It was mid-day, an open market, and bustling with a hundred busy shoppers, searching for that perfect buy. Mine was already allocated. I had told the Jedi where I would be and when, and he seemed more then willing to meet me any odd place I'd like, just so long as it was as soon as possible. Which left me here...
I hate places like this. Some people like crowded areas, usually the type with more bravado then brains. Cowards usually, with something to hide, not your usual Jedi ploy. Who knows, maybe my source was slipping. The darkside can be a dangerous enemy, but an excellent allie when dealing with those jedi who were being seduced by a power no one can really control.
I had an excellent vantage point, so I saw him even before feeling the ripples. Tucked between to open displays, I had found a perfect little spot in this chaotic mess. I even resisted the urge to mask my presence, rather use this moment to test my contact, and keep one step ahead.
He stepped past me twice before managing to locate me.
I could see it in his eyes from the word go. This was a man clearly struggling with the darkside, trained to resist it, but driven by the thirst for power.
A reason, perhaps, for his odd manner.
He had contacted me through another contact, one I trusted among others in my loosely strung network. This means two things; One, someone I trust, thinks this fellow is worth my time, and two, he obviously has a few freinds of his own in the underworld, and has more then a clue of who I am.
A thing like this could work to my advantage. Afterall, reputation can carry someone a long way in the right places.
Expressions only went so far, relating to a Shistavanen. Clad in the usual garb of a Jedi, I'm sure he had a lightsaber tucked under those robes somewhere.
"Hhhyou isss Pike?" related the wolfman in broken basic.
"Tha's wha' mah mom call'd me. Yer mus' be Sruik?" I found the accent very appropriate for the occasion. Don't let 'em think yer smarter then they are.
"Hhhyou iss after Rhirar. I kknow wheer he iss." This time with paranoid looks over his shoulder.
A chuckle, because it sets nervous people on edge, a slanted grin, and a nod. That's all it ever takes, too cool for the Void.
"Hhhyou wantss to kknow?"
Shrug, act like you're disinterested. Just think, it's none of your concern if this guy tells you anything or not, there's always a back entrance. "Yah tellin' or jus' wastin' mah time," now loose the grin, "I hate mah time wasted."
Growling low, the wolfman leans in closer, but not too close... he knows his range. Now I slant an eyebrow, look a tad perplexed and let this furball think he has the moment...and see if he takes it.
"Then I ssshow you". The words come out muffled, more of a growl. Then it's clear. Part set up, part stall. This would take some mulling over...when the moment is free.
For now I'm more concerned with the wolfman, and the spike I feel coming through the force, anger. Luckily though, no motions follow it, and it's another round of talking.
"He's here then," I grin, knowing full well that the aquisition is well away from the area, likely getting farther. "An' yer not jus' stallin' me?"
That got dog face. His ears perk forward, lips curl back on k-9 teeth... He's angry, and he's surprised. A blind worrt could tell.
For whatever reason, this daka actually believed that I would buy his story, his act.
Like a fire alarm, a warning breaks through the Force, an impression of a hand reaching for a lightsaber.
The next few moments are a blur of action. It starts as the wolfman goes for his saber, hanging left of his belt. An opening comes before me, and before thinking, I act. My right hand lunges out and grabs the wolfmans hand as it closes on the lightsaber. My left goes for the trusty Thunderer hanging at my hip... Too quick, the wolfman makes to use my trick against me and grab for my pistol hand.
Inspiration comes in flashes. Use your head.
One massive headbutt connects with the wolfs snout, and I feel fangs graze my scalp... then snap and shatter. Extending myself to the Force, I trace thin lines around his form, lift and twist... In one motion effectively planting the wolfs back against the wall, my blaser pressing against his belly in an almost concealed fashion and his lightsaber pressed down against his thigh, should he make to ignite it.
The brilliant part, no one seems the wiser, as if our second long melee went totally unnoticed.
Or did it?
