The flickering of hyperspace's beautiful, terrible mottle lit the harsh lines of Vesper Thrace's face. She stood, alone but for the closest thing she had to a friend and loyal footsoldier, Tavi Corvask. They were the only two witnesses to the transmission they had just received. Even then, with the communications projector still whirring down, Vesper felt every hair on the back of her neck standing up, the tingle going up her scalp, as if it could rip her hair from the tight braids that had become her hallmark.
Eyes, wine-dark as the sea, flicked to Tavi, then away.
No words passed between them in that moment.
Visions of untold riches swam before Vesper's eyes, but she knew they were phantoms. Not totally ephemeral, perhaps, but false all the same. Every credit earned would have a blood price. Every inch taken from enemies would have a blood price. Her blood, maybe. Tavi's, maybe. But the crew of the Sirenjack would almost certainly not make it out unscathed. And yet... the opportunity for wealth -- and to stick it to the Empire -- well, that put a hint of color into her otherwise pallid cheeks. Her eyes flickered back to Tavi again.
He was going to hate this.
Vesper had promised to consult. That was it. One word. Not with whom. Not even the direction of travel; no doubt Mercy would expect her to give orders and expect compliance. But something this important -- this likely to result in death for several -- demanded a little more than barking for them to jump and demanding people to ask how high. Before Tavi could stop her -- before she could stop herself -- she touched the intercom controls. "All crew to the mess. Two minutes."
She laid it out plainly. The stakes. The possible haul. What it could mean. What it would probably cost.
"Show me hands -- those in favor," Vesper barked from her position standing on a crate of frying oil for the occasion. A sea of hands shot up. Vesper didn't bother counting; it was a clear majority. "And those against?" Three hands. Vesper frowned. "Not am ambiguous result. Those opposed -- I do not think less of you. It is much to ask. But you are part of this crew and this crew has spoken. Find a way to be useful and earn your cut."
"All hands, prepare to revert to realspace and jump again." She clasped her hands behind her back and straightened before turning her gaze to Tavi Corvask again. "First Officer: we sail for Coruscant."
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