"What in the hell..." Vash said as The Kinslayer fell out of hyperspace.

"When did this get here?" He said outloud, punching controls to slow down the ship. In front of him was a massive space station, probably the largest he had ever seen. But he was smack in the middle of one of the heaviest trade routes in the galaxy. How would someone build something this big without being noticed? There was no way that the controlling powers would have allowed it.

"Astral Astoria..." Vash said to himself as he stroked his chin. No reason not to check it out.




As the tractor beam pulled in the tiny ship, Vash rummaged through the side compartments. He would be direly in need of credits if he was going to dock here. He flipped open an overhead compartment and several credits fell onto his lap. Those should do fine.

"Welcome Sir, Docking Bay 23 is open at the moment. We will direct you there." Came a voice from his Com system. The ship began to ease it's way into the massive station, eventually landing on a small, but relatively empty dock.

Vash stepped out of his ship and stretched his massive arms. He made sure his pistols were concealed before he stepped onto the station. He wasn't sure how they would react to a Gen'Dai anyway....

"Welcome sir, how may I make your stay more enjoyable?" Said a friendly sounding human. Vash turned and looked at the frail little being. He almost expected to be shunned, or at least gawked at. But no, this smiling little human didn't seem to mind.

"I need a room." Vash said, glancing around the station. The human smiled and placed his hands together.

"We have many rooms available. Do you have a preferance. We have the suite which is a luxorious..." He began to ramble on, but Vash paid no attention. He was more focused on this wonderous space station. He would love to explore it further.

"Just a simple room will be fine." Vash said, cutting the man off mid-sentance. The human nodded slightly, still with a courtyous smile on his face.

"Very good sir." He said, leading Vash through several rooms, finallt stopping at a counter.

"Let's see, with the docking fees and the room that will be, one hundred twenty five credits." The man said, still grinning. Vash checked his credits.

One-hundred and twelve.

Vash closed his palm around the credits and leaned close to the man.

"What do you say we...waive the docking fee?" Vash said lowly. The man's smile changed to a nervous grin.

"Im sorry sir, but I'm not allowed to do that. If you'd like I could see if there is a docking bay mo.." He was cut off by Vash's massive hand wrapping around his collar.

"That was not a suggestion." Vash spat. The man's lip began to quiver.

"Alright sir, with *just* the room, that comes to ninty-eight credits." Vash smiled and handed over the money. The clerk smiled and handed him his key.

"Enjoy your stay." The clerk said waving.

Lash pressed a few buttons on the control pad in his small space of a ship. He was on vacation, and thought he would come to Astral Astoria- a place that someone mentioned to him for some good drinks and some nice ladies. Little did anyone know anything about Lash Lithium- no one even knew he was a Mandalorian. He kept it out of his past for personal reasons.

He strained his eyes looking out the petite visor of the Mandalorians as he peered through the small hexagon shaped window, which was even smaller then himself. He sighed that he had no worries at the moment, as he took his Mandalore helmet off revealing his long blonde hair and blue eyes.

He tapped in a few more commands on the panel, and a small screen opened, showing the map plan of the Astral Astoria. A computed voice spoke:

"Now landing on Docking Bay 25, The Astral Astoria, Mr. Lithium."

Lash put his helmet back on and didn't reply- no need to, it was just a simple command.

Suddenly the ship shook- he landed. He pressed a big red button and the door slid open. He stepped out, and saw the entrance to the bar- just what he needed.

He made sure he had all of his equipment- handblasters- hookshot- jetpack- and missile launcher- yep, he had everything. He was always prepared. He adjusted his red Mandalorian aromor, secured his helmet, and entered, trying to look threatening so he wouldn't get messed with eventhough he always liked a fight, but hey it's his vacation.

He entered the bar- smoked filled the air, drunks were dancing on tables, and gamblers playing some good old pazaak- exactly what he liked.

He approached the front where the bartender was cleaning a small goblet.

"Gimme a drink, mate." said Lash, leaning on the counter with one elbow.

"What kind do ya want?" replied the bartender rudely. Lash looked at him dumbly.

"I want a drink. Your strongest."

"Okay then...that'll be...125 credits."

"What?! One hundred and twenty five damn credits?! There's no way in hell I am paying that for a small drink, mate." said Lash. The bartender's face turned stern and strict.

"I'm sorry, then, mate." He said mocking Lash's Mandalore accent. "Then you're not getting no drink." He was right in Lash's face, smoking into his visor. Apprently he couldn't have too much experience with a Mandalore.

Lash grabbed the man by the throat.

"Never, I mean never mock a Mandalore, mate. Now get me a damn drink..." He demanded releasing the man's throat. "Before I have to show you my appliances."

The man poured him a drink, and Lash grabbed it and walked over to a small corner, trying to go unnoticed. He finished his drink and decided he needed a place to stay for the night. He approached the somewhat hostile bartender.

"Where can I find a place to stay?" He asked, somewhat demanding. A droid approached, interupting him.

"I will take you to your quarters, Master. Folow me."

They went through a set of hallways with rooms all over. Suddenly the droid stopped at a door.

"This will be your stay. This is the last room I can show you, I am afraid. This will cost one hundred and twenty five credits."

Lash didn't listen. He was watching a massive Gen'Dai, choking a small man. Lash handed the droid the credits, plus a few extra by accident, and the droid left down the hall, leaving him a key card to the door.

Watching the massive Gen'Dai carefully, he took out his two handblasters, and kicked open a 1 squared meter vent above him, and hopped into it. He used his hookshot to hang from the ceiling upsidde down, and he initiated the aiming sequence on his visor and aimed carefully at the Gen'Dai's head- he was afraid he would cause a commotion, ruining the vacation. But then it all stopped, and exchanged some angry words, Lash could tell. The man left, leaving the Gen'Dai alone.

Lash hopped down like nothing happened. Now why would aGen'Dai be here?- he was thinking- ah perhaps a Bounty Hunter...or one searching a Bounty Hunter. He shoved the key card in a small slit in his suit, and hopped back up, as the Gen'Dai went into his room.

Lash crawled quietly through the vents, and came to one that entered the Gen'Dai's room. He used the hookshot to hang upside down, and hung just behind the massive thing.

"Hello, mate. How are you?" He said, hoping to surprise him. He liked surprising people.

Vash stepped into his room and took a seat on the tiny bed. It was barely big enough to support him, his feet would probably hang off the end of his bed. He lay his head down and began to think about the past few hours. His mind searched frantically for any allies that might still be willing to help him after all these years. The Union was the only thing that came to mind. If there was a place to find them, it would be Nal Hutta.

Vash stood up and flipped open a panel on his wrist. He hit a set of buttons and two identicle blaster pistols. He held them up eye level and made sure they were in working condition. They were probably out-dated by now, he would have to go find some new ones. Right then something caught Vash's attention.

He cocked the blaster pistol and slid the other one back in the holster. He stepped forward for just a moment, then spun on his heel and whipped the blaster in front of him. On inches away was another tiny human, suspended by a wrist grappling-hook, hanging upside down like a spider.

"Hello, mate. How are you?" He said in a mocking voice.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Vash growled. He cocked his head slightly. He recognized that armor...

"Mandalorian..."

Lash grinned behind the helmet, and tapped a button on his wrist to be dropped down to his feet. He circled te giant creature, keeping his guard up incase of trouble.

"Indeed. I am a Mandalorian. Hope there's no problem about that." He said cautiously as he put his hand on his chin- well the end f his helmet. "I was just curious if you had any jobs for a simple Bounty Hunter such as myself. I'm somewhat of a mercanary too, they say...but no need to worry," he grinned again.

"I don't charge much at all, mate. Less then the damn price on the drinks around here...anyway, mate, I only charge sixty creds, and I always get the job done...and just a notice, I work as a body guard too. But I'm best at mercanary or Bounty Hunting work, mate. I should have a calling card for this, eh mate?" he said humourously, as he walked towards the door.

He stopped and reached into his small slit on the breast of his armor, and took out his key card.

"Room 213." He said as he waved and opened the door.

Room 213, this was it. Vash didn't know if the Mandalorian would be expecting him, but he really didn't care. He needed his help. He was considering knocking, but given the Mandalorian's rude entrance last time, he decide to return the favor.

Vash didnt even have to hit the hit the panel very hard to crush it in. The door slid open, as predicted. You think they would program it to lock if someone smashed in the console. He strode through the door, bending his neck slightly, as not to hit his head. The Mandalorian was sitting in a chair.

"I've decided to take you up on your offer. I've recently come out of...retirement... and need to contact the Union. They're still called that aren't they?" Vash said, pulling the credits out of his pocket. He threw down one-hundred. A well-dressed man had been nice enough to loan him a few extra, aftering some coercing.

"Also, I need to know any major events of the last eighty years. I noticed the Empire doesn't have it's hand clenched tightly around everyone''s balls anymore, did they lose power? What of the Jedi Order? I've haven't seen many of them around here."

Lash shrugged, and laughed a bit.

"I'm no explorer, mate. But from what I know, The Jedi Order is still intact, teaching their foolish ways to weaklings on...oh what was it? Oh yes, Naboo. I had to eliminate a Jedi once, you know, mate." He tapped a few buttons on his helmet, examining the panel that the Gen'Dai smashed. "Terminated" appeared on his visor.

"Now the Empire...I suppose you could say they are in hiding. But, don't turn your back on em' for a sec, mate. You never know where they lurk, nowadays."

He stood up from the chair, and armed himself with his two handblasters.

"So whats the job then, mate?" He asked, looking ready, though he knew combat wouldn't come so soon.

"I'm no explorer, mate. But from what I know, The Jedi Order is still intact, teaching their foolish ways to weaklings on...oh what was it? Oh yes, Naboo. I had to eliminate a Jedi once, you know, mate." Vash nodded.

"Now the Empire...I suppose you could say they are in hiding. But, don't turn your back on em' for a sec, mate. You never know where they lurk, nowadays." What could have caused the might Empire to go into hiding? Must have been something fierce. Or something from the inside out...

"So whats the job then, mate?" The wirey Mandalorian said, jumping up. Vash took a seat and motioned for him to do the same.

"I am direly in need of weapons. Some blaster pistols, a good rifle, some explosives, maybe a few other gadgets. The one's I have now are...err.." Vash pulled out one of the antique pistols and tossed it to the bounty hunter. "You can see what I mean of course." Vash had no doubt that this man could find some good deals.

The massive Gen'Dai stood up and motioned for the bounty hunter to follow.

"By the way, the name's Vash. Let's go get a drink."

"I am direly in need of weapons. Some blaster pistols, a good rifle, some explosives, maybe a few other gadgets. The one's I have now are...err.." Vash pulled out one of the antique pistols and tossed it to the bounty hunter. "You can see what I mean of course."

The massive Gen'Dai stood up and motioned for the bounty hunter to follow.

"By the way, the name's Vash. Let's go get a drink."

Lash nodded gleefully, and noted:

"I'm startin' to like you already, mate." He followed Vash. "How bout the drinks are on me? I'll get us the most expensive ones in there! We'll be out cold before the nights over, haha!"

He left the room, and they went down to the bar. He approached the bartender, and asked for a drink. The best one they had- then he looked at Vash.

"Which would you like, mate?"

"Which would you like, mate?" The Mandalorian said to Vash. He glanced up and down the menu but didn't see anything that looked particulalrly good, nor did he see anything he knew.

"Just gimme something strong." He said. The bartender poured a dark gray liquid into a glass and slid it at Vash. It was strong, maybe a little too strong, but he didn't mind.

"Ok, so what's up with this space station? Why the hell is it smack in the middle of a trade route, in a corporate sector none the less?" Vash said taking another sip.

"Ok, so what's up with this space station? Why the hell is it smack in the middle of a trade route, in a corporate sector none the less?" Vash said taking another sip.

Lash payed the waiter as he recieved the same thing as Vash- it was strong, very strong. He took a sip, and leaned on the counter as he talked to the enormous Vash.

"I don't know, mate." He noted as he took a glance at one of the Twi'Lek dancers. "Perhaps...perhaps a fuel depot for the trade route? But who cares? Let's have a good time, then maybe I could get on with my mission."

He took another sip at his drink. It was sweet.

"So these weapons you require..." he said as he flicked a switch on his helmet. Under the visor, he could see his vision turn green, and anything that had a Bounty on their head turned white, but there was no white, just green. No Bounties. "These weapons. You want me to retreive them with stealth? Or any means possible?" He sure varied in his skills. He liked his job.