Chapter 45: Wish

                                    

                                          
Cal and I made it back to the hangar, finding N6 and the rest of the crew by the Mantis.
"Captain!" N6 zoomed over, sounding overly enthusiastic about my return. "We found some super cool stuff. Khosuh said we can take half! Did you guys find that one dude you were looking for?"
"We did," Cal replied, looking from my droid to his group. "Y/n made sure we would get it the hangar soon enough." 
Cere came over and began to ask about Tabbers, and I stepped away for a while, walking over to my ship and pretended to examine the outside of the Tyrant for any external damage. In my peripheral, I could spot Khosuh making his way over, hands on his hips. My attention turned to him once he was close enough. 
"Did you need something?" I asked, crossing my arms.
Khosuh wasn't looking at me, he was staring at my ship. "Your ship looks pristine, so I doubt you're over here checking for damages..." His eyes then found their way to me. "Did you really mean what you said to Cal back in the elevator?"
"Yes- wait, why were you listening to our conversation?"
"Cramped spaces aren't really the place for private conversations, Y/n."
I sighed, looking away to stare at my ship. "I meant every word. It's not the lifestyle I will ever find solace in, Khosuh. Cal was wrong about me suffering. I'm not, but I'm content, and don't try to argue my actions."
Khosuh raised a hand, waving off my defensive words. "I know, kiddo. I know. I won't start that conversation with you, but I want to make sure you're okay."
"Are you seriously trying to comfort me or comfort yourself?"
He let out a chuckle. "Perhaps a bit of both. Nothing I say has ever gotten past you, has it."
"No, not since day one where you had me practically chained to your mechanics shop and eyed me like a hawk every single day. I can read you a little to well."
"Do you think this Tabbers will deliver, and if he doesn't what will you do?"
I rolled my eyes. "If you're insinuating that I'll just kill him because I didn't get what was owed is a bit of a reach, don't you think? I have a reputation to maintain. That's the actions of a petty criminal here on this planet."
Khosuh raised his hands defensively. "I'm just asking."
We continued small talk, and for a while I forgot about the separation that stood between Khosuh and I and the rest of the group. Of course, private moments like these would never last, unless somehow I'd be able to escape the Empire, or leave it. Vader wouldn't wave and watch me walk out the front door and never see me again. 
Passing the time with conversation and a light meal in the Hangar, Tabbers arrived as promised, giving me and Cal what was promised. After we loaded the cargo and I paid the man, he beckoned me off to the side away from the group, telling them he wanted to double check with the 'man in charge' to make sure all was well with the cargo. 
I raised my mask away from my face to scratch an itch on my nose as we meandered away from the group to stand by the open hangar door, and placed it snuggly back on my face before the man could turn around. 
"You're Korbec Stas."
"Found out after my departure, did you? I know you too, you work for the empire...supposedly. I looked you up a few hours ago."
"Yes."
This man was emanating nervous energy, so I cut to the chase for him.
"If you think I'm going to kill you for being so helpful and generous, then you're mistaken. I don't shed blood unnecessarily. Although, there is no guarantee for the multiple people who witnessed and probably overheard our exchange at your place of employment. Don't blame me if it goes up in smoke for you because you were too open to help Cal Kestis."
"You really are a devil."
I smirked. "I accept the compliment. I'll be sure to tell Darth Vader of your enormous generosity to the Empire. He would be most grateful."
Tabbers face paled, and I could see collecting sweat glistening on his brow as our conversation had continued up until now. 
Smiling, I uncrossed my arms. "It seems we have an understanding with one another."
Tabbers let out an irritated growl, and went to sidestep me to go talk to Cal. I blocked him with an arm, hand pressed firmly on the man's chest. 
"Nuh-uh-uh. Go. Home." I said, voice dangerously light. "Go on now, and remember whos side you're on. This is one of two warnings I'm going to give you."
Tabbers glanced at me, then took a step back, then another before he fully turned around and walked away. I watched him walk down the dimly-lit hangar hallway and saw him glance back at me. Standing there, I made sure he was out of sight before returning back to the group. 
"Ensix, go fire up the ship."
My droid partner zoomed off and up into the Tyrant.
Cal looked sad. "Already?"
"I can't stay too long. I should have been on my way back by now. I'm sorry." I apologized. Cal came over and gave me a long hug, I could feel my eyes begin to burn, so I was the first to pull away and walk over to Khosuh, who was talking to Greez.
"Khosuh?"
The tall feline turned around. "Hey kiddo, leaving?"
The Tyrant turned on, engine sounds rising to a content hum. I nodded. "Yeah, but I wanted to give you something before I left."
He took a step closer, taking a knee and held out a ready hand. I reached behind me underneath my robe and pulled out Sen's lightsaber, part of her shawl still wrapped neatly around the hilt. 
"I don't really need three of these. Mind taking care of it for me? Besides, I think she would have wanted you to have it, since Kohan isn't around to take it." I gently set it in his palm. 
His clawed fingers closed around it as he stared up at me. "Thank you, Y/n."
I took a knee and hugged him tightly for a few seconds before getting up and walking away. My eyes let the tears go, and I wasn't about to let them see. N6 was waiting right inside the boarding door. 
"Ready to go, Captain? I have coordinates set for Mustafar."
"Yeah, I'm ready to get off this planet."
Sitting down, I lifted the Tyrant into the air, and flew low, finding where Tabbers's bar was. "Ensix, can you scan for occupants?"
"There isn't any, looks like the place closed down after Tabbers came to meet us."
Without a word, I fired on the bar after scanning for the sweet spot. The bar exploded below, going up in a plume of flames and smoke. I turned the ship around and flew away, jumping into hyperspace as soon as we left the planet's atmosphere.