CLOUDS, CRIME, CASINOS

It is a period of unrest and opportunity in the galaxy. The Galactic Empire struggles to maintain control in the midst of civil war. Meanwhile, scoundrels and smugglers, explorers and expatriates, and fringers of all types scramble for a living on the edges of galactic civilization. It is a hard life, but these renegades have more freedom and opportunity than any citizen of the Core Worlds.

Above the clouds of BESPIN, a few such renegades have found themselves at CLOUD CITY on level 123, an area of the city of infamous reputation called Port Town. Inside a local cantina and casino a known site of illegal trafficking and underground gambling rings our renegades look for employment…







As you enter the Hole-in-the-Wall's common room you hear the loud music from the club's dance floor, you smell smoke and different flavored vapors which indicates a cantina is nearby. Two Devaronian bouncers stand before you as they stare at you, their devilish features intimidating and the on the right grins at you after visually scanning you. You enter the main room you see a dance floor filled with bouncing beings of all shapes and sizes with a Devaronian MC wearing a dark hood and raises a first in the air as he is inspired by the raging dance floor. On a stage against the far wall beautiful women of different species dances to the music while wearing almost nothing. Private booths line the walls where patrons gamble and discuss business in secret. Opposite the dance floor is a cantina with a full bar and cantina floor scattered with tables and chairs with patrons enjoying their drinks. Gambling machines lined the walls enabling patrons to play games such as warp-top, Spatz and Jubilee Wheel. At the bar a six-armed bartending droid designed to mix, serve, and sell the perfect drink in the joint; is busily working to fill all the orders. You notice a table menu:

Bar’s Special:
Bespin Ale: 5 short/10 tall, famous beverage brewed in Cloud City’s very own Port Town
Devil’s Drink: 12, popular choice, this special concoction was made by Sae Tin, the owner of Hole-in-the-Wall. This drink is bragged to be the best drink served in the house, and boasted to be the strongest. This drink is not for the weak hearted.
Devil Shot: 5, shot of Devil’s Whiskey
Bespin port: 25/bottle, was one of the finest port wines produced in the galaxy, and had a sweet taste to it.
Bespin Sparkle: 20/bottle, was a sparkling wine produced on Cloud City.
Water: 2, standard glass of purified water
Devaronian's food cake: 3 a slice/ 15 whole
*All other ales/whiskies/brandies/rum and food served at import value and market price.

You note exits at the bar (closed), dance floor (closed and guarded by two armed Devaronians), and stage (open). You notice a security strength of at least 6 armed bouncers as far as you can see. A random patron is going around selling drugs and offers you death sticks in exchange for credits. What do you do?

Dronas eyed up the death sticks quizzically before brushing the man aside and pushing his way to the bar. He had seen the effects of being addicted to death sticks when he was a child living on Nar Shaddaa and he certainly didn't want to go down the same road. He'd much rather see his liver dissolve in a puddle of alcohol. Waving his hand the barkeep came over and Dronas almost had to shout to be heard over the noise of the cantina.

"Gimme' a bottle of the Devil's Whiskey and a couple of glasses. There's one hundred credits."

He placed and credit chip on the bar and waited for the barkeep to scan it in. After a few seconds the barkeep nodded and Dronas carried the bottle and 3 shot glasses to a table in the back corner. He sat and poured himself out a shot and downed it quickly before pouring another one and letting this one sit for a second. Eventually he saw the patron who was selling the death sticks and he gestured for him to come over again. The shady looking man finalised one more sale before coming over.

"Listen fella, I heard on the vine that a certain...individual...is on the look out for some muscle for sale. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that would you?"

The bartending droid served a bottle of Devil's Whiskey with three shot glasses to Dronas and swiped the credits off the counter before it blinked its photo-receptors. "Enjoy, sir," the server droid said. The music continued to rage as a new song was introduced to the scene.

Lyle was a fidgety short human who had stuck around the club scene all his life, mainly due to the fact it was where he made most profit from buyers. Dealing drugs was a good life, but it had its risks; and Lyle never let his guard down. The young man who waved him over was no more than two rotations older than himself. And to Lyle's surprise he wasn't asking for death sticks, but for work. He made eye contact with the man and gestured for compensation.

"Don't waist my time," the dealer said as he pointed at the scandalously clad Devaronian female at the bar. "You see her, that's Drea Tin. She is the manager of this club. She knows everyone in this place, and can point you in the right direction."

He continued to hold his hand out for a reward.

Dronas nodded his thanks to the man and placed ten credits in his hand. Next he downed another shot of the whiskey before pouring himself out another.

"Listen, if you could take her a message there will be another 40 in it for you."

Dronus pulled out the credits and placed them invitingly on the table.

"Simply tell her, there is a man here looking for a 'Mr Molech' and that I would very much like to speak to her about it."

Lyle gladly delivered the message and took his forty creds, it was easy money for him. Maybe he should leave the drug business and get out he considered, but he loved the club scene too much. Lyle left the table to pursue other potential clients.

Drea Tin seductively glanced over at the young man sitting at the table. She got his message, and she finished her glass of Bespin port before striding over in her revealing black dress that complimented her tan orange skin.

"Hello there, Mister. I hear you are looking for Molech, you must be brave or stupid. Buy me a drink and I'll take you to what you seek," she said as she licked her lips in a suggestive way.

Dronas looked the young women up and down as she approached. The dress really did compliment her. How long had it been since he had seen a women dressed like this? Gesturing to a seat next to him he spoke.

"Why don't you take a seat and I will pour you one."

He shook one of the glasses and spoke again.

"I would prefer to talk a bit first. We can get to what I seek later. Then we can see Molech."

Dronas winked this time. The line was pretty poor and he wasn't expecting anything. Simply a bit of flirting, he always had found it fun.

"Tell me about Molech. Why the warning?"

"Devil’s Whiskey, I love a man with good taste," she said with a devilish smile as she partook in of the glass he poured her and finishing it without flinching. She paused and looked him in the eyes.

"You must be new to the system. Molech is a big part of Cloud City's Underworld and owns a drug-smuggling group here on Bespin. He owns a special death stick factory of a much more potent drug. Molech is feared many to include other crimelords. He is known for his ruthlessness and not a man to be trifled with. The new Baron Administrator is the first to oppose Molech's rule in the Underworld and he has teams of investigators searching Port Town for him, but what morals Calrissian has his officers lack. There is still corruption among Bespin's cops. They'll never find Molech. Few have seen him, and fewer lived to tell much about him. But one thing I know he is interested in is more muscle, if you got what it takes then I don't think Molech will have a problem giving you a job."

"Then you will love the fact that I'm finding you very tasty." He smiled more slyly this time and refilled her drink.

"I am fairly new to this system and it seems Molech has kept himself hidden from me and the masses. He sounds exactly like the kind of guy I would like to meet. If you could give me a way of getting in contact I would be very grateful. Of course if you could I wouldn't want to go to see him slightly drunk so I would have to stay here and finish off this fine bottle of whiskey. And of course I wouldn't want to do that alone and so you of course would be obliged to stay with me and enjoy this opportunity." Another smile played across his lips. Tonight he could get a job and find his way into a beautiful women's bed. It was coming up well for Dronas tonight.

"No thanks," Braedug grinned to the dealer.

"While I'm sure it's a great product, I need to be particularly clear headed tonight," and with that lie, he sent the dealer packing. Braedug returned his attention to sweeping the bar, on the look out for the Devorian. He made his way to the bar, and waved to the droid bartender.

"Can I get a water? I..." Braedug fumbled with several credit chips in his pocket, before pulling one out, "think this one has money on it,"

The droid scanned the chip, but a harsh buzz indicated that there was no money on the chip. Braedug produced two more chips, and placed both of them on the bar. The second was accepted, and the droid poured a glass of water. Braedug nodded in thanks, and took a few sips. Then he saw the Devorian. She was with what was clearly some kind of bounty hunter or mercenary. Braedug decided to wait until either the man, or the Devorian, left the table to make his move.

Drea did prefer a man with muscle, especially young men. She drank from the glass he just refilled.

"Of course, it can wait..." she said putting the glass down as she slid over to the mercenary without hesitating to graze over his chest and arms with her hands before she met his lips with hers and then some.

She whispered into his ears, "my apartment is upstairs, and you're invited to join me to continue drinking and discussing business in private..." She let his face go as she backed away. "Follow me."

Adoniram sat silently at the bar, waving away anybody who came near to ask for a dance or to sell him something. He had, for the time being, relinquished his armor in favor of a plain black vest and pants as to draw less attention in the bar scene. As he slammed down a double shot of devils drink, he closed his eyes as he felt it burn his throat and spread throughout his chest. Once he downed the drink he couldn't help but overhear some man having a conversation with Drae Tin. Something about some drug lord, Molech or Malek it was hard to tell over the beats of the music. There was a chance he could pick up a bounty out of that but he decided to take a break, the last hunt he'd gone through had been especially taxing on him. However he knew it couldn't hurt to pull up his I.D. Scanner and pick up some potential targets to round up over the next few days. He slid the small, black, camera type device out of his vest and peered through it, aiming at several different people. Not many targets, the odd ball he did find didn't have a worthy enough price on his head to waste his time on. Then he pointed casually at the man speaking with Drae Tin.

The Devorian was leaving, and even if she had this stranger in tow, Braedug couldn't miss his chance. Braedug bustled through the crowd with a flurry of "sorry"s, "pardon me"s, and one "get out of my way you hopped up cretin!" to a certain dealer. He sprang from one final throng of people before tripping, and stumbling headfirst into the back of the stranger.

"Excuse me, uh, sorry by the way, but I need to talk to her. It's important."

Dronas chuckled and finished his drink as she walked away. He certainly didn't expect this when he walked in. Standing he weaved between patrons and followed Drea. He couldn't help but caught up in the passion, however he still checked his pocket and felt the reassuring bump of his blaster pistol. You never could be too sure about people. He was pretty sure Drea was fine, it was the other patrons he worried about. Ah well, he thought no time like the present. He pushed past one more patron and stepped up beside Drea lacing one arm behind her back.

Just then a man bumped into his back almost toppling him. In a split second he had spun round and jammed the pistol into the man's gut. However he didn't pull the trigger. There was no need for violence. Yet.

'Listen sonny boy this young women is coming with me. I've been out in public way to long anyway. Hows' about you come with myself and Miss Drea here to her room. You can finish your business and then piss off. Sound good?"

The I.D. Scanner Adoniram used picked up on Braedug Kramm wanted by Bargos the Hutt alive for 10,000, and several other smaller bounties by various politicians and businessmen. The man with Dea Tin picked up as Dronas Khal wanted by Teemo the Hutt for 15000 alive and was matched by the Empire.

Adoniram smirked when he saw that both of the individuals speaking had bounties. He stood up shortly after he'd captured a picture of the second person and thought to himself that they must be quite popular. He tucked the device into his vest and laid down a ten credit tip on the counter before moving away and passing effortlessly and with grace through the dancing crowd. He passed through the two bouncers, one of them gave him a nod, the other remained silent. He moved through the bustling hallways of cloud city for about fifteen minutes before finding a taxi terminal and taking a half hour ride back to his apartment. He stepped out of the cab and casually tossed in a hundred credit chip. (This city's gonna bleed me dry) the thought crossed his mind as he entered his room with a security card.

The room was a mess, a living room, kitchen and bedroom all combined into one with the mess from one "room" seamlessly carrying over into the next. He sat down in a wheely chair and twirled slowly, considering his next move. He soon found himself wandering his apartment, opening a fridge with nothing in it, laying down and getting back up, turning on a holo-television and turning it back off.
"Hell... Nothing better to do I guess it's time to suck it up and go make some money." He said out loud to himself as he approached a closet off to the left of his bed. Upon opening it he'd find his dented up, scratched armor, a black mesh tightsuit, his helmet, bracers and gun. He donned the Mesh suit first, then slid his shinguards and bracers onto his arms, they auto-tightened to his preferred size. He locked on his thigh-guards and clipped them together to his preferred size, slid on his chestguard and buckled it on each side. He then pulled out his black holster and fastened it onto his belt tightly before sliding in his pistol. Finally he pulled out his helmet and held it under his arm as he checked the database of his I.D. Scanner.

Dronas Khal was the first name to pop up, the man from the bar. He had been shocked to see the actually bounty. Fifteen thousand credits, matched by the empire... That was thirty thousand alone. More than enough to get himself out of debt and get a ship to get off of this infernal planet. A nice ship.

The second name was one that Adoniram wasn't even going to try to pronounce. Some Twi-Lek with a ten thousand credit bounty. (Every hunter for the next eight systems must be looking for these guys...) Adoniram thought. There was no way they got those kinds of bounties just for nothing, he'd have to be extra careful on this run but he had no time to waste, he ran for the door and hailed a cab. He payed two hundred credits in advance to get the taxi to speed up, within a half hour he'd be back at the Hole in the Wall.

Braedug froze when he felt the unfortunately familiar sensation of a gun jammed into his skin. He looked up at the irate human that was threatening him, and faked a smile so real he almost convinced himself.

"Whoa there friend, I'm not looking to cause any trouble. I need information, and I was told that she is the best person in Port Town to talk to,"

Braedug took a step back away from the easily irritated man, and held his arms out in a placating gesture, before continuing.

"I'll just learn what I need to know, and be gone. Then you two can go back to," Braedug chuckles, "Well, we all know what you're going to get back to."

Dronas finally got a good look at the man. Friendly face and features. He couldn't see a weapon and the man looked genuine, however he had been tricked before. Keeping the gun hidden in his pocket he stepped to one side and put on a smile of his own.

"You shouldn't sneak up on a wanted man" Dronas winked.

"Go on, have your chat so I can get back to my evening"

Braedug smiled, genuinely this time, and nodded his thanks to the human.

"I'm Braedug, by the way"

He edged past the armed man to speak with the Devorian.

"Sorry to interrupt your night with that very lucky man, but according to the locals, you're the person to ask when one has questions. I need help finding this man,"

Braedug produced a picture from what must surely be bottomless pockets. The picture had a human male with short black hair, with a single distinguishing mark of a rather embarrassingly shaped birthmark on his chin.

Drae leaned over to hear the male Twi'lek over the loud music. He handed her a picture of a business contact.

"Trent Vassores, he is an associate of Molech, usually runs the deathstick trafficking here in Port Town, he is doing business with the owner of the club right now. His office is in the other room," she pointed to the closed door with two armed Devaronian guards.

"I just so happened to be headed in that direction, its on the way to my apartment. You can follow me to the lobby, to wait for Vassores when he is done with business with my boss."

Drea led the two renegades past the guards who opened the door and closed it once the party passed by. She led them down the hallway to a luxurious lobby where she indicated to have a seat on the couch. "Please, sit and wait for Vassores. If anyone questions you tell them I sent you."

She tugged on Dronas and guided him upstairs to her apartment...

Dronas smiled ad winked back as he was led away from the man who had just introduced himself as Braedug. The guy had seemed nice enough and his business with Molech meant there may be a mutual interest in working together at a later date. However right now he had other matters to attend too. Preferably the one that was wearing the black dress.

"Now, show me where we are going to."