Ask Old Friends

[Preef Callo]

The planet Eriadu. Three miles from the former Zaa Fenn Crime Family's penthouse​

The old rodian stood in front of a Virtual HoloNet shop that had once been his favorite noodle bar. A lot had changed since he was forced to leave the Zaa Fenn Crime Family behind. Almost thirty years ago he had bought himself the Zaa Fenn name together with Marissa Hesse, his faithful partner in crime. A few years later they had taken over and built the penthouse-

The rodian looked up between the high risers and saw the building that still had the penthouse, though different occupants lived there now. He had expected a sharp pain in his chest. One of regret, perhaps. One that encompassed the pain his friends had felt since his presumed death. Most of them had died since. Scoundrels he had recruited himself. Talented enforcers he had taken under his wing. Most of them, if not all, had died at the hands of contractors he had hired as well. Despite the pretense of the Zaa Fenn -the posse that was built on trust and friendship- the criminal underworld turned out to be a cutthroat. What he had heard didn't leave much to the imagination. His confidants had been betrayed from within.

Marissa Hesse was presumed dead. Gareth Gin was imprisoned after -by all accounts- going mad. Preef had braved Mandalorian blasters with that Mirakulan daredevil. He had always the highest regard for the White Lion. His successor as chief enforcer and vanguard of the Zaa Fenn. It was the saddest news to hear how his family was gone. Now that Jon had banished him from Takodana and his beloved Belching Frog Ranch.. what did the old rodian have left?

"You want spicey encounter in virtual?" a young human man with shoddy teeth approached him waving some goggles that would poorly fit around a rodian's eyes. "A spicey encounter?" Preef asked, thinking once again about the noodles he had intended to eat here tonight. "Yes, yes. Spicey. Lookalike of President Thorne and the harem of Naboo's Queen." Preef frowned but couldn't suppress a smile. So even after two decades the Spicelord had maintained his Thorne and Sith ruses successfully despite galactic attention. "No thanks," the rodian shook his head and started to gesture towards the east, "I seem to remember there was a boxing gym nearby. One that was rumored to have connections to the-" he noticed the human gulp and nod to interrupt the rodian. Apparently the Zaa Fenn wasn't a favorite topic of conversation anymore.

"It's empty now, but the building is still there. Third alley to the right." and without another attempt at selling the old man some spicey virtual the human turned around and left the rodian standing there looking east. Once upon a time that gym was on of his spots. Places he hid credits in case he needed a quick getaway. If Preef wanted to get into Hutt Space -where he'd feel safest- then he needed credits to get there, first.

A few minutes later a bolt from his peacemaker hit the doorpanel and the door slid open. Both the alley behind him and the interior of what was once a boxing gym for scoundrels of the Zaa Fenn were dark. Without hesitation he stepped inside, signature peacemaker in hand. He might not get recognized by anyone alive due to age and the forgetfulness of time, but it didn't hurt to be careful.

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

In the darkness of the boxing gym heavy strikes could be heard, a large figure hitting one of the abandoned boxing bags before it split open after the last punch, a heavy finisher that had a lot of emotions put into it. The Miralukan's head tilted upwards, letting out an exhale before sitting on a dusty bench, taking out his flask of alcohol and taking a big sip out of it.

The disgraced Lion of Zaa Fenn didn't plan to come to Eriadu on his way home, but he ended up wandering into the planet almost without realizing. It was a mix of a great sense of nostalgia and bitterness, seeing how this planet was once quite important to the Zaa Fenn...But it also was the place where everything went to shit: The death of Preef Callo.

It didn't take long for the criminal family that was supposed to do some good, the one filled with people that were loyal to each other, to be turned into the same scum you could see in any other syndicate...And then to be completely destroyed under his banner after one last hail mary.

He always thought that he only cared about going down in history, something which he had certainly done, but part of him wished he had died after making that history, because the pain of going downhill after making it to the history books was great and, as a result of achieving so with infamy, he had no one to come to...And he couldn't blame no one but himself.

Gareth wasn't capable of feeling "bad" for the people on Mon Cal, but he still wasn't able to feel proud about it. Sure, he was the only one sucessfully fight back against the ISC during that war, but what had that brought him? He made himself a monster in the name of the Syndicates, tearing a part of his humanity only to be greeted with treachery after treachery...And yet he could only blame himself for his naivety.

"Who goes there?" Gareth would say in the dark, his voice hoarse and tired. The presence in the force was familiar to the old Lion, but it had been so long the Matukai couldn't tell who exactly was it "This is no place for squatters, I suggest you leave." The Miralukan would add, he was currently unmasked, but he had realized that in many places of the galaxy it was hard to recognize him by his face, specially after all this time...He just had to make sure to dispose of whoever did.

@Eccles

 

[Preef Callo]

Preef was greeted by the unmistaken sound of someone hitting punching bags and then to the rodian's surprise his eyes adjusted to the dark just in time to see it tear apart! Whoever was hitting that bag had immense strength and Preef subconsciously gripped his blaster just a little tighter. The figure's hoarse and tired voice rung out and made clear that the rodian had a choice to back out, forget about his stash and never reach Hutt Space, or step forward to claim it and show his colors as a gunslinger.

"Not a squatter," he replied in a tone of voice so matter-of-fact that he himself was reminded by the fact he had once been commanding an entire syndicate the same way. "Just here to pick something up-" another step forward and closer to the large figure made Preef stop. He knew, from decades of experience, that there'd be trouble if the figure rushed him unexpectedly. Amongst gunslingers there was a clear rule about the minimum distance gunslingers needed to beat a charging bull. Once upon a time Preef would've been able to draw at an unfathomable speed, but that was also two decades ago and he wasn't sure if he could still pull it off. "-so how about you keep training and I just-"

The rodian paused. That figure standing in front of him. Add a few years. Add whatever madness did to a body. Could it be.. "You ever hear of Gareth Zaa Fenn?" he asked, getting more convinced by the second that he was looking at the White Lion of the Zaa Fenn. Though admittedly he wasn't sure.. but how many Mirakulans of his posture and size would be at an abandoned boxing gym once owned by them?

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

The Miralukan listened carefull as the other man replied...Picking something up, was he a former member of the Zaa Fenn too? Gareth would stand up from the bench, part of him thinking about charging at the man and ripping his head off in order to make sure he wasn't recognized, but the sense of familiarity began to grow stronger and stronger after he heard the Rodian's voice, after he started to focus on the antique of a pistol that he had with him...And understanding who he was once he referred to him as Gareth Zaa Fenn.

His mouth would open wide, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks "Could it be?...No, that's impossible" Of course, denial was the first reaction the Lion would have, placing his hand on his head as he looked down, the situation finally setting in "Have I finally lost it? Talking to visions of people long gone...No, he is definitely here, but is he..." Gareth muttered to himself, talking about Preef as if he wasn't there for a moment before his head looked back at him "What is it to you?" He would ask, they both knew now, it was just a matter of confirming it.

@Eccles

 

[Preef Callo]

Theme​

Preef Callo had once started out robbing homesteads with nothing but his blaster. He learned to recognize the ones that wouldn't fight back and those that were simply fated to get shot by a robber. The White Lion had been one of the few exceptions to that rule. He who took down Durr the Hutt together with the once legendary gunslinger. The Mirakulan, who Preef affectionally called by their shared adopted last name, had always been more than simply a fast hand. A Legend. One of Preef Callo's Nar Shaddaa Legends. But regardless of all their accomplishments, of everything they had done or had become since, Gareth was family. He had been since the very start.. and Preef had abandoned him. For good reasons, but looking at the Mirakulan now.. couldn't they have challenged both Andrui's Empire and Raze's Consortium together and won? The dust settling and they -with Marissa- still standing?

Regret filled the rodian, "I owe him-" he choked and did something that only very few in this situation had ever seen him do: he holstered his peacemaker, "-too many apologies." Long ago, with the clear threat to his friends and family, Preef had made the choice to disappear. For the secrets he knew would've destroyed them all. Yet, hadn't it all ended up the same way anyhow? "To start with a lie." the rodian stepped closer so he could clearly recognize the Mirakulan despite age and madness having changed his features in a similar way as Preef's had changed. "I never died, Gareth."


@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

The Miralukan listened closely as the Rodian approached him, his presence being clearer and clearer to the Lion as he got closer...He couldn't deny it now, the old gunslinger in front of him was none other than Preef Callo for sure "Y-you...how did you...?" Gareth asked, perplexed and surprised. He had given up all hope on hearing his friend again, a wound that never truly closed as the aftermath of his death caused more and more pain and misery to the old Matukai fighter.

Gareth's lip would tremble for a moment, his hardened expression of ruthlessness and madness softening up for a moment before composing himself, the momentary happiness being washed away by indignation as he clenched his teeth and his fists "How did you survive? Where did you go? Where have you been this whole time?" Question after question would the White Lion throw at him, his tone rising as confusion turned into anger "Explain yourself, Preef!" Had the Rodian chosen another way to approach him, Gareth would've welcomed him with open arms, thinking that maybe he had been captured by the sith in secret or something alongside those lines...But he came to him to apologize, he had lied...Gareth started to draw conclusions on his own, conclusions that agitated him yet seemed quite likely.

@Eccles

 

[Preef Callo]

Some of the gunslinger's bravado suddenly glimpsed through, "You didn't really think I'd die that easily, did you?" The legendary rodian who was known to use jetboots had fallen to his death, smashing against the concrete so hard that everything but his boots had been an unrecognizable mess. In reality, Preef had simply stunned a rodian look-a-like, put his boots on him and thrown him to his death from the Zaa Fenn penthouse hangar.

"When the Sith Empress broke our alliance and attacked me," he said, remembering the moment as if it had just happened. He knew now why she had done it, too. Preef had mentioned that he knew the real identity of Darth Raze and he figured that the Empress, for whatever reason, had seen it as a threat. If the rodian had learned anything from facing and fighting with Force sensitives in his accomplished career it was that they were highly impulsive. "I knew that me being alive would put a target on all of you. So, to save you all from the Sith I pretended to be dead."

Out of habit he didn't reveal where he'd gone or where he'd been. The Belching Frog Ranch on Takodana was a secret he had only ever told Marissa Hesse and now that his wife still lived there he fully well intended it to remain a secret, too.

"I truly didn't expect they'd come after you all anyway-" his words trailed off. He was the only one who knew that Darth Raze and Emryc Thorne were the same person. That the Independent Systems Consortium declaring a war on the Five Syndicates wasn't a wholesome act to defend the innocents, but rather to take control of the spice trade, something Preef had once refused to do on the Sith's behalf. Perhaps he had overestimated his own importance, after all.

That Gareth had tried to settle the war with an openly claimed act of terrorism was foolish and something their enemies easily abused to gain favor and support against them. But, for the White Lion of the Zaa Fenn, it hadn't been out of character. Perhaps if Marissa had been more present, kept more in contact with the family's enforcers.. No, it was of no use to get hung up on the past.

"Gareth Zaa Fenn," the rodian repeated, his voice showing none of the apologetic tone he started with. "Was I wrong to leave you in command of the Legends?."

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

"No, I didn't...At first" Gareth said before letting out an exhale, sitting on the bench once more "But I also thought you would've come back to us if that were the case" He bitterly stated "Yet here we are, having this conversation decades later after your supposed death" a conversation that had happened only because luck and the will of the force, the Rodian had had plenty of time to come back to them and this was how they reunited.

After the Rodian explained what happened and his reasoning behind leaving, the Lion let out a tired little chuckle, trying to find humor in it all "Didn't stop her from being the highest contributor to the record breaking bounty on my head, the hypocrite..." The Empire had burned and destroyed many worlds in order to get rid of the jedi and to conquest the galaxy, yet they felt the need to do that when he was only employing such tactics because the syndicates had no hope to win against such a faction head on. Once, he thought it was a PR move to lower everyone's guard, but what Preef said did make some sense. Maybe they really wanted them out of the game.

"The galaxy smelled weakness within our family the moment you were attacked...And they weren't wrong to do so" Gareth shook his head, remiscing back when he was the de facto leader of the Zaa Fenn...if only because there wasn't anyone else "The family that was supposed to be different, loyal... didn't strike back after their leader was killed, not only that but Covax went to kneel to the Empress and ask for forgiveness" The White Lion couldn't help but spit on the ground, disgusted by that act and one of the many factors that made him act so recklessly "Neither did they care about the war or the fact that Marissa had bailed as well, before I realized our family had been filled with the same gutless, greedy trash that makes the rest of the syndicates, drawn by the profits of Coruscant"

Gareth did gather, however, that there was more behind the sith involvement on it all that he initially thought because of the way the Rodian phrased it, but he wouldn't have the time to ask for details before the Rodian addressed him as Zaa Fenn, the name that caught him pride weighing on him heavily as the Matukai took another big swig from his flask in response before responding "I think the results speak for themselves, don't they?"

His head tilted down for a moment, his body language being one of self pity and bitterness "I was too naive to be the leader...I was the only one to deal an actual blow to the ISC from the syndicate's side as we kept losing territories, I did so to try and inspire our family and the other syndicates to fight against overwhelming odds as our family used to" The Miralukan gave Preef a small smile, a sad, defeated one "And instead the other legends turned against me, while the other syndicates used me as a scapegoat to end the war."

He had lost everything during that war, the rabble within the family didn't care for him and those that were once loyal and good thought of him as a monster...Once, he thought that he had just put a sick Zaa Fenn out of its misery, that the family deserved either to rise up during that war or burn down. But after leaving prison he had heard of those remnants that still carried the name of Zaa Fenn...And he couldn't help but feel guilty about dragging them down with him.

@Eccles

 

[Preef Callo]

Preef didn't recognize the White Lion of the Zaa Fenn. The man before him was wallowing in self-pity the likes the rodian had never seen before. "Legend, just the one-" Preef corrected Gareth, "I don't recall this Covax ever made it through the application process." For some reason Preef kept hearing that Shane Covax had been one of his Legends of Nar Shaddaa, yet the rodian never announced to the galaxy that he was, as he had done with Aska, Ines and Gareth. All he remembered of Shane was a man who was shot unceremoniously by perimeter guards and didn't escape Nal Hutta with the rest of them.

"You and me both weren't fit to be leaders it seems," Preef continued, knowing that the decisions he had made by himself, namely putting random mercs on a pedestal as "his legends" and retiring to avoid the Sith Empire targeting the Zaa Fenn had both turned out to be the very causes that destroyed his family. "Perhaps Marissa will return," the rodian said, hopeful, "or Shere, or someone else will step up to usher the Zaa Fenn into a new era."

Preef approached Gareth and placed on hand on the man's shoulder, before gently taking the flask away from him. "It just won't be us," he took a swig of whatever was inside the flask, "We're just meant to be the blaster or the fist of whoever takes up the mantle."

That said, didn't he come here for a reason? "I stashed some credits here and I was going to use it to get to Nar Shaddaa. Join me," he held out the flask towards Gareth, "Together as enforcers we'd be unstoppable."

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

"Right, right, the galaxy has been saying that so much they've even got me to do that too" Gareth let out a small chuckle, followed by a sigh "Ah...wish I didn't send my backup away to save his life that day, that's what I get for giving a shit about random thugs" ...But would it have changed things, really? Probably not, it was not Covax who took him out after all, but rather his partner in crime, Aska, although maybe she would've understood what it felt to lose a brother then, maybe she would've seen things the way he did.

"I think I've got you beat in the horrible leader department, at least those loyal to Zaa Fenn still hold you in high regard" Gareth added...Preef was not wrong about them being the weapons of those that actually had the ability to lead, but the old Lion knew his infamous reputation preceded him even more...He was the man that destroyed the Zaa Fenn family, if anything the upcoming leaders would want his head, not his fist.

"I escaped from prison before they could execute me Preef, the moment I become a blip on the radar once more there'll be quite a sizable bounty on my head, you okay with that?" Gareth asked, taking his flask back before finishing what was left of it "And what are your plans? Why Nar Shaddaa?" Sure, the smuggler moon was one of the best places for small jobs...but it was also a Hutt infested hellhole as of right now, was Preef going to take another jab at the cartel?

@Eccles[/abox]

 

[Preef Callo]

"You think it's any different for me?" Preef asked Gareth, "They'll always be worried I'm here to take over again, start wars and affect the bottom line." When Preef lead the Crymorah Syndicate it had been unrivaled in power and the Hutt Cartel had endured the brunt of it when Preef took their precious home and started committing Hutticide without repercussions. No, if it wasn't for the Empress the Five Syndicates wouldn't have just split up, they'd have been absorbed.

"Let them come," the rodian smiled, "I'm not hiding anymore and neither should you."

Not to say that if they wanted some measure of safety and security they would need allies, too. The two of them could hardly take shifts to sleep and watch each other's backs. The possibilities, though, seemed endless. "Why Nar Shaddaa?" Preef thought back to the Belching Frog Ranch on Takodana where he lived during his 'retirement' and then the smelling decayed lower levels of the moon where he had grown up in indentured servitude to a minor Hutt. "Because it's home."

Heh. Worst case scenario they'd one day face an army together and go out in a blaze of Glory like Gamm Cassidy and the Rodian Kid. That was every gunslinger's dream.

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

"Maybe the Hutts and other big bosses, but you know damn well half the bright eyed rookies and street rabble in the galaxy will kiss your boots if only because of those cheesy comics they made and still make about you" Gareth half joked in response, a small smile forming on him as his tone went back to the boisterous ways of the younger, cheerier white Lion of Zaa Fenn, even if for a moment.

Gareth stood up, "looking" at the Rodian for a moment, he had been mostly alone for a couple decades now, he could maybe lash out at the Rodian for faking his death, but he trusted in the past and so decided to trust him now...Either he had a good reason or he was about to throw him away in the future once more, but if there was a chance Gareth would ever be able to lower his guard around anyone during the rest of his life, it was with him.

...For the first time in years, he was hopeful "You're right, it's unlike me to hide" Gareth said, punching the Rodian in the shoulder in a friendly manner (Which would still hurt a bit even if the lion didn't really mean to do so) "We'll need to go back to Serenno first though, I had made the empty vault we raided my improvised home, got a few things in there as well." He added, jutting his head towards where Preef was initially heading to "Lead the way."

 

[Preef Callo]

Preef waved off the comment about the comics. He had preferred the HoloMovies himself, 'The Good, The Bad and the Rodian' was a classic. He never liked the stuff where he had to actually read. Not back then, anyway.

As the Mirakulan stood up he reminded the rodian why he had been called the 'White Lion of the Zaa Fenn'. Gareth was massive compared to him. His muscles and fighting style always made sure to crack the nerves of whoever Preef had send Gareth after in his enforcer days. He had been a good Vanguard, too. He'd give him a pass on being a bad figurehead. He didn't have his own Marissa, after all.

That didn't mean the man had to punch him! Preef involuntarily stepped back on impacts and only barely managed to contain a 'Yelp' as he caressed his shoulder with the suction fingers on both of his hands. "Have some pity on an old rodian," he laughed to vent some of the stress from getting punched. The mention of the vault did bring back memories, though, memories of a better time, too. "Prison scramble your brain or something?" the rodian asked, though as he said it he was afraid to delve further in. If something scrambled Gareth Zaa Fenn's brain then it most definitely wasn't his stint in prison.. it'd be the Force. Preef knew the Mirakulan was Force-sensitive and that all rumors surrounding him strongly hinted at its corruption. "That vault was here on Eriadu."

Not waiting for a reply, mainly because Preef figured Gareth would have to do some internal check on his memories from before his prison time, the rodian walked over to one of the walls and tapped a combination on what appeared to be simple bricks. After he touched the fifth brick a small compartment slid open, revealing a large bag full of credit chips. "There we go," he grabbed the bag and slung it over his shoulder, "We'll probably need a speeder if you want to reach that vault again."

OOC: just continue to the Vault in this thread

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

"Bah, don't be such a baby, you were also punched by an old guy!" The Matukai laughed after that comment, probably not aware of his strength even when holding back before he froze for a moment as Preef reminded him that the vault was nowhere as far as he thought "Right...that's why the trip here was so short after al. Heh, I... must be tired, that's all." He shook his head for a moment before letting out a smile, trying to lighten up the mood before following the Rodian.

"Yeah, I took the speeder of the last person I fought today to get here regardless, it won't take long " After all, he was still working from time to time, just...not under the name of the Lion. Gareth could still break skulls and fight and many people were willing to spend credits to have him even if he didn't show his real identity.

Eventually they would reach the vault and Preef would notice that Gareth was not really going for it itself, but rather a freighter that would quickly open up "Guess this is a handy way to get to Nar Shaddaa...Ain't my old ship but it will have to do" The inside of the freighter would look like no one even stepped on it...save for the two droids that were currently doing maintenance.

Gareth would sit down and look at Preef "Besides, I may have the cargo hold full of platinum and other precious metals from my last big job" Truth is, he didn't think that job was worth it, he got nothing from it but nasty scars and a bad taste in his mouth, but he supposed he had something to do with his riches now "Fighting Killiks is apparently profitable...as long as they want you to keep quiet about it" Gareth would add "So, between that and your credits we should be okay for a while."

@Eccles

 

[Preef Callo]

Although they had managed to catch up some more during the speeder ride over, Preef was still surprised to find the freighter parked near the vault and Gareth just matter-of-factly opening the door. It looked brand new, was clean as a shaved Bantha in a MorataCorp testing facility and Gareth's own admission about the contents of the cargo hold had Preef stunned.

"You really had me fooled, Gareth" the old rodian laughed as he sat down on the couch in the ship's crew area, "I though you were a homeless man going slowly mad from solitude," and the Dark Side of the Force, but Preef wasn't going to mention that one, "While really you have this nice ship and all this wealth."

Kriff, Marissa and he had escaped Canto Bight with less after their daring casino heist. This wasn't just inflation, this was Gareth being the badass Preef remembered him to be.

He sat upright, slapped his legs and threw the heavy bag with credits off of his shoulder and onto the couch. "You don't happen to have some Corellian whiskey on your new ship, too?"

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

"I don't blame you, I am not exactly dressing like back when I was an Enforcer...Neither could really spend any of this" Gareth said, slouching forward as he clasped his hands together "Didn't exactly want to attract attention by throwing money away, and I can't say I care much about the material side of things anymore...except alcohol, of course" Of course, he had never been the most materialistic of persons...but back then he at least treated his glorious mane a little better.

"More of a Gin person, but I think I've got something" Gareth would tilt his head towards one of the droids, the astromech one "BA-10, do us a favour and bring us some whiskey from the cargo" And the droid would indeed do so, not taking long before bringing a bottle of Corellian whiskey...fortunately it was one of the most common bottles in the galaxy to have, never a bad choice though "So, how did being dead treat you? What did you do all these years?" The Matukai would finally ask, taking a sip from his glass before speaking up once more "I can't say life has been comfortable as of late, sure wish I could've found a way to fake my death after escaping prison, must've been a lot calmer, all things considered"

@Eccles

 

[Preef Callo]

Preef was grateful for the drink and took a large sip before he collected his thoughts and replied, "Calmer, sure." His faint smile didn't seem to last long as he took the bottle to refill his glass. "For a while it was good. I've had this hidden place since I worked for the Crimson Dawn," which was ages ago before they even bought into the destitute Zaa Fenn Crime Family, before their move to Eriadu, "Only caught rumors when I went to town and even that news was often months, sometimes an entire year old." Takodana was one of those worlds where there was little to mine and no humanoid species that populated a world like humans did, Andui was often late in receiving galactic news from the spacebuoys and the rodian only went into town once every month or so.

"Didn't hear about the war on the syndicates until it was already over," he shook his head and downed his full glass of whiskey. He probably couldn't have made a difference. What could a single rodian do against fleets and armies of worlds that were so advanced that they were members of that Galactic Senate? "Didn't hear about many things until I reached Eriadu." A civilized and advanced world even before the Sith occupation, Eriadu had flooded the old rodian with many old news stories.

He dropped the empty glass back on the table and smiled at his old friend, "I never expected to see you again, Gareth. Marissa, you, me and Pidge. Do you remember when we first set foot here on Eriadu? Marissa and I had just been rewarded a small fortune for defending Kessel. We went here to pay Shere and get adopted into the Zaa Fenn." It all looked so much simpler back then. Their aspirations had been to become 'Crimelords of Eriadu' and instead rose much further than they had initially planned. Like that winged alien that flew too close to the sun. Preef attracted too much attention, played a dangerous game on the HoloNet and decided to meet with galactic leaders.

@Versok

 

[Gareth Gin]

Gareth listened carefully as Preef talked and told him of where he had been while everything happened. It wasn't the most detailed explanation, but the Miralukan could tell the Rodian was truthful, so it would calm any doubts he had for the time being "Yeah, we didn't last long" Gareth would say, they could've lasted a bit longer should they had followed him, but it was clear that was not something the criminals of the Outer Rim wanted to do, not when claiming the bounty on his head was far more profitable at the very least.

"Well, one of us was supposedly dead while the other was on death row" He wondered how the people in Mon Cal reacted to the news of him escaping prison. Did they fear he would strike again? Were they angry and afraid? Gareth certainly hoped so. His dream always had been to be in people's minds, to go down in history...He had certainly achieved that, and he didn't care how he did it. "So this reunion is either the will of the Force or miracles do really exist."

"Yeah, so much for that, you think with all the money the Pykes had they would've learn to defend Kessel better." Gareth shook his head at the mention of the spice planet, still wondering how they decided to let the ISC take it with no resistance. God, they let Nor'baal of all people just take the reins and surrender their territory! How did they manage to stay so influential for so long?

The White Lion would let out a small smile and a chuckle at the mention of the other people in the syndicates, especially Marissa. He gathered most of them didn't hold them in high regard, hell, did Preef know his last decree as an enforcer was to try and overthrow his best friend? Not that there was any other choice "Ah...Shere, he was so done with the Zaa Fenn he knew he really let us take over like that, I wonder how the old cat is doing." ...And what he thought of what Zaa Fenn had become.

@Eccles