Neimoidian Fate

Setting

One year before the battle of Yavin (34:2:27 - 34:2:34) on the planet Esseles (Ixion Chall's estate).

Characters

Vigo Ixion Chall, Julia Firin, Carth Los, Herto Ray, and Armon Yar.

Throughout the centuries Neimoidian society has thrived. Times of prosper; competition, and glory have rained down from many aspects of the Galaxy. Crime lords, corporate leaders, politicians, and military leaders have been born, raised, and have dwelled from this species.

On the world of Neimoidia a competitive social ring has been established and has reigned. From birth Neimoidians struggle to live, to work, and to be successful. Family names have been tainted and some glorified. Yet is this so uncommon from the rest of the Galaxy, some believe so.

Ixion Chall was no different from any other Neimoidian, all though some would disagree. From the point of birth Ixion fought to eat, fought to stay alive. This was the Neimoidian way, the way chosen to weed out the weak to make room only for those fit to survive. Many years have gone by since that time in Ixion’s life, and yet even now it only seemed like yesterday.

It was late, or so Ixion thought as he lied on his back staring at the ceiling of his room. He had been resting peacefully until dreams of his past awoke him. Just outside his door he knew that two droids stood in silence, keeping a peaceful watch over his domain. A domain in which Ixion had worked so hard to achieve through many years of service to the Trade Federation, which was now gone. Ixion was no longer a military leader, no longer did he command massive ships and droid armies. His life had taken on another role, a crime lord.

"I...I can pay you back, just give me a few more days!" Stuttered an elderly human on his knees, "Business has been slow…I…I can’t control the flow of the economy."

"This is an outrage. When I loan money I expect repayment, not excuses!" Vigo Ixion Chall stated without hesitation from his chair.

The man put his head upon the marble floor as he noticed two battle droids stepping up on either side of him, their feet clinking with each step. The room was large and circular with marble pillars holding the vast ceiling in its rightful place. Vigo Ixion Chall sat on a raised platform on the far end, looking down upon the man who had become delinquent in his payments.

"Please, give me another chance your liege. I swear I can get the money I just need time." The man stated in a final plea.

"Silence, I have heard enough." Vigo Ixion Chall stated with anger in his voice, "Commitment, an agreement or pledge to do something in the future. Commitment is all I asked of you!" Vigo Chall lectured as he leaned back in his chair. "If I can’t trust you to repay me on time, how can I trust you to go out and try again?" Vigo Chall stated as he pointed at the man in a degrading scene of authority. "No. I think you will repay your debt through other means. Consider your shop a gift to me, and I your new employer. I can use more hands in my asteroid mines." Vigo Chall finished with a wave of his hand.

"No I can’t work in the mines! No…my family! Please!" The man screamed as the battle droids took him into custody. "My shop is their only support! I beg of you!"

Vigo Ixion Chall took no notice of the man as he was taken away, his screams ending when the doors of the great hall closed. Briefly there was a moment of silence and then the familiar footsteps of droids and another man, his pale face looking back at the doors scared of the same fate. "Your liege I…I…need an extension…"

"Your liege I’m glad to report that the information on the ship soon to be entering the system was passed to the rebels successfully." A Black Sun thug stated as he bowed before Vigo Ixion Chall.

"Good, good. Was payment received as planned?" Vigo Ixion Chall said without hesitation. In this business it wasn’t about the success of the mission, but the success of proper payment.

"Yes my liege, payment was received and put into the account as you requested." The thug stated still in a bow, deep down the man wanted to leave quickly for he knew once in the presence of the Vigo it could be your last day walking.

"Keep me informed of any updates with this particular order. I want to keep a close eye on the rebels at all times. If they are desperate for medical supplies they may become rash in their actions." Vigo Ixion Chall stated with authority. "Dismissed."

The thug bowed and back stepped towards the door not lifting his eyes to meet the Vigo’s. In one abrupt about face he exited the great hall with a sigh of relief.

Vigo Ixion Chall sat dinning with some of his lieutenants, receiving their proper reports over an elegant meal. The Vigo was harsh to those lower to him, but he did understand the need to treat those directly below him with a certain amount of elegance.

"Your liege, I have reports that the smuggling run to Tatooine went successfully without incident." The Neimoidian lieutenant on his left stated.

"Good, I’m glad to see that the contract is proceeding well. But do not get over confident. Over confidence can lead to failure." Vigo Ixion Chall added as he dinned.

Abruptly the pleasant dinner ceased to exist with the loud slamming of the dinning hall doors which caused all heads including Ixion’s to turn. "What is the meaning of this?!" Vigo Ixion Chall demanded as he slammed his fist down on the table.

A Black Sun communications officer ran quickly up and bowed to the Vigo, "Forgive me my liege, I have urgent reports about the rebels." The officer said rather winded.

Vigo Ixion Chall looked at the officer with anger, "On your life this better be worth the interruption."

"It appears the ship that we directed them to has been destroyed, but it wasn’t carrying medical supplies. Some of our spies have found out it was carrying an important Imperial Officer. A squadron has been dispatched to this sector to deal with the rebels." The officer said quickly.

Vigo Ixion Chall looked at his lieutenants with anger in his eyes, "I will not allow this to restrict our operations here. Exercise extra caution, and make sure all ships will pass customs. In the meantime I want plans on how to deal with this new, equation to our operations in this sector."

Ixion looked to the communications officer, "I want the officer brought to me who reported this ship was carrying medical supplies, such lack of research will not go unpunished!" Vigo Ixion Chall demanded with another slam of his fist.

Live and let live, concepts not know to Neimoidians. The evening had become long and harsh since Vigo Ixion Chall had received news of the Imperial fleet. Dinner seemed to take on a new sense of harsh chatter about what must be done to ensure safe operations for the crime syndicate.

"We cannot risk the Vigo being captured or killed; it would be the downfall of us all. Remember the Trade Federation?!" Neimoidian Lieutenant Herto Ray stated as he looked across the table at the Vigo.

"I agree, the situation has become unstable and that must be ratified!" Lieutenant Amon Yar said in a raised voice his Neimoidian hand slamming a glass on the table with a loud thud.

"The Viceroy of the Trade Federation was a fool, as are you. This fleet means nothing and will affect nothing. You Neimoidians always have worried too much..." A human at the far end stated.

"Lieutenant Carth Los, would you like to explain that comment?!" Vigo Ixion Chall stepped in. He did not take kindly to raised voices, but an insult to his race would not be allowed in his presence.

"I…forgive me my liege; I did not mean anything by it. I meant to say that we all are merely over reacting." Lieutenant Carth Los stammered as he tried to redeem himself.

"If we Neimoidians worry so much, then maybe you would like a lesson in our society. I will not have a Lieutenant who lacks the confidence or sensibility to realize there is indeed a problem." Vigo Ixion Chall said sternly.

"Please excuse my ignorance my liege, I swear it won’t happen again." Carth Los stated with a bowed head.

"Indeed it won’t." Ixion stated as he pressed a button on his chair and two battle droids walked in. "Take him away; I think a day in the mines will show him a glimpse of Neimoidian society. Oh and don’t give him any tools or food, let him find them on his own." Vigo Ixion Chall stated as he watched the Lieutenant leave the room in the custody of the droids.

"Now where were we?" Vigo Ixion Chall questioned the remaining Lieutenants.

"I do believe we were about to ratify this new situation my liege." A young human female Lieutenant spoke up.

"Indeed Lieutenant Julia Firin, and tell me what do you suggest?" Ixion asked as he leaned forward.

"Well my liege, I suggest that we ensure all our ships are equipped with the proper smuggling equipment and that they know all the proper procedures of Imperial Customs and boarding parties." Julia began, "This will ensure that all of our pilots know what to do and when to do it. Knowledge can be used as a weapon."

"Very observant Lieutenant, indeed knowledge can be a weapon. Let us ensure that we use it." Vigo Ixion Chall stated as he leaned back, prepared to listen to other suggestions.

Sleep, something that the Vigo could not grasp after the dinner. The remaining Lieutenants had managed to devise a few ways of ensuring the safety of their operations here and of him.

Ixion Chall rubbed the side of his head with his hand, wondering how many difficulties the fleet would bring for his operations. If only the officer who was in charge of the contract with the rebels would have seen that the ship was not carrying medical supplies. If only he would have done his job and seen it was an Imperial officer. All these ifs could have prevented the new threat.

Ixion paced his room as he thought the events of the day over. Things indeed would change, but he was confident that his operations would not be effected with the new precautions. At least he hoped.

Ixion turned his head as his door chimed, "Yes?" He said with a sigh.

The door to his quarters opened up swiftly and the figure of Lieutenant Herto Ray entered, "Please excuse my intrusion my liege, but I wonder if I could speak with you a moment?" Herto said with a bow.

"Yes, come in." Vigo Ixion Chall said as he walked over to a chair and took a seat. "What is it that you wish to speak with me about Herto?" Ixion questioned with a raised eyebrow.

Herto looked around the room briefly before walking over to a chair across from Ixion and taking a seat, "My liege, we are not prepared to defend off an attack if they do discover that we have helped the rebels. We have set precautions to prevent them from finding, but I was wondering if I should begin to make plans to acquire more droids?"

"Indeed you are correct Herto; we do not have the means to defend off a large attack." Ixion began. "Tell me how do you suggest we acquire more droids? All production facilities have been long dismantled and destroyed."

Herto looked at Ixion and lowered his voice, "My liege you know as well as I do that we have the means to open a light production facility. If the rebels can hide a base under the nose of the Imperials we can hide a production facility." Herto stated with confidence.

"If the Imperials were to find it then we would surely risk exposing our operations here." Ixion added as he listened, "But, on the other hand if they do find us, we surely will be destroyed without proper protection."

Herto nodded in agreement, "Shall I prepare the plans then?"

Vigo Ixion Chall stood up and walked over to his window. "I think this would be a good time to use our facilities on Esseles. Have the production facility placed there, but ensure that it is hidden and safe. We do not want to risk it being found."

The Neimoidian Lieutenant stood up and walked to the door after bowing, "Right away my liege."

Ixion turned and looked at the Lieutenant, "Oh and Herto, good work."