The Quick and the Dead

[Rev]

Hydian Way, Dustig Sector
Mid Rim, Malastare System
1 Year Prior to Dawn of the Republic Timeline

The small freighter hummed with life as it tore through Hyperspace along one of the most popular trade routes the universe had to offer. Behind the controls sat the lone pilot, Zekk Coron, an otherwise unknown spacer from the junkyards of Ord Mantell. Relaxing into his seat his eyes looked up at the navigation computer, the monitor flickering in and out from time to time. His vision narrowed in on the corner of the small readout to see the time frame to his destination, Malastare; 1 hour and 13 minutes. Huffing out a breath of air the sigh was a reminder of something he was missing and with the sound came the padding of his jacket in an almost methodical order: side pockets, left inner pocket, right inner pocket, right chest pocket, and left chest pocket.

"Bingo."

His matured voice escaped his mind as the cheer of accomplishment slipped his lips. Hearing it echo off the durasteel cabin almost sent chills down his spine, but the sound was as much a familiarity as it was for him to check his pockets. Pulling out a beaten up container he popped the latch on the side to be greeted by 3 rolled cigarras each no different than the others. Plucking one out he brought it to his lips and gave it a spark with his wrist attachment before breathing in a deep inhale of the rankweed and fully relaxing into his seat for what felt like the first time in ages. Exhaling a plume of blue smoke he heard a loud clang from the back of the ship as if something had fallen. The sound brought him from fully relaxed to high alert, his free right hand grasping towards his blaster. As his fingertips reached handle he was reminded that for the first time in a long time he had a passenger on board, and one he hired to be here. Cursing himself, this time keeping it to himself, he tried to relax back into his seat letting the memory of how the two came to be in each others company take over his thoughts.

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"He's late."

Zekk's fingers tapped against the tabletop in no specific order, but to anyone who paid attention it had the meaning of impatience behind it. Bringing his wrist attachment up he peered at the time and realized it had been almost 20 minutes he had been sitting within the small Czerka office. Peering around the room it was mostly empty minus a few spacers and traders that were more or less coming and going. Running a hand through his hair he took in a deep breath trying to relax. The full head of black hair went back to its loose state upon his hand leaving it alone and he found himself again looking at his wrist. This time he brought up the information to whom exactly it was he was meeting.

Giving the information a look through for what had to be the hundredth time it didn't give him much other than he would be a Mandalorian. It didn't even say this Mandalorian's name, age, or even if he was a he only that they would meet Zekk here... 20 minutes ago. Feeling the nerves in his stomach twist his imagination drew up the idea that Roorba had caught wind of him and was setting up some sort of trap for the young pilot. Giving the room another once over he simply stuck his hand up and seconds later was greeted by a female. The woman smiled at him before going about her routine of an introduction.

"Welcome to Czerka, I am Thea Krussk. How can I be of service to you, Sir?"

Zekk gave her a quick look over, top to bottom and bottom back to top before popping shooting the comment that had been plaguing his mind since he got to the business.

"I need a drink, Thea."

She smiled at him before shaking her head in disapproval.

"I'm sorry Sir, we are not that sort of establishment. If you need any wa-..."

He would cut her off before she could finish.

"Listen. I don't need any wares, or supplies, or services. I need one thing and one thing only.."

He paused for a short moment to stare at the woman's dumbfounded face and allow her to think about.

"Find me a drink."

She smiled and nodded before backing away and making her way towards the back. Whether or not she would find something was a complete shot in the dark to Zekk, but it would at least shut her up for a few minutes. Every being that walked through the damn door had been bombarded by the same greeting and it was driving him insane. Resting his head in his hands he rubbed his forehead before running his fingers back down his face to his chin and back up; repeating the motion for what felt like eternity.

"I really hope this isn't Roorba's doing.."

 

[Sreeya]

Almost as a shadow, a woman came to sit next to Zekk. He wouldn’t have heard her coming, nor have been given any indication that he was about to be accompanied. He would merely turn his head and see a woman adorned in black sitting next to him. In her hand was a glass of whiskey, and she twirled it around as if she had been sitting there the whole time.

“Wanted to make sure you were here alone. Just good business practice.”

The woman’s hood was up, only the lower hemisphere of her face visible. She wore form fitting attire, daggers on her person and an assortment of knives along her waist. Her leather, fingerless gloved hand wrapped around the drink, bringing it up to take a sip. Despite the rather lethal appearance, she smelled of jasmine and an assortment of flowers.

“Mind telling me more about the job?”

That was when she cast him a sideways glance, giving him a glimpse of her icy blue eyes.

 

[Rev]

His face would finally leave the "comfort" of his hands and he'd bring his left arm up to check the contents once more only this time something, no, someone caught his attention. He was instead met with a shadowy black figure, one that seemed all too out of place yet somehow blended in with the otherwise bland office environment. It was the feminine figure that told him it was no man but his look over stopped at her hand his eyes focusing on that whiskey.

Huffing in a deep breath he could almost taste the alcohol as the fresh scent of Corellian Whiskey; something he was all too familiar with. Leaning in over her glass he took in another breath and couldnt help but grin before sitting back and soaking in the momentary flavor. The woman had good tastes as the intoxicating aroma or aged Coronet Bourbon Number 83 hit him like a sack of hammers. His grimace of impatience would wear off as her comment broke a smile on his young face.

"I was beginning to wonder if you would even show. I could hire a small army for what I'm offering, but I need the discretion and the..."

He paused to search for the correct word. Having found it he rolled the dice knowing the stubborness of some Mandalorians and the corrections they themselves would offer for perpetuating offense.

"...brashness of a Mandalorian."

He'd close the comment with a fake, but contagious smile. Taking his eyes off where he expected her eyes to be he reached through his jacket: side pockets, inner pockets, chest right, chest left and pulled out the cigarra container. Opening it the metallic tin had 7 of the neatly assorted narcotic. Plucking one out he'f bring it to his lips and spark it before blowing the smoke away from the beautifully smelling woman.

"I've tracked down a Hutt to Malastare. I intend on taking care of the slug, but need someone to assist me in making sure the job is done whether I live or die."

He paused to let the words settle before continuing.

"There is obvious risk in it for you, but assuming you survive and the Hutt is taken care of you will get paid."

Taking in her blue eyes for the first time he felt as if he were looking into the seas of Manaan or the frozen tundras of Hoth. They would however be met with deep green orbs of his own with a depth of cold to them unlike most in the galaxy. He was after vengeance for 9 years and he might just get it. Let it be irony that the womans eyes were a reminder of the reason he was digging his own grave. His brother's blue hues glowing from within hers in secret.

 

[Sreeya]

“I was here an hour before you showed. I had to scope you out first, see what sort of vibes you gave off. You can imagine I deal with all sorts of freaks.”

The woman sighed at the mention of Mandalorian.

“I’m trying to keep the Mandalorian thing under wraps, you see. Whoever gave you information about me…obviously I’ll need to pay them a visit.”

As he pulled out a pack of cigarra, she looked down and grinned.

“Mind if I bum one off you?”

Expecting that he allowed it, she would take the cigarra and place it between her lips and let him continue speaking. She lit it, inhaling deeply from it. The woman had turned to face ahead of herself again, letting the smoke flow out from her nostrils.

“A Hutt. I’m guessing you are aware they don’t go down easy. Your run of the mill blaster won’t work. And no doubt he’ll have his lair set up as a fortress. I can get us in, it’s what we do afterwards that might get hairy.”

She drummed her fingers on the table for a moment.

“All right, I’ll do it. I need half up front. I’m risking my neck big time because you happen to have pissed off a slug of all things. Half now, and the other half if we come out alive. Savvy?”

She turned to him and smiled faintly.

“Name is Talia, pleasure to do business with you.

 

[Rev]

His attention seemed elsewhere to anyone who looked in his direction as the woman spoke. However, despite the casual looks around the room and relaxed posture he listened intently to the woman. Every now and then his breath would take in a hard puff of the cigarra before exhaling the deep blue smoke in any direction but at her. Smirking at the mention of being Mandalorian it wasn't exactly a part that was easily hidden, when he looked her over he didn't get the sense she was the crazed barbarianesque warrior they were all meant out to be; but even how she sat seemed to wreak the essence of a battle hardened veteran.

"Fossk Trammil."

Zekk threw the name out to the woman so she didn't have to do any digging in part of her 'secret.' She would no doubt know the name if he was who he claimed to be. The weaponsmith on Corellia seemed to have connections in places unlike anyone Coron had ever met. Deep down he hoped she didn't kill the man, but where there was trust there was... loyalty.

"We'll just take it outta your pay."

His face remained expressionless before growing into a sly grin as he shook his head. It meant nothing to him to offer the lady a smoke and he watched as she sparked it up with what looked to be experience. Even in a galaxy so large it was a rare treat to find a woman who enjoyed the narcotic. Looking at his own he noted how easy the lung darts were to find, but he seemed to never spot anyone sporting them; she was a rarity.

"I'm glad to hear you're committed. I have a ship, it's no gem.. But it'll get us there and it can get past a blockade with as much prowess as a mynock clung to a control module."

Reaching to his right inner jacket pocket he extracted a credit chip and set it down on the table before sliding it across to her. 7,500 credits on the screen which could be easily transferred to any account on any planet in the galaxy, or if she felt the need could cash it in at the very store they found themselves in. He'd nod his head to the shadowy figure wondering just what the woman truly looked like under the hood before introducing himself at long last.

"Zekk Coron. And I assure you, the pleasure is mine."

Standing from his seated position he took a step in the direction of the exit. Giving her a glance over his shoulder he'd tell her the next important bit of information.

"Hanger 881. I expect to be off this forsaken planet by this time tomorrow."

Walking out of the building he was met with a lavish forest, the view cascading endlessly in all directions it seemed. Giving a look from left to right he spotted an assortment of species before a native one finally came into view: a Wookiee. Heading in the opposite direction he had other business yet to attend to.

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The ship jolted and with it his trance was broken, the day dream.. memory ending abruptly to the view of Malastare. It was his first time to the planet and he hoped it would be his last. He hated the Dugs, nasty creatures that were good at only one thing: Podracing. With any luck they might be able to catch one of the many races the planet offered, but he didn't research whether or not there would be anything worth betting on or even watching for that matter. Switching the ship to manual he began heading in the planets direction, then it happened. The whole ship would jolt a second time rocking in place as if in a freefall but the engine would shut down. The cabin would hum softly as static came over the transmission then a voice filled the entire ship.

"The Great Roorba the Hutt wishes to search this vessel. Comply or be destroyed."

Climbing around the cockpit his eyes tried to peer out of every window he could, but there was no luck to finding the sight he wished to see. The ship would jolt for a third time and the entire vessel began moving up and to the rear. Cursing under his breath he shouted out an obscenity before following it up with the only thing he could.

"..Talia! We have a problem."

As if it wasn't evident in the transmission that came across the ship he reiterated it now. Collapsing into his seat his mind raced unsure of where to go from here the only thought now on his mind was failure and death. They had to come up with something or they'd be the Hutt's entertainment for only Roorbag knew how long.

 

[Sreeya]

Talia rubbed her temples as the transmission came in. She was already beginning to regret accepting this job. They couldn’t exactly jump into hyperspace from here, and they were about to be searched by the men of the very Hutt they intended to kill. Unlike Zekk, Talia kept her cool. She quietly drummed her fingers against the armrest of her seat, hearing the ship lock into place as the boarding party prepared to enter. At long last, she tilted her head to look at Zekk.

“We have to play along and act like we’re merchants. I know you smuggle, so I imagine you have decoy merchandise that can pass for a plain ‘ol import/export deal.”

Without another word, she lowered her hood and began to strip off her outer armor. She had no care that he could see her face now, her angular features and striking blue eyes out in plain sight. She had short, cropped black hair. Talia stripped till she was down to a tank top and pants, tattoos all over her back and down to her shoulders and arms. She also had a few on her inner forearms. The woman was slender, yet noticeably toned. She had seen many battles, multiple scars and old wounds dotting her body.

“I hope you can bullshit. If not, you’ll land us both in hot water.”

Talia’s jaw tightened as she glared at him.

“I oughta be charging double for dealing with this. Act cool, they’re boarding.”

As if on cue, the blast doors opened with a hiss and footsteps followed.

@Rev

 

[Rev]

Zekk couldn't help but cock a brow at the woman upon her assumption. She may have been right, but to think he kept nonsense on board like fake supplies was a bit of a stretch. In the cargo hold he had a rather large crate of junked electronics he'd gotten for a 'steal.' They weren't so much a product that could be merchandised, but they would work for what she had planned; he hoped. As the thought of telling them they were merchants settled within his mind he could feel his blood beginning to boil. If they were merchants being boarded by a member of the Hutt empire his belongings would be stripped of the ship and if they were lucky not dropped off on Malastare with nothing more than what they were wearing. Moving down the hall of the small freighter he stopped in his tracks and decided it was time to speak his mind just as she so freely did.

"Y'know this isn't my fa-..."

He turned to look at Talia but was met with her disrobing. She may have only taken off a layer or two but his eyes explored the assassins new look. The halt in his speech would no doubt draw attention to his stare and he instead turned on his heel and went back to what he was doing after letting out a bit of a gripe.

"...Aggggh nevermind!"

Smacking his hand on the inner hull as he paced the ship his voice rambled under his breath. A mixture of words escaping his thoughts while his mind raced.

"Can I bullshit... bantha fodder. She gets on YOUR ship and acts like she owns the damn thing!"

Replaying her comment about payment in his head only caused more frustration to the young spacerat. This time exclaiming in Huttese from across the ship as he dug through the box of electronics.

"E chuta!"

Pulling out a datapad that was much larger than a typical device he looked it over and nodded feeling it would do what he needed it to. Walking back the way he had come the datapad would this time smack against the hull it letting an echo pierce through the tin can as he continued to think about the woman on board.

"Hell if I'll let some stuck-up offworlder talk to me that way."

Getting the cockpit within sight he made it in time to be greeted by two Rodians, a Trandoshan, and a Twi'lek. His eyes never left the Twi'lek as he sized up the alien trying to find any familiarity which never fostered. Turning he tossed the datapad into a shelfing unit and quickly leaned against it as if to 'cover something up.'

"Nice of you to join us! Always happy to let an assault party on board."

His head bowed in obedience as the group looked at one another before heading to the cockpit themselves, one the Rodian's heading his way to investigate what it was he had hidden. They'd begin a search of the ship one room at a time the Twi'lek stopping at Talia to run a hand over her shoulder before expressing a smile.

"..What brings a woman of your caliber to the Dustig sector? Business or pleasure?"

As the final word left his mouth he'd pressed into her forcing her back against the hull of the ship as his dark eyes stared inquisitively into her bright blues. The nose of his own blaster would press against her lowest rib as he used the weapon to explore her body meanwhile the Rodian and Trandoshan went about business.

[Rodese] "You give me what you hide." [Rodese]

"What?"

His eyes shifted around the room going from the Rodian who spoke to the one who didn't then finally to the Trandoshan.

"What in Nal Hutta is this bug talking about?"

The Trandoshan laughed as he tore the room apart. There didn't seem to be much to their search more than it was destroying any organization the craft had. As the reptile made a look at Zekk he let out an ear shattering growl before stepping towards the smuggler and gripping his throat. Giving a firm squeeze he lifted the man off the ground and pointed with his own pistol which looked identical to the one on Zekk's hip then barked out a question with nothing but hostility.

[Huttese] "Where did you get that?!" [Huttese]

 

[Sreeya]

Talia’s grit her teeth as Zekk spoke. She could tell he was panicking, beads of sweat quickly appearing on his face. The sight infuriated her, and she knew he’d screw them both. She remained silent for now, focusing on the matter at hand instead of his quiet complaints which he must have figured she couldn’t hear.

As Zekk bowed his head, Talia simply stared at the intruders in annoyance. The boarding party gazed at her for a few seconds too long, a group of thugs that intended to do nothing but cause trouble. For a moment, Talia simply watched as the Rodian pair and the Trandoshan tore apart the ship. It took her a second to realize she was being addressed, a blaster pressed against her ribs. Talia sighed, plastering on a fake smile as she tilted her head.

“Why, I’m flattered. I’m here on business but…wouldn’t mind some pleasure.”

Talia followed the comment with a wink, clicking her right boot against the wall. A small blade immediately protruded from the tip of the boot. With a seductive smile still on her face, she jammed the blade into the Twi’lek’s shin. As he yelped, Talia grinned.

“Shhh. I injected you with a wondrous thing called Charon venom. It’s this curious poison that slowly attacks you from the inside and- oh you’re familiar with this?”

The Twi’lek was visibly shaking, his jaw dropping in terror. Talia lowered an index finger and gently removed the blaster from her body. She spoke barely above a whisper, perfectly calm and collected. From afar, it would appear as if she were lovingly whispering sweet nothings into his ear.

“You can imagine how this will go. You will call off your men and quietly leave this ship. No questions asked. You will offer us safe passage onto the planet and only then will you find a nice little antidote for the present I gave you. Do I make myself clear?”

 

[Rev]

Zekk's hands gripped at the wrists of the Trandoshan as he felt the life being squeezed out of his throat. Letting out a cough as he tried to speak he could feel the tight hold loosen if for only a second. Words seemed to find a way out of his windpipe, but with no coherence to them the grip loosened even further; it was then his plan went into effect. Releasing his own grip on the Trandoshan's left wrist he reached to his own left and tapped the attachment on his forearm it releasing the full load of chemical's from his lighter in a heavy mist into the lizards face. The scream of surprise that came out of the giant brought Zekk to broken laughter as his vocal chords fought the sounds. Finding himself on his hands and knees gasping for air he looked to his left to see Talia whispering something into the Twi'lek's ear, what it was he'd never know. Looking up he saw the Trandoshan scratching at its face and eyes as the mixture of fuel and oils sank into its leathery skin. He tried to establish what was going to happen next but before he could make a decision the Twi'lek cried out.

"STOP!"

As if on queue the Rodian's turned to look at their companion, the Trandoshan however continued his fit of turning about and screaming aloud. With a sharp turn his elbow met a console which shot sparks across the "lounge" of the ship and he went up in flame. If he had been screaming before those sounds were nothing in comparison to the wails that escaped him now, everyone could only look on as he fell to the ground and began to 'cook.' The smell was something Zekk had experienced once before, and it was something he didn't soon forget. Staring across at the beast he now sat on his hind end only staring forward at the corpse of his would-be assailant the Rodians looking from Twi'lek to 'captives' unsure of what to do.

"WE GO!"

The Twi'lek looked at the woman as the poison was slowly hitting him harder and harder with each passing second. The Rodian's however put up a fight of their own.

[Rodian] "He killed Doro! We can't go!" [Rodian]

[Rodian] "Roorba kill us if empty handed." [Rodian]

The two would look at each other then to the Twi'lek who commanded them off the ship.

[Huttese] "This won't be the last ship! It won't be the last they see of us either!" [Huttese]

He made sure to spit out the last part in an almost threatening manner, but reserving his true hatred in the moment the woman held his true fate. Hobbling his way to the exit he entered the "tunnel" which connected the two ships along with the Rodians. Meanwhile Zekk had gotten to his feet and made his way to that exitpod his hand resting over the pad which would lock them out. Giving Talia a glance he wasn't sure what she told the man or what was done, but whatever it was worked far better than the lizard barbecue he set up.

[Huttese] "You two will pay for this..." [Huttese]

The two Rodian's would nod in agreement as the Twi'lek longed for the antidote. Zekk's free hand gripped the blaster and pointed it at them just in case anything else came with their boarding party's exit. Instead of anything being done immediately the Twi'lek hit the hatch close control and the doorway hissed shut as they hurried back into their own craft. Before Zekk could even say anything to his acquaintance the Twi'lek's voice erupted through the ship; the voice carrying a muffle to it that doubled with what Zekk took as damaged pride.

"We will escort you to Pixelito spaceport.." He huffed with a need for oxygen and continued. "..you meet us at dock command or you won't make it off planet."

The radio would cut out as quickly as it came over which sent Zekk back to the cockpit. As his fingertips hit the controls the ship was released from the maglock and his ship would burst off towards the planet. Minutes would pass and he'd be breaking atmosphere and not long after they'd be in the landing process. Looking to Talia his eyes said more than he could muster, the thoughts of a dead Trandoshan in his lounge still settling.

"...first time to Malastare?"

 

[Sreeya]

Talia remained silent at the question for a long moment.

“It’s my first time to very few places.”

She pulled up a cigarra to her lips, lighting it and letting it hang at the corner of her mouth. Talia was thankful the Zekk character didn’t ask her what she had said to the Twi’lek. He was smart and was silently thankful for conveniences. This suited her well, as she had no intention of laying out her cards. Talia put her outer clothing back on, propping her hood up again.

“When we dock, I suggest making a break for it.”

Talia looked down to check the time, grinning.

“Within 20 seconds of us landing, a distraction will present itself. That is when we get out. Oh and you’re leaving this piece of junk ship behind.”

She remained silent the rest of the way, feeling the ship lurch as it landed. Talia knew this was going to be the uncomfortable bit. The poison would complete its effects, now making its way into the twi’lek’s heart. That was exactly the window they needed to escape. She only hoped the idiot Zekk wouldn’t screw up the plan. As it is, they could have done without the cooked Trandoshan.

As they exited the ship, the Twi’lek rounded the corner, eyeing her suspiciously. He walked ahead with his cronies, all of a sudden pausing. He was gasping for breath and heaving. As the Rodians panicked and asked him to communicate, he struggled. Blood began to seep from his lips. He made to look directly at Talia, shakily raising a finger to point. However, when the Rodians would look, he would be pointing at nothing.

Talia was already out of the area, breaking out towards the streets She had ducked past ships, using the fact that the dying Twi’lek was drawing extensive attention to her advantage. It wasn’t a clean break, the Rodians knew what they looked like. However, there was no proof that she had been involved. As she broke out, she found an airspeeder and hopped in. Talia quickly began to fiddle around with it, attempting to hotwire it. She only hoped Zekk would pop up soon, as these illegal sort of activities were more aligned with scumbags like him. As of now, it was their only source of a complete getaway before the Rodians pointed them out.

@Rev

 

[Rev]

He couldn't help but let out a short chuckle at her comment. Something told him she was bluffing unless she'd been traveling since she was a small child. He'd been to his own fair share of settlements through the years, but having started late and realizing just how big the galaxy was no doubt showed him the truth that Ord Mantell was not the center of the galaxy. Fixating on her own smoke he managed to sway himself from sparking up yet another of the intoxicants, almost giving himself a pad on the back for fighting temptation he simply grinned.

"Leave the ship behind!? No way honey, do you know what this ship has on it?"

He paused to take in her reaction. This woman was more analytical than any he'd met in previous ventures so he was almost sure she'd found time to rummage through his belongings. Finding what he was about to reveal to her, would've graduated her to Republic Smuggler patrol as it was no easy task to find the secrets of the ship.

"...15 tons of Thorium. This baby could put a dent on Malastare the size of a Republic Capital ship and still leave room for the imagination."

How he'd gotten hold of the highly volatile explosive was a story in and of itself. The trade routes of a smuggler were ever changing and he just happened to be at the right place at the right time. As Talia fell silent he walked away from her and to the sizzling Trandoshan. Reaching to the creatures hip with a gloved hand he extracted the pistol which mirrored his own, holding it in his off hand with that grin showing once more on his face. Nodding at the left-handedness that this blaster was meant for he couldn't help but wonder how this lizard knew the other... brothers? Pushing the thought aside he moved to the dorms of the ship and managed to find an old thigh holster and strapped up and holstered the weapon. Moving back to the cockpit he glanced at his comrade and couldn't help but wonder more about her. She certainly could keep a secret and play the mysterious role. Upon landing he watched her take off and found himself tailing behind, but not before grabbing the remote charge for those charges.

"Just in case."

Keeping pace with the woman he watched as she jumped into a speeder and began to work on the ignition. That same chuckle would show itself as he jumped in himself and instead of beginning the hotwire process reached to a console in the center and hit a particular key which slid the area between the two open to reveal a terminal. Typing in a few things the command prompt opened and his wrist attachment was plugged in which ran different ignition codes and the speeder would fire up with a proclaimed roar. Whatever it was she got them in was more than the eye showed it to be. Relaxing into the passenger seat he gave her a nod.

"Punch it!"

 

[Sreeya]

Talia didn’t need to be told twice. The speeder buzzed to life, jetting off right as the two cronies of the twi’lek ran out to point them out. She didn’t look back, her knuckles white from how fast they were going. The trick to start the engine had been crafty, and she made a mental note to ask him to teach her next time. Once she knew they were quite a ways away, she turned to glare at Zekk.

“Mind telling me what the hell you plan on doing with that much explosives? You don’t even need me if you're that loaded.”

She was trusting this man less and less. Given that she was suspicious to begin with, he was doing a damn good job of getting on her shit list.

“Where to now? I want to come out of this alive, so I want to hear an actual plan this time. I’m not bailing your dumbass again.”

Talia gazed forward, her jaw tightening in mild anger. She had put her life in danger many times, but usually she had a semblance of what she was up against. Zekk had caught her off guard and he had been keeping secrets.

“We go straight to the Hutt. He’ll already have been alerted about the twi’lek. Thankfully, they won’t be able to identify you right away. We only have a small window to do what you need done. Got it?”

 

[Rev]

His own anger was beginning to show through the normally calm demeanor he held. Little did she know that she was screwing up his plan. The boarding party was expected, he'd secretly hoped to get taken to Roorba's barge; ship in tact and blow the damn thing from the inside out. Now that the ship was left behind and a Hutt detail no less soon to be on their tail they were certainly in a situation.

"That heap of junk was our ticket out of here!"

Pointing at the sky he shook his head wondering where "up there" Roorba even was. He had a way of getting around unnoticed in a frigate sized luxury yacht. Two people had no chance of taking out a Hutt with a little bit of an edge.. An edge that was quickly losing its sharpness.

Gripping the detonator a little more firmly in his hand she didnt need to know that he had long had a death wish and was willing to take whomever and whatever with him to get back at Roorba. The slimeball had a debt to pay to the Coron family, him and his entire payroll no less. A smirk would grow on his face as he imagined the news feeds fluttering with life on how a Prince of the Hutts was taken out by a lowly scavenger. Shooting her a glare at the comment of dumbass his hand reached to his new found blaster grip and brandished it in her direction.

"If you follow me, what does that make you?"

He paused to look over her plain clothes as neither had much time to really collect any of their belongings before 'jumping ship.'

"...and I hope nothing you left behind lets them know who you are or who you acquaint with. Otherwise I'll be saving you."

His hand would leave the grip and the blaster would fall back to its holster with the friction of metal on leather sounding off behind it. Moving his hands again to that center terminal he began to access its small navigation database and a Cantina would load up: Hydian's Other Way. Nodding in approval it was close, but just far enough from where they'd come it wouldnt be obvious. Her second comment, he paused to take in that thought command brought him to what assuredly would be agitating laughter to the woman.

"You think?" He paused to calm his laughter as he gripped his stomach some at the 'friendly' pain it was causing. "You think those fools would be idiotic enough to go right back to Roorba? They'd be dead before even getting off their ship. Failure isn't something he takes lightly."

Pointing to his right at a rather dimly lit building that has many creatures and beings going both to and from it he spotted their mark. They needed information now, his small intel was lost in leaving the ship and with some fortune they might be able to get it back and change the transponder codes to get picked up by the Hutt. Something told him Talia had a different plan entirely though. As the speeder would come to a halt he's flash her that maddening smile.

"Com'mon, I owe you a drink.."

 

[Sreeya]

Talia growled in frustration.

“Holy shit we’ll get your kriffing ship back, hold onto your god damned panties.”

As Zekk made his next quip, Talia resisted the urge to lurch the speeder in one direction to make him fall off. She closed her eyes and exhaled loudly without responding. As he spoke about her leaving something behind, she scoffed.

“Yeah okay, because leaving a fried carcass isn’t suspicious at all. I don’t think they’ll be that concerned with a random jacket laying around. Though mind, I oughta have kept it on what with you taking every odd opportunity to glance at my tits when you think I don’t notice.”

She scowled as he began to laugh, commenting on how the men would never go back to Roorba. That was an angle she hadn’t thought of. Surprisingly, her long career had given her limited exposure to dealing with Hutts. She had only heard of their reputation via hearsay and hadn’t had the misfortune of directly being indebted to one. The thought made her uneasy, as she wondered what sort of trouble they would get into. Talia was operating out of jurisdiction, and she knew no one would bail her out. The woman sighed in frustration, realizing they both had very little to go on to complete the mission. As Zekk mentioned a drink, she opened her mouth to protest, but rapidly closed it again.

“Yeah okay…I could use one. It’s the least you can do after landing me in shit.”

She spun the speeder around to where he had indicated, slowly landing on a dock near the entrance to the sleazy looking establishment. Talia had barely stepped out the speeder before she could smell the spice and hear the thud of bass. She whistled as she looked up and down.

“I practically live at lounges and clubs now..”

Talia slowly made her way towards the entrance, sweet-talking the two of them in so Zekk wouldn’t have to pay. They had to muscle past greasy and slimy people, Zekk running his face directly into a fat man’s armpit. Unfortunately, Talia missed the occurrence, gingerly skirting past those in her way. She paused to admire a few scantily clad women, and then some good looking men with especially good hair. The music was loud, and she could barely hear herself think. Talia drew in air deeply as she finally made it out of the mob of people and to the bar. She plopped down on the nearest seat, looking around her. It was full of shady people, each person wearing less clothing than the last. This place catered to all species, and there were some she had never seen before. There were drug deals openly taking place in dark corners. Talia grinned.

“I’d hate to find out how many of Roorba’s spies are out here.”

 

[Rev]

A grimacing grin would form on the young mans face as the frustration poured from the woman. In some sick way he found pleasure in his companions vexation. Her ignoring of his comment only made the smile grow as he took some pride in a snobby comment not escaping Talia's lips. He could tell by her white knuckles that she was about to boil over and pushing the envelope would only put them both in a hole. Her on a Hutt planet with no pilot and him more than likely injured beyond a repair. Her agreeing on the Cantina was a weight off both their shoulders he reassured himself; the tense moments that came within the last hour was enough to make them both want to kill the other.

"Nothing like that fresh smell of Muon Gold you can only get at a Hutt Cantina!"

He took in a deep breath of the potent aroma and had to fight the urge to cough. Luckily it wasn't a direct hit of the stuff or he'd surely be losing some brain cells at such a gesture. Making their way through the establishment he made his best effort at dodging other patrons but it was no simple task. Getting an arm pit full of some beast resulted in the creature taking a hard knee to the stomach and a light push from his passing hand which crumpled the beast to the floor as he slipped deeper into the crowd. Shaking his head he couldn't stand these places at times, but when he found himself at the bar he couldn't help but slam down a credit chip and make a signal with two fingers as the Bartender quickly came over and slapped a couple of house specials in front of the two. Smirking at her comment he nodded, that would be some information that someone would pay some good money for.

"There are ways to find them... There are ways to drag them into the light."

He took hold of the glass and took a long pull off the goblet and felt the cool burn run down his throat and finally hitting his stomach with a burst of warmth. A smooth exhale resulted in him leaning in close to Talia and staring her dead in the eye. He said nothing, merely peered into those blue eyes with his own which now glowed a bright evergreen. Anyone who looked on would see a clash of ice and forest. He was searching for something, reading her like a scholar did one of their many books. Pulling away from his piercing inspection he made the signal yet again for two more drinks. This time he'd lean in close to her ear and offer a whisper that only she could hear.

"...not many in your position would take a contract so blindly. Why?"

He pulled away and smiled to the patron next to them as if they had been long time friends before taking another drink off the strong beverage. Wondering just who or what they would need to do to find their next piece of the puzzle.