"I have a passing knowledge, yes. What tune are you talking to?"

"Forty thousand." Maya responds. "Equal cut would be a bit over six-k. Before we make any sort of deals, we should know who we're talking to. Tion gar gai?"

Meanwhile....

Cade and the others head back to the ship.

Kara opens a link to Maya, Maya, our contact is dead, and the credits are MIA... Seems he might have been killed by a lover or business associate. We're headed back to Solus to see about data searches.

On 9/13/2020 at 9:33 AM, P-47 Thunderbolt said:

"Twenty thousand." Maya responds. "Equal cut would be about three-k. Before we make any sort of deals, we should know who we're talking to. Tion gar gai?"

Tion gar gai? = What's your name?

"The name's Tor. Arno Tor."

"Tor..." Darien says, "You're the clan that began operating as Manda'yaim's self-appointed 'guardian angels' after the Great Clan Wars. You were strong allies during that conflict. I'm Darien Vanth, my buir was Loreck Vanth. His name ring any bells?"

Maya smooths the edge of her tunic, wrinkling her nose at the smells now sticking to it. Hide behind the overflowing dumpster, it's a good idea! "I'm Maysh'la Shryke."

She glances down at the bodies, wondering if maybe she should have checked to see if they were still alive. Well, they aren't now anyway. She shakes away the nagging feeling of guilt, knowing they wouldn't have shown the courtesy, and turns back to... Arno, ready to continue the conversation before Darien starts talking about family. "Arno, is there anything in particular that you're going to do with these bodies? I hope there's something convenient with out too many entanglements. We're headed to pick up some equipment and then get on to the job. We'd like your expertise, and we're willing to pay. Are you interested?"

"Sure, any cash would be welcome." He gestures at his blasters. These things may pack a punch, but boy, is ammo expensive!"

Maya shares the team's comm frequency, the one for dealing with contacts, and they take their leave. A police cruiser passes the street, abandoned but for the Mandalorian, slowing down as it reaches the intersection and then speeding through as if not wanting to get into the middle of anything.

The transaction to pick up her new equipment goes smoother than last time, and she finds the Besalisk easily. She promptly shuts off the rather talkative AI, deciding it needs some careful reprogramming. The pair make their way quickly back to the ship, being more careful this time to ensure they aren't being followed.

Arno Tor comms the bounty office that he's completed the job and needs transport for three stiffs. Before long, a police investigator arrives alongside a man from the bounty office and a transport to take the bodies to the morgue.

Shortly after Maysh'la and Darien arrive back at the ship, Kara's voice comes over the comm, "[Maya, our contact is dead, and the credits are MIA... Seems he might have been killed by a lover or business associate. We're headed back to Solus to see about data searches.]"

Maya sighs, "[Of course he is. Thanks for the update. We made a contact here, a Mandalorian. He may be able to help us.]"

As the others walk back to the ship, they hear thunder nearby and notice that the clouds are growing much darker. They continue on at a more brisk pace until the pass an alley when from behind them, a deep voice says, "I've been looking for you." They turn to see a sturdily-built Devaronian wearing a long, tan coat lounging in the shadows, "So… you're the mercs that 'ave the two major syndicates in a tizzy, with the other one jus' disappointed you didn't bother to at least hire one of their girls. Whad're you doin' back here?" There's another crack of thunder and the man glances up at the sky.

Cade stops in his tracks, slowly looking at the Devaronian. "Girls"? he asked, What syndicate is that?

Kara slowly moves to one side, giving Ge'tal hand signals to cover the other side, and to flank when given a signal.

Ge’tal shifts to the other side, her left hand grasping the hilt of her Beskad at the small of her back.

"Griggs's outfit." he replies, nonchalantly eying their movements as they fence him in, still leaning against the wall. "Vekis Griggs. Runs half Worlport's red-light district."

"I came to you because you've already made yerself a boilin' pot of water, jumped in for a swim, got out, then swan dove straigh' back in. I need someone who don't mind makin' enemies on this Force-fersaken sdink’ole uva crime-ridden wo'ld." He looks up at the sky as the first couple drops of rain begin to fall, "You wanna go some place warmer? Gettin' too old fer this number."

Cade shugs nonchalantly, gesturing for him to lead the way. What kind of business? he asked, then switched to the private channel. [Anyone ever hear of Vekis Griggs?]

"Firs' tings first." he grumbles. He reaches inside his coat and pulls out a leather wallet, flipping it open to reveal a Worlport Law Enforcement badge. "Name's Kurak Rijas. D'tective. I need you to bring me somebody. You busy, or got time?" he grunts. "Never answered what you were doing here..."

Cade and Kara move their hands away from their weapons a fraction. Does he know how close he was to being killed, reaching for things like that?

Trying to tie up a loose end from our last contract. Kara told him.

"Ah, yes." He smirks knowingly, "Let's find that tapcaf then."

As they walk briskly through the rain, he fills them in on some key details: Prostitution is legal on Ord Mantell, and it provides a convenient front for sex trafficking and slavery and Kurak has been investigating them for years. "I can walk down the street and point ta each one. Tell you where dey get the girls, about how many of 'em are trafficked, what drugs and types of spice they use ta keep the ones that join of their 'own free will' dependent and compliant. I can tell you who uses what smuggling rings, and I can't do a blasted thing about it." The law enforcement in Worlport is hopelessly corrupt, almost all of the brass are in the pocket of one or more criminal organizations, and most of the rank-and-file are as well. "I'm what's called a 'dirty cop' around here. I've been corrupted by morals and don't follow orders." Because of these factors, the red light district is able to operate openly and untouchably.

After only a few minutes of shortcuts through Worlport's chaotic and disorderly streets, they arrive in front of a dimly-lit tapcaf, "Tarth's Place." It's small, and nearly deserted. The surly Nautolan behind the bar looks up and nods to Kurak as he shakes off the water before making for a booth near the back, out of view from the front. "We'll be fine here. Only 'dirty cops' use this joint." The cushions are lumpy and stained, including a large patch that Falmok notices looks disturbingly like blood.

Cade hesitated for a brief moment before sliding into the booth facing Kurak. So why come to us, we aren't planning on sticking around any longer than we have to...

Kara and Falmok look around the tapcalf idly.

"That's why I came to you. You've already got the two biggest syndicates on Ord Mantell gunning for your necks, one more won't bother you." He swallows hard, "I've been on the mob's heels for a while, making a nuisance of myself, and I have a group that helps the girls get away. Dey're technically free to leave, but almost none of 'em do. So Griggs took my daughter. Politely called and suggested I buy three tickets offworld by Taungsday. I need you to get her back. What'll it cost?"

Kara and Falmok don't notice anything in particular as they look around the room. The Nautolan is ignoring them and there are only a couple other patrons in the place, huddled together over a table looking at something on a datapad. Falmok can't tell whether they are paying any attention to the newcomers, but they are within earshot.

Falmok grunts, [Possible eaves droppers, ner'vod]

Cade double clicked the comm in response, leaned a bit closer to Kurak. You have our sympathies Detective, he said in a low soft voice that almost a whisper, But how would you a fford to pay enough to cover the trouble of three syndicates coming for us at the same time? Cade sighed. Who are these suppliers? Do you even have intel to show us?

"Intel?" He smirks, "I've got informants. Dey run the gamut from upstanding citizens to punks who'd sell their own mothers for 'alf a bottle've wine." He hesitates a moment, then reaches inside the other side of his coat and pulls out a datapad, powering it on and turning it towards the Mandalorians. "Whad'll this bring me? I'd 'eard they crossed Mandos a while back, thought you might be interested." The datapad flickers out and he taps the power button a couple more times, bringing it back to life. For Cade and Kara, there's no mistaking the symbol of Thorned Circle.

Cade stares at the symbol, Kara leans over his shoulder and freezes as well. Falmok does a double take and hangs his head.

We heard they were wiped out.. Cade growled.

"I'd 'eard that too. Twice. You did quite a number on their Belgaroth base." He powers off the datapad and slips it back inside his coat. "That worth the job?"

Cade slowly raises his eyes from the table to the Detective's eyes. If you heard rumors about Belgaroth, you do know what kind of response you're provoking, right?

He stands up and leans his fists on the table, looming over the Mandalorians and raising his voice, "I want my daughter back. I don't care who gets hurt in the process, especially not if they're the ones hurting girls. I don't like people who hurt girls."

One of the other patrons, a greasy-looking human, looks over his shoulder at the Devaronian, "Easy, Kurak. Easy."

We feel the same... Udesii, Calm down.... Give us everything you have on that **** symbol.. locations, numbers, vessels, the works. Cade turned to Ge'tal, Vi slanar at akaan, ve'ganir tsikala par tal.

Kara looked to the Detective, Plus anything you know about who might help the hutuune when this kicks off... Syndicates, police.. anyone