A gambler’s den of the Vertical City’s greatest bettors, Club Vertica is a casino reserved for the wealthiest of Nar Shaddaa. Cardshark droids are used exclusively to deal hands to those willing to risk their credits at the sabacc tables. Cheating is rendered near impossible under the surveillance of the droid's six photoreceptors. That of course does not stop the downtrodden from accusing others of being a fraud, which can often happen before someone receives a blaster bolt between the eyes. The few that have able to use skiffers undetected are counted as some of the best swindlers in the Galaxy.

Cerulean lights illuminate the tables, making concealment during a game difficult. Seated around most of the oval tables are a mix of gamblers from different species, succumbing to their addiction for the ultimate prize—the sabacc pot. Credits are tossed onto the tables forming mountains that draw in fierce competitors with deeper pockets and faster wit than the usual patrons.

Behind the games of sabacc, drinks are being served from the alcove of a small bar. Most of these are a shade of blue in color, expertly mixed to dull the senses of all but the hardiest individuals. Onstage, a local band sets the mood of the venue with an upbeat number that deafens out most conversations. The stakes are always high at Club Vertica.

Between the sounds of the droids, the dull but blaring music, and the loud and slurred speech of the patrons; the casino was filled with a familiar chorus. The best place to gamble or lose your money; it depended on your perspective. Regardless, Club Vertica was the best place to forget about the galaxy and its problems for awhile.

Seated at one of the tables, Raiju Kang remained concentrated on his cards while he ignored the serving droids pushing their blue drinks. Yet, his focus on the rotating value of his cards was briefly broken when a new contender climbed into the stool on the right side of him. Raiju wouldn’t have paid the man any attention, yet the bulbous nose freak proceeded to stare at the Nautolan as if he was waiting to be addressed. When Raiju finally glanced over, his sight held as his heart leaped into his throat at the sight of the familiar Anzat.

His gaze fell upon scarring that peeked out of the other man’s collar, reminding the Nautolan of their last encounter. Grabbing one of the blue concoctions from a cart that motored by, Raiju took a heavy drink to help clear the lump in his throat. Beside him, the Anzat had already exchanged his credits with the cardshark droid and been dealt in on the new hand. Without either of them exchanging further looks, rather they began to play the next hand, Legorii chuckled at the Nautolan.

“I bet you thought you’d never see me again, didn’t you?”

“Kinda hoped for it, if I were to be blunt; Legs.” Raiju said, tucking a newly dealt card into his hand. “When Aeternus took me as apprentice, I was assured Arcona would leave me alone.”

“Ah, but you didn't stayed under his tutelage, did you?” Legorii corrected the Nautolan, before placing a card worth zero on the table. “At first, I thought it’s a natural instinct in you to flee. And then, you went to Palatinae; of all places...made me think you wanted to see me.”

“Legs, I could go my whole life without seeing that ugly nose of yours again and it still wouldn’t be enough time.” Raiju spat back at the Anzat, placing down another card and coming within three points of plus twenty-three. In return, the Anzat placed a two as his next card and Nautolan immediately knew where the Anzat was going next. “An Idiot’s Array, really?”

“Well, I already found you. Didn’t seem like this would be much harder.” Legorii responded. Raiju had to discard his next card, and when it came around to Legorii again he was quick to stall. “When I’m done draining your chips, I’m going to enjoy draining your soup.”

With that, the Anzat placed a card valued at three on the table.

Immediately the suspension table turned to green as a bell tolled to announce a winner. Yet, in the confusion Raiju chose to cut the celebrations short. Launching himself sideways, the Nautolan drove his right elbow towards the Anzat’s temple while his left hand dropped onto the holster on his right hip. Yet, Legorii was already ahead of the Nautolan and caught the elbow firmly in the palm of one hand and fixed his other over Raiju’s so he couldn’t draw the Bryar.

A mistake, as the Nautolan had no intention of drawing the weapon.

Instead, Raiju leaned away from the Anzat and fired the bryar in three quick bursts while it was still holstered. The first tore a hole in the holster, the second ate into the floor, but the third caught the Anzat in the foot. A cry of pain from the Anzat accompanied a release of Legorii’s grasp, but before the Nautolan moved away his right hand dove into his pockets and then darted into the Anzat’s cloak while Legorii hunched over the table and turned his cry of pain into a roar of anger.

Around them, panic set into the patrons in their immediate vicinity and they retreated in horror. Yet, almost immediately security had stepped in to take their place. Raising his hands in defense, Raiju spat at the security team before placing his hand back into the pocket of the Anzat’s cloak in full sight of the room.

“He's a cheat! Look what he has in his pockets!” Raiju roared as he pulled a scanner from the Anzat’s pocket.

As the security team stepped forward, Legorii rolled his eyes. His foot was a mass of agony. As his anger bubbled up within him, threatening to erupt, he channeled it into the wounded foot. As two security guards seized him by the upper arms, he felt the pain begin to subside. The security guards started dragging the Arconan toward the back of the casino. Raiju looked on, his amphibious features twisted into a grin. The chaos of the cantina began to subside, as a dull buzz of gambling, drinking, and gossiping resumed.

“Shame on you, cheater,” the Nautolan called after him, “how can you even live with yourself?” Raiju crossed his arms. His smile widened.

Suddenly, Legorii burst forward. He twisted out of the grip of the two security guards who held him. In an instant, Soulflayer was in his hand. Its emerald blade flared to life, cutting down both guards without difficulty. As their bisected torsos slid to the floor with a squelch, the Anzat turned back toward Raiju. His smile had faded. More security guards shoved through the cantina’s patrons, as the few moments of frenetic calm had given way to discord once more.

“I’d ask you the same question,” Legorii responded, “but I suspect you won’t be living with yourself much longer.”

Raiju dropped both hands to the hilts of his lightsabers, pulled them from his belt, and thumbed their activation knobs. The Nautolan’s pale green skin was bathed in orange and red light. Neither combatant waited for the other to come to him, as they leapt toward one another within the cramped confines of the cantina. All but the densest of patrons had long since vacated the room, scrambling for the exits—but not without grabbing whatever credits were left in front of them.

Legorii and Raiju had known each other for years. Their relationship had never been amicable. Of late, the man was obsessed with his connection to Aeternus. He had moved from Clan to Clan, never fully welcome and never fully satisfied. His vices still haunted him. When he had been asked to track Raiju down, Legorii knew without much hesitation where to find him.

The two Sith met in the center of the room. Legorii slashed at Raiju’s knees, but his tattooed opponent deflected the strike. The Nautolan’s feet moved quickly as he spun both of his weapons repeatedly into the Arconan’s defenses. Each time, Legorii parried. The security guards had backed off, either waiting for reinforcements or content to let the two men kill each other. For a few fruitless moments, Raiju tried and failed to find an opening. Then, stepping back, he flung a blackened hand outward—still clasping his lightsaber—and with the aid of the Force, flung a card table through the air in the Anzat’s direction.

Legorii dove beneath the errant table, rolling and coming to his feet beside the bar. “It’s going to take more than that, Aquaman,” he taunted.