The Loadlifter

The agent felt eyes on him, a sense he had developed over years of being in areas where he was not wanted. "You too get caught up, I'm going to go inside. See if there's any information that can help us out." Niko and Inna stared at each other in silence. "Okay then, Niner with me." Aegon nodded to them and made his way into the fortress, Niner plodding along behind.

The fortress was packed with criminals, vagrants, drunks, droids and traders. He looked around to see if there were any friends of the alliance, alternatively he was looking forImperial accomplices waiting to get him caught.

"Ron, it can't be," an electronic voice shouted. Only a select few knew Baron as Ron and he could only think of one droid that knew him as that. Then Baron spotted that droid a few meters away sat on a large carved wooden throne. That droid was Ecks-zee (XZ), a modified loadlifter droid that had been programmed by a mad engineer who was a friend of the alliance. He had a protocol droid personality chip implemented into his programming, he was intelligent and a lot more charismatic than most droids.

"Ecks-zee!" Aegon smiled, he quickly ran towards the droid and patted him on the shoulder.

"Now that's a face I didn't anticipate seeing today," XZ laughed.

"He never acts that excited when he sees me." Niner complained.

"Niner my friend, it's been too long!"

"It's good to see you XZ." Niner shook Eckszee's hand.

"So what brings you Takodana?" Aegon asked while taking a seat. A service droid quickly rolled over and placed a beverage in front of the agent.

"Well I have been investigating something actually. The Hutts have had some issue with the Empire-" XZ stopped, he spotted some eyes turning to his direction. XZ quickly pulled out a headset that was connected to his torso and gently placed it over Aegon's ears: "I can't risk this getting out. The Empire has been toying with the idea of building a secondary refinery on Nal Hutta. They already have one, but this new one is different, it will also house key research projects. They are trying to get the Hutts to retaliate as an excuse to clear them out."

"That'll upset a lot of angry people."

"You're telling me. But even after that the Hutt clans would never work with the alliance, we're too Republic adjacent. Too clean. Now I dislike the Hutts as much as the next droid but we can't let anyone, even a Hutt, die…"

"So you want me to stop it?"

"You could help, under the radar. Those at the top wouldn't approve." XZ's voice buzzed.

"There's one problem."

"What's that?"

"I'm dealing with something on Cerea. I'm only here to refuel. They don't even want me on Cerea." Aegon explained.

XZ nodded: "I understand. But don't forget I could use you Ron, you understand the underworld."

"Ha, you're telling me." Baron laughed. "Have you heard anything about Cerea?"

"Give me a moment." XZ beeped and screeched, a light on his head blinked a few times. "Lots of Imperial movement around there, lots of ISDs. Some kind of meeting if I had to guess."

"Lots of security," Aegon scratched at his chin. "I may need backup, you fancy a trip? You attract some of the more awkward members of our gang, they like you."

"Everyone likes me." XZ laughed. "Alright I can come but only if you promise to help me with this Nal Hutta job afterwards."

The agent thought for a moment, then began to sigh. "Alright fine it's a deal." Aegon agreed somewhat reluctantly. He removed the headset and handed it back to Eckzee. "You get ready, I'll meet you on the Dragon. I'll have some people for you to meet."

"It will be a pleasure to have you on board XZ." Niner bowed as far as he could. They went on their way and went to find the silent lovebirds.

To Be Continued...