Two things stood out to me as I was being escorted through Caross.
One, besides the enclosed landspeeder I was currently riding in as it floated above the busy streets, it seemed like vehicles were kind of rare around these parts. That or the locals preferred to use various beasts of burden as they were either guided or rode throughout the city, especially either younger or just plain smaller versions of their space dragons. I didn't recognize them, so they must have been local species, but there were a variety of them from things that looked like super bison to others that looked like really long-legged goats.
Second, the vast majority of the city seemed to be made up of women and children, with me only spotting the occasional male togorian walking around, along with the rarer off-worlder in general. Based on my earlier escorts' words, it seemed like the females of their species lived in and ruled this city for whatever reason, and it most certainly showed. I wasn't exactly sure, on account of them not being human, but it seemed like the children around here ranged in age from newborns to teenagers, with very few boys older than pre-teens. Maybe the males of the species had a certain age where they left the city while the females stayed behind to manage things?
It was clear I was lacking knowledge about the local species and culture, and the HoloNet was no help since apparently this planet didn't have much in the way of a strong connection to it since I couldn't do much research about it earlier. And, naturally, I couldn't ask my current escorts due to the whole 'no talking' rule they had going on right now. So I was basically going into my trial kind of blind, beyond the basic advice that nikto back at the landing field gave me.
I had every intention of being honest… but it was a question of whether or not that honesty would help or hinder me.
Worst case scenario I could attempt an escape if things don't go my way, I was not lacking options thanks to SFO, but ideally I just wanted to settle this peacefully in whatever manner the locals and I could agree was acceptable. I had enough enemies as it was given my recent actions against the Empire, after all, I don't need to be adding more if I could avoid it.
Well, if nothing else the prolonged silence helped me think up what to say to this 'Margravine' and enjoy the sights around me of a truly alien city compared to what else I had seen in the Star Wars universe so far since it was clear the locals had gone down a different developmental path compared to the rest of the galaxy based on their city design and tech alone. It made me wonder if there would be anything here worth buying that might be worth a lot of credits elsewhere, or anything they'd be interested in that I could provide if their main source of trade were a bunch of pirates and smugglers.
Sure, I was a smuggler too, but I could provide more than just illegal goods!
Anyway, the ride was only a couple of minutes and we eventually pulled up to what was certainly a palace in size, if not entirely by most designs I was aware of. It was large, but looked stylized after a tent more than anything else; with large angular sections that looked like it was made of cloth broken up by pillars. The main entrance is wide and open, letting me see inside of the building which was open and very modern looking with lots of the technology and accommodations I had grown used to since coming to this universe, with a number of smaller droids running around doing various tasks.
The landspeeder came to a landing and stopped, and I was escorted out as the door opened and led inside.
I was curious why no one had seen fit to disarm me, remove my helmet, or anything like that before putting me in front of their city's leader, but maybe they were either that confident about their security in general. Those two togorian warriors certainly had no problem boarding my ship, taking out Thing 2, and grabbing me before I could respond very easily, after all. They didn't even put me in binders or anything!
Besides, it's not like I could ask even given the whole 'no talking' thing, so I decided to just accept it.
At least having my equipment on me meant that if things did go sour my odds of survival were better than without them.
We walked through the tent-like building before being taken before what were a pair of empty thrones in the back, though looking more like very comfortable-looking beanbag chairs set up on a high pedestal that forced me to look up a bit at them as I led down into a slight depression. My escorts stood at my side, their spears up, but clearly waiting, so I just stood there quietly.
Thankfully, I didn't need to wait long since a door in the side of what I assume was the throne room opened up and let out several female togorians in various states of dress until the one in the most expensive outfit, a long white robe that covered her body and was interlaced with a lot of shiny and colorful threads, stepped up towards and sat in one of the thrones while the rest sat on cushions surrounding the depression I was standing in.
The Margravine, assuming it wasn't anyone else sitting in the comfy-looking throne, looked like an aged lioness, with nearly white fur and short ponytail draped over her head. Granted, I had no idea how this species aged, but she at least gave off the impression of wisdom and experience as she looked at me silently with a blank expression on her face.
Nobody spoke the whole time, and I watched as some kind of servant droid walked up and handed what I assume was the Margravine a datapad, which she silently read for several minutes.
The continued silence was starting to make me nervous as the various togorians just looked at me like predators inspecting their prey, deciding whether or not what was before them was worth the effort to kill and eat. I really hoped that despite clearly being predators they weren't the type to eat other sentient beings.
Finally someone spoke, the Margravine herself, filling the once quiet hall with her loud and clear voice.
"I am Margravine Saravana, speaking in this matter in the name of my mate, Margrave Ffrang," she stated, her voice strong and even. "An offworlder stands before us after trespassing on Togorian soil outside of Caross, claiming that he has crashed here for the first time. This is lawful if true, and thus any punishment will be put aside if proven so. So, offworlder… state your name, and explain how you found yourself upon our world to the best of your ability."
…Oh, that's it? Ah, okay then, I was kind expecting something a bit more long-winded or something. Better speak up fast before I start coming across as rude.
"Margravine, I'm Nick Claus, independent trader," I bowed a little, not having any other idea of how to interact with nobility. "First of all, thank you for allowing me to speak in my defense. Second, I want to assure you that me crashing on your world was indeed a mistake, not to say it isn't lovely or anything… but rather, I was forced to come here after a battle damaged my ship and her navicomputer. It was functional enough for my ship to still jump to hyperspace, but as we left hyperspace we found ourselves too close to the planet's gravity well and our systems overloaded. We regained power as we broke the atmosphere, but were still forced to make an emergency landing."
"Your words speak true, especially due to the scars your ship bears," the Margravine stated. "However… The question then becomes, with whom did you do battle with so fiercely, that it forced your vessel to crash upon our world?"
That was tricky to answer, since most people didn't like harboring an Imperial fugitive, even if the Empire really had no idea who I was yet. Still though, as that nikto from earlier said, it seemed like the togorians valued honesty and I was hopeful that at worst they would just kick me off the planet as fast as possible rather than lock me up or try to hand me over.
If they did though… I would cross that bridge if needed.
"Well, I was on Bracca about one jump or so over, salvaging old war material with some friends from the ships discarded there after the war," I explained, speaking the truth but not overly sharing the details. "While we were there the Empire arrived and tried to arrest or kill us all, during which we battled with their ships until we were able to escape. We split up since then, going our separate ways, but I know they safely left and I hope to reunite with them soon to see how they are doing."
"Hmmm, yes, the White Shells," the Margravess growled. "We are familiar with their kind."
"You are?" I couldn't help but ask curiously. "Like, you heard of them, or have they come here recently?"
"The latter. The vat-grown soldiers are little better than the CIS' metal men, blindly serving the corrupt Republic which is now the Empire. They are no friends of ours, especially considering our world sided with the Confederates during the war and how they 'confiscated' what little we had of our small shipyard once they won the war. Since then they have mainly left us alone, viewing us as too primitive and isolated to be seen as a threat or worth wasting resources watching over."
"Then they are idiots, since even based on my one encounter with them your warriors are nothing to be scoffed at," I admitted, not at all surprised at even the earlier Empire's views.
"Then you have more common sense than most offworlders, who view us as primitive and brutish at best," the Margravine nodded. "Your testimony lines up with the report our warriors gave of the weapons carried within your ship, enough to bring low even some of the mightiest ships if used right."
When did they have the time to go through my cargo hold? Doesn't matter, they know now and oddly enough didn't seem to mind. In fact, my apparent 'disagreement' with the Empire seemed to put many of the female togorians watching me at ease.
"Yeah, I figured it would be easy to resell those to interested parties," I shrugged. "Just 'cause the war is over doesn't mean weapons won't sell."
"Indeed…" the Margravine stroked her chin in thought as she suddenly looked at her datapad, making me notice that one of the other watching togorians, this one looked like an older female mountain lion or something like that with her brown fur and eye markings, was typing away at theirs. Were they communicating with each other? Maybe they were allowed to observe but not directly speak, so they got around the rule with datapads.
"Normally, those who crash here the first time are handed over to the other freighter crews that come here to trade with us to be transported offworld while their ship and its contents are forfeited to us as the fine for the act. However, given your animosity with the Empire and your honesty, a different arrangement might be made instead," the Margravine said, with a glint in her eye.
"Oh? What kind of arrangement?" I asked curiously.
"In these uncertain times, especially with this Empire's rise, it falls to me and my mate to ensure the safety of our people to the best of our abilities, which includes arming ourselves with the proper tools and weapons as needed," she explained. "Therefore, we would like to purchase as much stock of proton torpedoes, weapons-grade stabilising gas, and whatever else is in your hold that you are willing to part with. If you do this at a discount, we will give you access to what facilities we have to help restore your ship, so that you might leave under your own power."
Wow, yeah it did! I got to unload my questionably legal goods right now and get my ship properly fixed up? I was all for it!
Still, gotta make sure I don't sound too into the idea. Got to control myself and not appear too eager after all.
"Sure, that sounds fair," I nodded with an even tone. "A humble independent trader like myself is always looking for new customers to sell his various goods to, and despite my current circumstances I happen to have plenty of other stuff to sell as well if you are interested in the future. I happen to be a very successful and well-connected trader who can get his hands on all kinds of things if the price is right. It's my whole thing, really."
"Is that so?" The Margravine raised a brow at the claim. "Many say they can provide things we want, but few can follow up on most of our requests. We are not, as some would say, a 'trading hub' and so those willing to come to deal with us are few and their stock limited."
"I promise you, your highness, that I am much more capable than your average spacer and would love to continue trading with your people in the future," I pointed out. "Assuming I am still allowed to return, of course."
"We shall keep that in mind," she stated. "It is premature to plan for the future to that degree at this time, but that may change… should you prove yourself a reliable supplier."
"I plan on it," I nodded. "So… I'm curious, how do we go about this trade? Credits or barter? And for future reference, besides weapons and such, is there anything in particular that your people value? You know, just so I can be prepared the next time I swing around."
"That is something my economic adviser can tell you if you are truly interested," she stated, gesturing towards the mountain lion looking woman I noticed earlier, and the one who likely brought this idea to her leader's attention in the first place. "As for potential payment for your goods, we lack much of the currency the rest of the galaxy values due our unwillingness to tap into our planet's natural resources to better preserve its nature, but I have been told by other traders that the males' sc'raths are worth a great deal on other worlds for their craftsmanship. I'm sure that a 'skilled' trader, such as yourself, would have no issue in profiting off of them."
I honestly couldn't tell if she was being sarcastic or trying to stroke my ego, but either way after being on the end of one of those swords I had to admit even a total sword-novice like myself could tell they were well-made. And in this galaxy, well-made handcrafted goods always fetched a good price compared to all the mass produced stuff for the novelty of it alone. Seriously, even wooden desks if made right could fetch more than most vehicles and such.
Heck, I might just get a sword for myself and start practicing with it so I am not a total pushover if I ever get into a melee fight. That, and who didn't like owning a cool sword just because?
"That all sounds very tempting, and I would very much discuss this in more detail," I stated happily, glad to see that it seems like everything was working out reasonably well and I wouldn't be tied and eaten by some space monster. Still, best to check and be sure. "Does this mean that I won't be punished for crashing on your world?"
"Let it be known that the offworlder known as Nick Claws has been cleared of all wrong-doing and is free once more to come and go to our city at his pleasure so long as he respects our laws," she declared, earning several silent nods from the other togorians present. "You may speak with my economic adviser to help facilitate your trade with us, and see about moving your ship to one of the docking bays within the city so that you might repair it more efficiently."
"Thank you, Margravine Saravana," I bowed in honest thankfulness. "I hope that this is the start of a long and profitable relationship between the both of us."
"That will depend entirely on you… but I believe that you are one that can be trusted thus far," she stated before her eyes turned hard. "Be warned, however, betraying our trust is not something to do lightly, and if you ever are tempted to do so… Know that while most of the galaxy has forgotten this fact, in times long past my people were among the first to be viewed as worthy warriors and treated equally to the mandalorians to the point that we joined together as one. And while most mandalorians no longer carry the same spine of beskar their ancestors did, know that my people have never lost it."
That statement, I admitted, made me sweat a little at hearing. After all, there were few groups the mandalorians, especially the Old Republic ones, considered worthy rivals, with the Jedi and Sith counted among them, and they had space magic!
I already didn't want to get on the togorian's bad side when I just met them, but now I certainly didn't. In fact… as I imagine the idea of super strong and skilled big cat-warriors that made even the old mandalorians take notice of them, it conjured up an idea in my mind.
Namely, the idea of a future Rebel Alliance counting togorians among their number as soldiers, trainers, and more who could give the Empire a very tough fight if equipped right.
Oh yeah, I really wanted to make the togorians my friends.