Chapter 1: The Wake-Up Call

The men on this side of Nar Shaddaa seemed to know all the best places as Iz'phal leant on the bar trying to get the attention of one of the various waitresses, the arm of the pirate now hooked around her neck pulling her close. He couldn't seem to keep his hands off her, but she didn't mind. She loved the attention, and he had paid her extra, so he could have whatever he wanted. Eventually the pirate lost his temper, and something snapped, one of the bar women instantly paying attention to them as his gruff voice wasn't to be ignored.

"What does a guy need to do to get a damn drink in this place. Me and my girl ain't got all night!" Skavak barked fiercely as Iz'phal blushed scarlet, burying her face in the dark warmth of his neck. He'd said, "his girl" but he obviously didn't mean it, just wanted to mess around but she was used to that by now and didn't let it hurt her, the fact he was playing her. If she'd known of his reputation for being a womanizer and having been locked away for ten attempts of GBH she would've stayed well away from him but knowing nothing about him and being naïve she assumed she was safe, after all he didn't hold back at showing her off. A few moments later two drinks shot across the bar and the two engaged in conversation, Iz'phal not sure what the pirate had bought her drinks wise, but it tasted great. The cantina they had slipped in to was off the beaten track, but the atmosphere was electric, species from many worlds buzzing around her both male and female, coloured lighting bouncing off the walls, while the décor was of more modern taste.

"So hw'd you know about this place?" Iz'phal asked chirpily as she took another draught of her drink through the straw, pushing up her leather headband to get her lekku out of her face. She sighed feeling his hand run up and down between her hips and ribs as she gushed.

"I told you before Izzy, we pirates know the best places in the galaxy. A shame you can't travel with me…Just imagine it…You and me shooting off into the stars in search of adventure. Sounds fun right?" Skavak popped the question to her, raising an eyebrow as her eyes nearly popped out of her head at that statement. He'd just take her with him. But they'd just met. He was only a client after all and how did she know to trust him…Still…She thought stroking a hand under his chin seeing how serious he was about all this…He is gorgeous and it does sound tempting…Maybe we'll get to know each other better outside of work…Her thoughts snapped off unfinished as he tugged on her shoulder, almost clinging off her as the amount of liquor she'd had was starting to make her woozy, made her head spin but that didn't stop her from accepting another drink from him. Sighing in contentment she snuggled her head under his chin before he accepted her request to get a few breaths of fresh air as she stepped outside. Taking a glance at the door and around him to see if he was being watched the pirate noticed he wasn't attracting attention as he slipped a small bottle from the inside of his shirt eyeing her drink then the people working behind the bar. With a flash and before he could change his mind, he slipped the deadly substance into the drink before it faded away, looking untouched. Skavak smirked, folding his arms across his chest, finishing off his drink now just waiting for her to come back. He'd had his fun with her, now it was time to show her what he really thought of her kind, how low he thought she was. This will be fun…Poor, little naïve Iz'phal…It's damn sad really…The pirate mused maliciously to himself as she made her way back to him, colour heightened in her cheeks from the cold night air, swaying her shapely hips as she walked, and he couldn't help but be fixated by her. However, despite the amount of girl's he'd been with and whispered lies to he admitted having to kill her for knowing too much about him would be a sad moment. But the pirate Skavak didn't allow needless emotions or compassion to sour his cruel demeanour, it ruined his reputation and besides there was plenty more where she came from and her death wouldn't even remove a spot from the galactic map. Not seeming suspicious at all, completely trusting in him, Iz'phal accepted his arm around her shoulders, finishing off the last of her drink with one swig. Knowing she was now vulnerable and would weaken quickly he could finish with her easily and get off world having had his fun for the night.

"We going on to the next place?" Iz'phal asked sweetly, as he murmured a reply against the crown of her head, an excited giggle escaping her.

"Depends how long you have Izzy. I got all night darling" His seductive voice almost having her under his spell as she nodded as they made their way from the cantina, the young twi'lek girl in the arms of the pirate, listening to another one of his stories. Iz'phal admitted this was the best night she'd had with a man in a while and her thoughts began to drift to other possibilities, what else they could get up to in one night but the next thing that happen caught her completely off guard as he stopped dead, whispered something in her ear that she couldn't seem to catch before his fist caught her in the stomach sending her sprawling to the floor. Crying out in pain the winded twi'lek tried to get to her feet but he floored her again, one of his booted feet catching her in the ribs as he pummelled her on the floor. Utterly shocked and overwhelmed with pain she was winded and found it difficult to breathe as he grabbed her by the throat throttling her. Iz'phal knew she was in trouble, knew she could never overpower him, but she tried to scare him, tried to intimidate him but that could be the last mistake she could ever make.

"Get off me…pirate…. scum" She choked as his blood boiled over at the insult, fist bloodying her nose and upper lip before shattering her eye socket. Sobbing in pain just wanting it to be over with he continued to batter her until she was a bruised, life-less looking corpse on the floor. He growled at her but knew she couldn't hear him.

"You call me scum alien, but you'll find it's the other way around!" he spat, kneeling down, searching her pockets until he found what he wanted. "Look at you. Scrounging the streets, praying on guys like me for mere credits. You're nothing girl and will always be nothing…Now stay in the gutter where you belong!" His words reaching a cruel crescendo as he retrieved what he was looking for, taking back his credits before swiping the blood, her blood from his face and strode away into the darkness as if nothing had happened determined to get off this wretched planet.

Blinded by pain and rasping for breath she choked on the blood rising within her throat as the beaten and bloodied form of the twi'lek girl came around. It was hard to take in what had just happened, but the truth hit her in blurred, twisted images. He'd turned on her, used her and probably beat her to get back his money. She was too young to defend herself and had been rendered helpless by his merciless attack as she tried to get to her feet, but the pain was too much, so she just lay in the dirt, spitting up more blood as she tried to drag herself to some form of shelter, but she couldn't move very far. A gang of merchants strode past her, muttering in distain as they ignored her, thinking she was just some peasant from the lower levels. She pleaded for pity from anyone reaching out a hand to anyone passing by, crying out for help, for some form of compassion but they all knew her kind and turned away or walked on by the people of Nar Shaddaa having hearts of stone. It dawned on her as a couple ignored her, walking on by that she didn't feel right. Her head was spinning, eyes watering, breath quickening until she realised she was going to be sick. Her gut wrenched as she managed to press herself with much difficulty onto all fours as she cleared her airway, pulse quickening, feeling feverish. The next ten minutes she knelt sick as a dog in the street, eyes streaming with tears, blood and dirt marring her face as she prayed for anyone, anyone to help her but no aid came. She was very ill, suffering from the effects of the poison and as she wept and suffered into the night, the sickness getting worse, rain pouring from the sky, chilling her to the bone she assumed no help would come. She was going to die on this world.

The galactic senate convened on matters Coruscant side but when a planet's situation was a dire as this something needed to be done. The corruption, spice dealers, crime lords, gangsters. Someone needed to put a stop to it and a young senator from Coruscant thought he could do just that. He had been appointed to Nar Shaddaa as regional ambassador to deal with the many problems plaguing this planet and every day he felt this challenge becoming a burden. Still his compassion for the people of the galaxy and kindness guided him in his mission and aided his goal. He was known on Coruscant for having the patience and wisdom of a Jedi but was firm and stoic when he needed to be. Getting caught in the weather was the least of his concerns as he'd left his evening meeting earlier than expected. His attire was that of a stateman's, adoring robes of emerald, green, flared at the collar, not someone you'd expect to see walking the crime filled streets of Nar Shaddaa but he was not without weapons and if threatened he would react. The hour was late, and he admitted the hours of political battles and debates had worn him down, just wanting to have a roof over his head. Suddenly something in front of him stopped him in his tracks. His eyes opening wide in horror at the scene before him as he saw it was a girl and a young one of that, a twi'lek. Her body lay lifeless on the ground, blood staining the floor around her as without hesitating he knelt by her side, placing a hand behind her head, trying to check for signs of life. He could feel the warmth of her skin through his glove and knew she was extremely sick, had a fever of some description as he found a pulse, but it was worryingly quick. At least she was alive, but she wasn't well. He tried to gauge a response from her, but she was unconscious, lying like a dead corpse in his arms not responding. If she was only aware and awake to see him helping her. That there was kindness and love in the darkest of places, but her world right now was a bottomless pit, and she needed someone to help her change that. Someone with humanity and a heart.

"Miss, are you alright miss?" he asked worriedly, again feeling for her pulse, but it was fading, trying to gauge a response from her but she was still out cold. "I'm a republic senator; you're very ill miss. I need to help you…" He voiced his concerns for her condition as realising he needed to act fast; he picked up the weightless girl in his arms, wanting to shed tears himself, eyeing the vicious bruising on her face and the blood that marred her skin. It was distressing for him, to see her, a girl so young put through something like this but at least he'd come to her aid when he did. He carried her in his arms all the way to his home, through the torrential rain, soaking him to the skin but he needed to get her to safety but the first person she needed was a doctor and fast.