The plan? Oh, it was brilliant in its simplicity: knock on the front gate, sabers blazing, righteous indignation fully armed, and retrieve Illaoï by force.
The Jedi Council wouldn't have approved. But the crew was low on options — and lower on credits.
Kira was twitching. Rusk was reciting failure probabilities aloud (all catastrophic). Doc, still bruised, had donned a wrinkled shirt and muttered half-serious prayers. Loewen stood quiet. Darker than usual. Eyes sharp.
Scourge… was boiling.
Too many unknowns. Too much waiting.
Had she planned this?
Maybe. Maybe not.
And if she hadn't?
If she needed them?
That thought… bothered him.
Deeply.
He felt everything. Every heartbeat. Every pressure shift.
His supposed immortality… was cracking.
And he hated it.
Just as they were about to move — sabers ready, nerves taut —
The gate opened.
Smooth. Grand. Unhurried.
And she was there.
Illaoï.
Standing tall, wrapped in light linen and gold-veiled layers. Radiant. Poised. Arms full of credits.
Behind her, the same Hutt who'd discussed her "career transition" into a pleasure slave waddled forward, chuckling.
He handed her a handful of vouchers for parts.
"Very profitable… yes-yes," he slobbered. "Best advertisement... is the one you don't pay."
She laughed. Bright. Unbothered.
"Delighted to do business."
She walked toward her crew — stunned.
T7 let out a screech of joy and zipped forward.
The rest… stood frozen.
She reached Loewen, stuffed the vouchers against his chest with a satisfied huff.
"Happy now, Captain?"
A wink.
And she turned, heading back toward the ship like it was just another market stroll.
T7 followed her, chirping like a lovesick droid.
Kira opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Then:
"I need a drink."
Doc rubbed his eyes.
"Okay. I'm in love. Again. But this time, like — for real."
Rusk noted his statistics had not predicted this outcome.
And Scourge?
He said nothing.
But he knew.
She'd orchestrated it all.
Every step.
Even them.
Even their collective humiliation.
And it didn't make him angry.
Only… respectful.
Coldly. Deeply.
And maybe… just maybe…
A little amused.