Parmedon City

[Crystal Starr Light]

At the crossroads between the great mountain passes of the North and the grasslands of the Southwest in the more temperate region of Obroa-Skai lies the capital city of Parmedon. Housing the Galactic Institute, the Obroan Library, and the Obroa-skai Galactic Information Center, Parmedon is a modest metropolis, housing the beautiful (the architectural wonder, the Midon building, home to one of the biggest tech corporations on the planet) and the ugly (the many miles of slums on the outskirts of the more mountainous Northeastern side).

Housing the largest spaceport on Obroa-Skai, Parmedon is typically a merchant's first stop when trading. Many spacers come through Parmedon before continuing outwards to explore the other parts of this tundra world. Typical imports include high tech equipment, luxury goods, foodstuffs (to augment the poor supply that grows in the frozen grasslands), and wood. Typical exports include mid-tech equipment and secondary machining.

Tourism is also important to Parmedon, and it shows in the Southern side of the city. Immense buildings (including the Midon building and the Obroan Library) showcase the architectural genuis. Large promenades, parks, and malls also are aesthetically placed in this section of the city. On a slight hill near the more Western corner, also resides the Obroan Filiming Productions, a company well-known for its blockbuster holovids. The Western corner is also known for housing some of the more well known holo stars in the galaxy.

[Crystal Starr Light]

Lieutenant Arvald Tix wandered down a particularly busy street and stopped at a fruit booth. He bent to peer at the strange fruit and poked at one. The skin seemed to suck in and turn a brilliant shade of yellow.

"Hey!" the cart owner yelled, running over to Tix and waving his arms. "You touch, you buy!"

Tix straightened and pointed at the fruit. "How am I supposed to know? Where's your sign?"

The cart owner, a male Gotal who was dressed far too nicely for one of his station, smacked the side of the cart, sending the fruit a shaking, threatening to fall over. "The sign is on the side, you dumb human! In plain Aurabesh!" He jabbed a finger towards the front of the cart.

Tix backed away from the cart, and sure enough there was a sign. He smiled. "Cash credits only, no electronic transfers," he read. "Yeah, that definitely tells me not to touch the fruit."

The Gotal was angry now. He whipped around the cart and glared at the front. His eyes passed over the signs until he stopped and jabbed a finger at one. He read the small print at the bottom. "Fruit is very sensitive and rare. Do not touch. If you touch, you buy."

Tix leaned a hand on the side of the cart. "Don't you think that's a little deceptive, making that warning in such small print?"

The Gotal reared up to Tix, and Tix couldn't help but lean backwards a little. "MY CART MY RULES. Now, pay up or I contact the Imperials."

Tix sighed and retrieved his Imperial ID in his brown leather jacket. "How about I make it easy for you..." As the Gotal stared at Tix's ID, he recited, "Lieutenant Arvald Tix, Imperial Army Intelligence." He grinned. "We got your call...thank you for your complaints."

The Gotal snorted loudly, his fists clenching and unclenching. "Fine. But take the fruit. I can't sell bruised fruit." The Gotal picked up the bruised fruit and tossed it at Tix.

Tix grabbed it easily and nodded at the Gotal. "Thank you, friend. And, may I add, you should probably look into getting a better sign." He winked. "Just a tip from your friendly Imperial."

Not wanting to chance his luck, Tix backed away from the cart and the Gotal and wandered back into the crowd. At a good distance away, he retrieved his comm from his utility belt and thumbed it on. "Tix," he barked into the comm. "How did it go, Sanguay?"

There was a slight pause and some static, before a low, gruff voice responded. "All clear. Shouldn't have any problems following that guy."

Tix smiled as a beautiful Zeltron female passed him, her eyebrows rising in approval. He winked at her as they passed each other. "Great. I have a good feeling he's hiding something. Talk to you at base," he said, then clicked off his comm, returning it to his utility belt.

The Imperial officer continued to wander the streets until he spotted a family-owned tapcafe. He took a seat at one of the outdoor tables and ordered a hot caf. As he was sipping, a familiar figure walked up.

"Light," he said, nodding as the Imperial General took a seat across the table. He gestured to the menu. "Can I get you anything?"

"Iced cafe," she said, removing her dark jacket and slinging it over the chair. "Medium. I have a headache."

Tix clicked his tongue and placed the order. "Sorry to hear that."

Crystal shrugged, her black hair sliding over her shoulders. "It comes with the territory. How did it go?"

Business as usual, Tix thought mildly. "Sanguay got it installed. We'll hear anything that goes on in that Gotal's business. I think he's got some interesting secrets, if you ask me."

A droid on rollers brought Crystal's drink over, and she took a long sip from the straw. "Good. I met with our friend, who gave me some interesting tips on where to buy new boots."

Tix nodded. She was using code again...paranoid. Poor thing. "Ah, that's good, I've been meaning to get new boots." He propped his left foot onto the chair next to him and examined them carefully. "See, I have a nick here? That was your fault too."

Crystal bent over and peered at his boot. She snorted. "That was your own damn fault. You should never have dropped onto that Togorian."

Tix glanced up at her. "I didn't drop, you pushed me."

Crystal rolled her eyes. "I told you get the drop on him, not to literally drop on him." She looked at him and cracked a half smile. "You damn rogue."

Tix grinned. "Hey, I had to do something to make you smile. You know, you might actually be nice to look at if you did that once in awhile."

"Oh, I don't know. Our friend was pretty into me, and I didn't have to grin my ears off," she said, swirling the ice in her drink.

"Our friend happens to be more of a rogue than I am," Tix said, jabbing a finger into his chest. "And when I'm saying that, you know it means something."

Crystal sighed, a smile on her face. "That you are right, Tix." She shook her head slightly before getting serious again. "I want you to help Sanguay monitor the Gotal. Once we get enough information...well, we'll discuss it later."

Tix mock saluted. "Roger that, Light."

Crystal downed the rest of her drink and rose, grabbing her jacket. "I have to go...I plan on sending a report to the Emperor." She glanced at the tab displayed on the monitor. "Want me to cover that?"

Tix shook his head. "Nah, I got it this time. Tell the Emperor hi for me, 'kay?"

Crystal put on her jacket and eyed Tix. "Okay, you either have a really big ego, or you are really stupid. I think you are both." She smiled again and took off almost as quickly as she appeared.

Tix shook his head, watching the general's back. His mind wandered a moment, wondering what it would be like to be with her, but he quickly swept that away. No matter what his thoughts may be, he had a career, a sterling one at that. He wasn't about to wreck it by sleeping with a superior officer.

He leaned forward and paid the tab, then moved off, heading to the safe house to monitor his Gotal friend and see what he had stored up his expensive sleeves.