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<blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 2018193" data-attributes="member: 10079"><p><strong>Chapter 145: High Collars, High Towers</strong></p><p></p><p>When they found a ‘suitable place to stay’, as Shadow put it at least, Akan was surprised to find her jerking him back from actually entering. She gave him a sharp look, as much as she could without the ability to growl as Alraxians could, and said quietly, “I thought you did some covert work!”</p><p> </p><p>“I did!” he grumbled as she started to push him away and back into the crowd, “And that’s why we get the place there, scout it out...then more exploring to get the lay of the area.”</p><p> </p><p>She rolled her eyes and pushed him along the streets, “You’re a noble, remember? Look at what you’re wearing.”</p><p> </p><p>Akan stopped and looked down at the dull, dirty brown jacket and trousers he wore. A weak grin appeared on his face, “...oh.”</p><p> </p><p>Of course, Shadow still pushed him along, and thankfully it didn’t take long before they...well, she...found a suitable place. He was pushed in, then made to stand around like a lost child as Shadow figured out what was best for their current identities. Akan made sure to keep quiet the comments of how comfortable she seemed to be surrounded by all of this...this...stuff. If he dared make that sarcastic ‘Wow, so you really are female’ comment, he’d likely end up as red as the walls in the place. Hmm...maybe that’s why they were such a dark red colour? How many poor saps had made that comment at just the wrong time and become wallpaper?</p><p> </p><p>It took ten or so minutes before Shadow stepped over to him, thrusting a grey coloured...thing at him in the way that he couldn’t actually fight. Sighing, he grumbled something under his breath, and she motioned to a room near the back. One, simple word came out, “Change.”</p><p> </p><p>Fighting a whimper, Akan sulked off. He reluctantly changed into the high collared tunic, which was thankfully just a flat grey colour with green trimming. At least she didn’t force him into bright colours. He liked being boring. After pulling on the trousers and finding himself looking for a tail hole for the tenth time, he sighed and grumbled about humans, lack of tails, and general confusion before stepping out to see Shadow waiting. And wearing the same thing she was wearing before. The morphsuit. That cheating little...</p><p> </p><p>“And you don’t have to change?!” he grumbled, distinctly omitting the word ‘little’. Yes, she was shorter as a human, but she was touchy about the height anyway...it was another one of those things that was hazardous to one’s health.</p><p> </p><p>She smiled that devious smile and snatched his old clothes out from under his arm. She pulled on the trousers, ignoring the fact that they were much too large(rolling up the legs fixed that simply enough), then casually slid into his dirtied and old jacket. It was also much bigger, but she wasn’t going to let that ruin the satisfaction she was getting from his horrified look. After a few long moments of stammering, Akan managed to say, “You...but those are...and I...they’re comfortable...this is...and you...I hate you.”</p><p> </p><p>The smile held on her face and her patted his shoulder, “Good, you’re learning to be better than everyone already. Now, lets go.”</p><p> </p><p>So they walked back to the expensive place to stay. This time, though, Shadow didn’t push him the entire way. In fact, she stayed in front just a couple of steps. From the link, he could tell she was back into business mode, so Akan kept his complaints about the tight collar, the itchy tunic, and the way the sleeves pulled on his arms oddly to himself. He could just complain in detail later. Would. Definitely. But later. Right now...</p><p> </p><p>He nearly walked into the window next to the open door of the place, but Shadow thankfully pulled him in. That got an odd look from a Rodian behind a desk, but nothing was said. A few other people passed them by without a word and Shadow stepped over to the desk, putting on her formal voice again, “My lord Kinthrath will require your best accommodations.”</p><p> </p><p>Short, simple, and straight to the point. As Akan did his best to look aloof and better-than-the-galaxy, the Rodian tilted his head, asking in strongly accented Basic, “The great Janrra does not lease his private chambers to...outsiders.”</p><p> </p><p>Shadow paused. Janrra...hmm...she couldn’t place the name, but it was likely a Hutt. Though that seemed odd that a Hutt would own a place like this, it wasn’t too surprising. Likely this place made some good money, and that’s all that a Hutt really needed anyway. She reached under the jacket and to the small pocket within her morphsuit. Carefully and slowly, she pulled out three small objects that had been waiting for just such an occasion. Reaching over the desk and making sure no one else was close enough to see, she opened her hand to reveal three small, bright, and perfectly shaped Corusca gems.</p><p> </p><p>The Rodian’s eyes widened as much as a Rodian’s eyes could. It made a strange ‘ooooh’ sound before the creature’s snout curled up in an almost-smile, “But...since Janrra is currently away, I believe that exceptions can be made.”</p><p> </p><p>The long, green fingers took the gems carefully and then handed Shadow a small datacard, “The codes to the room. It is on the top floor. How long do you plan to stay?...not that there will be problem, of course.”</p><p> </p><p>“Lord Kinthrath has not decided yet,” Shadow said with a nod, taking up the card and placing it the small chest pocket of the jacket. She then nodded politely to the Rodian, turned, and started for the turbolift. Akan fell into step next to her and was actually intelligent enough to wait until the door slid shut to say anything.</p><p> </p><p>“What did you pay with?” he asked, and that was actually a question she hadn’t expected. She’d been expecting a complaint about the clothes...especially since he’d been tugging at the collar every few minutes. Didn’t he know it could actually be adjusted? Bah.</p><p> </p><p>“I didn’t threaten them, if that’s what you mean.”</p><p> </p><p>He raised an eyebrow, “You mean you have other methods?”</p><p> </p><p>“I do understand the concept of money, thankyouverymuch,” she glared slightly at him and then the turbolift came to a stop. It opened up to a short hallway that went forward only for about ten meters before a door stopped it. Shadow stepped out first, getting the small datacard out of the pocket and looking around the door. It took her a few moments, but she found a small switch that opened up a section of the wall. There, amongst a few lights and a small screen, was a space for the card. She slipped it in, and on the screen a small image appeared. Some kind of company logo that didn’t matter. What did matter was that the door slid open.</p><p> </p><p>Akan took that moment to walk in, looking around in a slightly dazed moment. Off to the left, was a small hallway that led to two doors. But other than that was only this one central room. It was huge, and lined on all sides(except for where the hallway was) by glasteel windows, providing an expansive view of Nar Shaddaa. From the look of things, this was definitely a Hutt’s place, as the halls and other such things were designed to a more slug-like proportion. But there were still many normal sized chairs and such strewn about the huge chamber. He managed a long whistle.</p><p> </p><p>But Shadow just walked past him, eyes on something outside. She stepped down a small incline to the main section of the huge room before walking right over to the window directly across from the entrance. Leaning on a short railing there, she looked up at a nearby building. Akan stepped over, looking up and wondering what it was. The building she was looking at was the only other one that towered the one they currently occupied. It went up at least five more levels, ending in a large spire next to a flat surface that could have easily been used to set a good sized ship down on. Just below that, a few balconies could be seen next to a large series of black tinted metal. Glasteel, like this building, probably.</p><p> </p><p>None of that was what had gotten Shadow’s attention. What had her attention(and Akan’s now), was a very large, glowing sign that was against the top level. In a bright, shimmering green colour, it read “Halpak Industries”.</p><p></p><p>((<em>Another short update...feeling better, but its tough getting past some of this stuff. This is all setting up for the big payoff and it can't really be avoided. I'll probably try to get a bigger update tommorrow that gets most of it together so we can get right on to the good action and the parts I've been waiting to get to.</em>))</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Ankh-Morpork Guard, post: 2018193, member: 10079"] [b]Chapter 145: High Collars, High Towers[/b] When they found a ‘suitable place to stay’, as Shadow put it at least, Akan was surprised to find her jerking him back from actually entering. She gave him a sharp look, as much as she could without the ability to growl as Alraxians could, and said quietly, “I thought you did some covert work!” “I did!” he grumbled as she started to push him away and back into the crowd, “And that’s why we get the place there, scout it out...then more exploring to get the lay of the area.” She rolled her eyes and pushed him along the streets, “You’re a noble, remember? Look at what you’re wearing.” Akan stopped and looked down at the dull, dirty brown jacket and trousers he wore. A weak grin appeared on his face, “...oh.” Of course, Shadow still pushed him along, and thankfully it didn’t take long before they...well, she...found a suitable place. He was pushed in, then made to stand around like a lost child as Shadow figured out what was best for their current identities. Akan made sure to keep quiet the comments of how comfortable she seemed to be surrounded by all of this...this...stuff. If he dared make that sarcastic ‘Wow, so you really are female’ comment, he’d likely end up as red as the walls in the place. Hmm...maybe that’s why they were such a dark red colour? How many poor saps had made that comment at just the wrong time and become wallpaper? It took ten or so minutes before Shadow stepped over to him, thrusting a grey coloured...thing at him in the way that he couldn’t actually fight. Sighing, he grumbled something under his breath, and she motioned to a room near the back. One, simple word came out, “Change.” Fighting a whimper, Akan sulked off. He reluctantly changed into the high collared tunic, which was thankfully just a flat grey colour with green trimming. At least she didn’t force him into bright colours. He liked being boring. After pulling on the trousers and finding himself looking for a tail hole for the tenth time, he sighed and grumbled about humans, lack of tails, and general confusion before stepping out to see Shadow waiting. And wearing the same thing she was wearing before. The morphsuit. That cheating little... “And you don’t have to change?!” he grumbled, distinctly omitting the word ‘little’. Yes, she was shorter as a human, but she was touchy about the height anyway...it was another one of those things that was hazardous to one’s health. She smiled that devious smile and snatched his old clothes out from under his arm. She pulled on the trousers, ignoring the fact that they were much too large(rolling up the legs fixed that simply enough), then casually slid into his dirtied and old jacket. It was also much bigger, but she wasn’t going to let that ruin the satisfaction she was getting from his horrified look. After a few long moments of stammering, Akan managed to say, “You...but those are...and I...they’re comfortable...this is...and you...I hate you.” The smile held on her face and her patted his shoulder, “Good, you’re learning to be better than everyone already. Now, lets go.” So they walked back to the expensive place to stay. This time, though, Shadow didn’t push him the entire way. In fact, she stayed in front just a couple of steps. From the link, he could tell she was back into business mode, so Akan kept his complaints about the tight collar, the itchy tunic, and the way the sleeves pulled on his arms oddly to himself. He could just complain in detail later. Would. Definitely. But later. Right now... He nearly walked into the window next to the open door of the place, but Shadow thankfully pulled him in. That got an odd look from a Rodian behind a desk, but nothing was said. A few other people passed them by without a word and Shadow stepped over to the desk, putting on her formal voice again, “My lord Kinthrath will require your best accommodations.” Short, simple, and straight to the point. As Akan did his best to look aloof and better-than-the-galaxy, the Rodian tilted his head, asking in strongly accented Basic, “The great Janrra does not lease his private chambers to...outsiders.” Shadow paused. Janrra...hmm...she couldn’t place the name, but it was likely a Hutt. Though that seemed odd that a Hutt would own a place like this, it wasn’t too surprising. Likely this place made some good money, and that’s all that a Hutt really needed anyway. She reached under the jacket and to the small pocket within her morphsuit. Carefully and slowly, she pulled out three small objects that had been waiting for just such an occasion. Reaching over the desk and making sure no one else was close enough to see, she opened her hand to reveal three small, bright, and perfectly shaped Corusca gems. The Rodian’s eyes widened as much as a Rodian’s eyes could. It made a strange ‘ooooh’ sound before the creature’s snout curled up in an almost-smile, “But...since Janrra is currently away, I believe that exceptions can be made.” The long, green fingers took the gems carefully and then handed Shadow a small datacard, “The codes to the room. It is on the top floor. How long do you plan to stay?...not that there will be problem, of course.” “Lord Kinthrath has not decided yet,” Shadow said with a nod, taking up the card and placing it the small chest pocket of the jacket. She then nodded politely to the Rodian, turned, and started for the turbolift. Akan fell into step next to her and was actually intelligent enough to wait until the door slid shut to say anything. “What did you pay with?” he asked, and that was actually a question she hadn’t expected. She’d been expecting a complaint about the clothes...especially since he’d been tugging at the collar every few minutes. Didn’t he know it could actually be adjusted? Bah. “I didn’t threaten them, if that’s what you mean.” He raised an eyebrow, “You mean you have other methods?” “I do understand the concept of money, thankyouverymuch,” she glared slightly at him and then the turbolift came to a stop. It opened up to a short hallway that went forward only for about ten meters before a door stopped it. Shadow stepped out first, getting the small datacard out of the pocket and looking around the door. It took her a few moments, but she found a small switch that opened up a section of the wall. There, amongst a few lights and a small screen, was a space for the card. She slipped it in, and on the screen a small image appeared. Some kind of company logo that didn’t matter. What did matter was that the door slid open. Akan took that moment to walk in, looking around in a slightly dazed moment. Off to the left, was a small hallway that led to two doors. But other than that was only this one central room. It was huge, and lined on all sides(except for where the hallway was) by glasteel windows, providing an expansive view of Nar Shaddaa. From the look of things, this was definitely a Hutt’s place, as the halls and other such things were designed to a more slug-like proportion. But there were still many normal sized chairs and such strewn about the huge chamber. He managed a long whistle. But Shadow just walked past him, eyes on something outside. She stepped down a small incline to the main section of the huge room before walking right over to the window directly across from the entrance. Leaning on a short railing there, she looked up at a nearby building. Akan stepped over, looking up and wondering what it was. The building she was looking at was the only other one that towered the one they currently occupied. It went up at least five more levels, ending in a large spire next to a flat surface that could have easily been used to set a good sized ship down on. Just below that, a few balconies could be seen next to a large series of black tinted metal. Glasteel, like this building, probably. None of that was what had gotten Shadow’s attention. What had her attention(and Akan’s now), was a very large, glowing sign that was against the top level. In a bright, shimmering green colour, it read “Halpak Industries”. (([i]Another short update...feeling better, but its tough getting past some of this stuff. This is all setting up for the big payoff and it can't really be avoided. I'll probably try to get a bigger update tommorrow that gets most of it together so we can get right on to the good action and the parts I've been waiting to get to.[/i])) [/QUOTE]
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