CHAPTER THREE
Kadar had only been to Nal Hutta twice before in his career, and both times it was to accept a job from Raaxus Vosadii Avak, head of the Hutt Grand Council. He had never needed to personally deliver the bounty to Raaxus, usually giving them to agents sent to watch on his progress. But considering that Nar Shaddaa was one of Nal Hutta's moons- and thus the two were a relatively short distance apart- he had thought, Why not.
Besides, he added in his mind, I'd like to have a word or two with 'His Greatness'.
As his ship- a modified Pursuer-class enforcement ship- landed in one of the several spaceport cities scattered around the Hutt-ruled planet, Kadar moved from his pilot's seat and went through two lift tubes to reach the cargo hold, where the wrapped-up body of Nora Sulk was placed. After setting up the ship's security system to prevent any thieves from breaking in, he lifted up the Weequay's body and disembarked from the hangar.
It didn't take long for him to reach Raaxus the Hutt's palace; in fact, it was particularly located in the city's center, which Kadar found rather fitting, given the Hutt's status.
Standing at the almost-dome-shaped palace's entrance were four Gamorrean guards. Upon Kadar's arrival, the burly porcine beings crossed their axes, preventing him from going any further.
"Bo shuda," he said in Huttese. "My pee kasa Kadar. Oto tah stuka Raaxus."
The Gamorrean guards blinked and then snorted, not moving their axes.
Beneath his helmet, Kadar scowled. "Me murishani foo priza. Raaxus naga tah stuka me."
The guards made no response, visibly baffled by his statement.
"They don't understand Huttese." Kadar looked up to see an eyeball-like gatekeeper droid extend itself from a panel on the palace's durasteel door. "They only obey the Great Raaxus, who rarely gives them spoken orders."
The droid's 'lids' closed slightly, mimicking an organic narrowing its eyes. "Why are you here?"
"I am here to turn in a bounty," Kadar said, gesturing to the wrapped-up body beside him.
"Ah, yes," the 'tattletale' said. "Just a moment."
The droid retracted back into its panel and, a minute later, the durasteel door slowly rose up while the Gamorrean guards parted, allowing Kadar to enter. Once inside, he was instantly greeted by a tall Anx.
The large-crested being nodded slightly at the bounty hunter. "The Supreme Raaxus awaits you."
Kadar followed the Anx through a series of dark corridors, which were mostly deserted save for the odd Gamorrean lurking in the shadows, before finally reaching the palace's throne room.
Within this dimly lit but lively chamber, dozens of beings of an array of species were gathered, ranging from Quarrens to Sakiyans, Dugs to Gran, and Twi'leks to Rodians. Attractive female dancers moved to music performed by a band likely restricted to an eternal contract while a young Falleen woman and a blue-skinned Kowakian monkey-lizard sat beside a slumbering Raaxus.
The Anx, whom Kadar believed to be Raaxus' majordomo, carefully walked up to the sleeping Hutt and whispered into his fat-concealed ear. Startled by this awakening, Raaxus nearly hit the majordomo's large head with his pudgy arm. After taking the effort to lift his heavy eyelids, the Hutt saw Kadar and then curled his large mouth into a smile.
"Well, if it isn't the notorious Kadar," Raaxus rumbled in Huttese. "What brings you here to Nal Hutta? Your presence is a rare sight around these parts."
"I'm here to turn in the Weequay Nora Sulk," Kadar replied, gesturing again to the wrapped-up corpse he had place before the Grand Councilor's throne.
Raaxus looked upon the body with crimson eyes and then, much to the startlement of everyone but Kadar, let out a heartily laugh.
"You humor me, bounty hunter. I posted that bounty nearly two years ago and have since forgotten about it. You don't mean to tell me that you've been hunting Sulk for that long."
"Of course not. I just needed a good reason to enter your palace."
Raaxus' eyes became slits. "Then why are you here?"
"Does the name Azul Obez mean anything to you?"
The entire chamber went silent. All eyes turned to the lone white-armored man standing before the head of the Hutt Grand Council. Even the Falleen slave, who had shown indifference to the conversation, was now looking on with intrigue.
When the Hutt spoke again, his deep voice now lacked the mirth which had been present in it earlier. "Why should it?"
"He's a Twi'lek crime lord who's made a name for himself near Hutt Space." Kadar dipped his helmet. "But more importantly, he's a Vigo of the reorganized Black Sun."
Raaxus let out a sick-sounding snort. "The Black Sun does not concern me. They are unlikely to return to the glory days they had lived while under Prince Xizor."
"What if I told you that their leader was an old 'accomplice' of yours?"
This gave the Hutt pause. "How are you aware of my...relationships?"
"That's for me to know and you to figure out." Kadar folded his arms over his chest. "Also, unless I'm mistaken, he is no longer an accomplice...but a rival."
Raaxus leaned forward, his curiosity clearly piqued. "Would you mind providing his name?"
"Of course," Kadar said. "Xalren Mithric."
*
Huttese translations
"Bo shuda. My pee kasa Kadar. Oto tah stuka Raaxus."- "Greetings. My name is Kadar (?). I want to see Raaxus."
"Me murishani foo priza. Raaxus naga tah stuka me."- "I am (a) bounty hunter with prize. Raaxus wants to see me."
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