Nar Shaddaa was a loud and chaotic moon covered in skyscrapers in various states of decay and repair. Although the Hutt Cartel held dominion over Hutta's largest moon, they did not control how the city was developed or utilized, leading to a city with industrial districts below (and sometimes above) residential areas. Spaceports of many varieties dotted the buildings, all with any number of ships both great and small arriving or departing. Despite Nar Shaddaa's widespread urban blight, some areas of the city were devoted exclusively to gambling, boozing, prostitution, and all manner of high entertainment. The Hutt Cartel possessed vast wealth, and it was in the entertainment centers that their coin was flaunted before the general public. It was in just such a location - known to all as 'The Promenade' - that Mat Cauthon, Amys, and Lan Mandragoran now walked.
"This is unwise," Amys remarked from Mat's left. The Aiel Wise One was clad in an unassuming brown dress with leather shoes and belt, from which hung a sheathed knife. "That machine is not to be trusted with the ship."
Mat, shifting his ashanderi, put a hand on Amys' shoulder. "You needn't worry, Wise One. G5 saved our bloody lives back when we fled the Sith Academy, not to mention the skirmish against those filthy pirates. He's had plenty of chances to betray us, but hasn't. I'd bet my left eye that the ship will still be in the hangar when we return."
Amys shrugged off Mat's hand. "Words alone will not convince me of the droid's worth," she said grudgingly.
Lan cleared his throat. "I must agree with the Wise One on this, farmer," he said, walking beside Mat. "If G5 does attempt to leave..."
Mat looked up at the Warder. "Lan, please, do not worry. Even if G5 does betray us - and burn me if he does - I have contacts who can help us. Remember Captains Okarr and Visz, who helped us against the pirates? I arranged to meet them here, on the Promenade."
The Warder sighed and shook his head. Mat sensed the older man's disapproval, but unfortunately there was little else he could do to improve their situation. What little money they had found aboard the Gambler's Folly had been spent paying for overpriced docking space, and for hiring a painter to remove the Imperial markings on the ship's hull. Their only remaining currency was now tucked away in Mat's pockets. Fortunately, his taver'en nature gave Mat an overwhelming edge when it came to games of chance. Just a few tosses of the dice or folding of the cards - preferably the dice - and their losses would end up recompensed in no time at all.
The trio continued to stroll across the promenade, passing through the area's expansive marketplace. Merchants, artisans, and craftsmen hawked their wares from various stalls and shops that lined the footpath, calling out in over a dozen different languages, all of which Mat could put a name to. The smells of cooked foodstuffs wafted over from nearby cantinas, causing Mat's stomach to growl hungrily. The walkways were crowded with beings of every race and species, from Twil'eks to Zabrak to Mon Calamari. A leathery, gastropodous Hutt with wide yellow eyes and stubby arms slithered down the walkway, accompanied by a several well-armed guards. A jeweled, golden circlet sat upon the Hutt's broad forehead. People and aliens alike made way for the Hutt as he passed through the crowd, parting like water being pushed aside by a ship's hull. The Hutt held the front of his body straight and erect as he slithered, paying the crowd no attention whatsoever. Hutts, Mat remembered, acted more aloof than any noble back on his own homeworld, and that in itself was no small accomplishment.
After close to an hour's time spent walking through the Promenade, Mat spied the location that he had been keeping an eye out for: the Glorious Jewel Casino and Cantina. An illuminated sign displaying a diamond marked the casino's entrance. Beneath the sign stood a handsome human male wearing a clean suit, eyeing patrons as they entered and departed. During his last holocall with Okarr and Visz, the two smugglers had arranged to meet with him there. Captain Okarr claimed that the Glorious Jewel was his favorite hangout on the entire moon, although Visz claimed that she couldn't imagine why. Had she been sarcastic? Mat wondered. This place seems respectable. Certainly not one of the hells this moon is notorious for. After all, this was the Promenade - the Hutt Cartel's primary showpiece to the rest of the galactic community. Any businesses operating here needed to be presentable in order for the Cartel to permit them to operate.
Mat led Amys and Lan over to the Glorious Jewel's entrance, nodding at the doorman as they approached. "No funny stuff inside the Casino," said the suited doorman, eyeing their weapons, particularly Lan's sword and Mat's ashanderi. "Keep your killing tools holstered." Mat tossed the doorman a coin and told him not to worry.
The Glorious Jewel itself was an inviting place, with bright, elaborate decor and finely dressed staff. Patrons milled about the numerous slot machines and gambling tables, while serving men and women offered them refreshments. A band played soft music on a low stage at the room's far end, while a bar stood near the room's center, around which patrons were clustered. To Mat, the Golden Jewel seemed as though an inn was given the decor and uniforms of a palace.
"Such excess," Amys said with disgust. "Must so many wetlanders engage in such useless acts?" Games of chance were not widely played amongst the Aiel.
"Maybe you'd like it back on the ship?" Mat asked mischievously. "Alone. With G5." He half-expected the Wise One to slap him across the face. To his mild surprise, Amys did not lash out.
"Where are these contacts of yours, farmer?" It was Lan who posed the question.
Mat did not answer, but began walking forward slowly, scanning the faces of the patrons as he moved. He spotted several Mirialan, but none were Captain Visz, nor did he recognize any of the humans as Captain Okarr. Where could they be? Mat halted and began to reach for the holocommunicatior in his pocket...
"Hey Abel!" a familiar voice called. Mat looked over his right shoulder, and saw Captain Visz waving at him. She was seated at a table across from a man wearing a knee-length brown coat that could only be Captain Nico Okarr. Mat returned the wave and made his way over to the spacers' table, Amys and Lan following close behind. Mat took a seat at the table, positioning himself across from Nico and beside Hylo. Amys sat down apart from the three scoundrels, while Lan stood nearby, hand on his sword's hilt, eyeing the casino's patrons and staff with a cold stare.
"Welcome to the Glorious Jewel, Abel," Nico said warmly. "It's the finest casino that you'll find on this cesspit of a moon."
"With honeyed words like that," Hylo joked after sipping her drink, "You could make a few credits doing public relations for the cartel."
"Well perhaps I am doing just that," Nico returned the jest. The smuggler then shifted his attention to Mat. "Now, what can Captain Visz and I do to help you?"
Mat rested his ashanderi against the table, folding his hands out in front of him. "As I told you before, the bloody Sith captured us on Korriban. We managed to escape, but not before they had "confiscated" nearly all of our possessions and credits. Flaming thievery is what it really is. In short, we need more money, and a quick way of getting a fair amount of it."
Hylo rubbed her chin as she thought. "Hmm. There are some pretty lucrative smuggling contracts available from the Hutts..."
"There is also a fighting tournament going on," said an oddly familiar voice to Mat's right.
Mat looked up at the speaker... and nearly fell out of his chair in surprise. Standing over him was a young woman - no older than Nynaeve - clad in combat armor painted in shades of blue, yellow, and grey. A sturdy blaster rifle was slung over her right shoulder, and a helmet hung from her left hip. Her skin, pale as beach sand, seemed to reflect the light, while her blazing red hair fell down past her shoulders. She looked down at him with striking green eyes. Mat instantly recognized her as the Mandalorian girl from his dream aboard the Gambler's Folly. "Blood and bloody ashes!"
Lan turned and partially drew his sword, like a wolf about to attack. "Identify yourself," the Warder demanded gruffly.
The Mandalorian threw up her hands in a mock surrender. "Easy there, tough guy. I just wanted to talk."
"It's okay, Lan," Mat said. "Let her speak." Lan pushed his sword back into its scabbard, but did not take his eyes off the armored woman.
The young Mandalorian lowered her hands and looked Mat in the eye. "My name is Shae, of the Mandalorian Clan Vizla. I noticed your weaponry, and your friend, here" - she gestured toward Lan - "seems like a warrior of great skill. Based on your conversation, I thought you might be interested in earning the credits you need by competing in the tournament."
"Foolish wetlanders," Amys spat, "killing for spectacle and gambling."
Shae shot Amys a stare that could have shattered glass. "Sputter all you want, crone, but I fight to test myself, not to please any crowd."
Amys returned the stare and began to reach for her belt knife. The medallion around Mat's neck turned cold as the Wise One embraced the One Power. Hylo and Nico both put hands on their blaster pistols, clearly expecting a fight to break out. Mat stood up. "Everyone, put away your weapons!" he exclaimed. Save the fighting for when it's actually necessary. Light!" To his mild surprise, everyone did just as Mat commanded. He then looked back at Shae "What do you know about this tournament?" Mat asked of her as he sat down again.
Shae dragged over a chair and sat down at the head of the table. "Well, the tournament itself is being held in the Arena District, near the old Ahgad residences. Zobra the Hutt is the host. He loves these kinds of events, hosts them often. His chief Lieutenant, a human called Janin, is the official coordinator. It begins tomorrow morning. Interested?"
Unsure, Mat looked first at Amys, then at Lan. The Wise One shook her head, while the Warder nodded, albeit reluctantly.
"Alright, Mistress Vizla," Mat said with a wink, "we're in."
An approving smile appeared on Shae's lips. "See you there."
