CHAPTER SEVEN THE MEETING
A/N "different language"
'thinking'
Wraith woke up to the buzzer indicating they were coming up on Nar Shaddaa 'I really need a drink after this shit' he thought as he put his gear on. Once he had all his gear on he headed up to the bridge, as he walked past Rika's room on his way there and stopped for a second and saw she was still asleep 'well she been through enough for today better let her get some sleep I'll wake her when we are planet side.'
Wraith continued to the bridge and piloted down to the planet and found a dock near his squad's favorite bar and set down just a few blocks away. When he walked down the ramp he was met by the dock chief a Rodian wearing a grey jumpsuit
"Thought I recognized the ship but not the name or registration. Good to see you guys again, I'll just need the Captains signature for the docking." The Rodian said in his native tongue
"Here let me see it I am the Captain now only one left since that Sith bastard killed my squad." Wraith replied
"No way?! someone wiped out carnival squad." The Rodian replied in a shocked tone "you guys are the best even the hutts have great respect for you guys and that is saying something."
"Yeah I know got double crossed by a Sith bastard who didn't want to pay and killed the entire squad but me." wraith replied
"How did you survive?" the Rodian asked
"Fucker threw me through a wall and I was buried, and knocked out." Wraith replied
"Well any way you're all set." The Rodian said as he finished the paper work on his data pad and left
Wraith watched him leave and went back up into the ship he walked up to the ramp and down the corridor heading toward Rika's room and walked right in. she was still asleep he stopped and watched her for a second, then walked up to her bed and shook her say "rise and shine you've had enough beauty sleep time to get up." He said as she woke up looking around in a daze
"You know it's not nice to come into a girls room unannounced." She said in a groggy up set tone as she sat up looking at him
"When has that ever stopped me before?" he said with a shrug
"Well we call that a voyeur so stop trying to catch a glimpse of me " She replies in a teasing tone
"Well get your gear on and meet me at the ramp." Wraith said as he turns around without getting pulled into her games and heads back towards the ramp and to wait for her
Rika got up and started to put on her armor 'gez he is so dense.' She huffed to herself
Once she was done getting her gear she walked out to the ramp throwing her helmet on as she walked down the ramp toward wraith who was waiting at the bottom of it "ready?" he asked
"Yeah where we going?" she asked as he started walking
"To pay respects to the fallen." he said as he turned down a dark side alley
"What kind of respects can you pay in a place like this?" she asked looking at the place with disgust
"Well I am sorry it ain't up to your standards but not everyone is accepted in the high class areas so we make due with what we got." He said with a bit of venom
"Sorry I didn't mean…" she began as she fell a bit further behind him
"Don't worry about it's just that I got a lot on my mind right now, just need to kick back and let off some steam." He said as he came up to a door with a Gamorrean in front of it who just gave him a glance then let him pass
Rika realized he was getting too far ahead and quickened her pace to go into the door but the Gamorrean blocked her way "hey what do…" she began
"She's with me." Wraith said cutting her off and the pig faced alien looked back at him and then stepped aside
"Vor'e." she said as she walked past the Gammorrean and into the bar. It was a dark and dingy place that you could just tell it was filled with criminals and they had no problem with hiding it "so what are we going to do here?" she asked
"Get a drink of course." He said like it was obvious.
"But we aren't old…" to drink
"This is Nar Shaddaa the Hutts are law here and no one asks for ID's cause well only ones allowed in are regulars and only way to be a regular is to be on the hutts good side, and only way…"he explained
"I get it, as long as you act the part no one asks questions." She cut him off
"Who's acting." He said as he walked over to a table and sat down followed by his fellow Mandalorian
Soon as they sat down a green Twi'lek waitress walked up "What can I get for you two then?" she asked
"I need four shots of dodbri whiskey to start out with for me and whatever she wants." He said as he took off his helmet and set it down on the table
"I'll take a fox beer then." She said as she too took off her helmet and set it down
"Alright four dodbri's and a fox for the light weight. Be back in a jiff sweet thing." The waitress said with a wink at Wraith as she walked away
"What did she call me?" Rika asked in a huffed up tone
"A light weight and ordering a light beer like that, I've seen a people get shot over less in this joint." Wraith said with a shrug
"Well I've only drank wine at parties even then I wasn't allowed to drink that much of it." She said in a hushed voice across the table
"Just don't let anyone hear you say that but we gotta keep up appearances now." He said flirtatiously
"Well I guess." She said with a blush
"Alright that is more like it," he said cheerfully "hey waitress get me two more shots of dodbri for the lady will ya." Wraith yelled across the bar
"Got it." She said with a smile
"Now let us remember the squad as they would want to be remembered." He said as the waitress came back with their drinks
"Right." She said as she took one of the shots
"To the Carnival." Wraith said as he held up the shot for a toast
"To the Carnival." She repeated as she also raised her shot
"May it never die Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum: Ringmaster, Sandman, Joker Jeckel, and you as well Carnage, Malinko" Wraith said as he brought it to his lips and threw it back then slammed his shot glass on the table upside down
"Yeah" Rika said as she brought it to her lips and then hesitantly threw back as well **cough cough** she coughed after she took the shot "that burns."
"Yeah it's something you get used to." He said as he brought up another "but let us enjoy this while we can." then down his second shot
The Jedi shuttle came out of hyper space above the corrupted Nar Shaddaa.
"So how are we going to find him Master?" the young apprentice asked her master as she gazed down on the hazy planet below
"The force will guide us to his location just let it show you the way." her master said as he took in a deep breath and relaxed in the chair
"But how master?" she asked
"Just let go and feel for it." He said
"Alright" she replied with a sigh and closed her eyes and searched the force all she felt was corruption greed and betrayal throughout the entire planet and she opened her eyes with a gasp letting go of the hold she had on the force
"You ok young one?" her master asked
"Yes master it's just I have never felt this much hatred and anger in one place before. It was just a bit much." She replied
"Yes the Hutt system can have that effect. But don't fret you will become accustomed to weeding out the unnecessary and finding what you need in time, now try again." He explained
"Yes master." She said as she closed her eyes again and searched the force again for the one they were looking for. But all she felt was the same as before as she reached deeper and deeper then she found it that same feeling she had when they were above Mandalore the familiar yet unknown feeling "there!" she yelped with excitement
"What was that?" her master asked
"Oh I found him master in the southern hemisphere right there" she said as she typed in coordinates into the nav computer
"Good same place I had found them as well." Her master said
"Them?" she asked
"Yes I couldn't pinpoint him seems he has had training to hide himself from Jedi but his companion has not and I picked up on her while the ship was fleeing and looked for her." her Master said
"Oh yeah I don't know about her but what I felt was defiantly male." She said remembering her feeling
"Well good you're getting the hang of it perhaps you instinctively found another route to find him without realizing it, but let us be off we need to get to him before the Sith does and brings him over to their side." Her master said as he piloted the ship to the docks they needed to be at.
The shuttle landed at the docks as the Rodian dock master came up to the ship as the occupants walked down the ramp
"Name and business for visit please." The rodian said in its native tongue
"How bout we forget the formalities and you let us go about our business" Master Zubza said to the Rodian as he shook his hand slipping him a few hundred credits.
The Rodian felt the credits slip into his hand and took a quick glance and saw how much it was then looked back at the master and said "of course Mr. Suko. You're a busy man and must get to your meeting I'll take care of the paper work for you." The Rodian said as he tapped a few things on his data pad
"Thank you my good man." The master said as he turned back to his padawan and said "well shall we be off then?" as he walked away and put his hood up
"Yes master lets." She said giving him a confused look
After they made it a little ways from the docks she turned to her master and asked "master why did you bribe him we could of easily used the force to allow him to let us stay."
"We are on Nar Shaddaa that is how things are done here no one looks twice if someone gets paid off for not properly filing a ship at dock but if they show up waving their hands around and getting what they want suspicions go up and they tell the Hutts, this way we stay below the radar." He explained
"Oh that makes sense then." She replied with realization
"These criminal worlds are different then the other central ones you are used too if you are to be a master you must become accustomed to all of them and know how to act in them." Her master explained
"Yes master there is still much I need to learn." She replied
They turned down an alley toward a door being guarded by a Gamoorean the approached and tried to enter but the giant pig blocked their route. "We would like to enter this establishment if you don't mind." Master zubza asked in a polite tone but only got a few grunts and squeals that could only be taken as a 'no'
Master Zubza reached out with his senses to make sure no one was around then waved his hand infront of the pigs face saying "you will let us in" he then got a glazed over look on his face and stepped aside and allowed them in
Once they entered the bar they looked around then spotted the two Mandalorians sitting at a table with a bunch of empty shot glasses and the woman sitting with her head on the table passed out "Over there" Master Zubza said as he began to walk over to the table
The pair walked up to the table with the man's back to them "and what would two Jedi be doing in a place like this? A little below your class level now isn't it?" the man asked turning around revealing a teenage boy maybe fifteen or sixteen years old with a scared and hardened face and a pretty fresh scar running from the inside of his right eye hugging his nose then jetting off across his cheek, but something still seemed familiar to her about this boy.
"How did you know we are Jedi?" asked Master Zubza
"Well one I've only seen Jedi wear robes like that if you want to blend don't wear those, two the way you carry yourselves like you're better then everyone you walk past but don't want to act like it" he explained
"Well then you are good at picking up on the details but I would just like to know how you did that without looking back at us?" Master Zubza asked
"You got your trade secrets and I got mine." The boy replied "Any more questions? Good now here is one for you; what do you want and why does it concern me?" he asked in a pissed off tone
"We only wish to talk." Master Zubza replies politely
"Well I really don't like dealing with the Jedi they just seem like they have that attitude like they are better then you, get what I'm saying." Wraith replied
"We came a long way to find you and put a lot of work into it the least you could do is talk to us." The padawan said in an upset tone
"Damn don't get your panties in a bunch never said I wouldn't talk, I've had enough fighting force wielders for the week if you want to talk I'm all ears, but any way are you even old enough to be in here?" wraith asked looking at the hooded female teen
"You two don't look any older than me." She said defensively and irritated
"True but when you got a reputation such as mine no one questions how old you are." Wraith replied with a smirk that really got under the girls skin
"Yes we have heard some of your reputation from one of the Republic troopers from the last place you hit." The master said while sitting down at the table and at the mention of that battle Wraith lowered his head and stared off into nothingness remembering what happened there
"Yeah that one; never should of taken that job." He said as he threw another shot back
"Those where innocent troopers you slaughtered." The girl said
"They were warriors and we gave them a warrior's death most honorable death one could ask for is to die in battle alongside his brothers in arms." Wraith said defensively
"No better than the Sith in my book." The girl replied
"We are nothing like the Sith we don't go out of our way to kill innocent civilians" Wraith said with enough killing intent that even gave master Zubza a slight shiver while he thought back to his home and the pile of burning bodies of those he called friends
"Well we wanted to ask you about something that happened there something one of the troopers saw." Master Zubza said before his padawan could interrupt again
"And what did he see?" Wraith asked
"He says he saw you us the force and blow away a pile of rubble you were buried under." Master Zubza explains
"Yes that was me." Wraith replied
"Well we could feel it all the way on Coruscant and I along with my padawan were sent to investigate the disturbance in the force which lead us to you." Master Zubza replied
"And now that you found me what are you going to do?" wraith asked
"Well we would like to take you to Tython and have you tested by the counsel." Master Zubza answered
"Well I ain't all too keen on tests huh last one nearly killed me." Wraith replied thinking about his blooding test to become Mandalorian.
"We just merely wish to see why your ability to tap into the force. It is very good even though you have had no training in it. Most people who haven't trained in it can barely scratch its surface like deja vu when something happens or greater reflex's but that doesn't send out much a disturbance but you shook the force so great we felt it light years away we just wish to know why that was." Master Zubza explained
"I don't know last time I trusted a force user my squad got wiped out by his betrayal, why should I trust you now." Wraith replied
"Well…" Master Zubza began but was cut off as a group of eight rough looking guys walked over to their table
"Well then ghost we heard you squad got fucked up on a simple hit and run." The Shistavanen barked with a dog like grin
"First off its Wraith second you really don't want to have this conversation with me I suggest you leave now before…" wraith began
"Or what you're the only one left and the empire along with Mandalore have a pretty hefty bounty on your head that we are going to collect on since you don't have your carnival of freaks to protect you." The Trandoshan hissed
"You're one to talk scale face, and I am more than enough to handle a handful of half-baked mercs that think they can take on a Mandalorian." Wraith said as he placed his hand on his blaster resting on his hip
"Well then let's see what you got pretty boy." The Trandoshan hissed back as he put his hands on the table and leaned across it looking the teen in the face and in an instant the sound of a blaster ripped through the bar as the Trandoshan fell back with a laser burn in his forehead
"Hows that bitch boy." Wraith said with a smile as he turned to the rest who were in a bit of a daze at seeing their leader shot right in front of them "You boys…" Wraith began but was cut off as the Shistavanen flipped the table throwing both Mandalorian helmets across the room along with their drinks and Rika who still had her head on it
"Your head is mine boy." The Shistavanen howled as he lunged at Wraith only to find a vibro knife in his gut and it rip sideways across it letting his innards loose on the floor.
"Down boy" Wraith said with a smirk as he pulled out his knife but the table being thrown had caused the entire bar to erupt with blaster fire and screaming as no one knew what was going on except Wraith and those who came for him
In the confusion the hunting party lost three to straw rounds. But wraith dropped down with his blaster and fired killing the remaining bounty hunters that were after him then grabbed his helmet and threw it on as he stood up swinging his blaster around taking shots at anything that presented itself as a target. Then he heard the hiss of light sabers come to life and looked back and saw the Jedi finally join the fray the girl wielding two lightsabers a green one and a shorter blue one and her master holding a double bladed green one.
"Bout time you two joined the fun." He called over to them as he got behind a turned over table
"This is all your fault you know that right?" the girl yelled at him
"Whatever you say sweet cheeks" he called back as he swung back up and let off a couple more blasts from his covered position when he heard a metallic clunk and saw a thermal detonator land next to him "Shiiiiiiiit!" he yelled as he ran away from it but still caught some of the concussion of the blast launching him across the room
"Is he alright?" master Zubza called as he deflected more blasts from the other occupants of the bar as he stood over the still passed out Rika
"I don't know I can't…" she began but then saw him get up over a table and lunged toward the ones shooting at them with what looked like glowing whips in his hands
The first guy he came up on didn't stand a chance as the whip electric whip smacked him across the head and sending a ten thousand volt shock into him killing him before he hit the ground then the others noticed him and turned their attention on him and fired but he just started whipping his whips around deflecting everything thrown at him
The padawan saw the opening and rushed toward the group and jumped in the middle of them cutting them down taking pressure off of Wraith as he jumped in as well going back to back with the young padawan when he felt a blast bolt singe the side of his helmet and felt her fall to a knee he turned around swinging his whip around wrapping it around the Rodians neck as the electricity seared its flesh as he ripped its head off, he was the last one and there was no more firing
Wraith looked down and saw she was still alive just on a knee "you alright?" he said looking down at her
"Yeah just caught my hood." She said as she stood up and threw her hood back revealing a human girl about fifteen or so with slightly pale skin and red hair, he recognized her immediately "Kristy?" he whispered under his breath in shock without realizing it
"What?" she asked looking at him strangely
"Nothing we have to get moving before the local law gets here, cause let's just say that they aren't all sweet and cuddly like these guys." Wraith says to cove his slip up
"I agree, we have a shuttle docked at docking bay nine bay five. Kristen lead the way" Master Zubza said
"No they have probably already gotten word out that you are Jedi and are waiting for you there, we will go to my ship to get out of here and we will continue our discussion when we are off this rock." Wraith said as he walked over grabbed his blaster pistol from off the ground then scooped up Rika's helmet and put it on her then lifted her over one shoulder "alright follow me" he said as he walked out of the bar half dragging Rika
They made it to the docks where the Rodian dock officer meet them "that was quick." He replied seeing the other Mandalorian over his shoulder
"Well she is new to this whole drinking thing bit of a light weight." He said as he gestured for the two jedi to move up the ramp as they did so
"Did you hear of the Jedi in the cantina? They have a shuttle here but they won't get far, got a whole mess of mercs and bounty hunters waiting for them on the dock." The Rodian chuckled
"Yeah give those force uses what they deserve they should know better than to start trouble out here where their precious Republic can't help them." Wraith chuckled
" " the dock officer chuckled
"So I'm all set then?" wraith asked
"Yep just like always only here for a drink and looking for work, on the papers." The Rodian said
"Alright good I will see you later then." Wraith said as he lugged Rika up the ramp then set her on the couch in the common area as he went to the bridge where he found the master and padawan waiting for him
"Ready young bounty hunter?" the master asked
"Let's get out of here." He replied as the ship took off for space after a few minutes they were out of the atmosphere and out far enough no one would bother them.
Wraith swung around in the pilots chair looking at the two jedi "well shall we?" he said as he stood up and walked back to the living area and sat down on the couch next to Rika who was still passed out.
"So where were we?" Wraith asked "Oh right you were asking me about coming to where ever to be tested."
"Yes we would li…" Master Zubza began but was cut off by Rika finally coming around
"Where where am I?" she said drunkenly
"Oh so you finally wake up light weight." Wraith chuckled
"Hey… don't call me a light…" Rika began but stopped as she tried to hold back from puking
"I call em as I see em." Wraith replies
"Who's that." Rika said looking at the two new comers as she removed her helmet
"Here." Wraith said as he handed her a bucket "they are new contacts"
"Oh" she says as she looks at Master Zubza then Kristen and just does the best death glare she can in her drunken state "you stay away from him slut he's mine." She said drunkenly with a shaky finger pointed at her
"Wha take offence to the insinuation I would even try to go for him." Kristen said
"Really? Trying to argue with a drunk? Here I thought Jedi were smart, she probably doesn't even know what she is saying or will even remember this conversation." Wraith said
"Hehe he's got you there" Master Zubza chuckled
"You're supposed to be on my side." Kristen whines
"Well anyway we should probably get you off to bed." Wraith said as he got up and helped Rika up but she couldn't stand even leaning on him "Fuck it." He sighed and just picked her up and threw her over his shoulder and carries her to her bed and lays her down on it
"Hey?" Rika says groggily
"What up?" Wraith asked
"Don't leave me." She said
"I'll be right over in the living area if you need me just call alright? I can't leave them alone no idea what they will try to steal." Wraith said
"Oh right." Rika said as she rolled around in the bed getting comfortable
"And here's your bucket." He chuckled as he set the bucket down next to her. But she didn't pay attention cause she was already passed out again
Wraith walked out of her room and leaned against the door as it closed thinking 'alright how the hell am I gonna deal with those two in there.' He gave it a few minutes thinking it over and then came up with his plan as he walked down the hall toward where he left the Jedi
"Alright let's start over, first proper introductions. I am Wraith and what are your names?" Wraith said as he walked back into the room and sat down
"Right where are our manners we forgot our names in the bar I am Master Zubza, and this is my padawan Kristen." Master Zubza says gesturing toward himself and his padawan
"Alright got that out of the way now what is it you want with me? Back at the bar you said something about testing me or something." Wraith asked
"Yes we would like to test you on your grasp of the force and how well tuned into it you are, it is an oddity like I said with someone who has never been trained in the use of the force to be able to tap into it as well as you have." Master Zubza
"And if I refuse?" Wraith replied
"Then we will just ask you to drop us off on a Republic friendly planet. Cause you did make us leave our shuttle on Hutta." Master Zubza replies with a smartass smirk
"But you should be honored for just being offered the chance of being tested by the council." Kristen cut in
"Right I thank Manda for this great honor, listen up butter cup the way I see it, is you didn't come all the way out here just to bring me in to be tested there is something more you want from me." Wraith said with a crocked eyebrow
"How dare you imp…" Kristen began
"I don't know how you think society works little lady but this is one thing I do know, no one does anything unless they have something to gain from it." Wraith cut her off and gave her a glare "now what is it you want? A bounty hunter on your side to do the dirty work you don't want associated with your order, or something to that extent?"
"Well you have a great insight to how society works." Master zubza said with a smirk
"It's not that hard to pick up when you've spent your life on its underbelly; so why do you want me?" wraith said again
"Very well we want you so you can't fall into the hands of the Sith." Master zubza replied
"Well I belong to Mandalore." Wraith replied
"Yes didn't Mandalore just put a bounty on your head?" Master Zubza said thinking he had him in a corner
"That is not the true Mand'alore he is just an aruetyc upstart that will be dealt with." Wraith said then it hit him "alright here is the deal you help me take down this fake Mand'alore, get my skira on those aruetyc Sith lords that killed my squad and put Rika back on the throne that rightfully belongs to her."
"Sounds like a lot for a simple deal?" Master Zubza said
"And why should we help you take this guy down, and with your revenge on those Sith and help put that brat on the thrown?" Kristen asked with
"Simple politics one with him in power a neutral planet in this war has gone to the enemies side, two with her in power she will bring it back to a neutral planet or maybe to your side for helping, and third you helping me take down this Sith lord helps you cause that will be one less Sith you have to deal with, aren't you two in tal'din skira or something?" Wraith replied
Master Zubza just sat back thinking about it when Kristen chimed in "and why does she belong on the thrown any way, what so you can ascend to the thrown yourself?"
"No she is the rightful heir she is princess Rika of Mandalore her mother was the queen and captain ringmaster was her father but you would know him better as Atin Kar." Wraith said which got her to shut up for a moment then she was about to speak but was cut off again "and as for me ascending to the throne, there are two types of Mandalorians the peaceful planet you know and love and then the warriors like myself that are feared throughout the galaxy and she doesn't deserve that she was brought up to lead her planet not living on the fringe like myself, her father told me that when we brought her back home." Wraith finished
"What do you mean 'brought her home'?" Kristen asked a bit curious
"That is a story for another time." Wraith said pulling himself back together "now if you help me I will go where ever you want, whatever you want."
"How do we know you will hold true on your end of the deal after we help you?" Kristen asked
"Cause a Mandalorian's word is his honor if he doesn't keep it he is disgraced and that is worse than death to us, but if you want I can pinky promise." Wraith said sarcastically as he held up his hand with his pinky extended.
Kristen saw this and something deep inside her screamed a memory long forgotten but she couldn't place it.
"Alright we will help you if you agree to the terms." Master Zubza said holding out his hand
"Haat, ijaa, haa'it." Wraith said as he took the hand and shook it "but just remember this is a narudar"
"Of course, now we need to come up with a plan of attack." Master Zubza replied
"Already working on it leave that to me." Wraith said as he got up and walked over to the bridge
"Can we trust him?" Kristen said
"You heard him say the words for the pact he will follow through. Even if it is only temporary." Master Zubza replied
"Alright master but I am still not sure we can trust him." Kristen said still wondering what this feeling was she had about this bounty hunter
END CHAPTER SEVEN THE MEETING
Vor'e- thanks
Ni su'cuyi, gar kyr'adyc, ni partayli, gar darasuum- Daily remembrance of those passed on *I'm still alive, but you are dead. I remember you, so you are eternal.* Followed by repetition of loved ones' names.
Manda- heaven
Mand'alore- sole leader
Aruetyc- traitorous
Skira- settling scores, revenge. feud (different to vengeance - more personal)
Haat, ijaa, haa'it-Truth, honor, vision - words used to seal a pact
Narudar- temporary ally - specifically your enemy's enemy, where both sides know this is an alliance of convenience and not a lasting pact
