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How Much for the Room 2004 short story by Jonathan
Hicks and Mark Newbold Four years after Episode IV – A New Hope Glann, For your consideration. A transcript of a conversation between Jan Lomona and Goah
Galletti, recorded by Observer Six three days ago in Zythlies Dropout Parlour
(Level 15, Southside, Unit 6634). I think you will find it interesting
reading. Melm. Over here Goah…You’re late, what took you? Three Rodians and a
Barabel. How late am I? Only a few minutes.
Here, I’ve got the drinks in….want some Cockons? Yes, food.
Excellent. So, why did you want to meet here? You sounded a little
conspiratorial on the communicator. This is a touch public, don’t you think? I guess, but we’ve always met up here and no one’s
listened in to our conversations yet.
I mean, if they did we’d be in real trouble, and I can get enough of
that wherever I go. True. I also notice
you’re wearing both your blasters. Are you expecting company? I’ve only
bought a stun gun. This is Chancai. Can’t be too careful these days pal. (Observer reports that Lomona eats a Cockon) Alright, there is a reason I asked you to
meet here, and it’s not just the hot food and waitresses. I was out near Ando last week, on my way
back to Amagad and I got wind of some interesting news. Stuff relating to Glann. (Observer reports a
long pause) This Duarga is
warm. I couldn’t find a space for it on the table so I held it
between my legs. Anyway, I touched
down on one of Ando’s supply stations and headed to the bar as usual, and
overheard a conversation, like you do.
It looks like there’s been more unrest in the underworld than we
thought. A lot more. Okay… if there’s a
problem here, Jan, go to Melm. Why have you bought me here? I’m not available
for private contracts and Glann won’t appreciate your meddling without his
consent. Or is this some kind of personal attention to detail? If it’s
outside Setnins borders, then leave it alone. I know what you’re saying G (Observer reports that Lomona takes a draught of his drink) but
this was very specific to Glann. And
I’ve not told Melm because…well, because I’d rather tell you first. See what you think about it. With me you have a
choice of two opinions. Leave it or kill it. (Observer reports a
long pause) Boy, I’d almost forgotten, you really are the life and soul of every dinner
engagement, aren’t you. This one’s too
big to kill, and we sure as freck aren’t leaving it alone. Now I’m intrigued. Okay (Observer
reports that Lomona takes another draught) Word on the lanes is that some
of Setnins other ganglords are getting twitchy. They don’t much like the way Glann has held
on to such a huge chunk of Setnin trade and they’re looking for a way to get
some back. Which, in
my opinion, means a crud load of trouble for me and mine. True. Are you
telling me they will go back on their trade agreements with Glann? That
invites war. I don’t think any of them will push it that far. Then again, if
this is information you got from Ando… perhaps they intend to spread their
influence beyond Setnin. Could be, could be.
Then again, maybe I just got lucky and overheard two of Dressels guys
travelling back from Quarshanell. I
couldn’t say for sure, but whatever happens, it goes down soon. (Observer
reports that Lomona eats a Cockon loudly) Have you heard anything? Any weird movements going on? Nothing solid, but
it’s strange you should mention Dressel. He left his sail barge recently on a
three day trip, and no-one knows where he went. The word is he came back with
a broad smile and a full purse. Could be linked, but I’ve not heard of
Dressel desiring anything outside of Setnin. Unless… Unless these two things are linked. Then again, I do know Spyte is busy at the
moment. Saw him at Arach’s place on
Wennicas last week. Well, I say saw
him, I was in the back room and Arach was… Dressel was on
Wennicas eight days ago. Really? Didn’t
know that. Well, Spyte was having a
Kraytload of stuff upgraded, freighters, fighters, you name it he was
upgrading it. I hear his coffine maker
does hot Chavs in three seconds now. That sounds like
good Chavs. I hate Chavs. So, Dressel is
locating talent outside the Setnin Sector, Spyte is arming… this doesn’t
sound very promising. I know that Predd Jason’s been hoarding men and
equipment, keeping his head down. Any news from Pocock? Only that he had a wonderful vacation on Luronsa and that
he’ll see us at the next meeting.
Nothing big to report there, which is probably a
good thing. If Pocock got in on
this we’d have a real problem. Can’t imagine
Pocock trying anything. The man is dead in the centre of the Chancai Trade
Centre. Why risk that kind of position? I think the real threat is Dressel,
Spyte and Jason. Agreed. (Observer reports that Lomona finishes
drink) Want another one? No. I have the sudden desire to remain sober. I don’t have much of a choice. If they are all
preparing at the same time, they must know of each other’s plans. Why hasn’t
Glann done anything about it? Probably doesn’t see them as a threat. I mean, he knows Dressel from way back,
Spyte is a tough operator but he’s always been minor league and Jason? Come on G, you know what I think about that
fool. I’m not thinking of
them working independently. I know what you’re saying. Hey,
excuse me, excuse me, another two Duargas over here! But think about it, with the size of Glanns
organisation, why would he worry? Melm
and the gang are all over the intelligence situation, and Glann has more
plants than an Ithorian Botanical ship.
I’m sure he thinks he’s got
it covered. Thanks sweetheart, get one
for yourself.
But then again, maybe he knows all this already. Wait. (Observer reports a
long pause) I think you give
Melm’s organisation too much credit. The information about Dressel leaving
his barge didn’t reach Glann’s ears until the day after he got back. There’s
a breakdown somewhere. If Dressel, if any of them, know of holes in Melm’s
coverage… now’s the time to take advantage of it. Alright, back up a step.
You’re saying there’s a mole in Glanns organisation? Some kind of spy? (Observer
reports a brief pause) I hope you can detect the sarcasm in my
voice. Glanns had problems for a
while. True, but it’s that
dismissiveness that allows the spy to proliferate. You know Melm’s got staff
looking for internal breaches, right? Yeah, about thirty percent of his team are looking at the
guy sitting next to them wondering if they’re the one leaking out the information. The only reason I know half as much as I do
is ‘cause one of his secretaries’ talks in her sleep. Simple, yet
classic. Well, thirty percent is a lot of people to get lost in if you’re a
mole. And what better way to hide yourself than if you become
one of the accusers? It’s all speculation, I know, but Melm has rooted out
over thirty personnel, in the last eight days alone… Eight days? Here
we are again with the eight days. (Observer reports another pause as Lomona
takes a swig of his drink) So do
you think we’re looking at another Gang War?
Because it sure looks like that’s what’s brewing to me. Well, it all fits.
Three ganglords gearing up. A mole loosing late information and, to keep
people off the trail, accusing others in Glann’s organisation to stay in
favour. Outside routes and help so that a new influx of people and faces
throws us off-guard. If they all came to the Setnin Sector the first place
they’d come to is Chancai, and the first place they’d visit is… wait a
minute… (Long pause.
Observer reports that Goah looks around Zythlies with suspicion) What is it?
Something I should know about?
You think we’re being watched? Pause)
Then again, I’d be kind of disappointed if we weren’t. Of course we’re
being watched. By everyone in this room. You’ve had the same suspicions as me,
haven’t you? That’s why you invited me here. Because new underworld faces
would never be able to resist the infamous Zythlies. New names, new contacts,
new business. The perfect place to visit for new scum. So, we walk in, bold
as sunbursts, and sit in the middle of all these people just so that they
know we’re onto them. And, in turn, their employers. Alright, we’re on the same wavelength. So assume we’re right, and we’re in the
proverbial nest of Gundarks. We’ve
figured out that Dressel and company are bringing in new faces to bolster
their offensive against Glann. What
are a free trader and a contract killer gonna do about it? We have options. We
can walk out and inform Glann of the situation and wait for instructions. We
can let every other person we know on Chancai in on this and take care of the
situation ourselves. Or, you can loan me one of your pistols, and we can sort
out the problem here and now. That’s up to you, really. That’s a nice new
coat and I wouldn’t see it singed. You leave my fashion choices to me pal. Anyway, you know how this has always
worked. I’m the spotter, you’re the
shooter. (Observer reports a pause) There
sure are a lot of them. Yes, a lot. But, if
we do this right there’s a good chance we can avert a gang war. Also, no
doubt a lot of these fine Gentlebeings have history and possibly bounty. We
could make a neat… killing. My first target can be that slimy frecker at the
next table recording this conversation. (Observer reports sound
of observer choking on drink) Okay then. (Observer reports that Lomona finishes
last of Duarga) How much for the
room? How Much for the Room 2004 short story by Jonathan
Hicks and Mark Newbold Four years after Episode IV – A New Hope Histories – A story may years in the
making, this traces its roots right back to the early days of the NHP Audio series, when Mark and Jon would enter a bar and ask “How much for the room?”, meaning,
what would the collective bounty be on every head in the place. Transferred over to Jan and Goah, this
story, much like the 2002 story Tactical
Withdrawal (about the raid on the impenetrable Bank of Zelon) has been talked about for years, but only recently
written up. Chronologically, this
takes place just before the Zythlies
Massacre, an incident which was believed to have stemmed yet another gang
war in Setnin. Cast of Characters Goah Galletti Jan Lomona |