Um, yeah sorry I took so long but real life got in the way. I had exams, family stuff etc. This was originally meant to be longer but it would've taken forever so without further ado- Enjoy!
p.s when you see these brackets {, speech is in Huttese for now
Chapter 1- The Deals
Mina tensed as she walked into the room with the ugly Hutt. It was dimly lit and the red and gold colours only intensified the opulence of the room. She detested lavishness even subconsciously for reasons unclear to her.
Refusing to show any discomfort Mina walked into the room with quick, silent, practiced steps - that damn zabrak who had dragged her into this situation wouldn't get the satisfaction of seeing her squirm. She saw Zoro the Hutt sitting in the right corner of the room,his orangey skin as lumpy as ever. He seemed to be watching some sort of duel that was being projected by the holoprojector attached to the wall with great intrest.
Mina scowled as she strode up to Hutts weequay bodyguard and assistant:
-Trask, I'm here.
-Ah, Silence. Took you long enough,kid. The boss is busy right now so you should come back in an hour or two. It's not like you're anyone worth interrupting his relaxation for.
That was the wrong thing to say. Mina was running really short on patience right now and it was all she could do so as not to shoot everyone in the room right now. Jabbing a finger into the weequay's chest, Mina growled:
-Listen here, Trask, I don't care what your Boss is doing - he wants me to pay off a debt, which may I remind everyone I was framed for, for him? Fine! But I expect him to keep his priorities straight! I am not one of his mindless minions.
The weequay glared at her and shoved her finger off, his hand reaching for his blaster:
-I am well aware of that, kid, but unfortunately the boss is occupied right now and unless you want every person on Nar Shaddaa hunting you,I suggest you wait. We both know who'd come out on top if this came to a fight. Now, scram!
Mina huffed: Nope, not gonna happen. She walked a few paces away from the furious bodyguard-slash-assistant and located the holoprojector. Making sure all the security holocams where disabled as per usual, Mina whipped out her left blaster and shot it. It crackled, going completely out of commission which earned a dismayed roar-like sound from a certain Hutt. Mina sauntered over to Trask and smiled sweetly:
-See? Problem solved. Too bad that the projector accidentally broke. Now, since your lumpy boss-man is free, tell him I'm here.
Trask shot Mina a glare but couldn't find anything to counter her statement with, so with a low resigned growl made his way over to the Hutt who was currently throwing a fit. Mina smirked, sometimes one had to use unconventional methods to get their way. Mina leant against the wall, she could tell this was going to take a few minutes.
She watched with mild amusement as the flabby Hutt waved his short arms around and swung his tail end back and forth while a bunch of droids and his assistant attempted to pacify him. His lumpiness suddenly knocked over a very expensive-looking vase and Mina frowned: had he no control of himself? She sighed: of course he didn't, he was a Hutt, he got what he wanted. By her estimation the Hutt criminal empire was as big as the Empire and Republic combined.
Mina cast a glance at her chrono and her frown deepened when she noticed the time. Yes, she had to put a stop to this ridiculousness now.
She glanced back to the Hutt to see him more or less calm but still slightly fuming. A moment later her yellow eyes slid to Trask and she saw him glaring at her as a signal to come over (and probably because he despised her on principle). She willingly complied. Upon seeing her the Hutt's swamp-coloured eyes lit up and he garbled in Huttese:
-{Quickly, Silence, you must find the fiend who destroyed my holoprojector! And make him pay!}
Mina barely resisted the urge to roll her eyes - this wasn't want her abilities were for. She was a bounty hunter not the Hutt's personal clean up force - he had the Nixon for that. However arguing with Zoro the Hutt and his weequay bodyguard on their turf was a bad idea and Mina tried to steer clear of foolish ideas. Inwardly Mina was for the first time ever greatly thankful to the Hutt's paranoia - it was that that had led him to shutting off his cameras for fear of his rivals spying on him. Oh and the fact that everyone her basically worshipped duelling made her even more confident that no one had noticed her. Anyway, she had to dissuade the Hutt from this somehow otherwise she'd end up wasting another couple of hours for no reason whatsoever. Even though she was fluent in Huttese Mina hated the strain it put on her vocal cords so she chose basic instead:
-Listen, Zoro, I understand that you might take this personally but it'd be way easier for you to just get a new one. I mean think of what might happen next even if I do blast that saboteur into oblivion. This is very, very dangerous for you.
Zoro paused to consider her words which, Mina mused, was the first relatively smart thing he'd done since she's gotten mixed up in this mess. A moment later he readily nodded, falling for Mina's persuasive lie:
-{Yes, you are right! Trask, go tell the droids to get me a new one and double security! No, triple it!}
Trask glowered at Mina who shot his a smug smile in answer before stomping off to do his boss's bidding. As soon as he was gone Mina turned back to orange Hutt and ,raising an eyebrow, prompted:
-You said you had another job for me? Remember? One of the two I owe you?
Zoro nodded, causing a ripple through the orange lumpy folds of his body:
-{Yes,I do. I have been rudely double-crossed by two despicable individuals. My great-uncle would say "off with their heads!" but I will kindly ask you to just send me their corpses.}
Mina crossed her arms, instantly shifting into her Silence persona:
-Who are my marks?
-{Ho-ho-ho! I presume you'll like this: a traitorous zabrak by the name of Kados Nord and slippery nemodian by the name of Ganor Vik.}
A slightly manic glint appeared in Mina's eyes and her mouth curled up into a dangerous smile:
-Oh, I do like this. I like it a lot.
Payback time.
Rand and his Master stepped off the shuttle that had taken them down from the Inteceptor to Nar Shaddaa. Thay were as close to their end destination as possible. Rand stretched before turning to his Master:
-So, Master, where are we headed again?
-To talk with one of the Hutts...
Rand hastened to fall into step with the Miralukan Jedi Master. Together they headed towards the promenade. Gears in his mind spinning, Rand inquired:
-Is he the one we have to speak to so we can get our friends from the SIS and the military back?
-Yes and for something else as well. Zoro the Hutt should be able to help us find at least a lead on Darth Femeron...
-How come?
-Zoro rules the criminal underworld around here and if there's anyone who has good connections here it's him. We haven't spoken in the last couple of years truth be told.
-It must have been a tragic falling out...
Rand teased slightly melodramatically and his Master grimaced as they walked:
-Zoro the Hutt... Is a particular character to say the least. But he's worth putting up with.
-So is he a friend?
-Not exactly, let's just hope we catch him on a good day.
They had to end their brief exchange there as they had begun threading through the crowd on the promenade and didn't want to shout. Using the Force to enhance his spatial awareness, Rand pushed through the drunken sea of people. Feeling someone's eyes attentively watching him Rand pulled up the hood of his cloak, mentally facepalming. He should have done that ages ago - his blue hair made him far too conspicuous even among a crowd of people like these. Sometimes he felt like cursing his Hapan origins, without them he'd look normal. But then again normal was a relative term and his master had taught him to cherish the gift his parents had given him even if all he had of them were vague memories of a woman. His Master told him that he'd been taken away from his parents when he was only two because of some strange circumstances onto which he wouldn't elaborate. But Rand didn't make him speak any further for every time he mentioned that he would get such a sad look that would make anyone feel bad.
Finally stumbling out of the crowd, Rand took a deep breath. He spotted his Master just a bit away, waiting for him, but just before he took the first step he felt that familiar feeling of someone watching him. Looking up he saw a figure on the rooftop of a building but before he could make out who and what exactly it was the figure vanished.
-Rand, come on.
-Coming, Master.
Rand followed his Master into a central building. Inside they entered a lobby where a sliver protocol droid behind a desk greeted them:
-Hello! I am C2-V4 and I'm pleased to welcome you to the jade entertainment palace!
Rand's Master stepped forward and bowed slightly in greeting:
-A pleasure to make your acquaintance,C2. I am here to speak with Zoro the Hutt on behalf of the Jedi and so I my padawan.
The silver droid froze and looked them up and down:
-Ah...oh...Um, I see. May I ask how you acquired the Master's whereabouts?
Rand raised an eyebrow- the Hutt's whereabouts weren't common knowledge? Just how well did his Master know this guy? Meanwhile Master Teren shrugged:
-Zoro is an old friend of mine. I am Jedi Master Koran Teren and I wish to speak to Zoro the Hutt, tell him that.
-J-Just a moment.
The droid retreated into a back room and spoke to someone via the holocom in Huttese. A moment later he returned and shook his head:
-I am sorry but Master is currently in no disposition to see anyone.
Master Teren sighed - he had expected something like this to happen but he had hoped it wouldn't. He had no countermove just yet. Rand, however, did. He strode up to the droid and in one swift move flipped it's circuit breaker before turning to the security console and programming all major security systems to engage. The doors, windows and all exit points locked. Frowning, he also opened access to all restricted areas, like the top looked up at his Master with a slight grin on his face:
-There, all done. Now we can go speak to your friend.
-Good thinking, my young padawan.
-I try, Master.
They entered the turbolift and Rand pressed the button that sent them shooting towards the top floor. He turned to his Master:
-Will this come to a confrontation?
-I certainly hope not. Nar Shaddaa is neutral ground and I do not wish to give the Empire anything to hold over the Republic. We should use caution and watch what we say.
-Yes, Master.
The doors slid open and the two Jedi stepped out, only to be cornered by two fleshy gamoreans. They grunted something in Huttese and once more Rand cursed himself for not understanding the language. Although their intentions were pretty clear: their axes spoke for themselves. Master Teren looked at them calmly but with a weighted gaze:
-We need to speak with Zoro the Hutt so will you please move aside?
There was a distinctive grunt that even Rand understood as "No.". Master Teren sighed and waved his hand saying:
-You will let us through and not mention this to anyone.
They repeated his Force-induced words and scurried off to do what his master had manipulated them into doing. Force mind tricks were a powerful tool and one that shouldn't be used for evil.
Rand and his Master stepped into the wide lavish room that was decorated with not only golds and reds but with distinctive oranges too. It all spoke of wealth and opulence. In the corner of the room sat an orange Hutt, he appeared to be fuming. Beside him slept an exhausted weequay, his bodyguard-Rand assumed. Following his Master, Rand strode up to the Hutt. The Hutt looked shocked and strangely somewhat flustered to see Master Teren. Rand and his Master bowed slightly in greeting:
-Hello, Zoro, it's been a while.
The Hutt garbled something and waved for a protocol droid to come over, much to Rand's relief. The Hutt spoke again, now being translated by the droid:
-Teren. It has been many years.
-Yes, Zoro. But after our last conversation, I saw no further need to continue that pointless argument. And my duties as a Knight and now a Master have kept me busy. I see you've doubled your wealth again.
-Ho-Ho-Ho-Ho! Yes, my profits triple everyday...
He launched into a long ramble and Rand zoned out. His Master, however, seemed to be following along and Rand somewhat envied his ability to fake those interested expressions on his face. Rand knew he should be paying attention, but he was bored. He wasn't exactly a person who craved action, but standing around and listening to a Hutt ramble ,when a mass-murdering psychotic Dark Lord was on the loose possibly here too, was very annoying. But on the other hand the Hutt seemed happier the more he rambled so maybe this was too their advantage. He hoped his Master knew what he was doing. To his great relief, the now chummy Hutt finished a moment later and asked:
-So how can I help you, old friend?
Master Teren snapped back into the conversation. He had zoned out halfway through the Hutt's ramble and had been dwelling on his own thoughts. Rand's obvious relief in the Force was what had jerked him out of his own little world. He crossed his arms and looked at Zoro evenly:
-I know you're holding some of my men.
Zoro looked astonished:
-Whatever do you mean?!
-Don't lie to me, Zoro. I know you have a few SIS agents as well as a few of my military men. Release them.
-But...
Zoro started to protest but quickly shut up when he felt the glare Master Teren was giving him (it was impossible to see since the latter had no eyes). Slowly and forcefully Rand's Master repeated each word:
-Release them.
Zoro,evidently intimated, quickly prodded his weequay bodyguard awake and jabbered some orders at him. The man threw an annoyed glare at the two Jedi but stomped off to do as his Boss had ordered. Rand followed his path out and carefully probed his mind with the Force, trying to sense out his emotions. He was annoyed but he held no malicious intent so that was good. Meanwhile a slightly nervous looking Zoro continued:
-See? Your friends will be released into your custody! Free of charge!
-I should think so. You were planning on selling them to the Empire, weren't you?
Zoro spread his arms:
-Well, business is business.
Rand glared at the Hutt, revulsion deep in the pit of his stomach. How could he?! But a small part of him understood perfectly-"Victory at all costs" and "The human cost is acceptable". During a war there was no order, only chaos. Zoro crossed his short arms and inquired:
-So, how else can I help you,my friend?
-We need to find a certain somebody.
Zoro looked relieved:
-Oh, that's easy. I have the best trackers working for me.
Master Teren's face bore a grim smile:
-It's not that easy. We're looking for a certain Sith Lord.
Zoro froze, shock evident on his features. Sith Lords were dangerous business, even for Hutts. He weakly protested, his cowardice showing through:
-But a Sith Lord-
Master Teren cut across from him calmly:
-You owe me,Zoro. I know you have the connections.
The Hutt hesitated before sighing in defeat:
-I-yes. Alright. But you better not tell him I was the one who gave you the way to find whoever he is. Damn Jedi...
Rand rolled his eyes discreetly- his master had the most unconventional methods known to mankind.A small smile curled up on Rand's masters lips:
-Good. We are looking for a Sith Lord named Darth Femeron.
The Hutt looked at the two of them as if they were insane. Which,Rand supposed, to a degree they were. He stared at Master Teren and matter-of-factly stated:
-You are insane.
Master Teren smiled:
-Quite possibly. But this is a matter of utmost importance.
-HE WILL KILL BOTH OF YOU IN A MATTER OF SECONDS!
Rand and his Master nodded:
-That's not impossible, but you underestimate our abilities, old friend.
-You two are out of your minds.
Rand ran out of patience and for the first time since they'd came in here he spoke up, frustrated:
-Look: this isn't going to hurt you in anyway, we guarantee that. So do you have a person who can find him or not?!
Zoro shifted his gaze to the padawan and something flashed in his eyes. Something, that for a moment, disconcerted Rand. The Orange Hutt spoke thoughtfully:
-My normal trackers and usual people won't even stand a chance at finding him. There is one person that has a fairly good chance but she's doing a job for me right now.
Rand sighed in annoyance. His Master frowned:
-Who is this woman? And why does she have a better chance than the others?
-Heh. She's the best slicer I've ever met and one of the best trackers ever too. She excels at what she does. Even as young as she is. She's just a teenager- 17, can you believe it? Top bounty hunter in the elite house of Salakatori. Her name is Silence.
Rand suddenly protested:
-No way! Not her.
Rand's master looked at his padawan with a frown:
-Do you know her,Rand?
Rand drew in a shuddering breath and shrugged:
-Not personally,no. But if you've ever come in contact with the criminal underworld you'd know the name Silence. She's the best of the best, but she's also a cold-blooded, ruthless killer. She's the opposite of nearly everything we are and I doubt we can even get along with someone like one has escaped her yet,-he fixed his gaze on Zoro,- and you're telling me she's the same age as I am?
Master Teren's frown deepened:
-He isn't lying,-he sighed,-Very well, contact her.
The Hutt hesitated for a moment before ordering one of his droids to contact her. But just before starting the call he said:
-I will ask her to help, but I give you no guarantee that she will. Silence is someone even I don't want to cross.
Mina squinted through the scope before shooting. Her blaster had been set to cable and so a cable shot out. It used the mini-engine Mina had created for it to propel itself to a faraway building to attach to it. After checking that the end part was secure, Mina secured her blaster to the roof of the Jade entertainment palace with a magnetic lock to which she had the controls to. She got out a small circular object that was attached to her belt before clipping it onto the cable and jumping. The cable became a perfectly good zip-line. This way Mina made her way over the promenade and halfway to the trade landing pads in a minute. Normally she would have utilised her jet pack but the problem was that she had unfortunately forgotten it on the ship.
Jumping down and landing safely on the roof, Mina disengaged the magnetic lock and her blaster flew back to her hand. She winced as it hit the palm of her hand. The impact left a red imprint on her palm. Wordlessly she holstered it and started heading for the place where Kados and his partner had most likely landed their ship. Those double-crossing, teammate-wrecking bastards were about to get what they deserved. Speaking of teammates... Mina switched on her comlink:
-Hey,TK, you there?
A whistle sounded and Mina grinned:
-Yes, I have a new job and I'm pretty sure you'll like it.
A highly sceptical series of beeps
-Oh, so you don't even want to take care of the guy who nearly ripped out your circuits? Ganor Vik?
She mentally counted down from three. 3..2...1.. A highly enthusiastic whistle sounded over the comlink and Mina laughed:
-Then you better get over here fast or I'll mop the floor with him by myself. Oh and TK?
-Bee-reet?
-You do know you don't need to use binary while we're talking via our secure line.
Mina added before cutting the transmission and setting off towards a certain hangar bay with a bright grin on her face. Kados and Ganor would get what was coming very soon. Mina was sure she was more than their match and she was certain that this would be a walk in the spaceport. So why in the universe did she get the feeling that she was about to be dragged into something she wouldn't like?