Golden Link Casino

[Zara Nargal]

The Twi'lek at the front desk took in the appearance of the woman, smiling at her before looking down at the console in front of her.

 

"If you'll follow me, I'll take you through."

 

She signalled for her droid counterpart to mind the front desk while she escorted Ka-Rith down the elevator, to a lower office in the force using section.

 

"Can I get you anything while you wait?"

 

The Twi'lek asked, ready to get the girl some refreshments if required.

 

--

 

Zara had recovered well after her little procedure, making her way back to her penthouse to the children for a while. With reports of the battle on Coruscant she'd had second thoughts on leaving the twins just yet. She made sure the twins were fine, receiving a message that a young woman was there seeking employment.

 

"I'll see you two later sweethearts... Mummy has to go see someone."

 

She looked up at the Nanny, giving her a smile and instructions to keep the twins occupied before she made her way back to the meeting room. The young petite woman seemed another force user if Zara's senses told her correctly.

 

"Hello. I'm Zara Nargal. I believe you're enquiring about employment?"

 

She raised an eyebrow, looking at the woman with interest.

[Ka-Rith]

Ka-Rith didn't say anything once she was led into the waiting room. Her senses had flooded back into her body with the return of the force, she was no longer blind or deaf to her surroundings. This place was just odd, it had sections barred from force use and others that weren't. She gave the Twi'lek a nod of thanks before taking her seat.

 

It wasn't long before, what she assumed was, the owner walked into the room. The lady introduced herself, her name was familiar sounding. Most likely some rumors she had heard about this place as it was quite popular. Lowering her hood, she allowed her pale skin and dark hair to meet the light as she began to speak.

 

"Yes, well, something like that. I am in dire need of a place to stay, but I am without money. My name is Ka-Rith and I would like to offer up my services in exchange for a place to stay here in the casino. "

[Zara Nargal]

There was something about the girl that Zara felt drawn to. She observed her, seeing her relief at feeling the force in this area of the Casino.

 

"I think we might be able to work something out. What sort of work would you be interested in doing? As you would be aware, we have two different sections to this Casino. One with the Force, the other without. You are trained in the force?"

 

The question slipped out as she seemed to have something in her stance that hinted at it.

[Ka-Rith]

Ka looked around the room a bit before Zara spoke again, subconsciously noting the exits. Peace of mind was a rare thing for her these days, something she had to struggle to achieve and work even harder to keep. It was only when the woman mentioned the force that Ka's attention was brought back into full focus. She didn't want to be taken in by a Jedi or a Sith.

 

"The force..."

 

She had noted that Zara had a talent of her own with the force, but it wasn't until she mentioned that she realized she would have had to have been trained to gather such a control that she could feel within her. Sending out tendrils of the force, Ka searched for the light and dark in the room. This one was predominantly light, the only dark in the room was the hints of it that mixed with her own force aura.

 

"I've...dabbled in it a bit, yes. Why do you ask?"

 

She spoke quickly now, obviously on her guard and a bit more paranoid at the question. It was only as an after thought that she added what kind of work she would be interested in.

 

"I've worked as a guard before, I've got plenty of skills in combat. Though my main skill lays with computers. I'm something of a slicer."

[Zara Nargal]

Zara gave her a reassuring grin,

 

"I dabbled myself, but don't have intentions of joining either. Just... testing my own skills if you would. Have no fear, it was just a matter of curiosity is all."

 

She tilted her head, seeing someone in front of her that seemed not to want to be affilated with either group, just as she.

 

"A slicer and skilled with combat you say? Well, it's well known The Link doesn't get along too well with Black Sun. They have tried to blackmail us, used extortion attempts, robbed us as well as tried to kidnap me. If you could aid me with keeping my own skills honed with the blades I would appreciate it. Also if you could see any improvements we could make to our systems, particularly around the hangers so we might have extra warning when uninvited guests arrive among the regular patrons...

 

"Does that sound alright to you? In return, I'd see to it you had a room in the force area of the Casino, along with the standard rate of pay, bonuses for extra jobs done."

 

She observed her, watching to see if her offer would be taken up.

[Ka-Rith]

Ka's eyes lost a bit of their intensity when she heard Zara say she hadn't joined either faction either. It was good to hear there was someone out there like her, even if that was the only similarity between them. Ka-Rith had, in fact, heard about the new rivalry that sprang up between the Golden Link and the Blacksun. Though, why the BlackSun had gone after the Link was beyond her. As it would seem this place was entirely legit.

 

"I am sure I could help keep you out with the saber training, you've a weapon right? If not I've a spare. I can of course help with the security, if you will have someone explain to me what current precautions you have in place for the hanger areas. It sounds like a great deal, though where would you like me to start?"

 

She twisted her neck to the side, cracking it to be rid of a bit of stress pent up there. For the first time in a few months she cracked a smile, glad to finally have a place to stay and something to occupy her time. Of course, being able to actively practice her skill with her weapons was a big benefit to all of this.

[Zara Nargal]

"We can start with a tour of the premises if you like"

 

Zara stood up, motioning for Ka-Rith to proceed her from the meeting room. She walked beside her once out of the room, pointing out the training area in the force zone, the cafeteria in the lower section, the apartments including the one she was now to be allocated.

 

"Out from here, will be another swoop track and duelling ring, yet to be completed but not too far off being so. They'll be open for business soon."

 

From there the two headed back to the elevator,

 

"Here is where the force zone ends, we added this area on recently, though there are some nice park areas up above, even if you can't feel the force there."

 

She took Ka-Rith right to the top, showing her the domed park with various forms of flora and fauna, then taking her down the levels, showing her where the holopark was located, also the upper swooptrack, duelling ring, main Casino, apartments and the rest of the complex.

 

"You can look over it in detail in your own time. Familiarise yourself around the facilities and see if you find anything that needs improving. Any questions?"

[Ka-Rith]

Ka-rith got up and followed Zara. The entire Casino looked quite nice. The cafeteria was fairly impressive and the food didn't look like some kind of goo that had been scrapped off the bottom of a Wookiee's foot. Not having any bags to leave in her room Ka just looked it over for a few seconds before continuing on. The Swoop track greatly interested her, she wanted to use it to practice her piloting skills as she would need them in the future to get away....

 

Her body felt heavier as they entered the force zone. Everything around her seemed to dull back into a normal sensory range, which wasn't very pleasing for the young girl. At least the view was fairly decent. She looked towards her new boss, tapping her fingers on her side. It was a bit of a nervous habit she was starting to develop with this lack of the force.

 

"One question, yes. Yes, where is the control room for the computer systems? If I happen across something I believe could be improved I will need to know where it is. Also, your comm frequency just in case I can't find you."

[Zara Nargal]

Zara again noticed the discomfort of her companion once they had entered the forceless part of the Casino. She didn't like it much either now that she had embraced the force and learnt how to use it. She turned to answer Ka-Rith as they again headed back to the force zone.

 

"We'll get there presently, here's my comm. frequency, it'll get me direct if you need me for anything. I know it's not much of comfort for one that embraces the force, though I do come up here to train in the other training rooms from time to time. It helps to be able to keep your skills honed both with and without the force. There are always times when others will use ysalamari on you and you need to be able to deal with reactions of not having the force to rely on."

 

By now, the two women had entered the elevator, the force slowly returning to them once more as it lowered to the other section. Zara's thoughts were on Ronin, he used it often from what she'd been told, especially since he decided to go after Sabian. Strange, she had not heard anything from her old Master. She knew she had that goodbye message from him, but she'd had a sense of him being there before, now she couldn't even find that awareness that stated he was alive and well. She was worried. The reports had said the Kraken had started that Coruscant battle. It would have to have been because Sabian had been there. She still loved the father of her children, even though he had tried to kill her too... but if anything happened to Sabian... she just didn't know how she'd feel... if she'd be able to feel... the connection he created between them had been so strong. She honestly didn't know how she would react if that got severed.

 

She brought her thoughts back on track once more... her worrying thoughts put to the back of her mind for the moment at least as she looked back at the other girl.

 

"One thing I will ask as well. I need to know that you will be loyal to us. Before I give you access to our computer systems, will you agree to undergo having an implant?"

[Ka-Rith]

Everything had been going perfectly and it was starting to make Ka-Rith suspicious. Nothing good could happen or come to her this easily. It just wasn't in the nature of the force to make her life easy. When Zara spoke of an implant to insure loyalty her heart skipped a beat, catching in her throat. She couldn't do that, wouldn't. She would earn her trust some other way, she had too. An implant could be anything. How could she trust Zara that the thing was completely legit?

 

"I..." Her voice was firm, but it was obvious she was unsure. "I just don't know. Can I not earn your trust some other way? I've been through too much to allow someone to insert anything into me...I would never feel alone, I would never feel totally secure with myself. I would love to work for you, but I can't allow that. There has to be another way."

 

Ka began to fiddle with her cloak, running her pale fingers up and down the length of it unsure of what she should do. If she couldn't get a job here because of her refusal of the implant she would once again be without a place to stay or anyway to get something to eat. It seemed life was just getting harder by the second, it was threatening to suffocate her as it had only a few months ago...She closed her eyes slowly, pushing down the thoughts that plagued her mind everyday...of the time so long ago...

 

A thought echoed through her head...It was a voice from so long ago. She had never met the man that had spoken to her through the force but his words hit home like none other. "You are only as worthless as you make yourself...". Unable to forget those words...she looked up to Zara awaiting a response.

[Zara Nargal]

"If you can come up with something that will prove you won't bring harm to the Link Organisation, I'll be willing to let you do that. The implants are only a new thing I've implimented. I can't trust Black Sun and I've had Black Sun operatives in here. One of which came across to us, but I'm still not sure of him."

 

Zara conceeded that much. She thought a moment.

 

"I can have an exclusive contract drawn up. We do pay well and look after our employees. Between that and whatever method you can come up with. Will that suit?"

 

She had received a message with regards to their newest employee, a message that was concerning.

[Ka-Rith]

It would be a difficult task to prove her loyalty to the Nargal and the Golden Link Casino as a whole, but nothing was impossible. She would just have to do her best not to mess up anything in the mean time. Her mood brightened back up knowing she would be able to get around getting an implant put in.

 

"How about this..." She paused for a second, her lips gathering on the right side of her face as she thought. "Allow me to explore the hangers around here and tell me what kind of security you have for them. I will improve upon them vastly, you've my word. I've no ill will for you or anyone here, I've only got an ill will towards one man. I will agree to sign a contract as well. I really don't want to mess up the only job I have come across lately, as my stomach and body can't go much longer living off of practicly nothing..."

 

She stood still, watching Zara closely. She hoped that the woman would accept this. It wouldn't matter how much trust the woman put in her at first, she knew that over time she would be able to build it up to a great amount. This job would prove profitable.

[Zara Nargal]

"Alright then,"

 

Zara agreed, motioning for Ka-Rith to join her in her lower office,

 

"I'll just draw up the contract then. There is one other thing you could do for me, to prove just how loyal you are."

 

She went on to describe just what that task was.

 

"Now, I know they will be wary, you can take another with you if you like. Speak with Kal. He's recently come to us as well. When he returns, see what information you can get from him with regards to this mission. I want it an information gathering mission, if they look to be taking an interest in you get out."

 

She pushed across the contract and looked up at Ka.

 

"Any questions?"

[Ka-Rith]

Ka picked up the contract and looked it over for a few minutes, knowing full well it was not smart to sign without reading. Once she was finished looking it over she reached over and grabbed a pen from the table and signed it with her full name. It was odd to see her last name printed on paper...

 

Ka-Rith Ordan

 

"No questions here, I find him and see what I can gather from him. A bit of help would be great too, so I will take him with me. "

 

She flashed Zara a smile and pushed the paper across the table to her. She was glad to finally have a job she could do. A legal job at that, as her last few jobs had been under the table type or work. Each of which led to a tragedy or betrayal in the end. She nodded to Zara and left the room, heading to the room that was to be hers. She did have a mission, but Kal wasn't back so in the mean time she would catch a bit of sleep and see what she could do about cleaning up.

[Zara Nargal]

Zara smiled back at her, filing away the contract and having it put in the central databanks. She rose from her desk once Ka had left, heading back to her twins again for a moment, giving both a cuddle and spending a little time with them. She needed to go get them their birthday gift.

 

Reports came in again on the Coruscant battle, Zara not hearing anything with regards to her master though she was disturbed by the Jedi Temple being destroyed. Not that she'd been there or had had any intention of going there. And Ronin started all of that... A small voice continued to eat away at her, Zara thinking back to when he hadn't cared she had been in that building. Hadn't bothered to check what was happening, which had been nothing at the time.

 

Being a single parent of two very active, force using twins was hard work. She loved her children dearly, though thoughts of their father were giving her more pain these days than anything else. And that Kalyani looked so like him... and Kane like her...

 

She rose from sitting on the floor with them, nodding to the nanny to take care of them while she was out again and headed towards the elevator once more.

 

Before she reached it she stumbled, catching herself on the courtesy chair outside of it and lowering herself down as pain went through her body. She hurt literally from head to toe, her body feeling like it had been used for target practice.

 

"SABIAN!!!"

 

She doubled over, seeing him falling from a ship... not just any ship, but the Grave Breaker. Ronin. He'd had him and... he'd mutilated him... She began to weep, dragging herself off the chair and into the elevator so she didn't make a public spectical of herself, becoming more in control as she reached the non force zone. She took the private service corridors to the hanger, boarding the unmarked freighter and making herself go through the preflight checks before taking off. Once more back in the force area, her loss became unbearable. She broke down and wept as the levers were hit sending her into hyperspace...

[Kal]

Kal sat and was told instead of going to see the boss that was to go see a women named Ka. He saw a picture and was told to assait her in every way able. Kal nodded, grunt work still. He still had a lot to prove apearntly. Kal shrugged. Kal made his way though the casino and found his new team leader. Kal founder her wondering around the computer room.

 

"Hi, I was told come see you. The names Kal. So what is this mission about and what can I do for you toots?"

[Ka-Rith]

Ka had awaken a while ago to a feeling of extreme anguish. It was from Zara and a bit worrying, but before she could find her and see what was wrong the woman had left the station. Rather then go back to sleep she decided to clean up and get ready to do some work until Kal returned.

 

About an hour later she was downstairs in one of the lesser computer rooms discussing some upgrades to the security system when a man approached her. She assumed this was the one she was to be working with. Her face showed no emotion towards him until he finished speaking, calling her toots. This annoyed her greatly, almost to the point of putting him in his place.

 

"The name is Ka-Rith, not Toots. Boy. Now, I am hungry lets grab a bit to eat while we discuss the mission."

 

She walked past him and exited the room, heading for the food court. She didn't say anything to him until she had her food and drink. Sitting down at one of the booths she ate quietly for a while, sipping at her drink every now and then. When she was finally finished she looked up to him and began to speak, her voice quiet and her tone serious.

 

"You used to work for the BlackSun, tell me what you know about their outer security at Coruscant."

[Kal]

Kal liked how she did this. Well its time for him to do what he can.

 

"Sorry about the "T" word Ka-Rith. Anyways where to begin. The Black Sun when I was leaving was in the process of upgrading becasue of a security problem. Lets start the simple things. First off they cameras postioned max every three meters, min every half-foot. They are on constant roation leaving no blind spots near the special interest areas such as the computer main frame and the armory. Next is a little trickier. Except for the main hallways and the training rooms all of the rooms, lockers, offices, you name it can only be opended by finger print, DNA, eye scan, and voice regcantion. Those are the easy things. Next is the turrents installed in random places in the whole citadel, the bad thing is they are spread out enough that they can give equal supressing fire no matter where the hell you are. Droids have been implanted thoughout the walls which means a droid army will stop you. Last but certinally not least, the whole citadel has been set up for one person who knows well enough say an ageant for example can go from the top floor to the bottom floor faster than you could knowing everything about this place."

 

Kal stopped and let all of that infomation sink in.

 

"Now if that wondeful infomation isn't enough, need I say more ray shields than the empire has in capital ships. So you still interested?"

[Ka-Rith]

Ka popped her jaw as she listened to him, absorbing and processing all of the information. They had taken a great deal of precautions, but if one was determined enough they would easily be able to get inside. She left her tray on the table as she motioned for Kal to follow her. She moved into one of the back areas of the Link and began to gather some gear for the mission.

 

"We will take an unmarked freighter. Lets go."

 

With all the gear they would need she lead him to the hangers. Entering the ship she sat down and fired it up, exiting the casino and entering hyper-space in no more then two minutes flat.

[Kal]

Kal moved his three droids along with gear inside the unmarked ship. Then left.

[Brina Thalin]

Absorbed in her work, Brina barely noticed the sudden flow of traffic in the hanger. She vaguely registered ships landing and taking off, but that was about it. All of her concentration was focused on the mess of wires in front of her, and trying to lock down the starboard repulor that had somehow gotten loose.

 

She tinkered and dabbled, replacing wires that were corroded, but not finding the source of the problem. She was just starting to get annoyed when suddenly she saw it. "Aha!" she said. "This one should be over there!"

 

Brina quickly switched the two wires and pushed back a rebellious strand of red hair, not even noticing that she got grease in by doing so. "Now, let's see if that did it."

 

She was attempting to increase the repulsor's functionality, but the task that had started simply had turned out to be rather complicated. The Crazy Mynock had seen better days, and had picked up some curious tendencies. Heading to the cockpit, she took a deep breath. "Alright, let's see..."

 

She flipped the lever, and the ship slowly lifted off the ground. The starboard repulsor seemed to be working, so she encouraged the ship to raise higher off the ground. It did so, although she could both hear and feel the stress on the ship. Slowly, she made it so that she was hovering about 10 meters off the ground. The ship was groaning, but the repulsors were holding. She let out the breath that she hadn't realized that she was holding and flopped down in the captain's chair. She then lowered the ship back down onto it's landing struts.

 

As Brina sat there for a moment, an idea suddenly sparked her. What if she could rig the sheilds and repulsors together, so that she could activate the sheilds while the ship was still on repulsor power only? That would be very handy in a fight, although Brina had never heard of it being done before. She knew that it should theoretically be possible, however, and decided that that would be her next project.

 

She checked her comm quickly to make sure that she wasn't needed elsewhere and that everything was under control, and learned that Zara had left the station, and that the Link now had two new employees. It appeared Zara had been busy. She commed the front desk of each department, informing them not to hesitate to call her if anything cam eup that needed her personal attention.

 

Brina then moved to the back of the ship, pryed open another panel, and got to work.

[Zara Nargal]

A mayday comm crackles over the line,

 

"Help... in trouble... don't know where I am... in ship with sith Ar-Pharazon... was at... Last Call..."

 

the mayday comm ended...

[Brina Thalin]

Brina had just finished rewiring the repulsors and sheilds and was ready to try it. She headed up to the cockpit, knowing that if the system failed, it would take a lot of work to get it put back together again.

 

She reached for the lever....and her comm beeped with a sudden urgency. She smiled. "I guess this test can wait. Let's see what they want."

 

She activated the comlink, and instantly a frantic-sounding man came on the line. "Miss Thalin!!! We're recieving a coded distress signal from Miss Nargal!!"

 

Brina's smile vanished. "Patch it through."

 

The young lieutenant did so, and Brina listened with growing horror at the message. Lord Ar-Pharazon... Now that was one name she certainly knew. Everyone in the galaxy knew the crazy, psycotic Sith Lord. There was no telling what he would do to Zara. Brina's mouth became a thin, determined line.

 

She switched the comm to the twins' nanny. "Are Kalyani and Kane ok?" she asked, knowing that if Zara was in distress outside of the Last Call, they would feel it.

 

The nurse replied that the twins were fine; they were napping.

 

"Alright," Brina replied. "I'm leaving the station for a bit...keep up the good work, and make sure they're alright. I don't know how they will react..."

 

She quickly filled in the nurse about the comm she had recieved. "If Zara leaves the Last Call, the kids should be able to feel it. Let me know if anything changes."

 

She then changed the comm again, letting the personelle that she was leaving, and setting up a certain one to be in charge until either of them returned. She also sent out the order for the station to move again. The response was instant, since the systems were primed and ready to go, and Brina was told that it would move as soon as she left.

 

That taken care of, Brina wasted no time in firing up the Crazy Mynock's engines, and blasting out of the hanger towards Coruscant.

 

***

 

The Golden Link Casino jumped into hyperspace as soon as the freighter was gone, heading to an undisclosed location...

[Zara Nargal]

The Golden Link Casino winked back out of hyperspace above the planet of Ord Mantell. The local's were soon informed that the Casino was there and business opened up once more...

 

**

 

The Crazy Mynock followed the unmarked freighter out of hyperspace, both heading to the private section of the hanger bays. The pilot's were paid bonuses not to say anything about Zara's current appearance, both not having been informed of her condition. The gifts for the twins were taken to a location where the twins wouldn't find them so they would remain a surprise for their birthday. Zara had dug out a set of robes from her bunkroom, covering herself completely, including a set of gloves. Her face was in shadow as well as she now made her way to her apartment.

 

Entering the penthouse in the non force area, she heard her twins before she saw them, finding out the hard way that they had felt her pain. She winced, hoping that they hadn't been traumatised by what they had felt. The nanny quickly moved to Zara's side, telling her that she had brought the twins up to the non force zone as soon as they both started screaming about her. She wanted to know why the twins had carried on as they had. Very sadly, and wincing this time from pain, she removed her hood, revealing how battered she was to her trusted employee.

 

The Nanny's hand went to her mouth, her eyes widening in horror as she took in all the bruises and marks over Zara's face - the only part of her she had revealed.

 

"The rest of me is like this too. I can't cover it up, it hurts too much. I just don't want my babies to see how bad it looks..."

 

Too late for that as two small children and a black bundle of fur came racing towards her.

 

"Mummy, Mummy... Mummy... you're home..."

 

They stopped short of her, Zara having tears trickle down her face as she knelt down to cuddle her twins,

 

"It's ok babies... Mummy's home... it's alright..."

 

She knew that they knew that it wasn't alright. The boisterous twins were very gentle with her, knowing somehow that they'd hurt their mother if they were too rough. The look in Rascal's eyes clearly told her he'd rip to shreds whoever it was that did this to his mistress. After a time, they let her up, all of them moving further into the living room, Zara sinking down onto the lounge chair, the twins cuddling up to her once more. She placed her arms around each of them, Rascal positioning himself protectively at her feet.

 

The Administrator, hearing of her return, requested to see her. Zara had to see him, had to tell him about Brina, so admitted him. She had to struggle to keep herself composed as the man entered the room. Seeing her condition, at first he took a step towards her, then thought the better of it, remaining a 'safe' distance from her, instinctively. She told him about Brina, and to set things in motion with regards to her. She also told him to send out a request for top bounty hunters. Her voice hardened then. After a few more moments of business discussions he left her be, Zara breathing a huge sigh of relief that the man had gone. She also contacted the female Doctor down at the medical center, asking her to come up... doing as she had promised the medical staff at the Coruscant Hospital.

 

After having a check up, and having more pain medication administered, Zara moved through to her bedroom, the twins not leaving her side. The Nanny bathed and changed the twins for bed, and "just this once" they curled up in bed to sleep with their mother. Before Zara retired, she showered and changed, looking over the extent of her injuries, the synth skin having been applied to the worst of the burns. She went to her safe, pulling out her saber and the pendant, moving back to her bedside and placing the saber hilt into bedside table draw. The twins knew not to touch it so it was alright, she had something like a child lock on it. Lying back in bed, her twins curled up with her, Zara looked at the pendant, also holding the bullet case. Love and Peace... it was inscribed on both of them. Zara placed the pendant around her neck. She lay there for a long time before being able to go to sleep...

[handofthrawn]

A rumble originated from the depths of space. A large crescendo in this rumble proceeded the appearance of a modified YT-2000 Corellian Stock Light Freighter identifyable as the Night of Vengeance, the ship belonging to the Mandalorian bounty hunter known only as ShadowFett. He had once again returned to the Golden Link Casino, though this time on better terms.

 

In the past, he had been a member of not only a Black Sun operation to sabotage the Link organization, but a well-planned heist that was composed of representatives of many criminal groups and other freelance mercenaries. They were scum for the most part, but that was contrary to the point. The point was that Fett hadn't been on good terms with the Link in a long time.

 

The last time he had been here, he had walked away with less credits than he had had before. This was unimportant to him, but the fact that his good intentions of before had been turned into a way to thieve money from him left a bit of a sour taste in his mouth.

 

This time, he could be assured, things would be a little different. The Link had, in fact, hired him to work a job and fill his recent absess of them. He had never failed in a hunt, only been called off before he found success. He had defeated countless villains in personal combat and had lost such a fight only once, long ago. He had not claimed vengeance on that man, but the time would come.

 

Fett opened a comm to the Link. "Greetings. Reporting as requested. What can I do for you?"

[Zara Nargal]

Zara had woken early after a restless night, still in pain, still showing all the signs of her ordeal. She also spent quite an amount of time throwing up in the refresher. Another reminder of what she had been through. She dressed carefully, covering her injuries with full length shirt, gloves, long trousers, boots and a hooded robe. Her twins were now settling down, though still clingy with her. She had to deal with this business though without her children present. The Nanny had to distract them so Zara could leave her penthouse, her pendant around her neck for comfort, and the bullet case in her pocket, needing to draw some strength from any comforts she could come across.

 

She took the back corridors to the meeting room with the bounty hunter she had hired. One of the three she wanted to do this job, she didn't care which one completed the task, and maybe it was 'overkill' hiring the three best hunters, but she needed peace of mind. She had to steel herself to enter the room that ShadowFett would be shown into, the message being sent to him to land and come to this particular meeting room. She had her back to the entrance, still suffering from her nightmare visions, and still quaking in fear from time to time, not quite able to hide the effects of that frightning episode.

 

Her face was shadowed so that her bruised, swollen face was hidden from view. Zara sipped on a ginger tea, trying to settle her morning sickness while she waited for the Hunter to arrive.

[handofthrawn]

ShadowFett was directed to land and complied without quarry or statement, only a brief affirmation. His YT-2000 smoothly set down at the specified landing pad and he exited it, disarming himself except for his Westar-34s and the emplacements that were built into his armor. He did not mean to be threatening, only comfortable and capable. He wouldn't have something like what had happened in the past occur again.

 

The Mandalorian in black armor was guided through a few corridors and left before a door, which he entered a moment later, carrying himself with confidence and precision, though not making a display of it by any means. He simply presented himself in a way that reflected what he truly was--a warrior through and through, a being of discipline and efficiency.

 

He raised a concealed eyebrow when he entered. Before him was the being that apparently was Zara Nargal. Rather than being clad in an intimidating Dathomiri battle suit, she was wearing clothes that covered as much of her skin as possible, and her hood further concealed her skin. Fett could immediately tell that she was in a somewhat fragile state, something that could easily be related to the job he was about to receive.

 

Fett didn't sit, but entered and stopped, resting his right hand on his left gauntlet with his feet about shoulder-width apart and his head slightly lowered--it was a familiar position, both relaxed and capable. "Can I help you, Mrs. Nargal?" he said politely, though his voice carried no emotion or even tone. It was just flat, plain, and unrevealing.

[Zara Nargal]

Even though she was expecting him, she still jumped, nearly spilling the contents of her tea. She placed it down on the table as she turned back towards him, swallowing and trying to keep herself composed. It didn't matter what male she faced, fear radiated out from her. Something she needed to overcome, but with her ordeal being only days before it would take some time to manage. Her voice, while last time was strong, this time made it obvious that something had happened to her, fear evident even if she tried to hide it.

 

"I... I know we have had our differences in the past. I want to wipe the slate clean, I want to hire you for special job. I also have sent a request out for two other Hunters for the same task. Call it overkill, but I want this done. I need to have this done."

 

She paused, again trying to compose herself. She had remained seated, her legs still in a weakened state so that she couldn't have remained standing for long at this point in time.

 

"I will pay 100,000 cr now, and a bonus of 200,000 cr to whichever of you that finishes the job. Your target will be the Sith Master Ar-Pharazon. I don't want his death to be an easy one. I want him to suffer for what he did to me... for how he killed my partner Brina."

 

It was at this point she removed her gloves, allowing the black and purple bruises and burn marks there to be seen, along with pushing her hood back, her dull grey, blackened eyes meeting that of the Hunter, almost pleading for him to take the job on. No one should be made suffer like she had suffered. No woman should have to suffer the indignatories that she had been made endure. It was obvious, even though the remainder of her body was covered, that the rest would be the same. The condition she was in would effect all but the most hardened of Hunters, for those would inflict the same kind of damage on their own victims. The thing would be, how would they feel about a woman being mistreated in such a manner.

 

It also became obvious that more than just the beating had occured. The kind of fear she showed with regards to all men, was that of a woman who had been badly mistreated and used as a 'plaything'. Her eyes darted towards the door as another of her staff members entered carrying refreshments, Zara having to physically keep herself from cringing away from the male staff member as well while he placed a fresh tray of tea, caffa and eats on the table. That she was uncomfortable with having him close the distance, and how she kept the length of the table between herself and ShadowFett, another obvious sign she had suffered from a severe traumatic experience.

 

--

 

Those that had been evacuated previously from the Coruscant Warehouse, again board their shuttles, returning to the city planet's base of operations...

[handofthrawn]

ShadowFett remained still as Zara talked. It seemed that she had been abused greatly. By a Sith Master. If the Mandalorian remembered correctly, this Lord Ar-Pharazon had once been the Dark Lord of the Sith. This would be no easy bounty to collect. It would be a joy to participate in a hunt of this proportion.

 

When Zara removed her gloves and hood, Fett gazed upon her bruises. She had been forced to endure more than a human should and perhaps more. He would be truly sorry for her if she was completely innocent, but she was not. The truth was that she had brought this upon herself inadvertantly. While he was still determined to bring this man to justice, for justice was within a Mandalorian's ideals, he would not do it out of pity for Zara Nargal.

 

Outwardly, his head didn't even twitch. He just regarded her, unmoving, showing nothing. His mask always bore the same emotion, one of passive collectedness. When the man came in with refreshments, he observed how Zara cringed, then put up a hand to pass on the food and drink. He didn't eat or drink in public (though the latter was technically possible without removing his helmet).

 

"Your terms are acceptable," he said. "Make the initial transaction at your leisure. It looks like I have a lot of work to do."

 

ShadowFett turned on his heel and exited with the same stride that he had entered with, his hands resting on his Westars in their hip holsters. The door slid open and he made his way back to his ship without aid, using his memory and helmet mapping system, which had been busy mapping the route on his way in.

 

Soon he boarded the Night of Vengeance and, moments later, the ship was gone. Moments after that, it made the transdimensional jump to hyperspace with the same rumble that had announced its arrival only a quarter hour before.

[Kal]

A com came forth from the last call on courrsant to the link. It was from one of its operitives.

 

=========

This is Kal, I am sorry to report that I am seperate from Ka-raith and I do not know the location of the link at the mintue. Soon as I recive the coordinates I will return. Over and out.

=========