No sooner that the swing-wing had retracted the Fortune's Keep settled on the landing pad there was a knock on the outside bulkhead. Quickly Hallisk made his way though the corridor and released the boarding ramp.
Two bulky loading droids pushed their way onto the ship followed by a Gotal dressed in red and gray armor. The armor was outfitted with many weapons including a Czerka flamethrower. The horned alien wore a fuel tank strapped to his back and his presence was commanding.
"Where is the Captain?" he ask "Help those droids" he ordered, not giving Hallisk a chance to answer.
The vessel sat docked inside a large circular hangar that was open to craft through its high retractable arched roof. The building was brightly lit and mostly empty giving a clear view of its only ground level entrance.
Leeb Nesh appeared from the space ship stretching his arms.
"Why the rush?" he ask
"Black Sun has a special interest in this cargo." The Gotal told him.
"I'm sure they do. It must be important to have us drop off in Hutt Space."
The Gotal offer nothing in return so Leeb Nesh probed further.
"Why is Black Sun here?"
Still no answer the Gotal more intent on watching the droids go about their work.
"Whom are these guns going to?"
"That's not your business to know."
"I'm only curious. Prince Xizor must be putting a lot on the line operating out here." He added, "We are putting a lot on the line."
The Gotal gave him an appraising look. "You ask a lot of questions for a smuggler."
"Yessss we barely made it off Balamak with our skins!" Hallisk stated as he followed the loading droids out of the cargo hold.
"What? Tell me everything. Now." The Gotal demanded.
Leeb Nesh was getting anxiety; he had left the danger systems behind, what was making this henchman so nervous?
In truth Leeb Nesh was more than just curious. He was hoping for a bit of information that could be used to further his profits from this venture. He had been in smuggling business for a few years but never seemed to earn enough credits to advance. He was often forced to spend everything he had to keep his battered ship flying and his droid functioning. That big break had to come soon.
DX came out of the front cabin demanding everyone's attention. He was standing in the entry his domed head spinning, emitting short burst of chirping noises. The labor droids stopped their task.
"Now what's wrong with that bucket of bolts?" Hallisk sneered.
The Gotal turned his head about; testing the air then issued "Quick! Get back on the ship! Get us out of here!" He grabbed the Captain by his flight suit and pulled him up the ramp.
The hangar doors exploded open and storm troopers rushed in. "Freeze" one called out although most of the Imperials were already firing the air sizzled with blaster bolts.
Hallisk raised the plastiod crate he had been carrying above his head and through it with all his strength knocking several of the advancing storm troopers off their feet. More kept coming. The Trandoshan turned and ran.
"Come on!" Leeb Nesh called to him.
The Gotal had returned to the bottom of the boarding ramp and laid down a wall of fire to cover the others retreat. Then they both scrambled onto the ship. Her engines still hot from the recent flight the Fortune's Keep blasted off again.
The bridge of the Star Destroyer Adder was busy with activity. The communications officer monitored transmissions from across the galaxy. It could be overwhelming but he knew the Captain would want an update on what had become of their quarry. There it was. Grim faced he broke the bad news.
"I see…." Captain Bever's tone was quiet but anger flashed in his eyes. "I will have to deal with this scum myself."