Xanthe and Rey parted ways on Odessen, after bringing Ahsoka up to speed with the revelations on Kef Bir. 'Ahsoka's reaction was not the best to say the least, but at least she had calmed down before things got out of hand.' Xanthe thought to herself.
"HK. Set a course for Nar Shaddaa. We have an old friend to find."
Nar Shaddaa was well known for people who wanted to disappear as well as a haven for criminals of all different backgrounds, hence the nickname "Smuggler's Moon". 'Even after so many years, Nar Shaddaa is still the same corrupted, cesspit, scum-filled criminal haven.' Xanthe muses. To her relief, her stronghold is still in one piece. She quickly checks her arsenal and supplies and pays the shopkeeper looking after it in her absence. She slows down as she notices one small vibroblade missing. Xanthe smiles as she knows exactly who took that particular vibroblade. "HK." She calls out. "We were right. She's here."
"Exclamation: You already confirmed it master? What a shame, I was hoping to eliminate some meatbags while we were searching." HK says, sounding quite disappointed. "Don't worry HK. We still need to actually find her. Plenty of opportunities still available to you." Xanthe chuckles, while she finishes checking the rooms.
"Alright. First stop- A local bar." Xanthe declares to HK as they leave the stronghold. She takes the opportunity to dress in more casual attire. A hood is still present, but left down, with just utility-type pants and a sleeveless shirt- good enough to blend in with the crowds. Stretching out her senses, she tries to find the presence of her target, but unsurprisingly can't sense anything yet. 'I'd be disappointed if it were that easy.' Xanthe thinks to herself as she steps foot in the nearest bar. As expected, it was crowded, music playing loudly, everyone either gambling, dancing or drinking. She noticed a few Black Sun members in the corner along with some that seemed to be part of Crimson Dawn. Immediately she realises a deal was going down and heads to the bartender to get this over and done with and to get out as quickly as she can. Despite knowing she and HK can take them all, she doesn't want to bother with unnecessary delays and repairs. She sits on a stool near the bartender and signals a for a drink. As he passed it over she asks, "Excuse me. Have you seen this individual?" He glances over at the image and shrugs. " A lot of people come in and out. My memory isn't the best these days."
" Would some credits help in improving your memory?" Xanthe offers.
"Nah, I am telling the truth when I said I don't recall her here. If that one's a smuggler, I'd recommend trying the Lower Promenade. Otherwise, if it's more of a bounty hunting nature, I'd try Shadow Town in particular." The bartender advises. Xanthe downs her drink and nods in response. "I will keep that in mind. Thank you for your time." She replies and quickly leaves with HK before the inevitable negotiation breakdown begins between the two syndicates.
"Alright HK, if you were the target, where would you go?" Xanthe asks as they're walking towards the Lower Promenade. "Assessment: Why master, with those skills I would be either a bodyguard or a bounty hunter. Although as this one would like to keep well hidden, perhaps being a smuggler would be a more strategic choice?"
Xanthe hums in response. "I suppose the Corellian Sector it is then."
As they approached one of the clubs in the Corellian Sector, she hears a lot of commotion. 'Most likely a brawl.' she thinks to herself. "HK, set to stun. Let's get their attention. They might be a bit more willing to exchange information after." Xanthe explains. "Admiration: A sound plan master. A good strategy is sometimes just as satisfying as mass elimination of meatbags." HK says happily as they arrive at the door.
Xanthe cautiously opens the door to see a Rodian and a Weequay in a dispute over some merchandise. The Weequay- which seemed to be the buyer was definitely not happy with the products presented by the Rodian. A human was also present, trying to smooth things out and negotiate with the buyer. Sounds like a shouldn't be too hard.' Xanthe thinks to herself and walks over to them. "So what is the commotion about?" Xanthe innocently asks. "Get out of here, little human! This doesn't concern you." The Weequay growls at her. "Yeah… Sorry miss, but we're in the middle of… negotiations and he's not in a good mood." The Corellian smuggler apologies gesturing to the Weequay.
Xanthe smiles, "Oh, that is quite alright. I love negotiations myself. What is the problem with the merchandise? I like to buy certain goods from time to time, even…. Spice." Xanthe says, emphasising on the last word. The Rodian, Corellian, Weequay and other observers look at her in surprise. "Why are you so surprised? Why do you think I have my droid with me?" Xanthe asks. "Again I ask- What is the merchandise?"
The Rodian reluctantly replies, "It is a crate of disruptor rifles." Xanthe looks at him incredulously, "All this dilemma over one crate?"
"They promised me A-class Disruptor rifles for 200,000 credits! I see a half-filled crate of B- class disruptor rifles! I already paid 100,000 credits in advance and these rifles are not even worth 100,000!"
"We would reimburse you, but there are smuggler fees to consider-"
"No! I want my merchandise and I want them now!" The Weequay demands and pulls out his blaster. "Now, now… I will buy the crate off you and pay you the 100,000 credits so you are not out of pocket. No need to make a mess." Xanthe offers, trying to appease the Weequay. "Hmph. I… appreciate the gesture little human. But it is not only the money. I have a reputation to consider. If I accept your offer and let them go it will make me look weak. Besides, I have buyers of my own to consider."
Turning back to the smugglers, the Weequay gets ready to fire-
"Wait! Who are you distributing to? Is it Lando Calrissian?" Xanthe asks 'Please say yes, please say yes.' She silently pleads.
"Calrissian is one of my buyers-yes. The bounty hunter with him also wanted those specific rifles as well as Bulldog RLRs."
"I see. Well I am on good terms with Lando. I am sure he will be most understanding if I speak to him."
"Even so. I do not like going back on my word. Payment must be made one way or another."
Seeing no way out of this and not really wanting to kill the Weequay, she comes to a decision. "I have half a crate of A-class disruptor rifles. I had planned to sell them to the Resistance, but I will sell them to you if you don't kill these smugglers. Will that suffice?"
They all look at her in surprise. The Weequay thinks it over and eventually lowers his weapon and nods. "They didn't specify the exact number of rifles. I accept your proposal."
Xanthe notices the Rodian making a very poor life changing decision and inwardly sighed as she pulls out her blaster and shoots him as he raises his blaster. "Foolish Rodian. You need to find better smuggling partners." Xanthe advises the Corellian.
"Thank you human. You are in my debt. I will pay you 200,000 credits for the merchandise." The Weequay declares, holstering his weapon. "By the way, is Lando here?" Xanthe inquires. "No, he's gone to Pasaana." The Corellian smuggler notifies her.
"What about the bounty hunter he was with?" She asks.
"They call him the Emerald Hand, or so I'm told. Rumour was that he worked for the Empire, but after the death of the Emperor, he took up a job in bounty hunting. You'll probably find him in Shadow Town." He replies.
"Thanks for the intel. Much appreciated." Xanthe says. Turning to the Weequay, she tells him, "Let's get your merchandise."
After settling affairs with the Weequay, Xanthe and HK head off to Shadow Town. As they are walking through the crowds, HK asks, "Disappointed query: Why didn't you let me eliminate all of those meatbags master?"
"I admired the Weequay's sense of honour. He may be of some use in the future. Regardless, it still worked out well. The Corellian was quite forthcoming with information, I suspect he will look for Lando and tell him of this particular incident. After we find the target, we will need to go and find him also."
"Astonishment: I am impressed master. It is almost like playing Dejarik."
Xanthe laughs. "I guess it is."
They walk past a sign notifying them they have entered Shadow Town. "Alright HK, now the real fun begins." Xanthe mutters as they see a group of hunters including a couple of them wearing Mandalorian armour as well.
Approaching them, she greets them "My dear hunters. Sorry to intrude, but have you come across a fellow hunter called the "Emerald Hand"?"
They group turns to her and HK, hands resting on their weapons. "What is it to you?" One of the Mandalorians asks her.
"Ori'buyce, kih'kovid" Xanthe responds in Mando'a. Initially they are taken aback, before the insult settles in.
As the Mandalorian moves to raise his blaster, the other calls out to him, "Udesii." Turning to her, the other one asks, "You speak Mando'a?"
Xanthe nods. "Yes, somewhat. I had fought alongside your people in the past." She shows them a tattoo she was given by a Mandalorian friend. "Aliit ori'shya tal'din." Xanthe emphasises. The other Madalorian nods in understanding. Turning to the other hunters, "She is alright. Anyone that knows and respects the Mandalorian way of life is an ally of mine." He declares. Turning back to Xanthe he answers, "No one knows much about the Emerald Hand. But if you're lucky, you should stop by the bar over there." He points at an inconspicuous bar about a block away. "The armour is quite unique and despite being called Emerald, the armour has a purple tinge to it. Go figure." He shrugs, "Good luck." He farewells.
"Vor'e." Xanthe thanks the Mandalorian and walks to the bar. As she enters the bar, she stretches out with the Force and picks up a faint signature, which gets shut down immediately. "The target knows we're here." Xanthe notifies HK.
As she slowly walks around, she feels something against her lower back. "I'm glad to know my vibroblade is actually in good hands. And I am also relieved that your skills haven't gotten rusty at all." Xanthe says with a smile. Without turning, she adds, "You are also aware that my droid most likely has his blaster rifle trained on you?"
"It is a risk I'm willing to take." The masked hunter admits. Xanthe sighs, knowing she needs to speed this along. "We have a problem. I need your help." Xanthe requests, still looking ahead.
"You? Needing my help? What could possibly be happening that you would need my help?" The hunter scoffs.
"It has to do with a particular girl called Rey who was abandoned on Jakku and the fact that Palpatine is no longer dead." Xanthe states. She feels the hunter's hand to her back falter. "What do you want?" the hunter asks. "Meet me at my stronghold. You know where it is. We have a lot we need to talk about. Also… Skywalker is no more. He has become one with the Force, like the rest of the Jedi." Xanthe replies.
The bounty hunter momentarily freezes and after a few seconds recovers, puts the vibroblade away and steps back. Xanthe turns around and observes the hunter's armour. "Very nice design. I might get a set for myself." Xanthe informs the hunter. The hunter ignores her comment. "Very well. I will meet you in one hour." The hunter replies and leaves.
She waits until the hunter is out of sight before signalling HK to her side. "I am glad their skills haven't dulled. Let's go."
An hour goes by and they are greeted by an alert on the comm. Xanthe, dressed in her robes once again, opens the door allowing the hunter to enter. "Please, make yourself comfortable." Xanthe says, gesturing at the chairs and sofa. The hunter nods and sits down taking off their helmet. Passing along a glass of Alderaanian ale to the hunter, Xanthe comments, "I think you'll be needing this once you hear everything that I have just recently discovered."
"Mentioning Palpatine's name is enough to get me to drink. You know that." The hunter states with a smirk.
Xanthe chuckles. "But of course. You know, despite the circumstances and all, it is good to see you after so long, Mara Jade."
