When You Give a Man Power 
Chapter 13

What. The. Fuck. 

How did the Trade Federation have a hand in this? Why would they do this?! Who am I kidding they did it for some profit with more money coming their way. But of all markets to try and cut a slice out of they or whoever within the Trade Federation's upper echelons tried to do this with the Hutts.

Here’s the thing I feel like the movies and other assorted media of Star Wars didn’t do too good of a job showing the actual might and power at the Hutt's disposal. Sure we see some of them and see the people in their little hideouts. But not what they are capable of. 

There is a reason the Republic never fully went to war with the Hutts in all the time they both knew of the other's existence even when the Hutts would run up and enslave a Republic colony in the outer rim back when they were still in their warmongering days.

The Republic, despite having a capable military power when push comes to shove, would have one hell of a fight on its hands if it tried that with the Hutts. Now the Hutts have long since moved past the idea of conquering and the power at your fingertips equals success but instead turned it towards financial success as a form of competition. 

Despite the Hutts not being the old-school warmongers their ancestors used to be doesn’t mean they can’t kick someone’s teeth in and remind them of what they are and will do to you if you cross a line with them. So far I have heard only rumors but those rumors paint an interesting picture.

Despite what the TV shows and other media show of the Hutts using solely bounty hunters and criminals to get what they want, groups like the Trade Federation, the Republic, other massive criminal organizations, and even the Jedi tread lightly around them. They come to them to broker deals and other things when they need something. If they only have those criminals and bounty hunters at their disposal would anyone take them seriously? No.

So then begs the question of why those groups in particular try their best to not cross the Hutts. And that to me means the rumors of them having armadas of ships and armies at their disposal are not just rumors. The Hutts have survived all the millennia of conflict this galaxy has seen not just because they are opportunists and savvy at running a business but because they can also kick your shit in if you fuck with them.

Forcing myself to pry my eyes off the bombshell the Hutt just dropped on everyone in the room as it is deathly quiet. Glancing seeing all those within the massive room are gobsmacked by this news. Can’t blame them since it was a very stupid idea whoever thought they could get away with it. Unless this did happen in legends just the Hutts or anyone never caught what had happened and whoever’s plan had fallen apart as the gangs took what was given and split.

So word never got out… regardless of why this never occurred in the Star Wars I remembered, it’s happening now with me. So I just have to roll with the punches as they come. The Hutts are seemingly satisfied as all of us digest what we were just told another one continues. 

“From what Dibb divulged, the one who orchestrated this is Rune Haako. For those of you here who do not know this slime, he serves directly under Nute Gunray, the current chairman of the Trade Federation. The reason we called you here is to have you on standby.”

This gets a raised brow from me as I am rather surprised they are not sending us to grab him now. Unlike the prior get-together the assembled bounty hunters remain silent taking it all in. “We have plans set in place but we will keep you all around should the Trade Federation decide not to come to the table. Corvo Attano, as per the prior agreement you will get your chance should the Trade Federation not like the deal we have for them.” With that, all of us were dismissed unless we would like to enjoy ourselves in the tower. 

Walking away I notice Jango standing near the cowboy Duros that looks familiar to me but I can’t quite place why. Both look in my direction before going back to talk with each other as I walk away noting many of the hunters are all staring at me. I even notice the chalk-white lady eyeing me up. 

Hours later after having a grand old time in the casinos and making a killing to a lot of people's joy or dismay, I rose out of the bed I was in. Feeling the warm arms on me fall away glancing down at the two near-human women with blue skin and light purple hair. 

They moan in displeasure while remaining blissfully asleep. The stamina training paid off in ways I didn’t even think about. A smirk adorning my face as I get dressed and leave the building quickly noting down things I need to get set up if I am fighting the Trade Federation.

Regardless of what deal the Hutts and Trade Federation agree to if the Trade Federation does agree to anything I am going after Rune Haako. On principle alone, he is not walking off into the sunset with a smile on his face after a pulling stunt like the one he had. Doesn’t matter to me if it was ultimately Dibb's decision or not to blow up my home and attack me with an army he was the one who set the first domino into motion. So no matter what he is responsible for what comes his way. 

As they say, what goes around comes around I think flying off with Jeeves down to the lower levels. 

…

Massaging the sides of his head Rune Haako is still feeling the stress from the fallout on Nar Shaddaa. To think Dibb would drop the ball this badly. Sitting in his luxurious office afforded to him by being Nute Gunray's right-hand man. Not that he hadn’t earned it by clawing his way to the top as he toppled rival after rival to get where he is now.

It was an idea that grew and grew on him over time. The idea was to use the lesser gangs on Nar Shaddaa that no one bothered to deal with so long as they didn’t draw the ire of the Hutts or notable individuals on Nar Shaddaa. No one paid them any mind so their getting better weapons and equipment would go under the radar. The spices and drugs would be an incredibly profitable market to break into hence using the lesser gangs as a means of spreading it.

All of it was brought in by Dibb using his contacts and himself. It went smoothly with no one noticing. Dibb as his puppet on Nar Shaddaa with enough time Rune could have eventually cut out the Trade Federation's portion of the spice trade in the outer rim. Dibb himself was practically Rune's slave in all but name since he took out a loan from Rune when he was down on his luck. 

The Toydarian was a somewhat well-known merchant in the outer and mid rim but some misfortunes had led to his business declining. After a particularly bad run in the outer rim from a group of pirates losing most of his product Dibb found himself in massive debt to me. Enough so that despite his reservations to go to Nar Shaddaa with my plan he still followed through with it.

Dibb himself even saw the advantages to it. If it falls through with the gangs not working together they would fragment and splinter making off with everything that was provided. A loss in profit yes but one he would rather face than the Hutts learning of his plans. A slot opens on his Wroshyr-wood desk as he pulls out a bottle of strong spirits.

He normally would never be caught drinking while on the job. But he needs something to take the edge off. Especially before he goes to see Gunray for some important meeting that came out of nowhere. Uncapping the bottle and taking a swig feeling the burn go down his throat. Putting the bottle back as he rises heading to the meeting not finding any peace in his mind of how Dibb had put him in one of the worst positions one could be put in.

He knew it was risky trying to pull something like this against the Hutts of all people. On their moon no less. But the profits were too good to pass up and any Neimoidian like himself would be a fool to at least not attempt it. Especially when he had the means to ensure if it fell apart it wouldn’t be connected back to him. Now… with Dibb's capture, it’s only a matter of time before that worthless waste of life tells them he put him up to it.

Everyone knows the stories of the Hutts. Of how they have armies and fleets of ships at their disposal. But they are just that. Stories. But those were the days when the Hutts were a war-like race that would even give the Mandalorians pause. They are all about business as he is. They use smugglers and bounty hunters along with all sorts of criminals across the galaxy for their own ends. 

It’s something he has told himself many times after Dibb had screwed the plan up and not Rune. Rune's plan was ingenious and Dibb, like the worthless idiot he is, had messed it all up. So what if the Hutts know? They have no proof beyond a merchant who had tried to take over Nar Shaddaa. 

The Toydarian was crazy and must have had a mental breakdown to pull that stunt and made up Rune Haako having anything to do with it. Especially when his excuse to Rune was that a single bounty hunter had taken all of the spices he had given a random no-name gang after going on a killing spree with the lesser gangs.

A single bounty hunter coming out of nowhere killing entire gangs? It sounds like something a child made up. And one that took his merchandise. Rune had heard some bad excuses in his life as part of the Trade Federation for one’s failures. But that was easily the worst one. No notable bounty hunter would waste their time with lesser gangs. It’s why he chose the lesser gangs.

No one paid them any mind. And with them being native inhabitants of the Hutts' precious moon they would be toughened up by just living there, knowing how to use a weapon and to kill when needed. The perfect candidate for a new criminal group to rise with the gangs banding together and take power from the Hutts as my puppet gives them my orders. 

Of course, the gangs have some grievances with one another but that can easily be put aside with the profit that could be made from it along with the aid of the Trandoshan bounty hunter I had discreetly hired to help Dibb and whip the gangs into something resembling a fighting force. Then to hear how the supposed lone bounty hunter that he gave Dibb the go-ahead to discreetly and quietly grab the one responsible and to either get the product back or if they can’t just silence all who may know about it.

Instead, he finds out that Dibb had assembled an army to assault an apartment complex out of fear of this bounty hunter, and somehow he had everyone killed except the person who needed to die! If I ever meet that worthless Toydarians mother I have to ask her how she raised such a worthless piece of bantha poodoo! Supposedly he did this on the advice of the Trandoshan as the gangs were not getting along and they needed a common enemy they all feared to make them work together.

Dibb by this point I should have just had him killed and salvaged what I could out of this failed plan. But the money that could be gained and the thought of him kriffing it all up was impossible to happen at the time or so I had thought. There was something that was gained out of this though that Dibb had some sense left in his head. A suit of armor that the supposed lone bounty hunter he had failed to kill used to escape and slaughter a large number of the well-equipped gangsters.

The weapons used by it seem to have been destroyed after the hunter had abandoned it. A shame. The description of that built-in electric weapon could have been useful. Regardless, what was left of it despite the heavy damage it had sustained proved useful. Some engineers and scientists had asked to take a look at it for them to get a better idea of how to replicate it. Last he had heard they were enamored with it. Something about how its design is simple yet effective. And a lot of other scientific words that went over Rune's head.

If it can make them more money then Rune is happy because at least something good has come out of all of this.

Stepping out of his office he smoothed over the creases and wrinkles in his black-purple robes he had custom-made on Alderaan. Expensive but worth it. Two of the metallic skeletal forms of the B1 battle droids stay silent falling in line next to Rune. He would have preferred an entire army of them surrounding him but he doesn’t want Gunray or anyone else asking questions.

For people like Rune and Gunray having the occasional battle droid moving alongside them was not uncommon. They are important and powerful men. Someone leveling a threat at them isn’t unheard of. After all, they at times feel their lives are in danger even on something like this Lucrehulk ship he is on now. So having two guarding him wouldn’t be something that brought unwanted attention. The rest of the galaxy views his race as cowardly. It shows what little they know! It’s not cowardice if they have someone to protect them as they go somewhere safe.

So what could a group of measly criminals do to an army of battle droids and a giant modified cargo ship with its defenses? A ship and army they would have to fight through just to reach Rune? Rune had no doubts the Hutts would try something even if it’s just word alone that incriminates him. They are criminals who have grown lazy at the top of their thrones. They have stagnated as far as Rune was concerned and had it coming.

And if they decide to wage some war on the Trade Federation Rune was confident the Hutts would lose in the end. What would a bunch of slimy slugs do to them? Of course, a war isn’t exactly profitable to the Trade Federation but it would surely end quickly enough. And when it does end and the Hutts are deposed from their seats of power he would get what he was trying to do in the first place.

Carve out a market in the spice trade. With the Hutts toppled he could even break into the other drug markets and the profits would just roll in falling into his lap! It will all work out. After all the amount of money the Hutts make in a single galactic year from their business in the spice alone would make up for whatever losses the Federation would suffer. The thought of all that money has Rune salivating at the mere idea of it. 

Putting his nerves to rest as he walks forward with renewed purpose finally having put his fears to rest as he quickly makes his way to the meeting room. It was a long and tedious walk but one that he has long since gotten used to. The cold metal of the floor and walls of the ship is uninspired and annoying at times but it would cost money to have it changed and to waste it on something like this ship is just too much.

Arriving at the large blast doors that open up to a large chamber with a view of space outside with a tropical planet down below as ships flit in and out of other ships coming and going down to the planet. Ah yes, the sweet sweet sight of money going into our pockets. He looks over to see Gunray fidgeting and looking nervous at the head of the long table in the center of the room.

Rune looked suspicious about what would make him so nervous. He looks almost as bad as he was worrying over the Hutts. Stepping inside the two battle droids stayed out in the hall flanking the sides of the doorway as the blast doors sealed themselves behind him. “Gunray what is this random meeting about?” He cuts to the chase with Gunray ending his fidgeting as he puts his attention on Rune.

“Haako this is an important meeting. Someone with great power and influence wishes to speak with me and he wants to make sure you are here as well.” Gunray told him yet an ominous feeling took hold of him learning they desired his presence here.

On the table the holoprojector springs to life as it now has their undivided attention. The blue hologram shows the form of someone wearing a black robe that obscures nearly everything save for the lower half of their face. The rest of it is obscured by shadows concealing their identity. Despite it being a hologram Rune feels dread and a creeping fear looking upon their form.

“Gunray.” The figure growls out as Gunray looks afraid. 

“Lord Sidious. How may I be of service to you?” Gunray puts on his best smile trying to get on this man’s good side. What little he can see of his body he looks human but that doesn’t mean he is. How does Gunray know this man and why is he so afraid of him? 

“There has been a disturbance in the outer rim. The Hutts will be contacting you soon.”

Gunray's face pales along with Runes albeit for different reasons. Gunray sputters for a moment completely caught off guard by Sidious’s statement. “M-my lord, why would the Hutt’s be contacting me?” 

Sidious’s face moves to look down upon Rune as he stares up in fear and shock. The realization that he knows hits Rune like a bull Rancor pursuing a meal. Despite not seeing his eyes Rune knows his gaze is penetrating through him, and what his few facial expressions show he finds him wanting. “Your right hand has been busy Gunray.” 

Gunray looks between Rune and Sidious processing what had just been said before his eyes narrow and he rises rushing up to Rune getting in his face placing his hands on his shoulders. “What did you do?!” He yells out in shock, fear abundant in his voice.

Rune swallows, feeling a lump in his throat as he looks anywhere but Gunray and hoping to find a way out of this. “I may have tried to get into a new market for us…” Rune trails off shrugging helplessly.

“A new market! Did you try to pull a fast one with the Hutts? Have you lost your mind Rune!” Gunray screams into his face, his grip getting stronger on his shoulders as spittle flies into Rune's face. 

As Rune was beginning to wonder if Gunray would ever let go he released his grip quickly turning to face Sidious simpering before him as Rune just stood there not knowing what to do and feeling like a Tusken Raider among the Republic Senate. Wiping his face down with a cloth he keeps on his person Sidious remains silent and imposing, staring down at the two of them.

“Lord Sidious I humbly apologize and my right hand will be punished for overstepping his boundaries-” 

“Silence.” 

Gunray immediately shuts up as he turns glaring daggers at Rune. Rune would get angry and indignant if it was just about anyone else. But Gunray is his direct superior as the Viceroy and he isn't wrong on this. He has every right to be upset with Rune. “Despite this sniveling fool's incompetence, this could be of use to my plans.” 

As if finding a life raft to keep himself from drowning Gunray quickly latches on as Rune himself finds himself thankful that this may not end as badly as he thought it would. Relief floods him before it turns to icy dread and horror with what comes out of Sidious’s mouth next.

“When the Hutt’s contact you to arrange a deal, refuse it.” 

Gunray falls silent as a look of dread crosses his face at what he has heard. “Refuse it?” Gunray asks, confused as to why he would want such a thing. That would lead to an all-out conflict with the Hutts…

“Yes. The Hutts will demand not only steep reparations but I also doubt your little friend here looks forward to meeting the Hutts he had decided to so foolishly cross. You will refuse any attempts at peace with the Hutts helping fan the flames for a conflict.” 

“A war with the Hutts?! Are you insane!” Rune steps up hearing something so absurd as he walks up finding some resolve in the fact he and Gunray will quite possibly die for this and his self-preservation gives him the backbone needed to stand up despite the trepidation he has of this Sidious as his scowl deepens upon Rune butting in.

“Gunray. Keep this thing on a short leash lest I teach you both a lesson.” The threat made abundantly clear to Gunray and Rune clamped his mouth shut, finding that brief bravery quickly fled before the terrifying man that stood before him. 

Gunray glances at him silently mouthing to shut up as he quickly complies with a grimace. Sidious continues speaking uncaringly of the by-play between the two. “Your Federation will not be alone in this conflict. The Republic will come to your aid. Having to choose between one of the largest trade organizations in the galaxy or the Hutts they will easily side with you and give you aid since anything the Hutts say will be assumed to be a lie or trickery. Refuse and the Hutts will be the least of your worries.” 

Sidious turns away from them, giving the two of them both a parting gift. “Gunray the next time your right hand gets any further ideas I will have it severed.” With the final threat given as a shiver goes down both of their backs, the hologram fades away.

Gunray's head shifts to look upon Rune as he grimaces at the look of anger he has directed at him. He doesn’t say anything as his hands ball into fists and Rune dreads the silence more than he would if he had said something. “Leave. I have much to think over and don’t do anything stupid. Droids! Escort Rune Haako to his quarters and do not let him out of your sight.” He says as the droids enter the room escorting Rune like he was some criminal.

Rune could only hope that he could find a way out of this. Good thing he kept the few that managed to get on the ship he had sent for Dibb on standby in case the trouble hadn't gone away. A seasoned Trandoshan hunter with experience on Nar Shaddaa and two Echani warriors.