When You Give a Man Power 
Chapter 6

Walking down the line behind my undead underlings as the sounds of blaster fire echo in the chamber. All of them shoot at random objects placed around the end of the room in different positions and angles with several moving up and down to and fro. Several wires can be seen in the dark chamber moving them around with the forms of other zombies moving them.

“Remember to position yourselves with the weapons to better control the recoil. You-” I briskly walk to one of the thralls, “hold this position and remember to use this posture when firing a weapon of that size.” Placing my hands on his body adjusting his posture and he doesn’t fight me but rather moves along with me like he is clay that I am molding into a work of art. 

With the change in posture as he fires the gun it’s far better with minimal recoil on him. It won’t remove recoil completely but enough to ensure he can fire more shots without losing as much accuracy. 

Ever since I woke up at a decrepit abandoned building in the industrial section of the sector we are currently in that is deep beneath the surface levels, I have used it as a place for the Risen to stay out of sight. The Risen guarding me while I was passed out to my delight. A couple of days had passed since the attack.

At that time I realized the folly of not taking the time to train them. Still need to change the name for them since that name does not do them justice after I witnessed them blitzkrieg the enemy all to rescue me.

But to be fair to those gang members they were completely blindsided by an enemy they didn’t even know was there or coming for them. And by the time they were under attack, it was of no use since it would be rather difficult to fight an enemy who would recklessly rush your position and blow themselves up with grenades or just run up and chop you to pieces.

Add in the fact they are undead and as such can take more shots before going down depending on where you shoot them.  That much I had gathered after watching some of them fight and die in that firefight.

So far they seem to be capable of learning albeit not as fast as I would have liked them to be. It’s almost painfully slow compared to the training I had done with the Raiders who weren’t the fastest either but they were faster than these guys. Something that I am going to have to fix in the future.

The potential I saw that day proved to me it was a good investment. The problem is how long it will take to train them up to the level I want them at and then to watch that investment just die from a stray blaster shot or a lightsaber when it could take years to train them to an acceptable level. After training with them for at least two hours I called it after that and let them continue practicing while I was away.

Walking out of the chamber and glimpsing to the side watching Jeeves upper torso not attached to the speeder play a game of Tetris against the other droids. They love that game and competing against each other even more. Snorting at having created a new breed of gamers I continue to finally return a missed call. More like several missed calls.

It’s been about a day and a half after that incident and from what I have gathered from my information network the Hutts are mad. Like really mad. I guess they don’t like it when a giant raid and firefight happens under their slimy noses when they are not in the know.

That and word on the street is they are thoroughly investigating a conspiracy. Yeah, I would call it that when you have a bunch of random gangs pop up with weapons and equipment way above their pay grade that they have no right to be using. They wanted to talk to me since several people had spotted me fleeing the area and somehow they were aware I was the target.

Shaking my head at the thought of someone having a better information network than me. Time for that later. With a press of a button, a hologram pops up with several missed calls indicated, one of which shows far more than the others. Knowing the number I take a breath and make the call.

The thing didn’t even do the equivalent of a ring before it was picked up. The hologram shifts to show Shey’s tired and stressed face as she looks at me agape. “Corvo, what in the kriffing hell happened?” She all but demands of me.

Raising my hands in a placating way. “I don’t know. One moment I was in my apartment the next thing I knew the apartment complex was under attack and I fought back. Had a little side project in the works that helped me out of a jam.”

The frown on her face deepens. “So you don’t know why the hell so many of the gangs all started working together and were after you in particular?” The suspicion is clear as day in her tone.

My hands slowly fall back down to my sides as I fail to hide the grimace on my face. “The gangs grouping up like that, no I don’t know about that. Now as to why they were after me, I have an idea or two…” I say trailing off not exactly wanting to upset her more than she already is.

“And what would those ideas be?” She growls out with gritted teeth.

Hesitant at first but ultimately I went screw it. In for a penny in for a pound. “Probably freaking out a bounty hunter hunting them down on their own and realizing they need to band together. The second reason may have to do with some ill-gotten gains I managed to snag from the last gang I took care of-”

“Stop. What did you take?” She abruptly interrupts me.

“There were a lot of spices and other drugs I managed to take when I tracked them back to their safe house behind a rather well-protected door in the basement. A lot of drugs.” Shey goes deathly silent as her face searches my own for something.

She cradles her head in her hands as she shakes her head. She lets out a massive sigh and mumbles something about why the ones with such potential always seem to have trouble drawn to them. Oh come on Shey this wasn’t even my fault… sort of.

“The Hutts want to see you, Corvo. They are pissed and I don’t blame them. Not at you but whoever was responsible for this and from the sounds of it the drugs you took they must have wanted them back. The fact they sent all of that for you and the drugs still doesn’t add up but I don’t doubt for a second the Hutts won’t figure it out.”

Of all the things she said that made me pause was the Hutts wanting to see me. “If they are not angry at me then why do they want to see me?”

“Information. You were there when it all went down and from the looks of things they were after you.”

I look up into the eyes of her hologram. “Last I checked they have the best information gatherers at their disposal on their moon. There is more to it than just that.” I say trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together.

“You are correct in that there is more to this than just information. What that is I don’t know but if they were angry with you then you and I wouldn’t be having this conversation right now.” 

“And when and where is this meeting being held?”

After Shey gave me the time and location I rested up while working on some potions and trying to teach the rest of my crew how to make them among other things. It went as well as I expected. That is they failed abysmally on any of it and led to a loss of ingredients. Nothing that can’t be recovered later on but annoying all the same.

A stray thought in the back of my mind resurfaces again as I tinker around with some things like modifying Jeeves so he can fight. The boys as proud as I am of them as they are now are not going to cut it. But the thought hasn’t left me ever since I got the Skeleton Key back on that day. 

My first thought was to use it once I had a safe place to call my own. But I haven’t used it simply because of me not being used to my current strength and abilities. I mean I am possibly as strong as a Wookie if not near their level of strength. Haven’t tested it but when you can lift a fully grown man with one hand and send him flying with an effortless toss I don’t think you are far behind that in strength.

When I first got the apartment and was messing around with some things I had used too much strength and some things that you wouldn't think would break ended up breaking. Now imagine if that was a person. Say I missed a punch and hit a wall of duracrete or durasteel. What do you think would happen to my hand and arm? I would probably break every bone in it if not outright mulch it into red chunky paste.

It’s why I have postponed using the key as I try to get used to my powers and abilities. It’s like that scene from the Inheritance Cycle books where Eragon after getting upgraded to an Elf punched an enemy soldier with armor and despite killing the guy he practically destroyed his hand. 

There is such a thing as not knowing your strength and being sure you can heal the damage. The issue is wasting magicka to do so and putting myself in danger without having a hand or leg to use. So the strength and power that I have now if I use the key will it automatically add even more onto me? Or is it gradual and over time? Will the issue of getting my different ways of thinking and powers from Fallout and Skyrim worsen?

I have no way of knowing any of this and with me being in a dangerous environment like this using it with too many unknowns sounded like a recipe for disaster. But now after nearly dying and surviving simply because the gang came to rescue me is making me rethink holding off on the key.

Putting down the blaster I was messing with and let out a long sigh finally having had enough. Putting my hand into a sealed breast pocket and feeling the familiar form I pull it out and look upon it. If it wasn’t for me playing the Elder Scrolls and knowing what the key looked like and the note from my benefactor then I would just think it is nothing more than an odd ornate key that is nothing more than a decoration.

Staring down at it in my open palm for a moment before finally coming to a decision. With it in my fingers, I raise it staring down the end of the key as I bring it to my forehead. Despite thinking it would stop as soon as it touched my skin it didn't.

It sinks in as I feel an odd feeling. Like a warmth spreading over me while simultaneously a cold chill goes down my back. Pushing the key further in as my eyes look at it until it stops. It doesn’t go any further buried into my head down to the round end of it. With a firm grip and only a slight resistance, I turn it, feeling a click resound in my being. Feeling lighter and a weight I had never realized was there is now gone.

The key in my grasp dissipates turning into motes of black and purple particles quickly fading away in the air as they fall. Looking around and checking my hands over. Nothing. Pulling out one of my daggers and looking at my reflection. Still gorgeous as ever and nothing has changed physically. Placing the dagger back and grabbing a metal rod lying on the workbench. 

With a strong grip, it doesn’t bend or break right away. A smile forms on my face as I slowly put more into my grip. The metal groans at first before bending and warping under the pressure. I stop and release my hand from it and see the slight indents in the metal. Just a few small trenches in it instead of a massive finger-sized trench.

With that settled, I get up and run through some drills for the next few hours before the meeting. 

… 

With a helmet covering my head and a new getup to my annoyance since the armor and clothes I had been using for some time, I had gotten used to it. Feeling nearly naked in this long red shirt and leather tank top jacket over it. At least I have my arsenal of weapons on me so it’s not as bad.

The taxi I am in follows the line of speeders as they move along the ‘traffic’ lane which is rather busy at the Grand Tiure Casino. Seeing the gaudy display of power and wealth with the bright lights of varying colors, exotic plants, and numerous servants and workers dressed up alongside the wealthy and powerful walking up steps adorned with statues made from precious metals and gems.

But there is a tension that can be seen if you are keen enough to notice. The workers and servants move about subtly but there is caution in their steps like an antelope with a lion rather close by. Moving about but careful to not earn the lion's ire. It would seem the Hutts are indeed not happy if the staff this far out of the casino are this nervous.

Walking up the steps silently and far better compared to what I was before. The thing is it’s not because of me getting an immediate boost to it. More to the fact that the inner conflict that the other two sets of memories had is no longer there. That was why I struggled at times because of them having conflicting ideas on what I should do.

With the usage of the key either it has removed it or it could have fused them properly together into me. Regardless it has made me far more capable than I was before and my fears were for nothing. As sad as that is that I wasted all that time worrying but what’s done is done. Gliding up the steps with not a single person noticing me.

The doors were open as people trailed inside with me staying in between all of them without so much as brushing against even one of them. Not feeling overwhelmed with my senses as I take it all in and see the level I need to be at. Looking over at one of the numerous pillars with decorative carvings engrained onto them I get near the closest one and grab onto it and don’t so much climb as I just catapult myself up it.

Quickly reaching the railing on the upper level seeing several more levels and repeating the process ascending near the top. Vaulting over the last part of it and seeing the expansive hallway with statues of Hutts and other forms of artwork that just glitters with the jewels and metals used in most of it. 

Quickly getting to the end of the hall bypassing numerous defenses and guards with ease making me balk compared to how I would have struggled before. Shaking my head at that thought before the doors opened for me bringing an end to my invisibility, several Gamorians inside along with the rest of the occupants of the room took a look at me as the Gamorians had their hands on their massive axes.

Raising my hands to them they tense for a moment. I slowly took off the helmet I was wearing showing my face to the room. The Gamorians snort and some look to the other end of the room with several Hutts on pedestals either in hologram or in person. And a lot of other people were armed to the teeth and armored up looking ready for a war.

From the looks of things that may be the case. One of the Hutts who is here in person in a loud but deep voice speaks their native tongue of Huttese beckoning for me to come closer to them. What gets my attention is the long dreads that trail down from his head and the intricately woven beard he has. I think this is the only Hutt I have ever seen with hair in both of my lives.

A bronze-colored protocol droid stands off to the side as it translates for me. “The great and mighty Lords and Ladies of Nar Shaddaa welcome you to this meeting Corvo Attano. Lord Zorba welcomes you to his home away from home and would like you to tell them of what had happened the day of the attack.”

Walking past the crowd as they part for me like the Red Sea before Moses as I walk into the center of the group even spotting Shey amidst the crowd. Staring at each of the Hutt's forms as it sweeps over them taking in all minute details. 

“I was relaxing in my apartment after a day's work with a good stiff drink— something I think any bounty hunter in this line of work could understand.” A wave of agreement comes from the crowd as they chuckle and smile in commiseration. 

“That’s when it happened. I had some methods of surveillance setup where I went when I was off duty just in case trouble ever came to my doorstep. And with an alert, I see a horde of people attacking all of my neighbors and other such people that lived in the complex.”

At this, some of the bounty hunters' expressions hardened but most like the Hutts remained indifferent. “I managed to get some weapons out and battled with a small squad outside of my apartment door but retreated further, taking note that they had weapons and equipment that most people even among the more well-known and influential bounty hunters here would be hard pressed to obtain.”

This got a reaction from the bounty hunters in the room as they mumbled and quietly chatted amongst each other before with a wave and grunt from Zorba they were silenced. Taking it as a sign I continue.

“They fired a rocket at my front door destroying the front and half of my apartment. After having survived that I sneaked my way past the squads and killed when I had to and got to a project I had been working on after a close encounter with a Trandoshan who after overhearing his conversation when he was throwing his weight around revealed that the groups I was dealing with were all the small gangs similar to the ones I had been wiping out.”

The room was deathly silent at my reveal of the gangs making up the enemy force along with them being provided better weapons and equipment. A Hutt with some facial paint looking like palm tree leaves speaks up in a higher-pitched voice.

The droid speaks up after the Hutt is done. “Lady Gorba asks if you know what caused this attack?”

“That’s the other thing. One of the gangs I had just wiped out before this all went down got a little messed up. They realized they had no chance and tried to run for a safe house I followed them to. After clearing them out I found a secured door to the basement that was way better than anything they should have had.”

This gets the crowd's attention. Zorba bellows something and the droid asks the big question. “What did you find behind the door?”

Gazing up and staring into Zorbas eyes I continue, “A lot of drugs. To be more specific, a lot of spices. Enough to buy a large section of Nar Shaddaa’s businesses in a well-off sector.”

The room erupts. The Hutt's nostrils flare open as their eyes collectively narrow at the implication of what I just said. A Hutt wearing some kind of frilly hat looking like a clown's cone hat roars and slams a fist down sending the frilly pom jiggling with the impact silencing the room. He bellows out to the droid pointing at it and then at me.

“Then what was told to us about the amount of drugs from a particular business who recently came into possession of them is true. Do you know who the other force was that attacked these gangs when you were escaping?”

“No. I was as blindsided as the gangs getting attacked were.” I lie through my teeth yet it comes out as smooth as butter and none seem to know it’s a lie. “They came out of nowhere and hit hard and fast. Had no fear of losing lives when they charged an armed Trandoshan and cut into him with simple blades.”

This gets a round of surprise as the large crowd blinks at what I have just said. Zorba speaks once more as the Hutts all nod their heads in agreement to whatever is being said. 

“To those of you present will be tasked with finding the one responsible for this attack and conspiracy undermining our power and authority. We had discovered the one who was behind it but he would not be an easy target. After the failed assault and his forces retreating we had captured some of his men for information. And his recent actions of fortifying his home has further proved to us he is partly responsible .”

Excitement is seen on the faces of the gathered people as the greed is evident in their eyes but the droid continues translating for the Hutt. “But he must be taken alive. We know he was the one responsible for this but we must know why he did this. And we will have answers, but anyone of you who deprives us of those answers will pay dearly.”

At this hunters are silenced with a look of deep thought on each of their faces. “The target was an influential merchant by the name of Dibb Len.” A hologram springs to life showing the merchant as a Toydarian with their iconic pot belly with wings and tusks. He is wearing some stereotypical Middle Eastern-looking clothes with jewelry adorning his person.

“He had recently come to Nar Shaddaa with a different market hoping to break into. We had no issue with this even if we were suspicious and keeping an eye on him. But this recent event along with his attempts to usurp us will not be tolerated. But we don’t know who supplied him with the credits and resources to do all that he has done. That’s why we need him alive since he is the only one who would know who orchestrated all of this.”

The severity of the situation is laid bare before me. The Hutts know that Dibb had a hand in it but he is merely a puppet. They don’t know who is controlling things in the shadows and insulting them as a result. I mean they were already insulted to begin with when the gangs were made into a makeshift army without any of them being none the wiser to it.

“Know this. Dibb lives in a heavily fortified building that he has recently locked down and what is left of those working for him have it heavily guarded enough so that it will take a small war just to get inside.” The hologram of Dibb changes to what may have once been an opulent palace is now a fortified building with guards and turrets protecting him.

“He has not been able to leave the moon and any attempts to get a ship down to him has been shot down. He has been able to do the same with any ships or speeders getting too close to his defenses.”

And on and on the Hutt lists Dibb’s defenses. While half-listening to the details, I remain fixated on Dibb. A boiling rage comes to life in my gut as I clench and unclench my hands wanting to show the Toydarian how I feel having a hit squad blow up my home. I swear that little bastard is going to get it when I get my hands on him.

The Hutt had finally stopped as he made his pitch to the gathered lowlifes. “Whichever bounty hunter manages to get Dibb to us alive will be rewarded far beyond what most jobs could hope to pay you. But fail us with Dibb dying and the consequences will be severe.”

As the bounty hunters start shifting around I clear my throat getting everyone’s attention. “I want the first shot at him.” A round of laughter escapes the bounty hunters at my proclamation. Even some of the Hutts are laughing at this.

“I know I know it sounds funny. But you want to know something that isn’t funny? Dibb getting killed by one of these incompetent krifftards who wouldn’t know subtlety or sneaking even if it came up and slapped them in the face.”

All of the Hutts laughed in their deep tones at this while the vast majority of the bounty hunters and criminals didn’t like me calling them what I did. “I mean think about my lords and ladies. Think about how many credits were wasted on some mercenaries who failed to deliver Dibb to you when you assaulted his fortress along with the equipment and supplies destroyed.”

The Hutts settled down now giving me their full attention humoring me. I even see a ghost of a smile on Shey’s face as she watches me work my magic. “Now you could send one of these guys or gals to go do the job. Any assault they do will have to fight their way up to Dibb and whatever goodies he has up his slimy sleeve that we have yet to see.”

I make a show with a dagger appearing from my sleeve and flipping and spinning it about as the Hutts watch on in rapt interest as some of the bounty hunters have pulled out blasters aimed at me.  

Paying them no mind the dagger stops with the point of the blade perfectly balanced on the tip of my finger as it’s held aloft as I casually walk a little around the middle of the room without even looking at the weapon. The bounty hunters, realizing I’m not hostile, lower their weapons but keep them in their hands at the ready.

“So they fight their way in with the big guns needed to do so and in the ensuing fight increase the likelihood that Dibb gets killed or injured in such a way that he can’t tell you where his master is… that doesn’t sound like a good idea.”

The crowd seems to realize that the Hutts are seriously thinking about what I am saying. “So then you must be wondering what to do if none of them can accomplish this task. And the answer is yours truly!” I say tossing the knife up and doing a quick elaborate bow with arms held out before rising up and with a raise of my arm the dagger slides back into my sleeve.

“Who here has shown they can be stealthy when it matters the most? Me. I managed to sneak my way through an apartment complex with roving mercenaries and gang members armed to the teeth and only had to kill some of them while evading all the others. And I also managed to do the same here by making my way to this very room with no one even knowing I had arrived or seen me get here evading all the guards and turrets you have… if that isn’t a display of skill required for the job then I don't know what would be.”

The room is deathly silent with many of the hunters glaring at me for cutting in line. Meh. They’ll get over it and if not then there will be a few less bounty hunters around if they try anything. The Hutt with the weird hat speaks up with a questioning look on his face.

“What guarantee do we have that you will fulfill this job without backing out? This is a big thing to ask of us the great Hutts to be the first person sent after such a target for a new bounty hunter no less.”

“That’s simple. I have as much vested interest in this as you do if not more so. That motherkriffing bastard sent his goons to my home and blew it up trying to kill me. On principle alone, he is not allowed to walk away after something like that. My true father taught me many life lessons. But one of the two biggest was to never take a beating lying down and to always keep my word when it matters most.”

At this the Hutt gives out a hum but before anyone else says anything I sweeten the deal for them. “All that I ask in return is that I get to rough up Dibb a little without impairing him from talking to you before delivering him and be given the task of hunting the one who put him up to this while getting a small fraction of the credits I normally would have gotten in return for this job.”

At this many of the bounty hunters point at me and curse me or start yelling before with a roar one of the Hutts in the hologram silences them. Turning to the other Hutts they speak with one another back and forth for a moment before stopping having come to a decision. 

“You have a deal. Go make whatever preparations you need and we expect to see Dibb within the week.”

The smile that formed on my face was like Christmas had just come early. And the satisfaction of knowing payback is coming like a mothefucking freight train is so so sweet.