Cats in the Cradle (Zev & Tegaea)

[Zev Stargo]

The scorching Coruscant sun was beating down on the pavements and metals that made up the burning Coruscant streets. Zev sat, the shadow of an umbrella hiding him from the bright rays of the sun that illuminated the shiny surfaces of the city planet. Across from his seat at a table outside the diner was a large bank, one that was of great interest to him for one reason, Tegaea was there on business. The bank was run by the Banking Clan and hired Omega Pyre to handle security for their new location until they could secure their own steady pace of protection. Zev was surprised that his operatives had overlooked such a great detail, but at least the Jedi had given him good information and that she was still here.

Zev tapped his foot on the afternoon pavement, his emerald eyes fixated on the door in front of him. In his right hand, as always, a cigar hung in between his index and middle fingers. Being here on the streets of Coruscant, Zev was reminded of the days when he was forced to buy the low grade cigs that tasted like burning cardboard. The taste bit at his tongue like a wild beast, not like the Shento luxury cigars that caressed his tongue with the sweet flavors of high grade tabac and natural flavorings. He never wished to return to the life that neglected him of freedom...not again. Zev continued to sit, his cigar smoke filling the air as he awaited the mercenary to exit the building so he could easily approach her. He was unsure of how she would take to him, but this was something he needed to do.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

There was something always vaguely unsettling about banks and lawyers. They always made Tegaea's fists itch, that was the problem. What was also a problem was that they looked down on her as mere hired help, though she held more power than any of them. Still, bankers and lawyers paid well, and Tegaea had just closed a twenty million credit deal to provide droids, security systems and escorts for important members of the clan.

She walked out into the sunlight, wishing she could be rid of the ridiculous business suit she had to wear for these occasions. She'd much prefer to wear an old pear of camo fatigues, but that didn't looks so good. She did refuse to wear a skirt though, and still carried her blaster holstered very visibly at her side.

She headed out into the square, past the cafe, hoping to get a speeder to the spaceport.

 

[Zev Stargo]

Zev had begun to zone off into his own world when the door of the banking clan building slid open and a red headed woman stepped out into the bright sun. It was punch in the face that Zev was not expecting, she was tall and her red hair seemed flawless. Each of her features was sharp and cut to perfection she was beautiful, stunning really. She didn't seem to comfortable in her suit, however, it must have been as hard to get used to for her as it was for Zev when he started having to wear suits for his business ventures. Of course, he had gotten used to the new look but he still enjoyed dressing down quite a bit. Even now Zev wore a simple collard shirt and slacks that would not set him apart from one of the middle class citizens of Coruscant. There was no doubt that Tegaea felt the same way, you can take the thug out of the slums but you can't take the slums out of the thug.

Stepping from his spot quietly, Zev dowsed his cigar in a community ash tray and walked up behind Tegaea as she moved past the cafe "My, my how you have grown Tegaea" Zev spoke with his age old voice as calm as the gentle sea.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

That voice....

In an instant Tegaea's gun was out of its holster and she turned on the man behind her. The pistol unusually wavered as she faced him.
Around her the civilians were showing alarm so she lowered the weapon slightly. It had been pure impulse, and she hadn't even known why she had reacted so.

"You," she stated flatly. "Hello...uncle," she said softly.

 

[Zev Stargo]

Zev had a slight smile on his face, even after the gun had been pulled and practically shoved in his chest. He didn't move a muscle, not out of fear but out of a pure lack of it. His niece slowly lowered the gun, her eyes fixed on the old man like a hawks as he returned her look with a gentle stare that was not threatening nor was it unpleasant in anyway

"Hello sweetie, after all this time and all you do is shove a blaster in my chest." His smile faded back to his emotionless and neutral state "You are your father's daughter, of that fact I have no doubt."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

If looks could kill, Zev would be a burning hole in the ground. "Of course I am, you stupid man," she retorted. "I didn't look forward to this meeting, uncle, in fact I was rather hoping the galaxy had swallowed you up. Did you seek me out, or did you just happen to be here? Speak quickly, because I am not in the mood for you."
For all her power and success her uncle could still drive her into a rare fury.

 

[Zev Stargo]

Zev studied his niece "Is it such a capital offense that a uncle seeks out his beloved niece? How about we sit?" Just like her father Tegaea was much more emotional than Zev, who usually emoted about as much as a freshly sliced cucumber. With that, Zev took a seat at a nearby table "It's been so many years and I just decided that a conversation was in order. I see you are working with Omega Pyre now, I'm surprised my little girl fell into such a business." as he waited a response he took a pack of Pazaak cards from his jacket and placed them on the table "I hope you aren't to old to enjoy a quiet game of Pazaak with your uncle like we used to with your father."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea stayed standing, but did put her gun away for now. "To hell with your cards," she said angrily. "Father is dead and that was twenty years ago."
"I am the CEO of Omega Pyre now, I've made something of my life. I recently liberated a planet and overthrew a tyrant on another. I am on the Board of Control which rules over twenty billion people. I don't need you, and I'm not that little girl in the slums anymore!"
She turned to go.

 

[Zev Stargo]

Zev watched as Tegaea turned to leave, but he began passing cards out anyway...he knew how to make her come back "Do you know why me and your father left that night...the last night you saw him?" Zev called to her as he finished putting out Tegaea's side deck, since he knew she would not have her own, and then proceeded to look down at his own cards. This redheaded girl was the last family he had, which despite the man's coldness, meant something to him in his old age. He was a man who respected everybody for something, even his family members who tended to be low life slime or just plain out hated Zev for multiple reasons. No doubt Tegaea had good reason to hate Zev, he was neither the best uncle nor was he a reminder of a great time in the girls life. Still, he knew she would be a great asset to him if she would just listen to him

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegs stopped, turned slightly. "You said why. You said that some of the Blue Eyes you were there to meet went bad on you and shot him. That's what I was led to believe anyway. Is there a different story you want to tell?" she said.
She did not sit, but her hand had drifted back to her pistol.

 

[Zev Stargo]

Zev looked at her, with unflinching nerves "First, you tell me what he told you about me. If I recall my brother never had much enthusiasm for my...methods." Zev played his first community card on the table, it was a nine, so he stayed and looked to his niece as if he expected her to take her turn.

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea didn't move. That time of her life was not one she relished remembering. They had been poor, in the worst slum on this very planet. Criminals and gangs ruled every one of the massive apartment buildings.
"He said that you were someone who did 'business'. Never explained what sort, told us never to ask what sort. At the time I thought it was something suspicious...now I know it was criminal."

 

[Zev Stargo]

Zev chuckled in the back of his throat "Criminal is just a term used to bar us from true freedom sweetie. I always tried to make your father understand that, but he always it upon himself to label me a villain. Do not misinterpret me, we worked together on many occasions, but there were those time that he chose not to participate, out of some foolish moral compass. He refused to admit that my doings were what kept your family fed."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

"So what happened?" Tegaea asked softly, not eagerly, but expectantly. Many things had never added up about that time so many years ago.

 

[Zev Stargo]

Zev looked to the sky as he remembered back to that day years ago, "It was long before I had even thought of Stargo Enterprise, but I was starting to get involved with the mafia organization in the higher city. He hadn't told you and your mother but you were about to lose your apartment, mostly because he refused to take more than food from me. I couldn't do anything to help at that point, I was not fairing much better than you due to a sever decrease in my employment. When the time came close for your eviction, I had stumbled upon a job that payed very well so I offered it to him. We didn't go to meet some Blue Eyes that night, we were going to have a meeting with a Hutt by the name of Gorza."

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea, against her better judgement, did come and sit down opposite. She didn't pick up the cards yet though. "I remember hearing about Gorza. He kept Kath hounds in his apartment and set them loose on people. Eventually didn't work out so well for him though when they attacked him after he was covered in offal by a rival."

 

[Zev Stargo]

Zev nodded "He was a particularly disgusting Hutt too, I did not care for him but he gave us good work. Me and your father arrived a little late, but Gorza's last appointment ran long so by dumb luck we stayed out of trouble. When the meeting began I could tell your father was uncomfortable, he continuously squirmed in his chair and I thought he might just run out the door. Everything was proceeding as planned, but something went wrong. Before I ever realized what was happening their was a Republic SWAT unit raiding the building, blasters were going everywhere and me and your father had to take cover. I shot back, but your father insisted on staying under the conference table." Zev paused and took a cigar to offer to Tegaea "do you smoke?"

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

"I don't," she said, waving away the cigar. She enjoyed a drink, but not when 'on duty', as it were. "I didn't even know there was a Republic then. Probably just some sort of random warlord or faction trying to get control of the planet. So what happened?"

 

[Zev Stargo]

Zev nodded "Oh my sweet, there was a Republic. Although it was not what it is today. Back then the Republic was made up of over zealous civilians who decided to try and bring peace to the planet. They were but a shadow of what is now the Galactic Republic. But I am getting off track, your father and I ran into the slums trying to hide out from the self proclaimed police force. We decided to split up and I hid out for days in an abandoned apartment complex, surviving on what little food I could scavenge. I hadn't heard from your father for two days, so I went back to Gorza's to see if he could find him. Little did I know they had beat me to the punch, Gorza had your father tied up in his apartment." Zev paused as he stuck the cigar in his mouth and lit it

 

[Valiens Nantaris]

Tegaea stared, not saying anything, clearly entralled by the story. She might not like her uncle much, but this was something she'd not heard before. "And then?" she prompted.