To secure gainful employment [Jak Sandrow]

[Lucien Cordel]

The man stopped as the door became obstructed. He was dead now, he definitely hadn't been paid enough. "Of course ,of course sir " The torturer rang his hands.

He rather wanted to keep more than just one eye and three fingers. He did have a far nicer job now as a baker. "Your still on Lok sir, A few miles south of Mr. Cordels hotel " He stopped, that wasn't specific enough "Your 15 miles south of the hotel where mr. Cordel is staying, This is a abandoned imperial detention centre" He fell to his knees "Please don't kill me sir ... please I'm just doin as I was bid" He whimpered and wrang his hands again. He was going to kill lucien if he got out of this.

The chance of him getting out looked slim however as the speeder Lucien had dispatched had got sand in the engine and not many mechanics were on call to go to the desert at midnight so a new vehicle had to be dispatched. Jak had about an hour to have his fun.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak probed with the Force, to verify what he thought was a very cheap (and rather insulting) explanation. But no, the man reeked of fear, and truth was all he said.

Jak's mind raced with questions, but answers, too. His eyes narrowed to slits, and his free hand clenched, and paled a little. "So you... are under the employ... of my boss?" He had managed to piece together that much, at least, if not where he knew the name from originally.


[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"Yes" The man wailed "You're the third person he's sent"

"He didn't tell me you weren't human" He crawled away from Jak " He said it would be easy, rough the applicant's up test their loyalty ... if they turn traitor kill 'em" He recounted his instructions, a recountance that would likely lead to lucien not forgiving his debt as promised. "No one was supposed to get badly hurt" He wailed again.. It was quite shocking how pathetic people got when stripped of the protection of a chained captive. "Please I'll tell you anything just let me live"

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

His fist clenched tighter... and then the rage ebbed away.

Jak snorted faintly. "So this was the test... not bad, Mr. Cordel... still..." He snapped his head up. "Alright, stand up."

The blade on his wrist snapped back into his arm, and he gave the ex-torturer a wry smirk. "Three things. One, I am Mr. Cordel's bodyguard, hired... I think earlier this evening. So, now you work for me. Two, your interrogating sucks, but I can help you with that. Three, is there anywhere I can go here to blow something up?"

He was still pissed that he had been duped that badly, but he was also glad his boss was thorough.


[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

The executioner laughed, he was relieved, he was alive. He stood up quickly

"Erm yeah, I'm just a baker not been an interrogator in about 10 years , so I've gotten rusty and he wouldn't let me break you in any serious way, only doin' this so he won't seize my shop to pay off my debts" He shrugged at the last question "well there's my swoop bike ... please don't blow up my bike" The man shuffle around a bit still recovering from a near near death experience. "Blow up applicant ones car, Elveria rather liked it though, It's in the garage engines clogged with sand she was repairing it ... follow me " He said walking toward the door "after you've got ridda them "

As for Jaks mood, Lucien hadn't really considered it, so the applicants might have been annoyed at the test ... well perhaps not since those who failed got killed but the point stood. It was more important that luien knew his staff could be trusted his job involved may confidential or controversial actions and he need staff who could keep tight lipped. He was sure the successful applicant , in this case Jak would get over it.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak tilted his head a bit. "No exercise room? No practice arenas? No shooting ranges, anything like that?" With a flick of the wrist, the flechettes pulled back from the door and slammed back into Jak's hand like filings to a magnet; they melted into his skin, and he shook out his hand, flexing a little. Once that was done, he reverted back to his (preferred) human coloration.


[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"I don't think so " The man sighed "They only cleaned up a few rooms the cell where they held you, The bathroom and the office the rest they told me not to use cause they ain't been checked" he stepped out of the room Jak had turned back to human colours . He was less intimidating now "While I remember your stuff is being kept in a locker over there" He passed Jak a key "Mr. C didn't wanna get it damaged in any way, There's a bathroom across the hall." He smiled then backed against the wall as jak passed. While he waited on Jak he peered through the room adjoining the ones he'd used. The Imperials had some nasty looking devices. Non the less he did find a slightly decrepit exercise room. When Jak emerged this was pointed out to him. Then The man hurried to call Lucien back to find out about a ride back.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

By the time Jak had changed back into his regulars, the man brought back good news, of an exercise room, after all.

Heading to where the man indicated, Jak found plenty of things that could work to train against. Notably, a whole rack of punching bags.

Putting five aside, he started on the first one, knocking it down in about 15 seconds. It spilled all over the floor, and he kicked it away, and put up a new one.


[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

A new Vehicle had been found by now and was on route to collect Jak.

Meanwhile the interrogator had returned to the room he had been given, to get a drink ... He could have been killed, he was going to kill lucien when he got near him, well probably not literally Lucien was after all a sith lord. They tended to be dangerous and he rather wanted to live.

He drank down the bitter whiskey and calm...

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

After a good 30 minutes, all the bags were lying on the ground, slashed open, punctured, and mangled in various different ways. Jak was breathing a little heavy, but he was very warmed up.

Stringing up the last five bags he had reserved in a tight circle around him, he began to throw fists around him in every direction, as if he was surrounded by enemies.

That lasted a little longer, but again, eventually all the bags lay strewn about the floor, now unusable.

Panting lightly, Jak surveyed his handiwork and, nodding, started to pile the bags in the corner. Grabbing a broom, he began sweeping up the sand. Why the heck was he doing janitor work? Well... in a real-life scenario, someone had to clean up.


[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien employed people to 'clean up'. You couldn't kill with impunity if you left a mess.

Outside a speeder pulled up to collect Jak. It was growing late now and the time for punching was over.
Jak had successfully obliterated about 20 credits worth of mediocre artifacts which could have been sold to some local level museums. Would that affect his job prospects probably not but it was important to note.

Lucien's staff arrived outside, the driver went to find Jak while the second whent to deliver a red envelope to the ex-interrogator. Jaks escape had meant a portion of his debt went unforgiven ... he had 30 days then he might well be meeting jak again to play the role of punching bag.
"Mr. Sandrow are you ready to leave?" The driver said "You can leave the tidying up, that will be dealt with at the same time as the bodies" The driver stepped into the room "Mr. Cordel thanks you for your discretion"

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak shrugged and leaned the broom up against the wall. "Alright. Yeah, I'm good to go." He followed the driver back to the speeder. "So, where are you planning to take me? Or do I have my leave for one night?"

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

[member="Jak Sandrow"] (sorry I'm late)

The driver opened Jak's door then got in, the other staff followed soon after "Mr. Cordel is staying the night at the arena's hotel, provision has been made there for you , As for your leave for the night Cordel wants to see you when you're available but he can wait it's only to finalise wages and that sort of thing" Whilst this sounded like Jak had a choice he didn't really. waiting was not one of lucien's strong suits. Then again Lucien wasn't very good at violence either so he would in all likelihood just dock Jak's wage which would likely make little difference.

 

[Jak Sandrow]

[member="Lucien Cordel"] (ah, it's fine. no worries)

"Wages?" I could use the money... "That's okay with me; I'd like to discuss security with him also, if that's okay."

The money Jak had put away was draining a little too quickly for Jak's taste. If he could manage to get an advance, that would be rather helpful.

"I'm good to stay the night at the hotel, but I do need to make a call when I get my comlink back, if that's also okay."

Learning the ropes was going to take a while...

 

[Lucien Cordel]

"Ofcourse " The driver replied "Any concerns or queries you have can be addressed in this meeting" The speeder swiftly carved a path through the desert as they spoke.

As for Jak's money worries, Lucien could certainly be persuaded to give Jak a signing bonus of some form , the amount could of course be decided during their twilight meeting.
The driver nodded at Jaks acceptance of staying over at the hotel "Mr. Cordel will understand, your room is 416 you can make your call there if that is most convenient , Mr. Cordel is across the corridor his door will be unlocked"

They were soon outside the hotel and Jak was free to go where he desired. The other staff however were going to the hotel bar ... what good was a tab if you didn't use it too it's fullest potential.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"Alright, thanks. Have a good one." He stepped out the speeder, and entered the hotel.

"Not bad," Jak noted, nodding. He'd stayed at worse places for longer. "Not bad at all..." He walked across to the reception desk, guns clinking faintly at his hips, the sound somewhat louder in the silent atrium. "Excuse me," he asked the receptionist. "Ah, room 416, reserved for Jak Sandrow?"

She squinted at him, then pecked away at her display. "Saaaaaaandrowwww.... Ah. Yes, room 416." She passed him a key, which he took with a Thank-you.

Heading up the flight of stairs, he opened his room first, and, checking over it quickly, decided to go get the meeting done. He crossed the room and politely knocked on 415, and cleared his throat. "Mr. Cordel? It's Jak."


[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien looked up as he heard the knock on the door.

"Yes, Come in Mr. Sandrow"

Lucien's room was for the most part similar to Jak's, perhaps a touch bigger but no notable difference. His staff received the best on offer , not for their benefit but for his after all what could be said for a man whose staff lived better than most of the middle class. It was an image thing.
Lucien lit a cigar before offering one to Jak. Cigars and wine were his favourite vices, Vices that he very much needed. It was hard to be in his position, his every move was subject to scrutiny and that was notably stressful.

"You can sit down" He said gesturing toward an armchair next to his, a line of smoke drifting across the room as he did so. "I suppose we ought to discuss your fee, I was thinking around 40 thousand per annum in addition to my providing accommodation and two meals a day, is that agreeable?" He could of course go higher but he would rather not, after all he didn't have a bottomless bank account.

Whilst he awaited Jaks reply a thumbed a letter that rested on the accent table. It was in a red envelope addressed to the inept interrogator. They would come to that letter later once a price had been agreed and Jak's questions had been answered.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

Jak politely declined the cigar and took a seat. "Well, 40 is a goodly sum... but make it 45 and I'm good to drop the meals. I don't eat... publicly, that is... And also, I would like to talk security precautions? If this is my job, I'm going to do it right. Sir," he added, as an afterthought.

[member="Lucien Cordel"]

 

[Lucien Cordel]

Lucien hummed "Forty five it is then" He smiled a little as Jak slipped the 'sir' he was learning fast. It was odd that he didn't eat though, then again he is a plant so he supposed it wasn't the weirdest thing that likely went on.

He turned to Jak "Let's talk security then ... a rule though you don't have the authority to say where I can and can't go under normal circumstances, as in I say we are walking through a minefield we are walking through a minefield, of course if my life is threatened you do have the power to force me around then ... within reason ofcourse" He took another drag. It was never going to be easy defending lucien, he didn't like being old and inept at fighting, it was demeaning.

[member="Jak Sandrow"]

 

[Jak Sandrow]

"Alright, you have the final say in where you go, but I hope you will take my advice strongly into suggestion when you do go wherever you want, sir."

"Okay, I do have some rules-slash-suggestions. First off, in emergency situations, protocol goes out the window. Second, you need to have both an automated and manned security for you and your non-military staff - if you have any military staff, that is. There is no way I can defend you, and your staff, and this place, all by myself. I could try, but enough people attack, and you are once again without a bodyguard. Till that happens, I will be your shadow. Third, I'm going to need a place to put my ship. It's small, it's crappy, but it's home... Is any of this disagreeable, sir?"

[member="Lucien Cordel"]