12

Corso and she had barely stepped outside the Starla when they were accosted by a group of custom officers –a smuggler's best friends. She wanted to roll her eyes. Instead, she put on her best smile.

"Can I help you, Officer?"

The leader, Snotface, spoke up to her. "I'm agent Soganti with the Republic Custom Office. What brings you to my planet, Captain?"

His planet? "Last time I checked, Taris was Republic territory," which, funnily, she actually did, like two minutes ago.

"When you have as many responsibilities as I do, you develop a sense of ownership about a planet. The Republic Customs Office monitors all starship traffic and ensures no illegal goods are transported on or off this planet. There's a lot of contraband making its way around Taris. If you see anything suspicious, I suggest you report it immediately."

Hmm, that made sense. Lot's of nice thing must still be buried in the ruins of old Taris. That would make this planet one big party for grave robbers and scavengers.

"I sincerely have absolutely no idea what you're talking about, honest," she replied sweetly.

He snorted at her, taking a step closer, and started pacing. "That's right; you have 'solid citizen' written all over you. I take special interest in every new arrival to my planet, Captain," he said, stopping directly in front of her. "Keep your nose clean, and we won't have any trouble. Clear?"

Now, he was really making this personal. "Do you give this speech to everyone?" she asked, eyes narrowing slightly.

"Just the ones I think need to hear it. Enjoy your visit to Taris." With that, Agent Fancypants and his two goons went back to wherever they came from.

"Let's go find this Beryl Thorne, and hope she's not as thorny as those guys."

Corso blinked. Was he supposed to laugh? Because that was a really bad joke… "Uh, sure, Captain."

.

It was early morning on Taris and the sight that greeted them outside Olaris spaceport was…refreshing. Despite what Risha had said about 'the galaxy's biggest graveyard', Corso couldn't help but see the beauty of it. The greenness of the place reminded him a little of the ranch…

"It's not as bad as I thought." The Captain's voice brought him back to the present. "I have to say, for a moment, Risha's warnings kind of got to me, but our 'supervisor' probably never even put her dainty toes on Taris." She seemed to be sharing his good mood.

"That's quite possible, Captain," he agreed obligingly.

They easily located the meeting point. The warehouse hadn't been very far from the spaceport. The place appeared to be devoid of people, but they heard noise coming from the upper level.

"Argo, you're leaking oil again. You want to set this whole warehouse on fire?" a blonde woman -Beryl?- reprimanded.

"The maker said it is better to burn out than to rust away. Perhaps I am testing that wisdom, Mistress," the droid -Argo, replied cheekily.

Corso tried to imagine C2 talking to the Captain like that -and failed. He shook his head to clear it of the silly thought.

"I'm looking for Beryl Thorne."

"That's me." The woman turned around to face them. "Argo's what passes for my second-in-command," she gestured at the droid, revealing a scar running straight across her right eye and he briefly wondered if it had anything to do with her dislike of Risha. "I recognize you from the holo." She took a step forward, resting a hand on her hip. "Let's get one thing straight. The only reason I agreed to help is because my contract supplying the Taris reclamation project is at risk," she told them bluntly.

The Captain crossed her arms, but didn't say anything.

"Looked like easy credits. Turns out, Taris is anything but easy, and there are lots of interesting ways to die..." she said with a mirthless laugh.

The Captain lifted her shoulders noncommittally. "Why don't you just leave?"

"Can't afford to; not yet." Beryl gave a sigh.

.

Apparently, her old partner died on a supply run, which put her in a real bind. Basically, she needed them to help finish her contract so that she could get paid. In exchange, she would work on finding the vault.

"Can't your walking rust bucket handle things?" the Captain suggested.

"Not a chance. The scavengers would be on Argo like gundarks on fresh meat," Beryl replied.

Corso had to bite back a laugh at the horrified expression on the droid's robotic face.

"So, do we have a deal?"

"I guess I don't have a choice," the Captain answered.

"Good. I only have two deliveries left. As soon as you handle them, we'll find your vault. The first job is for a Republic scientist named Vernan. He's got a research camp in rakghoul territory."

Wait, did she say rakghoul?

"What exactly am I delivering?"

Seriously, Captain? The lady just mentioned rakghoul territory and all you have to ask is what the container holds?

"Some kind of sensor equipment; don't know what it's for. I'll start working on your job while you handle mine. Isn't cooperation grand?" Beryl remarked.

Corso was about to ask for a word with the Captain, when they were interrupted.

"Hello again, Captain. I didn't know you and Thorne were acquainted."

"Look, Agent Fancypants is back," Liling whispered to him, loud enough for all to hear.

"Agent Soganti, what a lovely surprise," Beryl cut in before things could get out of hands. "It's only been a day since your last inquisi…I mean, inspection. Don't you Republic Custom boys have better things to do than turn my warehouse upside-down again?" she continued a little warily.

The official smirked. "I can inspect this warehouse whenever I want. It's the law."

Who did he think he was, bullying people like that? Corso had to clench his jaws, least he made things worse.

"Take Doctor Vernan's delivery, Captain. There's no reason for you to stick around," Beryl told them. "Poke around the warehouse all you want, Agent. You won't find anything out of order," she said as the agent's men started rummaging through her crates.

"Ehh…what did I just step in, Thorne?" the agent exclaimed in disgust.

"My apologies, Sir; I believe that is my hydraulic fluid…"

Now, Corso better understood why Beryl seemed so attached to the droid.

"Are you gonna be okay?" the Captain asked, eyeing the custom officers.

"Don't worry about me, just come back when you are done with the first delivery," Beryl replied with a bitter smile.

A/N: I'm really glad there are still people reading. Thanks guys~

-although if I'm honest, your lack of opinion worries me a bit… XD