Galaxy (GIVEN UP)

Chapter 38

Pat stared at Virgil. "You're not joking?" They asked. "You're not... this isn't a joke?"

"Do I look like I'm jokin' to ya?" Virgil asked sharply. Pat nodded a little.

"Fair point..." They sat back in their chair. "Sweet shooting hope, that's..." They didn't finish their sentence. Instead, they looked back at Virgil like they'd just realised something. "But why should I trust you?"

"Cause he's just been kidnapped by the Empire!" Roman said. Unbelievable, what was with this bounty hunter? "They wanted his help building the complete molecule reversal thingy on a galactic scale."

"Prove it." Pat said, jutting their chin out. Virgil stared at them incredulously.

"Prove it?!" He repeated. "Nah. Nu-uh, this is bullshit. C'mon, Princey. We'll find better help somewhere else."

Virgil got up from the table as if to leave. Pat pulled their blaster out of its holster almost lazily and pointed it directly at Virgil's chest.

"You take a single step away from this table without my permission," they hissed, "and you'll be full of holes before you reach the door."

"Ya underestimate how much I can avoid gettin' shot at." Virgil hissed back but he sat down all the same. Pat rested their hand on the table, making sure the blaster was still pointed at Virgil and Roman.

"So, now that we're back to talking like civils," Pat said, "prove it."

Virgil rolled his eyes but the blaster kept him firmly seated at the table. "Look, I don't have any proof, okay?" He snapped quietly. "The Empire don't hurt ya like'that. They get inside ya head and then, if ya don't comply, they kill ya. I guess my only proof i'that I'm sittin' here, alive, an'that's only proof'that Princey an' Ax saved me."

Pat surveyed Virgil coolly. Virgil stared them down to begin with but eventually dropped his gaze. Pat still stared.

"Okay." They said slowly. Even slower, they slipped the blaster back into the holster at their hip. "Okay, fine. What do I get if I help you?"

Virgil stared at Pat like he couldn't believe his luck, Roman stared at them like he couldn't believe them.

"Are you kidding?!" He burst out. "What do you get?! How about a chance to live another day!"

"Careful, fighter." Pat snapped. "I've got a lot of friends in this pub. You don't want to sound like you're threatening me." Their voice dropped to a dangerous murmur as they leaned across the table.

Roman swallowed and darted his gaze around quickly. Virgil shook his head. "Ya bluffin'." He said. "Liar."

Pat sat back in their chair - a little moody at being found out - and fixed their gaze on Virgil. "What do I get if I help you?" They repeated.

"Nothing." Roman said. "Everything. A life? Why d'you want money for helping us save the galaxy?"

"Because I don't know if you'll succeed." Pat said, turning their head to Roman. "And if you don't, I want to spend my last few days alive pretty well. That means I need credits to spend. So how much will I get?" They were getting terse now.

"All I've got on me right now is 25 credits." Virgil said. "An' I doubt Princey has any money either."

Pat threw their head back and laughed. "25 credits? You've got to be joking! That'll get me a room in a cheap inn for about a day - with no paid food. Yeah, no." Pat stood up. "Gentlemen, it's been fun talking with you but I have other, more pressing, cases at hand."

"What about 2,500?" Virgil asked, his eyes fixed on the table. Pat stilled and, slowly, turned back on their heel. Virgil glanced up at them, his gaze set. "If we survive this," he said slowly, "I'll get ya 2,500 credits."

"Now, that is more like it." Pat said, slowly sliding back into their chair. "So, let's talk business." They pulled their blaster out and rested it on the table, the barrel pointing towards themself. Parley. "Who are we finding?"

I really like this Pat. I don't know why, they're just... cool
Bye,
Blaize