Investments

The man's fingers drummed on the desk as he read through the report. His sources were talking about massive upheaval within the Hutts. It appears as if the Grand Council of the Hutts was convening in a few days. Only a Kajidic Head from a Clan of the Ancients could call a conclave together in the Bootana Hutta and Jellel the Hutt had wasted no time in rallying the others to his cause. He laughed to himself as he scanned through the intercepted statement from Jellel.

"The Jiramma family have suffered a tremendous loss to the hands of brutal pirates which threaten not only my Kajidic but the entire Cartel. I mourn the loss of Darga greatly as his-" he flipped past the rest of the statement knowing it would be wrought with embellishments and lamenting flourishes. Jellel was always one for words. He had known that Darga was hated by most of the Jirammas' for his ignorant disregard towards Hutt protocols. They likely were quite happy he was dead but didn't care for how it was done. The Hutts were free to kill one another surreptitiously but the moment and outsider got involved they banded together like Chadra-Fan in a crowd.

He flipped back to the report he had acquired on the crime scene. Koryyn had investigated the scene which means he would have to move fast if he was to get involved. The old merc was good - annoyingly good. He had tried to buy the man out a few times now but to no avail. The man was nothing if not loyal. He could respect that though, loyalty was not to be underrated. As if on cue, he heard the door hiss as it opened behind him followed by the heavy padded footsteps of a Wookie entering the room and approaching the coaches near the massive viewscreen on the wall. The Wookie plopped down onto the couch, furniture squealing slightly in protest at the weight. The man smiled and turned his head slightly towards his guest.

"Have you read these reports?" he said waving the datapad. "They make your work look like an Ugnaught's." He smiled at the anticipated and dismissive growl. He looked towards the Wookie as the chair squealed in protest as the hulking mass tried to get comfortable on the small frame.
"Have some class will you, that's expensive furniture from Nubia. It'd be shame if you broke it. Perhaps we can get something more your speed - maybe a hammock?" he said smirking. He locked eyes with the fierce yellow stare from the Wookie. After an eternity and a moment where he thought the Wookie may come break the couch over his head, he laughed aloud. He caught the Wookie grinning boyishly out of the corner of his eye. After the laughter and chuffing subsided he turned back to his datapad.
"In all seriousness my friend, this is some intriguing business. Such a brazen attack. I wish half of that lot from I obtained from that wretched women had the courage as these men," he said as he studied the pictures from the crashed Sail Barge. After a moment he keyed a console on his desk and it chimed in response.
"Yes Sir?" a woman's soft voice said over the comms.
"Ainax, come here for a moment I have some questions," he said and keyed the console off. A moment later the door hissed open again and a woman glided into the room. She was wearing a white tunic and brown trousers, cut to the Corellian style, but even in that simple and homely garb she was breathtaking. Her soft and smooth features were juxtaposed against her sharp green eyes. She had a small smile on her face as she scanned the room.
"Enjoying the company Sir?" she said the man and motioned to the Wookie lounging on the couch nearby.
"Always, he keeps me honest," he chided and then motioned to the datapad. "Ainax, this report you sent me. What else can you tell me," he asked and sat back in his chair, steepling his fingers. She nodded and began to recite the facts from what appeared to be memory.
"Of course Sir. It appears to be an isolated group. Their original target did not appear to be Darga but rather a Rodian who was travelling in the company of the Hutt. Both were killed in the attack. Their motives towards the Rodian are still unknown. We haven't been able to get an identity out of the Hutts which suggests that they are unaware of his identity as well. This is not uncommon given Darga's propensity to operate off the book from the Kajidic. Given the brash action of openly killing Darga, if the group was not collectively at war with the Hutts they most certainly are now; however, the severity of the attack suggests a recent aversion to the Cartel. They could've witnessed something the Cartel did prior to encountering Darga and were fueled by that - that remains as personal speculation though". She said, the man nodded in agreement.
"Do we have a lead on their present location?" he asked. She shook her head.
"Not a precise location Sir; however, we do have reports of substantial goods and equipment being called in through the Black Market to the Dantus Sector. That's only a few parsecs away. These requests were quite well hidden and if not for our network in the region it is likely they went unnoticed. It could be unrelated but it may be worth investigating". she said. The man nodded again and then looked to Ainax.
"Anyone else notice this?" he said leaving it open ended. She quickly picked up on the nuance.
"No Sir, none of your colleagues have noticed the build up. It was actually a particularly enterprising Munn who made the connection. Thankfully he is on our payroll." she said. The man murmured in agreement.
"Give him a small raise, let's keep him on our side," the man said. "Anything else?" he asked.
"Based off the reports, they found a body of an unidentified female in the Sail Barge who wasn't working for the Hutts. I believe she was one of these unknown attackers who died in the assault," she said. The man pursed his lips, considering for a moment. He tapped his steepled fingers against his mouth pensively.
"They are alone, afraid, and licking their wounds. I would bet that it's them in the Dantus region trying to recup and rearm; potentially trying to build a safe haven or a hideaway," he said. A questioning chuff from the Wookie made his blaster with an inquisitive look.
"No we're not going to kill them my friend. We don't kill opportunities - we invest in them," he said and smiled at the Wookie's all too obvious eye-roll.
"Ainax," he began "find someone we trust but not someone we aren't afraid to lose. I want them to bring an offer to our beleaguered friends. Do you have someone in mind?" he asked. She considered for a moment and then nodded, a wry smile on her face.
"I do, but you're not going to like it,"