Amidst the swirling sands of the Dune Sea, the old Wander-class Jump Freighter—named the “Starfish"—plummeted from the sky like a wounded creature. The Mirialan smuggler, her pulse pounding in her ears, gripped the controls as she fought to regain command of the ship. Recently, she had soared over the sulfur pools of the pirate planet Lok in the nearby Karthakk system, utterly unaware that the treacherous environment had damaged her hyperdrive and engine controls. As she and her smuggling companion, Lon Correck, broke through the atmosphere of Tatooine, chaos erupted. The Starfish sputtered and gasped, power fading from the planetary drive, leaving them with dangerously intermittent control. Heart racing, she narrowly evaded a catastrophic collision with the jagged spires of the Jutland Wastes, her fate hanging by a thread.
Beneath the unforgiving suns of Tatooine, the 'Starfish'-a once sleek and swift Wander class Jump Freighter-now battered and scarred from perilous journeys through the void-careened through the desolate expanse. Its damaged hull told stories of countless close calls, making it a symbol of the crew's resilience and the dangerous life they led.
As the ship plummeted toward the planet's desolate surface, a jarring malfunction abruptly extinguished all lights, plunging the interior into an oppressive darkness. A cacophony of alarms erupted, their piercing wails cutting through the panic as the crew raced against time, frantically working to restore power amidst the chaos. Desperation etched on their faces, they quickly realized their attempts were in vain; the vessel had suffered a catastrophic failure, leaving all its planetary drive engines silent and dormant. With the ship trapped in the relentless grip of the sandy planet’s gravity well, there was no hope of reactivating the hyperdrive. The atmosphere buzzed with an electric tension, a stark reminder of their dire predicament.
With a deafening thud, the "Starfish" collided with a rocky spire in the unforgiving Jutland Wastes, sending tremors through the desolate landscape. Ymira and Lon were violently thrown around the cockpit, their bodies protesting against the impact.
Dazed and disoriented, they stumbled out of the wreckage into the scorching heat of Tatooine's twin suns, acutely aware of their uncertain fate and the dangers lurking around every dune.
Amidst their despair, a flicker of hope remained. They knew that the outpost and Mos Espa were within reach, fueling their resolve to survive and continue fighting.
Ymira, the Mirialan pilot, was a striking figure with her green skin gleaming under Tatooine's harsh suns. Though most of her kind possessed some degree of Force sensitivity, she had never felt that connection—something that weighed heavily on her spirit. This absence of power, combined with her unruly attitude and defiance of tradition, led her to leave her home and forge a path as a smuggler.
In a culture where facial tattoos symbolized a connection to the Force and the journey of personal growth and achievements, Ymira had chosen to forgo the customary markings. Instead, the asymmetrical designs she had inked on her face served as a rebellious statement, reflecting her struggle against societal expectations. Each unique mark told a story of her refusal to adhere to conventions and her quest for autonomy.
Her skills as a pilot were impressive, though her temper and impulsive decisions often placed her in precarious situations. Even as she navigated the dangers of life in the underworld, her spirit remained unbroken, driven by the desire to prove herself and carve out her own destiny. Despite the odds stacked against her, Ymira embraced her role as a smuggler, facing challenges head-on with a fierce determination that defined her existence among the stars.
As they pressed on, the harsh landscape began to take its toll. Thirst clawed at their throats, and fatigue gnawed at their bodies. Yet, they refused to succumb to despair. They stumbled and fell, only to rise again, their determination fueled by the knowledge that their survival depended on it.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they were approached by a landspeeder just as night was beginning to fall. Their rescuer was a young Rodian female. She didn't speak much Basic, but Ymira and Lon managed to barter for water, food, and a couple of stim packs. They learned that the Rodian’s name was Roona and that she was a scout, though not much else. With several credits, they secured a ride to Mos Espa, where their benefactor and financier, Bargos the Hutt, resided. He would not be pleased.
In Bargos's opulent palace, Ymira confronted the menacing crime lord, feeling the pressure of his cold, calculating gaze and the threat of his impending fury.
Her mind raced as she sought a way to escape this precarious situation. “Most gracious Bargos,” she began, her voice calm and soothing, “I understand your anger. But I assure you, the crash was an accident beyond my control.”
She recounted the treacherous conditions they had encountered, how the ship's planetary engine system had malfunctioned, and how they had desperately tried to prevent a crash. Bargos listened impassively, his expression unyielding. She decided it was better to avoid mentioning the fact that the Hutt had not paid to keep the ship up to acceptable repair standards.
"Accidents happen," Ymira continued, her voice gaining confidence. "And when they do, we must learn from our mistakes. I am determined to repay my debt." Fear gnawed at her, but she summoned her wits, determined to outsmart the Hutt.
"Bargos, mighty Hutt," Ymira began, her voice trembling with a feigned humility, "I beg your mercy. This accident was not my fault. It was a cruel twist of fate, an equipment error beyond my control."
Bargos's eyes narrowed once more, his heavy frame pulsating with rage. "Crashing my ship is not an 'error', it is a crime! You are fortunate that I am not ending your life here and now."
Ymira, petite in comparison, felt the weight of his anger pressing down on her like a physical force. She took a measured breath, trying to maintain her composure despite the fear gnawing at her insides. The pilot swallowed hard, her mind racing. "I understand your anger, mighty Bargos. But I can earn you the money back!"
Curiosity flickered in the Hutt's gaze. "And more?"
"If you grant me a reprieve, I will do all in my power to bring considerable credits back to you as compensation for the lost ship."
Bargos hesitated, his greed warring with his anger. Finally, he leaned forward, his voice a low rumble. "Very well. I will hold you to your word. But know this, Ymira, if you fail to deliver, the consequences will be most dire. And most… painful."
With a newfound determination, Ymira bowed low. "I will not disappoint you, mighty Bargos. I swear on my life."
As she pivoted to make her escape, a heart-wrenching cry shattered the stillness around her. Lon, her loyal smuggling partner, was being hauled away by Bargos's merciless guards, their rough hands gripping him tightly. A wave of dread surged through her, tightening like a vise around her throat as the grim reality dawned: Lon’s fate was all but sealed. Memories of his previous crew flickered in her mind—another team that had failed to deliver their precious cargo—and she knew all too well that Bargos possessed zero tolerance for failure. The shadows of impending doom loomed larger as she stood frozen, helpless against the cruel tide of fate pulling her friend away.
Ymira fled the Hutt's lair with a heavy heart. She had avoided the wrath of Bargos for now, but the debt she owed was still considerable. She knew that she had to succeed in her mission, not only for herself but also perhaps to honor the memory of her fallen companion.
Having escaped the wrath of Bargos, at least temporarily, Ymira decided it was better to be anywhere other than Mos Espa in case Bargos changed his mind. Running into the scout Roona in a nearby cantina that evening, Ymira bargained for a ride to Mos Shuuta, the Rodian's base of operations. It was as far away as she could get from Bargos directly, while remaining on Tatooine. She considered leaving the system, but a Hutt's wrath was severe, unending, and usually fatal. It was better to try to work off the debt. At least that way she had a chance. Otherwise, there would be a bounty on her head.
Mos Shuuta was quieter than Mos Espa. The local Imperials stationed there were lazy and uninterested in truly maintaining order. The real power and control lay with Teemo the Hutt and his associates. It felt like going from the frying pan into the fire. Nevertheless, Ymira kept herself occupied with small jobs whenever she could, hoping to find a bigger opportunity to start repaying her debt to Bargos.
Coincidentally, Bargos would be the one to offer her the next opportunity directly. Through her holotransmitter, his protocol droid, C3-P9, instructed her to meet with the Verpine who operated in Trader's Ledge. Ymira took a balloon transport, Vl'Grax's, where they waited for the arrival of a human male.
Vl’Grax was a striking Verpine whose presence is as captivating as it is unique. With their slim, elongated body gracefully adorned in a shimmering chitinous exoskeleton, Vl’Grax stands slightly taller than the average human, embodying the allure of their insect-like heritage. Their large, multifaceted eyes are windows to a world of exceptional vision, allowing them to perceive details that others might miss. Long antennae sprout from their head, serving as vital tools not only for sensory perception but also for intricate communication, showcasing the depth of their intelligence and social nature. In a universe filled with diverse beings, Vl’Grax stands out, embodying the perfect blend of elegance and intrigue.
Like most representatives of his race, Vl'grax is a skilled arbitrator and expert shipbuilder, and uses his extensive technological know-how to build simple devices that make life on Tatooine easier for the mesa's poorer inhabitants. Separated from the hive-mind of the rest of the species, Vl'grax is insular and lives an isolated life in his gas filled cargo blimp, tinkering away in private, and only doing as many cargo runs to the more populated cities of Tatooine as it needs to afford a new box of parts
As the last of the group—a tall human with keen eyes—joined them at the basket, they prepared for departure. After nearly half an hour in near-total darkness, the gas-powered balloon touches down near a rocky outcropping. Suddenly, a low light bursts to life, illuminating the surrounding area. Exiting the basket, they find a large door built into the rocks straight ahead. Vl’Grax enters a code into the nearby keypad, and the double doors slide open. Silently, the Verpine motions for the others to enter. They don’t have far to go; it’s simply an elevator car. The doors slam shut, and the elevator begins to descend!
The light inside the elevator car blinks rapidly and intermittently, creating a dizzying effect. It is hard to determine how far they have traveled or how long they have been moving. Eventually, the doors on the opposite side open into a small room that resembles a meeting space, complete with a round table and several chairs arranged around one half of it. Suddenly, a holoscreen in the middle of the table comes to life. On the screen appears a familiar, excessively skinny and slimy Hutt. The Hutt lets out a deep laugh and spreads his arms wide, unleashing a stream of Huttese that booms from his mouth.
Ymira Intro Scene
Moderator: GM Fang