Tisto poured himself another glass of spice brew, looking to those around him. The former governor of Kaal had put effort into turning the city from rampant Vatali support to its own functioning republic. It had not gone well over all, yet it let him sit comfortably in a pub in Kaal and listen to the news about Celevon. The man was a traitor to everything Tisto stood for, though the boxer supposed that the assassin thought he was doing the right thing.
The Kiffar took a swig of his drink. “So he can absolutely get executed for this right? We all know there have to be consequences for these actions. No one just gets to go kill their lovers political rival and get away with it right? I have been imprisoned for way less egregious things.”
A Gand of smaller statue than the average person peaked up. His silver respirator shining in the dull lights of the cantina.
Placed In front of him was a glass of iced water. In fact it looked like he hadn’t touched it. Except for the straw he keeps circulating with his three spindly fingers.
As the Kiffar spoke, Gand’s thoughts moved back to his own home, his exile.
“This Gand agrees. Gand knows of many horror stories back home about many being executed for crimes as drastic as this. Gand nearly was for… a mistake. Instead they let Gand leave due to his once had title.”
A few breaths go by before he speaks again.
“However, Gand worries about the position of power this Celevon has. It might allow Celevon to get out of a… er- sticky situation? Gand thinks is what it is called.” His fingers air quote as he said “sticky situation.”
The boxer raised an eyebrow at that. “And who is going to help him out of this? I mean realistically?”
He took another sip of his drink, then waved over the bartender to request another. He put the empty glass down making a small pyramid out of the drinks he had consumed so far. As one of the founders of Sunrider and the Governor of Kaal it has been my mission to undermind the power ofthe Vaatali. Ever since they let the terraformer lapse on Daleem I have been fighting against them. I supported the Quorahi during the rebellion, I founded a functioning republic in the heart of their empire.“
He looked at the Gand and their drink of choice. Perhaps this was not the best time for such revolutionary talk. Then again, who was going to arrest him? The Vatali going to go after an old Padawan with criminal connections? Perhaps, but the shockboxing champion of Solyait? That would be a gamble for them.
"If the Empress tries to get him out of this, then we can simply take that chance to remove her from power. I’ve started rebellions before, on a few planets now. I helped kill a god to help out our friends in Arcona. What is a politician really going to do?”
Pulling up a seat and giving a knowing nod to the bartender, Edgar turned to the pair of Jedi’s putting his hand on Tisto’s shoulder as he sat down. “Sorry, I’m late, but I had to make a quick stop to gather some supplies for this little adventure”. Opening the satchel he had strung across his back to reveal a few tools and what looked like a thermal detonator.
Gand exclaimed, “EDGAR, is that … “ Edgar abruptly stopped him, “Shhh.. let’s not give away the exciting ending so soon”. The bartender came over with his drink, and turning around, Edgar spotted an empty booth in the back of the bar that seemed quiet enough.
Pointing to it he ushered his friends to the booth and turned to the bartender “ We are moving over there so keep the tab open putting a few credits on the bar he picked up his drink and before moving over the grey Jedi took a moment to use the force to scan the room to check the room and after a minute he didn’t sense anything and opened his eyes. Moved over to the booth to join his companions, he sat down and asked, “So what’s the plan to deal with our problem. I guess if we can, we can get Celevon out, but I think the Empress is the bigger threat and needs to be dealt with sooner rather than later.
“Gand thought we were just discussing… about freeing Cevelon?”
Edgar looking a little confused for a second, Tisto chimed in , Yeah man this is just a discussion about what to do, I mean do you want to go after Celevon?“ "Oh, I am NOT going after him he as been trying to sell the story of being involved with the empress for so loan someone probably finally took him seriously so he is on his own. ” Pausing for a breathe and taking a another couple of seconds to check his senses around the round room. he continued,
“From the time we first arrived in the system, the Vatali always played nice on the surface, but I can tell you from my dealings with them when I helped establish Hoth on Soliyat they were more interested in our Military and technology more than being our friends. If they had their way, we would be under their heel, doing their bidding and expanding their empire beyond the system. I would not be sorry to see the Empire go away for good. ”
“Gand has seen first hand that people of this… level have access to resources. Ah- er- money buys? Money speaks?” His chitinous mandibles clacked, albeit muffled, under his secured mask.
His three spindly fingers swirled the straw around and around as he thought.
Or was it money talks? Gand doesn’t know. Speak and talk mean the same, but are used differently.
His thoughts were interrupted by Edgar’s approach. His stirring slowed. He listened. Watched.
He sat back blinking a moment, letting Edgar’s words sit with him.
“Gand is for everyone to be here, and for the legal system to handle things. Gand just worries about.. the loopholes that people can use to get away with things when guilty.”
“Money speaks but,” Tisto offered a lackluster shrug, “it only talks so much. The Vauzeem are bastards but the Vatali had no right to go after an independent republic for how it chose to deal with refugees.”
“Besides there are things that speak louder than money. Like violence, protest, and of course gathering citizens and giving them some of the good illegal booze in exchange for strikes.”
Tisto thought for a moment. “Damn this system isn’t in forced prohibition. I’ll need to smuggle in some other goods. I am still in good standing with the ship workers Union in Kaal. Maybe they have some connections I can pull on across the empire. Shut down all shipping and ship building. I have plenty of credits to pay them with.”
The Kiffar turned to face Edgar. “What do you think? Booze, credits and guns? If I offered you those to not do your job for a few weeks would you be down?”
Gand thought for a moment mulling over the Kiffar’s words. The stirring of his straw got faster the more in depth his thoughts went. Still never quite taking a sip from it. Merely a placeholder.
After all, sustaining his bodies needs such as food and liquids required focus, and no interruptions. He’d have to take off his mask, hold his breath, sneak in a bite or two, and place his mask back on. Grasping for breath. Oxygen, like acid, was the one thing that left his lungs the way they are… damaged.
He usually ate and drank in the privacy of Esen’s living quarters. The place was offered to him to occupy. While it is technically in her name, and she still pays for it, she lives out of her lab mostly.
Despite all this, Gand still misses the bars and cantinas he used to enjoy on the home planet, Gand. So here he sat, with his cup of water, unsipped.
“Gand.. never thought about that. Gand would worry about potentially losing Gand’s job if Gand did not do his job for two weeks or more.”
He thought for a moment longer,
“Though, Gand supposes Gand could always find work elsewhere, on bounty boards or things. But… Gand doesn’t think Gand would stop doing work for weeks for simply booze, credits, or guns. All those could be purchased or gotten from working said job. Maybe for a rarity… or a keepsake from the Outer Rim territories.”
Like his home planet.
Edgar looked at his friend and didn’t take long to decide, “Booze and credits will do fine, but I will remind you that I do have quite a few connections on Soliyat and many more that don’t like the current form of government.” Looking over at Gand, he remarked, “Gand, remind me one day to take you to Baime, they have the best bars in the System”. Finishing up his drink and carefully listening to his companions, he ordered them both a drink, and after they arrived, he started to get up.
It was a pleasure to meet you, Gand, but I’m not thinking of going to save that fool. He got himself into that mess, and it’s not on me to save him this time. Anyway, I have spent enough time behind bars and been in enough prison breaks to fill a few lifetimes. So if you plan to do just that I wish you luck and I’ll support you as much as I can. I do still have the blueprints for the cage he is in. If you’re in the mood for something a little more spicy, send word for me through the Wookies and we will meet.”
Edgar patted his friend on the shoulder and nodded to Gand. Edgar thought to himself, “It’s nice to see things might finally be going to change around here.” The Counselor settled up with the bartender and headed out into the night with a smile on his face.