"Intruders in the back. They stole a few pickpockets in training, killed two of our men, and escaped." A minor boss waved his hand irritably upon hearing the subordinate's report.
"I know. Since they're gone, forget about it! There are more important things now!"
In the hall before him, the three Imperial Inquisitors had already approached.
Nuludin stood up from his seat, looking down at the three Inquisitors from the high platform.
Suddenly realizing this was inappropriate, he quickly jumped down, landing on the floor of the plaza.
"You are Nuludin?" the Grand Inquisitor asked.
Nuludin nodded.
"Then bring the item."
"Then... the things the Empire promised me..."
"You will have everything, as long as you remain loyal." The Grand Inquisitor replied perfunctorily, then shifted his gaze to the table on the high platform, where a safe sat.
Nuludin had come down too hastily just now and left the most important item up there.
But Nuludin showed no intention of going up to get it.
He wanted something tangible. And what had this man in front of him brought?
You will have everything?
Then hand it over!
Money in one hand, goods in the other—even a three-year-old understands this principle. Don't you?
Seeing the stubborn look in Nuludin's eyes, the Grand Inquisitor's expression turned cold.
How could he know what this person wanted specifically? Since the Empire sent them instead of ordinary agents, the meaning was already clear.
They were here to take it by force.
With the martial power of the Inquisitors and the deterrence of the Empire, no one dared to resist.
If this weren't Hutt territory, he wouldn't even need to come personally; they would be greeted by Imperial stormtroopers.
Previously, almost everyone who saw an Inquisitor would accept their fate and swallow the loss in silence. But Nuludin clearly didn't plan to let it go like that.
His loyal subordinates around him all raised their blasters.
The Grand Inquisitor felt a slight unease seeing the formation around him. Are they really stubborn enough to attack me? This target is tougher than the previous ones.
But so what if they were tough?
"You should know the consequences of angering the Empire," the Grand Inquisitor said coldly.
Nuludin didn't speak, still staring intently at the man in front of him.
The Rodian's large eyes looked like they were about to pop out of his head.
Standing aside, Lindsey was even more anxious.
What the hell is my brother doing?!
The people who came have practically made their attitude clear: they want it for free!
Why are you still staring? Are you really going to provoke the Empire and completely destroy the organization?!
In Lindsey's original thoughts, his brother was likely planning to abandon the organization and defect to the Empire. Over this period, he had seen everything Nuludin did: liquidating the organization's assets, raising funds, gathering all personnel...
Lindsey couldn't bear to part with this big setup. He enjoyed everything he had on Nar Shaddaa and couldn't tolerate it being destroyed by Nuludin, so he made many preparations.
His worst-case scenario was that Nuludin would abandon the organization to join the Empire. In that case, Lindsey would use force to seize ownership. No matter what foolish thing Nuludin did, Lindsey would cut ties with him and resolutely stop him from shaking Dead Hand's interests, because by then, all of this would be his.
As for some artifact, just let them take it!
But he never dared to imagine that Nuludin would actually show hostility toward the Empire.
Screw the transaction! Once they provoked the Empire, Dead Hand would definitely be purged. Even being in Hutt territory wouldn't save them!
Lindsey couldn't allow such a thing to happen.
So he raised his blaster rifle with one hand, moved silently to the table on the high platform, and reached out to grab the safe.
"Don't be impulsive! I'm bringing the goods over right now. We trust the Empire's credit, don't we, Nuludin?" Lindsey forced a smile, while cursing furiously inside.
"Lindsey!" Nuludin didn't take the out offered to him. Instead, he turned his head and glared at his brother.
As if he hadn't heard Nuludin's harsh tone, Lindsey took the safe and walked down the steps of the platform one by one.
At this moment, the people around them realized the situation.
Lindsey was disobeying their Boss's orders!
So everyone raised their guns, aiming at Lindsey as he walked down.
And just then, all the traitors Lindsey had arranged beforehand immediately raised their guns, aiming at those attempting to threaten Lindsey.
Seeing this, Amir also raised his two blaster pistols, putting on a show.
However, Nuludin, who should have been panicked, let out a scornful laugh.
"You think you can suppress me, Lindsey? Your petty moves were clear to me long ago."
After he finished speaking, almost all the traitors turned their coats again, realigning with Nuludin and pointing their guns at the brother attempting to usurp the throne.
Why "almost"? Because there was still one person supporting Lindsey.
The despairing Lindsey suddenly saw Amir standing on the shipping container. He remembered this person was called Sirdan, a helper he had hired for a heavy sum. He had specially arranged the best position for him, and he hadn't betrayed him!
Amir didn't react immediately either. How come all the traitors aren't traitors anymore? Does that mean I'm the only traitor?!
For a moment, Amir didn't know who to point his blaster pistols at. A tense atmosphere began to spread, and Amir felt the gaze of the entire hall focused on him.
Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?
Amir asked himself silently.
Finally, the Grand Inquisitor, who had been watching the drama coldly, lost his patience. He raised his hand directly. The safe in Lindsey's hands was yanked toward him by the Force. The distracted Lindsey couldn't hold onto it at all.
Seeing this scene, Nuludin panicked too.
Amir couldn't watch any longer either. The item falling into the Inquisitor's hands would not be a good thing.
So Amir fired directly.
Under the gaze of dozens of people, the man standing on the container, wearing a helmet and trench coat, began shooting with a blaster in each hand!
The first few shots, Amir sent directly toward the Grand Inquisitor, the trajectory aiming straight for his right hand.
Caught off guard, the bald Pau'an dodged hurriedly but still lost his balance, dropping the safe to the ground.
The subsequent shots Amir directed at the Dead Hand members closest to him. They posed the greatest threat and had to be dealt with first.
Lindsey hadn't expected Amir to fire at all.
Sirdan, right?! Taking money and getting the job done! Even surrounded by dozens of people, he dares to fire! This brother is worth keeping!
While moved, Lindsey immediately raised the blaster rifle in his hand and aimed it at Nuludin.
"Nobody move!" Lindsey shouted.
The gunfire that had just erupted around them stopped in that instant.
Because their Boss was being held at gunpoint.
But this silence didn't last long.
The assassin droid standing on the high platform suddenly fired.
The blaster bolt precisely hit Lindsey's wrist, knocking his weapon away.
"Good aim!" Amir sighed in admiration, then immediately flipped off the container.
What can I do when my teammates are useless?!
In an instant, all the blasters in the hall began firing toward Amir's direction.
Lindsey was pinned to the ground by several Dead Hand members behind him in a flash.
Amidst this chaos, an alloy sphere dropped silently from the roof, rolling into the crowd.
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