Moira and Corso took a taxi to Shadowtown, an Imperial Prison district for the worst of the worst. "I'm not sure about this, Captain. A prison colony is bad enough but a prison colony run by the Empire is going to be even worse. Are we sure this payoff is worth this kind of danger?"
Moira nodded but didn't say a word. Her face was impassive but Corso could tell that she was just as nervous as he was. Reaching over, Corso put a hand on her shoulder and said, "Hey, it's not too late to back out. I'm sure there are other ways to get the Hutt to cooperate with us."
"Really? Got any ideas on how that could be, Corso?" asked Moira pointedly. The big farm boy sighed and shook his head. Moira put on a brave smile and said, "Come on. You and I survived Ord Mantell, Coruscant and Taris. This can't be that much worse."
Corso chuckled. "Famous last words, Captain."
They were both tired and it had been a long day but Moira was unwilling to take a break. She wanted to finish this business and was getting tired of side missions. Time and again, she mentioned that Corso could wait at the ship. Time and again, the farm boy had playfully demanded that she promise to not go anywhere without him ten times. She would laugh and refuse, swaggering away cockily and insisting that, when this was over, he would be hers.
After the taxi had landed and Moira paid the fair, they both looked at each other. Corso checked his weapons loads, he vibroblade and the wrist mounted grapple gun before looking at Moira. She did the same with her blasters and nodded her head. Side by side and ready for trouble, they made their way into Shadow Town.
The Imperial Prison colony didn't have fences are gates or anything like that. It appeared that anyone could come or go as they pleased. There were dozens of Imperial Officers and Soldiers acting as guards but the real thing that kept the prisoners in line were explosive devices planted in every single inmates' head.
Moira and Corso looked around as they creeped carefully and quietly through the colony. People in prison jump suites and Imperials were everywhere and they would stick out like sore thumbs. There were a few regularly clothed people but they weren't the kind of people that Moira and Corso wanted to be identified with. Bounty Hunters, assassins and hitmen and other fringers like that were milling around. "Captain, we need to get some of those prison uniforms or else we're gonna be in for a fight."
Moira pursed her lips as they observed from the shadows of a rundown shack. "I don't know, Corso. Look around. There are enough fringe types to not draw attention. We just need to swagger around and look mean like those bounty hunters over there."
She pointed to a trio of beings, a Gamorean, a human and a Twi'lek. Corso watched them with interest. They sure looked intimidating. Taking a deep breath, Moira put on a very serious face and swaggered out. Corso followed, doing he best to look like he meant business. After a few minutes, Moira looked at him and murmured, "Damn! When did you get so scarry?"
Corso resisted the urge to flash a grin at her and replied, "I can be pretty scarry when I want to, Captain."
Moira nodded, the memory of Corso and the Scavangers on Taris and Skavak's mercs still fresh in her mind. He was scarry then too. "Corso, thank you so much for being a friend and not an enemy."
Corso couldn't keep his face straight at that one, the tiniest smile of pleasure crossing his face. "I don't think I ever could be your enemy, Captain. Besides, you could still probably blast me to atoms if you wanted."
Moira snorted and replied, "And don't you forget it, Buster."
Suddenly, a hard voice came from behind them. "Well, well, well... what are you two doing in Shadow Town?"
Moira turned easily and looked at the speaker. Four tough looking characters were behind them. They were bounty hunters or thugs of some kind and were well armed. Moira crossed her arms over her chest and said, "Same as you, I expect - looking for someone. Is there anything we can help you with?"
The leader, a Weequay with half of his face scarred almost beyond recognition, jirked his chin at Corso. "Talking to him, Female. That true, Stranger? Are you looking for someone?"
Corso staired levelly at the Weequay and refused to answer. Moira gave a cold smile. "I already told you, Wrinkles. We're looking for someone. Bug off."
The Weequay's eyes narrowed dangerously. "I said..."
"Yeah, I heard you;" Moira said, cutting him off. "Only I don't particularly care. Have a nice day, boys."
They turned to walk away, hands still on their weapons. A hiss came from behind them and one of the thugs yelled, "On my home world, females who talk out of turn are taught a lesson in manners and respect. I think you could learn that lesson."
They both turned and looked at a pure white skinned Twi'lek, his eyes red and his teeth sharp - most likely an albino. Corso had looked scarry before but right now, he looked horrifying. His jaw was set, his eyes blazing and his hands at his side, ready to draw in a flash. Moira put a hand on his arm. "Easy, Corso."
"That's right;" said another of the bounty hunters. She was encased entirely in armor. "Keep him in line or else I'll teach him the same lesson."
Moira couldn't help it. She smirked and said, "Now you're just threatening him with a good time, Bounty Hunter. Anyhow, I'm tired of this verbal sparring match. Get the kriff out of here or go for your guns."
The air grew still and the four fringers stared at Moira levelly. Corso was relaxed, breathing evenly and just waiting for that inevitable twitch. It came. Three blasters went off simultaneously and then two did and the four thugs were dead. The last two shots were from both Moira and Corso and they looked at each other. "Damn you're fast, Captain!" said Corso, a look of admiration on his face. Moira grinned and holstered her blasters. "Thanks. You're pretty quick yourself. The Brigade teach you to draw like that?"
Corso nodded. "Yup. That old merc who gave me Torchy told me that a quick draw isn't for tricks, shows or duels. It's for getting the first shots off before the enemy can."
"Did he also teach you how to name your weapons?" Moira giggled. Corso looked away, blushing slightly. "Uh... no. That - that was just me."
Moira burst into laughter as they continued through. Several of the guards nearby looked at them suspiciously. "Don't worry, Boys. We're just here to kill someone. No big deal;" called Moira cheerfully. One of the guards made as if to follow but another said, "Don't bother. It's one less mouth to feed."
Corso chuckled at they continued. When they reached the maximum security area, they stopped and looked at each other. "Well this makes things difficult. What do you think, Corso?"
The big merc scratched his chin for a moment before saying, "I dunno, Captain. Those guards probably won't let anyone in there without the proper credentials."
As they watched, a quartet of Imperial guards walked up and showed their ID cards before going in. That got Moira thinking. "Come on, Corso. I just got an idea."
"You're not serious, Captain;" said Corso incredulously. Moira cocked an eyebrow. "Why not. It would be perfect. We kill a couple guards, take their armor and ID Cards and then just waltz right in. It shouldn't be a problem."
Corso's shook his hed vigorously. "Captain, if we start shooting guards, we're going to have a prison riot on our hands not to mention an entire Imperial Army Legion."
Moira punched his shoulder lightly, "Oh come on, Corso! I'm not saying we just open up on a group of guards. We get a pair of them to come away with us and then we take them once they get their armor off. Easy as that."
Corso looked confused. "But Captain, why would they follow us and take their armor off?"
Moira laughed and said, "Come with me, Farmboy. I'm going to teach you some of my tricks - the kind that will get even the most hardened soldier out of their armor. First, we find the right guards."
After an hour, the best they could do was find a quartet of Imperials, one of which was around Moira's size. Then, they laid their trap. In an alley with a shack inside of it, Moira got herself ready. She undid all of the top buttons of her shirt and retied it much higher and tighter, showing a generous amount of cleavage. She also dropped her leather duster, and let her hair fall down around her shoulders, fluffing it just a little and letting some of it fall foward onto her chest. Corso couldn't help it. He just stared at her, his mouth dry and hanging open. Moira glanced at him and grinned, "Corso, stop staring at my tits and get ready."
Corso, mouth shut with a snap and he said, "Get ready for what, Captain?"
She looked at him patiently. "That really short guard is a woman, Corso."
"How can you tell?"
Moira sighed impatiently and walked up to him, starting to unbuckle his armored plates. "I just know. Come on."
After removing his armored plates, Moira said, "Right, take that under armor down to your waist. Are you wearing a shirt under it?"
Corso did as he was told, shaking his head in answer to her question and blushing like mad. Moira grinned. "Even better. Okay, I am going to teach you how to flaunt your assets."
Corso's eyes widened and he lifted his hands. "Wait a minute, Captain - you know I'm not that kind of guy. I don't like doing that sort of thing."
Moira wrapped her arms around his waist and talked soothingly. "Corso, I'm not telling you to wip it out for the world to see. Just tie your under armor around your waist by the sleeves and lean against the wall."
Corso still looked uncomfortable but he complied. He stood bare chested with his hands on his narrow hips and it was Moira's turn to stare. She never got tired of seeing the big merc without his shirt on. It was all she could do to keep from running one of her hands over the muscle of his chest or down towards that tops of the V that disappeared into the under armor's bottom half. She cleared her throat a couple times and said, "Okay so just lean against the wall like this;" and she leaned against the wall with one hand on hip and the other up above her head. Corso did and understood why almost instantly. The arm against the wall showcased his powerful arm muscles and also the muscles down his sides. The other hand just needed somewhere to rest without just hanging at his sides. Moira was staring again. Oh she really, really wanted him. She was half tempted to scrap the mission for an hour and take Corso right then and there. "Oh my stars, you are gorgeous!" she moaned. Corso grinned and said, "Thanks. You still haven't said it ten times, Captain."
Moira shook her head and said, "Whatever, Farmboy. We'll see who gives first."
She stepped out of the alley and Corso took his position against the wall. The four guards glanced over at her and three of them kept looking. "Hey boys. I'm gonna be frank. I have been burning for the last two weeks and that jack ass over there won't give me any. Think one or all of you can help me out with my problem?"
They looked at each other and one of them said, "You're serious?"
Moira giggled and said, "Oh yess;" as she ran a hand throw that hair that covered her breasts. He lacy black bra was clearly visible beneath her shirt, just barely covering the soft flesh. The three guards slung their rifles and headed towards her. "Hold on a minute. What am I supposed to do?" said the female a little irritably. Moira pointed at Corso. "Try him on for size. Maybe you'll have better luck than I did."
The guard looked at Corso for a moment and then shrugged. "You should try pointing a blaster in his face. That tends to convince them to play along. Here, I'll show you."
She marched right up to Corso, put the butt of his blaster against his chest and said, "Alright, here's how this is going to go: for the next, oh let's say hour, you're mine. Resist and I'll put a hole in that lovely, lovely chest of yours. Got it?"
Corso studied for a moment and said. "Alright. Can I at least see your face?"
The guard motioned further back into the alley. When they were well out of sight, the guard asked, "Are you going to play nice?"
Corso just grinned and crossed his arms. "Unless you like it another way, yeah."
The guard holstered her blaster and pulled off her helmet. She didn't have an unpleasant face. If anything, it was plain - neither attractive nor unattractive. "Need some help with the armor?" asked Corso lightly. She gave him a hard look. "I'm fine, thanks;"
Her face was plain but she had quite the body. She was sinewy and strong looking with a narrow waist, ever so slightly flared hips and well formed musculature. It was moments before she was out of her under armor suit. With a stiff smile, she said, "Alright, drop the rest of that and get over here. I haven't had a good lay in weeks. They may look impressive but the guards here can't perform in bed a quarter as well as they can in the prison areas."
She bent herself over a crate, her back completely to Corso. From there, he wasn't sure what to do. He had a hold out blaster in the back of his waist band but he couldn't just shoot her even if she was an Imperial. "Hurry up, damn it!" snapped the guard almost desperately. Corso walked up behind her when Moira suddenly appeared and shot her with a stun bolt. Corso sighed with relief and said, "Thank you so much and great timing. I had no idea what I was going to do for a second there."
Moira gave him a hard look and said, "Well the way you were looking at her ass, it sure looked like you had a couple ideas. Get into that shack and armor up. The other three Imperials are dead."
Corso nodded and jogged over. He quickly dressed and headed back to Moira. She was in the Imperial guard's armor and holding her blaster rifle awkwardly. "Ready?"
Corso nodded and said with a chuckle, "Hold the stock up by your right shoulder with your barrel pointed down at an angle like this, Captain"
Moira imitated him. "Like this?"
"Exactly;" Corso frowned and looked at the Imperial guard who still lay across the crate, naked and still unconscious. Moira took it the wrong way and growled. "Oh come on, Corso. She doesn't look that good."
"It ain't that, Captain. I feel bad just leaving her there. What if some merc or inmate comes by and finds her this way? I can't just leave her like this. She may be an Imperial, but she's still a woman and it doesn't sit right with me."
Moira's eyes hardened as painful memories came to mind. "I don't give two kriffs or a damn about what happens to her, Corso. She was just about to have her way with you at blaster point. She deserves whatever she gets!"
Corso was shocked. After a moment of slack-jawed silence, he stammered, "How can you say that, Captain? After Taris, I would think that you of all people would..."
"She's IMPERIAL, Riggs. They're nothing but thugs - cruel thugs who burn, ruin and destroy everything they come across. Do you honestly think that you would have been her first victim? She probably has a long trail of them behind her - men and boys who she forced herself on at blaster point or shot dead if they said 'no'."
They both stared at each other hard. Finally, Moira said, "Fine. You don't want to leave her to be a victim? I'll take care of that;" and she pointed the blaster rifle at the still unconscious soldier. Corso pushed himself in the line of fire and said, "Captain, NO! What's gotten into you? Look, I hate the Empire as much as you do but this is murder. Don't you remember what you told me back on Ord Mantell when I had that Separatist in my sights, beggin' me for his life?"
Moira snarled, "You DON'T hate them to anywhere near the level that I do, Corso. You don't have a clue how much I want every one of them dead. You don't know at all - now move."
Corso refused to move and, after a long pause, Moira lowered the rifle and glared. Sometimes, she hated it when Corso was right. No matter the anger in her heart, she couldn't just blow away a defenseless enemy. Well, she was perfectly capable of it and had several times in her life but she knew that it wouldn't be right. What's more, she actually found herself caring. After a long silence, she snapped, "Fine, Riggs. YOU do something with her. You got two minutes."
Corso quickly wrapped the guard in a discarded blanket and put her in a crate which he loosely shut - leaving a crack so that she could get air. She was already started to moan and come around. Moira had a angry, far away look in her eyes when Corso joined her. Taking the helmet from under her arm, she placed in on her head. Corso followed suit and they wordlessly left, heading towards Maximum Security Section. As they marched forward, Corso's clever mind was putting two and two together. Captain hated Imperials to an even greater extent than he hated the Mantell Separatists. She wanted them to suffer the worst sort of way, die or both. Taking that level of hostility and coupling it with his knowledge that she had lost at least one person close to her and that she didn't handle trauma well, Corso came to the conclusion that something terrible had happened to someone close to Moira or to her. He didn't dare ask though. Not yet. Still, the more he contemplated, the more suspicious he became. She was borderline obsessed with sex, sleeping with someone whenever she could and trying to sleep with Corso himself whenever the opportunity struck. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that something terrible happened to her and that only made him want to protect her more.
Updated 12.18.2017
