Chapter Five
The next day was an early started for both Murata and RA. At the crack of dawn they had been woken up by Enacca who seemed unusually chirpy and active. Murata changed back into her usual, not wanting to wear her battle or formal clothes for a meeting. On finishing getting dressed, she left the confines of her ship, along with RA, and joined Enacca down on the platform.
"What's with the wakeup call?" asked Murata, folding her arms over her chest as though cold.
"I managed to schedule a meeting," explained Enacca. "But it's for this morning and we must leave now if we are to make it."
"Is it within walking distance?" asked Murata unsurely.
"Yes," said Enacca. "But we must leave now."
"Alright," said Murata, holding up one hand before turning towards the ship. "RA, let's go and lock up on the way out."
After a few moments of silence, the sound of turning gears reached them and within seconds, Murata spotted RA coming down the ramp. As soon as the ship was secure, they left with Enacca leading the way. Murata skipped ahead a few steps to walk along beside her.
As they walked, Murata let the scenery rush by them as the memories of her dream flooding back and a cold chill ran down her spine. She had been stuck in a city filled with lights that were being torn apart and stomped on by a gigantic rancor. Even now she could hear the screams within her head as the people attempted to flee.
Even from a far distance, she could see the beast that threatened them all and she attempted to run, along with everyone else, but no matter how fast she ran, she got nowhere. The roaring behind her got louder and louder, eventually deafening her to all other sounds. It then caught up and grabbed hold of her and within one swift moment, she was falling, falling straight into the mouth of the beast.
"I must warn you of something," said Enacca.
Murata shook her head, forgetting the dream that plagued her last night and she looked up at her old friend. "Of what?" enquired Murata.
"Terak is not a Wookiee to be trifled with," warned Enacca. "If you are disrespectful in any way, he will not hesitate to cancel dealings with you immediately. Only speak when spoken to."
"No problem," said Murata with a wave of her hand. "Do you know him personally?"
"A little," admitted Enacca. "Although not enough to call him a friend."
Murata nodded, showing that she understood but she said nothing more on the subject. The dealings her friend had were none of her business and so she left it alone. Murata continued following Enacca in silence, only the sound of RA's gears behind them and the insects in the forest accompanied them through.
After about fifteen minutes, Murata noticed the jungle seemed to be getting thicker and warmer and before long they arrived at a giant, hollowed out wroshyr tree. There was no one outside nor anyone near it to speak with and Murata followed Enacca inside. The inside abruptly widened and aside from the wooden furniture and modest fixtures, the place almost looked like a warehouse.
There was only one other occupant and he was standing far on the opposite side. Murata gave Enacca a questioning look but her friend didn't even glance down as she moved further into the room. Murata did the same although kept a few paces behind Enacca, wanting to be sure before diving in head first. RA was last inside and seconds after a door slammed shut behind him, making him jump and yelp in fright.
"Oh, mistress!" he exclaimed. "The door, it just-"
"Shh!" hushed Murata sharply, glaring at him. "Save it for later. I need you to focus."
The droid gave a few second vacant stare before nodding once. "My apologies, mistress," said RA sincerely. "It will not happen again."
Murata doubted the droid's statement but she didn't question it as it wasn't the appropriate time. On turning back she saw Enacca greet the other Wookiee and each took a seat. Murata approached and took the empty one beside Enacca, locking eyes with Terak as she did so. He was a very tall Wookiee with dark fur that was almost black and he had sharp black eyes that held a piercing stare.
"You are Murata," said Terak with great confidence. "I have heard of you."
"All good I hope," said Murata with a smile.
"I do not understand," said Terak with slight confusion.
The smile on Murata's face suddenly vanished and she held her breath as the next words left her mouth, hoping that she hadn't accidentally spoken out of turn. "I just mean that I hope everything you've heard about me is good," explained Murata.
"Of course," said Terak, seemingly to understand, if only slightly. "Your heroics the other day have spread far through the wroshyr trees. I commend you on your performance. It was not only outstanding for a human but even more so for a human child."
"Thank you," said Murata slowly, not sure if she was being patronised or not.
"Now," said Terak, moving on. "I understand you want to trade."
"What makes you say that?" asked Murata curiously.
"Why else you have come to see me?" asked Terak. "My contact with humans is limited and rare and I do not just trade with anybody. Now, we'll see if we can help each other out. What do you wish to trade, human?"
"I have a stash of bowcasters, detonators and grenades that I wish to trade for alcohol," said Murata, getting straight to the point.
"Alcohol?" questioned Terak. "Of what possible need do you have of alcohol?"
"To sell," said Murata honestly. "My parents are deceased. It's just me and my droid and I need some way of supporting myself and trading is one way."
"Is another through casualties?" enquired Terak.
"Does it matter?" questioned Murata, leaning forward a little in the hard, wooden chair.
There was a moment's silence before Terak answered. "No," he said firmly. "Which alcohols did you have your mind set on?"
"Any," said Murata. "A number of them would fetch nice prices although to be completely honest, I was setting my sights on the Wookiee Wango, Grakkyn, the Thikkiian brandy and the Garrmorl."
The large room went silent again as a look passed between Murata and Terak. The young human's face remained impassive throughout the entire stare, concentrating to keep her control and not let the opportunity slip through her fingers. As she stared back, she couldn't help but noticed the similarities of this Wookiee compared to Karra. They both saw her as nothing but a human and their tone of voice showed what they really thought.
It was another few, tense minutes before the look on Terak's face relaxed somewhat and he leaned back in his chair. "You have a deal, human," said Terak. "I will also give you Gorimn wine and Truvvhhurrian Ale. How does that sound?"
"Like a good deal," said Murata, the smile reappearing. "The only thing I'm left wondering is how to get it all to my ship..."
"Do not worry," said Terak, dismissing her concern. "I have people who will begin the transaction immediately. I trust the weapons are on board your ship?"
"Yes," said Murata nodding. "A few can retrieve them while the others place the alcohol in the cargo hold."
"Good," said Terak, getting to his feet. "Return to your ship and they will be there. I hope you have a safe trip to wherever you are going after here. Perhaps one day we will meet again."
"Perhaps," said Murata, getting up as well.
Terak turned and walked away from them and Murata turned around and head for the door, knowing that Enacca wasn't far behind. As soon as they were out, Enacca gave Murata a congratulatory pat on the back and RA was coming towards her rapidly, his hands waving in the air excitedly.
"Mistress, you did it!" called RA. "The shipment provided could sustain you for months."
"Let's hope," said Murata, smiling broadly. "Let's get back to the ship."
In the same amount of time that it took to get here, they were back on the landing platform. Murata stepped up and saw crates and crates of alcohol already lining the platform, ready to be stored away. The smile on Murata's face remained and she unlocked the ship so they could start loading them up. As they did so, a few of them retrieved the weapons and stacked them neatly to the side.
"I suppose you're leaving then?" said Enacca.
Murata turned to look at her old friend. "Yes, I guess so," she said shrugging. "I don't think it will be long until I come back."
"That's what you said last time," quipped Enacca.
"I promise it won't happen again," said Murata. "I really do appreciate your help with this. I couldn't have done it without you. If you ever need anything..."
"There is no debt, child," said Enacca kindly. "You have already repaid me in helping my cousin and his mate. I, we, could not have done it without you."
"You exaggerate," said Murata quietly. "You would have found a way without me. I know you. You wouldn't have just given up. I just happen to arrive at the right time in order to be of help."
A few loud footsteps grabbed the attentions of both Murata and Enacca. They watched as Karra, his mate Satakk and a few others that were in the jungle with them, walked up towards the platform and crowded around, making it as though they were a large group.
"We have much to thank you for," said Satakk kindly. "I appreciate you attending our wedding."
"It was fun," said Murata honestly.
"We will see you the next time you come here, child," said Karra in a firm tone. "You are always welcome in our home."
"Thank you," said Murata, inclining her head forward a little. "I'm just happy that everyone got out safe and well. Now, I do apologise but I do have to be going," she added, noticing that Terak's workers had finished.
"Of course," said Enacca. "Safe journey."
Murata looked at everyone and gave a big smile and wave to all as she boarded her ship along with RA. They both went to the cockpit and took their seats. Murata started up the engines and loved the hum of the hyperdrive. With a final wave out the view window, Murata took the ship up and flew up towards the open sky.
As soon as they were clear of the planet's atmosphere, they entered hyperspace and Murata relaxed in her chair. The same smile from before was still present on her face. She couldn't wait to get to their next destination. The fact that the trade had gone through was a great thing for her and the money could make the world of difference.
With her thoughts lingering on the contraband, Murata got to her feet and excused herself from the cockpit. RA barely registered her getting up and leaving and Murata breathed a sigh of relief at that, knowing that the questions that could follow would be endless.
Murata's footsteps barely made a sound as she made her way down the corridor, heading towards the cargo hold. On entering she turned and quickly checked to see that it was still clear and she closed the door. She headed to the closest crate and picked up one of the many flasks inside. From just one look Murata knew what it was, Thikkiian brandy.
The metal top screeched as she twisted it loose and she settled it in the palm of her hand. With only a single look at the brown liquid inside, Murata had a sudden urge to try a taste. The warnings Enacca had given her echo within her head but they were quickly quashed as the urge grew.
Without giving it another thought, Murata brought the mouth of the flask to her lips and she tipped it up and sipped at the liquid inside. A small amount ran down the back of her throat, burning it the whole way down. Murata lurched forward and coughed deeply, her body convulsing with subtle movements of each muscle as air was forced into her body and back out again.
In seconds, her head spun with confusion and dizziness soon set in. Murata closed her eyes for a moment before putting the cap back on the flask and placing it back in the crate with the others which was a difficult task considering she couldn't see straight.
After a few frustrating minutes, Murata managed to open the door and walk back down the corridor towards the cockpit but at a few metres away, she stopped, knowing that she was in no condition to pilot in this state and nor did she want RA to see her like this. The consequences of him finding out could be exasperating so she did the next best thing.
"RA, put on the autopilot and let me know when we get there," said Murata in a firm voice. "I'm going to take a small nap."
"Are you alright, mistress?" came RA's voice, full of concern, as she'd expected.
"Yes," said Murata. "I'm fine. I checked the merchandise again so don't worry about it. Just put on the autopilot."
"Yes, mistress," said RA.
From where she stood, Murata could hear the clicking on the console which told her that RA was doing as she instructed. Small beads of sweat seeped through the pores on her forehead and after wiping it, Murata turned around and went an adjoining corridor, wanting to get to her room as quick as possible.
At reaching the door, she hit the panel harder than ever before and locked the door behind her. With what seemed like a great effort, she collapsed on the bed and rolled over, hugging her stomach all the while. The sounds from the middle of her body worried her slightly but Murata knew it was her own fault for drinking something she shouldn't have.
As the gurgling continued, Murata made a mental note to thank Enacca for her warning. She hadn't been exaggerating when she said they were strong drinks. It was the strongest drink she'd ever tried. With that in mind, Murata managed to smile faintly. Drinks that strong were in high demand, all over the galaxy. She was going to make a small fortune with the loot in the cargo hold.