TATOOINE
The twin suns baked the outer rim planet sending shimmers of heat dancing up from the sands and rock. A smugglers haven, Tatooine was well off the major trade routes and was little more than a forgotten backwater refuge for those of less repute from smugglers to bounty hunters, or those trying to simply hide from the galaxy. Always hot and dry, the desert planet made for the perfect place to just get away from it all, especially for those that did not want to be noticed or found.
Tormen Darklight had spent too long running about the galaxy on behalf of the Republic. After getting shot at by bounty hunters on a supply drop to Ord Mantell, he had decided enough was enough and it was time to take a step out of the spotlight. Being a privateer was never something he had aspired to, and really he had his own goals to get back to attending to. He could only count on Risha and the others so much to run things in his absences.
He had left Risha in charge of the crew and jumped on the first available transport, slipping into Anchorhead without much trouble. He had even had enough luck to managing avoiding recognition by the usual customs officers milling about the spaceport. If his luck held, he would spend a few days relaxing and enjoying. He already knew there were enough problems on Tatooine to fill a star cruiser, but Tormen just hoped he could stay right out of it all. Hopefully the ship is going to be in one piece when I get back, he mused not for the first time since he had left.
The Anchorhead cantina was easy enough to find, sitting on the outskirts away from the spaceport or the shops that were the heart of the city. The cantina was a two level structure, had low lighting and plenty of dark corners, catering to any number of shady characters. Tormen felt well at home as he sat back in the shadows of a corner table, keeping an eye about him. Old habit made him put one hand on a blaster and his back to the wall. You're getting paranoid, old man, he chided himself.
A green skinned and scantily clad twi'lek waitress strolled by and Tormen waggled his almost empty glass at her. With a wink, the woman nodded before heading off to the bar to get him a refill of his Alderian ale. Dark brown eyes did another quick scan of the cantina, taking in the two rodians, a handful of humans, and then just the work staff. There had been a couple jawas but they had been chased off pretty quick.
It was early morning, not yet the hottest part of the day, so the cantina was relatively quiet. The smugglers eyes noted half a dozen vibro-blades as well as a number of blasters, and one rifle amongst the assorted carried weaponry of those in attendance however. No matter how pleasant the place was, how quiet it was, Tormen was not about to let his guard down. Knowing where potential danger might come from kept him breathing and alive.
"You wouldn't happen to be here on business now, would you?" The green skinned twi'lek waitress asked as she returned, and Tormen gave her an appreciative gaze and one of his charming smiles that brought a nice blush to the woman's cheeks. She was tall and thin, light green skin shown off, the darker green accent of her twi'lek markings visible as well. She wore a wrap of gold ribbon wound around each of her lekku. The waitress was pretty, he had to admit.
"Just here for relaxing… and pleasure." Tormen replied, taking the drink and then winking at the waitress.
"Ah, well I'm assuming you got lost on your way, unless you were looking for a slave to purchase perhaps?" The woman answered back, brown eyes meeting his even as she leaned forward on the small table top to peer at him while giving him ample view of her cleavage. And she did in fact have quite a bit of cleavage, Tormen noted.
Tormen smiled taking in the sight she provided him, not missing her meaning in such at all. This was the Outer Rim, forgotten corner of the galaxy where the Republic's rules were well and truly forgotten. The Empire, well slaves had their uses for them after all, so they would not have stopped anything either. Slavery was not at all uncommon, among far more sinister endeavours.
"Shame I'm not in that market at all, but if I change my mind…"
"Pity." The woman smiled and winked before standing back up turning and with a shimmy of hips strolled away from him.
Tormen chuckled and sipped at his ale, relaxing as much as he ever would allow himself in such a surrounding. It was then he picked up on a conversation taking place on the other side of the dividing wall between his table and the next. It was barely audible over the music the cantina kept pumped through the speakers, but leaning well back into the corner, Tormen could make it out if he concentrated.
"I'm telling you, those Mandos are offering good damn money. It's an easy bounty."
"Good money?" Another voice questioned. " For that amount I'd shoot my own beloved mother."
"I don't like it." A third stated and Tormen arched an eyebrow, curiosity peaked now. " I know two of those names. One's a Hunt champion and the other is a Jedi Master! She's a looker and hard to forget with that red hair of hers. Saw her on Balmorra, I did. I want no part of this."
Tormen arched an eyebrow at the mention of the two known targets. Overhearing some bounty talk was nothing new to being in a cantina, especially in the Outer Rim, but something about this conversation seemed off. His attention caught, Tormen knew he wanted to hear more, his curiosity now peaked. Having a good idea who the conversation was about just added to that curiosity.
Certainly the Great Hunt Champion could only be the bounty hunter Teffa Darkstar. His being targeted did not surprise Tormen really, not given he was the top of the bounty hunter food chain. Anyone below knocking him off would get a huge increase in status and business. Credits in the end always talked loudest, and most bounty hunters would just as soon shoot their own mothers for a pay day.
It was the mention of the other target that really made Tormen take heed. He only knew one red headed Jedi a man would have referred to as a looker, and it just so happened Asha Lightstar had been on Balmorra, among other planets. The woman was rather unforgettable.
"I'm telling you its easy money. Two of the targets are right here in Mos Isla!" The original speaker piped up, a little too loud.
"Shut up you fool!" One of them snapped at the original speaker. " Fine, we're in, but shut your trap."
Tormen did not move at all, simply remained as he was sipping his ale and mulling over what he had overheard. He waited until he saw the green skinned twi'lek waitress returning from the bar, heading towards them. More liquid courage, he guessed. Waving a hand slightly she made towards him grinning.
"Just a moment of your time!' Tormen replied smoothly, winking at her before his hand slid about one hip and guided her down into his lap where she was all too willing to settle herself.
Tormen leaned in, hand sliding to tease up along the line of her spine before stroking up and down on one of the woman's lekku, making her tremble. Leaning in close, Tormen kept his voice low and soft as he spoke to her.
"So do you get time off to yourself? I was thinking perhaps you could show me a few sights here."
The woman laughed and leaned back into him, enjoying the closeness and touching. Some of the other girls wouldn't do such, but she didn't mind. Most guys were not nearly as cute as the dark brown haired human with his goatee. There was a presence about him that she found she rather liked, and he had a quick wit. She knew she could do far worse than being sold to him.
"You'd have to buy me away from my owner, I'm afraid."
"Damn." Tormen swore for effect and chuckled. " I doubt he'd be accommodating."
"You never know." The twi'lek teased, rising and grabbing up the tray of drinks once more from his tabletop. " You could always ask. He's the bartender after all."
Tormen winked and nodded, casting a glance over to the bar as the twi'lek waitress slipped around the retaining wall and went to the other table. The smuggler grinned and downed the rest of his ale, brown eyes casting a look about to ensure nobody had noticed anything. He was quite certain the waitress had not even seen the small tracking device, barely the size of a pinhead that he had dropped into one of the drinks she was delivering next door. It had been all too easy.
Tormen shook his head knowing he was getting himself involved in something he really should have just left alone. So just why are you doing it? He already knew the answer to that one even as he thought the question. He had a thing for large breasted, red headed women who could handle themselves. Yeah, Asha Lightstar had made that much of an impression. Well that and saving my ass, he admitted.