Nico's Gambit

Notorious Lawbreakers

The docking bay exploded in to chaos as soon as the first thug dropped to the floor. In short order, and mostly because the Sullustan was a much better shot than anyone had assumed, Urbax and the rest of his gang lay sprawled across the floor.

The Sullustan shook his head and sighed. He inspected the mess with his hands on his hips.

"I am grateful for your assistance, deputy. I apologize for drafting you into service on such short notice, but you performed admirably."

"Sure, thanks," Odette said. "Sticking up for the little guy is what I do best."

He looked at her, confused. "I'm actually considered tall for my species. They average about 1.5 meters, but I have achieved 1.6 meters," he said. Odette smirked. "I have not properly introduced myself to you. I am Officer Miel Muwn of the Sullustan Constable Brigade."

"And I am just a simple starship captain trying to earn a living in this crazy galaxy." She glanced at Nico. She realized too late that Miel's rescue and gratitude might come with unforeseen strings attached from someone so by the book.

"I see," he said. "Normally I require a full name and genetic record for my reports, but I suppose I could just list you as 'unidentified innocent bystander'. I have come to Coruscant on the hunt for a very dangerous criminal named Skavak. He's wanted for high crimes against the Sullustan government. He stole a priceless relic called the Murustaven Ruby. My duty is to arrest him and retrieve it, even if I must act alone."

"We, too, are looking for Skavak," Odette said. "He stole my starship."

"Ah! As I suspected, your timely intervention was not coincidental, upstanding citizen. That is good news. I knew I could not be the only one looking for such a notorious lawbreaker. My sympathies on the theft of your ship. I propose we cooperate and pool information. Coruscant is large...and confusing. If I turn up any leads on Skavak's whereabouts, I will contact you. Can I count on you to do the same?"

"I'll take any help I can get. I can't promise any results, but I'll do what I can."

Miel nodded his head. "I'm glad to have an ally on this world. Together we will bring that lawbreaker to justice. Your help with these lawbreakers was invaluable. I will contact the local security forces and file the appropriate report with them."

"Knock yourself out," Odette said. Better you than me, she thought.

"I will not detain you any further. Your time and assistance are much appreciated. Good day." He walked off in the direction of the local security station.

Corso eyed Miel nervously. "Captain, let's not be here when local security shows up. Darmas may have some new information and we don't have time to answer a bunch of questions."

"Agreed. Let's get back to the cantina."

*~*~*~*~*

Nico opted to sit in front of the taxi with its droid driver, no doubt to hide the fact that he'd found a flask somewhere and didn't want Odette to know about it. She lounged in her own seat, watching the huge city planet pass by them on their way back to the Dealer's Den Cantina. Corso sat in a nearby seat, looking like a Jawa caught with a farmer's droid.

"What's on your mind, Corso?" Odette asked.

"Um, Captain," he fidgeted. "About this morning. I wanted to apologize for the way I was."

"The way you were?"

"Well, hungover," he said. "I didn't think that'd glass go straight to my head."