dont deny it

Im serious, she said as they approached the Woebegones lowered boarding ramp. Ill say it again: this ship operates as a democracy. Im your captain because knowing whos good at what is just something I have a talent for. She looked at Blir. Do I ever tell you how to pilot Then at Semasalli. Do I ever question your decision about jump points No, Captain, the two said, as if by rote. So Im simply speaking as a member of what should be a competent team, and not as a commander. She blew out her breath in a way that shook her trio of striped headtails. Either we turn a profit on this run, or we think about going to the Hutts for another loan. Even Wandau, who had had more dealings with various Hutts than anyone else, bemoaned the mere prospect. Thats right, Lah told the tall Klatooinian. And dont any of you fool yourself into thinking that we can float an honest loan. Because no bank worth its assets is going to accept the Woebegone as collateral. Maa Kaap and Blir traded quick glances before the Zabrak said, Excuse me for saying so, Captain, but you didnt seem particularly concerned about credits last night Watch what you say, Lah told her first mate, barely restraining a smile. I thought you were ready to give that young thing the ship, PePe said, joining the tease. Lah waved a hand in dismissal. I was just toying with him. Toy being the operative word, Maa Kaap said. Since he was young enough to still play with them. The captain planted her hands on her hips. I can be convincing when I want to be. Oh, that you were, Zuto said, reigniting a chorus of laughter that accompanied them into the Woebegones main cabin space, where 114D was waiting. Everything in order Lah asked the droid. The droid raised three of its appendages in an approximation of a salute. Shipshape, Captain. All the cargo is aboard and accounted for Aboard and accounted for, Captain. You checked the thermo readouts In each bay, Captain. She returned a satisfied nod. Well, all right then. The shipmates split up, each with duties to perform. Blir and Semasalli to the cockpit; Zuto, Wandau, and PePe to check that the cargo had been properly stowed; Maa Kaap and 114D to seal the ship; and Captain Lah to get clearance from Baldemnic spaceport control. Without fanfare the ship left the warm world behind and jumped from cold ether into the netherworld of hyperspace. Lah was still seated at the communications console when Blir radioed her from the cockpit. We need your input on something. Since when she said. Seriously. She headed forward, and had no sooner ducked into the cockpit than Semasalli indicated a flashing telltale on the ships status display suite. A small metal plate below the telltale read: CARGO BAY 4 AMBIENT. Too hot or too cold Lah asked the Dresselian. Too cold. Lah flicked her forefinger against the telltale, but it continued to flash. Funny, that usually works. She studied Semasallis frown. What do you think He sniffed and ran a hand over a hairless, deeply fissured head that mirrored the appearance of the convoluted brain it contained. Well, it could be the bay thermostat. Or Or one of the shipping containers could have opened By itself Maybe during the jump, Blir said from the pilots chair. Okay, so we go check it out. She glanced from Blir to Semasalli and shook her head in ignorance. What arent you telling me Blir answered for the two of them. Remember the Zabrak that Maa was talking to in the cantina Which cantina Lah said; then added: No, I remember him. He was looking for a lift. Semasalli nodded. Hed been booted from his last freighter. He didnt say why, but Maa thought he smelled trouble, and said we couldnt take him aboard. Lah followed the clues they were giving her and nodded. Youre thinking we have a stowaway. Just a thought, the Dresselian said. Which is why you wanted to check with me before going aft. Exactly. Lahs face grew almost as wrinkled as Semasallis. The ship would have told us if anyone had tampered with the antiintrusion sys. Unless he came in with the cargo Blir said. You mean inside one of the containers Blir nodded. Then hed be stiff as an icicle by now. Lah turned to Semasalli. Does bay four have a vid feed On screen, Semasalli said, swiveling his chair to face the status displays. Lah put her palms flat on the console and leaned toward the screen while the Dresselian brought up grainy views of the cargo bay. Finally the remote cam found what they were looking for: an opened shipping container, wreathed by clouds of coolant, with its cargo of costly meatfins already defrosting. Spawn of a Lah started when the next view of the cargo bay stunned her into slackjawed silence. Blir blinked repeatedly before asking, Is that what I think it is Lah swallowed hard and found her voice. Well, it sure isnt the Zabrak. Plagueis was seated atop one of the smaller shipping containers when the hatch began to cycle. Fully awake since the Woebegones jump to hyperspace, he had sat still for the various scans the crew had run, and now lowered the hood of the lightweight and bloodied robe. When the hatch slid to, he found himself confronted by the ships Togruta female captain, along with a muscular male Zabrak; a mottled Klatooinian as tall as a normal Muun; an Aqualish of the twoeyed variety; and a scarlethued, scalyskinned Kaleesh, whose face resembled those of the bats Plagueis had consumed on Baldemnic, and who was emitting an olio of potent pheromones. All five carried blasters, but only the Klatooinians was primed for fire and leveled at Plagueis. Youre not listed on the shipping manifest, stranger, Captain Lah said as she stepped into the bay, breath clouds emerging with the words. Plagueis spread his hands in an innocent gesture. I confess to being a stowaway, Captain. Lah approached guardedly, motioning to the open container a few meters away. How did you survive in there Plagueis mimicked the wave of her hand. Those sea creatures make a comfortable bed. The Zabrak surged forward, his stippled cranium furrowed in anger. Those creatures are how we make our living, Muun. And right now theyre not worth a karking credit. Plagueis locked eyes with him. I apologize for spoiling some of your cargo. The coolant, Lah said more harshly. How did you survive that We Muuns have three hearts, Plagueis said, crossing one leg over the other. Two of them are under voluntary control, so I was able to keep my blood circulating and my body temperature close to normal. Standing by the open container, the Quara said, Speaking of blood, youre leaking some. Plagueis saw that some of the sea creatures were coated with congealed blood. The result of an unfortunate accident. But thank you for noticing. Lah shifted her gaze from the container to Plagueis. We have a medical droid. Ill have it take a look at your injury. Thats very kind of you, Captain. Youre a long way from the Braxant Run, the Kaleesh said. And probably the last species wed expect to find stowing away in a cargo container. Plagueis nodded in agreement. I can well imagine. Konmeas Spaceport has passenger flights to Bimmisaari, the Zabrak added. You couldnt wait, or youre out of credits To be honest, I wished to avoid the common spaceways. Lah and the Zabrak traded dubious looks. Are you a fugitive she asked. Wanted Plagueis shook his head. I do, however, value my privacy. Well you might, the Quara said. But you have to admit He motioned to the bloody sea creatures. this undermines your credibility some. What brought you to Baldemnic, Muun the Klatooinian asked before Plagueis could speak. Im not at liberty to divulge the nature of my activities. Banking Clan investments, the Klatooinian said with a sneer. Or lawyering. Thats all the Muuns do, Captain. Lah appraised Plagueis. Is he right Plagueis shrugged. Not all of us are bankers or lawyers. No more than all Togrutas are pacifists. Be better for you if you were a financial wizard, the Zabrak said, to avoid being jettisoned from our ship. Plagueis kept his eyes on Lah. Captain, I appreciate that you and your crew have many questions about me. But perhaps for the sake of simplicity, the two of us could speak privately for a moment. When she hesitated, he added: Strictly in the interest of facilitating an agreement. Lah glanced at everyone, then set her jaw and nodded. I wont be long, she told the Zabrak as he was exiting the bay. But keep us on vid anyway. The Zabrak shot Plagueis a gimlet stare as he spoke. If you are long, well be returning soon enough. Plagueis waited until he and Lah were alone. Thank you, Captain. She scowled. Enough of the polite jabber. Who are you, and why didnt you leave Baldemnic aboard whatever craft brought you there Plagueis loosed an elaborate sigh. Before we go into any of that, suppose we assess the present situation squarely. Ive stowed away aboard your vessel in the hope of arranging quick passage to Muunilinst. Speaking in Basic, Plagueis pronounced the word with the second n silent. Fortunately for both of us, Im in a position to reward you handsomely for transportand of course Ill cover the cost of whatever precious cargo Ive ruined. You need only quote a reasonable price and the deal can be concluded. I assure you, Captain, that I am a Muun of my word.