Chapter 7 – A New Empire
Location: Onboard a mercenary ship, in hyperspace towards undetermined destination
Time: 4 Years Before the Battle of Yavin, and immediately after the escape
Never had Ash been so relieved to see the brilliant blue light show of hyperspace ahead of the ship, radiating and flickering through the ship's viewports. Finally far away from his cell back on Oovo IV, the thought of being an escaped convict and high value target of the Empire hadn't phased him as much as he figured it would. It was relatively easy to disappear in this part of the galaxy, and the prisoners were counting on that truth to hold up, for all of their sakes.
"This is it, man," Art said, "this is what Bihan wanted for us."
"We're finally in control of our destinies." Ash replied.
"Damn straight, that's why we're taking the fight back home." Art said.
"Wait, what?" Ash said as he stood up and headed for the cockpit.
Sliding the door open, Ash stepped into the cockpit area, a cluttered mess of droid parts and tools mixed in with debris of unknown origin. Stepping over the charred remains of an 8D smelter droid, Ash walked over to the pilot, a Draag who turned his head back to face the intruder, clearly annoyed.
"What do you want?" the Draag asked with a frown.
"Where are we going?" Ash asked.
"Malastare, didn't Qotak tell you before you broke out?" the pilot replied.
"What the hell?" Ash said as he stormed off back into the cargo hold, "Why are we going back to Malastare?"
"It will be our main base of operations moving forward." Art answered, "It is outside the influence of the Empire, for the most part."
"Art, our whole lives spent on Malastare, then the whole time we were in captivity, all we ever dreamed of was being free, now all you want to do is go back to that slimeball planet?" Ash asked.
"I have ambitions, Ashy Boy... the building blocks for something that can change the galaxy for the better. That's where we'll find it, back home." Art said.
"I've heard a lot about Malastare... none of it is good." Kai said.
"For the most part, you're right." Art admitted, "However it's not nostalgia that is bringing us back there. It's necessity, for what I want to build."
"And what would that be?" Kai asked.
"Stick around, I'll show you." Art said with a smile.
"Guess the trip to Rodia will have to wait for a little while, bud." Ash said.
"Afraid?" Decimus asked with a grin that showed through his tusks.
"Why don't you just stay over there?" Ash replied without making eye contact.
"Here you go, boys..." Art said as he opened up one of the floor compartments, revealing a large stockpile of dirty clothes, "I wasn't sure how many of us would make it off Oovo IV, so I had them fill the floorboards with these clothes. We'll ditch the jumpsuits in here, we can't be seen leaving the ship in them."
With that, the prisoners each dug through the pile of clothes to find the articles of clothing that fit them, some took longer than others, but eventually everyone had changed from their very noticeable and incriminating orange jumpsuits. Within a few hours, the mercenary vessel carrying the inmates exited hyperspace just outside Malastare. It appeared to already be night on the planet, and despite not being able to see too many discering features, this was the first time Ash had seen his homeworld from this particular view. Funny, it almost seemed nice from orbit. There was little hint of the vileness that corrupted the surface, from the brutal fighting between the Gran and Dugs, the corruption of the Hutts and their drug empires, conniving smugglers, the poverty stricken cities, and jungles crawling with horrifying nighttime beasts. Ash wasn't eager to return, but if Art truly had something up his sleeve, he was interested to see what his old friend had in mind.
"We'll be landing in Pixelito, I've got a contact there who's gonna get us a safehouse we can crash at." Art stated as the ship began the landing sequence.
Although not the least bit happy to be back on his home planet, Ash was at least relieved they weren't back at Viktu. Pixelito, the capital of Malastare, was where many of the Dugs had congregated over the years, a result of their feud with the Gran species. Therefore, Ash suspected that Art's contact was a Dug, probably a prolific one that had arisen in the friends' absence on the planet.
Pixelito was a quaint town by most planets' standards, but to the people of Malastare, it was a big deal. Skyscrapers clustered together, packed in and surrounded by cramped streets. In the shadows of the towering buildings, the streets below were a mix of legitimate businesses and backdoor, under the table black market deals, with millions of Dugs and other sentients sharing the tightly planned out roads. Ash was unsure of why the Dugs preferred these tight spaces in their cities, but had learned not to ask the hot headed and violent Dugs directly.
Coming to a rest on one of the city's many landing pads, the ship's hatch hissed loudly and opened, allowing the inmates to finally disembark into the world. This particular landing platform was connected to the headquarters of Redd Bank, a company that had splintered off from the InterGalactic Banking Clan after the Clone Wars, and prospered on Malastare under the careful management of its Muun figureheads.
"Redd Bank, huh... they're just letting us use one of their landing pads?" Ash asked as he looked around, "They know who we are, right?"
"The Muuns can't ever seem to keep their hands clean..." Art said with a smile, "Even after they got caught dealing with the Separatists, they still see the profits one can make in the black market. Lately they've been a front for Grollato's death stick and spice operation."
"Grollato? Is that your contact?" Kai asked.
"Yep!" Art replied.
"I know we're not in the jumpsuits and all, but aren't these bankers worried someone might catch on to what's going on here?" Ash asked, "You know, like any looky loos."
"Well that's what Grollato is paid to take care of if need be." Art said, "Ah, here he comes now."
Flanked by a pair of burly Dashade thugs, a Dug of typical height emerged from the building. With a pair of corrective glasses resting on his face, braided tendrils, and donning an expensive blue robe typically only worn by the Dug nobility, Grollato's appearance seemed to demand respect and authority. He marched towards the inmates, looking at each and every one of his new associates carefully from head to toe.
"It's an honor to meet you in person after all this time." Art said.
"The honor is all mine..." Grollato replied, "You helped rescue two of my men from that awful prison. I am forever in your debt, Mr. Regfeld."
"It was the least I could do for one of my future associates..." Art said, "since that future is now here, we can begin planning."
"Of course." Grollato said, "Your fellow inmates are already at the safehouse. We should be on our way."
With that, the inmates followed Grollato's lead, including Decimus, who rudely shoved past Ash. Art stopped and looked back at Ash and Kai, a remorseful look on his face.
"Look I'm sorry I didn't tell you guys, but I knew you wouldn't approve." he said, "This is a good thing though."
"Can't be any worse than Oovo IV, right?" Kai said.
"Exactly." Art said as he beckoned the two to follow.
As the former convicts entered the bank's headquarters, the bustling sound of flying speeders and cargo ships outside faded away. The interior of this place was quite impressive, a lavish display of red, almost velvet-like carpets and walls, with golden chandeliers that likely cost more credits than the inmates themselves were worth. Inside, it appeared business as usual, nobody seemed to bat an eye at Grollato and the now more appropriately dressed convicts, confirming in Ash's mind that despite the elegant picture this place tried to paint itself as, it was as corrupt as anything else on the planet.
Due to the number of inmates, everyone split into different groups to take the elevators, each group guided by either Grollato himself or one of his Dashade bodyguards. Ash, Art and Kai found themselves in the elevator with the Dug kingpin himself, who swiped a special access card allowing the lift access to a designated floor. After sliding the card and scanning his fingerprint, the lavishly decorated golden lift quickly began to descend, going down many, many stories.
"Where's this safehouse of yours?" Kai asked.
"We have it in the lowest level of the bank, it's even more heavily guarded than the bank vaults themselves." Grollato said.
"How long will we need to be there?" Art asked.
"Until our mutual enemy has been dealt with..." Grollato said, "As long as he lives, you will never be safe on the streets."
"Mutual enemy?" Ash said, "You don't mean who I think you mean."
"Yeah." Art replied.
Before they could say his name aloud, the lift reached the final floor, opening up to a very dark corridor with several rooms on each side, each protected by a very bulky password protected metal door. Ash had to admit, the lengths these criminals were going to in order to ensure the security of its associates was quite impressive.
Grollato used his access codes and scanned his fingerprint once more, allowing the door to slide open, revealing a dimly lit chamber that seemed to resemble military barracks, complete with dozens of bunks spread out through the room and several enclosed showers in the corner. More importantly, the chamber was occupied with many of the other escaped prisoners, including Higgs, his men, and Qotak, who all stood up and breathed a sigh of relief as they saw Art.
"Thank heavens, I was worried you had been recaptured!" Qotak said as he walked over to Art.
Extending his cold alien hand, Qotak shook the hand of his partner in crime, a smile from ear to ear.
"Those Imperial bastards couldn't keep me there for a minute more!" Art said.
"Good work back there, Decimus, incredible show." Qotak said.
"Yeah, that thing with that guy's arm, beautiful." Higgs added.
To Ash, if the sight of Decimus brutally slaughtering the Imperial walker operator wasn't disturbing enough, the idea that these guys were taking pleasure in seeing it was more than enough. He tried his best to hide his look of disgust and said nothing.
"Well boys," Art began, "tomorrow we get back to work. For now, we'll rest, I think we've all earned it. What we are about to set in motion is nothing short of the greatest criminal enterprise the galaxy has ever seen. It'll take some time, but we've waited before, we can wait again. We'll head out tomorrow at eight, big meeting that I want everyone to be there for."
With that, everyone dispersed again, most headed to their bunks to sit down and relax for the first time since they escaped the prison world. Kai, the nimble Rodian he was, climbed onto one of the top bunks quickly and effortlessly, while Ash took the one below him. Art sat down on the adjacent bunk, and looked at his childhood friend.
"Get some sleep, bro, because tomorrow is going to be a big day. You're going to meet some new people." Art said.
"Can't wait." Ash said sarcastically.
"It's gonna be alright, man!" Art replied, "We were destined for great things, and this is our chance."
"You think the Empire is gonna track us here?" Kai asked nervously.
"I doubt it..." Qotak replied as he took his spot on the bunk above Art, "Most of their high profile prisoners were either killed or captured. The most they're probably going to do is post bounties on our heads, but after tomorrow's meeting, I doubt even that will be much of an issue."
"You seem to have a plan for everything." Ash said.
"You don't build a successful prison riot and lay the foundations for a criminal empire without sufficient planning, my friend." Qotak said as he rolled onto his side, signaling the conversation to be over.
Ash did feel himself getting quite tired. It seemed since the moment they broke out of their cells, he hadn't had time to reflect on anything that had happened, or even think about the present time for that matter. It had all been the future, what it held, where it was taking him, but now he was here in that future, and it didn't resonate with him the way he'd expected it to. As with all the other inmates, Ash rolled around and tried as best he could to calm his mind enough to allow some measure of sleep, eventually succeeding.
What little sleep he did get seemed to pay off, because the next morning at precisely eight, the newly freed inmates were shipped out to another discreet location. This one, on the outskirts of Pixelito, was an old fuel station of some sort, probably a relic of the days of the Republic. Large, rusted metal tubes connected to the ground and led into the derelict facility, mynocks feasting on what was left of the electrical components that were probably deemed unreachable to scavengers. It was a great place to meet up, far enough away from prying eyes, but easily accessible enough to the appropriate parties.
As they waited for the last of the conspirators to arrive at the station, Art, Ash, Kai and the other convicts stood on one of the balconies overlooking the vast rocky wastes to the south, a bleak and lifeless contrast to the towering city to the north. Taking a hit from his pipe, Art seemed to look at the dead terrain in front of them as if it were real estate, territory to be conquered, endless potential.
"So are you going to tell us who we're meeting before we actually meet them?" Ash asked.
"Of course." Art replied, "When we broke out, it wasn't just the escape that we planned out, it was who broke out alongside us. There were several high value individuals whose connections would provide the building blocks for our future endeavors."
"I take it you don't mean we saved the son of some noble king, and he wants to reward our efforts with a mansion on Alderaan." Kai asked.
"Funny, but our efforts will be rewarded indeed..." Art continued, "The inmates we rescued belonged to various criminal enterprises, we did our part, and their organizations are prepared to pledge their support for us. The escape on Oovo IV was an investment, if you will, and now it's paying off."
As if on cue, a small but very bizarre looking starfighter became visible as it approached the factory. Flanked by two similar looking ships, these ships seemed to be capable of only holding one person, and had wings that split off into sharp triangle shapes. Giving off vibes of power and brutality, the ships descended just outside the fuel station.
"Vipers..." Art said with a smile, "I have a feeling I know who that is. Come on, boys."
Art put aside his pipe and eagerly pushed open the door that led from the balcony into the second story of the fuel station. The ancient metal floor beneath them creaked and groaned alarmingly loud, but it didn't seem to phase Art as he led the way down the dark walkway and towards the meeting area. Clambering down the brittle stairs, the three reached the assembly area, which was being fully lit by several droids, illuminating the faces of the conspirators. The inmates behind Art all tried to see if they could recognize anyone.
"Everyone, I'm very glad you could make it today." Art began, "Some of you know one another, but I'm sure that not everyone here is familiar with each other. So let's clear that up before we go any further." he said as he looked back at Ash and the others.
First pointing to the blue robe wearing Dug, he began the introductions, "I don't believe Grollato needs any introduction, but perhaps our newly arrived associates have not had the pleasure of meeting him. He's the closest thing to a rival that Kurka has on Malastare."
That was it, the confirmation Ash had been afraid to ask directly. He knew deep down the reason Art had sought to return to Malastare, all these years later, even when given the chance to go anywhere else in the galaxy. Revenge, revenge on the being who had wronged the two friends in the worst way imaginable.
"Grolatto has lots of the Dugs on his side," Art continued, "they want the Hutts off this world for good. With his help, we will ensure that they get their vile, slithering carcasses off this planet which rightly belongs to us."
"The Zabrak on the hologram is Maul, leader of Crimson Dawn." Ash continued.
"I wish that I was able to be there in person for this... momentous occasion..." Maul muttered, "but a great many matters require my attention elsewhere."
"Understandable, sir." Art said, "We appreciate your presence in this meeting and your willingness to partake in this syndicate. Your vast powers and resources are a very welcome addition."
Next to Maul's hologram was a Givin, who was visibly uncomfortable standing next to even the hologram of the terrifying Maul. The Givin's bony, pale white and ghostly face really stood out from the rest of the beings in the room.
"This is Elis Helrot, he'll be supplying us with the weapons and precious cargo we'll be needing."
Now pointing to a fat, bald and bearded human man, Ash continued this roll call.
"This man here is Zimm, he's been a manager for the bounty offices of the Outer Rim for quite some time, he has connections with some of the finest bounty hunters in the galaxy, the ones who will take any kind of job, no matter how dirty."
A pair of Cereans were next in line, distinguishable from their otherwise human appearance by their elongated craniums.
"The Cerean Brotherhood, originally cast out by their kind, but now they run the black market on their home planet and many others like it."
Four robed individuals stood side by side, two human, one Sullustan, and one Twi'lek.
"The Crymorah Syndicate, a collection of some of the most influential and respected crime families in the galaxy. They've been doing this for many years, their experience and knowledge will be extremely welcome and useful to us."
A pair of humans dressed in very expensive looking suits stood next in line.
"The Free Market, experts in the tactic of internal takedowns. They join the ranks of their enemies, typically legitimate businesses, load them up with debt, tax fraud, or criminal evidence to destroy the business quietly and in a clean manner."
"Last but not least, Prince Xizor of Black Sun and Lord Kromm of the Pyke Syndicate. I doubt their organizations require any introduction."
Indeed, Xizor's name was synonymous with organized crime, especially in this part of the galaxy. With power and wealth rivaled only by the Emperor himself, the Falleen stood taller than the rest of the conspirators, with an icy glare that sent chills into anyone who it fell on.
Lord Kromm's reputation preceded him, members of his syndicate ran spice operations on Oba Diah and Kessel. Nothing happened on these worlds without their say so, they were experts in managing planet-spanning drug cartels. Kromm's giant head, tiny face, and small purple eyes was somewhat unsettling to the other beings in the room, even to the ghoulish Elis Helrot.
"So that's everyone..." Art said, "but I don't think our common enemy needs any crash courses, am I right? Whether you owe him a great deal of credits, or if he is a rival, or if you simply have something to gain from his demise... Kurka the Hutt has got to go. That giant greaseball has overstayed his welcome in this galaxy and deserves to die. This is going to take some time. We can't just rush into Kurka's fortress. We're going to weaken his defenses, learn the layout and routines of Kurka and his men, we're going to seek out his enemies, dig up dirt on his allies, anything we can do to bring him down. Everyone here is key to this plot, and with our combined efforts, we will take him down."
Looks and nods of approval surrounded Art, who now found himself helming the massive operation of taking control of Malastare's drug trade. Coordinating the efforts and methods of so many great and powerful beings was an almost god-like feeling, he felt untouchable, invincible. After the meeting disbanded, he met up with Ash and Kai on the balcony again.
"Art, I don't want to go anywhere near that thing again." Ash said.
"I'm not going to lie, I'm pretty nervous myself..." Art admitted, "But the last time we saw him, we were naive and new to all of this. We've killed people, Ash, we broke out of an Imperial prison. We can handle that scumbag now, him and anything he throws at us."
"From what Ash has told me," Kai said, "this Kurka is ruthless but careful in how he does business. What if we're making a mistake?"
"Letting him live would be a mistake." Art stated.
"It's not just that, Art..." Ash said, "You got some real scum back there, working with us. Black Sun? The Pykes? Art, those are the people we wanted to get away from when we were younger! I don't like it, at all, none of this feels right, and the Art that I knew would say the same thing."
"The Art you knew?" Art asked aghast, "What are you trying to say?"
"I'm saying you've changed, man..." Ash said, "It wasn't just on Oovo IV, hell, it wasn't even when we escaped the Veiled Lady. I think Bihan's death changed you for the worse. You've become cold, plotting, and willing to do anything for revenge."
"Kurka did this to us, Ash..." Art said, "and he's going to pay for that. Afterwards... who knows what can happen? Maybe we can put things back to normal after."
"I'd like that, man." Ash said.
"I wanted you two here for this meeting." Art said, "However, now that it's been talked about, I think you and Kai should take some much deserved time off. Clear your heads a little, but come back ready to do what needs to be done."
With that, Art walked off and headed back into the fuel station, leaving Ash and Kai alone.
"You think he's really gonna try and fix things after we do this?" Kai asked.
"I really hope so, Kai." Ash said, "He's the closest thing to a brother that I have. I don't want to lose him too."