So much for an easy bounty, Sinn thought, as soon as she walked out the door to her room her comm unit went off. Normally seeing the holo of Torian brought a smile to her lips, but the scowl on his face let her know something was wrong.
"Mako's not here," his voice crackled over the comm. "No messages indicating where she went."
"Stay there in case she returns Baby." She gave him a wry smile. "And feel free to kick her butt if she gets to the ship before me." Torian's scowl faded at Sinn's words, she knew he trusted her to find the wayward slicer.
Rushing down to the transport, she hopped into the nearest shuttle barking "Shadow Town, step on it," at the droid.
Known as Shadow Town to the locals, the southeastern section of Nar Shadda's main city was a favorite destination of slicers and holo fiends. As soon as she got there Sinn headed to a little hole-in-the-wall cantina called the 'Slice and Dice'. She wasn't surprised when she walked into and saw Mako giggling at the end of the bar. It looked like the pretty little slicer had been drawing alot of attention and probably hadn't had to pay for a drink all night. Sinn walked over to her, staying out of her line of sight, and decided to have a little fun.
"Buy you a drink?" she purred seductively behind her, and Mako giggled loudly again before turning around.
"Haven't said no to one yet."
Her words were slurred as she spun in her seat with a beautific smile. But when she looked up and saw Sinn looking pointedly at her, she swore under her breath realizing she was back on the clock. "I thought you and Torian had this handled," she groaned, drawing her fingers down her face in exasperation. "Did you two 'distract' each other too much?"
"We found the Nikto, but things got complicated," she muttered, helping Mako to her feet and urging her along. The loud protests of many patrons followed them, Sinn was sure they hated watching all the money they'd spent on drinks get up and walk out the door. Mako turned and blew them a kiss, eliciting a groan from Sinn.
"C'mon, Miss Popular," Sinn hustled her tipsy friend to the transport. "You can get back to your admirers after a quick favor." As the small ship took off Mako glared at Sinn through semi-glazed eyes.
"Just 'cause I hitched a ride with you guys doesn't mean I'm at your beck and call," she grumbled. "You ain't the only ones that would like a vacation."
Sinn let out an exasperated breath. She loved Mako like a little sister, but it was time to get to work. Things were volatile enough with Revel and Lord Kallig in the mix, and she was trying to avoid any more delays.
"Stow it, Lil'bit, you're too young to even be in a place like that." Sinn gave the girl her best 'I'm in charge' look. "Got a task that requires your delicate touch."
When she saw intimidation wasn't working Sinn decided to change tactics. "Make ya a deal," she coaxed. "You get this done with no more complaints, you can charge tonight's tab to our room at the Gazer."
A contemplative smile grew across Mako's face, burning away the signs of her inebriation. "Tonight, and the next two nights," Mako wheedled and Sinn smiled carefully. Sisterly affection aside Mako was part of her crew, and questioning the boss wasn't to be encouraged. Still, Sinn had always loved honing the slicer's negotiation skills.
"Tonight and tomorrow," she bargained. "Torian and I don't wanna stay much longer."
Mako looked happy at the prospect of two nights of a prepaid tab, but Sinn could see she wasn't giving up that easy. "Final offer, Boss. Tonight, tomorrow and the next time we're on Nar Shadda, ditch your Mando and we'll tear up a cantina. On your creds, of course." Mako looked triumphant , knowing she could get her way by appealing to Sinn's fun-loving nature.
"You got it. But only if you speed up the pace. Chasin' you down's burned up too much time as it is."
She filled the slicer in on what'd been going on, and what she'd be needing, barely noticing the bump as the transport touched down at the terminal just outside of the spaceport. They quickly disembarked and rushed through to the bay where Glory was berthed.
Sinn wasn't surprised to see Torian standing outside of the ship when she and Mako arrived. Judging by the worry on his face she was willing to bet he was about to start pacing. Relief flashed in his eyes before his face settled into its normal stoic look. Mako stuck out her tongue at him before striding by breezily. He didn't return the childish gesture, but he raised his boot in her direction, a clear indicator of what he was ready to do.
"I've got the holocube ready," he said as they boarded the ship, and Mako sat down at her favorite terminal, her fingers flying across the interface.
"Good, I'll have this done in no time," she remarked confidently. She shot a withering look at Sinn who couldn't help but to hover nearby. "You know, I do this faster without you over my shoulder. Why don't you guys go find a dark corner to lurk in or something?"
Sinn snickered as she realized she was being dismissed for the second time in one day by two people who couldn't have been more different. But her thoughts took a more sultry turn when she felt herself pulled against an armored chest plate and Torian's bare hand wrapped around her waist.
"For once she may have a good idea," he muttered in Sinn's ear and she smiled as she let herself be led to the common area.
Once they were out of view and earshot of Mako, Torian pulled her into his arms, letting her lean against the wall as he gave her a melting kiss. The move didn't surprise her, she might be publicly affectionate but he preferred to wait until they were in private before doling out his own gestures. He'd taken off his gauntlets and she thrilled at the rough texture of his fingers at her waist as he held her. She returned his kiss with fervor, wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders.
Most girls would be daunted by the prospect of peeling their husband out of armor, Sinn thought with a smile, luckily she wasn't most girls. In fact, she felt there was something to be said for knowing every scar and mark on his entire body, and the fact that the information was hers alone. Then all rational thoughts left her head as Torian's kiss migrated down her throat and she couldn't stop from moaning loudly.
"Alright you two, keep it down." Mako's sharp voice cut through Sinn's daze. "No use in getting hot and bothered while you're on the job."
The smile Torian gave her contrasted with the hunger in his eyes, but she knew he was as patient as she and could wait for a better time. Running her fingers through his hair, she thoroughly enjoyed the simple pleasure of his smile. He allowed her to break through his discipline to make him grin and laugh, which spoke volumes to her. Unable to resist, she gave him another warm kiss before leaning back against the wall with a sigh, appreciating that he kept her captured in his arms.
"What do you think Revel and the Sith are doing?" he asked.
She noticed with a chuckle that his voice had the same tone when he said 'Sith' as Lord Kallig did when she said 'Mandalorian'. She remembered using that tone herself for the bantha dung she'd stepped in wearing new boots when they visited Tatooine.
"Probably the same thing we want to," she teased. "Revel practically kicked me out so they could have a moment alone." The surprise on Torian's face had her laughing out loud. "C'mon, you didn't catch the longing looks they were giving each other?"
"Makes sense now that I think about it," he said as he slowly nodded, then grinned. "Who do you think got the worst of that bargain?" Glad to see his sense of humor had returned Sinn decided to drop another bombshell.
"Apparently whatever arrangement they have makes 'em happy," she said casually. "They're married." Instead of simply surprised, Torian looked shocked making Sinn bury her face to his shoulder to smother her laughter. It didn't take long before he joined in
"Here I thought them working a bounty together was the oddest thing about them," Torian chuckled lightly. "What else was my Cyare able to find out?"
"Found out why they're treadin' on our turf. Seems like the Exchange on Tatooine is about to be run by a new face, that is if the couple lounging in our suite has anything to do with it."
His expression turned reflective and she had an idea where his thoughts had turned. They'd done solid business on the desert planet, giving their past clients a heads up might keep them in good stead. But how loyal was she to those clients? She thought. Aligning themselves with a new regime could also be profitable, so long as the coup was successful.
All in all, hunting was a business and creds meant freedom. Freedom from being at the beck and call of the Empire or Hutts. She wasn't about to risk her and Torian's futures on some risky venture. Clan first, she told herself, but deep in her gut something told her helping this couple was the right decision.
"You know, them being married could be dangerous," Sinn reminded her husband. "If they're anythin' like us, a threat to one will be perceived as a threat to both. But the fact that they're keepin' it secret could work to our advantage."
Torian's gaze turned dark for a moment. "Married or not, still didn't like that move he pulled at the terminal." His voice went flat and hard, and Sinn sighed inwardly, realizing he wasn't going to let that go. Not that she blamed Torian, Mandos didn't respond well to threats on theirs.
"Tell you what, Baby," Sinn gave Torian a diabolical smile. "One free shot, I won't stop you. Just pick your moment." Sinn trusted Torian's instinct for timing the same way he trusted her judgment in people, willing to go along with it but ready in case things went awry. "But no gauntlets," she scolded, "Pulling that blaster wasn't worth a broken jaw."
Torian beamed down at her. "You're wrong there, Cyare," he replied, "Pulling a blaster on you is worth breaking every bone in someone's body." No better compliment than that, Sinn thought happily, as she craned upward to give Torian a grateful kiss.
"If you two are done," Mako droned as she leaned against the doorway. "I've finished with the holocube. Here's the intel on that Kingpin, along with some other goodies I was able to find." She handed a data pad to Sinn. "I also uploaded that information you had me look up, pretty obscure stuff. I'm making sure buy a round for my friends at the Slice and Dice for the extra work."
Sinn looked over the uploads admiringly. "This is perfect, Lil'bit," she exclaimed. "Buy two rounds." At those words Mako practically sprinted out the ship's exit, as if she were afraid her boss would change her mind, and Sinn noticed Torian was looking at her shrewdly.
"Information?" he asked, and she gave him another evil smile.
"Insurance," she replied. "Bodies ain't the only thing worth credits. We've got to keep the big picture in mind and sometimes the right information can be valuable." Torian nodded and gave her one more squeeze.
"That's my girl," he gave her another intense kiss, before shifting into business mode saying "Let's hunt." before they exited the ship ready for battle.