Chapter IX - Back to Riax

During the refit of the tug, a couple on onlookers were spotted. Upon being noticed they quickly headed away. Yoyo and Thrombosis followed and were led to a warehouse. Heading inside, they observed the two in an office, hastily talking on a communicator. Suspecting they were being turned in, Yoyo and Thrombosis burst into the office. After a small firefight, the two surrendered and were bound. Unfortunately, the brief combat activated a large battle droid that was assigned to protect the building. The droid was considerable tougher than the two who surrendered, and once Yoyo and Throm heavily damaged it, three more transported in. Feeling outmatched, Yoyo and Thrombosis fled the warehouse.

Outside the warehouse, they found that the three new battle droids beamed outside to cut them off. Yoyo and Thrombosis were again attacked by the droids and their assault blaster rifles. The rest of THEM were called for help while Yoyo and Thrombosis returned fire. Yoyo managed to disarm a couple of the droids, but new weapons were beamed to them. The combat was long; the droids not having as much skill as THEM, but significantly more armour and stamina. Anaximanda, Hecate, Zod, and Tapir arrived to help the by now quite hurt Yoyo and Thrombosis. Eventually the droids were brought down.

The two that had surrendered were taken away and interrogated. They had indeed been talking with the Tundak Mafia, saying they saw a group that fit the description of THEM. Apparently, the changes to their appearance and DNA could do nothing to hide THEM's style and capabilities. It was revealed that the specific member of the Mafia that had been contacted was someone named Greg who resided on Riax.

THEM decided it was time to head back to Riax and find Greg. They knew the area Greg could be found, but not the exact location. They also knew nothing on what he looked like. A trip to a café and a discussion with some business looking types revealed that someone named Greg owned a bar in the area. Yoyo headed to the bartender and pretended he was a businessman looking to invest in the bar. The bartender set up a communication with Greg. Greg stated that he was not interested, that he owned the bar completely, and did not need investment. He suggested that Yoyo talk to a fellow named Rixlan who owned another bar nearby. Yoyo then told Greg that he had some information on the whereabouts of THEM. This gained a little interest from Greg and he agreed to a meeting an hour later.

During the hour, THEM headed to the bar Rixlan owned. It was a gladiator bar filled with a lowlife clientele. Talking with the Trop owner, THEM talked about the possible investment of the bar. They found that Greg was forcing Rixlan to make payment to the Tundak Mafia for his 'protection'. The Trop agreed that the meeting with Greg could take place at his bar.

THEM prepared for the meeting. Yoyo sat himself at the ring of the gladiator pit and waited for Greg to arrive. Thrombosis, Zod, and Anaximanda were in other areas of the bar in locations overlooking Yoyo. Kolum was outside with the van and it was his job to block the entrance once the meeting started so that no-one could escape if a firefight started. The rest of THEM were nearby with the tug and assault shuttle.

At one point a nerveous Heliozoan called to make sure everything was alright. Apperently, she had a 'bad feeling'.