Hazard Pay (Rhen Ordo)

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax Bane, unlikely President of the Red Ravens criminal syndicate, sat in his office at the glittering Dragon Palace Casino, catching a spare moment of downtime. The young Chiss's days had evolved into a whirlwind of meeting with other crime bosses, businessmen, slicers, infochants, the list went on. He was starting to feel a bit like he couldn't get a moment's peace. Cryax remembered that look that Lysle had sometimes, walking around the casino with a world-weary pallor, almost like a ghost, and Cryax was starting to see an inkling of it on his own face when he looked in the mirror. Pouring himself a glass of Chadian Rum, he lay down on one of the red velvet couches that lined the walls, untucking his dress shirt.

Then the alarm on his chrono pinged softly. Another appointment. He had found the name of an independent security expert, a man named [member="Rhen Ordo"] who he was interested in recruiting as a personal bodyguard. The paranoid Chiss had heard way too much alarming chatter over the Cryptnet involving the names "Cryax" and "Bane" to leave his personal safety in the hands of droids and Gamorean guards any longer.

Ordo came hightly recommended by Cryax's sources in the bounty hunter community, so he figured that the man was probably a mercenary or bounty hunter needing a change of pace. That didn't bother the Chiss in the slightest, but the one thing that gave him pause was the man's name. Ordo. He was clearly a Mandalorian. That could be a problem for Cryax had no fans among their top brass, but it remained to be seen if for Mr. Ordo, blood was thicker than money.

 

[Rhen Ordo]

Of all the jobs that Rhen had taken over all the years, among all of the clientele that he'd encountered, this was definitely a new one. [member="Cryax Bane"] was definitely a well-known name among the Mandalorians, and for all the wrong reasons. Known as a coward above all else, that was a moniker that wasn't used lightly among his people, and was often regarded as the worst possible insult. To say it struck him as odd that the man had pursued a Mandalorian among all the other choices in the galaxy would be an understatement, but he'd gone along with things this far with the best interests of his people in mind, above all else. If it came down to a choice between his loyalties to his employer and his family within his vode, he would choose the latter, every time and without hesitation. Apparently that was something the Chiss didn't quite grasp.

So it was no surprise that when he stepped foot into the office the first words out of his mouth were insults. "What does a hut'uun like you want with the Mando'ade, after what's happened?" There was no further explanation of his words necessary, as they both knew perfectly well what it was he was referring to. This particular Chiss was public enemy number one among the Mandalorians, a fact that wouldn't likely change anytime soon, considering he'd drawn the ire of the Mand'alor himself. That was something neither he or any of his family among the Mandalorians took lightly, though it appeared Cryax was unaware of such.

It amused him, to a degree, that he was expected to act as a bodyguard even if his own people attacked. The chances of that working out in Cryax's favor were slim to none. If such an occasion arose he'd stand aside and most likely take their side in the conflict. As the saying went, family is more than blood, and his loyalties were to his own people, no matter how good the pay was elsewhere. They were his aliit, and there was no chance that he would sever those ties, regardless of what else was offered.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

"G'enraszah veo tin'hi!" Cryax cursed in Cheunh as his potential candidate, a well-built powerhouse of a man, came into his office guns a'blazing. Karking Mandos. As he rose from the couch, the crime boss's security guards stepped forward to deal with the situation, and Cryax abruptly put up a hand. The Chiss took a deep breath, ready to launch into a verbal attack on the Moactan Teel, but then stopped himself, although admittedly it took all of his restraint. Cryax decided that besides more flies would be killed with honey, and the beleagured Chiss was tired of arguing as it seemed to be all he did these days. He closed his eyes for a moment, composing himself, and then spoke to Rhen in a calm, unwavering voice.

"In my position I need a personal bodyguard. You came highly recommended by sources of mine. However, a bunch of people, your people in fact, have decided that my personal life is everyone's business and have made themselves judge jury and executioner of me. Without knowing the whole story I might add. And I can see that you're one of those people Mr. Ordo. I must have been mistaken when I thought you were actually interested in the job, but it seems you're just here to yell at me. I'm sorry to have wasted your time and mine." Cryax sat back down on the couch and sipped his rum with a shrug.

[member="Rhen Ordo"]

 

[Rhen Ordo]

There it was. Just when he was beginning to wonder how difficult it would be to get under Cryax's skin, he'd already gone off on his own little spiel. It was true that he hadn't expected anything less, especially considering they'd only just met, but Rhen wasn't in the position to be playing nice with anything. Whether he realized it or not, Cryax had made a potent and deadly enemy with the Mandalorians, one that wasn't likely to fade into the background anytime soon. And just like any other crime boss, he thought just a bit too highly of himself in his position, when the bounty hunter and mercenary both he was speaking to could have just easily come into his office with a blaster and ended things before they'd had a chance to begin. But that wasn't how he operated. Or at least, not this time around.

For the moment he simply regarded the other man, not making any move to sit or otherwise diffuse the tension between them. "How is it the saying goes? 'Mando'ad draar digu.' A Mandalorian never forgets. It doesn't matter whose business it was, because now you've gotten the attention of the Mand'alor, and you won't be getting out of things so easily. But we didn't come here to discuss your infamy among my people, however much you'd like to continue the discussion." He could have just as simply walked out of the office right then and there, and left their contact at that, but he was genuinely interested in the offer, even if it was just to give his own people a leg up in things.

As his security stepped forward Rhen simply sat in a nearby chair as if to show his disconcern for the entirety of the situation, studying Cryax for a few seconds before he next spoke. "Speak, then. I didn't come here to argue your favor in the eyes of my people. But if you're done talking business, then I'll leave. I don't intend to waste anyone's time by staying here, including yours."

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax sipped his drink on the couch, hunched over, his dress shirt untucked. He was tired of this business with the Mandos, and having to talk about his dirty laundry with a man he'd just met. The Chiss ran his fingers through his hair and leaning his elbows on his knees, stared up at Rhen with a beleaguered expression. "Is that how the saying goes? Sorry, I know it's hard to believe, but in case you haven't noticed..." Here the Chiss indicated his own blue skin. "I'm not a Mandalorian, Mr. Ordo. You know what else a Mandalorian never does? Apparently a Mandalorian never minds his own business, that's what." He shook his head. "You Moactan Teel think you're so high and mighty. That the galaxy can't kiss your feet enough."

"I don't give a kark what my favor is in the eyes of your people, Mr. Ordo. If I made a mistake, I'll set it right with the relevant parties. Not an entire planet. And certainly not with you. What I need from you is protection from my many enemies. I thought you might fit the bill. From what I heard you're a real force to be reckoned with." As he spoke to Rhen, Cryax had a weary tone to his voice, devoid of emotion. Just straight talk. "Look, like I said, I'm sorry I wasted your time. This obviously isn't going to be the right fit."

The Chiss crime boss furrowed his brow at the other man. "You might want to clue me in as to why you're still standing here, Ordo?"

[member="Rhen Ordo"]

 

[Rhen Ordo]

A sense of pride in his people was something Rhen took to heart, as most of any other culture or species alike did. So for him to simply sit and listen to Cryax speak of the Mandalorians derogatorily wasn't a simple feat, but it was one he managed, in the interests of keeping this meeting civil, at least for the most part. Even if things wouldn't work out for either party in the long term, a fight, no matter how small in scale, wasn't something he'd had in mind today, even if he was more than confident in his martial abilities. So instead of acting he let the Chiss speak his mind, keeping his gaze steadily on the crime boss that sat across from him.

And that was all he did for a few long seconds, just listen to all that had been said and mull quietly over it, remaining almost uncharacteristically calm about everything. But when he spoke, there was a bit of a sharp edge to it, the cut of his words just beginning to emerge. "It's business, aruetii. But if all you're going to do is lecture me on the finer points of how it is the Mandalorians should behave in the galaxy, then I'll take my leave." For the time being he would be the voice of reason, mostly. It was a tactic that would only become more invaluable as their discussion wore on, something told him.

"You could begin by outlining what it is you expect and whom these enemies of yours are, besides my people. That would be a start." What he failed to mention was that if a Mandalorian or a group thereof came knocking, the chances of him intervening in that particular fight were very slim to none. Before anything he would stand aside and let things come to pass as they would, if not stand to the aid of his vode. That was a facet of the arrangement that would more than likely come to pass later.

The thought also crossed his mind that he'd have to notify the Mand'alor of what had come to pass, if just to hear the man's say in things. It was he, besides Ana, who had the biggest bone to pick with Cryax, and it was he who would garner Rhen's next move within this operation. But for now he sat, in silence, waiting for a response.

[member="Cryax Bane"]

 

[Cryax Bane]

The Chiss let a few minutes pass, leaning forward on his elbows, head down, staring at the plush carpet. Then he raised his glowing red eyes to Rhen. Cryax's eyes were sunken from the stress of his job, his flashbacks and nightmares, and the never-ending feeling of being hunted for something he did or even simply who he was. He could use a bodyguard like Rhen Ordo. If the trust was there and that was a big if. The wheels in his mind creaked. What better way to garner the other man's trust than to promise that he'd be a friend to the Mandalorians. Whether or not it was true didn't matter did it?

"My enemies?" Cryax let out a sharp laugh and shrugged. "Throw a stone and see what it hits. The Red Ravens just signed a treaty with the One Sith so any of enemies of theirs will soon be ours. As for personal enemies, I have a Yuuzhan Vong overlord who barges in without knocking sometimes. And just angry Mandos, but I already know how you feel about fighting your allit." Cryax knew a tiny bit of Mando'a due to his past relationship and thought maybe speaking it to the man would help in some way.

"Look, Mr. Ordo" he lied. "I'm soon going to smooth things over with the Mandos. Pretty soon, they will be no problemo, believe me. As for my other enemies, think you can handle them? Or is the man standing before me simply not up to the task?" The wily Chiss crime boss raised his eyebrow in a challenging expression, and carefully folded his hands in front of him.

[member="Rhen Ordo"]

 

[Rhen Ordo]

Currently, Rhen had every reason to doubt the word of the man that sat across from him. And he did, which was one of the reasons that the chances of him actually taking the offer were down to nothing. It was an odd request in and of itself without the fact that [member="Cryax Bane"] seemed almost desperate to make things work. Had it been any other man from any other organization, he would have considered it, but as it were his options were limited, to say the least. And that wasn't without his own opinion thrown into the mix. As with most, if not all, of the others of his people, he regarded any sign of cowardice with contempt, to say the least. And the Chiss whose office he sat in was a prime example of just that. But he would entertain the man's company just a bit longer, if just to see in what direction things headed.

"Jatanese be te jatanese. There's a reason that phrase is in the vocabulary of the Mando'ade." That was his only response to the last challenging inquiry posed to him, after which he was silent, or at least for a moment or two. The chances of things being resolved with the Mandalorians were slim to none, from what he'd witnessed, so all of Cryax's reassuring wasn't doing much of any good on his part. Once one made an enemy of the aliit, it was doubtful if it would ever be remedied. That went doubly so for one who managed to anger the Mand'alor, of all the possible members of the warrior culture. It was a mistake that wouldn't so easily be forgotten, by anyone.

In light of that, it was strange for him to hear his native tongue from the mouth of a person who was at the top of the list when it came to the enemies of those same people whose language he was speaking. But it was something he could ponder later. "You would be wise to consider just who it is you're speaking to. The Sith and the Mandalorians aren't the best of friends, if you've not been paying attention." As he spoke, he kept his gaze steadily locked with the other man's. "Give me one good reason why I should take this job, chakaaryc." Now he was only entertaining his own curiosities, having come to his decision in regards to the offer, which was most definitely a negative.

 

[Cryax Bane]

Cryax didn't know enough Mando'a to know most of the phrases Rhen was lobbing at him, but given the Bounty Hunter's tone, they didn't sound flattering. As daggers flashed in the other man's eyes, the young Chiss realized that his tongue had probably been too sharp, and perhaps he had just smart-assed his way out of hiring one of the best bodyguard's credits could buy. But Cryax's growing hubris wouldn't let him apologize. No karking way.

"I don't know what that first thing you said was. Or the second word you threw in there at the end. You might want to break it down into Basic for me. 'Cause last I checked. Not a Mando." he pointed to himself again. The Chiss then stood up and crossed to a liquor cabinet, pouring himself and Rhen a whiskey each. Giving the man a wide berth, he merely set Rhen's glass down on a table for him.

"Why should you take this job? The pay is amazing for one. You'll never have to take another bounty as long as you live. If you want to retire in some country house on Mandalore with a wife and a bunch of kids running around, taking this job would certainly be the way to do it." That was only half-true as organized crime was a business that few were able to cut ties with. But Cryax continued with a sigh, giving the man the hard sell. "You'd be guarding one of the most high profile crime bosses this side of the Outer Rim. You'd fly around in a Galaxy One. Have your pick of the ladies that will be throwing themselves at you. The perks are endless."

He sipped his whiskey slowly, staring squarely into Rhen's eyes, trying to unmask the thoughts of unreadable man. "Armor, weapons, ships, a new set of Beskarwhatever. Whatever you desire." Here he grinned widely, racheting up the charm a few notches. "It could all be yours."

[member="Rhen Ordo"]