User:Cwedin/Workbench2

"You want to work with the Trade League, you talk to Shortpaw. Better yet, you talk to me and let Shortpaw play mastermind."

- Leeka Pali's advice to the Smuggler

Shortpaw was a male Chadra-Fan who worked as head of the Trade Spine League and a junk dealer during the Galactic Empire's Iron Blockade of the Anoat sector. Shortpaw found the Trade League's smuggled goods in high demand during the blockade, but he could not get his ships past the Imperials to deliver. Hoping to use the planet Mataou as a weak point where he might slip through, Shortpaw hired a young smuggler on the planet Burnin Konn to travel to the world and probe the Imperial sensors there. With the Smuggler's assistance, Shortpaw located a gap in the blockade, allowing him to send ships through.

Meeting the Smuggler
"Shortpaw&hellip; my best junk dealer. Sorry about the mess with the Imps.''" "''No, no, it all turned out fine&mdash;they chased you, left my nice little shop alone."

- The Smuggler and Shortpaw

Shortpaw was a Chadra-Fan male who worked as the trademaster of the Trade Spine League, an part-union, part-privateer organization which consisted of smugglers and mercenaries. For many years, Shortpaw operated out of the mining planet Burnin Konn in the Anoat sector, where he played the unassuming role of a junk dealer in Longstar Marketplace. During those years, the Chadra-Fan noticed two young humans, Riley and her sibling, noting that Riley was dangerous, while her younger sibling was not.

Shortly after the Battle of Endor, which was fought between the Galactic Empire and the Alliance to Restore the Republic, Imperial Governor Adelhard of the Anoat sector formed the Iron Blockade to prevent news of the Empire's loss and the death of Galactic Emperor Sheev Palpatine. During the time of the blockade, the services of Shortpaw's smuggling ventures were in high demand, but the blockade halted all starships from leaving the sector. At least three of Shortpaw's freighters, the Mother of Pearl, the Cruel Mistress, and the Space Manta, attempted to breach the blockade, but were shot down.

Approximately two months after the formation of the Iron Blockade, Longstar Marketplace was subjected to an Imperial contraband sweep. When Shortpaw protested the search to an Imperial Security Officer, the human told him that the Empire did not care about the Chadra-Fan's "garbage," and that they were looking for a shipment of illegal synthetic kyber crystals. The Imperial officer then ordered a young smuggler (who happened to be Riley's younger sibling), to stand next to Shortpaw during the sweep, referring to the Chadra-Fan as a "thing." However, the Smuggler was the one carrying the crystals, and they stunned the officer with a rat-stunner. Shortpaw questioned the Smuggler's actions, and the criminal fled down a nearby mine shaft. The incident drew Imperial attention away from the sweep, and Shortpaw's store was left alone.

Soon after, one of Shortpaw's associates, the gangster "Happy" Dapp, introduced the Smuggler and Riley to the Trade League, and Dapp sent the young Smuggler to Shortpaw's shop. Meeting with the Smuggler, Shortpaw revealed himself as the Trade League's mastermind, also introducing Trade League advisor Leeka Pali, bodyguard Ndaya, and smuggler Onn Iria.

Breaching the blockade
"A very special ship will be arriving in the sector soon. Its destination is the Mataou system.''" "Mataou&hellip; one of the old Hutt jewel worlds, right? Mostly abandoned. Might be a weak point in the blockade&hellip;" "''Precisely. We need to probe the Imperial sensor network from the surface. Find a vulnerability."

- Shortpaw and the Smuggler

Addressing the Smuggler, Pali explained that the blockade had halted shipments outside of the sector, and Shortpaw informed the individual that a starship with special cargo would soon arrive in the sector by the Mataou system, the location of the abandoned Hutt jewel world Mataou and a potential weak point in the blockade. Shortpaw then explained that it was the Smuggler's job to probe the Imperial sensor network, and Pali elaborated that the Smuggler was to travel to Mataou, fend off any security droids, and locate Hutt equipment to complete the task. When the Smuggler asked how they would get to Mataou, Shortpaw informed them that a hazmat scow would be arranged for the trip, and the Smuggler accepted the job.

The Smuggler traveled to Mataou, and they reactivated ancient scanning systems from the Gnuda Kajidic ancestral estate. However, the collected data was insufficient, so the Smuggler returned to Burnin Konn. Once the Smuggler landed in Longstar Marketplace, Shortpaw commended the recruits actions, asking if they travel off world often. The Smuggler replied that they had when younger, joking that Mataou was the nicest place they had visited. Shortpaw then responded that the Smuggler would see wonders if they stayed with the Trade League. As Shortpaw finished, Pali noted that a new scanning station had been located, so the Smuggler prepared to return to the Hutt world.

Later, the Smuggler reactivated the second scanner and returned to Longstar Marketplace. Once Pali reviewed the updated map of the sensor network, she located possible gaps for the scheduled ship. Curious, the Smuggler asked Shortpaw what the ship was smuggling into the sector, and the Chadra-Fan simply replied that the cargo was worth the effort, adding that more scans were still needed. After the Smuggler activated the third scanner, Shortpaw excitedly informed them that only one more scan was needed. The Smuggler soon completed the task, and to Shortpaw's delight, the Trade League found a vulnerable point. However, Pali recommended that a distraction was also necessary, and Shortpaw suggested that attacking the Imperial garrison in the palace of Yantuh the Hutt would draw Imperial attention.

Decided on the plan, the Smuggler and Dapp created a diversion, engaging the Imperial forces on Mataou. Meanwhile, Shortpaw's valued ship entered the Mataou system unnoticed, marking the first shipment the Trade League had received in weeks. When Dapp and the Smuggler returned to Burnin Konn following their success, Shortpaw confessed that he had been watching the Smuggler and Riley for years, admitting that he underestimated the Smuggler's potential. The Smuggler asked if the ship and cargo had arrived intact, and Shortpaw affirmed that they had. Shortpaw added that the Smuggler would receive a portion of the profits, before being interjected by the young human, who asked what the profits were from. However, Pali scolded the Smuggler, saying that it was not their business to know. The Smuggler then asked if more ships would be sent through the blockade, and Shortpaw replied that they intended to try. Remarking that there was no need to rush operations, Shortpaw dismissed the Smuggler, telling the human that Dapp would contact them when their services were again needed.

Salvage from Hoth
Sometime later, Shortpaw was contacted by Dapp to discuss a "score of a lifetime." To provide advice, Shortpaw was accompanied by Iria, and the two met Dapp in Longstar Marketplace. Dapp explained that he intended to steal contraband from the Empire's four intercept facilities within the sector. To conduct the heist, Dapp intended to scavenge a Lambda-class T-4a shuttle from the wreckage left by the Battle of Hoth, a battle fought between the Empire and Rebel Alliance on the ice planet Hoth about eight months prior. The shuttle would be used to land at one of the facilities; once there, the shuttle would be filled with contraband, and then a sensor jammer a nearby planet would be activated, creating an escape route. The process would be repeated on all four locations, guaranteeing a large payout. As Dapp finished detailing the plan, the Smuggler, who was also contacted by Dapp, arrived. Dapp asked Shortpaw if he wanted to be a part of the plan, and against Iria's opinion, he accepted, volunteering the Trade League's assistance in return for a modest cut of the profits and no connection to the crime if problems occurred. Dapp assured Shortpaw that everything would work out fine, and the Chadra-Fan then informed the Smuggler of their role in the plan's groundwork.

Shortpaw affirmed that the Smuggler had heard of Hoth, and the Chadra-Fan then elaborated, saying that the Battle of Hoth left wreckage scattered across the battleground. Continuing, Shortpaw explained that Dapp's plan required scavenging wreckage to reassemble an Imperial shuttle, although the thought of the cold made his fur bristle. Iria, who had made the run before, offered additional advice to the Smuggler, which Shortpaw suggested they listen to. When the Smuggler asked what Shortpaw would be doing during the runs, the Chadra-Fan simply replied that he would be preparing, also warning the Smuggler that any error would result in all of their deaths. Once the Smuggler departed, Shortpaw filled in Riley on the plan, instructing her to inform her sibling to begin by surveying the wreckage.

While on Hoth, the Smuggler took a datapad from a scavenger camp, believing that the locals would have thorough maps of the area. However, the maps were incomplete, and Shortpaw expressed his disappointment when the Smuggler returned. Iria deduced that the scavengers' maps were pieced together from Imperial transmissions, so the Smuggler suggested stealing data directly from the source. Dapp agreed, noting that Imperial survey teams and Viper probe droids still prowled the battleground. Decided, the Smuggler again left for Hoth.

Once the Smuggler returned from the second trip, Iria discovered that the survey info was stored inside an astromech droid, so the Smuggler then completed another run for the droid. The Smuggler brought the droid, B9-DT, to Longstar Marketplace, where Shortpaw admired it, expressed that it could sell in his shop for a good price. B9-DT exclaimed that it was not for sale, and Shortpaw apologized to his new friend, recalling that it contained information they needed. Dapp sent the Smuggler back to Hoth, and when the Smuggler returned, the young human brought a sizable collection of parts back to Shortpaw. However, the Chadra-Fan informed the Smuggler that more parts were still necessary, and that another trip was needed for an Imperial codebreaker, a trivalve assembly, and a vortex stabilizer.

The Smuggler managed to acquire all the parts except the codebreaker, improving the moods of both Shortpaw and Dapp. However, B9-DT discovered that the codebreaker was being sold in an auction on Hoth by Bohento Splinth, the leader of the Wreckers scavenging group and a former associate of Dapp's. Upon hearing Splinth's name, Shortpaw was surprised, and when the Smuggler asked who Splinth was, Dapp merely hinted at their history. The Smuggler returned to Hoth, where they were forced to kill Splinth for the codebreaker. When the human returned, they asked if the shuttle could begin repairs. However, Shortpaw replied that they could, but with added difficulty, as Imperial survey teams were approaching the ship. Telling Dapp to prepare to continue, the Smuggler volunteered to slow down the Imperials.

The Imperial forces near the shuttle were defeated by the Smuggler, and Shortpaw confessed that despite his doubts in Dapp's team, they had done well. Once Dapp and B9-DT were ready to depart for Hoth and make the repairs, they and the Smuggler left. The three managed to fend off attacking Imperials and scavengers, and the shuttle's flight capability was restored with a safety rating of two percent. Back on Burnin Konn, Shortpaw greeted Dapp and his team. Dapp praised the Smuggler's actions to Shortpaw, and the Chadra-Fan acknowledged that the young human showed more courage and loyalty than most people their age. Dapp told Shortpaw not to embarrass them, and Shortpaw explained that he was simply making a point before departing. Despite Dapp's project making progress, Imperial bodies were amassing, and the Chadra-Fan desired to remove himself from the risk of detection. When the Smuggler asked Shortpaw if they would see each other again, he replied that he hoped so, and that the human had earned a place within the Trade League (as long as debts were paid).

Chapter II
Weeks later, blah blah blah.

Personality and traits
"I'm [the Smuggler]. And you are&hellip;" "&hellip;still Shortpaw, a junk dealer at heart. But to keep my mind sharp, I keep my paws in other markets."

- The Smuggler and Shortpaw

Publicly known to be a businessman who sold various items at fair prices, Shortpaw, a crafty, male Chadra-Fan, was the trademaster of the Trade Spine League. He managed to keep a low profile, and was on good terms with local gangs as well as the Empire. Shortpaw had a steely personality, although he enjoyed acting as a mischievous, kind, grandfatherly figure to his associates. Despite his sincere desire to provide good and lasting services for locals, Shortpaw ultimately longed for control and profit.

Behind the scenes
Shortpaw was created for Star Wars: Uprising, a canon mobile game developed by Kabam, Disney Interactive, and Lucasfilm for iOS and Android platforms and released on September 10, 2015. In the game, Shortpaw is a non-playable character introduced in the game's first level, and he appears throughout the game as a supporting character who assigns missions to players. Star Wars: Uprising also includes a feature called "Shortpaw's Crate," which allows players to purchase select items upon startup.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Uprising