Encyclopedia Pharmasutica

[Fromikeable]

Nar Shaddaa was a planet of many things, self-control not typically being one of them. But even on a planet of seventy five billion crime-riddled, gun-toting spacegoers, rules still held. Morals, of a kind, still existed, and as such, even the Smuggler’s Moon had its taboos. They were unlike the rest of the galaxy’s, naturally. Each was the basis of hard lessons. Never steal unless you were strong enough to rob. Never double-cross unless you were smart enough to escape. Never indulge unless you were stable enough to keep sane.

But rules were made to be broken for some. Thus the Big Gheddi sector existed.

Small in actual size, the Big Gheddi’s reputation rang through Hutt space as the place to find every sin, every vice, and every act of erotic nightmares that would make even the cartels’ flinch. No one bothered the sector and the businesses therein; unless you were one of those perverse few, the sheer reputation kept people and trouble away. The only reason the Hutts claimed it as their turf was by mutual agreement; numerous members of the Hutt clans were known to make “special” week-long trips to there regularly. It was the only place on Nar Shaddaa that made the planet’s usual brothels and drug dens look downright tame.

By comparison, it made Vance look downright timid as he tried to keep his eyes glued to the road, ignoring passing windows full of straight-up naked prostitutes of every shape, sex, and size dangling bags and vials of every drug he’d ever heard of.

Piloting down the main avenue, the speeder cut a slow path through the Big Gheddi’s main avenue. With Ylva sitting shotgun, Vance lead them by all of the famous, older establishments. The Mint Julip, an offensively green building known for its obsession with mixing food with erotica. Harold’s Rest, an almost haunted house associated with necrophilia. Jasper House, a strangely plain looking wholesale store that lined shelf after shelf with crates of drugs and stimulants, its employees using them all on-the-clock by instruction. The Shelf looked ripped straight from a crime drama, broken windows and decaying woodwork covered by so many strung out people that it had burned down seven times in its history. Even just the main avenue’s famous bar, Up The Creek, offered “buy one, get one” deals on hard liquor, deathsticks, and the resident night workers. Each varied in price, in style, in clientele, even in attitude, but all retained that outright gluttonous business ethic that kept most of the planet’s population at bay.

Demand for the entire sector, it was said, was higher than they could ever hope to match. Thus the most jarring aspect of the entire sector; the mix of tuxedos, elegant dresses, ragged outfits, mercenary gear, spacer jackets, and outright nudity on the streets.

Big Gheddi was a melting pot, but only for the most rotten, wild, and extreme of flavors.

Vance just suppressed a shiver as he finally set the speeder down, peering past the crowd up at their destination. Violet Hues towered above them as a valet dressed only in a bikini and body armor opened the speeder doors. The building reeked of ancient architecture exaggerated to the millionth degree, with an overabundance of mighty marble columns bathed by giant purple neon lights.

Vance checked his comm, doing his best not to look at the valet as she took his keys. Their appointment wasn’t for another hour. Great.

”We ought to ask around before we go see Mr. Mauve.” Looking to Ylva, Vance couldn’t help but raise his brows as he spoke.

”I’m sticking close to you on this one. We’re way out of my element here.” Vance’s tolerance for the usual level of drugs and sex on Nar Shaddaa was already abnormally low. Big Gheddi might as well have been hell itself.

[Meira]

It was a shame that Big Ghetti was so far away from home. Not to say that it was out of reach, of course. It was on the same planet, after all. But Big Ghetti was as far away from the Jolly Janitors headquarters as it could be and still be on the same planet. Planetary traffic being as it was, it was practically easier to just got to Nal Hutta than it was to see the other hemisphere of Nar Shaddaa. So Ylva saw the mother of all vice districts far less than she might if it was just across town. Perhaps that was for the best. Some things had to be kept special or they would spoil from over indulgence. Ylva's eyes caught sight of a particularly muscular specimen on display as Thel slowed down to approach their destination.

Oh yeah, she thought, I would definitely over indulge.

Thel's discomfort was not lost on Ylva as they exited the speeder. She saw the pains he took to not look at the valet. Eyeing the woman over, Ylva couldn't see why he would want to avoid it. She was beautiful, and the bikini-body armor combo was intriguing. She imagined Jayec would appreciate it more than Thel. With a chuckle, Ylva slapped the younger man on the back amicably.

"Loosen up." she said. "Everyone'll think you're a narc."

The idea was laughable, and Ylva did laugh. One would be harder pressed to find any form of real law enforcement on Nar Shaddaa than to convince the Sith Empress to sit down to tea with the Chancellor of the Republic. Even still, There was a wariness when it came to those who dealt in the sins of the flesh. There was always someone looking to encroach on a territory or eliminate the competition; to say nothing of the clients so desperate for a fix that they had nothing to lose. So even in a place where nothing was taboo, one still had to approach the situation with a casual confidence that showed one belonged.

Thel did not look like he belonged at all.

Holding on to his shoulder, Ylva steered Thel into Violet Hues. The name became even more obnoxiously obvious as the doors opened and the building and they were drawn into its plum bosom. Inside, the establishment was dark and the air felt close. There seemed to be a haze to the air, and Ylva wouldn't be surprised at all of told it was laced with some mild drug. Nothing too out there, but enough to begin to loosen the knots in a body's shoulders... and the grip on their wallets. They were greeted by a purple Twi'lek whose skin so perfectly matched her surroundings that Ylva had been slightly startled when she spoke.

"My apologies, Madame Wolf." the twi'lek said, her hand gently caressing Ylva's arm. "Mr. Mauve has been informed of your arrival. He will be with you as soon as possible. Our bar is just this way if you would like to wait."

Without pausing, the twi'lek gently inserted herself in between Ylva and Thel, hands moving to both of their waists and guiding them toward where soft lightly cut through the purple haze to reveal the silhouette of a bar top with two beings standing behind it.

"Is there anything I can do for you, while you wait?" she asked, eyes looking up at Ylva.

"I was hoping to find something new" Ylva replied. "Something to expand my horizons."

The twi'lek's eyes grew distant in thought as she released them by the bar, a slender finger rising to tap her lips. "I will have to see what we have available." she said after her moment of thought. "Anything for you, Mr. Arkandri?"

[Deleted]

It was his first so called "official" mission since he had returned. While he had done his own personal excursions for the empire, this was the first time he had been given one. By his Master nonetheless. Word of some force enhancing drug had reached the ears of his teacher, and Zexva being familiar with Nar Shaddaa was the obvious choice. Of course if the Sith knew about it, then he knew that others on the opposing side would know about it as well. He held no illusions that he wouldn't come into some sort of conflict with somebody. People liked to challenge him for some reason, though he didn't quite understand. Perhaps it was a sense of inferiority?

Whatever it was he didn't mind as fighting made his skills sharper, and allowed him to get stronger as a result so he welcomed the conflict. Coming upon the Big Ghetti district he made his way to the place where he would meet someone named Mr. Mauve. His contact in the criminal world of Nar Shaddaa, Wuggitu had been kind enough to set up a meeting for him. Wuggitu was a wonderful asset, and if he ever decided to send this place into complete, and utter chaos, he would make sure that the Twi'lek was off planet first. That's how much of a boon he was.

The place he was entering was very flamboyant to say the least, the word minimal didn't exist in this place, and he had to admit. It gave him a sense of nostalgia for his home planet, but he hadn't been there since he had been tasked with killing his parents. So that feeling quickly died as he made his way through the place, and a female appeared in front of him. Seeming to materialize out of nowhere his hands went for his hidden sabers before she spoke to him.

"Ah...You are here Mr. Despez. Mr. Mauve is thankful for you reaching out to him, and will be meeting you soon. He has a few other appointments before your's so please be patient." her voice was silky sweet, but he smiled at her, allowing the natural pheromones that his species gave off to work their magic on her.

"Of course...Whenever I learn of a new business venture I am eager to make use of it...I'm something of an entrepreneur, and I quite literally just have money laying around." he flashed her a charming smile. "Perhaps I'll mingle...Come find me when you are ready..." he said simply to her, and turned his back to her. He was here undercover as a businessman. He even bought a new suit, once again forgoing his armor which made him feel naked, but that was neither here nor there.

As he mingled it didn't take long for the chemical allure that he gave off to attract several women, and a few women to his side. And so he blended in as the charming businessman who had a penchant for the more devious activities...

[sithlover]

As Jex had already been on Nar Shaddaa due to arriving a week ago he had just hopped in a speeder to head towards Big Gheddi. Being already familiar with the atmosphere of Nar Shaddaa he was excited for the intense atmosphere of the Big Gheddi sector.

Upon arrival he immediately noticed the nude prostitutes and strippers dancing in windows. On the streets there were also a few lifeforms walking around completely naked. Smirking at the thought of liking Big Gheddi he finally arrived at his destination.

He paused at the entrance to Violet Hues as a valet came to park his speeder. She was very pretty and was in only a small bikini. Getting out he thanked her and snuck her a credit before heading into the building.

Taking in the gorgeous purple color scheme Jex felt like he had just entered some kind of palace. Making his way over to the bar a purple Twi’lek girl came over to him. “So you’re that menace people have been talking about huh?” She asked to which he immediately responded, “Indeed I am.” Nodding her head in understanding she proceeded to talk. “Mr. Mauve seems to be quite interested in meeting you. I’ll come get you when he’s ready for the meeting.”

After she had left he proceeded to order a strong drink from the bar, tipping the bartender who had prepared the drink for him. Finishing the drink fast he smiled once he had finished, wiping off his mouth before noticing Ylva. “Why hello there how are you this fine day?” He asked smirking with a malice intent.

[Fromikeable]

Vance's mouth settled into a flat line as Ylva laughed at his discomfort, only making it more obvious by contrast. Look like a narc? He was the closest thing to an executive authority figure Nar Shaddaa had. Crime on Nar Shaddaa (that was to say the crime that offended criminal law) wasn't exactly punished with handcuffs and due process. If someone was caught stealing, it was easy to imagine that they were probably getting shot at. The cartels kept general order, sure, but it was a planet out for itself.

That Vance took anyone alive day-to-day did make him a bit of a narc, really.

Heading in and being received by a very handsy Twi'lek, Vance at least made a good job of showing how uncomfortable her hand on his hip made him. He'd never had much taste for the more human-centric markets on Nar Shaddaa. Too much stigma from Jedi training, maybe. Perhaps too little experience. Either way, he suppressed the urge to squirm, silently exhaling in relief when she finally let them go. Vance almost didn't hear her question as he tried to shake off the feeling, blinking at her twice before the words made sense.

"I'll, uh... have what she's having." Glancing at Ylva, he gave an apologetic half-smile to the Twi'lek. With her finger still poised upon her lips, she gave a single nod before walking away slowly, making sure to make a show of her hips.

Pulling himself up in his chair, he couldn't help but take a look around. A mild haze filled the building, the bar bustling with men and women and their patrons, the couches littered with bodies, and the music offering a gentle, bassy beat at a slow, relaxed rhythm. They'd come into the club during a rush, it seemed. Maybe this place was always just this busy. Violet Hues did have a reputation; that probably came with a fair bit of demand.

Tempted to comment on it all, Vance's line of thinking was cut off by a presence pressing against his. Feeling it come closer, his eyes tracked it to a skinny, redheaded man that approached the bar. Looking him over for a minute, Vance watched as he turned toward Ylva with a downright creepy smile and said hello.

Of course this would draw the attention of other Force-users. And by the feel of it, this man was no Jedi.

Watch out. Force-user. Giving Ylva her private telepathic warning, Vance suddenly found himself less able to relax. Sitting a bit more properly in his stool, he took another look around the room, trying to be down a flair of paranoia. That was one Force-user. Who was to say there weren't more? It made perfect sense; who better to send to validate a supposed "Force drug" than people that could use the thing? How many more of them were here? He wanted desperately to check, to stretch out his presence as far as it would go and sweep.

But that would give him away quicker than playing it cool would. If he could get into the meeting with Mr. Mauve without incident and get the guy to play ball, then none of it would matter anyway.

As if on cue, the Twi'lek returned, leveling an upturned finger between him and Ylva before flicking it between. "Madame Wolfe, Mr. Arkandri?" Curling her finger, her free hand motioned at herself, fingers landing notably on the skin on her neck. "If you'd both be so kind, Mr. Mauve will see you now."

[Meira]

"Malastare mule." she said when the bartender came by. The man gestured toward Thel with his chin, but Ylva shook her head. "He's my DD." she explained. The bartender looked bemused. Ylva shrugged her shoulders. He did the same, and turned away to deliver the drink he'd just made and to start on hers.

“Why hello there how are you this fine day?”

Ylva turned her head toward the voice. It had come from what appeared to be a teenage human. Arching an eyebrow, Ylva turned her torso toward him, eyes moving up and down him in appraisal. He was thin, pale, and giving her the kind of smile one might expect from a prepubescent sociopath who'd just drowned his first kitten. She was about to ask him what color it was when she heard Thel's warning. Though, she more felt it than heard it. She suppressed the shiver that sometimes ran up her spine when she received a telepathic message. Thel rarely did such a thing to her -it was one sided and no more effective than just talking in most circumstances- but here, at least, it was warranted. If they got their hands on this supposed force drug though, she'd beam him a brain call or two and see how uncomfortable she could make him.

It happened then that the bartender returned with her mule. Ylva took the moment to pay the man and take a sip while she decided if this new insight mattered to her at the moment. Maybe this was just someone who'd taken the drug and that's what Thel was picking up on. If so, his insight could be helpful. But, the twi'lek hostest returned at that moment to inform them that Mr. Mauve was ready to meet them. Taking her mug in hand, Ylva moved to follow Thel and the twi'lek.

"Hit the gym and come see me in a few years, kid." she said over her shoulder as they moved away.

The twi'lek led them through a large set of double doors, covered in some soft, plush fabric. They swung open as they approached and muffled the music and voices when they closed behind them. All that could be heard from the main area of the club was the deep, steady beat of the bass. They then moved down a corridor that was a lighter shade of purple and entirely devoid of any decoration or interruption in the smooth flat surfaces of walls, ceiling, and floor. The corridor was not long, and terminated in the smooth metal doors of a lift. the twi'lek pressed a button on the control panel and the doors opened with a chime. Gesturing, she bid them both step inside. Ylva moved forward, sipping at her drink. She turned in time to see the twi'lek smile at them both -but more at Thel- as the doors closed.

Inside the lift, they were surrounded by deep maroon, and the same music that was playing down in the club came through a speaker in the ceiling, though it was much quieter. The lift was a quick one, and soon it chimed again as the doors opened to reveal a room full of more shades of purple. The dominant shade here was something closer to blue, which covered the room itself. The furnishings ran the spectrum and were very obviously on incredibly expensive make, their gold and silver accents a dead giveaway. The room was arranged so that a sitting area was the first part one would approach upon entering. A rounded couch and a few chairs all faced inward to what appeared to be a purple crystal topped coffee table, while a gold chandelier hung above, smaller purple crystals hanging all about it and glinting in the light. To their right, a twi'lek woman, who could have been a twin of the hostess downstairs, stood at the ready behind a bar. Each bottle on display behind her was, of course, purple. To the left, the wall was divided by narrow windows that ran from floor to ceiling and that were flanked by long curtains that were tied back to allow one to take in the view. Further back in the room, there was a large desk with two plush chairs before it for guests. The chair behind it was tall and wing-backed. That chair was turned away from the door, facing the fireplace that dominated the back wall. This appeared to be constructed of some kind of marble. It was a deep purple, with veins of white running through it. The fire within it burned low, more for its ambient glow than to provide any heat to the room. Above the fireplace, in a gold frame that must have been more expensive than Ylva's entire fleet of cleaning vans, was a larger than life portrait of their host. In it, he wore a smoking jacket, held a cigar in one hand and a glass of wine in the other, and was being caressed by a number of feminine hands whose owners were all out of frame.

"Monsieur Arkanri, Madame Wolf! Please, come in!"

The wing-backed chair turned to reveal Mr. Mauve. He stood, one hand deftly buttoning the middle button of his -surprise surprise- mauve suit. Mr. Mauve was a Zeltron. His skin, though technically red, was certainly a darker shade than some, bringing it closer to his namesake color. But, next to his clothing and surroundings, the red stood out in sharp contrast, making him seem almost unreal. His hair was a perfectly coiffed mass of slightly curly black that hung to his shoulders. He approached Ylva and Thel as they came further into the room, holding out his hands which sported gold and silver rings on nearly each finger, most studded with some kind of amethyst stone. When he came in range, he went for Ylva first.

"Mon cheri, Madame Wolf you are stunning as ever." he said, not at all perturbed by the nearly six inches of height she had on him as he snaked an arm around her waist to pull her close to him. His other hand took her fingers, pulling them to his lips to plant light kisses along her knuckles, moving up the back of her hand and to her wrist. All the while, he murmured compliments to her in some other language and his hand at her waist began to wander downward.

She'd managed to set her drink down on a side table as he approached, remembering how grabby he tended to be from the last time she'd met the man. More ready for him this time, Ylva waited a few moments, not entirely disliking the attention, before stopping his southward advance with her free hand and disentangled herself from him. She gave his a sharp, but not hard, slap across his cheek as she stepped away. There was a moment of heavy silence in which Mr. Mauve's hand touched at his cheek where she'd struck him. Their eyes were locked on each other in that moment, until Mr. Mauve suddenly grinned and wagged his finger in Ylva's direction.

"Aaahhh, you remember how I like zee rough play. You must be careful, Monsieur Arkandri. This one is a devil, eh?" Mr. Mauve turned toward Thel, pulling him into an embrace. As he leaned in close, he whispered "But, all the best ones are, no?" He pulled away then, moving to lead his guests to sit down on the couch or chairs. "Come, my friends. Sit, sit. Tell me, how can I be of service to you today?"

[sithlover]

Sitting there waiting for a response he saw Ylva get a drink. Getting restless at waiting Jex finally saw her finish and leave. “Hit the gym and come see me in a few years, kid.” He heard her say. Softly chuckling at what she said he continued on to explore the bar, having already been satisfied with a drink.

On the dance floor there was quite a number of people of almost every species imaginable. A slow dance had just started so Jex had to sit out on that part.

As soon as it ended more lively music started to play. Making his way through the crowd Jex softly swayed to the rhythm. He wasn’t that great at dancing, but it wasn’t like he was horrible either. Eventually he got exhausted from dancing, due to being extremely out of shape as he didn’t exercise that much.

Sitting on a plush, velvet lavender couch Jex leaned back. He took in the soft fabric of the couch cushion. This environment was somewhat exhausting for him, yet refreshing at the same time. He was used to crowds of people, but he didn’t really ever get the chance to get out and enjoy himself. He liked the atmosphere of Violet Hues. Although he really liked the decor and the whole color scheme of the place a little bit more.

Starting to get up and walk around again he noticed generally most people stayed away from him. Jex figured it was probably because of his looks, what with being a pale white and almost as skinny as a stick. Soon he caught a glimpse of what appeared to be a suit.

Coming closer to the gentleman he could see he appeared to be a businessman. Sneering at the fact that he obviously wasn’t Jex began to try to get the man’s attention. Composing himself he went up to him and introduced himself. “Hello, there. The name’s Jex, and you are?”

[Fromikeable]

Vance abandoned his drink as the Twi’lek directed them onward, doing his best not to dwell on the way her presence seemed to flicker with… well, he wasn’t quite sure what emotion that was at a glance. Whatever it was, it was imaginative, coy, and above all, very, very confident. That was all he needed to know not to dig, prompting his mouth to dry a little. Giving the Force-user a backward glance as they departed, he tried to pick apart the man’s image in his mind as they walked.

No insignias, but that was no surprise. Sith, maybe? Perhaps a Jedi, but something about him told Vance that probably wasn’t the case. Call it a hunch.

Loading into the elevator, Vance hardly noticed the lingering smile the Twi’lek offered toward him, his eyes looking right past her as his mind submerged itself in questions. Surely they couldn’t have been the only ones Mr. Mauve had spoken of this drug to, but for so many potential customers to be here all at the same time? The guy was bold. That was accurate, as Vance recalled; he couldn’t remember the Zeltron exactly being a paragon of self-control.

His line of thinking buckled as something soft bumped against his leg. Blinking back into reality, he realized the price of his ignorance; the Twi’lek had elected to stand very close in front of him, her rump “accidentally” nudging him as the elevator shook lightly to a stop. Biting his tongue hard, Vance elected to ignore it with pink cheeks. As they entered the outrageously mauve office, he rubbed his face in a bid to downplay the effect.

Luckily, Mauve was obviously happier to see Ylva than himself, though the slap she gave him made Vance blink. When the Zeltron responded with a wagging finger and a teasing taunt, Vance let out a tiny sigh, the newfound stress disappearing as quickly as it had come. Returning the Zeltron’s hug with a slightly awkward expression, he merely nodded at the Zeltron’s comment. She was quite the devil indeed.

"Come, my friends. Sit, sit. Tell me, how can I be of service to you today?"

Lowering himself into one of the chairs, Vance finally gathered his wits. With all of the awkward sex appeal and greetings out of the way, they could get down to things he was more familiar with. ”I think you already know, judging by the number of, uh, ‘buyers’ you have enjoying things downstairs.”

”Mr. Arkandri! Do you accuse me of shopping around?” The Zeltron smirked as he sat behind his desk, his skin’s paint only a shade removed from the color of the fabric.

”I suggest that you’re too good a businessman to put all of your eggs in our basket.”

”You types really are mind-readers, it zeems.” Shifting his gaze to the Twi’lek once more, the Zeltron waved a hand. ”Fetch zee samples, mon petite chouchou.” With a nod of her head, the Twi’lek moved to the back of the room, fiddling with a bookcase. As a tome was removed, the entire assembly slid to one side, revealing a safe with a dozen locks. She got to work undoing each.

”So what does it really do?”

”It is as I have said, monsieur. The drug gives the powers of the Jedi.” A purple hand rose to cup the Zeltron’s chin, his expression thoughtful. ”I would not have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes. I am not in zee market of lies, oui?”

”You’re in the market of fantasies, though. I’m sure thousands of people have come in here wanting to be treated like a chaste Jedi in need of corrupting.” Blinking as the safe opened, Vance turned to see the Twi’lek returning with two inhalers, offering one to Ylva and one to him. Taking his, he inspected it carefully. The markings were all scratched and buffed, the metal dented and reworked. From what he could make it, it had been a medical inhaler, but it had been refilled with a new drug.

Glancing up at the Zeltron with a raised eyebrow, Mr. Mauve simply chortled. ”Such zee skeptic! Try it and see, my friends.”

[Meira]

Ylva returned her attention to her drink as they sat down. Thel, it seemed, had regained enough of his faculties to start speaking again. So he took the wheel for this portion of their visit, which was all fine by her standards. In all honesty, she didn't really understand what the big deal was. There were plenty of drugs that boosted abilities. Ylva remembered a time she'd seen a guy hopped up on Booster Blue and something else laughing while he danced around another guy trying to shoot him. It didn't last long, of course, but that was how drugs were. Was Thel really so worried that there was something out there that tricked people into thinking they were Jedi? And why would Lidah care at all? Did she want to corner the market?

"I’m sure thousands of people have come in here wanting to be treated like a chaste Jedi in need of corrupting.”

Ylva almost choked on her drink and had to set it down. As she did, she turned her eyes on Thel, lifting one brow high with the unspoken question. She wanted to give the guy a punch to the shoulder. She didn't think he had those kind of thoughts in him. To say the least, Ylva was impressed, and she made a mental note to remember this when his birthday rolled around.

Ylva took the inhaler offered to her, inspecting it as well. Mauve encouraged them both and Ylva looked up, first at Thel and then at Mauve. She smiled at the Zeltron, who returned the look with one of his own that leaned heavily more toward leering than an innocent smile. Ylva winked and brought the inhaler to her mouth. In one swift movement, she depressed the switch and took one big, deep breath, straightening her spine and then leaning back slightly. The substance flooded into her lungs, leaving just the slightest burn in her throat wherever it made contact. Ylva leaved back until her weight rested against the cushions behind her, her head resting gently as if on a purple cloud. She held that deep breath for several seconds, eyes watching the play of light on the crystal chandelier, before finally letting it out in a long sigh.

For the next few moments, she did not move as she waited for the effects of the drug to kick in. She wasn't sure what to expect. Would she suddenly be able to read everyone's minds? And how did that work? Would it be like turning on a comms channel and just passively listening to the broadcast chatter? Would she have to focus on one person in particular? Would it be like hacking a system? That image was amusing, and Ylva began to chuckle. And what about lifting things with her mind? Would it be like being able to feel something across the room as if it were in her own hand? Could she, for example, feel the silk of Mr. Mauve's pocket square the same way she could feel the soft fabric of the couch beneath her hands now? She chuckled again, imagining Mauve's surprise when the pocket square lifted from his suit and danced in the air before his wide eyes. The chuckles rolled into full belly laughs as Ylva, still sprawled back on the couch, imagined all the things she might do with supposed Jedi powers.

"You must think..." Ylva laughed, sitting up suddenly, "that' we're idiots." The last of those words came out more as a wheeze, as Ylva wiped mirthful tears from her eyes. Her hand continued to massage along her face absentmindedly. "I thought we were better friends than that!" she exclaimed, practically doubling over in laughter now. Mr. Mauve, for his part, laughed as well.

"What you you mean, mon chéri? We are good friends, no? Is this not to your liking? I will give you something else, perhaps? Whatever you desire."

Ylva held up the inhaler. What she did not notice, in her euphoria, is that the inhaler began to float a couple of inches above her hand. "This," she said, pointing with her free hand, "is gigglesdust. You know that I know this. Or did you forget that weekend we spent together last year?" Ylva had stood now, still laughing, but her posture was considerably more aggressive now.

"Of course I remember, mon ami! How could I forget?" Mr. Mauve stood as well, backing away as Ylva approached him. "The way you lifted me in those arms! Déesse de l'amour, I still have the scar! LOOK!"

The sudden shout of the word caused Ylva to stop her approach and turn her eyes in the direction Mr. Mauve was pointing. She saw the inhaler, still floating above her hand. There was a long moment of silence, and then Ylva barked out a laugh so loud and sudden that it caused Mauve and his twi'lek companion to jump with fright. The laughter caused Ylva to drop the inhaler, and she scrambled after it.

"HA! Did you see that, Thel?" she exclaimed as she scooped the inhaler up again and gave it a gentle toss into the air. Reaching out with her other hand, Ylva stopped the slow arc the inhaler made and held it still, floating several feet above the ground. "HA!" she exclaimed again, and then quickly busied herself in making the inhaler fly around the room. "HOLY SHIT THIS IS AMAZING!" she shouted, chasing after the inhaler. But, after about a minute, it dropped to the ground and Ylva could not coax it back up again.

"What the hell, Mauve!?" Ylva shouted from where she'd stopped at the other side of the room. The laughter was fading from her voice, replaced by the telltale irritation of a comedown from giggledust.

"It is just a sample." Mr. Mauve said, his gaze moving from Ylva back to Thel. "I am a business man, you understand. I can, of course, provide you with a shipment at a modest price. Delivered to your employer's establishment, perhaps?"

Mauve had been looking at Thel, and had not seen Ylva approaching behind him, or the look in her eyes as she did. The twi'lek had, but she was no bodyguard, and had only managed a squeak of fright right before Ylva's arm snaked around Mauve's neck. "Or," Ylva said into his ear, "you could quit with the edging and tell us where its coming from."

"I do not know," he began, but was cut off as Ylva squeezed tighter. "Here, take this contact. Call and they will tell you where to go."

Ylva released, Mauve and walked around him, gesturing for Thel to follow. She grabbed the other inhaler from his hand and pocketed it. Giggledust was a blast, but the comedown was rough.

[Deleted]

It was strange to be approached by someone who wasn't actively trying to kill him for once. A man approached him introducing himself as 'Jex'. A smile formed on his lips at the odd similarity of their names. Zexva nodded at the newcomer, and extended a polite hand for the man to shake.

"I am Mr. Despez...It is a pleasure to meet you Jex, these wonderful people around me are all my new friends as well. I was just about to buy us all a round at the bar. Care to join?" he said with a quick laugh, and flirtatious wink to one of the women near him. It was easy to pretend to be something this flamboyant, all he had to do was the exact opposite of what his instincts screamed at him to do.

Rebelling against ones own mind was a difficult task, but he was up for the challenge he had to admit. Especially if it was something that got him closer to this supposed force enhancing drug. Perhaps this Jex person could be of use to him in that regard, maybe they were after something similar after all. It was interesting to be approached by a male instead of a female, perhaps he was looking for something that wasn't business. Zexva would hate to break his heart, but he already had his eyes on someone else.

"Though you will have to excuse me if I disappear, I have a meeting with someone here, it's rather important as well." he laughed easily as they walked over to the bar. "So what brings you to this place? Business or pleasure?" a slight tilt to his head as he looked the newcomer over.

[sithlover]

Noticing the man smiling at him, he shook his hand. “Why it’s nice to meet you too.” Jex nodded at him. “I guess I could go for one more drink, nothing too strong this time if it’s alright with your “friends” for me to join you.” Jex replied wondering how all those girls came to gather around the so-called “Mr. Despez.”


Walking towards the bar Jex listened to what the man said next. “Oh, you’re meeting someone as well? Wonder if it’s the same guy...” After what “Mr. Despez” said next Jex stopped to ponder. What was he there for? Jex really contemplated this decision.

Jex knew he obviously wasn’t there for business, as work always seemed too boring to him. Pleasure? No, not really other than just enjoying the atmosphere. So it wasn’t that. Eventually he came to a fitting conclusion. He was there to find someone to understand him. Preparing to answer the man’s question, he answered in a way that wouldn’t give off his true intentions, yet still somewhat match the reason he came. “Oh you know to meet people I guess. I mean I never really got the chance to socially interact with people as a kid.”

This bit was true. He had never truly had any social interaction with people. The only interaction he did have was thanking people for doing trade with his father, or even with himself. The only time this would happen is if his dad was especially busy, and unable to trade with all the people coming in. In the case of that event happening Jex would take care of some of the customers for his dad. But that was just merely negotiation, not small talk about the weather and other things.

Thinking of this fact, he smiled to himself that he could actually finally talk to people normally. Jex came to learn that he liked interacting with others socially. “Well, what would you like to talk about as we wait?” He asked hoping to have an in-depth conversation.

[Fromikeable]

The hair’s on Vance’s neck stood the moment the plunger depressed. The presence he felt was distant, almost non-existent. The sort of feeling he would brush off as some noise or some sensory mistake on his part. An eerie sensation and nothing more, like some imaginary draft of air that could make someone shiver without prompt.

But then he felt it. Specifically, he felt Ylva’s presence and the way it seemed to hiccup, almost gasping in the Force. The change was slow to begin, akin to a slow spiral, but by the time she had stopped laughing, Vance looked on with horror. Her presence practically convulsed, writhing in a way that that made Vance of a small beast being choked by giant hands. Tendrils of it thrashed and stretched in ways he hadn’t seen any Jedi or Sith do, sending out something akin to a shockwave through the Force that anyone in the building was bound to feel. Not an assault, not a message, not even a feeling. Simply a wave through the fabric of the world that indicated that something powerful was doing extreme work quickly.

By the time Ylva was holding Mr. Mauve in one hand and levitating the inhaler in the other, Vance looked like he had seen a glassed planet. Ylva’s presence was monstrous, active and self-aware, but mangled and twisted in ways that made Vance shocked that she was still alive.

Yet there she went, demanding the source like she’d never been better. By the way she was using her newfound powers, it really did look like she never had. Just as soon as it had happened, it ended, her presence slowly unfolding back into its unaware norm, albeit with… were they scars? More like tangles, her presence unable to fully relax itself after such a manipulation. It made him shudder.

If that was just a sample, what could a real dose do to someone?

Swallowing hard, he decided not to think about it for the moment. Pulling out his comm and standing, he quickly selected Lidah’s profile and typed a simple message.

The drug’s real. Pocketing his comm, he followed Ylva to the elevator, staring at her the entire time. Unable to speak without a prompt, Vance was broken from his disturbed focus when the elevator finally arrived, dinging loudly.

As the door opened, he reached a hand out to hold Ylva’s shoulder, as if to see if she was still real. When it turned out she was, a wave of concern finally broke through the shocked silence.

”Are you… okay?”

[Meira]

She stomped along the corridor, feeling the familiar tingle in her skin of a come-down, almost itch like. She resisted the urge to scratch at her collarbone and her forearms. She should have known that Mauve would pull something like that. He liked to play like he was a friend, or a lover, but at the end of the day it was all business to him. That weekend she'd shared with him, he had all but proposed marriage to her. She'd been in just for the drugs and to screw around. He was a notoriously good lay, after all. But when she'd had to decline his business proposition, their time together had come to an end. It hadn't ended badly. They'd gone three more rounds before he left. But the overtures and the drugs had petered out rather quickly. She was fine with that. Ylva hadn't wanted to get into anything long term with Mauve anyway. He was a checkbox on a bucket list.

She was spinning the second inhaler in her hand over and over again. She couldn't float it, like she had with the first. Whatever they'd done to this sample, they had wanted to ensure that it didn't last long. Get 'em hooked, then take 'em for everything they've got. It made sense, really. The tingle persisted, and Ylva noted it was a bit more intense than a typical glitterdust afterglow. It must have been the other aspect of the drug. Whatever could give you force powers would obviously have some after effects.

The elevator chimed and the doors opened onto a lower level than the main entrance. This level would take them closer to wherever the valet had parked their speeder. Ylva made to exit the elevator, but Thel's hand on her shoulder stopped her for a moment. Instinctively, she shrugged it off, turning annoyed violet eyes on the man.

”Are you… okay?”

"I'm fine." she growled, only then noticing how her jaw had been clamped shut, her teeth grinding together. She wiggled her jaw a bit, trying to loosen up the muscles. A tickle in her nose caused her to sniff. Without thought, she wiped at her nose with the back of her hand. It came away with a streak of red. Ylva touched at her nose again, this time with her fingers, and felt the blood as it trickled out from her nostril. "Get the damn speeder and let's go." she said, pushing Thel away with her other hand as she covered her nose and tilted her head back.

Ahead of them, the Valet had spotted them from her booth and was quickly retrieving the keys to their speeder. Another attendant noticed Ylva and came rushing over with a clean rag. Ylva snatched it away and busied herself with managing her nosebleed until the speeder arrived. She climbed in without preamble and urged Thel toward the destination Mauve had given them.

"Let's get this shit sorted." she said, lowering the rag as the bleeding finally stopped. She'd pocketed the other inhaler and now pulled it out, considering if she should just go ahead and hit it. It hadn't lasted long the first time, but she knew what ti felt like now. She wouldn't waste that time giggling like an idiot. The mixture had taken her off guard before, but she'd be able to control it now. Looking at the nav, their destination wasn't far away. Putting the inhaler to her mouth, Ylva depressed the plunger.

This time, as the drug entered her system, Ylva was instantly aware of the effects. it was as if some strange energy was literally seeping off of her. She could practically see it radiating out from her. Looking down at the inhaler, she now easily levitated it off the palm of her hand. She chuckled, but did her best to keep the laughter from overwhelming her thoughts.

"Let's fuck something UP!" she suddenly shouted, grinning at Thel. "There, there!" she barked, pointing down at what appeared to be a laundromat. "That's the address. C'mon, man. Land!" As she urged Thel, Ylva gestured with one hand, as if pushing the speeder down out of the air. As she did, the speeder's nose dipped, as if pushed. Ylva, after grabbing wildly for a handle, whooped with laughter. "I have GOT to get me some pure shit, Thel. WOO!"

[Fromikeable]

The nosebleed made Ylva look like she was lying through her teeth, earning a set of raised eyebrows from Vance. Debating whether or not to press the issue, he wasn’t given the chance as he was shoved onward. As they approached the valet, the employees’ expressions made their assessments clear. Vance wasn’t the only one a bit concerned.

As the speeder was brought around, Vance was already pulling out his communicator. Snatching the keys from the valet and tossing them a handful of credits, they were away.

”Let’s get this shit sorted.”

”Way ahead of you.” As the comm rang, Vance’s fingers drummed lightly on the speeder’s controls. When someone finally picked up, a dolcet woman’s voice spoke.

”Hello Thelonious! How can your optometrist help you to-”

”Put Doctor Freq on the phone.” Cutting her off, Vance floored the throttle, his voice a bit brisk. ”Tell him it’s an emergency.” The woman on the other end of the line didn’t even bother to speak, the sound of the comm being handled filling the speeder for a moment. After a moment however, the female voice returned, dropping the niceties and sweet tone in favor of pragmatism.

”Freq's out on a call. Doc Algo here. What’s up?”

”Somebody stabbed me in the eyes.”

Something dropped in the background, most likely a glass or a mug judging by the sound. ”Shit. Both?”

”With a handful of fucking rusty nails.”

A few muffled shouts and barked orders could barely be heard through a light mute, maybe a hand on the comm receiver. ”Do we at least have time for some pre-op?”

”Just dump a bottle of alcohol on it, I’m going blind here.”

As if to finally sell the point, the sound of a gun being loaded could be heard crisply. ”Where are you?” There was no attempt at a mute any more as shouting could be heard growing in the background, a chorus of running footsteps and metal clanging matching it all.

”Just sent you the address.” Ylva’s shouting prompted a pause, Vance peering down at the location. A laundromat seemed like both the best and worst cover he could think of for a drug-running operation. A business with just about no employees was the perfect place to meet up without raising attention or having witnesses. But then again, everyone knew that.

It became a matter of what someone thought the “other guy” was expecting. So who were these people, and what “other guy” were they trying to outplay?

The speeder’s nose suddenly dipping made Vance jump, the comm going tumbling up onto the dashboard as he swore under his breath. Ignoring a series of alerts blaring at him from the console, Vance yanked on the controls to level them out just as they skirted the ground. With a bed of sparks beneath them, the speeder slid down the street half a block, settling roughly off to the side.

As Vance’s focus shifted back onto the world beyond the speeder, yelling could be heard from the comm. ”The fuck was that?!”

Shooting a look at the Zabrak woman, Vance grabbed for his comm. ”We’re fine. Just step on it.” Pocketing it, he plucked his saber from his belt before jamming his door open, staring at Ylva for another second. Extending a finger, he resisted the urge to point and wave it, settling for swirling it at the front of the speeder.

”Just… be careful with this shit. You’re gonna’ get all killed if you don’t.” His best attempt at a compromise between a crash course in telekinesis and a chastisement. Vance didn’t know what the hell this drug was doing to her, but between the actual powers and the awful way it warped her presence...

He would deal with it later; a thought solidified as a number of other speeders flew overhead. Tracking them for a second, Vance rolled his shoulders, half running, half jogging toward the laundromat.

”Mauve was shopping around with this. We’ve got a few minutes before the Hutts show up here, tops. Maybe even the Suns.” If that was the case, then this laundromat was going to become the opening battlefield in the worst underworld in centuries in a few minutes at most. For fuck’s sake, Force powers in an inhaler?

Everyone would go all-in for a pot that big.

[sithlover]

Jex stood there waiting for a response. He started to get impatient. Eventually the man man responded with, “Sorry, I actually have to go.” And with that, he left. Bewildered at what had just transpired he went to sit on one of the couches before hearing a voice call for him. “Mr. Vescott? Mr. Mauve would like to see you now.” The purple Twi’lek girl from before told him.

Being led to Mr. Mauve’s office by her he thought what it would be like. Would he get a surge of force powers, stronger than normal? Or would it just make him do simple stuff? The office was quite big, and like the rest of Violet Hues the room was completely colored in shades of purple. As Mr. Mauve approached Jex noticed Mr. Mauve was almost the color of his namesake, with his fancy suit matching.

“Why hello there let’s just cut to the chase shall we?” He came up to Jex and shook his hand. “I’m Mr. Mauve and trust me you won’t be disappointed with what I have to show you.” Mr. Mauve wrapped his arm around Jex, resting his hand on Jex’s shoulder and lead him to the case holding the inhaler. Opening it he handed it to Jex. Hesitating, Jex eventually took it from him. Wondering what would happen Jex prepared himself. “Well if you’re ready go ahead.” And with that Jex pressed down on the inhaler.

[Meira]

Through her glee, Ylva had hardly registered the coded call that Thel made, but after he'd salvaged her attempt to just push the speeder to the ground, what he'd been saying into his comm started to register. Was it really that bad? Her door stuck some as she climbed out, but it was no problem to her now. She was grinning like a mad woman as she moved to the trunk of the vehicle and opened it with another easy gesture. Thel looked like he was barely able to contain a scream. She glanced up at him as she pulled a large rifle out of the trunk's hidden compartment and slung the strap over her shoulder.

”Just… be careful with this shit. You’re gonna’ get us all killed if you don’t.” he said, seeming resigned

"Shut up." Ylva replied. "You didn't die."

But she followed him as he jogged toward the laundromat, her own eyes tracking the overhead traffic as well. If there was going to be trouble from their rivals, then she'd definitely have to get her hands on the pure stuff. The damn sample was already starting to wear off again. She ground her teeth together as they moved toward the storefront of the laundromat. While the business was quite small, it was part of a much larger building. Ylva knew that behind the storefronts, there would be larger spaces with warehouses and other back of the house style operations. She knew because that was exactly how the Jolly Janitors operated. Beyond the unassuming white tile and washing machines they now barged into, would be a warren of storerooms and corridors.

Slamming through the doors, the two startled a pair of elderly Duro women who were folding what appeared to be the last of their several bundles of laundry. They jumped, knocking some of their clean clothes to the ground. Upon seeing the Zabrak pointing her blaster rifle around indiscriminately, they abandoned their loads and bolted for the door. The two were then left alone, a heavy silence falling over the room, broken only by the faint, static laden music pumped through cheap speakers.

Anyone who knows the man who lives alone...

"What?" Ylva asked, turning to look look for Thel.

Close the tree and turn it into seeds...

"The hell you talking about?" She finally caught sight of him, moving along a row of machines, one still rumbling as colorful clothing tumbled inside.

The crystal heart awaits you...

Ylva grabbed at her head, releasing her grip on the rifle and letting it hang by its strap. She'd seen that it hadn't been Thel talking to her. "Do you hear that?"

---

"Take the roof." the Hutt spat at a group of Cathar mercenaries. They'd been taken on by the clan only a month prior. It was time to see if they were worth the cost of feeding them. "You, go around back." A half dozen mercenaries of as many species nodded. "The rest of you, with me."

Slim, by Hutt standards, Gruulo slid forward, hefting his minigun with hardly any effort at all. They'd approached the laundromat at street level and spied the two Blind Eye scum rushing into the building. Mauve would be short a head when this was all over. But Gruulo had to admit that he had a pair on him to try to double deal like that.

Live as one, a thousand lives, as one, as one.

Gruulo's head felt as if it were suddenly about to burst. With a cry of pain, he lurched forward, his grip slipping on the minigun slightly. The weapon whirred as the multiple barrels began to rotate, picking up speed.

Nourish the trees, become the seeds. The crystal heart awaits you. Join your voice, forever more, to the eternal chorus. Forever more, forever more.

The gun, reaching its full speed, began to let loose a barrage of plasma bolts that ripped through the laundromat storefront. Having seen their leader fire, the other mercenaries followed suit. Even still, above it all, the voices sang.

[Fromikeable]

Anyone who knows the man who lives alone… The presence suddenly butting up against his made Vance recoil, zipping back into himself as quickly as he had come out. The presence tried its best to press further, to seep into his being, but it met fierce resistance as defenses were mounted. Struggling for a minute, Vance released a breath had hadn’t realized he’d been holding as the intruder relented. Settling for stalking just beyond the ex-Jedi’s mind, the intruder continued his speech. Vance paid his words little mind, trying his best to track the messages and assault back to their source.

”You’ve got to shut it out.” Looking at Ylva’s head-clenching hands, his tone was torn between concern and being assertive enough to cut through the telepathic rambling. ”Focus on yourself, imagine your presence li-”

The room exploded in a hail of gunfire, and it was all Vance could do to dive down behind a washing machine. The front of the store quickly began to disappear as blaster bolts and slugs of every shape and size tore at the brick and mortar, leaving mangled metal and broken glass in their wake. Silence was traded for audible torture as shots whistled, guns whined and kicked, machines broke and melted-

”Get inside!” Pointing at the laundromat’s backdoor, Vance ripped it off its hinges with a flick of his wrist, sending it flying out into the street through the gunfire. Ushering Ylva onward, Vance’s saber hissed to life as he ran down the long hallway it led to. Another door was dismissed in similar fashion, revealing the back of the building; an industrial warehouse filled to the brim with shelves, lifts, and walkways.

Within sat a dozen of the most dissimilar people Vance had seen in a while. Another old Duro woman sat at a table loading a rifle. A young Human girl was putting down a razor she had been using to scrap the labels off of inhalers. A middle-aged Trandoshan man paused in the middle of putting on a suit of armor. In the midst of them all stood a Selonian woman dressed in the bare minimum, her arms raised high into the sky.

All of them spoke in unison, the Selonian’s voice purely telepathic. ”Forever more!” As if on cue, a wave of telepathic energy came flooding out of the Selonian as she leveled a hand at the intruders, washing over every creature within a block of the laundromat. Vance focused to keep her out, pausing for a second as the rest of the warehouse dwellers picked up their guns and abandoned their seats. As they trained their weapons on two of them, it was all he could do to swear, a bead of sweat rolling down his face as he returned the Selonian’s attack with one of his own.

The Force surged again, this time much more physically. As the Selonian was set to the same defensive focus to keep from flying, the rest of her cadre went sent soaring. The shelves they hit were barreled over as the push of the Force continued, falling like dominoes in a symphony of impacting metal. The mental assault ended as the Selonian was finally overridden, not being sent flying quite as far as her peers. As if the shockwave hadn’t done enough, the sound of explosions rocked the still-rearranging room as Vance and Ylva’s radios crackled to life.

---

The gunfire raining on the front of the laundromat was turned upward as an entire convoy of speeders charged toward the block. The Exchange descended with a hail of their own gunfire, trading an equal number of destroyed speeders for collapsed roofs and crushed Hutt agents. Two major explosions rocked the street as a pair of Exchange enforcers leaned out of their speeders, firing rockets down at the Hutt vehicles parked below.

Lovelace circled her finger in the air, signaling her driver to take them around to the side of the laundromat, the front being basically demolished. Her other hand went to the radio in her ear, her voice bearing the stress of someone whose ride was being shot to hell. ”Where are you, let’s go!”

The sound of metal and gunfire could be heard on the other end of the line, a saber humming with movement. ”Buy us a minute!”

”A minute?!” Leaning out of her door as her speeder zoomed past a group of Hutt shooters, Lovelace trained her rifle on them, unloading a clip and sending them scattering. As a trio of shots whizzed through her hair, the sound of more explosions forced her to check the comm list on her wrist. Seven Exchange speeders down already.

”We’re getting the dr-” Thel’s voice was cut off by a harsh grunt. Huffing in outrage, the sound of his saber humming was followed by a bloody scream, then another set of clanking metal. ”Ylva, get the drug! Love, we need sixty seconds! Don’t park, we need to leave!” The commlink was cut, leaving little room for debate. Lovelace growled with frustration, thumbing her comm list a little harder than she needed to.

”Keep them busy, we need to draw fire from the laundromat!” As her speeder landed in front of the laundromat’s side entrance, a few more joined it, forming a semi-circle around the door. Exchange thugs streamed out of each, with the backs of some sporting mounted guns. As everyone settled into cover and kept shooting, Lovelace clambered up to one of the mounted guns, swiveling it at the nearest alley as a squad of Hutt thugs appeared.

”Go fuck yourselves!” The mounted gun offered the punctuation to her holler as it started shooting.

[Meira]

Live as one, a thousand lives, as one, as one.

She was dizzy. The voice, the words kept repeating.

Forever more, forever more.

Through it, she could hear Thel, but it was like he was behind a thick wall. She looked up at him. The pressure she'd felt in her skull moments before was subsiding. The dizziness was fading. but the voice... the song was rising. It moved in rhythm with her heartbeat. She could feel it moving through her like her own blood.

The glass storefront of the laundromat exploded in a rain of crystal-like shards that caught and reflected the neon lights from outside and the plasma bolts that now darted around them. Ylva fell to the ground behind a line of washing machines as bits of metal and cloth were thrown through the air like gruesome confetti. Thel was shouting again, but now she heard only ringing. Even the voice had been drowned out. A nearby washing machine erupted into a geyser of water as some main line was struck. But Thel was at her side and together they rushed toward a back door, the fountain of water obscuring the line of sight of whoever had just attacked. Thel led the way as they ran, full tilt, down the back hall until they burst through another door.

"Forever more!"

Ylva fell to one knee, her eyes wide and her mouth falling open as the song coursed through her once again. Now, it was not one voice, but many in unison. In front of her, she saw several beings turned toward her and Thel, some raising weapons. She did the same, dumbly lifting her rifle with one hand. But she'd barely got it pointing toward these beings before they went flying back. Once again, their voices left Ylva's presence. But this time, it felt more like they were ripped out of her rather than simply blocked. She gasped, her hand hitting the floor to keep from falling flat on her face. Blaster fire broke out again and Ylva stumbled toward a container large enough to conceal herself. Forcing herself to take several deep breaths, Ylva gritted her teeth and readied her blaster.

With a growl of rage, Ylva sprang from her cover, turning toward the group and quickly singling out the Trandoshan. Seeing her charging, he hissed and leveled his own blaster toward her. The two opened fire as they dodged sideways, each missing before diving behind new cover. Not far away, Ylva could hear Thel shouting into his comms. The cavalry was here. It was time to get out.

”Ylva, get the drug!

Jumping up again, Ylva found the Trandoshan baring down on her. With no time to raise her own rifle, she sprang forward, tackling him into a large shelf before rolling away. The shelf wobbled for a moment as the Trandoshan shook his head, dazed. Then the shelf fell over him and Ylva sprinted away before he could claw himself free of it. Her eyes darted frantically, searching for what could be the source of the drug. What she found was several cases of small, strange purple crystals along with small bags of some kind of white powder. Grabbing a bag, she shoved it into one of the cases with a crystal and clamped it shut. Turning, she ran to follow after Thel toward what looked like a loading dock that opened to the side of the building. Outside, several speeders hovered in a semicircle around the dock entrance. Ylva recognized them as Exchange and pushed to run faster toward them.

Suddenly, something caught Ylva's foot and she almost fell to the ground. Grabbing a nearby crate for support, Ylva managed to stay upright as she turned to see the Selonian gripping at her ankle and baring her teeth in what could only be described as a wicked grin. The speeders were so close, but she wouldn't make it with this glorified rat on her leg. Ylva threw the case as hard as she could toward Thel and the speeders, then turned her attention to ridding herself of the Selonian. She reached back, thumbs poised to push into her eye sockets, but the Selonian snaked away, moving on all fours like some strange furred serpent around her. Growling, Ylva lashed out, her fists swinging toward whatever she could see of the beings blurred movements. Then she was on Ylva's back, legs and tail gripping tight around her torso as her arms came around Ylva's neck and mouth. Ylva tried to grab at her, throw her, but something was pressed to her face.

"Breeeeaaaaathe" she felt the word more than she heard it.

Her mouth and nose covered, Ylva had little choice. Again, the sudden rush of sensation, of awareness, flooded through her. But this time, It came accompanied by countless voices singing out in one, unified, glorious note. Ylva pushed her arms outward, and this time the Selonian jumped away, releasing her. Panting, Ylva turned toward the Selonian and sent her flying with one great sweep of her arm. She then turned and stomped toward the dock entrance. From her nose, a thin line of blood trickled, but she either ignored it or was unaware. Not even trying to take cover, Ylva waded out into the thick of the gunfight. She lashed her arms, sweeping them in great arcs. And wherever she did, Hutt mercenaries and speeders were sent flying backwards. She screamed and pushed her arms out forward and a whole transport crashed end over end down the street.

Someone grabbed at her arm and Ylva rounded on them, thrusting her palm into their chest. Bones splintered and blood splattered from the Cathar's mouth onto Ylva's face and neck. She dropped him and turned toward one of the transports, jumping into the back as it made to lift off from the ground. She collapsed to the floor, panting. As the speeders lifted away, she turned her head toward the window and looked back down at where the Selonian and one or two of the others stood at the dock entrance. She could still hear their song, triumphant in her mind.

The crystal heart awaits you...

[Fromikeable]

The fighting was intense. No matter how he injured the drug dealers, no matter how many shelves they found themselves buried under, the mishmashed crew seemed to fight without the slightest hesitation, all eyes locked on either him or Ylva. There was an eeriness of their gaze as they trained their guns and swung their fists. Even when both were met by Vance’s saber, cutting through flesh and returning bolts to their senders, the gazes persisted.

Vance didn’t see even one of them blink.

Seeing Ylva handle a case, Vance finally abandoned his defense and began to run toward the loading dock, opening it with another flick of the wrist. The world outside was hell; a makeshift circle of fortified speeders shooting in every direction at closing Hutt thugs, additional speeders from both sides zipping overhead. Looking back to Ylva to wave her on, he was too late to point at the Selonian about to jump her, his would-be warning cut off as the Zabrak woman threw the case haphazardly.

Catching it with an outstretched finger and the aid of the Force, Vance immediately zipped it toward Lovelace’s speeder, where it crashed into the back seat. Before he could turn to try to stop that awful twisting in the Force that was emanating out of Ylva, he found himself looking skyward, forced to save himself from a flurry of blaster bolts. Even as they let up, a shot rocket continued to force his attention, abandoning Ylva’s fight in favor of sending the rocket spiraling off into an alley with a push of the Force.

”C’mon, c’mon!” Lovelace was screaming back at them from her mounted gun, the Exchange thugs already beginning to reboard their vehicles. ”Move your ass on the speeder NOW!” Giving her no argument, Vance dove in after Ylva. They were joined by Lovelace, who barked harsh orders over her comm. Immediately, the semicircle of speeders lifted off, but no before one of them was smashed by a new rocket, falling to the ground in a burning heap.

As the engines spun up and their retreat began to succeed, Vance could only take one final survey of their battlefield. The entire city block was like something out of a disaster movie, the laundromat basically reduced to rubble and warehouse behind it looking beaten. Ylva’s rampage was apparent as one of the apartments across the street that the Hutts had been positioned on looked like it would crumble any second, listing heavily and leaning on its neighbor. The remaining drug dealers, the Selonian standing before them all, stood outside the loading bay with clasped hands and relaxed poses. The last thing visible before the speeder’s engines hit full tilt was the swarm of Hutt thugs surrounding the dealers, one of the lieutenants approaching the Selonian.

She held out an inhaler to him, and Vance could swear he saw a smile on her face.

”They’re fucked now.” Catching her breath, Lovelace motioned at the case awkwardly propped on the seat. Grabbing it, Vance set it securely before tying it up with one of the seat belts. ”Was this really worth all of that?”

Vance shook his head. Looking to Ylva panting on the floor, he couldn’t help but knit his brows, his concern being overtaken with condemnation. Resolving to put the biggest locks he could find on the case, he looked back to Lovelace.

”Nothing’s worth what’s in that box.”

Ylva and Jex have been exposed to [REDACTED]. More to come on what that means in the announcements for Movement II!