Xander Churr Intro Scene

[GM Fang]

Xander sat in an edge booth of the cantina, working slowly on his drink: Talmog. He hadn't tried this particular concoction, but it came on recommendation from the bar tender, a surprisingly-friendly Devaronian, named Vik. Recorded music played and a Twi'lek dancer was on the stage. The slicer watched her occasionally as the wait dragged on for longer than expected. The cantina was occupied by several individuals but was not particularly crowded this day.

Xander noticed a tall human enter the cantina and stroll up to the bar. His seat was just across from the bar, giving him good views of both entrances as well as the stage and the bar itself. After a few moments, the man finished his drink. He then walked nonchalantly over to where Xander was sitting and slid into the booth across from him.

"I hear you're looking for some info," he said gruffly but low enough to not be overheard noticeably. He leaned in and spoke a bit quieter still, "A person could get in serious trouble asking too many of the wrong questions." He leaned back and tapped his fingers idly on the table, glancing over at the bartender.

Xander takes a swig of his drink and gets up from the table. He drops a small cylinder with the names of a few low-ranking Imperials that might have ties to the rebels. It wasn’t a very important or especially well-paying job, but credits were credits after all. Xander turns and looks at the man, "I will buy you a drink. Here are the credits for the job. Now if you excuse me, I have work that I have to get to. Have a nice day."

The man takes the credit cylinder and looks it over with one eye, while looking at Vlad with a raised eyebrow over the other. The man watches Xander leave the cantina. Outside Xander sees that the earlier sandstorm has quieted down a little. As he heads back to meet Seedoneo, the trader and de facto boss, the communicator goes off. It is, coincidentally, Seedoneo himself.

The holographic image of the corpulent Rodian buzzes into existence. Seedoneo is a rare sight in Mos Shuuta, he's fat, not just large but extremely fat. So much so that he hasn't been able to use his legs for years. Instead he sits inside a floating chair, a modified life support pod with repulsion lifts. The Rodian made his fortune as a sand trader. He buys the finest sands collected on Tatooine and exports them off planet for use in producing space ship windows. The mineral rich silica is particularly well-suited for withstanding the rigors of hyperspace travel.

"Xander, my boy," the image of Seedoneo states, " you are needed here. Meet me at my office. I have a particularly special job for you." The Rodian does not wait for a response and his image winks back out again.

Xander jogs through the streets of Mos Shuuta, avoiding people and creatures as he makes his way to the office of Seedoneo, the sand trader. He is ushered into the main office by the Twilek secretary and sees Seedoneo in his repulsor chair, flanked by his two bodyguards, a Weequay and a Devaronian. A protocol droid stands in a nearby corner. Seedoneo is eating some vile looking slimy meal. The rotund trader was often eating.
"Good of you to come so quickly," the Rodian says in his native language. "I have an important mission for you with the potential for bonus," he says rubbing his fingers together. "You are to report to Bargos the Hutt.” Xander had not heard of a Bargos before, but there were numerous Hutts all around Tatooine with various business dealings.

“Bargos runs his business dealings out of Mos Espa,” the fat Rodian says knowingly. This is the same city where Xander’s ‘financier’ also did business. “You are to meet the Verpine, who will take you to a hidden meeting area for a remote audience with the esteemed Bargos himself.” Xander knew that the Verpine had to refer to Vl'Grax.

The bipedal insectoid ran a small shuttle service to the main cities of Tatooine, such as Mos Espa and Mos Eisley. Xander lived nearby in The Nest. Both the Nest and the Traders Ledge were built onto rocky outcroppings, not directly part of the mesa that Mos Shuuta dominated. They were connected but various planks and rope bridges, in various stages of repair. Even more unusual, the Trader’s Ledge was held a lot of numerous gas balloons which helped to support the rickety wooden platforms connecting the rocky spires.

Bargos will inform you of the particulars. This is an important business transaction," Seedoneo stresses. "Do make every effort to appease him!"
Later that evening, Xander finds himself at V’grax’s operation. The wind blows his cloak about him, but even with the twin suns set, it was very warm. Overhead Xander watched a freighter come in for a landing at the nearby Landing Pad Aurek. The Verpine was expecting him and he says in a clicking version of Basic that the ride was already paid for. He motions to a separate gas balloon moored nearby. On it is another person, a female Mirialan. Her green-skin is mostly covered by clothes and a hooded cloak, but he can see the tell-tale geometric facial tattoos in the dim light. He does a double-take, but soon realizes this is not Arnwine, the proprietor of the General Provisioner. This was only the second Mirialan that Xander had seen in Mos Shuuta.

The ride to their destination takes about 25 minutes. Vl’Grax flies low and in the darkness Xander worries that they might crash into the ground or some jutting rock formation and he holds on tight to the railing, unable to see where he is going.

Soon the gas-powered balloon touches down near an outcropping. Suddenly a low light bursts to life, illuminating the nearby area. Exiting the basket, Xander sees a large door built into the rocks. Vl’Grax punches a code into the nearby pad and the double doors slide apart. Silently the Verpine motions for you to enter. There isn’t far to go as it’s simply an elevator car. The doors slam shut and the elevator descends!

The light inside the elevator car blinks rapidly and intermittently causing a dizzying effect and it’s difficult to tell how far or how long they travel but quickly the doors on the opposite side open into a small room. It looks like a meeting room with a round table and several chairs around one half of the table. Suddenly a holoscreen flares to life in the middle of the table. An odd looking too-skinny and too-slimy Hutt appears on the screen. The Hutt laughs a deep laugh and spreads his arms wide, a stream of Huttese booming out of his mouth.

[Xander Churr]

Xander

Xander sat in an edge booth of the cantina, working slowly on his drink: Talmog. He hadn't tried this particular concoction, but it came on recommendation from the bar tender, a surprisingly-friendly Devaronian, named Vik. Recorded music played and a Twi'lek dancer was on the stage. The slicer watched her occasionally as the wait dragged on for longer than expected. The cantina was occupied by several individuals but was not particularly crowded this day.

Staring into the glass he slowly gave it a swirl, the condensation rolling down the side across his hand. Looking over to the Twi’lek he couldn’t help but notice her talent and the sway of her hips as she danced.

Xander noticed a tall human enter the cantina and stroll up to the bar. His seat was just across from the bar, giving him good views of both entrances as well as the stage and the bar itself. After a few moments, the man finished his drink. He then walked nonchalantly over to where Xander was sitting and slid into the booth across from him.
"I hear you're looking for some info," he said gruffly but low enough to not be overheard noticeably. He leaned in and spoke a bit quieter still, "A person could get in serious trouble asking too many of the wrong questions." He leaned back and tapped his fingers idly on the table, glancing over at the bartender.

“If it gets this marker off my head, “ he said lowly, his amber eyes looking up at the Human. “It is a good thing we know how to keep our lips tight and credits a plenty,” the human said back, looking to the Twi’lek finish her dance.

Xander takes a swig of his drink and gets up from the table. He drops a small cylinder with the names of a few low-ranking Imperials that might have ties to the rebels. It wasn’t a very important or especially well-paying job, but credits were credits after all. Xander turns and looks at the man, "I will buy you a drink. Here are the credits for the job. Now if you excuse me, I have work that I have to get to. Have a nice day."

Xander takes the list of names, scans it and places it within his pocket.

The man takes the credit cylinder and looks it over with one eye, while looking at Vlad with a raised eyebrow over the other. The man watches Xander leave the cantina. Outside Xander sees that the earlier sandstorm has quieted down a little. As he heads back to meet Seedoneo, the trader and de facto boss, the communicator goes off. It is, coincidentally, Seedoneo himself.

Xander gives the bartender a nod and walks out the door drawing his coat about him. He can still see the sand swirl in the air, “I miss home,” he thought to himself as he squinted slightly, looking about. His communicator beeps and Xander retrieves it. “ Great, just what I need.” As the holograph of his boss projects itself.

"Xander, my boy," the image of Seedoneo states, " you are needed here. Meet me at my office. I have a particularly special job for you." The Rodian does not wait for a response and his image winks back out again.

Xander tries to protest but the image winks out before he can. With a deep breath he heads towards Seedoneo’s place.

Xander jogs through the streets of Mos Shuuta, avoiding people and creatures as he makes his way to the office of Seedoneo, the sand trader. He is ushered into the main office by the Twilek secretary and sees Seedoneo in his repulsor chair, flanked by his two bodyguards, a Weequay and a Devaronian. A protocol droid stands in a nearby corner. Seedoneo is eating some vile looking slimy meal. The rotund trader was often eating.
"Good of you to come so quickly," the Rodian says in his native language. "I have an important mission for you with the potential for bonus," he says rubbing his fingers together. "You are to report to Bargos the Hutt.” Xander had not heard of a Bargos before, but there were numerous Hutts all around Tatooine with various business dealings.

“Bargos runs his business dealings out of Mos Espa,” the fat Rodian says knowingly. This is the same city where Xander’s ‘financier’ also did business. “You are to meet the Verpine, who will take you to a hidden meeting area for a remote audience with the esteemed Bargos himself.” Xander knew that the Verpine had to refer to Vl'Grax.

“ As if I had a choice,” he mutters under his breath as he watches the Twilek leave. “They always have a way about them,” he thought to himself. “If I complete this are we done?” Putting his hands in his pockets, he continues, “A Hutt?” the slicer says. Having his reservations about dealing with a Hutt. “I’ll see to it, but this is the last time."

Soon the gas-powered balloon touches down near an outcropping. Suddenly a low light bursts to life, illuminating the nearby area. Exiting the basket, Xander sees a large door built into the rocks. Vl’Grax punches a code into the nearby pad and the double doors slide apart. Silently the Verpine motions for you to enter. There isn’t far to go as it’s simply an elevator car. The doors slam shut and the elevator descends!

Xander runs his hands through his hair as he steps off the basket and takes a deep breath. The security is impressive, he silently wonders how impressive as he absently taps his fingers. As he waits the elevator to come to a stop.

The light inside the elevator car blinks rapidly and intermittently causing a dizzying effect and it’s difficult to tell how far or how long they travel but quickly the doors on the opposite side open into a small room. It looks like a meeting room with a round table and several chairs around one half of the table. Suddenly a holoscreen flares to life in the middle of the table. An odd looking too-skinny and too-slimy Hutt appears on the screen. The Hutt laughs a deep laugh and spreads his arms wide, a stream of Huttese booming out of his mouth.

Xander looks about and crosses his arms. He strains to understand the Hutt but awaits the conversation with respect.

[GM Fang]

Staring into the glass he slowly gave it a swirl, the condensation rolling down the side across his hand. Looking over to the Twi’lek he couldn’t help but notice her talent and the sway of her hips as she danced.

Avona Salek was the dancer’s name. She was indeed beautiful, but in the few moments he was able to speak to her, Xander could see that Avona was extremely naïve. Vik, the bartender, was particularly protective of the young Twi’lek.

Xander gives the bartender a nod and walks out the door drawing his coat about him. He can still see the sand swirl in the air, “I miss home,” he thought to himself as he squinted slightly, looking about. His communicator beeps and Xander retrieves it. “Great, just what I need.” As the holograph of his boss projects itself.

The Devaronian bartender was an interesting individual. He seemed to take great care to remember preferences and openly listen to whatever sob stories or grandiose schemes his patrons were spouting off about. This was likely an important skill for the proprietor of such a dangerous center of criminal activity. In the short time he was in Mos Shuuta, Xander had witnessed or heard about illicit trade such as smuggling and spice trading happening right under Teemo’s nose. It was not uncommon for patrons to be maimed or killed within the walls, without so much as a flinch from Vik himself.

It was here that Xander was able to eke out a very modest living, doing odd slicing jobs and trading information. He was perceptive and while he had not honed an instinctive understanding and gut instinct that comes with association of those who have lived this hard life, he was cunning enough to pick up steady, if dangerous, work. Based on his current situation, that knowledge would be coming, by necessity. A life on the Outer Rim almost mandated it.

“As if I had a choice,” he mutters under his breath as he watches the Twilek leave. “They always have a way about them,” he thought to himself. “If I complete this, are we done?” Putting his hands in his pockets, he continues, “A Hutt?” the slicer says. Having his reservations about dealing with a Hutt. “I’ll see to it, but this is the last time."

Seedoneo was busy munching on some slimy reptilian snack and so missed the first of Xander’s complaints. Hearing the second comment, the rotund Rodian stopped mid-chew and chuckled. “Last time?” the trader and criminal boss laughed a mirthless laugh as he swallowed the mouthful. He wiped his mouth on his sleeve and leaned closer. “Humor me, then. Which is it? Are you ready to confront the Black Sun yourself? Or do you have my full payment for saving you from their treacherous clutches? I have heard of a bounty hunter looking for an ‘info jacker’ recently. My people suggested he look in Mos Eisley, as that "bounty target" had been seen leaving here on a shuttle a few days ago.” The Rodian winked knowingly at Xander. "It would be a shame if the bounty hunter were informed that he was closer to his target than he realized," Seedoneo said menacingly.

“And I happen to know that you’re in debt to more than just me.” The Rodian couldn’t really grin given his race’s facial construction. But he still had an extremely smug look about his face. “I’ll give you this: you’re funny. That’s just one reason I keep you around, my boy.”

“And yes, a Hutt,” Seedoneo said, licking his suction-tipped fingers. “I’m doing you a favor. This is a chance to earn some serious creds with this job.” Seedoneo’s large dark bulbous eyes flickered for a moment, suggesting he wasn’t telling the whole truth. But then when was the last time a Rodian told the whole truth?