The One and Only
S C O U N D R E L
Royal Flush Casino
Starshine District Fondor
By all accounts, Kiff Brayde -- scoundrel, cheat, naval extraordinaire -- should have been enjoying his early retirement on some resort world far from the center of anything in the galaxy. After all, more or less, he had earned it. He had spent the larger part of his lif training, fighting, and winning, all in the name of the Confederacy. But over Rhand. . . blood had been shed. Good men and women had given their lives in the name of incompetent commanders, messy execution, and a war that was pointless in the first place. Kiff's resignation from the Ministry had been part protest, part his attempt to take responsibility for his failures.
And what better way to numb his emotions than a rousing game of Sabacc?
The House was good tonight; as it should be, since technically Kiff owned a controlling share at the Royal Flush Casino. A fine establishment in the financial capital of the Confederacy, Fondor's premier gambling house was full of the Galaxy's elite in their finest suits, all hoping to make fortunes, most simply squandering them away. It was good business to have high-profile guests, and Kiff. . . well, even though he was now unemployed in the bluntest of terms, his reputation and skill with cards more than preceded him. Enough to draw a crowd.
Hundreds watched on tiered seating as a Klatoonian threw up his cards in rage, storming off from the table now-unoccupied except for Kiff, a trail of curses following him. Kiff simply smiled devishly as he collected his winnings, to the approval of the crowd. They had come for a show, and so far, Kiff's antics had delivered. If one thing could be sure, profits would be up tonight.
All he had to do was keep it coming.