Crimson Star Cantina Corva System Unknown Regions
Grex let out a deep sigh, his breath fogging up a glass he was polishing. Business was slow lately. Slow enough he had to let his last part time bartender go. She was a good employee, too; Great at managing drunken troublemakers when needed and mixer skills that could probably rival the Emperor’s own mixologists. Grex shrugged to himself. I suppose I won’t be around long enough to find out He lamented to himself. He looked out among the current patronage in his Cantina somberly. Looks like the flyers didn’t help much either. He thought.
There were only a few customers tonight and most of them were usuals - Jeht and his smuggler friends at the Sabaac table, the strange Rodian who always sat in the booth farthest from the bar, and one other man who ordered a Correlian whiskey before occupying the table in the corner. There was also the band on stage, but Grex didn’t want to think about their bill right now. It wasn’t too much, but their music was awful. They called it “, whatever that was. He figured you get what you pay for. Couldn’t be worse than his friend Gex. From what Grex had heard, the trandosian singer that was hired ended up arrested. It was either that, incinerated on site, or ejected into open space - the story changed every time Gex told it.
Spotting his reflection in the glass that he was still polishing, his attention returned to the here and now. Gotta keep smiling. No one wants to come to a depressing Cantina. He reminded himself. As he plastered a false grin on his face, the front door slid open to more customers as if summoned by his new demeanor.
” Welcome to the “ CRIMSON STAR CANTINA!
What would you like to do?
First through the door was a lithe human, dressed in black tunic. A tunic with a rather conspicuous crimson sash across the chest and more crimson sprinkled across their face.
“Do you have a lavatory available?” the figure panted, slightly winded.
“Er, yes. Of course!” Grex stammered. It wasn’t the first thing he expected to hear, but a customer is a customer. “It’s just over there” he said, pointing to a corridor right of the bar.
The figure grunted and moved on. A wet trail followed them away, soiling the floor.
Grex snapped his fingers aggressively toward the puddles and a sanitation droid emerged from behind the bar.
Duk sauntered into the cantina. Here I thought I left a path of destruction behind myself. This is ridiculous.
He directed his attention to the man behind the bar, “Give me a bowl of mijura.”
“Stay here Calle, you’ll get us both band if you cause trouble.” Elaine said to her nexu companion, flicking her wrist and pointing at the ground for him to sit and stay.
Elaine entered the cantina, folding back the hood of her cloak, resting it on her shoulders. She let the sound of the cantina band fill her ears. It brought a small merit of relief to her.
She made her way to the bar and sat on a stool. She sat there for a moment before raising her hand to catch the bartender’s attention.
“Wait your turn human!” He snapped at Elaine.
Duk’s focus shattered as he stepped into a puddle of mysterious liquid, his mind immediately consumed by thoughts of its origin and implications.
Elaine turned her head towards the voice and laughed at the Togruta, “You might want to watch your step,” she said, rolling her eyes with a shake of her head. She turned her attention back to the bar.
Grex turned to a ledger and began to write while the newest patrons squabbled. As soon as he finished he lit a burner, pulled a basin out from under the counter, and poured a thick liquid into the bowl.
Duk collects himself and lowers his hood as he heads towards a booth in the corner.
“Human! Do you have a name?”
“Depends, who’s asking?” She replies without looking at the stranger, still waiting to order her drink.
“Someone who will not repeat themselves.” He snarls.
Elaine turns around on the stool, leaning on the counter with one arm.
“My name is Elaine and I don’t take kindly to being threatened,” she responded.
The liquid now a steamy sludge, Grex poured the “beverage” into a serving bowl, topped it with a garnish, and returned to the Torgruta. “Here ya go! What’s the name for the tab?”
While staring down Elaine, he replies with her name, “Elaine is the name. She’s agreed to pay.”
This worm-headed… Ugh!
“If you can’t afford your own drinks you shouldn’t be here.” She glares. She reaches into one of her pockets as she spins back around to face the counter and pulls out a chance cube.
She holds the cube up. “Tell you what, if it’s red, I’ll pay. If it’s blue, you get to meet my companion and he’s not very fond of your kind.” She smirks.
“…kark, those two are loud. And more full of hot air than an exhaust.” Tunic less soiled and face clean, the patron found a table away from the pair. Gesturing weakly, he directed a seeker droid to the bar.
Floating just under the sightline of Grex, the little droid zipped among the various bottles and vials behind the bar. Pausing a moment it grabbed the neck of violently cyan liquid and pulled. Unfortunate for the droid, the bottle happened to be beyond its weight capacity and fell to the floor along with the poor droid.
Proto-Lock enters the room and sees what happens to the seeker droid. He walks over, aggressively rips the bottle from its grasp, and proceeds over to Duk’s booth with bottle in hand.
“About time you showed up.” Duk said to Proto.
“I go where I please, when I please. Take this and stop crying.”
Proto hands Duk the bottle he snatched from the seeker droid.
Grex continued washing a drinking glass until the distinctive chink of glass hitting the floor pulled his attention to the other side of the counter. Hovering about a foot off the ground, a curious-looking droid struggled with the weight of a fresh bottle of what Grex knew to be Blue Tonic. His eyes widened at the sight. He reserved that bottle specifically for use in making a Reactor Core for any special customers.
“Hey! You!” He began shouting. Just as he started moving, a metal arm reached down and snatched the bottle from the small droid, who looked none too happy about this. Grex was about to redirect his objection towards the new entity until he noticed that it was a large, IG droid. He didn’t know much about them, but he knew enough to not pick a fight with one of them.
As the droid delivered the bottle to the Torgruta at the counter, Grex realized that was his owner and shifted his demeanor. “S-sir, if I may suggest, that Blue Tonic mixes very nicely with a few other liquours to make a Reactor Core. Would you care for one?” He offered gently, hoping to salvage whatever he could from the bottle.
Duk slaps down the credits on the counter and says, “I’ll take two and one for the human over there.”
“Elaine wasn’t it? Why are you here?” <@971875986654257162>
He returns the bottle of blue liquid back to Grex so he can prepare the Reactor Core.
“Why does anyone come to a cantina? I’m here for a drink.” She replied.
“You still haven’t told me your name, Togruta.” She stated, rolling the red and blue cube between her fingers.
“I didn’t give it.” He retorts.
“Are you always this hostile?” She queried.
He grunts, tucks his hands under his robes, and ignores the question.
Back at the entrance to the cantina, the double panel doors slipped open as Ellac stepped inside, the clamor of voices and music filling his ears as he looked over the place.
Grex held back a sigh of relief as he took the bottle back. He made a note on the ledger and turned to mix 3 Reactor Cores.
Making his way to the bar, Ellac raised a brow at Elaine getting into it with a familiar looking Togruta and an IG who had planted themselves into a corner booth.
“Why is your cat sitting outside?” He said to her, waiting for the bartender to finish mixing the drinks in his hands.
Hearing a familiar voice, Elaine paused for a moment, her fingers no longer fiddling with the cube within her grasp. She turned her head and saw none other than her brother.
Oh great, he’s here too she thought, her expression hardening slightly.
“Since when do you care about anything to do with me?” She inquired.
A small smirk snuck into Ellac’s mouth as he looked up at Elaine. “I’m just surprised you let that thing out of your sight considering the fact Titius almost turned it into a throw rug.”
Her eyebrows narrowed. A sharp whistle sounded from her as large footsteps sounded from the door. Not a moment later, Calle, Elaine’s feline friend, was beside her, baring its teeth at Ellac and the stranger Togruta.
“Play nice Calle, no need to cause a scene.” She said to her nexu.
The beast released a breath and began to sound a deeply pitched growl. It was clearly unenthused by the presence of the two men beside it’s owner.
“…wow, they let the whole zoo in here. So much for respectable establishment.” The low mutter came from the corner, its source rolling his eyes to their limits.
Grex finished garnishing the 3 drinks and turned back to find an additional patron and a giant cat sitting at his counter.
I **really* wish I hadn’t fired my bartender* he lamented silently as he served the Togruta and woman.
Ellac looked down at the drinks as the owner passed them out. “I’ll get one here too,” he said with a small nod that seemed to only aggravate further the Nexu at Elaine’s heel. “I’ll wear your fur like a coat if you don’t put those teeth away,” he hissed back
“Of course, sir. Name for the tab?” Grex asked the newcomer.
Duk chimes in, “Elaine.”
“Yes, sir. Yours has been noted” he said to the Togruta, before turning back to the Cyborg. “Name?”
A hooded figure silently enters the bar. A long cloak obscures any defining feature and a deep cowled hood hides their face. They are completely veiled, even the essence of their life force is obscured…
They make little commotion and swiftly move to the end of the bar. They sit, and patiently wait for the attention of the barkeep.
They sit silently, observing the other occupants of the bar from the periphery of their vision. An invisible smile rolls over their face at the sight of the nexu.
Ellac’s brow raised again as he smirked over his shoulder to the Torguta. “Ellac,” he said turning back to the owner. “And put his next one on my tab,” he said with a nod to Duk.
“Of course.” The cantina owner said politely handing <@111293136042504192> a green chip that read “Redeem” in basic.
Grex was beginning to get nervous about the volume these people were drinking. Even sober they were clearly dangerous. Who knows what they’d been like 3 drinks in?
As he mixed his 4th Reactor Core for the night, he noticed a Rodian stabbing the table he sat at impatiently. Worried he might instigate something, he quickly finished off Ellac’s drink and asked the bar patrons to excuse him as he made his rounds.
“Thanks,” Ellac said, plucking his drink from the counter as he made his way over to Titius’ table. “What’s with the mess?” He said, gesturing with the drink at Titius’ soiled garments.
“Quaestor” Despite the formality, malice dripped from Titius’ voice. “Figured you would be making yourself useful as Imperial footstool. Or were you too damaged for his taste?”
“I didn’t think you were one for envy,” Ellac said, taking the seat across from him. “Not all of us are meant to be walked on, Titius… But you wouldn’t understand what that’s like, would you?” Ellac leaned forward, placing the drink in front of his former student. “You didn’t answer my question: What’s with the mess?”
“Some of us can call our acheivements our own as opposed to the will of some cosmic Force.” Leaning back, Titius’ perused his tunic. “Now this…I took up finger painting, shall we say. Price was absolute robbery though.”
He sighed at the sight of the cantina. It had been a long few weeks out in the field. Oil still covered his armor from a recent battle in the Wild Space regions against a droid army where he had been tasked by the Collegium to collect samples of material that the Brotherhood needed for its new science projects.
“Finally. I needed a drink.” He muttered. The R-series unit next him tootled lightly. “Yes. I know. It’s been a long one. But don’t blast anyone in here. Unless it’s needed.” The Sith walked through the door and scanned around the room. “Sith spit.” He muttered as he noticed his two former apprentices immediately . “I take it back. Shoot those two on my say so.” A menacing shrill came from the droid as it followed his master to the bar.
Sykes sat near the end of the bar two seats down from a cowled figure. Reaching up, he toggled the release of his helmet and set it on the bar. He waved to the bartender. “A lomin-ale and two shots of Correlian whiskey.” He muttered and turned to look around the room. He pulled a pack of smokes from his belt and lit one.
Elaine laughed sarcastically.
“I’m sure that Rancor feels the same way about you, seeing as you’re missing an arm.” She remarked.
She ran her hand across the nexu’s head in an affectionate manner, after pocketing her chance cube once more. With her available hand, she extracted her drink from the counter and took a swig of the enthralling liquid.
She took a moment to intake the air, setting the glass down with a gentle thud sounding from the bar.
“And you,” she looked at the Togruta, “stop offering my credits.” She said in an irritated tone of voice.
<@503352868363960336> <@111293136042504192>
Proto looks at the nexu fidgeting next to Elaine. “You know I think a nice fur cloak would look nice over my metallic frame. Don’t you think?” He asked Duk.
Duk examines the feline before taking appraisal of the new comers. “I think that is a theory to test on another day. Even we have our own limits. There is an overwhelming level of power in this cantina and I do not care to find out where I stand today.” He proceed to chug both vibrant drinks set in front of him.
“You would be wise to head your masters words, droid. That is, unless you want to end up in a scrap pile.” She said.
She looked past the stranger and his droid and noticed a cloaked figure at the end of the bar.
That’s a nice cloak she thought. A few moments more and she also noticed a familiar Mandolorian helmet laying on the bar a few seats down from the figure.
Maybe it’s just a coincidence…? she thought, holding out hope that it was not in fact her former master who wore that helmet. She looked up from the counter to see the face of her master who she so hoped she would not see.
Womp rats… I just wanted to get a drink… she thought.
Ellac sat back in his seat, placing an arm along the top of the booth. “I trust you at least learned something useful from it? Don’t want you getting soft without me there to hold your hand.”
Elaine’s taunting from the bar drew his attention back to the rest of the room, his eye glancing over the other faces, including the newcomer’s at the other side of the cantina. “Speaking of getting soft, look what the Gundark dragged in,” Ellac said, gesturing towards Sykes.
Sykes looked at Ellac. He huffed slightly. “Don’t even toy with me today. You aren’t worth the spit this planet deserves. I am ashamed I trained the both of you.”
“And yet, here we all are.” Ellac swept a few crumbs from the edge of the table distractedly. “Also, you people really need to leave your pets outside,” he said, eyeing the now multiple droids and Nexu in quick succession.
Elaine knew better than to talk back to Sykes. She was not an equal to him and she knew it.
“By that logic, you shouldn’t be in here either since you’re basically a droid,” she responded to her brother, looking at the wall of bottles in front of her.
Grex, eyes bulging at yet another patron in his cantina, sat a drink down at the rodian’s table before waving in acknowledgment to the new person.
Why is this place so packed? he panicked.
Sykes chuckled lightly. “Go ahead and tell him he needs to wait.” He gestured to Blinky. The little droid gave a long low whistle. Multiple compartment doors opened on the droid. A grenade launcher and flame thrower peaked out from the droids body while a rotary blaster cannon and missile launcher unfolded from the units square shaped “head”. A laser sight emitted a green dot squarely on Ellacs chest. The droid squawked a quick and low tone that was obviously an insult.
A lop sided smile overtook the Anzats face. His eyes locked with Ellacs. “Well? Go ahead. Tell ol Blinky here that he can stay outside.”
The owner-now-bartender filled multiple glasses and grabbed an ashtray for the armored man. “Here we go.” He said contorting his face into what he hoped was a relaxed smile after seeing the customer’s droid open into a single-unit firing squad. Grex could tell the band had seen the droid as well, since they started hitting even more wrong notes than usual.
Almost tripping over the sanitation droid who had just returned from dealing with the wet and dry messes around Titius’ table, Grex’s jaw clenched, breaking his character.“Go get that customer’s order!” He ordered quietly, discretely kicking the droid in the process. The droid gave a series of deep whining tones in response. “I don’t care if that’s not your primary function. We’re all pulling double duty today. Now get out there and do as I say!” He growled through gritted teeth.
Turning away from the customers, Grex affixed a fake smile back onto his face and moved to the hooded customer at the end of the bar. “Apologies for the delay, sir. What can I get for you?”
<@693983046197706842> <@348547724628721695>
“Something sweet and dark brown. The usual.” He replied.
His voice was coarse, grated by overuse. He reached into his cloak, conjuring a stack of credits. The chits had a face value far exceeding the cost of a single drink. The figure very deliberately placed them between himself and the barkeep.
“For your troubles.” He croaked. “And perhaps, when the thirsty have been quenched, a moment of your time.”
Grex examined credits in short-lived bewilderment until he recognized the patron.
“Oh! My Lo-“ he exclaimed before catching himself. In a hushed voice he continued, “My deepest apologies, I had not recognized you. Bless your kindness, ‘sir’. I’ll have that right out to you.”
Clearly the Emperor wanted to maintain anonymity and Grex was not about to try his patience. The amount of credits he received was an entire nights’ worth!
He reached under the counter for a bottle of craftsman Brandy and placed the bottle and two snifters in front of the cloaked Emperor. “For you, sir. And an extra glass in case you’d like to share a drink with someone. Grex knew that where this man went a woman was often not too far behind.
Ellac frowned down at the green dot on his chest before looking back up at the droid. “You’ll only get one shot… Don’t miss.”
Sykes smirked and took another drag of his smoke. “Leave him for now Blinky.” He turned back and took one of the shots.
The droid beeped at Ellac in an obviously aggressive tone before it retracted it’s weapons. A single arm extended and a flame ignited on the end for a second before the droid started moving towards the other end of the bar where a charging port was.
The Sith shook his head. “Damned droid. Should see when him and his buddy get together.” He took another shot and puffed on his cigarette. “What the hell are you two doing here anyways?”
“I would ask the same. Two orphans walk into a bar and annoy the patrons…” Titius crooked an eyebrow at Ellac.
“Thank you.” He croaked.
He swirled the brandy in the bulbous glass and lifted it to his lips. He took a sip.
“Have they caused you much trouble?” He said, gesturing lightly to the other Members of Scholae Palatinae.
“That’s real rich coming from you…” Ellac eyed Titius before turning back to Sykes. “I came on business, now I’m here for a break. You?”
Sykes took of pull from the ale in front of him and let out a slight sigh of content. He wiped some of the oil on his armor and flicked it at Ellac. “I needed a drink. The Collegium has had me doing some….digging.”
“Don’t pretend like you don’t enjoy their errands,” Ellac said, wiping the flick of oil from his cheek. “Besides, they need their grunts.”
“If they needed grunts they would send your sorry ass. At least I’m not playing pretend while simping for that dear Emperor of ours.” He took another pull of the ale and looked towards Elaine. “What’s your excuse?”
“I was hoping for some a moment of relaxation whilst getting a drink but obviously that didn’t happen” she remarked.
“Not in these parts.” He took the next shot and lit another smoke. “Relaxation isn’t exactly part of the game.”
Sitting by himself, a smile crept over the face of the obscured stranger.
Few things in this galaxy were as constant as Sykes Jade expressing his vehement dislike of Thran Occasus.
Envy, perhaps. No, not bitter enough. he thought to himself. At the very least, he is consistent. Consistency that would be very useful if he could put aside his petty antipathy. But, I trust him as much as he trusts me. That is to say…none.
“I’ve noticed. I had a run in with some bounty hunters prior to coming here,” she stated, “Calle got a good snack today to say the least.”
She looked at her nexu and stroked his head once more. Somewhat of a low pitched purring sound came from the nexu.
*Hrm. That girl seems to go everywhere with that cat. Noted. Could be used as leverage. *
The hooded figure tipped his glass back slightly, still hiding his identity. The warm amber liquid embraced him, like a warm hug from within. Bright acidic fruit notes underlaid stiff oaken wood tones. The finish was crisp. Like a springs breeze.
Duk pushes both glasses toward the back side of the bar to signify he is done. He turns to the rest of the room.
Interesting! When did it get so busy in here? The atmosphere feels like a burning fuse. I wonder who will set it off. he thought to himself.
“Proto, do not antagonize the armored one with the R-series droid. However, if you happen to feel the need to remove an appendage I suggest that one.” He points subtly towards Ellac. “My master would find great pleasure in knowing we stripped that man of more pieces.”
“Not yet… but I can’t say I’m not worried” Grex admitted, glancing over to the Nexu and the droid with the flame thrower.
“Ellac!” Shouts Duk. “Why don’t you come join us?” He asks as he gestures to the empty seats at the booth.
<@503352868363960336>
“Just do as they ask. I’ll see to it that your life and establishment are protected… I’m looking for a man. Blue skinned, dark hair. Eyes, burning red. Calls himself by many names.”
He took another sip.
“Seen him?”
Ellac leaned his head back to see the Togruta man and his metal companion waving him over.
“Welp, time to go make new friends. Let’s see how deep Kamjin managed to get his claws into this one,” He said, pushing himself up from the table. “You coming?” His lone green eye stared down at Titius.
<@348547724628721695>
“If it means spending time listening to your drivel, Ill pass.”
Amusing. Kamjin still has pawns in play. They throw an impression of him around to give their words credence. I’d expect no less of the old man. Alas, it is of no consequence. The justicar’s authority ends at the length of his gavel. He thought making mental notes.
“The man I’m looking for. He may be using the name Jeht.”
“Don’t come crying when you get bored,” Ellac shrugged before turning to join the Togruta at his table.
<@111293136042504192>
Sykes shook his head and downed the rest of his ale. He motioned for the bartender for a refill and looked at Elaine. “It’s been awhile. Where have they had you stationed? I know the Empire is still spreading through the system.”
“They haven’t had me stationed in any one place. I follow the orders I’m given.” She replied.
“The last assignment I was on took me to a death ball of a planet with a small group of our compatriots from The Clan.” She stated. “A few of them are here right now.” She gestured to Ellac and Titius.
“Jeht? You mean him?” The barkeep asked, pointing to a man playing Sabaac with two other patrons. The man, very unassuming in appearance, had apparently lost a wager and was now calling for another game.
——
“Double or nothing! I swear I’m good for it.” Jeht pleaded with the pair.
“Jeht, we all know that’s not true unless you win.” Said the woman.
“Yeah! Remember last time? I bailed you out hard with that Deflarian goon.” The other man chimed in.
——
Grex turned his attention back to his cloaked customer, “Jeht couldn’t hurt anyone but himself.” He said matter-of-factly. “Poor fella. He’s been in here trying to make back credits he lost in some big bet.”
“How much is he down?” The cloaked figure asked.
His eyes glanced over at the card table. He did his best to quickly assess the situation.
“Couldn’t say. But it must be a lot, because he’s been on a winning streak here for over a week and he’s still coming back.” Grex answered. As he spoke, the man with the flamethrower-droid motioned for a refill. “Excuse me, I need to take care of this.” He said, moving towards <@800517155389046794> with a bottle of ale.
“Two shots and a whiskey?” The bartending owner confirmed before pouring.
Sykes nodded and took the drinks. He turned back to <@971875986654257162> and shook his head. “Seems to be a lot of that going on. There is something happening out there. I feel another war is brewing. Ships are out of the system far more often than they should be.” The Anzat downed one of the shots and lit another smoke. “All I know is be ready for something big coming.”
“Nice of you to join us. I haven’t seen you for a while. Haven’t lost any more parts have you?” He chuckles under his breath. “Any more and you’ll end up like Proto here. Full blown droid.”
Proto eagerly takes inventory of the non mechanical parts of <@503352868363960336> . “I could help you ‘upgrade’ what’s left of your fleshy bits.”
Interesting. The Chiss I’ve known aren’t partial to vice. From what Locita tells me, their people are usually quite measured in temperament and emotional display is seen as unbecoming. Regardless, this is good. Vice is a good bleeding point. We’ll let him gamble, when he’s in too deep he’ll be screaming for someone to help him cover his debts. A gambler has little use for a loanshark when they’re winning. I’ll keep my eyes on this Jeht, for now.
The hooded figure turned his attention to the other Members of the clan. Sykes was openly discussing the fleet’s movements. The average citizen of the Empire felt comfort knowing the fleet was overhead. Though few of them concerned themselves enough to track military actions, the notion of war being in the air could, in time, upset the delicate balance of relative peace Caperion had maintained for the last year. Sykes was smarter than having loose lips, there was a good chance he was fishing for anti-Imperial sentiment among the other patrons.
“I heard the fleet lost a powerful ship and is crippled now.” The hooded figure said.
Time to stir the hornet’s nest.
Titius’ nonexistent ears perked up at the mention of upgrades.
Rising from his booth, he sauntered over to the motley crew. “Whats this about additional upgrades? Wouldn’t mind watching that process. Might even make an improvement for once…” He grinned at Ellac condescendingly.
Sykes turned to the hooded stranger. “Is that so? And where would you have heard that?” He down the second shot and smiled but he pushed his senses out further. He felt danger but wasn’t sure of where it would come from. He knew others were around and his hand went slowly towards the lightsaber on his belt. “What rumors have you heard?”
Duk grins slightly, “Proto, was just suggesting that any mechanical pieces to Ellac here are an improvement to his current flesh. I think he might be right.” He shifts his gaze to meet Ellac’s. “You could always make your right arm match the left one.”
<@503352868363960336> <@348547724628721695>
“How about a facial reconstruction replete with spitguard and glossectomy?” Titius raised his glass to the Togruta in assent.
“Rumors? What I’ve heard is everywhere. Can you not hear it? It is Truths. Untruths. Fanciful tales. Ancient whispers. I hear it all… What is coming is not war. It is all consuming. It is insatiable appetite. It is extinction. You are right to worry.”
The hooded figure didn’t move, anticipating aggression under Sykes’ posture. Instead he casually sipped his beverage.
“Now that’s a damn good idea!” Duk lets out a laugh. He waves down Grex. “What are you drinking?” He asks <@348547724628721695> .
<@248607477015379987>
“Whatever you have. Seems we have some shared tastes.” Titius condescending expression tweaked to a genuine if macabre grin.
Sykes focused his senses on the man but felt nothing out of place. His general senses however told him that this man was dangerous. His hand settled on the lightsaber. “Rumors are just that. Most people hear about such things. Doesn’t mean they are true.”
“Nor does it mean they are false. The best rumors are but shadows of truth, resembling the absolute, but distorted from the position they are told. I hear rumors alright. I hear rumors they found something in that old hole in the desert. I hear rumors there’s spies all around. You aren’t a spy, are you?” The man croaked.
“By the way, while we wait for drink service, that was your mess that left puddles in the door way correct?” He raised an eyebrow as he questioned <@348547724628721695> .
“A fine thing to ask.” Sykes’ mind was on full alert at this point. His left hand made certain signals and the BT unit detached itself from the charging port to move next to its owner. “And why would you ask that, friend?” Sykes knew he was in a battle of wits with this person and leaned his head to try to get a better look at the persons face behind the hood. His right hand gripped the curved hilt of his lightsaber ready to strike. “Just what are you doing here? That’s expensive liquor for a drifter.”
“Of course you’re not a spy. You fit your armor too well. Like it belongs to you and is well worn and used. Of course, I’m no spy either. I’m just an honest old man, making his way through a dishonest galaxy. Thought I’d stop for a cup before moving on As for my drink, I heard this is what your so-called Emperor drinks. So I thought…when in the Empire, do as the Imperials do.”
The hooded man remains still, patiently waiting.
Sykes shook his head and took a drink from his ale. His anger was swelling but his inner intuition told him to hold back. He let out a breath and tried to calm his inner turmoil. His mind fixated on a single word and his mind ran in circles of memories. “Old. What do you know of old?” Something about this man fed his curiosity and truth be told, his hunger. He tried to settle his spirit. “You are more than you speak of. You speak like….an educated person. Someone who has seen things.” The grip never left his lightsaber. His body was like a spring being compressed. Every instinct told him to strike this man down as he sat there. “Who are you, friend?”
“Improvements…” Ellac smirked at Duk as his lone eye studied the man’s face. “The only improvements worth my time, you’re not capable of making.”
Ellac turned his gaze over to Titius. “As for you, keep talking like that, and I’ll rip your tongue out. Quick and easy, I won’t even need tools.”
“No one of consequence. Certainly for a man such as yourself. I suppose I’m naught but a memory. A passing thought on the sea of time. Though, perhaps I am not yet that, but it is what I shall become. You are curious to know what secrets lie within me and I of you. Sit and stay a while. Forget the past and speak with me of the future.”
The cloaked figure gestured to the chair beside him.
Elaine had been sitting quiet for a while and simply observing the others. She preferred to listen more than speak though others may not think it is true.
While she was amused by the Togruta and the walking bomb insulting her brother, she was much too focused on the hooded figure and her former Master talking to chime in on their banter.
She couldn’t make out every word they were saying but she could sense the anger growing within Sykes. The tension was rising on that side of the bar and she could sense the eminent threat arising.
“You speak in riddles. Do tell of these potential futures.” He looked at the seat that separated them and shook his head. He knew better than to get closer to a potential threat. His mind was slightly foggy from the alcohol but all of his natural instincts kept him focused.
“Time means nothing. All things tomorrow are fluid. The past is set in stone. Only the now matters for those travelers with uncertain futures.”
A series of quiet clicks sounded from Elaine towards her nexu, alarming him of danger in the direction of Sykes and the mysterious stranger.
The nexu’s head flicked in the direction of the Anzat and stranger. The irises of his eyes began to expand and contract as he focused on the other side of the room.
Purposely ignoring his former master’s threats, Titius tilted his head to look across the room. “I wasn’t dripping that much was I? Some Nautolan got frisky with me so I gave them a little backalley surgical advice. Not my preference but I was told that this was a respectable establishment and therefor protected.” The mercs tone dripped with ire at the last word. <@111293136042504192> <@503352868363960336>
Surprised by the response Duk replies with approval. “Does not seem efficient, but based on the amount of liquid left behind I’d say it was effective.”
Proto subtly directs Duk attention to the growing tension over at the bar seats. He isn’t sure what’s going on, but the placement of the droid next to its master and the now alert nexus would indicate the situation seems delicate at best.
“How many fingers did you leave him with?” Ellac asked Titius, noticing Duk’s attentions shifting towards Sykes
“It is as you say. The future is undecided. It is the flipping of a coin, the final result is unknown until it stops spinning. On one face, a great alliance is formed. The sword cuts down the great foe. A great dragon consumes the remains. And a shining sun sprouts the seeds of the brilliant future. On the other side. Ruin. Devastation. Nothingness. The Great all consuming void. Which will come to pass?” He groans
The stranger lowers his head.
“How does one explain that which could be but is not yet? How does one explain an undreamed dream? I would offer to show you, should you not refuse the gift.”
The Proconsul finished her work for the day. It was time to head to the cantina for a drink. The Firrerreo approached the entrance, passively sensing the vibe inside. The air seemed tense but casual. Rayne entered and surveyed who had already arrived. She saw many faces she recognized in the Clan. Ellac was there, Sykes, Titius, the Togruta Dukwtape, Elaine and her nexu. She suspected Reiden would be joining soon. The one that was actively concealing himself was most noticeable to one such as her. Unfortunately for him, she knew who it was. She observed him and the Anzat conversing for a moment, getting a feel of the conversation. Interesting he didn’t want to be seen. It’s not his style.
“Thran, what are you up to?” she asked casually as she approached the bar.
“There is no one here by that name.” The hooded figure said, wriggling slightly in his chair.
She arched a brow. Rayne leaned back against the bar. Let’s play, she thought.
“You sure?” she asked nonchalantly with a slight wave of her first finger, she reached out with the Force using her telekinetic powers to gently pull a squirming Gorvin Snu out of his pocket. “Which lizard did you bring this time? Potato Chip? Juniper Scented Candle?… Perhaps Fishsticks?”
“Hey. Stop that.” The hooded figure pulls back his hood revealing his true identity; The Emperor, Thran Occasus-Palpatine.
He pointed a finger at Rayne. “You know that his name is ‘The Lizard Formerly Known as Fishsticks’…you say the whole thing.”
Thran gathered the small floating reptile and placed him back on his persons. He looked at Sykes and smiled, shot him a quick wink and he turned back to his glass.
Titius looked over at Rayne, to the newly revealed Thran then to Ellac before dipping his head into his cup, muttering. “When did this become the officers lounge…just one drink without the brass breathing down my neck is all I asked.”
Rage almost completely exploded within Sykes. He sighed and ,taking his hand off his lightsaber, lifted the ale to his mouth. “I swear I should have known. You’re the only one that can piss me off to new heights.” He waved back the droid next to him and shook his head. One way or another I’m gonna kill that jackass one day. he nodded to Rayne before reaching over the bar and just grabbing the bottle of whiskey to pour himself another shot.
“Oh, relax Sykes. It was just a bit of fun. You can’t tell me you don’t enjoy a bit of antagonizing from time to time. And besides, I doubt I’m the only one that makes that rage bubble up.” Thran replied.
He turned to <@169597761379893249>. “You blew my cover. How’d you know it was me?”
Rayne snorted lightly as if he told a joke, thinking of any number of reasons how she could tell it was him. Her blue eyes met his green eyes.
“First of all, I recognized your ride outside. The lisence plate gave it away. 2kewl2rule. Second of all, Jasmine said you were here. Third of all, I recognized your designer shoes your wore. Most of all, I’m good at what I do.” she spoke plainly.
Rayne reached over and grabbed Thran’s drink. Namana brandy, his usual. Giving Sykes a simple toast in the air in acknowledgement, before taking a sip and placing it back on the bar counter.
Grex’s sanitation droid noticed the sith’s theft and began beeping in accusation. Grex was busy with another customer and did not respond.
Elaine’s eyes widened in surprise. The Emperor **and* the Proconsul?! You’ve got to be kidding me… this night just keeps getting better and better*, she thought.
She remained on guard and released a sigh in disappointment just before she took another swig of her drink.
Jeht threw a card into the sabacc pot. Bust.
“Well, had to happen sometime, Jeht.” Said the man across the table from him, raking in credits with both arms.
Jeht said nothing. His attention was now focused, albeit discreet, on the Emperor sitting at the bar.
Thran smiled at Rayne, then his grin faded at the beeping of the droid. He distrusted the vile things.
Thran conjured another stack of credits and laid them on the bar in front of Sykes.
“Make that thing be quiet. Drinks are on me.” He said.
Grex pressed a button on a remote and the droid’s retraining bolt activated, jolting it back in whatever passed for pain in a droid.
Grex began to serve drinks rapidly
Covering his glass quickly, Titius glowered at the bartender. “If you think being inebriated in present company is smart, perhaps a craniotomy is in order for you.”
“Perhaps I should deny them drinks?” Grex retorted clearly not entertaining the idea.
“Smarter than you might think. Numbs you up. Anesthesia for if old Sykes gets too worked up. Or if you finally crack Ellac and he cracks back.” Thran said casually in the direction of Titius.
He sipped his drink.
Duk shifted in his seat and became more ridged. Why? Why is it always ‘HIM’? He seems to always show up when he is least wanted. Any bit of relaxation Duk had left vanished as he glared at the Emperor sitting at the bar.
Titius tilted his head in incredulity. “And here I was thinking you kept intel on your assets. Not everyone relies on cameras and hair flips to protect them, o’ Imperial brat.”
“Resulting to childish insults so soon? I’m shocked. I’ll never emotionally recover.” Thran dramatically laid a hand on his forehead and slumped back into his chair. He remained still for a moment then sat back up.
“Amazing. A full recovery. And so soon.” He said, sipping from his drink again.
Thran stood up. He addressed all the bar patrons .
“You all need to relax. So tightly wound up, like a little spring is going to pop out of your heads at any second. Fighting, squabbling… you’re just like the Sith of old. So concerned with fighting themselves, they can’t get ahead. Where’d that get them? Dead. That’s where. Everyone here should relax…Except you, Chiss. You should be worried.” He said, pointing at Jeht from across the bar.
Duk’s gaze shoots over to Jeht. Interesting. He thought to himself before returning his attention to the men at his table.
“How about we play a game?” He whispered to <@348547724628721695> and <@503352868363960336> . “Who would like to find out why the Emperor is so interested in the Chiss over there?”
“No forcey crap and youre on.” Titius pulled a small sum of credits from a lapel. “Wager?”
Thran turned to Rayne, relaying a private message directly to her mind.
I should have them all flayed and hung out in front of the Monolith. He spoke without words.
“Shall we see what brings our blue friend to Seraph?” He smiled.
Elaine smirked and turned to Titius.
“We may have our own reasons for hating each other but in this moment, I like the way you’re thinking.” She said.
“Nothing is off limits.” He replied. “Want to say 50 credits each?” Duk pulled out the credits and placed them on the table.
Duk looked up at the newcomer at the table. “Use a bit of discretion if you want in.” He scolded <@971875986654257162> .
<@348547724628721695> <@503352868363960336>
She scoffed and rolled her eyes at the Togruta.
“Fine. But I’d like to double that wager. 100 credits each.” She retorted, placing the credits on the counter.
“Deal.” He placed an additional 50 credits on the table.
Even if this goes south it will make for some great entertainment. He chuckled to himself.
“Proto, go wait by the door in case he gets spooked. Can’t let the Emperor precious target get away.” Proto nods and casually positioned himself by the door.
Jeht’s seat began to burn underneath him. Or perhaps that was just the sweat running down his back. His game no longer mattered, now that he’d been targeted so overtly. His eyes wandered the bar counter looking for a different approach. Got it. he thought very clearly.
“Right, then. I guess I’m done for today,” he said standing from the sabacc table…
Elaine leaned down close to her nexu and whispered to him. “Go with him and don’t hesitate to rip his circuits out if he tries anything.”
The nexu didn’t understand completely what Elaine was saying but he could sense what his master implied. He walked over to the side of the door, opposite from Proto and sat down, waiting for any direction his master should give him.
His words spoke clearly in her mind which curled her lips into a smirk at the Sithly savagery of the vision he described. A short, audible purr was heard from her. Her eyes scanned over the other patrons, especially the clanmates. They had their uses but sometimes they get too big for their britches, as the Humans so colloquially put it.
She directed her attention back to Thran and answered in kind.
If only, dearest, however you leave Elaine to me. She has potential.
Rayne had watched her grow since she first arrived to the Empire and developed a fondness of the young Human.
She nodded to his verbal question and matched his smile. “We shall indeed.”
Sykes looked sidelong at Rayne and Thran and shook his head. Those two are dangerous together. Good for the Empire but I need to keep watch with them. They are plotters. Sykes still had his loyalties to the Clan but other issues among the Brotherhood had caused him to be out of the system more and more. While he was known he wasn’t seen among the others as often any more.
He took a look at the Chiss that Thran had called out. He smirked and turned back to his drink. “Poor fool must have done something heinous to be in the sights of Thran.” He muttered to himself
Titius tossed his wager in, giving a sidelong glance at Spike. “Hmm… don’t think youll be too helpful, my sentient little holoball.” The probot buzzed sadly, folding itself down on the bar.
“What’s wrong? Afraid you’ll be outdone?” Ellac said with a snide smile. “Well, don’t worry. I’m not taking that bet. Every time I think I’ve figured Thran out, he switches up. But I do want to know why the Emperor would make a personal appearance for something this small.”
“Your loss.” He turns to address <@348547724628721695> and <@971875986654257162> . “Bets are in. Ellac is out and now the winner gets to potentially remove an appendage from him. Let’s go stick our noses where they don’t belong.” He said while giving a hand signal to go.
“Were it so easy,” Ellac nonchalantly waved them off with his arm still rested on the table. His gaze turned onto the antsy Chiss as the man pushed himself to his feet. ‘Run.’ Ellac mused to himself, as if to will the man to make a scene.
Thran crossed the room towards the card table, with Rayne in tow. The other players scattered like roaches fleeing his approaching light. The Chiss flinched as if to stand and flee along with the others.
“Don’t get up.” The emperor’s voice boomed.
The Chiss was compelled to comply. He slowly returned to his seat.
“May I?” Thran asked, gesturing at the position opposite of Jeht.
The Chiss gave an affirming nod.
Thran pulled out the chair slightly and sat. He crossed one leg over the other and adjusted his waistcoat. Rayne followed suit and sat next to him. Unsure of what was to come, she watched Thran intently.
“I don’t believe we have been formally introduced…I trust you already know who I am…so I’ll spare you the banality of listing title, positions, and monikers. I don’t believe that I can say the same for you. So, at the risk of seeming imprudent…you are?” Thran said calmly.
“Jeht.” He replied solemnly.
“No. Your full name. I don’t believe we are friendly enough to use your core name.” Thran replied.
“Humans have a difficult time pronouncing our tongue.” The Chiss replied.
“Not every human, Ver'fiij'ehtikir.” Thran said.
The Chiss recoiled in surprise. The accent was not perfect, but it was far closer than he’d ever seen from a human.
<<No, I don’t speak Cheunh, but Locita has taught me enough to meet formalities. But you understand the merchants language, don’t you?>> Thran said in a foreign tongue.
Jeht nodded.
Titius tilted his head toward Duk, “Im saying holoshow deal gone bad.”
“Interesting, but not enough information to go on.” Duk replies as he stands up from the booth. “I’m gunna go poke around.” He makes his way over to the man who won the sabacc game. Duk corners him in placing himself between the man and the rest of the room.
“What might your name be?”
<<Good. That is good.>> Thran said, picking up a handful of abandoned chips that rested on the table.
He shuffled them in his hand. Rayne watched the chips cascade in his hand. She knew this was a power move.
<<I am going to give you a message. You will take this message back to your Syndics. You will convey to them the entirety of my meaning. Understood?>> The Emperor said.
Jeht nodded again.
<<It has been told to me, by my peer and your associate, Locita, that your people carry with them a stoic nature. It is my understanding that while not worn on an outward face, you are very capable of comprehending and experiencing emotion. This is but one of the differences between your people and mine. Where yours wear a stone face, my people quench their thirst with emotion. They draw power from it. It bolsters them. Strengthens them.>> Thran pause his shuffling of chips and leaned in.
<<In response to your unprovoked aggression, me and my people now sip of the wine of wrath. We find its taste pleasing and we would readily become intoxicated by it. I hope, for you, that your response to this message will stay our thirst.>> Thran took a deep breath.
<<Your actions have damaged an Imperial vessel, a vessel which I have a personal affection for. I understand you have lost ships of your own. On this account, the scales of judgement weigh even. You have sought to pressure our allies, The Pendeks of Crannix and the Ujheni of Varia. They are impressionable and they have been absolved of fault in this regard, but you are found accused of crimes against the interest of the Empire. A most contemptible crime.>> Thran leaned back
<<We are reasonable and it would not be agreeable to us to find you guilty at a trial that you have not attended. I would stand to dismiss your crimes, should we meet an accord. In exchange for cessation of your aggressive position, we shall forgo our duly right to retaliation in defense of our Allies and our own fair interests. I propose to you a meeting, that we may negotiate the terms of an amicable co-existence built on mutual prosperity.>> Thran paused.
Ellac squinted at Thran as the two men spoke in foreign tongue, wishing now he had HK-89 here to translate.
He watched as the others whispered amongst themselves as to the nature of the exchange, but Ellac’s mind wandered as he thought about the differences between Kamjin and the current Emperor; Thran’s tact and subtle influence, Kam’s presence and the respect that most people seemed to show him inherently… He smirked as he tried to imagine Kamjin sitting in Thran’s seat, conversing in whatever language that was… What a disaster that would turn out to be.
<<I offer you a gift. Which I think may compel you to acquiesce…>> Thran slid a small data disk across the table.
<<Detailed and accurate logs of all your fleets movements within Imperial protected territory and within your home systems. You will not catch us by surprise again. Verify them with your admirals, if you must. We are watching you…>>
Thran stood. Rayne joined him. She was uncertain exactly what Thran had said, but the meter and timbre of his voice assured her that it was more than a threat. She smiled to herself. Thran stared at Jeht for a moment.
“We patiently await response to our most generous offer.” He concluded in basic.
The Chiss placed both hands on the table, returning the cold stare.
“Was there anything else, Lord Emperor? He said.
Thran simply smiled.
"I can see why you ran up a debt playing cards…” He said, turning away to return to the bar with Rayne’s arm entwined with his.
“What’s it to you?” The man replied, staring suspiciously at <@111293136042504192> . The look in his eyes very clearly read he was scared of someone stealing his winnings.
Jeht stood. He promptly left the bar. He left his winnings on the table.
“I’ll take that bet.” She replied.
Elaine stood there, leaning against the counter on one arm, watching the whole ordeal take place. She whipped out her chance cube again and began to fiddle with it.
“All I caught was …generous offer so I may be onto something.” A brazen smirk bloomed on Titius, lending a haunting air to his already skeletal features.
“Hey, Thrano! Foreign language holofilm soon? Dont think that blueskinned lunk would be a good co-star but…” Shrugging, Titius returned to his drink, savouring the dregs.
“It’s past award season. No art house pieces on the slate. We’re headed into summer. It’s blockbuster season. The good shit. Speeder chases, explosions, graphic violence.” Thran said, sidling back up to the bar.
Duk stared directly into the mans eyes with murderous intent. With a snap of his fingers a small spark of lightning flickered. “I will not repeat myself.”
Duk was so caught up in what he was doing that he had not noticed Thran had returned to the bar.
Glittering jolts of electricity flickered in the man’s eyes, emptying them of any emotion but fear. He dropped to his knees, melting into a blubbering mess as he told the Sith his name was Koby and begged Dukw not to kill him.
“Koby, you’re gunna tell me everything you know about the Chiss, Jeht. Who is he?” Duk glance over his shoulder to find Thran back at the bar. When did that happen? He asked himself before returning attention to Koby for an answer.
“He’s a — smuggler. For — the — Red — Sun!” He cried, sobbing frequently interrupting him.
“Very good!” He replied. “Where else does he like to hang out other than this cantina?”
“I — don’t know — man! I — don’t! He just — comes here.” He bawled. A desperate look appeared in his eyes as if he expected to be punished for this answer. “A-A-a-ask Grex! He’ll tell you! Jeht’s al-ways hee-e-e-re!” He added feebly before his tears left him incoherent.
Duk knew that was all the info he was going to get from Koby. He walked away from man sitting in a puddle of his own filth and rejoined <@348547724628721695> and <@971875986654257162> . “What have you learned?”
“So far, nothing. I’ve been observing and watching how people react to the scene at hand.” She said.
“Have you found anything?” She asked the Togruta.
“Jeht is a smuggler for the Red Sun. There is alot more going on here than we can push for without setting off the Emperor.” He replied.
I wish I had the power to withstand the Emperor, but not today. Duk often thought of how he could one day take on Thran. He may be brazen, but he wasn’t stupid. The power gap right now was too large. For now his plan is to gather information and be a useful tool for this new Emperor while occasionally stirring up others as a distraction.
Reiden stopped outside the entrance, glancing up at the sign. Crimson Star Cantina. He was always looking for places to visit and someone had recommended this one. He couldn’t remember where it came from, but he wasn’t one to turn something down out of hand without first experiencing it himself. Turning to his mechanical companion, he made a gesture to draw its attention.
“Okay, Blitz. Stay out here unless I call for you, got it? I don’t expect any trouble, right? And I don’t know how many people will be here. I’ll be fine. Be good. If there’s anything going on out here, ping my comm. Or I guess you could come in and alert me. Whatever. I’m going in for a drink.”
“Understood. I will wait here unless summoned or observe anything deserving of your attention,” Blitz replied, bobbing up and down as if nodding.
Reiden gave the droid an appreciative pat before stepping towards the door as it hissed open and he walked inside.
Like a good show to accompany his drink, a Rodian sat quietly observing the night’s events in booth on the opposite wall from the bar. He weighed out the social heirarchy in the room.
His massive eyes fixated on every nuanced relationship: the subservience of the cat to the human female, the frustrated woman surrounded by challenging colleagues not worth fighting, the Togruta playing things safe since the Emperor exposed himself, the devil-may care attitude from the armored guy at the bar…
There was so much information to be understood from these interactions. He sat quietly drinking his now free alcohol.
A cheery welcome came from behind the bar. The cantina hadn’t had a day this successful in years! Grex was beside himself with gratitude to the Empire and was eager to put an ale in the hands of anyone who walked through the door.
‘Now it’s a reunion,’ Ellac mused to himself as he turned to see Reiden stepping through the Cantina doors. How long had it been since he had last seen Reiden? The War? Surely it hadn’t been so long, but it felt like ages had passed…
Realizing he had lost himself for a moment in reminiscence, Ellac waived the wandering thoughts from his mind. “You’re not nearly drunk enough for that kind of thinking,” He muttered to himself under his breath. “You’re getting soft.”
Duk looked over to Proto and signaled him to follow as he walked back to join <@503352868363960336> at the booth.
“ <@348547724628721695> and <@971875986654257162> get over here!” He demanded. “We still haven’t declared a winner. There are credits to be made!”
Ellac glowered as the Knight waved the others over. “All of that for a handful of credits? That’s all you’re worth? Put some real skin in the game.”
“You are the ’real’ skin.” He retorted without even looking up from the pile of credits that would soon be his.
A sinister grin overtook the Sith’s face at Duk’s words. “Oh, please try it.” Ellac’s voice grew low and hungry, his fingers twitching slightly as adrenaline began to flood his body.
“That’s it. Fight back. It’s no fun if you don’t squirm.” Duk’s eyes now met Ellac’s with a fiery hunger.
Reiden was surprised to see so many familiar faces when the doors opened. For a seemingly random bar, he didn’t expect to see anyone he knew, let alone this many. Having known them for years now, he recognized Thran and Rayne immediately. The Conrat siblings were easy enough to pick out, as well as Titius Osseus, after the mission to Venenum. And then there was Sykes over at the bar. Seeing the man without a helmet threw him off at first, but the armor was familiar, as was that presence he gave off. The final one, a Togruta, he knew to be Dukwtape, the apprentice of the former Emperor, although to his knowledge they had not met before.
He inclined his head slightly to Ellac in recognition before the man’s companions pulled his attention back. Walking up to the bar, he got the bartender’s attention and placed some credits down. “I’ll take a glass of Corellian whiskey, please. If you’ve got any.”
Titius chocked on the last of his drink. “Real skin? Try it? When has a coward like you ever put real skin in?” Turning to Duk, Titius sneered “As for you, the shirt off your leku lugging back is forfeit.”
“What did you find out for our bet?” He asks Titius without breaking eye contact with Ellac.
Keeping Duk’s stare, Ellac’s hand flicked out towards his old apprentice, reaching out with the Force to draw Titius’ blade from its sheath and raise it to his throat in an instant. “You seem to have forgotten that this ‘coward’ has the power to choose whether or not he wants you to keep wasting air with a flick of his wrist.”
“And you,” Ellac said, narrowing his eye at the Togruta. “I hope Kam trained you to fight as well you run your mouth.”
Duk was unmoved by the blade at his throat. In response he snapped his finger creating a blue arc between them. “Would you like to find out?”
Duk had captured Ellac’s full attention. The IG droid, Proto, saw his chance to sneak up behind his master’s opponent. He jumped the juggernaut and snagged him in a tight headlock. “I suggest you lower the blade. If he dies, you die, and then there will be two less fleshy ones here. I win either way.” He warned Ellac.
Thran looked over at <@169597761379893249> . “Oh dammit. What are they fighting about now …we can’t take these kids anywhere.”
||“Did I ask you to defend me, Force Slave? Fight your own battles.” Titius reached up to his blade, gripping it tightly. “A coward stopped…” With a quick inhale and a fluid motion, the mercenary slit his own throat in a spray of crimson. Warm blood splattered over the assembled group and wet the table.||
Rayne watched the scene unfold as she sat at the bar next to Thran. Her eyes caught Reiden entering the establishment and gave him a nod.
“Let them fight it out. It’s rather entertaining. ” she said with a mischievous smile, turning her attention back to them.
“Wow a bonus one!” Proto exclaimed. His focus now on the red soaked Titius. His arms still firmly around Ellac’s head.
“Corellian whisky, coming right up!” Grex said energetically. He would have been amazed he was still able to keep up if not for the hefty bill he knew this night would bring. Despite his best efforts, a grin managed to sneak its way onto his face.
Centering his focus for a moment, Ellac drew a quick breath as he opened himself up to his anger, granting the Sith new strength as the Force surged through his body.
Reaching up to grab the droid’s arms, Ellac pulled Proto forward into a squat before leaping up, slamming the MagnaGuard into the ceiling. The shock from the impact managed to loosen the droid’s grip around his neck, but the IG unit still clung fast to his arm as they fell back to the ground.
Duk sat back and put both his arms out on the booth. “Like a cornered rat.” He chuckled. “Proto enough! I think this man will remember getting beat by a droid. Almost as much as he remembers rancors.”
Proto reluctantly listened and used Ellac as leverage as he clambered to his feet. Making sure to step on his back as he walked away to join Duk in the booth.
Just before getting in the booth he stops to inspect the bloodied Titius.
Titius gurgled in response, a wide grin creeping up his face.
“You’re not like the rest of them, are you?” Proto asks rhetorically before sliding back into the booth.
“You are either very smart or very dumb, Titius. I like your style.” Duk says with amusement. He slides 150 of the 300 credits on the now crimson colored table across to him.
“Thank you,” Reiden replied to the bartender.
He caught Rayne’s gaze and raised his glass to her in greeting before taking a sip. The spirit was warm as he went down. Smooth, with not much of a harsh bite. While his palate may not have been as finely tuned as others in the galaxy - or at least as others may claim theirs to be - he could tell that the bartender had selected a decent brand. That was always appreciated when available, and even more so when not requested. He was typically cautious with his wording when ordering most times, but other times he simply didn’t have a preference. This was a case of the latter and it seemed like he had gotten lucky with it.
The commotion from the table off to the side drew his attention. He wasn’t sure what they were arguing about, but he had felt the energy change, even without the use of the Force. It was the kind of thing one grew accustomed to when needing to keep an eye out often. His eyes grew wider as he watched things unfold, switching his drink to his left hand while the right slowly and idly came to rest on the hilt of his dagger. To say that he was surprised by what was taking place would have been a massive understatement, but he wasn’t about to get in the middle of it - he knew better than that, especially with these types of people. He merely wanted to be ready on the off chance that the action spilled over.
Still, a faint smile played on his lips. Sometimes people just need to let off some steam. That poor bartender, though…
The appearance of blood, however, made him think otherwise. Even so, he remained seated. Although he didn’t know Titius well, the man seemed neither stupid nor suicidal. Surely there had been a reason or a plan behind his actions. And if not? There wasn’t much he’d be able to do about it anyway.
“Can’t find some peace and quiet anywhere,” he muttered under his breath.
“Should’ve come before happy hour for that, I’m afraid“ the barkeep responded almost in a mixed tone of nostalgia and gratitude.
As he moved to offer a refresh on <@800517155389046794> ‘s drink, he pointed a remote at the sanitation droid, deactivating its restraining bolt. Here kicked it hard and pointed to the blood pool around the table.
The droid’s sensors identified the contaminant, but sensed multiple threats in the area, giving hesitance to its movements. The sound of Grex clearing his throat pulled the droid’s attention to the man, who was patting the restraining bolt remote through a pocket. The little droid plucked up something equivalent to either courage or abandonment of its life and made its way to the table…
“Well, I appreciate the tip,” Reiden said with a nod, his brow raised slightly. “I’ll remember that for next time then. It’s always nice to find a new place to visit when I’m looking to get a drink.stop in for a drink.” He removed his hand from his dagger’s hilt and slowly swirled the contents of his glass before taking another sip.
He leaned against the bar and allowed himself a moment to fully take in his surroundings. It was fairly typical as far as bars go, with the stools at the bar and tables and booths lining the perimeter. A table toward the back caught his attention when he noticed sabacc cards on it. He had no way of knowing if they belonged to a patron or the establishment. He knew from his travels that such a thing was not uncommon in the galaxy, especially as one traveled further from the Core, and it could easily go either way.
Reiden’s gaze once again settled on the spot where Ellac and some of the others had gathered. He took a pull from his drink and slowly shook his head.
I can’t believe they let it get that far. I can understand things getting heated, especially when alcohol and tempers are involved, but that seems a bit much, he thought to himself. Oh well, I can’t judge too harshly. I’ve started or participated in more than enough bar brawls over the years, even shed some blood myself.
Sykes watched the commotion between the three fools at the table. “Blinky, keep that droid covered.” The droid beeped slightly and turned to watch the IG unit.
Sykes sighed and took a pull from the new ale and nodded to Reiden. “Long time no see.” He muttered. He took stock of Rayne and Thran to his other side. He didn’t exactly like having people around him but he knew the two of them would put a stop to anything if it got out of hand. “I swear. Kids these days.”
Elaine looked at the mess her compatriots made and shook her head.
“And here I thought things were starting to get interesting,” she looked at Ellac then to <@111293136042504192>.
“Looks like you’re just as cowardly as I expected. How do they say it? All bark and no bite?” She said condescendingly to Duk.
“The least you could do is at least damage him a bit more.”
Duk’s slightly cheery demeanor shift. He leaned in across the table. “I don’t have a death wish, child. There are two types of fear in this world. The one that keeps you alive and the one that controls others. There are four of our elders sitting at the bar. All of which could easily deal with the four of us should they choose to. I, for one, am not trying to die today.” He snapped before sitting back again.
The Anzati growled. He was getting tired of listening to that Togruta’s mouth. “Fear indeed.” He whispered, his back still facing the rest of the room. His anger had been welling up inside of him and he needed a release for it. Quietly ancient Sith started to flow from the Anzats mouth. His fingers began to move in a strange pattern. Sith magick wasn’t well known to most.
His mind reached out like a black grip on the Togrutas soul. It dove down into the man’s very core to touch on all the primal and base fears within the man. Sykes fed his own anger into the man, batting down his mental resistance and raising that fear within the Togruta.
Duk’s face melted from distain to a panic. Suddenly he felt like a child again. Alone and scared. His mind started playing tricks on him in the shadows. He thought he saw his Zygerrian slave master, whip in hand read to dish out the next lashing. Duk was a small child and could not lift his own weight often. Many beating came his way as a result.
He began retreating further and further back into the booth wishing he could dissolve into it.
Proto had not seen this side of Duk before and thought he had finally snapped. “Pathetic. Is this the first time you’ve seen blood?” He asked Duk fully unaware of what was going on in his head.
A cruel grin crossed the Anzats face as he brought his quick ritual to an end. He could feel how much the Togruta had been shaken. He took another drink from his ale, the anger within him having been tamed down. “Let’s see how much that idiot wants to talk now.” He muttered before lighting a cigarette
Sitting at the bar, Rayne heard a language she didn’t quite understand, however she recognized it as ancient Sith. It was quiet, like a whisper on the wind and she saw Sykes draw invisible designs on the counter. Her eyes then caught Duk suddenly acting terrified and she knew what the Anzat had done. She could feel the dark side’s influence in the air. She chuckled darkly. Now things were getting interesting.
Sykes listened to the chuckle next to him. He turned his head to Rayne and gave her a wink. “The old magicks have always been fun no matter the source, wouldn’t you say?”
Noticing Duk’s sudden shift in demeanor, Elaine gave him a puzzled look and scoffed.
“You’re weaker than I thought. Did Kamjin not give you enough attention?” She remarked.
“I wouldn’t be so keen to venerate and boast of tutelage by a man whose children can’t even figure out how to open a door.” Thran said half to himself, slugging back his drink
Reiden’s attention was again drawn to that table. The Togruta’s abrupt shift was easily noticed. Gone was the bold face he had worn, replaced by one of…fear? The sudden change, combined with his experience with other Force users, told him something more was at play. He cast a sidelong glance to Sykes. The man had an air of satisfaction about him.
Reminds me of being with Ras and Shadow.
Thran’s words reached his ears and he raised a brow, a grin forming, partially hidden by his glass as he drank from it. “I had heard about that mission. Must have been a hell of a sight to see.”
“On that we can agree,” she replied, impressed by the situation. She trusted Sykes always to be true to himself. She signaled the bartender for more drinks.
Sykes snorted a light laugh at Thrans comment and turned to Reiden. “It was….tiring. To say the least. At least there had been some good to come out if it.” He blew out the smoke from his lungs and sipped his drink. “I even met an Occasus that I could tolerate.”
“Kast.” Thran corrected between sips. “She goes by Kast. Little devil that one. If I were you, Sykes. I’d trust her less than me.”
“Oh you know me, Thran. I don’t trust anyone. But she was entertaining and compared to Kam’s offspring she was a delight.”
The blood on the table began to creep closer to Elaine. She made a disgusted expression as she noticed it.
“Hey <@348547724628721695>, could you maybe keep your mess to yourself?” She asked rhetorically, slightly scooting away from the red liquid.
As the commotion continued, the entrance doors opened once more, a man standing aimlessly inside the opening. As he took a step forward, it was clear he was out of sorts - his gait was inconsistent and functioned more like controlled falls than walking and his eyes kept darting all over the room as if he were appreciating at a giant painting.
He made his way down to a seat at the bar, mainly because it looked inviting. He turned to face the room, his gaping face still fixated on the uninteresting things in the room.
“Fair. You know, Sykes…I’ve always wondered… What does it feel like when you ‘have a little snack’ on some poor suckers soul?” Thran asked, staring into the round glass of brown liquor.
Sykes rankled slightly. Ever since he had consumed Komilia many in the Clan knew what he was. It had been a secret for many years about his species. He took the shot of whiskey in front of him and blew a billowing cloud of smoke from his mouth. “I guess that just depends there, Thran. Most peon beings it’s like a full course meal.” He looked over at the man. “For more those more powerful in the Force, it’s like being embraced by a god.” The tendrils from his cheeks slithered out from their pockets for a moment before snaking back. “Granted it’s not quite so pleasant for those whose luck has run out.”
Thran smirked to himself. He knew the implications of the statement or at least he liked to think he knew what Sykes was getting at. “A God…hrm, sounds… divine” He said, tucking into the drink again
“Quite.” He smirked back. He heard and felt the new person who stumbled in. He turned to look at the newcomer as he sat at the other end of the bar. “I wonder what we have here.”
The man took a sudden long inhale through the nose as if he’d been holding his breath for the past minute. His eyes shot open as he finished and shot in Sykes’ direction. “Hey…” he said with rather uncomposed speech “cn’i have one of ye-r-r-r smokessss?”
Sykes looked over at Thran and shrugged. Looking back at the sputtering man he regarded him and wondered about him. Sykes shrugged again and tossed a smoke to the man.
Thran smirked. “Where have you been? We’ve been waiting for you!” Thran said to the man.
Oddly, when the man reached to catch the smoke, his arms extended out in front of him instead of toward the airborne gift. The smoke landed unimpressively on the ground, which took the man a bit longer than it should’ve to notice.
“I know, man – hic – I know!” He responded as he bent over. “That karking idiot, Destin, gave me the wrong directions and I ended up at some club in the Crannix system.” He went on, “See that sthe sh-tuff I’m talking about with Impeerials, man. They don’t make no sense when they tell ya to do summthing.”
“Ha! That’s classic Destin. What a Lazer brains…Crannix? Shiiit man…they didn’t make you do weird shit with the Kowikian Monkey Lizard did they?”
“THEY DID!” he shouted, swinging the unlit smoke around to point at Thran. “That monkey’s great though. Dunno what peoples have against him.”
Thran refrained from growling. He hated that damn thing and it’s stupid punchable face. “Hey man, I heard that Destin said that Molly said that Galen said that you couldn’t do a backflip. Is that true?”
“I said…No way, my man can DEFINITELY do a backflip.”
“Tell me you can, bro. Otherwise I’m gonna look like a total tool. I’m talking hydrospanner.”
Reiden listened in amusement. He had only heard of Crannix before, and of course read the reports from that mission. And then there was Thran being, well, Thran. He sipped his drink and turned slightly to watch the newcomer and see how it would all play out.
The man sat silently with a blank look on his face for a moment before erupting into a smug cheer. “No way, man! I haven’t seen Galen in years! He’s the tool if he thinks I can’t do a … a … a whatchacallit! I totally can! Wanna see?” He asked already working to stand up in top of the stool. He raised is voice so everyone in the room could hear him. “YA WANNA SEE?!”
————————————————
The band stopped playing for a moment at the commotion and after a few small hand signals the drummer began a drumroll
————————————————
The Rodian had looked up from his drink, wondering what kinds of relationships he’d see.
————————————————
Grex gave the Emperor a worried look like he was about to have a lawsuit on his hands.
“Frak yeah! Do it! Backflip! Backflip! Backflip!” Thran chanted, encouraging others to join in
Reiden thumped a fist on top of the bar and joined in. “Yeah, you got this!”
Sykes turned towards the man and just watched. This was classic Thran. Rarely anything was ever truly serious with him. But the alcohol had finally started to get to Sykes. He grabbed another shot and began to sip on it. A smile came across his face in pure amusement
The volume of the room was now elevated between the chanting and drumroll and the man was feeling it as he crouched down. Going for the flip, he launched. As he did, however, the stool under him spun and his footing slipped.
The man landed on his face bent in half, backwards. A wince swept over the room as they watched.
Reiden visibly cringed at the result, inhaling sharply. He had seen some wild things before, but this was up there. The poor guy likely never had a chance to successfully pull off the stunt, at least not in his present condition. Still, he had to give him credit for trying, even if it was a dumb idea anyway.
“Hey, you almost had it. Maybe you’ll get it next time?” he offered. Turning to the bartender, he jerked a thumb at the man, “His next round’s on me.”
The man’s body lay limp on the floor as Grex looked on. “I’m not sure there’s going to be a next time…” He pondered aloud.
Rayne laughed into her drink as she took a sip.
“Yeah next time! What better time than now. Try again.” Thran said.
The man’s body twitched and his breathing started up again with a sharp inhale.
Reiden laughed and finished off his drink, slowly clapping for the man. Deep down, he had held the same opinion of the bartender for a moment, whether there wouldn’t be a next time because the man would have learned his lesson or because he was no longer among the living. But there he was, alive and…not exactly well, but alive nonetheless.
“Sometimes you have to consider anything you can walk away from a win or, well, maybe limp in this case,” he mused aloud.
The man sat up, his head in a fog. He was clearly in pain based on how he was rubbing his head, but still alive. He was coming to and kept looking toward the bench as if wanting to try again.
A shadow cast over the man as Titius walked by, trailing blood. Approaching the bar, he gurgled at Grex while writing “straw” on the bartop.
“Okay. First, clean that up. Your mess, your responsibility.” He said throwing a clean towel on Titius’ head.
Grex’s eyes were like daggers. He coveted his bartop and not even the Emperor, himself, would be allowed to sully it. He moved to grab a straw to hold until the bar was cleaned.
Sykes looked at the Rodian then at Titius. “Damned moron.” Sykes jumped up and leaned over the bar to grab another straw. “That’s gonna hurt.” He said as he handed it over to the choking man
Deftly sliding the profered straw down his trachea, Titius used the towel to staunch the bleeding. In a rasping hiss, he exhaled in a chatter. To the assembly it almost sounded like a laugh through a bad comm unit.
“It does but it was worth the point made.” A faint whistle came from the straw as Titius inhaled.
“I’ll bet.” The Anzat reached down onto his belt and produced a small medkit. “Might need a bacta patch.” He said sliding it over the the man
Grex shot a half-glare to Sykes. It was like a captain being mutineered. He swiped another clean towel from a cabinet muttering under his breath.
The Anzat looked at the Rodian and his eyes seemed to shoot daggers. “You try that stunt again and I promise I will raze the whole building.” He say back down and grabbed his drink. “We aren’t losing Clan personnel over a petty bartender.”
Grex wasn’t happy with the rebuttal, but he wasn’t stupid enough to challenge it either. “Of course, sir.” He said humble as he could.
Titius had his head inclined back over the bar, focused on sealing his throat whole again. It slipped slightly as he snorted at Sykes’ threat. “Now now…” The straw came out with a slurp. “I was quite within my means of survival. I dont intend to die despite my outward appearance. That being said…” Patch in place, Titius whirled on the stool, miming a drink with his hand as his irises dilated to unnatural size. “…I should replenish my fluids.”
Grex, still begrudged, filled a large glass with water and set it in front of Titius. “Anything else?” He spoke through fenced lips.
Reiden watched Titius work, impressed both by the initial slice, the use of the straw, and the patch-up job. All of it was still completely unexpected, but impressive nonetheless. He downed the remaining contents of his glass, letting the amber colored liquor warm his throat as he thought to himself.
“Yeah,” he said to the bartender, raising a hand off the bar slightly. “I’ll take a whiskey sour when you’ve got a free moment.”
Duk, having finally come to his senses, readjusted himself in the booth. He took notice of the trail of blood. It led up to Titius and Sykes who sat near him. This made him uncomfortable.
That one is unhinged enough. The last thing we need is Sykes influencing him. We see how well that worked out for the Conrat siblings. He let out a quiet and deep growl. Someone has made a fool of me. All he wanted to do was lash out, but knew that would only paint a bigger target on his already large head. For now he sat back and observed.
Sykes looked at Titius and shook his head. “You’re a damned idiot ya know. As much as I appreciate the flashiness of your resolve, putting oneself in danger like that is foolish.” He took another cigarette from his pack and lit it. “Why the hell would you let a piss worm like that lead you to doing such a thing?”
“Were you not the one who trained the gelegrub slime and if so, how did they fall so fast? Absolute coward that couldn’t kill me due to conscience. ” Titius turned to Sykes, giving an incredulous expression.
Sykes shook his head and took a swig from the bottle in front of him. “Yeah I did. But I didn’t train mercy into him. That he picked up after leaving my service. Her though,” he pointed over to Elaine. “She still has potential. She’s lethal when she wants to be.”
Reiden grabbed his new drink after it was placed in front of him and took a sip. He couldn’t help but crack a smile at what the two were saying. His mind traveled back to the excursion to Venenum and Site 921, the training grounds for the Praetorian Guard. He hadn’t had much prior experience with anyone in the group aside from Rayne, but he felt they were competent enough, promising even. Although perhaps that brief time wasn’t enough to form an opinion. Or maybe they’d improved. He didn’t know. Instead, he’d give it time and observe. At the end of the day it made little difference to him, so long as they didn’t become an enemy of the clan.
Unsteady as he was, the man stood up from the floor and looked at the people at the bar. His inebriated mind was only now realising he had never met any of them before. He noticed that most of them bore a Scholae Palatine crest. Despite his best efforts to hide it, the man’s face contorted strangely from fear penetrating his thoughts…
Thran paused. He reached out through the Force. He invaded the man’s mind, stealing away all his deepest darkest secrets. There it was…defector. dereliction of duty. Traitor.
Thran raised a hand and the man lifted from his unsteady position. His body contorted and twisted. A gut wrenching groan and snapping of bones filled the room. The man screamed. It was of no help. Bone poked through skin in various places. Jagged ribs poked through his clothing, all soaked with blood. Thran continued closing his fist and the mass of the man folded up on itself.
The sound of the man’s screams seemed to revitalize Duk. He sat straight up with full attention on the Emperor’s work.
“Have you ever seen something more violently beautiful than that?” He asked Proto.
Proto had not been paying attention while drawing swirls with his finger in Titius’ blood on the table. He glanced up and did a double take. “Now that’s someone who knows what to do with fleshy bits!” Proto and Duk sat in awe of Thran’s work.
Thran stood, drawing his golden and bejewelled side arm. He placed the barrel in the mans mouth.
“So, it’s Treason then.”
He pulled the trigger.
The man fell lifeless.
Thran looked about the bar. He addressed them all.
“Let it be known there is only one penalty for treason. Death. This man was a deserter and enemy of the Empire. As Emperor, I have tried him, found him guilty, and laid bear the acceptable penalty. Remember what you’ve seen here, may it always guide you towards loyalty and fealty, lest you face the same judgement. All drinks will be paid for by the Empire, in celebration of you all standing as witnesses to the execution of justice. Hear, hear.”. Thran raised his glass in a toast, took a sip, and sat back down.
Rayne raised her glass before taking a sip, as was expected. An execution of traitors was a glorious moment to celebrate. A nice touch from Thran to comp drinks to those present.
She glanced down at the crumpled mess on the floor. A deserter. Her eyes squinted slightly at the thought. She had half a mind to delve back into her roots as a Nightsister Witch and force this lifeless shell back into service on the front lines as cannon fodder. She smiled malevolently at the thought.
Reiden’s lips curled in disgust as he glanced at the drunken man’s now lifeless body, both at hearing who he was and the spectacle Thran made of the man’s execution. He agreed the man should have been punished, but he thought the Emperor had, perhaps, taken it a bit far. But he was quick to bury that thought deep, lest someone pick up on it and question his loyalties - or worse, give him similar treatment, or try to anyway. It was neither his place to judge nor question. He served the Emperor and the Empire. And the thought of someone abandoning their post was unconscionable to him. He may not have agreed with the method, but the man got what he deserved.
“To the Empire!” he announced as he raised his glass before taking a sip.
Duk raised his half empty glass. He may have enjoyed the show, but he was not looking for a personal demonstration. “To the Empire!”
Sykes watched with almost a bored expression as Thran completed crushed the man. Envy slashed through him as he was reminded of his own shortcomings through the Force when it came to any feat of telekinesis.
He forced that little emotion down when he watched Thran blast the already crushed man in the face. The cruelty in himself appreciated the gesture and he raised the next shot to his lips. “For the Empire.” He muttered.
After the little cheers he looked over over the crushed body, studying it for a moment before turning to Thran. “Why would a defector come here? And in that state? What all did you divine from him?” He asked. Sykes felt like something was missing. It made no sense.
“Not much. Couldn’t hack it with the Corps. Got a case on himself. Insubordination. Dereliction of duty. Ran from the consequences. Seems old boy spent most of his life running. That’s why he joined up in the first place” Thran replied casually. “He just ended up in the wrong place at the wrong time and consequences found him.”
“Fate is a bitch somedays” Titius mumbled into his cup. Cutting off further commentary, an obnoxiously loud rendition of Imperial March began blaring from a pocket. A brief pause passed before Titius spoke up again. “Is anyone going to answer that?”
“Hmmm….” He shook his head and lit a cigarette. “Still. Strange that he would come in here of all things. Something just doesn’t….” His musings where cut off by the sounds of the Imperial anthem playing. He looked at Titius, down at the man’s pocket where the noise was coming from, then back at him. “It’s you you idiot.”
Grex stifled a laugh. Titius was still a bother to the cantina owner, but Sykes had made his position clear about insulting him.
His attention turned to the giant meatball on the floor. With a snap of his fingers, the sanitation droid moved over to start cleaning the area. Not being equipped with the appropriate appendages, the droid repeatedly bumped the ball, slowly rolling it out of the room.
Duk got up from his table and approached the bar. “I’ll have one more Reactor Core.” he said to the bartender as he took a seat. Why was the Emperor so interested in the Chiss earlier? Especially one that works for the Red Sun. He knew there was more at play here. For now he suppressed those thoughts and focused on getting another drink.
“ Listen, you walking suction cup, before you assume…oh it is me. What the KARK do you want?!” Titius made for the door, yelling at air as the commcall transfered to his implants.
Grex scanned the back bar for the ingredients he needed. Oh, how his stocks were depleted. He might’ve been worried about it, but he was comforted by the cantina’s slowing traffic.
Upon finding what he needed, he began mixing up a Reactor Core for the Togruta.
As he served the drink, a sound rang out from the bar, every screen in the room flashing in announcement.
“Already?” Grex muttered, taking notice of the alert. “ALRIGHT! LAST CALL!”
The notifications disappeared and the band began to pack up.
Reiden sipped at his drink, his mind idly wondering what the poor bartender thought of their group. The man probably didn’t know what he was getting into with so many of Scholae’s members paying patronage at his establishment. Then again, Reiden wouldn’t have guessed that things would unfold in such a manner himself. He knew they could get a bit rowdy - he had even seen Thran light Kamjin on fire the last time he joined his clan mates at a bar. But the display he saw here tonight took things to another level - several levels, really.
There’s just no telling what some people might do, I guess, he thought to himself. He shook his head and drained the remaining contents from his glass. I’ll have to keep an eye out the next time I find myself in a situation like this. Anything could happen.
As the late night turned early morning, the patrons left the Crimson Star Cantina as they finished their drinks.
The band had already been paid, the doors locked, and the sanitation droid had begun cleaning. Grex leaned on the bar top, exhausted from the day. “I hate Imperials.” He sighed to himself. As he sauntered to the back office the nights haul of credits greeted him in a neat stack. He lingered in the doorway for a moment. “I love Imperials.”