The Halberd Rises Over Axxila

[The Red of Sinner]

I don't recall exactly how this started, this chubby Rodian cursing me up, and down because I want to buy his weapons, and armor company based on Axxila. His green skin reminded me of a nasty pus oozing from a sore, and I quickly wanted to throw up from this thought. My sunglasses seemed to be shifting off my face, so I adjusted them back to where they belong. I loosened my tie, and leaned back as Dido, that was the Rodian's name, kept yelling at me in his native tongue. I understood none of it. I reached over, grabbed the refreshment of caf he had offered me a hour ago, when I first got to his office, and brought it to my lips, it tasted like bantha fodder. Finally he broke the crazy chitter chatter, and began to speak in basic.

"I don't get why of all the other companies, you chose mine to try, and buy Silvara!" It was a good question, why had I did this? Well that was simple, it was cheaper to buy, and I could turn it into a multi million credit project. Wise investments, along with profit, and marketing. All the business nonsense I am sure you don't understand. "Dido, let me be honest with you, I am trying to give you a nice retirement check here, you're in your what? Fifties? No, sixties. Let me buy this company off your hands, we'll continue to sell your original designs, all with your royalties coming back to you. You're company's net worth is only fifty k man, Im trying to offer you double that. That's a lot of money here on Axxila, let's not forget you have a dozen other companies lying about making you pocket change. Hell you could stay in a head position if you wanted to keep a fat paycheck coming.". I gave this long talk about money, trying to sweeten the pot for him, ya know? Im greedy, but let's face it, the man did need some form of pay afterwards, and he was a decent business man. I was giving him tons of options here, trying to make his life easy. He wasn't having any of it.

The Rodian sat down, his big belly jiggled as he did so, I had to bite my tongue back not to laugh. It was considered rare to see a fat Rodian, but then again it was rare to see a lot of things. "This is my life's work we are talking about here Zallen, you can't just barge in, and buy something like this like it's just another transaction, papers have to be sign, rights handed over, and many other tedious paperwork that has to be done. If I just hand this over to you, how do I know you're not going to just run it into the ground? Make some major change to it that I don't approve of? I barely know you as is!". At first some of these points seemed valid, he was the CEO of the company, Ciyotranza, a stupid name, sounded like some pop club in Nar Shaddaa. But, I had something here he didn't consider, I had already went behind his back board was ready to sell to someone new, wanted change, I made a offer, the exact same offer here, and they devoured it like a hungry Hutt. "Dido, I want you to understand this clearly, selling a company IS just another business transaction. I hate to tell you this, but I tried to make it easier on you, but you just wont listen to reason man, the board wants you gone. I told them I would make this a clean deal...but...". I snapped my finger, and in came a very tall, and muscular Trandoshan who went by the name Kelko Jutar. He was just another hired muscle for me back then, but his usefulness became very aware to myself.

Sporting a nice bowcaster he had apparently, by his telling, taken off a wookie he had just killed for a nice sum of credits. The nasty part was that he kept the damn thing's fur wrapped around the bow's arc as a trophy. "What is is boss?" He seemed to slither the words from his reptilian lips, if they had any. I smiled something nasty, and looked the Rodian dead in the eyes, "You can sign this document, stating you hand over Ciyotranza over to me for a hundred grand, you will receive all royalties owed to you, and if you ever wish to continue working here, you may. Or, you can take the dirtier route, which leads in a nice, FAT body bag. Can you guess who's body is in the bag? What will it be Dido? Please make it snappy, I have other things to attend to other than some gross fatso." And I had set the pieces in checkmate. Kelko made some snort which caused Dido to jump in nervousness. His..mouth thing twitched, along with his with those things that dangled from his forehead. His long, and slender fingers reached over to the datapad that had been sitting in front of both us since my entrance into his office. My smile widened, and my hands became sweaty with anticipation, and the sense of winning. But that was short lived. He pushed the datapad over. "Go to hell Silvara, and take you leather head with you. I will not give you my company." The foolish old man spat in my face. My smile dropped to a frown, and then a static position. I reached over, and looked at the datapad, it had all the names of the board directors, overseers, etc. The people's names needed should something bad ever happen to Dido. I tried. Another snap of my fingers, and Kilko was grabbing Dido by those dangly things, and dragging him to the office windows. By his throat, Dido was thrusted against the window pane. As I walked over to him, I clasped my hands behind my back, my glorious black hair styled in a spikey offset, and my clothes fitting perfectly.

"I tried Dido, I really did. You left me with no choice, and now, you will be going to hell. I think, I will change the company's name to Halberd, a much more catchier, and fitting name don't you think? Toss him Kilko." I walked away as Dido spat more nonsense at me in his native tongue. The sound of glass breaking, and the screams of one fat Rodian was my background noise. Kilko quickly followed behind me, slinging his bowcaster around his back, and walking with a swag of content. He enjoyed killing things I presumed.

 

[The Red of Sinner]

I didn't realize how far in debt this company was, it was insane, and absolutely unnecessary. I sat at my desk, a cigarette held by lips, and unlit as I read over the spending documents, and various funds the company had. I wrinkled my nose as I read some of this crap. Dido had a problem with gambling it would seem as he owed a Hutt here twenty grand for some bet lost. Seems like the ole' Rodian was about to die anyways, and now I was the name on that debt holder. I laid the datapad down, and rubbed my face, careful not to break the cigarette in my mouth. What the heck was this idiot thinking, I couldn't grasp this Rodian's logic. He had been in the process of making a new weapon for the Hutt to invest in as part of the debt too. He was just losing money left, and right.

At this time, Reila Izina, my secretary, partner in crime, and therapist, walked in. "You look stressed Zade, maybe it's time to take a break, you've been at this for seven hours. Here." She reached over, and lit my smoke. I inhaled the cancerous smoke, and closed my eyes. They were blood shot from the lack of sleep, and major caffeine intake. Had I really been reading for that long? As I exhaled the smoke, and opened my eyes, she wore a amazing black business suit, opting that it made her less of a distraction, and allowed business to be done without delay. She was wrong, oh was she wrong. "Do we know who where this, Yuka the Hutt is yet? How goes the name change for this cyst pool of a weapons making company, on the side of armor that chips from a trip?" I asked her as I stood up, and readjusted my tie to a more loose fit, and unbuttoned my suit jacket. I prefer this better than looking all fit, and snug as a bug under a rug. Reila nodded in response. "We do, Yuka resides in a major club that he owns about seven or so blocks from us, as for the name change, I believe that is all finished up. The board of directors will be announcing the company's change in ownership, and name tomorrow afternoon, as well as remodeling will begin tonight after the employees and such have left. How do you plan on dealing with Yuka? I hear some nasty tales about him, he enjoys hurting people for sport, and business for him involves anything he sell, ANYTHING." She said gently. I cracked my neck, and stretched my arms as I took another hit of the cigarettes, and breathed it out in my words. "Get my good friend Sirus on the line, I think he will be happy to accompany me to Yuka's place, he owes me anyways for bailing his bond, time to cash in." Sirus wasn't his real name, I don't think. He was a merc with a taste for credits, he had worked for me a few times, and last time we departed, he got arrested shortly after during a contract he was given. He called me to pay for his bail, said he owed me afterwards, and that I could call on him anytime I needed him. He was good at his job, killing, intimidating, and standing there, looking pretty. I joke, he isn't that pretty. A scar crosses his nose, something a Rancor gave him a few years ago, and his hair looked like he washed it with grease. Brown eyes were hidden behind a helmet he always wore too. He was like, six foot and five inches? He was a massive man.

 

[The Red of Sinner]

With a few minutes of being on the comlink with this man, I convinced him to help me out with this..dilemma, which he was a little hesitant to help. I had to tell him bad things could come his way if he didn't, a simple threat. I would simply send Kelko to go kill him, and take on Yuka by myself. Sirus merely there for face, nothing more. It would take him a few days to get here, so I opted to spend some time with the board of directors, and my social life of partying. It was best to see the board of directors first, see what was happening with the remodeling, and such. What fund I could bring in would help reshape this company into my vision, my idea, and my ideology. These men had no idea that I had even bigger plans for the future, plans that surpassed their meaningless lives.

As I walked towards the meeting room that held these men of business, I pulled out another cigarette, and lit it, Reila followed behind me shaking her head. I pushed open the doors, taking a drag on my smoke, and pulled it deep into my lungs, and watched the men jump. My crackle caused smoke to come out of my mouth. "Why did you people jump? Did you think I was Yuka? Priceless, could I possibly get that on camera?" I clapped my hands as I walked to my chair, the one at the end, the bigger one, and took another drag of my cigarette. "So how does the remodeling look? What are we changing? Reports people, this is your job, do it efficiently, or leave. I can find someone else that can do it twice as better, and for lower pay. " I spoke loudly, and with a authoritative tone. They quickly fondled for their datapads, swiping for the reports, and clearing their throats. Finally a older man spoke up, "We are remodeling everything, the offices, the labs, and the lobby. Estimated time for the fully finished refurbishing around a month, to two months." They all then gave nonsense reports, and they all sounded so dull, and lifeless to me.

 

[The Red of Sinner]

The meeting went on, the usual crap, but the good news what that money was slowly being made due to the new hype about a far more younger CEO, and a new name that everyone could pronounce without trying a second time. Before hand, it had sounded like some swanky night club where teenager met up to hit spice, and death sticks while dancing their lives away. I scoffed at this has I heard the news, of course we would be seeing a rise in profit with me at the head of the company. Unlike Dido, I know what I am doing, what I have ambition that soars higher than Axxila, and some weapons/armor making company that's about as small as a country compared to the entire UNIVERSE.

"Well, now that the boring stuff is out of the way, I think I shall go deal with Yuka the Hutt...say what's the outlook of our security? Cameras, able bodies, droids, various other defenses? I would think a somewhat respectable weapons manufacturer would have something near top of the line security." I asked as I leaned back in my chair, putting out my cigarette. This would help me figure out how to go about my idea, my vision for something bigger than a single company. The directors looked at one another, and then back at me with dread in their eyes. Lovely, I knew the company was in bad shape but I didn't realize it would be this bad, even the debts weren't that surprising to me, but this, blew my mind away. I laughed hard, slamming my open palm on the long, metallic table. "Don't worry, when I come back from Yuka's, I'll have us something worthy of being called security, oh boy, this is priceless. You guys should have freaking told me about this before I bought the damn company, otherwise I might not have bought it, or had to persuade Dido to sign over the rights. Come Reila, let us be off, I think we have made Yuka wait long enough."

I left those old bags to their amusements, whatever they might be, knowing that they were mocking my name, and talking down upon me. I'm here to run a business, to make money, and see that I get what I want. They don't know that soon, I will have no need for them. Reila followed close behind me, reading some stuff to me about Yuka, a big gambler, and something of a playboy too. Heh, me and this guy would get along famously. My speeder was located outside my office. There was a balcony attached to it, more than large enough to park the sleek looking thing. A Koro-2, a older model compared to what other people were driving around, but still a classic. As I lifted the passenger door for Reila, like the gentleman that I am, I closed it, and went to the driver's side. As I adjusted myself in my seat, Reila finally spoke up. "So how do you plan on dealing with Yuka? Sirus isn't even here yet. He still has a few months to get here. I'm guessing you obviously realize that two months is too long? Yuka isn't a very patient person either, so I am assuming you have some marvelous trick up your sleeve?" She finished her words, and I was already looking at her like, Oh really captain obvious?

 

[The Red of Sinner]

As I pressed a few buttons to start the ship, I continued to look at the woman with the most sarcastic look ever. "I know what I am doing, this isn't my first dealings with a Hutt. A year before I hired you as my personal assistant, to replace my deceased one, we went to Nar Shaddaa, and dealt with a Hutt named Tuv. I left by myself that day, but I got what I needed." I said with a wink, obviously trying to push her buttons. She swallowed some, and shook her head. Her mouth opened as if she was about to say something, but chose to close it, probably thinking the remark was not professional. That was our difference, she wanted to act professional, I simply did whatever it took to get the job done. The airspeeder lifted up as I pulled on it's steering yokes, and swung it into traffic, then gunned it to a much faster pace, swerving left, and right to dodge other speeders in the air. I was on a tight schedule, there was no time to waste with daily traffic laws, and nor did I ever care to go the proper speed limit to begin with.

"You're gonna get us killed, or arrested before we can even get there Zade! Slow down! Are you nuts?" She yelled out as she held onto the dashboard, quickly placing her safety belt with the free hand over her body. I chuckled, and pushed a button for music to burst from the speakers. Raising the volume up all the way, I laughed harder as adrenaline pumped through my body, pushing the speeder faster. Somewhere deep my core, I hated flying, unless it was an airspeeder. A nice, hard jerk on the yokes spun us in a circle as I dove down to dodge the large carrier in front of us, and then quickly jerked up on them to lift us up from smashing into a freighter. Reila was white as Hoth's snow, and eyes bigger than Dido's buggy bulbs. I jerked the yoke the other way, stopping the spin, and slowed us down. My laughter soon stopped as I saw we were coming up on Yuka's place. "That was fun, alright lets put this girl down on the ground." I smirked, and began to park the speeder. I looked over at Reila who was now as red as Mustafar, her eyes squinted at me, and her fist clinched. I probably should have mentioned that she hits hard, and I mean like a freakin Wookie raging hard.

As we landed, and got out, she adjusted her clothes that had been ruffled from the little joy riding we just took. "If you ever do that again while I am in the speeder with you, I will kill you. I mean it Mr. Silvara.​" She said in her matter of fact tone. The only time she ever called me that was when she was severely pissed with me, so I opted to leave her be, and not prod at her for the rest of the day. I loosened my tie a little more, and pulled a cigarette out from my inner coat pocket. Reila lit it for me once more, and I sucked on the stick. Blowing out the smoke, I started to walk into the rowdy club that was bursting with sounds, and smells. Unpleasant smells for the most part, but the jams were pretty decent.

 

[The Red of Sinner]

It didn't take me long to realize I wasn't ready for this scene, not yet. I fully unbuttoned my suit, and flipped my collar for the dress shirt under the suit jacket as tad bit. Reila, well, she just stayed as it, which was fine, I wouldn't have her any other way really. As I passed through the massive group of people waiting to get in, someone tried to stop me in the crowd. I nudged his hand off my shoulder. Let it be known, I hate fighting, I can't fight to save my life. Never really been in one actually, that's probably my problem, but I wasn't about to start the brawling days today. The man was a few inches taller than me, and had way more power than I expected as he reached for my shoulder again, and gave it a squeeze. I gritted my teeth through the sharp pain he was producing, biting into my cigarette butt. In the corner of my eye, I saw Reila's shocked face, she obviously didn't know what to do, but I did. "Hey, you really feel like banging up one of Yuka's clients right in front of his club man? I dig that I am skipping y'all in line, and that it's unfair. I understand that, I would be pissed too if I was you, but business man is business, and do you want to get in my business with Yuka?" The man looked at me like I was a joke, then the doubt hit his face, and he let me go, his face calming down. I guess Yuka was really that scary of person around here. I nodded at him, and slipped a few hundred credits to dampen his hurt pride. Reaching out, I grabbed Reila's hand, and lead her to the front of the line.

Here there was two guards that were uglier than Kelko and Sirus combined. I myself wasn't quite sure what they were, but they were big, bulky, and smelled of some kinda oil. I raised my voice them to hear me over the music, and chatter of hundreds of people. "I'm here to see Yuka! Names Zallen Silvara, new owner of Dido's company. I have business to discuss with your boss about this debt Dido owed him. Can I go in?" I hoped these guys didn't get mad at me for yelling at that, for all I knew, they could probably have heard me just fine. They both nodded at me too, and opened the door for Reila, and me. As we entered the music became more clearer to me, and more catchy. The rhythm, and beats, the bass, and treble. It was all in my ears now, and I must say, Yuka's DJ had a nice taste in music. I couldn't help but move to the music, dancing with Reila as we made our way to where I would assume the Hutt would be at. I twirled her around, and pulled her in, spitting the cigarette out before she got to me, and stepped on it. I didn't care I had just threw my cigarette down on the dance floor. Hell, in a few months, I could buy this place if I wanted. She giggled some, and spoke. "What are you doing?" She asked me in a yelling voice. I smiled happily and began to move my hips, showing her with my hands on hers to follow my moves too. "I'm enjoying myself, and my job! Relax!" I yelled back at her. It was probably a strange site for everyone, I hadn't noticed people were starting to watch us now, nor did I care. She laughed some more, as we continued to swirl our hips with our hands in the air, moving closer, and closer to the direction I could already see some large slug on a peddle stool, well a giant slab really.

 

[The Red of Sinner]

But this was short lived as one of Yuka's henchmen grabbed me by my shoulder, jerking me around, and slamming a fist into my nose. My blood gushed out, certainly breaking my nose with it as I heard a nice CRACK with it. This time it was a Selonian, quite the specimen too, he was large, with fur all over. Looked something like a otter to me. His tail flickered back, and forth. Little did I know that this guy was soon to be my best friend. With a leather strap around his chest that carried some kinda blaster, and a form of loin cloth, he dragged me with some brute strength I have never seen before. I shook my head at Reila, who was once again as white as a ghost, signalling her to not follow. Better it just me I thought. I had no idea how this would turn out, still, I had this feeling in my gut that this was all in my favor at the time. Soon the Selonian threw me across the floor, and there I was, face to face with Yuka. His eyes were narrow as he studied me, licking his lips with a grotesque tongue. Little did I know this guy too, would become a close business partner of mine. A deep rubble came from his throat as he chuckled. To his left was a few dancers and a DJ, busting moves, and mixing like crazy.

It was obvious I just came to probably one of the hippest places on Axxila, and probably most dangerous. Professional DJs, dancers, bartenders, and killers. I placed my sunglasses back up to the bridge of my nose as the punch had nearly knocked them off. Finally Yuka spoke up, "So you are the great Zallen Silvara I have heard about, not much to ya, as manners go that is. I don't like people littering my dance floor. Specially when it's something flammable, and places my club, and clubbers in harms way Mr. Silvara. I'll look past it just this once, I believe we have something more important to discuss, and I feel the broken nose is more than enough punishment for such an offense. Now, lets discuss this debt." He said with a very deep, and throaty basic. I wiped the blood from my nose, and wiped it off my jacket, I could afford a new one anyways. The Selonian stood very close to me with his arms crossed, watching his boss intently, like he was ready for a signal to snap my neck. "So it would seem, I have inherited Dido's debts that he owes you, this is most unfortunate for me as I never made such deal with you. To me, I feel the debt should be lifted, and if it would please you a new debt be made, with a new due date. OR..." I paused to see if maybe I had caught his attention. The Hutt titled what head he had, and nodded for me to continue. I smiled to myself. "Or we can work together, I will provide you with the weapons MY company will make for free, in return we get the services of security from your men for a agreeable fee. The way I see it, it's a win win deal, and you're getting more out of than I am."

 

[The Red of Sinner]

The Hutt seemed to ponder this for a moment, rubbing where ever he figured his chin was located on his face. I saw something flicker in Yuka's eyes, something that didn't make me happy. The original debt was that Dido had to go on a few dates with Yuka, which I can perfectly understand why Dido never let Yuka cash in, and I would be damned before I would allow myself to pay off that karking debt. He waved at the DJ, flabby arms moving like some kind of jello. It took a lot to not laugh at this scene I was watching. "I have a will accept this, if you can last five minutes against Freanakukaiz here." He said. I cocked my head. "Who?" I couldn't understand a single thing he had just said. The Selonian tapped my shoulder, and grinned as he cracked his knuckles. "Oh, this guy? Well...I don't fight..." I denied it, big mistake. A punch slammed into my gut, bruising my abs. "Are you rejecting my counter offer? Cause this will be the only way I agree with your terms Silvara...or we can go on a nice date, I am happy with either. Romantic nights, and brawls, my two favorite things. You choose." His tone had completely changed. I swallowed, I knew I was done for. I shrugged, and took off my suit jacket, and gave it to one of the twi'leks who kissed my cheek, and wished my good luck as she removed my tie. Rolling up my sleeves as I turned around, and unbuttoned my white collar shirt, I took a breath. Another wave from Yuka, and the DJ switched songs. Now a crowd gathered around us, the clubbers mostly, and Reila was right at the inner circle of this ring.

The music became way more up beat than I cared for, and the Selonian with a name that was impossible to pronounce rolled his shoulders as he cracked his necked. The next thing I knew as we came closer was this, the Selonian jabbed me again in the gut, and kneed me as I bent over. I fell backwards, I mean just right flat on my back. Everyone started laughing thinking I was out already. I smacked the ground as I lied there, and then picked myself back up. I winced at this, the pain was truly real, as well as the struggle to keep air in my lungs. The Selonian came again, less powerful hits smacked my face like a wet napkin, more blood coming from the already broken nose, the blood stain on my shirt made me look like I was really weaing a red collar shirt now.

The club was spinning as my brain had to catch up with the confused mind I had, the music still playing it's intense beats made my head throb. Something clicked in my head, call it instinct, or something I inherited, I could care less. It just snapped in my head. The Selonian was coming again, and the world looked less fuzzy now. Just as he came to superman punch me in the back of the head, I spun, and slung my knee into his ribs as hard as possible, making him double over. I didn't let up, I came again with a knee to his back, and grabbed his furry waist, trying to hurl him across the circle, but he head butted me, and I lost my grip. As I backed up, he came again with a round house kick. I did a back bend, came back up quickly, this time with a punch to his nose, like he had did to me. Red gushed as I came at him again, and again, left right, left right. All I saw was red.

The crowd was going crazy now, and Yuka looked very pleased with it all. The Selonian looked very dazed, and I couldn't stop, not now. I run up at him, and gave him my best upper cut, sending him flying backwards some, and never getting back up. The crowd seemed to become much louder than the music, to which Yuka bellowed a loud belly laugh, and lifted his hand, signalling more to come at me. Two Niktos this time. Rage fueled inside me, this wasn't the deal we had made. The two Niktos rushed me, one sending a knee at me, to which I blocked, and bent backwards at the other tried to cross line me. I did some kinda back flip that caused my foot to smash into the first Nikto's face, a one hit KO. I didn't mean too, it just happened. The second came back again with a drop kick to which I also caught, they were clearly not as talented as the Selonian. I pulled him to me, and slammed my elbow into his face, and then flipped him over.

As he went to try and get back up, I run at him, sending a kick straight to his face. It was crazy what I was doing. I hadn't even noticed the fact I was masked in blood, and that my shirt was torn off. My toned body glistened with sweat, black and blue bruises, and blood. I breathed heavily, coming down from the rush of pure adrenaline. I looked over at Yuka. "We done here? Do we have a deal Yuka?" I stared the Hutt down, my chest would rise with each breath I took in, I was in a lot of pain, and I was sure I was about to throat up, but I was trying not to show this. "We have a deal Zallen, you have my word, considered the debt paid, and the deal solid as durasteel."

 

[The Red of Sinner]

I nodded, and walked back to the dancer to take my jacket from her, it was more like a snatch than a simple taking of. I pulled a cigarette out from the inner pocket, and nibbled on the butt of it as I walked towards Reila. I could see that she was deathly afraid, of what though, I don't know. Me? I would be too. Lets face it, this wasn't my scene. Blood tripped from the corner of my lip, and made its way down my neck, my ribs felt like they were crushed, but I knew nothing was broken. "Let's go Reila, our business here is done." I spoke as I passed her, not even looking her in the eyes, much less her general direction. She stuttered some as she chased after me. "Ye...yes sir, right behind you." The crowd departed to let us pass. Music started playing again, but I was ignoring it. For some reason I was very angry, and it wouldn't leave my core of emotions. When we reached outside, I lit the cigarette, and took a long hit on it, then breathed it out.

Reila stopped beside me, her eyes never leaving me. I had forgotten my glasses, I don't even know what had happen to them. As I went to touch where they would have been, Reila handed them too me. "They dropped when he first hit you, I got them for you. He..here." She stuttered again as she went to place them on my face. "Thank you Reila, I greatly appreciate it. Last time I met a Hutt, I didn't beat up guys, instead I was the one getting beat up. I think it's time we head back to the villa..what do you say?" I asked as I turned to look at her as I took another drag from the cigarette, my nerves were calming down now, and I was a feeling more like myself. She nodded, and I escorted her back to the airspeeder, and we went on our way. That was the end of that day. I was sore for two weeks after that, and had to explain why I looked like I got mugged, but hey we got the security I promised, and we got a great business partner, and I didn't have to treat the Hutt to a romantic dinner.