FTL Chapter 15

Blu finds the Bodyguard in the room that they share, kneeling as though meditating. Blu knows how to meditate as well now, although she hates it. At the moment, she’s feeling quite relaxed. There’s a room service tray on the table; of course the Bodyguard took her chance to remove her helmet. She rises to her feet as Blu sets a hard case on the bed.

“There’s your share,” she says, gesturing toward it. “I’d say you’re paid up.”

“Did you kill her?” There’s still a hint of anger in the delicate voice that comes from behind that gleaming visor.

“No. But she’ll wake up poor,” Blu assures her. Then she smirks. “And maybe a little sore.” She sits on the bed beside the case. In her pocket, she has Nar Uned’s client list and quite a bit more juicy information that the arms dealer was keeping as a contingency plan. It’s been a profitable trip.

“Thank you for your help. I owe you a debt,” the Bodyguard says.

“What’s your name?”

“Setna.”

“You’ve got what you need. Now what?” Blu asks.

“I should get back. I’ve been away too long.”

“This liner is going that way,” Blu says, pointing. “Your home is the other way. Do you need a lift? Or do you want to spend the night?” She pats the bed.

The helmet catches the light as Setna tilts her head.

“I can smell her on you,” she says.

“I could take a bath first,” Blu says.

There’s a noise from inside the helmet that might be a stifled laugh.

“Why not take that thing off for a minute?” Blu asks, but she knows there’s no point. With a sigh, she stands up and tosses the case. Setna catches it. “Let’s go.”

It’s late. The halls of the luxury cruise are quiet as they make their way to the dry dock where Seiki Ondori is waiting. The noises of gambling and laughter sound quiet and distant as they pass casinos and bars. Drunken Twi’leks and belligerent Wookies stumble through the halls.

“You know,” Blu says, glancing at the case that Setna is carrying. “If it’s money you want, my employer pays well.”

“Something to think about,” Setna says ambiguously.

Once they’re aboard, Blu can’t help herself. While she was busy with Nar Uned, Setna took some time to clean up her armor. Now that it’s not covered in dust and scorch marks, Blu can see the details. It’s good armor, and the workmanship on the Mythosaur skull on Setna’s pauldron is exquisite. The armor is not more than a few years old, although it’s got its share of blemishes now. Setna can’t be much older than Blu. Her helmet can’t accommodate head tails, but she’s not human. Blu is convinced that if she were human, she’d have had her out of that armor back in the room, and they could be making this trip in the morning. Although Blu would’ve needed a few glasses of wine to replenish her fluids first because Nar Uned sucked her dry.

“Does your clan have an armorer?” Blu asks, and she’s surprised to hear the words come out of her mouth.

“Of course,” Setna replies absently as she buckles her straps in the copilot’s seat.

“What would it cost me to have new Beskar?”

“Nothing,” Setna says, turning to look at her. “If you’re true to the way.”

Blu sighs. “Too bad,” she says.