The heavy lugged soled work boots splashed against the ancient stone street as Race made his way from the Docking bay to the center of town. The locals, rapped in their gray rain capes, scampered about oblivious to the stranger in their midst.
Port Ty-hanick was a former mining town that in its hey day supported a number of local Daxite mines in the surrounding hills. Though it was never part of the Mining Federation it was considered to be very important, and was eventually made the capital of the Planet Fynitia. But like most good things, its good days had long since come to a end, the Mines stopped producing, those who could afford to leave abandoned the world to the dregs who couldn't. Its once posh domed buildings had fallen into disrepair, their exteriors worn by weather and age. Trash filled the gutters and if it wasn't for the planets location close to the outer rim worlds, making it a viable trading stop for small time merchants, it would have been long since forgotten.
Fynitia's location is also what brought the Empire here, in the early days after the Clone Wars they had established a garrison here to help keep a eye on the unruly "Rimmers" and to monitor the busy Hyperspace routes that ran close by. Though the garrison had been down sized several times there was still considerable Imperial presence. Battalion's of Storm troopers were frequently sent here to rebuild after hard fought wars of conquest, bringing rouge systems under the yoke of the Emperor. The locals may have resented their presence, but there business in the many Bars and brothels were about the only money making venture apart from scavenging in the old mines.
Race spotted his destination amongst the glowing signs advertising various vices, " The Twisted Mynok" advertised "Good spirits, great atmosphere and Glorious escapes" but Race knew it was also a place where most with space skills hung out. He walked towards the Bar as gray rain matted his hair and ran down his face. He noted how the alleys seemed to be alive with Young Junkies and discarded prostitutes. "This place seems to chew them up and spit them out" he muttered under his breath. As he approached the two Huge bouncers, a Wookie and a Gamorian, seemed to study him with interest, he brushed the rain off his coat and nodded towards them, there was for a moment, a uncomfortable stillness as they sized each other up, but then the wookie growled and motioned him to enter.
The Humid warm air of "The Twisted mynok" splashed over him as he walked into the once ornate foyer, The smell, of Burnweed, sweat, and god knows what assaulted his nostrils. Repugnant to most people, Race knew the smell well as it was the same in countless other dives across the Outerim. The place was crowded today, groups of Scavenge Miners huddled at tables, Dealers and their guards passed out drugs in the shadows and prostitutes tried to sell their goods. A group of musicians played on stage as Two Twilek slaves gyrated to the amusement of a small crowd. Race noticed a few ships crews downing a few last drinks before heading out into the black, but he gave these a wide berth, you didn't want to be seen as someone who tried to steal crew from another Ship, things could get ugly.
He walked up to one of the bartenders " Im looking for some crew, a good engineer and a general hand, heard of anybody looking for work? I pay standard plus 20." The Barkeep glanced up from his glass "good offer, but all hiring's now go through the boss" he gave Race a look that said "sorry pal....what can I do". "Where can I find this boss?" he inquired, the bartender lefted his scared hand and pointed towards one of the private rooms in the back, the one with 4 guards standing around it. "Thanks" he said as he started towards the door. He was used to jumping through some hoops, every now and then somebody wanted to be paid, bribed or bought, that was the business, you eithier lived with it or took up cloud seeding on Gistrok. As he approached the guards he opened his coat to reveal his blaster, it was a sign saying "Yes I'm armed but Im not hostile". "Whats your business Spacer?" asked the largest of the guards, a Square headed Utalak with a Heavy repeating blaster cradled in his arm. "I'm looking for crew and I was told I have to see the boss...so here I am", The large Utalak Nodded and with a "wait here" he drifted through the door behind. Race stood, trying not to look at any of the other guards, these armed types were quick to get their blood up and he really didn't want a blaster battle today. The guards, of course, being the type that Guards mostly are, puffed their chests out and wore hard looks on their faces. Race was almost relieved when the Utalak emerged from the door.
"He'll see you... Ill have the Blaster" he said and race gently removed his pistol from its shoulder holster and handed it to the giant. The giant hefted it with apparent appreciation, "Nice" he muttered as he lead the spacer Through the door.
It had started out a bad day and as soon as he caought sight of the crime lord it became worse. Not that Race had any troubles with him...or it, but there were just some people in the galaxy who had earned a well deserved reputation and the creature he saw suspended in his sphere of Bracktile ocean water had more then earned his. Gamon Bog, the multi-limbed Guig hovered in the liquid waving his boneless tentacles back and forth, his single lidless eye gazing straight at Race. "Greatings Race Starhammer, I wondered if you would cross my threshold" said the Guig through a translator mounted on the Water sphere force field control unit. Race felt a cold shiver go up his spine, you definitely didn't want Gamon Bog to know your name let alone wonder if you would stop by. " Thank you for seeing me Sir on such short notice" the spacer said, trying to conceal his concerns. "You see boys.....SIR.....that is why the infamous Race Starhammer always seems to come out on top...he shows respect" his jelly like body vibrated with laughter as the translator blasted "Here he survives a pirate attack, a mutiny by his crew all at the same time and he can still be respectful". The spacers blood began to freeze, though he had told the imperials of both the mutiny and the pirate attack he had never mentioned that they had been connected "I understand your cargo of Liquid Trilite brought you a good profit" the crime lord said as his tone seemed to change "Yes Sir, but after repairs and fuel, plus finding a new crew, I'll be lucky if I can pay for a good dinner" he said with a laugh as a few others chuckled around him. "How I feel for your troubles as I myself am recently out of a good deal of capital" these words came out of the speaker wrapped in ice and chilled with veiled threat, Race immediately knew what he was talking about "4 Z95's and 6 flunkies probably is a steep tab" he thought realizing that it had been Bog that had planned the attack. "I could have really used that cargo, to bad you didn't come to me first... as for new crew... I have to apologies as most spacers are on retainer with me... you understand don't you?" his beak like mouth seemed to quiver with mirth, knowing he had the spacer by the shorts. "Well" Race said as he traced his best course of action "thanks anyway for the time guess I'll have to limp to another port.." before he could finish he was interrupted "you could always sell me your ship, I have a fondness for antiques you know". The Spacer steamed in side but on the outside he was cool and collected "well, If I do sell I'll come to you first... thanks again sir" he bowed slightly and backed towards the door. The Quig motioned to his giant guard to escort him out.
Outside the thug returned Race's blaster and gave him a "shove off" look. Dejected he slumped a crossed the bar to a empty table and ordered a drink.