GOOD END OF THE BARGIN
A tale of Piett
Written and submitted by Jim Herring

Commander Piett watched the brilliant light of Nar Shaddaa’s sun slowly fade into the immanent darkness ahead. He turned to his left to observe the progress of the cargo operation he was in charge of. He had been hoping for a promotion for so long, but Imperial command thought he wasn’t up to serving aboard one of their super star destroyers. He’d heard that serving aboard the Lord Vader’s command ship, the Executor, was the fast track to promotions. That is if you survived your tenure aboard her. From what he had heard, Vader was a very irrational man, but if you pleased him you reaped rewards. Piett sighed, and checked his datapad to monitor their progress. He looked up to see the last group of stormtroopers carrying their box of Spaarti cylinders up the shuttle’s ramp. Keying his com link, he informed Shaddaa control they were done here. "Control, this is Commander Piett, thank you for your cooperation." He heard a disgruntled controller reply; "Yeah, sure. No problem."

Piett began walking up the ramp. Shaking his head, he thought how much he detested rude controllers. He made his way up to the control cabin, taking account for all the Spaarti cylinders on his way up. "We are ready to depart, Commander." Piett walked in and tiredly sat down next to the captain. "Very well, captain. Take us out." Piett rubbed his forehead and wondered if he might actually get some sleep during this cruise. He was getting bored of these routine operations. However, he had chosen to take charge of this one transport to Mount Tantiss on Wayland. He thought he might get a promotion out of it as well as a break from the routine missions.

He watched the gray vertical structures of Nar Shaddaa slowly seem to fall from beneath the shuttle. The endless hordes of small civilian ships finally thinned out, and they headed out toward space, hoping this all went well.

Selenvia Morenn felt the shuttle shudder about her, indicating they were taking off. She pushed a cargo crate aside and peered out into a large cargo hold. She sighed with relief that she had finally gotten away from Nar Shaddaa. She had noted that these Imperial troops were shipping slate boxes, so they were probably carrying something important. She shot a quick glance at her chrono, then sat back down in the dark corner in the rear of the hold. She hoped that she would be able to escape as easily as she had sneaked aboard. She had always thought Imperials lacked security in small operations like this. Or was it a small operation? Either way, she had to rendezvous with her group back on Wayland. She wondered what the Imperials wanted on Wayland. But it must be important. Important enough to force their way into Nar Shaddaa to get cargo from someone, she didn’t know who that was and she didn’t care right now.

She keyed her Stealthcom communicator. "Transport is underway. I repeat, transport is underway." She quickly disconnected it, for fear of the Imperials having any advanced sensors aboard she didn’t know about. She sat back and smiled. She would finally be back working for Tenloss again soon. And was going to pay off big if this "operative" she had talked to was right.

The shuttle captain looked over at his commander. He tapped Piett on the shoulder. Piett jumped, startled from his sleep. Piett looked groggily over at the captain. "Sir, we are ready for light speed. Shall I continue?" Piett looked at the banks of data readouts in front of him. "Yes, captain. Carry on." Piett straightened slightly in his seat and tightened his restraints. The captain brought the three hyperdrive levers gradually closer, and the stars outside merged into lines, then the mottled blue sky of hyperspace set in. Piett was hoping this was going to be worth all that he had gone through.

Piett awoke to the bright orange sun of Wayland, and saw the hangar facility rising up to meet the shuttle. He and the captain quickly made their way down to the unloading ramp, and deployed it. Piett inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet essence of Wayland’s rich foliage. They walked down the ramp, and continued across the hangar deck. "Commander Piett?" Piett could hardly hear the cargo officer’s cry amidst the ambient machinery sounds. The officer gestured toward a door set in the side of one of the control buildings. They walked in, relieved of the loud hangar outside.

The officer sat down behind a plush desk, while the shuttle captain probably had gone off to the lounge until his next flight. "May I see the cargo manifest, commander?" The cargo officer reached out, palm open. "Oh, of course. Here you are." Piett quickly handed him a datapad. The other sat for a moment scrolling through the manifest, making sure all was accounted for. "I assume you have an unloading crew already onboard?" He looked down at his own datapad. "Yes, we carried along nineteen Black Sun operatives. They are all trustworthy, and were hand-picked for the operation by Black Sun leaders." Piett leaned forward to collect the cargo manifest.

The cargo officer stood up and walked around the desk. "Excellent, commander. Thank you for your work. You have no idea how much those Spaarti cylinders mean to the emperor’s forces." Piett slowly rose to follow the officer. "I’m sure." He grumbled as he walked out. "If you don’t mind, I’ll be resting in my quarters." The cargo officer waved his hand, then disappeared through a narrow corridor. After a long walk through the ill-kept corridors of the Wayland facility, Commander The commander was happy to finally sleep for more than two hours.

Selenvia Morenn slid alongside the wall of the cargo hold until she could see around the corner and down the cargo ramp. The closest stormtroopers were at least twenty meters away, and they weren’t exactly alert, either. She shook her head. With a little more security, the Imperials might actually succeed more often. Or so she thought.

She slowly unclipped blaster’s buckle, leaving it in it’s holster. Slowly she advanced down the cargo ramp. She was just about to step off the ramp onto the hangar deck – A loud klaxon sounded around her, and looking down she saw a red beam going across the end of the ramp. She looked up and saw the stormtroopers running over to the shuttle. She looked around for a way out. She ran back up into the shuttle, thinking she’d stand a better chance with some cover.

She ran in and dove behind a pile of slate boxes. Drawing her blaster, the first group of stormtroopers rushed in. One of them seemed to notice that she had moved one of the boxes when she jumped behind them. He quietly signaled the rest of the group to spread around the cargo hold.

Line Captain Barlow Crisk moved slowly forward to where he thought he had seen some shifted boxes. He spoke through a secure channel to his men; "They’re probably behind those boxes," He said quietly. "Everybody – five meter spread. I want every angle covered." He slowly advanced. He activated his helmet speaker. "Whoever you are, you’ll stand a better chance of living if you surrender now." No one came out. He could feel beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. "Come on now, we don’t want a firefight." Suddenly, someone leaped right at him from behind the boxes. Barlow’s rifle was knocked from his hand before he could get off a shot. He was pinned to the ground by whoever it was that had just hit him. "Don’t shoot!" He quickly ordered his men. When he was allowed to get up, he turned, hands in the air to see just who this was.

A tall, striking human woman with short black hair stood with a blaster leveled at him. She was wearing dark brown fatigues, and he noticed the Tenloss crime syndicate insignia emblazoned on the chest pocket. "Look, lady, you shoot me and there’s no way out of here. Give it up!" She narrowed her deep green eyes and sneered at Barlow. "You let me out of here alive, I’ll let you live, and I’ll forget this ever happened." Barlow saw one of his men slowly creeping up behind the woman. He tried to nod discreetly, but she noticed it.

Turning, she got a shot off at the trooper behind her. He dove behind another pile of boxes before her shot could hit him. But her shot did hit one of the slate boxes. It fell, and it’s seal blew apart. Several glowing green Spaarti cylinders fell all over the floor. For a moment, the woman stood, mouth agape and staring at the cylinders. In that precious moment Davin Felth lunged out from behind his cover. He managed to get off one stun shot before he fell behind a cargo dolly.

Barlow let out sigh of relief. "Thank you Mr. Felth," He walked over to the private and shook his hand. "You’ll be good sniper some day." Barlow took his helmet off, revealing sweaty, matted dark hair. "Thank you, Captain." Barlow wiped his forehead and looked down at the woman who had attacked him. "She’s probably one of Tenloss’ prostitute agents. Never seen one with that much cosmetic surgery, though. Take her away. We’ll deal with her later." He shook his head. Tenloss went pretty low to get money or spice. Especially with what they called their "enhanced" agents. He’d known smugglers who were with an "enhanced" agent one night, and in a body bag the next. Strange, the way smugglers worked.

Commander Piett was awakened by his comlink’s familiar chime. He keyed it on. "Yes, what is it?" He quickly sat up. "This is line captain Barlow. We found a stowaway onboard your shuttle."

Piett rubbed his eyes in frustration. "But there is a minor implication, sir." He looked up at his ceiling. "And what might that be, captain?" Barlow paused. "Sir, she is a Tenloss operative, and she saw the Spaarti cylinders. "He suddenly became more alert. He felt his stomach tighten. "I will be at your office in twenty minutes, captain. We will deal with her there." Piett got up and started toward his ‘fresher. "Yes sir." His com switched off with a click, and Piett looked up at the mirror. This sure turned out real cherry, now didn’t it. We’ll get it straightened out.

Commander Piett straightened his collar once more before entering Barlow’s office. The door hissed open, and Piett entered. He found Barlow behind a long polished black table. And across from the Barlow sat a stunning brunette in Tenloss fatigues, next to a tall Verpine.

"And what have we here, captain?" Piett sat down, studying the Tenloss woman and what appeared to be her boss. "It appears, commander, that either Tenloss knew of our Spaarti shipment, or they needed to transport someone to their facility here on Wayland."

The woman showed a look of surprise. "You know of our Wayland base?" They both chuckled lightly. "Ma’am, do you think we are so obtuse to your criminal dealings among the backwaters?" Piett shook his head in mock disgust. "I think not. You and your friends are tracked down to what each agent eats for breakfast! Don’t think we are so foolish." Barlow cleared his throat.

"So, what is your name, and why are you here?" Barlow narrowed his eyes, waiting for an answer. The Verpine finally spoke. "I am Gh’tan Wrenquay, and I am head of Tenloss operations here on Wayland." He looked over at the woman. "This is enhanced operative Selenvia Morenn, and she was seeking transport to Wayland. There were no other ships headed here, so she got on yours. I apologize for the accident."

Barlow folded his hands and leaned forward. "Well, sir, as you can see we have two choices as to how to deal with this operative, Ms. Morenn." Barlow looked over at the woman. "And what cargo did you see aboard the shuttle?"

"I saw what I think are Spaarti cylinders." Barlow leaned back and looked at Piett. "She has seen the cargo, so we can either execute her, or we can cut a deal with Tenloss. What do you think, commander?" Piett thought for a moment.

If Tenloss had one of their elite agents killed, they would surgically remove the combat division responsible for her death. This was the risk anyone ran when dealing with Tenloss.

"I have a deal for you, commander Gh’tan. You don’t leak any of this to anyone else, and we will let you have your agent back, and we will allow your operation here on Wayland to continue, unobstructed." Piett looked threateningly at Morenn and the Verpine. "However, if anyone in Tenloss attempts to steal any of our newfound resources, the deal is off, and your Wayland base will be destroyed."

Gh’tan looked down at the table and up again at Piett and Barlow. "Alright. I’ll keep my mouth shut. But I can’t guarantee that no one will go after all that Spaarti you’ve got in there." Piett and Barlow exchanged glances. Barlow stood and picked up his datapad. "Very well then. You will fly out on a Chariot LAV transport tomorrow morning, and will be deposited fifty meters outside of the Tenloss perimeter. Understood?" Morenn and the Verpine nodded. "Barlow smiled. "Good. Guards, take them to their quarters. I want them ready tomorrow by five-hundred."

Piett and Barlow walked out together and down the main corridor. The black polished floor looked like a tributary to an ominous dark sea that was the hangar itself. "Are you sure this will work, Captian Barlow?" Piett looked at the other questioningly. "Don’t worry so much, commander. All will be fine. I’m sure we won’t need to obliterate yet another crime syndicate outpost." Piett nodded, and went off to his quarters. He was ready to leave this backwater planet and get his promotion for performing flawlessly. His only concern now was to make sure that that Verpine Gh’tan kept quiet. And if command heard of this incident, he would inform them that it was dealt with promptly.

Piett looked down from the observation building for the hangar, looking down at the Chariot repulsor craft being loaded for their small trip. He saw Morenn board, along with her boss, the Verpine. Gh’tan had to bend down to get his tall frame into the transport.

The LAV’s ion burners crackled to life, and it accelerated out of the hangar. Piett walked back into the officer’s lounge, relieved that matter was done with. He could see Wayland’s bright orange sun peeking over the horizon through the viewports. He sat down in a plush booth, across from Barlow. "Well, captain, I will be departing here in five days after the transfer and emplacement operation is finished. Let’s hope all goes well."

Barlow smiled and raised the carafe of Sullustan ale. "All will go well, my friend. Don’t worry." Piett watched in disgust as the captain downed a mug of ale swiftly. Piett had never drunk, and he never would. Piett had a cliché for men like Barlow Crisk - "A drink makes a man satisfied tonight, defeated tomorrow."

After three days of work, Piett was more than ready to leave Wayland. He and his crews had been in and out of Mount Tantiss, stockpiling the Spaarti and other materials for the Emperor. And on the fourth day, he was eagerly awaiting his departure.

Piett strode through the giant steel gates protecting the secret store of materials, and into a large natural cavern. He saw small repulsor craft flitting about, shuttling cargo and installing the security systems. He walked over to the intel officer’s quarters, about two levels down into the huge facility.

He stepped into the turbolift and felt the swift drop come. The computer chimed, and after a gradual deceleration, the doors hissed open.

He walked out not onto the traditional black polished floor, but onto a gray durasteel catwalk. He navigated several corridors until he finally entered the intel wing. Flashing his ID pass, he entered the office at last.

He sat down in front of an agent named Kirtan Loor, who was overseeing the operation. "Good morning, commander. I have a report for you and your friends up topside." He handed Piett a datapad. "We have reason to believe that somehow, a Verpine Tenloss commander is missing. A our mole in the Tenloss facility said that that rogue commander is headed over here." Piett stiffened. "Did you happen to get his name?" Loor looked at his datapad. "His name is Gh’tan Wrenqay. Why?"

Piett slumped in his seat. "Oh dear… I was afraid of that. Put the whole area on alert." Piett leaned forward. "I know this commander. He was the one who contributed to our failure at Tanaab, and he was the one who came to get that operative we found. If he obtains access to the Tantiss installation, there is no telling what he would do."

Almost as an answer, the emergency klaxons roared to life. The PA system crackled on; "Warning! Intruder in the base intruder in the - " All that could be heard now was static. "You wouldn’t happen to know how we might counter this criminal, would you commander?"

Piett felt a cold sweat already. "All I can tell you is that if the reports I read were correct, this mind is psychotic – I think that sums it up, don’t you?" Loor frowned. "I thought you said he was relatively normal when you spoke with him?"

They both got up to leave, and Piett halted for a moment. "All the more reason to believe that he could even be schizophrenic as well."

They were no more than fifty meter out of the Intel wing when the facility shook violently. Piett ducked and keyed his comlink. "What was that?" He heard the security officer answer. "That was a Tevac-7 detonation, commander! We are evacuating the facility and I suggest you get out as soon as you can!"

Loor and Piett looked at each other, then proceeded on. They made it to the turbolift, and got as far as level 2 before the lift stopped abrubtly. The PA system crackled on. A deep, threatening voice came on. "I’m so sorry gentlemen, but I can’t have you meddling about the facility while I collect my prize. Do remain calm, of course."

Kirtan Loor turned to the door control. "I think I can get us out of here alive – hang on." He popped off the panel cover, exposing the wiring. He pulled out some tools and got to work.

Piett was suddenly aware that his forehead was wet with perspiration. He looked over at the Intel agent. The door suddenly slid open, then closed again. "No, that’s not it…" Loor mumbled to himself as he worked on the door.

The door opened again, this time it stayed open. Loor got up and waved to Piett. "Go! Go!" They both ran down the level two corridor, which was illuminated by the red warning lights.

They were startled when they heard Gh’tan’s voice again. "Impressive, gentlemen. But not good enough." They looked around, waiting for an attack. My god, he really is a madman! Piett thought as he drew his blaster.

Without warning the security turrets deployed from the ceiling and opened fire. Both men kept themselves busy taking out turrets. As they bolted for the door, Kirtan Loor was grazed by a bolt. Loor almost fell, but Piett grabbed him and dragged him through the doorway.

Once he was behind the wall, he activated the blast doors. They slowly closed, and Loor was able to tend to his wound. "It’s not that bad, really. I’ll be fine, commander."

Piett shook his head. "No, you need medical attention. Do you know a way up to ground level from here?" Loor pulled a small data pad out of his utility belt. He pointed to a small section of the map that was displayed.

"There is a manually deployed ladder here that leads to a hatch. This hatch has a combination lock on it, so you must remember the code. It is 3-5-2-7. Once you are through the hatch, you’ll want to go up to the central command bunker. It’s over here." He smiled. "Good luck commander." Piett patted him in the shoulder. "I’ll be back for you, so sit tight." The other waved, and Piett was off.

It took Piett about five minutes to find the maintenance ladder. He opened the access panel, which was set in the side of the wall near a bank of general access computers. He pulled out the ladder and climbed in. After a few meters, the tunnel grew dark, and he had to pull out his glowstick. He now regretted bargaining with the Verpine commander. I can’t believe I bargained with this Tenloss scum! Look what happened! Piett had time to think as he climbed up the ladder.

He felt his way around until he found the hatch. He shined the light on the combination panel. Punching in the code, it slowly unlocked and slid open.

Piett tentatively peered over the top of the hatch and looked out. He climbed out and started off toward the central command bunker, following his map. He got to the access door and put in his authorization code at the panel.

Nothing happened.

He thought about what to do. He then entered his operating number, hoping the computer would recognize it as a valid entry code. It worked, and he slowly walked in. He stopped dead in his tracks when herd Gh’tan’s voice over the PA. "Quite commendable, commander. You have made it past my primary security measures. If you leave now I will do you no harm."

Piett keyed is comlink to all channels. "You know that if you steal any of my materials, your base will be obliterated, and you as well." Piett waited for an answer in the ominous silence.

He began advancing slowly, sliding along the wall. "Ah, a threat. I have put many haughty men not unlike yourself to silence before they could actually prove they could exercise their power. I don’t think you area any different." Piett noticed his blaster was slipping from his fingers due to perspiration.

Drying his hands and inhaling deeply, Piett answered. "If you want Spaarti, then find it yourself! You are nothing more than a petty thief, stealing marketed goods." Gh’tan snorted. "I thought it convenient that this shipment of Spaarti was so open to my taking, that I took advantage of it. Even as we speak my transports are on their way to ship these "goods" away.

Piett started walking up a flight of stairs which had the bodies of stormtroopers strewn about. He quietly came walked over to the main control room doors. They had been blasted away, so it was going to be easy to get inside unnoticed.

He slipped inside, getting showered by sparks from the dismantled door. It was dark and musty inside, and Piett could tell the Verpine had made himself quite at home. Piett looked around a corner and saw a section of data readouts illuminated, and he saw the green, scaly head of the tall Verpine protruding from the top of the com officer’s chair.

Gh’tan clicked off a comlink. And said something to himself. "Looks like I got the good end of this "bargain", you feeble-minded Imperials." Piett charged into the room, blaster drawn.

"Wrong, you Verpine scum!" Gh’tan turned, with his blaster ready to fire. But it was too late for him. Piett had already pumped five shots into his chest. He walked over to the now dying alien. He picked up Gh’tan’s blaster.

"Looks like I got the good end of this one." Piett smiled. He looked into the face of the wide-eyed Tenloss commander. "Looks to me like you got the sour end." Piett fired off a few more shots into Gh’tan until he was sure he was dead.

Piett then called in a repair and security team. The security team dealt with the small transports that Gh’tan had predicted, and Piett finally left Wayland, with the Mount Tantiss operation behind him. Kirtan Loor survived to see action again, and made it big in the Intel business. Captain Barlow never made it out of the Tantiss facility alive.

Commander Piett later received a commendation for his work on Wayland, and was issued a promotion. Shortly after that, he began a tenure as captain of the SSD Executor under Darth Vader.