Private A Private Interrogation

[DEVILMAN]

Nal Hutta – Nar Shaddaa – Nearby Rooftop
Objective: Interrogate
NPC(s): Sage
Vehicles: Devilmobile​

Looming predatorily over the zeltron, the Fiend's eyes narrowed under the mask as he growled.

"Tell me everything you know about the Hutt Cartel. Now."

Here, the Black Ace would press his advantage. The zeltron had been on the verge of tears and fearful of a death that, with the Living Nightmare's assistance, had been avoided. The dreary rooftop covered in smog and blood dripping from Chantin's wounds would be the grounds for his interrogation. The gang wars, the Hutt Cartel's control, the never ending cycle of crime.

A grave wound would be inflicted upon all the cartels and their indulgences, their feasting, upon this planet and all planets they have sunk their poisonous fangs. Chantin and his former hostage would be the means to inflict such a debilitating injury upon the criminal underworld. After tonight, the Demon would ensure the cycle of violence and crime would begin to falter and fail.

This downward descent into the Demon's planned personal hell for all of Nar Shaddaa's criminal elite began tonight, on this rooftop.

The Proto-Predator would find a use for Chantin, no matter if the zeltron approved or not. That much would be certain before the end of tonight. Whether it be as an informant, as a trap, or as a mole, the plan had yet to be decided. Right now, everything hinged on what exactly the zeltron had to say for himself. Stalking forward closer, the Walking Shadow grabbed ahold of the bolas wire around the zeltron's body and pulled Chantin closer until the two were face-to-face.

Those hollow eyes filled to the brim with a calculating rage bore into Chantin's own, staring deep into his soul. It would not serve the zeltron well to incense this Demon.

For it knew pain and it would share that pain, if provoked.

Direct: Xoff Chantin || Indirect: Whottoomuzz Chantin​

 

[Xoff Chantin]

Outfit: Something Nice

Spoiler: Loadout (disarmed)

• Vixen's Vault
• FFS Utility Belt
• Beauty Blades
• Bond-Lock Pomade
• ClearView Essence: Perfume
• Code Breaker Card
• Covert Compact
• Covert Kiss: Laser Lipstick
• Covert PurseGlow Guard
• HushCuffs
• Nite Night Nails: Polish
• Phantom Fresh
• Processor Pendant
• Re-Pulse Ring
• SlyTie
• Vixen's Vambrace

"Tell me everything you know about the Hutt Cartel. Now."

"Like, now, now?" Xoff asked incredulously. He was no stranger to pain, but they only just escaped death and he hadn't even had a chance to brush the debris from his hair.

"That's... going to take a while, why don't you narrow it down?" Xoff asked, only slightly teasing. "You clearly know who I am, and surely I can prattle all day about it, but frankly, that's a lot of talking to be doing up on this rooftop. I mean, I like being tied up as much as any Zeltron, but If you want to hear everything the least you could do find a more comfortable spot."

Xoff wasn't vying for time anymore - the unnecessary act of rescuing everyone in the building had Xoff fairly confident he wasn't going to be killed - and he was an information broker, after all. Damn finest. He wouldn't have made it this far into a legally binding marriage with the head of the Cartel if he gave out free samples.

"Let's tone down the testosterone a bit, then why don't you tell me what you need to know?"

DEVILMAN​

 

[DEVILMAN]

Nal Hutta – Nar Shaddaa – Nearby Rooftop
Objective: Interrogate
NPC(s): Sage
Vehicles: Devilmobile​

The Demon growled for a moment before releasing the wire trapped the zeltron from his grip. Instead, the Fiend grasped something different this time. The zeltron's hand before positioning Chantin's fingers within his grasp. Then, the Proto-Predator applied a little pressure with a clawed thumb on one of the zeltron's digits. Not enough to break anything, yet, but enough to hurt.

"This is not a negotiation," the Living Nightmare spoke, a cold and calculating rage now overtaking his demeanor, "I can break over half the bones in your body with your hands and feet alone. You lie to me or say something I don't like . . . "

A little more pressure, almost as if the digit would snap right then and there, before he released the pressure.

"And it will require a team of surgeons to put you back together, piece by broken piece."

The grip on his hand allowed the Fiend's sensors to pick up the zeltron's vitals and other biological data. If Chantin lied, the sensors and the Demon's training would allow him to see through any charade. And if the zeltron did manage to deceive the Detective in any measure, then the Living Nightmare could always come back and finish the job of breaking the zeltron's limbs.

"Dates. Names. Places." The Demon listed off the information he needed to know. The specifics. "What their plans are, how they hide, where their weak points are."

Those cold lenses bore into the zeltron, studying him throughout the entire interrogation. Information regarding the Hutt Cartel could bring one step closer to bringing them down.

"Any and all evidence I can use to take them down. All of them."

Direct: Xoff Chantin || Indirect: N/A​

 

[Xoff Chantin]

Outfit: Something Nice

"Dates. Names. Places." The Demon listed off the information he needed to know. The specifics. "What their plans are, how they hide, where their weak points are."

Xoff huffed. Nothing too difficult. Some basic details Xoff could share.

Much of it was accessible with a Holonet pass to the underworld's bounty boards - something the Devil likely had access to, but maybe it was something useful Xoff could provide.

"Truth is, the majority of our focus will be rebuilding and restoring order after this takeover. Every two bit thug and ragtag gang has carved up the old consortium and nobody has the sense of the capability to settle things quietly. It's driven prices up, turned more people to crime looking for work, and generally made things more difficult all around."

It was clear the Devil didn't want to hear any of the rationalizations that Xoff had for bringing this kind of Order to the Outer Rim.

"It's not perfect, but Whotto's different than the Hutts who came before. He's stubborn, yes, and intimidating when he has to be - but he does care about his own. His protection rackets aren't in name only, his fronts turn to legitimate businesses. You want a weakness to undermine him - if you want to deal with whomever carves up the remnants - you've got it."

It was the truth. Xoff knew it. Whottoomuzz knew it. Now the Devil knew it. Xoff was the angel on the Hutt's shoulder, having shown kindness and compassion to the slug creature, and helped them learn when to forgive and when to forget.

Xoff voice had no hint of desperation or usual taunting. If anything it was remorseful, as if he wished it was not so.
"If I'm gone, if someone takes, harms, or otherwise disposes of me..."

A stare into the distance. Imagining Nar-Shadaa in flames from the aftermath.

"He wouldn't take it well. He'd burn himself and his entire empire down for revenge. Millions would suffer in the wake of his despair."

Xoff was still trying to prepare the Hutt for Xoff's old age, but the outbursts when the Zeltron refused to try sith alchemy or cyborg procedures to extend his lifespan would be nothing compared to honest to goodness grief from the Hutt. Xoff had time, at least - to prepare Jobbi to comfort her dad for his passing. To impart enough of himself onto the girl that Whotto would have something to remember him by.

The pain from the Devil went ignored as worry for the future overtook Xoff's concerns. A mourning that carried through Zeltron empathic telepathy.

DEVILMAN​

 

[DEVILMAN]

Nal Hutta – Nar Shaddaa – Nearby Rooftop
Objective: Interrogation
NPC(s): Sage
Vehicles: Devilmobile, Devilwing​

The Fiend listened. The pressure remained on the hand, but there had been no move to break a finger. No further aggressive displays or intimidation tactics. The cowl and suit had been designed to prevent anyone from being able to read his micro-expressions, whether in his facial features or his physique. A cold scowl remained as the Demon studied the zeltron as sensor data from the gloves detected no biological abnormalities or changes in pitch regarding speech patterns. Each sentence had been long and coherent. Indicators that Chantin was telling the truth.

Or at least, Xoff Chantin truly believed himself to be the weakness of Whottoomuzz Chantin.

Under the mask, its eyes narrowed as it scowled. The Zeltron’s empathic resonance was still in effect. The Proto-Predator could feel it prodding at the edges of his psyche. It would not be able to penetrate his disciplined and honed mind, but he could at least understand what emotions were exuding from Chantin. This one did not appear to be any trick. A sense of mourning. An emotion that was difficult to replicate on command, if at all. To simulate such a response within the brain, it would require an advanced form of biochemical manipulation, whether natural or not.

A skill the Living Nightmare highly doubted the Zeltron possessed. Which meant there was might have been more to the man than his psychopathy.

The communication transmitter inside the cowl activated in that moment, ["Sir, if he is indeed telling the truth, it might be in our best interests to use Mr. Chantin's influence and position for future infiltration and sabotage rather than lock him away immediately. At least until the Hutt Cartels have been put to a stop."]

The Fiend rarely prescribed onto any idea or semblance of hope or naivety. But it did recognize opportunity, and this meant a plan could be put into action. One that could ensure the safety of Nar Shaddaa, Nal Hutta, and its citizens while also uprooting the cartels from the moon and planet's foundations. Chantin would answer for his crimes, but after he had served to remove the cartel's influence on the Outer Rim and the wider galaxy.

Letting go of Chantin's hand, the Walking Shadow spoke carefully in far more measured tone. A controlled growl far less aggressive and intimidating, yet enough to demand the Zeltron's entire attention.

"You killed a man. You will answer for that along with the rest of your sins," the Fiend promised, its word resolute, before it continued speaking. "But first you are going to help me shut down the Hutt Cartel from the inside."

The Detective let the statement settle, studying the Zeltron’s reaction with careful eyes. He expected resistance—anticipated it—and was prepared to meet Chantin's opposition to the information presented.

He waited, watched, and listened for the Zeltron criminal to speak his piece.

Direct: Xoff Chantin || Indirect: Whottoomuzz Chantin​

 

[Xoff Chantin]

Outfit: Something Nice

"You killed a man. You will answer for that along with the rest of your sins," the Fiend promised, its word resolute, before it continued speaking. "But first you are going to help me shut down the Hutt Cartel from the inside."

Xoff hesitated.

"You're not killing the Hutt." It wasn't a statement, more like terms to be set. "He's not a bad person, he's just... He was born into a family and species with certain expectations. But once we get our feet on solid ground we can go legitimate, above the board. Everyone that relies on him - once they are taken care of I'd happily spend the rest of my days locked in prison if it's with him."

There was a hopelessness in Xoff's words. It was an argument they've had in the past too many times. Xoff knew, deep down, their feet would never reach solid ground. This line of work only sinks deeper. He might be able to escape if he wanted, but he wasn't leaving Whotto behind. And Whotto wouldn't leave what little remains of his people behind, even if it turns him into a monster.

Xoff wanted the words he spoke to be true - he wanted a chance at a normal life for them. It was an impossible dream.

Xoff's voice was steady, but his tears ran black with mascara.

DEVILMAN​

 

[DEVILMAN]

Nal Hutta – Nar Shaddaa – Rooftop
Objective: Interrogation
NPC(s): Sage
Vehicles: Devilmobile, Devilwing​

There was less resistance than the Fiend had initially expected. It—he saw the pain emanating from the Zeltron. The Fiend felt every ounce of that pain on the periphery of his mind, the despair at the complete and utter lack of hope. A quiet resolution about his situation gripped Chantin to his core. That much could be obvious. Chantin was speaking the truth, his honest feelings on the subject.

The real question then remained: why?

This was too easy, too simple, and too good to be true. And what was even less obvious was how this behavior would affect the Zeltron's ability to provide as an informant within the Hutt Cartel. This deep sense of loyalty paired with a longing for an impossible future could prove a complication in the future, whether near or late. Contingencies and backup plans would prove necessary to develop should the Zeltron turn traitor against the Demon.

Verbal measures as well as technological tools would prove necessary in this moment to dissuade the Zeltron from committing any lies or treachery. The Proto-Predator was well-versed in all manner of psychology, in deceptions and lies, in argumentation and deliberation as well as ethical reasoning and moral philosophy. Each sentence and word Chantin spoke was scrutinized under careful deliberation by the Detective's deductive mind.

Here, he would need to tread carefully.

"The plan does not involve nor require the death of your husband," the Fiend assuaged that concern from the Zeltron's mind before speaking further, "Regardless, Whottoomuzz Chantin along with the Hutt Cartel and anyone associated will answer for what they have done."

A reasonable limitation on the terms set here. The "stick" had been necessary earlier to establish how much pain the Living Nightmare was capable of. Now, this interrogation required a "carrot" given via subtle manipulation.

"If your husband had wished to go legitimate, he would have done so a long time ago, Chantin," the Fiend revealed in this moment.

Perhaps, such a statement would not pierce through the excuses and thoughts drowning the Zeltron on the inside. But it could be a start for Chantin to realize that something needed to be different, something needed to change beyond all the excuses he had been feeding himself. Because that is what the Walking Shadow had been hearing so far.

Excuses for the morally deplorable acts the Hutt Cartel and Whottoomuzz had committed. There was no justification there, whether or not Chantin chose to see that simple fact.

The Demon, nonetheless, extended an opportunity that could yield a future for the Zeltron's personal circle beyond the cartel’s downfall. Such an opportunity would prove necessary if the Fiend wished to instill any sense of loyalty within the Zeltron towards the Black Ace.

"If there are individuals tied to the cartel yet innocent of its crimes, I can ensure their protection and well-being. They will be taken cared of."

The offer stood. What the Zeltron chose to do with it was his decision. There were people Chantin cared, friends and family. Loved ones. That much the Black Ace was certain. But this opportunity would come with a reminder, a cost.

The Living Nightmare's final statement carried itself with the same resolute coldness he maintained throughout the entire conversation, overlapping a hidden yet calculating ire, "I cannot help them, however, if you do not cooperate with me. And I do not believe you would wish such a life on anyone."

If the Black Ace was correct—and he almost invariably was—then the emotional impact of that declaration would cut to the heart of the Zeltron’s personal life. Each word and statement had been carefully crafted to this end before the Fiend fell back into silence, waiting in the stillness.

Direct: Xoff Chantin || Indirect: Whottoomuzz Chantin​