"We can't escape—we've been fully caught by the tractor beam."
Realizing escape was impossible, Amir simply piloted the ship through a layer of atmospheric shielding, guiding it to land as steadily as possible.
"Let's go, BD-4. Let's see what they want."
Since the base hidden inside the asteroid hadn't fired on him directly, it meant there was still room for negotiation.
Gathering his gear, Amir headed for the hatch.
The Voyager had landed dead-center on a landing platform. All around, turrets were locked onto the ship, and numerous armed enemies were converging on the area.
Amir wasn't tense. He placed his lightsaber on the most accessible spot on his belt, his blaster on the other side, and double-checked the homemade explosives in his bag.
Fully prepared, Amir opened the hatch and stepped out.
"Hello there, friend!"
A booming voice greeted him from the front.
Amir looked toward the voice and saw a Weequay approaching, surrounded by pirates.
The Weequay's leathery gray-white skin and signature dome-shaped helmet made him instantly recognizable, along with the two braids trailing from the back of his head. He wore old goggles pushed up on his forehead.
"What do you want, stopping my ship like this?" Amir took a defensive stance.
"Don't be like that, friend. You and your 'companion' just killed my new captain. You think I can let that slide?"
The Weequay exaggeratedly winked as he spoke.
"I think there's a misunderstanding. We can talk this through," Amir said, trying to buy time. He'd already released his spider droid, which would scan the area and return to his left forearm. Even without wireless transmission, the spider droid was a major asset.
"I think you better fix your attitude. You still haven't cleared your name. Where's your friend? Bring him out!"
The Weequay suddenly shouted, his voice theatrically loud.
What an actor, Amir thought, watching the performance with exasperation.
"That guy wasn't my companion. I already killed him."
"Oh? In that case, yes, we definitely should talk. Especially about the cargo!" the Weequay said solemnly.
"Of course. I'm Amir."
"Haha! I'm Hondo Ohnaka—acting captain of this ship and outfit."
He looked around at the dozen pirates and shouted, "Lower your weapons! He might not be an enemy. Let's take this inside."
The pirates hesitated but obeyed.
Amir stepped forward, walking side by side with Hondo. BD-4 clung to his shoulder.
"So it was that Charles punk! When our dear captain said he'd been betrayed, I didn't believe him. What a shame!"
Amir told Hondo part of the truth.
"He lied to our captain and to you. We've both been burned, huh?"
"I only joined this crew a few months ago, and now the captain's dead. I've got a bunch of mouths to feed and no idea what to do. So… about the spice?"
Amir decided to play along and use the spice to buy time.
"Of course. The spice is still on my ship—it's your crew's property. You're welcome to take it any time."
That visibly relaxed the pirates nearby.
Hondo clapped a hand on Amir's shoulder and laughed.
"As long as you've got the spice, I'm in no rush. I love dealing with men like you—honest and generous!"
"Come, sit—you're a guest now! Tonight, we'll treat you properly!"
Hondo led him into a large hall inside the base. Preparations for a banquet were already underway.
"It was supposed to welcome our captain back… but life has other plans."
Hondo plopped down at the central table and gestured for Amir to sit beside him.
It wasn't a formal feast—pirates were already entertaining themselves nearby. Clearly, their captain's death wasn't a particularly tragic event to them.
As long as the spice was recovered, his death might even be good news.
Hondo raised his cup: "This here's some fine Mooska—a rare, strong spirit. Our captain's favorite."
It was clear this table had been prepared for their late captain.
Amir accepted a fruit platter from a protocol droid and took a bite.
"Your ship looks pretty nice. I once saw another YT-series freighter—top-notch ship. Its owner was a real character too, hehe…" Hondo rambled.
Amir suddenly noticed Hondo tapping his fingers rhythmically on the table.
A code?
Using his training in cryptography, Amir decoded the message. A few key words emerged:
"27 pirates… take out the Rodian… I… storage room… steal… your ship… escape…"
Amir glanced at him in surprise.
Hondo met his gaze and nodded subtly.
"Oh! Nature calls—excuse me, guest. Feel free to wander around!"
Hondo stood and walked toward the back.
Amir scanned the room, thinking.
Clearly, Hondo was a sly one. Their earlier conversation hinted at hidden intentions, and now the secret message confirmed Amir's suspicions.
As for cooperating with him—Amir didn't really have a choice.
Though the pirates had lowered their guard, they were still watching him. If he handed over the spice, his fate would still be in their hands. And now that he knew of their hidden base, they had even more reason to keep him here.
The other pirates didn't fully trust Hondo either. The Rodian who'd been following Hondo closely had a defiant glint in his bulbous eyes.
Given the current intel, the best chance for escape might be to trust Hondo—for now.
At that moment, the Rodian saw Hondo leave and walked over to Amir, blaster in hand.
He wiped the edge of the table and sat down in Hondo's former seat—the captain's seat.
"Seems like everyone loves this seat," Amir remarked casually.
Sowing discord could make the Rodian believe there was no alliance between him and Hondo.
"Watch yourself, outsider. Hondo might not be able to protect you," the Rodian said darkly.
Amir kept eating, but his thoughts were racing.
Hondo wanted him to take out this Rodian—but why? And when?
If he acted now, he'd be swarmed by pirates. He'd have to wait for a signal.
The signal would come from Hondo.
And the reason the Rodian needed to be eliminated?
Because he posed a threat to whatever Hondo was planning.
With that, Amir waited—patient and ready.
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