The Runaways

Dinner with the Queen

*20 BBY, Zygerria*

The boys and I contacted the base. The remaining clones were also bored out of their minds.

"Don't let your guard down." Kittyhawk told them.

"Stay safe." Crack-up told us. A knock on the door scared us all.

"Ms. Aen? Her majesty is ready for her dinner with you."

"Thank you, give me a few minutes to be ready!" I called through the door. The clones pulled their masks up and pulled down their eye guard. "Spitfire, have you been rubbing your face?"

"Yes."

"Your tattoo is showing." I rubbed my fingers in some dirt from a potted plant and rubbed my fingers under his eye to cover his tattoo. "Watch that."

"Yes sir." Our eye contact lingered, but I broke it. I took off my cape and opened the door.

"Please take me to the dining area.

"Yes ma'am." The guard replied. He marched us through countless corridors. After about 10 minutes of walking, we came upon a large room with vaulted ceilings. "We're here." Large windows revealed the setting sun, and candles decorated the long table. Seating for 50+ people, yet Queen Briar and I were the only ones eating. It was very intimate and slightly romantic. The guard bowed and left.

"Good evening your majesty." I bowed, and my "slaves" weren't far behind.

"Good evening Runo. Please, come eat." She swept a long arm to motion to the two seats with plates. "Your slaves can stand over there." She pointed to a small area about 50 feet away from where we sat. I nodded, and they all obediently walked over. Queen Briar clapped, and about 10 slaves came bearing plates of mouth-watering food. Game animals cooked in fat and spices, fruit piled on top of golden trays. My mouth watered.

"My goodness Queen Briar! This is wonderful!"

"Oh, why thank you!"

"May I ask, why all this for me?"

"Runo you surely have yet to get to know me." She purred, her hooded green eyes meeting mine. Butterflies in my stomach fluttered. She waved a hand at a slave to bring the food to the table. All of the slaves were wearing heavy shock collars. A male Roadian tripped, and spilled his tray of drinks. Before he even hit the ground, his sock collar sent blue shocks of electricity pulsing down his body. I had to resist the urge to help him. Luckily, my "slaves" stood still. It was cleaned up and the Rodian came back bearing new drinks.

"Sorry for the inconvenience." The Queen murmured.

"There is nothing to be sorry for, your highness." I bowed my head lightly. "They simply are not worth as much as we." I hated the words that exited my mouth. The Queen's expression did not change. She stabbed a vegetable soaked in meat sauce and sucked it off her fork. She then daintily picked up a crystal glass full of alcohol with a clawed hand.

"So." She looked at me with a wicked smile and hooded eyes. "You're in need of some top slaves."

"Yes ma'am."

"You came to the right place!" She put up her hands, exclaiming. "King Molec will soon take the throne, but I am here in this place while he fixes things."

"I see."

"Anyway." The Queen set her chin on her hand, leaning in slightly closer. "Anything specific?" I pondered a moment.

"Yes." I took a long sip of the alcohol. It was sweet. "Preferably female Twi'leks." I set my drink down. "Per my client's request."

"We are never in short supply of those." Queen Briar chuckled. "I'll tell you what, when we have our next slave auction, I will make sure you get this brilliant pair." The Queen looked at me. "They used to be a trio, but there was an...accident." My stomach turned upside down.

"Sounds like a plan." I looked back at Kittyhawk, Spitfire, and Ranahan. "But they must come with me."

"Of course, you may bring them! They are vital to the way of life in this Galaxy after all."