WITHERING GLARE, CONCLUSION
"I don't know about this."
"Look, it's okay if you say no," said Zarin Kal, sitting in front of Valrisa aboard the latter's ship. "You can just drop me off at the nearest spaceport city. But you're the only one I can trust, Sare."
"Why, because I used to be a Jedi like you?" Valrisa replied, arms folded. "I wasn't even one for that long; I left after no more than a year."
"Yes, I know. But at this point...." Zarin sighed. "I can't return to the Jedi. Their path is no longer mine. My destiny now lies with the Whills."
Typha let out a barely restrained snort. Valrisa gave her a look.
"I'm sorry," the Pantoran said, trying in vain to hide a smirk. "It's just... that name is so... dumb."
Zarin nodded. "I'll admit it doesn't sound very enticing, but I hear that Whill scriptures -- what few that have been recovered -- go for astronomical prices."
"Uh-huh." Valrisa gave him an impassive look. "Still sounds like a wild yunax chase."
"Again, you can drop me off--"
"Oh, I didn't say I was going to do that." Valrisa smiled wryly. "In fact, I think we can use the extra hand."
Zarin blinked. "Really?"
"Of course. After what happened today, my mom is bound to send her goons after me and Typha. Plus, you're a Kiffar, so any artifacts we find you can help verify."
Zarin looked uneasy at that. "I, uh, don't think my abilities can be used to quite that extent."
"...And you're a Sith. Dark Jedi. Force user. Whatever. Point is, you can use a lightsaber."
"Ah, I see what you're getting at. So we have a deal then?"
"Deal." Valrisa turned around in her seat to face the canvas of space. "Right then. Next stop: Spira."
"Yes!" Typha jumped out of her seat to hug Valrisa. "Thank you! Thank you!"
Zarin raised an eyebrow. "What's on Spira?"
"The best beach resort in the galaxy," Valrisa replied. "It's been a long week for us all. I think we're all due for some rest."
"Yeah." Zarin allowed himself a smile. "I think so as well."
* * *
"...So, in conclusion, Hahgalor Mos is dead, the artifact Sare Valrisa was selling is lost, and Valrisa herself has gone AWOL." The purple-skinned Pa'lowick lowered the datapad in his hands, twitching his elongated luscious lips. "Couple this with the death of Alazar and the situation with Altech Industries... needless to say, thinks are not going good for the Cabal."
"When I want your opinion, Orbego, I'll ask for it," snarled the hidden leader and namesake of the Malvis Cabal. "Besides, this is no more than a minor inconvenience. Alazar and Mos can both be replaced, and the droids from Altech can be recalled. I'm sure Vertseth or Loratus will be willing to take their place."
Malvis fell silent for a moment and Orbego waited patiently for a dismissal until his superior spoke up again. "This Sare Valrisa... she is the daughter of Sareth Valrisa, correct? The Dowager of Sedratis?"
"Indeed, sir." Orbego swayed on his gangling legs."However... from what I've gathered, she was disowned by her mother thirteen years ago."
"Any indication as to why?"
"Nothing I know for a fact. However... Sedratis is a Core World and a very conservative one at that; more so than any other planet in its region. And... to my understanding, Sare Valrisa is in a public relationship with another female."
"The Pantoran."
"Yes, Typha Lorr. Another outcast of a big-name family, funnily enough, albeit for different reasons." Orbego cleared his throat, tapping his fingers against his datapad. "So, yeah, don't know for certain, but when you put two and two together...."
"How long has Valrisa been working for us?"
"She took up her first job under our employ three years ago. Before that, she was working for a Black Sun Vigo before they, ah, kicked the bucket."
Malvis was silent again. Orbego heard the sound of movement before his superior spoke once more.
"Send me through to the Dowager. I think there's an enlightening conversation to be had."
END OF
WITHERING GLARE
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