[center][h1]Tez meets Koren[/h1]

[sub]A collab between [@Alias] and [@Sep], featuring [@Vietmyke][/sub]
[/center]

[hr]

Tez had serious thoughts about going to sleep there and then. The bed was just so soft, at least by his standards. He sat up though, knowing it would be bad form to be sleeping when the man who runs Paradise walks into the room. Tez looked at Kast who was still waiting alongside him, probably eager to get his pay and then leave. It seemed the girl didn’t leave either. She hadn’t really said much during this whole event, if at all anything though. It was a strange concept to Tez that Koren would’ve let someone close to him personally accompany the bounty hunter. Little did he know that the Mandalorian wasn’t fully okay with the arrangement of her joining. She seemed very young to be in a place like this though. Did she think Tez was scary? Afraid of Jedi? Superstitious about those who could use the Force? The Jedi dismissed the thoughts. He didn’t really care what people thought of him at the end of the day, as long as he’s done his job by the end of it.

Koren was walking down the corridor droids in tow, he handed a datapad of reports over to a B1 droid that then ran off with the data. It was coming up to memory wipe season, the issue with droids was that they tended to develop quirks over time. B1 Battle Droids were notorious for their ‘acting stupid’ when activated for too long. He just had to rotate the droids as effectively as possible, this was why he had various ‘batches’ of droids with any unique programming so he could rotate them occasionally for maintenance. He opened the door to the room, eyed the Jedi and Kast and his attention turned to Loretta. He was instantly annoyed, though at the same time not overly surprised. He tilted his head towards the door. “Tara was looking for you. She’s in her office.”

When Loretta didn’t move Koren just gave her a look, and put more force into his words. [i]”Go.”[/i]” She sighed as she walked out of the room, her bodyguards in tow. He cleared his throat and then looked at the other individuals in the room, the Jedi looked like he was ready to sleep and Kast was waiting for one thing. He turned to Kast first. “The credits have all been transferred, I’ve also seen to having your ship rearmed and refuelled for a hasty completion.” He couldn’t blame Kast for Loretta going. She was stubborn as anything, she had learned off him after all.

“Could use a new paint job too.” Kast mused, his datapad read the finalization of his payment. Straightening up, he left the two men alone. “I’ll see you around, Jedi. Not sure for what yet.” he said over his shoulder as he left the room, the implications of the innocent statement quite clear.

He then turned to the Jedi sitting on the bed. “My name is Koren Graeff, Master Jedi. It is very nice to meet you-” He bowed his head slightly. “-I’m the owner of this establishment and the Golden Exchange.”

The Jedi stood up from the bed as Koren introduced himself once the girl left the room. Tez wasn’t quite sure who to expect when he was told he’d be meeting Koren Graeff. Tez respectfully bowed in response to the kind greeting. [b]“It’s quite an honor to meet a man of your stature in person.”[/b] He replied. [b]“I’m very aware of your representation and your business. I wouldn’t believe a peace-zone like this could exist within the Outer Rim.”[/b] The Jedi admitted. [b]“As much as I’m not a fan of the kind you harbor, I for one am impressed.”[/b] He said with honesty. It was truly a feat.

[b]“However, I am most curious why you would want to speak with me, Koren. It’s your business to hold the information so I know that you know who I am. Have I upset a client of yours?”[/b] The Jedi asked curiously. He did not want to waste much time from getting to the point.

Koren sat in one of the luxurious armchairs, and indicated to the one across from him for the Jedi to sit. “You know, I was still kind of hoping you’d introduce yourself. Though first-” Koren leaned forward his hands clasped. “-If you had upset a client of mine would we really be speaking?”

The Jedi sighed as he sat on the chair and leant forward, resting his elbows on his legs. [b]“I’ll be honest, Koren. I find the pleasantries rather unimportant when you hire a bounty hunter to bring me here.”[/b Tez retorted. [b]“But I suppose you have a good point there. So why are we speaking?”[/b]

Koren merely shrugged. “I see your point, that was rather rude however there is a certain level of appeal to your character. Had I merely sent a courier you would have undoubtedly suspected a trap. Sending a bounty hunter who doesn’t instantly open fire sends an entirely different kind of message, one that shows it’s legitimacy.” Koren clicked his fingers and a small hatch in the wall opened, a droid waddling in with a tray holding glasses containing drinks for them both. He hadn’t known the Jedis drink of choice so had just ordered two for Corellian Whiskys for himself.

He hated that many just considered it as Corellian Whisky. This was Sal-Horn Whisky. No doubt if it had been branded Solo it would have been far more popular, and undoubtedly popular for people to call it by it’s real name. “Tez, if I may call you Tez-” His eyes seemed questioning at this point, as if he genuinely did not want to offend his guest “-How much do you know off me 
before my time in Hutt Space? Or should I say, how much can you guess?”

Tez was actually glad he was not given a drink. Not only did he find it unnecessary in his personal crusade, he also knew alcohol created difficulty in using the force. [b]“Tez is fine.”[/b] He replied. While the politeness was rather nice, it really seemed that Koren was dodging the point. If this conversation was going to be a wild bantha chase then he was pretty disappointed. [b]“In complete and total honesty Koren, I know nothing about you for sure. I was born in Hutt Space, I was born after the Old Republic, the Clone Wars… Considering your chosen occupation, I’d imagine you’ve had experience in intelligence offices. Now, you gain information and sell it to the highest bidder, without care of who the bidder is. The New Republic, The Empire, or Criminals. That’s what I know for sure.”[/b]

“I wouldn’t say I don’t care. I have stipulations, conditions that need to be met. I’m not going to explain all my methods to you, but they exist. In terms of who I am-” Koren shrugged. “-Small outer rim world, abused by the Republic. Separatist Intelligence Officer throughout the Clone Wars-” He indicated to the patch of armour that still clung to his shoulder and the faded logo upon it. “-that’s how I got the ship. What I’m getting at, is while our methods differ, our ideologies aren’t all that dissimilar. I just go about executing my long term plan in a… less direct method.” He shrugged.

“In terms of Paradise’ clientele, well not all are criminals. There are those that come here for safety to enjoy some time as families, as a form of holiday that they can afford. Without worry of being attacked, maimed or killed. I mean how many other places do you know in Hutt Space where you can have this form of freedom?” Koren leaned back in his chair, sipping his drink. “Can I get you anything to drink? I’m being rather rude, and I don’t just have alcohol. Caf, Soda, Water. What’s your pleasure?”

Tez nodded at each detail of his explanation, and didn’t utter a sound until he was asked about a drink. [b]“A water would be just fine, thank you.”[/b] He requested in his polite tone. [b]“And I do commend you for achieving such a feat Koren, I really do. However, what I don’t agree with is ideology. You cover yours in an impenetrable fog, so I’m having trouble comprehending this comparison. I do not wish to be rude either, but I hope you didn’t send a bounty hunter after me so we can have a conversation about our work lives.”[/b]

The small droid walked off to fetch the water, it wasn’t long before it re-appeared with a glass of crisp clean and clear water. Likely the cleanest in Hutt Space. “Well, we don’t all have a Lightsaber and the Force to keep us safe. Some of us have certain tools at their disposal, mine are simply different than yours. You use blunt instruments, I use precision tools. Though, I feel that we can combine the two. You want to know what I brought you here for? I want to sponsor you. I can give you resources, and up to date information on important goings on in the Galaxy.”

Tez took a sip of the water as he listened. Best water he ever tasted. However, his face clearly became disgruntled at Koren’s offer. While he could take it at face-value, it was a very kind offer. On the other hand, Tez couldn’t be certain of the underlying intentions of offering such a generous hand. Tez’s skills have been sought out before, many believing they could contract him to be a hitman. [b]“I apologise Koren. Really, I do. If you think you can make me into a personal weapon for the Golden Exchange, then I might as well thank you for your time and take my leave.”[/b] He sighed, doing a poor job of not showing his annoyance.

Koren snapped his fingers and the door swooshed open, a BX-Commando droid walking in. Though instead of drawing any form of weapon it through Tez’s lightsaber over at him. “Tez, have you ever heard of the Exchange performing contract killings? Or killing people to benefit it? You forget. I lived in a time of Jedi, I’m not stupid enough to try and turn one into a goon, if I want a goon-” He tapped his foot on the floor indicating the levels below “-I have plenty of choice that would require far less resources and would come with much less of a moral compass to contend with. I’m offering you somewhere safe to rest your head, resources to train and equip yourself and information on targets of your choosing. You doing what you are currently doing, that’s the payment.” 

He shrugged. “Consider currently giving you your lightsaber a mark of trust.”

Tez listened to Koren’s explanation. This man was hard to argue with, and he knows how to make a good offer. But something about it made Tez very wary that Koren most likely stood to gain from it. What was a shock, was the droid giving the lightsaber back. Tez affixed the hilt back to his belt. [b]“You must forgive my stand-off attitude, and I do appreciate this token of trust…”[/b] Tez began. [b]“You make an offer that I should find very hard to turn down, but I must know your intentions. I will not work under someone so secretive. I understand that you run a business of information, and secrets are the product you trade with, but I’m having trouble understanding why you would provide these resources with no clear profit. In such an efficiently run operation, I’m sure many would consider it a gross misallocation of resources.”[/b]