A Living Legend and Echoes of History: Part II
Time: 7:45 P.M. Location: Brartal IV, Capital City of Zoryana
The Celestial Voyager hummed softly as it glided through the night sky, stars twinkling like distant jewels. Inside the shuttle, the atmosphere was warm and filled with a sense of accomplishment. Chasin Momeoran sat at the small dining table, surrounded by his beautiful wives—Pulchra, Mugruco, and Sahaz. They were sharing a modest but satisfying dinner, a pre-packaged exploration ration that had been surprisingly palatable.
Pulchra smiled as she expertly mixed her ration with some spicy sauce she had brought along. "You know, for space food, this isn't half bad. Next time, though, I'm bringing fresh ingredients. I can whip up something special." she said, her vibrant pink skin glowing under the shuttle's dim lights.
Mugruco with her blue lekku swaying gently as she ate, nodded in agreement. "If we ever find a stable supply line, I'm all for fresh meals. But for now, this works." she added, casting a glance at the small datapad resting beside her, which displayed the preliminary findings from their recent excavation.
Sahaz with a vibrant fur, interjected with enthusiasm. "Speaking of findings, those pieces of jewelry we recovered earlier might be more significant than we thought. If they belong to the Zoryans, they could tell us so much about their culture." Her green eyes sparkled with excitement as she leaned closer, animated by the thought of discovery.
Chasin smiled, reflecting on their day. "Not to mention the bounty we're about to collect for turning in those poachers. They were after the legendary Kraythx beast—it really exists, by the way. It's about time someone dealt with those kinds of hunters." he said, his voice full of pride.
He tapped a few commands on the data-pad, pulling up a detailed list of the poachers they had captured earlier that day. "Let's review the names and bounties before we land. We managed to snag eight of them, all well-known in these parts for their illicit activities."
Mugruco's eyes lit up as she read through the list. "There's Karrgoth, the one with the scarred cheek—he has a bounty of 10,000 credits on his head. Then there's Riza and Malcon, both with 5,000 each. The rest, including Jax, Vira, Kreez, and Orak, are valued at 2,500 each. That gives us a total of…" She paused to calculate.
"Seventy-two thousand credits!" Chasin finished, beaming. "Not only are we turning in criminals, but we're also earning a decent payday. Enough to fund our next expedition; Or to buy more heavy duty excavation equipment along with is droid helpers to help us in our exploration and excavation."
Mugruco "You're right Chasin it would be nice to get some heavy duty excavation equipment along with is droid helpers to help us both in our exploration and excavation discoveries.(She raised her glass of juice in a toast.) To discoveries, both ancient and modern!"
"Cheers!" the others echoed, clinking their glasses together.
As they wrapped up dinner, Chasin set the coordinates for the landing pad in Zoryana. The city's lights twinkled below them like a blanket of stars on the ground. The combination of excitement and relief washed over him; they had a successful day ahead of them.
With the shuttle gently touching down on the local landing pad, Chasin secured their gear. "Alright, let's get these poachers to the bounty office before it closes," he instructed, rising from the table. "We need to make sure we're in and out before the authorities change shifts."
They quickly gathered their equipment and moved toward the exit. The night air greeted them with a cool breeze as they stepped out of the shuttle, the vibrant sounds of the city enveloping them. Neon signs flickered overhead, advertising everything from local cantinas to exotic bazaars, the atmosphere pulsing with energy.
As they made their way through the streets, Chasin felt a sense of camaraderie with his wives. Each step brought them closer to their goal, and he could feel the thrill of the chase still coursing through their veins.
As they reached the bounty office, a small, unassuming building adorned with holographic wanted posters, Chasin took the lead. The clerk, an aging Twi'lek with tired eyes, looked up from his terminal as they approached.
"Evening, travelers. What've you got for me?" he asked, eyeing the bound poachers with mild interest.
Chasin stepped forward, exuding confidence. "We've captured eight poachers operating in the area and would like to turn them in, along with their bounties. We have their names and corresponding reward amounts here." he said, handing over the data-pad.
The clerk's eyes widened as he scanned the information. "This is quite the haul. You're sure they were operating illegally?"
"Absolutely, They were hunting the legendary Kraythx that is in fact real and without permits. They could have decimated the local population in the area we were exploring." Mugruco chimed in, stepping beside Chasin.
After a few moments, the clerk nodded, a serious expression on his face. "Alright, I'll need you to fill out a few forms. Please wait here."
The clerk whistled low. "That's serious. You've just saved the local fauna from some real trouble." He handed them forms to fill out, nodding with respect. "Give me a few minutes to process these bounties."
As they filled out the forms, Sahaz leaned toward Chasin, her voice soft. "Do you think the next phase of the ruins will be as eventful as today?"
Chasin smiled thoughtfully. "The buried Zoryan Village ruins hold possibly secrets from our Star System(The Brartal system) before the unification movement and era we can't even begin to imagine. I'm sure we'll find both treasure and artifacts. It's part of the adventure."
Minutes later, the clerk returned with two heavy briefcases, placing them on the counter with a grunt. "Seventy-two thousand credits, all accounted for. You've earned it."
Chasin took the briefcases, the weight of their reward reassuring in his hands. "Thank you. We'll be back soon, no doubt."
Sahaz yawned softly, stretching her arms. "But first, sleep. The ruins—and the universe—can wait until tomorrow."
Chasin chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Agreed. Let's head back to the Celestial Voyager. Tomorrow, the adventure continues."
With their reward in hand and the thrill of discovery still fresh, the group made their way back to the shuttle, ready to rest and prepare for whatever awaited them in the depths of the Zoryan ruins and beyond.
Date: April 15, 176 BBY, Time: 8:45 A.M., Location: Brartal IV, Capital City of Zoryana
The soft morning light filtered through the windows of the local family-owned restaurant, casting a warm glow on the table where Chasin Momeoran and his wives sat, enjoying a quiet breakfast together. The restaurant, a charming establishment nestled in the bustling heart of Zoryana, was known for its hearty and traditional meals, prepared with care by its seasoned staff. The smells of fresh bread, spiced meats, and exotic fruits filled the air, creating a comforting atmosphere.
Pulchra Domine leaned back in her seat, savoring the last bite of her meal. Her plate had been filled with a colorful assortment of foods, including a plate of crispy nuna bacon, fluffy meiloorun fruit pancakes drizzled with sweet syrup, and a glass of refreshing nuna berry juice. "I must say these pancakes are even better than I imagined." Pulchra smiled, her vibrant pink skin glowing under the soft light.
Across from her, Mugruco was already making notes on her data-pad between bites of her breakfast. She had opted for a hearty plate of roasted shaak sausage, a side of spiced tuber mash, and a large mug of strong cafe. "We should definitely stop here more often," Mugruco commented, her blue lekku resting lazily on her shoulders as she enjoyed the last of her cafe. "Fuel for our next adventure."
Sitting beside her, Sahaz Lor had chosen a lighter meal. She had a fresh platter of roasted meiloorun slices, ryshcate toast with thick nerf butter, and a calming cup of herbal tea. Her feline eyes scanned the streets outside as she slowly sipped her tea. "It's going to be a busy day. I can feel it." she purred softly, her fur shimmering as the light caught her.
Chasin smiled as he watched his wives enjoy their breakfast. His own plate was a blend of protein and carbohydrates—grilled nerf steak, eggs, and a helping of fried tubers, washed down with a rich cup of cafe. His mind, however, was already turning toward the tasks ahead. With the bounty they had collected from capturing the poachers and the exploration fund credits, they were well-equipped to purchase the tools they needed for their upcoming excavation.
After finishing their meal and leaving a generous tip for the staff—an appreciative gesture for their excellent service—Chasin and Mugruco made their way toward the used droid repair and sales shop. It was a modest establishment, tucked away in a quieter corner of the city, but it had a reputation for providing reliable droids at reasonable prices. The shop's sign flickered in neon colors, depicting a mechanical hand holding a hydro-spanner.
As they entered, the smell of oil, circuitry, and metal filled the air. Rows of droids, some old and rusted, others more modern, lined the walls. Behind the counter stood the shop's owner, a grizzled, middle-aged human with a cybernetic eye, tinkering with a disassembled astromech.
"Morning," the shopkeeper grunted, barely looking up from his work. "Looking for anything in particular?"
Chasin stepped forward, his voice steady. "We're in the market for some used droids programmed in engineering and excavation work. We've got a big project coming up—uncovering ancient Zoryan ruins."
The shopkeeper's cybernetic eye whirred as he turned his attention to Chasin and Mugruco. "Zoryan ruins, huh? Well, I've got a few droids that might suit your needs. Follow me."
He led them to a section of the shop where several industrial droids were standing idle. "This here's a DUM-series pit droid," the shopkeeper pointed to a small, squat droid. "Good for light work, repairs, and maintenance. I've also got a couple of older LE-series repair droids, decent for heavy lifting and basic excavation. And if you're looking for something with a bit more precision, I've got a refurbished RX-series pilot droid that's been reprogrammed for site surveying and excavation."
Mugruco studied the droids carefully, assessing their condition and capabilities. "How much are we talking for two of the LE-series and that RX-series?"
The shopkeeper scratched his chin. "Well, let's see. The LE-series go for about 12,000 credits each, and the RX? I'll let it go for 18,000. So, for all three, you're looking at 42,000 credits."
Chasin nodded, satisfied with the price. "We'll take them."
With the droid purchase complete, Chasin and Mugruco headed to the next destination on their list—a high-tech used equipment depot, specializing in heavy machinery. The depot was a much larger facility, filled with a variety of tools and machines designed for large-scale operations, from mining to excavation.
As they browsed through the selection of used excavation equipment, Chasin's eyes fell on an older but well-maintained Loronar SC-12 Heavy Excavator. Its hydraulic arms were strong, capable of lifting large debris, and it was equipped with a powerful fusion cutter for breaking through tough materials. Beside it was a Sorosuub T-30 drill, a portable but highly effective tool for precision excavation in delicate ruins.
Mugruco, running her hand along the controls, smiled. "This would speed up our work tremendously."
"How much for both?" Chasin asked the depot manager, a Bothan with sharp eyes and a keen sense of business.
The Bothan considered for a moment. "The SC-12 goes for 95,000 credits, and the T-30 for 30,000. I can knock off a bit if you're buying them together—say, 115,000 for both."
Chasin and Mugruco exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. "Deal."
With the heavy equipment and droids secured, they had spent a total of 157,000 credits—leaving them with a comfortable 165,000 in reserve for future needs. As they finalized the transactions and arranged for the equipment to be delivered to their excavation site, Chasin felt a surge of anticipation. The buried Zoryan Village ruins held untold secrets, and now, with the right tools and resources, they were one step closer to uncovering them.
Back at the Celestial Voyager, Chasin and Mugruco loaded the droids onto the shuttle, eager to return to the site and put their new equipment to use. The adventure was far from over, and the promise of discovery hung in the air like the stars themselves.
"Ready for the next chapter, my love?" Mugruco asked, her blue eyes gleaming with excitement.
"More than ever," Chasin replied, setting the shuttle's course back to the excavation site. "The Zoryan Village awaits."
