Episode X Dark Hunter

Maz's Watering Hole

Takodana was a medium-sized green planet of the Mid Rim, and was populated by less than a million inhabitants; not many for its size. Its lush forests and temperate climate were attractive to some naturalists and misanthropes, yet sitting on the edge of the more populous core systems it did not have the conveniences other planets had, so most ignored it. However, the planet was a welcomed escape from the political unrest in the galaxy, and some emigrated to Takodana in protest of galactic oversight. The influx was not as big as it would soon be, but currently, a handful of secessionists had founded secret communities in the planet's arboreal hills. There they could hide from galactic sovereignty and live under their own rule and order. It was a place that, for the time being, was safe for these communities.

Videsse and Cam found themselves on the doorstep of ramshackle watering hole nestled in these hills, after a short stop in Andui, the planet's only and meager city. It seemed that any questions about anything secretive or suspicious produced reluctant and borderline taciturn responses pointing to this watering hole. Videsse, having tried to lose Cam, found it an impossible task, Cam being a virtuoso on shadowing. Finally, she unenthusiastically assented to him tagging along only while she was grounded.

Why did he insist on remaining with her? His reply to her was that he was a bounty hunter needing work, and hanging out with her was a good way to find a client. At least as ridiculous as it was, that is what he said his reason was.

The watering hole was erected over the recently destroyed ancient ruins, large rock slabs and rubble were strewn about from a destroyed castle, creeping vines covering most of them with a lace shawl. There was a narrow, yet well-worn path winding through what was left of previously towering walls, now roofless and jagged. The watering hole itself was newly constructed, perhaps only a few years old, which could be seen in its patchy white plastocrete walls. The moist and cool climate had not yet stained the entire surface with its dark green mold.

The building was longer than it was wide, with no second floor. Parts of the exterior walls were built around existing rock slabs left over from the ruins; a destroyed castle rebuilt and not even a shadow of what it once was. It was a patchwork shack built on top of glory, diffidence raised over dignity. However, that architecture spoke nothing of the kind of patrons the watering hole attracted, who were neither diffident nor dignified. Although, this was not the same type of rabble, we had seen on Nar Shaddaa, even if in appearance they looked similar.

Yet, here again, I get ahead of myself, almost taking you inside while our heroine is still outside the front door, and already in a heated discussion with the guard, as if that was surprising.

The door was a manually-latched heavy wooden door, with a metal slide bar to lock it. One guard stood in front; an oversized Besalisk, large even for his species as he completely obscured the door from Videsse's view. Two of the Besalisk's arms were folded across his chest, his second right arm was on his holster, and the remaining arm was outstretched, keeping Videsse from charging the door.

"What do you mean, no helmets allowed," Videsse protested loudly. A line of various helmets fringed the wall on either side. "I've never heard anything so stupid!" She tried to swipe his large forearm off her shoulder, as effectively as if she tried to swipe down a decade-old uneti tree.

"Don't like it, don't come in," the Besalisk guard growled back at her. "Maz's new orders." He pushed her back a step.

"You're tellin' me I can bring these in." Videsse waved her hands, featuring her sidearms and explosive charges. "But I can't bring in this." She leaned forward and pointed to her helmet.

The Besalisk nodded. "That's right."

Videsse shook her head and looked at the ground, thinking for a moment. "Fine!" The reply was loud and bitter and sharp with outrage.