2008-10-04 - More Tatooine Heat (II)

This gigantic hanger area comprises a series of loading stages and repair bays, scattered rather haphazardly inside the enormous dome. Many of them are sealed away by pillars and walls of plastoid, securing the privacy (and secrecy) of the goings-on there, and a bank of blast doors prevent easy passage into and out of them. Droids and engineers form an ever present stream of activity from one bay to the next; while crewmen and captains perhaps linger in the alcoves and offices attached to each.
One entire side of the hanger is open to the desert; the massive window providing room enough for several ships at once to queue for departure, though is it noticeable that rarely are there too many such ships in plain view. A command station looks down upon the hanger floor from a booth carved into the wall, and now and again the sound of a muffled speaker echoes instructions to the staging platforms. As such, it is not hard to imagine a quick take-off taking place in such a badly organised place; with or without permission from the command booth.
"Ho ho ho. Ho ho ho!" Huttese laughter issues from under the wing of a T-16. A droid shuffles forward and taps Kalira on the shoulder. "Excuse me, human female. My master bids you greetings and invites you to join him in the shade to audition for employment as an entertainer."
Kalira pauses at the droid's shuffling approach and it's invitation, "Does he now?" she says in return. She signals to her droid to continue on towards her office to drop off the medical supplies before eyeing the other droid and the direction of the Hutt laughter. "Well now, it would be rude of me to turn down such an august invitation," and she gives Graham a bit of an arch look and turns back to the droid, "lead on."
The droid leads Kalir back towards Yoruba and stops in front of the T-16. In the shade of the airspeeder's wing, the Hutt licks his lips greedily as he looks over Kalira. Speaking in Huttese, he says, "lets see if this <Huttese expletive> is as smart as she's pretty. You, take off your clothes and audition for me. Do a little dance. Shake your goodies. Whatever, I don't know. Just keep me entertained for a few moments and maybe I will deem you worthy of employment."
The droid translates into basic. "My master welcomes you to the audition. He humbly requests that you undress and dance for him so that he may ascertain what you assets you bring to employement."
Graham looks on to the planet leader a moment turning to his friend "See you soon." the white robed man steps over only a bit more almost as if he's going towards his own ship, but steals sideways glances.
Kalira smiles a rather amused smile and calmly clasps her hands before her and bows slightly before straightening and speaking, "As gracious as your request is, I will be declining such a.. undoubtedly thrilling opportunity. I am Doctor Valen, Speaker of Tatooine. And you are?"
"Ho ho ho. This one sure talks a lot. I don't care what you are called or what titles you have. I only care what your body looks like and what you can do with it. Take off your clothes and dance for me and I will give you ten thousand credits and employment for as long as you don't displease me in my harem."
The droid takes a moment as it circuits prepare its translation. "My master, Yoruba the Hutt, is honored to meet you, Doctor and Speaker. He is glad to hear you feel this is a thrilling opportunity. He now offers ten thousand credits and lifetime employment if you will undress and dance for his pleasure here and now."
Tucking the credit stick into a pocket beneath his armor and exchanging it with a cigarra and a small lighter, Vizuun watches with amusement as the Hutt asks Kalira to come shake her goodies. The Nikto barks a laugh as the woman declines and with a shake of his head, he moves away from the T-16's shade and back towards his own ship.
"I am pleased to make his acquaintance as well," Kalira replies calmly. "After having had the pleasure of meeting Vordo and Marbo, it is indeed quite the thrill to add yet another being of such august presence to my acquaintances. Tell me, does he plan to recruit from my landing strip, or is this just a brief stopping point in his recruitment drive?"
Gand rasps a puff of ammonia, looking on.
Yoruba slaps his tail on the ground and turns away, dismissing the female with a wave. "<Huttese expletive>! What is it with females these days. They are too dumb to know the opportunity of lifetime and they talk too much! Hey, you. I wasn't interested in you anyway. I've seen Rodian females better looking than you. I was just trying to be nice, but you want to play games. Fine. Whatever."
The droid translates for its master. "My master apologizes, but the heat is exhausting him. He begs forgiveness and bids you farewell."
"My 'forgiveness' is entirely dependent upon whether or not he will be remaining on Tatooine and conducting his business from the security of my cities," Kalira states in a voice that carries more than a hint of steel in her tone of voice. "Should he decide to remain and accost all females who pass through this spaceport, I will be most displeased and forced to take appropriate measures. Make sure that your boss understands that."
"What, you're still here? I thought I dismissed you just now. More talk, huh? What are you talking to that dumb droid for? You think I don't understand Basic. You're ugly. You talk too much. And now you're /insulting/ me!" The Hutt shakes his upright torso and waves away Kalira. "Don't tell me what to do. This <Huttese expletive>-hole planet is nothing to be proud of. Droid, don't even translate that. I'm done talking to that female."
The droid hesitates but finally the Hutt's command overrides whatever protocal routines the droid has. If it could, it would shrug before turning to follow its master behind the T-16.
Kalira wears a quietly amused expression as she watches the Hutt and it's droid head towards the T-16.
Gand rasps cheerfully, "So how are you, Kalira Human?"
Suddenly, the Hutt turns around, shoving its droid to the ground and slides back towards Kalira. "Hey, I invited you over, remember. So don't think I'm causing problems in this thing you call a spaceport. Female, you understand that. The only females I've talked to are the ones who came here to your planet because I invited them here to audition. You should be thanking me for bringing business here."
"Not bad at all, Gand of Gand," Kalira replies as she tucks her hands into her pockets and eyes the droid that the Hutt shoves to the ground. "There's business, and then there's business," she says in a voice that's loud enough to carry, gathering the gist of what the Hutt is saying. "Your type of business is not welcome here."
"Ho ho ho! Not welcome here? I've got fifty thousand credits that say it is. What do you think of that, female?" Yoruba's Huttese carries amusement.
Gand rasps cheerfully, "This Gand could use fifty thousand credits, if Tatooine doesn't want them."
"You and your money are not welcome here. Is that plain enough?" Kalira states, making her words as clearly spoken as possible. "Fifty thousand credits or no, I don't care how much money you offer. Your business is not welcome here. Take your money and go."
"Ho ho ho. Female, what are you doing on a rock like Tatooine? You should be with the rest of your kind in the Republic. Oh right, you're anti-social and don't get along with the rest of the dogs. Fine. I won't do business here anymore. But only because that is the way I want it to be." The Hutt chuckles as he turns and slides back towards its airspeeder. "Droid, get up off the ground. Lets go. I tire of this place." 
Kalira won't argue sophistry and she remains both calm and vaguely amused irregardless of the Hutt's words or his intent. As long as he leaves, she isn't going to argue the point.
Category:October 2008 RP Logs