That night, like most nights, a huge party was thrown at Nem'ro's palace. Loud music blared as the crime lord's thugs ate and drank. In the middle of the hall, Nem'ro's slaves danced to the pounding music. The huge Hutt gorged himself on a mountain of food piled high on a hover-sled in front of him. Another one was already lined up for when he finished his current serving.
At his side, where Carnuss would normally be, stood Lord Bolla. The cyborg had advised him to cancel tonight's party, given that Zabo and Carnuss had failed to report in but Nem'ro had refused, saying that he didn't cower in fear just because his subordinates were tardy and they would investigate the matter tomorrow. Even the news of his factory being blown up hadn't changed his mind.
Nem'ro's refusal to cease his revelry had not surprised Bolla in the least. He watched the hedonism around him with icy disdain. Music, dancing and feasting meant nothing to him. A true Sith Warrior had no need for such frivolities. All that he needed was the rush of a kill. The one aspect of tonight's party he was looking forwards to was the execution of the Zabrak smuggler. It would not be as satisfying as making the kill himself but it would suffice.
In the palace infirmary Dr. Cornelius Hale could vaguely hear the music from the party going on in the throne room. He sighed unhappily, knowing that these parties often involved a prisoner being thrown to the creatures in the beast pit. Even if this one did not the Hutt's slaves would still be forced to entertain his guests. At best this meant humiliation and degradation. At worst it meant torture or death. He shuddered as he recalled some of the wounds he'd treated slaves for.
Once again I find myself serving a tyrant he thought unhappily, as he had since his capture. At least he could still do something worthwhile be offering what little comfort he could to Nem'ro's victims.
Just then he heard some kind of scuffle coming from outside the door. Curious, he looked over at it. The door opened and his eyes widened as he saw who stepped in.
"Kory!" he exclaimed.
"Doc!" she cried as she rushed over and hugged him tightly. He returned the hug.
"How did you find me?"
"I went to Nar Shaddaa. Rusty told me you'd come here" she explained.
"Wait a minute… Kory you shouldn't be here! This is neutral territory. If the Hutts find out…"
"It's all right" she replied. She smiled as she held up a data-card. "We got this from Nem'ro's factory. It proves he's working with the Empire, in complete defiance of Cartel policy."
Huttsbane entered. Behind him Hale could see other Evocii standing over his unconscious guards.
"I'm glad you're all right Dr. Hale but we have to move fast if we're to secure the throne room" he said. "Even with Nem'ro's thugs distracted by the party someone will spot us eventually."
"We should send Doc back to Baratatta" said Kory. "Two warriors can go with him as an escort and…"
He shook his head firmly. "No. Right now you need everyone you have and I would just slow you down. I will wait here."
"All right" she said reluctantly. "We'll come back as soon as we've found Uatu."
"At least the doctor will have company" Benji grunted. He hauled in the thug that had shown them the secret passage. He was gagged and his hands were cuffed behind his back.
"Sorry about this" said Kory. "We'll let you go as soon as our friend is safe."
He grunted unhappily, apparently not buying her reassurance. She shrugged.
As the music finished playing Nem'ro bellowed out, "It's time for the highlight of the festivities. The moment you've all been waiting for!"
The villainous crowd cheered.
"Bring out the prisoner!"
Two Weequay guards dragged in Uatu. The Zabrak was in bad shape, sporting numerous bruises and broken horns. What truly hurt though, the reason his eyes were downcast and he made no attempt to resist, was his own sense of guilt.
He had cracked. He had resisted Nem'ro's torture as long as he could but even Zabraks, a people noted for their high pain tolerance and strong wills, had limits. Eventually he had told the interrogators about the plan to destroy Nem'ro's factory.
I deserve this he thought miserably. I betrayed my comrades because I was weak. I should pay with my life.
Nem'ro hit a button on a control pad and floor panels retracted to reveal the beast pit. The crowd cheered again as the creature Nem'ro had chosen, a giant amphibious predator called a jurgoran lumbered out of its pen and onto the sandy floor of the pit.
"Put him in."
"Stop" said a calm voice.
Surprised, he turned his head to see a black-robed figure. A second later the robe was flung aside and a young female human with short red hair was pointing a green lightsabre at him. Simultaneously members of the crowd shrieked as a squad of Evocii came rushing in, all wielding blaster rifles.
"Nobody move!" One of them roared.
Taking care to keep an eye on the armoured figure standing in the corner, Kory addressed the Hutt directly.
"Tell your men to surrender Nem'ro. There is no need for violence."
He gave a rumbling laugh. "Oh I disagree my pretty little Jedi."
He glanced at Bolla and flicked his head slightly. The Sith took the hint and thrust out his hand, seizing Uatu in a Force grip and hurling him into the pit. The jurgoran roared as it reached for him with a huge claw.
She immediately dashed over to the pit edge and used the Force to lift him out of the jurgoran's reach just in time. As she did so Nem'ro hit another button on his control pad and a dome-shaped blue ray shield surrounded him. Simultaneously Bolla drew his own weapon, a purple blade flaring to life.
Several Evocii opened fire but he easily batted each bolt away while Nem'ro's shield absorbed any fired at him. Pandemonium engulfed the hall as half the crowd began fleeing for the exits in a panic while the rest drew their own weapons and joined the fray. Blaster bolts went flying in all directions as both sides took cover behind anything they could find.
Kory set Uatu down on the floor as Bolla charged and aimed a vicious slash at her. She ducked under it and brought her own blade up in time to block the backslash. She feinted at his leg and then slashed at his head. He saw through the feint and contemptuously swatted her blade aside.
Bolla attacked with powerful slashes and chops, making full use of his cybernetic augmentations. It was like duelling Carnus again except that his weapon was more precise and accurate, and he had the Force to guide him. Kory managed to block or dodge each attack but her counter-strikes were easily deflected and she was forced to give ground.
It was clear she couldn't win in a pure duel. Her opponent was far too strong and skilled for that. There were other ways to fight of course but she was too hard-pressed to effectively gather the Force.
Just then Benji took aim and fired a blaster bolt at Bolla. He deflected the shot easily but the momentary diversion was all she needed to send the cyborg flying with a powerful Force push. He slammed directly into Nem'ro's energy shield and despite his armour he was disintegrated instantly.
She sent Benji a grateful look and then turned to face Nem'ro.
"This is your last chance to surrender Nem'ro" she said even as she deflected blaster bolts, taking care to send them away from her allies. "Your Sith defender is dead. Give up or you'll be too."
"You and your savages cannot defeat me little Jedi" Nem'ro boasted. "Nothing can get through my shield."
"Perhaps you're right" Kory replied. She reached out through the Force and touched a single button on Nem'ro's control pad. The Hutt squawked in dismay as his shield vanished.
"Death to Nem'ro!" Huttsbane yelled. Snatching up a vibro-axe he leaped forwards and chopped off Nem'ro's arm before he could reactivate the shield. Nem'ro's screams grew louder as Huttsbane delivered blow after blow with the axe before fading into a dull gurgle and then finally silence.
The axe fell from Huttsbane's fingers as he stumbled back and gazed at the hacked-up remains of Nem'ro. The battle ceased as both sides stared at the sight in shock.
Kory stepped up besides Huttsbane. "Your leader is dead. There is no reason to keep fighting." Her voice was tranquil but everyone heard her clearly.
For a moment the thugs seemed to be dazed. Then one of them muttered, "I ain't fighting if I ain't getting paid."
Several others murmured in agreement.
"Let's make a deal" she said. "We leave with Nem'ro's slaves. When we're gone this place is yours."
The assembled criminals looked at each other and grinned at the thought of looting the palace.
"Agreed."
