Off The Record: The Games Hutts Play

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Coruscant- Two weeks after The Battle of Sarapin (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17044)

Kazaar was drunk.

And not the 'I just gotta new job' drunk or 'I just completed a dangerous mission and got out safely' drunk. Or even 'my team just came back t'win a smashball series after bein' down 3 game to One' drunk. Naw...this was th'my team lost a series after being up 3-1' or 'I had a poodoo of a week and I gotta f'get it' drunk.

Or 'My old boss just kidnapped me and is threatening t'turn me over to a buncha mooks who hate me' drunk.

Kazaar staggered against th'duracrete of Coruscant's many streets, trying t'make it back to his apartment. He'd been drinking early that night afta 'tucking th'Kid into bed' as they jokingly called it.

It was a deal she and her dad worked out...Estelle got 'er own apartment, but her bodyguard had t'live near her. Kazaar'd quipped the two of 'em oughta just move in together if 'Jason the Younger' continued t'be concerned 'bout safety. That'd illicited a nervous smile from 'The Kid' which her handler only smirked at.

The two apartments were only a block or so apart, which meant neither of them had t'wake up too early when Estelle had university duties, plus it made training a helluva lot easier too.

But th'difference between th'two sections of The Galactic City (even a block apart) was amazing. 'The Kid' lived in th' Fobosi District (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Fobosi_District) inna rather modest lookin' apartment. She'd decorated it with various art paintings and sculptures, Kazaar didn't completely care for (he never could figure out what th'hell a Woostroid statue was tryin' t'say) but hey...if it worked f'The Kid' who the frack was he t'say otherwise. She also had a copy of Killik Twilight which wasn't that bad t'look at.

Kazaar's 'apartment' (if it could even be called that) was an old industrial complex in The Works (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/The_Works)which'd been converted into various domiciles. It was cheap and no one asked questions as t'why people did what they did.

Which was good'n bad. It was good 'cause no one ever complained when Kazaar was up late workin'. It was bad 'cause no one ever called f'help if the Imps ever raided or someone got jumped by six Trandoshans and a Rodian.

Especially if those Trannies were a part of 'The Crimson Eclipse'.

The former bounty hunter had been walkin' back from 'The Kid's' place when they struck, pullin' him into an alley. Kazaar'd fought well, killin' two of th'damned Lizardheads and the Rodian, but th'others just started poundin' him. By th'time they were done Kazaar was pretty punchy.

He'd been dragged kickin' and screamin' to The Crimson Corridor (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Crimson_Corridor). The slaving organization may've been pissed that both Estelle and Kazaar'd destroyed (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16247) their Trandosha operation, but Kazaar was sure as hell not 'bout t'die without a fight. But when he noticed the club he was bein' taken to, Kazaar knew death wasn't in the picture. Not yet at least.

'Club Twi'lek' had been a front f'Gorgja the Hutt since the start of the Clone Wars. The blue-green Hutt hardly ever visited it, he preferred t'stay on Ylesia and his Nal Nokko Empire. But there he was...his bulbous form resting comfortably on a dais. His green-brown eyes stared at his former #2 bounty hunter. Kazaar was sure there was a smile on the Hutt's face...even if he couldn't read it.

"Gorgja...what've ya fallen on hard times or something?" Kazaar was belligerant as always, "What ya worried I ain't gonna show up if ya call?"

The Hutt stared at Kazaar, "Smeeleeya whao toupee upee, Kazaar."

A smirk, "Switch t'Basic ya overgrown slug."

The crime boss' laugh was like his body...fat 'n boisterous. Kazaar hated it.

"Sie batha ne beechee?" another chuckle, "Careful Kazaar...you could end up as bantha food."

A glare from th'hunter, "What the hell do ya want Gorgja? Why send 'The Crimson Eclipse' afta me?"

"Because," Gorgja replied, taking a bite offa a chuba, "You don't always reply to me. I was beginning to think you didn't care...even after the Russard Bounty."

The bounty hunter pulled a cigar from his jacket pocket, letting out a sigh of relief. It hadn't been broken by the lizardheads. He paused before lighting th'cigar t'stare at his former boss.

Something wasn't right...he couldn't place it, but Gorgja was acting...wrong. The two'd never seen eye-t'eye 'bout things, but he'd always treated his employees fair...well fair forra Hutt. One thing was f'sure...Gorgja'd never kidnapped him just for a 'talk'.

Something was up.

"Drop th'act Gorgja," Kazaar lit his cigar, "I know forra fact ya ain't Jabba th'Hutt. Now...what th'frack is th'problem?"

There was a sigh from the Hutt...or atleast Kazaar thought it was a sigh. Never could tell with those damn things.

"Predka's become...even more of a problem."

A glower crossed Kazaar's bruised face. Predka Oorko the Hutt was considered Gorgja's chief rival in the Nal Nokko syndicate. She was ruthless, loved slavery, spice...all vices. She was also tied in heavily with th'Imps...or 'least was rumoured. Kazaar didn't like 'er...neither did Gorgja...but she was powerful, so the latter tolerated her, while the former avoided her.

"What's the schutta done now?"

"My sources within her organization say she and Crei are plotting something."

So that's what this was 'bout. If Predka and the albino bastard hooked up...it'd spell trouble for Gorgja. Essentially, it was a political move.

"So what? I don't like either of 'em, but I don't mess with ya guys anymore...I'm retired remember?"

A chuckle went up from Gorgja and the Trandoshans, "You un-retired when you took the Russard Bounty, Kazaar."

Frack.

"Also, Kazaar...you were asking about the Crimson Eclipse?"

The hunter gave a smirk, "Yeah. Why th'hell are ya working with those bastards. They almost sold a frackin' missionary kid (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16389), Gorgja. They don't even deserved t'be honored by their damned Scorekeeper. That one fracked up religion."

A mummur went up from the lizardheads. One of them, muscular one with half his teeth missing, roiled a challenge. He started t'step forward, but was held back by one of the other ones.

"C'mon Tranny ya wanna go?" Kazaar was starting t'get mad. This wasn't turning out good.

Gorgja turned his eyes to face his employee, "I want you to meet the rest of the Eclipse. Yavassk Vokko and his clan brothers. They're quite interested in having another...talk with you."

Double Frack.

"If you don't do this job, Aurelias," Gorgja's tone was rough, "I will turn you over to the Trandoshans for judgement."

Triple Frack.

"You have four days Kazaar...t'take care of th'problem."

Kazaar'd been released by th'Trandoshans but not before they lay another beatin' on him. And they'd taken 'The Twins'. As collateral.

The former bounty hunter spent the rest of the night drinking at a local bar. And he didn't quit 'til he was staring at ten fingers on each hand.

This wasn't gonna be easy...Hutts had a way of surviving a helluva lotta stuff. There was rumor 'bout one Hutt who had half his head missing and still lived. Damned things were tough t'kill...even tougher t'work with.

Damned Gorgja, he thought as he tried t'get back to his apartment without heaving his guts out.

Kazaar gave a smirk. That's why he was th'best.

Then he hurled th'alcohol back on th'permacrete street and collapsed in front of his apartment.

Kazaar was inna fetal position when Estelle found him th'next morning.

[Estelle Russard]

It was always on a morning that was important.

It was somehow some cosmic karmic joke on humankind. The day you needed to look great for a job interview, your hair fritzed out or you got a huge red bump on the end of your nose. Or the morning that you couldn't miss an end-term exam or had to turn in a year-making-or-breaking assignment you got every stop light, or your alarm didn't go off and you overslept, or as in today's case, your driver didn't show up..

Estelle looked out her apartment window for the umpteenth time, her eyes scanning like dual laser beams for the familiar sleek speeder, and the familiar scowling driver at its wheel. And for the umpteenth time she was dissapointed.

"Where are you??" Estelle growled out between gritted teeth, her irritation at Kazaar's tardiness growing with each passing vehicle.

She hit the re-call on her comm and was rewarded with yet another infuriating "bip-bip". Busy. Who the heck was he talking to at this hour? If it was her father -- or worse, her grandfather -- having one of their needless, yet regular "just checking in" conversations, she was really gonna blow a fuse.

An uneasy feeling tried once or twice to hook into Estelle's psyche, but it stood no real chance given her state of agrivation. It wasn't like Kazaar to be late - just last night she'd joked about him being Old-Reliable, like that comet that was so named because it blew by the city planet in a streak of red flame every Summer Soltice. Kazaar was probably just messing with her, teaching her a lesson for being cheeky.

But today was not a good day for this.

Today was one of <b>those</b> days.

She had till 9 o'clock to hand in her "Designs of Empire Glory" - an individual assignment each student had been given to express their impression of a Battle Monument of their choice, rendered in water colour and which counted for 40 percent of the term mark. She'd stayed up half the night completing hers - a ground-upward view of Monument Plaza and in particular, the Statue of Palpatine. The scope and scale expounded outward and up from the origin of the point of view, giving an overwhelming impression of immensity and domination. Estelle was very proud of it, and she felt sure it would go a long way to keeping her cover as an art-student at the Tarkin University in tact, despite her many absences due to rebel activities.

"Where are you??" she expostulated again, bip-bipping her comm once more.

Giving up on waiting for him, Russard grabbed her portfolio, and her coat as an after-thought, and left the apartment. She'd hovercab it to Kazaar's and make him pay the fare. See how funny the lesson was then..

******************

Taking action had a calming effect on Estelle, and as the cab neared where Kazaar lived, that uneasy feeling came to her again. This time it took root. The sudden thought that perhaps her partner was in danger made her try his comm again. Still busy. She bit her lip as real concern settled on her.

"Just up here..." she directed the driver. "On the right, a couple more doors..Here, stop!" Estelle leapt from the cab, "Wait for me, please"

Running to the entry court of Kazaar's building, Estelle was brought up sharply when she saw him crumpled in a heap on the stoop. She could hear his comm bipping, and a wave of guilt washed over her.

"Aurelias! Aurelias" she called softly as she crouched next to him, checking his vitals. He wasn't dead, so that was something. But he looked awful, and smelt...ugh. Kazaar reeked of stale smoke and bourbon. He was drunk. Drunk!

Estelle rolled him over to get a better look and immediately she saw his face and knuckles bruised red and blue.

Ok, more than drunk. Worse than drunk.

"Aurelias" she said gently, "Can you hear me? Can you get up?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Quick as as Cathar, Kazaar's hand shot out and grasped 'The Kid' by th'throat. His eyes were slits and Estelle knew he didn't truly see her.

"Aurelias," she choked, "It's...me."

It was then he let go and Estelle thought she heard the name, "Ashley," slip from his mouth. But she couldn't tell.

Kazaar propped his body against his door, spending a couple moments catching his breath. His head hurt in multiple places and he felt...grimy. Like he'd been fileted and had his skin placed back on his body. It was frackin' awful.

"Hey Kid," he finally breathed after a couple minutes. He pressed his fingers 'gainst his nose and squinted.

"Th'hell am I?"

"Your apartment you goon!" Estelle shot at him, thankful he was okay. She glanced over her shoulder where the cab was still waiting. She really had t'get her assignment in but she couldn't leave her partner behind.

"Are you okay? What happened?"

"Gimme a minute t'get my head straight, Kid," there was another pause as Kazaar massaged his nose, "That frackin' gartal. Sold me out."

"Who?"

"Gorgja. The son of a bitch made a deal with th'Trannies.

"He wants someone dead. Guess who those bastards want t'do it?"

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle's mouth compressed into a crooked line at the news.

"Trouble just seems to seek you out, doesn't it" she said. "Here," she added, struggling to get him to his feet, "lets get you inside and fixed up. Then we can tackle the Gorgja thing."

She held up her hand to signal the cabbie that she needed more time and his response was not exactly polite. In short-shrift, he'd unloaded her portfolio at their feet and was holdling his hand out for the fare.

Kazaar called him a jerk through broken lips and the cabbie gave the universal sign for "right-back-at-ya"

"Forget about him, Aurelias," she said, paying him, "we got bigger problems" and with effort, she got her partner indoors and onto his suprisingly comfortable couch.

"Who's the target?" Estelle asked as she carefully prodded and poked at Kazaar's ribs.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

The former bounty hunter...okay current bounty hunter according t'that aruetyc Gorgja...laid his head against th'comfortable couch and closed his eyes. He felt like hell. Those Force-damned Tranny's had really done a number on 'im.

Kazaar rubbed his temples, trying t'release the pressure on 'em, when his nose crinkled at th'smell of caf. He opened his black, bloodshot eyes and gave an approving smirk as Estelle placed a steaming mug, as well as a quarter-full glass of water, in front of him. He woulda prefered a beer, but 'The Kid' was never too keen on it. 'Least not this early.

Kazaar gulped part of the water down, swished the rest 'round his mouth, and tried t'get the bile outta his mouth. Then he spat it back into the glass and took a couple sips from the mug.

"They call 'er 'The Ice Slug', Kid. Real name's Predka Oorko. And she ain't someone ya wanna mess with." The Rebel spy pulled a light-colored cigar from th'humidor by the couch, then lit with a silver butane lighter.

He exhaled th'smoke angrily and continued, "Schutta scum took bets on how many rancors it'd take t'kill 'er mom. And her mom was pretty frackin' bad too."

"So what does Gorgja have to do with all this?" Estelle had a pretty good idea.

Her partner paused another moment. "They're part of th'same criminal organization. Gorgja's tried t'check 'er power forra while, but 'parently she and the Albino're talking."

Estelle thought a moment. It made sense why Aurelias' old boss would want him to stop it. But...

"...why're the Trandoshans' involved?"

Kazaar sipped his drink, "They want me dead 'cause of what you, me, 'n Lahakka did. And they got some leader (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Speaker-Above-All) t'back 'em on their quest."

He gave a small smirk, "So someone else wants me dead. Big frackin' surprise."

[Estelle Russard]

The Albino, well, that was interesting. And worrisome.

Crei was a ruthless operator, and one best kept at a distance. Last thing they wanted was him paring up with another Crimelord and mutually advancing their interests.

"Oorko is the Hutt that runs the Stardust Corridor on Nar Hutta isn't she? Took over from Prince Daglin, or whatever he called himself..."

"Duke Daglin" corrected Kazaar, "And if by 'took over' you meant had him beaten t' a bloodied pulp and sunk in th' slime pits of Rutagua, then, yeah, thats 'er" He slurrped his caf and squinted at Estelle from over his mug, "Ehh, the big slug's due" he said philisophically.

"So...you're gonna do this -Work for Gorgja again?" Estelle sounded un-surprised.

"If 'its all the same t'you kid, I'd prefer not t'be beat t'death by declining." He winced as he put his mug on the coffee table. "I always pictured dyin' an old man w'two or three Twi'lek dancers--or even nurses......oh, never mind kid"

He laughed at her face, that is until she dabbed his cuts and abrasions with iodine, shooting stinging bolts up his nerve endings.

"You think you could stay on topic?" she scolded, and his crooked smirk broadened. Estelle could feel him grinning at her and did her best to ignore him. Which was quite impossible.

"You love this life, dont you?" she said in an attempt to scold him, but he surprised her by going very quiet and very still.

Sensing the shift in mood, she looked up, not expecting to catch such a distant look in his eyes.

Getting up from the couch, she went into his room and riffled through the closet until she came up with a shirt - black with thin orange print swirls on it - and handed it to him. "Who is Ashley?" she asked.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Wordlessly, Kazaar peeled off his slashed tank-top and slid th'shirt on his body. Kinda ironic 'The Kid' had handed him a shirt Ashley'd given t'him a week before she died.

Smoke came from his lips as he stared down th'end of his cigar. Estelle was waiting patiently by his side, a concerned look across her face.

"Aurelias? You okay?"

The bodyguard gave an unconvincing smirk, "Yeh. I'm fine.

"What're th'art supplies for?"

[Estelle Russard]

"An assignment" she answered perfunctly.

"I asked who Ashley is, Aurelias. If you dont want to talk about it, then say so, but dont just ignore me"

Of course, in women speak, Estelle really meant - Answer the dang question.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar glared up at Estelle, smoke billowing from his cigar-clenched teeth. The two held looks forra moment and Kazaar chose t'back down.

"Only one other person could make me do that."

He told 'er 'bout his partnership with, "Ash," how'd it'd been, "the best damn thing t'happen t'me after my parents were murdered by that bastard Tarkin." He told 'The Kid' how Gorgja'd partnered the two of 'em in Kazaar's late teens and that the two of 'em had been his top hunters.

"We pretty much did everything together, Kid. Kinda like the two of us do now."

The Alderaanian exhaled smoke, "She had a helluva voice too. Smokey. Could cut through ya like a vibroblade. Like her eyes. That blaster of yours...the 22T3...was originally hers. And she was a helluva shot"

His black eyes seem t'glisten a bit.

"I loved 'er. Still do. And I miss 'er."

A pause, "Ash got cut up pretty bad 'bout 10-15 years'r so. Some fracker decided she deserved t'have her skin removed 'round her stomach. I'm guessing she fought hard...she was really cut and shot up bad."

When Kazaar raised his eyes, there was sadness mixed with bitterness in 'em.

"Happy now, Kid?"

[Estelle Russard]

Happy wasn't how she would describe it, but it was good to hear Kazaar open up - even if it was something that brought him some painful memories.

"Im sorry for Ashley" she said, meaning it. "I guess Id never really thought of you as partnering up before -- with someone you cared about, that is. You are always such a maverick, I'd just assumed...." her words trailed off.

She'd always assumed he'd always been on his own and liked it that way. Partnership, business or otherwise, she'd assumed had only come out of neccessity - and in later years, by direct orders from Director Belargic. In truth, she still had a whole lot to learn about Kazaar. Atleast now, she could say she knew just a little bit more.

"So -- what's the plan?" Estelle asked, turning things back to the business at hand. "How are we going to do this?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar was silent for a moment while he thought a moment.

"We gotta figure out where they're gonna have that meetin'. Could be a number o'places."

'The Kid's' own mind started turning quickly, "I doubt they'd meet on the Stardust Corridor?"

"Nah, it ain't 'neutral ground'. Crei's big on that," Kazaar gave a chuckle, "There was one time that damn albino wanted t'meet Gorgja inna swamp. A frackin' swamp. Said he thought, 'It'd suit Gorgja's genetics're something like that'. Gorgja wasn't too keen on that.

"Best way t'find out where they are's through The Ice Slug's ship. And I gotta idea on who t'talk to."

***********************************

15 minutes later

"Aww...c'mon Spenny, don't give me that attitude," Kazaar spoke over th'long distance transmission to th'current co-manager of Cloud 9 Bar and Grill on Bespin.

"Ain't my fault that droid got destroyed 'cause you turned th'bar non-smoking." a shake of the Rebel spy's head, "Did Mu change it back...Whatta ya mean it's gotta 'Non-Smoking Section'? What kinda poodoo is that?

"Awright. Awright. Geez louise Spenny, don't get'cha hair all straightened out. I just gotta question for ya. Something for your 'unique talents'.

"I gotta know where Th'Ice Slug is. It ain't Nal Hutta I know that," Kazaar gave a 'look' to Estelle and gotta chuckle in response.

"C'mon Spenny. Ya gotta know somethin'. Slug that big's gotta make waves whenever she moves."

[Mirko Spendrim]

"I dont know why I should tell you anything, Kazaar" Mirko said, beginning to pout. "You never appreciate it"

Kazaar dropped his head from the vid screen with a groan. Not this again.

"I dont have time f'this, Mirko" he said with strained patience and lifting his head again . "This is important"

"Its always important" Spenny whined, sounding to Kazaar alot like an ex-girlfriend he once had. "I take great risks for you, you know"

"I know, I know" Kazaar looked to Estelle for help, but got only an amused shrug from her -- which was of no help whatever.

"But, I did save you from the Imps"

"Hm-hm" Mirko sullenly agreed.

"And you knitted me that sweater" Kazaar continued, and Mirko smiled at the memory.

"It was for your birthday" Mirko reminisced fondly.

"Right" Kazaar replied, "Now TELL ME WHERE THE DAMN SHIP IS!"

Lucky for Mirko, a man could not as yet throttle a holographic image.

"Alright, alright. Dont yell Kazaar, its not good for your blood pressure"
Mirko checked a clipboard outside the frame of the vidscreen and then looked up with a smile. "The Ice Slug left for Nar Shaddaa this morning. She's enroute as we speak"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Frack, it figures she'd go there," Kazaar shook his head at th'info, "Any idea where she's meeting Crei?"

Spenny's face had a peevish look, "N-No Kazaar. My information didn't say that." The information broker didn't say his next thought, Please don't kill me.

The former bounty hunter only nodded, "Nice work Spenny. Creds are headed your way."

"W-wait, Kazaar! Do you want another swea-"

Kazaar cut the connection b'fore Spenny could finish his sentence. Spenny might be a helluva knitter, but no frackin' way was Kazaar gonna wear one of his sweaters. 'Specially if it was a cartigan. Damned info broker loved that stuff.

"Let's go, Kid," he turned from th'vid screen and headed towards the door, "We'll take The Dutchman. I wanna get this damn thing over with."

****************************************

Hangar Bay SPR-349: Location of The Flying Dutchman

"That's not good," The Kid pointed towards sky as smoke poured from a building outta their sight range. Something in th'back of Kazaar's skull sent off a warning, as he made a quick turn, 'causing the Calamari on th'side of the street t'raise his hand in admonishment.

"It sure as hell ain't, Kid."

The speeder came t'a halt just outside of th'burning building and Kazaar swore violently. It was th'hangar he housed his HWK-290 freighter The Flying Dutchman. Kazaar stormed outta th'speeder, blaster in hand. If someone hurt m'baby, I'm gonna skin 'em.

Kazaar held his right hand up, causing Estelle t'slow down as they came t'the entrance. The door'd been blown off by some kinda explosive and parts of th'interior was still burnin'. As they slipped inside the hangar, Estelle grabbed a fire extinguisher and put out most of th'flames, while Kazaar searched th'rest of the hangar.

It was by the controls to th'hangar bay doors, Kazaar found th'limp form of a Quarren, one of his tentacles cut off and a bruise forming around one of his blue eyes.

"'Ey Osqui, ya all right?" Kazaar knelt by th'Quarren and laid him on his back.

Osqui coughed then 'waggled' all of his remaining tentacles, before opening his eyes "K-Kazaar?"

"Yeh. What th'hell happened?"

The hangar bay owner pressed his three-fingered hand against his head. His voice sounded like it was comin' from a fishbowl, "Five Trandoshans came in. Said they were here for The Dutchman. I asked for identification but one of them slashed at my stomach and stomped on my head.

"I don't remember much after that."

Kazaar angled his black eyes towards the hangar's interior and swore.

The Flying Dutchman was gone.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Y'gotta be frackin' kidding me!" Kazaar punched th'nearest window. The reinforced glass spider-webbed and Kazaar swore as pain shot into his hand and up his arm.

"You're paying for that," Osqui admonished him from his seat before taking a sip of tea.

"Yeh. Yeh. Send the bill t'Gorgja, Squidface." Kazaar puffed on his cigar, letting the smoke swirl 'round his face. To both Estelle and th'hangar bay operator, the smoke made Kazaar look even more like some kinda ancient warrior, rather than the bodyguard he was.

"I thought ya said you could fight off any kinda attack that might come your way. It's why I park The Dutchman here."

The Quarren's eyes flashed and shook his robes, in an attempt t'bring some kinda dignity back to his bruised frame, "It's tough to ward off Trandoshans who carry rail detonators (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Rail_detonator) Kazaar. You of all people should know that."

The Rebel spy waved his hand dismissively and 'The Kid' stepped in, "You said you were approached by some Trandoshans. What else happened"

Osqui took another sip of tea, before he spoke in his fishbowl voice, "They said they were from Gorgja, here for your ship. I told them they couldn't without proper identification, specifically from you, Kazaar. But they said it wasn't a problem."

The Quarren's tentacles wiggled as he continued, "It was then I shut the heavy doors and went for my blaster. A moment later, everything was on fire and I was nursing a head and stomach ache.

"You look like you had an interesting night yourself, Kazaar. How did you run afoul of the Eclipse? I thought you avoided slavers?"

Kazaar's smirk was tired and his black eyes hooded. "Don't ask Osq. They say where they were goin'?"

"No. And I wasn't in any position to ask," Osqui took one more sip of tea, before setting it down on the panel near him. "Now if you don't mind, you'll have to leave. I need to talk to the insurance company about the damage. When you get your ship back, we'll talk about your rent too."

The Brentaal-raised Alderaanian glowered at the Quarren, "Thanks, Osq, you're a real frackin' pal.

"Let's go, kid. I don't wanna tread on squidhead's tentacles. What're left of 'em."

The duo strode towards their speeder, Estelle trying t'keep up with the angry Kazaar's long strides.

"Frackin' lizadheads're trying t'box me in, kid," Kazaar slammed th'speeder door with a loud thud. "Make me play their own game."

He set his jaw and it almost looked like he was gonna bite off the end of his lit cigar. When he spoke, Kazaar's voice was dangerous.

"I'm gonna kill 'em, kid. Every single of of 'em. And if it means Gorgja dies too..." his voice trailed off.

Then he gave a weary half-smirk, "Guess we'll cross that bridge when we get t'it."

[Estelle Russard]

She walked along beside her partner, her steps brisk in order to keep up with him.

He was steamed. Mad as she'd ever seen him, though he was trying hard to keep it in check. Estelle had seen some bad sides of Kazaar and he knew it. Knew she'd been through some bad things herself and an out-of-control partner was not something he wanted her to have to deal with.

Besides, he'd store his wrath up for the Trannies. And the Hutts, both of 'em.

"Seems to me Gorgja is just wanting a bit of insurance that you'll do the job. Leverage, type of thing."

"Geez kid, ya think?"

"I dont need the sarcasm, Aurelias. Im just trying to help"

He chomped harder on the cigar.

"Your dad's got ships right?" he asked and Estelle didn't really like where this trail of thought was leading. "Probly wont miss it if one goes missing.."

"Kazaar, I dont want my father mixed up with the Hutts"

"Hey, ship theft in Imperial City happens every 3 seconds kid" he picked up his pace as his thoughts took solid direction, "Thats life on the Chosen Planet" he added with a sneer. "I'll be back in two hours. Be at my place and ready to go - if you're comin" he added as impartially as he could manage.

"Just dont get caught - Daddy will fire you on the spot, and then where will that leave us"

The Black Man will have a fit if he finds out this little escapade, Estelle thought as the pair parted company. And Director Belargic...Estelle didn't even finish that thought - sufficient to the day is the evil thereof. Her grandfather always quoted that.

And heck, it was still only 9.30 in the morning.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Russard Industries-- Hangar Bay

It was pretty easy for Kazaar t'make it into the hangar bay. Security wasn't that tight...'sides, Kazaar was a 'known entity' to th'maintenance officials and flight operators.

The lax security was one reason why the bodyguard housed his ship with Osqui...never knew when th'Imps were gonna sneak one of their agents into Russard Industries and frack with things. Hell, the fact there was a traitor somewhere in the Alliance said volumes. Th'Empire was fracking everywhere.

Kazaar ran his hand along one of Russard Industries Starlight-class freighters (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Starlight-class_light_freighter). The winged-shaped ship wasn't his favorite, but it was used all over the galaxy. Perfect thing t'take to 'The Smuggler's Moon' in search of an Ice Slug. The bounty hunter took a couple steps away and started plotting...

Stealing a ship of this size wasn't gonna be easy. 'Course if he could break into th'flight lounge and 'borrow' a flight suit, that'd make it easier. Then once the maintenance crew stopped frackin' with the engines...Kazaar's eyes shot up in surprise.

It wasn't just any kinda maintenance crew...it had a Trandoshan in it. The rest of th'crew was a mix of aliens, but they were all staring straight at the hunter. The lizardhead gave a predatory smile and *winked*.

No frackin' way, Kazaar cursed inwardly and tried not t'show it on his face. He glanced above his head at the freighter next to the one he was hoping t'steal. Yup...there it was...an explosive, disguised as a transponder code. Kazaar'd used 'em before. The explosives weren't strong enough t'actually damage th'ship, but if ya put four or five of 'em together, they could cause some serious damage.

And so th'herding continues, Kazaar glared at the explosive and then at the 'mechanics'.

A gruff voice caused him t'throw a sharp glance to his right.

"Hey Kazaar."

Milo Middlekauff'd been Russard Industries chief mechanic since Jason the Elder built the tall building near the heart of the Imperial Center. A human with steely eyes and a grouchy demeanor, he'd actually been nice t'Kazaar since he discovered he was takin' care of "Mister Russard's little robin" (his pet name f'The Kid).

"Milo," the bodyguard replied with a nod, "Who're th'new flight mechanics?"

"You mean Vakis?" the mechanic replied, pulling outta wad of chewing tobacco from his pocket. He pressed it between his stained teeth before replying, "He's new...got him on loan from Aklay Industries. Part of the new partnership between our companies."

Kazaar's head shook in digust. Aklay Industries was one of Gorgja's 'legitimate' businesses. They produced some pretty good navigation systems and 'parently Russard had made a deal with 'em...why Kazaar didn't know.

Still...beat giving Crei money.

"They do anything good?" he asked, pulling out another cigar.

Middlekauff shrugged. "They haven't frelled anything up yet. Still, I don't like 'em poking my ships too much. It's my job you know?"

"Sure as hell I do...Sure as hell..." Kazaar lit his cigar, took a long puff, and exhaled violently.

"You come here for anything in particular?"

The bodyguard took another puff, "Kid wanted t'take Apparition out forra spin. Those frackheads haven't been messin' with it have they?"

The mechanic spat into a small cup and shook his head, "Not that I've seen. Apparition's grounded though. She's gotta busted fuel line. Damn thing's nearly severed in half."

Kazaar rolled his black eyes and tapped his ash into Middlekauff's cup. Frackin' Gorgja. "Kid's gonna be disappointed. She loves her little 'ghost ship'."

Middlekauff smiled, "Tell 'Little Robin' it'll be up and running in a few days. Where's your ship?"

Another violent exhale of smoke, "In f'repairs. Might need a new place t'house it though. Current garage's getting kinda pricey. Need some place...outta the way."

"I'll make some calls, Kazaar. See if I can come up with something."

The hunter pushed himself offa the freighter's bulkhead, "Thanks Milo...I'll let Estelle know 'bout 'er ship."

*******************************************

"So I'm rather surprised you came back in one piece," Estelle gave a small grin as she sat in his apartment. She'd been able to turn in her assignment a few minutes late, taking only a five point penalty, although her professor had admonished her (rather sternly) for lateness.

"Yeh, so stealin' a ship's a no-go." Kazaar poured himself a drink, ignoring 'The Kid's' glare and poured it down his throat. "Just take a guess what bugslut got people in there?"

Kazaar gave another disgusted shake of his head, "I'm takin' public transit t'Nar Shaddaa. Want me t'bring ya anything?"

[Estelle Russard]

"In Daddy's company?" Clearly, this revelation of a 'spy' inside Russard Industries took Estelle by surprise and pre-empted the gift from Nar Shaddaa question. "You aren't suggesting--"

"Gorgja?" Aurelias cut in, "An' it aint no suggestion, kid. The old man's got gophers" He said as he frisked his sides for loose credits. "How much is transit fare, d'you know?".

Estelle's expression soured. Her father had enough to deal with already, without the added complication of Hutt informants.

"Did you happen to..er..remove any?" she asked, hopeful despite the guilt of knowing how Kazaar might go about such a thing.

He smirked, thinking all too well what she was thinking, "Sorry to disappoint, but I was as well behaved as a churchmouse. So, whiskey maybe?"

"What?"

"Whiskey -- been told Nar Shaddaa has some o'the oldest, and therefore th' best, distilleries in the sector. I could bring ya back some"

"No point" Estelle replied, leaving the issue of her father's business for the time being, "as I'll be there with you. I could pick up my own."

Like that would ever happen.

"Whats our cover?" she asked, "And dont say honeymooner's again. No one ever believes that one."

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Ain't my fault ya won't wear a ring t'cover that ID." Kazaar's black eyes had th'same smirk-like expression as his mouth did. 'Specially since he didn't wear a ring t'cover the ID either.

"Smuggler's Moon ain't a place f'newlyweds anyway." The Rebel spy rummaged through a hidden compartment stashed along th'wall. He fished out two professional-lookin' IDs, and rose from his crouch.

"Here," he tossed 'The Kid her ID, "Enjoy bein' an ad designer. Figure we're on our way t'Nar Shaddaa for a business meetin' of some kind."

Kazaar re-lit his cigar and strode back to th'couch, "Can't bring weapons though, public transit kinda frowns on it. I know some guys we can buy from on site. Need credits f'that though."

"Plus," Estelle's own mind was startin' t'get the plan. One reason why Kazaar liked working w'her, "We'll have to figure out where Predka and Crei are meeting."

Another smirk, "Yeh, that too. Ya get th'feeling the Trannies would just b'happy if I was dead, instead of doin' this job? Something 'bout this still bugs the hell outta me."

The Rebel spy gave a shrug, then nodded towards th'refresher, "Dye's in there. Want me t'go first or you?"

***************************************
Coruscant- Emperor Palpatine Memorial Spaceport (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Chancellor_Palpatine_Spaceport)

Imperial Officer Jaan Petrov gave a bored glance at the two IDs shoved into his face. He hated his job, certainly not what he thought he'd be doing when he signed up for Imperial service four years ago. A boring assignment here and there, sure but not this. Not processing people who wanted to jaunt off to whatever part of the galaxy they were interested in.

I'd love to be out doing something else.

Another ID was pressed into his hands and Petrov monotoned, "Where are you headed?"

"Nar Shaddaa."

It was the voice which caused him to glance up at the striking female standing who'd just handed him her ID. She was amazing. Her hair was cut short and streaked black and white, giving her an artistic-look. She wore a red sweater over a black dress and her feet were clad in knee-high boots. Her smile was as lovely as her blue eyes.

Petrov scanned her ID, noting her name was 'Luxa Churchill' and she was an ad designer with the Corellian Merchants' Guild (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Corellian_Merchants%27_Guild). Maybe she was based on Coruscant...the Imperial hoped.

Anything to end this drudgery.

The traveller behind the beautiful woman, Petrov noted with annoyance, was also with the Merchants' Guild. He was tall, had short brown hair, answered to the name 'Wes Thatcher', and was a banker. He sure looked the part too, with his horn-rimmed glasses, decent suit, and a briefcase in hand.

Petrov wondered if the two worked together or if they were just on planet at the same time. He let his mind wander as to what he'd do if he could get Miss Churchill alone, when a voice cut through his dreams.

"Is there a problem?"

The Imperial stared up into the black eyes of the banker and shook his head, "Sorry my mind wandered."

Thatcher gave a *snort*, took his ID, and wandered into the waiting transport.

***************************************

When he was outta th'Imp's earshot, Kazaar gave another *snort*, "I think ya gotta fan, Kid. Thought he was gonna drool all over ya ID.

"That'd be a story. Almost missing a flight 'cause some damn Imp was gawking at ya legs."

The two Rebels entered th'docking bay for the Personal Luxury Yacht 3000 (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/SoroSuub_Personal_Luxury_Yacht_3000) (in first class, Kazaar noted) which'd take 'em to Nar Shaddaa.

They were given a cabin together, which allowed 'em t'stare out at both the starport and, later, the stars.

Kazaar flopped down on his bed and placed a light cigar in his mouth, "Helluva travel arrangement ya got us, Kid. Bed's too soft though."

He gave a smirk, "Guess havin' ya Dad as ya dad ain't too bad, huh? Ya tell 'im yet 'bout school?"

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle had adopted her disguise persona, holding herself a little aloof from the other beings around her but without actually ignoring them. She smiled readily enough, but did little to connect further with anyone. Petrov had gotten as close as he would ever get. And Kazaar knew it, though he never surrendered an opportunity to intimidate someone, just for the fun of it.

She ignored her partner's comments, not breaking character (with the exception of an amused smile) until they were seated in the luxury of their cabin.

"Daddy doesn't know I want to leave school, but I think he feels its coming" she said, hanging her sweater over the back of a plush velvet chair.

Kazaar flipped off his shoes and, stretching, allowed his feet to hang over the end of the bed. He folded his arms behind his head and puffed a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling. "Ya scared t'tell him?"

"No. Its not that. I just think he may have another offer in mind for me, and Im not sure whether I can accept"

Aurelias lifted his pillowed head and squinted her way - his way of asking for an explanation.

"The Company. He wants me to work with him at Russard Industries. I think Director Belargic...or even Othniel might think it a great opportunity but.."

"But ya think your ol' man is already in t'middle of things as it is, right?"

Exactly, Estelle thought. She couldnt bear the idea of her life compromising his, and everything he was so proud of. Not to mention, it would be very risky indeed to be so closely associated with the Empire. And then there was the ever-increasing working relationship between Jason the Younger and Grand Inquisitor Karl Valten.

"It'd be dicey, to say the least" she replied at last.

Kazaar puffed some more, thinking but reserving comment. He then dropped his head back down to his reposing posture. "Well, you dont hafta' decide today, kid. Take a bath or somethin'. We gotta while 'fore we move again"

That actually was a good idea. A bath sounded just the ticket.

"Order something up to eat" she said, crossing to the bathroom, "burgers. And dessert. Who' knows when we'll get another chance"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Ya don't hafta tell me twice," Kazaar's guttural voice was filled with amusement as he exited th'cabin.

The ship's restaurant offered a variety of foods from Human t'Gammorean (although who th'frack would be up f'eatin' that poodoo?) and had it's own Devaronian chef named Vakso Taragen. Kazaar entered the medium-sized room and noted with some happiness there were a couple people sitting 'round smoking various objects. It was bad 'nough he had t'smoke a light cigar, if someone'd chatised him for it...Kazaar was prolly gonna space 'em.

"What can I do for yoo?" the Durosian bartender asked with very good Basic as the bodyguard approached him.

"Gimme a couple nerfburgers. One of 'em with Byss cheese, celto, 'n sweetroots. The other with roba strips 'n neonan red cheese. Gimme some zoochberries and beebleberries. Some fried mushroom spores too."

The bartender gave Kazaar an odd look as he wrote down th'order.

"Hey," Kazaar chirped, "I don't make fun of what ya eat, so keep ya mouth shut. Also gimme four Alderaanian Be--"

"We have a two drink limit sir."

The human's black eyes narrowed, "Four Alderaanian beers and two Pink Nebulas (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Pink_Nebula). Relax pal, I ain't gonna go out 'n do something stupid."

'Least not here.

"Oh yeh," Kazaar added, "Gimme a glass."

If the Duros had eyebrows, the Rebel spy was pretty sure he woulda raised 'em, "A glass, sir?"

"Yeh. For m'beer. Ya never drank beer outta glass before?"

The Duros barkeep opened his mouth, then quickly shut it. "I'll see what I can do."

Kazaar gave a smirk, took another puff of his cigar, and turned his back to the bar. The restaurant was pretty busy, lotta traffic 'round the sabacc table, and a few aliens sitting 'round drinking. The best part 'bout the joint...no Trannies. It'd take a helluva lot of explaining if Kazaar was caught spacing someone. Not everyone would believe his story 'bout Lizardhead slavers and a mission t'kill 'The Ice Slug'. Just too much like a holovid or a book.

'Bout 15 minutes later, the former bounty hunter was striding back to his room, one large box of food in one hand and another (this one stocked full of alcohol) in the other. When he got into the room, Kazaar set the food down on the table near the holoscreen and pulled one of the Pink Nebulas from the carboard holder.

"Aurelias what the FRELL!" 'The Kid' screamed as Kazaar stepped into the refresher. She pressed her body against th'edge of the tub, doin' her best t'keep herself 'presentable'.

"Oh relax, Kid." Kazaar's smirk was so large it looked like his right eye was shut, "Not like I haven't seen ya naked before."

He set the drink down next to th'tub and headed back out th'door, "Wonder what ya dad might think 'bout that ink on ya waist. Think he'll figure out you're not 'Daddy's little girl' that way?"

He chuckled all th'way to the table where he popped a mushroom in his mouth and took a swig of his beer. Even in all this crap, it felt pretty damn good.

[Estelle Russard]

She'd kill that man one day, Estelle groused to herself as she reached for the glass beside the tub. Or at the least maim him, she relented, after taking a sip of the lovely pink concoction. She still felt her cheeks burning as she sloshed about in the tub, sinking herself wholly under the water once more before getting out.

Towelling off, she then made use of one of the complimentary robes, wrapping it snuggly about her body and stepped back into the main room. The smell of food was wonderful - she was even hungrier than she'd thought - and she was coming close to forgiving Kazaar for his intrusion.

Plomping herself down on a chair, Estelle scooped up the burger and took a generous bite.

"Mm, good" she said with feeling, swallowing before she spoke again.

"So - we find Predka, and Crei if he is there, then what? You planning to really kill her or deliver her to Gorgja?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Th'Ice Slug deserves whatever she gets," Kazaar took a bite of his own burger and actually smiled. Damn good burger woulda do that to a person.

"Got no problem with takin' her out. Key thing is how."

'The Kid' was still chewing on 'er burger and nodded as a way t'get her partner t'continue.

Another bite from Kazaar, "Hutts have a real weird way o'surviving whatever ya throw at 'em. Only reason why ya don't hear 'bout a lotta assassinations. They tend to survive 'em."

He finished his first beer and popped open another, "Bomb would work but then we gotta worry 'bout civvies gettin' in th'way. And I ain't a big fan of poison. Rail detonator or concussion rifle might do th'job.

"And if th'explosion just happens t'take out Crei..." Kazaar gave a shrug, "Too frackin' bad."

[Estelle Russard]

A bomb made sense to her too. The up-close-and-personal kill of a Hutt was, as Kazaar said, no easy feat. And Estelle would not like to get that close, ever, to any slug crime lords if she could at all avoid it.

Her conscience pricked a little -- assassination could do that to a person. Estelle had no problem if it was a mission perse, but this was a personal matter -- unavoidable, but personal nevertheless -- and, for her, a line was about to be crossed.

And then there was Crei. If he was killed, would that be murder on their part?




Definitely, the criminal pair deserved whatever they got coming, given their activities. Some even might say it was long overdue.

But that was irellevant and Estelle could not appease her guilt by such a perspective.

No, the choice was clear, and the morality issue must be put aside.

It was Kazaar's life or Predka's. Gorgja would not stop at stealing the Dutchman to have his way, Estelle knew that for certain.

The moral question was moot, the Hutt must be eliminated.

"Rail Detonator it is" Russard agreed.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Still ain't gonna be easy," Kazaar stated what th'two of 'em were thinking as he finished his nerfburger and threw a few berries into his mouth.

"Hell we don't even know where on Nar Shaddaa they're meeting. 'Course that ain't gonna be too tough t'figure out."

'The Kid' nodded, "As you said earlier, 'Slug like that makes waves whenever it moves'."

The bodyguard pointed at Estelle, "Exactly. 'Course if they wanna keep it low profile they won't have a ton of security. Just 'nough t'keep anyone from taking a popshot from up close."

Kazaar threw another couple berries in his mouth and washed 'em down with his beer. The fruit made his teeth look black 'n red when he spoke, "We figure out what room they're in and we can do our thing."

A smirk, "Think they'll bill Predka for th'damage if the room gets kinda fracked up?"

[Estelle Russard]

"Beating the hotel tab is the least of our concerns" she said almost absently as the last remnents of the burger disapeared into her mouth.

"What we need to worry about" she stated between licking her fingers, "is our exit strategy. Public transport isn't the quickest or exactly the most timely of escapes"

She reached forward and scooped up a spoonful of berries, unimpressed. "Didn't they have any cheesecake?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Wouldn't worry 'bout that, Kid," Kazaar ignored the comment 'bout the cheesecake f'now, "I bet the Lizardheads're gonna have The Dutchman stashed somewhere on Nar Shaddaa."

Estelle quirked an eyebrow, "Why would they do that?"

A smirk, "Think 'bout it, Kid. They're trying t'fence me in. Make me play their games. Easiest way f'a group that's trying t'frack with someone is force 'em t'take the most traceable path. Hell, I bet they got a couple eyes watching every transport that comes from Coruscant to Nar Shaddaa."

"Wouldn't that take a lot of men? I was under the impression we destroyed most of their operation?"

The former bounty hunter nodded, "Yeh we did. So they prolly only got a couple people watchin' the terminal. I'll walk out...they follow. You'll trail behind...we find a back alley or somethin'..no more lookouts.

"Get m'drift?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"I think so," Estelle finished her second drink, then pressed a button next to the table.

"This is the kitchen."

"Yes, this is Luxa Churchill in Suite 203. Could I have a piece of cheesecake, please? Plain is fine."

"Sure thing. You'll have to pick it up though, kitchen's closing soon. Be five minutes."

"Understood. Thank you," 'The Kid' turned back towards her partner. Back to the business at hand. "If this was a sabacc hand, you'd be holding the Idiot and three card and I'd be the number two card."

Kazaar gave a smirk and gulped down th'rest of his beer, "Idiot's (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Idiot%27s_array) Array. Beats anythin'."

"Are we sure they'll only be expecting you to show up?" Estelle popped several more berries in her mouth, noting she'd probably need to get a few more when she picked up her cheesecake.

"Far as they know, Kid. You're just some debutante who needs a baby-sitter. Ain't much else t'it there. 'Sides..." the former bounty hunter placed a cigar in his mouth, "Ya ain't exactly a dame who runs 'round with a real bad crowd...not like some of these holovid idiots."

The Kid smiled, "That might be disputed by some people," she playfully popped her partner on the arm.

"Yeh," Kazaar took a moment t'light his cigar, "But those guys're th'true morons. Go grab ya cake. And gimme another couple beers, will ya? I'm almost out." The Coruscanti woman paused and Kazaar could tell she was thinking 'bout something. "What's up, Kid? What's bugging ya?"

"I don't think you need another beer tonight, Aurelias."

That caused Kazaar's black eyebrow t'raise, "Whatta ya mean? I can handle m'drink."

Estelle gave a nervous smile. She knew she was treading on dangerous territory, a path she hadn't meant to go down. But since she'd found her partner almost in the gutter earlier in the day...it worried her. True, Kazaar could handle a lot of alcohol. Estelle'd seen him guzzle three Flameouts (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Flameout_%28drink%29) with hardly any adverse effect on his body. But still..."I'm just nervous is all. I don't know how much you had last night, and I'm concerned for your well-being."

The statement caused Kazaar t'actually smile. "Thanks, Kid. I can handle m'self though. Drunk a helluva lot more than I have tonight 'n last night combined."

I'm sure you have. Estelle thought as she stared at her partner. She almost pressed the subject again but decided not to. As she turned to go, Kazaar's voice stopped her, "If ya don't think I should, Kid," he popped the top off th'last bottle, "Then don't worry 'bout it. Ya ain't m'mom, but ya are my partner.

"And if I didn't listen to m'partner when she was concerned, what th'hell type ovva guy would I be?"

"Even on missions where shooting everyone in sight wasn't a good idea?" Estelle quipped.

Kazaar laughed his throaty laugh, "Shaddup Kid and got get'cha cake. I'm sacking out soon. Didn't sleep well last night f'some reason."

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Nar Shaddaa- The Corellian Sector (1http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Corellian_Sector_%28Nar_Shaddaa%29): Two Hours later

The spires of Nar Shaddaa's continuous city filled th'air as the traveler strode outta the yacht. He threw a glance both left and right through the bustling crowd that filtered its way towards the bought-off Imperial bucketheads (posing as Corellian Port Authority members) handling immigration. Empire's finest...not so high'n mighty now. 'Course, the credits sittin' all nice in ya pockets help. Farquheads.

Kazaar took a moment to adjust his spectacles and knock his hair back in place. Had t'look the part of a businessman. Even if his business was death. He pulled his fake ID outta his jacket and shifted his briefcase in his left hand. Just a Corellian Merchant's Guild member looking t'make a score, maybe even mix some pleasure int'it. He handed his ID to the two stormies, gave a fake smile, and made his way through th'line.

"C'mon, I know ya frackin' Lizardheads're here..." he muttered as he pulled his glasses off. His gait chnaged from bored traveller to th'sauntering of a hunter. Aurelias Kazaar wasn't home...but he was on a place he knew pretty damn well.

It was then he spied 'em, the three Trandoshans milling 'round a ventiliation shaft (prolly t'avoid the stench of garbage which permeated this part of Nar Shaddaa). They each held a datapad and were casting their beady eyes at everyone coming from the spaceport. One nudged th'other as Kazaar walked by, and the former bounty hunter smirked.

Got 'em.

He did his best t'continue his stroll down the durasteel streets, his briefcase heavy in his hand. Just above his wrist, the dinner knife he'd stolen from the transport pricked into his skin. Minor annoyance for th'pain he was planning on inflicting on these bastards. He turned into an alley and slowed his pace.

Any time now ya...

"You!" a serpentine voice called from behind, "Halt with your hands up! Drop the case!"

Kazaar smirked and let his briefcase hit th'ground while his hands reached into the air. Rough hands grabbed his arms and patted 'im down. He was in th'hands o'Crimson Eclipse. Just like he wanted.

C'mon, Kid...do ya thing.

[Estelle Russard]

From behind, Estelle looped the garrot wire over the first Trandoshan's head and pulled back hard. The thin steel bit easily through the leathery skin and made a clean hairline slit the length of his throat. Releasing one end, she tugged the wire to pull lengthwise along his neck and blue blood began to seep out in pulsing rushes with every last one of his heartbeats.

Kazaar stretched forward and quick as laser fire drove the lately-appropriated knife deep into the opposing Trannie's throat, then stood back to allow him to drop forward in a gurgling heap.

Kazaar then spun on his heel and elbowed the remaining Trandoshan behind him visciously in his solar plexus, doubling the scumbag over.

"We may need him to get us into the room" Estelle cautioned, seeing the kill-lust in her partner's black eyes. "You might want to let him catch his breath."

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar pulled th'Tranny from his prone position and slammed him 'gainst th'brick wall. "Nah, Kid. We don't need 'im for that. What I wanna know is why th'frack ya wanted t'take me out. Gorgja said I had four days. It's been one! Talk!"

The Trandoshan coughed'n gave a smile, "If you think, Kazaarrrr, the Crrrimson Eclipse would listen to that fat Hutt. You'rrrre wrrrrong about everrrrything."

At that Kazaar smirked. So the Gorgja'n the slavers weren't just in cahoots, they were playing 'gainst each other. Figures, Gorgja always loved politics when he could get his slimy fingers 'round 'em. "So lemme ask ya this, pal...where ya meeting ya friends t'toast m'death? My ship maybe?"

The soon-t'be-dead Trandoshan said nothing, only angled his head towards his jacket pocket. Kazaar nodded towards Estelle and his partner reached in and pulled out a comm unit. She unravelled a small piece of durasheet wrapped around in and stared at the frequency.

"It's The Dutchman's transponder code. It's on Nar Shaddaa."

Kazaar's grin was wicked as he hauled th'tranny down the end of the alley. The slaver wasn't gonna get another chance at it, so he leaped towards his killer. Still smilin', Kazaar landed a hard punch to th'slaver's jaw then came back with another. A shove sent the lizardhead backwards and the Brentaal-raised Alderaanian landed a stiff kick to his jaw.

"Yew bwoke m'fwaggin' jaw!" the Trandoshan wailed as he hit th'ground, "Yew bastawd. Yew bwoke m'jaw."

Kazaar stared down like some kinda demon, "Guess what pal. Ya damned Scorekeeper doesn't like it when ya get killed onna hunt." He threw a glace towards 'The Kid', "And this counts as one."

Then he plunged his boot down onto th'lizardhead's skull. Again. And again. And again. Until the blood caked this sole of his boot and splashed on th'alley's wall.

Satisfied th'Tranny wasn't gonna move, Kazaar turned 'round. "Grab their blaster and let's go, Kid. We gotta change clothes and find ourselves a rail detonator. And I know where t'go."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle grabbed up the guns, unsettled by her partner's brutality, yet glad they were on the same team.

The change of clothes would be easy, the rail detonator a harder find, but Kazaar had his contacts. This was, after all, his old stomping ground (no pun intended).

"So, they play one off another" she said, partly to stop any weirdness between them after such a display of violence and partly to get a handle on just what was really going down.

"You telling me we find ourselves in the middle of a turf war?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Dunno," Kazaar guttural voice spoke matter-of-factly, "Puzzle pieces are startin' t'fall into place, but not entirely. The Trannies're prolly working on their own 'ere. They don't givva damn who buys from 'em, long as I'm dead.

"Nice fracking universe, eh Kid?" Kazaar's smirk contained more ugliness than necessary.

The duo changed clothes pretty quickly, ducking into one of th'many clothes stores stashed within th'nooks and crannies the Corellian Sector. "Grab stuff that'll pass ya off as a native." Kazaar stated unecessarily as he discarded his business attire forra pair of loose dark cargo pants, plus calf-high nerf-leather boots. He pulled a tight tank top over his scarred chest, then put a simple black 'n green shirt over it. Estelle grabbed a long-sleeved white shirt and threw a multi-pocket, tan vest over it. She slipped brown, comfortable pants over her shapely legs and not so comfortable calf-high boots on her legs. A utility belt, plus her stolen blaster, went 'round her waist and th'transformation from business traveller to Nar Shaddaa denizen was complete.

The hunter swept his black eyes over th'small room, before pulling a long jacket over his muscular frame. Th'blaster he'd taken from the dead slaver slipped into his jacket pocket. "Once they find th'bodies, lizardheads're gonna know I'm sending 'em a message. No frackin' way I'm letting 'em manipulate me." He tapped 'er arm. "Let's go."

Estelle and Kazaar strode through th'noisy streets of the Corellian District as various humanoids (and some aliens) were tryin' t'show their wares: pots, jewelry, and somethin' that was supposed t'be 'the best frelling ronk burger out there'. Kazaar gave a smirk at th'last one. "Long as it ain't a female one. Things're poison." Estelle gave a small smile and the two continued their walk.

"Where are we going?" 'The Kid' finally asked after about ten minutes of walking. She wasn't bored, just not sure what Kazaar's plan was (or if he even had one). There were times Estelle could swear, her partner didn't give a damn about any sort of plan and was perfectly happy with doing things by the seat of his pants. The notion wasn't completely true, but still rang in Estelle's mind as she followed her partner through Nar Shaddaa.

"There's a guy who can get us what we need," Kazaar stuck one of his last cigars in his mouth. Hafta get new ones soon. "Guy's a bit eccentric but a helluva scrounger. Up there." Kazaar pointed towards a rundown simple durasteel building with th'words 'Mallaine's Place' painted across th'storefront. Kazaar sauntered into th'darkened store, a large smirk on his face. "So where are you, ya theatrical Chagrian!" he called through th'empty store. "I know ya haven't picked up stakes yet, ya still got th'damn thing painted green!"

"Is that Ka-ZAAR I hear!" over emphasized, but correct Basic boomed from somewhere in th'back as a large smiling violet Chagrian (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Chagrian) entered the store. Dav's Mallaine wore thick tan robes, which flowed far down to his slippered feet. "Why it IS! How are you, you MAN-da-lor-ian nerf herder!"

Th'weapons dealer wrapped his arms 'round Kazaar, the human gave a sheepish smirk, "Easy on th'arms all right Dav's? Same on th'Mandalorian bit. Just got born into a family of 'em. 'Sides, like t'think I'm more Alderaanian than Mandalorian."

The Chagrian's laugh was as loud as his voice. "Of course," the words slid off Dav's lips like liquor, as he turned his gaze towards Estelle "And WHO are you, my de-ar. Ka-ZAAR...you have a new com-PAN-ion. Someone even more FETCH-ing than ASH-ley." the Changrian paused as if a thought came to him, "I thought you were done with HUNT-ing? SET-tled down and mar-"

"Yeh yeh," Kazaar waved 'im off with a look. "Ya think someone like me could ever handle not workin'?" He nodded his head towards 'The Kid', "This is Estelle. Kid...meet Dav's Mallaine."

Mallaine took Estelle hand and lowered his mouth towards it. "The plea-SURE is all mine."

[Estelle Russard]

Kazaar had an endless array of unusual friends and associates. Estelle would think to be used to this by now, yet always he managed to surprise her. She was sure he did it deliberately, that he enjoyed ushering her into the company of scoundrels and rogues just to watch her awkward attempts to converse pleasantly with them, as they each in turn, exercised their own particular brands of charm and wit upon her.

"Its lovely to meet you, Dav's" she said, as he pressed his blue lips for an unnecessarily long time against her hand. She flicked a look to Kazaar, who had a decidedly dopey smirk on his face. "Kazaar can always be counted on to have the most interesting friends"

The Chagrian relinquished her hand at last and Estelle ignored the lingering sensation of his moist breath on her skin as best she could.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Hah hah!" Mallaine's laugh was as verbose as his voice, "You don't BE-come as-SO-ci-ated with the great ka-ZAAR, without being reliable. Or," the Chagrian's voice turned sing-song, "Knowing how to fake it." Verbose laughter filled the store again. "NOW, tell me. WHAT brings your here to my store."

"Need a rail detonator," Kazaar gave a glance into a medium-sized wooden box piled up on top a couple other boxes. "When'd ya start carryin' cigars? Thought ya hated th'stuff?"

"I do. But SOME customers kept asking me questions like, 'When will you carry fine to-BAC-co so I don't have to vi-SIT Graq's'." another chuckle, "I seem to remember a certain BOUN-ty hunter asking me that question."

The bounty hunter in question gave another smirk and Estelle could swear he looked almost happy, "Yeh yeh. Took ya long 'nough." He inspected th'box a bit more, and gave an approving snort, "I'll take five boxes o'Saccorians." Kazaar threw a glance at 'The Kid," For th'old man (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showpost.php?p=238857&postcount=17)."

Mallaine ran his hand along th'boxes, then scratched his left lethorn (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lethorn). "Get-ING your o-THER request will be di-FI-cult. Rail detonators are hard...to come by."

The human smirked, "Not f'you. Bet'cha got one stashed back there somewhere." That illicited a glare from the Chagrian, although both Kazaar and Estelle could see th'humor 'neath it. "Why you're th'best Mally."

Dav's Mallaine raised a hand then disappeared in th'back. Couple moments later he was back with a small suitcase-like object in his hand. He set it down next t'the cigars and popped th'latches. "I a-SSUME that's what you're look-ING for..."

Kazaar gave 'nother smirk, "How much ammo ya go?"

"Four rounds."

"Cut th'crap, Mally," Kazaar's glare was serious, "I know you're better'n that. Ya gotta have more."

The arms dealer shook his head, "I'm afraid I don't ka-ZAAR. The rails are...hard-ER to come by than the act-U-al weapon."

The former bounty hunter snorted and ran a hand 'cross his short black hair, "Bet ya are. Glad I didn't ask ya forra DXR-6 (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Tenloss_Disruptor_Rifle)." He picked up th'rail detonator 'n held it in his hands. It'd do nicely. "Pack it up Mally, I'll take it and th'cigars. But hold 'em here forra bit. I'll come back."

"NOT on the DUTCH-man?" 'Mally' asked and Estelle was certain if he had an eyebrow it woulda raised too.

"Long story, pal. And I don't got th'time for it. Th'Rat still 'round these parts?"

Mallaine rumbled somethin' in his native language, "'The Rat', as YOU call him, IS still here. Check OUT The Sha-DOW-y Pole. In Red Sec-TOR (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Red_Sector). YOU my la-DY," he turned his eyes towards Estelle, "Will need DIF-er-rent clothing."

Kazaar chuckled, "Yeh. Don't think those boot've Gracie'll work there. Got anythin' for 'er?"

Mallaine shook his horned head, "I don't. BUT...Ari'stl will. Two stores down. I a-SSUME you'll be paying in credits?"

Kazaar opened up th'briefcase 'n took out 2500 chits. 'Mally' nodded and pocketed th'cash. "Plea-SURE doing business with you ka-ZAAR. I hope to see you a-GAIN."

"Well b'back for th'stuff later. C'mon kid. Let's go see Ari'stl."

Turned out, Ari'stl was a former dancer who'd moved from th'dance floor t'the fashion walkway. Or as best as she could. A half-Theelin (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Theelin)/half-human hybrid, she had three shocks of pink hair shootin' straight in th'air. Buncha spots ran down th'side of 'er neck "all the way down (the rest of her body)" she told customers inna husky voice. She was trim and moved with a graceful step. "I hear Mallaine sent you," she gave a seductive smile, "What can I do for you?"

Kazaar nodded towards Estelle, "Kid needs clothes for th'Shadowy Pole."

At th'mention of th'dance club, Ari'stl gave a small squeal of delight. "I used to dance there." She grasped Estelle's hand, "Come on. I'll show you what I have." Then she pulled her towards th'back of her store. Couple seconds later, the hybrid former dancer had in her hands a pair of skintight leather pants and a black, ribbed, off th'shoulder top (also pretty skintight). She also grabbed a pair of knee-high, high-heeled boots.

"I think these would look wonderful on you." she smiled.

[Estelle Russard]

Russard took the items graciously, thanking Ari'stl for being so helpful.

It was becoming a regular thing dressing this way to blend in, though, Estelle inwardly never felt completely comfortable with it. She was happier in jeans and a t-shirt that leather and boots, but she took it in stride. Just all a part of the job.

Kazaar nodded "they'll do" and Estelle asked if there was some place she could change. Ari'stl led her over to the small room at the back of the store used for the staff lunchroom and Aurelias saw to it that the Theelin/human hybrid was generously compensated for her trouble.

Ari'stl purred her thanks to the former bounty hunter, leaning close to him and whispering something in his ear, while openly admiring his thick black hair with exploratory fingers.

Estelle stood behind them, watching, somewhat gratified that it was her partner's turn to fend off alien attentions.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Ain't interested," Estelle could swear she saw a red hue comin' into her partner's cheeks, as he slowly removed th'hand massaging his hair, "Ain't personal, just ain't interested." At this the Theelin/Human hybrid's face turned almost thoughtful and she tried again t'entice the bounty hunter, this time wrappin' her arms 'round Kazaar and nuzzlin' his neck.

"Look, Aris'tl. I ain't interested. I'm onna job." Aris'tl rose up on her tiptoes and gave Kazaar's ear a small nip, then a lick, then a long suck. "All right, that's it," Kazaar grabbed her arms and set 'em in front of her chest, which had somehow lost a couple buttons...somehow, "I ain't interested."

"B-but Mallaine said..."

Kazaar gave a glare, "I don't givva frack what that four-horned arms dealer said. I ain't interested in learnin' 'bout what other 'services' ya give. Nothin' personal, I gotta 'nough stuff goin' on, and takin' time t'roll in th'sheets with ya," he gave an inward snort. Probably be a good roll too, "Ain't on m'to do list. When I'm done maybe." a look of hope sprang up in th'dress dealer's beautiful eyes, "I said maybe, dollface, but not now."

He quickly turned t'Estelle and started stridin' towards th'door, "C'mon, Kid. And no," Kazaar pointed a finger towards Aris'tl, "She ain't interested either."

The two exited th'dress shop, a stream of cigar smoke followin' Kazaar as he grabbed his comlink. "Mally, what th'hell was that for? Damn girl tried t'proposition me?!?"

"I thought YOU might want to re-LAX. Given the fact of your or-DER. SEX can be bet-TER than cigars."

Th'look on Kazaar's face was priceless and his almost dropped th'cigar from his mouth. Almost. "Did ya damn lethorns suck alla ya brains outta that skull of yas? I ain't in th'mood for that crap. I got my own problems right now, an' you fracking 'round in 'em ain't gonna help. Since when didja try t'hook me up with someone?"

"I seem to re-MEM-ber," the arms dealer continued and Kazaar heard th'sound of a box bein' shut, "You only having TWO girlfriends--"

"One girlfriend, Mally."

"RE-lly?" a perplex tone came from th'comm, "I thought it was two. Wasn't there a girl you met at your--"

"That was th'same one Mally. Get'cha stories straight. And don't make suggestions t'me all right? Frackin' hate that."

"So you WON'T take my OFF-er?" Mallaine was persistent. Overly persistent in fact. Almost as if...

"Mally," Kazaar's voice held an edge t'it and he looked towards th'sky, "Don't frackin' tell me ya decided t'expand ya business into something that ain't gunrunnin'?"

"And if I DID?"

"Aw frack." The former bounty hunter rolled his eyes, "Look ain't m'business, but don't come crying t'me when some pissed off pimp decides he wants t'take it outta ya stock. Ash'd kill ya if she knew ya were doin' this."

He could almost hear th'pained sound in th'arms dealer (and apparently now brothel owner) voice, "SHE would. But NOT everyone is able to a-FORD what you buy, ka-ZAAR."

Kazaar snorted, "Yeh well. Not ev'ryone like me knows how t'catch a bounty." He cut th'connection and look a long puff offa his cigar, "Frackin' Mallaine. He's gonna get 'imself killed.

"C'mon, Kid, we gotta get ya a jacket." Estelle and Kazaar stopped in another small store, this one a bit more upscale than th'others, but even then th'clerk still oogled at Estelle's (lack-of) dress. 'The Kid' had a feelin' the coat wasn't stayin' with 'em th'rest of their Nar Shaddaa adventure, and her partner did little t'say otherwise, so she grabbed one of th'most inexpensive ones.

"Why are we doing this?" she finally asked, after slipping th'material on her semi-muscular shoulders. Estelle didn't feel th'eyes on 'er body she had earlier, but could still sense when someone took a little bit longer than normal glance at 'er.

"Simple Kid," Kazaar stuffed his hands in his own leather jacket and pretended t'not gawk, "I can't always go places you can. Think 'bout it. Lotta people see me as an 'enforcer' at times, not someone who does plots 'n schemes. Helluva lot better that way.

"You, though. Ya gotta lot of brains in ya. Ya can adapt pretty well t'a situation 'n figure a way out." He gave an actual (albeit small) smile, "And that's a helluva thing."

The two partners strolled down th'bustling and dark streets of Nar Shaddaa, doin' their best t'act like a couple nobodies. Kazaar gave a glance towards th'air as a couple TIE Fighters flew above, then dashed off inna hurry towards somewhere else. He gave a smirk...even TIE Fighter pilots were smart 'nough not t'stay 'round here.

They walked towards a decent lookin' hotel, even if th'door *squeaked* as it opened and closed. Th'desk clerk was fat, bald, and human-esque. "Hello," his Basic didn't fit his look. Too prim 'n proper. 'Least th'glare he gave Kazaar 'bout his cigar fit th'voice. "What can I do for you?"

"Pretty simple," Kazaar stared at th'man's nameplate (using his own voice, Estelle noted), "Need a room for a couple days. Don't have a reservation, sorry."

"I see," the desk clerk tapped a few keys on his computer, "I'm afraid the only room I have available is the honeymoon suite, Mister...?"

"Geraldton," Kazaar replied, "Norm Geraldton. We ain't married but I figure that'll be all right."

The desk clerk nodded, then wiped his nose like he was dealin' with a cold, then gave Estelle in an almost disapproving glance, "And you Miss..."

"Orsola," 'The Kid' answered slowly, confidently as if she hadn't seen his gaze. "Lynn Orsola."

The clerk nodded and wiped his nose again, "Of course Miss Orsola. Here are your keycards, shall I escort you up?"

"Nah," Kazaar/Geraldton answered and plucked both cards from th'fat man's hand, "I can find it. Third floor right?" When th'man nodded Kazaar gave smirk-smile, "Good. C'mon Kid. Let's get upstairs. I wanna crash forra bit b'fore we have fun."

Th'two got on a lift and waited for th'doors t'close before Kazaar spoke, "What th'frack is up with you'n 'O' names? Ya wish ya dad'd named ya 'Orsola' or something?"

"No," Estelle's brown eyes held firm with Kazaar's black ones, "It's simply a reminder of my 'other name'. Ophelia."

Kazaar smirked, "Still say ya with ya dad'd named ya that."

"So what's yours 'Geraldton'," With a playful smile, Estelle decided t'turn th'tables on 'im. "Something 'rough and tumble'? Or rogue-ish perhaps?"

Kazaar gave 'er a glare, "Cowboy."

[Estelle Russard]

"Well..that suits you" she said, adding "....I reckon" with a slow smiling drawl.

In fact, it suited him to a T. Not so much the boot and spurs one imagines when picturing a cowboy, but the personality, the 'one man against the land' type of character. He was someone that would do things his way, in his time, as he saw fit.

Very fitting.

The stepped into the rented room, and Estelle groaned at the garish furnishings of the place. Lots of red brocade and deep brown velvets. It was enough to give a girl fits.

"How long did you say we plan on being here..?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar gave his own little *snort* at th'furnishings. Why th'frack hotel owners thought it'd be 'cute' t'do this sorta thing never made sense t'him. It was like sayin, "Okay we're gonna make ya gag 'so ya won't get on humpin' like nerfs." 'Course th'former bounty hunter had his own low opinion of marriage, but that was 'nother frackin' story (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=17326).

'Couple hours at least, maybe a day're so." He plopped down on th'way too frackin' small sofa and propped his feet up on th'bed. "Figure we sack out before headin' out. Shadowy Pole's closed right now, so no point'n heading out there. 'Sides...we all ready too care'o our 'escort'. Trannies'll be lookin' high'n low for us right now."

"Best place t'hide, Kid. Even if th'decorations suck major bantha..." he let th'curse trail off, "Well ya get th'point."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle sat on the bed beside Kazaar's booted feet.

"So we kill Predka...solve an inconvienent problem for Gorgja" she paused, thinking the question through to the inevitable conclusion.."Wont that make just an even bigger one for the rest of us by giving Gorgja more freedom to maneuver...?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Ain't completely like that, Kid." Kazaar took a couple puffs from his almost finished cigar. Mally sure knew how t'buy 'em that was f'sure, "Predka's the worst of th'bunch in Gorgja's little syndicate group. Basic'ly, she tries t'get into everything. Child slavery 'n prostitution, spice, all that poodoo. Stuff that ain't always smiled upon by th'rest of the Hutts."

He gave a disgusted smirk, "Gorgja once sent Ash'n me off t'raid one of the bitch's slaving ships. We found four-year-olds makin' spice for distribution. Predka's men had 'em hooked on th'crap too. Frackin' disgusting."

"So Gorgja's not as bad as 'The Ice Slug'?"

Kazaar shrugged. "He's not Jabba, that's f'sure. Which is why this entire thing o'sidin' with the trannies makes no frackin' sense. I'm sure he's got business with 'em (hell everyone does), but grabbing me at night 'n havin' them beat me senseless makes no frackin' sense. 'Specially if this is only 'bout Predka and Crei workin' together. Makes no Force-damned frackin' sense."

Estelle's face had a look like she was tryin' t'process the whole thing. It was more confusing than some of the profit sheets she'd seen both her dad and grandfather go over. At least those had a key. Made things much more easier to follow. This current battle...made no sense whatsoever.

"It's a strange frackin' universe, Kid." Her partner echoed her sentiment, as he tossed th'cigar into an ashtrash, "Specially with the Force-damned Hutts."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle held no affection for the Hutts, but they - or atleast Gorgja - were better than some of the other villianous factions out there. The Crimson Eclipse, for instance. The Black Sun, another.

"The ideal would be for us to turn this...job..to an Alliance advantage somehow" Estelle said, and Kazaar watched her through swirling grey cigar smoke.

"Is there something Gorgja may know, and thus share with us, in the way of Intel? Something we can extort from him out of all this?"

Kazaar puffed luxuriantly on the cigar and blew smoke toward the ceiling, his body language for engaged thought.

"If anything, Gorgja may think twice about manipulating you into doing something for him, if he knows the same and more might be requited from him before his errand is realised..?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"This ain't an Alliance operation 'n really shouldn't be," Kazaar'd never really considered tryin' to get Rebel Intel involved. While he knew a lotta guys who'd probably be willing t'come in on this and kick the Hutts teeth in, Gorgja's former #2 bounty hunter wanted t'do this himself. 'Sides, if he were t'go through 'official' channels, Gracey Van-Derveld would probably just laugh 'n tell him to, "Frack off." She'd done it once before, even if Bossman overruled her. And he sure as hell didn't want 'The Black Man' involved in this. Not forra long while. Th'Empress Teta operation still rankled Kazaar.

"As f'trying t'use this to our advantage, Gorgja's done jobs for 'em before. Under th'table, but I think he funnels money to 'em every cycle or so." Kazaar tossed his finished cigar into the ashtray, "Or used to 'least. He's playin' both sides 'gainst th'middle, Kid, but he figures whoever wins this war'll need help bein' 'legit'. And he's got inroads with a few places."

A sigh, "Nah, something's up."

"Could it be he's hoping you'll destroy Crimson Eclipse after killing Predka?"

Kazaar snorted, "Like that'll help his relationship with th'lizardheads." He kicked off his boots, then placed his hands behind his head. "Gorgja's gonna hear it when I get back. Hell, he'll be lucky if I don't send a blaster bolt through his own head m'self. Bastard."

He gazed towards the Kid's brown eyes and concerned look. "Wanna toss me one of those pillow so I can 'least have something comfy t'sleep on? Floor looks padded but who knows what activities've gone on there. Sure has hell ain't sleepin' naked t'find out."

[Estelle Russard]

"You can sleep up here with me if you like" she said with typical common-sense aplomb. "I dont take up much room and you'll be more comfortable than on the floor. But," she added with sudden sterness seeing the idiotic grin Aurelias was giving her, "there'll be no naked up here either. Stop laughing. Aurelias. Oh, forget it" she threw the pillow at him, hitting him square the face, "Stay down there and I hope you get rickits"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

They ended up sleepin' in the same bed, but on opposite ends and as fully clothed as possible. 'The Kid' did put a rather tacky-lookin' robe over her chest and 'er partner took his boots and shirt off, but that was 'bout it. Didn't make sense t'do anything else.

Three hours later, Kazaar woke up feelin' recharged. Sure as hell beat running 'round on no sleep, plus his old handler used t'say, "Rest is a weapon." One thing was f'sure, the guy was right. Estelle'd inadvertantly rolled over in her sleep, draping one of 'er arms over Kazaar's scarred chest. A smirk/snort, then Kazaar carefully extricated himself from th'hold. No sense in wakin' 'The Kid' up, even if it woulda been pretty damn funny seein' her try t'explain how her arm ended up 'round him. Another smirk and th'former bounty hunter strode into th'refresher, his shirt draped over his shoulder.

"All right, Kid," he shook 'er a couple times after he'd finished showerin' and shaving. Estelle yawned, then crinkled her noise as cigar smoke wafted into her face. "Get showered and dressed. I wanna catch th'rat before he gets too drunk." Or finds some other girl t'shack up with for th'night. Frackin' bald-headed barve always liked doin' that.

*****************************
Nar Shaddaa's Red Sector: The Shadowy Pole

The club's name did a pretty good job describing its look, Estelle thought as she and Aurelias entered. The walls were papered with some sorta branch leopard print on one side, with wood panelling just below it. Five pole stages surrounded a large dance-floor area, with various tables near some of the smaller poles (obviously for more personal dances). Estelle's brown eyes followed a near-naked Zeltron who walked from one stage into a darkened hallway, waving at a near-by Gran, before slapping the shapely backside of a Togruta (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Togruta) who wandered up on a stage set up in front of a massive bar, where both Rebel agents counted three poles each with its own exotic dancer.

"Wonder why this 'rat' of yours likes coming here, Aurelias," 'The Kid' quipped, while looking down from the strippers to the mixed-crowd of (thankfully clothed) club patrons currently dancing on the floor to some leap-jump (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Leap-jump).

"No names, Kid." Her partner was busy scouring th'club for his target. Gotta be somewhere...there, down by th'bar trying t'stare down th'dress of the bartender. Not a bad barkeep t'stare down either. "All right, here's th'plan. See that bald-headed guy down there?"

"The one with the chartreuse tank top?"

"Yeh that's th'one. Go down, order a drink, all they got is alcohol, 'n make sure th'guy notices ya. Don't go over th'top though, just kinda wait 'round a bit." Kazaar gave her a slight *push* towards th'bar. "He'll notice ya. Get 'im out in th'alley."

"And you'll be...?"

The former bounty hunter smirked, then lit a cigar, "Watching ya. Meet'cha outside when ya get 'im. Good luck, Kid." A wink and Kazaar wandered off.

[Cyrus Haman]

He took a moment to pop his neck, before going back to his drink and view of the bartender's chest. Felt good to be back on Nar Shaddaa, especially after getting 'stuck' on Neimodia for a couple days. Sure he'd been able to find 'shelter' with a very nice looking chick, but he was happy to bug outta there as quickly as possible. If only he could remember the babe's name...Colada, Piscola...Daiquiri? Nah, too weird. Didn't matter anyway, it was on to bigger and better things. Besides, he knew a guy who knew a guy who said the girl was into wolves. Creeeepy.

Cyrus Haman took another gulp, then motioned to the bartender for another one. "Whatever you say Meester Haman." The girl's eyes shone at the attention she was getting.

"Hey Amber, you up to much later on?" The smuggler's voice was higher-pitched and fit his rat-like face. "The Switch is getting some work done (damn motivator crashed again) and I don't feel like hanging with a bunch of Ugnaughts."

The girl's face practically leaped for joy, "Course I do Cy-baby. I even got the binders like you wanted."

Haman gave a large, toothy smile at the comment. "Sure thing, babe." Then he spied the chick at the end of the bar. She wore a top which looked like it'd been painted on her (or at least modelled) letting Haman get just a glimpse of her rather nice looking assets. Her pants were definitely painted on and the knee-high boots made him quiver inside. Plus her white-streaked dark hair looked real nice too. The rat smelled the cheese and it was time to take what he could.

"Hey Amber." She practically danced up to him. "Get that babe down there a drink with ya. A Thundercloud (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Elshandruu_Pica_Thundercloud). Double-shot."

"Aww baby."

"Relax Amber," Haman turned on his charm again. "I'm just gonna have some fun. You know I'm all yours." When I can't find anything else. Sweet girl though.

The bartender's face lit up, "Okay Cy, whatever you say!" Then she bounded down towards the 'babe' and slid her a drink.

"From the guy down there." She nodded her head towards Haman, who smiled and gave a wave. He definitely smelled cheese now.

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle relocated herself to the seat beside Kazaar's rat, swaying her hips just enough as she moved to draw his interest. Her drink in hand, she lifted the glass in salutation, "Good choice" she said, smiling before taking a sip, "these are my favorites"

She settled herself and looked her new aquaitance up and down, her open appraisal making Haman grin at her. "Now..." Estelle asked after taking another sip of the cloudy cocktail and watching him fetchingly over its rim, "..what makes you think I'd be interested in you?"

[Cyrus Haman]

"It's simple babe," Haman was ever grinning, as he turned on his unique charm. "There are plenty of things we can do for each other." To each other. "The way you sat over there made me think ya needed a guide around Nar Shaddaa. And before ya say something--" He interupted the sexy-dressed woman. Didn't want to make her mad, although the info broker/smuggler/thief had seen some pretty hot angry women. Like his (currently missing) boss and sometime bed partner. Even his Imperial contacts (the few he had) wouldn't tell him where she ( http://www.sw-fans.net/forum/member.php?find=lastposter&f=328) was. He knew a guy who knew a guy who said the Inquisitors had her and he sure wasn't going to mess with them until he knew for sure that was the case. 'Sides...it gave him more time to meet people like the chick in front of him.

"I'm sure you've been to Nar Shaddaa before, but I don't think you've seen all of it." Another rat-like grin, "I can show it to you. But first, why don't we have another drink. Looks like yours is almost done." He motioned to Amber to get another and a moment later she set it down, eyes flashing at Estelle.

"Think she likes ya..." A wink.

[Estelle Russard]

What a little slime-ball.

"You think so?" Estelle played the game, eyeing the curvey barkeep and pretending to keep an open mind, finally shaking her head, no. "She's not really my type"

She took the second glass and tossed her hair back, using the movement to steal a glance to where she had left Aurelias. He was no where to be seen. But she knew he could see her, and more importantly, he could see him. And "him" had just bounced his stool three inches closer. Hard to do, that - move your seat while still sitting on it, but baldy proved quite nimble at it. His knees now enclosed Estelle in a V as they sat facing one another.

"And what would I want to see, here in Nar Shadda? Where would we go first?"

[Cyrus Haman]

The Rat felt a bit crest-fallen at his loss of a threesome. Of course even Amber'd never said if she was up for 'that'. But..I do know someone who could probably use you for a couple things. Haman grinned inwardly at his lewd thought. Oh if only I could...

"The dance floor maybe?" He shrugged. "Nothing like getting to know each other better by seeing each other 'move'." He let the double entendre hang for a moment. "Or we can drink each other under the table and get to know each other that way.

"For example." He took a long sip of his fruity-esque drink, then raised his glass in a toast. "I'm Cyrus. How about you?"

[Estelle Russard]

"I'm Lynn" she answered simply, then looking at the crowded dance floor and the girls swinging around the poles, she lifted her glass again, and downed the whole thing in one gulp, making even Haman round his eyes in surprise.

"I think I'd prefer somewhere a little less crowded" she set the glass down with a plonk and stood up, swaying a little, intentionally. "Lets get outta here" and ran her hand over the dome of his head and ending with a tug on his ear as she moved off in the direction of the side door.

[Cyrus Haman]

Haman grinned. He knew he was good but not that good. Damn...this was impressive.

"Whatever you say, babe." The info-broker followed her out into the alley, where the two wrapped their arms around themselves, pressed against the durasheet wall and proceeded to press their lips together. Haman tried to get his tongue in, but 'Lynn' wouldn't let him. Oh well...more time for that later. He thought as he tried to cop a feel.

Suddenly, he felt a strong hand grasp the scruff of his neck and Haman was thrown across the alley. What the...?

Then he saw Kazaar.

[Estelle Russard]

"You took your time" Estelle groused, wiping her lips with the back of her hand, disgusted, and quickly frisking Haman for weapons as Kazaar roughly yanked him off the ground and pinned his arms painfully behind his back.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Yeh well, had t'make it look real 'nough," Kazaar smirked before slammin' Haman into the wall.

"Hey. Hey!" Th'Rat begged. "Easy on th'merchandise. C'mon Kazaar, if I'd known she was with you, I would have left her alone. I swear! But she was by herself..." Haman trailed off as th'Rebel spy started chuckling. "Oh you son of a bitch. You sent her after me!"

"I sure as hell did, ya rat." Kazaar snarled. "Ya frackin' owe me forra ton of stuff Haman. I oughta have that stupid bald head of ya's skinned off. In fact...Kid hand me my vibroblade, will ya."

[Cyrus Haman]

"Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey!" Haman quickly yelled before 'Lynn' or 'The Kid' whatever she was called went through with Kazaar's request. Frelling psycho!

"Enough of that, Kazaar." He angled his head towards whoever the girl was. "See. This is why you should hang with me. I'm not craz--all right. All right!" The info broker/theif/slimeball wasn't about to press Kazaar any further. "Jeez, lay off the stims will ya. Whatta ya want to know Kazaar."

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Where're 'The Ice Slug' and 'The Albino' meeting."

[Cyrus Haman]

"Yeah like I'd know." Haman knew how much of a hard-on Kazaar had for 'The Velvet Crimelord' and vice versa. Never could figure out why, but the rat figured the two of them must have run over the other's pets more than once. Heck, he heard from a guy who heard from a guy that Crei knew where Kazaar's ex-wife was. Not that I'm telling you.

"Why don't you ask your 'boyfriend' Spendrim." Kazaar's grip tightened just a tad on Haman's arms and then a faint *buzzing* came from just below his ears. Haman set his jaw, then winced as the vibroblade grazed his neck.

"Okay. Okay! Hera's missing frock...you're nuts." Haman didn't bother explaining it. Judging by the babe's reaction, she got what it was. "They're at Chance Castle (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Chance_Castle). Penthouse level. You gonna let me go now?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar released his hold on the slimeball and Haman took a moment t'brush dust off his arms.

"Pay me."

The former bounty hunter raised an eyebrow. "What'd ya say?"

The info broker stared at Kazaar like he had five heads. "I said 'pay me' you numbskull. I don't give out info like that for free. Besides, don't you want me to keep my own mouth shut."

Kazaar gave a *snort* and threw a glance t'Estelle. "Ya heard 'im, Kid. He wants t'get paid." He shook his head. "Pay 'im, will ya." He gave Haman a wink just as 'The Kid' took two steps forward and landed a kick right into the rat's crotch. Haman fell over in pain, uttering several curses.

"Moron." Kazaar turned away, tossin' two creds into Haman's general vicinity. "Let's get outta here, Kid. After hanging 'round this schutta scum I need another shower."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle tugged on her partner's arm, hampering his exit for the moment.

"Do you think it wise to just leave him?" Haman was looking for the creds in the dark and muttering curses under his breath. "What's to stop him from running to his friends to warn them we are coming? We should atleast tie him up somewhere or something, shouldnt we?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar gave a smirk. "Haman pretty much sells out to th'highest bidder. Plus he knows I'll kick his teeth in if he tries anything." He paused a moment as if in thought. "On th'other hand...never know who he's gonna contact. Gimme a minute."

The former bounty hunter strode back towards Haman, his black eyes glinting darkly. "Aw, c'mon Kazaar. You know I ain't gonna cheat you!" Haman tried to mellow out his stalker, but there was no chance at that. Reachin' into the rat's trouser pocket, Kazaar plucked out a comlink and proceeded t'smash it with his booted foot. "Kazaar ya moron!" Haman blustered. "I had Captison's number on it. You of all people should know how Bakurans 'move'. Given your former part--"

He never got t'finish th'sentence. Kazaar's fist shot out, catchin' the schutta scum straight in th'jaw. With a *thud* Haman landed unconscious on th'alley's pavement, his jaw clearly broken. Kazaar leaned up next t'Haman's unhearing ear and whispered, "Never mention Ash. Considerin' how ya betrayed me 'n her once before (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showpost.php?p=239704&postcount=11), it's best ya don't do it again." He hoisted Haman's unmoving body onto his broad shoulders, dumped him into a large trash reciptacle, and strode back towards Estelle's position.

"Mally oughta have our weapons waitin'. Let's go slug huntin'."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle stood there quite shocked. Kazaar just broke the guy's jaw. Even for a slime-ball that was tough justice. There were times when Estelle just could not condone her partner's actions.

"That was pretty rough Kazaar. You ever think of not burning every bridge you stomp across?" Aurelias kept walking, not even acknowledging she'd spoken. Angry, Estelle kicked up her step and strode along side Aurelias, matching stride for stride. "Just be cause you can break a guy's jaw, doesn't mean you should. Hey" she shot him in the arm with her hand, to get some kind of response. "Everyone's got demons, Kazaar, you know. You're not the only person in the Alliance to be betrayed or loose someone you love. 'Bout time you got a grip"

She stopped suddenly, realising they'd stopped walking now and her partner was glaring at her. She'd been shouting, too. Maybe Kazaar had hit more than Haman's jaw with his fist - he'd pressed some nerve in Estelle and she didn't really know why she was saying what she was. But it felt good to let him have it.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"First off, Kid." There was extra emphasis f'some reason. "There're ears everywhere 'round her. If ya don't think someone's looking t'make a cheap cred by whisperin' 'Hey guess what I heard,' then ya gotta helluva lot more t'learn than any of us thought." The two held glare forra moment and Kazaar broke his first.

"Look, Kid." No extra emphasis this time. "Ya do a helluva job, helluva good partner, best one I ever had. But Haman ain't someone ya wanna be 'round. Like ya pointed out, we don't want him scurryin' back t'his masters and talkin' (even if th'one 'true' mistress he has ain't here. Don't ask). But I'll tell ya what, next time someone threatens someone ya love. Or put 'em in danger 'cause he saw something and thought he'd make a quick cred.

"Next time that happens...I'll make sure t'keep ya from doin' something 'bout it."

Th'words came out harsher than he meant 'em too and were a bold-face lie. Estelle knew it too. If there was one thing she could count on was Kazaar's loyalty on 'givin' it back' as he liked t'call it. Part of deal.

"Didn't mean that, Kid." Th'damaged man spoke truthfully, th'anger startin' t'waver a bit in his eyes. Then he surprised Estelle. "Sorry."

[Estelle Russard]

Kazaar's apology was unexpected and went a long way in difusing what was gearing up to be a knock-down, drag-out between the two.

"I swear, Kazaar" Estelle said, as they both fell back into a quick walking pace, "even if I live to a hundred, I'll never figure you out"

Her partner grinned to himself, knowing that would absolutely be true. If all the shrinks back at Reb HQ couldn't do it, some fresh-faced debutante sure as shirts wouldn't.

"You still shouldn't have broke his jaw" Estelle grumbled lowly, unable to stop from having the last word.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar gave a smirk. "Yeh probably. But Haman's a frackin' moron with big eyes and an even bigger 'lightsaber'. The entire 'know a guy who knows a guy' routine's pure bantha poodoo. He makes mosta his connections himself." A shake of his black-haired head and the former bounty hunter pulled a cigar outta his jacket pocket. "'Sides...Haman's a jackass anyway. Might have his uses, but a jackass none th'less."

He was 'bout t'light it, when a crystalline voice came from their left. "I'm afraid you'll have to come with us." Two Imperial officers emerged from an alley, blasters in hand. "I'm sure you have much to tell about the 'Alliance'."

Kazaar paused a minute, th'cigar still clenched between his lips. A low growl came from his mouth, but th'two Imps were too far 'way f'him t'do anything 'bout it. Damned Imps.

"Into the alleyway, you Rebel scum. Now."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle slid an agrivated look in Kazaar's direction, somehow, this new dilema was all his fault. Yes, it was she who had been shouting, but he was the one that had made her angry, damn the man.

She lifted her hands slowly in the air and stepped obediently forward toward the Imperials.

Just great.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar lifted his arms almost nonchalantly, as th'Imps walked towards him. His expression surprised Estelle, she'd expected his face t'equal the contempt on her own face. Instead, a poodoo-eatin' smirk crossed over his face and 'The Kid' didn't believe it was all bravado. His first comment, though, was. "Ya gotta little somethin' there." Kazaar's left finger pointed at one of th'Imperial officer's noses, where a thin line of blood trickled outta one nostril. "Gotta watch yaself, pal." He chuckled. "Don't wanna let ya commander know ya like th'spice."

The officer shot forward, his eyes blazing. Just as he was about t'swing a powerful fist towards the Rebel, a loud voice commanded him to "Stop! It's not worth it, Harrington." It was th'first Imperial who spoke, his voice crystal clear. "I'm sure Mister Kazaar would be willing to answer a few questions, about why he's here. Wouldn't you, Kazaar?"

A chuckle. "Yeh. Guess so. 'Cept it ain't ya business."

Th'crystal-voiced Imperial's eyes narrowed, but there was something 'bout him, which caused Estelle pause. She'd seen him before, she was certain. For a moment, she thought it'd been at Daddy's but, not that wasn't it. Then it hit her and she allowed herself a very small grin. "Cuff him, Harrington." The officer ordered, his blaster still extended. "You." He nodded towards Estelle. "Take a step to your left. Hands up." Estelle complied, doing her best to keep her grin down. Only a matter of time.

Harrington's hands grabbed one of Kazaar's wrists, pulling it roughly down, then doing th'same to the other. Th'former bounty hunter rolled his eyes, as if he was gettin' tired of waiting for th'charade t'be over. The 'Imperial' standing in front of him gave a small nod and Kazaar's shoulder suddenly shot up, into th'spice user's face. Harrington's curse died in his throat, as a blaster bolt pierced it, sending him to th'alley's floor.

"Feke it took ya long 'nough" Kazaar cursed as he rubbed his wrists in pain. "Thought ya were gonna actually let 'im put binders on me."

The fake Imperial's smile was large, as he and Kazaar shook hands. "I thought it might bring back memories to the last time (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15590) we saw each other." He turned his gaze towards 'The Kid', who was busy makin' sure no blood spilled onto Harrington's uniform. "Hello Estelle. I hear your star is rising very nicely in certain circles."

"Hello Crix..."She glanced up at him and smiled, "Thank you for the compliment. Although with this lug around, I'm surprised he hasn't weighed me down."

Kazaar snorted and Crix chuckled. "Gotta admit, Kazaar." The undercover Rebel started stripping off his uniform, revealin' a dark T-shirt underneath. "When Spendrim told me you were my contact, I was rather surprised. I thought Van-Derveld was supposed to be the one who'd get me out?"

Th'former bounty hunter smirked, "Guess she's busy. Or somehow she missed th'orders or somethin'." He winked. "Funny how they kinda disappear at times...ain't that right, Kid?"

[Estelle Russard]

"Spendrim?"

The news of Mirko as an Alliance go-between was news to her.

"Isn't that a little risky..?"

She looked from one man to the other for an explanation.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Ain't really like that," Kazaar pulled a cigar from his pocket and handed it t'Crix. The Rebel *sniffed* at it, then smiled and stuck it in his mouth, before lighting it with Kazaar's black butane lighter. "Spenny'n Crix're old friends. Two of 'em have kinda th'same arrangement we got."

"Except for his man-crush on you," Crix interjected with a sly smile.

Kazaar gave a glare. "Yeh that too. 'Course you're th'one who lets 'im knit sweater 'n all that crap." A smirk. "It's all ya fault f'getting that info junkie all hyped up 'bout it."

The two men chuckled at th'joke then Crix reached into his belt and pulled out a tannish-brown cigar. Its label was royal blue, with a gold trim 'n a crest (http://images.wikia.com/starwars/images/1/1b/Garm-bel-iblis-dfr.jpg). Kazaar raised an eyebrow at it. "It's the new Garm Bel Iblis line," Crix explained as he handed th'cigar to Kazaar. "Some of his family members made a deal with a tobacco company few months ago. No one really knows who, it's obviously been done 'hush-hush', but the product's pretty good. Worth smoking that's for sure."

Kazaar gave a half-smile as he put th'cigar between his lips. It was bitterly-tart (inna good way) and just th'right length. A moment later he was suckin' in tobacco smoke, smirking at th'flavor. "Ain't a bad cigar, Crix. Ain't a bad one at all. Know where I can get some more?"

Crix nodded. "I'll give ya an address." By now he'd stripped outta his Imperial uniform and handed it over to the former bounty hunter. "I think it's time I got outta here. The Imps were starting to get suspicious, I think." T'emphasize his point, Crix threw a look down both sides of the alley, as if ghouls lurked in th'shadows. "I got some strange looks few days ago. Someone tipped 'em off."

Estelle gave a nod, "There was a mission (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16247) quite recently which went awry due to Imperial interference."

Kazaar snorted. "Yeh, we were frackin' sold out. Trannies 'n Imps teamed up t'cost us a cruiser and a couple diplos (not that we needed 'em, but losin' the cruiser sucked). If it weren't for th'Kid, I'd be suckin' space instead o'Nar Shaddaa air."

"I've noticed this recently." Crix mused. "I lost one of my contacts several weeks ago. Think there's a traitor?"

[Estelle Russard]

The mention of a traitor drew a sharp look from both Estelle and Aurelias. The coincidence of betrayal so close on the heels of their own experience was disturbing indeed. It was something that needed to be solved. And soon.

"Any speculations, Crix?" she queried. Any thread to tug on would be helpful, one might be surprised at what may unravel. "Any gut suspicions?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Crix gave a shrug, then walked over to the Imperial officer's body. He rolled th'man over and started removing th'guy's uniform. "I haven't heard anything really and no one really tells me anything." He looked back at Estelle and Kazaar. "I just know something real screwy is going on. Th'bosses mention anything to you two?"

Both Rebels shook their heads, "Haven't heard anythin'." Kazaar grumbled. "Even after we got 'em th'info. Ya'd think Bossman'd throw us a bone or two."

Crix shook his head in amusement. "'Least you got outta prison. I thought you were done for sure."

"I think a lotta people thought that." The Brentaal-raised Alderaanian shrugged. "Guess ya can't please everyone. Ya gotta escape plan?"

By now, Crix had finished stripping the Imperial officer and was busy carrying the body to the end of the alley. Kazaar joined him and the two hoisted Harrington's corpse up and over th'wall. When Kazaar didn't heard anything on th'other side, he climbed up onna dumpster and peered over th'wall. Open space greeted him and his sharp eyes spotted th'body as it fell down, down, down into th'depths of space. Kazaar snorted and Estelle looked over th'wall herself and nodded, thinking th'same thing. Helluva place t'stow a body.

"I've got a ship hidden in the Refugee Sector. I'll burn space lines before you make it to wherever you're going." The undercover Rebel ashed his cigar. "Which reminds me, I'd keep my distance from Chance Castle. Lotta Imp activity over there."

Both Kazaar and Estelle shared a 'look'. Oh...great.

[Estelle Russard]

"Imp activity?" Estelle queried Crix, "They expecting something tonight in particular?"

More troopers around was an agrivation she and Kazaar didn't need, but atleast forewarned was fore-armed.

She noticed Kazaar looking at the Imperial uniform bundled in Crix's hand and didn't much like where that thought was heading.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Chance Castle- Two Hours Later

The two Imperial officers nodded at the olive-skinned Twi'lek concierge as they entered th'Chance Castle. Both Imperials gave a glance at th'fifty story atrium, before heading towards th'casino itself. "I still don't understand." Estelle grumbled as she scratched beneath her neck. "Why I couldn't have a better hairstyle."

Kazaar smirked beneath his fake goatee. The Kid looked th'part of an Imperial. Her blackish-brown hair (why 'The Black Man' asked her t'cut 'n dye (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showpost.php?p=243016&postcount=35) 'er hair, Kad only knew) was covered inna long reddish-brown, pony-tailed wig. Her eyes'd been changed from brown to green and a fake beauty spot was added just below 'er left lip.

For his part, Kazaar'd dyed his temples grey, added a black-grey goatee, and changed his black eyes to blue. He also wore the cap of an Imperial officer. "Ya don't look that bad, Kid." He answered inna hushed tone. "'Least ya don't hafta wear th'damn officer's cap. What th'hell the Imps were thinkin' making these a part of th'uniform makes no frackin' sense." Estelle smiled and th'two continued their journey through th'casino. "Mally said he was sendin' one of his girls over t'deliver th'rail detonator. We'll meet 'er in th'kitchen," Kazaar checked his watch, "In 'bout an hour."

"We're getting a 'lay of the land', then?" His partner asked, as she deftly dodged a Dug carrying several chips in his hand. The alien cursed but backed down quickly when he saw th'nasty look one of th'Imps gave 'im.

Th'former bounty hunter smirked, then nodded. "Yeh. Plus ya gotta get used t'wearing this uniform. Ya did good earlier with th'Imperial at th'spaceport and a helluva job on Sarapin, but now ya gotta wear this like a second skin.

"Remember, Kid." He whispered. "Ya ain't Estelle Russard right now." Kazaar grabbed two pungent drinks offa a serving droid's tray and handed one t'his partner. "Don't mean ya can't have fun."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle sipped the drink cautiously and gave a dubious look over the glass rim. It smelt very potent, she felt Kazaar often forgot she was not as talented an imbiber as he was. "Tastes a bit like paint thinner" she observed dryly. Kazaar shrugged, and took a gulp.

Russard scanned the room, the place was a busy one with quite an assortment of individuals, nefarious and otherwhise, and plenty of Imperials. Crix hadn't been kiddin.

"Like a damn jambooree, 'aint it, kid" Kazaar remarked with distaste.

She wondered what the draw for such an Imperial presence tonight might be. Despite the itching wig - her head felt 20 degrees hotter beneath its scratchy weave - she was glad for the disguise. No tell who might be here.

"See anyone you know?" she asked Kazaar, carefully keeping her lips to a minimum of movement as she spoke.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar shook his head. "Not right now--" Then his sharp eyes spied a rather rotund lethan (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lethan) Twi'lek as he walked- okay waddled- towards one of th'turbolifts in th'hotel. "There. Don't stare, Kid." He hissed, quickly. "Guy's name is Taf Ferlok, he's one o'Predka's men. Her consigliere or sumthin'. Speds lots o'time with money and lawbooks."

"So Haman was telling the truth." Estelle stated, her lips pressed up against th'rim of 'er glass. The Twi'lek was too far away t'hear any sort of conversation but close 'nough for them t'monitor his movements.

Kazaar snorted. "Yeh, imagine that, Kid. Haman actually bein' of use." Ferlok pressed a button on th'lift control system and nodded towards two Imperials officers standin' next to 'im. The nods were returned and all three boarded. As th'doors closed, Estelle noticed something odd.

"Ferlok was the only one to press a floor number, it looked like." Kazaar nodded in agreement. They may've been farther away from th'lift than he'd wanted, but both of 'em saw th'same thing.

"Either th'Imps're in Predka's pocket..."

"...or we've got a bigger problem." The Kid finished, a pensive look on 'er face.

The former bounty hunter gave a sideways smile. "Ain't too bad, Kid. Just means we gotta be quicker 'n quieter." A shrug. "Or 'least better with our shots."

Kazaar finished his drink, then grabbed another. "What I wanna know is, who th'frack's meetin' with Predka and Crei? And why'd none of our contacts know?"

[Estelle Russard]

"The only way we'll know for sure is if we join the party" Estelle replied, "But doing that without our special toys might not be much fun"

The pair swivelled their eyes in the direction of the kitchen. It was too soon for Mally's girl to be there with the weapon.

"We could go for a stroll" she suggested, turning her eye again to the turbolift, "See what we can see"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar nodded. "We'll hit th'sabacc tables on th'way. Don't play that much, but it'd keep up th'mirage. Let's go."

*****************************

Taff Ferlok's jowells jiggled whether he was talkin', laughin', or just breathin'. And currently they shook up'n down more than normal, as th'Twi'lek chortled with th'Imperials officers standing next to 'im. "Ah, Captain Oglivo." Ferlok's voice was serpentine and aquatine at th'exact same time. "It's good to see you again. But Madama Predka was expecting Inquisitor Valten...?"

Captain Oglivo scratched his hawk-like nose before replying. "I'm afraid Inquisitor Valten has been called away on business. He does send his regrets, but makes it clear, I am his emissary and will be treated with respect."

Ferlok nodded, his cheeks continuing to jiggle with the motion of his head. "We wouldn't want otherwise. Our business relationship has been more than fruitful. Predka has seen her power within the Nal Nokko crime syndicate grow tenfold, since our 'arrangement'."

Oglivo nodded in agreement. It was a shame, he thought, for the deception. While Predka Oorka was a good ally, one who could be counted on, the true important one was Kimiiki Crei. 'The Velvet Crimelord' had done his part more often than not at delivering supplies and making sure some of the Empire seedier allies caused the havoc they needed. Crei wasn't exactly
Jabba the Hutt, but no one could be. What mattered was Valten believed Crei had a future with the Empire and so did the Albino (even if he did have some almost foolish obsession with some semi-retired bounty hunter). That particular obsession was why Oglivo was here; Crei had asked for a background check after Kazaar stole some bounty (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15524) from under his nose. Either way, Valten wasn't happy about it and wanted to talk.

Predka's inclusion was apparently on a seperate matter between the two criminals. Oglivo would deliver his message, express Valten's displeasure, and leave. Which was good, since Oglivo had his own mission to attend to afterwards. There was a Rebel on Nar Shaddaa he needed to 'visit'.

*****************************

Estelle and Kazaar passed by one of the sabacc tables, where four Imperial officers sat, throwin' creds 'round like they weren't worth a damn thing. The two Rebels nodded at th'Imps then strode towards the front desk. "'Cuse me." Kazaar spokes first, his voice taking on some kinda accent Estelle hadn't heard before. "We were told by Major Ryan we could access the level below the penthouse without needing any sort of documents. Is that true?"

The Bothan attendent took a moment to gaze down on the two Imperials standing over him. Figures, Kazaar grumped inwardly. Even facin' Imperials th'damn tuftheads're a problem. Good f'them. When the Bothan spoke, his voice copied his attitude. "Yes. No documents are needed. Simply register your name, then get a key from me. Major Ryan should have told you this."

Kazaar thanked him (apologizing no less) then signed his name 'Darwyn Hamilton', while the Kid signed it 'Alexandra Ellsworth'. They took their keys, then headed towards the lift.

"Why the level below?" Estelle asked as they boarded th'lift. She scratched behind her ear again. Damned wig.

"Simple." Kazaar's smirk was wide. "I wanna get a lay of th'level. Plus, we may hafta climb up into th'penthouse's ducts and I'd like t'be sneaky where I can be. 'Sides...I don't feel like scalin' th'exterior wall. Too exposed."

[Estelle Russard]

The turbolift doors pulled apart and the duo stepped into the carpeted hallway of the hotel Penthouse sub-level. With unspoken consensus, they each started off to opposite directions down the corridor in order to reconitor the layout.

Estelle's light footfalls were matched by her partners, and they both progressed silently away from each other.

Rounding a corner, Estelle came up to a small alcove, a mini-lounge area that boasted two two-seater sofas and a snack machine. No window though. There was also a planter, with a dwarf Sefarrin tree abloom with yellow flowers. It's scent was subtle and reminded Estelle of the University gardens.

Further navigation of the level was more of the same - a long corridor with numbered doors leading into the level's suits and two other small lounges identical to the first one she'd found, the only difference being the second one also had an ice and beverage machine.

"Pretty standard" Estelle reported as she and Aurelias met back up, having come a full 360 back to the turbo lift. "I like the Sefarrins"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Prefer th'blood trees (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Blood_tree) m'self." Kazaar answered and Estelle cocked an eyebrow towards him. "Ash'n I ran into a Blood Carver (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Blood_Carver) while ago on Alsakan (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Alsakan). Helluva place t'go, Kid and a helluva species. Guy wanted us t'complain 'bout his statue more than compliment it." He gave a smirk. "Then he gave th'damn thing t'us. Frackin' screwy culture." 'Course lotta cultures were screwed up, but Kazaar didn't bother sayin' it.

Th'former bounty hunter nodded behind him. "Place is pretty much th'same on th'other side. Did find a maintenance area with access t'the vents. Unguarded too. Might be a good place t'start." Kazaar looked down at his watch. "C'mon, let's meet Mally's 'girl'."

The Kid was just gettin' ready t'press th'turbolift button, when the doors suddenly shot open, revealing three gruff-lookin' Imperial officers and a couple stormies as guards. One of th'officers, his pasty face lookin' even more white in th'light, demanded. "What is the meaning of this! Who are you with!"

Before Kazaar could answer, Estelle answered in 'er own harsh tone. "Why are there no guards on the penthouse sub-level. What is the meaning of leaving this area open for Rebel attack? My uncle will be very displeased for this."

Her forceful answer sent a look o'shock into the Empire's 'finest'. "U-uncle?"

"My uncle Disra (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Disra)."

"D-disra..." Th'pasty-faced officer was besides himself.

"Yes." Estelle did her best t'mimick th'way Kazaar's eyes flashed when he was angry. "And he won't be happy at all to learn about his treatment of his favorite niece! And he'll be even more unhappy to learn no one was here guarding the area in the first place! Whose your commander? I demand to speak with him!"

"Well." The officer looked left and right for help. "I c-command the are--"

"Then you should know better..." The rogue Rebel stared down at officer's rank badge. "Lieutenant! Much better! I want you out of here. Report back to your commander immediately! I want double patrols by the hour understand!"

"But...but..." The officer blustered. "That's 55 minutes from now."

"Then." Estelle rebuked. "You have plenty of time to do so! Move! I'll take another turbolift down. Such idiocy!" The door shut infront of her and Kazaar gave a massive smirk.

"Nice work, Kid. Think you're startin' t'get this job a helluva lot more than before."

"Think he'll actually report back?" Estelle was worried the frightened officer might actually have some competence.

"Kid, you scared th'livin' poodoo outta 'im." The two strode onto th'next turbolift. "He'll prolly make sure t'go through proper channels. That'll hold up th'damn reinforcements f'more than just an hour. Oughta give us 'nough time t'get our gear, do th'job, and get out.

"Like I said. You're getting this job a lot more than ya used to."

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Th'Kid smiled at th'compliment, knowing her partner wasn't one t'throw 'round comments like that. The smile disappeared quickly as she caught Aurelias' 'look', as if t'say 'Don't drop outta character'. Part of her chided herself 'bout th'smile, but another part knew Kazaar meant what he said. And it made 'er feel pretty good. "How will we know who our contact is?" Estelle straightened her Imperial issue hat to make it look just 'right'.

"Mally said she'd be wearin' a red'n pink halter top're som'thing. We're t'look for purple hair too." A smirk. "I have no frackin' clue where he gets these chicks'n why th'hell he's involved in prostitution."

"Trying to make a quick credit maybe?"

A snort. "Prolly. Mally's business eyes were bigger than 'is sense. If he saw somethin' he wanted...guy'd try t'get his fat hand on it. Guess he's been hangin' 'round th'Hutts too much."

Estelle cocked an eyebrow, "So why haven't you wanted to make a quick credit that often?"

Her partner's smile was crooked. "More interested in survivin' than gettin' rich. 'Course what ya dad's payin' me t'babysit ya..."

Th'Kid gave a playful elbow, just before th'turbolift doors shot open again, letting the two Rebels weave their way through th'deafening casino. The taller Kazaar was th'first t'spy their contact, causin' a very un Imperial, "Palpatine's blacken 'n ionized bones!" His black eyes narrowed. "Mally ya frackin' moron."

Estelle raised her brown eyebrows and gave an unlady-like swear (even if it was under 'er breath). Their contact, her predatory eyes scanning th'crowd, was an Anzat (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Anzat)...a frackin' vampire.

"C'mon." Kazaar mumured, takin' a step towards the Anzat. "Let's get this Force-damned thing over with." Mally ya frackin' moron. No wonder he was a frackin' pimp. Th'frackin' soup drinker was prolly drainin' client's heads every night. Or 'least making 'em dumber than when they first came in. Frackin' Mally...that damn Anzat was gonna drink his 'soup' at some point and th'Brentaal-raised Alderaanian was gonna lose another friend. Frackin' Mally. The Rebel sauntered up t'the Anzat. "Lookin' f'more 'soup' t'drink?" Estelle noticed Kazaar used his regular voice.

The vampire's eyes shone. "Kazaar!" Her seductive voice whispered and she pulled him into a darkened corridor by a small storage closet. "I should have known Mallaine wanted me to deliver this to you. Enjoying yourself?"

Kazaar snorted. "Hardly Karin, gimme th'damn weapon and lemme get outta here."

The newly-named Karin looked hurt. "Why Kazaar, I never would have thought you to treat me like this. After what I did for you, helping you forget A--"

"Wouldn't call tryin' t'drink my frackin' brain, 'helping me'." The former bounty hunter shot back, his voice on edge. "I ain't in th'mood for ya tricks. No after ya tried t'stick those tentacle up m'ears."

Karin pouted, before turning her eyes towards Estelle. "Well hello, child. Who are you?"

"Someone ya don't hafta worry 'bout." Kazaar growled. "She's wit' me."

"Now wonder you haven't called me." The Anzat pouted again, but there was playfullness innit too. "But that's okay... I get plenty of 'soup' where I need to. Nar Shaddaa...is full of it." Her smile was scarily dream-like.

"M'gear Karin."

A glare came from their contact. "Of course, Kazaar." She handed him a large bag. "Five shots. Should be enough. Mallaine and I will see you later." Her eyes focused on Estelle. "You know...most women who spend their time with him...don't always come back the same."

A wink. "Just thought you should know." Then she disappeared in the shadows.

"I frackin' hate that bitch, Kid." Kazaar sneered and Estelle coulda sworn he made a rude gesture at th'shadows. "Let's get outta here. I wanna go home."

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"So who is she?" Th'Kid inquired, as the two Rebels-turned-fake Imperials weaved through th'casino. "One of your ex's?"

Th'sound of Kazaar's *snort* made one of th'sabacc girls turn 'er head in shock. It was ugly, as if all Kazaar's frustration 'bout bein' manipulated t'do Gorgja's desires (even if the former bounty hunter agreed with Predka gettin' whacked) came out. "Wouldn't 'xactly call 'er an 'ex'." He answered with a shrug. "Spent some time on Nar Shaddaa few years back. Not doin' much, just a job here'n there. Spent mosta my time lookin' f'someone (http://sw-fans.net/forum/member.php?u=4128) but that ain't that big ovva deal." Kazaar shifted th'weapon bag from one shoulder t'the other. "Ended up gettin' pretty smashed at this one club. Picked up a dame at th'bar. Pretty nice lookin' but I wasn't that particular that night."

"Your 'friend'?" Estelle guessed gettin' a nod from Kazaar in return.

"Yeh. Said 'er name was Karin. Still goin' by it too." The two partners entered th'turbolift, with Estelle pressing th'button for the floor just below the penthouse. "Got back t'the place I was stayin'...don't remember much after that..."

A quizzical look came over the Kid's face. "But you're here, so something must have kept her from sucking out your brain."

Kazaar smirked. "Yeh. Spenny."

"Mirko?!?" The Kid's eyes widened in surprise.

"Yeh, Kid. That damn info junkie walked in just as th'vamp was gettin' ready t'have 'er dinner. He pretty much let outta squeak're somethin' then threw one of his balls o'yarn at me." Kazaar shrugged. "Shook outta it in time t'keep Spenny from gettin' his brains drained then kicked th'Anzat out th'window."

"The window?!?" Estelle was sure whether t'laugh at th'thought of Spenny 'squeaking' or be horrified by Kazaar's actions against the Anzati. Even if she deserved it.

Another smirk. "Knew she'd get better. Anzati's gotta way 'bout survivin' a ton o'things. 'Sides...not like Spenny cared. Little Ewok was curled up inna ball hopin' he wouldn't be completely empty b'tween his ears. 'Course he made me three frackin' sweaters f'that. Swear t'the gods, Kid, f'all his ability t'dredge up info...guy's a frackin' nutjob."

Now Estelle smiled and shook her head, as the lift came to a slow halt. "You really are a nut." She didn't even give Kazaar a chance to reply as she was back 'in character' of th'spoiled military brat niece of Moff Disra. Her head held high, Estelle led the way down the empty corridor (Imps were still tryin' t'get those reinforcements she'd asked for) towards the service closet. And the conspirators above.

[Estelle Russard]

Leading the way down the hallway, Estelle paused for the briefest of seconds to ensure no one was coming in either direction and then stepped into the service closet, Kazaar right on her heels. He proceeded to jam a mop end under the doorknob, angled against the floor creating a bulwark so that no-one else could enter behind them. Then, with Russard lifting one foot to cradle in his clasped hands, Aurelias gave her a "leg-up" propelling her toward the ceiling tiles. With a little effort, both had climbed quickly up inside the ventilation ducts and were crawling quietly toward the south corner of the hotel.

Kazaar had some crazy stories to tell, Estelle mused as she progressed forward. He knew some very colorful characters. Funny how the most bizare tales featured Spendrim in them. Kazaar could write a book. Of course, that would never happen. She tried to think of a title should such a miracle occur..."Kazaar - Strange, but true". Yep, that would do it. She looked over her shoulder at her partner, a cryptic smile tugging at her lips.

"This is killin' my back, Kid" he grumbled.

"Sad to get old, eh partner" she answered, "you should really think of givin up those cigars". That, was even more unlikely than the book.

"Must be gettin' close" he said. He sensed, rather than saw her nod.

She whispered back, "ten feet, give or take"

Kazaar nodded too. Bout what he'd thought, as well.

Estelle, after a few minutes, stopped and came round into a crouch. Kazaar did likewise.

They both could hear muffled sounds of movement - footsteps and muted voices travelling back and forth over head.

"Ready?" Kazaar mouthed. Estelle nodded.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

The Penthouse

The rest of the meeting was relatively easy. Like most business negotiations, it was heavy on the banter and light on content. Oglivo spent most of the time silent, watching the two criminals as they discussed their tentative. For Predka Oorka the Hutt it was rather simple: she craved power and was tired of being, in her mind, stepped upon by Gorgja the Hutt. For Kimiiki Crei, it was different, Oglivo could see it.

Crei had always been a rather mysterious person, even to an almost omniscient organization like the Inquisitors. A genetic test had come up with nothing, only revealing the Albino was 'Near Human' but not his planet of origin. Which was almost as frustrating as Crei's reply, after receiving a lecture on the 'Estelle Russard/Ghlar Timandar affair'. "I simply wished the Empire come out of the situation in the best light. And myself of course. In fact," The Velvet Crimelord crossed his white hands across his kimono, "That would have happened if Kazaar hadn't stumbled on Timandar's lair."

Oglivo's eyes narrowed, "Did you believe he had help?"

"Of course he had help." Crei's saccharine voice showed only a flash of anger. "Kazaar would have never found Mastala if he hadn't had help (and you know the kind of help I mean). He's a decent bounty hunter, but not as good as he'd like to think." Crei took a sip from his wine glass. "It's why he'll always be where he is."

It was the last statement which reminded Oglivo of something the Twi'lek crimelord (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bib_Fortuna) who'd introduced the Albino to the Empire had one said, "Crei's brain is as large as his ambition. And his vanity is only slightly smaller. He's constantly attempting to be three moves ahead of his opponent. He's not always successful, but he learns, for the most part."

But reasons neither the Inquisitors nor Oglivo couldn't figure out, Kimiiki Crei had become hellbent on making Aurelias Kazaar suffer. It'd been small at first, an annoyance here and there, but now it was as if the Albino saw the semi-retired bounty hunter as a growing threat to his power in the galactic underworld, even though Kazaar seemed to content to 'just be' a bounty hunter. With permission from his superiors, the Imperial allowed the crimelord to view the Inquisitor's background check into Kazaar's whereabouts during his seven year 'retirement'. A check, Oglivo noted with annoyance, netting nothing, save for Kazaar's love of cigars, alcohol, and his loyalty to the Russard family, most notably, the woman he saved, Estelle Russard.

The 'retired' bounty hunter did appear to have 'issues' with the Empire: his parents had been killed in the Ghorman Massacre, he'd spent time in an Imperial prision for a crime wiped off the books, and had a rather 'strained' encounter (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showpost.php?p=221484&postcount=78) with Grand Inquisitor Valten, several months ago. But nothing to suggest he'd been a member of the Rebel Alliance. From what he'd heard, the Imperial mole, known only as 'Cavalier', found nothing either, even though some Rebels knew who Kazaar was, no one would say whether he'd done work for them. And even if he had, even 'Cavalier's' abilities went so far. The hidden operative hadn't cracked either Dasquian Belargic or Grace Van-Derveld's personal files, but had noted both of their annoyance (or on the case of Van-Derveld, disdain) for some operative named 'Cowboy'. Crei swore it had to be Kazaar, but there was no way to prove his assertions, despite the crime lord's promises it was true.

"No one gets to Mastala that quick without help!" Crei argued like a man possessed. Whatever Kazaar had done, it had made the otherwise cool Albino seem almost human. Perhaps he did hate losing as much as he claimed.

Oglivo watched as Crei and Predka negotitated the terms of their alliance. Their agreement came relatively quick: Crei wanted five percent of Predka's total profits, while the Hutt immediately declined. When the Velvet Crimelord pointed out that not only would Predka stand to make quite a sum of credits, due to the elimination of the 15 percent Gorgja took out of her profits, but also the fact Predka approached him about the alliance, the Hutt had no choice but to agree. Almost half an hour later, the negotitations were complete: Predka would announce at the next syndicate meeting she was withdrawing her (in name only) support of Gorgja and offer to take anyone with her. If not...the Hutt crimelordess knew they'd come along at some point. Especially when Gorgja ended up dead five weeks later when the hyperdrive on Gorgja's space yacht 'accidently' malfunctioned.

It was the perfect plan.

***********************************

Kazaar hauled himself up from the ventilation duct into th'penthouse. "Stick t'the shadows, Kid." He whispered as they crouched by a large painting. "Don't wanna frack this up. 'Specially with our 'surprise'."

[Estelle Russard]

The painting was exceptional, Estelle thought, eyeing it appreciatively. Even in the shadowed light, she could see the strokes were fluid and unique to the artist who'd crafted them. Her father owned a work by the same master.

Too bad that's where all the good taste ended. She could hear The Hutt and Crei conversing in the other room and it was sounding like an accord had been reached.

She raised the muzzle of her gun. "After you" she allowed to Kazaar, "It is, after all, your party"

Russard steeled herself for what she was about to do, telling herself that the job came first, she could battle her personal ethic issues that were richocheting around in her head later when the dust and laserbolts settled.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

There was no ethics conflict within Kazaar. 'Least not when it came t'Predka Oorka. She was schutta scum o'the worse kind, all into spice 'n pimpin' hell even child slavery. Bein' involved in that crap meant ya didn't even deserve t'get a fracking gravestone. 'Course her deal with that blasted Albino made 'er even worse. Kazaar wasn't too keen 'bout bein' forced t'take 'er out, far as he was concerned, 'The Ice Slug' deserved it. And he was only happy t'obligue. 'Sides, he'd had words with Gorgja 'bout this later.

Silently, th'Brentaal-raised-Alderaanian pulled the rail detonator from the duffel bag and gave it a once over. Everything seemed in order, and he knew Karin wasn't dumb 'nough t'get 'im killed. She wanted him, not wanted him dead...not yet 'least. The rail charges made a small *pssssh* sound as he slid them into their housing, a small smirk coming t'his face. The tiny charges packed a whallop when fired and if he did it right, it'd blow the fat Hutt t'whatever After Life they believed in.

He slipped in front of 'The Kid'...just as voices came from th'outer hallway. Neither Rebel could hear what was bein' said, but one thing was f'sure...they were comin' this way. "Get a hidin' place. Quick!" Th'large man hissed as his black eyes spied a large desk in th'deep gloom. He slid behind it, just as th'lights went on.

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle tucked herself behind the blind-side of a large jadewood bookcase just as the room was splashed into illumination by Predka and the Albino entering the room.

Five more steps forward, and the pair would be standing right in front of her. Instead, however, they had stopped just inside the doorway, continuing their discussion.

But luck was being only so kind. Kazaar, from his vantage behind the desk realised in the sef-same instant as did Estelle and drew a vexed breath - Opposite from their hiding places was Estelle's image, clear as day, reflected in the polished glass doors of the floor-to-ceiling liquor cabinet.

frell..

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Frack.

Kazaar didn't mind himself gettin' in trouble, after all he was used t'a ton of heat from guys like Gorgja, Crei, Belargic, and Van-Derveld. Ya take chances workin' the way he did, always possible t'get caught and killed, but hey that was life. And while 'The Kid' knew th'risks, Kazaar'd asked her into this mess. She hadn't volunteered herself, he'd ask her. If Estelle died, it'd be on his head and his heart for th'rest of his life.

Frack!

Crei was startin' t'turn away from 'The Ice Slug' (how th'hell had she made it into th'room in th'first place). In a second, the Albino's creepy eyes would be on 'The Kid'. No time think, just act

"Kid Down!" Th'former bounty hunter rose from his crouch before shooting five rail charges towards the Hutt crime lordess. They impacted against the right side of her head, neck, and face shock coming to the eyes of her and Crei.

Seconds later, the whole penthouse shook.

F-O-O-O-O-M-M-M-M!!!

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle catapulted herself forward and down, flattening herself into a fine impression of Rebel-Agent spread eagle on Toast. Ok, so she was still thinking along with the art impressionists theme, obviously.

But, it was a wonder she was thinking at all, with the whole room hemorrhaging about her. The floor-to-ceiling liquor cabinet door, her recent inconvenient mirror was shattered into a million peices on the floor. Books had shaken from the shelves and were cascading into chaotic piles beside her.

She raised herself slightly and was shallacked with what used to be the side of Predka Oorka's head, and quite possibly the evening's previous appertifs.

She tried to raise her gun, but the reverbating concussive was making her coordination difficult.

"Kazaar!" she yelled, "I can't see Crei"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Crei'd been thrown out th'door back into the room he, Predka, and Captain Oglivo had been conducting their negotiations. He was dazed and incoherent, only able to see stars and lines where there shouldn't be and covered in the remains of...something. His hands wouldn't work and neither were his vocal chords or his senses. Whatever'd happened, it had been big.

The Velvet Crimelord blinked as a figure stood over him, looking much better than he did. The figure mouthed something, it sounded like "Cmumon" but the Albino didn't know. Moments later, he was on his feet and being ushered into a turbolift and away from it all.

"Wahth--ell--uz that?" The figure cursed and Crei then realized it was Captain Oglivo. He shook his head, feeling it clear a bit, then found his voice.

"I'm not...sure...Captain." His yellow eyes stared at the mirrored elevator walls. He looked, not completely haggard, but not good either. His face didn't look too damaged, Crei noted with satisfaction, but his headached felt like it was right...his white hand touched a bump on his head, sending a shock of pain through his system...there. His composure was coming back. "But I'm pretty sure 'The Ice Slug's' dead."

"Rebels?"

Crei shrugged. "Who knows. It was somebody that's for sure."

"I've got a squad of stormtroopers on their way up and all entrances have been locked down. I'll find them."

The Albino nodded, then went silent. He'd lied to Oglivo, about not knowing who'd done it. He'd heard a voice yell just before everything went dark.

"Kid down!"

Crei's yellow eyes gleamed. Kazaar.

*****************************************

Kazaar'd hit th'deck shortly after he'd fired th'rail detonator, so he'd avoided feeling the effects of the explosions. For th'most part, his ears still rang and his head felt like someone'd decided t'take a hydrospanner to it. He rose from his crouch and coughed, as dust continued t'settle in th'area.

There was 'The Ice Slug', 'least what was left o'her. Th'whole left side of her skull was gone, 'long with one of her arms, and a lotta 'er body. Fact th'way the Hutt tried t'flop around was almost comical. If Kazaar hadn't seen 'er frackin' right eye blink three times. Dammit. "We ain't done here yet, Kid." Kazaar strode forward t'where Predka flopped in pain.

He almost slipped onna bit of something, as he paused just in front of th'Hutt. He fired his last rail detonator, then threw himself on top of Estelle just before it exploded.

BOOM!

The Rebel spies raised their heads and Kazaar smirked. Predka Oorko the Hutt aka 'The Ice Slug' was dead.

He helped his partner to 'er feet, "Ya look like a mess, Kid." Another smirk.
"C'mon. We gotta get outta here." The big question was 'How'? The room'd been turned t'shambles and part of both walls had been blown open. Kazaar got a nice view of Nar Shaddaa and was pretty sure some of th'Empire finest would be canvasing th'place pretty soon. 'Specially if th'rumors were true 'bout Predka and Crei bein' here on Imperial business.

"How are we going to get out of here?" Estelle asked asked a spotlight suddenly illuminated their position. Both of 'em briefly looked up t'see a Delta-class DX-9 transport (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Delta-class_DX-9_stormtrooper_transport) circling their position. "Got any more rail charges?" Estelle was trying t'shield her eyes from th'glare.

"Nah, but I'll tell ya what." Kazaar grumbled. " Those idiots get any closer I'm jumping for 'em." He smirked, his face blood flecked. "They'll never 'pect it."

Turns out they didn't need to. The transport turned 'round, its back hatch opening. A harpoon suddenly shot from it, *thunking* into th'raggedy wall behind 'em. "Well de-AR ka-ZAAR!" Mallaine's voice boomed from the hatch. "It SEEMS you need my HELP a-GAIN!. COME. The im-PER-i-als, won't have THAT much patience."

Kazaar gave Estelle a shrug and tugged on th'live. "It's holdin'." He grabbed th'line just t'be 'sure'. "Go first, Kid."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle was finding her balance with difficulty, the unfortunate effects from such close proximity to the rail blast. Kazaar seemed in better shape and infact appeared to thrive in such pressure.

The wind from the updraft against the building added to the dizzying effect, but Russard pulled one hand over the other along the tethered line and after what seemed an age, felt strong hands clasp onto her arms and haul her into the transport.

Aurelias was not long behind her and then she felt the ship bank alarmingly to the left and accellerate forward. Mallie was grinning at the pair of them as they rocked awkwardly against the ships hull.

"You got your POINT a-CROSS Ka-ZAAR" Mallie grinned, gesturing to the destruction of the penthouse suite left behind in their wake, "as U-sual." He handed Estelle a tattered towel to wipe off the gruesome evidence.

Estelle looked to her partner. The job Gorgja had given Aurelias to do had been accomplished, but there was still unfinished business there, they both knew. Crei.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Think Crei saw us?" Estelle asked as Kazaar wrapped a bacta bandage 'round her head.

Kazaar shrugged. "You were prolly outta sight, despite ya 'hidin' place'." He gave her a mild rebuke. "If th'Albino saw me..." He snorted. "Who gives a frack. Guy's hated me f'ages anyway. Not like that's gonna change anytime soon."

Mallaine wandered from th'front of th'transport back to where the'two rogue Rebels sat. "ka-ZAAR. Where SHALL we DROP you off?"

"That's just it, Mally. I need another favor from ya." Kazaar brushed some dust from his sleeve. "Buncha Trannies have m'ship held hostage some where 'round here. I gotta get it back from 'em." He smirked. "Gonna need t'get a sniper rifle from ya."

Th'weapons broker nodded. "I HAVE sev-ER-ral which MIGHT suit your PUR-poh-ses." From somewhere within his robes, Mally pulled outta datapad. "LOOK that over and TELL me what you think."

Th'Kid watchin' over his shoulder, Kazaar pressed a couple buttons'n nodded. "Nice stock 'ere Mally. DC-15 (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/DC-15x_sniper_rifle) ain't bad...neither's th'E-17 (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/E-17D_sniper_rifle)..." He paused a moment at one of'em. "How th'frack didja find a Verpine (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Verpine_sniper_rifle)? Those things ain't easy t'get ya grubby hands on."

Mally gave a smile. "Trade SE-cret ka-ZAAR. YOU should know THAT. SO...WHICH one would you LIKE?"

Kazaar angled an eyebrow towards Estelle. "Interested in usin' th'rifle while I go clean outta lizard den? I want m'frackin' ship back."

[Estelle Russard]

She dabbed at the bacta bandage, already feeling some of its regenerating effects and gave him a look, "You have to asK?" She leaned her head against the transport's durosteel plating, "Trannies got something that doesn't belong to them, they should know better"

And the truth of that remark struck both rebels at the same time. The Trannies would know better. Odds were, Kazaar would be expected.

"You know it will be a trap" she said with certainty.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar smirked. "'Course it is. Crimson Eclipse wouldn't've done th'deal with Gorgja if they didn't have their own plan. Slavers probably figure Crei 'n me hate each other 'nough we'd try t'kill each other 'stead of killin' th'Ice Slug." His black eyes took a deadly tone t'em. "'Course they're mistake was takin' m'ship. Ya don't frackin' touch m'baby."

Despite their situation, Estelle gave a smile. "I think the DS-15 is probably the best choice. That way, if things get too hairy I can come in to help." Her smile turned sheepish. "Just in case you get over your head, Aurelias."

Her partner snorted. "Been over m'head since I was 15. No point in m'stopping now." Another smirk, then th'former bounty hunter turned towards his Chagrian companion. "Where we gettin' th'stuff, Mally? Spent 'nough time on this rock."

Mallaine chuckled. "Do NOT wor-RY ka-ZAAR. We will GET it at MY place."

"Good. 'Cause I wanna grab a 'least one repeater rifle from ya, plus a couple vibroblade, anna DD6 if ya got one."

"WHERE are YOUR bry-ARS?"

"Frackin' lizardheads took 'em." Kazaar shook his head. "Guess they wanted t'make sure I'd come after 'em. Like takin' th'Dutchman ain't reason 'nough, they had t'spit on me while I was down. Frackin' bastiches." He took a moment t'rest his head 'gainst th'transport's bulkhead, starin' up at th'top o'the ship. Even with th'rest he'd gotten th'night before he was frackin' tired. Damned Gorgja, why th'frack ya'd hafta do ya best Jabba impersonation. "When we're done with this, Kid." His voice was lower. "I wanna pay Gorgja a visit. Ya don't hafta stick 'round, I ain't real sure what's gonna happen." He smirked. "If I get m'way, Gorgja leaves me alone forra bit and takes less creds outta m'pocket.

"If I don't..." He shrugged, as th'transport set itself down behind Mally's shop. "Might be best if ya don't stick 'round f'that. Don't want ya dad t'get in any more trouble. Or you f'that matter."

[Estelle Russard]

"Why dont you let me worry about what trouble I get in to, Kazaar. I think that point was moot the moment we hooked up" Estelle replied, ignoring Mallie's sideways look. "Besides, you're getting enough hardware to outfit a small army, who'd you think is gonna carry all that stuff?"

Nope, Kazaar'd take more care of himself if she was toting along with him. He'd be less likely to be reckless. Well, a little bit less likely anyway, and that could be the difference in him coming back in one peice. Hard to have a partner to fight the Empire if Gorgja had his body parts sent to all five Systems of the Ison Trade Corridor.

"Besides," she added with a smile, "The Dutchman's my ride home"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar smirked. "Yeh...ain't cupcakes'n tea we're preparin' for." He paused a moment t'wipe down th'rail detonator he'd used t'ice 'The Ice Slug'. "Good piece ya got 'ere Mally. Hate t'lose it."

Th'arms dealer smiled a partially-toothy grin. "of COURSE ka-ZAAR. We WOULDN'T want the EM-pire to KEEP you on plan-ET."

Kazaar tossed th'rail detonator over a railin' not botherin' t'look as it tumbled down into space below. Everyone knew if Kazaar'd had his way he woulda kept th'weapon but there was no point t'it. Specially if he needed t'move fast. Too man weapons would just wear 'im down and make it easier f'him t'get slagged by some opportunistic frackhead ovva Trannie. No point'n that. 'Sides...Kazaar liked his head.

His gloved hands accepted th'heavy repeater rifle Mally place in 'em and he smile. "Nice...very nice." He spent a couple moments checkin' every detail on it, then slid it onto his back. Ignorin' a slight pain in his back (damn thing was frackin' heavy), Kazaar grabbed th'DD6 blaster pistol and slipped it into a holster by his leg. He waited a tic before pullin' out th'comm link he's stolen from th'Crimson Eclipse member th'day before. "Job's done." Kazaar didn't even bother givin' an explanation.

"Goood." An almost serpentine voice stated from th'comm. "Docking bay 568 in the Refugee Sector. Thirty minutes. Alone."

"Gee, Kid, I think ya were right." Th'Brentaal-raised Alderaanian gave a sidesways smile. "Think they're gonna let m'get outta here alive? Mally, anythin' special 'bout this dockin' bay?"

"No ka-ZAAR. IT is like MOST dock-ING BAYS."

"Well that's good and bad." Estelle answered, as she checked her sniper rifle. Th'DS-15 had six shots b'fore it needed t'be reloaded, which'd be good since both of 'em figured the Trannies had t'have 'least 10-15 slavers waitin' for 'em. "I should be able to find a good vantage point at least 12 floors up. If the slavers have snipers waiting for you Kazaar, and we both know they will, I should be able to handle them."

Her partner smirked. "See why I like 'er Mally. Kid knows 'er stuff. B'fore we leave. I wanna talk t'ya 'bout something privately." Th'two men wandered off a short distance away, both of 'em talkin' in hushed voices. Estelle could see Kazaar was agitated 'bout somethin', but couldn't hear what. After a couple more minutes o'hushed arguing, th'two separated and Kazaar returned. "C'mon, Kid let's get outta 'ere. Mally, thanks f'the help. Watcha back."

"of COURSE. And MISS e-STELLE. It was a PLEA-sure to MAKE your acquain-TANCE."

"What was that about?" Estelle asked as th'two walked away from Mallaine's Place.

"Told 'im, I wasn't happy he was doin' business with th'vampire. Karin's a tricky dame, 'least from what I remember. Told 'im t'watch his back." Kazaar shrugged. "Th'vamp may be takin' clients 'soups' but how long till she decides t'take his. I don't gotta lot o'friends, Kid. Those who are, (you, Crix, even that damned Spenny) I kinda wanna keep 'round.

"Ain't a ton of 'em 'round in this business."

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle looked back to where they'd taken their leave of Mallie. He was a likeable enough fellow, and true enough as Kazaar had said, friends weren't always in abundant supply. But Estelle figured Mallie for a guy who knew what he was doing and had played his game a long time.

"I wouldn't worry about him, Aurelias. Mallie isn't exactly a babe in the woods. He knows the trade-off when using certain types of connections, just like we do"

Just like we do..There was gonna be hell to pay if the brass at HQ ever found out about this little exploit. Estelle tried not to think about it.

"So, the master plan is shoot them before they shoot us, I suppose?"

"S'mthin' like that" Kazaar answered obliquely.

"Dont s'pose we could wait till they're sleepin and tip-toe by to swipe the keys to the Dutchman?"

"Gotta get m'guns" he reminded her in the same distracted manner. He could already feel them in his palms, Estelle guessed.

"Right, the guns as well. The ship and the guns. And then we can get back to work, right? Check in with Belarg--er Director Belargic, or Othniel? Get our next mission, right?"

"Guns. Ship. Mission. In that order" again with the abridged conversation response.

Yep, he was already holding those pearl-handled Bryar blasters in his hand. As they made their way to the space port, Estelle was trying to remember if Kazaar had named them, she was pretty sure he had. Ebony and Ivory? Killer and Maim? Simon and Garfunkle..?

Kazaar was walking slightly ahead of her, looking for a speeder to 'borrow'. "Vera and Ashley" he said as he finally made his selection.

"What?" Estelle asked as they let themselves into a sporty little coupe.

"I can hear ya thinkin' from here, th' pistols, they're "Vera and Ashley"

"Uh" she said, sliding into the speeder beside him, "they aren't very scary names for weapons". She didn't dare say too much more, though, remembering the signifigance of Ashley's name. But who was Vera..? Another old flame? "Seems to me guns should have tougher names" she finished lamely, feeling Kazaar's dark look on her.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar *snorted*, then turned his attention t'splicing th'speeder's ignition wires. "There're reasons f'everything, Kid." He cursed as th'speeder's engine kicked forra minutes before shuttin' off. Damned security devices. Kazaar tried again with th'wires, getting no response. "Son of a bitch! Stupid frackin'..." Th'speeder's engine turned on and Kazaar pulled out into traffic. "I swear, Kid..."

Th'two rode in silence for a bit, while Kazaar did his best t'calm down from th'insult Estelle'd given him. He figured it was prolly accidental, but still hurt. "Like I said, Kid...reasons f'everythin'. Th'Twins are named 'Ashley 'n Vera' as a way t'honor th'two most important women in m'life. Ash, who was m'first partner'n showed me th'ropes 'bout huntin' and all. Vera's m'mom. Dunno if I told ya this, but that bastard Tarkin killed 'er during th'Ghorman massacre." Estelle nodded. Kazaar hadn't told 'er 'bout his mom, but Crix had long time ago. "Look at it this way, Kid. Havin' those two blasters means a helluva lot t'me.

"Whenever I take someone out, whether it's an Imp or some fracker who deserves t'be clipped, I feel like I'm givin' th'two of 'em even more peace."

"Did you name one after your dad?" Th'Kid asked, this time more out of curiousity than accidental insult.

"Nah." Kazaar gave a half-smile/smirk. "Pop told m'never t'name a gun after a guy. F'dames it's different. If ya were t'name one o'those blasters I gave ya 'Kal' or 'Kristmansen', I'd understand. Or if ya named one Bretton, I'd get it too." He chuckled. "Ya remember that EE-3, Othy gave me?"

Estelle tried not t'roll 'er brown eyes. How could she f'get that. Kazaar'd gone on f'weeks, buggin' 'The Black Man' 'bout gettin' him that carbine. When he finally got it, her partner'd taken her t'a blaster range so he could 'get th'feel of it'. "Yes, what about it?"

"I named 'er 'Evey'."

"After the nurse (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showpost.php?p=221415&postcount=75)??" Estelle was flabbergasted.

"Second toughest broad I ever met. Fact she held 'er own with ya dad, me, and Valten all in one room, says a helluva lot 'bout 'er." Kazaar smirked. "'Sides, that EE-3 was an 'Evey'. Pure'n simple." His face became serious. "Look we're here. I want ya t'do this: Get up to th'sixth level, then lemme know what ya see. Then I'll head in. Watch m'back and be on th'look-out f'snipers.

"Just don't start shootin' till I get 'least t'take to the 'head lizard'. Gotta get 'Th'Twins' back."

[Estelle Russard]

All the while as she made her way to the sixth floor, Russard puzzled over her enigmatic partner. He showed such sensitivity at times, and in the most unexpected places. His mom, of all things. She'd have never guessed that in a million light-years.

She doubted she would ever name a weapon after someone she knew. Heck, she doubted she would ever name a weapon ever. Must be a guy thing -- here it is, Level Six. Estelle exited the stairwell cautiously, keeping close to the wall and ducking out of sight behind a structural beam just as one of a group of Trandoshans leaning beligerantly against the railing turned and headed down the inner stairway towards the Docking platform. The Dutchman was all opened up, cargo bay and passenger ramps were both down. Whether it was being loaded, or unloaded, was hard to tell. Work seemed to be on hold for the moment, probably as they were expecting company.

"I sight 5 Trannies on the pedestrian gangway above your baby," she whispered to Kazaar through her comm, "atleast one, certainly more, aboard her"

Estelle fingered her sniper rifle. She'd have to dispatch them pretty quickly, but she'd need a better position than where she was in order to do that.

"Gonna get myself situated, gimme a few" and she moved off silently to find better cover.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"You got it, Kid." Kazaar waited a couple minutes in th'gloom o'the corridor. He hadn't seen th'Dutchman but figured it was in good condition. 'Least he hoped it was, if th'Kid wasn't telling 'im something, he was gonna be pissed. One way t'find out f'sure, he pulled out his comm link. "'Ey Trey ya there?"

*******************************
The Flying Dutchman- Cargo Hold

A small light *winked* on within th'cargo hold as th'R7 droid powered its systems on. It'd been sittin' there forra while, trying its best t'keep a low profile. 'Specially when all hell'd broken loose at Kazaar'd old hanger on Coruscant. 'Trey' had hidden inna small auxiliary storage compartment, next to a small auxiliary control panel. It wasn't much of a hiding place, but th'invaders were too busy stealin' th'ship to completely toss it. The droid was certain, whoever took the ship had gotten into Kazaar's alcohol cache. And that wasn't gonna go over well with th'droid's 'master'. Even if Kazaar hadn't been seen inna while. 'Trey' was just getting ready to see if it couldn't get off the ship, when a voice popped into its receiver.

"'ey Trey...ya there. Kazaar.

*******************************

A *twitterin'* came over Kazaar's comm link. Kinda a 'Where th'frack have ya been?' type-*twitterin'*. Th'former bounty hunter smirked as another series o'angry *blips* and *blats* soon followed, as the R7-droid announced its displeasure at bein' left alone. "Whatta ya mean where've I been? Why th'frack didn't ya stop th'lizardheads from gettin' in." Kazaar rolled his black eyes at th'answer. "Whatta ya mean 'they had concussion rifles'? Ya told me yaself, ya 'upgraded' th'Dutchman's security systems and shields t'be able t'take 'least ten shots from one o'those. What were ya sittin' round havin' an oil bath or somethin', ya domeheaded bucket o'bolts."

'Trey' let outta rather rude soundin' *blit-blat* combination and, despite th'situation, Kazaar tried t'keep himself from chucklin'. "'ey...watch ya language, 'Trey'. I swear ya been hangin' 'round 'The Kid' too long...'Course she's here, I told 'er not t'come, but ya know how thick-headed she is. Startin' t'remind me 'bout someone I know." Another smirk. "Glad t'know you're all right pal. Where'd ya hide yaself? Th'cargo hold? Good." Kazaar brushed a hand 'cross his face. Getting kinda warm 'round here. "Wanna see how many 'guests' we got on board?"

There was a *twitterin'* and th'link went silent forra bit, while 'Trey' slid outta th'compartment t'access th'security info. When he got back t'Kazaar, the human cursed. "Thirty of 'em? Ya sure that's right?" He sighed. "Frack. Awright, gimme 'bout ten minutes, then I want ya t'blow that power converter in th'main hold. Oughta take some of 'em out and leave th'rest in chaos." Th'R7 droid *twittled* a question. "Yeh, I'm just outside. Gotta deal with th'Trannies out here, then I'll b'in. Lay low till ya hear th'shootin'." He signed off, then keyed in Estelle.

"Kid, we gotta problem. 'Trey' says there're 30 lizardheads inside. He's gonna blow a power converter, but if ya happen t'see any snipers 'round there, might be good t'steal their ammo. 'Cause what ya got, ain't gonna do it." Kazaar pulled his heavy repeater rifle offa his back. "Lemme know when ya ready."

[Estelle Russard]

The ambiguous sounds of a scuffle would probably have been noticed if someone somewhere beside "The Dutchman's" hull wasn't clanging a wrench against a stubborn bolt, trying in vain to remove one of the outer laser guns through sheer brute agression. The blade had slid easily into the Trando's throat, Estelle coming at him from a position of elevation behind him. She had 'stepped' onto his back from her hiding place amongst some cargo crates and as the knife sliced in to his jugular, she dropped her body allowing her counter-weight to drag him backwards as his knees weakend. They were slumped down on the floor together in a spoon position, the Trando's legs kicking ineffectually along the ground. but any noise he made was swallowed up in the ecoing clangs of the wrench. She waited for the Trando to bleed out and become still, then pulled him behind the freight and out of sight before taking up her chosen position.

Thirty inside....it was going to be a masacre. Russard got a rusty sort of taste in her mouth, like the taste of copper. It was nothing new, it was just her body reacting to the least likeable part of her job. She wondered if it would ever stop, if she'd ever get used to it. It was a question for another day.

"Ready" she replied.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar *clicked* his comm link in answer, then sauntered onto th'long, wide durasteel 'bridge' connectin' th'landing platform to Nar Shaddaa proper. Th'Trannies had place a couple piles of crates in places on the bridge which'd give anyone 'nough cover in case things went hairy. Kazaar smirked, knowin' they prob'ly would...'specially since the Crimson Eclipse wanted 'im dead. Almost as much as he wanted them dead. His black eyes narrowed when they spied one crate with 'ALCOHOL' stamped in Dosh on several spots. It was from his frackin' ship. Damned Lizardheads taken his booze.

Kazaar kept th'heavy repeater rifle in his hands, just in case someone started shootin' before he even got th'chance t'speak. Lizardheads'd said "Meet us in three days," so th'bounty hunter figured they wanted t'talk 'bout somethin'. Even if it was proclaimin' he wasn't gonna make it off planet (frackin' goons always like doin' that sorta thing).

"That's far enough, Kazaar." A voice *hissed* from a group o'ten Trandoshans standin' in front of The Flying Dutchman. "Is the Ice Slug dead?"

Another smirk. "Ya check th'news? Chance Castle had a big 'splosion."

The Trannies all chortled in laughter Kazaar didn't like. "I was told..." Chief Lizardhead answered. "It was a gas leak." Pullin' out a datapad, th'slaver tossed it towards th'bounty hunter. Kazaar caught it in one hand 'n gave it a onceover.

Dear Chance Castle residents,

The top four levels are currently closed due to a shvash gas (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Shvash_gas) leak, which damaged a portion of the penthouse. All residents will be placed in other rooms and given a refund of the different in cost. If you are moved to a more expensive room, the Empire (which is investigating the cause of the leak) will pay your expenses.

Sincerely,
Casino Management

"You gotta be frackin' kidding me." Kazaar growled. "I'm covered in Hutt junk. Ya Force-damned Lizardheads knew this was gonna happen didn't ya?" Chief Lizardhead smiled in reply and Kazaar spied 'The Twins' holstered on his shoulders. "'ey...those're mine!"

Th'slaver looked down at th'blasters. "What these?" His voice sneered. "You're welcome to take them...if you want."

***********************************
Six stories above

The Trandoshan sniper watched the meeting between his boss and the human bounty hunter through his macrobinoculars. It wouldn't be long now. He thought as he picked up his sniper rifle. When the slaver tossed the datapad, the lizardhead took aim for Kazaar's head. He'd been told to let the human flarghead read the notice and let reality sit in. The sniper smiled and placed his clawed finger on the trigger.

He was about t'fire, when a low-flying freighter suddenly shone a spotlight directly on his position. The Tranny threw a glare up towards th'ship. Kriffing moron. The spotlight disappeared and the sniper shifted back down towards the party below.

[Estelle Russard]

The glare from the freighter spotlight had drawn Russard's attention also, her immediate reaction being to draw back further into her cover and, even as she did so, she caught the glint of the sniper's rifle above her in the passing light.

Estelle felt a shockwave go through her - it was a double-double-cross (or a triple-cross if one used the proper term). They'd expected Kazaar to stop by. They'd had the outside lookouts in place as well as the ambush party within the Dutchman. But the Trandoshans had also backed the house's play and placed an insurance policy about five or six levels up, a sniper, who'd met-and raised- the odds in the pirates favor.

Russard couldn't wait on the shot. Kazaar would be dead before she could get in a position to engage the sniper. She couldn't wait.

Looking through her scope and leaning a little into her weapon, Estelle opened fire on the small knot below her and, with two rapid shots, dropped the Chief Trandoshan who was grinning a slimy smile at Aurelias, as well as one of the Trannies beside him. Then, swinging her rifle around and upwards, she trained it on the area where the sniper was situated, hoping the surprise tactic would pull him forward to look for her own position.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Kazaar went in t'autopilot when th'fire shots were fired. His heavy repeater rifle came up an' he let loose a volley o'death. Th'burst was in more ovva spray pattern than anythin' else (Kazaar was more focused on gettin' himself outta 'dead mynock' mode and into 'dead mynock goin' down fightin' mode). Th'trannies turned their attention towards 'the Kid' and that's when Kazaar shot off th'concussion grenade. It's explosion wasn't as large as th'one in Chance Castle, but th'fact it exploded inna crowd o'lizardheads caused 'nough damage. With their leader down, the slavers been thrown into a state o'confusion. Just 'nough f'the bounty hunter t'get behind the crates he'd spied earlier.

He let loose a shorter, more concentrated blast this time and grabbed his comlink. "Trey, whenever ya wanna blow that power conduit. Do it!" He gotta *warble* in response. "Whatta ya mean there're only ten of 'em on board." His breath was comin' out hard. "Thought ya said there were thirty?" Another negative *warble* "Whatta ya mean ya 'miscounted'?" Frackin' tinhead, that's what I get f'not lettin' him out 'nough. "Thirty total? So we're facin' twenty and ya got ten in there...fine, I don't givva damn just blow th'frackin' conduit!" He emphasized his point by lettin' offa long burst that dropped a couple lizardheads where they stood.

Th'Dutchman literally shook a moment as th'power conduit exploded inside. Th'lizardheads that were busy guardin' the ship (most of 'em hacked off they weren't allowed t'be out gatherin' point for their Scorekeeper god) died without knowing what hit 'em. Kazaar smirked at 'Trey's' report. "Nice work." Then he ducked outta th'way as blaster fire came from th'other side o'the platform. A group o'trannies (prolly th'other ten that th'R7-droid said were 'round) had flanked 'im. Th'human let loose another concussion grenade, then yelled into his comlink. "Hey Kid! Where th'frack are ya...oh shi-"

Estelle glanced down in time t'see th'small explosion go off next t'her partner. Her eyes briefly went white, then readjusted. A flash-bang grenade....Kazaar was fracked.

[Estelle Russard]

Kazaar was fracked. Estelle felt a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

With rifle slung over her shoulder, she propelled herself forward, the overhead pedestrian way seeming to lurch lopsidedly beneath her feet as a result of the sustained effects of the concussion blast. She couldn't shake the image of the exploding grenade and Kazaar's face as he saw it coming. A body heaved itself in her direction and her side-arm blaster was in her hand, pistol-whipping the attacker across the face as he closed. Her blade in her other hand plunged deep and pulled up even as the assailant sank down to his knees.

Russard had trouble focusing. There appeared to be secondary explosions coming from bellow her and her disorientation from the noise, the flashes and the smoke made it hard to make decent progress. Two more Trando's were running up behind her, their heavy footfalls shaking the walkway to alert her. Estelle spun, shot them both point blank, then vaulted one-handed over the side rail.

The young rebel landed with a thud, the floor jarring up rudely to meet her feet with a shock, she heard the unmistakeable crack of bone and her ankle suddenly felt on fire. She cried out involuntarily, and desperately dragged herself towards a pile of twisted durasteel and iron casings.

"Aurelias!" Where the heck was he?

She rolled onto her back and pushed herself along with her good foot, shooting every adversary she could sight through the smoking carnage of the hangar.

"Kazaar!" she yelled louder. No answer.

She was sure he was fracked. She probably was too, now that she thought of it. She kept shooting, hoping to keep some sort of safe perimeter around her, hoping to get them before they got her.

"Kazaar, damnit!"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Rough arms grabbed 'er by her shoulder and 'The Kid' turned t'dispatch th'lizardhead that grabbed her. "Easy, Kid. Easy." It was Kazaar. "Get th'frack down before ya get that pretty little head o'yas blown off." He pulled 'er even more behind the scrap iron so she wouldn't get shot.

"Ya know, Kid." He admonished with an amused glare. "Much as I 'preciate ya riskin' life 'n limb. You're supposed t'be up there watchin' m'back. Not jumpin' down here."

"Frack off Kazaar, I thought you were dead!" Estelle couldn't believe what she was hearing. Didn't she just drop down to save him? It didn't matter if he was her ticket off this rock, she'd hurt herself to save him. Right?

"Relax, Kid." He brushed aside 'er outburst like she'd just greeted 'im with 'good morning' (although Estelle couldn't help but notice laughter in his eyes. Probably at 'er 'Frack you' comment). "Thanks f'delaying 'em. I count ten down, whatta ya think?"

"I know I hit a couple but I didn't get a firm count. You may be right." She grimaced, as pain shot up 'er leg. Jumpin' what was prolly two-anna-half stories wasn't a good idea. She looked through th'scope of her sniper rifle (which wasn't completely useless at this range), focused onna shadow by th'door and pulled th'trigger. One more Tranny down...th'Force knew how many were left.

Th'bounty hunter let loose a burst from 'is repeater rifle, then ducked as blaster bolts rattled off th'cargo/scrap metal 'round 'em. He fired another concussion grenade, then threw a glance behind 'im. "Cover me will ya?"

"Where are you going?" Estelle was flabberghasted. They had decent cover, not great, but it wasn't like the lizardheads were gettin' closer. Where did he have to go and what was he doing?

Her partner smirked. "The Twins're out there, Kid. I want m'babies back." He launched one more grenade, then handed Estelle th'rifle. "Try not t'jump off more balconies." Then he winked and raced off towareds The Dutchman.

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle watched his progress through the scope of her rifle, the middle of her partners' shoulderblades sighted in the thin crosshairs. Kazaar moved toward the Dutchman, using economy of movement - quick, concise advancement to the target. At times, the rebellious operative was a lesson in textbook technique and when Kazaar chose, no-one could do procedural feild specs as good as he. He took care not to draw enemy attention, but not so careful as to slow his advancement. Estelle smiled, despite her misgivings. Aurelias knew what he was doing, and then some. And when he had his sights on something, good luck to whoever and whatever got in his way.

Russard picked off a would-be obstical here and there, as did Kazaar himself. But despite the confident air of Aurelias' approach, Estelle was anxious for this battle to get done.

"These pistols better atleast be gold-hilted or something.." she growled to no one in particular.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

They weren't gold-hilted (let th'prissy Crei have those kinda blasters) but they were pearl-handled and silver. Th'kinda blasters which stood out at times. Sure Kazaar had other blasters, but 'The Twins always felt 'right' in his hands. Ash'd once described the best weapon as the one which felt like an extension of the bearer. And, as Kazaar's gloved hands came in contact with th'cold durasteel of the Bryar blasters, he knew he'd found a part o'himself he'd been missing.

Th'bounty hunter brought 'Th'Twins' up and let loose death in both hands. Lizardheads dove f'cover or fell dead as blasterbolts pierced their leathery hides. If th'Kid coulda seen th'look on Kazaar's face, she woulda been amazed. He looked almost at peace in th'violence, as if it were a cloak o'some kind that provided shelter. Sure he'd told 'er before (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showpost.php?p=246467&postcount=6) he wouldn't mind goin' out surrounded by a buncha Twi'lek nurses in skimpy costumes, but if Kazaar ever thought 'bout it, he'd prolly want t'go out on the battlefield. And he'd prolly want t'take half th'galaxy with 'im if he did.

The former bounty hunter dropped two Trannys with quick blaster bolts to th'skull, their bodies fallin' over th'railing into empty space below. Kazaar was 'bout t'take down two more, when he heard a small *thoonk* comin' from somewhere in front o'him. His black eyes spied a cyncindral object hurtlin' towards him and his brain *clicked* on it instantly: mortar gun (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Packered_Mortar_Gun). Frack!

He got behind a buncha crates, just as th'damn thing exploded, washing heat all over his body. He peered over th'scorched crates only t'duck back down as two more mortars exploded on th'ground nearby. He wasn't in any danger right now, but th'crates would start burning at some point. Which'd leave him ripe for th'taking. "Hey, Kid...wanna take this guy out?" He spoke into his comlink. "I got no--" Kazaar ducked down again, as two more mortars exploded. "--shot."

[Estelle Russard]

Trying to get a bead on the guy with the mortar gun was proving quite difficult. Estelle would see the shells as they arced up and over to Kazaar's postion, but the actual trigger-man eluded her. Leaning heavily on one elbow, Russard attempted to drag herself into a better position to see.

The movement shot crippling pain up her leg and she was sure her ankle would have swollen to atleast twice its normal size if it were not restricted by the binding leather of her boots.

A second attempt to reposition made her almost blackout as the blood rushed from her head and she felt the nausea that comes from extreme pain make her forhead bead with sweat.

"OK...option B..." she murmured.

To her right was a small oil can, left behind by some tardy mechanic, and which Estelle seized hold of. Hefting it into the air by an over arm throw that made her yelp out in pain, the young rebel hefted the can through the air over to the right side of the Dutchman where the mortars were coming from. Then, with the sniper rifle, she put a bolt through it just as it was descending, igniting the projectile like a bomb and raining liquid fire on everything below. Ahh...now she had a bead on the shooter.

The Trandoshan, and his buddy leapt from their cover, and Estelle shot them both in the chest. A split-second later, the mortar arsenal that the pair must have had on hand went up with an almighty blast, that shook even to the overhead railing with a fury.

Over the comm, Aurelias heard his partner say, "Threat neutralized"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Hell yeah he's frackin' neutralized." Kazaar smirked at th'damage. "Nice work." He was 'bout t'stand up, when his black eyes spotted movement up on th'balcony th'Kid'd jumped from. "Kid down!" He shouted a warning as sniper fire came from th'top. "Dammit, Kid, I thought I told ya t'take care o'the guy!" He sniped into his comlink as he tried t'get get a bead on th'guy. Estelle shouted something back, (which sounded like having t'save "your sorry choobies from getting blasted"), causing Kazaar t'smirk. Russard did an excellent job as an operative but left 'erself open f'chidin' a bit too much.

Kazaar's black eyes caught a glimpse o'some kinda container near where it appeared th'blaster bolts were comin' from. He couldn't read th'markings but something 'bout its color made his brain think. Th'container was a bright yellow somethin' he'd seen plenty o'times 'round Rebel bases and Gorgja's compound. He took aim and fired.

Th'landing pad shook from th'explosion as th'gas drum exploded. Kazaar almost whistled as he spied th'sniper (currently aflame) fall six stories to th'landing bay platform where th'rest o'the battle was. Th'Trandoshan hit th'ground with a *splat* and th'smell o'burning flesh started t'fill th'air. Kazaar smirked. "Good idea, Kid. How's th'ankle?"

[Estelle Russard]

"Show-off" Estelle remarked dryly over the comm, referring to the bigger explosion and subsequent flaming man - which was a bit cold-blooded for her, but this type of work did that to people, even to the nicest of girls.

"The ankle's foobaahed" came the short reply. "Get your guns Kazaar, and lets get out of here while the roof is still in tact" she admonished. The longer this battle raged, the slimmer their chances of escaping got.

Besides, her ankle was almost unbearable, she needed to get it attended to as soon as possible.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Th'battle was almost over, with pretty much all Crimson Eclipse members either dead or soon-to-be dead. Kazaar stalked his way 'cross th'platform, his black eyes wary o'any movement. Didn't want some hotshot lizardhead takin' a poptshot at 'im. Even with his shielding unit, th'Brentaal-raised-Alderaanian wasn't gonna take any chances.

Movement. Off t'his right. Inna smooth motion Kazaar brought one of 'Th'Twins' and fired. Th'Tranny fell t'the ground, still alive, clutching a comm signal. "Wh-wh-where's..." He hissed, laboring f'breath after Kazaar's shot. "The buh-buh-buh..."

"Where's th'what." Kazaar ordered as he kicked th'slaver's blaster away from his body.

"Buh-buh-back...up."

Th'former bounty hunter threw a glance 'cross th'platform. If there were any more o'the pustinas hidin' out they'd probably strike pretty soon. "Kid...keep ya eyes open." He knelt closer t'the fallen Trandoshan. "What back up?" Th'lizardhead coughed and Kazaar pressed his finger into one o'the holes in th'slaver's chest. The scream caused Kazaar t'smirk. He waited a couple moments before takin' th'finger out. "Wanna tell me what kinda backup ya talkin' 'bout?"

More coughing, but th'lizardhead finally whispered. "Huh-huh-Hutt...promised...suh-suh-saidddd...he'd helllllp ussss, k-k-k-killll youu. Buh-buh-but where isssss---" Th'voice trailed off and Kazaar gotta a feeling he wouldn't be getting anything else outta him. Not 'less he decided t'get himself killed and visit whatever hearafter there was. Sure as hell ain't in th'mood f'that.

"Trey!" Kazaar spoke. "Any more slavers 'round here?" He listened t'the droids *warble* then nodded. "Go 'head an open th'Dutchman up. Get some bacta too." He wandered up t'Estelle. "Kid thought she'd do 'er best imitation o'me by jumping offa a balcony." He looked mock offended by 'Trey's *blat*. "Hey that wasn't my frackin' fault. Damn Drach'man moved b'fore I could land on 'im...Shaddup ya bucket o'bolts and get th'damn bacta." He signed off and sneered. "Well guess what, Kid. Gorgja told th'Trannies he was gonna send backup. 'Cept f'one thing. Ya see anyone 'round here lookin' like Huttscum."

"Except for you...no." Estelle's curt response caused a chuckle from 'er partner.

"Yeh, exactly. Ain't no one 'round." He cradled 'er in his arms while walkin' towards th'ship. "Betcha Gorgja decided t'do a triplecross." His smirk was tired, like Kazaar's 'love' o'the game was wanin'. Then he winked. "Wanna ask him face t'face?"

[Estelle Russard]

Estelle groaned inwardly. What she really wanted was to be off this stinkin' rock, soaking in a bubbly tub with a nice glass of red in her hand.

"You betchya" she said, attempting enthusiasm.

"Dont worry kid, I'll make it quick" he assured, reading her easily. "You earned some down time sure 'nough. But we aint done til th'fat slug sings"

Kazaar trundled up the ship walkway, bearing his partner easily and giving her a sideways look when she asked, "Hutts can sing?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Ya better believe it, Kid." Kazaar's sidesways look turned into a smirk. "Hell, th'Ice Slug was rumored t've done a jig when she offed 'er mom." A snort. "Or somethin' like that." He carried 'er t'the back of The Dutchman where his bacta tank was stored. Th'lizardheads done a pretty good job trashin' his baby, cables were strewn 'cross the corridors and it looked like one o'the slavers decided t'sleep in Kazaar's room (and do a couple other things too, th'bastard). "Those frackin' Trannys." Kazaar cursed as he stepped over a mound o'cables next one of his computer terminals. "What th'hell were they doin'?"

"Throwing a party?" Th'Kid enquired, earnin' a glare.

"Ya know, Kid. Ain't smart t'make th'guy who's carrying ya to th'bacta upset. Might trip'n fall...hurt somethin' else." He smirked then let her down gently in th'room where his emergency tank was. 'Least they hadn't fracked with that. "I'll let ya get ready t'go in. Take 'bout an hour or so. Long 'nough f'use t'make it to Nar Shaddaa."

Kazaar left 'er alone in th'room, but Estelle could hear his curses all th'way from th'cockpit. It was pretty obvious th'Crimson Eclipse slavers'd done major damage t'his 'baby'. Kid was never certain she'd ever call her own ship Apparition (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/KR-TB_Doomtreader) 'baby', but she 'least understood where Kazaar was comin' from.

"Oh you gotta be frackin' kidding me!" Th'former bounty hunter blustered as he reached th'Dutchman's cockpit. The damn lizardheads'd pulled out his flight computer (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Rq8.Y_flight_computer). His frackin' Force-damned flight computer!?! Bad 'nough he had t'coerse a member (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Tycho_Celchu) o'Rogue Squadron t'get him t'give him th'damn thing, now he'd hafta find another one of those damn systems. "Trey," Kazaar clicked on his comm, "Go get th'spare flight computer from th'cargo hold. Yeah th'backup one. Damn lizardheads fracked with m'ship." It'd take a frackin' hour f'the backup computer t'be installed and even then it wouldn't always run right. Kazaar pressed a couple more buttons on th'main console and swore vehemently.

Dosh. Th'frackin' screen read in Dosh. Th'incensed Rebel threw his hands in th'air. Those frackin' trannies changed th'damn script. No wonder th'flight computer was gone. He had it programmed for four languages outside o'Basic, but Dosh wasn't one of 'em. Kazaar stuck o'very dark cigar in his mouth ('least th'lizardheads hadn't touched those), lit it, then took a long puff. Four puffs later he was still pissed.

But 'least he knew who he was gonna take his anger out on. Th'frackin' bastard who started this whole thing. Gorgja. Damn crime lord might've been playin' both ends against th'other, but that ain't how ya treat an employee.

And Kazaar was gonna make 'im pay in buckets. "Ya gotta couple hours b'fore we gonna make it down there, Kid." He spoke into th'comm system, his voice laced with anger. "Frackin' lizardheads did a number on m'ship. If that bacta tank ain't working, lemme know." He was gonna make Gorgja pay f'allah of it. All th'repairs'n his lost booze. Kazaar gave a smirk. 'Least his cigars and weapons were still there. Though in his mood, he'd be willing t'scoop out th'Hutts eyeballs with a spoon. "Hey Trey." He snarled. "Where th'frack's that computer?"

[Estelle Russard]

How long the tirade went on uninterrupted for was anyone's guess. Estelle tuned out the comm after the first initial five fracks and entered the bacta tank for the oblivion of underwater sound insulation.

It was like entering another world, entering the tank. The healing properties of the bacta could be felt almost immediately and the simple suspension of weightlessness experienced by the occupant was a form of relaxation and de-stressing that was like a complete regenerating of body and spirit.

And, so, when Russard entered the main flight deck of The Dutchman to find her partner still boiling under his collar, it was to Trey she addressed her commisserations.

"Have you been listening to this the whole time?" she asked, patting the droid sympathecially.

Trey blipped and whirred his appreciation of Estelle's understanding of such longsuffering martyrdom.

"You're a stalwart friend, Trey. None better"

More blips and whirrs.

Kazaar barely heard them, his attention, now that he'd got the ship on course, was drawn to the fact that some idiot had tried to re-configure the food processer to Trandoshan exotics, removing the bbq sauce condiment application altogether. "For th' love of all that is holy!" Kazaar lamented and threw his hands in the air like an insulted Etopien fish-monger.

"You want me to take a look, Aurelias?" Estelle offered. "Probably be good for you to take a break, dont you think?"

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"I'll take a break when I'm dead, Kid." Kazaar spat, tinkerin' with th'processor again. "C'mon ya damn thing work." He pounded th'thing with his hydrospanner. Whenever things never worked best thing t'do...? Smack it 'round a few times. Didn't always work but it made Kazaar feel better. Most of the time. "Ya know, I got this damn thing so I wouldn't hafta worry 'bout buying ketchup and mustard all th'time. Now they added...oh what th'frack is that?!?" Green...goo o'some kind started leakin' outta th'thing and neither Rebel were sure they wanted t'know what it was.

"Aurelias." Estelle's voice was firm but kind. "Let me handle this." She took the hydrospanner from his hands and gently separated him from his target. "Why don't you go sit down and have some water (I'm pretty sure the lizardheads didn't ruin that)." She ignored her partner's smirk at the 'lizardheads' comment. "In fact, who's piloting the ship?"

"Got it on autopilot." Kazaar, very slowly, took a seat onna comfy chair ('least that hadn't been taken). "I got Gorgja'a palace programmed into th'computer. Turns out, the slavers didn't bother deleting it." He gave 'er a look. "Wonder why."

"Could you even understand it? From what I could hear from you tirade, it wasn't in Basic."

Th'hunter pointed a thumb towards 'Trey'. "Th'genius droid here got it located. Funny how R7s come with a buncha languages pre-programmed in. Even Dosh if ya would believe it." Someone's stomach growled and both partners looked at th'other. "Want something t'eat? If I'm goin' t'my death, rather it be onna full stomach than empty."

[Estelle Russard]

They ate grilled cheese sandwiches and juba fries over a digitized floor-plan printout of Gorjga's palace, discussing their best approach, or more correctly, their best exit strategy, should it be required.


Kazaar was of a mind that it would not. That they would walk out every bit as in control as they went in. Estelle held a less optimistic view - she'd been associate-visiting with Aurelias before - but she held her sarcasm. The worst was over, surely.

Kazaar had his ship, his guns. And now he had his stomach full. He was in a much rosier frame of mind than he had been scant hours before. He even offered to give Estelle an ankle rub, if she'd like. She declined.

"Cant blame a man f'tryin', kid" he said.

"Cant blame a girl for refusin'" she answered.

They exchanged familiar grins and Trey trundled unamused from the room.

"You owe him an apology" Estelle said, watching the domed little frame disappear from view.

"Nah, he'll gimme th'cold shoulder forra while, but he'll get over't. Always does"

"Doesn't mean you dont owe him, Kazaar" she answered, quite serious.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Kid...I owe that droid more than ya think I do." Kazaar's voice was equally serious but there was somethin' else laced in it. Wasn't anger...but somethin' Estelle couldn't trace. "Who do ya think was there t'make sure I was okay after Ash died?" He thumbed towards 'Trey'. "Droid's seen a lotta stuff."

"But...wait." Estelle was confused. "R7s didn't come out until just before we met. You didn't steal him did you?"

A smirk. "Ya don't miss a thing do ya, Kid. 'Trey' used t'be an R3 droid, spent time with Ash b'fore she'n I became partners. 'Parently she was out onna bounty on Bespin when th'droid took a helluva lotta damage. Everythin' was fracked: memory core, droid brain, ya name it, it was frackin' toast." 'Th'Kid' handed Kazaar a glass o'water and he took a drink. "'Parently, Ash knew th'head o'Cloud City, some baroness. Shallahsomethin'orother (http://starwars.wikia.com/Ellisa_Shallence), I never met 'er. Dame gets 'er in touch with some cyborg slicer (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Lobot) who fixed 'Trey' up. Or 'least transferred 'Trey's' consciousness to another blank R3 droid. Still dunno how he did it. Something t'do with th'implants in 'is head." Kazaar shrugged. "But it worked."

"That doesn't explain how 'Trey' got into the R7-body."

Another smirk and Kazaar lit up another cigar. It was pretty rare f'him t'be willing to open up 'bout this sorta thing. Kazaar always kept everything 'bout himself pretty close t'the chest. He never really figured anyone would care 'bout 'Trey's' past, but Estelle'd been willing t'follow him t'Nar Shaddaa and off t'Gorgja's compound. Might as well indulge 'er. "Look, before you'n I hooked up, Dutchman got caught inna Ion Storm. Ship got pretty fracked up, same wit' 'Trey', or 'Abe' as he was called back then." Another drink anna chuckle. "R3-A8. Droid spent mosta th'time makin' sure life support was on while we tried t'fix th'ship. Eventually, we got rescued by some Rebel frigate." He chuckled again. "Th'captain'n I got really frackin' drunk that night it was a helluva lotta fun. 'Trey' took a lot o'damage...pretty much destroyed mosta his circuits, wasn't gonna last much longer."

Estelle rested 'er elbows against th'small table, as Kazaar took a puff from 'is cigar "Went back t'Bespin an' talked t'Ash's slicer. He got what was left of 'Trey' outta his damaged housing and stuck it inna blank R7. That brain they got can take 'lot 'parently. Problem was, th'transfer wasn't great. He got fracked up, 'forgot' his designation're something. Compatibility issues from an R3 to a R7, I guess. Had t'think up a new name so I call 'im 'Trey', third copy ya know? Got mosta 'is old memories but they ain't gonna be able t'make another transfer if he gets fracked up again." Th'former bounty hunter gave a long look down the corridor where 'Trey'd' rolled off to. Th'two Rebels could hear the droid workin' on something. Prolly trying t'figure outta way t'get the computer t'understand Basic, 'least that's what Kazaar wanted fixed first. What was th'point of havin' weapons when ya couldn't understand a damn thing they were saying?

He let smoke waft outta his mouth and enjoyed th'flavor forra bit. A moment later, th'Brentaal-raised Alderaanian continued his story. "S'why I leave 'im on th'ship a lot. He gets pretty pissed, th'R7's gotta couple tricks R3's never had, but I think he knows why. Somehow. Droids're pretty screwy creatures. Kinda like dames." He winked, then started t'rise from his seat. "C'mon. Gotta be hittin' Nal Hutta atmosphere pretty soon. Gorgja's gotta compound 'bout ten miles outside o'Bilbousa (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Bilbousa). Gonna warn ya now, Kid...place ain't gonna smell good."

Kazaar disappeared down th'hall leavin' Estelle alone.

[Estelle Russard]

Kazaar told a good story when he set his mind to it, and Trey's background was far more personal to her partner than she ever would have guessed. Strange times make for strange bedfellows, her father always said. Or was it her Grandfather? Anyway, just when you thought you knew a person...

Russard contented herself to stay put, revising the palace floor plans, trying to mentally prepare herself for a visit to Gorjga. The Hutts reputation as slime lords was a well deserved one, and any close interaction with them was not an activity high on her 'to do' list.

Still, there were always advantages to be gained from any experience, and her agent's mind was quick to recognize it. In her off-hours, Russard would often take the chance to visit the Alliance Base Archive Library with the intent on schooling herself more particularly on the many and varied cultures of the galaxy. More and more as she did this job, Estelle found it taking her to many and diverse places with equally and more diverse societies. A little knowledge goes a long way - now that definitely was one of her Grandfather's - and some little knowledge on the Hutts that she had gained was going to come in very helpful. At least, she hoped so.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

The Flying Dutchman came to a rest just outside o'Gorgja's small compound. Th'air stank 'round th'two Rebels as they exited th'ship, Estelle beginning t'realize why her partner smoked so much. Anyone who had t'spend a ton o'time on this putrid smelling planet would have t'find something else t'fill their sinuses with. Kazaar slung 'is repeater rifle over his shoulder, wasn't really expectin' trouble but with Hutts ya never know. 'Specially with how Gorgja was actin' over the last couple days. Frackin' Hutt, playin' him forra fool. Kazaar swore he'd get th'slug t'explain everything: why he decided t'play both sides 'gainst the other and why he didn't just ask Kazaar t'take out Predka. He'd manipulated th'entire damn thing and Kazaar didn't like gettin' played.

They strode with a purpose towards th'entrance, th'former bounty hunter's black eyes watchful f'anything. Kazaar was pretty sure Gorgja wasn't gonna send anyone t'attack him, but ya never knew when someone was gonna unleash a buncha kell dragons (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/Kell_dragon). 'Specially with Gorgja doin' his best Jabba th'Hutt impression. Frackin' Gorgja, he'd told Kazaar he wasn't that dead Hutt and told 'im he tried t'treat his employees as...nice wasn't th'right word...but decent as possible. Hell, th'Hutt'd taken him in after his parents died, what'd he think Kazaar'd forgotten're something?

Kazaar's glare deepened as he arrived at th'dark metal door. Throwin' a glance up towards th'security camera just 'bove it, he gave th'door two loud raps. A loud *rumblin' squeak* echoed from within th'compound as th'durasteel doors started t'open. Kazaar threw a look over his shoulder t'the Kid and took a step in.

They'd only gone two paces when they noticed a Twi'lek, clad in all black, standin' next to th'door's controls. Kazaar gave th'Twilek a nod. "Faara."

"Kazaar". Faara responded in very good Basic. "I see you've brought a guest."

Th'bounty hunter *snorted*. "Cut th'crap Faara. Ya know what I want."

Faara's expression remained stoic. "I do. But I've been told not to take you to Gorgja." His eyes moved from side to side. "He's enjoying his time alone."

"That a fact." Kazaar smirked. "What do I gotta wave m'arm and say 'You will take me to Gorgja now'?"

Th'Twi'lek majordomo's laugh filled the halls. "You know only Ashley could do that." His smile said he was hiding something and both Kazaar and Estelle noticed th'security card in his hands. "I can't take you to him. I'm sorry."

Another *snort*. "Whatever ya say Faara." Then he socked 'im right in th'jaw. Th'Twi'ek fell to th'ground and Kazaar leaned over 'im. For a second, it sounded like th'two exchanged words o'some kind but Estelle couldn't pick it up. "C'mon, Kid." Gorgja's former #2 bounty hunter's voice echoed as he strode down th'hall. "Let go see a slug."

[Estelle Russard]

"Another old friend?" Estelle queried from the corner of her mouth in reference to the Twi'lek. The sleight of hand with the security card and the pulled punch wasn't lost on her.

"What? A guy like me cant 'ave friends?" he murmured lowly as he swiped the access key through its grid.

The door opened into a high-ceilinged corridor, that had two points of exit on the north end of its span - a stairwell up and a stairwell down.

"I dont remember this from the blueprints" Russard remarked, not particullarly liking either choice. The stairs made for a confined entrance into where ever they led - an easy ambush.

"That's cause its not on th' blueprints, kid" Aurelias explained. He led them to what looked like a deadend, the mottled rockface of the corridor's end was running with riveluts of brackish water, as foul-smelling as the air outside the palace had been.

"Well, up or down?" Estelle asked her partner, "There's only a 50-50 chance we take the wrong turn"

Aurelias held his place and gave her a knowing wink, "Thats what y're s'posed t'think." Kazaar started to whistle a tune to himself, that kind of nasaly whistle men are able to do through their teeth somehow, and his partner watched him, thinking he'd finally cracked. Kazaar rocked patiently back and forwards on his heels, obviously waiting for something to happen.

Estelle looked around, up above them, round behind them. The corridor was reinforced with durasteel all around. The Hutt's liked their palaces to be secure first, homey second. She eyed the "up" stairway. "Nope" Kazaar read her thoughts, "probably Gammorrean or Trannie headhunters up there, Kid".
She then looked over to the "down" exit.
"Kell dragons f'sure that way" he advised. "Nasty buggers, ya wanna stay clear."
Russard folded her arms in irritation, "We gonna stand here all day?" she demanded, exasperated, and in reply the rockface rumbled, parting like the red sea before them. A gust of stale, repungant air asulted them. A prelude to what was ahead as they ventured deeper into the Hutt's domain.

Kazaar smiled darkly to his partner, and stepped through the fissure before them.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Th'dimly corridor was big 'nough for th'two Rebels t'walk next to each other (even if it was a tight fit). While Gorgja used plenty o'Gamorrean enforcers, the Hutt crimelord was known t'use th'squatty Gands, muscular Weequays, and furry Gotals from time t'time. Pretty smart strategy too, Kazaar had t'admit. Usin' quickness 'long with thugs who knew how t'use something other than a battleaxe always helped. 'Course if ya learned how t'use both blasters and bladed weapons...Kazaar smirked. Always helped t'be versitile. Less chance o'getting ya head blown off. Or cut off.

Kazaar held up a barely visible hand, as he reached th'end of the corridor. Beyond was a door which'd lead them directly into Gorgja's main chambers. If there weren't a buncha thugs waitin' for 'em on th'other side. Th'former bounty hunter pressed an ear 'gainst th'door. Nothing. Not sure he believed 'em, Kazaar slowly slid th'door open just a tad. No movement and 'course th'pair didn't have any flashbangs t'make absolutely sure it was empty. But th'shadows o'the corridor weren't giving anything away either. No movement and nothin' flickerin' either. F'all th'good Faara'd done, if Gorgja really wanted him dead, there'd be a frackin' squad o'goons waiting outside.

He paused forra moment t'consider his options, then figured what th'hell. "If anythin' happens t'me, ya bug outta here got it." He whispered harshly t'the Kid. "Ya gotta future an' I sure as hell ain't gonna have that ended 'cause ya tried t'play hero and save m'cargo hold. Got it Kid." Kazaar couldn't see 'er eyes, but he knew th'Kid'd nodded yes. "Let's go."

Cautiously, Kazaar shouldered th'door open, one o''The Twins' at th'ready. Still nothing. No guards. No traps. Corridor was frackin' empty. Like Gorgja was just gonna let 'im walk in. Either th'frackin' Hutt planned t'kill 'im in front o'what was left o'The Crimson Eclipse or he was actually sorry. Or he was outta his mind. Kazaar snorted. With th'way that damn Hutt was actin' could go either way pretty frackin' easily. Frackin' Hutts and their games. Worse than politicians. Helluva lot worse.

Th'long, wide corridor they stepped into curved off t'the left. Gorgja's room'd be after th'turn, behind two doors (which oughta be guarded). Kazaar and Estelle hurried down th'hallway, their eyes watchin' f'anything. Even th'damn holocams seemed t'be out. Th'frack was goin' on? No holocams, no guards...what'd Gorgja decided t'give everyone th'day off? Kazaar was 'bout t'utter an epitath, when th'Kid caught his arm and pointed. At th'end of the hall, right where Kazaar'd put 'em (or any sensible person) were two Gamorrean guards.

"Bout frackin' time." Kazaar smirked. "I was thinkin' Gorgja lost all sense. C'mon Kid. If they charge, go f'the eyes. Only thing on those bastards that're pretty sensitive. And those potbellies o'theirs protect th'only other sensitive thing they got." He started walkin' down th'hall, head up, eyes glarin'. Th'Gamorreans didn't charge. Grunted, sure, but no charge. Which had t'be good. Right?

Th'guards didn't move as th'doors opened and th'pair stepped into th'belly o'the slug who'd raised Kazaar'd after his parents died. Who'd given 'im o'job and a partner he'd loved more than he'd ever admit. And th'slug who'd forced Kazaar t'kill another slug he'd gladly done if he'd been frackin' asked and stabbed 'im in th'back only t'make it seem like he'd played both sides. Frackin' politics. Frackin' Hutts.

Gorgja lay on his dais, a chuba in one hand and his weird bubbly pipe in th'other. He bit one o'the legs offa th'snack and took a puff from th'pipe. Kazaar strode towards his Hutt boss, but a 3PX protocol droid (http://starwars.wikia.com/wiki/3PX-series_protocol_droid) tried t'intercept him. "I'm afraid sir." Th'droid spoke mechanically. "The master isn't seeing anyon--"

With a swing o'his right hand, Kazaar knocked th'droid to th'ground and made o'beeline f'Gorgja's dais. "Ya gotta lotta frackin' nerve, ya son ovva bitch." He snapped. "What th'frack didja think ya were doin', playing me like ya did. Didja seriously think I wouldn't frackin' help ya take out Predka. What th'frack is wrong with ya!"

Gorgja only looked at Kazaar like he'd simply walked in an' asked if th'Hutt wanted a drink. "Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha." The crimelord's laugh rumbled th'compound. "Keel-ee calleya ku kah, Kazaar. Bargon u noa-a-uyat che Predka."

"You're frackin' right I'm gonna be rewarded f'Predka." Kazaar shot back. "And can th'Huttese, ya gartal. My ears've taken 'nough torture today. Hearin' ya go on in Huttese, with that droid o'yours translatin's 'nough t'drive anyone nuts."

Gorgja laughed again. "You have such a way with words, Kazaar. Why I--"

"Shaddup Gorgja." Kazaar spat. "I don't care in hearin' ya spout how 'interested' ya are in me. I wanna know what th'frack ya were doin', getting th'Eclipse t'bring me in. Didja seriously think I wouldn't off th'Ice Slug (which I did by th'way, you're frackin' welcome). What, ya think couldn't take her power play, so ya just had t'pull one o'ya own? You frackin'..."

This time it was th'Hutt's time t'interupt Kazaar. "As leader of a Kajidic it is my duty--"

"Oh frack you." Estelle could swear Kazaar was gonna pop a vein. "I ain't interested in this crap. I wanna know why ya played me. After that, we're gonna havva talk 'bout our relationship."

Gorgja stared down at his bounty hunter, then turned his eyes towards Estelle. "And who are you? Kazaar's new partner? Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho. She's as pretty as Ashley, Aurelias. Does she shoot as well?"

[Estelle Russard]

Russard watched Gorgja keenly, responding to the Crimelord's comparison of her to Ashley with an arched eyebrow and a audible powering up of her blaster, which was currently held languidly at her side. Kazaar knew there'd be more questions from her regarding his former lover when they were free and clear of the Hutt and his gang-land gong-show. It was too much to hope Estelle had missed the slip about Ashley's ability for mind-suggestion earlier to Faara.. But, for now, his partner was playing it cool and keeping her eye on the prize.

"I believe Aurelias asked you a question" she responded at length, allowing a little threat to enter into her voice.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

"Keep th'Kid outta it Gorgja, this thing's between you'n me." Kazaar's black eyes continued their murderous gaze towards his Hutt boss. "Ya still haven't answered m'question why ya sent th'lizardheads after me."

Gorgja sighed, frackin' sighed. Neither Estelle nor Kazaar'd actually seen a Hutt do that. "The Eclipse were becoming a problem, Aurelias. After your... escapade (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=16247) on Trandosha, they came and begged for your head." He took another bite from his amphibian-like snack. "What was I do to, Aurelias? Tell them no? You haven't done a bounty for me since you rescued (http://sw-fans.net/forum/showthread.php?t=15524) the Russard girl. And before then, you hadn't done anything for me in several years. So why should I protect someone who doesn't work for me?"

"Th'fact I'm still on ya frackin' payroll!" Gorgja's former #2 bounty hunter's eyes narrowed even further. "I can't believe I'm frackin' hearin' this. I told ya long time ago, I wouldn't hunt f'anyone else. And now ya decided t'cut me loose? What th'frell is wrong with ya?!?"

"BETRAYER!" A serpentine voice *hissed* from th'main entryway. A tranny, th'one who'd led th'scumbags who'd beaten Kazaar to a bloody pulp when this entire thing started, stormed into th'room. Kazaar'd noticed th'guy, frack what was his name...Yavassk Vokko're something like that, hadn't been with his forces on Nar Shaddaa. Prolly sitting 'round waiting t'hear word of their 'success'. "You double-crossed us, Gorgja! How DARE you not have the backup be where it was. My clan is dead! And so will you!" He raised his concussion rifle.

*BAMBAM* *BAMBAM*

Th'four blaster bolts struck th'lizardhead in th'face and chest, not even givin' him th'chance t'fire. Smoke curled from both Kazaar and th'Kid's blasters as they watched Vokko's body hit th'stone floor witha *thump*. They'd fired at the exact same time.

"Ho Ho Ho Ho Ho. Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha." Gorgja chortled. "As you can see, Aurelias. Everything is not what it seemed..."

Kazaar snorted. "Oh you got everything figured out didn't ya? Ya played both ends 'gainst th'middle, ya frackin' sleemo. Did ya know the Empire was at that little 'sit down' Crei and Predka had planned?"

"Were they?" Gorgja seemed surprised. "That's interesting."

"Yeah tis isn't it? What ya gonna do, 'boss'. How ya gettin' outta this one? You gonna betray me again?"

Another laugh from the Hutt. "You took care of two problems for me, Kazaar. If I wanted to turn you over to the Empire, I would have left you in jail after you killed those stormtroopers, many years ago. You're too valuable Kazaar. Why would I want your talents wasted in an Imperial prison?"

Kazaar's face had a real dirty look on it. "Yeh, I bet." He shook his head in annoyance. "I still can't frackin' believe ya thought I wasn't gonna take out Predka and the Eclipse?"

Gorgja gave a predatory smile. "I didn't know if you would actually do it. You have been unreliable."

"Oh you gotta be frackin' kidding me!" Th'Brentaal-raised Alderaanian spat, as his anger riled up again. "Me, unre-frackin'-liable? What th'hell've you been smokin' Gorgja? Since when've I never done m'job?"

"You never did find Ashley's killer."

Kazaar's face went white and Estelle was sure he was gonna shoot Gorgja right then and there. She almost placed a hand on his shoulder, but thought better of it. "You have no right t'mention that name." Kazaar's voice was lower and clearer than she'd ever heard it before. "No right at all.

"I don't wanna hear from ya forra while, Gorgja. A long while." He spun on his heel and started t'leave. "We're done. And if ya hire me again...you're only takin' seven percent, not 15 like ya used to. C'mon, Kid. Let's go." He strode for the exit, steam comin' from his ears. He didn't even see Faara, standin' in the darkness, with his face pressed into his hand in almost shame. But Estelle did.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Th'walk back to The Dutchman was silent. Kazaar didn't even bother t'thank Estelle f'coming 'long with him, he was too busy stewin' over Gorgja's last statement.

"You never did find Ashley's killer."

Yeh, he never did. After tearin' up th'galaxy f'two years, Kazaar'd hadn't found any answers. He'd thought it was Crei maybe, th'Albino had always leered at Ash whenever they'd come in contact (like he was some jealous fratboy) but th'brutality o'the murder didn't fit Crei's style. He was more subtle than that. Could've been Predka, but where did she profit from it? Outside o'takin' away one of Gorgja's top profit makers, still made no sense. Spenny'd run 'bout every angle t'try to figure out who'd done it and come up with nothin'. So whoever'd done it, whether it was random or just planned better than an Inquisitor plan, covered their tracks pretty good.

Kazaar'd actually thought he'd gotten over it. Once. He'd never bothered mentioning it t'The Kid' (since it wasn't hers or anyone else's business f'that matter), but someone'd (http://sw-fans.net/forum/member.php?u=4128) helped him. Gotten Kazaar t'a point where he was almost comfortable in dealin' with th'fact he'd never found Ash's killer. After all, everyone's gotta move on right? But then she'd done th'worst thing possible: betrayed 'im. Betrayed 'er vows and shacked up with someone else. It destroyed almost everythin' that'd been done t'help him move on. Working f'Gorgja...feh, that never helped either. The Hutt may've made sure Kazaar was 'okay' after his parents' death, but th'Ashley thing was different. She'd been Gorgja's favorite bounty hunter, someone he'd, in his own special way, cared for. If Hutts were even capable o'that sorta thing. Her death'd caused a rift between th'two that hadn't completely healed. Prolly never would.

Th'Rebellion may've kept him from spiralling down even more, after th'schutta'd left him but he'd butted 'nough heads there. 'Least Bossman'd been smart t'leave 'im t'his own devices. Most o'th'time. Then there was th'Kid. Gorgja'd compared 'er t'Ashley but th'Brentaal-raised Alderaanian didn't see it like that. Kid was a balance between th'hardness o'Ashley and th'softness of th'woman who'd left 'im. She knew 'er stuff and did a helluva job. She had a future that was f'sure.

A message was waitin' for 'em when they got back t'the ship. Kazaar ignored it, choosin' t'head to th'back where what was left o'his alcohol was. Didn't take 'im too long t'down two bottles and pass out in his bunk. While his snores filled th'Dutchman, Estelle wishin' she had 'Trey's' ability t'turn off 'er ears so she didn't hafta hear it, th'Kid took a look at th'message.

Strangely, it was addressed t'her. Directly. She pressed th'button on th'console and th'Twi'lek's face, Faara, appeared.

"Hello Estelle. Gorgja may have not recognized you, but I did. Don't worry, I won't tell him who you are. Nor will I tell your father. I'm not sure if it's some form of hero-worship you're embarking upon as to why you're spending time with Aurelias, or if there's something else entirely going on. And I won't bother to speculate either.

Please watch over him. Aurelias has always been someone who skirts the edge far too much. Even though he'd be loathe to admit, Gorgja worries about it too. He took care of Kazaar after his parents' death. I think that's why Aurelias isn't more 'damaged' than he could be.

I've transferred into Aurelias' bank account 300 thousand credits, his standard fee for performed services plus 100 thousand for you, since I assume you were involved in Predka's death.

I'm not sure if Gorgja will ask Kazaar to forgive him for his comment about Ashley, but I'm sorry for him." He smiled and the transmission ended.

[Estelle Russard]

The message from Faara had been unexpected and Estelle re-played it a number of times just to allow her thoughts to digest.

The confrontation with Gorgja had raised more questions that it had put to rest, from Russard's perspective anyway.

The raw nerve that was Ashley seemed to work its way to the forefront time and again in Kazaar's life. Like a splinter that festers, it is pushed toward the surface to pain and aggrieve the senses before being gauzed over with a thick balm of bourbon and willful forgetfulness on Kazaar's part to be addressed at some other time - which never, ever really comes. And how can it? If she knew her partner, and she did, Estelle was certain Aurelias had moved heaven and earth in his search for the killer. That he had looked under every rock and stone, behind every shady deal or lying eye trying to find some lead in Ashley's death. Yet, as relentless as her partner was, he had never found a concrete lead to bring him some answers. He had, despite his legendary stubborn nature, been forced to move on, forced to leave his costliest personal loss and most devastating event of his life to languish in ambiguity and vague, unsatisfying conjecture. His lot was to suffer the "not knowing" of what happened. A worse fate than knowledge of the truth. Faara understood this. As too, did Gorgja. The difference being, the Hutt had no compunction in manipulating Kazaar's personal torment for his own selfish ends.

And Kazaar fully understood this about the Hutt, now, too.

No wonder he was sleepin one off.

Estelle closed the holoimage and went in search of her partner, Trey trundling quietly as possible behind her like a worried puppy.

She found Aurelias folded into his bunk, the snoring having now dropped from the raging crescendos to a low rhythmic drone. Semi-curled as he was, Kazaar still managed to make the cot look too small. Estelle smiled with compassion. All her questions regarding Ashley - the Jedi allusion, for one - could wait. Standing there for some moments, the softest expression came into the young rebel's eyes and she made the ex-bounty hunter, her partner, a silent promise. She would never be one to betray him. Though he'd probably never allow himself to truly believe it, she would believe it enough for the both of them. He could trust her. Always. And should a time come that trust is shaken, she would, despite what he may think, remain true.

"Its a promise, Aurelias" she said and left him to whatever restless dreams might find him.

[Aurelias Kazaar]

Epilogue: Coruscant- Trennan Mews- The Mansion of Kimiiki Cre

Crei still fumed at the failed negotiation. His attempt to coerce Predka into an alliance was going so well, until it had been interrupted by someone who should have been killed at birth by his mother. He brushed a long white hair away from his face, taking comfort in the fact he was sitting in a comfortable chair, that his face wasn't injured in the blast, and that his standing in the Empire was secure. If anything, the death of 'The Ice Slug' had given him an opportunity to work even more with the Inquisitors, something he suspected wouldn't have happened had she survived. But the loss at expanding his small empire, burned into his soul. And he knew who to blame for that fiasco.

Kazaar. Always Kazaar.

Always lurking in the background, finding ways to jab at Crei's empire, causing delays here and there. The 'Velvet Crimelord' could literally feel his nerves begin to fray from the thought of that retched bounty hunter smoking his cigars and drinking his bourbon or whatever alcohol he chose to pickle his brain with.

And since the Empire decided not to pursue their investigation into Kazaar's activity any further, it was time for Crei to act. And he knew the perfect woman to help him.

He dialed the number of an associate first. "Is it done?"

"Yes, sir. The boy is on his way to Coruscant."

Crei smiled his saccharrine smile. "Excellent. Tell me when he arrives."

He took a moment to allow himself to revel in his upcoming victory. Kazaar would feel pain he had never felt before. Even the loss of his precious Ashley would be dwarfed by the upcoming shock and discovery.

Crei picked up his comlink and dialed a number only he knew. "Hello, my dear. It's time for you to repay the favor you owe me...contact Spendrim and tell him you need to speak that dear husband of yours." His saccahrinne smile was laced with evil intent. "Kazaar will be so happy to see you...Adelaide."