*** HIGH / NOON !

She was pushing his patience very, very thin. His jaw clenched, practically hissing out the next words, “Fine. I’ll pay you extra and you figure out this little situation.” Kylo’s head was beginning to ache, all he wanted was to get this sorted and continue with his work.

“Now, leave.”

                        GEMMA SMILED ––––––– not wanting to push her luck any further than she already had. Her primary purpose was to broker a deal that would benefit her more than it would her contractor, and she had accomplished that. Furthermore, she hadn’t lied about being able to find the ‘ rogue ‘ that had been disrupting the First Order’s project –––– but anyone with basic knowledge of how mercenaries operated could have done that. What happens after the bounty is found is what separates a good mercenary from a great one. 

“What do I have to gain by screwing you over?” Blasters hardly frightened Cienna at this point- the woman had already had her leg cut off by a lightsaber, blasters were nothing to her. “I’m a woman of my word.”

Okay- she definitely wasn’t, she had spent her childhood swindling and stealing and as much as she tried to be good these days sometimes it was all to easy to slip back into her old ways..

“That droid is out of date.” The words slipped out of Cienna’s mouth before she could even think, as per usual “It looks like it hasn’t been properly updated in years.”

                  ❝ ––––––– WELL FOR STARTERS ... THE BOUNTY FOR THIS SECTOR’S MOST WANTED ARMS DEALER AND THE NEXT COUPLE OF SECTORS OVER ? ❞ Gemma laughed, nodding in the slightest fashion in acknowledgement to the other’s words. ❝ LIKEWISE. ❞ She continued, watching as the credit count began to formulate on her wrist pad. 

Of course, she never would have imagined herself living this kind of life while growing up. After all, she didn’t have to  –––– being the child of one of the wealthiest families on Coruscant afforded more luxuries to her than most. But someone needed to take over the business on behalf of the Zann Consortium, and Gemma sure as hell wasn’t about to relinquish it to someone that wasn’t from her bloodline. 

Now usually Cienna wasn’t one for being the one to meet on occasions such as these. With her temper and impulsiveness usually proved unhelpful but unfortunately no one else was available for this. Parts for a fusion bomb- this was a tricky thing to get, at least here on coruscant. With everyone being in such close quarters this was a terrible risk but it was better to have something to hold over the first order- no matter the risk to everyone else. At least that’s what Cienna kept telling herself.

“I’m here, aren’t I?” Cienna replied with a hint of bitterness, walking up to the other woman. Sticking her hand in her bag she pulled out a sack of credits “Here, this is yours, not I would like what is mine.”

                   ❝ ––––––– WOAH THERE, BACK UP PRINCESS. ❞ Gemma visibly unfastens the muzzle to her holster. ❝ I DON’T KNOW WHAT KIND OF WEAPONS PROCURERS YOU’VE DEALT WITH IN THE PAST, BUT FORGIVE ME IF I DON’T JUST TAKE YOUR WORD THAT EVERY CREDIT IS ACCOUNTED FOR. ❞ She smiles, a token of reassurance that the deal was still in the process of being completed as she gestures for her companion droid to count the credits.

In all honesty, it wasn’t anything that she held against the other personally. It was the simple matter of fact that she’d been double-crossed before, and in her line of work, that kind of deception ( however common ) could risk heavy consequences. 

While her adrenaline was still running, Rey processed the woman’s words, her eyes widening as she considered this new information. She was bounty? The First Order, no doubt, wanted her captured. But she considered who might have hired this bounty hunter, her surprised expression souring to one of disdain. Suddenly, she wasn’t as anxious, realizing that she knew how to handle this.

Obliging, Rey swallowed once before speaking up. “I’m Rey. I have a lightsaber around my hip because I’m a Jedi.” The words were spoken with confidence; there was no need to lie. But before the woman could respond, with a quick flick of her finger, Rey froze her in place using the force, the blaster still pointed outward. She hadn’t tested that ability much, but to her relief, it had worked. “Your turn, answer some questions for me. First of all, who hired you?”

                    ❝ ––––––– WELL PLAYED, JEDI. ❞ Gemma smirks slightly as the words escape from under her breath. If anything, the feeling was more phenomenal than she could have expected –––– most of the Jedi she’d hunted in the past never had the opportunity to use their tricks on her ( not that she had ever been paid to take one in alive ). Furthermore, she had assumed that the Jedi had been wiped out for the most part –––– but for the strangest reason that Gemma couldn’t fathom, there seemed to be a resurgence of them specifically in Coruscant. 

❝ I’M NOT AT LIBERTY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, ‘ REY ’ ❞ She continues confidently despite being unable to move. ❝ SO WHAT’S YOUR NEXT MOVE ? THREATEN ME ? TORTURE ME ? NO ... IT AIN’T LIKE THE JEDI TO DO SOMETHING SO BRASH. BUT I CAN’T SAY THE SAME FOR MY EMPLOYER WHEN I BRING YOU IN. ❞ Though Gemma hadn’t anticipated this specific scenario unfolding, her father had always prepared her to deal with the unexpected. 

Rey couldn’t help the blush on her cheeks; the subject of her breasts wasn’t exactly one that she discussed often, particularly with a stranger she’d just met. And before she knew it, the woman was pulling a blaster on her, causing the color to immediately drain from her face. “W-Wh -” Confusion and fear overwhelmed her, shaking her head quickly. Hunt her down? What was going on? What did this woman want from her? “I-I don’t…I don’t know,” Rey insisted, feeling tears prickle at her eyes, though she fought to stay strong and resolved. “Who are you? What…what do you want me to say?”

                     IT WAS THE WRONG ANSWER, OF COURSE  ––––––– and if Gemma were to be honest, she expected more resistance from a bounty with such a high price on their head. Something didn’t add up, and someone hadn’t told her the whole story when it came to this contract ( something she would have to re-negotiate later ). Or at the very least, this person wasn’t the dangerous criminal that the contractor had made her out to be. 

❝ NOT THE ANSWER THAT I’M LOOKIN’ FOR, PARTNER. ❞ She briefly entertains the thought of simply blasting the other’s kneecaps out and dragging her onto the ship. ❝ ALL YOU NEEDA’ KNOW IS THAT I’M A BOUNTY HUNTER, AND YOU’RE MY BOUNTY. ❞ Gemma’s eyes catch a glimpse of the lightsaber on the other’s hip, and for a moment, the confusion clears up a little. 

“If you’re seeing my face, make no mistake- I know more about you than you know, yourself.”

                     ❝ ––––––– WELL AREN’T YOU A CONFIDENT ONE, LADY.  ❞ There’s a smug kind of smile that unfolds onto her face as she unstraps the muzzle to her holster. ❝ WANNA’ PUT IT TO THE TEST ? ❞

Not from the resistance? An easy kill for her then. Kylo didn’t have time for such trivial matters. All he wanted at this point was an hour long nap to keep his body going for the next two days. “Well get rid of them then. We need this project to continue as soon as possible.”

                       HE SIMPLY DIDN’T GET IT ––––––– and as much as it wasn’t her job to explain the questionable thought-process that had just occurred in his mind, Gemma still wanted to get paid. ❝ LEMME’ LAY THIS OUT FOR YOU SIMPLY, ‘ SUPREME LEADER ’. ❞ There’s an audible sort of sigh that finds its way through her pursed lips as she rubs her temples with slight frustration. ❝ IF YOU WANT ME TO SIMPLY KILL THE SABOTEUR, IT’S DONE. BUT THEN YOU’LL NEVER KNOW WHO HIRED HIM NOR WHY THEY WANTED TO STOP YOUR PROJECT. ❞ It seemed as if pausing between every explanation was becoming somewhat of a norm for Gemma during this conversation. ❝ –––– AND I GUARANTEE YOU THAT BEFORE LONG, THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE IS GOING TO SEND SOMEONE ELSE TO RUIN YOUR DAY. ❞ She finishes her explanation with a slight nod of the head, eyes fixated intensely upon the other. 

                      ❝ ––––––– GREAT. NOW THAT WE’VE ESTABLISHED A MUTUAL INTERESTING IN KEEPING YOUR BREASTS UNHARMED, MIND TELLIN’ ME WHY SOMEONE MIGHT BE TRYNA’ TO HUNT YOU DOWN ? ❞ She keeps her blaster pointed at the other, eyes searching for any sudden movements that would warrant the quick pull of her trigger finger. In truth, she didn’t know much about the contract itself –––– and she wouldn’t have cared if not for the exorbitant amount of credits being offered to bring the other in. 

Oh, how Kalani had hoped that Gemma would have forgotten their bet. It had been something she always tested her partners on (even if half of them ended up dead, the other half running away when the job wasn’t complete) and to her surprise, the blonde had passed it. Which made Kalani groan, seeing as she now had to pay for alcohol. Sure, they had bickered, but the brunette couldn’t deny it – ! Gemma was a damn good shot. 

“A deal’s a deal,” she responded through a tight smile, her boots falling heavy on the floor while she sauntered forward. “You really surprised me out there, you know. almost as good as me.” Fingers curled in a motion to beckon Gemma to her side, murmuring something to the bartender while she waited.

It was only then that Kalani spun to face the blinde, leaning the small of her back against the hard counter, lazily glancing at Gemma. “First partner I’ve had that’s survived my ideas.”

                       ❝ ––––––– OH, YOU WISH, PARTNER. ❞ There’s a slight chuckle that escapes her lips as she listens to the other mercenary. Gemma wasn’t one to sell herself short but it was undeniable that the woman standing next to her possessed a keen instinct and an even quicker trigger finger. That being said, Gemma still thought she was faster ( though she wasn’t too keen to put that to the test anytime soon ).

❝ WELL IF I RECALL CORRECTLY, I DIDN’T REALLY HAVE ANOTHER CHOICE, DID I NOW ? ❞ She receives the glass from the bartender, holding it up as if to gesture a toast. ❝ THAT BEING SAID, TRUST IS HARD TO COME BY THESE DAYS AND EVEN HARDER TO EARN. ❞ Gemma takes a sip from the drink that Kalani had ordered, facial features viscerally grimacing at the taste of it ( bantha fodder ) but she still drinks it regardless. 

At this point, any rebel could be carrying useful information. It was a sound deal, and it wasn’t like the pockets of the order were going empty anytime soon, especially with Kylo constantly monitoring the amount they were spending.

He ran a hand through his dark hair, leaning back in the chair he sat in, Kylo considered the situation for a few brief moments. There was practically no information on this person, and yet this woman would find them? She could come in handy in the future. “I’ll take it.”

                       ❝ ––––––– THEN WE HAVE A DEAL. ❞ She presents a smile despite her surprise to the other’s acceptance of the offer. The fact of the matter was that no matter how many Force users she’d taken down in the past, the one in front of her was a different story entirely. Not that she wasn’t confident in her abilities to take him on if need be  –––– but rather that she preferred not to be put in that situation in the first place. 

❝ WELL THE FIRST THING THAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT YOUR ‘ ROGUE ’ IS A GAND. ❞ She pauses, allowing the information to sink in. ❝ I CAN TELL FROM THE FAINT OUTLINE OF THEIR RESPIRATOR TUBES PROTRUDING FROM THEIR GEAR. ❞ It was almost natural for Gemma to see the distinction between different species now after having spent so much time underground. ❝ THE SECOND IS THAT THE GEAR THEY’RE SPORTIN’ IS DEFINITELY NOT RESISTANCE-STANDARD  –––– WHICH PROBABLY MEANS THAT THEY AREN’T. ❞ Once again, she hesitates before continuing onto the next part of her analysis.  ❝ WHICH MEANS THAT MORE LIKELY THAN NOT, THEY’RE AN INDEPENDENTLY CONTRACTED PARTY. ❞ She finished with such brevity that she was almost proud of her analysis. 

Her words were loud. It made his head ache with pain, raising a hand to rub his temples, Kylo nodded. “I need you to kill a person trying to get in the way of a project.” Pushing over a small device (containing details on the rouge) he looked at the woman.

“However. If they are a resistance fighter, I need them back alive. I’m willing to pay more if they turn out to be of any use to me.”

                        ❝  ––––––– WELL I’LL BE DAMNED, Y’ALL MIGHT AS WELL HAVE SAID YOU’VE GOT NO INFORMATION ON HIM AT ALL. ❞ There’s a slight chuckle that escapes under her breath. Under normal circumstances, Gemma rarely took on contracted assassinations without a full understanding of the situation. More specifically, the details on the person in question had left out most of the important information –––– like physical markers and previous sabotage attempts. But this was a peculiar case, and the Supreme Leader wasn’t someone that anyone wanted to ask too many questions about. So in all fairness, Gemma was content with obliging. 

❝ I FIND THAT PAYING ME MORE IF YOU FIND THEM OF ANY USE TO YOU TO BE AN AWFULLY SUBJECTIVE STATEMENT, DON’TCHA THINK ? ❞ She furrows a brow, walking over the the tipped-over device to study the details further. ❝ HERE’S HOW IT’S GONNA’ GO DOWN, SUPREME LEADER. I’LL FIND THIS PERSON FOR YOU REGARDLESS, AND IF THEY’RE NOT A REBEL, THEY’RE DEAD. ❞ She paused, accentuating each word with the wag of her index finger. ❝ BUT IF THEY ARE, I’LL BRING THEM BACK TO YOU, AND YOU PAY ME EXTRA FOR MY HARD WORK REGARDLESS OF WHETHER OR NOT YOU FIND THEM USEFUL. ❞ Gemma finished, pressing her lips together to form a small smile. 

                         SHE DIDN’T LIKE THE RESISTANCE ––––––– but she couldn’t discount the importance of their existence. Plainly speaking, she needed someone to continue fanning the flames if she wanted to remain in business –––– and it was for that reason alone that she did and would continue to accept contracts and requests from them. 

She’d chosen the location for the transaction carefully –––– an abandoned warehouse in the labor district where there were very few eyes, and even less authorities to poke their noses about. Under normal circumstances, Gemma never asked questions as to her clientele’s needs for her products unless it pertained directly to her –––– but this one had definitely piqued her interest. More specifically, it was because the part that was ordered was an integral part to building a fusion bomb –––– something that could have unexpected ramifications and unintended consequences when set off in a city engulfed by a forcefield with no perpetual escape. She’d need to be careful with how she handled this one –––– but when was she not ? 

                          THE UNDERBELLY OF CORUSCANT WAS A NASTY PLACE  ––––––– Gemma knew this because that’s where she’d spent most of her time attempting to secure even the smallest jobs. In a sense, it’s where she built a name for herself on the streets –––– and no matter how much of a shit-hole the place was, it would always have a place in her heart. In fact, it was almost a tradition for her now to grab a drink on the streets after a job was said and done. That being said, she’d had her fair share of partners during previous jobs –––– but none that had worked as well with her than the most recent one. So much so that she’d taken the liberty to invite the other for that mandatory post-celebratory drink.

❝ ––––––– WELL WELL ... IF IT ISN’T MY SECOND FAVORITE OUTLAW. ❞ She muses as she spots the other from across the bar counter. ❝ I WASN’T SURE IF YOU WAS GONNA’ SHOW UP –––– BUT I’M GLAD YOU DID ! ❞ Gemma continues, her smile practically beaming from a sense of excitement that she does not try to hide. 

Kylo hadn’t slept in two days.

His lack of sleep was apparent by the dark circles under his eyes, as the tall man read through the constant crusade of reports, updates and data which passed over his table. Unlike Snoke, Kylo thought it deeply important to keep track of everything that transpired throughout The First Order, instead of sitting on a pretty chair. Kylo had no need for such dramatics.

Recently, it’d come to his attention that a rouge of some sorts had been getting in the way of his soldiers. In order to snuff it out, he’d sent for a mercenary, and would be meeting with this thug today to sort out the terms of payment. Another thing on his plate.

                            ‘ WAR IS GOOD FOR BUSINESS ’ ––––––– or at least that was one of the many small lectures that her father had imparted on Gemma before he became a useless wall decoration. In fact, her family’s wealth was built on the backs of dead men murdered by the same weapons that they had supplied –––– but she wasn’t going to get into specifics. More often than not, opposing forces would find themselves ill-prepared to deal with unexpected threats than they would have hoped –––– and it was during times like times like these that Gemma made it her business to get involved. 

❝ WELL SUPREME LEADER ... MY TIME IS WORTH A LOT OF CREDITS, AND THE CLOCK’S ALREADY TICKING. ❞ There’s a smug smile that cracks across her face as she speaks. Perhaps in another life, she might have been more careful with her tone especially given who she was speaking to. But Gemma knew her importance, and she carried her family’s seal of guarantee with her wherever she went.