Standard disclaimers apply, Star Wars and the Extended Universe is not mine.
Dear serenity 8118: Thank you very much for your reviews, I hope you are still reading and not disappointed with this chapter. Yes, I am looking for a beta-reader. I have one for my other fics, but she isn't into Star Wars. Thank you very for the hint! Mara
A Beautiful Mind - Chapter Two
While I was roaming around my hotel-room on Varis, an Outer Rim planet, I recalled the latest events. In this part of the galaxy, I was known as an infamous, beautiful and unapproachable arts dealer, selling my own grandmother for certain artefacts, with a foible for hard drinks, fast ships and gambling. Yes, I had a reputation to loose.
The artefacts I had collected around the Outer Rim and the Unknown Regions had sold well. It was impressive how many money was left in the galaxy for artefacts despite the current situation. As expected the Chiss pottery had been sold for a ridiculous low price to an anonymous address on Coruscant. The material alone was worth more than the price the piece had achieved.
With some investigation by Dierck himself – who had coincidentally visited the crowded town-planet around the time the bowl was sold – we had affirmed that the purchaser had been a blue skinned, red-eyed alien. With my official name and address on it, Jule Mitth, Art Dealer, Nar Shaddaa, I had sent the artefact along with the Tromask cube to the cipher address on Coruscant. Dierck had affirmed that was fetched up by a blue skinned alien known as Mitth'raw'nuruodo in some parts of this galaxy.
So far, anything had gone smoothly and today Dierck and I had checked in on Varis, a planet famous for its unique, impressive landscape in the peak-season. Now was the off-peak season and it was no mystery why. A local delicacy were the huge fields of Varian, a spice cultivated on this planet exclusively for it required heat, high humidity and the special sunlight of Varis' sun to grow.
In addition to the climate I wasn't accustomed to, the sickly sweet smell of the sugary spice covered the entire planet. It reminded me of death and decay and provoked a constant nausea, which was the reason why no tourists were around. At least the air-filters were working, I wouldn't want to imagine what happened if all beings gathered were on Varian spice. The only attraction at this time of the year was the Dejarik tournament. Huge hotel-complexes that would be not in use if there wasn't the tournament were booked out. All in all I would feel relieved to leave Varis, the sooner the better.
Before I left my hotel-room, I gave my reflection in the mirror a last quick check over. There was a hair on my – for a change - light-blue dress and I brushed it away. A few strands of hair kept falling into my face, but it couldn't be helped, they were too short. Due to strict safety measures on the planet my weapons should have had to remain on board of the Ice Eagle. An annoying measurement but since some recent very nasty incidents the management had established a no-weapon-policy. Not that everyone stuck to it – including me - and once again the openly displayed metal needles in my pinned-up hair had passed the security check unhindered.
I turned on my heels and left my hotel-room, securing it with care behind me. Very deliberately I had checked in for the tournament under my official name, I had nothing to hide and I wanted to be found. It was Mitth'raw'nuruodo who might consider a disguise to contact us.
Concerning me, I was like a blinking light for anyone who was familiar with Csilla, the plain style and the fabric of the dress was tell-tale. The fabric was manufactured only on Csilla, the cystal omnipresent in the planet's atmosphere defined the colour. It was the one and only dress I owned that wasn't burgundy-black. One luxury of decoration I had donned was the unique blue flower I had attached into the bun and there were only two persons attending the event who would know the origin of this exquisite flower. The small, ice-blue flower was still secured in my hair and I adjusted the silver ornate I wore on my ear, hiding a com-link, Dierck wore the pendant. While adjusting it, I switched it on and contacted him "Hi, Dierck."
"Hi Jule. Where are you?"
I hurried over to the lift to get the next one available. A few beings were already standing in front of it, waiting for its arrival. "On my way to the reception, my first game is in one standard-hour. Where are you?"
"Already in the hall. It is amazing. See you later." Obviously he wasn't in a position for a chit-chat and I entered the lift, along with around twenty other beings. As I was used from him, Dierck had done a perfect job with our rooms. They were in the same building as the event but far enough away, so that we would not be disturbed by the constant flow of the arriving and leaving contestants.
When I reached the hall, I had to acknowledge that Dierck was right indeed, it was amazing. Such a mass of beings and all they wanted was to play Dejarik and to find out who was the best player among them. The organisation was impressive, there was a catering area, a gaming area and a relaxation area for those who needed to concentrate and to compose themselves.
Only seconds later I stood in front of the gaming area. The atmosphere was overwhelming and I stopped short in my tracks in the entrance. The gaming area was a gigantic hall, I could barely see the end and to say it was crowded was an understatement. All kinds of species gathered, some I knew and some I had never seen before. They mingled peacefully around hundreds of small square tables spread over the enormous hall. It was the perfect place to make the first contact.
The humming I received over the com was a proof that Dierck was among the crowd. The first tournament Dierck had taken part in, had taken place in a large room with hardly one hundred contestants. Obviously since then Dejarik had become popular and now there were hundreds of participants. No wonder the first rounds were k.o.-games until only eight contestants were left.
I spotted the com-terminals to my right, went to a free one and typed my name to find my first table and opponent. While I typed, the screen developed a life of its own and all of a sudden it went black. Spurring all reason I smashed all buttons, first one after the other, then all at once. The screen remained black. I threw a furtive glance to my left and right, no one else faced the problem I did. Maybe I should reconsider my relationship to com-terms and ask someone who was computer literate.
"May I assist you?" I needed my whole self-control to react inconspicuous to the words whispered into my ear in Cheunh by a deep, velvety voice and the warm hand on the small of my back. There were supposedly only two persons present in this hall who spoke Cheunh. The hand was warm, what left only one possibility.
I turned around with a faked smile plastered on my face and an appreciating look, mixed with just the right tint of desperation and helplessness working with a majority of the male population in this galaxy. "You're welcome. I need to check in and find my first contestant and table."
He leaned forward to reach the terminal brushing slightly against my shoulder, completely merging in his role of a flirting Corellian flyboy. "Let me show you." One day I would get Dierck back for his so-called jokes, he had the bad habit of pushing all my buttons at once.
"There, type your name." I did as he asked and on the screen appeared my table and opponent accompanied by a whistle from my partner. My first opponent was a Wookie called Chewbacca. Since I was a black horse concerning the Dejarik scene, the name was completely unknown to me, but obviously it rang a bell with Dierck.
"What's with him?" I wanted to know. After all, a Wookie disguise would suit a Chiss. With a little adjustment in the eyes his whole body was covered, even the height was fitting.
"This Wookie is known as one of the best players in the whole galaxy, good luck." With his last words, he vanished into the crowd and left me to contemplate my bad luck. Though a Wookie fur would be a perfect disguise, this was definitely not Mitth'raw'nuruodo. If this Chewbacca was such an excellent player, Dierck had checked him thoroughly. I had to keep my eyes open for every being possessing standard human build – corpse, head, two arms and legs – larger than the average. As I let my eyes wander over the surge of beings, I noticed that these conditions left only a few possibilities. The vast majority was either to small or had a too exotic physique to serve as a disguise.
But I had another challenge ahead. To beat that Wookie. It took me a few seconds to make out the system the tables were placed and some minutes to burrow my way through the crowd and reach my table. It was still vacant and there was no Wookie in sight.
I took the chance and checked out the games already running. The tables with the most promising games should be those with the most beings gathered and I walked over to the nearest crowded one. With my ruthless way of pushing and shoving I caught a glimpse of the players and felt my blood run cold. One of them was the Twi'lek Dierck had fought several weeks ago on Nar Shaddaa and from his sure of victory grin and the desperate look of his human opponent he wasn't going to lose this game. What was he doing here?
"Dierck?" I whispered.
"What is it?" came his prompt reply.
"Found an old acquaintance of yours."
"Who is it?"
"Lukgar, the Twi'lek."
His first reply was a meaningful whisper. "What's he doing?"
"Trying something new. He is winning." I noted dryly. To find out why he was on Varis would have to wait for later.
Dierck coughed and left it uncommented. "Found also an old acquaintance of yours."
"Who is it?"
"Cad Bane."
Cad was here! I felt anticipation running through my veins, his presence never failed some welcome distraction. Who was he looking for this time? "Where is he?"
Instead of a direct answer he said. "I gave him your room-number."
Perfect. That meant he'd be waiting in my room as soon as I returned and all of a sudden the idea of playing Dejarik against a shaggy, fuddy-duddy carpet seemed more or less unappealing. "Thanks."
"You're welcome, Jule."
Luckily for him he spared me the comments about long gone lovers and I retreated into the crowd before the Twi'lek noticed me. What was he doing here? He didn't look to me as if he would be into Dejarik, but looks could be deceiving and obviously there was more to him than met the eyes. Indeed, he wasn't just brawny.
After a quick glance at the chrono I realised that it was high time to organise myself a drink before my game started. Burrowing my way back through the crowd towards the catering area was no problem, getting the attention of the bartender was one. He was one of the trademark flirty Corellian playboys you used to meet in a place like this and obviously I was not his type. He ignored me, something I wouldn't tolerate for long. Finally, just when I had made up my mind which method I should use to force him to give me a drink, he turned to me with a derisive twist of his mouth and a questioning raised eyebrow.
"Correlian Ale, please." One could say against Correlians what one would, but they just knew how to brew Ale. Hopefully the taste covered the Varian's smell on my tongue and in my nose – and if it was only for a short time.
Without looking at me he placed the beer in front of me. He never asked for my data-card for charging so I turned high on my heels... only to run into someone standing right behind me.
Within the second I had, before my beer spilled over me, over him and onto the floor, I registered that it was a male Mandalorian in full armour. I sent him a death glare, he had been standing too close to evade and I bet he stared equally deadly back – these Mandalorians tended to be hypersensitive when it came to their esteemed armour and beer didn't went well with it... stop it, Jule!
He was suiting all points for a disguise for Mitth'raw'nuruodo. This armour hid everything, even the usual expressionless Chiss' expression. I opened my mouth to tell him to get me another drink because this mess was his fault and I was sure he opened his mouth for a equally nasty reply when an earsplitting squealing was heard and we both cringed about the sound.
"Spiiiiiiiillllllleeeed beverage. I am coooooommmmiiing!" A silvery droid hoovered with dizzying speed towards us, right between us, leaving us speechless and started to mob us with a dripping wet cloth from head to toe. It did do no more damage to the armour of the Mandalorian, but it ruined my dress even further and my hair was a sticking disaster now. The com-link on my ear made a howling noise coming in contact with the wet mop, managing to attract the attention of all gathered beings who hadn't been interested until now. Everybody half-ways smart around knew that this wasn't only a piece of jewellery and something in my ear continued to ring. While the droid continued to mess us, I got a closer look at the armour and I stopped short. Something was off with this guy, was this really Mitth'raw'nuruodo? Would he contact me so soon?
Within the chaos I wouldn't figure it out and once again I checked the chrono. My match started! With one fluid move I shoved the complaining droid and the silent Mandalorian aside to reach my table in time. While running to my match I turned to get a last glance at the Mandalorian, he was equally observing me. What was off with his armour? I shoved the distracting thought aside. If I failed to arrive in time, the match would be lost by default and there was no way I would grant a walking swab a victory this easily. The walking canister would have to wait for later.
Just in time, soaking wet and smelling like a beer barrel, I arrived at my table and was greeted by a roaring, lazily leaned back Wookie. So this was the famous Chewbacca who had managed to even impress Dierck with his Dejarik skills. Even he was in better shape, at least he was combed. I suppressed the urge to wrinkle my nose, though I wasn't in a much better condition, considering the odour. It wasn't the Wookie's fault, it was just that high humidity, Varian and fur didn't went well in addition to the Wookie's diet and my sensitive nose.
I never asked the bookmakers for the rate. From the looks of the viewers around us, I knew that they all had put their bets on the Wookie. Great. This was not my day.
After the draw, I had the first move and within the next ten moves I registered that Dierck had been right. Chewbacca was an incredible good player: his strategy to set up traps, his foresight about my moves was startling. I was no match for him, but I wouldn't go down without taking some of his figures too.
It was a tough fight, I wouldn't loose my own figures easily and from time to time, when I made a complicated combination there rose an approving murmur around us. Sometimes I even managed to make him hesitate and think about his strategy and these moments motivated me. Of course the approving murmur was a lot louder when Chewbacca managed to discard the next figure of mine. It took me frustrating onehundred-fifty-eight moves before I had to admit defeat accompanied by a Wookie's victory howling.
"Let me guess, Jule, Mr. Furfighter won." Dierck whispered over the com and I was too unnerved to answer him properly.
"I am in my room." I needed to get rid of this stinking dress - though it was a nice change to the planet's characteristic smell - wash my sticking hair and have a decent drink before I mingled again.
"Have some fun." Dierck whispered accompanied by some giggling. It was beneath my dignity to answer him. If Cad wanted something from me, it wasn't meant for Dierck's ears anyway – it was high time to switch the com off.
When I stood, I noticed that the beings around me showed me respect and Chewbacca paid me some by howling once again. I nodded while one of the observers stopped me from leaving by stepping into my way. "This was a fantastic game. Never before I saw someone withstanding him as long as you did. Would you grant me the honour to play you?"
I checked her from head to toe. She was a neatly dressed young woman from Alderaan, her cloth indicated her origin. The fabric was of excellent quality, her hands were manicured and free of any signs of hard work, her posture was upright, her stature almost filigree, not one of a fighter but of a dancer. But she wasn't one of the Organa's society or someone close, I knew the pictures of them by heart, it was my job to be informed about the influential one's. The observation and making a decision took me one second. It never hurt to socialise and I gave her one of my brilliant smiles. "Sure, in two standard-hours in the foyer."
More than anything else, I needed to refresh myself and whatever Cad wanted, it would take a little while. "Thank you very much, I'll be there." She smiled back and I hurried towards my room without further incidents.
Whatever he had done, I noticed no manipulation in my security-system as I entered my room but Cad was already inside. With his hat pushed deep back into his neck and his legs cosily placed on the couch, he was relaxing, only grinning as he saw me. "Hi, Jule." Between his fingers he held out some tiny devices - bugging devices. I shut my already opened mouth, Dierck and I had checked the room directly after our arrival and had gotten rid of the bugs. Someone had been inside while I had been in the hall. Cad was thoroughly and in the moment he crushed the devices in his fist, we could be sure that there would be no witnesses. I should seriously rethink the security of my door, it appeared to be non-existent. To have some weapons handy during my sleep was also considerable. "Too bad. The design was unique, I have seen it only once before and it was on my ship when you had bugged it." was his comment on them.
His remark made my hairs stand on edge. Mitth'raw'nuruodo must have been inside my room again. Didn't I have any privacy on this planet?
"Hi, Cad." I fumbled with my dress to get finally rid of the beer-soaked piece. He stood up and came over helping me, the touch of his hands on my skin woke memories and I had to suppress a shiver. As if he had touched something hot, he retreated his hands and I let the dress fall to the ground where it gathered in a little pool.
"What do you want?" I asked while I walked over to my small showering unit, continuing to undress and stepping into the shower. After placing the com aside I reached out for the tap while he leaned with faked easiness against the doorframe.
"Free passage through the Chriss Ascendency."
My hand stopped before it reached the tap. WHAT did he say? Passage? Through? Chiss Ascendency? I turned to him and the look on his face told me that he was serious. Bloody serious. If he asked for something like this, he was after someone big. As it was our codex, I wouldn't ask any questions. He wouldn't answer them anyway. "Anything else?" I put as much irony in my voice as I could and turned to push the tap, immediately the welcomed warm water ran down my body.
"Yes, free and unlimited access to their library."
Almost shocked, I choked on the water running into my mouth. Access to their library? Free and unlimited? To the Holy of holies? As if a free passage through their room wasn't unusual enough. Did he take any drugs? Did he woke up this morning, thinking 'Ok, Cad, let's try something new.' No, this was Cad I was thinking about. Now I stared at him, water running over my eyes, blinding my sight. Indeed, it must be someone or something big he was after, he wouldn't ask me for something like that for nothing. He knew what he was asking for, especially since he wouldn't give away any information. My thoughts were running wild, giving room for speculation. Cad could have this job only from a non-Chiss, he wasn't known in the Ascendency. What could he be looking for? Outbound flight? Did he have some hints already? Or did he look for the Outlanders? Or did he have information about Diercks and mine unique origins? These were many questions and they would be answered with time – and careful investigation. One after the other. Pushing Cad to spill the beans would be of no use, it would have the opposite effect.
"What will be their bargain?" I continued to wash the stinging beer out of my hair.
With a leisureliness characteristic for him, he lifted a hand and was holding a data-card between his long fingered hands, letting it wander between the slender fingers. "They will want to know about this. It is the first piece of information. They'll receive the other half once I have the access."
I nodded while I turned the water off and stepped out of the shower, wrapping a small towel around my hair and another around my body "I see what I can do for you."
He nodded and I snatched the card from his fingers while I passed him to reach my closet. Under his undisguised interested look I secured the card in my boots – Cad was always interested were people hid their secrets, it was essential for his survival. When I was finished, I started to dress myself in fresh cloths, this time I choose the burgundy dress with my insignia on it, along with the suiting black trousers.
The sudden noise of the opening door let us both spur around, reach for our weapons and hide behind the armchair and the bed. Whoever was intruding my privacy, he was facing us both. And once again my security system had failed. The door was opened and the intruder was facing two blasters from Cad, one charric and one blaster from me – yes, the security was lousy on this planet. It didn't took Cad and me more than one second to lower our weapons. Mockingly raising his hands, standing right in front of us, was Dierck. "My, my, you wouldn't shoot an old friend, would you?"
His mischievous glance fell on my discarded old cloths, my hair wrapped in a towel and he continued his mocking behaviour. "You might want too, I guess. Am I interrupting something?"
It was under Cad's and mine dignity to react to his teasing and I turned to call the room service droid for a bottle of whiskey and three glasses while Cad and Dierck made themselves a home in my room. For a certainty Dierck had brought some spice along, one thing I never needed to worry about. Dierck turned to Cad. "What brings you here this time, dude?"
Cad growled, a sound most beings took as a serious warning, but not Dierck. He suspected that Cad had asked for a favour and anything about Cad's favours was big business and something one should be better informed about. Cad answered brusquely as always. "None of your business."
Dierck swallowed Cad's answer, his bright smile never leaving his face while I went to answer the door to fetch the beverage and the glasses from the room-service droid. Not by any means a foreign, unchecked droid would enter my room, the security was lax enough already.
Keeping silent, Dierck took the bottle from me and poured us the whiskey. He wasn't sparing with the golden liquid and in a generous mood, he added some of his precious spice to all glasses against his conscience. Cad wouldn't talk even with this amount of whiskey and spice in his system.
As I had expected, Cad downed the drink with one gulp and stood to leave. For Dierck, it remained only to frown, he never got the chance to ask another question. Cad had asked what he wanted and he knew that I wouldn't tell Dierck about his proposal. While he passed me, I nodded slightly and he knew that I would do anything in my power for him.
When he had left I turned to Dierck. "Someone had been in my room while I was outside, Cad found new bugs."
Dierck whistled. "Same design as we found?" What meant Chiss origin.
"Yes, from what I saw before Cad crushed them."
He crossed his arms and started tapping with the fingers of one hand on his chin. It was his typical gesture when something had caught his interest. Cad's method of detecting bugs was in nothing better than ours, there was no doubt that someone had been in my room again. Our target. He must have noticed that we removed the devices, I was under close observation. I exchanged a glance with Dierck, his superior grin indicated that he had come to the same conclusion.
Just when he opened his mouth, the door announced a visitor. With a meaningful glance, Dierck raised his eyebrow and vanished catlike into the closet while I went to open the door. I left my boots along with my knives behind, I was still bare-foot, but I secured my favourite weapons in my sleeves.
The moment the door opened, my smile widened and I made room to let the visitor inside, it was a Mandalorian, the same I had run into in front of the bar. Perfect. Mitth'raw'nuruodo wasn't wasting any time. Exactly my taste.
With an inviting gesture, I stepped aside and caught the venomed needles falling out of my sleeve in one fluid move. The poison would sent even a Chiss to sleep within a second if the situation required such drastic measurements.
But in an incredible reaction, he reached out and tried to grap my wrist, he had noticed the unnoticeable move. Mandalorian or Chiss, nothing less could be expected from a skilled warrior like him. My hand out of his reach, my back at the wall, he ended close in front of me, his armour almost touching my body. For my taste and from my position, it felt far too much of being trapped. He had the upper hand, at least it appeared so. I have never ever been truly defenceless. It was worth a try.
'Nice to meet you, Mitth'raw'nuroudo.' Judging from his file I assumed he would have preferred to beat around the bush a little longer. As it was standing now, he raised his hands slowly, very slowly, careful, not to let me get the idea that an attack was following. Great, he had already learned his lesson that I was not to be underestimated. He removed his helmet and I was staring into his face.
From every pore of his body he was emerging energy, a will to live and conquer. I was doomed. His aura of authority and demanding obedience had been perceptible even through the armour and now it was tangible. He was the born leader. Even for a Chiss, his features seemed to be set in stone, angular with dominating cheekbones. His red eyes gleamed in the dim light of the entrance area as well as my amber eyes enhanced the light. His presence captivated me and for several seconds we just stared at each other. No, I didn't believe in love at first sight, but I did believe in attraction at first sight.
His appearance alone demanded respect, his reputation and deeds spoke for him, making him one of the youngest commanders in Chiss history. He got what he wanted. Or more precise: he thought that in the end, he always got what he wanted. And I knew from that moment on what I wanted: Him. In my bed. Under me. Hungry. Craving. Asking me for more. By now my eyes must be glowing golden, like a predators.
"The infamous Jule Mitth, I suppose?" He broke the spell and interrupted my more than vivid thoughts.
"Indeed. I see, the bowl found its rightful owner." For the split of a second I closed my eyes to get my automatic response on his presence under control. When I reopened them, I stood his gaze and stared back.
"Yes, a nice piece." His glance drifted over my room. The bottle of whiskey was still on the table along with three glasses. Two were empty, one was still filled. Luckily, Dierck had the habit to down his drink in one swing as well as Cad. But without any doubt he had observed my room or manipulated my so-called security-lock. The way he scanned the surroundings indicated he knew that I was not alone.
"It was made by a small boy before he became the hope of the military. An impressive work." I got the impression that he was making a slight move with his hand as if he wanted to touch my chin and turn my head up to him. He wasn't the type of guy missing out on anything.
"For a small boy this seems an extraordinary maturely piece." Therefore, that we were speaking about him, his self-confidence was immense. But I had to admit that one didn't carve out a career like him by being modest. In his case, two careers were more fitting.
"The boy has got many resources and talents." Not that I had gotten the impression that his ego needed to be petted. His attitude was insufferable, underlined by his superior composure. Why had he to be so physically attractive to me?
"That sent him to exile." Was there a hint of bitterness in his voice? But hadn't it been his plan to get in touch with the empire and use it for our purposes?
"There had been arrangements. And as it has been expected he seems to fulfil his task once more and is raising within the ranks of another powerful force." I countered and his mind, that had seemed absent for the split of a second, was focussing back on me.
"Captain." He stated his current status. And all of a sudden the scales fell from my eyes: his body language was simply too imposing to fit into an average soldiers armour. That had been odd about his disguise.
"Impressive for such a short time." Without any effort I kept my expression neutral, I actually wasn't to impress so easily.
He gave me another intense glance over, and reached out to brush my insignia. "I could say the same about you. An outlander speaking Cheunh fluently and being high in rank within the Defence Fleet. You haven't been around when I left."
"I have been." My voice didn't fail me, it was firm and determined, despite his gloved hand on my upper arm. He never commented my reply, knowing that my answer implied several possibilities. The most important one was, that there were secrets he hadn't been informed about.
"What do they want?" His deep voice made parts of my body reacting, I preferred they wouldn't. For the upcoming time I would have a hard time concentrating on my job.
I made a straight face, it would be the best to confront him with the most basic information, he would ask the necessary questions and make investigations on his own. "The Vong are attacking Zumi-territory, there have been two attacks on Zumi-territory by the Vong that are verified, these planets have fallen, but there could be more. The Zumi government officially asked the Ascendency for help, they were explicitly asking for you. In return for the backup, they offer technical knowledge."
What meant incredible advanced technology, we could only dream to achieve within the next hundreds of years being on our own. Mitth'raw'nuruodo knew this as well as I did, his eyes started to gleam with interest. At a first glance, the reason for the Zumien proposal appeared to be crystal-clear: we were the last to use their advanced technology for aggressive purposes. And we were the last ones left in the Unknown Regions with an army powerful enough along with the Zumien forces to fend of the Vong. Especially when we could get a hold of their technology. But as we already had speculated, it might be a trap. Mitth'raw'nuruodo knew it as well as I did. And if I assessed him correctly he was willing to take the risk, the potential gain was worth it.
He summarised the intern discussions that had seemed to have no end with just two words. "They refused."
"Of course they did." My indignation was authentic and noticeable.
"Fools." His derision was tangible and audible.
"Officially. But the decision had not been unanimously. The next territory on the way of the Vong is the Ascendency and some of us prefer to stop them BEFORE they reach our border and conquer anything in their way." I summarised the situation on Csilla.
The idea was clear, revolutionary for us and already carried out by him. The slight shifting of his body indicated his anticipation. "Who sent you?"
A smug little smile appeared on my lips. "The same you proposed your plan to some years ago." Yes, my dear Mitth'raw'nuruodo, I was privy to every little detail of the plan and you didn't even knew that I existed. I showed him the data-card the Admiral had given me before my leave from Csilla. While observing me closely, he removed a glove from his hand. His hand was slender as well as his fingers, it was the hand of an artist and not a warrior. The slightest touch of his cold fingers on my warm hand, almost caressing as he took the card, made me shiver. He was toxin for my self-control. He didn't waste time and read the data on the card, from time to time he checked over the rim of his reader that I wasn't performing any mischief.
When he was finished he put the card into his pocket. "What is the idea behind this?" It was obvious that my insider information had come unexpected for him, but obviously the Admiral had given him clear orders concerning me. She knew him too well, she had said.
"By sending you and me, the negotiations will go unnoticed by the houses. Once the deal is made, the main part of the Chiss military will serve and support you. Of course it would be a nice addition bringing a warship of the empire under your command along."
"They are expecting much, a warship under my command already."
"I know we don't." I dared him and the slightest flickering in his eyes indicated that I was right. There was a ship under his command. Supposedly a small one, but there was one.
He didn't even make the effort to deny it. "We will have to speak with my commander about it."
"We?" I was aware that he just couldn't take a warship and vanish into the Unknown Regions, this would be an act of betrayal. But why did I have to speak with the Emperor and risk my cover? "Is he trustworthy?"
"He is a male human, he appreciates young attractive women. If we offer him influence, territory and sway in the Unknown Regions, he will give us what we want." The fact that he was a male human from Naboo didn't exactly make him trustworthy in my eyes, but the perspective that we might get a war-ship was appealing and was worth the risk of my cover. If we were successful on Nirauan, I wouldn't go back to Nar Shaddaa anyway. I would serve our military.
"So you want me to come with you and convince him." Not that I believed I could be more convincing than Mitth'raw'nuruodo, but supposedly he had studied the Emperor well enough to know how to persuade him.
"Yes. He'll be interested in the news and the new perspectives this situation opens up. With your authorisation" he tapped where he had put the data-card. "you can officially ask for a back-up."
His words left the impression that there was more to it and that there was no other way than his one. I ducked and made a step sideways to escape the trap-like situation, it was time to bring Dierck into the picture. Mitth'raw'nuruodo nodded in the direction of the main room to have me entering before him, but I stepped aside with another inviting gesture to give him the advantage. Indeed he didn't trust me enough, he just shook his head and I turned to precede "You can come out."
When we entered, Dierck was already standing in the middle of the room, unusually restraint for him. "Mitth'raw'nuruodo, I am pleased to meet you. It is an honour to finally meet you in person. I am Dierck Mitth, Private Investigator on Nar Shaddaa, also working for Csilla. Nice move, by the way, your exile."
Not one muscle in his face twitched while he listened to Dierck - the second Outlander he met in one day to speak Cheungh-, he made himself comfortable on my couch while Dierck refilled our glasses. What left me to call the room service droid once again for a fresh glass.
Mitth'raw'nuruodo's eyes wandered over to Dierck who shrugged his shoulders. "I am your backup. While you two make a trip to Coruscant and enjoy the negotiations on Nirauan, I'll be working hard and mobilize your supporters and recruit those who are on our side."
"The negotiations will take place on Nirauan?" His interest was undeniable. Never before the Zumi had allowed Outlanders on their coreworld, their policy was similar to ours. It was rumoured that there was an invulnerable, uncorruptible fortress on Nirauan. What chances would we have if we could have buildings like these? They owned a weaponry that was feared throughout the Unknown Regions – it was rumoured they could even destroy planets . And some rumours said they even managed to develop magic hoods that could even hide Star Destroyers and a technique perfect for spies: a device that could completely change one's appearance.
How far would we come with this technology! How far would we come with Mitth'raw'nuruodo as our leader? My excitement reflected on my features and my enthusiasm made me walking up and down the room. "Yes, they invited us to their coreworld, to Nirauan. Imagine what we can do alone with their technology. In addition to your knowledge of the Empire, you command a warship. Many of us would follow your call, we could establish another power to defend our territory. Imagine how many lives this could save." I had talked myself into rage and was breathing heavily and I noticed a gleam of interest in these red, intense eyes.
"When do you want to leave?"
"As soon as possible." I wrinkled my nose recalling the stench on Varis. " I am already out of the tournament."
All he did was raising an eyebrow questioningly and Dierck answered for me. "Chewbacca."
As if that explained anything, but obviously it did. "I see. We will leave directly after the end of my tournament. And we'll take the Ice Eagle."
I never asked how he knew about my ship, he did seem to have his resources as I had mine. This time his seemed to have worked better than mine and I checked the chrono only to notice that it was high time to meet theyoung Alderiaan woman for the match.
"I have to leave. Do you want to play a round Tromask?" I turned to my bed and picked the small cube from it and threw it over to Dierck who caught it effortlessly with one hand.
"Sure, a good game never hurts. Would you order us another bottle, Handsome? Pretty please?"
I took a closer look at Dierck, his eyes were still clear and bright, he could take another one. "Sure."
After ordering a second bottle of whiskey, I left the room and went downstairs.
/
Dear readers,
I hope that you are still reading and that the chapter wasn't too boring and you enjoyed reading it. By now, I corrected some of my old fics and have time to continue this one. But please beware: I am a slow updater, it will take around four weeks for the next chapter.
Take care,
Mara