RotF Chapter 5

Seiki Ondori is not a quiet ship. It’s old and it has a big engine. It hums and vibrates, and things rattle from time to time. The lights occasionally flicker for no reason.

In the vessel’s small common room, a table intended for playing cards is in the middle of the space, surrounded by seats with worn, leather padding covered in patches.

Jayo and Yeffy sit side by side, both wearing clothes borrowed from Blu. They’re a little tight on Jayo’s busty frame and a little loose on Yeffy.

Silvi stands in her dark robes and Blu leans against the wall, arms folded.

“How do we know she’s really rich?” Jayo’s asking, staring at Silvi.

“She’s proved it to me,” Blu replies. “You’ll have to take my word for it. You think I’d put up with her if she wasn’t?”

“Bet she’s a good lay,” Jayo retorts. She’s as defiant as ever, even here, where she has absolutely no play to make.

“Want to find out?” Silvi asks.

Jayo makes a rude gesture.

“I don’t want to threaten you,” Silvi tells her. “Unless you make me. Take the deal.”

“This isn’t much of a deal,” Yeffy cuts in. “It’s insane.”

“No, it’s just the big leagues,” Blu tells her.

“I don’t want to hear that from the easiest mark of my life,” the blue Twi’lek replies. She’s a lot like her sister.

“I’m already rich,” Jayo says.

“Not anymore,” Silvi tells her. “Coruscant was onto you. You were going to have to move your operation after the incident at your casino.”

“The incident that you caused,” Jayo growls.

“The point stands. You like having money? Work with us,” Blu says with a glance at Silvi. “Because she has money. I don’t know where she got it, but she has it.”

“It’s my Master’s money. But that’s beside the point,” Silvi says.

“What is the point? Why do you want to screw with the Jedi?” Yeffy asks. “It’s suicide.”

“Hardly,” Silvi says with a frigid smile.

“Suppose we do this,” Jayo says. “What then?”

“Then we’ll let you go,” Blu tells her bluntly. “I’ll be rich enough that I won’t have to hold a grudge.”

“You think she’ll honor that?” Yeffy asks, eying Silvi.

“She’d better,” Blu growls.

“You won’t go free,” Silvi cuts in. “You will choose to work for my Master.”

Jayo laughs. “Why would we do that?”

“For wealth and power.”

“How much wealth and power?”

“Beyond your imagining.”

“I like wealth,” Yeffy says with a shrug. “I don’t need power. I want a share. Then I want to walk.”

“Speak for yourself,” Jayo says, covering Yeffy’s mouth. “Tell me more about this power.”

“That’s for later,” Silvi says. “First, the task.” She takes out a hologram cube and opens it. A blue image appears in the air. It’s the Jedi Temple.

Yeffy pulls free. “Come on. This is crazy.”

“It’s been a long time since anyone has had the audacity to strike at them in their home,” Silvi says. “They are weak and they place entirely too much trust in the Light Side. I assure you, this is quite workable.”

Yeffy stares hard at the image, then holds out her hand. Silvi uses the **** to levitate the cube toward her. Yeffy tries not to look impressed as she snatches it out of the air and enlarges the hologram. “What are we after?” she asks.

“A simple copy of data from the archives,” Silvi tells her. “Specifically star system mapping data. The Jedi have the most extensive and complete data on planetary systems in the galaxy. I need it.”

“For what?” Jayo asks.

“Sis,” Yeffy says, glancing up at her. “You don’t ask the client that question.”

“Shut up,” Jayo replies, nudging her with an elbow.

“Doesn’t matter why she wants it. She’s willing to pay for it. Enough to make my problems go away, and to help you with yours,” Blu says. “It’s a good deal. If we can pull it off.”

“You’re so cocky, why don’t you just do it yourself?” Jayo asks Silvi.

“I’m too powerful. The Jedi would sense my presence,” Silvi replies easily. “Even I can’t mount a frontal **** on the Jedi Temple.”

“She’s insane,” Jayo says to Blu. “You cannot be taking her seriously.”

“Do you need another demonstration?” Silvi asks, raising an eyebrow and lifting her hand. “I think you should have more faith.”

“Fine,” Jayo says, scowling. “Supposing she’s right. Is this really how you want to do it? This is the Jedi we’re talking about.”

“That’s a fair point,” Blu says. “You said that I have this **** thing or whatever, Silvi. What’s to say they won’t feel me coming?”

“Your presence is intoxicating if one isn’t prepared for it. You won’t alert them, you’ll only confuse them,” Silvi assures her.

“And what’s to stop them from giving me up?” Blu adds, pointing at the sisters.

“The Jedi wouldn’t pay them. I will,” Silvi replies. “If you won’t put your faith in the ****, put it in greed.”

Blu snorts. “There you have it,” she says.

“Even so,” Jayo protests. “A thief…”

“I’m not a thief,” Yeffy protests. “I work in acquisitions and my clients enjoy the process.”

“You fuck people and steal their shit,” Blu snaps at her.

“Actually, I let them fuck me, then I…”

“Shut up. A thief, a businesswoman…”

“You’re not a businesswoman, sis. You’re a gangster.”

Jayo twitches. “A thief, a gangster, a bounty hunter,” she says, glancing at Blu, her voice dripping with loathing, “…and a witch. Is this really the crew that can get into the Jedi Temple?”

“Easily,” Silvi replies, then smirks. “It’ll be the getting out that’ll be the challenge.”