Edge of the Empire: Book 02: Escape from Mos Shuuta

Chapter 6: Bargain Deal

Mos Shuuta: Tatooine:

As soon as they were outside the cantina, the group immediately took cover in a nearby secluded alleyway.

"Vorn's shop is the next street over," Jarek explained gesturing, "but the entrance faces the market."

"We'll have to move quickly," Era pointed further down the alley, "we can cut through here with minimal exposure."

"Teemo will have more trigger-pullers looking for us," Slick said inspecting his rifle and inserting a new powerpack.

"Especially once the cantina owner sells us out," Tersen put in grimly. No one argued against the possibility. This was Tatooine after all.

Slick glanced at the Lannik and asked, "You've had dealings with Vorn before, right?"

Tersen blinked a little in surprise wondering how he could know that but answered regardless, "Yes, but never directly. He's not one to part with items cheaply." He checked some interesting devices on each of his gauntlets, "When I did deal with him...well...he's not the friendliest of sorts."

All Jarek knew of the Lannik was when his skills came to the attention of Teemo, Tersen was offered an impressive sum of credits to make his skills available at the Hutt's Mos Shuuta complex. After his arrival in Mos Shuuta, Aboleth immediately regretted his decision. Given they all had reasons to hate Teemo, Jarek wasn't at all surprised that given the opportunity to run he took it.

Slick twitched nervously. "Is there a chance he might report us to Teemo?"

Madlyn smirked at him. "Oh, without a doubt, love. But not until he is sure he can't make a few credits off of us."

Gare hefted his blaster. "He could be...persuaded to keep silent."

Jarek wasn't sure the circumstances surrounding Gare's capture. The Gank had been in the Hutt's service long before Jarek ever set foot on Tatooine. He'd heard rumors that Gare was caught by Zygarrians who then deposited him into the fighting pits.

The Gank's skill eventually saw him bought by Teemo who then sent him to fight the gladiators of his rivals in order to establish his dominance. Jarek had also seen him in the role of enforcer and bodyguard lending credence to his earlier skepticism. Jarek wasn't entirely sure of the Gank's motivations, and since he wore that mask, he couldn't gauge his facial expressions. In short, he wasn't sure he could trust the mercenary outside of his own need for self-preservation.

"No," Jarek stated, "we will not kill any more beings than we have to." He squared up to the Gank making direct eye contact. "That's not how we do things." Despite weighing half as much as the gladiator and nearly a head shorter, Jarek still managed to cut an imposing figure. In the end, Gare looked away nodding.

"Agreed," Tersen chimed in seemingly relieved at the notion, "Wanton death will only warrant us a bounty and execution." The rest of the group made various signs of understanding. "Vorn is a surly sort," Tersen continued, "but he can be negotiated with."

Jarek looked around at the group, beneath his helmet was a critical gaze. He was forced to admit he barely knew any of them. Of the group, he only knew Madlyn and Slick in any great detail, and they still had plenty of secrets. Jarek was no exception. If he had done as he'd been taught, he would've dusted his hands of the group and the planet ages ago. He could've cleared the settlement and disappeared into the desert in a matter of minutes, but he couldn't then and wouldn't now. The reality was Jarek just couldn't bring himself to leave Madlyn, his only real friend, in a lurch. Now that Slick, Era, Tersen, and Gare had given up everything to rescue them, he felt a certain obligation to them as well. At the very least he had to get the six of them off world. After that...who knew? Like it as not they were all stuck together for the foreseeable future.