General Saul writhed anxiously inside his armored shell. He hated waiting. The act of anticipation with a state of idleness was nerve racking. There were so many things that needed doing, it felt like such a waste. Yet this meeting was important. It wasn't everday that the Mandalore asked for an audience with the Hutts.

Outside the blackness of space was lit by the glowing ball of Nar Shaddaa, offset by the gleaming green planet behind it.

Looking away from the transparisteel window, Saul was reminded that he was on a ship. It made him shudder.

The Hutt Council decided that they would send a delegation to meet with the Mandalore. For fear that the Mandalorians might kill everyone in some double-cross, they decided to only send one of Generals of the Triumvirate, Saul.

"A pity we don't have an ambassador right now." Saul chuckled.

The Hutt's last abassador was fed to a sarlacc for embezzling funds with a Black Sun casino on Inner Rim. The Council would have been fine with it as long as they got there cut, unfortunately the ambassador was too greedy for his own good.

Thus in absence of any real ambassador, Saul sat waiting with a handful of other Hutts with various backgrounds. Each represented some factor of Hutt Space, just in case the Mandalorians really did have something to offer. Hutt's had a deep passion for dealing and the opportunity to get their hands on some genuine Mandalorian beskar was just too good a chance to pass up.

Still, Saul didn't like meeting them here on unarmed luxury yacht out in space. It made him feel uncomfortable naked with so little protection. If the Mandalorians decided to play hard ball, there would be absolutely nothing to stop them.

Just one more sign that the Hutt Council has lost the right to rule. Saul thought to himself. Such dark thoughts were becoming more predominant lately. More and more he found himself thinking about seizing power. Everyday it seemed more justified.

Cardeva the Hutt smiled as she slithered into the office of Saul, a member of the Hutt Council. He was grand and a man...just the way she liked it. She hadn't lived this long without learning a few things- her beauty could lead to good things. And right now, she needed a good thing. Her son Rualle had just been murdered by some thugs from the Zann Consortium after they discovered Cardeva's betrayal- for she had allied herself without since the Sith Purges.

She had realized she needed a new job, and Saul could provide it. Cardeva's intelligence had warned her of an impending visit from the Mandalore, and she knew she would be ripe for a job as being Saul's ambassador.

And so, as she slithered into Saul's office she said, "Your Leige, what may I do you for?"

Saul looked away from the viewport and over at Cardeva. She was one of the Hutts who had come with him to meet the Mandalore. He wasn't exactly sure what her expertise was, but he had no doubt that there was some reason for her presence.

He straightened a little now that he was in the presence of a lady. "Please Cardeva, call me Saul." Inclining his armored head, he made a small bow. "Do you need any refreshment?' He asked as he casually beckoned a servant droid.

She politely refrained.

Briefly he returned his mind to her question. "To be honest, I could use someone who the economic and political spheres of our Empire. If the Mandalore has come to deal, I'll need to know what we have to offer, and what we can afford to give away. My expertise is mostly in military matters, my dear. What might your field of experience be?" His tone revealed that he was genuinely curious.

She smiled at him- so niave. She slithered her way besides him and let her stubby fingers dribble down his armored shell. Cardeva then giggled and slithered away from him, her back to him. "General, I have been alive for hundreds of years and for that I am a master at diplomatic arrangements. Though I do admit my way of handling them are a little...different than you might know."

Cardeva let her voice linger on different and turned back to face Saul. "I happen to be very adapt at giving men what they most desire, and that usually results in something beneficial for me. I remember it all started with this man- and oh what a man he was. He was to be my husband...not even our species difference could separate us. But anyway, my point stands that I am a...firm negotaitor."

Though her charm might have stirred the heat inside of him, Saul was not so convinced it would work on the Mandalore. "Cardeva, my dear, you may be a very attractive woman, but human eyes are very different. I'm doubtful that the Mandalore would be so easily manipulated by your wiles. Not unless you plan to have some half naked human serving girls dancing around him."

Who knows. He thought. Maybe she did.

"Saul, my dear, I believe you underestimate my beauty," Cardeva purred, once again slithering up to him. "I once captivated the love of a human male- and after his death, married another. For my beauty knows no bounds, and I am ageless."

Cardeva saw Saul's doubtful look and said, "Oh, you will see. Besides, if I somehow were not able to lure the Mandalore by my self, I have the uses and money to hire him someone to finish the job I failed to do. And what is better? An alliance- or a dependancy?"

"A dependency on what?" Saul asked quietly, and Cardeva said, "Why- on me silly. Or whoever I hire to replace me. Women like me...one dose is not enough."

Saul was about to counter when his comlink beeped.

"General, the Mandalore has arrived."

"Very well, give him docking instructions. Tell him I'll meet him personally in the hangar."

"Yes sir, General."

Saul turned toward Cardeva who would've been able to overhear the conversation. "The Mandalore has arrived, if you want, you can put your unmatched beauty to the test. I'm going to meet him in the hangar."

Out the door, through the hallway, and a short trip in the turbolift brought them quickly to the hangar. By the time they slithered out onto the deck, the Mandalore's shuttle was already setting down.

It was a nice looking shuttle. All hard angles but with a nice bird of prey look to it. The paint job was two tone, dark and light gray. Saul also noticed that two big cannon slots stood empty on the wings.

So the Mandalore is capable of diplomacy. Now this is a surprise.

With a gush of air, the shuttle's ramp came down. Two Mandalorians walked out in full Mandalorian armor, both of them carrying some sort of pole axe which looked very ceremonial. After a moment of waiting another Mandalorian walked down the ramp, this one wearing a ghostly silver armor. With the other two in the lead, and a third following, the Mandalore walked toward Saul and Cardeva.

Saul spoke first. "Welcome Mandalor, as representatives of the Hutt Council and all of Hutt Space we greet you, su'cuy burc'ya." Saul hoped he pronounced his mando'a correctly.

Ixtren was surprised to hear the Hutt speak mando'a, about as surprised as he was to see a Hutt in full armor.

I didn't know the Hutt's even had armor.

He heard the Hutt greet himself as Saul Shell Baco as well as introducing the female Hutt who stood behind him as Cardeva.

A Shell Hutt, I should have known. They all wear armor, though I don't recall them being so capable looking. And a female Hutt too. Strange surprises indeed.

Ixtren faced both of the Hutts, ignoring their escorts. "I am Ixtren Wallonis, or as some call me, Mandalore the Sanguine. I am please to make your acquaintances."

Saul hesitated. Ixtren Wallonis. Mandalore the Sanguine. So the rumors were true, the Mandalorians had chosen a new Mandalore. He was surprised that the Mandalorians would make such a pragmatic choice. The galaxy at large was steadfastly sure that the Mandalore would have ruled on in exile until the day he died.

Perhaps he did.

Saul broke himself off from his thoughts and looked back up at the Mandalore. "Lord Mandalore, please, let us escort you to the meeting chambers. We have food and refreshments available as well." He waved the Mandalore to follow him.

So the group made their way to the meeting room. It was a large oval shaped chamber with high ceiling, luxury chairs, and modest sized table in the center with embedded holo displays and data pads. Saul beckoned the Mandalore to take a seat while servant droids offered all their choice of refreshment and snack.

The Mandalore declined, taking only a glass of water. Saul chose some swamp tea and a plate of sweet buns, knowing that he'd want to keep his stomach from growling during the meeting.

"So Lord Mandalore, what is it that you've come here to discuss?"

"First let me make sure that you," He swept his hand to indicate all in the room, "represent the voice of the Hutt Council and by that, Hutt Space."

Saul replied that this was true.

"Good. Now the reason I have come here is that I'm looking for allies. For far too long my people have tried to do things by themselves. I think it's time to change that. So while my ambassador is meeting with the representatives of the Imperial Empire, I've come here to open the way for the Hutt Empire."

---

"An alliance?" Saul said in complete surprise.

---

The Mandalore continued on. "I've come here as the absolute leader of my people. I'm fully empowered to make any decision. I want allies, economic, military, whatever you can afford to offer and are willing to commit to. I just need to know what it is you want in return for such an alliance."

---

Saul was quiet, very quiet. This was far more than he was expecting. An alliance with the Mandalorians...and possibly the Imperials if what the Mandalore was saying was true.

If the Hutts were to join such an alliance, our power would be unstoppable. We could crush the GA and their pathetic government...

That's when Saul really began to think about the situation. What was the Mandalore up to? Did he want to fire up another crusade? And if he did, and if this alliance was formed, did Saul want to be a part of that?

Yes.

"Mandalore, I must say that this comes somewhat as a shock. We expected that there would be some bargaining, but nothing on so grand a scale. That said, on behalf of the Hutt Council, I am very interested in this alliance. I'm not sure if you know or not, but we Hutts now have a fleet. We have no shortage of material or manpower, yet the value of genuine Mandalorian beskar...well...that would be something we could use."

---

Beskar. It was the one wild card that everyone wanted and the Mandalorians were so lucky to hold.

Beneath his emotionless helmet, Ixtren smiled. "I can offer you 100 tons of beskar gen III per month. You provide the escorts and we'll provide the haulers."

---

Now Saul was salivating. One hundred tons! That was enough to refurbish all his vessels with new armor plating. He could even use it for his starfighter wings and gunboats.

"What would be the terms of this alliance?"

---

"All we ask in return is mutual support. Economically Mandalore has no wants. We have plenty of manpower, credits, and raw goods. What we don't have is time. Time needed to rebuild our security forces so we can defend ourselves against pirates or raiders. The Mandalore system is extremely vulnerable at the moment. What we want is to remedy that. You have ships. Perhaps you could send a small task force to our system to be refitted with new beskar plating. If for some reason we were to come under attack, your task force could aid the Mandalorian system's defenses. In time, as we rebuild, it may be necessary for your assistance in military matters outside Mandalorian Space..."

Ixtren saw the the shift in Saul's posture. There was no doubt he'd caught the hint.

"You may even be able to assist us in lending some of your shipyards to us. We have the crews to man them and our own supplies, but again, it takes time to build shipyards and most of ours were captured or destroyed in the war."

---

Saul delved deeply into thought. There was no mistaking what the Mandalore had implied. He did indeed plan to restart the war. In time as he so delicately put it. How long that would be, Saul did not know. Then again, he did not care either. The sooner the better as far he was concerned. For Saul it was a chance to unleash the Hutt's vengeance upon the galaxy. Time to remind them the power of the Hutts.

"Lord Mandalore, I speak here for this committee. My voice is the one that counts. Your offer is in accord with our interests. However, there may be two points which we would like to address." Saul turned to Cardeva, the only other person present whose voice he respected. "Cardeva, is there anything with the Mandalore's proposal which you would like to add upon? If not, then I think we have a deal."

The Mandalore's proposal did indeed shock Cardeva, and she was known to pounce on something she liked. "Saul, I believe you would be a downright fool to refuse this alliance. An alliance with the Mandalorians would get the Hutts back into the thick of things."

She slithered over to the Mandalore and purred, "Besides, Lord Mandalore looks like a worthy person to deal with."

"Excellent!" Saul turned toward the Lord Mandalore. "The other point is of a more personal nature." He turned his head around toward Cardeva. "If you could excuse us, my lady."

Cardeva hesitated. She obviously didn't like be put out of the conversation. But Saul was relieved when she consented and left the room, though he had a nagging feeling that she might have planet a listening device in the room.

Oh well, no time for security sweeps now. Saul approached the Mandalore. "Lord Mandalore, you may be the absolute ruler of your people, but here in Hutt Space we are ruled by a council. It has been like this for ages long forgotten, but it has also been tradition for the strongest Hutt clan to rule the council. And naturally, the leader of that clan becomes the leader of the Hutts." Taking a moment to pause, Saul slithered a few meters away to look out a viewport on the wall. The grandness of space reminded him of the task before him. "Right now the Gejalli clan holds that place. Raza Gejalli Thokka holds sway over the council. But...his power is weak. He holds his position on the monetary strength of his criminal empire. I, on the other hand, have the power of the Hutt Fleet. The fools on the council still don't comprehend the true power that I've cultivated with the fleet, though that hasn't stopped them from trying to curb my power."

---

"The Triumvirate."

---

Saul nodded at the Mandalore. "That is correct. Three admirals in mutual control of the fleet. However one of those admirals is already under my command. My only obstacle is Admiral Waroo."

---

"So why don't you eliminate him yourself?" Ixtren was beginning to see where this was going. The Hutt was going to ask him for a favor. Some help dealing with rivals. The Mandalore did have to admit that dealing with just one Hutt would simplify things, especially when that one Hutt was indebted to him.

---

"Admiral Waroo Anjiliac Chiera is brother to Sodora Anjiliac Chiera. Sodora is in turn the leader of the Anjiliac kajidic. When I kill Waroo, his brother Sodora will declare war on me and my clan. The Shell Hutts will be at war with the Anjiliacs. Meanwhile I have to worry about Raza." Saul turned from the viewport to look at Ixtren. "If I take one out, then the other one is free to retaliate. Taking both of them out will bring all the clans into an uproar. And that is where the problem lays, Lord Mandalore. It is nothing for me, but for you, having Hutt Space in such turmoil...well, it would certainly be the kind of mess that wouldn't help our alliance.

---

Now Ixtren understood. "You control two thirds of the Hutt Fleet, which you will use to attack Waroo and Sodora, and at the same time you need me to sack Raza."

---

"Almost, but not quite." Saul slithered closer. "I already have an assassin in place to take care of Waroo. My hand picked successor to his command will hand over Waroo's fleet to mine. With the entire Fleet in my control, I can bully Raza into recognizing my authority as the new leader of the clans. He will have no choice. What I need, however, is someone to infiltrate the Anjiliac's territory and kill Sodora. The death of his brother will lead him to madness. The only cure for that is death. Without him, his clan will also acknowledge my power."

Ixtren stood there silently in his armor as he appraised the metallic slug before him. He liked the way this Hutt thought. Unlike most of his kind, Saul was a fighter. Better yet, a warrior. It was the first time Ixtren ever recalled hearing of a Hutt ascend to power via military might rather than criminal empire.

It was a change he liked.

"Saul, you have a deal." Ixtren put out his hand and together the two armored beings shook in agreement. "As a token of my appreciation, I will personally see to the demise of this Sodora the Hutt. I assume there's no absolute rush on this?"

Saul shook his massive head no.

"Good. I'll need to head back to Mandalorian space to prepare some things. I'll contact you by comlink when I'm ready. You give me the go ahead, and Sodora is dead."

And so the Mandalorian-Hutt alliance was born.