Karen shook her head at the commlink. Jake and Dosh were quiet. That was usually a bad sign. Gael was sitting next to her, watching the seamstresses go about their duties. Their fingers were moving at a mind boggling pace for her. Zan cleared her throat at the approach of the young woman that Senator Janis had warned them about.
“You must be Karen Pryce.” The young woman extended her hand.
“Indeed, these are my sisters, Gael and Zan.”
“Charmed, of course. I am Chukara Gaughphan. Third in line to the duchy of Terrawaok.”
“In the Hapes cluster, yes?” Karen asked her slowly.
“Of course you’ve heard of it. It’s a wonderful place in the cluster.” She turned her attention to Zan. “Be a dear and fetch me a refreshment.”
Zan’s natural instinct was to do so, but Gael sat her back down. “We’re not her servants, we’re her siblings.”
“Of course you’re servants, silly Twi’lek.”
“No, they are my adopted siblings. I am sure you can find one of the employees of this fine establishment to find you a refreshment.”
The young woman’s nose twitched and Karen suspected she’d never been told no in quite that fashion before. The rest of the staff seemed to brace when Karen made her suggestion. Her face twisted for just a moment before laughter erupted from seemingly every part of her. “You are an absolute delight.” One of the staff quickly brought her a drink of some kind.
“Kael, make a note, I want a Zeltron and a Twi’lek.”
“I’m busy.” The deep voice rumbled from the outer room.
“You’re mentally preparing for your fight with that silly alien. Take a note.”
“It’s a shockboxing match with a Barabel. They invented shockboxing. He’s also a half a meter taller than i am, and has about 20 centimeters of reach on me. I am actually quite busy, sister.”
“Kael…” her voice was rising, almost to the point of being shrill.
“Fine, Male or female?”
“Both.” She nodded firmly. Karen had to play that back in her head again. They were talking about slavery quite casually in the middle of a store. Gael and Zan both had the same reaction.
“Anything else you want me to put on your list of stuff that your mother is going to kill you for?” The deep voice rumbled through the room and he slipped through the curtains. Mags was up and moving much faster than Karen gave him credit for. He put his hands up and slipped the visor off. “My eyes are closed, Mags, and i will only open them to study through my visor. I suspect you would prefer my presence to her constant yelling.”
“My scissors are sharp, pretty boy.”
“I’m very well aware of that, Mags. I want no trouble.” His hands were still up. Mags returned to her console and went back to what she was working on, but kept one of her eyes on the man. Karen was still studying him and didn’t quite know what to make of him. He was tall, like Jake, but he was broad shouldered and she could see the definition of his muscles underneath his jacket. He slipped the visor back on and went back to his studying.
“That’s my half brother, Kael. He’s not a noble, not really.”
“What does he do?”
“Whatever he’s told. He’s a fighter by trade.”
“Fighter?” Zan asked her,
“He’s a professional fighter with 16 knockouts, 3 kills, and 27 victories.”
“3 kills?”
“All perfectly legal under the rules of the establishment at the time.” She said quickly. “Do you want him?”
“Excuse me?” Karen’s head nearly spun.
“He prefers men, but he’ll do as he’s told, won’t you dear brother.”
“I am still busy, sister.”
“He’s always like this before a fight, but afterward, he usually has needs and urges to get out of his system.”
“And he has a fight soon?”
"Tonight, at the Highspire Society meeting. Oh, you must attend as my guests! We’ll have to find you some appropriate man candy to bring along.”
Zan stared confusedly at her. Gael was still trying to process the casual slavery. Karen was the first to open her mouth. “Highspire society?”
“It’s a social club of bored nobles and their hanger ons. You two would fit right in.” She smiled at Gael and Zan. “We will definitely have to bring some men for you.”
“I have two brothers, one of whom is a Trandoshan.” Zan said firmly.
“Is he housebroken?”
“Enough.” Karen said firmly. Chukara turned her head to the side, confused. Kael was between her and Karen in the blink of an eye.
“Chukara, dear, come here.” Mags said firmly, pulling her further away from Karen’s reach.
“Yes, Mags!”
“I realize she’s a disaster, but she does present a rare opportunity for outsiders to access the Highspire Society. You probably won’t get another invitation ever.”
“How do you put up with her?”
“Easy, i fantasize about killing her at least four times a week. Plus i have dreams about it.” He answered her.
“What?”
“My sister gets it worse. Hapes is a matriarchy, so my social mobility is limited by the fact i am a man, and even further restricted because i prefer the company of men. Chala has a much worse experience with Chukara.”
“How does she put up with her?”
“I think she poisons her makeup.” Karen turned her eyes up at the gladiator. “Kidding. She’s a bastion of virtue and so far she has yet to let Chukara under her skin. Father tends to keep them far apart unless we’re out in the galaxy on a diplomatic mission.”
“What kind of diplomatic mission does she get to be a part of?”
“One that takes her far from her great aunt’s domain and keeps her away from anyone who can hurt Hapes because of her personality.”
“So what’s this party?” Karen asked with a long sigh.
“It’s a celebration of masculine virtue. Bloodsports, feats of strength, the usual sorts of things. Women are expected to be dressed to the height of fashion, Men have a slightly riskier dress code.”
“My brothers are going to absolutely hate this idea, aren’t they?”
“Probably, but if you want to make contacts in the high society of Coruscant and beyond, you’d have a much harder time without an invitation to this party.”
Karen had a moment of insight and smiled “Do you know if anyone affiliated with the Black Sun will be there?”
“One of their Vigos is hosting the event. I could secure you an introduction, but you would have to attend the party to make her acquaintance.” He smiled.
“We will be attending, now i just need to let Dosh and Jake in on the plan. What can you tell me about the costume party level of frivolity?” He leaned in close and whispered the details to her. She blushed for a moment before he pulled his face away from hers.
“Kael, are you bothering your betters again?” Chukara said. Mags had finished with her and she was free to create chaos again.
“Just giving your new party favor the lay of the land for the Highspire Society event this evening. You do still want her to attend, don’t you dear sister?’
“Oh it will be the best time ever. You are coming after all? Wonderful, absolutely wonderful! Mags, my dear, they will need a special gown for the Highspire event this evening.” Chukara exhaled like a storm.
“Of course, it will be my pleasure,” The older seamstress smiled.
“This is going to be an evening to remember.” Chukara’s face widened into the strangest smile Karen had ever seen.
“Give me just a moment, i need to tell Jake and Dosh about the event.”
Dosh and Jake
Dosh was still sweating profusely at the direction this day had taken. He and Jake were in a rented speeder on their way to an unknown location with a set of keys, and an assortment of trinkets. This was unwise, and he could feel it in his bones. Jake, for his part, was letting the wind blow through his hair and had the radio cranked up. The commlink from Karen was beeping.
“Dosh, what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” He turned the radio down and tried to play off what they were up to.
“I can’t raise Niner at the ship.”
“Niner went a little crazy, and tried to kill Jake.” The pause on the other end of the radio made Dosh wince a little.
“And?” She finally responded.
“Jake is alive, a little banged up, but i had to use an Ion pistol on Niner. He’s currently powered down on a workbench aboard the Night Song.”
“Next time add that bit right after the part where you tell me that the family droid tried to kill my brother please.”
“Sorry, it’s been a long day, sis.”
“I understand the feeling. Where are you guys now?”
“We are…”
“Driving a Speeder above the speed limit.” Jake answered for him.
“What?”
“He’s kidding. We started to unpack that bag of his from the lawyer and found something that might be something. My best possible results from this is that we find parts to repair Niner.”
“Vague, but optimistic. We have been...strongly encouraged to attend a party this evening.”
“I hate parties.” Dosh answered her.
“I know, but it would be seen as a slight if we didn’t show up, and i don’t think these are people we want to make unfriendly just yet.”
“What’s the dress code?”
“It’s a costume party for men, high fashion for women. You guys are supposed to find something to wear that if let me see if i remember how this was phrased. ‘Should actual imperial authorities find you in these outfits, they would arrest you immediately.’ These folks are a little different.
“What the hell kind of a thing did you get us wrapped up in?”
“I know, it’s a stupid thing, but i would consider it a huge favor if you two could play along just this once.”
“Sure, sis, what time is this thing?”
“9 hours from now, i’ll send you the deets.”
“I’ll make sure Jake and I are ready.”
“Stay safe with this lead you’re chasing down, okay?”
“Sure thing, Dosh out.” Jake turned the radio back up and let the sound of synth wave fill the air around them. “You know, i despise having to be the responsible adult, Jake.”
“But you’re so good at it.” His brother answered him with a smile. The rest of the ride was pleasantly short and they were standing in a hangar. As they pulled up to the building, the hangar opened up. They parked their rented speeder and started making their way into the building. The key was evidently transmitting a signal that opened doors along their path.
Finally they entered what felt like an office and were stopped by the security measures. The larger inner doors opened briefly, and a remarkably well dressed woman stepped through, accompanied by a protocol droid. Jake was taken aback by her bright blue Mohawk and the jewelry dangling from her ears, neck and wrists. She made the most interesting sound as she walked.
“Can i help you two lost souls?” her voice was honey in his ears. He smiled softly and started to stammer.
“Forgive my brother, earth shatteringly beautiful women have an effect on him.” Dosh said quietly.
“But not you?”
“I have a Zeltron, anything short of direct pheromones is less effective.” Dosh smiled at her. If he hadn’t spent so much time around Zan, he was sure he would be in the same boat as Jake.
“You have your very own Zeltron? A Trandoshan of good taste. Find her...or him on a hunting trip?”
“Something like that. Jake, show her the gizmo.” Jake started fumbling with his pockets. “Not that Gizmo. My brother was at a lawyer’s office this morning and was given a large bag of wonderfully illegal things that he inherited from his father. Among them we found these keys, a data crystal, and a bunch of other random objects.” Jake finally managed to pull the data crystal out of his pocket.
“Jay, genetic scan.” The woman said quietly to the protocol droid. The protocol droid stepped forward and raised a portable scanner. Jake sat still while the droid went about it’s business.
“So...come here often?” He asked the blue haired woman. The droid took his hand gently and Jake felt a soft prick as the droid acquired a sample.
“Oh, you poor sweet fool. You couldn’t handle me.” She tapped a finely sculpted nail on his chest. Jake backed up a step.
“Identity confirmed, Miss.”
“Wonderful, so you are one of Bal-Hanar’s children. Come inside, have a seat while i examine your data crystal.”
“Did you know Bal-Hanar?”
“A dalliance after one of his uglier missions during the war. After he went on his own, he set this place up, and offered me the management of it.”
“Why?”
“I have a mind for numbers.” She smiled. Dosh had seen that smile in his nightmares. It was a predator staring at unsuspecting prey.
“Oh...that’s a good reason.”
“Jake, this feels astonishingly wrong.” Dosh said quietly.
“We’re this close, we might as well see what’s on the other side of the door.”
They could hear soft music playing and the sound of water. What could be the worst outcome? Dosh shook his head...Zan was going to kill the both of them, if Karen didn’t do it first.
The story continues in
The World City (Part IV) Here
“Dosh, what’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” He turned the radio down and tried to play off what they were up to.
“I can’t raise Niner at the ship.”
“Niner went a little crazy, and tried to kill Jake.” The pause on the other end of the radio made Dosh wince a little.
“And?” She finally responded.
“Jake is alive, a little banged up, but i had to use an Ion pistol on Niner. He’s currently powered down on a workbench aboard the Night Song.”
“Next time add that bit right after the part where you tell me that the family droid tried to kill my brother please.”
“Sorry, it’s been a long day, sis.”
“I understand the feeling. Where are you guys now?”
“We are…”
“Driving a Speeder above the speed limit.” Jake answered for him.
“What?”
“He’s kidding. We started to unpack that bag of his from the lawyer and found something that might be something. My best possible results from this is that we find parts to repair Niner.”
“Vague, but optimistic. We have been...strongly encouraged to attend a party this evening.”
“I hate parties.” Dosh answered her.
“I know, but it would be seen as a slight if we didn’t show up, and i don’t think these are people we want to make unfriendly just yet.”
“What’s the dress code?”
“It’s a costume party for men, high fashion for women. You guys are supposed to find something to wear that if let me see if i remember how this was phrased. ‘Should actual imperial authorities find you in these outfits, they would arrest you immediately.’ These folks are a little different.
“What the hell kind of a thing did you get us wrapped up in?”
“I know, it’s a stupid thing, but i would consider it a huge favor if you two could play along just this once.”
“Sure, sis, what time is this thing?”
“9 hours from now, i’ll send you the deets.”
“I’ll make sure Jake and I are ready.”
“Stay safe with this lead you’re chasing down, okay?”
“Sure thing, Dosh out.” Jake turned the radio back up and let the sound of synth wave fill the air around them. “You know, i despise having to be the responsible adult, Jake.”
“But you’re so good at it.” His brother answered him with a smile. The rest of the ride was pleasantly short and they were standing in a hangar. As they pulled up to the building, the hangar opened up. They parked their rented speeder and started making their way into the building. The key was evidently transmitting a signal that opened doors along their path.
Finally they entered what felt like an office and were stopped by the security measures. The larger inner doors opened briefly, and a remarkably well dressed woman stepped through, accompanied by a protocol droid. Jake was taken aback by her bright blue Mohawk and the jewelry dangling from her ears, neck and wrists. She made the most interesting sound as she walked.
“Can i help you two lost souls?” her voice was honey in his ears. He smiled softly and started to stammer.
“Forgive my brother, earth shatteringly beautiful women have an effect on him.” Dosh said quietly.
“But not you?”
“I have a Zeltron, anything short of direct pheromones is less effective.” Dosh smiled at her. If he hadn’t spent so much time around Zan, he was sure he would be in the same boat as Jake.
“You have your very own Zeltron? A Trandoshan of good taste. Find her...or him on a hunting trip?”
“Something like that. Jake, show her the gizmo.” Jake started fumbling with his pockets. “Not that Gizmo. My brother was at a lawyer’s office this morning and was given a large bag of wonderfully illegal things that he inherited from his father. Among them we found these keys, a data crystal, and a bunch of other random objects.” Jake finally managed to pull the data crystal out of his pocket.
“Jay, genetic scan.” The woman said quietly to the protocol droid. The protocol droid stepped forward and raised a portable scanner. Jake sat still while the droid went about it’s business.
“So...come here often?” He asked the blue haired woman. The droid took his hand gently and Jake felt a soft prick as the droid acquired a sample.
“Oh, you poor sweet fool. You couldn’t handle me.” She tapped a finely sculpted nail on his chest. Jake backed up a step.
“Identity confirmed, Miss.”
“Wonderful, so you are one of Bal-Hanar’s children. Come inside, have a seat while i examine your data crystal.”
“Did you know Bal-Hanar?”
“A dalliance after one of his uglier missions during the war. After he went on his own, he set this place up, and offered me the management of it.”
“Why?”
“I have a mind for numbers.” She smiled. Dosh had seen that smile in his nightmares. It was a predator staring at unsuspecting prey.
“Oh...that’s a good reason.”
“Jake, this feels astonishingly wrong.” Dosh said quietly.
“We’re this close, we might as well see what’s on the other side of the door.”
They could hear soft music playing and the sound of water. What could be the worst outcome? Dosh shook his head...Zan was going to kill the both of them, if Karen didn’t do it first.
The story continues in
The World City (Part IV) Here
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