Torian stood again, pacing the small confines of the ship's lower deck. Periodically, he would pass the doorway to the crew quarters where Gault lay on one of the beds; each time, he paused briefly to look in at the Devaronian before resuming his pacing. He would then return to where he was previously sitting, only to stand and repeat the entire process again a minute later. As he paced, he tugged gently at the collar of the shirt he wore, wondering if it actually was a bit snug or if he was just nervous.

He paused his pacing yet again in the doorway. "They're late," he said. "Think something happened?"

Gault sighed, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. The kid was nervous, after all. It really couldn't be helped, even if it was trying his patience. "Torian, you've asked me that four times in the span of two minutes. It's as I told you before, they're young women. Sometimes, when young women are off on a task, they get distracted and they run a bit late." He shrugged. "If they ran into trouble, one of them would have called. Just be patient, kid."

Torian moved away from the doorway, resuming his pacing. "Hard to do when you're on edge," he replied.

"Hutt's breath, you're driving me up the wall, kid! Go...go take a walk outside or something. Get some air, clear your head." Gault was getting a bit annoyed, in site of his best efforts. Torian was a master fighter with a killer shot, but give him three tasks to work on when his mind shifted to Ky, and he was a lost cause. "I would really hate to have to explain to Ky why I tied you up and locked you in the cargo hold while she was gone..."

At that moment, his communicator beeped, indicating an incoming call. He pressed the button, and Mako's image slowly appeared. "Ah, there you are, Mako," he said cheerfully. "We were just talking about you and Ky."

"I hope you were saying good things about us," Mako replied. "I doubt Ky would be too pleased with you if you weren't."

"Oh, no. All good things, I assure you."

"Good. How's Torian doing?"

"About as jumpy as fleas on a bantha," Gault said, casting a look toward the doorway where Torian was standing again. "He's starting to get me edgy. Please tell me you two are on your way back."

Mako laughed. "Yes, we're on our way back," she said. "Sorry about that, we...kinda lost track of time. You'll understand when we get there. Mako out."

"There, you see?" Gault asked Torian as he put away his comm. "I told you it wasn't anything serious. Just a couple women wandering in a city with a lot of shops. Happens to the best of us."

Torian nodded. "Sorry. Just can't be sure sometimes," he said. "Especially in her line of work. Already had one bad run-in on this planet. Would hate to see there be two."

"You and me both," Gault stood, stretching his limbs. "You know, I've been cooped up on this ship all day. Why don't we both step out for some air while we wait for them to get back?" he asked. "We won't go far. Promise."

"This is such a bad idea. Why did I agree to it?" Ky murmured as they turned toward the outer wall of Kaas City. Every so often, she forgot how long her skirt was, and caught its bottom edge beneath the toe of her shoe. The only thing standing between her and a bad nosebleed upon hitting the walkway was Mako catching her before she fell. Even now, the young slicer walked a foot ahead of her, looking around at the various sites the city's outskirts held.

Mako rolled her eyes. "Oh, stop it," she replied. "You've been saying that over and over again practically since we left the shop. You agreed to it because I suggested it, and possibly because you secretly wanted to."

Ky folded her arms indignantly. "Oh, fine. Can I at least carry a blaster?"

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because it ruins the whole illusion." Mako stopped and turned to face her, hands on her hips. "A fine lady of Dromund Kaas does not feel the need to carry a blaster. Besides, it would clash with your dress."

"But...but I feel so exposed like this," Ky folded her arms over her chest. "I really feel vulnerable. I'd prefer carrying some kind of weapon, especially if some thug mistakes me for a noble and decides to try robbing us."

"If anyone tries, leave them to me," Mako replied.

They walked in silence the rest of the way out of the city. Ky didn't look around the way Mako did, but she swore she received the oddest looks from others they passed. She studied their faces briefly whenever their eyes met hers; some were puzzled as to who she was. Others looked almost enamored with her, as though she were a goddess gracing their presence. The faces of still others will difficult to read, so she simply gave up. Her nerves were talking, she always studied faces when she was nervous as a way to calm her mind and sharpen her thoughts. But she was thankful that no one approached them, let alone tried to bother them.

Ky nearly cried with relief when she saw the ship slowly coming into view ahead of them. Because Crysta had asked them to be discreet, they had not landed the Mantis at the spaceport. Instead, they had touched down in a lightly-wooded area a short distance from Kaas city. It was perfect for discretion, not so perfect to hike back and forth from, especially when one was dressed in fine clothing. With only a few feet to go, she was already getting tired, something that almost never happened when she was in armor.

"Home sweet home," Mako said. "And look. It seems the boys got tired of waiting inside." She pointed to a spot a foot or two from the ship's loading ramp, where Torian and Gault were standing.

Ky blanched, slowing her steps a bit. She hadn't expected them to be standing outside; in fact, she had hoped for a few minutes of alone time in the crew quarters to allow herself to acclimate to her current state of fine clothes and no weapons. She suddenly felt even more exposed, and her eyes began scanning her surroundings, seeking a hiding spot.

Gault had spotted them by then, and before she could move a muscle he had approached. "There you two are," he said. "We were starting to wonder if something had happened."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Mako replied.

Gault held up a hand. "No harm done, as long as you're both safe," he said.

His attention then shifted to Ky, who blushed under his gaze. "Ky, I would tell you that you are a vision, but even that seems inadequate," he said, taking one of her hands and raising it to his lips. "I know I told you dark green was your color, but even I had no idea it would look this perfect on you. He really won't know what hit him."

"Th...thank you," Ky replied softly.

Gault smiled, releasing her hand before turning back to Mako. "Mako, weren't you telling me there was a holovid you wanted to see while we were on Dromund Kaas?" he asked.

"Holovid? I don't..." Mako caught the look Gault gave her, one Ky was likely to miss in her embarrassment. "Oh, right! That vid! I'm so glad you reminded me, it totally slipped my mind."

"Wait, what's going on?" Ky cut in, confused. "Holovid? Haven't you've seen that one a dozen times on the Holonet, Mako?"

Mako shook her head. "No, no. It's the other one," she replied, as she and Gault began walking away.

"What other one? Can someone please fill me in here?" Ky turned to watch them leave, her hands held up in sheer confusion. What the hell was going on?

"I'll fill you in when we get back," Mako called over her shoulder as she and Gault quickened their pace. "Enjoy yourself, Ky! We'll be back in a few hours."

The pair was quickly out of sight, leaving one very well-dressed, very confused bounty hunter wondering if she had just been outwitted by her own crewmembers.