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[b][color=yellow]Paradise

Rented Hangar[/color][/b]
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[color=tan][b]"Argus what is going on out there? I would take it from the lack of bombardment that the Imperial trash can didn't fire on Paradise. Its not like Imperials to be late to their own threats."[/b]

Akazin walked into the cockpit of the modified YT-1300 as he posed the question to his apprentice Argus. Akazin took a seat in the chair beside Argus and looked at the young Twi'lek expectantly. Argus was in all reality a five foot nothing, red skinned and green eyed outcast from Nal Hutta where he had been a slave until he escaped and racked up quite a bounty on his head. He wasn't too skilled in combat and his piloting was to be desired, however his ability with technology, specifically, hacking, was far beyond that of his years and that was one thing that made him incredibly useful. Well and in all honesty Akazin had taken rather a liking to the young Twi'lek, not that he was feeling nostalgic of his old slave days but Argus really did remind him of himself so long ago. Most in Verda did not fully understand why Akazin had made Argus his apprentice and taken him under his wing and often ridiculed the decision of letting him join Verda in the first place. But what most men of skill tended to forget was that sometimes it is the weakest of the bunch that eventually becomes the strongest and Argus had a good chance of one day outlasting them all.

[color=skyblue][b]"It appears that another Imperial Ship intervened and stopped them from attacking Paradise. Was quite a interesting thing to witness actually. I never knew those ships could take such a blast and shrug it off like it was nothing."[/b][/color]

[b]"Outdated junk now and days if you ask me kid. Damn shame the Imperials couldn't just let themselves die when Vader and emperor Palpatine bit the dust. But like most pests they just crawl into the woodwork and multiply and then infest something else. It is the way of the Galaxy my young ward. Although I will be honest I really did want to see how strong Paradise actually is. Anyways the meeting with Dakar went fairly well, ended up being right about him trying to skimp us on the payment. Tell me where did you get that replica of his sisters prized crystal?"[/b]

[color=skyblue][b]"What that piece of junk? I know a guy in Illos who makes them by the dozen, after all anyone will buy anything to look like their actually important and have credits to their name. Its a shame really, all that credits usually just gets you caught by the attention of some gangster."[/b][/color]

[b]"True enough kid. It certainly fooled Dakar and his feeble minded intellect. Should have seen the look on his face, even I wasn't aware a Rodian could contort their face that much. Hilarious after thoughts aside we can take a look at this here seeming the Imperials have tempered down a bit."[/b]

Akazin pulled out the credit chip silently from his inner jacket pocket, he passed it off to Argus who immediately nodded his head and quickly opened the secret compartment within, removing the data device he slid it into the console before him and his fingers started caressing the the keys better then a Twi'lek dancer in Nar Shardaa. Akazin sat bat in his chair crossing his arms after removing the black lense goggles from his face. He didn't show it but he did not like being in such close vicinity to anyone who was Imperial. Even if they were left over rejects from a bygone era. The truth of the matter was that his name was still on a list somewhere deep within whatever was left of the Empire, and he was one of the highest bounties still on it today if he had to guess. He took no credit for toppling the Empire, that was the Republic's work, but when they eradicated the High Command of Imperial Intelligence, there was no recovering from the strike that the Republic had made. But even Akazin knew, probably even better then most that the II still existed in whatever this new Empire Sect was and he would still be on their list. He had trained with them, worked beside them, knew them closely, so he already knew that some of them had survived, they were almost impossible to fully destroy.

[color=skyblue][b]"Sir? Can i ask you something?"[/b][/color]

Akazin was broken from his thoughts as his eye's locked on to Argus's who seemed like he was puzzled by something. Akazin merely nodded his approval.

[color=skyblue][b]"Why did you come here personally? Usually you do not often leave base if at all, you almost always send someone else to collect payment. I have to be honest I was a bit surprised when you said we were going to Paradise of all places. I know that you don't like to risk anyone identifying you."[/b][/color]

[b]Let me ask you something kid, what is the one thing in the entire galaxy that is worth more then even credits?"[/b]

Argus looked at Akazin contemplating the question, not being on to want to give a stupid answer, eventually Argus just shrugged his shoulders and shook his head signalling that he didn't really have a good answer.

[b]"Intelligence kid. Information. The more important the information the more its worth to the one who wants it. Credits make the galaxy go round but it is information that keeps the credits circling. I don't have to tell you that like any faction in the galaxy we have a greater purpose, a greater goal then the services we offer. Unfortunately you can hire those who wish to make money, but can not make them want the same goals that you do. This job was personal to O'r te werda, a job that needed to be handled delicately. The information within that device is very important to both O'r te werda and myself. Once upon a time there were more who believed in what Prudii Verda was formed for, who fought for the same reasons, but many of the original members who believed in the goal we have are gone now, but the goal we set for ourselves remains. Prudii Verda became a legitimate business, that much is true, we needed credits and a lot of them. but there is more to this then just that. It is my hope that one day you will see that too, and then perhaps you can fully understand what I mean."[/b]

[color=skyblue][b]"Why me? Honestly when you found me I thought that you were going to kill me. I never imagined you would take me in and even more so join Prudii Verda knowing how weak and useless I am. I understand what your saying but I don't think I am meant to last long, at least that's what most of the other mercenaries tell me. They are forever taking bets on how long it will take me to be killed."[/b][/color]

[b]"Don't let it bother you kid, most of those mercenaries will never understand the potential you truly have. Even you don't fully see your potential. Unfortunately that is the byproduct of having been a slave. You often get it pounded into you that your worthless and that your nothing, and you will never be anything other then a slave. I was there and I know what it feels like to not believe your worth anything or that you will ever become someone important. The markings on my face are all the proof you need that if you want it bad enough you can have it, but you have to work for it, bleed for it, sacrifice for it. It is the one that they call the weakest that often times becomes the strongest. Do you know why that is?"[/b]

[color=skyblue][b]"No I don't sir."[/b][/color]

[b]Trials Argus, trials, pain, suffering, loss, sadness, hatred. Those who have lived a life of impossible odds are often the ones who make it the farthest. The pain, the suffering, the loss, those things make you stronger, they push you to your limits, they encourage you to take one more step when you know you can't. Most slaves who become free try to forget their past, but they only hurting themselves because you can't escape yourself. But if you cherish your past, let yourself remember it, and use it as a reason to push forward regardless of circumstance, you will be strong. I was weaker then you are now kid, but not anymore, if I can make it this far than you can too."[/b]

Akazin looked up from Argus as an audible sound emanated from the console. It seemed that the files had finally finished loading in. Akazin turned to his own console and started typing. He brought up the newly entered files and scanned through them idly until he came to one simply named [b]Order 58[/b]. Akazin clicked on the file, the screen lite up with words, many of which were blanked out, the normal Imperial Intelligence bury job. He was not interested however in the report, looking to the bottom he quickly read the name of the Officer which had issued the order itself. Akazin clenched his fist tightly as a resounding crack could be heard.

[b]"Prep the ship kid, were leaving now and returning to base. Take the fastest route."[/b][/color]