[Late 3 BBY]
['Jedi Museum', Palace of Grakkus the Hutt, Nar Shaddaa, in orbit Nal Hutta, Y'Toub system, Mid Rim, Hutt Space]
Lanu Pasiq sashayed down the streets of Nar Shaddaa, flanking her master as they neared the 'Museum', or in this case meeting location where Grakkus felt safe. Or relative safety, as safety was a hard thing when the likes of Beldorian the Hutt Jedi was to attend with other major Hutt lords. At her side was a young togruta girl, Mastaka Ghro, her padawan of sorts, who was fidgeting and almost dying of embarrassment it felt through the Force as Lanu waved at the crowds, striking a seductive pose "Come padawan! Smile for the audience!"
Part of being Grakkus's pet slave Jedi was in being a spectacle. Something she, herself, had struggled with those first few years, but it was certainly an excellent way to learn one's emotions as she swayed, posed, and showed off her mostly unclad figure, along with jew encrusted collar. They were 'stars' of the Hutt space, and Lanu, like those others in the refugee former Jedi category. Numbers that continued to stay the same, or even grow slightly, as the likes of Mastaka having arrived here from the Core, fleeing the madness of the New Order, enticed by fame and wealth. It was different than it was a decade ago, but, here in Huttspace, there was far less likelihood of being sent to war as with the Empire or New Republic, or living, isolated to one world, like many others.
The girl had picked a strange path with her natural shyness…though it did play well with crowds, as the togruta did Lanu had trained her, standing back-to-back, smiling for the holo-cams. Only for a few moments, for the holo-imagers, before returning to walking with their master he too returned to sliding along, basing on the adoration, and fear, of the populous. These were the wealthier distracts after all, and a festival, funded by the Hutt Council, was upon them all to hide all the efforts towards war. Or, perhaps, to put a spin upon such things as mercenaries and traders were regaled with tales of glory, drinks, and scantily clad males and females to ensure they would fight well.
Still…Lanu was glad to step inside, as it was more pleasant air-filtration, as well as carpeted. Heels were dreadful things, something she was immediately kicking off to walk barefoot once inside. Though the feel of the dark, yet not, Force signature arriving was less comforting, though she nodded and gave a smile to familiar faces, such as Amessa Darys who was here with her own 'padawan'. Nothing was said for the moment, as this was all very choregraphed, even down to the small droid taking away her shoes and then top as she shed it, following her master into the waiting meeting room. Standing silently behind him, while a nervous Mastaka stood beside her, the first time ever attending such a fearful event as a meeting of the various representatives of different kadjics.
After an attack of the so-called Shadow Collective over a decade ago. Well, the Hutt Grand Council still adored its pageantry, but security was certainly far higher up the totem pole…
'Between us and the slave guards it would take a decently large force to overwhelm' Lanu Pasiq judged, glancing over other near naked, but equally deadly, female forms within the circle, along with handful of armoured guards and few droids. Only the most trusted and screened were allowed here, even as it was an act as well. Because, as the time came, she began to dance, as did four other female former Jedi, Amessa the guiding force, syncing themselves in the Force to sway her hips, then to gymnastically prance about the outer ring of the meeting, unfurling cloth on her wrist jewellery in sync with the others. But, most importantly of all, listening to the talk, all while reaching out for threats even as they faded into the background in a strange, sultry, manner.
"…the New Republic is proving even more disruptive to our business interests than worst projections" that was Jabba the Hutt, speaking angrily "They drive our representatives from the Core with impunity, they intercept our vessels in their territory, and now they insult us even as they use slaves in manners that are just madness! I see two new Jedi slaves here due to that madness!"
"Which is a benefit Jabba, as has been the increase in migration to our interests, both as employees or as slaves as you say" the old Hutt, or older perhaps, Vedo of the Anjiliac, grumbled back "But, yes, wise Jabba speaks true. Even what was expected is proving an underestimation"
"Full support has been given to forces that oppose our new foe. Fleets are assembling here to do just that task as per our funds" that was Gorga she noted, spinning in the air, five figures spinning in the air, sashes on arms unfurling, then furling around their bodies as they danced, toes balancing perfectly "What more can be done? Our own fleets are strengthened for the first time in many years even!"
"Low scale retaliation is needed!" the one named Arok said next, and that was in line with what Lanu Pasiq knew her own master wished. Wondering when he'd speak. Of all of them Grakkus was the one the New Jedi were likely to have the biggest problem with, and were, as always, sniffing around for fresh victims, and reclaim what was rightfully within her master's collection. Herself and new padawan included!
"It is the opportune time to attempt such" now her master spoke, the opening clear, made by another "These Jedi of Coruscant are most active now. They are beyond the Core in their war…"
Beldorian spoke now, a wary thing to Lanu and others, though she had trained, in his ruthless training, when the ancient Hutt Jedi had been healed (at vast expense) to be the Hutts answer to various monsters such the Confederacy's Imperious, the Empire's Wrath, Corellia's Skywalker, and the equally ancient, but planet-bound, Yoda "At war honourable Grakkus, and the mandalorians are not as available as they would normally. Mercenaries can slay Jedi, but it is difficult, and these Jedi will be with, and near, armies and fleets that serve them. Cost then will be significant for quality hires"
"Then pay we must!" it was the lord of the sands, Jabba, who spoke again "We have already committed to opposing this abomination born of the Old Republic's ashes. It is clear they will not cease their efforts when they have conquered their old systems! We barely stopped a new Sith Empire ruled from Coruscant….we cannot allow a new Crusade to be created against us!"
…and that was the true concern of the Hutts Lanu Pasiq knew from her new life. They were isolationist, non-expansionist, slavers, and the New Republic screamed loudly things that scared her, let alone any species deemed to be on their 'evil' list. They were most disgusting combination of moral crusaders while being myopically blind to the atrocities they committed in the last year. She'd seen the reports from Bilbringi and Shilli after all, seen several young females of those worlds, highly educated, gladly sell themselves to avoid being returned to the 'tender love and care' of the anti-slavery patrols of the New Republic.
It was clear a full blown galactic civil war, on par with the Fall of the Republic, was on the horizon. Only the fact that various forces were rearming rapidly, such as the Empire and Federation, or were in internal chaos and greed such as the Confederacy, delayed the eventual outbreak. Such a thing was horrifying to consider, and she counted herself lucky to live the life she now had rather than having to suffer through what the rest of the galaxy was going, and about to go, through in the coming years. It was one thing to stand as play-toy and bodyguard, another to serve through mud and blood while millions of sentients died all around her. She resisted a mental shiver; unsure she could stand to feel such a thing.
"Time will be purchased with such payments" her master argued, something he'd discussed with his inner council, herself included "Our fleets will be restored and rebuilt to levels sufficient to deter any invasion…given time. Just as the Imperials and Neimodians can field large, modern, new fleets….given time"
"No assassinations within the Core. Rousing them would be disastrous. For all" Gorga interjected as Lanu spun in the air, drifting through into the circle, moving petals and other glittery items with the Force, reaching out for threats and finding none. She could agree with the Hutt for being cautious. The Core, as a whole, wasn't truly committed to the wars its nation fought, with the great fleets of Alsakan, Corellia, and Kuat staying at home to ensure the New Republic's madness was inflicted on everyone else in the galaxy…but not on them "In that we can have agreement?"
"Agreed" / "True" / "Agreement" echoed back in a moment, and that was a relief for her. Better others took the spearhead of battle here, and they didn't wake the Krayt dragon unnecessarily. Her own business was in eliminating her master's enemies when they came after him, or sniffing out their lies during negotiations as so often happened. In exchange she had a good life, with access to all the ancient texts, relative peace within a comfortable existence, even a padawan…
Life was good, or as good as it could get. Seeing the dangers to that life were not pleasant to think upon, but she could only do her part in serving, and advising, Master Grakkus into the future….
