The Spider and the Storm

"One way or another." Sirejj echoed quietly. His tone remained icy, reflecting faintly his disdain for the man they spoke of.

The door opened, and Zee stepped back inside with Codug and Nessa in tow.

"They're ready to chat," she said, returning to Thalassa's side. She clearly picked up on something in the air, because her brow furrowed and she gave Sirejj a questioning look.

"We will comply with your demands," Nessa said as Dori and Kairo filed in after her. "We don't have much choice, do we?"

"Not really," Thalassa agreed, looking as unruffled as ever. "I'm glad you've made the correct decision."

Sirejj met Zee's eyes but simply transferred the look to Thalassa with a glance. Again he resumed the impenetrable posture and expression while in front of their guests. He watched them closely, especially the two weaker minded ones. Their minds would spill any secrets they may have tried to conceal.

Dori was clearly seething, furious at the decision that had been made but trying to keep himself professional. He was doing a poor job of it; his ears and neck were bright red.

Kairo looked frustrated but resigned and was letting Nessa do the talking. He stood a bit behind her, arms crossed and not meeting Thalassa's eyes.

Codug leaned down and whispered something to Quarth, who nodded.

"I assume there are ppers to sign?" Nessa asked.

"Not until you've spoken to the Hutts," Thalassa responded. "Contact them as soon as possible--you'll be accommodated here for tonight, but I ask that you leave in the morning."

Sirejj figured they wouldn't cause trouble throughout the night providing they were guarded, but he planned on passing by their quarters at least once to nose around and see what he might discover. He wouldn't be seen, likely not even by the Treacle guards.

"Thank you." Nessa dipped her head to Thalassa, still looking anxious.

"Zee, would you find them rooms for the night?" Thalassa asked, and Zee opened the doors once again.

"Of course." She led them out, giving her employer one more look before she was gone.

Thalassa got to her feet with a sigh, a few bones cracking in her back. "I"m getting too old for all this," she muttered. "Criminal empires are for the young. I should be retired, sipping cocktails down by the lake with a warm towel on my face." She gave Sirejj a wry look. "No rest for the wicked, though. I'm in this game until my mind goes or someone slips a dagger between my ribs. And then the whole organization will go to one of my cousins, I suppose. Or the other families will split it between them."

"It's the way of things, it seems." He echoed a stock agreement. He often considered himself as equals with those around them, no matter their age or prowess. But both Thalassa's grace and her gray hair reminded him that he was a generation younger than she.

"So it is." She strode toward a door that was different from the one they'd entered through. "I made my peace with it years ago. My mother and grandmother before me never retired, so I won't either." Her fingers pressed the button by the door to open it as she turned to look at him, and for a moment there were two shadows behind her instead of one.

Sirejj noticed, but it did not last long enough for him to think much of the optical illusion. "Well, I know a few individuals who will stand between you and the "dagger between the ribs" business." Someone would have to be terribly bold to attempt that.

Thalassa smiled at that. "Yes, Zee is the best and most attentive bodyguard I could ask for. And you, as well--you're certainly dedicated. I'd hate to be on the receiving end of an attack from you." She stepped through the door. "It's good to have you. Zee seems to like you too, so that's fortunate."

"I'd hate to get on her bad side, Force-sensitive or not. I'm not invincible. Close, but not quite." He chuckled, flashing a grin.

"Hehe, I'd like to see you spar sometime." She walked down the hall. "Now, there's something I'd like to ask of you. I have a meeting on Coruscant in about a week and Zee, regrettably, is attending to other matters. The meeting is with a Senator--not a reprimand, thankfully; those are exhausting. I'd like you to come along."

"Don't you think I'd be rather...conspicuous?" He raised an eyebrow and made a small gesture towards his face. Coruscant was the heart of Imperial control, and while hiding in plain sight would be easier in the crowds, escaping capture if discovered would be extremely difficult.

"There are plenty of Zabraks there," Thalassa said with a shrug. "And not everyone knows what your tattoos mean. Besides, we have no reason to think Wilhuff has sent anyone after you. I'd know."

"The answer is yes regardless, but caution is always warranted in these times." He wasn't sure if anyone knew he existed, but if they did not, he preferred to keep it that way. He had never been to Coruscant. It would be unfamiliar ground.