Trouble

Time was running short and I hoped that Mace would take my suggestions under advice and help me from his end. He was a great Master but sometimes lacked the right imagination. Uhh, that look he gave me earlier. Well, if my mission was supposed to be successful I couldn't look like the obvious. And if my suspicions were correct we were in for a lot more trouble than I thought.

Threading through the traffic lanes was easy this time of day and soon I began my descend to the lower levels. The Orange District would most likely be the best to start since most of the safe houses were situated in this part of town. The daylight grew dimmer until not even a few rays reached the streets. The district looked worse than a couple of years ago and after finding a spot to hide my speeder I began to walk down a narrow ally.

I felt something watching me, lurking in the shadows. There were several gangs in this part of the great city and I was fully aware that my sudden appearance must have attracted at least one of them. I kept moving with purpose to one of the local establishments frequented by bounty hunters, spice smugglers and other underworld members. But no one bothered me and after a few more turns and I reached the door. No sign indicated that there was an establishment behind the heavy, black, durasteel door.

I knocked and after a few seconds a small window was opened by a droid. "Got an ID?" he asked.

"Yup." I pulled out my ID Docs. He scanned them quickly and opeened the door for me.

"Ok, passed." he said while opening the door. The air inside was heavywith smoke, the smell of alcohol, and various other smells I rather not mention here. Many eyes followed me as I walked through the dimly lit room, fully aware that at any time someone could challange me. But the sight of my blasters seemed to keep most of them away. I reached the bar without any trouble and ordered some Corellian schnapps settling on the bar stool. The room returned to its earlier level of loudness and I began to filter out the different conversations.

"Hey, did you hear the latest?" A humanoid said, his hushed voice full excitement.

"What?" the other one, a burley man with long black hair and stubly ching, asked without looking up from his drink.

"Someone is recruiting people and I heard the pay is more than good." he rubbed index finger and thumb together. "Maybe we should go, beats hanging around here all day.

"What kind of job is it?" I could hear his desinterest.

"I am not sure but it's legit." he nudged his companion. "Come on, don't be so lazy."

"It's my business and if I decide to live like this then I shall." He replied with anger growing in his voice. "You are not my wife."

"Calm down." a hand on his friend's shoulder he shook his head. "Just trying to do something different once in a while. Otherwise we'll live here forever. I want a piece of that pie the fat cats up there eat everyday."

"Well, then go, I am staying here." He waved a hand for the other to go.

"I am leaving this for you in case you change your mind." I saw him take out a folded piece of paper which he unfolded and placed on the table. "You find me there."

"Good luck with nothing." His voice was laced with bitterness of one who had given up hope.

The other man stood up and walked away.

I pretended to listen to the ramblings of the guy next to me and with a move of my hand shut him up. He looked at me dazedly, stood up and walked into the men's room. Good I was rid of him and now ambled over to the table the two men had occupied just moments before.

"Mind if I take this?" I stood next to him.

"Yeah." his droopy eyes regarded me for a moment. "Aren't you a bit too nice looking for a bounty hunter?" his interest awoke.

"Nah, it works to my advantage. Keeps things more interesting." I scanned the paper in front of me.

"Fierfek." as soon as I said it I regretted my outburst.

"Eh?" he looked up at me quizzed.

"Sorry, just remembered I am late for an appointment. Thanks again for this." I placed it back on the table, I had all the imformation memorized I needed.

It was too easy to assume that Marusi had anything to do with the kidnapping but on the other hand he had done it before and he was scruplusous enough to try anything. But what was his true motive behind all this if it was indeed him.

With my mind occupied and unfocused I left out of the building and right into the ambush. There was neither time to draw any of my blasters nor my light saber as the net descended onto me.

"I have been waiting for you, my dear." A familiar voice said. Like a youngling, my guard down, I had walked into a set trap.