like I said before, there's a million stories about lost treasure fleets or war fleets and just as many liars trying to stiff any sucker they can, begging your pardon."

"Pardoned;" said Shen with a chuckle. A Twi'lek serving girl came up and delivered their drinks, giving big green eyes to Price. "Thanks, Leta;" said Price, slipping her a couple extra cred coins before tasting his drink.

"Mister Bostoco, I'm a bit of an enthusiast when it comes to stories like this and most of them are nonsense - tales to entertain children and sucker wanna-be adventurers. This one has enough validity to be proved at least highly plausible. Much like the Katana Fleet and the Alderaan weapon ships, we can know that some things are true. This fleet I speak of includes the names of known ships lost to pirates during the timeframe. Furthermore, the pirate gang most certainly existed and we know its name and captain. Finally, the locations where the attacks or sightings are perfectly accurate as well. We have a great deal of information and just need to sort it all out and put it together."

Price sighed and shook his head doubtfully. "I don't know, Mister Teraan;"

"Do you have anything better to be doing, Mister Bostoco?" asked Tanna. "Another contract, perhaps? Anything at all?"

Price chuckled a little sourly. "Well now that you mention it, I am rather shy of work at the moment."

Both Shen and Tanna smiled triumphantly and stood. "If you decide you're in, Mister Bostoco, meet us at The Wheel in Tasia's Tapcafe in three weeks. I assume you have transportation?" said Tanna.

Price smiled ruefully as he stood as well. "Yeah, I have a ship."

"Very well;" said Shen. "We hope to see you on the Wheel."

As they shook hands, a rough voice called over, "Hey, dung kicker! I thought I told you not to come into my place anymore."

Price's blue eyes hardened as he turned towards the entrance. There stood a Weequay carrying a blaster pistol slung low on one hip and a blaster rifle over his back. "Hey Kranz; last I checked, this isn't your place. Hey Bogo, did you sell this place to Kranz over there?"

The being behind the counter looked exceedingly nervous but still managed to shake his head. "See Kranz; you ain't got the right to keep me outta here. Now there is enough room for both of us. No need to let that soreness about losing out on the rancor hunting job to me cause any more trouble."

"Who said I was soar?" demanded the Weequay. "I just don't like dung kicker rancher scum where I like to hang out."

"Well;" said Price as he slowly stretched, "I guess, too bad. Now, will you clear the door and let me and my new friends out or no?"

"Why don't you just try and make me?" demanded Kranz.

"Don't be a damned fool, Kranz;" snapped Price, suddenly tired of it. "You really want to die today?"

"We all gotta some time, boy;" came the reply as the Weequay dropped his hand to his blaster. It never even cleared leather before Price had three quick shots in his chest. Shen and Tanna stood opened-mouthed. They had never seen anyone draw a blaster that fast.

"Damned fool;" muttered Price. "Never saw a day he could keep up with me." Turning, he looked at Shen and Tanna, "I'll see you at the Wheel. Getting away from here and any friends Kranz may have is the best thing for me right now."

Shen smiled at his sister. Things were beginning to go their way, finally.

Nal-Hutta - Spaceport of the Capital City of Bilbousa

Tanna and Shen watched as a Loronar E-9 Explorer approached the docking bay they had reserved for it. It was painted red as blood and had a pair of crossed vibroblades on it beneath the skull of what appeared to be a Selonian skull. "Why did we contact this person, Shen?" asked Tanna, not for the first time.

"That ship has some sophisticated technology. That, and Captain Groggs is famous for her skills as a pilot, smuggler and pirate. We need those skills for when we find the fleet."

"Right;" said Tanna, doubt coloring her voice.

It was only minutes before the docking bay door opened. In the doorway stood a tallish human female who wore a white shirt under a long leather duster along with trousers sporting the Corellian bloodstripe. She wore tall boots and had her copper-colored hair tied with a cloth of some kind. Two pistols were strapped to her hips and a short bladed vibrosword of an elegant and unique make hung from the back of her belt as well. "Aha!" said the woman with a broad grin. "I'm Tenellian Groggs, and you must be the Teraan's! Pleasure to meet you in person! Let's go and find a place! I'm starving and thirsty!"

Before either could protest, the pirate wrapped her arms around them and steered them towards the spaceport. Within minutes, they were seated at a tapcaf and a droid had taken their orders. "Now let's hear about this little proposal of yours. I'm always curious to hear tales about lost treasure and the like."

"In your travels, have you ever heard a tale about a lost pirate treasure from roughly four hundred years ago? According to history, this particular pirate group, the Starlaners I believe they were called, had a gift for knowing exactly where merchant ships, shipping convoys and even other pirate groups would be." asked Shen.

Groggs nodded her head with a broad smile. "I have heard such a story and I know it's true too. The leader of that particular pirate group was Redrick Colostic and the story is that he was some kind of ex-Jedi or Jedi reject or something. He could use his mystical force powers to see the future and that's how he determined where and when the fleets would drop out of hyperspace and which ones would be best to hit. Whether he really was some pirate Jedi or not, I don't know but I know for a fact he raided the space lanes for damn near forty years before a task force of Jedi and judicial forces finally caught up to him. They never did find all his loot, though."

Shen leaned forward and said, "We think we may be hard on the trail of that loot, Captain, and just need your ship and perhaps your connections to assist us in our search."

"Well now;" said Groggs, "that is something, isn't it. Now why don't you go on and tell me everything you have and then we can discuss using my ship and skills and the like to make sure we all end up filthy rich and more powerful than a Sector Moff?"

Shen glanced at Tanna, who sighed and nodded. She doubted she was going to like this pirate but her reputation indicated she was just the being for the job. Within minutes, the pirate captain's laugh filled the cantina.

Christophsis - Headquarters of the Crimson Peregrines

Clovis Hyrts looked up as one of his men, the middle-aged but still hardy and skilled Red Sixer, strode in and snapped to attention. "Come on, Red; you know we aren't full military. Relax. Have a drink for kriff's sake."

Red gave a small grin and fell into an at-ease stance. "No thanks, Sir; I'm actually here to tender my resignation."

That took Clovis off guard. He regarded the older man for a moment before asking, "Is everything alright? I didn't see this coming, Red. Did something happen?"

"Not at all, Sir; just time to move on to something else, I think. You've done right by me and you know that if you need anything, you can get in contact with me. I just need to do something other than this kind of mercenary work. Maybe some light security work or even some tactical work on a law enforcement payroll. I don't know, Sir. I just know it's time to go. I'm tired of these old war zones."

Clovis nodded. The damage from all the way back in the Clone Wars hadn't been fully repaired yet and the Empire didn't seem to quick to do so either. The very reason the Peregrines had been contracted was to provide protection as the world administration attempted to maintain a modicum of control. It was only so successful though. Criminals and gangs were taking full advantage of the chaos and had been for years. It was a warzone now, with whole cities being controlled by members of Black Sun. The world planetary government refused to let it go and the gangsters refused to give it up. Meanwhile, more people suffered in and out of the crossfire. It stood to reason that an old soldier like Red needed to move on to other things. "Well you have my gratitude and even though you're leaving of your own choice, I'm gonna make sure you get something on the way out. Thank you for all you did, Red. If you ever want to come back, contact me and I'll make sure you get your choice of assignments." He proffered his hand and the old soldier shook it firmly. Without another word, he was gone.

Red Sixer picked up the two large duffels that held his meager belongings and headed out towards the spaceport. Having turned in his Crimson Peregrine uniform, he wore simple cargo trousers, a shirt and a green poncho over it all. Where he was going to go, he wasn't sure but he felt a massive weight off his mind and soul as he moved further and further from the Peregrine's area of operation.

At the spaceport, he stopped at a local restaurant to by a hot meal. It would be the first in a long time that wasn't made entirely of field rations. Almost immediately after placing his order, two beings, a male and a female human who were alike enough to be siblings, sat down at his table. "Good afternoon, Mister Sixer;" said the female with a gracious smile. "Please pardon our intrusion but we heard that you recently left the local mercenary contractors and were hoping we could interest you in a job. I am Tanna Terran and this is my brother Shen."

Red looked back and forth between them and crossed his arms. "I'm listening;" he said.

"We are going on a venture that is likely to lead us into some rather dangerous, or at least potentially dangerous, places and you come highly recommended. You won't being going into warzones or inevitable light fights or anything like that. We would just like to hire you as extra security for ourselves and our associates as we conduct our business."

Red lifted one eyebrow and asked, "What would that business be?"

"Archeology;" replied Shen, "it just may be in a place where there is some danger and finding the specific site we wish to work on may also take us into some dangerous places."

The old soldier nodded slowly. He only partially believed them, shrewdly guessing that they were only sharing part of the truth. Placing both hands on the table, he leaned forward and said, "Alright, you've got my interest. Now why don't you give me the information straight and I'll decide whether it's worth my time or not?"

After they had explained, Red chuckled and shook his head. "Alright, I'll take care of your protection. Whether all this scuttlebutt you told me is true or not, I'm getting paid, right?"

"Of course, at double what you made as a member of the Crimson Peregrines;" said Tanna with a smile. The siblings stood and proffered their hands. Red stood and shook them and Shen said, "Meet us on the Wheel in a week. The whole team will be gathered by then and we'll give every detail of what we have."

"Understood, Ma'am;" said Red, "I'll see you there in a week."