Chapter Two :: In the Lead

Gurlak was on his balcony overseeing the horizon that seemed penetrated by the needles of tall buildings. The bright star was beginning to come in to view with the sinking Nal Hutta in the opposite corner of the sky. Gurlak was busy talking to one of his droids that cleaned up after him.  In Huttese he demanded, “Why are these over here?! You have been programmed to know stupid little details like that! Maybe I need a new 9P0!”  Gurlak’s fingers looked like lamb chops wrapping around the protocol droid’s head. A shower of blue sparks erupted from the 9P0 like a shimmering fury. . .   

KOSH: Kosh sighs and forces a smile, "Hey their big guy! Experiencing a little technical difficulty?"

GURLAK: “Kosh! Kosh where have you been? It has been a mad house here!” The large slug slimed over to him as he threw reminisces of the droid over the balcony. Gurlak always seemed impatient, but that was okay. He could afford it.

KOSH: Kosh smiles charmingly, "Got a good lead for merchandise you wanted! With your approval I'll be on my way to a pick within the next 87 hours."

GURLAK: “ Well I don’t know, that is a long time to wait! However Prince Mykeestran needs them by next week so I guess I can wait a day or so. My next assignment for you will be a droid that works!” Can you do this before you leave? Try to get a C-9P0 or some other protocol droid. I don’t care how much it costs!”

KOSH: Kosh snickers and gently nudges the C-9PO's remains, "No Problem, your excellency. I shall return in short Order!" He bows extravagantly, one hand on his chest and the other swung out wide.

GURLAK: Gurlak’s slime oozed down his lip as a smile crept across his face. “That is why I like you Kosh, nothing but respect”

KOSH: Kosh salutes with two fingers of his right hand and heads back out the door, looking for a new protocol droid...

GM: Kosh knows very little about Dek. He seems like a very nice individual. Always talking about adventures from smuggling. The danger and excitement would always be the shimmering bait hook for all of his conversations. Almost like he was always trying to recruit Kosh for a smuggler.

As Kosh enters the Mechanic shop of the 803^rd floor of the K-2390 building there is a loud crash. A grummy kid in rags was thrown right past Kosh into the hall way. The Kid, about 11, hit the floor unconscious. “And stay out!”  rang through the hallways like a stampeding herd of Tauntaun’s. The shop was very clean for a mechanics shop. In fact the man who just plummeted that kind into unconsciousness was in a formal outfit. He looked at Kosh, “Can I help you, young sir?”

KOSH: Kosh smiles at the guy and says, "Sure there buddy, just give me a second, K?" He leans down over the kid and pulls out some smelling salts. When the kid jumps to, he silently slips him a few credits and sends him on his way.

DREP: The Man behind the counter in a snooty British accent says to Kosh, “I am Drep. Do you wish to buy a droid or give money to thieving children?”

KOSH: Kosh grins wickedly, "Actually, I'm on errand for Gurlak the Hutt. Heard of 'em? Ya' know, big...green...doesn't take too kindly to people fragin' around with his employees." He playfully punches the shop owners' shoulder in a comradely kind of way.

DREP: “What can I do for master Gurlak?”

KOSH: Still smiling, Kosh scratches an ich between two of his horns, "Gurlak needs a new proticol droid. Ya' know how those Hutt's are with their protocol driods..."

DREP: Drep looks around and then leans forward saying, “I have a special deal on a 9P0 series. I just erased his memory and cleaned him up a bit. I know that they are older and no one wants to buy them. I will give him to you for free if you purchase one of our new Anti-registers. It is a device that is capable of undoing the recording of a transaction maintained in a transfer register. They were outlawed on many planets, because they could be used to negate important transactions or - worse yet - modify transactions to transfer ownership to another party without payment. If you act now I will give you the 9P0!”

KOSH: Still smiling, "No thanks, pal." He falls into the 'natural charisma' that he's always seemed to posses. "I'll tell you what though. I'll pay you for the energy cost of the memory wipe, plus a sizable bonus. Let's say 20% of the overall cost? That’s quite a profit there buddy. 

DREP: A smile sprang up across Drep’s face, “Sure I’ll go receive him from the back.” 

GM:  Drep vanished behind the wall behind him.  After a few minutes Drep pulled a new shiny black C-9P0 from behind the holo-wall. He leaned over to the droid and touched it’s neck. A butch woman’s voice growled from the droid, “What do you want?!”  Then Drep slapped it across the head. Some technical beeping and distorted voice sounds erupted, then a quiet timid female voice came through. “Hello I am C-9P0-4, How can I be of service to you?” Drep looked nervous …”well there you go isn’t she a beauty?”

KOSH: Kosh ponders it for a second, "How about you throw in a restraining bolt, add it to my bill. Another thing...Gurlak’s the kind of slug who likes certainties, ya know what I mean? How 'bout me and you work out an arrangement...You keep old c-9po-4 serviced up, and I won't tell Gurlak you're trying to stiff him." He smiles warmly.

GM: Drep sighs and lowers his head, “You win boy. I guess there is no fooling a Zabrak.”  He hands him the bag with the restraining bolt and controller. “Just keep my number and I will take care of it personally.” Any one could tell that he was ready for Kosh to leave. He was losing money… to wit.

KOSH: "Thanks pal. Hey, here are 50 credits for your trouble. Keep it real, and I may set you up to do some exclusive business with Gurlak. He's the man with credits my friend." Kosh, with the droid, walks out of the store whistling an ithorian tune he heard at the bar.

GM: Back at Gurlak’s there was a meeting taking place. Four large slugs, a rodarian, and what seemed to be ishi-tibbs. …

KOSH: Kosh leans up against a doorpost casually and politely waits for Gurlak to recognize his presence, making sure not to seem too familiar with Gurlak in front of business associates. (AND discreetly eavesdropping on the conversation. He speaks Huttese)

GM: Gurlak was quick to notice the Zabrak enter. He gestured to him to come over. “And this, my friends is the best errand boy this side of the galaxy.” He said loudly in his deep huttese voice. “Kosh, these are some of my new associates in the new Gem deal for Malistare. Fellows, this is Kosh Du-Norr.” Gurlak looked at the shiny new protocol droid enter behind him. “Kosh, How did you get a 9P0 series so new looking?  I knew you were good. but…I bet this one will work even better than the last one!”  Gurlak looks the mob of guests. “The last one was stubborn, even after reprogramming.” He said embarrassed, as to explain what he had just said.

GURLAK: Gurlak addressing the guests. "Kosh here is going to retrieve some Gems tomorrow for us. If it wasn't for him I don't think I would be swimming in credits as you guys like to say."

GRENDAR: Then the Hutt opposite the room from Gurlak said, "I am Grendar, Where in the galaxy did you find access to Gacerian gems?"

 KOSH: He looks to Grendar, "Well, if i revealed all my sources I wouldn't be so gosh darn valuable would I. Then Gurlak," he pats him on the back, "would be deprived of the presence of his favorite Zabrak. Any rate sir," addressing Gurlak and barely stifling a laugh at calling him sir, "I got you something better than new. A lifetime guarantee. The shop owner Drep offered his mechanical assistance anytime there are any problems, free of charge. Those shop owners are eager to serve the Hutts, aren't they?"

GURLAK: “Excellent! I am looking forward to giving you a raise, after the gem mission of course. When do you leave?”

KOSH: "In the next 80 hours or so. I'll be back in a jiff."

GM: Gurlak Says, "Okay."  And goes back to entertaining his guests.

KOSH: Assuming he can now leave politely, Kosh makes sure the restraining bolt is placed on the droid and places the contact link to Drep on the back of the droids head. He then heads to his pad to pick up a few things.

NEXT CHAPTER::