A Step into the Underground

[Jacob Crawford]

Location: Outer Rim - Tatooine ​

Mos Espa​

​

I hate sand.

That was the first and most prominent thought that had pervaded Jacob's mind since he had arrived on Tatooine. He was fairly certain he had visited the planet in the past, somewhere in the midst of his lost memories. But if there was one thing that remained the same was his dislike for all the sand. It got everywhere, no matter what you did to cover up. Everywhere.

Jacob's little gander around the galaxy had brought him to the desert planet chasing yet another lead on his old lightsaber, which after the events on Nal Hutta, revealed it was now in the hands of his former master, Allyia Zarn. Jacob had tried searching for her, days after he had first remembered her even. But of course the Galactic Republic had fallen and the Alliance arose in the middle of his disappearance from the galaxy. So the last thing that was documented on Allyia was her apparent search for him; which was obviously fruitless in the end. It did make him wonder about her though, as it was clear the Jedi had not just moved Orders when the powerbases had shifted. Instead she had seemingly stepped from her pedestal and faded into the background.

That was until very recently.

He had been close, so very close to taking care of two chains at once. His former lightsaber and master. But no, someone had to decide they wanted to play a game with him. Pull him around like a hound on a leash. Jacob already wanted to find them, lock them down and tear into their mind. Lord knows what was actually going to happen when the wild goose chase finally ended; if it ever did.

Chameleon

That's their name. He, she, it, they; whoever it was that was playing games with him. It was clearly an alias, but what was more important was the fact they had been there from the start; Dxun. They had been the ones to get [member="Irajah Ven"] to the planet. Had delivered information while he was still within said Doctor's care. And then revealed the whereabouts of his lightsaber after an oh so convenient amount of time that allowed Allyia to swoop in and get it before he could even show up.

Chameleon was watching him; somehow. It infuriated Jacob that he couldn't figure out how. Though for now he'd play the part of the headless chicken, he'd followed the leads to see what the person would give him. For even as much as he hated them; their information had always been legit so far, always bringing him to the next piece of cobblestone on his path. The latest of which had pointed him to Tatooine, where for whatever reason his old Master had made a stop at.

At some point Chameleon will slip up, or maybe he'll discover whatever avenue they were using to track him.

For right now though?

He really hated all the sand.

Jacob grumbled as he unfurled the scarf he had wrapped around his head and mouth, leaving it to rest over his torso like a shrawl. His goggles; which were mostly covered with grime and sand, were pried from his face and pulled down until they were around his neck. He had finally arrived back in Mos Espa, after having initially left to go find the supposed cave Allyia had stayed in. However Jacob had ran into a hitch. The cave was within some Hutt's territory, whom seemed to apparently care for defending it as Jacob had been intercepted by a group of men. All in all he was refused entry unless he had their boss' permission. So here he was, back in Mos Espa, having had to go through a freaking sandstorm on the way back.

However, before he had even landed on Tatooine, Jacob had used what knowledge he had of the criminal underground to put some feelers out. He did not have the greatest of knowledge of when it came to Hutts and what surrounded them. But he knew enough that he'd be remiss if he didn't take the precaution of hiring someone to assist him, ensure he didn't get screwed over in the process. Jacob didn't want a repeat of Nar Shaddaa again.

So he had put out a veiled message, something if one had gone looking would easily find. It was an offer for a temporarily job, something that would pay well enough if their service was proved satisfactory. And as such, as Jacob hopped off his speeder, his datapad pinged. Someone had accepted it, leaving a simple message to meet at a cantina within the city.

"Why is it always a cantina with these people?"

Jacob had muttered it to himself, but nonetheless he pushed on into the city, heading to the designated establishment.

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

It had been times passing, his name was no longer the most celebrated in every cantina this side of Tatooine and the next, he was but that of a humble legend, the man who drunk the Cartel Dry and who on Tatooine ever would put stock in legend, they were all trying their best to be the next one. Aye, it was the hopeful youth who travelled to Tatooine, most call it the centre of crime, a hub of scum and villainy. It is where those who wish to become the next great villain of a tale come to rest, call it home and mingle with every wench that passed through and dine with every Hutt. But the true heart of Tatooine, was the Cantina's, it was considered a nigh impossible task to visit everyone but by Abeloth Thraxis achieved it, though as time passed more had popped up and the ones he had once graced with his presence had long since become a part of the scattering winds of Tatooine.

The sound of Jizz pumped every corner of the Cantina, dozens of empty flasks littered his space, a single Gammorean knocked over drool pooling from his mouth. Across form, he sat a dark foreboding image, the smell of alcohol perforated the air like citrus would from an orange. It was a dank hole that he had scrounged out for himself, though a quiet one as he kicked his legs back, an arm hanging loosely with another flask of ale. His face was bare to see, a single eye darting about, watching, waiting for the employer to arrive.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]

 

[Jacob Crawford]

Amongst the planets Jacob had been to since his return to the galaxy, Tatooine was the most bearable to date. At least so in terms of ones where he had to deal with the criminal side of things. Sure he had taken to Maena like a fish does with water, but he had also been on Nar Shaddaa and Nal Hutta. The first of those, Jacob could only really describe it in one word; filthy. Around every corner there had been some degree of criminal activity going on. And every street was littered with a variety of lowlife; homeless, drunks, addicts, gamblers, thieves, murderers and so on.

It was remarkable he had managed to survive the first eleven years of his life on such a planet.

Nal Hutta had been somewhat more of a better time. The first thing being that it wasn't just one big cityscape, but the planet was still effectively a giant swamp. Even in cities like Bilbousa, Jacob still felt how damp and humid the place was. That and much like Nar Shaddaa his endeavours there hadn't gone entirely as he wanted. So despite all the sand and the heat, his time on Tatooine had been enjoyable. So far anyway.

Jacob was dressed in typical Tatooine attire, something that would make sense for someone traversing the planet's landscape. Beneath his shrawl/poncho was a combination of a long sleeved shirt and vest, sweat visible in several spots from the shear heat. His legs were covered by a trousers, simple in design and slightly tattered. The pant legs were tucked into a pair of thick boots. Lastly along his belt rested a blaster and a pair of daggers. He easily blended in with everyone around him, going about their business within Mos Espa. He moved and weaved amongst the crowds as he finally reached the cantina indicated in the message. The moment the door slid open, Jacob was bombarded with the music and the various smells that seemed to waft from within.

He wrinkled his nose in disgust, before stepping in and letting the door close behind him. Jacob began to walk at a casual pace, reaching out subtlety with the Force searching for his mark. He listened to it, drawing in the emotions and intents of the people around him. His eyes visibly shifting around the establishment as he looked. Eventually though they drifted over to a dingy, darkly lit corner. Jacob saw the occupant's single visible eye snap to his, and he immediately picked up the person's intent. They were the one who answered his message.

With a cautious pace in his walk, Jacob approached the table, his nose again wrinkling in disgust as the smell of alcohol filled his nose. As he got close, he looked at the knocked out Gammorean. He opted to not sit down right now, instead he raised an eyebrow at the only other conscious person before him.

"Friend of yours?"

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

The strobe light flickered its eery light, back and fourth with a pendulous swing as the darkness of the corner slowly crept through the cracks that perverted its way with tiny cuts through the rickety structure of wood. Drink pulled to lips as a single turn of the head, you could always tell a foreigner to these parts, a poncho was what a newbie wore in the lands of unfettered crime, it done its job well enough, the brisks of wind and sand kept at bay in the snug little robe, but in these lands was it better to be comfortable, or to be unnoticed. This was the first question any man who wandered the streets of Tatooine had to ask himself, and the best answer was the latter.

As he watched the man approach he took the Gammoreans drink, the liquid swill sloshing in the cup before the only remnants of ti ever existing was the sound of slurping, that and amber droplets that fell to the ground, splattering and becoming the glue that kept the establishment up and running. Thraxis turned to his drink, swishing it back and forth a little, small grains of grime littered the drink, but the amber was what he needed and with another final drink he turned to Jacob, his fingers intertwined as his dark form came to light.

Scars scratched and crisscrossed his skin, some deep, some light and others wholly unnatural to warfare. His pupils had long since been consumed by darkness, the only sign of life being the slight trim of white around his the pupils. He looked the man up and down, his elbows playing a balancing act on his legs as he let silence fill the air for a few seconds, the sound of Jizz dampening the atmosphere. His tongue loosened his lips, sliding back and forth along his lips before he responded. "No Actually, Family. I trust you are the one who needs a guide? If not... Then mayhaps you know the legends?" It was a double-edged sword, maybe he recognised him, a bygone relic of the past forgotten by the passing of time. No Jedi knew him, No Sith cared to learn and the few who did know knew well enough to leave alone, leading to a rather forgetful and lonely life, something he cared little to change.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]

 

[Jacob Crawford]

He disliked cantinas, at least to a certain degree. The smells, the noise, the potential to just be pestered by some drunk idiot. Although his experience on Nal Hutta had proven the fact that not all such establishments were the same, much like how the criminal underworld seemed to have its individual quirks depending on which planet you were on. This one; in Mos Espa at least, seemed to prefer the putrid mix of alcohol and smoke, booming music and a preference for dim lighting.

Indeed, the less time Jacob spent in this place the better.

As such he made no motion to join Thraxis at the table, instead he opted to just stand. He frowned slightly as he noticed the man's look, the one he was concealing behind the motion of drink. He felt for whatever reason, that he was being judged for something. Jacob bit back the retort that was quick to rise to his lips, his tendancy to be rather confrontational with Thraxis' type wasn't going to do much good here. Especially towards someone whose who was intended to help him.

Instead Jacob quietly reached out with the Force, there was no outward indication; no movement of the hand or shift in his expression as he did so. But as it reached Thraxis he found nothing, the Zelton before him was not sensitive to the Force. It did cross Jacob's mind at that point, that he must have stuck out like a sore thumb, even without a lightsaber at his hip it was probably clear what he was.

Jacob said nothing to the first bit of Thraxis' sentence, rather he gave the man a curious look. "Yes, I suppose you could say I need a guide for getting around these parts." There was a slight lilt to the way Jacob spoke; the words were spoken, but the truth was hidden behind them. "And frankly I don't know what legends you refer too. Hell I don't even know your name."

Then again, he hadn't introduced himself either. The message he had put out had not included his name, and as such the response Thraxis had given didn't either. It occured to Jacob that this could have very well been a trap, could still be at this point. Either way, he had blinded walked into here.

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

His hands furled through a bag that hung from the side of the table, one not too commonly seen no matter where you came from. It's straps wrapped around the corner of the table as the sound of armaments rumbled throughout before a small leather satchel was dropped to the table. With a futile effort, he drank the zero droplets that remained in the glass before dropping it to the table, shaking and rattling back and forth before coming to a standstill. "Don't worry. No one remembers legends no more. Everyone just wants to be one." he stated nonchalantly, a half-assed smile given as he pushed himself back, followed by dropping a foot onto the table, the bag of credits rattling and spilling out as he took in a deep breath. "Well then, let's walk and talk." He stated, monotoned completely, he had spent a lot of time building a reputation of Tatooine, but a few months away and you are written off as nothing more than a fairytale.

With a breath inhaled he pressed his foot length ways on the table, picking himself up in a rather jagged motion as he pulled himself up, standing atop the table before bending down, wrapping the duffel bag over a shoulder before stepping off the table, a select few glances, only to be met with apathetic care. "Ya job said ya needed a guide. What is ya looking for then? Women? Gambling? Pit Fights? Dog Fights? Slaves?" the basics ran down, and all of them to be found in ample supplies through Tatooine provided one knew where to look.

He decided to take charge, walking out of the Cantina just as the Gammorean was regaining Consciousness if he was to play guide than he would trust the man could follow, if he couldn't do that then the job would be over rather quickly. The light of Tatooine's two suns blinded Thraxis as he became acclimated to the light, he had spent the last night busy getting drunk, and the night before that coping with a hangover. His foot kicked up a smattering of dust, quickly to be caught in the wind as he looked back and fourth, a problem with such tight architecture was the wind tunnels were always rather annoying. He wouldn't be surprised if one day a Sandstorm rolled up and buried an entire street, to be forgotten about like all the rest.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]

 

[Jacob Crawford]

"Oh I don't know..." Jacob began, watching the man with a curious look. His eyes were immediately drawn to the bag the moment Thraxis had began scavenging through it. He noted it seemd remarkably unique, but said nothing on it. "If you want to be remembered, it's more about the scale of the legend, planetary or galactic?" Though the way the man spoke about it; keeping it drowned in monotone, gave a clear impression to Jacob that he was speaking from experience. Someone who had lost whatever had given him motivation, and was now just drowning himself in alcohol.

All it did was remind Jacob of his father, and he despised the thought the now dead man was even being brought up.

Though when Thraxis began to stumble his way up onto the table, it certainly erased the thoughts that were stirring. Instead being replaced with wonder, just pure wonder and what the man before him was doing. It certainly showed on Jacob's face as he watched, not making any motion to help the man if he were to fall. He even took a step back to avoid if it did happen. When Thraxis had successfully landed on the floor, Jacob could feel the apathy coming from several directions. He didn't answer Thraxis' question immediately, instead he followed behind the man and waited until they were outside.

Even only having been in there for minutes, Jacob had to blink a couple times as his eyes adjusted to the light again. He peered over at Thraxis state, and realised the man must've spent hours in there if that had been his reaction.

"I need none of them. What I need is someone to help me in negotiating with some Hutt that's currently residing here."

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

It was easy to see how he could think such. It was likely he wasn't at one point a legend. Thraxis name use to ring through the Cartel like a dark omen, but now he was nothing more than a story figure. From the hay day of the Cartel pushed aside for other up and comers, something the Cartel would never have again. "You say Legends are remembered? Abeloth. Do you know the name." a single desperate flare of joy rolled from him as he spoke the name. No one remembered the few who did laugh at it as if it was nothing more than a fairy tale. But Thraxis knew better. He had done the maths. In less than two centuries it will rise again, and the universe will finally fall.

With a few steps taken he turned to the Man, looking him up and down, he didn't seem the sort of man that would need to talk to a Hutt, but hell if that's what he wanted he at the very least got the right man. "Right... A Hutt." He stated as he turned around, taking a few steps as the wind kicked up through the street, a cloud of dust rolling in as he started to roll through who it could be, "So... Which Hutt are ya looking for?" He continued, his hand rolling the air as if to signal get the ball rolling. It was Tatooine, the number of Hutt's on it rivalled the number of Moisture Farmers in its desert. "Who we lookin' at? Piwnod the Smuggler? Klodalb the Lustful?" those two tended to be big names, for now, their empires had come to their Zenith and were soon to come crashing to the ground once another Hutt got his foot in the doorway.

"Or are we looking at the up and comers? Movurivsk the Zealous, Dripposs the Kind maybe Yeldum the Broker?" this was just a short list he could think of who were coming up the ranks faster than most, maybe they would be lucky and expand their empire a few planets across, or come to blows with one another and crumble into ruin as one. "Oh, don't be Glirdrak the Beastial? That one is just a weirdo." he said reluctantly, he didn't want to have another meeting with him, he always insisted his pets are involved in some way or another and the fact the Hutt couldn't smell only meant his room always stunk of rotting death and off milk. By now the dust storm had settled, its roaring winds disappearing further down as Thraxis turned, halting his advance as his fingers gave off an impatient rattling, running up and down his arm in a melodious tune.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]

 

[Jacob Crawford]

Jacob just gave a small shrug, no he didn't recognise the name. But then he was also asking the wrong person to remember things in general, as had still had roughly a decade of memories he couldn't recall. He did make not though, of how Thraxis spoke the name. Whomever they were, it seemed to hold some interest in the Zeltron that he was following. Although as he walked with Thraxis his attention was lat their surroundings, something was irking Jacob; ticking away at the back of his mind. He was beginning to recognize what they were walking by, not specifically Mos Espa but the architecture itself. The shape of the buildings, and their bland color palette that just blended in with the desert terrain. He saw flashes of another city; bigger than this one, then of some ruins; a flash of blue and the cries of tusken raiders. Finally he saw a cave, a campfire burning in the centre; two figures sitting by it, one male; the other female.

He had been on Tatooine before, back when he had still been a Jedi. His master had brought him here, but the question was why?

Jacob bit back a groan as he felt the lost memory come back to him, his attention wandering and almost walked right into Thraxis having not realised the man had stopped. Instead he halted just short of doing so, and made a quick step back as he saw Thraxis sizing him up again, for whatever reason. He quirked an eyebrow and crossed his arms against his chest as he listened to the man list of a number of Hutts. Right, he had forgotten their kind tended to like adding a tag to their name; or even just 'the Hutt'.

"The first one, Piwnod the Smuggler." The name did ring a bell, as the guards that had intercepted him had spoken that name numerous times. "I need to get somewhere that's located within his territory it seems, I encountered some of his men that stopped me from passing without the Hutt's permission." It wasn't exactly like Jacob couldn't have just taken out the men and gone on his way, but he was making an effort to not just make a mess of things as he went about the galaxy. And dispatching some Hutt's men, and just barging his way through didn't seem like a quiet way of doing things.

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

"Good choice, being such a big name his little empire is long winded and stretched. Lucky for you, I have my ways in there." Thraxis responded, walking over to a wall taking in a deep breath as he pulled out a bottle of amber liquid, pouring it into his mouth and swishing it for a time. With a heavy gulp, he started to bang on the wall, an ill-dressed group of vagabonds rushing out, worry in their eye, traces of spice lining their lip. They aged from a few years old to reaching the end of their span. With their wilted forms exposed to the light, Thraxis bent down, pulling out a small bag of spice and waving it in the air, their eyes widening as they moved closer, their fingers outstretched as they prepared to claw their way to heaven. "Tsk tsk. I ain't just giving you a bag of Ryll. You have to earn it." he stated, kicking down a small neglected child as he crawled to get his fix. The kid rolling through the dirt with hungry eyes, his ears perked up at the offer.

"First one to get me an audience with Pwnod the Smuggler wins." Hesitation ran through their minds cowering at the name, it seemed they may very well have already been in his territory. "Well, if you lot won't take. There are others that will," he said as he lowered down, preparing to put the drugs back before the drug addicts scattered, their voices carrying a tone of urgency. "There we go. Now, all we need to do is wait." Thraxis stated with a jovial tune, walking over to a set of seat, legs crossed as he patted down. "Give it a few hours. We should have an escort by then." he continued in a relaxed tone, the cries echoing further and further in the distance.

With time to kill Thraxis decided to see if he could squeeze anything out of the employer, he doubted it, what with his dress being one that hid secrets, but it was worth a try. "so, quick little question. Why are you looking for a Hutt? Criminal Empire, need a loan?" He said nonchalantly, rolling his shoulders a bit as he fell a little deeper into the uncomfortable wooden seats. "Or are you one of them who are on some long journey to save the princess?" he continued, chuckling, it wasn't ever far from the truth, most people had some noble goal to push themselves along, or at least a goal to drive them at the very least.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]

 

[Jacob Crawford]

Anger. That was all Jacob was feeling as he watched the scene unfold before him, though rather than leaking out into a dark. oppressive aura it seemed to fold within itself in conflict.

At first he had watched with mild interest in what Thraxis was doing, but when he had knocked on the wall and within moments; just as a portion of it slid open, Jacob knew what was going to appear. His eyes immediately gazed across the group that almost spilled out in a fit of desperation. And he could literally smell the remnants of spice before he saw it on their lips. He looked down upon them in disgust, but there was a pang of sympathy as his gaze fell on the few children that were present. He had almost been in a similiar situation, if he had never left Nar Shaddaa he could easily see himself having fallen down the same slippery slope over the years. But he didn't, and the anger overruled that moment and he had the sudden desire to find the parents; perhaps they were amongst the group now. Or maybe they were dead, either way Jacob wanted to knock some sense into them.

Speaking of which, he almost wanted to clobber Thraxis the second he kicked down one of the children. An impulse reaction as he saw a flash of memory of his own father doing the same thing. But he refrained, instead just curling his hands into fists briefly and took a deep breath. The action went unnoticed as while Jacob was beside Thraxis, he was also a few steps behind as well. That and by the time he looked at Jacob again, he had returned to crossing his arms against his chest. Rather than let the anger loose, he kept it chained within him; let is simmer like an inferno instead.

It wouldn't do any good if he attacked the man who was going to be helping him.

Jacob just nodded at Thraxis when the man informed him that it would take a few hours. There was still a dark look in Jacob's eyes as he followed Thraxis over and took a seat beside the man. Eventually though Jacob's darkened mood dispersed, and he let out an amused chuckle.

"Hah, no nothing chivalrous like that. I need to get to a certain place that is apparently within Piwnod's territory."

Thinking on it, it did occur to Jacob that the Hutt likely had a sizable locations in the outskirts of Tatooine were he hid his smuggled goods.

[member="Thraxis"]

"

 

[Thraxis]

It seemed Thraxis had done something to rile the man, darkness floated in the recesses of his eyes. Thraxis went through his mind, trying to figure out what must have caused such vitriol to stir, only to come up empty. Strange, maybe the man was just prone to anger or had a problem with Spice, Thraxis could relate, he never touched the stuff all the blurring and hallucinations proved more to be a nuisance than it did a beneficial factor in a fight. His fingers snapped, a metallic ringing reverberating as he turned, "Oh good, here I was thinking I was dealing with an idealist." He chuckled, digging into his bag to pull out a drink of liquor, cracking the cork as something more akin to a corpse than alcohol spewed forth, perverting the air with its very scent. A few drawn out minutes passed as he finished his drink before continuing, "Because, let's be real. An Idealist doesn't survive on Tatooine." he let loose a jovial chuckle as the sound of metallic boots crunched sand in its wake, off in the distance but the sound carried by the winds of Tatooine. "Well, that sounds like our Escort." It might not have been best to have an escort escort the escorter, but hell if Jacob wanted to get to this pace than it was his job to keep him safe rather than go on a goose chase.

Slowly he rose from his seat, a familiar sight if ever there was one, a Gammorean, short for them but porkier than most. It wasn't his fault, Thraxis looked him up and down, his legs had been cut at the waist and in return, a spindly metallic body frame took its stead eight long drawn out legs, likely some sort of sick experiment on Piwnod's part as the Gammorean waved the Axe around. The Gammoreans brow raised as it spoke a word, "Thraxis? Sempra's enforcer?" The Gammorean stated, his head cocked down in a mocking tone of a bow, though not through any fault of his own.

"Now now, raise the head." he stated, tossing a bag of Ryll to the ground, another child, far worse than the one from before, the skin had sagged, the lips cracked and the skin peeled every here or there, a chilling sight if one wasn't use to horror. The Child pounced, tossing it up and down like a cat with yarn before rushing into the aforementioned building. There gonna be dead by nights end. Thraxis thought to himself with a shrug turning to Jacob, "Please, tell him where we need to go. Yah never told me." he stated, the man was playing a game of hide the secrets in the box. Though he couldn't keep them there any longer.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]

 

[Jacob Crawford]

"An idealist in general wouldn't survive in the Criminal Underground, be it Tatooine, Nar Shaddaa and so on." As a child; even if he hadn't understood at the time, he saw all manner of people just fall down into a spiraling pit and were never able to climb back out of it. Gambling, alcohol, drugs, debt. A person would inenvitably find themselves adopting one of those vices and gradually wind up in the proverbial quicksand. Even if the person were able to come to their senses it would either be too late or they just couldn't push themselves out of it and ultimately just dug a deeper hole. Even the strongest man in the galaxy wouldn't be able to save himself. Vice after vice, they would continue to pile up until it killed the person.

Jacob wrinkled his nose again as the scent of Thraxis' drink reached him. He liked a bit of alcohol here and there, but whatever the man beside him was drinking was something else entirely. It did make him wonder just what Thraxis' constitution was if he could stomach that stuff and not just be on his arse soon after. Or maybe Jacob had just got the man on a good day, whatever that was classed as for the Zeltron. He heard the approaching man before he saw him. The sound of several metal legs stabbing into sand as they scurried their way closer and closer to them. As Thraxis rose from the seat, Jacob followed and he watched with odd fascination at the sight before him.

His head was tilted to the side slightly, staring unwavering at the half Gammorean, half machine. He had heard that Maena had its fair share of twisted experiments of which he had yet to personally see. But it did wonder if this was an example of what was deep within the depths of planet, or did just pale in comparison. Either way, Jacob was unsure and he quickly returned his attention to the conversation at hand. His interest was peeked when the Gammorean seemed to recognise Thraxis. I wonder who this Sempra person is? That and the fact the hybrid bowed his head to the Zeltron. Jacob almost didn't see the child as it practically crawled up, and it was only when it had started thrashing around like an animal that he finally looked down. He didn't flinch, just sent a look of disdain as the child dashed off back into the building. Jacob shared a similiar thought to Thraxis. They'll be overdosed by the time the sun rises.

With the conversation finally turning to Jacob, he looked over at the Gammorean. "There's a cave located some miles away, rests roughly in the far outskirts of Mos Espa. Which coincidently resides within Piwnod's territory apparently. I want an audience with the Hutt so I can gain access to it."

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

The metallic contraption tapped its feet along the ground, the Gammoreans fingers doing the same as he looked at the companion of Thraxis, his spindly legs drawing him closer before walking around the man a few times, sizing him up before coming to a halt. "Right... Out of my jurisdiction..." The Gammorean whined, looking over to Thraxis before deciding what was better, to displease Piwnod, or displease Thraxis. The latter was far from fun, a displeased Piwnod meant death, a displeased Thraxis meant torture and if lucky death. "But... I suppose Thraxis sorta out rules Piwnod on this one. Let's go." the Gammorean muttered, his arms folded at his waist as other drug addicts started to swarm and fold their eyes drawn with intense passion.

Thraxis raised a digit, pointing towards their little den of drugery and bliss. "Sorry. Little Tike came first," he stated, a jovial chuckle running through as they started to molt, their semblance of humanity whisked away as rage took over, starting to dart and rush the building, there were two ways this would go, they would accept defeat and go use whatever half-assed drug they could conjure up. Or a bloodbath where the last to grab the drugs is the real winner. It didn't take too long, it sounded like a family bickering, yelling, pulling hair, murdering, the usual in a family household.

Without a care to be given to the poor child who had signed her death warrant, Thraxis followed along, dropping the empty flask of alcohol into his Bag before turning to Jacob. "Hey, so quick question. You have a weapon right?" he inquired, if things went awry and the Hutt got angry, who knows what the Smuggler might do. Smuggling stuff onto the sun wasn't a hard practice, just one that wasn't often implemented.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]

 

[Jacob Crawford]

He said nothing nor did much of anything as the Gammorean circled around him, sizing him up. Jacob simply stood there with his arms crossed against his chest, his eyes following the man's as he moved. Internally though, Jacob was coiled like a snake, ready to strike or just in general move if the abomination before him did anything. Though as the man began to speak and mutter, Jacob could see and feel the debate the Gammorean was going through. There was the contemplation in his eyes, the debate he was going through that was gradually welling up a degree of fear in the man's mind. When he did make his decision and began trotting away, Jacob looked to Thraxis and raised an eyebrow. Silently asking what it was about him, that would cause a Hutt's own subordinate to risk gaining the ire of his boss.

When the crazed addicts suddenly came crawling back, Jacob immediately moved aside before they could circle around both him and Thraxis. Externally Jacob revealed nothing but disdain, but internally he felt uneasy having such animals surround him. They were an untameable element, which could potentially lash out at any moment or Jacob himself would probably end up doing so which would probably just send the group into a violent frenzy. And he really didn't want to deal with that mess.

But it seemed the group were a hivemind of a single thought, as they began rushing like beasts back into the building where the child had gone. Jacob just sighed and shook his head as the sounds of fighting broke out from within. There was no amusement in his eyes in comparison to Thraxis, just dissappointment.

As Jacob followed Thraxis, he shifted the longer portion of his poncho aside to reveal the contents of his belt; his blaster and pair of daggers. "Yes, I have the means to fight, should it turn ugly."

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

Thraxis turned to see a blaster and Dagger revealed neath the Pancho, it was a good start, a bit basic but he didn't want to go into a Hutts Doman with Rockets and Nukes. "Perfect. Nice and Simple." he stated as they trailed behind the Gammorean, coming to the outskirts sooner than he would have thought before looking at the strange dunes next to him. It all clicked in his mind, this was just a blown over section, the winds and sand claiming part of the city for its own ever expansive desert. It was a humbling sight, but one that wouldn't last long he assumed.

They trailed behind for a good hour, slowly the strange dunes disappearing with gradual ease as they came back to civilisation, people crowding streets as neon lights were left empty and devoid. The barren suns of Tatooine scorching the sand with a blaring light as an inconspicuous building sat in front of them. It was far from being an impressive sight, it was simply a run of the mill door, the only strange sight was the windows, walled up with bars of iron to keep out intruders.

A single knock on the door popped open a flap, a single small Kowakian monkey lizard peering through as a series of chains and bolts were unlocked. Slowly the Gammorean waved them through, to see a worrying sight for any in Piwnod's service. Stacks of Supplies, armaments and food stacked up on stacks of more supplies, armaments and food. Thraxis quickly turned, he knew what he was looking at, the Zenith crumbling, the basis of an empire falling to the ground, a single digit pointed straight at Jacob's chin as wide eyes made sure to tell the situation, "Do not ask. About the Supplies." he stated, bringing up to a Hutt the fact they were failing was a good way to get on the bad side of one and Thraxis was not in the mood to fight his way out of hells gates.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]

 

[Jacob Crawford]

Jacob gave a simple nod to Thraxis words. They were also expendable, simple items he had picked up over the course of his journey around the galaxy. At one point he had another blaster, more daggers and a sword. They had all been range of different manufacturers and in various states of damage. For one reason or another, he eventually lost them - mainly during combat, but they were no lightsaber; they held no real value to him. He could easily pick up more as he went, if he required them. Hopefully the small amount he still had would be enough if a fight did break out while in the Hutt's place.

After they walked Jacob too became confused as they appeared to cross into the outskirts far too soon than they should've. But as they passed a few of the dunes, he caught sight of a corner of a building poking out a few of them. It struck him immediately that this was still part of the city, an obviously abandoned side that had been left to the elements of the planet. It could be construed in a few ways - as an example to not needlessly expand more than you needed to, or perhaps a lesson that no matter what you'll build, it'll eventually get buried and forgotten. Jacob mused on those thoughts for the rest of the walk, wondering what exactly had led to his old master to come here.

When they had finally reached their destination, Jacob just stood in silence waiting until they could progress inside. When they did though, his eyes were immediately drawn to the stacks upon stacks of supplies that everywhere in sight. Thraxis had said Piwnod's empire was long winded and stretched, but what saw before him was the complete opposite. And it didn't pass over his head what this likely meant. The Hutt was falling back, maybe forcefully. Gathering everything together in one last ditch effort. He was admittedly taken back when his guide suddenly whirled around and pointed a finger at him. Jacob scowled at him, he wasn't an idiot - Hutt or not, there was a time an a place to dig at a person's ego. And it wasn't when you were potentially going to be surrounding by said person's men.

"Got it." He said simply, following behind Thraxis as the two went deeper into the building.

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

The smell of Hooka started to perverse the air with its thick stench, clouds of it filling the roof as Thraxis took a glancing view of Piwnod. It was still a dozen folds fatter than any man could ever hope to be, but a cunning eye could see his folds starting to dissipate. All the signs of a failing empire, though the Hooka seemed to lighten the blow. "Poi Cho mo Gongul." The Thraxis stated through smacking lips, his accent was thick and toxic and deciphering was not the easiest part of his job. The Kowakian monkey that had opened the door Ran to the Hutt, grabbing the Hookah out of its hand and then rushing off to the corner. "Pookah del Grondomal mosno." The Hutt continued, rolling across the floor and towering over the duo with tired eyes.

"Buill Cho gol gramasno." Thraxis responded, bowing before the Hutt before turning to Jacob. Arms outstretched, as he slowly straightened, if it was any other scenario Thraxis could have had fun, poke some fun and make jokes with the Hutt, but when someone is this low, being made fun of is not something one wants to happen at such a low point of their life. "Piwnod wants to know why you are here. Make the case and I will play translator." Thraxis stated, turning to the Hutt with an intense stare.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]

 

[Jacob Crawford]

Jacob was almost tempted to outright block his nose to stop the Hooka's smell from clogging it. The thickness of it was overwhelming and Jacob had to exhale a couple times to dispel it and tried to not inhale it too much. In the past he had been in similiar places, with similiar company. Yet the amount of the drug seemed almost obnoxiously high for the size of the room - and its user. Looking up, Jacob could literally see clouds of vapour just wafting up in the ceiling. He was at the very least glad it was a fair distant above them. With a subtle use of the Force, Jacob wrapped it around himself to maintain his focus. He wasn't going to let his inexperience in inhaling whatever was in that hooka, to dull his senses.

As Thraxis and Piwnod conversed, Jacob was reminded of the few occasions he had eavesdropped on his father when he was talking to one of his friends - or had it been one of the Hutt's men? The one whose his father was in debt too. He pushed the thought away as the conversation seemed to finally turn to him. Jacob looked up at Piwnod as he approached, he instantly saw the tired look in the Hutt's eyes. He wondered if this would go easier if the Hutt was too exhausted to bargain for something in return. With posture straightened and his arms held behind his back he spoke directly to Piwnod.

"I have come to you Piwnod, because I require permission to enter your territory. There is a place just east of the city I need to go to, but it seems it falls within your reach. Or at least that's what the men that stopped me said."

[member="Thraxis"]

 

[Thraxis]

The Hutt turned to Thraxis, the best it could muster for a Cocked head, which was simply the slightest of fat fold rolling atop another. Not many picked up on it since not many lived in such close proximity with a Hutt but he had spent some waking moments next to a Hutt, each one knocked out from a night of heavy Drinking. Piwnod was not one such Hutt. But still. Enough time spent and you know their customs. "Bug Choli. Gro grom booka." The Hutt replied, a rather aggressive and confused look running over him as he opened a palm to Jacob. The Hutt was on Hard times and every credit counted to reviving his already corpse of an empire.

Thraxis turned to Jacob, a look of relief washing over him. All he wanted was credits. Hutts had weird tastes, mainly in women and Thraxis had no interest in going to the nearest Red Light District to go grab a five dollar prostitute to sell into slavery. "Okay, good. All he wants is some credits. Just give him a thousand and he will allow you to stroll through his area at your leisure." Thraxis stated, running a hand across his brow, playing up for the Hutt to feed its ego.

Thraxis bent in a little closer, whispering to Jacob though raising the Ire of the Hutt for a brief moment, "Trust me, it's better than the latter. Unless you like Enslaving people. Then hell that way's cheaper." He chuckled before returning to a still stance, looking to Jacob his head back and forth between the Hutt's Palm and Jacob's stash. He hoped he hadn't need to pay for it.
[member="Jacob Crawford"]