Starting place for Manaen

The sublight engines of the Exciter hummed peacefully as the Exciter came out of Hyperspace. It was a fairly new ship, but had already been known under a few names and owners since the war. Correllia being one of the first worlds to fall to the First Order provided a rare opportunity for the ship building industry, as it forced consumers to look at other options as the famed YT line became off market and builders had to build their ships to compete and fight in a hostile galaxy. This ship could do that and more, but it's best strength was maneuverability. It was also something you detested, as rapid ship movements doesn't well suit someone of your size and build. Thankfully, you didn't have to come in hot, allowing you a view of the planet through the cockpit

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For all he could mana was filling the hatch frame leading into the cockpit, resting his shoulders back in to entirely obscure view of the hall behind him. He did indeed hate being on a ship that was rocking and rolling as he just kind of held on for dear life. In times of zero gravity he was a terror as he became more of a vaulting snake than a slug. It wouldn't be so bad if the ship had a usable gym, but nooooooo, he was relegated to lifting cargo for a good work out. At least there was plenty of protein slabs that everyone else seemed to dislike.

But this was just easy sailing.

"Isnt that the most delightful shade of purple. Does it at least have breathable air? Breathing masks are expensive." Manaen spoke in the common language, partly because it was a kindness to others, and partly because he liked the sound of his own voice in the common language. 'Bass for days' he was told.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:18, Mon 02 Jan 2023.

"Luckily, you're not the one that has to pay for them" responded Ghazin, the ship's pilot. Of all the members of the crew he was the most difficult to work with. Best you can figure, he think of you as being any different from any other Hutt.

"Ship sensors show the surface air is breathable. That's the good news. Bad news for you, boss said our job had to do with something in the mines. "The math doesn't add up", whatever that means."

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This message was last edited by the player at 02:29, Thu 05 Jan 2023.

"Tight fits and questionable footing. Wouldn't be worth going if it wasnt a pain. But likely coin in won't match effort out. All the same, ill try to find you something pretty to bring back." Mana turned, and turned, and turned to head back to get ready. Had to start early to be ready on time!

"There's going to be some work involved, that's for sure, but I'm sure it'll work out for everyone" You heard the voice of Ferra, the ship's Captain and owner.

"It'll at least give everyone time to get off the ship and stretch their legs for a while."

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"Heh, legs. I find them to be highly overrated." He hoisted his gear onto his back. "Any kind of heads up? If numbers are not adding up we can see about getting the numbers in our favor." He nodded once, "Going to go either way. Money is money and money always spends."

"Don't have much to go on with this one. There's a mystery to figure out. The lights are on but noone's home, it seems, and one of the investors wants to find out why."

Manaen clapped his giant hands. "Well knowing our luck it is going to be some kind of super monster droid uprising with guns that bake us like vegetables." He smiled just thinking about it. He felt bad trying to rip a person in half, but droids are the guilt free kill. One could get creative and not lose a drop of morality. "Yea... Not taking preworkout before a mission is a good idea." He would be nearly bouncing off the walls ready to get going if he had.

The captain laughs gently "You and your imagination. I imagine it won't be so clear cut. Whatever it is, we're going to have to do some digging. Just be on your manners. Make sure 'the kid' keeps out of trouble too"

The Exciter descended into the atmosphere. Like most mining worlds, the world was generally desolate. It had atmosphere, but lacked any native life. This made resource stripping ideal, as there were no real concerns to worry about. Settlements were sparse and only located in or near mountain ranges or other rocky areas. This ship specifically came down on a square landing pad constructed deep in one such mountain range: any ship that did not have a vertical take off capability would have struggled here.

Manaen started for the way out of the ship right after the conversation ended, that way he would be there by the time the ship had landed. More than half of Manaen's optimism came from carefully pruned frames of mind. A skill he picked up from beating the habits of the Hutts.

He was waiting at the door bopping side to side as he was listening to music.

Time to dig up your grave.
Make it lower voice.
I told you not to play with the misfit toys.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?...hannel=EternityMusic

If something was hostile, it was going to pay for Manaen waking up today.

Your music attracted attention; possibly the wrong kind of attention. The impulsive, careless, reckless kind of attention.

Koah.

He was an adult, technically, but his youthful face and juvenile behavior caused plenty of doubts, hence his nickname.

Fists clenched, feet hopping, and guns loaded, Koah approached you, ready to get out there and get going

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"Yaaaaaa Mana. Time to get out there and get paid!"

Manaen nodded, "Come hell or high water." He clapped his big hands once. "And remember what I said, invest half your coin and live off the other half. The rich spend, the wealthy invest." It was Mana's mantra from his first biggest lesson in money. Power, either in wealth or physical, is best tempered with knowledge and wisdom.

"And don't forget, if we have to pull weapons always clear a room, check corners, and never forget to look up." He flicked the door switch and started up the ramp as it was lowering.

"Settle down you two" You hear from your grumpy pilot coming behind you, accompanied by Ferra as the gate drops, along with the last member of your motley crew. Twish, the ship's mechanic and resident card shark.

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"This should be a nice, easy job, if you keep your hands to yourselves. A client has questions, so let's get some answers."

"There we go, now we can get rolling." He nodded once as he switched to exclusively speaking the native language of the Hutt. He spoke common around the crew but a Hutt would speak only their own language around others. It kept up appearances and meant that people who didn't know Mana would avoid trouble with the group. "If the mining has been shut down it may be wise to short their value on the market and then rebuy once we clear things out. Only a percent or two return on investment... Never was one much for shorting company value."

"Do we have a contact here or is it ghost town?"

The answer, was neither. The establishment seemed quite busy, although your boss was not provided a specific contact on this system.

As the hatch lowered and you all exited the ship, you were quickly approached.

"This is a curious surprise. We weren't expecting visitors outside of official business today. My name is Dareen, one of the supervisors of this part of the facility. Is there something that I can help you with?"

The sum total knowledge Mana had on the mission for his asking was that the client had a number of questions that needed answered. This meant at most to Mana that the client was wanting to keep everything clandestine or It was someone really dangerous and not knowing was a protection. Manaen leaned down, and down, and down until he was over and close to the little person.

He spoke in the native Hutt Language. It was only the best language anyway. "Do you have the authority, or should I be asking for a foreman?" He wasnt attempting to intimidate, just big and wanting to get paid. Giant ships cost giant credits.

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"Well, that depends on what you're looking for? If you're lost, I can easily get you turned back around. I can point you to a comissary if you need some supplies. I'm sure you're busy, and so are we, so let's get down to business. Sound good, friend?"

Manaen smiled wide, He was a bit lost but hey... when on Nar Shada do as the shadaaians do. "There was a request made." He looked back at Ferra, "Whom are we here to see?"

"Let me handle this" he whispers as he walks in front of you, patting you gently as he goes.

"We're representing a business partner who is otherwise detained, and was hoping to find more information about the work that's going on here."

There was a slight pause in the Chagrian beforer responding "Ah, of course. We are happy to report that our operations have improved dramatically. The mining operations within this planet are operating at 100% efficiency."

Mana couldn't help but think Chagrian just lied three times in his statement. "What is it that you mine here? Other than the most obvious. Anything noteworthy or something you are uniquely proud of?" The world was a struggle shuttle when it came to terrain. There could be all kinds of stuff here. "Side investments never hurt after all."

"We mine and process metals and minerals. We also process the metal into finished material, primarily sheets metal to be used in ship manufacturing. We've also encountered a few veins of precious ore and crystalline structures in our operations. I had heard word of a very promising prospect somewhere on the planet, but I had just thought it to be idle workplace rumor."

Manaen smiled the smile of a Hutt who heard the jingle of credits. "Ore and crystals mmmm? Sounds like a tasty bit of opportunity." He was interested but more so in helping get unknown questions answered. "Crystalline structures as in formed structures or random natural clusters? Rare enough ores and crystals can catch enough credits to make many vices well fed."

With a lack of response, the Chagrian supervisor continued on

"If you or your patron are interested in further investment, I am sure that a tour could be scheduled. Any investment into the organization grants access to the financial records and other pertinent information."

The supervisors smile was mercurial, though his stance and demeanor was quite humble and sincere.

"Why not both? We can look into that little rumor and see if there isnt some easy pay dirt and take advantage of furture investment also. Out with the rumor." Why go for one when you can have it all? Manaen moved forward, "Walk and talk, tours are nice but money is better."

The Cathar gave you a cross look, but still grabbed into a pocket. Removing a credit chit, he handed it to the overseer.

"Draw from our bosses account, he'll be good for it. We'll take that tour, but curious what you know about these rumors?"

"I wouldn't pay it much mind. Wild speculation of an underperforming sector, as far as I can tell. Someone's claiming they found a deposit of Phond or something like that and that it's diverting all their attention. There's no manifests showing Phond leaving that mine. In fact, doesn't seem to be much of anything leaving there other than excuses."