EXT. STAR CLUSTER CASINO, NAR SHADDAA - AFTERNOON
The black-and-yellow speeder taxi touches down on the landing pad and Thatcher climbs out, a cigarra hanging out of his mouth. He puffs it as he walks into the huge casino, heading up the stairs and into the main room. It is bustling with activity, people of all different species playing pazaak or sabacc, or gambling credits away at one of the countless slot machines littered throughout the room. Thatcher turns off into a side door and walks into a large alcove. On the room's right is a long U-shaped couch, on which a wealthy-looking man, JET JOYLOCK, sits amongst a gaggle of nude twi'lek women. On the room's left is a bar, which is empty except for two aliens, Cartel guardsmen both wearing light body armor. Thatcher walks over to the couch and takes a seat opposite the man.
JOYLOCK
Thatcher Cordell! Always a pleasure, my darling friend. What brings you to my humble establishment on this fine, Shaddaaian afternoon?
THATCHER
Hey, Jet. I'm here to pay off my loan.
JOYLOCK
Ah, so soon? Wonderful! Finally come into some money?
THATCHER
You could say that.
JOYLOCK
Wonderful, wonderful. Well, let's get right to it.
Jet Joylock reaches behind a blue-skinned twi'lek on his left and pulls out a small datapad, tapping on it while the red-skinned twi'lek on his right playfully runs her finger down his chest. Thatcher casts a glance over at the Cartel men by the bar.
THATCHER
What's up with the slug goons?
JOYLOCK
(Waving his hand dismissively)
Oh, them? Ignore them. They're here because of the girls. Mighty Ommgar wanted to make sure someone kept an eye on them. As if I was going to steal one. Ha! Like my wife isn't already too much for me to handle.
Thatcher nods and leans back on the couch.
JOYLOCK
Let's see... Eight thousand, plus a thirty percent interest rate, plus a minor one hundred credit inconvenience fee...
THATCHER
Inconvenience fee?
JOYLOCK
As you can see, I'm actually off work right now. This is supposed to be pleasure time.
Thatcher sighs. Joylock finishes tapping on the datapad and then hands it to Thatcher.
JOYLOCK
Still fighting?
THATCHER
I was, until yesterday.
JOYLOCK
Ah. What happened? You get killed?
THATCHER
Lost my sponsor.
JOYLOCK
I see. I'd offer to take his place, were my tastes not too... refined, for such barbaric activities.
THATCHER
We all do what we have to, Jet.
JOYLOCK
Life gets more fun when you do what you want.
Joylock grins coyly at the blue twi'lek girl, who returns his grin with a warm, seductive smile. Thatcher transfers the credits from his account and then hands it back to Joylock, who stuffs it back into the couch behind the blue twi'lek.
JOYLOCK
A pleasure doing business with you, as usual.
THATCHER
Yeah. Always a thrill. If you'll excuse me, I'm gonna get a drink.
Thatcher stands up and walks over to the bar, tapping the counter twice. The droid bartender fills up a glass and places it on the counter in front of Thatcher, who immediately knocks some back while the Cartel guardsmen continue their conversation next to him.
GUARD 1
-yeah, that's what I heard. Said some purple-skinned lekky decided to get snappy with Ommgar.
Thatcher looks up, suddenly listening with rapt attention.
GUARD 2
(Chuckling)
Stupid bitch. Can always tell an off-worlder by the way they deal with the hutts. They forget there's no law 'round here.
GUARD 1
Exactly, exactly.
GUARD 2
What'd he do with her?
GUARD 1
Locked her up. Planning to feed her to big Rizo, or so I hear. Make an example for all the other off-world sluts who think they can talk back to Ommgar.
GUARD 2
A damned shame.
GUARD 1
Agreed. 'specially since I heard this one was a right good looker, too. Always the prettiest ones who have the most attitude.
THATCHER
Where'd they lock her up?
GUARD 2
Wha's that now?
The guard looks down the bar at Thatcher.
THATCHER
I said, where'd they lock her up?
GUARD 2
And just who the kriff do you think you are, there, humey?
THATCHER
Okay. I'll ask you one more time. Where did they lock her up?
GUARD 2
Then allow me to retort one more time, humey: kark. Off.
The guard spits in Thatcher's face. Immediately, Thatcher grabs his glass and smashes the alien in the side of the face with it, shattering it. The other guard pushes off the counter and reaches for his blaster. Thatcher dives behind the bar and ducks as the guard fires a few bolts in his direction. The twi'lek entertainers scream and run for the exit as Joylock throws his hands up and backs into the couch.
JOYLOCK
Whoa, whoa, whoa, what is going on?!
Thatcher scurries behind the bar and grabs another bottle. A shot from the guard's blaster strikes the bartender droid square in the chest and it overloads, falling back against the bar with a loud clang. Thatcher throws the bottle in his hand against the far end of the bar, and it shatters on impact. The guard quickly points his weapon towards the noise, and Thatcher leaps out from behind the counter and tackles him. The blaster flies out of his hand, and Thatcher draws his own from his holster and jams the barrel against the guard's neck.
GUARD 1
Relax, relax! I'm sorry!
THATCHER
Where are they holding her?
GUARD 1
O-on a sail barge, the C-C-Crystal Spear. They've got her below deck. It's docked at the Promenade until three, but if you hurry now, you can probably make it.
Thatcher spits in the guard's face and releases him. He holsters his blaster, picks up the guard's dropped one, and tosses it to Joylock, who is visibly shaken. He then sprints out of the room and back towards the taxi pad.
INT. CRYSTAL SPEAR, LOWER DECK
Nomi pounds her fists incessantly against the transparent orange force field wall of her holding cell. A large gamorrean stands guard outside, ignoring her.
NOMI
Let me out! Let me out of here, you fat pig! Shut down this cell right now or I'll-
The gamorrean turns his head towards her and squeaks out a few words in his language. They are clearly rude. Nomi opens her mouth, taken aback.
NOMI
Why, you kriffing green-skinned, good-for-nothing, overblown swine, don't you dare talk to me that way! So help me, if it weren't for this blasted energy field, you'd be-
The gamorrean turns around and calmly presses a button the control panel next to the cell. As soon as Nomi's fists next slam against the cell wall, a jolt of electricity zaps through her body, and she collapses in pain. A deep, gravelly voice is heard from off-screen.
VOICE
Playing rough, are we? Tsk, tsk.
A large man clad in durasteel body armor strides towards the holding cell. The patterns on his armor indicate he is a Mandalorian. He stops near the cell and kneels down, pulling off his helmet to reveal a pale white face. He is bald, with deep amber eyes and the image of a skull tattooed over his face. Nomi looks up at him from where she lies on the ground within the cell, a disgusted look on her face.
NOMI
Kohdo Tane.
KOHDO TANE flashes her an evil grin.
KOHDO TANE
So you do remember me. And here I was worried you'd forgotten our little night together on Coruscant all those years ago. I certainly haven't. It was well worth every credit.
Nomi spits at him, but it immediately dissipates when it hits the force field wall.
KOHDO TANE
Just as wild and spirited as I remember. It's such a shame Ommgar's decided to do away with you. I think you'd make great fun for the boys. With a leash around your neck, that is.
Nomi says nothing, just continues to glare at him. Kohdo Tane stands up and puts his helmet back on, hiding his face behind a V-shaped visor. He extends a gloved finger towards the cell wall and touches it, then quickly yanks his finger away and shakes it. He turns to the guard.
KOHDO TANE
Crank up the intensity. This brat could do with some shock therapy.
Tane turns and walks away. The gamorrean turns back to the control panel and presses a few more buttons. As Nomi watches Tane leave, she lashes her leg out in anger, kicking the cell wall, and then screams with pain as a shock wave surges through her whole body.