After getting the necessary credentials and information from Khasto, Daimon didn't waste any time and took his shuttle to the nearest city district where he could observe Hutt society firsthand. The transport descended through the urban sprawl that surrounded the palace. Daimon imagined that most of the people living around the palace were slaves, servants, and more gangs of criminals.
Sera sat across from him; her mind focused on the meeting that they just had with the Hutt's whom she has started to refer to as 'slugs'. "That went better than expected. I thought there might be violence."
"The Hutts are pragmatic above all else," Daimon replied, watching the cityscape through the viewport. "They recognized that attacking us would be unprofitable. Everything with them comes down to money and power. We offered both."
"Still, we should remain cautious. I can sense that some of them have ulterior motives. They may be planning something even now." Said Elara, she was getting some bad vibes from the Hutts.
"Of course they are," Daimon said with a smile. "But so are we. The difference is that we have nothing they can take by force, and if they do attempt to do something I will just have to show them where they actually stand in the galaxy."
The transport landed in a public spaceport near one of Nal Hutta's major entertainment districts. As the ramp descended, the air reeked of industrial waste mixed with exotic spices. Holographic advertisements flickered on every available surface, advertising everything from weapons to slaves to various forms of entertainment that would be illegal in most civilized systems.
What Daimon took note of was how holographic technology seemed to be used by most civilizations. This was probably due to the Rakata having controlled the galaxy or just due to thousands of years of advancement by space faring empires.
The streets were filled with life from dozens of species. Twi'leks, humans, Nikto, Weequay, and countless others moved through the crowded streets, some conducting legitimate business, but most engaged in the thriving criminal enterprises that formed the backbone of Hutt economy.
Daimon stepped off the ramp with Elara and Sera flanking him, while Lord Maxim and four Empyrean Guards formed a protective perimeter. The remaining guards stayed with the shuttle. Almost immediately, every conversation within fifty meters ceased as people turned to stare at the massive alien moving through their midst.
A human thief who was looking to pickpocket somebody took one look at Daimon and decided to find easier prey elsewhere. A group of Gamorrean enforcers had turned their attention to Daimon and his entourage, weary of who this alien was and how he was able to land at the port.
"Halt!" shouted one of the enforcers. "Who are you?" asked the Gamorrean whom Daimon figured to be the lead enforcer of the group.
Daimon grabbed the credentials that he was given and handed them over. "I was given these by the Grand Hutt Council."
The Gamorrean took them and looked over them, confirming that they were valid. "Alright, but you have to pay a travelers fee." Daimon looked at the man and thought 'I see how this is going to go'
"Now since you're new, you probably don't have any money." he said as he looked behind Daimon, eyeing Elara and Sera. "You can pay in other ways. I wouldn't mind taking those two and having a….." he wasn't able to get his last words out as Daimon punched him in the face, sending him flying about 50 meters into the side of a building.
Maxim and the Empyrean Guards readied themselves for a possible conflict as the other enforcers aimed their weapons at the group.
"You have 5 seconds to stop aiming those weapons at us or you will end up like your friend over there." Daimon said.
The Gamorreans looked at each other and started laughing, ignoring what happened to their leader just a few seconds earlier. One of them started to squeeze the trigger on their gun, but before they could fire, a Nikto Mercenary shouted from the distance. "STOP!"
The Gamorreans turned and looked to see who it was that interrupted them. "Lord Daimon, I am sorry for this situation. I was sent here by the Hutt Council to assist you in whatever you needed during your visit."
Seeing the man run up to them followed by a few mercenaries, the Gamorreans had lowered their weapons as they recognized the mercenary group as the personal guard of Clan Desil'jor, one of the five ruling clans. The Nikto mercenary approached Daimon with a respectful bow. "My name is Vekkar. I have been instructed to serve as your guide and ensure no... misunderstandings occur during your stay."
Daimon glanced at the Gamorrean who was slowly getting up from the rubble of the building he'd been thrown into. "A wise precaution from the council."
Vekkar followed Daimon's gaze and saw the Gamorrean who was thrown into a building. He then turned to the other enforcers. "Leave. Now. Before I inform your employer that you attempted to extort a guest of the Grand Council."
The Gamorreans hesitated for only a moment before retreating into the crowd, dragging their injured leader with them. The onlookers who had stopped to watch the confrontation slowly resumed their activities, though many continued to cast curious glances at the towering, purple-skinned alien who had sent a Gamorrean flying with a single punch.
"Forgive that unpleasantness," Vekkar said, turning back to Daimon. "The lower-level enforcers sometimes forget their place."
"Let's hope this doesn't happen again. Next time I won't be so lenient." Daimon replied. He was already wondering how the Hutts managed to maintain control for so long with such things happening on a daily basis. But then he remembered that when you have the monopoly on money and power, there are a ton of things that you can achieve.
"Now, I wish to observe your city. Take us somewhere that shows the true nature of Hutt society."
Vekkar's expression turned into worry. "The true nature? My Lord, much of what occurs in our cities is... not pleasant for outsiders." This wasn't his first time escorting outsiders, and every time he did, they've had the same reactions.
"I didn't come here expecting a paradise," Daimon said. "Show me what Hutt space really is."
Vekkar nodded slowly. "As you wish. Follow me."
The Nikto led them deeper into the entertainment district, away from the more sanitized areas near the spaceport. The buildings grew more decrepit, the crowds more desperate.
They passed slave markets where beings of a dozen species stood chained on platforms while buyers examined them like livestock. Daimon sensed Sera's anger through the Force, her hand moving unconsciously toward her lightsaber. He placed a hand on her shoulder, a silent reminder to maintain her composure, at least for now.
"These markets operate openly?" Elara asked as she silently controlled her own fury. Seeing how things were compared to how the Imperium was made her feel bad that these people were born here rather then anywhere else.
"Slavery is legal in Hutt space," Vekkar explained, unbothered by the sight as he had seen it hundreds of times. "It forms a significant portion of the economy. The Hutts claim to regulate it, but in practice..." He shrugged.
They continued through winding streets where the architecture became increasingly bizarre, a mix of ancient structures and modern additions that created a chaotic urban landscape. Gambling dens, spice parlors, and fighting arenas dominated every corner. The sounds of combat and celebration mixed with screams and desperate pleas.
Vekkar led them to a large arena where crowds gathered around a transparent barrier. Inside, two beings fought to the death while spectators placed bets. One combatant fell, and the crowd erupted in cheers or curses depending on their wagers.
"The fighting pits," Vekkar explained. "Some fighters are volunteers seeking glory or wealth. Most are slaves or debtors with no choice. The Hutts take a percentage of all bets."
Daimon watched for a moment, disgusted by this barbaric type of society that the Hutts had created. He could sense the desperation of the fighters, the bloodlust of the crowd, and the ruthlessness of the Hutt overseers managing the operation. This was a society built on exploitation, where life held value only in terms of profit.
"What happens to those who win their freedom?" Sera asked.
"Few ever do," Vekkar admitted. "The terms are designed to be nearly impossible. Those who somehow succeed usually end up in debt again within months. The system is designed to consume people."
They moved on, passing through what Vekkar called the "industrial quarter" where factories belched toxic fumes into the already polluted atmosphere. Workers, mostly slaves, operated machinery with minimal safety equipment. Daimon noticed several missing limbs or obvious chemical burns.
"Work-related injuries?" he asked.
"Common," Vekkar replied. "Replacement workers are cheaper than safety measures. The Hutt philosophy is that there are always more bodies available."
"The Hutts control everything," Vekkar continued as they walked. "Every transaction pays tribute. Every business operates under their license. Those who try to work independently..." He gestured to a corpse hanging from a lamppost, "The Hutts are efficient in their cruelty."
Daimon paused at an intersection where a group of children; humans, Twi'lek, and others he didn't immediately recognize huddled together picking through garbage.
They couldn't have been more than eight or nine years old. One spotted him and approached with his hand out. "Money, mister? Just a few? We haven't eaten in two days."
Daimon reached into his pocket and pulled out a few credit chips that were given to him alongside his credentials. He handed two to the boy causing the child's eyes to widen in disbelief before snatching them and running back to the others. Within seconds, they had disappeared into the city.
"Generous," Vekkar observed. "Though that will likely attract unwanted attention. Those children now have more wealth than many adults in this district."
"Then perhaps they'll have a chance to escape this place," Daimon replied.
"More likely they'll be robbed or killed for it before nightfall," Vekkar said. "This is the reality of Hutt space. Compassion is weakness. Mercy is foolishness. Only power and profit matter."
They continued their tour, and with each passing hour, Daimon's understanding of Hutt society deepened. It was a civilization built on a foundation of exploitation, where every interaction was transactional, where life had a price tag, and where morality was whatever served the interests of those in power.
Such a civilization was the opposite of what the Imperium stood for, and these types of civilizations were always branded as barbaric and were forcefully invaded and forced to adopt Imperial norms. The only problem was the fact that Hutt space was so far gone that conquering them would cause more problems than it would solve. Of course, there are other methods to causing change and Daimon was already considering these methods.
As they continued walking, Daimon sensed something familiar. It was the same as the Rakatan Vaults that he discovered on many worlds throughout the galaxy. "What's down here?" he asked turning in the direction that he sensed the potential Rakatan Vault from.
"That's some ancient Vault. It's controlled by the Hutt Grand Council so it's off limits and even I don't know what's in there." Vekkar replied.
'That's definitely a Rakatan Vault' thought Daimon. He was 100% sure and since he discovered this, there was no way he was going to let the Hutts control it.
He would discuss it with them in a few days during whatever gathering they were having in a few days. At the same time, he will determine how he will get rid of this massive criminal empire. The most optimal way was to build up a resistance and have them take over under his guidance. There were too many factors at play, and he wasn't going to mobilize the Imperial military, especially during the current state of the galaxy.
Starting a massive military campaign in place so far from Imperial space would give his enemies something to exploit. And he wasn't going to risk something like that.
Once they were done seeing how Hutt society worked, they returned to the Luminary and started to discuss what they had observed and what they should do.