Justice Among the Stars: Book 1

Prologue: Dawn of a New Age

Deep within a droid manufacturing and recycling factory, a group of workers worked tirelessly in operating the machines, watching as conveyer belts took piles of scrap and droid parts to be either melted down or put back together. It was a simple job with a lot of heat, but it payed a decent amount of credits, so the workers aren't complaining.

That wasn't the main focus, however; as what laid beneath the factory in an underground chamber was where the main business took place. Standing in the middle of this room was a man with a goatee and wearing a black suit with some grey armor over it. He held a smirk as he stood behind a table and placed a briefcase on top of it.

Standing before him was by all definitions a giant slug, more specifically, a member of the Hutt Clan, except this one was wearing a monocle over one of his eyes. With the Hutt was the standard group one would associated with a member of the notorious crime family, a group of mercenaries and bodyguards armed to the teeth. This group ranged from humans, to a couple Quarrens, some Rodians, even the standard Gamorrean Guards, and standing beside the large slug alien was a Protocol droid for translation.

The Hutt spoke up in his native tongue, which the Protocol droid translated for the man. "Carl Sands, the esteemed Gorga the Hutt, demands to know if you have the product as requested."

"Who am I to disappoint a member of the Hutt High Council." Sands said with an easy going smile. "I mean, has there ever been a job where I failed you?"

Gorga glared at Sands before responding, allowing the droid to translate. "Yes, you have. In fact, by all accounts, my guards should execute you right now." To emphasize that point, the Gamorrean guards stepped forward and brandished their axes, causing Sands to look just a tad worried. Gorga spoke again and was translated. "However, due to the quality of the product, we are willing to overlook it this one time."

"Well then, have I got the treat for you." Sands said with his smile returning, as he opened the case.

Inside were six glass container, each one containing a small shard of a golden metal alloy. Gorga looked at the containers with awe, loving the quality in which he was seeing.

"Straight from one of Thanagar's mining colonies, six containers holding a fresh slab of Nth metal." Sands said as he grabbed one of the containers and flipped it, before catching it. "One of the very few elements that can go toe-to-toe with Beskar."

Gorga stroked his chin with a satisfied smile on his face, before speaking and having his protocol droid speaking. "The great and mighty Gorga the Hutt is pleased with this, and is willing to offer you one million credits for such a bounty."

"One million?" Sands said in an offended tone as he closed the briefcase. "Do you know how powerful this stuff is and what it can do? It's either five million credits, or I'm walking out of here."

Gorga glared as he gestured for his henchmen to raise their weapons, preventing him from leaving. Gorga spoke up again and had the droid translate for him. "It is either one million, or you will not leave here at all."

Sands gulped nervously as he glanced all around him, seeing no escape routes and all guns pointing on him. Seeing as how he had no other choice, he put back on his easy going smile and pushed the case forward. "I don't even know what I was thinking. One million was perfectly reasonable."

"We are glad you have seen it our way." The droid translated for Gorga as one of the bodyguards picked up the case.

Before any of them could leave, though, they all paused when they heard a clanging sound coming up from above the hidden room. Muffled screams echoed throughout above them, causing everyone down below to become on edge, and even Gorga had a feeling of uneasiness wash over him. More clanging sounds were heard, but they echoed much louder, meaning that whatever it was was getting closer.