Bloodline - pt.I

[Phoenix]

It is the commonly held view among numerous species that one step in Nar Shadda was all that was required to see it for what it truly was, run down, corrupt, diverse and above all seething with possibility. The gap between the rich and poor was laughable, thousands of refugees for one reason or another had chosen to live on this abismal leftover of a rock and had effectively signed their own death warrants. It was kill or be killed on Nar Shadda, if one did not possess money or connections, then they were utterly lost, there was no middle ground, it was that simple.

Meanwhile in the upper reaches of society, things were booming, nightclubs were regularly swamped with spacers, traders, mercenaries and deep pocketed businessmen all hoping to cash in one way or another. Ships would fly in and out bringing and taking all sorts of treasures with them and as a result industry was mobilising leading to economic growth. However, as mentioned before, Nar Shadda was a corrupt place and it was the minority that possessed the majority of the wealth. In other words, the Exchange through criminal expertise had manipulated the current economic climate to their advantage and tightened their grasp on the people. Not suprisingly their economic influence had opened up pathways into the inner most circles of politics further contributing to their strength and as long as the economy was fertile, the situation would remain that way. Furthermore, if power stayed with them then they would become the official target, the source of all problems and solutions, depending on who you were and whether you could "work" the system. This, Tarjir would most definitely do and with undoubtedly great ease for not only was he trained to deal with these kinda people but he was now capable of unleashing his dark powers to their maximum potential.

It was for these reasons that Tarjir had returned to this rock once again. His objective was clear, make contact with the exchange and extract whatever information they may have on his father...

[Phoenix]

Xa was a Duros weapons merchant who had until five years ago had constantly been on the move, never staying in one place more than a couple of months if that. Moreover, during his travels not only had he picked up all the ins and outs of business but he had also learnt a great deal about people and places and like any of his kind, he was a good story teller. He was popular among the locals but they knew like himself that for a Duros he had lived far beyond the average life expectancy and could drop dead at any point. It was a shame, for Tarjir had made use of his abilties on numerous occasions in the past. Nevertheless, he would pay Xa one more visit.

Clothed in his dark jedi attire with an added robe, he emerged himself in the masses and moved swiftly along. One thing that never ceased to amaze him was the sheer diversity of Nar Shadda, everywhere he looked there was a different species that he was either very familiar with or had only read about in archives.

Though, the air pollution was heavy and the buildings towered over the citizens of Nar Shadda creating an artificial darkness, the large flashing advertisements and signs served to counter that. It was truly odd, for one moment, one could find himself shrouded in shadow and before he knew it light would burst out of all directions from seemingly nowhere. In the case of criminals it proved to be rather useful in terms of being able to single out innocents whilst hundreds of others, their attention caught by the flashing lights would continuously scutter on, completely unaware of what happened around them, it was rather pathetic.

Eventually, Tarjir himself was inclined to enter one of these "concealed" spots. Beyond the steamy veil, he could make out two humanoids, he payed no attention and moved on. He shuffled towards the wall to his right and ran his palm along it, over cracks, posters and grafitti until his sensed a recognisable groove. Wedging his fingers in, he dislodged a brick, revealing a hole large enough for a hand to reach in and press the button. Immediately to his right, a garbage bin slid to the side and beneath it he found a manhole with a ladder leading downwards.

He could smell it a mile away, Xa was..."relaxing", it wasn't suprising, he often did it. If he were a lesser being he knew he would probably do the same but unlike the others, he had no craving whatsoever for using deathsticks. Pushing the door open, the first thing he noticed was the wurring of motors then the smell of oil and final the scurrying astromech, salvage and protocal droids attending to their duties. He made his way through them, turned the corner and spotted Xa in his armchair by his desk. It was littered in documents of various sorts and like the rest of his chamber was a clutter, not to mention Xa himself who not only was asleep but looked pale, withered and unkept. Tarjir's deep growly voice cut through the chatter of the droids behind him and awoke Xa from his slumber. In his old age, his eyesight was not what it once was, which was no suprise seeing as he had spent countless hours in his youth pouring his eyes over documents in fine print whilst attempting to repair delicate parts in poor lighting. Once Xa was able to make out who it was, he grunted and reached over to his glass of black membrosia only to clumsily knock it over, spilling it all over the carpet. He sighed and turned his head back to where Tarjir was standing.

[glow=Blue,2,300]Can't you leave an old duros in peace for once?[/glow]

[glow=Maroon,2,300]This is the last time I will be asking for your help, after that you won't see my face again. I need information on the Exchange. Starting with grunts and dealers then we'll move up the food chain from there[/glow]

Xa with some effort, hauled himself from his armchair and drifted over to his cabinet, from it he got ahold of another glass and poured himself another drink. Downing the harmful liquid, he faced Tarjir once more, his decrepid figure somehow managing to give off a sense of authority.

[glow=Blue,2,300]Tarjir, I'm retired, I'm old and above all I'm dying. I've been out of the game so long, there's nothing you could learn from me anymore. Who are you trying to kid anyway? one of you against an army of criminals? I don't know where you've been the past few years but something's not quite right if you know what I mean...[/glow]

[glow=Maroon,2,300]Don't worry about me. You just give me what I want and I'll be on my way, no questions asked, simple as that[/glow]

Xa shook his head, poured himself another glass and crossed the floor, stopping at his desk with his back to Tarjir.

[glow=Blue,2,300]For the last time Tarjir, I know nothing... now get the hell outta here before I fry you[/glow]


[glow=Maroon,2,300]You're not fooling me, Xa. I know you're lying. In fact you've only got to "sniff" around a little to know that you haven't exactly been locked away in your room for the past five years, working on a science project. Now this is the last time I will ask you again and I suggest you answer wisely because as I'm sure you already know, I have ways of making people crack and a drunk old fool like you will be a walk in the park[/glow]

Xa had planned to swig another glass of membrosia down but that sudden lump in his throat had prevented him from doing so. For the first time in the last couple of years, he put the glass down...

Tarjir grinned...

[Phoenix]

To be perfectly honest, Tarjir could have quite easily done without Xa, he doubted there was anything new that he could learn from him. Nevertheless, he had chosen to spend numerous hours pouring over old documents and holocrons in a dimly lit room, simply because it was discreet, effective and more importantly informative. So on they went, viewing profile after profile, researching their past, strengths, weaknesses, traits and personalities, it was an extensive but neccessary process. For only when Tarjir understood the entirety of the Exchange cell, located here on Nar Shadda, could he be victorious. After hours of careful observation, Xa played one of the most useful holocrons yet. Before his eyes, stood a wavey blue image of beauty incarnate. Her facial features were distinct, namely her eyes which gave a birth to tranquility within the room. Moreover, her hair was long and dark, her skin pale green and her build athletic. She wore a purple dress, stretching from her neck to her ankles, upon which various embroideries were woaven in, depicting stories of old, it reeked of elegance. Never before had Tarjir expierenced such a feeling, he was being consumed. Xa noticing that his friend had fallen into a trance turned to him and said.

[glow=blue,2,300]Do not let her appearance engulf you. For if you do, you will be forever lost. Many a man have lost their minds gazing upon her beauty. Such is the nature of the Falleen and the natural pheromones they give off. It makes them practically irresistable. Speaking of which, it's for that reason amongst numerous others, that she has been so successful in life. Her name is Elana and she is the current head of the Exchange here on Nar Shadda.[/glow]

Upon hearing this, Tarjir grasped ahold of his emotions and strangled them before casting them back into the abyss from whence they came. He switched off the Holocron and paced around the room before heading for the exit. Xa caught of guard by his sudden decision to leave, sprung from his seat.

[glow=Blue,2,300]Now do you understand why I told you to drop it?! You're not just messing with low life thugs here, things have changed for the worse, the Exchange have real power now which was not bought through money or force. It's because of them that I'm retired and dying in this hellhole. The majority of my business came from the Exchange and now that they can pretty much get anything they want without raising a finger, I have nothing to support myself on. If you choose to somehow upset the established order then Nar Shadda will slowly but surely tear itself apart[/glow]

Tarjir had stood in the doorway and had listened, what weight Xa's words held, he was no longer sure nor did he care much, for Nar Shadda had been rotting since it's very conception and would continue to do so regardless of what came to pass. All he knew was that through the Exchange he would learn his father's location and put an end to the emptiness. As long as he did not know the reasons why his life had turned out the way it had, he would never be able to advance any further.

[glow=Maroon,2,300]You may choose to live your life in utter obscurity, hidden away from the world but I on the other hand, will be instrumental in the future of the Galaxy and no one can prevent me from doing so, especially not this "Elana". She will come to understand her insignificance soon enough[/glow]

Xa, exhausted from work, slumped back into his chair, Tarjir had gone and he was once again left alone in his dirty, run down lair. It did not matter for he knew he would pass away shortly and as for company, he still had plenty of intoxicants to last him until his life came to a somewhat anti - climatic and insignificant conclusion.

[Phoenix]

She ruled her cell with an iron fist, therefore it was no suprise that for the fifth time, the Falleen had to send one of her own men for execution. It was rather pathetic to be perfectly honest, these male underlings truly thought they were of greater of worth, simply because they believed that if it weren't for them then her cell wouldn't have risen to the top amongst all the other organised crime syndicates on Nar Shadda. Yes, they may have pulled the trigger and caused considerable damage to the enemy's ranks but it was she who had been pulling the strings from the very start. It was she who had obtained the essential statistics via resources she had seduced with her natural abilities. It was she who had carefully planned each one of her steps, paying close attention to detail, ensuring no mishaps would occur. She was the brains of the operation and so long as she mainted influence amongst her closest circles, she would be untouchable. Therefore, it was at this point in her stream of thoughts, as she peered out of her office window over the skyline of Nar Shadda that she began to wonder, when would the attempts stop?... Her table bleeped and within seconds a holocron displaying the execution appeared. She watched with amusement as the Gamorrean brought down his axe upon the neck of the sentenced. A smile spread across her face, revealing her razor sharp teeth whilst her snake eyes widened in excitement. If there was one part in her job that she enjoyed the most, it was seeing the result of her hard work pay off, which more often then not, saw her enemy crumble before her feet. The worst part however, was having to start that process all over again. The holocron then flickered and switched to another channel, it was her head of security...

[glow=Blue,2,300]Madam, the Weequay has arrived[/glow]

[glow=Lime Green,2,300]Very well, send him up[/glow]

A few minutes later, the lift reached her penthouse floor and the Weequay stepped through the door. Like the rest of his species his skin was leathery and thick, his head full of braids, signifying he had not visited his home world of Sriluur for many years. Perhaps more noticable though were the various scars he bore on his face, acquired no doubt through years of combat. However, what attracted the majority of her attention was the armour that he wore. It was of mandalorian design and fabricated from the finest beskar. It's plates were coloured green and if she remembered well, this colour was meant to represent "duty". More importantly, it appeared as though he had come fully prepared. Equipped with a vibro ax slung over his back, two "Deathhammers" holstered on either side his hips and numerous other gadgets tucked away either within his utility belt or 1st class armour. Even a passer-by of the lowest intellect could tell that this Weequay was a jedi killer.

[glow=Lime Green,2,300]Welcome, we have alot of work to do. After all, he'll be here soon[/glow]

[Phoenix]

His aim was clear, infiltrate the Exchange complex undetected, make his way to Elana's penthouse, dispatch whatever form of protection she had at hand and then begin what Tarjir regarded to be the most enjoyable part of the mission, interrogation. With the information he had obtained through Xa, he doubted he would run into any anomalies that would pose any considerable threat. How wrong he was...

Within moments, his cover was blown as a HX2 antipersonnel mine sent civilians' body parts flying all over the place. Luckily Tarjir was outside of the blast radius, nevertheless he was taken by surprise and it only took him a couple of seconds to realise he was in the scope of a trained assassin. Using the force, he sensed the assassin's position, he was knelt on top of an over arching building, over looking the entire street. The shot was fired but Tarjir was too quick and rolled out of the way. However, now that a massive hole had been blown in the ground, he effectiely had no cover and he knew that his evasiveness would not hold up against what appeared to be a highly experienced killer. Initially, he had planned not to use his lightsaber unless absolutely neccessary but in this case, he saw no other way round it so he reached for his hilt and ignited it's fiery beam. The second shot soared towards him but this time he was ready and successfuly deflected the salvo back to its origin. The assassin ducked and tumbled backwards, disappearing from sight temporarily. At this point, Tarjir deactivated his blade and sped down a dark back alley to escape his pursuer. There not only did he find seclusion but opposition as well. Three grunts stood before him, all equipped with blasters, clearly outnumbering him not to mention the alley whose small size restricted his movement, strangling all hope of slicing his way out. Furthermore, the assassin had appeared behind him, there was seemingly no way out for him now especially since any attempt to fight his way out would surely result in his own death. It was then that he understood why, the mine had been placed where it had been and why the assassin had chosen to let off only two salvos that were by no means either lethal or accurate. They had cornered him in a small alley in the hope of capturing him alive, it had been that simple and he had fell for it. All of a sudden, a dart struck him in the neck and within a matter of seconds, Tarjir was sprawled out on the ground, unconcious...