Enduring Enterprises

[Noire]

::: UTAPAU
::: Spaceport

Utapau, the world of sinkholes. Another hole in the wall planet that was just a mere means to an end. Ice and Fire were already a booming line within the Blackmarket. From the start of their masterpiece at one of Zeltros moons, to the designer drugs that would titillate the Twilighters from Coruscant, Coratanni Cartell was beginning to make a name for itself.

Now the focus was to expand S.I.N.

The boom in designer drugs was a growing commodity that Natalia deemed to be a fruitful endeavour to follow. On Ukio, they had carefully procured rare Energy Spiders. With the recent acquisition of a rare line of spice from a mold in Hoth, cloning and genetically altering the spice into a new product line was the next step in the evolution.

However, they were missing a key ingredient.

Utapau may not appear to be the dessin of spice worlds. Yet there was a rumor that one might be able to find a fungus that just might give the same kick as the Balo Mushroom. Perhaps, even a greater high with a lack of the negative life draining benefits.

Natalia and Slevin would soon find out.

Their ship came to a dock at the space port. It was just Slevin and she with a small group. They were to meet with local representatives of the black market here. Maybe make a deal.

Maybe slice some throats.

Either was quality time with Slevin in Natalia's eyes anyways.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

The game was the same as it always was.

One side made money, the other lost it. Slevin always intended to be the former, and more often than not it was exactly what he got. He and Natalia worked hard to earn their empire, harder still to maintain it. No one could deny them that fact at the very least. Coratanni Cartel had grown from a fledgling criminal gang to something much larger. They were slowly beginning to corner the world of spice, not just peddling the common drabble but creating new and interesting experiences for people.

That was why they were here. For money, for power, for everything that one could dream of. Slevin and Natalia weren't satisfied with the usual, they weren't satisfied with the ordinary. They wanted more, they wanted new and they wanted greater. That was what Utapau would bring them, after a few corpses. "These people are strange."

Slevin commented flatly.

"They live in pits in the ground." His tone was biting. "Almost as bad as Hutts."

Though not quite. The slugs were far more disgusting than the people of Utapau could ever be,, though their choice of homes left much to be desired. Slevin had always preferred something a bit more...glowing. He enjoyed the bright lights and vast spaces of Rishi, the shining sun and the feel of sand flowing through your fingers.

Not living in the ground.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

There was a slight twitch of Natalia's nose. There was a scent permeating the air. Alkaline, and bitter. Almost salty. Likely due to the rich mineral deposits found on Utapau.

"Smell almost as bad." the redhead said with a cluck of her tongue. While wearing her traditional S.I.N. red sole heels was likely the worst idea in this particular situation, Talia was going to have none of it. They were every bit a part of her as the tight leather pants and the black fitted top. The blasters that Slevin had given her as a gift were strapped on each thigh, while her thick mane of red hair was kept up in a topknot by the poison hairsticks she'd bought earlier.

Everyone was strange. Everyone that wasn't them. For Natalia and her beloved, they were all strange, unworthy creatures. Not perfect. Unable to reach their true potential. Even those who would wield the so called Force were just pathetic beings.

With the ramp closing behind them, the heads of the Coratanni Cartel surveyed the approaching delegation sent to pick them up. The corner of her crimson mouth gave a twitch. All of three, with what appeared to be some muscle for protection. A Houk.

"Just in time, Mr. and Ms. Thawne. I hope that your travels went well."

"As well as it could be," Natalia replied, left foot slinging over right as she made her way to meet Shie Bak.

"I expect everything is in order, correct?" Natalia despised having to wait time. It bored her. And when she was bored Slevin was always a dear and did her best to entertain them.

Usually by watching him do what he did best.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

Houk.

Interesting creatures, as Ugly as Hutts and less intelligent. Coratanni employed more than a few, most of them were brutes that they sent in before the other soldiers but one or two showed particular...talents for things. He frowned for a moment, looking up at the massive alien for just a few seconds as his hand gently brushed against the knife within his pocket.

"Your acquisition is currently being debated by the Council."

That was not the answer that Slevin or Natalia wanted to hear. Utapau was supposed to be quick, simple, and unregulated, yet they'd been told this might be a hangup. Apparently some of the abandoned sinkholes were controlled by some sort of legislative council, something to ensure that Utapau's resources weren't stripped without undue protections. Such a thing was utterly ridiculous of course, especially considering that the thinks were just holes in the ground.

He bristled slightly, scowling at the delegates. "That is unfortunate."

His tone caused one of the other men to flinch slightly, the Houk pulling himself up to his full height.

"Take us to the Council." It was clearly not a request, Slevin didn't make those. He gave commands and those commands were to be followed. The lead delagate looked as though he were about to disagree, his mouth opening and his hand raising slightly, but a gentle nudge on his shoulder from the other man and a slight shake of the head was enough to silence any words he was about to speak.

"This way."

The three turned, Slevin giving Natalia a glance before his hand slowly slid to the small of her back.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

There was a narrowing of Natalia's seemingly green eyes, the right cybernetic eye zooming in towards the would be the leader of this little entourage.

Slevin spoke, and it was a good thing at that, as Natalia's impatience would have come through. The warmth of his hand upon the small of her back was a little reminder and favor, the pair observing the delegation as they all made their way to meet the council.

One would have thought that the agreements set in place would stay in place. However, it appeared that there would have to be a bit more negotiation involved.

They made headway from the spacesport towards a small airspeeder. Slipping inside, Natalia made herself comfortable, left leg crossing over the right.

Studying the man, Natalia said simply, "I thought that the Council had already made their decision. Why a change of heart?" while her voice was as smooth as silk, the glimmer in her green eyes suggested differently.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

"There was a last minute counter-proposal."

Slevin had to stop himself from lashing out, his hand tightening on Natalia's leg as he sat himself down in the speeder. Counter proposal. The very idea was something he did not like hearing, it meant that someone had tried to interfere.

Deliberately.

Someone was trying to stop them from getting what was theirs, someone was trying to usurp their place. His lips thinned and his gaze settled on the figure in the seat ahead of him, his other hand once again brushing against the blade within his pocket. "Who?"

The question was a dangerous one, though not for them. Utapau was hardly flourishing with Crime, not like Rishi or Nar Shaddaa. No, this place was valued for it's corporate possibilities. Mining companies and manufacturers made their place here, especially droid creators. It was something well known, and something that Natalia and he had expected to encounter. Of course now it seemed someone would need some persuasion.

"Syra Consolidated, a mining corporation."

Slevin scowled, of course.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

Natalia felt the pinch of Slevin's fingers dig at her thigh. He wasn't the only one who felt the flare of anger and impatience at the news of the Council's audacity.

A deal was a deal -- unless Slevin and Natalia considered otherwise and altered the deal. No one else had that luxury.

"Syra Consolidated." it wasn't a question, but a statement. The name went flowing across Natalia's lips, sweet dripping poison.

"And just who is Syra Consolidated? What are they countering with that the Council should so alter our deal?"

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

"They are a mining corporation."

The man repeated the words, much to Slevin's ire. He wondered if the man knew just how close he was to getting his throat slit. Coratanni, Slevin, did not have much patience when it came to people getting in his way. The grip on Natalia's leg tightened once more, his voice low as he spoke. "Why."

It was a single word, but it carried more threat than one would believe.

"They...they offered more money, better protections."

Slevin perked an eyebrow, protection? What was that supposed to mean. Slevin and Natalia had been surprisingly...calm here on Utapau. They had not threatened or killed anyone yet, in fact their business front had been extremely kind and generous with terms, something that would now change. The Crime Lord glanced at his Beloved, giving her a questioningly look and wondering if she might have done something without his knowledge. He very much doubted it, but perhaps she had meant it as a gift.

"Who controls them?" Slevin's tone was still tinged with that low anger.

"I...I don't know."

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

"Isn't it your job to know?" Natalia's curt voice sliced through the ever growing tension that grew in that tiny little speeder space.

Slevin's nails continued to dig deep into her thigh, and while they drew a dull ache of pain, Natalia did not waver her gaze from the man sitting opposite of them.

She felt, more than saw Slevin's gaze drift over to her. The woman had meant it to move as smoothly as possible so they could move onto far more enjoyable pursuits. Now her surprise was ruined. That irritated her.

Someone would pay.

Ruby red tipped nails came up to caress over the top of Slevin's artificial hand.

"You. Don't. Know." she repeated again, slowly, punctuating every word.

"Are you sure? Don't make me ask twice."

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

The man began to stutter, he began to speak, or it appeared that way, but Slevin was done with excuses. He didn't want to hear stories and he most certainly did not want to hear lies. Before the man could answer Slevin's hand slid free from Natalia's thigh.

His fingers wrapped around the blade in his pocket, the blade catching and flipping out as he leaned forward. Before the giant Houk could act to stop him Slevin's blade sliced through the throat of the alien, the motion so quick and so fast that it couldn't even react. There was a loud blubbering cry of pain, a gurgle as the Houk tried his best to catch the blood that now spewed from his throat. Slevin pulled his blade forward, sliding its now bloody edge against the throat of the pitiful man.

"Answer." His voice was cold.

He had enough of these games. Utapau was an important pin in their plan, and he wasn't about to let anyone pull it out.

"It's...It's a cartel...someone from the outer rim. They want the pits for production of some kind of new droid."

Slevin bristled. Droids?

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

The spray of blood would rain, splattering on the tan leather of the seats and across the floor. The now dead Houk sliding back with a dull thud.

Answers. They wanted answers.

Slevin was quick to get him. Her beloved was anything but efficient. Within the dim cabin of the airspeeder, Natalia's green eyes shone with cold fury.

“What droids?” Natalia would not hold her beloved back. No, if they had to slice each part away with surgical precision then they would do so.

“Where in the Outer Rim?”

“Nar Shaddaa.” A slow, blink.

“Nar Shaddaa?” That cesspool.

“The… the Council knows more. I swear.”

Another slow blink.

He had ceased to be of use anymore. There was no need to communicate with Slevin then. Her beloved could do what he so desired.

“Pity.”

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

Nar Shaddaa? Connected to that business Gorba had discussed with them perhaps? A small frown pulled at his lips and he glanced back at Natalia for just one fleeting second.

They would have to press The Council. ”Get out.”

The man looked at him for a moment with confusion in his eyes, fear quickly mixing in as he realized just what Slevin meant. The man was about to speak when Slevins blade dug into his neck, the tip of his knife piercing skin as he drew a very thin line through the mans throat. His patience was already running more than a little thin.

”I am showing you kindness.” As kind as he could be. ”You might survive the fall.

Doubtful, but Slevin didn't give him much of a choice.

Before he could object or say anything Else Slevin grabbed the man and pulled the door of them speeder cab open, throwing him out and a second later pressing the Houks body after him. A scream echoed behind the speeder as Slevin slammed the door shut.

The Crime Lord looked at his beloved. ”This is unfortunate.”

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

Nothing but blood splatter and the scent of metallic copper lingered within the small cabin of the airspeeder. Natalia's lips gave a tight press, forming into a thin, red line. Where her beloved had excised his anger physically, Natalia was seething in cold, simmering fury.

"They will pay." the Council. This Syra Consolidated. They would all pay.

First things first. If anything, Natalia was anything but thorough in her investigations. She would see that her Little Birds gathered what they could of this mining corporation.

Turning towards Slevin, the woman gave as much of an apologetic expression as she could.

"They ruined my surprise for you." she added, reaching over to wipe a few droplets of blood away from his chisled jawline.

"But they will pay." these Utapans would realize their mistake at crossing the Coratani Cartel.

"Time for a little, meeting, hmm?" they will go as planned. Perhaps the Council thought that they could simply cut the contract with Coratanni and leave it at that.

They would be in for a surprise.

"I'll have the girls gather more information on Syra Consolidated. Then we can have some fun."

And make examples of them all.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

Irritation flared across his features even as Natalia gently caressed his jaw.

His beloved’s surprise had been ruined, the plans they had here had been brought to near ruin, and it seemed like the galaxy was doing its best to get in their way again. This happened from time to time, small obstacles erected in their path when everything should have been smooth. It annoyed him a great deal, enough to make him forget his more...calming senses.

A scowl pulled on his lips.

”We should slaughter them.” Rarely was Slevin ever needlessly bloodthirsty. Sure he enjoyed his fair share of killing, and sure he was always more than willing to deal out a little death, but most often he could restrict himself.

Here? That did not seem to be the case.

”Betrayal, my love.” Anger tinged his voice. ”Is not to be tolerated.”

No matter whom it came from. ”A bargain was struck and the Council plans to renege on their side of the deal.”

It didn't matter if he and Natalia could convince them otherwise, it didn't matter if they changed their minds once more and went with he and his beloved. The Council had gone back on their word, they had told Natalia one thing and brought to heel another. It simply wouldn't do. They had made their mistake, and Slevin would see to it that they were punished.

”They will pay.” The tone of his voice implied there was to be no discussion.

 

[Noire]

“With blood.”

There was a finality there that bode no argument. Much like her beloved, Natalia had also come to a decision that the Council and this Synd Consolidated will pay in kilos of flesh.

“First the Council.” She purred out, drawing her hand back to pluck a datapad at her hip. WHile this had been intended to be a simple open and shut case, it didnt’ mean that the Coratanni head wasn’t prepared to organize at the slightest provocation.

“I’ll summon the boys.” Those loyal to Coratanni that were in their ship to follow their location. Along with that, hiring local mercenaries would do just fine.

An example had to be set.

“We will see just what this Council has to say about breaking their words.”

Perhaps, the slicing of their tongues will remind them that breaking your word meant you had little use for the appendage.

She held no qualms about potentially reigning in Slevin. No. He worked best when he was like this. They both had their charms, their skill set.

It got her excited to watch him.

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

His fingers drummed against the side of the door.

Slevin's body language screamed of violence and rage. There was no other way of putting her. His displeasure of the situation was almost palpable within the small speeder, and even as Natalia spoke in her soothing tone he couldn't help but let his anger grow.

Disrespect was not something he dealt well with, and double crossing Coratanni on a deal was the ultimate form of disrespect. They had made an agreement with Natalia, and that agreement was more than clear. Now that the Council had chosen to go back on their word? Well it left things far more open. He scowled slightly as the speeder began to slow, his eyes setting on his beloved as his fingers slowly drew away from the armrest and reached towards the handle.

Before they even came to a complete stop Slevin jerked the door open, looking at Natalia. "Tell them to surround the estate."

He told her, his voice stern.

"No one walks out." No one.

This little council had made a very powerful, and very unhinged enemy. Slevin wasn't operating under the illusion that they could somehow take over the whole planet, but a few politicians dead wouldn't raise too many eyebrows. The Crime Lord shifted, pulling himself out of the speeder. A gentle touch by the love of his life pressed against his palm, fingers gently sliding down his arm and plucking the knife from his hand. Slevin frowned as Natalia folded the blade, sliding it back into his pocket with a shake of her head.

He scowled, but gave his beloved a slow nod.

The slaughter would come later.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

Blood would spill, but after the Council answered their questions. With a quick swipe, tap, and enter, Natalia's direction to the Coratanni was dispatched. They were to surround the estate, ensure that all exits were blocked.

No one was going to get out of this clean.

The speedercar came to a slow halt in front of the grand entrance, if one could call it that. With the bulk of the buildings underground in the sinkholes, most had been carved out of the walls itself. Interesting.

The door slid open, allowing for her beloved to step out of the airspeeder first. She saw him adjust his jacket, those cool, calculating eyes of his sweeping with a thin veneer of barely checked rage. Natalia was. Next, crimson sole heel hitting the deck to bring the shapely woman beside her love.

There was a protocol droid waiting for them. A curl of Natalia's lips revealed an even greater displeasure. They wouldn't even come out themselves.

Her cybernetic eye gave a silent whir, taking in as much information as it could along with the layout. There was one main entrance, but there were two outer ones. From what she could see there might also be an underground pathway.

"So it begins." Natalia said in a low murmur, watching the Protocol Droid waddle up.

"Greetings, oh fair Mr. and Ms. Thawne. We are very honored to have you --"

"Just take us inside." Natalia's curt response cut the droid off.

"The Council apologizes, but their previous meeting ran long and --"

"So they are not keeping to their appointment as well?" a nerve along the woman's jawline gave a tick.

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

Oh this was already not going well.

His hand almost moved into his coat pocket to grab the blade within, his fingers flexing slightly as he tried to keep his hand in place. There was something to this he already didn't like, something...his lips thinned as he stared down at the man.

He had to keep control, for now. "Tell them to cut it short."

The tone of his voice meant that it was not a suggestion. He didn't want to wait anymore, he didn't want to be held up by a bunch of fools. Already the boys would be gathering around the building, and no matter what the Council did they wouldn't be leaving here unharmed. Before this turned to violence however Slevin wanted a word, he wanted to look each of them in the eye, he wanted to stare at them before he forced them to choke on their own blood.

His fingers flexed.

"That wo-"

"You have two options." The Crime Lord took a step forward. "Lead us inside and tell them their meeting is done, or die here on these steps."

The last few words were said in a bare whisper. The man in front of them opened his mouth to say something, the words in his throat choking him. Slevin smiled slightly as he turned, bowing before he did so and bidding that the two Thawne's follow along. Good

Slevin thought as he gently slid his hand across Natalia's back.

 

[Noire]

[member="Slevin Thawne"]

"What do you mean you did not stop them?!" Caerk Va, head Councilman of this particular entity lashed out at the guards. Word had already spread that their envoy had met a swift end. Security footage had revealed the manner the Houk guard had been murder by Slevin.

"I warned you. Do not back away from the deal," Seryk Aer, a younger face in the council warned. He did not want to turn back on their word. However the elders had believed that this was the most profitable contract. What was one small business by the name of SIN.

They had made a mistake in their research. The business was more than just that. It was an extension of the Coratanni Cartel. Going back on their deal now would make them face the piper.

"Perhaps they can be reasonable?"

"Did you not see what is going on?!" Another gestured frantically. Even now, Coratanni cartel agents were swarming the compound and underground entrances.

Before an answer could be made, the doors to the chamber drew open. In came Natalia with her slow hipped gait, the red soles of her heels flashing with every step. Her green cybernetic scanned the five Utapans.

"Hello boys." Her voice was thick, honeyed and laden with poison.

"I believe we had a meeting."

 

[Subject 37]

[member="Natalia Thawne"]

Slevin stalked forward.

His immediate urge was that of slitting throats. The men and women within this Council chamber were not to be trusted, they were to be watched, heeled off their feet, and then hung from the rafters that had protected them for so long. Any deal made with them now wouldn't be insecure, something that Natalia knew as well as he did. The Crime Lord walked behind her, his eyes trailing over everyone and everything that moved.

Most within the room seemed to be shaking now.

One began to move, though by the way his entire body was almost collapsing in on itself Slevin would have guessed he was trying to make a break for the door. Before he could get even a few feet the Crime Lord lifted a hand, the metallic fingers that made up his palm scrunching slightly. The Grav-Glove that had been installed into the cybernetic arm itself kicked into life, the metal crunching and letting out a moaning wail as the chair the Paun had stood from was suddenly crushed. "Stay."

Slevin ordered.

"My Lo-"

"Silence." His gaze wheeled on the man who had spoken, his ire more than clear.

Single words were all he needed, and as the next few heartbeats passed it was clear that none of the other council members would be trying anything soon. Slevin looked at them all one by one, his hand slipping into the pocket with his blade. He did nothing for now, allowing his beloved to take the lead.