Little Coruscant Has A Big Secret

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Seraphina walked behind, not beside Sarge. A minor detail on the surface, but slaves were considered lesser people and were expected to follow their masters. For her role in the play, she would act her part and wander obediently behind him as they made their way from his C-90 towards the pier where the extravagant ship and Hutt owner awaited, along with dozens upon dozens of party goers for the event of the evening. Cat calls and names were thrown at her as she walked behind Sarge as they got nearer to their destination. She was entirely out of her element here, despite maintaining her composure. The true test would be once they were in the party.

Approaching the barge the two guards at the ramp viewed Sarge and Sera with a bit of skepticism, though allowed them to pass through. Atop the barge the music was boisterous, making speech of any kind near impossible to hear. Most were dressed in fine, fancy clothes. A select few wore full suits of armor and carried blasters holstered at their sides. A patrol of guards made their rounds along the top deck seemingly oblivious to the crowd while simultaneously watching them closely. Listening through the Force the Twi'lek heard a number of party goers commenting on her rather unique appearance, while making guesses as to how the heavily armored man managed to find himself a unique looking piece of property.

One of the other few key aspects of being a slave that Seraphina knew was that you did not speak unless directed to, and it was generally good etiquette not to look others in the eye. She did just that. Following along only when Sarge pulled against the leash that she had so eagerly chosen to wear. This would surely go down in her memory as quite possibly the worst idea she'd ever volunteered for.

[member="Sarge Potteiger"]

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

And there Sarge was, [member="Seraphina Shel'tah"] on a leash. This was how you got drunken party stories. You just... did things, and then regretted them the moment they happened. She would never speak of this to anyone. He realized he'd probably crack a joke about it the next time he saw her. And so they went through the crowd, him with leash and Twi'lek in hand, her... demure and submissive in gaze and stance.

But as he moved, he realized he'd been right. 'Dolan' wasn't the Hutts name. The Hutt's name was Rulan. Stupid Selkath never could hear properly. Still, worthwhile depending. He'd deliberately brought them in a bit late, as the gifts would now be out and in hand, waiting for an audience with the Hutt. Already he was scanning the crowds - a few slaves, some edible luxuries, jewels, but no... what did the Star even look like?

Pausing in the walk, he turned to look down at the 'slave' and leaned in to 'whisper' something. Which, considering the thumping music, was basically just normal level speech anyway. "If you see it, let me know."

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

Sera's eyes darted from person to person. Those with only slaves she simply skipped over. One by one she looked over the gifts that were in hand. Not surprising to her though, it was nowhere to be found. She looked at her 'master' and shook her head. "Don't see it. It must be below deck in one of the vaults." That posed an issue all on its' own. If she were released to the Hutt and Sarge didn't accompany her, she could be in real, true danger. Slaves weren't exactly treated with the best care. More than that though, she would have little to no opportunity to locate the star on her own.

"We need to get down there somehow. Either before or after the presentation of offerings. Any ideas?" She looked over the upper deck for entryways to the level below. There was one set of stairs by the port side of the ship, and another by the stern. Both stairways had a pair of guards patrolling at all times, looking on for any curious types that might attempt to make their way belong deck without an escort.

[member="Sarge Potteiger"]

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

"I'll do you one better, Sera." He eyed the guards on either side, and then looked down to her. "We wait for them to bring it up, unless it hasn't been given to him yet. Or, better yet, I present you - you'll be taken down there for inspection." His brows rose inside the helmet. "I'm sure there's plenty of weak willed individuals down there that you could persuade to show you what you want."

In this instance, it almost sounded like he wanted her to slut it up. But he didn't. He knew she had the Force, and she didn't need a saber to use the Force. She could easily sway a guard, and once she had it, she'd need to bolt for him - and together, well, perhaps they could make it out of here in one piece.

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

"Very well." She said quietly. Going down there scantily clothed and alone, not knowing how many armed guards there were was not her favorite suggestion, but she wanted that star, and she would be damned if she let some fat, over-sized slug have it. As if enslaving her people was not enough, but the Hutt also had to have their cultural artifacts as well? Disgusting.

Shortly thereafter the filthy creature slithered his way above deck with the aide of a small squad of similarly armed guards. He spoke in his dribble language, his protocol droid standing nearby to translate for him. "My master bids you welcome to the party of the century. He wishes for those who brought offerings to please form an orderly line and he will receive your gracious gifts."

Seraphina rolled her eyes. This party sucked.

[member="Sarge Potteiger"]

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

This party did suck, but not as much as everyone here hoped she sucked. A queue was forming already, and he gave her leash a bit of a tug so they could get in line and get moving towards turning her over. "Hope you're ready to meet your new master." He remarks dryly, realizing they wouldn't be waiting long. And then he could just turn her over and lea- no, wait, he couldn't leave.

He had to stay to get her out of here.

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

She felt the pull on the leash, stumbling a bit to the side from the sudden pull and glared at him. He was enjoying this far more than necessary. Following she stood just behind him, keeping her eyes focused on the objects being brought up for offer. Each person would step forward, bow, explain what it was they had brought, then set it down by the Hutt and then back slowly away. The slug would gawk at the gift for a moment before waving his hand forward for the next to present.

One by one the line was worked through, until it came to Sarge. Sera looked at him. She'd have felt better about this if she had eyes on the star already. Someone was keeping it under wraps somewhere. Clearly they knew the value of it, and didn't think of it as just a trinket to pass on. It had to be below, and would likely be the final item brought up from the deck below, or presented in private.

[member="Sarge Potteiger"]

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]

And then it was his turn, and the man gave a slow bow of his head. Sarge had never actually bowed in his life and wouldn't know. "Honorable Rulan the Hutt." His own name wasn't important, at least not to the Hutt. "I have brought you the gift of this slave, my most elegant dancer." There was a heavy chortle, and the beast rumbled something in it's language that Sarge didn't bother translating. The leash, however, was handed over to a guard, who began taking her below decks.

Sarge though? He was getting out of there until it was time to help.

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

The guard began to walk her down the steps of the barge toward the lower level. Her eyes quickly yet discreetly scanned the area for anything that could potentially be holding the Star. Though to her dismay, as she was being led down the stairway, a man carrying a clothed item that appeared to be distinctly shaped to that of the artifact began walking up the steps. Her eyes widened. She'd only have a split second to act. She hadn't planned for this particular scenario. Do I just grab it and run? Should I wait?

Her impulse kicked in. She wasn't letting that thing get away. Instead she threw her hand back, releasing a strong wave of energy that thrust the man holding her leash across the ground, knocking both the wind and consciousness from him. The man holding the artifact however, made the sad mistake of attempting to flee with her people's artifact. "Oh I don't think so!" She shouted as the man hurried his way up the steps. Her hand curled around and wrapped her fingertips to her palm before pulling hard back. The man lost hold of the Star as he was forcefully yanked back and down the steps. The Twi'lek then proceeded to suspend the object in mid-air as she hopped over the tumbling man.

The party would suddenly be interrupted as the pink, scantily dressed Twi'lek 'slave' came running up the stairs with the Star in hand. "Sarge! A little help!?" The guards drew their weapons and began shouting orders for everyone to get on the ground. Not Sera, she ran like a banshee towards the armored man.

[member="Sarge Potteiger"]

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

Well, the game was up, and a blade of brilliant silver light erupted from the cylinder he'd tugged from his waist and into a hand. The snap-hiss of the saber igniting sent the crowd running faster than anything, and the momentary confusion of everyone running about in a panic - which quickly turned into a close quarters blaster battle - allowed him to reach the Twi'lek. Handing her a saber just to be safe, he pushed her towards the 'pier' while keeping himself between her and any incoming blaster fire.

Apparently, and unsurprisingly, the people who attended these gatherings all had a bone to pick with each other. With the apparent theft of someone's gift, a few sought to take on the armored giant, but many more used it as an opportunity to settle scores. "Kark me...." A wave of Force energy welled into his hands and he heaved his arms about in a throwing motion that sent much of the crowd tumbling onto their sides.

"MOVE." This time, the order was sharp, clear, and loudly broadcast from his helmet's external speakers. And as if to add insult to injury, he hoisted the woman by her waist and moved as fast as a hundred kilos of powered armor could move someone - regardless of what she was doing.

Things were faster this way given her lack of armor.

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

The instant one of her weapons were in hand she snapped it up and activated it defensively, reflecting a swath of blaster shots that barreled toward the pair as they began making their way out of the explosive scene. It seemed though that the Star was not of any concern to most of the other party goers, who took it upon themselves to use the opportunity to take out marks of their own upon one another, including the Hutt himself. A few bolts raced across the barge and hit the rather giant slug several times, leaving his dead body slumped forward.

That's when she felt the underhanded scoop of Sarge's arm around her waist, hoisting her up and over his shoulder like a small child being carried away from trouble. "Hey!" She shouted as he raced to get them away in his oversized armor. She continued deflecting shots away from the pair from where she hung, ensuring that he didn't get shot in the back, or her in the head, as he made their escape. It wasn't until they were out and away safely did she finally speak up about it. "Thanks, but you know, next time warn someone you're gonna do that."

As he set her down she carefully unwrapped the fabric around the Star and gazed at it. An ancient, sacred artifact was sitting idly in her very hands. A deep breath and sigh escaped her lips as she looked every inch over.

"It's beautiful..."

[member="Sarge Potteiger"]

 

[Sarge Potteiger]

[member="Seraphina Shel'tah"]

By the time they were out and safe, having made the worst of escapes in recent galactic memory, he realized how ridiculous this entire endeavor had been. At least he'd have a story to tell Cira now, about that time he'd 'owned' a 'slave.' Raising his brows beneath his helmet as she pulled out the artifact, he tilted his head to one side. "Well, it's where it should be - in your people's hands again."

 

[Seraphina Shel'tah]

"Thank you." She said genuinely.

"I don't know how I can repay you for your help, but if there's anything I can do, please tell me."

She hugged the artifact as if she were a small child again, back home, her dad handing her a small hand made doll.

"I don't know how they got their hands on this, or who they stole it from, but I am glad we found it before it found a fate upon the mantle as a decorative piece for a Hutt of all species. Insulting."

[member="Sarge Potteiger"]