What is it about this place and bounty hunters…

[Corvus Raaf]

Both Jedi had received the same message at the same time. Why them? The message didn’t say. But what it did say was…

You are requested to travel to Ord Mantell. Once there, remain on your ship and await further instructions. You have been selected especially and all will become clear when you arrive.

Your discretion is appreciated – but as a Jedi, this was taken for granted. No payment can be offered for your services – but your time will be reimbursed in a manner you find most appropriate. And rest assured, if you do not wish to undertake this difficult and dangerous mission, you will be free to refuse. But being Jedi, I doubt that.

OK, there were a few clues but nothing concrete. Corvus read the note again en route to the planet. It was currently an independent world but no doubt a host of Governments had designs on it. As she exited hyperspace and headed for the Mid Rim planet, she reviewed what she knew about it. In truth little. It orbited the blue star Bright Jewel, hence its nickname. And she knew it was known for its thick cometary cloud that glowed pink when viewed from space. Mostly because she could see it now.

And despite being seedy, it was a tourist attraction. None of which helped her understand why she was invited – or who else was along for the ride. So she set a course for the spaceport she’d been given the coordinates of and allowed her astrodroid to take over whilst she got ready for whatever faced her when she arrived.

No sooner had she showered and changed than the bleeping from the cockpit said it was time to take a seat as they’d landed – and no doubt it was time to receive instructions. So she sat. And she waited. And then she waited some more.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

If the little incident with the Imperial Commander on Lok hadn’t worn him out and the fact he had nearly been hand delivered to the Sith, Connor Harrison was now wondering who had brought him to the planet he swore never to visit again and if he would ever have the chance to just rest, and take things at HIS pace for once.

With the E-wing on the very edge of the Ten Mile Plateau, he knew this was going to be another trap. Another under-hand effort to snare him into crossing the line he had done so effortlessly years before, and all at very location where the crater still resided that had given Connor his scars.

The place the Sith Magic had been drilled into his brain stem and his blood had covered the stones below, all for the sake of proving his was worthy to serve the Light Side of the Force to withstand the Dark.

As the waves crashed on the obscure rocks jutting from the ocean below a blanket of dirty fog and mist, Connor rubbed his eyes and settled in his small cockpit, drumming his fingers on his lap as his blue eyes glazed over. The message was nothing but a cryptic clue dangled to bring him away from the Silver Jedi once more. He had so many enemies, personally, because those he had crossed, this could be anything or everything he feared.

But all he could do now, as the soft light waned in the sky above, was wait and enjoy the peace and quiet before he expected it would all be smashed with the sound of lightsabers, blaster bolts and screams.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

One message was sent, received by both Jedi simultaneously:

Issulla the Hutt requests your presence at the Imperial Palace Casino Hotel. Transport has been provided and your partner has also arrived. For convenience, it is recommended you travel together.

Short, sweet and just the right amount of intriguing to continue the quest. What could a Hutt want with a couple of Jedi – for the note clearly indicated only two were required.

As she stepped out of her ship, she glanced around. As predicted, another Jedi was stepping out of his ship at exactly the same time. She shook her head but smiled warmly. “I might have known. Of all the Jedi in the galaxy, why did he force you to endure me again?”

She glanced outside – the cloud cover was tinged pink from this aspect as well. And in front of the hangar stood as luxurious a speeder as she’d ever seen. Long, black and with tinted windows – this had to be for them. “Our carriage awaits. So, how have you been keeping?”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Fingers hovering on the ignition for his engines as he read the message, which was just making this deal sound worse more so, Connor didn’t have the urge to lower himself to an audience with a Hutt, let alone be part of some game with another Jedi.

Still – curiosity and the mystery got the better of him.

He killed the com and pulled back the cockpit hatch, the humid air greeting him from the planet atmosphere, low hanging and tinged with both inviting colours and repulsive smells. Connor stood up and swung over the climb down the wing of his ship and landed squarely on the ground to hear a voice that just made things far more interesting.

Connor looked across to see the inimitable figure of Corvus Raaf once again, fresh from seeing her last with the Jedi congregation of both the Republic and the Silvers.

He smiled and scratched the back of his head as if shaking the vision from his head if it were. She spoke again. It wasn’t.

”Corvy, you didn’t need to invent a Hutt if you just wanted to see me again y’know.”

Walking up to her with a gently incline of the head, refraining from any other greeting that would go right over that naïve head of hers, he gestured to the transport as he walked around to the other side. Yes, even opening the speeder door for her would probably be lost.

”I’m good, thank you. A few little hiccups of late, but nothing Connor can’t handle.”

With a raise of the eyebrows, he opened the door, taking a glance at the speeder that looked very expensive and slid inside as she did the same. Comfort, luxury and the stink of wealth hit him as he sank in the soft seats.

”Well, this is certainly better than the sands of the Dune Sea don’t you think – any idea what this is about?”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus laughed. “For a second, I thought you were the Hutt. Bad light or something.”

She took the near-side door as Connor walked around the vehicle. It was certainly luxurious. A tinted window that separated passengers from the driver lowered. Instead of the ubiquitous droid, they were being chauffeured by a beautiful Twi’lek woman.

“My mistress bids you welcome and asks that you avail yourself of any of the amenities you wish. We shall be arriving in approximately twelve standard minutes.”

With the tinted windows, it would have been easy to have missed the fact they were already moving. The ride was the smoothest Corvus had ever had. And as the window slid back up, a small light blinked on and indicated their conversation could not be overheard by the driver.

Corvus checked out a variety of the buttons and doors that were built into the lacquered wood of the fascias. Classical music piped out and Corvus left it on. From memory, this was what her sister liked to listen to. But she could be wrong of course.

And one cupboard revealed a drinks cabinet and she fished out a bottle of Corellian finest and a couple of glasses. She immediately poured one and offered it to Connor. “You did say you wanted to have a drink with me…”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor made himself comfortable, but leaned forward softly as the partition slid to reveal their driver. What was it about Hutts keeping glamorous Twi’lek’s in work. He didn’t have time to ask a question after listening to her before the partition came up like it was carried by air.

His eyes moved to the light above, and then to where Corvus started to play around.

”Just…watch what you push please,” he mumbled, looking around feeling the pang of everything was too out of the ordinary to totally relax. Why Corvus? Why now - was this a joke?

He let out a snort of laughter as classical music started to feed through and the tinkling of glass came as Corvus poured a drink for him, which he took with a bow of the head.

”My lady,” he nodded his head as he settled back and took a sharp sip, hissing gently at the warmth of the alcohol.

He looked over to a rather more relaxed Jedi than he was used to as the speeder gently carried on to their unknown destination.

”This is weird, isn’t it? And what’s with you all chipper?”

And at that point, a grin broke out over his face and he turned to the window away from and tried to take another sip.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus laughed softly. "What do you mean, all chipper? You should know by now that I simply go with the flow. I've had assassination attempts at barbecues before, so this feels way too elaborate to be a set-up. Plus the Force tells me it's OK, and you just know I trust the Force. And when I say attempts, I really mean attempt. Just the one, I don't want to dramatise the fact."

She took a small sip and allowed the alcohol to evaporate on her tongue. "Anyway, how's the brain stem?" She said it in a light-hearted way, as if this was an everyday occurrence. "Is Taeli looking after you?" She watched the side of his face as he stared out of the window.

"And let's face it, we're both intrigued. I know you well enough. I may not know all the women that kiss you, but I know enough." Again that smile. If anyone didn't know her better, they'd say she was enjoying this.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Who was he kidding? He had to smile; this was the most downtime he'd had in...well, what felt like forever. The wedding of the Heavenshields was tainted by his own big mouth, and had ended tepidly, and duty called the day after. And then there was everything else in between, but now...he felt good.

Connor glanced at Corvus and finished his drink, swallowing it and feeling the burn. As she talked about the Force he helped himself to another, and offered a little more to her - may as well make the most of this before something probably ruined it.

Thankfully he'd stopped pouring when she mentioned the brainstem, and Arcanix - her sister, Taeli.

”Your sister helped me quite a bit actually. I'm sure she's told you all about it.”

He felt her violet eyes on him as he watched the planet roll by and his jaw muscles tensed slightly, feeling the pinch of being stuck between a Jedi and a Sith place regarding her love for Taeli and his confusion about Arcanix. The Sith had helped with some of the Sith Magic after all...but why.

Connor took a slow mouthful of the drink as he thought for a moment as she quipped again - very much on form. He didn't need to look at her, because if he did, he'd enjoy what he was about to say far too much.

”Hm. Trust me. I've not kissed as many women as you think, but... jealousy really doesn't suit you.”

His mouth wrinkled with a smile as he licked his bottom lip and turned his head to her, raising his eyebrows for a second. Oh, this was too much fun for him!

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus realised this was the first time that they’d simply talked without planning to stay alive, or deal with an issue or observe the protocols of a meeting – or even just chat without the spectre of recent deaths to have to contend with.

It was relaxed and it was good. She took another sip and allowed him to top up her drink. She nodded in response to the mention of her sister. In truth she’d mentioned she’d helped him and would continue until it was finally finished – but she suspected he was not entirely aware of her motivation – or rather motivations. And how one of them had driven such a drastic change in her.

Corvus mused if it was the action that drove the change or the change that drove the action. Did it really matter? Aware she was day-dreaming, she smiled at Connor. “Not much to be fair, she respects your privacy too much.” And then he made her laugh.

“I can’t say I keep a dossier on the women from around the galaxy you’ve kissed – and believe me, if anyone would be less jealous, I’d like to meet them.” Aware how this sounded, she sniggered. “That sounded so wrong, sorry. I mean, given I don’t do emotions, jealousy isn’t something I’ve ever really felt before.” She thought long and hard. Maybe once? Maybe? She shook her head, “Nope, not me.”

“And you’re wasting your time with those amateur eyebrows of yours. They’re too…obvious. And anyway, we’ve arrived I think.”

Again, if you weren’t paying attention, you’d be forgiven for not realising the vehicle had stopped. But the doors unlocked and so Corvus downed the rest of her drink and placed the glass in a holder in front of her. “Our host awaits, shall we?”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Feigning a look he believed everything she spoke – when he clearly didn’t – Connor nodded, took a drink and slipped in some token mhm mhms where appropriate. Sadly it was over too soon, just as it was warming up, and Connor was shocked to see they had actually stopped.

”These eyebrows are fine thank you very much. You could land a Star Destroyer on yours.”

And with that, he downed the remainder of his drink and followed suit with Corvus, returning the glass and letting himself out with a small sigh and little chuckle. The humid air hit him, as did that subtle smell. The reality of everything hit him again, and Connor soon forgot this was a social invite from Corvus, but was some seedy request by a Hutt that no doubt would thrust them into danger.

There was no rest for the wicked it seemed.

Walking around the speeder to join his companion as she got out and he looked up at the multi-storey building that didn’t look as glamorous as expected for a casino and hotel, but then this was Ord Mantell and appearances on the outside could be wonderfully deceptive.

He craned his head up to see their surroundings.

”You know the drill Corvy. Don’t talk to strangers and if you get in trouble, I’ll save the day, alright?”

Connor stayed beside her as they walked up to their destination, a quick glance behind to see the speeder still there.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus laughed at the banter. She felt comfortable with Connor. And as they got out of the speeder, she figured he was thinking what she was thinking.

This place looked as though it had seen better days. And she did not expect it to get any better inside. “OK, no strangers and you’ll save the day. Standard fare really.” She smiled again but it was wiped off her face as they entered the building. If possible, it was more run down inside than it was outside. And the lack of clientele told its own story. In a bustling place like this, there should be more patrons – a lot more.

No sooner had they given the lobby a quick glance than another pretty Twi’let stepped forward. “Issulla will see you now, please follow me.”

Corvus raised an eyebrow to Connor and fell into step. They stepped into an elevator and once the Twi’lek had entered a code, they had to endure that awful standard piped music until they reached the top floor. When the elevator doors opened they saw something along the lines of what they were probably both expecting downstairs. Here it was opulent, the walls were floor to ceiling glass and the pink hue from outside was echoed in the furnishings. Tacky, but very expensive with it.

Sitting (or was that lying) against the far wall was a Hutt. The Twi’lek didn’t step out of the lift and the doors closed behind the two Jedi.

“Welcome,” the Hutt said. “I am Issulla. Thank you for coming. I’ll not beat around the bush. There is an organisation, no doubt you know of it. I’ll not say its name but its initials are OS. They want me to work for them and I refuse. So they drove my business away and come back and ask again. Still I refuse. So they take my Feelia, my little one. One week they give me. Work for them or my baby dies.”

“I don’t want to work for them but I love my bambino. So I thought, who could get him back for me? And I know the answer. Jedi. Your names were recommended. Will you help me?”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Walking beside Corvus, he felt the same trepidation through the Force flickering from her. A decaying building on the outside that didn't look any better in. Obviously this was going to be a front for something far more lavish than the typical run-down Ord casino-cum-hotel.

Gesturing forward as his fellow Jedi looked just as suspicious, Connor said little and just watched and stretched out his senses as far as he could to gauge any hidden traps, any lurking hitmen.

And before he knew it, the doors of their lift opened at the top and allowed them to walk into a very different world then he suspected either was used to. The Hutt before them was just as repulsive as he expected, and surrounded by a small army of servants, slaves and who knew what else.

Listening intently at the Hutt's predicament, Connor folded his arms and tapped his chin gently, spinning on his heel to Corvus when the Hutt had finished.

”OS. Are you thinking who I'm thinking?”

He turned to the Hutt.

”Forgive my ignorance, ma'am,” he said, racking his brains just what DO you call a Hutt, ”, but just who gave you our names? We are very different Jedi from very different worlds - I just find this all a little too convenient.”

Connor didn't look at Corvus, afraid if she was nodding gently alongside him or staring into his head with "don't-say-that" eyes.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Connor’s question was a good one. One that Corvus herself should probably have thought of, instead she was already planning their next steps. OK, plan might be a bit of an exaggeration – she was ready to go and save a baby Hutt – but in Corvus’ eyes, they amounted to the same thing.

The Hutt’s thinly veiled hint as to who was applying pressure was obvious to them both, but when your baby has been kidnapped, you could forgive a mother for being cautious.

But back to Connor’s question.

“It was less about who recommended you than your reputations. I needed someone who would get the job done – and who was not afraid of going up against anyone. Someone who wouldn’t mind getting their hands dirty. Someone…just like you Connor Harrison. But I also realised this was not a one-person job. You needed an…assistant. Someone capable and who you would work with and not try to ditch and go solo. Hence Corvus Raaf.”

“You have worked before, no? And successfully too. In my line of work, information is key and I’ve done my homework. Quick work, I grant you, but thorough.”

“And talking of quick, I must press you for an answer. If you decline my plea for help, I must find others. My baby’s life is in peril and I will have her back in my arms.”

Corvus gave Connor a glance. It said it all. At least, in Corvus’ mind it did.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Connor stood listening, glancing quickly to gauge the Hutt’s cohorts around the room. Nothing but genuine low-life business sorts, entertainers and thugs. Perfect company for the guardians of peace and justice. Looking to Corvus as the offer was made, he took the lead from the look in her violet eyes.

”My assistant and I will find your baby, ma’am. While we are not exactly mercenaries for hire, when an innocent life is in danger by the forces of evil, we Jedi will put ourselves first to help save them.”

With a quick flash of a smile to his “assistant”, Connor lowered his head to the Hutt.

”Give us everything you can on what you know of the OS who took your baby and where they want you to meet – leave the rest to us.”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

The Hutt gurgled in response to Connor. It was quite possibly a noise of appreciation. Or it could have been trapped wind – sometimes you just couldn’t tell and didn’t want to ask.

One of the many pretty Twi’lek women stepped forward, a datapad in hand, offering it to Connor.

“Please take this,” the Hutt said, “It contains all I know. Hopefully it will give clues to the whereabouts of my little baby. And they will come here in 48 hours for my final decision. You have two days.”

“And I appreciate that Jedi do not require payment for their services. Very noble but it makes me feel uncomfortable. So I feel obliged to give you something in return. On the final page of the report is some information that will lead you to a Jedi artefact. It’s encrypted and when you return my baby, I’ll give you the code. I am, above all, a fair-minded Hutt.”

Corvus looked at Connor again. “OK boss, where are we going.” She tugged at a forelock for good measure.

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Taking the data-pad, he drummed his fingers on it and nodded first to the Twi’lek, with a little smile for good measure, and then to the Hutt, with less of a smile.

”We will be back with your baby, ma’am, or if not, be by your side when they arrive. You have my word.”

He backed away with the question Corvus asked and made his way back to the lift, looking at the data-pad.

”Well, Miss Raaf, I’ll wait here and keep the Hutt sweet and you go rescue the baby from the bad people.”

The look said it all. He went back to the data-pad as they stepped into the lift, his eyes flicking up to ensure everything was still normal…or as normal as it could be. As the doors closed, he started to read the information.

”This is weird, isn’t it? I mean… all I’ve got here is a trace to Iridonia, literally next door, but that doesn’t make sense. They wouldn’t give the name of a planet would they? Could be a hit-squad or a suicide squad of mercs perhaps?”

With a soft creak, the lift stopped and let them out back into the ramshackle of a lobby. Connor still muttered under his breath asking questions like a bookworm, half to himself and half to Corvus.

”And OS? She meant, One Sith, right? Why would they kidnap a baby? It’s not their style is it?”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus allowed Connor to take the lead. She was only his assistant after all. She bowed to the Hutt as they prepared to leave.

“Whatever you say boss,” Corvus responded when he suggested he remained behind. “A baby but no visible partner? There’s an opportunity. Just sayin’” How she kept a straight face as they entered the lift she didn’t know. But she did.

“Iridonia? I’ve just been there.” She licked the front of her teeth, where the crown had been placed. “I’ve visited more picturesque planets I have to say – or perhaps I just landed on a bad part. Every neighbourhood has one of course.”

“But I agree OS means OS – unless it’s some low-life members, trying to make a name for themselves. Or someone pretending to be them in the hope of people running scared at the name?”

“The truth is, we’ll not know until we get there.” She wiggled her ankle. “Just checking, nothing to see here.”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

”Just my thought. A splinter group. Someone using the name to instigate fear. Dark Jedi even? Someone with a grudge? I'm just more concerned who gave our names. I mean, why US? It doesn't make sense, and - ”

He stopped. Frowning and leaning forward to look over the Republic Jedi, her little touches and shuffles here and there, Connor looked perplexed and a little amused.

”Are you alright? Do you want to sit down or something? And I was joking about us separating - I'm not letting you out of my sight.”

He motioned to a less-than-appealing bench beside a vending machine on the side wall opposite the main desk. It wasn't great but she didn't look her usual self. Connor gently took her arm.

”You ok? I leave you for a few weeks and what trouble HAVE you been up to?”

[member="Corvus Raaf"]

 

[Corvus Raaf]

Corvus was still listening, even if she did appear focused on her ankle. “I couldn’t agree more. But the truth is, it matters little. They have the child and we’re going to get them back. Simple really. Like fighting a Krayt Dragon.”

“And as to who chose us? Clearly someone in the know. But again, what does it matter if we get the job done? And I accept your inclusion was a bit of a shock, but-“ She smiled as she brought her eyes back up to Connor’s face.

“I’m fine. Just a few exercises, Kana’s orders. Three times it’s been broken now. Three times! And I’m fine, really. Sith, Amphistaff, Vong amour, you know – the usual stuff.”

“But tell me, when does this armour escalation war end? I mean, pretty soon there will be no point in duelling as we’ll all be impervious to sabers. Then what? We drop bombs on each other?”

“Anyway,” she added, ignoring the bench, “Do you have coordinates? And your ship or mine? Seems silly taking both yes?” She looked up and saw the limo-speeder sitting there.

As they approached it the driver’s door opened and the Twi’lek got out and nodded to them. “To the spaceport, yes?”

[member="Connor Harrison"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Shaking his head at the girls stubbornness, Connor helped Corvus out of the lobby and back into the cool air, locked in conversation before the Twi’lek offered them the ride to the spaceport. With a gracious nod, Connor opened the door for Corvus, watching her ankle with a little concern, before walking around to his side and getting in.

”Best take yours unless you want to strap onto the side of my E-wing or snuggle down where the astromech should be?”

Sitting down, looking at her, he tapped his chest.

”And hey – nothing wrong a bit of armour now and then. Better than losing a limb, and it’s so fetching on the right combatant wouldn’t you say?”

Fingering the data pad in his left hand with a small smirk, he tapped his chin with the right, pondering the strange turn of events. And Corvus. There was something different about her…he couldn’t place it, but…maybe nothing….he glanced out of peripheral vision to her.

He wanted to say something, but felt something bigger was afoot. Pinching the bridge of his nose and slowly rubbing his eyes, he stretched out and flexed his wrists.

For the first time since the events on Voss, he suddenly felt a little awkward around her.

[member="Corvus Raaf"]