The Multiverse Hunter

The tension in the VIP room was suffocating.

"What are—" Dran began, but the words caught in his throat.

UGH

He dropped to his knees, clutching at his throat as if an invisible hand squeezed the air out of him. All around him, the others in the room fell under the crushing weight of Ali's Force.

The Chiss lord's smug demeanour was replaced with wide-eyed terror. The Trandoshan gang leader gritted his teeth, his claws scraping against the floor as he struggled in vain.

The mercenary's already-broken arm twisted further as his body was forced down into the ground. Even the two pole dancers, who moments ago had been trying to blend into the background, found themselves forced into submission.

Ali strode forward, his boots echoing against the ornate flooring, his every step amplifying the invisible pressure pinning everyone to the ground. Without a word, he moved to the lush central couch and seated himself like a king on his throne.

He leaned back casually, his gloved hand resting on the armrest as his eyes behind the mask studied the pathetic creatures before him.

'Barely drops of my Spirit pond to make them like that,' he thought, feeling no strain from maintaining such dominance.

For a full minute, Ali simply watched them, his silence more terrifying than any words. The room was filled with muffled groans and strained breathing as they writhed under his command.

Finally, Ali flicked his wrist, releasing the two dancers from his grip. They gasped for air, their bodies trembling as they dared to look up at him.

"Get me some water," Ali said, his tone calm yet commanding.

The two women stumbled to their feet, not daring to hesitate. They bolted for the exit, rushing past Drogath, who stood like a silent sentinel outside the door. They leaped over the broken floorboards in their panic, their footsteps echoing in the hallway as they disappeared.

"Now then…" Ali leaned forward slightly, his mask glinting in the dim light of the room. He loosened the Force's grip just enough for the four men to lift their heads and look at him. Their expressions ranged from terror to seething rage, but none dared act.

"The Trandoshan," Ali said, his cold voice cutting through the silence like a blade.

The gang leader stiffened, his scaled hands twitching as he forced himself to meet the Sith's gaze. He felt his heart hammering in his chest, each beat echoing.

"You sent your men after the one selling the relic this morning," Ali continued. His tone was measured, as if discussing something mundane, but the weight behind his words made the Trandoshan shiver. "Tell me. How did you know who he was, and how did you find him?"

The Trandoshan's yellow eyes darted to his companions. The Chiss lord looked away, feigning indifference, while Dran's gaze remained fixed on the floor. The mercenary groaned faintly but offered no support. The alien gritted his teeth, knowing he was on his own.

"I… I have a spy in the auction," he began hesitantly, his voice low and trembling. "He described the seller, and I sent word to my people to search for anyone matching the description."

Ali's masked face betrayed no reaction, which only made the Trandoshan more nervous. He swallowed hard and continued, his claws digging into the floor.

"One of the girls told my men about a customer of hers who fit the description. I ordered them to move immediately, but… he killed my boys and escaped."

The Trandoshan finished speaking, his head lowering slightly as if bracing for punishment.

Ali tilted his head. "The spy in the auction. You mean the warehouse head," he said coldly, revealing the identity of the informant.

The Trandoshan's eyes widened. "Y-Yes. It was him," he stammered, shocked at the Sith's knowledge.

'So that letter was for him,' Ali mused, recalling the letter he read in the warehouse.

A pained groan broke the silence.

UGH!

Ali's gaze snapped to the mercenary, who clutched his broken arm, his body trembling from the unbearable pain.

Ali raised a single finger to his mask and made a slow, deliberate shush gesture.

"Shhhhh…"

"You make another sound, and I'll break the other one," Ali warned, his voice devoid of sympathy.

The mercenary immediately clenched his jaw shut, his teeth grinding together as he tried to suppress the agony coursing through him.

Ali turned his attention back to the room. "Listen carefully, all of you," he began, his voice low but menacing. "The relic is leaving with me tomorrow. And you three are going to do everything I tell you—and more—to make sure that happens. If you or anyone under you opposes me then…"

He leaned forward, his gaze sweeping over the trembling men. "You will become the enemies of the Empire. And we do not tolerate traitors."

The room fell deathly silent, the weight of his threat settling over them like a heavy cloak.

"Trandoshan," Ali said, pointing directly at him. The alien stiffened, his body coiled like a spring.

"Tomorrow, your men will surround the underground entrance to the auction. Watch every person who enters. You will have descriptions of individuals to keep an eye on."

The Trandoshan nodded quickly, his voice trembling as he replied, "O-Of course. Whatever you command, my men and I will follow."

Ali leaned back into the couch, his posture exuding dominance. "Good. You can leave now."

"Thank you," the Trandoshan said, relief washing over him as he moved to stand.

"What do you think you're doing?" Ali's icy tone stopped him mid-motion, freezing him in place.

The Trandoshan's heart skipped a beat. "I-I'm leaving…"

"I never said you could walk," Ali replied, his voice dripping with disdain.

The Trandoshan's jaw tightened as he realised what was coming.

"Crawl… out. Like a dog."

The room went completely still. The Chiss and Dran exchanged uneasy glances, neither willing to intervene. All eyes turned to the Trandoshan, waiting for his response.

The gang leader clenched his fists so tightly that his claws dug into his palms. He wanted to refuse, to lash out, but the oppressive aura of the Sith crushed any defiance before it could manifest. Slowly, he dropped to all fours, his claws scraping against the floor as he crawled toward the exit.

Ali scoffed audibly, his disdain echoing through the room. The Trandoshan's humiliation was complete. He had left with his life but lost his dignity.

Outside the VIP room, Drogath leaned casually against the wall, his massive frame blocking the corridor. His yellow eyes gleamed with amusement as he watched the Trandoshan emerge on all fours, his head lowered in shame.

The Tradoshan's face was red with anger from the shame and humiliation he just experienced.

"What's that look for?" Drogath rumbled, his voice deep and mocking.

The Trandoshan froze, his gaze darting up to the towering figure in the black armour before him. "N-Nothing. I'm sorry…" he stammered, his voice quivering with fear.

Drogath smirked beneath his helmet, clearly enjoying the alien's misery. Without another word, the Trandoshan continued crawling down the corridor.

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