Kale sat at a table on Kratos station, a thousand year old station in a numbered star system in the outer rim.  It lay at the end of a series of rarely used hyperspace routes, the system only having any importance because of the mining guild's ancient space station which oversaw mining activity in the system.  A few somewhat rare minerals and enough Tibanna gas from the nearby gas giant meant that they could turn a bit of a profit without having to ship fuel in from elsewhere.  This isolation made it a good hiding spot for those that didn't want to be found.

Kale had already finished his last job, maintenance on an R4 droid, and was having a few drinks with his friends, a Rodian named Teemo and a Duros name Vix.

"Come on, double or nothing, you can't do the knife trick when you're this drunk." said Teemo.

"Wanna bet?" Kale asked before downing the last of his ale and pulled out his vibroknife.  He closed his eyes and willed his head to stop swimming, with just a touch of the Force to help him out.  He knew there was a Jedi technique for sobering up and/or fighting poisons, but he didn't know it.

He placed his hand on the Plasteel table, made sure the knife was turned off before taking a deep breath and exhaling to calm his mind.  "There is no emotion, only peace." he thought as he opened his eyes just in time to begin the first stab beside his hand.  A blur of two dozen stabs later and he stopped stabbing, finally taking another breath.

"Poodoo," Teemo said, "I was hoping you'd cut off at least one finger."

"Well, that's because you're a psychotic sack of bantha poodoo." responded Kale, his voice flat.  Vix burst out laughing at the insult and Teemo just gave him a mean look.  "So, the money you owe me?"  Kale held out his hand, careful to hold his thumb over the slight cut at the base of his index finger.

"How about double or nothing, one hand of Sabaac?"

"Come on, you already owe me 100 credits." Kale responded.  "Do you really want to owe me two?"

Teemo shook his head and handed over credits of assorted denominations.  Kale walked over to the bar and through down a 10 credit chip, putting the other 90 in his pocket.  "Round of drinks for me and my friends." he said, and the bar tender knodded.  Kale turned to look around and noticed an Echani woman entering the bar.  Kale went over to her and bowed slightly.  "Kale Durron." he said, locking eyes with her as he bowed.  "May I buy you a drink?"

"I don't think so." she said, "I'm here for business, not pleasure.  So unless you can point me in the direction of a cargo pilot, please get out of my way."

"Well, Miss..."  He waited a few seconds for her name, but when she didn't offer it he continued.  "It just so happens that I am a Captain and am currently available for hire."  He motioned towards an open booth and they sat down.

"Is it fast?" she asked.  "The cargo is somewhat time sensitive."

"It'll make point 4 past lightspeed." he said.

"Good.  And how much would you charge?"

"Well, that really depends.  What kind of service you looking for and how far away?  Further and fewer customs inspections costs more."

"Dantooine." she said, "and I would like to avoid Customs inspections, if at all possible."

"Well, that's going to be a bit difficult," Kale said, scratching his chin. "Ten thousand, all in advanced."

The white haired woman smiled.  "I was thinking more like two thousand now, another ten when I make my delivery.  I can't risk you taking my cargo after all."

Kale nodded.  Twelve thousand?  She must be pretty desperate.  "Deal," he said, "Docking bay Nine."

The woman stood up and stepped away from the table.  "One more thing before I can consider this deal closed.  I need to make sure you can defend my cargo."  With that she pulled a stun baton from under her jacket and swung it at Kale's head.

The people in the bar knew not to get involved so it was up to Kale to fight his own battle.  Kale ducked and rolled under the table, jumping out afterwords to attack her legs and knock her down, causing her to drop the stun baton.  They both got up only for her to kick at him.  He managed to catch her foot with both hands, only to have her grab a metal pitcher off of a nearby table and throw it at his head.  The shock made him release her leg and she brought the leg down, shifting her momentum for a left hook.  Kale sensed it coming just in time and pulled a chair up to block it.  The now-dented chair flew from his hands, but he had an opening so he swung at her face.  She responded by sidestepping and chopping with her hand at the base of his neck.  His body went limp as he fell over one of the tables and she walked over to pick up her now-inactive baton, tucking it back into her jacket.  "I'll be at your ship with the cargo and credits in one hour." she said softly, leaning next to his ear.  "I would like to leave as soon as possible.  And try to sober up some."  She sat a bottle of Rapid-sober pills beside his head and walked out.

A minute later he got a numb pin-like feeling over his whole body as feeling returned and he got up, swallowing one of the pills with a cup of Caf Vix offered him.  "That's once way to check your employee's credentials." the blue man said.

"Yeah. It's really effective."  Kale started to walk off, bottle of pills in his pocket, and turned around.  "Listen, I'm going to need to find a crew.  You two are fugitives or I'd hire you."  They nodded.  "I'll call you if she needs anything forged or sliced, though."  Kale waved goodbye and walked out of the bar, immediately getting on his commlink to call anyone who might be able to help him on short notice.  The pay was good, but with less than an hour to go, he might have to settle for whoever called back.