Throttling back on the hyperdrive, the pilot observed the planet before him. Rattatak. A lawless planet, full of crime and ran mostly by crime lords and the such. Technically not his planet of choice to hold such a meeting, but perhaps they could pick up a few hands during their stay. He'd failed to hear from Ludge since almost a week ago. The last they spoke, it was the instructions to meet here to get things started. If this is where the General of the Legion wanted to hold a meeting, then let it be. Pressing a few keys, the shuttle began auto piloting into Rattatak's atmosphere towards one of its more prominent cities.

His shuttle, named "Warhound", was quickly surrounded by small children as soon as he docked. Alms for the poor was their cry, but Jasik knew that if he gave to one, he'd have to give to all. The shuttle ramps hydraulics released as it lowered to the ground. Holstering his pistol, the mercenary slung his sniper rifle around his shoulder and then his submachine gun as well. His right hand held it firmly, ready to fire. With the way this planet was, he was sure to enter into some type of gunfight.

"Where the hell is this joint?"

Ludge had told to meet at a cantina, but the merc couldn't remember the name as it was in the planet's native tongue. For now he was stuck walking around the streets, making it even more likely there'd be trouble.

A Few Hours Later

"Damn Ludge, you got to be shitting me."

The two cantina's he'd happen to see were definantly not the ones they'd expect to get anything done in. One was to small and full of pirates itching to fight. The second one, Jasik was just about to open the door when he heard blaster fire going off. Raising his eyes, he just stepped away and continued on. Taking an alleyway, Jasik didn't really think about what he just did.

"Thats some flash armor your sporting there chief."

A thug happened to say as he stepped out from a darkened corner. He'd already had his hand on his weapon, but had yet to truly aim it at Jasik. Sighing, he just muttered some profanities as a couple others stepped out.

"Not as flash as that blaster."

Smirking, the thug took a look down at it, but that gave Jasik all the time he needed. His left hand went to his thigh and pulled out a flash grenade and with a flick of his thumb, he'd pulled the pin and tossed it in the direction of the leader. Turning around, he raised his submachine gun up, popping a few rounds into the first man behind him. He fell just as the grenade went off, blinding the other three thugs.

Pop Pop Pop. Pop Pop Pop.

Three rounds a piece for the other two would be muggers behind him, and they fell dead. As he went to turn, blaster fire hit his shoulder and bounced from his armor. Turning, his expression just happened to be frightful enough to make the man forget to shoot again. Pulling out his pistol, Jasik whipped the man upside the head, bringing him to his knees. As blood began to pour from the wound on his head, the merc put the gun to the man's head and fired before a drop had time to hit the ground.

"Stupid pieces of shit!"

Yelling as he kicked the dead body with his heavy boot. Shaking his head, he just left the alley and turned the corner. To his surprise, and his definite sense that it was very ironic, there just happened to be a cantina. Heading in its direction, he turned to look back and noticed a few scavengers rushing into the alley to pilfer the bodies. Fine by him. Opening the door, he looked around and made eye contact with a few people who just happened to look at him.

"Get me a beer."

He spoke to a passing waitress and headed towards a seat.

"Frell, no," Came a loud voice, harsh and gravelly. "Get that man your hardest Corellian whiskey, and put it on my tab,"

With a broad grin, Ludge Andran sauntered toward his old friend, one large arm around a young woman who clearly looked the part of a professional. Slapping the girl on the rear, the Merc gave her a wink, whispering something into her ear as she walked away, taking the cred chip Ludge held in his other hand.

It seemed the fun was over.

For now.

"Damn good to see you're still alive, ya damn vagabond," Ludge continued, his voice loud enough to draw looks from the local cantina crowd. "Hope you didn't have too much trouble findin' the joint, eh? I could'a told you the name in basic, but where'd the fun be in that!"

As Ludge reached Jasik, he gave the other man a hearty thump on the shoulder with his gloved hand; it was synonymous with the Merc's version of a hug, or a close greeting, as opposed to out rightly just nodding or murmuring an introduction.

"Come on, I got us a table..."

Turning, Ludge motioned to a distant booth, with a curved couch that rounded a small table for drinks. The area immediately around it remained empty, almost as if the large man had literally thrown anybody stupid enough to venture to close away; and local rumour had stated how that same table had belonged to a group of thugs up until recently... within the last week, to be more accurate.

As he reached the booth, Ludge slumped onto the comfortable cushions. Shifting around, he put his back to the wall and put his armoured forearms down on the table with a clang. Looking back to Jasik, the larger Merc could only grin, the scar across his right cheek becoming jagged with the change in facial expression.

"So how ya been, you damned son of a Bantha?" Ludge asked, raising his eyebrows. "And how is your mother, anyway? Been a while since I had her home cooked Mynock stew... that was damn fine feed, I tell ya."

Turning to look toward the barkeep, Ludge gave a growl as he got the short, fat alien's attention. The keep had been paid to supply ale whenever the Merc wanted, and the tab was far from drained; though if the other Legion members arrived, it wouldn't take very long to exhaust the credit paid up for residence...

"Anyway," Ludge continued, content as the barkeep hustled to get the drinks ready and on the way, courtesy of a waitress, lowering his voice. "I contacted some other Legionnaires, and they shouldn't be too far away... once they get their slaggin' rears here, we'll really begin kickin' off the festivities. I have some good news, and some bad news, concernin' our little outfit. But I think the good outweighs the bad, no question."

It had been a long, cramped journey and the large Shusugaunti was getting increasingly agitated. His serpentine form coiled up around him as he sat in the back of the large freighter he hopped on back on Corellia. His Ssliath was leaning on the wall next to him as a he sat there, nodding off slightly into sleep. Just as soon as he was finally starting to fall to sleep, the ship shifted.

“Uhm… we’re landing Mister Reptilian Sir…”came a nervous voice from a hatchway. As quickly as he was there, the man ran off. A small smile came to Sha’tek’s lips. These peoples were so easily manipulated. Spinless and cowardly.

The ship hit the ground with a thud, and hisses came as various mechanisms went to work. Sha’tek merely waited until the ramp opened to the outside world. With a grunt the warrior stretched, his arms reaching out with a crack and his tail unwinding. The large beast made his way out the hatchway, not once looking back as he made his way into the filthy streets of the dingy city.

As soon as Sha’tek left the hangar, the man who shouted in earlier rushed into the room with a crowbar in hand. He ran for the crate next to where the reptile had been sitting and tore off the lid. Inside was a small girl, her face stained with tears. She immediately jumped into the man’s arms, the crying overtaking her again.

“Daddy… it said it was gonna eat me…” The girl sobbed as the man pet her hair, trying to comfort the tramautized child.

“Shhhhh don’t worry… I wouldn’t let him do it… daddy’s here now….” The man cooed to the girl, in a lovingly and fatherly tune. He cast a gaze down the ramp as the figure of the large reptile faded off into the distance.

---------------------------------------

Sha’tek set his eyes on it. The cantina he had been told to meet up with a former associate on matters of income and business. It had taken some poking around a couple of crushed skulls but he had finally made it. He slithered his way towards the sad looking building when suddenly he felt something hit the back of his head.

His head snapped around and there he saw this punk, holding a now broken piece of wood. Obviously he didn’t know how well a Shusugaunti can take blows. He was no puny human. The man immediately dropped the wooden piece and backed up, grinning in mock innocence. The lizard’s faced twisted to a mocking of his own and then with a snap Sha’tek shot forward and in once fell swoop brought his jaws crashing upon the punk’s throat.

The punks head rolled one way as his body fell the other. Sha’tek spat the flesh back unto the punk’s corpse with disgust. Ones life normally reflected their taste and filthy punks always tasted like trash. Sha’tek continued on his way to the cantina, leaving the fiend to rot on the street like the rat he was.
Sha’tek threw open the door and saw the man who summoned him by the bar. Ludge Andran. The man was a fierce fighter. Tough. They had fought together a couple of times in the past, when they were both free agents. The man earned his respect when he was the only mercenary gutsy enough to join Sha’tek into charging to dislodge an enemy position. He had heard the man was trying to form together his own mercenary faction.

The entire room stopped as the large beast made its way into the room, casting a serious gaze at any whom would dare actually look at him. One person who didn’t pull his eyes away got a deep, threatening hiss. He began to make his way toward the bar where Ludge and another stood.

“The people here taste of sssswill and the air smellsss of rot. I hope you didn’t sssumon me from the ssslaughter for no reason.” Sha’tek said with a wry, fanged grin. The blood of the street punk still staining his teeth with a redish hue. “I’d hate to have to take out my anger on the bar…”

"Ludge."

Jasik allowed a grin to creep across his lips. Apparently his comrade had drank enough ale and whiskey to inebriate him, but Jasik knew of him better. He had a sharp mind and if so chose, could sober up in a few short seconds. Such was the way of a hardened warrior.

Following him across the bar, Jasik slumped into the booth, his own armor clanking against the sides. Though slightly bulky, his muscled figure allowed him to carry it around, and besides, it gave the sign for people to get the hell out of the way. The keeper set a couple of the drinks down, one which Jasik immediantly tossed back and swallowed the contents. The cool liquid burned the back of his throat. Shaking his head slightly, he figured that a planet like this had to make do with what they had.

"The old woman is fine. With the work we do, she now lives the more expensive life she enjoys and with the security I believe is necessary. It'd be more she ordered some fancy chef to prepare that shit you call a meal instead of cooking it herself."

He hated that stuff more than anything. How Ludge came to like, Jasik could not figure out. Guess when your in a trench for a good month, you'll eat anything.

"Good to see the group coming together. Hopefully this turnout works better than the last, but all these people are strangers. Lets hope we can get things worked out without much trouble."

He spoke and turned his head as the large serpent like being entered the bar. Jasik cast a glance at Ludge.

"Let me guess, one of yours?"

Looking back, Jasik responded to the beings comment about killing the patrons.

"Though however skillful you are in killing, this planet is lawless and run by war lords. Now I'd say the three of us could hold the fort for awhile, but until the rest of the Legion shows up, have a seat and a drink before you decide to murder someone."

A voice came from behind at some distance.

"Did somebody say murder?"

Ishara walked up to the booth while she was twirling one of her throwing knives in her hand along with a smirk on her face.

"And yes, the four of us could hold the fort down."

Ishara lifted her leg across Jasik and passed over him to sit on his other side. She always did like to tease him when she could.

"Of all the places you could have chosen to meet, this has got to be the best. Very homelike!!!"

Ishara got a laugh out of the men. It was like old times again although she did feel like an outsider. She hadn't been with the legion full time for quit a while but still felt loyalty to the group.

"I know it's been a while, but I'm always here if you need me. I'm having a new ship built that's big enough to hold a good amount of troops and small enough to be very, very fast. She'd be great for a speedy drop-off and pick-up so keep that in mind boys. You can also fit a fair share of combat equipment in as well. Speaking of, I have a contact who can supply you with whatever you might need. I'm only a call away."

The keeper returned to the table and Ishara grabbed at Jasik's drink and drank it down.

"I still remember how to handle drinks too, especially the ones I didn't pay for!"

"Let me guess, one of yours?" Jasik commented, as an alien appeared in the doorway.

"You bet'cha," Ludge grinned as Sha'tek walked into the establishment, clearly making an impact on the various beings that littered the cantina.

Obviously a large serpent was enough to make most have a double take, as the species itself was not wholly common...

“The people here taste of sssswill and the air smellsss of rot. I hope you didn’t sssumon me from the ssslaughter for no reason. I’d hate to have to take out my anger on the bar…” Sha'tek hissed, looking around.

Jasik was quick to reply, his tone showing his good humor. "Though however skillful you are in killing, this planet is lawless and run by war lords. Now I'd say the three of us could hold the fort for awhile, but until the rest of the Legion shows up, have a seat and a drink before you decide to murder someone."

"Besides, if you do that, Sha'tek, and I'll be forced to kick your sorry behind from one side of the cantina to the other," Ludge said, motioning to one of the seats in the cubical the Legion were using.

It was good, even pleasant, to have some of the members returning to the fold; especially since Ludge had plans to help elevate the Legion's standing within the galaxy, following his procurement of certain resources and contacts.

Then, from near the table, another voice spoke. This one, however, wasn't the gruff, low tones of a what one usually associated with a stereotypical mercenary... no, this one was far sweeter, but still held every bit of threat as any Legion member.

"Did somebody say murder? And yes, the four of us could hold the fort down."

Ludge glanced up to Ishara, smirking as the young woman walked up to the group, playing with one of her knives. Personally the throwing weapons were a little dull for the General's taste, but he couldn't deny what the woman could do with the blades...

"Of all the places you could have chosen to meet, this has got to be the best. Very homelike!!!"

Ludge chuckled, motioning to one of the places beside Jasik. "Good to have you back with us, doll. I think Jasik's been missin' you a little..."

"I know it's been a while, but I'm always here if you need me. I'm having a new ship built that's big enough to hold a good amount of troops and small enough to be very, very fast. She'd be great for a speedy drop-off and pick-up so keep that in mind boys. You can also fit a fair share of combat equipment in as well. Speaking of, I have a contact who can supply you with whatever you might need. I'm only a call away."

Ludge listened as Ishara laid down her own resources to the table, some of it sounding like a sales pitch. But then who could blame her? One needed to do whatever one could to get along in this universe, and the Force knew it was hard to get on top of things when you were starting at the bottom.

"Speakin' of which," Ludge said, raising his voice to be heard over the cantina din. "I managed to find us a base of operations... but it ain't like what we're normally used to. In fact, it's completely different, and some of you might've seen it in orbit without knowin' it was ours."

The General referred to the modified Nebulon B Frigate that sat above the planet, manned by a hired ghost crew, while the Legion commander sought out his members once again. The craft was big, but compact enough to still have the speed it needed to get somewhere quick; not to mention it had been fitted with all manner of prototype tech, which meant it was quite the little frigate to serve as a newly established mobile base of operations.

Even as Ludge spoke of the craft, he slid a small holopad over to the Legion members; the glowing panel showed the frigate, titled the Soldier's Fortune, complete with a small read out of information about the starship and a holographic image.

"I think it'll serve our needs well," Ludge said, sitting back as he waited for the others to look over the holopad. "Not to mention I hate having a base that can't move around... it means our enemies can't get the drop on us, and that means we have one advantage over anyone who takes our contract choices personally. Not to mention we can move our base of ops to where we need it, and basically prepare en route; so this makes our response time to being hired even quicker, without sacrificin' our preparation phase."

Reaching for his mug, Ludge took a long mouthful, swallowing the bitter ale with a grunt. Keeping the grin on his face, the Legion commander looked to those gathered, waiting for their thoughts...

Ishara looked at the image of the ship and began thinking. Mobility, defense, tactical preparation... typical Ludge. She learned a great deal from him when she served with Ludge and he never ceased to amaze her.

"I'm impressed Sir. You're lining this up to be a success as you normally do."

The keeper returned with another round and again, Ishara took Jasik's drink. She winked at him just before she drank it down.

"Would you rather have me share your glass or the lizard??!!?

The group laughed along with Sha'tek who also found humor in the comment.

Ishara then took a small device from her pocket. She slid it across the table.

"This is a homing device. It's been modified to transmit on a coded channel. I have a case of these on my ship and will leave it on the Soldier's Fortune before I leave. We'll be able to locate each other for emergency evac or..."

Ishara took a third glass from Jasik and drank that one down as well while she smirked at him.

"...whenever you need a girl's company!"

Jasik and Ludge were shaking their heads at one another, both smiling.

"I'm heading to Bonadan. Once I finish my business there, I can meet you back on the Soldier's Fortune whenever you need me."

Ishara looked to Ludge and Jasik with her eyebrow raised.

"I'm sure you both remember my areas of expertise."

Jasik had a small rush of excitment at the sight of the beauty known as Ishara. The woman was as lethal as her drop dead looks, but she was still a sweetheart and most definantly a tease at times.

"By all means, let me go thirsty."

He commented on the fact she kept drinking what the server was bringing for him. Jasik just looked at her for a second and shook his head laughing. She was always going to be a kid inside.

"Well your company is welcome anytime there girl. And yeah we know what you can do. Now get your fine fanny out of here and get back to us as soon as your done. Thats an order merc."

He chuckled as she would make her way out of the tavern.

"Hell of an idea Ludge. Is this thing going to be armed to the teeth though incase we come under attack or we got any kind of support vessels as well?"

Ludge smirked, watching as Ishara continued to openly flirt with Jasik; it was probably something the other man wasn't used to, but then again everyone at the table seemed to be taking the mild form of foreplay in stride.

If anything, at least the girl was attractive.

"I'm heading to Bonadan. Once I finish my business there, I can meet you back on the Soldier's Fortune whenever you need me."

"Sounds like a good deal," Ludge said, nodding to Ishara.

"I'm sure you both remember my areas of expertise."

Ludge about burst out laughing, looking to Jasik across from him, before chuckling and giving the woman a wink. "Some more than others, eh? But I think we all remember the ones that really matter," He glanced to Jasik. "...ain't that right, bud?"

As the two wrapped up their conversation, Ludge looked to his lizard comrade and gave the other being a nod. "Still holdin' onto your rage, big guy? I don't want to get kicked out of this place. At least not until we're all done here, alright? But a fight or two ain't gonna' hurt nobody..."

"Hell of an idea Ludge. Is this thing going to be armed to the teeth though incase we come under attack or we got any kind of support vessels as well?" Jasik said, having reviewed the holopad supplied by the other human.

"You bet'cha sweet female Twi'lek it'll be armed to the hull plates," Ludge said, his grin becoming broad as he reached out and took back the pad, placing it back into the respective pant pouch from where it had come. "I don't plan on gettin' ambushed by nobody, and I sure as frell don't plan on gettin' this baby taken away from us without puttin' up a decent fight...

"But, I guess we can always discuss support vessels, but for now I think we have a winner with this frigate. I mean, come on, who's goin' to attack the Soldier's Fortune knowin' we're all aboard, anyways?"

To which Ludge motioned for another round of drinks, courtesy of his personal tab…