Public Zydrate Comes in a Little Glass Vial

[Ysennia Lee]

Tarin Kosh

She kinda let him drone on for a bit. He was sizing her up. Either that or she was looking for a reason.

It took her too long to realize she was revealing more about herself than she was letting on. Maybe it was her porcelain skin that really gave it away. She had a 'I can do whatever I want with daddy's money' vibe that oozed out of every fiber of her being. Something she didn't realize she gave off until now. Civilian life was easier for her than most other vets, which meant that reintegrating for her was no issue. And here she was trying to be the next Han Solo but less cool. It was kind of pathetic.

Nevertheless. Big shot over here called her out. If he was attempting to clock her on the way she conducted herself then it wasn't just out of spite. Your average ganger didn't use terms like 'independent smuggler.' But your average ganger also didn't offer credits wrapped in a bow with a thank you card on it. So Ysennia knew she had to keep the pressure on him, but not hard enough that she chased him away. This was something more on her level. Anyone could negotiate. But to beat your enemy, you had to know your enemy. Ysennia knew this guy was an imp, but she didn't want to say the quiet part out loud. She was willing to play his game until she cleared her own suspicions.

"And now there are vultures looking to feed off its corpse since its fall. Trust me. I might not know a thing about the spice trade. But I do know an opportunist when I see one. That premium you were offering sounded more like a sign-on bonus than a one time deal. What's next, were you gonna offer healthcare?"

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[Tarin Kosh]

"They were more addicted to self destruction then to the spices themselves ... there is something romantic in the tragedy of it" - Old Friend | Tags - Ysennia Lee

Who got this hung up over a premium on a substance deal? Kosh genuinely didn't understand it.

Of all the details to focus on, that was the one she chose. There was no pressure attached to the offer. No hidden clause. No elaborate catch. Ten percent above market rate was generous, certainly, but hardly suspicious in a business where margins could fluctuate wildly from one sector to the next.

Besides, by her own admission, she wasn't even interested in the spice trade. So why care? Why spend so much effort dissecting whether he offered ten percent, twenty percent, or thirty? At this rate, perhaps he should start offering healthcare packages as well.

The thought almost made him laugh. Then again, maybe that wasn't such a ridiculous idea, the galaxy was bleeding. Every day smugglers, couriers, enforcers, mercenaries, and criminals alike found themselves shot, stabbed, poisoned, betrayed, or stranded somewhere between one bad decision and the next. Entire worlds lacked functioning hospitals. Whole populations existed without even the most basic services.

Healthcare would probably save more lives than spice ever destroyed. The realization left him oddly disappointed.

He sighed.

"You say that like it's a joke."

His gaze met hers evenly.

"Healthcare would do a lot of good for most of these people."

The amusement slowly drained from his expression.

"Maybe this is all a joke to you."

His voice remained calm.

"Some sick fantasy where healthcare gets bundled together with deals that ruin thousands of lives."

For a moment he simply watched her, then he continued.

"Maybe even criminals don't have a place in the galaxy anymore."

A small shrug followed.

"Remnants of a dying age chasing the dream of some new Black Sun."

His eyes drifted briefly toward the city beyond.

"Whatever shape that disaster ends up taking."

Silence lingered for a second, then he took a breath.

"Or maybe..."

His voice softened slightly.

"Maybe there's still hope."

The words sounded strange even to him.

"Maybe smart people."

A pause.

"Common people."

Another.

"Decent people."

His eyes returned to hers.

"Maybe they're still capable of fixing things."

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.

 

[Ysennia Lee]

Tarin Kosh

She let the man speak without interruption. Then she went quiet. Suddenly she thought back to her faux confidence and realized she was no different than the hot shots in the gambling hall behind her. Let alone the patrons she interrupted when she walked in.

Alliance, Empire, Black Sun. None of it mattered anymore. If it did they wouldn’t be having conversations regarding the moral implications of healthcare packages for independent contract work. It didn’t even matter who was supplying who or for what purpose. She walked in with all the swagger of the people she scorned in that building.

What a joke.

She let the quiet between them linger for a few moments.

She thought about what the man next to her said. She didn’t know the intentions of the people inside. What they were buying or selling. Who they fought for or what they believe in. The Sith were preying upon the galaxy and it’s only going to get worse unless people do something about it. Everything was going to hell sooner than everyone liked. Present company understood that if you weren’t fighting, you were dying. So why not make your own luck?

Guess that’s why the pazaak tables were filled up. Some cruel symbolism.

“Do you consider yourself decent people?”

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