Character
Tess swore when the credit chit was set on the table, the single move denying her the blood she wanted. She lowered the blaster roughly back into its holster and turned away, arms folding across her chest as she stepped away from the desk, and from Aether. Dax had sent her to die. He had shook her hand, given her his best bullshit smile and waved her on her way. If she had gotten past the Protectors, then an ambush would have been waiting for her.
None of Dax's men had the capability of bringing her down without sheer numbers, so whatever was waiting for her at the other end was Diarchy. What she couldn't wrap her head around was why. Why would the Diarchy want her dead? According to records Connory Monroe was dead. For every Mandalorian beside Aether, Mia Monroe's child did not exist. So why erase her?
She looked back to see Dax eyeing the credit chit, eyes lit up with greed and possibility. He was weighing up the cost of betraying someone as powerful as the Diarchy against the cost of his own life. Blue fingers reached forward wordlessly, pulling the credit chit close to him and offering Aether a wide smile. "A pleasure doing business with you, Mand'alor. It will be an honour to work with your legendary Owls." His gaze shifted to Tess. "No hard feelings?" he offered.
Tess laugh was hollow and empty of any humour. "Go fuck yourself, Dax."
She turned without looking at Aether, marching out of the door and through the bar, only coming to a stop when fresh air hit her face, cooling the heat that anger brought to her cheeks. She didn't expect loyalty in this world, it was ludicrous desire when literally anyone could be bought, but to send her to die? It felt like a betrayal after years of solid business between them.
Aether Verd
