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Sometimes, she wondered why they seemed to be the only ones able to help. She didn't mind, but the idea of the Republic being so ineffective as to consider someone like her their best shot was worrying, to say the least.

"I don't really trust anyone that works for Bareesh. Can't wait to get this done with; then, we can go and have some fun."

"Anything you want, Captain." He gave her an honest-to-goodness grin that made her want to drop everything, take him by the hand, and show him a good time. Instead, she nodded and entered the shop, letting him follow after her with the crate of implants they had recovered from the Kintan Kings.

.

"Welcome to Nurkolas Arms. If it shoots, stabs, fries or detonates, I stock it," the Nautolan greeted from behind his counter. "What's a mercenary spacer like you doing for the Republic's top ambassador?"

"I figured it might be good for some laughs," she replied casually. Her reasons were none of his business, even if he was just making small talk.

Nurkolas chuckled, backing off. "People like you keep people like me in business –and I really appreciate it," he replied cordially. "One thing's for sure, though; the Mountain won't be happy when he finds out what you did. That's what they call the Kintan King's leader, by the way –"The Mountain". Three guesses why."

Liling pretended to think for a moment. "He must be very tall."

The alien shook his head. "Wookiees are tall. The Mountain ducks when clouds pass overhead. Only thing the Kintan Kings fear is the Mountain. He's everywhere, all the time."

She was losing her patience. "That's all very nice, but can we get on with this?"

"All I know is, the Mountain has a reputation for staying on top of things. Take care you're not one of them." Nurkolas shrugged, before leaning conspiratorially closer. "Say…since we're being cordial and sharing, maybe we can discuss a little side business? Those combat implants are first-rate merchandise. We could score a sweet profit selling a few on the black market…"

Liling smirked at his boldness. "Do you make a habit of cheating your employers?

"Of course not!" The Nautolan quickly put his hands up in defence. "That would get me killed... I only profit when opportunity knocks." He leaned in closer again, eyes flashing with greed. "I'll tell Bareesh the Kintan used some combat implants before you raided them. He'll believe me, as long as you don't disagree. What Bareesh doesn't know won't hurt him –and it'll make us richer. Sound good?"

She cut him short. "I'm not making any deal with you."

"Take it easy. I was only kidding," he said, letting out a nervous laugh. "Hey look- Bareesh is on the holo…We got back all those combat implants, boss."

"Wonderful news. Please leave us, Nurkolas." It seemed even Bareesh wasn't dupe.

Bareesh and Averdon told them about an intercepted holomessage ordering the Kintan to protect their slave market. According to them, the gang was selling kidnapped Republic citizens.

"Gangsters like credits –make them an offer," she suggested.

"If you knew who these victims are, you wouldn't make crass jokes," Averdon replied sternly.

.

"Time to go kill some bad guys," she said, sorting through her things, when a handful of implants fell from her bag.

"Captain, are those…?"

She looked up at Corso, the Mantellian's expression a pure cross between disapproval and admiration.

"And you were saying how Nurkolas is a crook." He shook his head in disbelief.

She smirked. "Well… It takes one to know one."

A/N: Short chapter is short, but prepare yourselves for the next few chappies, my lovelies. ;D

(Put on your seatbelts, I'm gonna try something ;)