Fennec grins.

"Whatever," Bane mutters sullenly, before turning to Stro'to, "So, you're Vek Stro'to? Bane Malar, mercenary and bounty hunter."

"And head-bumper," Stro'to finishes with a thin smile, extending a friendly hand from where he's propped himself up against a wall (conveniently beside the largest air vent) and is leaning exhaustedly against it, skin deathly pale. "Ignore our dear friend Xizran's skiting over there. I, too, employ an accountant to do my maths for me. We were not all of us nerds in school."

"Or indeed graduates of school."

Bane decides to take Stro'to's advice and ignore Xizran, leaning forward to clasp the proffered hand before leaning back once more.

"What do you know of these individuals pursuing you?" Bane directs at the Twi’lek.

Stro'to may or may not cough something about having been busy on a thermal detonator in a vault at the time most of this was going down.

"However, we know they are one; rich, two; not working with the government, since they did not fire on the locals, and three; they do not want us to know who they are, since they took the trouble to disguise themselves. That tells us it is most likely a rival operation, and that they hit two sectors simultaneously tells me at least they are not someone I want to find me. The easiest way of finding out who they are would be to hand in Xizran here for the bounty and see who pays us-- a jest, just a jest, Xizran. But surely on the pages, there are details of who is paying 210K for our combined heads?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:46, Mon 21 Mar 2022.

"Hmm, the sponsor of the bounty appears to be anonymous," Bane says, examining the feed on the datapad, "However it has been placed through the Republic's official judicial department so they must be well connected."

Fennec meanwhile, has pulled out a datapad to follow Xizran's earlier instruction to discover what she can of the coordinated attack on the Exchange. She frowns as she scans the datapad before selecting one of the News Galactica news feeds. She sets the volume to the minimum level, glancing warily through the window into the street below as the holostream begins.

"...has been killed in a speeder accident," says a smooth, professional woman's voice in Basic, "The Zeltron entrepreneur, philanthropist, explorer and daredevil was reportedly returning from the Galaxies Opera House when his repulsorlimo collided with a cargo speeder in Coruscant's Uscru District. A Gran male remains in custody and is currently assisting peace officers as they investigate the accident-"

"That wasn't Anton Zerrac was it?" Bane asks, sounding concerned, "He was quite a character from what I heard."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:57, Tue 22 Mar 2022.

Fennec rolls her eyes at Bane as the news report continues.

"And this is why you don't listen to Space Operas," Xizran snorts callously.

"Who died?" Stro'to makes a feeble gesture to indicate the datapad should be moved closer to him so he doesn't have to move and go over to it.

Fennec motions for silence as the report continues.

"In other news," continues the reporter, "Detonations and fighting have been reported across the galaxy in localities belonging to businessmen and investors with suspected ties to the the criminal organization known as the Exchange. Devaronian casino magnate Ruushan Fallus and Falleen noble Lord Xizran are among those believed dead. Estates, nightclubs and casinos across Corellia, Denon, Duro, Nar Shaddaa, Telos and Ord Mantell are among the locations attacked in what authorities are beginning to believe to be an underworld gang war. And now to sport, where Ellorrs Kuzran has beaten Hukta Dax by 0.23 seconds in the Telos Opener to win his third consecutive Opener. In anti-gravball the Alderaan Thrantas have defeated the Anaxas Keffis to move through to semi finals against-"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:04, Tue 22 Mar 2022.

The report cuts off as Fennec swipes to end the transmission, brown furrowed as she glances at Xizran.

"..." Stro'to digests this development.

"Ha! At least my death is considered newsworthy," Xizran preens pettily.

Layla's eyes have opened at the mention of the attacks on the Exchange.

"It sounds like someone is trying to wipe out the entire Exchange."

"And succeeding, by the sounds of it," Bane adds grimly.

"They can't succeed in wiping out the Exchange. That's like succeeding in enforcing a zero tax evasion policy on Czerka, it just doesn't happen," Xizran scowls.

"I cannot imagine who would have the power to even attempt it," Layla frowns, "The Republic has never had the nerve and the Hutts are too cautious to attempt something on that scale."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:43, Tue 22 Mar 2022.

"Maybe Czerka is behind it?" Bane suggests.

"Half the Czerka executives are in our pocket," Fennec shakes her head, "Besides, that's not their style. It could be the Sith, but they've historically ignored the underworld and organized crime. Besides, if the rumors are true and that Jedi Exile really did wipe out most of their leadership then they should have their hands full just trying to stave off the Republic while they recover."

"If half of them are in your pocket, perhaps you should call one and see what they know," Stro'to suggests.