Coruscant

It was late evening when Ishara showed up at Gordo's Cantina. She slipped in through the secret door near the back of the club as she normally did. Cierra was waiting for her int the office.

"Hey C, I heard you have a job."

Cierra knodded as Ishara sat down. Cierra slid a datapad across the desk.

"This is the mark. He's a Twi'Lek small arms dealer and slave trader. Our client says he sold him a large shipment of weapons that never arrived. I'm not certain if what he is saying is true aside from the fact that our client has paid in advance for our services."

Ishara looked at the datapad. He was a blue, overweight Twi'Lek named Fa'Joor who was based in the lower levels of Kala'uun located on Ryloth. He also has several female Twi'Lek slaves he keeps for himself as dancers and throws lavish parties for those he knows.

"The lower level slums, it's never easy." Ishara knew Ryloth very well. The slums were located in side caverns at the very bottom of Kala'uun which you can't enter without a special pass. A special pass which was rare to get and very expensive of you needed one.

Ishara was thinking about the job and her strategy for seeing to its completion. Cierra then had a suggestion. "What about Jelan?"

Jelan had been dancing at Gordo's for sometime and like everyone who worked there, she was trained to be a deadly weapon. She also stood out from the others and had been assigned a few jobs already which she completed flawlessly. Jelan could move with both speed and stealth and Ishara had already taken notice of her skills and more importantly, she trusted Jelan enough to take her with her.

"Call her in C. I have an idea."

As Cierra left the office, Ishara already had a plan in mind. Jelan was perfect for this job and she was due to get into more action. Besides, Jelan had already been pushing to stop dancing and work these sort of jobs full time.

Cierra brought Jelan through a secret entrance in one of the private dance rooms and into the office where Ishara was waiting.

Ishara stood up and greeted her friend. "Jelan, how have you been?" Ishara asked as the two hugged. Ishara was out so much that they rarely saw each other and like the rest of the organization, everyone was as close as family and equally trusted.

"Please sit down, I have something to speak to you about." Ishara then passed the datapad over to Jelan.

"It would be hard to take this job on myself and..." Ishara smirked as if she already knew the answer. "...I'd like to know if you're up to it. Care to hear more?"

Jelan read over the data pad that was handed to her by Ishara and read it over thrice before deciding on an answer. She knew, however, when she was called in from dancing, that she’d say yes to whatever it was. This seemed like her type of mission and she grinned before looking up at Ishara.

“I’ll accept it, as I’m sure you’ve already guessed. Are we leaving this instant?” she asked out of curiosity as she handed the data pad over to Ishara and waited to hear her answer. She knew it was going to be a yes, and why she wasted her breath on asking it, she did not know.

Biting her lip for a moment and scanning over the room, she took in a deep breath. She was tired, yes, but she’d be rejuvenated in no time, and the thought about returning to her home planet to kill a slave trader made her want to leave even sooner. She was anticipating it, to say the least, and had a hard time keeping still. She wasn’t even going to change from the clothing she wore.

“I’m sure access to the lower residential areas shouldn’t be a problem. I was a resident there for a time being, and perhaps they wouldn’t notice I was gone for a couple years, eh?” she said and rose her eyebrows with a slight grin. “Either way, we’ll find a way in, no doubt, but it could be hard or it could be easy…”

((Sorry it's a little short. o_O))

Ishara knew Jelan would say yes. She was also pleased Jelan was already thinking about ways to gain access.

"Get whatever you feel necessary to bring and we'll meet at the ship in an hour." Ishara looked at Jelan's dance outfit. "Bring your dancing outfit too. It may come in handy once we get to Kala'uun."

Ishara grabbed Jelan's arm before she ran out of the office. "Jel, there's a chance you'll be on your own for part of the time we are there. I'd suggest bringing whatever you can conceal in your dance outfit."

Jelan looked puzzled but started thinking the same thing Ishara was. If Ishara could make it look like she was going to sell Jelan to Fa'Joor, Jelan would be in a perfect position to complete the job.

"We'll talk more on the trip to Ryloth. I'll see you in an hour Jel."

Nodding her head, she grinned to Ishara, catching onto the ideas she was giving her into her mind, and imagining the multiple ways that they could be executed.

Returning to her own quarters, Jelan changed from her dancing outfit into a leather shirt that ended above her navel, and leather pants that ended at the middle of her calf, but none could tell that before she also pulled on the leather boots that had seen better days, but were the most comfortable pair she’d ever owned.

Looking around for her various weapons, she found her basic pistol—it was small, yes, but it would get the job done, and could be hidden well in the inside, self-sewn pockets of her dancing outfit, made just for this kind of job. She threw her dancing outfit over her shoulder and then placed the pistol on a belt about her waist, which also held the hilt to which a dagger was now sheathed. That could be hidden in the inside sheath that was located on her ribcage.

“All right…” she said to herself quietly, as she reviewed everything she had and nodded her head in content before turning around and returning to where she had met Ishara before, in the back of the Cantina. This would work perfectly. She had a feeling about it. She grinned to herself and then finally entered the room once more.

“I’m ready,” she said aloud and held onto the dancing outfit on her shoulder.

Ishara powered up the ship. She was still impressed by Jelan's efficiency. As she normally was, Jelan was confident she would succeed.

"Hang on Jel..." she said as the ship started to rise from the pad. It soon exited the atmosphere of Coruscant and Ishara engaged the hyperdrive. Their destination, Ryloth.

Ishara looked back towards Jelan. "It's been a while since you've been on Ryloth, are you looking forward to it?"

Ishara then returned to the job at hand. "Here's the plan. I will pose as a rich slave owner who would like to do business with Fa'Joor. We'll discuss potential dealings then I will present him with you as a gift to close the deal. I'll tell him you are an accomplished dancer already and can serve his needs. I'm hoping he will throw one of his parties to celebrate the new business partnership. That way, we'll both be on the inside, and close to Fa'Joor."

Jelan knodded to Ishara. Jelan was one who you never had to explain plans to twice. She was always listening, and she knew that nothing ever ran just as planned. Jelan could adapt to any situation presented to her.

"Since you know the surroundings Jel, I'd like you to plan a quick escape route once the job has been completed. Ok?"

A low alarm sounded and Ishara turned back toward the console. "We're coming up on Ryloth." She said as the ship exited hyperspace.

She thought for a few moments of the best escape route. “My best bet is that sometime during the midst of the party, you go out and say you want some fresh air. When you leave, I’ll know that it’s time to somehow lure him into the back room. If it’s the place I am thinking of, I know a way out the back. Growing up on the streets isn’t such a bad thing. But anyways, you start up the ship and prepare for a swift take off, and I’ll run out the back. I’ll probably use just the dagger—it’ll be quieter and take less time to notice. I’ll hopefully be a hundred yards away before anyone even notices.”

Having this said, she sat back and relaxed in the seat. This business would never get old…never. She just couldn’t wait until she was finally free. Free from having to dance unless she had a job to do, and that was probably the only thing that kept her going, so it didn’t bother her while she thought what her next mission could possibly be. And killing a slave trader…That would simply make her day. She grinned at the thought of it. “Shall I go and change into my dancing outfit now?” she asked and rose her eyebrows as she looked over to Ishara. She found this an exciting job for her, and her heartbeat would be racing. This was like getting revenge. She just wondered how he treated his slaves. It might alter the way she decided to kill him.

Ishara listened to Jelan's ideas.

“My best bet is that sometime during the midst of the party, you go out and say you want some fresh air. When you leave, I’ll know that it’s time to somehow lure him into the back room. If it’s the place I am thinking of, I know a way out the back. Growing up on the streets isn’t such a bad thing. But anyways, you start up the ship and prepare for a swift take off, and I’ll run out the back. I’ll probably use just the dagger—it’ll be quieter and take less time to notice. I’ll hopefully be a hundred yards away before anyone even notices.”

"That sounds good Jel, both quiet and efficient."

Ishara looked at Jelan and saw her deep in thought. She knew Jelan was tired of doubling as a dancer. "You're good Jel. Depending on the outcome of this job, there shouldn't be a need for you to dance anymore." She noticed a smile coming over Jelan's face.

“Shall I go and change into my dancing outfit now?”

"Yeah, go ahead." She answered. Ishara also had a change of cloths as well.

The ship was directed to a hangar and touched down. Ishara looked at Jelan. "Remember, you're a slave. Always follow behind me and keep your head low."

Ishara and Jelan walked down the ramp and began to make there way to the lower levels. As they decended, they passed shops, tourist attractions, schools, and businesses along the way. They then entered some of the lower levels where the residential areas were located.

After some time they came to where a corridor was guarded. Ishara heard Jelan whisper "This it."

Ishara walked up to the guards. "My name is Irina and I'm here to discuss business with Fa'Joor." One of the guards motioned for them to wait.

The two stood for a moment until a green female Twi'Lek appeared fromt he corridor. She was obviously a slave, and not very well fed. "I will take you to Fa'Joor, this way."

Ishara signalled to Jelan to follow and they entered the corridor.

Jelan followed behind her ‘master’ and kept her head to the floor, glancing at the underfed slave as they continued on, anger boiling inside her. Sure, Jelan could be considered a slave, but she was not treated like this—she was well fed and well kept, and was chained to no floor. She was trusted, obviously, by her master, and the fact that this Twi’lek was treated so made her fists clench as she followed behind Ishara.

Seeing Fa’Joor would probably even make her twice as angry, but she would have to act calm…calm and submissive, she would, and she clenched her jaw tight underneath her blue skin. She made herself appear to be sad and lonely, as if she was regretting that this was happening, and as if she’d do anything to be free. If they passed anyone else, she made sure to advert her eyes as a good slave would do, and she played the part well.

Hearing the murmur of two Guards who protected the room in which Fa’Joor was now located, the Twi’lek in front of them told the guards that they were here on business and they opened up the door. Smirking inwardly, she followed Ishara inside, but did not look up, even though she was curious as to what he might look like. She kept her head drooping low and about three paces behind her ‘current’ master who was Ishara. She was thinking of if she should make him suffer. Cut out his tongue so he couldn’t talk? And then torture him? Let him know how his slaves must feel? Yes…yes, that was it. She grinned inwardly now, but her face still showed that solemn, sad expression.

Ishara and Jelan followed the slave to another entrance. "This is my master's palace" she said. Ishara gave a casual and brief sarcastic look towards Jelan. Truly this Fa'Joor thought he was a man of power if he lived on a so called palace.

They entered into a main room where there was a line of rough looking criminal types all having chained Twi'Lek slaves in their grip. It was a disgusting sight. Ishara had no love for the slave trade and she knew Jelan was against it.

As they continued through the main room, they entered a hallway which was lavishly decorated. At the end were two Twi'Lek guards who signalled the slave girl to pass by. The slave pushed the door open and loud music could be heard. They walked into a huge hall where, what looked to be a party, was going on. Numerous Twi'Lek slaves were serving food and drink along with several Twi'Lek slave girls dancing in the center.

The slave brought them towards the back of the hall where a fat Twi'Lek was sitting. The slave knelt before him and announced he had guests. "Sit down, sit down. I am Ja'Foor and I hear you are here for... business?" Ishara smiled but on the inside she was furious as Ja'Foor eyed both her and Jelan over. "I am Irina. I am here to discuss business. Perhaps a partnership."

Ishara and Ja'Foor spoke for quite a while. Ishara said she had ways to capture Twi'Lek who were off Ryloth to convert them into dancers while at the same time brainwashing them. Trained Twi'Lek dancers always produced the most profit and Ja'Foor was very interested. Ishara said she needed someone who could distribute the dancers and she would split the profits. Overall, it was a very well planned story that Ja'Foor bought right into.

As Ja'Foor offered Ishara a drink, she motioned to Jelan. "Dance for Ja'Foor!" she ordered. Ja'Foor smiled as the music changed and Jelan took a place towards the center of the hall. She began to dance and Ja'Foor never took his eyes away from her. Ishara leaned in to Ja'Foor. "If we have a deal, I will give her to you" she said as she smiled at him. "Y-Yes, we have a deal Irina!!"

The music ended and Ja'Foor rised from his table holding his glass high. "Everyone, drink to a new partnership with Lady Irina!!!!" The croud cheered. Jelan returned to the table and grabbed Jelan, pulling her to sit close to him. This was the part Ishara feared the most. Jelan was her friend and she hated putting her in this situation. Outwardly, Ishara laughed and took another drink form her glass.

Please, enjoy my hospitality and stay as long as you like. The celebrations here never end!" Ishara bowed her head and went to mix onto the croud. Her thoughts remaining on Jelan's safety.

Jelan was in her own little world, of course, while doing what she was best at, dancing as if that’s what she was only made for (which, to people like Fa’Joor, she was), as if she might be some angelic being whose specialty was, obviously, to enchant people with her dancing skills. As she thought of this, inside she smirked as she thought of the numerous ways to which he would now have to pay for what he had done. She would regret none of this, she was sure of that.

Seeing that now Ishara was mixing out in the middle of the crowd, she then noticed the woman near the door, and the two locked eyes for only a few short moments before Jelan finally continued dancing for a few more minutes to give Ishara any extra time needed.

Finally deciding the time was right, Jelan walked neared to Fa’Joor and motioned for the man to follow her in the back, having an excuse being that she saw someone walk back there and she thought it might have been a thief. Fa’Joor made the girl follow her and she smirked as she drew the dagger out from the inside of her dancing outfit and she pushed Fa’Joor onto one of the couches in the back.

Confused, at first, he was, but soon enough he knew what was happening, but with the new absence of his tongue, he found he was in too much pain to even scream for help. She laughed lightly at this and shook her head. “This is how we all feel every day…starving…I should gut you right here, right now, but I’ll give you some mercy,” she said as she stood up and, as if she were dancing, did a twist and brought the dagger down with her right arm, sliding the blade across the man’s neck.

When the choking stopped and he fell limp on the couch, she positioned him to look as if he were sleeping, and then she stole out of the back, running towards the ship and by the Guards, who did not even question her. She drew her basic weapon just in case she came across anyone, but she found that she did not as she arrived at the ship and got inside.

“Done,” she said and grinned at Ishara.