[i]A collab between [@Letter Bee] and [@CaptainBritton][/i]

[b]Ques, the Deal Site (23.311° N, 57.437° E)
1000 hours, 16:6, 4 ABY[/b][hr]

“Elias Folen, Viper Security Solutions. Unidentified broadcaster, identify yourself.” The terse voice buzzed over the commlink.

The reply was: “It’s me, Ken Neumann; the kid. I just wanted to thank you again for, well, being kind to me. Not all mercs are like that and I should know; Hutt Space is a hard place. And, well...” a pause as if the person behind the transmission was trying to figure out what to say.

“Well, I wanted to say good luck on your deal, okay? That and to be careful; people are out there to take advantage of any kindness. I also...umm...I also want to say that you’re the first person who has been this good to me without attaching conditions and stuff for a year now! So, thank you for that, I guess; my parents are on another planet, safe but not allowed to talk with me much.”

“Honest contractors are a dying breed.” Elias’s voice softened, the terse tone gone. “I’m well aware of the dangers of Hutt Space. Ain’t my first rodeo, and all that.” He paused, thinking. “It’s easy to be kind, and it’s easier to make friends rather than enemies. I’ve never killed someone that did no wrong to me, and I’ve never regretted any of the kills I’ve made, never will. Truthfully, a day doesn’t go by without a prayer that everyone on both sides makes it home.”

A few moments of silence, before a lighthearted laugh can be heard. “As for me, I was born hating. Hating slavers, hating overseers, hating the Empire and Rebels and Hutts and everyone except my fellow slaves and ex-slaves. I kept everyone around me at arm's’ length because I’m afraid they’d stab me in the back or weigh me down.” An audible sigh. “Then I realized I was alone except for those who depend [i]on[/i] me to pick them up when they fall. I’m tired of that; I’m lonely. I’m just a kid and I’ve seen so much and killed more than a few people to get my freedom then it turns out that I can only stay free if I keep on fighting.”

There was a deep weariness to Ken’s voice. “But you, you come here and have me under your power and just let me go and be so kind and good and honorable...that broke me. You actually care when no one else would, and we just met. And now I am breaking and taking risks and confessing everything to a stranger all because I cannot hold it in anymore.”

Elias thought, the receiver still held to his face. “Kid, I think I can help. Hm.” He paused. “Come by the Rigger after the deal is over and we’ll talk, right?”

Was that a sob of joy? Whatever the case, the next words were: “Thanks! Thank you! Thank you very much!”