FADE IN TO:
INT. RUN-DOWN APARTMENT, NAR SHADDAA - MORNING
Thatcher opens his eyes. He is still laying on the couch, though Nomi is gone. He sighs.
EXT. APARTMENT COMPLEX, UPPER KINTOS DISTRICT - AFTERNOON
Thatcher descends the stairs outside his apartment and turns into the street. As he walks, he reaches into his open trench coat and pulls out a flask of whiskey, taking a sip before tucking it back in. As he heads down the street, He notices what seems to be large figures watching him from the shadows, though none of them look like they could be Sanya. Thatcher ignores them and continues walking. It's not until one of the large figures steps out in front of him in an alleyway that he realizes he is in trouble. It is the weequay he fought yesterday. His nose is bandaged.
WEEQUAY
We meet again, lee-tle hooman man.
THATCHER
So we do. Nice to see you.
Thatcher turns and begins walking back the other way, but finds his path blocked by another alien, this time the rodian he was shoved into at the fight. The rodian shakes his head and points a small blaster at Thatcher. Thatcher turns back to face the weequay.
THATCHER
What's this about? You won the fight, fair and square. Now piss off.
WEEQUAY
Not done yet. Lee-tle hooman man try hoo-mili-ate Horam. Break nose. Now Horam break lee-tle hooman man.
The weequay takes a step towards Thatcher, cracking his knuckles, and Thatcher takes a step backwards, feeling his back press against the barrel of the rodian's gun. Thatcher grits his teeth and slowly puts his hand on the grip of his holstered blaster.
THATCHER
Now, now, Horam, take it easy. It was a fair fight. Nothing personal.
The weequay shakes his head, grinning sadistically.
WEEQUAY
No good enuff. Say good-night, lee-tle hooman man.
As the weequay prepares to throttle him, Thatcher lashes out backwards with his right leg, kicking the rodian in the shin. The alien cries out in pain and stumbles. Thatcher seizes the opportunity and spins on his heel, out of the way of the charging weequay. At the same time, he draws his blaster and quickly shoots the rodian in his hand with impeccable accuracy, causing him to drop the gun and recoil in pain. The weequay turns to face Thatcher, but Thatcher levels the blaster at his head.
THATCHER
Take another step, and we'll see how well that leather hide of yours fares against blaster bolts.
The weequay stops, but to Thatcher's surprise, he begins to laugh. Visibly confused, Thatcher tries to figure out what he's laughing about, then realizes a moment too late that the weequay is not laughing at him, but rather what's behind him. Thatcher spins around and is immediately pistol-whipped in the side of the head by a third alien, a large rattataki with numerous piercings in his face. Thatcher falls and hits the ground hard, dropping his blaster. He glances up at the weequay and the rattataki, who are standing over him, the weequay still laughing.
WEEQUAY
Nighty-night, hooman! Nighty-night!
Just then, the sound of something igniting is heard in the background, following by a low humming noise. The aliens turn. Standing before them is none other than Sanya Jax, a pale blue double-bladed lightsaber held by her side.
SANYA
Leave. Now.
The aliens hesitate, then the rattataki raises his blaster and fires a bolt at Sanya. Sanya easily deflects the bolt back at the rattataki, who drops dead. Enraged, the weequay charges at her, but with one quick, fluid sweep of her lightsaber, the alien brute trips over his newly-severed left leg and falls to the ground. The rodian, still clutching his injured hand, backs away slowly and then scampers off. Sanya switches off her lightsaber and tucks it into her belt. Stunned, Thatcher clambers to his feet and stares at her.
THATCHER
Could've mentioned you were a Jedi.
SANYA
The timing wasn't appropriate. Not yet. But now I was forced to act.
THATCHER
I could've handled them just fine by myself.
SANYA
(Nodding)
I'm sure.
Thatcher walks over to his discarded blaster and picks it up, tucking it into back into his holster.
THATCHER
Besides, thought I told you to get lost.
SANYA
I hoped we could talk further about my preposition.
THATCHER
We can't.
SANYA
Even now that you know I am a Jedi? Clearly my intentions are honorable.
THATCHER
Never doubted it. Nor did I care. I just don't want to be involved, that's all.
SANYA
And you are not even curious as to why a Jedi might need to run the Scarlet Veil?
THATCHER
I'll admit, it's puzzling. I thought the Republic had abandoned all hope of taking back that system years ago.
SANYA
They did. I'm not looking to liberate it. I'm looking for someone currently trapped inside it. Someone vital to the war effort. That's the second reason I need you. Once I get through the Veil, I'll need a professional's help in order to find him.
THATCHER
Guess you're doubly outta luck, then. Thanks for the help.
Thatcher turns to walk away.
SANYA
Perhaps. Though I think I have an incentive for you. Something that might make you change your mind.
THATCHER
I already told you, lady, you can take your forty thousand and shove it-
SANYA
It's not credits.
THATCHER
Then what is it?
SANYA
Clemency. A complete pardon.
Thatcher doesn't answer, but puts his hands on his hips and sighs.
SANYA
You need it, don't you? It's why you're stuck on this vile moon to begin with.
THATCHER
I'm just getting a little tired of you knowing everything about me, 'Jedi'.
SANYA
Your criminal record, Mr. Cordell, is not exactly classified information. Seems you had a lot of association with the Black Sun criminal organization. Convicted of four counts of smuggling illicit contraband, two counts of taking part in an illegal card-rigging operation, and one count of assisting in a criminal raid on a Coruscanti warehouse, which led to the destruction of over two hundred thousand credits' worth of Republic property.
THATCHER
Most of which was by accident.
SANYA
Nonetheless, it's quite the record. More than enough to put you away for a very long time.
THATCHER
You've done your research, lady. Why do you even want me? Seems you know full well what happened on Adebra IV.
SANYA
I told you. Because I need you. I've no hope of running the Veil without you. And I don't believe what happened on that planet was your fault.
Thatcher whirls around to face her, pointing his finger at her face.
THATCHER
It was absolutely my fault. I'm the one who gave the word. It's my burden to bear.
SANYA
Fine. So be it. I'm not asking you to stay there. I'm asking you to take me there, help me find someone, and then take me back out. Do that, and you get your life back. With some extra credits to spare.
THATCHER
Just one problem, lady. You still think it's possible to get through that blockade.
SANYA
I do. You did it.
THATCHER
Once. With a whole lotta help. And a whole lotta luck.
SANYA
But you know it's possible. You served with the Imperial forces there. You know both the layout of the blockade, and how to exploit their scanning systems. It's what got you through the first time, it is not?
THATCHER
That was eight years ago. A lot's probably changed.
SANYA
Maybe. Maybe not. But any upper hand we can possibly get is invaluable.
THATCHER
Why do you need to go there so bad? Who is it you're looking for?
SANYA
I told you. Someone vital to the war effort.
THATCHER
Who?
SANYA
I'm afraid I can't share their identity.
THATCHER
Oh, is the 'timing not appropriate'?
SANYA
No. It's simply not your business. I just need your help in finding him.
Thatcher sighs again, staring at the ground as Sanya silently watches him. Finally, Thatcher looks up at her.
THATCHER
Fine. But we go right in, find your guy, and go right back out. I want a full Republic pardon, a clean slate. And I want half the money in advance, right now, so that I can at least buy some nice drinks before we get blasted to bits out in the cold void of space.
SANYA
(Nodding)
Fair enough. I'll transfer it to your account right away.
THATCHER
Good. See that you do.
Thatcher begins to walk away. Sanya pulls her hood up over her face and calls after him.
SANYA
Where will me meet?
THATCHER
Same bar as before, the Toasted Gizka. Tonight. If you're not there by eight, you'll never find me again.