STAR WARS: RETROSPECTION- Lost, Confused

Sorry - have been a little busy lately but I'm back.

Edna is sick of fighting for now so decides to approach the two men guarding the guide with the hope of talking to them.

"State your business," says one, as both raise their blasters.

"I'm here to see Shareth the Hutt. The name's Edana Vashti. Knowing Shareth, she's probably already expecting my visit. You'd better tell her I'm here."

"Uhh..."

The guards decide to call a superior to confirm who you are. Shortly, a male Zabrak with thinly-inked tattoos etched onto his face.

"Hmm," he says, scrutinizing. "Edana Vashti? The name sounds familiar... where would Shareth know you from?"

"Just mention the blockade at Damagran - she'll remember who I am".

"Oh dear," says the Zabrak. "You're one of Kuylen's, aren't you? Why do you idiots keep coming to Nar Shaddaa? Come in, come in..."

The Zabrak is Li Milano, the Hutt's attendant. He guides you into the Palace until you reach the grand throne room. At this time of night, there is some entertaining being done with Twi'lek dancers. Shareth, a great bloated Hutt with breasts, sits unamused upon a dias, surrounded by lackeys.

Li Milano heads over and whispers to the Hutt, who suddenly looks your way with great interest. She calls for the dancers and music to stop.

"Is it truly Edna who come before me?" Shareth says in Huttese.

"Surely I have not changed so much since we last met! Although I would have thought that YOU might have invested in some better better entertainment by now!"

Shareth gives a hearty Hutt laugh.

"I am merely surprised that you are on Nar Shaddaa," Shareth says. "Especially without your Master. It is a dangerous place for one so young as you."

"Oh come now Shareth - we both know I am not without survival skills! But actually I am just passing through. I'm on my way to the meridian sector. Thought it would be rude not to drop in while I had a few hours to spare. Besides, I've heard you still keep a stock of Andoan wine for special guests" Edna says jokingly.

"Ahh," Shareth says. "You seek to be a guest in my court? Surely you know that such things are not given lightly. Everyone who kneels before me has earned that right."

"Ah well of course they have! Is there some service you wish me to perform for you to earn that right or should I simply leave now?"

"Hmmmm," the Hutt utters, thinking to herself. "I may have a task that you could render me..."

"In that case tell me more."

"I have become interested in acquiring the services of a man," Shareth says. "Unfortunately, he is not particularly interested in being under my employ. I am sure you can appreciate that my interests supersede his own, yes?"

Her court laughs on cue.

Edna smirks to herself as she wonders just what Shareth means by the 'services ' of a man then shudders at the thought.

"I'm certain a little persuasion on my part could go a long way towards helping you there. Who is this man and what is it that he can do for you?"

"His name is Opem, and he is a drug chemist," says Shareth, "and I need you to kidnap him and bring him to me. Normally I would send my battle droids to detain him. There is a problem that your instincts will help with that they cannot handle, though.

"He is a Defel and is very, VERY elusive."

Savoir-Faire check says that Edana knows of the Defel. They are a wolf-like race with a talent for evasion and sneaking of all sorts. They have a natural talent for manipulating shadows to better hide themselves. It wouldn't affect her droids, so he is probably just too agile for them to catch him.

Edna sighs with the disappointment that she won't be allowed to kill him if he irritates her but at least a good hunt will pass the time.

"And where was this Opem last seen? I presume he is on planet."

Li Milano can give you the location of his drug lab.

"He will be protected," says Shareth. "But I don't think that will be a problem for you, will it?"

A slightly evil grin spreads across Edna's face. "Oh somehow I doubt it. It's no fun if it's too easy. I'll try my hardest not to damage him!"

Edna heads to ask Li Milano what he can tell her about Opem's last known location.

"Return to me when you have done this small favor," Shareth says. "Then we shall see about that wine..."

Li Milano tells you what he can. It is a boarded-up home in a really bad part of the lower levels, where Opem operates without much interference. When people DO mess with him, he has a few armed thugs he cuts deals with for protection.