Finally, the banging stopped and the door slid open. A Weequay pirate swaggered into the room, his gun ready at his side. When he saw her, he gave her a wide grin. He was missing his front tooth.
"Now, what 'ave we here?" He approached the cell. "I didn't 'xpect a pretty slave on board. Would you like to get out of here, sweetie?"
"Yes, I would," she replied.
He plugged a device into the panel next to her cell. His fingers danced across the buttons until the plasma shield shut off. Azura suddenly shuddered. She didn't like the way his eyes gleamed.
"Got the chills, sweetie?"
She shrugged and stepped out of the cell.
"Oh, no, no, no. I don't think so."
The pirate grinned and grabbed both of her arms. He began pushing her against the wall of her cell. Blast it. Azura realized what a tedious situation she was in. She lifted a foot and slammed the edge of her stiletto heel on the pirate's toes.
"Eeeee-yeaaahh!" He squealed.
Azura took advantage of the situation and ran past him. She was nearly out of the cell room, when he grabbed her hair and yanked her back. She was about to let out a cry of pain, when the pirate pressed a clammy hand against her mouth.
"Shush, shush. Wouldn't want to draw attention to ourselves, would we? Would we?"
He pinned her to the floor. Suddenly, another pirate marched into the room. His massive frame took up the entire doorway.
"Was this? Not usin' the slaves 'fore boss says you can, are ya?"
The pirate pinning her flinched.
"Nah, was just testin' 'er reflexes for 'im, ya see?"
The bigger pirate raised his eye brows.
"Oh, yeah. I guess. Com'on. Boss said that we-"
"Have to be in and out. I know, I know."
The pirate pinning her yanked her up and pushed her in front of him.
They led her back into the hallway. The pirate led her out of the bounty hunter's ship, which was docked in the landing bay of the pirate's ship. Weequay pirates scurried around the landing bay, carrying cargo from one place to the next. Others were just moping around; they appeared to be drunk, but most watched her. Azura couldn't remember when she saw a ship this big from the inside. It's been so long since I've traveled… A sharp shove from the pirate brought her out of her thoughts. The area reeked of tobacco and grime. Azura almost tripped. The day seemed to be catching up with her. The adrenaline left her totally spent. Azura barely managed to stumble along. She vaguely recalled ridding a lift, but not much else. Finally, she was forced to her knees before a gnarled Weequay. He looked to be rather old, but in good health. The bounty hunter was already there, his arms were bound behind him and he was on his knees as well.
"Hondo, we found 'im and dis one on the ship. We 'aven't found any valuables."
The pirate leader, Hondo, stroked his chin.
"I see." His voice was slightly creaky. "Bounty hunter," he turned to A'rexon. "No valuables, save this gem," He gestured to her. "Aboard a bounty hunter's ship? Tsk-tsk-tsk. Surely there are more valuables?"
The pirate bent down and looked the Mandalorian in the eye. He remained silent.
"So disappointing. Very well, we will make up for these losses. We'll have to keep you here awhile." Hondo gave him a toothy grin. "Go get the girl something appropriate to wear."
She was led into a room. All around the room lounged female twi'leks, though Azura did see one Zeltron.
"Get 'her somethin' ta wear. See ya later, ladies." The pirate winked before slamming the door behind Azura.
A tall, graceful twi'lek approached Azura. Her eyes and skin were a brilliant emerald. She wore a black outfit, which barely covered what it needed to. She also wore a gauzy black skirt and a golden anklet. She looked over her with the cold eye of a horse dealer.
"Ever danced before?"
"No."
The twi'lek had a smug look on her face and snorted.
"Yurla, bring her something to wear."
A young beige twi'lek nodded and scurried towards a closet. The girl brought out a pale pink piece of cloth, embellished with silver. Azura swallowed and blushed, tinting her cheeks pink.
"I'm sorry, I said I don't dance."
"All or nothing."
"No, I-"
"They'll make you. I'm sure you'd rather do it yourself."
She could feel her face grow hotter.
"Fine." She hissed.
She snatched the cloth and willed herself to change. She'd never felt so humiliated. I'd much rather be a singer. She crossed her arms in front of her as the green twi'lek ushered her out.
"Since you don't dance, just lounge around with one of the pirates."
"No! Don't worry, I'll just copy your movements."
She shrugged. "Fine."
Azura stopped when she saw the crowd of Weequays gathered around Hondo. Her feet wouldn't budge any further. A sudden shove from behind made her step forward. She hated being in the spotlight. Most of them practically gaped at her. She saw the bounty hunter stare at her, but quickly lower his gaze. Her throat constricted and she suddenly felt the urge to cry. Azura turned to run, but the green Twi'lek grabbed her wrist.
"Do you want to dance or not?!" She hissed.
"No, I don't want to do any of this. I don't want to be a slave." She sniffled slightly and her eyes watered.
"Tough luck, sweetie."
She dragged her to the center of the room. The Twi'lek began to twirl in beat to the music. Azura moved stiffly, but a venomous look form the Twi'lek made her movements more fluid. She hated the way everyone watched her. She hated the look on their faces. She hated slavery. Finally, the dancing ceased. Different dancers replaced them. Azura felt weak and collapsed in a corner or the room. She was panting and sweating from the dance. Her body trembled slightly. She turned her face into the corner and let hot tears roll down her cheeks. She carefully stifled her sobs. She inhaled sharply through her nose, hoping it wouldn't run too much. She heard someone approach. Her whole body stiffened.
"I'm. Not. Dancing. I'd rather die."
"How about food?" Came a soft voice.
Azura turned around. It was Yurla. She held a platter a fruit, bread, and water.
"Not hungry," muttered Azura.
"Alright, I'll just put it right here."
Yurla gingerly set the platter down and left. Azura stared at the plate of food. Her stomach rumbled. She tentatively reached out and snatched a piece of bread. Before she realized it, she had scarfed down all of the food. Yurla came over with more food and told her she could go back to the slave room if she wanted to. Azura sprinted to the room and finished off the rest of her dinner. She quickly fell into a sound slumber.
She awoke in the middle of the night without knowing why. She shivered in her skimpy outfit. The rest of the Twi'leks were huddled together on sleeping mats. Azura cautiously stood up. She stood there in the dark, listening and watching for five minutes. She silently wove her way in between the sleeping dancers. She yanked on the door handle. Locked. She heard footsteps echoing in the hallway. She quickly laid down on the floor. The door creaked open. The pirate, her captor, peered in. Dim light streamed into the room, illuminating the sleeping Twi'leks. The pirate tip-toed towards a Twi'lek. Azura slipped out of the door. She exhaled soundlessly once she exited the room. She silently ran to the end of the hallway.
Azura came to the main room. Most pirates were snoozing. She hid in the shadows. Once, when she was hiding behind a column, she was sure that the bounty hunter had spotted her. He was in the same place she had last seen him. But if he had seen me, he would've alerted the others, she reasoned. For once, she was glad the pirates were so drunk. She ran to the bounty hunter's ship. It was, of course, sealed shut. She tried the other ships. All of them were locked up. Azura ran a hand through her purple hair, pondering how she was going to escape this stink pit. Suddenly, she formed a plan. Azura groaned inwardly. It would require the help of the bounty hunter. She slipped back into the main room. In an understated throne sat the pirate leader, Hondo. Her sharp eyes spotted a bulge in his pocket. The key? She snuck past piles of drunk pirates and made her way towards Hondo. Ever so gently, she slipped a metal card out of his pocket. He snorted slightly, but settled back into sleep. Her shoulders slumped in relief. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed her arm. His grip was surprisingly strong. What should I do?! Azura balled her hand into a fist and smashed his face. He froze. He fell down limply.
She sighed quietly before making her way towards the bounty hunter. She knelt down and looked at his visor. Azura tapped his shoulder. He was awake. He tilted his head towards her and looked at her in silence. She inhaled sharply.
"Alright, let's make a deal."
He watched her silently. She saw the he was deliberately trying to look only at her face.
"I need your ship to escape. I'll release you if you give me my freedom and drop me off at the planet of my choice."
Something about this negotiation made her feel proud. She was now the bounty hunter's superior. She had his fate in her hands.
"What if I say no?" He whispered.
"Well, then I leave you here and find another way to escape."
"There isn't another way."
"Look, bounty hunter, I control your fate now. You can stay here in captivity or we can escape. You don't have any other options."
"Neither do you."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You're not free yet. You only came to me because there's no other way out. I can put you in the same situation I'm in by merely shouting. Then you'd be right back to where you started."
Azura considered this. She threw a nervous glance at one of the snoozing pirates.
"What do you want?" She looked him dead in the eye.
"You're resourceful," he started.
"So?" She hissed.
"Here's the deal. I keep you as my slave, but I don't lock you in the prison cell."
"That's not fair! What kind of a deal is that?"
"Look, your situation is worse than mine. Take it or leave it."
"No, I need my freedom."
"Deal or no deal. I'm going to wake the guards in ten seconds."
"What?! Are you crazy?"
"Ten."
"Look, you can get another slave."
"Nine."
"Just leave me somewhere."
"Eight."
"Don't do this. Neither of us can escape after this."
"Seven."
"Don't you want to escape?!"
"Six."
"Don't!"
"Five."
"Please!"
"Four. Three."
"No!"
"Two."
"Listen to me!"
"One-"
"Fine!"
He paused.
"Take the restrainers off."
He turned his back towards her. She let out a quiet half sob half sigh, but acquiesced. After the restrainer had been removed, he massaged his wrists and rolled his shoulders.
"Come on," he whispered.
Azura followed him soundlessly. No freedom. How could I let him manipulate me like that? They reached the ship without delay. The bounty hunter was entering the code when Azura suddenly felt cold metal touch her neck.
"Step away from the ship, mate."
The bounty hunter froze and turned around. Azura could feel the hot, rotten breath of someone behind her. She began breathing harder and faster.
"Now, just step away slowly."
The bounty hunter stood frozen to the spot. The pirate behind her tightened his grip on her and pushed knife against her neck. Just when she thought he wouldn't obey, he did. To her shock, he stepped away from the ship.
"Good, now just-"
Azura sharply elbowed him in the stomach.
"Oof!" His grip loosened.
She was tearing herself out of his grip when he grabbed her again. She struggled away, but not before he sliced her leg. She hissed and fell to the ground. The pirate was preparing to jump on top of her when the bounty hunter tackled him. With a sickening 'crunch' Azura knew the pirate was no more. She looked back. The bounty hunter stood up and was dusting himself off. The pirate laid limply on the ground. His neck was twisted at an awkward angle and his eyes were glazed over. Azura sat there, holding her leg and staring at the pirate. She turned her gaze towards the bounty hunter when she realized he was staring at her. Without a word, he scooped her up into his arms. Azura was surprised by this gesture, but held onto his neck anyway.
