Darkness was all that Senator Pumbbala knew now. In a way he had grown accustomed to the feeling of damp cold metal and eerie silence. The woman had not returned for a matter of two days. His belly was rumbling but exhaustion was taking its toll. Fear of falling asleep and never waking up lingered in his mind. Soon all this was placed aside. Someone had entered into the tiny room.

"Having a swell time?" echoed a mocking voice.

Gajva expected the female but when a male tone rang out, the Senator held his tongue. He was not going to talk. Number one, he thought that this was a stupid reason that they had kidnapped him. And to what; to tie him to a chair in the middle of a room and not bother with him? Ludicrous was all he could think about.

"What? Not going to talk to me? I did take a shower before coming over." Gin patted Gavja's back. "So old man, I hear that you came crashing down. Too bad I wasn't there but I am taking over this little operation. You can forget about ever seeing, oh sorry, hearing her again."

Gavja straightened his back; half wishing he could scratch at his nose. The blind fold across his eyes was dreadfully itchy. "So what do you want to do with me then? I heard your boss isn't up for having his money returned."

"You offered to pay him back?"

"I don't want any trouble."

"Listen old man, trouble is under every rock you find. The thing is, you know more about this little Separatist ring then just shipping them goods." Gin tapped one of the chair legs with his boot. "My boss, dear old chap, is a Republican at heart."

"A republican would never hire people like you!"

"Yet, you do all the time, Senator!" Gin laughed. "You did more then just buy out his best smuggler; you were in the plot to kill off his best tool so that you could move up the ladder! Memory coming back a little?"

Gavja remained silent. There were beads of sweat rolling down his brow. He was a good and honest man in his youth but as you get deeper in to politics the web gets stickier. "What does he want?"

"Your head on a silver platter for his next party but let's be realistic! Your heads much too big for a platter! Ah, your kid's heads are perfect! Those cute little round dimples would be the highlight!"

"No!" Gavja was about to have a fit. "Please, anything but that!"

"One hundred million Republic Credits for starters."

"Fine, I can get that…"

"That's not all thought. Do you really think he would settle for that? It hardly pays for anything during a war. No, he wants a certain Jedi. Well, two but one of them is far out of reach at the moment. On a hunt for the notorious General Grevous. Oh right, you know him as well! How silly of me!"

"A Jedi? How will I supply that?"

"You will find a way I know you will." Gin grinned from ear to ear. It would have been sweeter if the senator could see what he was cooking up. "I found out something very interesting, dear Senator."

"What?"

"You have three children! Now everyone knows about those two little rascals here but hardly they know about your older boy. Let me think, yes! He fights for the Republic as a pilot. Brave soul! You should be honored."

Gavja knitted his brow. "What about my son!"

The bounty hunter began to pace the room. His look was set to a curious thinking as if mocking the whole process. "He's what? Fifty-nine now right? Funny he is only what, two years older then your wife? Way to go and get a young one! But back to my little ramble." He nodded his head. "He was shot down just a few days ago at Kashykk. The Separatist army captured him and of course in your case, I had him taken under my wing."

"No, please let him go I promise I will do all you ask! Please, I beg of you!" Gavja lowered his head. "I beg of you!"

Gin walked up to Gavja and removed the blindfold. His smile mocked the senator's worry. Orion thought she was the best, but Gin was certain that he was on top. Who else could be so cold? "I supplied something for you just so you believe me."

Opening up a small box which was pulled out from his pocket, Gin smiled. A single finger was at the bottom. The color had drained from it and it was clear that it was severed clean off.

"Dear God!"

"Just a little incentive of your son to motivate you. Don't follow through and all of him will be in a box." Gin entwined his fingers. "Now, here is how we are going to go about capturing this Jedi."

Gavja hung his head. The waters were rising and the old senator was drowning fast. He had to help the bounty hunter. Loosing his son was too unbearable. Ukam was all that was left of his first wife. No matter how devious the woman was, he still loved her. "All you ask shall be done." He quickly added.

The bounty hunter curled his lips. "Excellent…"

Huzzah! Yet another chapter! So what are you waiting for? Review!