Happy meeting? No, not really.

[Yann Nats]

Yann Nats frowned down at his old fashioned paper and ink ledger. Traffic had picked up since the Jedi occupied Klatooine. You'd be forgiven for thinking the Bith would be very happy. Except the Jedi presence had cut into his side business.

That particular business was dealing in glitterstim, deathsticks and other intoxicants. Highly addictive but not illegal under the old Hutt families. They didn't care so long as they got their cut. Yann didn't care either.

It was a source of revenue and he never forced anyone to do it. Not that he did it himself. That would've been stupid. But the Jedi had made these substances illegal to sell.

That'd cut his sales by more than half. Now only veteran junkies knew what to say and who to say it to. You couldn't just sell to anyone now. They could run off and tell the Jedi police.

He decided keeping this archaic ledger had been a good idea after all. Even if his partner had laughed at him in the beginning. If the police ever came, he could easily dispose of them. Besides which the man couldn't laugh him now that he was dead.

Yann had always been careful. His partner not so much. Look who was alive now to enjoy the spoils. Despite the cut into his drug-dealing he still was turning a steady profit.

Gambling was still legal and the sabacc tables drew in all kinds. It meant he had to employ a larger number of security personnel. Yet the profits were worth it. The bands he brought in were also a big draw.

Yann, being a Bith, was a music fanatic. His collection of music was about as extensive as it got. Plus years of touring had made him many contacts. So he could draw the best groups in the Outer Rim.

Speaking of which.

The Bith looked up as he heard a protocol shuffling down the hall to his office. The silver form came around the corner as his assistant spoke. "Master Nats," said TC-14 "The band is due on in less than five standard minutes."

That brought a smile back to his face. Yann had to admit that he'd still pay for the best he could get in music even if it didn't draw so many beings. "I'll be there very shortly," he said as he closed his ledger and replaced it in a locked desk drawer.

"I wouldn't want to miss the performance," said Yann as he stood. He never did unless business drew him off-world. He found himself being called onto the stage a short while later. Yann Nats had a reputation for his musical skill and was often called up as a guest of the bands.

The audience loved it. He loved the chance to play too. Business had cut into his free time over the years. Even for a Bith who didn't sleep there weren't enough hours in a day.

He waved to his patrons as he mounted the stage and exchanged pleasantries with the band members. Hands were shook and in short order he found himself behind a keyboard. The percussionist counted them in and Yann found himself drawn into the music. Nothing in the galaxy could compare to it!

[member="Arisa Yune"]

 

[Eugen Aker]

Arisa entered the building right behind a small group, careful to avoid making eye contact with anyone on her way to the bar. An easy task, many patrons entranced by the band playing on stage.

At the bar, she found an empty stool, loosening her shawl a bit as she took a seat. The Jilruan bartender quickly made his to the new customer. She felt a mild case of suspicion as they locked eyes.

"What are you having?"

"Grenadine and cola, if you have it. If not, then mineral water with some lime is fine."

"We got it," he answered, holding out a tablet before her.

She reached for her phone in her back pocket, then tapped it against the edge of the tablet to initiate an electronic transfer and complete the transaction. He set the tablet down on the island at the center of the circular bar, then began to look around for a bottle of Grenadine to mix her drink. The non-alcoholic cocktail was an uncommon choice in these parts.

While she waited for her drink, she looked over at the stage, turning her focus to the band. They were quite the lively bunch, playing with a talent and energy that demanded attention. Quite different from most other establishments she had visited during her time poking around Kossak, aiming to merely add a bit of ambiance to the scene with soft mellow beats.

The aura of the room was one of delight and glee, a certain Bith at a keyboard being the center of it all. She cut through the intricate composition of the band to focus on his playing. Quite the deft one behind the keys. The intel that had been provided her on the crime boss didn't do him justice. At least in this arena, he would have her respect, one music aficionado to another.

[member="Yann Nats"]

 

[Yann Nats]

Yann was caught up in his solo when [member="Arisa Yune"] had sat down. It wasn't until after he was done that he noticed the newcomer. His grin as he waved to the cheering crowed quickly turned to a frown. As he stepped down one of his bouncers caught his eye.

He shook his head ever-so-slightly. No, not yet. They knew that this new patron wasn't a local. There was something about her that screamed trouble.

His professional smile returned as he strode over to the bar.

"Hello there," he said whilst sizing her up "Welcome to my little establishment. I'm Yann Nats, proprietor."

The Bith was peripherally aware of his staff collectively leaning forward. The Jirulian barkeep hand placed his hand under the counter. A blaster pistol was kept there. You could never be too careful on the Outer Rim.

Indeed the entire joint had gone quiet. They were studiously avoiding looking at the woman. Too much so. The crowd could feel the tension as much as he could.

 

[Eugen Aker]

Arisa received her drink, then was nodding along to the music as she took a sip. Her drink didn't taste as nearly as good as what she was used to in the Core, the syrup much too sweet for her liking. Undoubtedly some cheap knockoff. It was bearable, though, so she kept drinking.

She found herself having a surprisingly good time, wishing her drink was as nice as the band playing. She wondered just how long the good times would last, though, as someone important finally took notice of her.

Not long at all. As Nats finished his set, she could feel all his attention on her then. Him, and all the bouncers on the floor. She now felt waves of hostility emanating from all directions. Blaster was on the brain of the bartender as he focused in on her like a laser.

One of the taps on the island would begin to leak uncontrollably, the sound of those first drops of dark liquid splashing against the floor drawing the bartender's focus. His boss wasn't in any immediate danger, but his job could be if he just allowed liters of expensive alcohol to spew all over the floor. Thoughts for his weapon subsided as he turned to fix the leak. She had neutralized the biggest threat at her back.

Nats was smiling as he approached and greeted her, but she didn't feel a single bit of warmth behind it.

"Arisa Yune," she replied, with a sweet smile just as fake. "Watchman of Klatooine. Thank you for the warm welcome."

[member="Yann Nats"]

 

[Yann Nats]

Yann frowned over at the barman as he scrambled to shut off the taps. Clumsy oaf didn't even turn the blasted things off. He turned back to the woman as she introduced herself. Watchman. Jedi Watchman.

The Bith fought back the groan he wanted to emit. The night had been going so well. So this was the blasted space wizard assigned to babysit this blasted rock. He'd hoped to escape the serious notice of the Silver do-gooders.

It was hard to keep a low profile on a desolate hole like Klatooine. So he'd cultivated the reputation of a former musician-turned-club owner. Just another being tired of the rigors of travel. Just looking to settle down make a few credits the honest way.

A fun-loving being who still liked to perform sometimes. He was known here for his skills on the keyboard. No one remembered the Bith smuggler. No one except certain contacts.

Yann had enough dirt on them so he knew they'd not squeal. Besides the Bith had a solid rep in such circles. Someone who could get things done. A being who remained careful and discreet.

"Welcome, [member="Arisa Yune"]," the Bith said with his professional smile "Barkeep, pour our guest something stronger. On the house.". He made a subtle gesture to the stage. The band picked up again and gradually the patrons turned back to their drinks and conversation. The gambling tables picked up too with droid dealers resuming games.

"What brings you to my little establishment?," he asked pointedly. His voice was just loud enough for her to hear over the din.

 

[Eugen Aker]

Arisa kept smiling, but now it was genuine. She took a certain satisfaction from feeling the Bith's rising annoyance. With a single phrase, the dynamics of power had completely shifted in her favor. Perhaps one of the worst things that could happen for crime lords used to controlling everything within their domains.

When the bartender offered her the drink, she shook her head and pushed it over to another occupant on her left. She wouldn't be drinking another thing out of this bar now that Nats knew who she was.

"Mmm, sorry, but I'm on the clock. I just decided to step in here for some quick refreshment. It was hard choosing a bar out of so many on the block, but the music attracted me. Good show, by the way."

[member="Yann Nats"]

 

[Yann Nats]

[member="Arisa Yune"]

"You just happened into this bar, I assume," he said flatly "It was just the music."

Her smile irked him. She was playing games and he didn't like it at all. Yann watched her push the drink away. The Bith shrugged and the occupant of the next stool looked pleasantly surprised at the free mug of ferment.

At least someone was having a better night than him.

"It's quite loud in the club," he said and it was true now that the band had picked up. "Let's speak in my office."

His look spoke volumes. Yann knew why she was here and he wanted to resolve the issue privately. With as little fuss as could be managed. She had to know he wasn't going to try anything stupid.

Even if he someone gunned her down, the Jedi would come looking.

 

[Eugen Aker]

"Just the music," she confirmed.

With introductions made, it was now time to get down to business. Though not now. She didn't want people to know that she was speaking openly to Nats. She had been careful, making such visits to all the known crime dens around Kossak as if making a shake-down, but it was all a smokescreen to get to the Bith.

"Sorry, but duty calls. As I said I was only here for a quick refreshment. Have a nice day."

She tightened her shawl back up, then rose from the stool to leave. That looked to be the end of their encounter, but then she passed a slip of paper to Nats as she purposely brushed passed him.

If he were to open the folded piece of premium parchment, he would see After Hours scrawled inside. She'd return to the establishment after business hours when there weren't so many eyeballs on either of them, preferably none. With the discretion she now requested, she hoped the Bith caught on that she wasn't looking to bring him down.

[member="Yann Nats"]

 

[Yann Nats]

[member="Arisa Yune"]

The Bith felt the slip of paper as she left. Very well done. He had to admit his surprise at the Jedi's skill at such nefarious actions. Yann retreated to his office before reading it and that was where he was now waiting.

After hours.

It was the wee hours of the morning now. That didn't matter to a Bith. He'd rest later in the usual trance-like meditation. A few hours and he'd be ready to go for another night.

But first he had business to attend to. He'd told his burly security people to look out for the Jedi woman. No, she wasn't to be fragged. Not that he assumed his contingent of toughs could do it anyway.

They were big and scary. Handy against the usual troublemakers and drunks. They all could even actually fight. But not against a Jedi unless they grouped together and ambushed her.

Yann had very briefly considered that. But his conclusions were like that of earlier. Too conspicuous which meant he'd have to play ball with her. Let her in when she came after hours, back door.

No need to attract too much attention. Not that there was a ton of that in Kossak but still. Yann drummed long fingers on his desk as he waited.

 

[Eugen Aker]

Hours later, and Arisa returned under the cover of darkness by foot. This time around, she was dressed like an Ubese, just another gun for hire on the streets of Kossak, not worth anyone's time or attention unless they were looking for a blaster bolt between the eyes.

Approaching the bar, she gave it a quick scan in the Force, picking up several people still moving about within. She wasn't all that worried about the extra bodies because Nats was smart enough to know the consequences of messing with the Watchman. By coincidence, she chose to take the back door to further reduce visibility.

Before she even knocked, she could feel someone right on the other side of the door. She knocked once, and then she came face to face with beady red eyes of a Trandoshan on the other side of a narrow barred window built into the backdoor.

"What the feth you want at this hour?" he growled.

"I was told by your boss to come here, after hours." She didn't know how much information Nats had shared with his people, so she decided to be as vague as possible to keep anyone else from finding out who she was. Thugs weren't exactly known for their sense of loyalty.

The bouncer squinted at her for a moment, then disappeared to find Nats, relaying exactly what had been said to him by Arisa in disguise.

[member="Yann Nats"]

 

[Yann Nats]

[member="Arisa Yune"]

Yann sighed with irritation. Yes, yes let her in. He should've expected such subterfuge. Especially after her display earlier.

He told the bouncer to let her in and guide her to his office. The Bith was on guard now and fully alert. She wasn't going to hurt him. Not insofar as physically was concerned.

Still he felt a small twinge of worry. Had he covered his tracks with the glitterstim? As far as he knew, yes. Some even called him overly cautious.

His old partner had been one such. But who was dead now. Yann ran a hand over the holdout blaster in the holster taped under his desk. No he wasn't looking for a fight but he wasn't shy if it came to one.

She'd be here in moments. Moments seemed to stretch....

 

[Eugen Aker]

As soon as the bouncer left her alone with Nats, she finally removed her helmet and rested it underneath her arm. No smiling this time - she had come for business.

"So, if you hadn't figured it out already, I'm not here to shut you down," she explained. "If I had wanted to, then you would have never seen my face."

At this very moment, she had enough intel to cart Nats off to the local authorities for processing, but nothing would come out of that. One of his flunkies or rivals would replace him within a week. The man was much more useful to her by keeping him out of prison.

"Obviously, I don't condone what you do behind the scenes, but as far as criminals go, you're pretty benign as a peddler. If crime can never be truly eliminated, then it can at least be reigned in and managed. I will allow you continue operating if you help me do that."

From the legal side, Arisa pursued new legislation to take a hit at organized crime. Increasing security while paying for it by legalizing the spice trade. Such measures would take a while to implement, however, so in the meantime, she was going with a more direct route of taking on the underworld itself, picking winners and losers in the current power vacuum to reestablish equilibrium and bring some calm back to Kossak. No doubt some more high-minded Jedi would disapprove of her methods, but the native of Plexis was nothing if not street-smart. Not every problem could be solved with a lightsaber, not in the long term anyway. They could sit comfortably in their ivory towers while she did the work that needed doing.

[member="Yann Nats"]

 

[Yann Nats]

[member="Arisa Yune"]

Yann leaned back and steepled long fingers as she spoke. His lidless eyes never left her own even as he processed her words. So she knew about his goings-on behind the scenes. Well, she had grounds to have him arrested anyway.

As far as actually having him convicted went, well he didn't think she had enough to do that. It would still create complications. The Jedi would be keeping a much closer eye on him. Uncomfortably close.

Word would get around that he was under watch. Business of a less than legal sort would totally dry up. It had certainly been reduced but the percentage he was getting was better than nothing. So he'd have to play along.

He didn't like it but it was either this or gradually being put out of business. Yann was a smart being. He might not like the Jedi but he recognized the situation for what it was. But he wasn't going to just come up with the short end of the stick.

"Alright," he said as he spread his hands "You have your suspicions. I'm not going to just incriminate myself, but I'll play along."

He leaned forward with his elbows on the desk.

"What is it exactly that you want, Jedi?," he asked "Credits, a cut of the action? No, I've never heard of your type doing that. I've heard all kinds of wild stories, but not about greed."

"Perhaps you want to know things," he tilted his head "Knowledge is a kind of currency too. More valuable that credits to some. Is that what you want?"

 

[Eugen Aker]

"Knowledge is exactly what I seek, Mr. Nats. Hutt Space has been in a state of flux since the fall of the Cartels. The gang wars of Kossak are a microcosm of events unfolding all over the region. The Hutts are even being challenged in their home system."

"Problems have compounded with the fall of the One Sith, Republic, and other powers in the Core and Mid Rim. There's now a huge influx of advanced weaponry and ex-military personnel into Hutt Space. Some of the largest criminal organizations are becoming as well equipped as professional armies. If no one intervenes, then we may be looking at escalation into a full-blown war."

"There has also been a rise in trafficking operations, gangsters and slavers taking advantage of all the refugees now floating around. Just within the Si'Klaata Cluster alone, I've identified dozens of trafficking cells, some leading right here. This will not be tolerated."

"Where I need your help is identifying the key players in these developments so that I can shut them down and return some semblance of peace to Hutt Space. Such a volatile atmosphere is bad for all sorts of businesses, legal, and otherwise."

[member="Yann Nats"]

 

[Yann Nats]

[member="Arisa Yune"]

The Bith listened carefully as he rubbed his palms together. Finally he nodded slowly. Of course the Jedi would want some goody goody things. The betterment of all beings and all of that nonsense.

It was good that some things never changed. It gave a sense of predictability to an otherwise unpredictable universe. He briefly wondered how such a gifted group of beings could be so dumb. Then he quashed that thought when he remembered they could read minds.

"So I assume that I tell you things and you leave me be," he commented "Except it's not that simple. The Hutts may be weakened but they aren't stupid and inept. They would've never risen as far as they did if they were."

He pointed a long finger at the Jedi.

"You. You need to realize that, should I tell you anything, I am risking my neck. You'll notice Bith have skinny necks."

"Anyway, what's saying I know much more than news around Kossak?," he lied but not maliciously "Maybe I stop listening when I might lose my life."

Yann gestured to include to include the cantina at large.

"This makes me credits but I made it before I had this. In the extreme, I could stand to lose this place before..."

He make a throat slicing gesture with a thumb.