[19 BBY]

[The Palace of Gardulla the Hutt, Bilbousa, Nal Hutta, Y'Toub System, Hutt Space]

Nal Hutta was Glorious Jewel to the Hutts, but to a Solemite such as myself it was a humid, swampy, ball that I would not like to live on for any extended period of time. Thankfully my armour and helmet maintained the usual level of mild comfort/discomfort as I descended the ramp of my Nu-class attack shuttle, Ventress at my right, Karis and Naa'leth just behind with my bodyguard droids. A few B-1R's and four troopers as well, but they merely took up position around the shuttle as I strode forward as the humid winds from the swamps swept over the landing pad. A cloak was unnecessary with the armour, but the theatrics just came as part of the job I'd found.

"Take me to your leaders" I instructed the waiting guards who served the Hutts, armoured Weequay and Gamoreanns, as I came forward as I owned the place. Personally I hated dealing with the Hutts, but I could at least grasp the diplomatic niceties by drawing upon past 'memories' and my own previous visit to the wretched hive that was Nar Shadda. Best draw what small amusements one could I found as they obeyed and I continued my march forward towards the palace. Up above I feel strong presence's in the Force, strangely a lot less 'Dark' than I'd have expected as I looked up to two cloaked figures standing on a balcony, before entering in through the impressively large entranceway.

'Well, they certainly know how to make an impression' came to mind as I stepped through the doorway to the Hutt Council Chambers. With a gesture, raising my right gauntleted hand, I had my bodyguard droids and the two Nightsisters wait as I, with Ventress, just behind and to my right side, strode forward into the illuminated circle before five Hutts. In the shadowy gloom the Hutts favoured I could see three of the four Jedi I'd been sent to recover. Master Adi Gallia and Knight Bultar Swan were laying on the ground before the semi-circle of the Hutt Council chained by their necks to council dias-tables. All while Knight Aayla Secura was dancing in an illuminated glass-cage thing raised up above where I came to gave a brief bow, Ventress doing the same beside me.

"Glorious Members of the Hutt Council, I am honoured by your willingness to meet. I can assure you, as a General, and Envoy, of the Galactic Republic, that the Republic is most eager to rectify recent, unpleasant, events to everyone's satisfaction"

I could feel the approaching swirl of power of what I assumed was our Sith and the fourth Jedi, and I wasn't going to let that or the half-naked Jedi before me make me appear intimidated. Or perhaps it was an effort to distract as behind each Hutt was a further topless female of various humanoid species in a display of power and wealth that my orcish past recognised. Solemite too perhaps, though I'd grown up in the Jedi Temple, and Solem was far more 'civilized' than a medieval magical society. Whatever the case the clear effort to distract me with the sexy, or impress with their power unto, wasn't going to succeed as I played the part of Republic Warlord.

"Your Republic insults us..." one of the Hutts, a Gorga Desilijic Aarpo, relayed through one of the scantily clad, yet still somehow wearing more than the wealth of many poorer planets, Twi'lek females. I knew they all spoke perfectly fine, with no need for interpreters, but Hutt's just loved to show off their power I suspected "...sending Jedi to arrest a guest in our territory. Your laws are not the laws of the Glorious and Wise Hutt, and have no business saying so where our words carry weight"

I bowed a fraction again, right hand to my chest, before coming out and gesturing above me "I can assure Mighty Gorga that it was not the desire of the Republic to do such a thing. One must apologise as the arrogance of the Jedi Order got beyond them, attempting such foolishness without the approval of the Senate, Grand Army, or the Office of the Supreme Chancellor. Despite this the Republic acknowledges its responsibility for failing to reign in this foolishness, and before we negotiate their release as I sign of good faith, on my own authority, I have brought four freighters with holds full to offer as a sign of my respect for this august body. I can but hope the meagre holdings of the Royal Vaults of Zygerria are to your satisfaction"

That had a good impact, muttering in Huttese amongst the Hutts, along with glares from Master Gallia and Knight Swan following before the half-naked 'interpreter' gave a half bow after a rapidfire exchange with "The Glorious and Wise Council accepts this humble tribute by the Wrath of the Republic and will consider this friendship in the future. Mighty and Glorious Jabba hears you have taken the Queen of the Wretched and Worthless Zygerrians as a pet, and questions does she dance well for you?"

I bowed fractionally again "I am glad this humble gift is to the liking of this august body, and I will say the Honourable and Beautiful Queen of the Zygerrians is merely an honoured guest of the Republic aboard my vessel. Treated as befits her new status I can assure you...and she dances quite well in fact, after some training of course"

'Ugh, I really sound the bad guy don't I?' I thought straightening my stance again as the various Hutts erupted in a round of laughter amongst themselves, along with I gathered were comments on Zygerrians. One of the Council, Marlo Qunaalac, guffawed, speaking through the young interpreter like the others "Magnificent Marlo wonders what one would accept in trade for such a creature?"

"My apologies Wise Marlo but I fear I must decline any such trade, Miraj is a gem one could not give up right now, serving to ensure Zygerria learns its place for one, and sadly the Republic frowns upon such things when they are in the public light. One has a reputation to maintain after all"

"Yes, the Galactic Republic is far less enlightened in its rule than those worlds of the Hutts this Council finds, and understands how you must suffer such when serving them" the interpreter Twi'lek replied with a bow as the Hutts laughed yet again, dirty jokes amongst themselves I suspected as the Sith Ghost possessed Acoylte came forward with Jedi Master Shaak Ti at his side. He was in a skull like mask and black armour, impressive I found, while Master Ti was essentially wearing nothing more than a thick and advanced looking slave-collar and harem outfit that made Leia's look modest.

I ignored the provocation, not even glancing at them, as I nodded, continuing my anti-Jedi spiel to try talk down the value of the ladies, along with my own 'disinterested' status on the whole thing "We all have our burdens to bear I am sad to say Wise and Glorious members of the Hutt Council, this is merely one of mine. Along with negotiating for the release of these foolish and arrogant Jedi who dared trespass on the territory of the Hutts, without Republic knowledge one must add. What price would be acceptable to this august body in recompense for any damages caused by these trespassers? "

The price of a starship for each was expected, and I was mildly surprised at the initial response after a brief round of discussions in Huttese when the twi'lek female bowed again "The Wise Council recognises such sufferings, and offers these two worthless creatures before us for the mere cost of ninety thousand Republic credits as they are flat footed and ugly..."

Honestly it was a testament to Adi Gallia that she remained a perfect vessel of calm serenity as the Hutts negotiator twi'lek said some very demeaning things about them. Knight Swan certainly wasn't happy as the worst used car salesperson ever speech continued for about a minute before turning to a gesturing to Knight Secura apparently dancing away in a one-way viewing cage. It would explain some things as the blue skinned twi'lek Knight seemed oblivious to discussions and the people around me "...but the twi'lek we expect one hundred and fifty thousand Republic credits. This creature is..."

'Oh Gods, how long is the sales pitch for Aayla going to go on?' I found after about a minute as the wonders of twi'leks over humans was laid by a suddenly much more energetic slave interpreter. Thankfully it came to an end, though with one glaring exception I found as I gave another fractional bow "Thank you Wise Council Members, and on behalf of the Republic I am glad to accept such a kind offer, indeed one will gladly add a further ten percent by my own authority as an apology by the Grand Army for such actions. Though I did notice the absence of Master Ti from those figures?"

A rapid response this time "The Togruta has already been sold to Lord Kallig, He may speak"

"I can? Awesome, always good to hear the sound of my own voice!" came from the skull masked Sith as took a step forward giving a friendly wave, Force aura strangely...not like Ventress, Dooku, or Maul "Hello! Nice to meet you fine Republic folks, Lord Kallig at your service, proud owner of The Togruta as the nice topless lady put it!"

'Calm, I am Calm' I thought, the Force a pillar of serenity around me as I gave a nod "Lord Kallig, General Daron Stormcrow of the Grand Army of the Republic, what will it take to have Master Ti returned to Republic hands?"

"Waiting about a year I'd expect!" came a cheerful sound response as the Sith raised his right hand, gesturing at Jedi Master Ti with his fingers "That's your cue Shaak dear! Time to shaak your pretty togrutan butt"

I ignored the laughter of the Hutts at that, exchanging a silent look with Master Gallia who gave me a nod of her head in a silent 'play along' as Shaak Ti walked forward towards me, bare feet moving silently over the cold stone floor till she came up close, holding a data-chip, voice low, but firm and confident despite matters "This chip holds information vital to the war effort. Take it and the others and leave me. I will escape, or the Council will rescue once we depart, but for now my fate is sealed. Duty is what matters now"

Taking the chip I looked at it, then at her and she nodded again as I spoke "You are sure of this Master Ti?"

"Yes, I have recorded a holo-recording for Grandmaster Yoda explaining further. So take Master Gallia, and Knights Secura and Swan, then depart. Even with that monster Ventress you are no match for one such that creature is"

"Heh, monster, heh..." Ventress almost giggled softly beside me with her helmet influenced whisper indicating she had overheard the whisper from Shaak Ti to myself "...this is still one of my happier moments, and you can't ruin it. Mother Talzin and the other Nightsisters will adore the footage Jedi Master Shakes It"

Master Shaak Ti froze a second, a flare of irritation and muffled anger indicting her clear exhaustion in reaction to the insult, then rallying and patting arm before sashaying back over her new owner. So be it I figured, giving a faint nod to myself then bowing to the Hutts "I accept the wisdom of this Esteemed Council and will defer on the matter of Master Ti as requested. One also wishes to discuss the purchase of a number of other slaves as has been arranged before between the Aegis Guard and the individual members of this Council previously, along with question Lord Kallig a moment if that is acceptable?"

The Hutts had what they wanted it seemed, so interest had faded as the interpreter bowed "This is Acceptable the Council considers, and we will have our factorums discuss further purchases with you later. This worthless slave must also note that she is now your property Master Stormcrow, a gift of the Mighty, Glorious, and Magnificent Council"

'Hmm...okay?' I thought bowing again "I thank this Wise Council for your gracious gift"

"Hey, aren't you going to ask me something?" the lightly armoured Sith complained gesturing at himself as the two Jedi were unhooked from the Council 'table-dias' and Aayla's Secura's glowing cage lowered to the floor nearby. Three out of four wasn't ideal, but not the worst either in my opinion "Come on, hit me!"

"What are your intentions Lord Kallig, or should I call you Darth Imperious. Emperor Kallig of the Eterneral Throne?"

He hummed, one hand under his chin "Hmmm...Lord Kallig is fine, being Emperor was too much work...I'd prefer to be addressed as KALLIG! BEASTMASTER OF THE CORELLIAN ZOO!"

I let out a breath "Let's just go with Lord Kallig then, since you're not Beastmaster currently"

"I shall recover my Title! It was the best job ever you know..."

I gestured at Ventress not to let her guard down, as she gazed at the strangely Light feeling Sith Lord as he muttered about missing Rancors and the Feeding the Sarlacc day events. Still I cut him off, politely as I could considering circumstances as Shaak Ti came up beside him and knelt down "May I ask your intentions then?"

"Hmm? Oh, nothing hostile to the Republic I'll tell you. Travel the Galaxy! Visit Libraries and read history books while hoping all my enemies still alive when I went to sleep...there weren't very many mind you...and see what hilarious deaths they suffered. Oh, and catch up on the best beaches the galaxy has to offer. I'll get a ship first, can't get far without a ship, but nothing that'll bother you as a General of the Republic"

It felt like he was telling the truth, but this was a Sith Lord, a ghost of a Dark Council member, so there was always more to it than that "I am glad to hear, though I'm sure you understand the Jedi Council will hunt you to ends of the Galaxy for having taken Master Ti as a slave. Not that I'll complain, as that's less time they can invest in bothering me and mine"

"See! Doing you a favour I am!" he replied cheerfully as the Hutts departed and my bodyguard droids helped the three Jedi "But I'm only keeping you from your important business of buying more slaves, and playing doctor with your three Jedi! Have fun!"

I sighed "I go to war, it isn't all fun and games"

"Not always, but sometimes! Murder and Mayhem await!"

I shook my helmeted head "I can't disagree. Murder and Mayhem do await"

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