Favours

Pike's holo-communicator chimed. He keyed it on and Nelani flickered into view. Given their cultural aversion to verbal communication, distance communication for Lorridian's was conducted through text or physical images.
"Come to the bridge," she signed and then her image flickered out, Pike smiled. Nelani was not one to waste time. There was a lot to prepare for on their journey to Commoner to meet these 'Kajidic Hunters' and the crew of the Rebel Dream was busy to prepare. He added this meeting to the top of the thousand things he needed to do and hurried to the turbolift.

The door hissed open and Pike strode into the bridge. The command center of the custom EF76 Nebulon-B Frigate was a hive of motion with the various deck officers running around and calling out commands to one another.  Nelani stood near the back of bridge, close to the large holo-terminal. She motioned for him to come quickly.
"You have a call," she signed.
"From who?" he signed back, frowning.
"Wouldn't say. Some Zabrak bureaucrat," she signed with clear disdain. "I don't like him". Pike smiled and motioned for her to put it through.
"You don't like anyone," he waved dismissively. An image flickered onto the screen. A light-skinned Zabrak in a fine suit smiled at Pike and gave a reverent bow. He signed, quite well actually, the Lorridian motion for greeting and Pike thanked him back.
"Good day old friend. It's been awhile since we last spoke. We should meet up sometime," he said graciously.
"I would hate to give the Imperials such an easy target by coming to the capital," Pike signed back. "I do appreciate the call though Tusta but I apologize that you are not calling me at the best of times. I would ask you how you got the frequency to the Rebel Dream but I doubt you would share," Pike waved back. Tusta gave him a wry grin.
"I like to keep tabs on the people I feel are beneficial to my business," he said with feigned innocence. "Unfortunately, I don't have much time for our usual game of shadows. I have a request for you," Tusta replied. Pike noted the sense of urgency in his voice.
"What do you need?"
"As you know, I am connected to a collective of individuals with a common cause," Tusta said.
"The Hand of Seracco," Pike signed passively. Tusta actually stumbled, an uncommon trait, but then his usual debonair attitude took control again.
"Yes, well our cause has apparently yielded some fruit. There is an individual who requires some resources and support to accomplish a task. I know as much as you do and all I can say is that when you meet her you will understand," Tusta said back.
"An odd request? You'll understand my aversion to accepting this request given the lack of information," Pike replied.
"Yes," Tusta said with a pained look on his face. He looked back suddenly as if an unseen noise startled him. "I don't have much time. Let me know the next location you're making berth and I promise I will make it worth it for the Rebellion. I'll give you the access code to a Moff's house, troop movements on the Perlemian Run, or whatever you want," Tusta pleaded. He kept looking back nervously and Pike noted the strain on his face. He exhaled deeply and looked at Nelani who shrugged.
"We can just kill them if they're a threat," she signed and patted her blaster. Pike ran his hand through his hair and sighed.
"Fine, send them the coordinates," he signed to Nelani. He looked at Pike and wagged a finger.
"If you backstab me I promise you I'll ruin every suit you own," he signed. Tusta, clearly relieved, bow graciously.
"I owe you old friend, I'll explain more when I can," he said and then the image winked out. Pike stared at the blank screen for a moment and chuckled. He looked to Nelani and she winked at him and tossed a thick brown lock over her shoulder.
"Well, I guess it's a party of five then," he signed back and strode off the bridge.