<div class="floatleft">(https://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/5/57/StarWarsSmuggler1.jpg)</div>Tara....  A simple name, to say the least.  Of course, some people wanting to get offworld went by names such as 'Red,' 'Long Jack,' and 'Irons.'  Still, that was the rule of the game.  After all, a traveler had to be called something, be it a real or fake name or even something as simple as 'human' or other derogatory names.  That was the game everyone played and this would be no exception.<br/><br/>'Tara' waved the droid that served the drinks over and ordered two more of the Arbenton gin.  Sethcor wasn't going to complain about a free drink.  That gave her a few extra minutes to sing her sad tale and convince him that she was worth the effort of bringing her on board.  So, he took the small glass of pale, pink liquid and took a short sip, indicating her to go on.  After all, one could lead a Darmoke to the river, but one couldn't make the beast drink from it.  This would follow the same principle.<br/><br/>Sethcor was rather experienced with negotiating, so when Tara leaned forward, he had to keep from smiling.  The girl was nervous about something.  Desperate, perhaps?  Desperate individuals in a negotiation always did one of three things.  The first was usually for those with money, influence, or raw physical strength.  Those individuals threatened where they could get away with it.  The second kind promised payment that was far out of their reach.  That often led to that person being taken to a destination and leaving without a word, meaning no one gets paid for the job.  This one, however, appeared to be of the third variety, the kind that would pay using whatever means necessary.<br/><br/>As expected, Tara spoke plainly and simply.  She wanted off the planet.  She didn't care what his destination was.  She and a droid needed to be at least three parsecs away from Coruscant.  She would pay him ten-thousand credits for the job.<br/><br/>Now, that last part was what really got his attention.  Ten-thousand credits for simply taking someone off Coruscant was more than he was expecting.  The cargo he delivered to this planet had given him seven-thousand.  The supplies he was taking to that base would give him eight-thousand credits.  What was in that one crate likely would get him much more.  This wasn't something he was going to be turning his back on, not by a long shot.....but, why let her know that?<br/><br/>"A droid?  What kind?  My ship's sizable, but most of it is cargo space.  I don't think I can take on a very large one.  If it's no larger than a Protocol type, I think I could manage it.  As for the distance.  Three parsecs is quite the travel.  Of course, most of what I'm delivering on this run is to a Republic military training base about two parsecs out from here.  I suppose going an extra parsec wouldn't be too big a deal."<br/><br/>Sethcor tilted his head slightly to the left, "I do hope you don't have anything against the Republic.  Considering the number of ships that are leaving over the last three days, it may be up to a day or two before the cargo is unloaded and we can continue.  If you are fine with that, I know a nice planet about a parsec from that base I can drop you off at.  People there are nice, if you aren't afraid of water."<br/><br/>He set the mostly full glass back down on the table and gave her a pointed look, "Now, as for the price....I<em>might</em>be willing to take you and your droid, but I'm a merchant who has been stung before over a bad deal.  What say you pay three-thousand credits up front?  That way, I at least know you can put your credits where your mouth is and if you happen to scurry away like a Naboo Swamp Rat, I at least won't have done this for nothing?"<br/><br/>There it was.  Those were the terms of the negotiation.  If she agreed, then he would be more inclined to help.  If she tried to negotiate, then he would respect her all the more.  If she refused to play Laser Ball with him, then he'd thank her for the drink and leave her to whatever fate she was trying to run away from.  All that was left was her choice in this matter.