The Mirialan smuggler crashed the old Wander class Jump Freighter, named the “Starfish”, in the Dune Sea returning from a smuggling run to the pirate planet of Lok, in the nearby Karthakk system. Flying over the sulphur pools of Lok must have damaged the ship’s drive engine controls, for when she and her smuggling companion, Lon Correck, entered the Tatooine atmosphere, the “Starfish” quickly lost planetary drive power and control was dangerously intermittent. She was barely able to avoid crashing headlong into the rocky spires of the Jutland Wastes.
Beneath the unforgiving suns of Tatooine, the "Starfish," careened through the desolate expanse. Its once sleek hull was now battered and scarred, the result of a several perilous journeys through the treacherous void.
As it descended towards the planet's barren surface, another sudden malfunction plunged the ship into darkness. Alarms blared, and the crew scrambled to restore power. But their efforts were futile; the vessel had lost all its planetary drive engines. There was no way to power up the hyperdrive while still in the gravity well of the sandy planet.
With a deafening thud, the “Starfish” clipped a rocky spire in the unforgiving Jutland Wastes, its impact sending tremors through the desolate landscape. Ymira and Lon were thrown violently about the cockpit, their bodies screaming in protest.
Dazed and disoriented, they stumbled out of the wreckage and into the unforgiving heat of Tatooine's twin suns. Before them stretched an endless sea of sand and rock, no sign of civilization in sight. As they made their way through the treacherous terrain, the crew's spirits sank. Their supplies were dwindling, and the relentless sun pounded down on them like a hammer. Desperation gnawed at their souls as they realized the true extent of their predicament.
Amidst their despair, a flicker of hope remained. They knew that the nearest outpost and their original destination, Mos Espa, lay somewhere over the horizon. If they could just reach it, they might have a chance of survival.
As they pressed on, the unforgiving landscape took its toll. Thirst clawed at their throats, and fatigue gnawed at their bodies. Yet, they refused to succumb to despair. They stumbled and fell, only to rise again, their determination fueled by the knowledge that survival depended on it.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they were come upon by a land speeder just as night was beginning to fall. Their rescuer was a young Rodian female. She didn’t speak much Basic but Ymira and Lon were able to barter for water, food and a couple stim packs. They learned that the Rodian’s name was Roona and that she was a scout, but not much else. A number of credits purchased them a ride to Mos Espa, where their benefactor and financier resided, Bargos the Hutt. He would not be pleased.
In the opulent palace of Bargos the Hutt, Ymira stood before the malevolent crime lord, her heart pounding in her chest. Bargos's beady eyes narrowed as he glared at the Mirialan, his jowls quivering with fury. "Your ship crashed, costing me a fortune in lost cargo," he growled. "And now you stand here, expecting me to forgive you?"
Ymira's mind raced, trying to find a way out of this predicament. "Most gracious Bargos," she began, her voice soothing, "I understand your anger. But I assure you, the crash was an accident beyond my control."
She recounted the treacherous conditions they had encountered, how the ship's planetary engine system had malfunctioned, and how they had desperately tried to keep it from crashing. Bargos listened impassively, his expression unyielding. She decided it was better to avoid mentioning the fact that the Hutt had not paid to keep the ship up to acceptable repair standards.
"Accidents happen," Ymira continued, her voice gaining confidence. "And when they do, we must learn from our mistakes. I am determined to repay my debt." Fear gnawed at her, but she summoned her wits, determined to outsmart the Hutt.
"Bargos, mighty Hutt," Ymira began, her voice trembling with a feigned humility, "I beg your mercy. This accident was not my fault. It was a cruel twist of fate, an equipment error beyond my control."
Bargos's eyes narrowed once more, his heavy frame pulsating with rage. "Crashing my ship is not an 'error', it is a crime! You are fortunate that I am not ending your life here and now."
Ymira swallowed hard, her mind racing. "I understand your anger, mighty Bargos. But I can earn you the money back!"
Curiosity flickered in the Hutt's gaze. "And more?"
"If you grant me a reprieve, I will do all in my power to bring considerable credits back to you as compensation for the lost ship."
Bargos hesitated, his greed warring with his anger. Finally, he leaned forward, his voice a low rumble. "Very well. I will hold you to your word. But know this, Ymira, if you fail to deliver, the consequences will be most dire. And most… painful."
With a newfound determination, Ymira bowed low. "I will not disappoint you, mighty Bargos. I swear on my life."
As she turned to leave, a cry of despair pierced the air. Lon, her smuggling companion, was being dragged away by Bargos's guards. Fear constricted her throat as she realized that Lon's fate was sealed. He had been on a previous crew that had also lost a precious cargo, and Bargos had no tolerance for such failures.
Ymira fled the Hutt's lair with a heavy heart. She had avoided the wrath of Bargos for now, but the debt she owed was still considerable. She knew that she had to succeed in her mission, not only for herself but also perhaps to honor the memory of her fallen companion.
Having escaped the wrath of Bargos, at least temporarily, Ymira decided it was better to be anywhere other than Mos Espa in case Bargos changed his mind. Running into the Scout Roona in a nearby cantina that evening, Ymira bargained a ride to Mos Shuuta, the Rodian’s base of operations. It was as far away as she could get from Bargos directly, while remaining on Tatooine. She thought about trying to leave the system, but a Hutt’s wrath was severe, unending, and usually fatal. It was better to try and work off the debt. At least that way she had a chance. Otherwise there would be a bounty on her head.
Mos Shuuta was quieter than Mos Espa. The local Imperials stationed here were lazy and uninterested in really keeping order. The true control was Teemo the Hutt and his employees. Out of the frying pan and into the fire, it seemed. But Ymira kept herself busy doing small jobs when she could, looking for a bigger break to start to pay her debt to Bargos.
Coincidentally, he would be the one to offer the next opportunity directly. Contacted through the holotransmitter, Bargos’ protocol droid C3-P9 had instructed her to meet with the Verpine that operated in the Trader’s Ledge. On Vl’Grax’s ballon transport, they waited for another arrival, a human male.
After nearly half an hour in the near total darkness, the gas-powered balloon touches down near an outcropping. Suddenly a low light bursts to life, illuminating the nearby area. Exiting the basket, straight ahead is 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 the pair 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 is 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. A familiar 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.
Ymira Intro Scene
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