"Sir, the CEO of the Calrissian Commerical Combine is here to see you."

Asa resisted the urge to blow his head open with a blaster. He had just finished a com meeting with the Hutt delegations leader. Four Hutts representing the hundred that had traveled, determined to get a planet they'd dubbed Sua'adaa Hutta, near the edge of the cluster, in what was being called the Crucis systems, named for the red dwarf that sat in the center of the system , with three other protostars sitting in the far edges of its system.

Sua'adaa Hutta was a world rich in the local equivalent of Gold, Bronzium, Desh, Omber and Tin. The Hutts had balked at his figure of 45% of their mining profits but he had made it clear that they could either pay the Empire their proper tribute or they could take their chances without Imperial protection. As a sweetener, he added a stipulation that the percentage would decrease to 35% in five years.

The Hutts hadn't been the only ones who had begun the process of colonization. There had been ten racial groups that had requested colonial rights from the Fel Empire and their massive colony ships were filled with itching frontiersmen. Reasonable, seeing as some 40,000 people were aboard each. That wasn't including the some seven commercial and mining groups with their own massive vessels. Including, apparently, this Combine.

"Send him in." Asa said in the his desk comlink and stood. The door to his ready room opened and in slid a dark skinned man, garbed in a bluish cloak, his hair neatly trimmed and tied into an intricate system of tight braids. The man gave Asa a bow and he returned it.

"Greeting, Mr..?"

"Calrissian, Finn Calrissian sir." The man gave Asa a sparkling smile. "Just wanted to personally thank you for all you've done for us civilians."

Asa cocked an eyebrow. "I appreciate the sentiment but somehow I doubt you're here to simply thank for doing g my duty."

Finn laughed , rich sound. "Course not, course not. No, I also have a deal to offer."

Asa sat back into his seat and leaned back in it. " And what kind of deal is that?"

Finn leaned against the wall by the door. "I imagine you and your Fleet are struggling with all the different engagements throughout the systems. The civilians can't be making it much easier for you, which all their squalling. But I am aware that many others have made you individual offers for claims on worlds , worlds all but empty of any native presence." Finn licked his lips and his eyes narrowed a bit. "I imagine that allowing the civilians establish their own administrations frees up your own men."

Asa cocked his head to the side. "I imagine you'll be coming to some kind of point, eventually?"

Again, that charming laugh. Finns lips never changed from that winning smile. "I've scouted out my own world, a gas giant called Boros, in the Crucis systems. My ship, Off Chance, is a massive vessel, filled with plenty of mining equipment and prefabricated floating structures. We could establish a functional mining colony there in less than six months." Finn folded his arms and gave a dramtic sigh."And of course the Empire would receive a customary tribute of..." He raised a finger to his lips."Forty-five percent, for the next 10 years, at which a new contract would have to be arranged."

Asa bit his bottom lip, stunned. The Hutts had to be borderline threatened with abandonment to fork over a proper share. This Calrissian was outright giving it away. Why?

"And just what does the Empire owe this generous offer?" Asa asked carefully.

"The Empire protects us. Its only right that they receive a proper allowance to do so. " Finn walked over to his desk and pulled, from somewhere, a small data pad. "Thumbprint here and I can start within the next four days."

Asa stared at the data pad, rubbing his chin. He couldnt sense any sort of deception or trick. What would be the point of swindling him? He was the Admiral of the Fleet, he could have this man executed and no one would blink an eye. He grabbed the data pad, perusing it carefully.

He pressed his thumb to the scanner and passed it on to Calrissian, whintook it gracefully and offered a hand. Asa shook and suddenly pulled Finn closer down to him , so that they were almost level.

"If I catch even a rumor of treachery, a whiff of deceit or the slightest notion that you are trying to use me, I will tear your heart out and eat it. Slowly. With pepper and red sauce." He released Finn, who lost his dazzling smile. Instead, it became a smirk and he bowed yet again before turning to leave. As the door clicked behind him, Asa leaned back.

Asa couldnt breathe. He grasped at the collar of his uniform and pulled. He could feel a bit of sweat on his brow.

What had gotten into him? Where had this sudden bloodlust come from?

He thought back to his father. To his treason and how he had roared at his son, right before Asa put a bolt into his chest. He thought back to the teachings of the shamans, about the meditations on the Sothori soul. That red rage on his fathers face. That despair in hia heart.

That hunger.