The Underworld | The Coratanni Cartel exploitation of Nar Kreeta

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

"Heh."

That was the only noise that could be heard within the dark room, that and a heavy breath fading in an out, a whimpering cry to join along every few moments, and then a hard crack as a piece of wood struck something hard. It was like an odd musical set, a strange orchestra played by only two people, an odd sort of song that only certain people could learn to enjoy. It droned on and on, until finally, a flicker of light sprang into the light.

"Nobody ever thinks they'll talk." The voice rang out from behind the spark of light, a soft glow passing just before it as a cigarette was finally lit. A moment passed, a heavy breath of smoke passing through the bare light within the silence. "People like to think they're strong."

There was another loud crack.

"Generally though, I find the opposite is true." Another light flickered on, this time brighter. A single bulb that began to spring to life. The spotty illumination finally came to light revealing three men within the room, two of them were sitting on metal chairs, one in the center of the room, the other in the corner. The third man stood holding what appeared to be a pool cue, blood dripping from it's half splintered end. The man sitting on the center chair looked worse for wear, his skin broken and bloodied, his eyes swollen shut, and his hands tied behind his back.

The man in the corner, the one who had spoken, appeared relaxed, his fingers pulling the cigarette free from his lips. "There's a woman out there, waiting for me. I'd hate to make her sit any longer. Would you kindly just tell me where it is?"

"I-I-I."

The man in the center of the room stammered, half unable to answer.

"I-Da-Dantooine. We store it all there."

"See?" Slevin said as he slowly stood from the chair and wandered towards the other man, his hand reaching out to pat him on the head, cigarette ash falling onto his shaven skull. "That wasn't so hard, was it?"

With half a smile Slevin turned away from the man, making a small motion of his fingers towards his companion before settling the cigarette back in his lips and heading towards the door. There was an eerie creek as it was pulled open from the outside, bright light and almost deafening music pouring in as Slevin stepped outside.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

In the VIP area, a woman with legs as long as the Kessel Run would shift her right leg over her left. The slow up and down sway briefly coincided with the deep base of the music playing.

A single curl of smoke rose up from perfectly painted crimson lips. Her skin was a honey tan against the stark black of the slinky Baffleweave dress she wore. The material hugged every single delectable curve, the skirt coming to rest just at mid thigh. At her feet were black stilettos, the trademark S.I.N. crimson sole a stark contrast against the matte of the soft cushioned leather seat she sat upon.

From her perch, those wide catlike green eyes went narrowing at the ever familiar form of her beloved. From across the club, their eyes met. The soft smile they shared was intimate, as it was pleasing. A sense of satisfaction ran through Natalia Thawne's body akin to that of ecstasy.

Her Slev was good. Too good.

With the pleased smirk, Natalia gave a snap of her fingers, gesturing to the petite blonde in a silver halter dress at her right.

"Be a dove and get us some water, hmm?" crimson tipped nails went reaching out to caress the young woman's cheek, painting white lines across her jawline.

"Of course," Naia said, that expression of utter devotion reflecting from her face. Natalia's smile grew broader, and her head went swiveling back to the love of her life. Watching him stride over with that purpose, that confidence was enough to excite her further.

When he neared, she rose to her feet, cigarillo held between her forefinger and middle. The long length of her ponytail swung down the middle of her bare back, the dress scalloping at such an incredibly low dip. Low enough to be clear Talia wore nothing underneath.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

Slevin wandered forward, his eyes set forward upon his beloved. There was a subtle smirk to his lips, a perk that some might have mistaken for smugness. She would know better of course, she would know better then them all.

He was pleased.

Things were going well now. The Club was growing. Their trade was becoming more lucrative, and their reach was expanding further then just Rishi. Things were going well, oh so well. She knew that of course, a little bird would have already chirped it in her ear. There was no reason to tell her why he was so happy on this day. Instead he simply wandered into the VIP area, the pumping music still blaring behind him, lights flickered on and off, synced with the rhythm of the music.

It was blinding, hypnotizing, almost stunning, but none of it mattered.

All of it was just background noise to them.

They were focused as always, on one another, on the things they wanted. It was how they functioned, and when he finally reached her his arms went snaking around her. Speckled flex of red spotted the jacket of his suit, leaving slight trails of red over her dress and skin as he pulled her close.

"Dantooine." That was all he said. All he needed to say.

They had been hunting this cache for weeks now, or rather, they'd been searching for the men who owned it. In their business betrayal and partnerships went hand in hand. Weeks prior SIN had aligned itself with a group of smugglers, fools and errand boys who thought themselves Crime Lords. They'd worked with the organization until Slevin had seen one of the smugglers eyes linger upon his beloved for just a bit too long, cause enough to bring their partnership to an end.

Of course, the trove that their former partners left behind couldn't simply be left sitting, and thus the hunt had begun.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

"Dantooine." Talia would purr out, eyes glittering in satisfaction. If the woman cared about the fact that blood sprinkled his jacket, she didn't care. Instead, her hands went gliding possessively over the lapels of his coat. Biting her lower lip, she tipped her head up, gripping at the fabric into tight fists to draw him down to her.

The kiss was savage. Brutal in execution but coated in the woman's pleasure. Her teeth nipped at his lower lip, and lightly tugged back, the faint snap back of the flesh resulting in her throaty chuckle.

"When do we leave?" her husky voice floated over to her beloved, enjoying the heavy weight of the drift of his hands over her body. There was no shame in the act. They cared not who saw them. Only in their room was anything sacred. Only in that tiny windowless space was no one else allowed to enter.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

"I'm not sure." He said quietly, lips drifting right by her ear. The music was still blaring loudly all around them, lights flickering in tandem with the beat. There was still so much to do before everything was ready for the next step, and Dantooine was far.

Yet he was hardly one to hesitate.

"Perhaps tomorrow." The trip would be worthwhile, the cache had what they needed after all. "You'll need to prep the ship."

Or rather, she would need to have one of the girls prep it for them. Slevin didn't bother making the distinction, mostly because he didn't feel the need to. There were half a dozen different things that would have to be attended to before they could leave, not the least of which was assuring that the club remained open. There should never be an image of weakness, not even for a moment. Out here there was only the barest of competition...but if anyone got any ideas, even for a second...well it would create another bothersome chore.

His fingers groped into her for half a second. "Take care of that, would you my love?"

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

"I will handle all of the details." Natalia would purr out, biting her lower lip with wicked delight. She would too. Adira and Naia would make certain of it and then she would inspect it to make sure everything was perfect. Nothing would be left out. If there was, Talia would not be pleased at all; and there would be the Nine Hells to pay then.

Gently brushing the lapels of his coat, Talia took a step back. With a malicious smile, she tenderly brought her right hand up to wipe away at the spots of blood that lay against his jaw.

"They never do learn do they?" she'd say idly, the music and the beat of drums nearly drowning out her words. But Slevin would understand what she meant.

"Dino sent word." an update. "The Hutt Cartel collapsed." he would know what that would entail; the spice mines. S.I.N. would need to expand operations in order to open the doors towards to fulfill their goals. Pharmaceuticals and technology. They would go beyond what they worked here. Casinos and Entertainment. The 'verse was their oyster and both were hungry to make it theirs.

"Perhaps we can take a short detour and investigate, hmm?"

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

The Hutts.

Such silly creatures.

They thought themselves the better of man, well, of everyone really. To a Hutt there was not much more to live then lording their power over others. Wealth was the core of their society and status...status was everything. The creatures could barely think past the next credit chit that they would earn.

A mistake. “Such silly creatures.”

Slevin said with a slight hum.

“I suppose a little trip won’t be too bad.” The Cartel may have fallen, but there would still be obstacles in their way that would have to be taken care of, not the least of which would be the myriad of Mercenaries that the Hutts bad always employed. “We’ll need to bring others if we go.”

Not to mention cash. Bribes went much farther then blasters.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

"Heh, I'm sure we have a few that could do the job." Talia would hum out, the corners of her eyes crinkling. Sliding from his grasp, the leggy woman gave her beloved a wink. The deliberate tattoo of her heels matched the heavy base of the music, her full hipped saunter bringing her just at the edge of the railing of the VIP suite.

The club's lights swung back and forth, painting her in hues of cobalt, canary yellow, and magenta. A thick haze went rolling across the dancers below, their bodies writhing and grinding in a punctuating rhythm.

"The chaos of the Hutt Cartell's demise will only benefit us in the end." whether it be gaining a position with the scrambling Kajidic's or binding under their thumbs other criminals that would serve Slevin's and Natalia's purpose.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

“There is no doubt in that.” The Hutt’s, although egotistical things, always did manage to claim quite a bit of territory for themselves. It was their personal wealth that allowed such things, the spice trade they controlled.

They hired mercenaries with impunity.

No Hutt ever cared what you did, as long as you didn’t do something against them. That was the greatest reason that The Hutt’s could build an army like no other criminal underground. They didn’t care if you were a murderer, rapist, galactic terrorist, as long as you did your job and didn’t go against them.

It was clever really, but also stupid.

Frequently the Hutts found themselves abandoned by the very soldiers they claimed to command.

“Very well.” Slevin said finally. “Pack your things, we leave today.”

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

What Slevin wants, Slevin gets.

In this case, their freighter was outfitted within three hours time. A collection of guards and mercenaries under S.I.N. payroll were coming with them. They were a medley of former pirates, hired muscle, and those who were seeking to make a name of themselves. Among them were also a few of the children; Runners, they called them. Both male and female, orphans and street rats that were brought into Slevin’s and Talia’s precious care.

Naia stood behind the titan maned woman, carefully reciting aloud their manifest and the crew log. From her perch on top of the ramp, glittering green eyes staring down at Raider’s Cove. Her beloved and she had made quite a name for themselves on Rishi. They had clashed with the Corellian Corsairs, the Nova Blades, and the muck that dared challenge their claim to how business was ran.

They were quick to learn their place on the totem pole.

Efficiency. It was all about efficiency. Two fingers plucked the dark brown cigarrio that hung between bright crimson lips. Smoke blew out of the corner of her mouth, giving her organic eye a mild sting while the cybernetic one went zooming in at Jorak the Houk. Beefy arms and a temper to match, Jorak was the muscle that handled things when necessary.

Unfortunately, he was also a dumb as a pile of rocks, so another would need to oversee S.I.N.’s operations while they were gone.
They could not be seen as weak.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

Slevin had never particularly cared about what kind of ship took him well. Other men, lesser men, considered things like that. For him however it was all just semantics.

It was the ship that made the man, not the reverse.

Eventually everything managed to be prepared for them in a timely manner, Natalia ordering the thugs around until things were settled enough that Slevin could finally call for them to leave. It always surprised him a bit how quickly the fools could move when they had proper motivation. He supposed it was because Natalia knew how to motivate.

“Come, dearest.” Slevin said with a motion.

“It’s time we take what’s ours.” Did he mean the Cache on Dantooine, or the spice mines that had formerly belonged to The Hutts? It was rather difficult to tell really. “I do hope they try to argue, it’s always funny when they do.”

He’d enjoy seeing the Hutt’s squirm.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

Natalia’s throaty laughter would follow her beloved’s quip, her arm snaking to curl around his own.

“Mmm, I am sure they are already arguing about themselves.” left foot swung over right, those deadly high arched red heels clipping sharply upon the ramp as they ascended inside.

“I’ll ensure you have your fun, my love.” she promised, mentally thinking of what would have to be done. The Hutts were always fighting amongst themselves. Always clamoring to gain power. In the vacuum of the Hutt Cartel’s collapse, she was sure that more than one Hutt would already be plotting the death of another.

It made what Slev and she would do all the more easier.

“I have Naia researching the members of the Grand Hutt Council.” entering the ship, they made their way into the lounge. There, Natalia unlocked herself from her beloved and draped herself upon the black acceleration couch. One bare right leg swung to the left, and she spread her arms out to rest on top of the cushions.

“We should have their interests and weaknesses in short order.”

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

“I care very little about their interests.” Slevin said dryly.

It was the truth.

They were not going to make a deal with The Hutts, at least not in the traditional sense. Slevin bent knee to no man, no creature, and certainly no Hutt. The only partner that he had was the woman he loved, and that was more than enough for him. He shifted slightly, eyes following the path of something just head, then turned back towards Natalia.

“We offer them a deal.” Slevin said finally. “Submit.”

Not Hutt would accept that, at least not any that he knew. Most of them would be aghast at the proposition, others would laugh, but in the end it didn’t really matter how they responded. He and Natalia had all the power, they had nothing. “Or they die.”

Though SIN was by no means massive, it was organized.

That was all it really took. An organized rabble could take down a fumbling Titan, and SIN was certainly no rabble.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

"You always have a way about you, my love," there was a flash of appreciation at his brutality. In his efficiency. Yet that was how they both worked. How they brought S.I.N. this far. Their name and the company carried weight on Rishi. They had made it into a brand. Marketable and unyielding in its success.

"However, I'm curious as to where they've been paying the bulk of their attention to." While Slevin was the enforcer, the hand and the mouth of this operation, Natalia's focus was on the long term end goal. At the the precise, methodical method of utilizing and expanding their network.

"I'm sure already a few are reaching out to any allies that could help them secure their position."

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

“Undoubtedly the worms have just been clawing for whatever they can get.” A bit of a harsh assessment for the Hutts, but an accurate one. “They like dealing with others even less than I do.”

That was saying something.

“It would surprise me if the broken Hutt Cartel still maintained any sort of Alliance. The Grand Hutt Council is likely barely hanging on by a thread.” The Hutts were always competing with one another, even if some didn’t know it. While The slugs tended to look down on anyone and everyone that wasn’t Hutt, it was also clear that they loved to lord over one another.
The strong beating the weak.

An interesting basis for a society.

Briefly Slevin wondered how it was such creatures ever came into power in the first place. They weren’t physically all that imposing, though some could be surprisingly fast. Yet a blaster bolt to the face would kill them just like any other creature. Slevin shrugged.

“Do as you will.” Slevin said with a yawn. “I intend to collar the creatures.”

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

"Whatever brings you joy, my love." a slip of her hand and the woman would pull out a thin silver case. The press of her thumb and a flick snapped it open. Inside, a neat row of perfectly hand rolled brown cigarillos were revealed. Plucking one gently, Talia set it between the corner of her mouth, letting it hang limply for a moment.

"What of Dantooine?" came her follow up question. While they would be going to Hutt Space and watching the worms tear at each other for power, they still had to consider the future and beyond.

Underneath them, the slow rumble of the engines roaring to life brought with it a sweet satisfaction. A wave of anticipation for what was to come. Their operations had to branch out, and most notably, they would have to do so under their own terms.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

"We'll go after." Slevin said simply. "We killed them all, so its not like the cache is in danger of being found."

That was true.

The group that they had 'partnered' with was now extinct. Slevin had made sure that each one of them had been strung up and hung from the rafters after the provocation they had showed towards him. The event had been rather entertaining, and now it meant that the cache they were after wasn't going to be touched for as long as they needed. That was a pleasant side effect of brutality, there usually wasn't anyone left to argue after you got through with everything.

"Don't worry yourself, sweetheart. It will all be taken care of." Natalia wasn't worried of course, she never was, but it helped to reinforce the fact that everything was under their control, everything. There was no question of who was in charge.

They were.

Anybody standing in their way, The Hutts, Smuggler rabble, even galactic governments. Nothing would stand before them.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

"You always do." Talia replied, a flash of light glowing along the tip of her cigarillo. It was true. Slevin. always did. He always followed through. There was no stopping the man once he had something set in his mind. He was viciously meticulous in his execution, and it only showed that her beloved was meant for more than what that Doctor ever had in mind for him back at the lab.

Coming to her feet, she took a deep inhale and let the smoke fill her lungs. Smiling, the woman then took the narcotic from her own lips and offered it gently to set against her beloved's own.

"Our expansion into pharmaceuticals is going as planned." she'd inform him. "Jyen Bar saw reason and signed over his production facilities." if reason being that Talia oversaw the blackmail of the man into doing what she wanted. He was a brilliant scientist, and Talia wanted him to work for S.I.N., one way or another. Where Slevin was brute strength, Talia was the manipulative hand that would guide.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

"Good." He said as he leaned back into the acceleration couch.

SIN was supposed to expand into half a dozen different markets. It was their way of exposing a greater part of the galaxy to well...themselves. The club on Rishi accomplished that quite well already. Their names had spread far across the world, and most smugglers, pirates, and ne'er do wells now knew of whom they were and who they had to pay tribute too, but that didn't help them in the greater part of the galaxy. They would have to move in a different way to achieve that.

It was funny that pharmaceuticals would allow it.

In very many ways Natalia and himself were a disease themselves.

A sickness that spread quickly and efficiently in the underworld. They didn't care about how many people died, how many people ended up homeless or broken, as long as they got what they wanted. It was an impassive and many would argue evil approach, but that was all semantics to Slevin. He wanted what he wanted, and he would get it. It was all as simple as that, and no one would argue it, at least not as long as they wanted to live.

"The Hutt's will have scientists." He pointed out. "Spice refineries."

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

"I hear there is a particular spice that is rare to obtain." Talia began, her wide hips swaying left and right with her deliberate walk back to the acceleration couch where Slevin sat.

"One that the Hutt's have been trying to cultivate in their mines but with little success." she was talking about the rare varient of an energy spider subspecies. It was said that these Red spiders were able to genetically mate with baseline energy spiders, but that there had been no documented cases. However, theories would suggest that if these Red Spiders were able to feed on the Balor mushroom - the baseline for Ixetel cilona - perhaps a version of spice based glitterstim with the effects of the balor mushroom could be used.

Or even better, an entirely new type of glitterstim.

"But they say that one particular scientist may have the key." she added.