The Star Wars universe is not my property although I haven't directly referenced it in this chapter this fanfiction is indeed set in the Star Wars universe. The character Malus is mine although...you know what? I really can't write these things. So just assume I'm abiding by the copyright rules :D
Malus
The freighter descended smoothly into one of the many fissures that dotted the planets surface. The gloomy purple aura of the planet was unsettling and Malus was taking little comfort from the knowledge that it was merely a result of the sunlight passing through the chemical rich atmosphere. The whining of the landing thrusters reached a crescendo and there was a barely perceptible thump as the landing gear touched down.
He powered down and stretched, joints popping as he did so. He swept his jaw length black hair out of his face and checked his reflection in the window, sparkling green eyes stared out of a handsome face, and he laughed softly at himself wondering why he was doing this when the aliens who resided here were barely even humanoid.
A group of natives intercepted him as he left the ship. They were tall, pale of skin which wasn't surprising given the lack of sunlight here; large bulbous eyes resided in shallow faces, with barely discernible noses and thin slits for mouths, they were maybe a foot shorter than him at 5ft or so and their arms reached almost to the ground. Malus couldn't help notice the snub nosed blasters at their hips that were just possibly accidentally poking out from their long purple robes. He felt almost shabby in his black top and trousers and his scuffed boots although he felt his cloak gave him a suitably mysterious visage.
'Come, the Elders wish to see you', said one in passable basic, motioning towards the doorway leading into the cave network that dotted the area.
'Sure, sounds like fun', he said with only the slightest hint of sarcasm. They led him through what seemed like miles of identical corridors all hollowed from the dark rock itself and occasionally furnished with some strange minimalist abstract artwork. Malus suppressed a shiver, this place was dismal, and he couldn't wait to get off this miserable world.
Before long they emerged in a high vaulted cavern, fires flickered in braziers dotted sporadically around the room throwing haphazard shadows across the walls and various aliens watched him from low slung chairs. Strange winged creatures watched him with malevolent sentience as they hung from the metal perches that had probably been fitted for that very reason. He was lead to the furthest end of the cavern; what he assumed to be the leader of this tribe loomed over him from its throne and looked at him appraisingly. Incense burned all around him, filling the air with coils of red smoke.
'You are the trader?' it asked.
'My Master requested that I deliver a shipment of durasteel to this settlement' Malus responded. If they were going to play the high and mighty game then he was going to step up to the challenge and damn well win.
'Ah yes, the durasteel', it said, waving a hand languidly at Malus. 'In order for us to start mining the nearby areas we will need material to create the tools'.
'What nearby areas?' asked Malus, 'There isn't an uninhabited area for hundreds of miles from here'. A nasty suspicion formed in his mind and he strongly wished that his boss had trusted him with a blaster.
'Alas, not for much longer', it said as a sneer distorted the previously serene features of its face. 'In fact I have a dreadful suspicion that some misfortune will befall the other tribes of this area quite soon'. 'Grab him!' it said rising from its throne and brandishing a long ornate spear. The aliens to either side of Malus lunged at him but he ducked, turned and ran. The corridors flashing past as he desperately tried to remember the route from which he had come.
Far behind him he heard unintelligible shouts from his pursuers and the pounding of feet. He cursed and took a left, wrenched the door open before slamming it shut behind him and slid to the floor, panting. He looked up to take stock and his eyes took on the mad gleam of a teenage boy in a room full of weapons. Blasters and melee weapons were stacked up against the wall, in crates and on the floor. He scrambled to his feet and grinned. Let's see who is chasing who.
The aliens ran out onto the landing pad but there was no sign of him, they hissed angrily and turned to make a more detailed search of the area when a fusillade of laser fire perforated the ground. The group scattered and ran for it as brilliant blue bolts of energy hissed through the air around them.
Malus swung out of the second level window and dropped to the ground, cloak flapping around him as the currents of air swirled around him. He powered up the ship and ascended rapidly, bursting through the purple haze that surrounded the planet and entering clear and pristine space. When he got back to the warehouse he and his manager were going to have words.