The Rebel Faction

Coruscant

It was late evening when Ishara showed up at Gordo's Cantina. She slipped in through the secret door near the back of the club as she normally did. Cierra was waiting for her int the office.

"Hey C, I heard you have a job."

Cierra knodded as Ishara sat down. Cierra slid a datapad across the desk.

"This is the mark. He's a Twi'Lek small arms dealer and slave trader. Our client says he sold him a large shipment of weapons that never arrived. I'm not certain if what he is saying is true aside from the fact that our client has paid in advance for our services."

Ishara looked at the datapad. He was a blue, overweight Twi'Lek named Fa'Joor who was based in the lower levels of Kala'uun located on Ryloth. He also has several female Twi'Lek slaves he keeps for himself as dancers and throws lavish parties for those he knows.

"The lower level slums, it's never easy." Ishara knew Ryloth very well. The slums were located in side caverns at the very bottom of Kala'uun which you can't enter without a special pass. A special pass which was rare to get and very expensive of you needed one.

Ishara was thinking about the job and her strategy for seeing to its completion. Cierra then had a suggestion. "What about Jelan?"

Jelan had been dancing at Gordo's for sometime and like everyone who worked there, she was trained to be a deadly weapon. She also stood out from the others and had been assigned a few jobs already which she completed flawlessly. Jelan could move with both speed and stealth and Ishara had already taken notice of her skills and more importantly, she trusted Jelan enough to take her with her.

"Call her in C. I have an idea."

As Cierra left the office, Ishara already had a plan in mind. Jelan was perfect for this job and she was due to get into more action. Besides, Jelan had already been pushing to stop dancing and work these sort of jobs full time.

Cierra brought Jelan through a secret entrance in one of the private dance rooms and into the office where Ishara was waiting.

Ishara stood up and greeted her friend. "Jelan, how have you been?" Ishara asked as the two hugged. Ishara was out so much that they rarely saw each other and like the rest of the organization, everyone was as close as family and equally trusted.

"Please sit down, I have something to speak to you about." Ishara then passed the datapad over to Jelan.

"It would be hard to take this job on myself and..." Ishara smirked as if she already knew the answer. "...I'd like to know if you're up to it. Care to hear more?"

Ishara knew Jelan would say yes. She was also pleased Jelan was already thinking about ways to gain access.

"Get whatever you feel necessary to bring and we'll meet at the ship in an hour." Ishara looked at Jelan's dance outfit. "Bring your dancing outfit too. It may come in handy once we get to Kala'uun."

Ishara grabbed Jelan's arm before she ran out of the office. "Jel, there's a chance you'll be on your own for part of the time we are there. I'd suggest bringing whatever you can conceal in your dance outfit."

Jelan looked puzzled but started thinking the same thing Ishara was. If Ishara could make it look like she was going to sell Jelan to Fa'Joor, Jelan would be in a perfect position to complete the job.

"We'll talk more on the trip to Ryloth. I'll see you in an hour Jel."

Ishara powered up the ship. She was still impressed by Jelan's efficiency. As she normally was, Jelan was confident she would succeed.

"Hang on Jel..." she said as the ship started to rise from the pad. It soon exited the atmosphere of Coruscant and Ishara engaged the hyperdrive. Their destination, Ryloth.

Ishara looked back towards Jelan. "It's been a while since you've been on Ryloth, are you looking forward to it?"

Ishara then returned to the job at hand. "Here's the plan. I will pose as a rich slave owner who would like to do business with Fa'Joor. We'll discuss potential dealings then I will present him with you as a gift to close the deal. I'll tell him you are an accomplished dancer already and can serve his needs. I'm hoping he will throw one of his parties to celebrate the new business partnership. That way, we'll both be on the inside, and close to Fa'Joor."

Jelan knodded to Ishara. Jelan was one who you never had to explain plans to twice. She was always listening, and she knew that nothing ever ran just as planned. Jelan could adapt to any situation presented to her.

"Since you know the surroundings Jel, I'd like you to plan a quick escape route once the job has been completed. Ok?"

A low alarm sounded and Ishara turned back toward the console. "We're coming up on Ryloth." She said as the ship exited hyperspace.

Ishara listened to Jelan's ideas.

“My best bet is that sometime during the midst of the party, you go out and say you want some fresh air. When you leave, I’ll know that it’s time to somehow lure him into the back room. If it’s the place I am thinking of, I know a way out the back. Growing up on the streets isn’t such a bad thing. But anyways, you start up the ship and prepare for a swift take off, and I’ll run out the back. I’ll probably use just the dagger—it’ll be quieter and take less time to notice. I’ll hopefully be a hundred yards away before anyone even notices.”

"That sounds good Jel, both quiet and efficient."

Ishara looked at Jelan and saw her deep in thought. She knew Jelan was tired of doubling as a dancer. "You're good Jel. Depending on the outcome of this job, there shouldn't be a need for you to dance anymore." She noticed a smile coming over Jelan's face.

“Shall I go and change into my dancing outfit now?”

"Yeah, go ahead." She answered. Ishara also had a change of cloths as well.

The ship was directed to a hangar and touched down. Ishara looked at Jelan. "Remember, you're a slave. Always follow behind me and keep your head low."

Ishara and Jelan walked down the ramp and began to make there way to the lower levels. As they decended, they passed shops, tourist attractions, schools, and businesses along the way. They then entered some of the lower levels where the residential areas were located.

After some time they came to where a corridor was guarded. Ishara heard Jelan whisper "This it."

Ishara walked up to the guards. "My name is Irina and I'm here to discuss business with Fa'Joor." One of the guards motioned for them to wait.

The two stood for a moment until a green female Twi'Lek appeared fromt he corridor. She was obviously a slave, and not very well fed. "I will take you to Fa'Joor, this way."

Ishara signalled to Jelan to follow and they entered the corridor.

Ishara and Jelan followed the slave to another entrance. "This is my master's palace" she said. Ishara gave a casual and brief sarcastic look towards Jelan. Truly this Fa'Joor thought he was a man of power if he lived on a so called palace.

They entered into a main room where there was a line of rough looking criminal types all having chained Twi'Lek slaves in their grip. It was a disgusting sight. Ishara had no love for the slave trade and she knew Jelan was against it.

As they continued through the main room, they entered a hallway which was lavishly decorated. At the end were two Twi'Lek guards who signalled the slave girl to pass by. The slave pushed the door open and loud music could be heard. They walked into a huge hall where, what looked to be a party, was going on. Numerous Twi'Lek slaves were serving food and drink along with several Twi'Lek slave girls dancing in the center.

The slave brought them towards the back of the hall where a fat Twi'Lek was sitting. The slave knelt before him and announced he had guests. "Sit down, sit down. I am Ja'Foor and I hear you are here for... business?" Ishara smiled but on the inside she was furious as Ja'Foor eyed both her and Jelan over. "I am Irina. I am here to discuss business. Perhaps a partnership."

Ishara and Ja'Foor spoke for quite a while. Ishara said she had ways to capture Twi'Lek who were off Ryloth to convert them into dancers while at the same time brainwashing them. Trained Twi'Lek dancers always produced the most profit and Ja'Foor was very interested. Ishara said she needed someone who could distribute the dancers and she would split the profits. Overall, it was a very well planned story that Ja'Foor bought right into.

As Ja'Foor offered Ishara a drink, she motioned to Jelan. "Dance for Ja'Foor!" she ordered. Ja'Foor smiled as the music changed and Jelan took a place towards the center of the hall. She began to dance and Ja'Foor never took his eyes away from her. Ishara leaned in to Ja'Foor. "If we have a deal, I will give her to you" she said as she smiled at him. "Y-Yes, we have a deal Irina!!"

The music ended and Ja'Foor rised from his table holding his glass high. "Everyone, drink to a new partnership with Lady Irina!!!!" The croud cheered. Jelan returned to the table and grabbed Jelan, pulling her to sit close to him. This was the part Ishara feared the most. Jelan was her friend and she hated putting her in this situation. Outwardly, Ishara laughed and took another drink form her glass.

Please, enjoy my hospitality and stay as long as you like. The celebrations here never end!" Ishara bowed her head and went to mix onto the croud. Her thoughts remaining on Jelan's safety.