Flight

Niome woke up alone, the events of the night previous foggy in her memory, clouded with opaque clouds that tinted it all inexplicable, and endearing. She didn't feel any dispair as she looked about her cage. She felt a newfound hope that soon, she would be far from Tatooine. She figured she might finally find some justice.

Her meal was delivered as usual by a single man dressed in plasteel plating. This time was different however. This time, there was a full set of cutlery along side her meal, and wrapped about it, note. The guard mentioned nothing of it, simply offering a skeptical look. Niome met his gaze until he turned, and walked away.

The note was creased down the middle, and sealed with a small bit of glue. Niome knew that it hadn't been tampered with by the effort it took to pry open. Scribed inside were aurabesh characters, written messily. These words were basic, and although Niome wasn't a fast reader, the meaning was quite straightforward, "I never told you I loved you back. By the time you have this, you need to act. I'll be causing a distraction, while you do whatever it is you need to do. If fortune finds us well, we might see eachother again. If not, well, I'll make sure you don't need good fortune. The Trandoshan is still at the palace, he departs within the hour. His ship is landed on the main platform, and I'm sure it would accomodate you well. Stay clear of Hutt space for a while, find a man called Dex on Chandrila. He's neutral, and he has the equipment to see that you can keep yourself in the clear. Don't associate with the guild.

PS. If you don't hear from me again, then do whatever it is you need to do. I live on through you. If I can do one significant thing in my life, it's that. Godspeed, Niome. Until we meet again."

She crumpled the writing, for a moment thinking over the various contents therin. She was now Nyk's gambit. She felt more grief now, but understood that if she looked back it would be in vain. Wordlessly, she steeled herself for a fight, and padded on her bare feet. The only indication Niome Takan had escaped was the creak of her cage's door. She stepped carefully, sure not to make a sound...

Nyk looked down at his time piece, distance apparent in his eyes. Her sat at the edge of the slug's throne room. The great Jabba was poised on his throne, silent inforcers crowding the shadows around him. Nyk was within that circle, although as of late he'd been seeing each of his peers as more of an enemy. Now they all spectated more praise for the beast who killed for them, the tall green thing in its heated suit which had taken so many lives. He couldn't focus on what was said. He only cared about the time. There was one minute to go. It was already underway.

The life of a villain wasn't an easy one to lead. It was hard to sleep with so many demons lurking at the edge of your mind. He had tortured enough, and abused enough that no amount of **** could possibly numb it all. He was sober now, and all those demons insisted he redeemed himself. Nyk knew it wouldn't make much of a difference, but he knew that it might just be enough. There were thirty seconds left. His head felt heavyy on his shoulders. His limbs itched to move. Jabba offered a booming laugh. The Weequay didn't know what was funny. Fifteen seconds, then ten, and five. His hand tensed on his blaster. He knew he wouldn't get two shots. Three, then two, and finally one...

Niome heard the sound of a single blaster bolt from further off in the labrynthian structure of the palace. She didn't hear any return to it's solitary howl. Ahead of her in the dim, smoke crowded corridor, she heard her prey shift abruptly, maybe he raised his carbine in the dark. Niome moved in silence still, lurking ever closer. He was alone with her. The bounty hunter's grip was white knuckled on her dinner knife. He didn't have a chance to scream.

There was a clatter as plasteel armor hit the floor, a spray of crimson that told Niome she'd struck the right spot. She had his rifle before the pooling blood could spread to where it fell. She was deadly still in the dark waiting for a response, but none came. She realized that the deck really was stacked in her favor. She had time, it seemed at least. She lowered the gunsights from her eyes, remaining crouched over the mercenary's corpse. She found a vibroknife in his boot.