[Originally written by Zahn]
"It ain't easy being me" Zahn thought to himself looking out at the bright planet known as Drummond Kaas. Everyone onboard was a bit on edge, trips to Drummond tended to to that to people. "Your landing permit seems to be in order. Proceed to the landing bay 87". The metallic voice seemed a bit hostile, or maybe I was reading too much into it. "Lets take her down", as I made my way to the cargo bay of the "Grand Illusion". "Want some company?", Mako asked nervously. "Nah", I said. "You can sit this one out". She breathed a sigh of relief, then quickly realized that she was a bit obvious, blushed a bit, and then walked briskly away. Before I go any further, I should tell you that I am many things. Today, I am a bounty hunter. Being a bounty hunter basically gives me the right to do pretty much whatever I want. Sure, it comes with its responsibilities. For the most part, however, its a right to do whatever you want. Today, I have to do something that every bounty hunter worth his spice must do from time to time: Return to Drummond Kaas and "Kiss the ring" so to speak. From time to time you are summoned back here. Sometimes its nothing. Other times it can be a pain in the ass.
I hate this place. I hate everything about it. From the endless amounts of security checks to leave the starport to the ridiculous speeder ride through a jungle to get to the capitol. A jungle. Seriously, you have to ride through a jungle to get to the capitol. I suppose it is to remind the Sith that they tamed a jungle world and called it their own. Lets get past that, and examine the wonderful idea someone had to place the most important people on their homeworld in three buildings standing side by side. I guess we are lucky that the rebels are too "civil" to understand that if they took out those three buildings they would effectively behead the Imperial Army. Anyways, back to the reason I am here: I was summoned by a pair of Mandolorians named Gen Vizia and his sidekick Zakkeg. "Well, if it isn't Mr. Zahn gracing us with his presence" Gen Visia says as I walk into the room. "What?" I say as patiently as I can. "That's no way to pay your respects Zahn." Zakkeg chimed in. "Mr. Zahn" I retort. "I liked Mr. Zahn better"
"Get to the point, I really don't have time for this" I say pointing at Gen Vizia. "Get to the point of what?" Gen Vizia blurts out. He is either a better actor than I thought he was, or he really doesn't know what i'm talking about. "Nevermind" I say turning to walk away. This isn't right. Walking out of the Enclave, I figured out what was going on about 1.2 seconds too late.
"Zahn" the voice said. The gravel tone of it, and the particular stench of a bacteria dish left in the sun of Taris for a year gave it away. Knowing didn't make it better though.... "How can I be of Service to your Lord?" I asked without turning around. It is best to gather your senses when dealing with force users, I find them predictable as long as they can't sense what your thoughts are leaning towards. "This way, I am only to gather you" the figure toned out. "Lets get on with it" sarcastically I pronounce. "This trip is already costing me credits". The chill. That's what I call it. The feeling you get when you pass through the main hall. I hate it here. I always felt like a huge fight could break out at any moment with the way the Sith bicker amoungst themselves. I try to keep my gaze straight forward as I pass. Sith are nosey, and the last thing I need is for one of them to get curious why I'm here. "Zahn, as you requested Overseer Kryos" the servant sith presented with a deep bow. The Overseer doesn't say a word. He just stares at me with his red eyes trying to size me up, so I take a chance: "What do you want?" After a long pause- "Really?" Kryos says with a squint in his eyes and his teeth gritting. "You show no more respect than that to me?" Kryos whinned. "Who do you serve? Maybe they can get my respect, because anyone else that wants to deal with me would do so by asking me straight up and not by having someone else send for me" Gen Vizia was a better actor than I thought I decided. "Forgive that....necessary lie. What I have to talk with you about is more delicate and requires a face to face transaction" the Overseer negotiated. Time to see how high up his Master is:
"ENOUGH! Get to the point or else I walk!" Upon saying that, I almost immediately regret that course of action. But i'm all in right now, nowhere else to go with this. "Do you know anything about me at all?" I say this with my nose about 4 inches from the Overseer's nose. The Overseer studies me a bit, then offers: "My apologies, clearly I should have thought out my actions....better" "Yeah. You do that next time" and with that I walk out of there as fast as I can. Not running or anything, or walking fast even...just moving very steady towards the door. The chill goes away as I clear the doorway of the exit. I wonder if that's some sort of Dark Jedi thing to cause that feeling I wonder.... Then the familiar feeling hits again as an Imperial Officer and two guards approach me. "I hate this planet" "We have been ordered to take you into custody, follow us please." the officer said very sternly. "Why the hell not, its been that kind of day" I say rolling my eyes. I hate this place. They take me to the next building: The HQ for Imperial Intelligence. I snicker everytime I use the words Imperial and intelligence in the same sentence. The old man they take me too has a serious look about him, and I wonder if I am finally getting to the bottom of why im really here. "Zahn. Your a hard man to track down" the old man opens with. "That's what they say" I shoot back. "and yet here you are". The old man has a point with that one Dammit. "My name is Commander Dorne and you have the particular skill set I need right now." This guy doesn't waste time. "You have my attention" Knowing when to shut up and listen is a gift. "I want to you track down my daughter. Find her. Eliminate anyone she is with, and bring her back to me". His eyes are a bit far off when he said that. Great. This is personal.
I hate this place.