FTL Chapter 11

So this isn’t as simple as Blu had hoped, and although the Bodyguard doesn’t admit it, it’s obvious that she feels the same way.

First, the Argo is not a small ship. Finding Nar Uned among the passengers wouldn’t be easy even if she hadn’t changed her appearance. It’s safe to assume that she is using a fake name, so getting into the passenger list won’t do any good.

On a vessel like this, all the top suites are booked. Blu and the Bodyguard stand by the window in a modest room, gazing at the stars.

“We don’t need her,” Blu tells the Mandalorian. “We only need her luggage.”

The Bodyguard’s helmet reflects the soft light from the lamp as she shakes her head.

“We do need her,” she counters. “Nar Uned uses transports like this for their security. She has to give us access and transfer the funds.”

It makes sense. This is a luxury transport. Many of the passengers are extremely rich. They have valuables, which have to be protected from thieves and pirates. Security on a vessel like this will be on par with that in the Republic military.

Breaking into the holds where important cargo is kept would be a task no easier than breaking into the Jedi Temple. Blu has broken into the Jedi Temple, but she did so with a crew and a plan. And Silvi.

Now she has a Mandalorian zealot and no decent intel on her target. And the Bodyguard? She didn’t think this through. She’s not bad with a blaster, but she’s not the wiliest person that Blu has met. How did she not see Nar Uned’s betrayal coming? Nar Uned didn’t just have enemies behind her, she had such a large protection bill to pay for her security. The Bodyguard had truly believed that she would be good for it?

And she’d sounded calm in the Celestial City, but to come up here so hotheaded without a plan? The Bodyguard is so blinded by fury at her betrayal that she’s not thinking clearly.

But none of that shows because of her helmet, which reflects the stars outside.

“She’ll be in one of the best rooms,” she predicts after a moment.

That’s not enough to go on and she knows it. Does she want to start kicking in doors? That’ll bring down all the security in the ship, which she is not equipped to handle. Even with Blu’s help, that is not realistic.

Fortunately, Blu is willing to offer a different kind of help. She puts her gloved hand on the Bodyguard’s pauldron. The bounty hunter in her can only see this as a challenge.

“Kid,” she says, and the helmet turns toward her.

“I’m not younger than you are,” the Bodyguard says, annoyed.

Blu is taken aback. “You sound young. Anyway, just listen. What do you do when you can’t chase your target?”

“I never chase anyone.” Of course she doesn’t; she’s a bodyguard.

Blu rolls her eyes. “You have to bring the target to you. I know a way.”