Kren Ta Lo sat in the cockpit of his modified U-wing ship. He had a thin scar on his left cheek, curly brown hair, and a worn green vest but had some pieces of armor over it. He looked over at who was flying his ship: K1-JS6, an Imperial droid (like K2SO) that he stole and reprogrammed to work for him. While K was pretty good at fighting, Kren mostly had him on pilot or coordination ("guy in the chair") detail, which would make K complain. A lot.
"How much farther?" asked Kren.
K looked at the navi-computer and replied, "We should be coming out of hyper-space soon. Don't worry your bloody head off."
Kren scowled at the droid and said, "Look, I've been chasing that bounty all the way from Coruscant to Kessel, so I wanna make sure Jabba gives me my money's worth! Heck, I might even ask him to pay extra for the expense!"
"Um, I'd strongly advise against it. You do know who you're working for, right?"
"Of course I do, scrapheap! But you might have a point. I'm not stupid enough to meet the other ends of his guys' blasters for asking for a raise after the job is done. Anyway, I'm gonna go check on our guest downstairs."
"Fine."
With that, Kren got up from his seat and descended the ladder into the cargo hold. In the dimly lit room, he could see an aqualish sitting handcuffed on a bench, and an IG unit (IG-43C to be exact) stood in front of him. The droid's lens spun around its head and turned to Kren.
"IG, how's Mr. Personality, here?"
The aqualish growled and yelled back at Kren in his native language.
"Aside from his negative demeanor, he was of no trouble," the droid replied in a monotonous tone, "I still can't believe the Hutt is paying a good price for him."
"Don't question the good luck. The sleemo probably had it coming anyway, by the sound of it."
Suddenly, a covering slid open from the floor, and a female togruta (Brea Chais) climbed out. She was wearing goggles on her face, which looked grey and dirty from dust and smoke.
She slid them off and said, "Well, it took nearly an hour, but the targeting systems have been recalibrated."
Kren couldn't help but smile a little bit at her. After all, he's known her since they were kids. After they both lost their families when they rebelled against Imperial occupation, they've been looking out for each other ever since.
"Nice job," he said.
"Y'know, it would've gone a lot faster if we had an astromech."
"Do you have any idea how much they cost? We're barely getting by as it is, and life in the galaxy ain't cheap. Besides, what are you complaining about? You're the best technician I know."
"Yeah, but that doesn't mean I like getting myself cramped in that steamy room working on this rustbucket while you and IG get to have all the fun."
"Brea, I told you, this kind of work is dangerous."
"That doesn't stop you!"
"Because I'm prepared for it!"
"If you two are done," echoed K's voice from the PA, "We've just emerged from hyper-space and approaching Tatooine.
"This conversation is so not over," said Brea, then she stormed up to the cockpit.
"Can't wait," muttered Kren.
After getting permission to land near Jabba's palace, Kren and IG led the captive aqualish inside the palace, accompanied by a couple gamorrean guards. Brea begged Kren to let her come into the palace this time, but Kren once again forced her to wait in the ship. He just couldn't bear the thought, even the slightest possibility, that Jabba would take one look at her and take her by force when Kren would refuse to sell her. He could only shudder at what the vile gangster would have in mind for her.
He lifted his wrist-comm and said, "K, keep the engines warm. This shouldn't take long."
"Of course, that's what I'm here for," he replied sarcastically.
Kren rolled his eyes and followed the guards further into the palace. Soon, they entered a large audience chamber, filled with varieties of species huddled or scattered throughout the place. Jabba sat on his long, flat throne in the center of the room, with Bib Fortuna at his side.
As they approached Jabba, Kren looked down and saw a green twi'lek sitting on some pillows by Jabba's lap, with Silacious B. Crumb sitting beside her.
Kren could only pity the poor girl. This is exactly why he didn't want Brea accompanying him into Jabba's palace.
Jabba's voice boomed as he spoke Huttese.
"The great Jabba thanks you for bringing in this traitor," said Bib, "He would always delay paying his greatness, and was found to be making unauthorized sales and keeping the profits for himself."
Jabba spoke again, and Bib translated, "He will be taken and punished slowly and . . . painfully." He said with a smile.
Then two minions grabbed the aqualish, now desperately struggling to get away, but the minions soon dragged him out of sight. Bib nodded at another minion, who brought a case over to Kren and opened it, revealing tons of credits.
Kren took it and examined it, making sure the Hutt paid in full. Then he closed it and said, "Pleasure doing business with you, Jabba."
As he turned to leave, Jabba spoke up again.
"His excellence was planning to hold a feast tonight, and what better reason to celebrate than to regain the slimy worm who dared go behind our backs. Jabba would like you to stay and partake in this joyous occasion."
"Well, I'd love to, but I really don't think . . ."
Jabba spoke. "His greatness insists," said Bib.
Kren sighed. He knew better than to speak up to someone like Jabba. However, he looked down at the twi'lek and she gazed up at him with sorrowful eyes. He thought it would be nice to help provide a distraction from her current life. "Alright, you've twisted my arm."
It had been a few hours since then.
Around the room, people were crashing their mugs together in toasts, stuffing their faces, and conversing. After the invite, Kren had K park the ship in a docking bay near Mos Eisley and rent a room for Brea and him.
Kren looked down at his food and poked at it a bit before finally eating a bit more.
"You have barely touched your food," said IG, "Are you not hungry? I would've thought the trouble you went through would make you famished."
"Well, you know parties aren't really my thing. I guess I'm just not used to crowds like this."
"Regardless, you should still eat."
Kren finally nodded in defeat and started eating more of his food. Then he looked up and saw the green twi'lek dancing in front of Jabba, held by a chain leash. He couldn't help but admire her beauty, her grace as she elegantly moved across the room. He noticed that she was smiling, but could quickly see it was forced.
The thought made his face fall.
"Evening, handsome."
Kren turned around to see a blue twi'lek girl smiling with a hand placed on his shoulder. He nodded back and then went back to his food. However, the twi'lek knelt down and wrapped her arms around his neck, her face inching near his.
"So, what brings a guy like you to a dump like this?"
"'Was just doing a job," he replied.
"Mmm, sounds interesting. Care to tell me more. Or do I have to . . ." she stroked her finger lightly across his chest, " . . . convince you?"
Kren rolled his eyes. Could she be any more obvious? He was about to tell her to buzz off, but then he saw Jabba speaking to two more minions. After barking some orders at them, they took the green twi'lek's chain and led her into the back.
"Looks like she's finally getting a break," said the blue twi'lek, "Good for her. Now then, where were we?"
Kren looked closer and could tell the green twi'lek was about to burst, and the two minions whispered and chuckled to each other, grinning slyly.
This can't be good.
"Excuse me, will you?" Kren shoved the twi'lek off of him and started to walk away. "IG, keep her company for me, will ya?"
"Ugh, you're no fun," pouted blue.
Kren walked past Jabba's throne and followed the trio into the back area. He could hear voices coming from around the corner, so he stopped and listened.
"Ya know, Jabba wanted us to escort you to the back room for a well-deserved break," said one of the minions.
"But he didn't say anything about having a little fun along the way," finished the other.
"No, please! Just let me be alone!" cried the twi'lek.
Kren heard a loud smack, followed by a thud. "Shut up!" barked the first minion, "You may be Jabba's pet, but you're still just a worthless slave!"
"Ya know what that means?" asked the second minion, striking her. "It means ya gotta do what we tell ya, no questions asked!"
There was another strike. That was the last straw.
Kren stormed over to them. The two minions laughed, but then they turned around and noticed Kren walking to them.
"Hey! What are you doin' back here? You're not allowed here!" said the second minion.
"Actually, I'd think that being employed by Jabba grants me privileges like this. Now, care to explain yourselves?"
Kren looked down at the twi'lek, who was holding her face. She looked back up, tears in her eyes, yet also surprised that someone, a bounty hunter no less, would stick up for her.
"That's none of your business!" barked the second minion.
"Yeah, and why should a bounty hunter care about anyone anyways?" asked the first.
"Okay, now that's just offensive," said Kren, "Even guys like me have lines we don't cross. Now why don't you both leave before you cross any more?"
"Heh, yeah? Or what?" asked the first.
Kren noticed that the second minion was reaching for a knife, and the first as well. He looked down once more and saw the twi'lek staring back, waiting for what would happen next.
Then Kren shrugged and turned away, and out of the corner of his eye he could see the second's grip on the knife loosen.
Perfect.
Quick as a flash, Kren whipped around and punched the minion in the face. As the guy held his face and stumbled back in pain, the first charged and tried to stab him with the knife, but Kren grabbed his wrist and squeezed and twisted until he let go. Then he noticed the second get up and charge with his own knife, but as he was about to bring it down, Kren quickly went behind the first, twisting his arm as he went. As if the pain from the unnatural angle wasn't enough, the second already swung down his knife, but missed Kren as he dodged, thus implanting it in the first's chest instead. The minion screamed, but Kren kicked his back and the two minions toppled onto the ground.
"Had enough?" asked Kren.
The minions got up and backed away.
"That's it! Just you wait!" said the first.
"Yeah! Wait until Jabba hears about this!" said the second.
"Okay, then I'll tell him how you two whack jobs were beating up his favorite slave. I wonder what he'll be more mad about."
The two gulped and looked at each other, and then ran down the hall.
Kren dusted himself off and knelt down. "Hey, you okay?"
The twi'lek looked away and remained silent.
"Here, lemme help you up," he said as he extended his hand.
The twi'lek looked up at his hand. She looked hesitant, but she looked off to the side as if in thought. Finally, she accepted his hand and he helped her up to her feet.
"I'm sorry about those two, and what I said about you being a slave and all," said Kren.
"Don't worry about it," she said quietly, "It is what I am, after all."
It felt like a blaster bolt went through his heart. He could almost baffle at how she could say something so horrible and make it sound so casual, but then he remembered the reality he lived in.
"Anyway, again, I'm sorry. Name's Kren." He reached out his hand. However, the twi'lek wouldn't take it.
"I'm sorry," she said, "I'm not supposed to talk to other men, no less touch them unless it's Jabba."
"Well, I don't see him around, do you? And I won't tell if you won't."
After cautiously looking at Kren and his hand, the twi'lek shook his hand. "Oola," she said, "My name's Oola."
"Wow, that's a pretty name," said Kren.
Oola looked away, hiding her blush. "You're just saying that."
"No, really! I mean it!" he put a hand on her shoulder, and she looked back at him.
Suddenly, they heard footsteps behind them.
"I gotta go!" said Oola, desperately picking up her chain and started to hurry away, but then she looked back and said, "Thank you."
Then she gave a small smile and quickly darted into a nearby room. Kren smiled after her, but soon a hand grasped his shoulder.
"What are you doing back here?" asked Bib.
"Just wanted a look around, relax!" said Kren.
"You are not allowed back here!"
"Really? I thought . . . you know what, never mind. I already gave the speech to your buddies earlier. Can I go back to the party now?"
Bib growled and said, "Trespass again and you'll wish you never even crossed paths with Jabba."
"I believe you," he replied sarcastically.
With that, Kren shrugged him off and walked back down the hall. He still looked back a couple times, his mind still dwelling on the poor twi'lek and her predicament.