Broken Arrangements

[Nem'ro the Hutt]

Things on Ryloth had been quiet for some time. Nem'ro had stepped down from the Hutt Council, but maintained his lifestyle as a wealthy and greedy Hutt crime lord in the Outer Rim. For quite awhile, there had been peace, at least in his life, as he watched the Coreward worlds crumble. Alderaan on the brink of civil war; the Sith were bombing worlds left and right; the Jedi seemed to be rising; but the Republic Senate was no more decisive than ever. And, because of all of that, the Hutts had been left to grow and fester in the Outer Rim almost unimpeded.

That was why Nem'ro had been surprised upon reaching his court early that day to find a waiting transmission from Brentaal IV. It had been a long while since he had spoken to that particular contact in the Republic Senate. The Senator from Brentaal had rarely called and was often super cautious about contacting the Hutt crime lord. That meant that, whatever news the Senator bore, it was either urgent, important, or both.

Nem'ro hit a button and, thousands of lightyears away, on Brentaal IV, a small holographic version of the giant slug appeared in front of the aforementioned Senator. «Nicolás,» Nem'ro said skeptically in Huttese. «It has been some time. How does it feel to be the largest shark in the pack on Brentaal?» @Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

The deed was done. The Trade Guild had at last agreed to Nicolás’ demands, minor as they were, and granted him the chance to remove his father and to take his place as the head of House Cormond. With their assets and influence at his fingertips, Brentaal and the Hydian Way would fall into his hands in a matter of weeks. All he needed to do was to rally the forces funded by the Guild in addition to the mercenaries he personally hired, those who worked more closely with the Republic rather than the Cartel, before he confronted his father at his lavish estate. Yet first and foremost, there were loose strings that had to be tied: Nem’ro the Hutt.

There was little reason for Nicolás to call the Hutt now, but something within the Senator changed. He was ruthless and cutthroat and willing to do anything for his ambition, but now? When he was so close to what he wanted, his ambition faded. Not only from coming success, but his newfound love for Numenius Pax convinced Nicolás to leave behind his dark past. It was about time to wipe the dirt from his hands and to begin with a clean sleight. One without the Hutt Cartel and without Nem’ro. Although he had proved vital in manipulating the Senate into his favor, keeping the Hutt in close contact was like carrying a weight, or a chain to a bomb that could explode any moment. He needed to be free of that chain, even if it meant going back on his word.

“It’s been a long time too, Nem’ro. Things have changed.” He nodded, figure shimmering in the hologram that stood low under the massive Hutt. The Senator was glad to have not met with him in person, else this meeting would have gone very differently. Still, he maintained a sense of nonchalance, and chuckled. “The largest shark,” he echoed. “That’s definitely one way to put it.” A pause. “Soon, within the week, my father will be in chains and House Cormond will be mine. After that, all of Brentaal and the Hydian Way. Everything I could have ever wanted now in my grasp. And in such a short span of time.” He gave a reluctant nod. “No thanks to your work and the Cartel, I will admit.”

He straightened up. “I have not forgotten the deal we made, Nem’ro, and I’m sure you haven’t either.”

@Malon

 

[Nem'ro the Hutt]

He certainly hadn't. Nem'ro was a lot of things. Manipulative, greedy, murderous, cunning, and, yes, even cowardly. But he was also a Hutt through-and-through. He never forgot a deal once he had struck it—especially not one with a politician. Politicians were almost wormier than a Hutt in many regards. They were also ambitious, manipulative, and greedy; but they liked to worm out of deals when it suited them. Whenever they had finally achieved whatever power they had sought to gain from it. Nem'ro's slitted eyes narrowed. Was this Senator about to become one of those?

He certainly hoped not. For his sake.

«I haven't, Senator,» Nem'ro replied cautiously. He sipped at a drink his servant droid handed to him. «I never forget a deal. But I have not heard from you in quite some time. I was quite suprised to find your call waiting for me today. Curious.» He took another careful sip. «That was part of our deal, remember? I would back you with my funds, supplies, and men. In return, you would provide me certain information. Can I expect that you will keep to your word on this matter?»

Nem'ro couldn't help the sudden feeling of dread welling in him. He had already lost one contact in the Republic after that business on Alderaan outed the then-Senator who had been serving as one of his spies. If this one went rogue too, then he would be without direct information from the Core. And that just would not do. It would not do at all. @Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

Nem’ro was quick to the point. Nicolás wasn’t sure whether to feel anxious or untroubled, although he leaned closer to the former. The holographic slug gave him a look mixed from caution, concern and curiosity. All signs that slowly led to the truth the Senator knew he wouldn’t want to hear. But what reason was there for him to be worried? House Cormond was at his fingertips and Brentaal within his reach. Once they were his, Nem’ro would only turn into the insignificant slug he saw him as. The power of the Cartel was fading, their influence cracking under the whip of the Republic and rumors of their fracturing alliance with the Sith. Breaking the deal now, when almost all the cards were about to sit in his deck, should prove smooth and painless.

Assassins would be the least of his worries too. Nicolás was not only a prominent Senator and an eventual heir to one of the oldest Houses of Brentaal, deserving of top tier security, but the man was also capable of defending himself. For years, he knew the ways of the Force, albeit lesser than most. Still, it was enough to know that he could manage whatever the Cartel might throw at him. The voice in the back of his head would warn him, as it always did. Even now, he sensed nothing wrong with this private meeting, and he hoped Nem’ro would think nothing of it. Of course, that was where he was wrong.

He ignored the thought of retribution. He ignored everything except the question that was asked and the answer that waited on his lips. Even so, he lingered a while longer in silence, almost hesitant. Then, head held high, he looked at Nem’ro straight into the eye and made the truth known. “No.” At last. “The deal is done, Nem’ro. We’re done.” A pause. “I am grateful for what you’ve done, but I’ve realized you cannot be trusted or even relied on any longer. Your alliance with the Sith is fading. War is coming to your borders. And from what I’ve heard, you’re no longer a lorda.”

“As I have risen, you have fallen. I cannot see this little association of ours continuing any longer. You’ve become a weight holding me back from what I can truly do on Brentaal. So— no.” He echoed his sentiment, this time his voice more resolved than ever. “You should expect nothing.” He wondered how Numenius might react if he were here. Even if he knew nothing about his relationship with the Cartel, Nicolás knew the man would be proud. He was finally wiping his hands clean from the filth of corruption. He was becoming more of a man than his father could ever be.

@Malon

 

[Nem'ro the Hutt]

Across the galaxy, in Nem'ro's court room, it was dangerously silent. The court, which was usually jubilant and rambunctious, was absolutely still and all eyes were on Nem'ro. The Hutt crime lord's eyes, however, were on the hologram of Senator Cormond—unblinking. Then, almost at once, the giant slug burst into laughter. «Ho ho ho ho~ Ha ha ha ha!» Nem'ro leaned closer to the holographic camera that was rendering him for the Senator. «Your information is woefully incomplete, boy. Titles come and go, but my power has not waned. I own Ryloth. The spice trade in Outer Rim belongs to me. The Cartel's power may rise and fall... but my power is absolute.»

He let the threat hang in the air a moment. Then, he continued. «Do you know what happened to the last man to cross me?» A murmur passed through the court. «I put a bounty on his head. Within weeks, he was mine. I took from him everything of material value... then I took his hands... and then I dumped him in the Ryloth desert. Last I heard, he is still wandering, looking for safe passage off-world.» The Hutt triggered a command on his throne and then reached up to play with the lightsaber dangling around his neck. «I have killed Jedi—» A separate hologram appeared of his execution of Evalyn Dan'ela. «—four, at last count. One, I am led to believe, was rather powerful and important. And that isn't even to mention the other Hutts I have killed to gain my wealth and power.»

He could see that the human thought he held all of the cards. What the human failed to see was that the deck he played with was padded with cards from Nem'ro's deck. Cards he could withdraw with a command. And Nem'ro's own deck? Well, few who saw the cards in that deck were alive to tell the story. «So, Senator, I would reconsider your course. There is no need for us to fight. I am not asking much—not requiring you to smuggle weapons or drugs through Republic Space. I am not even asking for your vote in the Senate or favor on Brentaal. All I require from you is information.» The slug steepled his pudgy fingers. «Information that is owed to me for my part in our deal. So, I will give you one more chance. Can I count on you to hold up on your end of the bargain?» He paused a moment and glanced sideways at his bodyguards, then back at the camera. «Or do I need to make my power more tangible for you?» @Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

“Be my guest, Nem’ro. Flex your imaginary muscles, slither your way out from Ryloth and into the heart of the Republic. See how well you might fare against the forces of Brentaal, the Grand Army and the Jedi Order even as the Sith inch into your territory.” He taunted the Hutt, proud and confident with every word. Nicolás was not only fueled by his own arrogance, but also through hope. He found new hope in his coming reign over the Hydian Way, new hope in the man he loved, a new hope that he could leave the past behind and become a better man. Ending his deal with Nem’ro was one of those steps to reach that ultimate goal. The Hutt could make his threats, but Nicolás would not be deterred. At this point, it was either he gave into his past or shed it in favor of the future. Of course, the answer was clear.

“You seriously overestimate the power you think you have over me or Brentaal. You say you own Ryloth, you tell me that the Outer-Rim remains under your influence over what— spice?” He stopped himself short from laughing, not wanting to further antagonize the Hutt, even if he already had multiple times since the start of their conversation. Instead, he maintained a serious expression, unfazed by whatever taunts Nem’ro had decided to rebound his way. They were only echoes of his own. All bark but no bite. “This is Brentaal, the Republic. You have no influence here. None. Alderaan is surrounded by all sides, embroiled in civil war and an eventual occupation by the Grand Army. And the Hydian Way? We both know the evidence presented to the Senate was fabricated. You have nothing here. Nothing.”

“But I have everything.” He tilted his head and shrugged. “You offer an interesting deal, Nem’ro, but you have nothing to give me but the risk of exposure and headaches.” He left out heartache too, knowing Numenius would be hurt to discover that Nicolás had instrumented much of the chaos and fear in the Republic and alongside a Hutt that had caused much of the same, but throughout the galaxy. He couldn’t allow it. “You want information? Here’s a piece— Senator Cormond, now the head of the most powerful House on Brentaal, has formally denounced all forms of corruption and will commit Brentaal to the war against the Cartel.” There it was. The plan he had in mind now. “What do you think that, Nem’ro?”

Another taunt. He realized taking this route would earn him the ire of the powerful Hutt, but he was in the midst of betraying his own family. What did he have to fear from a slug halfway across the galaxy?

@Malon

 

[Nem'ro the Hutt]

Nem'ro laughed again. This time, it was deeper and longer, and, this time, his court roared along with him. «It's not that I overestimate my power, it is that you underestimate it. How do you think my agents got onto Brentaal to execute your little operation so easily? Hm? How do you think we managed to pull off the situation on Alderaan all those years ago?» The Hutt chuckled again and swirled his drink around the glass. «Money and fear run the galaxy from the Core to the Outer Rim, and I have somewhat cornered the market in both. If you think political borders will protect you, well, you are gravely mistaken.»

The large slug signed and leaned forward a bit. «The so-called Grand Army is still in swaddling cloths. Brentaal is not exactly known for its military might. The Jedi—» He rolled his large eyes. «—have a grand total of three ships to their name, according to my information, and the Sith have bigger fish to fry than me. Face it, Cormond, you're alone. Commit Brentaal to fight the Hutt Cartel. It will hardly make a difference.»

The Hutt sat back, tapping his pudgy fingers on the armrest of his throne. «But you asked me what I think. I think... I am supremely disappointed. You had such promise. Such potential. Feed me information from the Senate, and you could have had anything that you desired. Money? Power? Weapons? You could have had it all. But now?» He tsked. «Now, you shall have blood. So, to show you that my intentions are indeed genuine, allow me to demonstrate just a tiny fragment of my power and influence.»

He tapped a few buttons and the holographic image shifted. Some of the images displayed show Nico alone, but, as the holograms progressed, another came into the picture. Numenious Pax showed up in many of them. And, as Nem'ro watched, he cooed mockingly. «You seem to have become quite fond of Senator Pax of late. I confess, he would look better in something... slightly more metallic.» The Hutt gestured to one of his Twi'lek slaves, stretched out along the base of his throne. A truly horrible grin spread across the crime lord's face. «But to each his own. I like to have insurance, should one of my agents go rogue, so I have payed very close attention to the HoloNet and your movements of late. Especially, once it became clear that you had no intentions of checking in with me.» He was quiet a moment. «So, now, I will pose the same question you posed me. What do you think of that, Senator Cormond?» @Deviant

 

[Nicolás Cormond]

“I think nothing of it. If you believe Senator Pax and I share anything beyond being members of the Senate, then you are the one who is mistaken. And if you still believe your taunts will intimidate me, think again.” He stared at Nem’ro straight in the eye, remaining expressionless despite the hate burning inside him. His fingers, unseen through the hologram, clenched into a fist. In the distance, a metal can trembled and crumbled into a heap, an inkling of the power he possessed. If only he could reach through this channel and do the same to the Hutt, then Nicolás would feel content with his abilities. But he couldn’t. Instead, he was left fuming under a mask of carelessness, wondering why he was so stupid to have not noticed how obvious his relationship with Numenius had grown. If Senator Adasca could have seen it, then surely, Nem’ro would have too.

“Your words mean nothing to me, because your word has no honor. You have no character. And of course you wouldn’t. You’re a Hutt, unremarkably fat and unsurprisingly foul to both smell and look at. An outcast from your family and for your interests. You’ve killed many either by hand or through the spice you sell as it poisons the galaxy. You lie, manipulate, pillage and enslave.” His voice and focus hardened, absolutely fearless. His anger was what made him strong. His hate was what made him powerful, and he would not cower before this abnormally large log of shit. Nicolás was better than that, although not above parrying the Hutt’s cruel words with a few of his own. “Go ahead, Nem’ro. Wave your pudgy hand and see if I care. You’ve proven nothing except that you’re slithering creep and a criminal.”

“Send your assassins, work your magic. What I’ve decided is already decided. The deal is off and this little relationship we share is heading back to the garbage chute it belongs.” Despite everything, he remained totally unfazed and unafraid. For every threat Nem’ro hauled his way, Nicolás pushed back a wave of taunts. By the Force, he would have the last word. And literally, by the Force, he would see to it that whatever assassins Nem’ro sent to either him or Numenius would be torn to pieces and their heads shipped back to the Hutt for a pleasant surprise. Regardless, their conversation was nearing its end. As was his patience for the crime lord’s half-baked warnings. “Is that all, Nem’ro?” He topped his quip back with a smirk, content with how this discussion had gone.

Although, deep under that smile, he still felt fear. Not for him, but for Numenius.

@Malon

 

[Nem'ro the Hutt]

Holograms were utterly worthless for determining body language. They could be doctored and parts of the body could be obscured from the camera responsible for rendering the image. But the inflections in one's voice and the way one's calmness suddenly dissolves into bitter, angry, ranting? Even a hologram couldn't hide the fact that Nem'ro's jabs had hit their intended marks. And while he could have used the moment to call out the Senator's own obvious hypocrisy on matters like "honor," murder, and using others as a commodity for achieving a higher status for oneself, the Hutt was content to let the Senator's mind do that for itself.

No doubt, once the call ended, he would spend entire nights reliving this conversation and spotting all of the places where he went wrong. Worse was the realization that he would soon have that, even if he did come to regret his words and actions, the regret would come entirely too late. So, Nem'ro simply embraced the moment of cold silence. Everyone listening tot he call would know who had struck which blow—a fact which would be driven home when Nem'ro's grotesque sluglike mouth curled upward in an equally-grotesque grin. He milked the silence a few more moments, allowing the Senator to stew with his anger and hidden fear.

Then, in an abrupt change from Huttese to Basic—a language Nem'ro had never spoken to Nicolás, and only reserved for those he either highly respected or, ironically, those he was about to kill—his voice dropped low and he said, "We shall see, Senator."

And then he cut the connection.

The hologram of the Senator vanished in an instant and, half-way across the galaxy, Senator Cormond would be left with only the threat hanging in the air. Back on Ryloth, though, Nem'ro motioned for his majordomo to attend him. He had enjoyed his throneworld for far too long. It was time to make a little trip to the Core.

Personally. @Deviant