Private The Fun-vee

[Azula Tindara]

Slugfall harbour, Mek-sha

"Slugfall. This is the worst name for a place," Azula reflected. She leaned into the window of their heavy landspeeder. It wad the kind of vehicle owned either by the wealthy or ostentatious. In this case it was practical, with reinforced glasteel windows

They were passing through a more quiet street, but the colourful advertising billboards were still visible. They all flashed and flickered between different products, vying for the attention of drivers who needed to focus on the roads.

"Almost reminds me of bits of Nar-Shaddaa," she said to Judah, who sat opposite her. "Flying always felt safer there. Not that there was a 'ground' we ever saw to drive on."

Judah had a contact here. Given their trip - one that allowed them both to work on the move - had brought them to a neighbouring sector, Judah had decided to meet them in person.

The asteroids resources had dried up, but it had become a busy travel hub. One packed with refugees from across the Galaxy.

"What are you going to build here? A recruitment office? You could..."

The Force dragged her attention to the immediate future. She turned her head sharply to see four bright headlights coming at them from the intersection.

Then there was darkness.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Mek-Sha
​

He and Azula were sitting in the backseat, a droid piloting the heavily fortified speeder through the crowded areas. Wary eye was on the droid and he was leaned back as far as his seatbelt and seat would allow him. It was spacious in the back but he was still in a locked vehicle with said droid. Not an ideal situation no matter how Azula Tindara tried to keep him occupied, not that she knew about his droid phobia.

"Flying? Safer on Nar Shadda?" Skeptical look was shot in her direction. "If you say so."

They hadn't seen each other in a few weeks. What had turned into 'next week' on Ketaris was derailed by the knowledge of Balun Dashiell .He had moved their time together until now. There was a lot to tell her about, but strangely Azula was focused on work. Even on the trip over, she had been engrossed with her hyperlane work, and he really needed her to focus on what he had to say.

Needless to say, the opportunity didn't come up yet.

'Recruitment hub. This is a good location."

Her words had been cut off, his gaze briefly followed hers. He was blinded by lights of another speeder or vessel. He couldn't tell but perhaps the droid was actually going to floor it. Flight and traffic customers were odd and tended to vary planet to planet. Yet he was wrong. There was a sickening sound of metal against metal.

When he woke up, he was in darkness. His shoulder was burning in pain.

Not good.

 

[Azula Tindara]

Azula stumbled out of the vehicle. Judah was out cold. Her awareness was scattered, the world spinning. She knew he was bleeding, knew that it would be quickest to get around to the other side of their vehicle and pull him free.

She slipped. She went down onto hands and knees at the back of the speeded. It was hard to breathe. Darkness encroached on her vision. Her chest could barely rise and fall, such was the pain driving into her from both sides.

"Passengers?"

She was aware of the voice, but couldn't react. The impact was catching up to her. She tried to crawl forwards. She needed to get Judah out of the car.

"Bring them. Could be VIPs."

Azula looked up. The other vehicle was still in tact. A heavy, reinforced truck. Shapes. Human shapes. Weapons.

She had to protect him. She reached for her blaster.

There was a flash of blue. Then darkness.

---

Azula was cold and calculating as she came to. She had always been a survivor. She pieced together what had happened and coldly reflected upon her injuries.

She was concussed. She had fractured ribs on both side, possibly a broken collarbone. One ankle was in a bad way, but when she trained her senses inwards she couldn't feel a break.

Judah...

It was suddenly harder to focus when she realised he wasn't in the room. She wasn't in a cell. Her wrists were chained and a heavy bracket had been driven into a duracrete floor. This could have been an office or a warehouse.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

When he came to, it was clear the last series of events weren't a nightmare. Still on Mek-sha, and now injured. Shoulder burned, there was a cut on his head at one point or another judging by the dried blood on his pants. Various bruises. He wasn't on the side that had got hit hard, the speeder didn't even flip but it had been a high impact. Stupid droid. Azula Tindara had been on that side.

Speaking of, where was Azula?

Rows upon rows of steel containers used to move goods were stacked high in the massive space. It was oddly quiet - just the usual mechanical noises. He was on the hard, dusty duracrete floor but he wasn't bound or chained in any way. It took a long, long moment but he finally stood and tried to get his bearings. Head pounded in unison with the throbbing shoulder. First order of business, find Azula.

He wasn't so stupid to call out to her. Instead, he slowly started walking along the corridors of the warehouse. Listening, peering down corners for her. It was slow. Pain wasn't helping the matter. Yet he plodded on and finally found her in some type of receiving area. He must have been stuck on the other end.

Pace quickened and he approached, only Azula was chained to the ground. Judah crouched down and touched the cuffs, looking at her.

"You don't have some kind of Force wizard power that can get you out of this?" Reunion and checking if she was okay would have to wait. They didn't have time to fawn over one another or ask questions. He knew the Tortuga would understand.

"....not so fast you two." Voice carried down towards them from the stacks of shipping containers.

 

[Azula Tindara]

"....not so fast you two."

"Yes...look how fast I go..." Azula groaned.

She rattled her chains to make the point and leaned back.

All she could offer Judah was a sharp little shake of her head. She didn't know what was going on and she had no immediate plan of action. She understood his look.

She had some advantages. In fact, she had very few advantages but she hoped they had underestimated her. They'd seen her draw a blaster, but might be ignorant of what she could do.

Two rodians emerged from their level, but the voice had come from above. A human with dark hair and tanned skin stepped forwards. He had a bionic eye with a green lens and a prosthetic left hand, the mechanics exposed to the elements. If she had to guess, she would assume he was a chalactan refugee.

"Simple question Mr Dashiell: is your lot going to pay any more to get her back alive too?"

One bronze finger pointed at Azula.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

He understood the look. There were no magical powers that were going to get her out of the predicament at the moment. Which, considering what vague things he knew about the Force, seemed a bit unfortunate. One could pick up a rock with their mind but not use it for a useful skill such as lock picking. Just as he was about to ask another question, voices reached them.

Not the ones from the Rodian lackeys that were on the ground with them. This was from above. A man with cybernetic parts, dressed impeccably like some small time mafioso or kingpin. A stark contrast to the Rodians he assumed were bodyguards or some kind of trusted players in an larger organization. Little gangs like this had sprung up thanks to the duress in the Core, making it easier for refugees and those wanting to take advantage to rise to power in criminal organizations.

"Simple question Mr Dashiell: is your lot going to pay any more to get her back alive too?"

"Get her back alive too? That depends, who else has been captured?"

First rule of being a rich corpo type : never pay ransom. Credits would be collected and one would die regardless once the credits were obtained. However, it was always smart to see what information could be gleaned from the situation. That required not shutting down the kingpin on the first question. Judah had to at least pretend to be interested in negotiations of some sort.

"...and if someone else has been captured, where are they now?"

 

[Azula Tindara]

"No one else, just you, you stupid fuck. Why would I go after anyone else when I can get you?"

The chalactan gave a short shake of his head.

"Which is why I'm asking if it's worth throwing her in too? If not I can sell her elsewhere." He didn't even consider Judah truly worrying about any more of his people on the asteroid. People like him only ever cared about themselves.

Azula strained against the chains for just a second. The rodians paused, but continued as soon as they saw that she was still secure.

"She can work tables at Balodar's casino down the way. Like them feisty there."



Azula hadn't been hit straight on with a stun blast for a very long time. She'd never been hit with one after being hit by a speeder.

Every word was like a hammer to the brain, but she listened. Their captor was confident, which was dangerous. He didn't strike her particularly empathetic either. Also dangerous, but perhaps that green eye wasn't watching them closely enough.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Ah, so I'm the original target.

Judah wasn't sure at first, but this moment where things weren't clear played right into his hand. Essentially, Azula Tindara was the collateral damage, she wasn't expected on the trip. It made sense, he was on all the scheduling, not Azula. It had been decided at the last moment she would join him for all legs of his work trip.

"She's merely a hired courtesan, someone to keep my bed warm. Toss her towards the casino, I'm sure she'll add spice to the operation."

He had a reason behind his words. It would give Azula an easier chance to escape. Judah knew once she got her bearings and was ready to take in her surroundings, escape would be easy if she was acting as a 'entertainer' down in the casinos. In this instance, it was best if they separate. It gave them a fighting chance. Mainly because no one was paying a ransom. Hell, even if it was paid, the gangsters would most likely kill them anyways.

Especially since they had since their faces. Seen part of the operation. It signaled no matter what the payment, this might as well be the end of the line.

 

[Azula Tindara]

It was smoothly delivered lie. One she wouldn't forget for some time, but she was still impressed.

Thinking about pretending to be offended in the future, she almost forgot to be offended now.

She spat out a curse and pulled at the chains.

"That's about what I expected from someone like you," the chalactan laughed.

"Kaddro, by the way," he continued. "Not that you asked."

Azula shrank as the Kaddro approached, flanked by his rodians. She had hoped to remain out of his sphere of attention. She was not so lucky.

"I wonder what the going rate is for a few nights entertainment for a man like you," Kaddro mused as he cast his gaze over Azula.

"Now I've got these guys I normally go through. They arrange the transfers for corporate staff that fall into my lap. But I've never had such a big fish on the line.

"What do you think Judah? Your companies will pay a quick ransom for some floor staff to keep it quiet, but the boss? I bet they send snipers before credits?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"She wasn't cheap but I'm sure a man like you can afford her."

He hoped Azula Tindara saw his point in all this. He was trying to save her, to get her down to a location where it would be easier to escape. Right now, Kaddro needed to be sold on Azula. Otherwise it would be an easy blaster bolt between the eyes and that would be it. The Togruta couldn't be seen as a liability but an asset to the gangsters.

"You're a fisherman, Mister Kaddro? You know what they say, you either catch or you learn."

Meaning either Judah would die and they would get a ransom or he would escape and Kaddro would learn a lesson. Or possibility not. The Chalactan seemed highly intelligent. Even if he was "just a Kingpin" such a person didn't rise to that sort of position without having some type of sense. Psychology was certainly used to keep the Rodians and others in line, it wasn't something a person straight off the street could handle.

Judah took a deep sigh. He didn't want to stay here. He wanted to move around. Movement would make it difficult to be controlled. He could get more of an idea of what was going on.

"No one is coming for me, Mister Kaddro. Might as well just put me out of my misery. I'm sure as a small consolation you can run my credcards to their limits. Nothing like a ransom but what can one do....Next time you catch a big fish you might want to see if they have clauses on ransoms and kidnappings."

 

[Azula Tindara]

"She wasn't cheap but I'm sure a man like you can afford her."

He hoped Azula saw his point in all this.

Her expression had to be just right. A suitable blend of fear and disgust as she looked up at the chalactan.

He offered a shrug.

Whist she saw the direction Judah was going she hoped that Kaddro didn't get any immediate ideas. Although if she could get him alone with her hands free she could take an opportunity.

In hindsight, she regretted drawing a blaster. They were wary of her. They had chained her to the floor.

"No one is coming for me, Mister Kaddro. Might as well just put me out of my misery. I'm sure as a small consolation you can run my credcards to their limits. Nothing like a ransom but what can one do....Next time you catch a big fish you might want to see if they have clauses on ransoms and kidnappings."

"Ah now, this is a great act an all," Kaddro said, shaking his head. "But I'll be waiting to see what your company says first."

"And maybe I'm not being too truthful either. Not as...amateur...as I seem. People don't carve out a piece of this place without powerful friends. But you're right, your credcards had some serious limits. And we know how to drain them without leaving a trace."

"Come on, level with me. They'll send someone to investigate, right?"

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"And maybe I'm not being too truthful either. Not as...amateur...as I seem. People don't carve out a piece of this place without powerful friends. But you're right, your credcards had some serious limits. And we know how to drain them without leaving a trace."

"Come on, level with me. They'll send someone to investigate, right?"

Judah sighed. If he put himself in the Chalactans shoes, he could see why the man didn't believe him. In theory, he was worth quite a bit. Any ransom would be high and could easily be paid. However, ransoms were rarely paid on principle. One, the target seemed to always die. Two, if a company paid a ransom it meant they were targets for more kidnapping. It was always best to not pay otherwise the entire C-Suite would be at risk constantly.

"I'm sure in a few days time someone will call Sector Authorities then go from there. Maybe also contact the owner of Mek-sha.Standard procedure to check with the locals. Could be hours, could be days."

Judah knew it would be days before someone got in contact. Most likely when he missed his next scheduled stop. He was looking at spending days with Kaddro. However the Kingpin acted as if someone was going to start looking immediately.

"I assume we're not staying on this warehouse for days on end?"

 

[Azula Tindara]

The concussion made it difficult to think. The cuffs were solid durasteel. The bar driven into the concrete beneath them. She wasn't going to be able to brute force the situation.

She wasn't even certain she would be able to stand.

"I assume we're not staying on this warehouse for days on end?"

"Why, does his lordship want better accommodations? We'll be moving you somewhere safe too. Even if you're not being watched, I am."

The man turned his gaze to Azula.

"Why did she have a blaster?"

"Me?" Azula interrupted. She didn't want to butt in with an answer and look like she was covering up.

"Yes, you, anyone else in here?" he snapped back.

Better that he was frustrated and thought she was concussed. Which she was.

"New client. Shit end of town. Why wouldn't I?" She murmured.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Why, does his lordship want better accommodations? We'll be moving you somewhere safe too. Even if you're not being watched, I am."

Judah shrugged at Kaddro. The Chalactan was being odd. Was the Kingpin not in charge of this operation? Was it beyond his usual scope? Or perhaps the Kingpin was merely working a bounty with Judah's name attached, making Kaddro a contract worker for someone else. Judah couldn't see a bounty placed on him by anyone but a government, but then again, he had been surprised before.

"Just seems a warehouse is hard to secure. Lots of entry, exit...hiding spots."

Gaze turned to Azula. Of course she would have tried something with a blaster. Not the wisest of moves but of course the Togruta would try. He was hoping they could be placed into a cell or holding area together but he doubted that was possible. He was just eager to get moving. Movement was dangerous. It gave them chances to escape and learn more about Mek-sha.

"All these courtesans I've learned have weapons. Should have seen the last one I fucked, had a dagger hiding between her cleavage. Talk about a surprise."

He still had to keep the lie. Might as well establish he had a penchant of hiring company now so Kaddro wouldn't look too deep into their story. Layers, building layers.

 

[Azula Tindara]

She genuinely couldn't tell if he was trying to sell the routine or was laying the groundwork for future jokes.

She had seen his bravery in the face of having his own station raided. This was a different kind of bravery. His calm and collected demeanour despite having no control over the situation.

When she thought back to that day and how she had treated Judah she had to wonder how his trust issues were not worse than hers.

"Well thanks for reviewing my security. Hope you didn't cut a finger on your... Are you sure you don't just have a reputation with..."

Kaddro glanced at Azula.

"We don't like people who rough the girls up around here."

He was clearly trying to have some fun with Judah rather than making a real accusation. Azula wondered what kind of self esteem issues or history he had where he wanted to take a few pot shots at a CEO.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Oh, I didn't cut anything, the blade was locked and closed. Still a shock."

Right now, he felt like a duck. The topside of him was smooth and calm, gliding along the surface. Below, furious paddling. The danger of being captured was very, very real and the longer they remained in captivity the closer they got, in his opinion, to execution. He figured Azula Tindara would be spared, but he wouldn't be so lucky.

So until then, he was doing everything in his power to stay calm and not piss off this Kaddro guy. Judah had seen the type before and he knew getting on the guys ultimate badside would be nothing but hurt. If he stayed neutral and somewhere in the middle, perhaps Kaddro would view their transactions as two businessmen having to deal with the unpleasantness.

At least, this was his hope. He had been very, very wrong before.

He remained cool and disinterested around Azula, noting out of the corner of his eye the two Rodians were watching. They had edged a little closer by now, not trusting the pair. Or maybe they were going to get moved out sometime soon. It was hard to gauge and he had only been in this position once before ; facing off with Daxton Bane .

"As for roughed up, never. She was treated too well if anything."

Now he knew that would draw commentary from her in the future. If they lived to see the future.

 

[Azula Tindara]

"Good," Kaddro replied. "People who treat my girls wrong lose fingers."

He grinned and looked at Judah's hand as if he was picturing removing a few digits to send back to his company.

Something in his pocket vibrated.

"Watch them," he said to the rodians as he stepped back and lifted a comm-unit to his mouth.

"Car is here. Keep them both cuffed for the journey."

One of the rodians rushed away, returning with two black bags and another set of cuffs.

They unlocked Azula. It was a chance, but one she didn't take. Standing up she tested her ankle. It was delicate. She couldn't breathe as freely as she needed. She also couldn't tell how many more people there might be around the warehouse.

Her chain was threaded back out of the fixing in the floor and she was shackled again. Judah's wrists were next.

Knowing how he felt about the Force, Azula had to risk a small invasion of privacy. As the bag was thrown over her head she started to find just enough focus to reach out to his mind.

I might make a move when we're in the car

 

[Judah Dashiell]

One of the Rodians grabbed him roughly, turning him around to place the cuffs on his wrists. They felt heavy, like one of those stun-cuffs that if one got too rowdy they would send a shocking reminder to sit still. He had no intentions of trying to find out if that was the case. He heard the activation, the other Rodian coming to slip the hood over him, his world going dark.

I might make a move when we're in the car

Good thing the hood was on his head because he was completely surprised. Body stiffened a little at the intrusion. He knew Azula Tindara wasn't aware of his nano-bot event, but anything out of his control was a deep seated fear. Anxiety settled into the pit of his stomach. A cold sweat instantly broke out along the back of his neck.

The only good thing? No one would suspect it since the Rodians and Kaddro would expect him to be scared, nervous.

He struggled to put one foot in front of the other, one of the Rodians shoving him along. Stumbling, they were pushed along the warehouse space and he struggled to listen through the blood rushing in his ears. No matter, he was quickly shoved into something low. A hard bottom. The trunk space of the speeder.

"Don't try it."

The lid was firmly shut. Judah waited until he heard the speeder start and motion begin before he started to speak. Voice waivered, he was still anxious from her Force message. He trusted Azula, but perhaps not to that extent yet due to his deepest fears. A deep breath and he tried to keep his voice low.

"Azula....you okay?"

 

[Azula Tindara]

She knew how he felt about jedi and mind control. She wouldn't have invaded his personal space if it hadn't felt necessary. When he mentally recoiled she backed away, waiting for another chance.

Azula was blinded and pushed forward. She was not pushed by the shoulders. A grope and a squeeze encouraged her walk forwards.

Expecting to be ducked down into the back of a vehicle, she instead found herself bundled into the trunk of the speeder.

"Azula....you okay?"

"I'm alright just dizzy."

The darkness helped her focus. To stretch out her senses.

"We're a convoy of three. We're in the middle. If we stop I think I could open the trunk and we could run."

The cuffs were a problem. She could get out of the hood, but she had nothing to pick the cuffs with and they were too dense to brute force apart.

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"We're a convoy of three. We're in the middle. If we stop I think I could open the trunk and we could run."

Judah let that idea roll around in his mind. Right now they couldn't see. His shoulder burned, it didn't help that the cuffs were pulling at the muscles and tendons. They didn't even know where they were or what Mek-sha was really like. He had only known the "block" or small area where the recruitment office was to be situated but beyond that the station was just a giant black hole. He knew absolutely nothing.

"Can you even run?"

They didn't have much choice. Judah was certain she felt the same. The longer they were in captivity the more closer they grew to becoming expendable. He was less so just because they wanted more credits. Azula would most likely be sold - Kaddro was credit hungry, he couldn't see Azula being killed outright like he would be.

"We don't have much of a choice....maneuvering with the cuffs on...could be an issue."