Objective III: I'm Sorry, What About My Credit Score?
Vreva stared blankly at the long scroll of paper held aloft by the service droid. She had been shaped to appear like a human woman made completely of chrome with a curly bobbed haircut and Big Wiggly uniform. The glowing, jovial expression that had been installed upon the droid's face did nothing to lift the Zabrak's spirits. "One million credits..." How the frak had she spent one million credits in one night? What had she spent it on? "The kark did you come up with that number?"
"Vulgar language is not necessary. This receipt here has an itemized list of your bill, Miss Vanna. If you have any questions, I would be happy to clarify!" The robot's cheeks glowed with pink light as it tilted its chrome head to the side. "At Big Wiggly Fantastic Casino, customer satisfaction is our top priority!"
"Yeah, I'm not satisfied at all -- and don't call me 'Miss', chromedome," Vreva scowled as she snatched the receipt from the droid. Her yellow eyes narrowed as she glanced down the list.
"I must remind you that vulgar language is not necessary. Is there another way you wish me to address you?"
Vreva ignored the question. "I thought all of this kriff was complementary."
"The 'One Hundred Trillionth Customer' package gifted to you includes your choice of three games, penthouse suite, public amenities, and one round of drinks --"
"Wait!" Vreva's gaze had arrived at the portion of the bill labeled 'Beverages'. "Over a hundred thousand creds on drinks? I'd be in a coma! That can't be right."
"I can assure you the calculations are correct. We pride ourselves in offering only the finest liquors to our customers."
"Karking scrap heap! I know that kriff wasn't top shelf. And what the kark is this about 'private amenities'?"
"Again, vulgar language is not necessary and security may be involved if you continue." The cheerful tone of her voice offset the threat. "Private amenities include room service, private entertainment, mood lighting, television, water, and waste removal--"
"You charged me to use the karking bathroom?! I'm not paying a cred. You slimeballs roped me into this kriff." Vreva crumpled up the receipt and tossed it at the droid. The paper ball bounced off its head and onto the counter. The droid's gaze followed it, then returned to Vreva. Its round orbitals retracted into thin slits.
"Vulgar language and vandalism of casino property are not allowed at Big Wiggly Fantastic Casino. Security and Nar Shaddaa authorities have been notified."
"Well they can all kiss my ass," Vreva spat. "I'm leaving."
"I am afraid I cannot allow you to do that," the droid remarked as its eyes and cheeks glowed a bright red. The droid placed their hands on their hips and Vreva mirrored their stance.
"I'm afraid I don't frickin' care!" Vreva snapped back. She turned her back on the droid and stormed off towards the casino entrance. She made three steps before the doors ahead of her slid shut with an electric whir and a slam. The Zabrak stopped short and spun around to eye the droid furiously.
The droid was now within a foot of her. How had it moved that quickly and silently? This close, Vreva could see that the droid was also taller than herself when not seated at the desk.
"I cannot allow you to leave. Security and Nar Shaddaa authorities have been notified. Failure to pay at the time of service will lead to prosecution under the full extent of the law." The service droid stepped closer and Vreva took two steps back.
Back to the door, Vreva scowled. Her hand went to the slugthrower at her side. "What law? You all are smugglers and drug dealers!"
"Time spent will pay off a portion of your debt. The rest will be paid with your bounty, Miss Vreva." The service droid flicked its wrist and bladed claws extended from the tips of its metallic fingers. "By my calculation, it is a hefty sum."
"Eat spit, metalhead!" Vreva drew her pistol and fired two slugs at the droid.
The first shot pinged off its platinum shoulder without effect, but the second found its mark and shattered its right orbital. The droid's frame shuddered and its head lolled on its neck for a moment before it stood straight once more.
A familiar whisper at the back of Vreva's mind issued a warning: Head down!
Vreva dropped low as the droid shifted impossibly fast to her flank and those bladed fingers sliced through the air where Vreva's head had been moments before. Drawing upon the Force to amplify her strike, Vreva booted the droid's kneecap. The metal joint bent in the opposite direction and the droid let out a duo-toned cry as she fell forward. Metal head met metal door with a clang. It wasn't down and out yet, though. It pushed against the door and attempted to steady itself on its one good leg.
Though Vreva would have delighted in tearing the robot apart, she could hear running footsteps fast approaching. Casino security, no doubt. "Would love to finish this dance, babe -- but I'm out!" Vreva pressed a few buttons on her wrist commlink as she made for the lobby stairs. She ignored the droid as it swiped at her again before falling on its twisted leg.
Paum's grunt of greeting came across her comm. He must have just woken up. "Hey big boy, I need you to come pick me up. Rooftop of Big Wiggly. No time to explain." As she rounded a corner she had to duck out of the way of a Gammorean vibro-axe.
"Making friends?" Paum's mirth could be sensed despite his monotone.
Vreva disarmed the Gammorean with a slug through the bicep. His squeal was cut short with an elbow to the throat. "You know me," she said with a smile. "Always the popular one. They've got law enforcement incoming, so keep the engines hot and keep an eye on your ass."
Another grunt was her answer before Paum disconnected the call. He would need his attention for navigating the ship through the crowded urban expanse. With her locater he would find her easily enough. She just had to get to the roof.
She climbed another set of stairs and heard metallic clanking and scuffling on the flight below her. The service droid had abandoned its bipedal nature and instead had chosen to scuttle after her on its three good limbs like a chrome insect.
"Don't give up, do you?" Vreva remarked as she looked down the flight of stairs. She decided to take two at a time as she raced the droid to the roof. No way did she have the space to fight it on the stairs. Third floor, and many more to go. Wait... The elevator!
Vreva made a dash for the elevator doors without daring to look at what was behind her. Some poor soul was inside. The Human man was a customer by the look of how he dressed. Vreva collided with him and shoved him against the wall before hastily pressing the button for rooftop access.
Access denied.
"Kark!" Vreva glanced frantically at the approaching droid as she pressed every button. Each time a red alert flashed on the screen. "Kark! Kark! Kark!"
"Let me!" The man said as he picked himself up from the floor. He held forward a keycard and attempted to slide it into the elevator's access port. Vreva tore it from his hand and shoved it in before pressing the rooftop button. The elevator's doors slid shut. A moment later a loud clang could be heard as the droid collided with the elevator's doors.
The Human was almost hyperventilating on the floor. Although he had saved her life, Vreva was still annoyed by the display of weakness. There was a long silence as the elevator went up each floor.
"W-w-what was that thing?" the man asked, still trembling. "A-are you going to kill me? I can't die! I won the jackpot!" He started sobbing. "I can't die!"
Vreva rolled her eyes. Then she paused. With a brow raised, she turned to the man. "How much was the jackpot?"
The man sputtered. "You can have it all! Just don't kill me!" Tears and snot streamed down his face.
Vreva turned to stand over him and he shrunk further. "Answer the damn question!"
"T-ten muh-muh-muh--" He was in a full panic as he stuttered his words. "Oh, please don't hurt me!"
"Give me one million."
The man sniffed and hiccupped as he looked at her with confusion. "What?"
"One million for your life, but you gotta play a nice little hostage. Primo?" She grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and hoisted him up like one would scruff a feline. The elevator's doors opened and she pushed him through. "Anyone shoots at us, and you don't see that nine mill."
"Yes ma'am!" he sobbed.
She gave him a rough shove forward. "Don't kriffing 'ma'am' me!"
"Yes mistress!" the man whined. Unsure if that was better or much worse, Vreva insisted they proceed in silence.
The rooftop had a view of the full amplitude of the city below. The neon grin of Big Wiggly cast a glow on the pair as Vreva led the man toward the edge. The ship wasn't there.
Vreva swore under her breath in Zabraki and the man flinched. "What's wrong?"
She let go of the man's collar and he stumbled. Thankfully he did not fall over the edge, but he landed roughly on his backside with a loud whump.
"What's taking that lug so long?" she muttered. She took the time to reload her gun and watched the crowded skies for any sign of their ship. No law enforcement either, at least. Though she was not going to get anywhere without a ride out. Sure she could jump, but as she looked down her stomach flopped. That was a long way down.
A shout drew her attention back and she saw the Human cowering and pointing at the approaching droid flanked by two Gammoreons. "I cannot allow you to leave, Miss Vreva," the droid said as she crawled forward. "These two will escort you back to your room, and we will have a discussion regarding your payment."
"He'll pay you." Vreva pointed to the man on the ground. "Owes me a million creds."
"Due to the destruction of casino property, the fee has increased," the droid said in their sing-song tinny tone.
Vreva's eyes narrowed and she looked to the man under her. He scrambled up to his knees. "I-I'll pay it all. Every cred. Please, just let me go home!"
The droid's blank stare moved to the man briefly, then back to Vreva. It seemed unmoved as it advanced toward Vreva.
"He just won the jackpot," Vreva said as she took a step back. Her boot heel met the edge of the concrete. "Ten million should be more than enough."
It stopped and its orbitals flickered. It then turned to the man on the ground, spidery limbs rotating its mechanical body. "Do you consent to the transfer of five million five hundred and thirty-two credits?" It tilted its chrome head.
"Yes! Yes! Please, just let me go!"
There was a pause and then the droid's eyes shone green. A smile spread across its face and pink lights glowed in its cheeks once more. "Excellent. Transferring balance now."
Vreva breathed a sigh of relief alongside her hostage. That had been surprisingly easy. Though the lingering guard gave her a sense that they were not done here.
"There is still the issue of your bounty." The service droid said with a cheery tone. Vreva scoffed. Of course. They would not let something like that go. "Big Wiggly has instructed me to apprehend the criminal Vreva to hand over to the proper authorities. I insist you come quietly so as to not endanger the lives of those around you." The Gammoreans raised their vibro-axes and the man beside her whimpered.
Not everything was lost, however. Vreva could hear the distant hum of engines over the drone of the vibro-axes. A rush of air tossed her braids forward and floodlights blinded the two guards. Only the droid looked on with interest.
"Nah, I think this is my ride out of here. Thanks for the hospitality, though." Vreva gave a salute, then with a Force-amplified backward leap she landed on top of the ship. Sure enough, it was Paum waving from the cockpit. The ship's forward cannons came to life, signaling that C1-INT was arming the weapons. There was no need to waste ammunition, however, as Paum pulled the ship away from the building. Vreva waved as the neon Hutt faded from view, then climbed inside before they exited Nar Shaddaa's atmosphere.
Though the moon was far at their backs with no chase, Vreva doubted they would let her go completely. "Remind me never to accept free booze," she said to Paum, earning a chuckle. C1-INT trilled in agreement.