The Tengu Crew, being an operative group formed at that moment by Brad, Lop, TD-4, Frall, and Ramh Kota, was raiding an imperial hangar, and getting some resources the Imperials deposited there, while the rest of the crew waited in the ship in the hangar’s port.
Frall was watching a corner from side to side with his rifle as the others kept carrying the imperial cargo into the ship.
“I have to admit, this looting is easier than usual,” Frall said when Brad passed by his side with a box. “Are you sure this isn’t a trap?”
“After blowing up a barrel of fuel at the other end of the area to get the attention of the Imperials?” Brad asked. “I doubt they're smart enough to put two and two together in this case.”
"Although it is not bad to be wary. At the end of the day, we are facing an agent of the Imperial Security Bureau.” Kota said as he was returning to get another cargo box.
“Yeah, I know. And would someone like to remind me why we fell into their trap the first time?" Brad asked facing Kota.
“That shows how cunning our enemy is. Not counting the black knights.” Countered Kota.
“Speaking of them, we haven't come across them for a long time,” Lop said as she was returning to get a cargo box. “Will they have gotten tired of us?”
“I doubt it, girl. I know very well how stubborn Prar is. Trust me, if he wants you on his team, he'll do anything to get you.” Brad warned her.
“Yeah, you’re right,” Lop said as she kept walking.
Soon Lop reached the hangar where the cargo was just when Ramh Kota was loading a new box. Unknown to them, a figure was watching them from within the shadows.
Lop suddenly began to look around.
“What's the trouble, Lop?” Kota asked looking the Lepi’s reaction.
“I don’t know… I think I heard something.” Lop looked around. “Maybe it’s my imagination.”
“Eh! You better hurry up before the Imperials decide to return here!” Frall called from his post.
“Okay!” Lop said as she loaded a box.
The figure then took a blaster and began to aim against Kota, ready to fire.
Suddenly Lop turned her head around, her eyes widening at that memento. “Watch out!”
Lop pulled her master down just before a fire blaster passed over him hitting a wall. Both then hid behind the box.
“Where did that come from?” Kota asked.
“It comes from the shadows!” Lop asked.
TD-4 leaned to see but had to hide again when a fire blaster nearby hit it.
“Hey, what’s going on!” Frall called as he ran to them hiding behind the boxes.
“There’s somebody behind the boxes firing at us!” Lop warned.
“Is that right?” Frall asked Kota.
“I… I don’t know.” Kota said with doubt in his voice.
“What do you mean with ‘I don’t know’, pal?” Frall asked.
“What I’m saying is… that I can’t feel anything behind the boxes,” Kota said.
“I know there’s somebody!” Lop said.
Then they saw how a grenade was rolling to where they were.
“Obviously there’s somebody here. Run!” Frall exclaimed, and the three began to run before the grenade blew up, the moment that the Zabrak began to fire at the hangar trying to hit whoever was attacking him, only saw a fire blaster coming from that direction.
“What’s happening?” Brad asked seeing them run to him.
“We have company here! Maybe a bounty hunter or something!” Frall said as he kept running and firing behind him.
Brad avoided a fire blast by sheer luck at that moment.
“Okay, the mission’s over! Let's go back to the Tengu!” Brad called.
The four ran as fast as they could to the port where the Tengu was stationed.
“Hey, guys, what’s going on?” Yavis asked, seeing the four running to the ship through the cockpit.
“Take off, now!” Brad said as he shot to the hangar’s entry before entering the Tengu’s cargo bay with the others.
Both Yavis and Byte looked at each other before they began to turn on the ship’s engines, taking off the ship and moving away from the place as soon as possible.
Just at that moment, a figure got out of the hangar stepping on the port, seeing how the Tengu was fleeing away.
“Okay, guys, what just happened?” Asked Drasha as she was in the cargo bay with the stolen cargo when the group returned running.
“Someone attacked us in the hangar. And seeing how good he was, he must be a bounty hunter. And a pretty good one.” Frall said, sitting on one of the boxes.
“If it wasn't for Lop, he would have taken us by surprise, since I was somehow unable to detect him,” Kota said.
“What do you mean?” Brad asked.
“I don't know how, but somehow I was unable to sense our attacker. It was like... like he was there, but at the same time he wasn't…” Kota asked. “Honestly, this has never happened to me before.”
“A bounty hunter invisible to the Force? That is really weird.” Drasha said, crossing her arms.
“Right. Clearly, it could not be a droid, since these can also be felt despite being machines. Or so I think.” Brad said.
“Yeah, that’s right,” Kota said, crossing his eyes and scratching his head. “This enemy can be very dangerous.”
“Not to mention that he attacked us just as we had emptied the hangar of imperial troops,” Lop said.
“At least we have ammunition and fuel for both the client and ourselves,” Frall said, placing a hand on the box where he was sitting.
“Yes, something is something. Although we were hoping we could have taken more.” Brad said.
Back in Tao’s Capital City, Director Prar was reviewing the reports related to the latest heist of the Tengu crew, while Ochô and Agent Hercules were watching him.
“20.000 credits in fuel and ammo lost…” Prar muttered under his breath. “These people are embarrassing me. I keep getting complaints from high command officers telling me that I don't know how to do my job. Damn it!” He crossed his arms. “And now they will yell at me by this heist! If it wasn't that the Lepi was with them, I would have sent all the fleet to blow up that damned ship long ago!”
“A bold ploy... just as he had anticipated.” Agent Hercules said.
“What do you mean by that?” Prar asked. “You already knew this would happen and you didn’t say anything?!”
“I was going to report, but she suggested against it to surprise them.” Agent Hercules said, raising his hands.
“She? Who’s her?” Ochô asked, looking at the man.
“I thought that knowing that we are dealing with Jedi, I decided to hire the services of a very particular bounty hunter.” Agent Hercules said.
“And where’s she right now?” Prar asked.
Agent Hercules approached his communicator to his mouth. “Come inside, please.”
At that, the door opened, making both Prar and Ochô look at whoever had entered the room.
“Director Prar, lady Ochô. Allow me to present you to Diara, the bounty huntress I hired.” Agent Hercules said.
Both saw that who entered was a female clothed with a black shirt exposing her cleavage under a black cropped open jacket and black gloves, wearing a pair of black belted pants and black cuffed boots. The most significant features of this blonde woman were her deep blue skin, her finned ears, and her yellow cat-like eyes.
“What the heck is that?” Prar asked, having never seen an alien like her before.
“What? Never seen an Azun before, sweetheart?” Diara asked with a hand on her belt as she leaned to the side.
“Miss Diara comes from an alien race from the Unknown Regions.” Agent Hercules said.
“Well, that explains everything.” Prar leaned toward facing the bounty hunter.
“And not only that, her race is quite unique because, directly, she cannot be felt by the Force.” Agent Hercules said.
Both Prar and Ochô looked at each other before facing them.
“Are you serious?” Prar asked.
“A bounty hunter undetected by the Force. That’s interesting.” Ochô.
“Yeah. I was this close to dealing with them, but somehow the Lepi detected me.” Diara said.
“We’re still wondering how that was possible.” Agent Hercules said. “But it is likely that it is one of the innate abilities of the Lepi race.”
Then Prar looked at the bounty hunter. “If you had the opportunity to get rid of this group and catch the Lepi, would you do it?”
“As long as the price is fair,” Daria said.
“Fine, but I warn you, lady: I don't usually give bounty hunters second chances,” Prar warned her.
“Hear that,” Diara said as she turned around and left the room.
“Are you sure we can trust her?” Ochô asked.
“All the Jedi she was tasked to capture were caught. She’s one of the best in her job.” Agent Hercules said.
“I hope so, for your own good.” Shador Prar said to him as he leaned on the chair.
“In the meanwhile, I ordered our operatives to investigate every criminal group that could operate close to the planet.” Agent Hercules said.
“Ah, good idea.” Said Prar. “These rebels will have to sell the supplies they stole to somebody. We just need to discover who would be the most interested.”
In the Tengu, while Brad and Frall left to give part of the cargo they got to their client, Rahm Kota was meditating in the cabin he shares with Brad.
Eventually, Lop entered into the cabin.
“Master?” Lop asked looking at the old Jedi.
“What’s going on, Lop?” Rahm Kota asked without cutting his meditation.
“I was just wondering if you were fine. After what just happened in the last mission…” Lop said.
Kota gave a loud sigh, stopping his meditation. “I know what worries you, but don’t worry, I’m fine. Just a little confused.”
“Confused?” Lop asked.
“Yeah.” The old Jedi faced Lop. “Look, the Force isn’t only used to do things that other people can’t do. It also speaks to us, and tells us what happens around us if we hear it.”
Lop nodded.
“In many cases, we can depend on the Force to be able to detect the dangers that are around us. In many cases, we depend on it for our survival.” Then Rahm Kota sighed loudly, closing his eyes. “But the idea of there being a bounty hunter completely invisible to the Force… honestly, it's beyond me.”
Then he faced Lop. “If it wasn't for you, possibly that bounty hunter would have caught me without knowing how. Thank you.”
“You’re my master,” Lop said with a smile. “It’s common that both Padawan and Master protect between each other. If I’m right, of course.” She scratched her head.
“You’re not wrong, Lop.” He said.
Then Drasha entered the room.
“You’re busy?” The Togruta asked
“What’s up?” Lop asked.
“I've been thinking about what you said, and I think I know what's going on,” Drasha said. “I think you may have come across an Azun.”
“An Azun?” Rahm Kota asked. “Never heard of that.”
“Of course, that race is mostly common from the Unknown Regions,” Drasha said.
“The Unknown Regions?” Lop asked. “The almost unexplored area of the galaxy?”
“Exactly, Lop.” The Togruta said. “I met several of them once, and as far as I know they are virtually invisible to the Force.”
“Well, at least now we know who’s our enemy,” Lop said.
“But that doesn’t explain how you were able to detect the Azun,” Drasha said.
Rham Kota thought for a moment.
“Maybe… It’s just a supposition, but maybe Lop’s senses are more developed than other humans, like her hearing senses.” Rham Kota exposed.
“Yeah… Now you mention it, I thought I heard something in the shadows before the attack.” Lop commented.
“Well, at least we know the bounty hunter is not physically invisible,” Drasha said. “Just need to be wary if it’s close.”
“Yes, we can’t depend on the Force for this one.” Rham Kota said.
“Well, I will be wary next time,” Lop said.
“Still, that only worked because you were alone in the hangar, with no other source of noise there.” Drasha thought. “Somewhere with lots of sound and noises, you will have to sharpen your hearing senses.
“Don’t worry about it, Drasha. I’ll be fine.” Lop nodded.
Then they heard somebody hitting the cabin’s door, hearing Yavis on the other side. “People? They’re back, and the boss wants a reunion with everyone.”
The three looked at each other and went to the Lounge where everyone was there.
“What did we get from the client?” Drasha asked Brad who was sitting on the couch.
“Nothing.” He said as he crossed his arms. “He wanted everything we got, until the last drop and the last bullet by less than we agreed.”
“We tried to convince him to leave us part of the cargo, but he wanted everything or he wouldn’t pay us,” Frall said.
“Well, then it seems we can use it,” Byte said.
“But we can’t eat fuel or ammunition, and we need credits to buy supplies,” Yavis said.
“Then we have to sell this to somebody.” Rham Kota said. “The problem is that these things are imperial resources, so obviously they will be marked.”
“Right,” Brad said. “Where could we find someone so crazy to buy stolen imperial supplies for a good price?”
“Well, there could be the Hutt Cartel, the Black Sun, Crimson Dawn, the Pyke Syndicate, the Zann Consortium…” Frall began to enumerate.
“It would be complicated. As soon as they know we just stole from the Empire, they might try to sell us out.” Brad shook his head.
Then Drasha began to think. “ Unless they don't know it was us.”
Everyone looked at her. “Do you mean an intermediary?”
“Yes, and I think I know who could help us,” Drasha said. “But for that… we should go to Takodana.”
“Takodana?” Rham Kota asked. “Are you talking about who I think?” He saw the Togruta nod, which made the Jedi think thoughtfully. “Hmm, that’s not a bad idea. In fact, it can be useful.”
“Who are you talking about?” Lop asked.
“An old pirate, much older than all of us put together.” The old Jedi said. “Despite not leaving her planet, if she still maintains her contacts network, we could get rid of much of our cargo and make good profit, without anyone noticing our presence.”
“Well, if everyone agrees, let's do it,” Brad said, clapping his hands.
In no time the Tengu took off and left the planet, entering hyperspace.
During their travel across the hyperspace, Lop and TD-4 entered the cockpit, where she spotted Yavis and Byte watching the navigation computer, and Brad watching the hyperspace.
“Can I ask you something?” Lop asked Brad.
“You want to know who we’re going to meet, right?” Brad said without looking at her.
“Yes,” Lop answered. “We can trust this person?”
Brad sighed while looking outside.
“I don't know her in person, but I have heard something about her.” Brad began to talk. “From what I know, this woman was a pirate a long time ago, but she was simply in charge of other pirate gangs during the Republic era, before the Empire.”
Then he stared at Lop. “I don't know this person, but if his reputation precedes him, perhaps we can get rid of this cargo.”
“That's if you believe every one of the nicknames this woman seems to have,” Yavis said, waving his hand. “The Usurper, the Despoiler, the Benevolent… Do I need to continue?”
Then TD-4 began to bip looking at Byte.
“Sorry, but I never met somebody like that during the Clone Wars. Surely she was hidden during the conflict.” Byte said.
“It surprises me you remember that, Byte,” Yavis replied.
“I still remember a few things from the war, you know? Not all my former data was erased when you played with my memory banks.” Byte countered him.
“Enough the both of you, before we clash with something,” Brad called at them, while Lop turned her glare to the hyperspace.
After a long journey, The Tengu left hyperspace and arrived on a large green and blue planet visible from the cockpit where the crew was present.
“That’s Takodana?” Lop asked, looking at the planet in the cockpit. “It’s much like Tao!”
“Yes, many green planets with vegetation look alike,” Yavis said. “But don't be too confident, because this planet is classified as neutral, it is a paradise for all kinds of people. And by that I mean the lowest class the galaxy can breed.”
“Yeah, if you think the Empire is evil, just wait to see the criminals who usually stop by here,” Frall warned.
Lop kept looking at the planet while the ship entered its orbit and flew through the air until it reached what seemed to be a large castle on the side of the lake.
When they landed close to the castle in the middle of a forest, the crew began to unload the fuel and ammo outside the ship in cargo containers but saw how Drasha stayed in the ship.
“You don’t come with us?” Lop asked Drasha.
“I'm sorry, but I had problems with her once, so it's better if she's not around. I'll stay with Byte in case we have to take off quickly.” Drasha said.
“Well, in that case, be careful. Who knows if the Empire has followed us here.” Brad said.
“I highly doubt that,” Yavis said as he operated one of the cargo containers. “Let’s go.”
The group moved away from the Tengu in the direction of the castle.
In no time the group reached the castle’s entrance, which was filled with hundreds of flags hanging over them close to a large statue over the door.
“Where do we place these things?” Frall asked while moving the cargo containers.
“We will place them here for now,” Brad said, walking to the door. “You stay here with Yavis protecting the cargo.”
“Aye, boss,” Frall said, taking his blaster while Yavis shrugged leaning on a cargo container.
The other walked to the door with him when Lop asked. “Well, we need to know something about this person?”
“Simply, whatever you don't stare…” Rahm Kota began to talk.
“At what?” Lop asked.
“Any of it.” The old Jedi replied.
The three crossed the door, finding themselves in a crowded mess filled with many types of aliens and humans making gambles, drinking, scheming, negotiating, arguing… Initially ignoring the group while the three walked through the mess.
Until a diminutive, humanoid female alien with orange-tinted skin with large goggles turned to them in the distance and spoke loudly.
“Rahm Kota!”
The three jolted at that voice, the old Jedi being affected the most. Even everyone in the mess stopped what they were doing and stared at them. But then they saw the alien woman walk to them.
“Oh, boy.” Rahm Kota said nervously, waving his hand.
“Great, why don't she shout it louder and let the whole galaxy know we're here?” Brad said, narrowing his eyes and looking at the Jedi. “And you never said you knew her before.”
“It’s a long story.” The Jedi replied.
Lop looked confused just as the female alien stopped in front of them while the people in the mess returned to what they had been doing before.
“You owe me a ship.” The alien said seriously.
“I’m glad to see you again, Maz.” Rahm Kota said, keeping his distance from the alien.
“Do not change the subject! I lent you a ship, and you turned it into a floating bomb that you slammed into the bridge of a Separatist battleship.” The alien named Maz said.
“Speaking of which, if it weren't for me, this planet would have been taken over by the Separatists during the war.” The Jedi said to her.
“That would be fine if it weren't for the fact that this planet was neutral to begin with. And even if that were the case, that doesn't change the fact that you owe me a ship.” Maz said to him.
“Master, who’s she?” Lop asked the Jedi.
“Master?” The alien looked at Lop before returning her gaze to Kota. “Wow, who would have thought you'd take on an apprentice again after that day.”
“That day?” Lop asked.
“The day when the Galactic Empire rose, and exterminated most of the Jedi Order,” Maz said.
The group was silent until Kota spoke.
“Lop, this is Maz Kanata. The person we were looking for.” The Jedi said.
“It’s she?” Lop asked, confused while TD-4 made some beeps in confusion. “From what I heard, I expected her to be… I don’t know, more imponent.”
“My child, sometimes the biggest things, even greatness itself, come in small packages,” Maz said, looking back at the Jedi. “If you have come to look for me it will be for business, right?”
“That’s right, Miss Kanata.” Brad said. “Right outside we have a shipment that we want to get rid of and get some credits in exchange.”
“Well, I have things to do here, but you can take that cargo to the hangar on the other side. I'll take a look at what you have there.” Maz said, returning to what she was doing.
The three looked at each other before getting out. In that moment a shadow took a communicator while watching them leave.
“Prepare yourself. They’re here.”
After leaving the cargo in a castle warehouse, the group was in the mess at a table, while Maz Kanata was leaving several glasses and food plates on the table.
“I must say that the cargo you have brought is of very good quality,” Maz said. “A shame it belongs to the Empire.”
“That is why we have come here. We think you could sell the cargo to someone without anyone knowing we got it.” Brad said.
“Are you saying that you want me to buy your shipment and sell it elsewhere without telling its origin?” Maz asked them.
“If it's not too much to ask. We just don't want to get in trouble for stealing from the Empire.” Frall said.
“And why now, and not before?” Maz asked. “Did your last client try to scam you?”
“Let's say the quantity we have was not what the customer expected,” Yavis said.
“I already figured it out,” Maz said, now looking at the old Jedi. “And you, I never thought you would return to action after all this time and rise against the Empire, despite the efforts of the Hidden Path.”
“The Hidden Path?” Lop asked.
“An underground network dedicated to hiding people who want to flee the Empire,” Brad said.
“I was indeed hidden, but I have been forced to come out of my hiding place.” Rahm Kota said.
“To join a small rebel group against the Empire?” Maz said. “I thought you could find something better.”
Rham Kota signaled Maz. “That’s not-”
“It’s not his fault.” Lop interrupted Kota, getting a glare from both him and Maz. “He’s with us because I need a master. I’m trying to understand all this about the Force and the Jedi and-” She stopped when saw adjusting her goggles and watching, before stepping on the table and moving to her moving glasses and plates.
“What’s she doing?” Lop asked, feeling tense.
“I don’t know. The first time I see her doing that.” Kota said.
“If you live long enough you see the same eyes in different people.” Said Maz, getting closer to Lop and watching her eyes. “I'm looking at the eyes of a girl who wants to fight. To do what’s needed, but she fears not being able to go to the end.”
Then looked at Brad, who was startled by her goggles. “Where did you find this girl?”
“She’s from Tao,” Brad said.
“Ah, Tao. I didn't know there were Lepi there.” Maz said.
“No, she was taken there as a slave by the Empire but escaped and was adopted by the Yasaburô family,” Brad explained.
“Hmm, now I'm starting to connect the dots,” Maz said as she moved back to her chair. “I heard what happened to the Yasaburô family, child.”
“Was then when I found out about my connection with the Force, and I needed a master for it,” Lop said, looking for a moment to Kota.
“And you don't know how much trouble this girl has gotten us out of,” Frall said.
“Even so, I still want to save my planet before it's too late,” Lop said. “Although I don't know how to do it, it seems that we only annoy the Empire.”
“Yeah, I guess hurting something as big as the Galactic Empire seems impossible,” Maz said. “But without hope, this galaxy would already be finished.”
The whole group was silent after those words.
“How sentimental.” Everybody turned their heads to who spoke, sitting on the bar’s chair, thinking from a cup. It was Diara. “A poor girl who doesn't know how to free her adoptive planet.”
“Who’s that woman?” Yavis asked, looking at the bounty hunter.
Rahm Kota began to look confused in some directions thoughtfully. “This feeling… this strange empty feeling… this voidness in the Force…” Then he faced Diara. “It was you! You attacked us in the hangar!”
“I am guilty, your honor,” Diara said with a smirk.
“You came to finish the job, right?” Frall said, taking his blaster and aiming at her.
“Nothing of weapons here!” Maz scolded him, before facing Diara. “And that comes to you too!”
“I’m sorry, but the reason why I’m so good is because I don’t follow the rules of others,” Diara said, placing her cup on the bar.
“Maybe, but you’re all alone here, and we’re five. Two Jedi with us by the way.” Brad said. “I would take your calculations into account, bounty hunter.”
“I don’t think so.”
Now they turned their glare behind them, finding a fully cloaked figure sitting on one of the room’s couches, who stood up, taking the hood off and looking at them.
It was Ochô.
“Sister?!” Lop asked, surprised to see her there.
“Yasaburô’s daughter here?” Frall said.
“Then that means...” Brad said, looking around.
Then more fully cloaked figures began to stand up and get close from different positions, revealing themselves to be Stormtroopers and Black Knights, aiming their weapons at the group, startling all the clients in the mess.
“What’s the Empire doing here?!” Yavis said, looking at the imperial forces around them.
“The truth is that I brought them here,” Diara said. “I had my suspicions that you would try to sell somewhere the material that you stole from these good people. It was easy to deduce that in your situation you would turn to one of the best intermediaries in the galaxy. The infamous Maz Kanata.”
“This is going to cost you dearly, bounty hunter.” Maz threatened Diara.
“Miss Kanata.” Ochô began to speak. “First of all, I would like you to see something.”
Ochô showed a hologram recorder which she activated, showing Shador Prar’s hologram there.
“Miss Maz Kanata.” Began to speak Prar’s hologram. “Allow me to present myself. I’m Shador Prar, director of the Black Knights Corps program and actual governor of Tao. I hope you can excuse us for this meddling in your business, but it was the only way to capture the rebel group here. I know your reputation very well, so obviously, the Galactic Empire is willing to pay for any damage that may be caused to your establishment during the capture of these rebels. I hope for your cooperation in this operation and thank you in advance.” The hologram then disappeared.
“I just met this man, and I already hate him,” Maz said, narrowing her eyes.
“Seriously, tell me about it,” Brad said.
“Well, this time you have no escape,” Ochô said. “You’re now coming with us.”
“Ochô,” Lop said distraught while Rahm Kota turned on his lightsaber.
“Quiet there everyone.” Said Maz suddenly. “Nothing gets done here unless I say so.”
“And what are you going to do, lady?” Diara asked.
“Think for a moment. This place is home to the biggest criminal scum in the entire galaxy, and the only thing keeping this place from falling apart is my rules, including the ban on using weapons here.” Maz said.
Brad then noted how all the clients’ expressions in the mess began to change, looking at the imperial forces.
“And this time, and this time only... the ban is lifted!” Maz said, raising her hand.
Suddenly all the criminals in the room took out their weapons and pointed them at the Imperials, some of whom were forced to point their weapons at them.
“What are you planning to do, Mrs. Kanata?” Diara asked. “Throwing away everything you've made?”
“No, just show you what happens when you annoy the wrong person,” Maz said and closed her hand, ducking under the table.
At that moment the criminals began to fire their weapons, which caused the Stormtroopers to return fire at them, at the same time that the Black Knights defended themselves from the blaster fire.
Diara quickly jumped to the other side of the bar, starting to shoot at the criminals who were shooting at her. Ochô on her side crouched down to take refuge from the shots flying in all directions.
For their part, Brad, Frall, and Yavis began shooting at the Imperials that they could while taking shelter from the crossfire around them, while Rahm Kota blocked several of the blasters that were coming towards him.
“What an idea you had, lady!” Brad exclaimed to Maz.
“We'll talk about this later,” Maz replied, taking her blaster and shooting against the Stormtroopers.
Lop looked around, soon spotting how Ochô began to run from the room to avoid the crossfire, and she decided to go behind her, leaving TD-4 with the group hiding under the table.
“Lop, wait!” Rahm Kota said, still busy with the crossfire’s blasters.
Diara then noted the Lepi running out of the room. “Oh no! That's where my pay goes!” She cursed trying to move from the bar under the crossfire until she reached the mess’ exit.
Lop ran through the castle’s corridor trying to reach Ochô who was running ahead of her, but after running for a while she had to stop because she was nowhere visible. She expected that moment to speak with her sister and try to convince her to leave the Empire.
Maybe Maz was right about defeating the Empire, but her objective was to bring Ochô back to her family. No matter what.
As she walked through the corridors for a clue of where Ochô went, suddenly heard something with her ears and turned around, turning on her lightsaber and blocking a blaster shot away.
Diara moved her head away to avoid the blocked shot while aiming her blaster at the Lep.
“Not bad for a Jedi,” Diara said. “I was wondering how you can find out where I am at all times without using the Force. But I guess it's the instincts of your race, like your hearing, that help you.”
Lop aimed her lightsaber against the bounty hunter, keeping her distance.
“I'll be frank. You're not the typical target I usually go after. And clearly, that imperial guy is very interested in you. Seeing your abilities outside of the Force, you have potential.” Diara said, moving her blaster away. “Look, if you work for me, you could end up very well off. And it may bring you together with people capable of helping you free your planet. What do you say?”
“I'm sorry, but I'll pass. I don't think you're what I need.” Lop said, narrowing her eyes.
“Disappointing.” Diara aimed her blaster at the Lepi again.
Lop kept her glare on the bounty hunter until she heard how a weapon turned on behind her and turned around, blocking with her lightsaber two crimson vibroblades attached to the extremes of a metallic triple staff, held by Ochô.
“Hey! Your boss's orders weren't to capture the girl?” Daria asked.
“Don’t get into this, bounty hunter!” Ochô replied harshly to Daria.
Soon Lop was able to push Ochô away, who jumped a few meters away from the Lepi.
“Ochô, we don’t need to do this! We’re family!” Lop exclaimed at her.
“I already told you, and you should know it. Tao needs the Empire to develop itself. And I can’t return with Father unless both he and you understand that.” Ochô said to her.
“But even you must see the damage the Empire is causing to the planet! Everyone is seeing it! You should see it too!” Lop exclaimed at her adoptive sister.
“Shut up!” Ochô yelled and jumped against Lop, forcing the Lepi to defend herself from the human’s attacks with her vibroblades.
“Boring!” Diara exclaimed as she changed her blaster to stun mode and began to fire against Lop.
The Lepi was fast enough to turn around and block some of the stunning shots from the bounty hunter while also fighting Ochô’s attacks. Even at times, the human has to stop her attacks to move aside to dodge any missing shot from the bounty hunter, who was getting annoyed by Daria’s intromissions.
“Stay away from this, bounty hunter!” Ochô warned Daria while clashing weapons with Lop.
“Hey, I’m the one hired to capture her, lady!” Daria said to her while trying to hit Lop with her blaster.
“Please, stop this nonsense!” Lop exclaimed to her stepsister while holding her attacks and avoiding the constant shots from the bounty hunter.
“Oh, for the love of, be still for once!” Daria said getting annoyed with the Lepi, throwing a shock grenade against Lop.
But the Lepi turned around and using the Force pushed the grenade back to Diara who was hit by the grenade and shocked when it blew up, falling unconscious against the wall.
With the bounty hunter unconscious, both Lop and Ochô kept fighting with their weapons, until a fire blaster flew near to Ochô, forcing her to seek hiding behind a corner.
“Hey, Lop!” Exclaimed Brad who was firing against Ochô. “Over here! We’re leaving!”
Lop turned to look at Brad. “But-”
“No buts! Come here now! This is complete madness!” Brad exclaimed.
Lop turned her gaze to her step-sister hiding behind the corner for a moment before turning around and running with Brad who began to run too away.
With both gone, Ochô moved away from her hiding spot looking in the direction where Lop left running with a frown on her face.
The mess was still a chaos with the clash between imperial forces and criminals just when Lop and Brad returned to the table where the rest of the group was, except that Rahm Kota was fighting against a sword-user Black Knight.
“Okay, get rid of him, and let’s leave at once!” Brad said to the old Jedi.
The Jedi nodded and pushed the Black Knight away using the Force and the group began to run outside the castle leaving the criminals to deal with the Stormtroopers.
In no time the group was back to the Tengu, rushing inside the ship.
“What’s happening?” Drasha asked. “We’re detecting a lot of imperial activity close to the planet.”
“It was a trap all along! The imperials knew we were coming!” Frall said, panting loudly.
“We will talk about this later! Let’s leave this planet now!” Brad ordered.
“I’m coming with Byte right now!” Yavis said as he began to climb the ladder.
“Frall, go to the frontal cannon! I’m taking the top one!” Brad said as he climbed the ladder too. “I don’t want any TIE to surprise us while leaving the planet.
“Don’t need to tell me that!” Frall said following Brad with Drasha, Kota, and Lop behind them.
Soon the ship took off leaving the forest and getting out of the planet, revealing a pair of Star Destroyers getting close to the planet, but the Tengu was fast enough to enter into the Hyperspace and escape from the place.
Everyone then reunited in the lounge, breathing a sigh of relief at having gotten out of that situation.
“We got lucky this time,” Frall said.
“Yeah, we were so close to being captured this time,” Yavis said.
“This only means we must be more wary of how the Empire tries to predict our actions,” Brad said, before turning to Lop. “By the way, good job dealing with the bounty hunter.”
“It was here too?” Drasha asked.
“Better said ‘she’,” Frall said. “A blue-skinned female in fact. Never saw one like that.”
“I think it was an Azun,” Kota said.
“Azun? Never heard of that.” Yavis replied.
“Is the race of that bounty hunter, if what Drasha told us was right,” Lop said.
“It seems that way,” Drasha said, getting thoughtful.
“And how did you defeat her?” Kota asked her.
“I used one of her grenades against her,” Lop said. “If I can’t use the Force against her, at least I can use it against anything she would throw me.”
“Ah, very clever, my apprentice,” Kota said with a smile.
“Changing the topic, what did we get from all this?” Byte asked.
“Nothing,” Yavis said. “The Empire ambushed us before we finished our business.”
“If that’s the case, what’s TD-4 holding?” Byte asked, signaling the floating droid near Lop.
Everyone turned their glare to the droid, spotting what seemed like a wrapped piece of paper being held by the droid’s claws. Lop took it and unwrapped the paper to reveal it to be a letter, with a credit chip with it. The letter said:
“I hope this is enough for the cargo and the inconvenience. Maz Kanata.” Lop read the letter.
Yavis took the credit chip and used it on a chip reader he had, and when he looked at the quantity, his eyes widened.
“Holy moly!” Yavis exclaimed.
“What does it contain?” Drasha asked
“Ten thousand credits!” Yavis replied.
“Are you kidding me?!” Frall asked, nearly falling from the couch.
“Just imagine what we can do with this amount!” Yavis said. “Oh, you don't know how much I want to improve this ship!”
“You think I can even get some upgrades?” Byte asked.
“Hard to find pieces for you, pal,” Frall said to Byte.
“Yeah, that’s much, indeed,” Lop said, thinking for a moment. “But… Can we donate half of the money?”
“What?” Yavis said. “And to whom precisely?”
“Because of the empire, some people have lost their homes. I would like to do something for them at least.” Lop said, getting a dubious glare from part of the crew.
“She’s right,” Kota said. “Whether we like it or not, Tao is our responsibility. We may struggle to find a way to free the planet. But at least we will help those most in need.” He turned to Lop. “You should feel proud of that decision. That’s how a Jedi would do.”
Lop nodded at him with a smile.
Time later, back at Tao, Prar was in his office, staring at Maz Kanata’s hologram talking to him.
“Let it be clear that I was not amused by the joke about your ambush in my establishment. If you do something similar again, I plan to make sure that the galaxy knows some of the darkest secrets of the Galactic Empire, and that it is known that you are the cause of those secrets being made available to the public.” Maz Kanata warned, pointing a finger at him.
“Okay, okay, I get it. Don't worry about it.” Prar said.
“Oh, and by the way, I'll bill you soon for the damage caused by your men. I hope to receive payment soon as you promised.” Maz said, turning off the hologram.
Prar seemed to be very upset as he sat down in his chair. So much so that the visible flesh was sparking when he looked at Agent Hercules.
“This is as much your responsibility as that of that bounty hunter you hired,” Prar said with a serious tone.
“I'll keep that in mind, sir.” Agent Hercules said.
“And please contact the bounty hunter.” Prar began to speak. “Tell her that, unless I hire her myself, I never want to see her in any Imperial facility on the planet again. Is it clear? Ah, and she can forget about the payment. She doesn't bring me Lop, I don't give her the payment.”
“I will notify her immediately.” Agent Hercules said, leaving the room immediately.
Prar sat on the couch with his fingers crossed, looking at the wall with a serious face, thinking about what had happened while trying to hold his anger for this failure.
“Next time you won't run away, Lepi. Believe me.” Prar said to himself. “You will be mine, no matter what.”
