Chapters (57)
- Cover
- Doctor Aphra
- DRAMATIS PERSONAE
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- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
That’s funny. I’m a woman who doesn’t believe in sure things.
TRIPLE-ZERO:
And, if I may add, I’m a droid who likes holo-chess!
BEETEE:
BLEEP! BLEEP!
TRIPLE-ZERO:
As is Beetee!
APHRA:
Here’s some credits—go have fun, guys. The Ante and I can handle our business without you.
TRIPLE-ZERO:
Oh, Beetee! This is even more exciting than torturing organics…
BEETEE:
BLEEP! BLEEP BLEEP!
TRIPLE-ZERO:
No, no, very sage— nothing’s more exciting than that!
APHRA (narration):
The Ante and I settled into his lair—him in his ridiculously ostentatious chair, me in a much less resplendent piece of furniture. I noticed my chair was just a hair shorter in the legs—classic negotiating technique. Put the other person at a slightly lower level so they feel like they have a constant disadvantage.
APHRA:
We need the location of a man, Luke Skywalker. He’s the pilot who destroyed the Death—
THE ANTE:
I know who he is and why people would be looking for him. You’re not the only one who’s been trying to find this talented young man. There are other…interested parties. Demand has upped the price. Here, let me pull up my display of the most recent figure. It’s been changing by the hour.
The Ante pulls up a series of numbers on a holodisplay.
APHRA:
Whoa. That is an exciting number. Who else have you sold to?
THE ANTE:
No one. That’s why the price is so high.
APHRA:
And am I meant to believe that?
THE ANTE:
All crime lords are greedy. We want profits and power. We do not pursue this line of work out of altruism. However, most lack self-control. I do not. In the long run, a reliable trading partner will make more profit. Eventually someone will pay my price, and everyone will be better off.
Aphra slides an overflowing bag of credits across the floor to The Ante.
APHRA:
Glad to be that someone. Keep the change, eh?
THE ANTE:
You bring this much here? With nothing but a pair of droids for protection? You are trusting.
APHRA:
All crime lords are greedy, wanting profits, power, and plush cushions.
But I understand that you, The Ante, do not lack self-control and blah blah blah, fancy prepared speech to recite while fronting during deals.
THE ANTE:
This is a rather large amount of Imperial credits. I had my suspicions about the Son-tuul Pride’s fortune…I’d say this very circumstantial evidence would confirm my prejudices.
APHRA:
Can we stop with what I can only presume is crime lord flirting? No, I don’t want to see your enormous undercover operation!
Give me the kid’s location and let me get out of here.
THE ANTE:
He’s on Vrogas Vas.
APHRA:
Vrogas Vas? Really?
THE ANTE:
I’d bet my life on it.
APHRA:
The Ante, you are the best.
SPIRE SECURITY (on comm):
Imperial raiders approaching! Alert! Alert!
APHRA:
Oh, great.