Lightside Sith 036

After dropping off the captives, Kaine heard that sweet sweet sound of LP gain once more. Confirming that he had indeed promoted from an Acolyte (high) to Sith Lord (low), he checked his status to see the update. 

[Lightside Sith System: Act like a Lightside Sith, and be rewarded. 

Rank: Tier IV (Sith Lord low) 

200/50,000 until (Sith Lord mid)

Skills: Tier IV: [Speed] [Inflict Pain] [Sense] [Hide Presence] [Precognition] [Form I] [Form II] [Form III] [Ghost Summoning] [Ghost Speaking] [Telekenesis] [Nightmare] [Blood Etching] [Marksmanship] 

Inventory: Lightsaber, Sith attire, sonic grenade x2, macrobinoculars, misc food x5, misc clothing x 20, blaster pistol, shock prod x1, mystic box

Credits: 5,283,987

Lightside Points: 200]

Since the last time he had advanced, Kaine had learnt Form I, enhanced his ghostly abilities, and robbed a fuckton of credits from the Red Eclipse, increasing his net worth nearly five-fold over. 

Flying the big bulky transport, he couldn't help but glance down at the giant, planet-sized city of sin home to a trillion+ sentients, and felt his mouth water. They were all his! Glorious Lightside Points for the taking! Simply sparing someone granted a single point, whilst actively rescuing them was double or more. For a second there he almost wanted to wage war against the Hutts & all the other criminal organizations, before he reigned himself in. 

Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Kaine rationalized that there would always be ‘legitimate' targets on Nar Shaddaa, and that he didn't unnecessarily need to check himself into an early grave. Speaking of legitimate targets, he still had to complete that sidequest Dooku had assigned him, and capture or kill that Dark Acolyte that had gone awol. Additionally, there was that bounty to collect from Bib Fortuna for ‘rescuing’ that Hutt corpse from being auctioned off. 

Funny thing about that corpse. When spelunking in the Red Eclipse systems, Kaine discovered that it was actually a hit orchestrated by a rival Hutt. Specifically a slug by the name Grakkus. If Kaine could work out a deal with his good friend Jabba, then eliminating the slime could be seen as above board, and fair game. 

Afterall, why speedrun for that Acolyte, when a pile of fat & juicy LP was just begging to be collected? 

With that thought in mind, Kaine dialed up Bib Fortuna, and didn't have to wait long before he saw the alien's blue avatar. 

“Oh, Lord Renstar, congratulations! The entire underworld is abuzz with what you pulled off.” Fortuna exclaimed, revealing a sharp row of serrated teeth. 

“Is Lord Jabba finished with his meeting? I have sensitive information I would like to share with him.” Kaine said straight & to the point. 

Fortuna glanced over his shoulder with a somewhat nervous look, then turned back to face him. “The master…is still in his meeting. Is it truly important? If you can wait, I'll even throw in a bonus on top of your just deserts.” 

“The Twi'lek fears his master, but he should be fearing us. You saw the holo-recordings. Do not grow soft on us now, steward.” Durge pressed from the side, and pointed one big intimidating finger at the projection. 

“Aungh!” Krrsantan growled in agreement. 

“Just listen to him. It's probably in your best interest.” Ferus added on, deciding to stand with solidarity. 

“There, you see? An ancient bounty hunter, honorable warrior, and an impressionable Padawan all agree.” Kaine said in triumph, confidently folding his arms together, waiting for Fortuna's acquiescence. 

“Very well, Lord Renstar, I hope you are ready for this…patching you through now. Good luck.” Fortuna said, squeezing out a weak smile. 

A second later, Kaine found his hologram in the center of a wide, circular meeting room. All around him were the images of large corpulent slugs. In short, this was a meeting of Hutts. And not just any ordinary Hutts like the millions of nobodies on Nal Hutta. No, these were the leaders of the various crime families, and clans. 

“Baghhh, an uninvited outsider has come in using your clearance code. Explain yourself, Jabba.” A somewhat sassy, flamboyant, purpleish Hutt said. 

Kaine recognized this slime as a prominent figure from the Clone Wars cartoon. It was Jabba's uncle & rival, Ziro the Hutt. 

“My friend, disciple of Dooku, and representative of the CIS. To interrupt this, a meeting of peers…choose your next words carefully.” Jabba said in an extremely deep tone. 

Kaine bowed to him, and everyone else, knowing how much these ancients liked lording over others. After interacting with Dooku, Kaine had no difficulties bowing to someone who could have him killed with the snap of a finger. It was no joke to say that each creature that sat before him was a trillionaire. 

Accumulating the wealth of generations, the Hutt Empire appeared humble on the surface, but it was truly one of the most enduring of institutions across eras. Where the Sith were almost completely eliminated, and the Mandalorians pathetic shades of their former selves, Hutt space had remained largely unchanged for thousands of years. Such an ability to read the current of politics was truly worth praising. 

Lastly, Jabba had introduced him with several impressive labels, granting him enough face to speak at such a high level event. If he were any ordinary person, he would be laughed out of the call, and have a dozen bounties placed on his head. Although Jabba seemed somewhat displeased by this sudden intrusion, he had acted in Kaine's best interest. 

“Thank you for the courtesy of hearing my words, respected ones. The Confederacy is honored by your notice, however today I am here on a personal matter.” Kaine said in a clear, crisp tone. 

“A mere lackey has interrupted us during our most critical point in the meeting. Send Renstar away.” Ziro waved one flabby hand in disinterest. 

A few other Hutt's present rumbled in agreement, and Jabba appeared slightly irate, but also helpless. 

“Ah, a lackey is it, how apt, Lord Ziro. But you have heard of me.” Kaine smoothly interrupted the muttering with a suave counter. 

Ziro narrowed his eyes, and scoffed. “A third rate duelist with a penchant for failure. Oh yes, we are all aware of your failed abduction on Naboo.” 

“Thank you for bringing notice to my capabilities, oh wise, and noble Ziro. For I have arrived to this destination for the very purpose of revealing my latest exploits.” Kaine enthusiastically stated, much to the purple slug's chagrin. 

“Oh, hoh? And what has my friend accomplished that he sought me out personally during a council of peers?” Jabba interjected, not allowing his rival to further criticize. 

“Insightful as usual, cutting to the crux of the matter, mighty Jabba. Yes, I have come to report that the foul perpetrators who assassinated a Hutt, and then intended to sell his corpse have been brought to justice.” Kaine hissed the word justice with a self satisfied smile. 

“An act certainly deserving of reward, Mista Kaine. However, such a reward barely offsets the crime of barging into such an august meeting. If that is all, then-” Ziro said, moving to cut his connection. 

“And I happen to have the receipt.” Kaine spoke over Ziro, and uploaded the file of Grakkus ordering the hit. 

The other Hutts in the room began to grumble, and low roars of outrage started to spill out. Although they were all lightyears apart, Kaine could sense a very small measure of emotion from them. And they. Were. EMBARRASSED. 

To have their dirty laundry aired so openly, during a council meeting, and by an outsider of all things! Oh the scandal! The shame! What happened in the family should stay in the family, yet now this red-skinned dog of a Sith was sticking his loathsome nose where the sun didn't shine?! The horror! 

Several other Hutts began to argue loudly with one another, and Kaine wisely chose to keep quiet. After presenting this evidence, the best thing he could do right now was shut up, and let the resentment ferment. 

“I don't think they liked that.” Qui-Gon said, suddenly appearing at his side. 

Thanks to Kaine's improvement to tier IV, he could now converse with ghosts strictly through the Force. Now he wouldn't look like a crazy person talking to himself when an apparition was around. 

“Have much experience with the Hutt, you do?” Kaine asked in a very Yoda-esque type beat. “Understand their moaning and groaning, hrm?” 

“Most amusing, Renstar. However, one does not need to understand a language to understand intentions. Hutts are famously difficult to influence with the Force, however, they do have their tells. I suggest you study up on their tongue & eye movements going forward.” Qui-Gon offered. 

“Good advice, as always, Master Jinn. I do, however, need your counsel on something.” Kaine said, rolling his eyes. 

“Is it about the girl my Master wishes you to kill or capture?” Qui-Gon asked with a raised brow. 

‘Bastard can read my mind, I swear!’ Kaine internally raged to himself. 

“Still can't read your mind, anyway, do continue.” Qui-Gon yawned, and tiredly waved him onward. 

“Wait, do Force Ghosts even get tired?” Kaine questioned. 

“Today, please if you will.” Qui-Gon said, fading half away as if he would go invisible at any time, and ghost Kaine. 

“Fine, fine. About that Dark Acolyte girl, what if I…and then…you think that would work?” Kaine said, leaning in real close, and whispering. 

Qui-Gon stared at him for a solid five seconds as if he were looking at the dumbest person in the galaxy. “You're on your own for that one.” The pale ghost then disappeared from sight. 

‘It was a good plan!’ Kaind thought to himself. 

Qui-Gon was just a hater, plain and simple. Yeah, that was it. The old man was just jealous that Kaine could get tired. 

Totally. 

“...and so we are in agreement, my friend shall wipe this stain from the galaxy.” Jabba rumbled. 

“Not so fast~” Ziro interjected. 

“...and we shall each split his assets equally.” Jabba grumbled in dissatisfaction. 

“That's more like it, proceed.” Ziro airily nodded along, giving his consent. 

“I see that the Hutts have chosen to place their trust on my shoulders. I am both flattered and honored by this trust. Those expectations of yours? They shall be met, and exceeded.” Kaine said. This time his voice had dropped the servile act, and was now full of confidence and arrogance. 

“Long has it been since we placed any stock in the word of a Sith. However, few in your order there may be who have stuck to their word, a Sith is always capable of one thing.” An elderly Hutt who hadn't spoken until now rumbled. 

“Violence.” Kaine finished for the elderly slime with a sharp grin. 

“Just so. Go forth, young Renstar. Avenge this embarrassment. You may use any means necessary in eliminating Grakkus of clans Jahibakti & Tingi. You have our blessing.” The same old Hutt concluded. 

“Make it painful.” Jabba finished, then cut the call. 

The circular meeting room vanished from Kaine's perspective, and he once more was on-call with Bib Fortuna. 

“A word of advice, before you go, Lord Renstar.” Fortuna suggested. 

Kaine was unsurprised that Fortuna had been listening in, afterall, he was Jabba's right hand man, and was the one who had patched him through in the first place. 

“Please, Lord Steward, I look forward to your words of wisdom.” Kaine said, inclining his head. 

“A Hutt can be killed given the proper blessings, but he must never be humiliated.” Fortuna said, then hung up. 

Kaine thought over the words, and thought they made sense. If he, say, dumped a bucketfull of salt on Grakkus, and he died a slow bubbling death, the other Hutts would probably put out a hit on him. Although Jabba said to make this rival suffer, Kaine was more of a mind to make it quick and lethal. 

“Where too, Renstar? I haven't strangled a Hutt in a long time, I am looking forward to this.” Durge said, very clearly gleeful from head to toe. 

“Let us restock and rearm. I'll also need to conduct some research on Grakkus's lair. Durge, take us to an arms dealer, one that sells all sorts of exotic weapons & slicing tools.” Kaine ordered. 

“I don't recommend poison. But if you want something exotic, you can't go wrong with a Bothan disintegration ray.” Durge suggested. 

“Don't you worry about my plans. Can you take us to the arms dealer or not?” Kaine asked, crossing his arms. 

“Underestimating me, huh? I'll show you an arms dealer. Just don't skimp on the creds, otherwise I'm not bailing your red ass out of where we're going.” Durge snarked back. 

Kaine handed the controls of the transport over to the big man, then sat in a seat away from everyone as he planned out his next move. Taking out a rich, resourceful Hutt wasn't going to be as easy as it was to destroy the Red Eclipse. 

However, this deal would see him earn an in with the upper echelons of the Hutts, and was guaranteed to net some LP. When old man Dooku complained next time about having useless followers, Kaine could kindly point the windbag in the direction of the Hutts, and how they had slowly been converted to Team Renstar. 

Oh how he loved it when a plan like this began to take shape. How deliciously Lightside Sith.