THALIA

Thalia walked down the ramp of the Falcon fifteen minutes after Obi-Wan had left for the slave camps. They had thought it best to leave at different times as to not arouse suspicion. She was wearing a shining gold gown, with a high neck, no sleeves and a split up the center of the skirt that reached the middle of her thighs.

She was feigning royalty, but not the kind she was used to. She had to draw attention.

No sooner was she at the bottom of the ramp, a guard ran over to her and bowed deeply. His cat-like Zyggerian features were mostly covered by a helmet and his maroon and gold armor glinted majestically in the bright sun.

"Your majesty, on behalf of King Tai allow me to welcome you to Zyggeria." The guard said and Thalia looked down at him snobbishly. If she was going to get the information they needed, she had to think of herself as above everyone else just like the Zyggerians. "May I escort you to the palace?"

"Yes." Thalia answered blankly and the guard bowed once again before leading her to a waiting speeder.

Thalia observed the crowd as the speeder carried her across the city. Zyggerian guards marched groups of chained slaves through the streets and others sat on the sides of the coble stone alleys, being examined by potential buyers.

The speeder approached the big, blue palace and if she wasn't enough so already, Thalia became even more disgusted at the way the Zyggerian's flaunted their wealth once she saw the solid gold steps leading up to the heavy bejeweled doors. The price of slavery had always been high. She was lead inside and down a cavernous hallway with tall pillars encrusted with sapphires, rubies and emeralds. It seemed strange that such a beautiful place would have such a dark, dirty history.

Once again, the guard bowed deeply at the entrance to the throne room and pushed open the heavy door.

"His highness will join you shortly." He said and shut the door with a heavy boom behind Thalia. Beyond her was an incredibly ornate gold throne, far too large for one person but the grandiose effect was not lost on her.

She studied the rest of the room as she waited. Of course he was making her wait. It made him seem more powerful. The longer she waited, the more power he gained because it showed she was the one wanting his attention. She just had to make sure she matched his power, while still keeping him happy.

Suddenly, a door to the side of the throne opened and out sauntered King Tai, his hair groomed to perfection and the horns on either side of his head shone in the sun. His impressive blue tunic fit him perfectly and he cut an impressive figure with the jewels he wore around his neck.

Now was her chance to establish herself.

"I am not the kind of woman to be keep waiting." She announced haughtily and King Tai dropped himself into his throne.

"I apologise, Queen Nebula but I am a busy man. However…" He began dragging his eyes up and down her body before almost meeting her eyes. "…I will be sure to make time for you."

"That is why I'm here." Thalia replied looking up at him from under her eyelashes. At her statement, King Tai raised his eyebrows.

"Well, then. Perhaps we should take a walk and discuss what I can do for you." He suggested and Thalia bowed her head once before taking the arm the King offered.

"I must say. It is an impressive industry you are running here." She gushed as they walked out onto the balcony just past the throne room.

"It is nice to meet someone of my own stature that shares my opinion." Tai said bluntly as they walked the length of the marbled walkway.

"The weak deserve nothing more than to kneel before the strong. Why should we suffer because they are less than us?" Thalia agreed and cringed inwardly at what she was saying.

"Indeed." Tai said slyly, casting a sideways glance at her.

"I must ask. With a venture of this size where could you possibly keep so many slaves? It sounds impossible to me." Thalia cooed and a proud smirk pulled at his lips.