Star Wars: Lurking Darkness

Chapter 25

      Nothing had gone smoothly and only now was he getting a chance to relax and smoke his delicious hookah. Although it was lacking the Tock spice it once contained, he knew it was all he had to keep his mind off things.

     The whole planet had been secured and blocked off to tourists and the general public for the time being. No one was aloud in, or out without clearance of one of many checkpoints in space.

      Zurga knew he couldn't leave anytime soon especially with the amount of illegal imports his organization possessed. His days of crime boss had long passed, but after losing Gwen Novak's glorious spice, he turned to other methods of making a living.

      It wasn't hard to obtain the goods his clients wanted and it was definitely a lot easier than getting spice delivered every season. Unfortunately, the lack of Tock had taken a toll on Zurga's rough skin.

      His eyelids sagged lower than ever before and his skin had changed into a light grey color he was very ashamed of. His wrinkles had taken over his sluggish posture. The once disappearing body odor his species bared had returned with a vengeance making his acquaintance gut wrenching.

      He knew his presence was no longer a pleasant one. All those who worked for him had to accept his condition, or suffer his unforgiving wrath.

      Zurga glanced over to his Gamorrean guards who stood at the main entrance to his hidden establishment. The two guards had been loyal, yet useless when it came to making profit. He had always looked down on the boar like species. Nevertheless, they played a valuable role in his ever expanding agenda.

      His home on Nar Shaddaa was being cared for and his new housing projects had expanded several more acres causing an uproar among his enemies. Nothing could stop him on his home turf, but out here things were a bit different. Although nobody would dare mess with him, Zurga knew there was always that chance someone would be foolish enough to try.

      Puffing on his hookah tube he let out a cloud of smoke that slowly traveled through the small makeshift hideout. The resilient aroma rapidly filled the confined space around the Hutt.

      Both Gamorrean guards snorted the scent and tried hard not to cover their snouts. Zurga noticed their discomfort and puffed even harder. He could care less about their comfortability.

      "Where is Sharu I sent that darn Rodian out for a supply run almost an hour ago. If he's not back in..." Before he could finish his threat, a loud bang got everyone's attention. The two guards quickly reacted to the sound and crossed their vibro-axes in front of the main entrance.

      "Well don't just stand there you pathetic fools go see what's causing all that ruckus." The Hutt yelled in Huttese.

      Both guards looked at each other and were hesitant to open the door. After a few slow steps creeping up on the door one of the guards cautiously opened it. To their surprise Sharu was standing right outside.

      The guards stood side by side confused to what was going on. Behind them Zurga's feeling was mutual.

      "Get out of the way you two. Sharu what are you doing out there causing so much noise."

      The Rodian said nothing. He stood there with a blank face shaking from head to toe. Zurga knew something was wrong.

      "Sharu what is going on?" He asked once again.

      "He has three blasters pointing straight at his large puffy head and dares not speak. You will do the same!" A voice said from beside the door.