14

The inside of the Sikta palace was like nothing Saedii had seen before.

Only a few of the lights still worked and they flickered in and out, while the broken remains of the others cast long shadows along the corridor. Rust was beginning to creep along the floors and walls, disappearing behind rich tapestries and rugs dyed bright scarlet and emerald. Broken windows had been replaced with stained glass mosaics from dozens of different worlds, depicting old battle victories.

Doors had been roughly ripped from their hingers, giving a peek to the rooms inside. Most of them were packed floor to ceiling with gold, precious gemstones, and other kinds of worldly goods. The others had thick curtains pulled in front of them, around which thick, purple drathroot smoke tumbled out.

Omega coughed.

"Don't like drathroot?" Shiveen asked gruffly in front of them.

"She's twelve," Saedii snapped.

Shiveen gave a very nonchalant shrug. "We don't judge here. Everyone has a vice."

Omega stood up on her tiptoes to whisper into Saedii's ear, "What's a vice?"

"Nothing," Saedii whispered back. "And don't ask any of the guys what it is either."

At the end of the corridor, they were led straight towards where the bridge would have been. In her head, Saedii mapped their journey, identifying where the closest exits would be in case things went bad. She was so focused that she nearly missed the terrible sight in the hall if not for Omega asking, "Why is that man in a cage?"

Saedii's attention jumped to where Omega was pointing. Sure enough, an emaciated man was trembling in a cage that was far too small for him. His sunken, sad eyes followed them as they passed, silently begging for help.

"He tried to betray the Spice Queen," Shiveen said with glee. "Now, he serves as an example for all would-be traitors what will happen."

The look Saedii shot Phee was acidic. Phee ignored her.

As they approached the door to the bridge, the hall was suddenly lined with what appeared to be guards of some kind, though they didn't appear to have the same discipline usually found among the Republic army. Females of all different species, ranging from a Vurk to a Gungan, lounged against the wall. A vast array of weapons was collected between them – blasters and knives and swords.

Hunter was going to have an aneurism when he heard about this.

One of the guards slid the door open, revealing what had once been the bridge of the cruiser. Now, it looked anything but.

All of the computer systems had been forcefully removed and in the hollows left behind, troves of treasure had been piled inside so that pockets of gold and silver and silks lined the rooms. On the bottom floor, massive gold and granite statues filled the open space like a museum, draped in swaths of silk and fine furs.

The gangway to the central control system had been covered in rich rugs, most of them gold and red. Except for the one at the very end, which was pitch black.

On top of it sat a throne.

A massive chunk of crystal had been hollowed out just enough for a long figure to sit. Carved into the arm rests, the faces of ancient gods from long dead civilizations stared out. Each one had eyes of the darkest red – rubies, if Saedii wasn't mistaken.

And sitting on that throne was the Spice Queen herself.

A Zyggerian woman watched them through slitted eyes as they approached. Long and graceful, she crossed her furred legs before her, revealing shoes gilded with silver. She wore a dress of dark velvet, adorned with all kinds of brooches, while crusted along her fingers were rings of every kind of precious stone imaginable.

A very thin veil hung over the bottom half of her face. It hid her teeth as she said, in a voice of smoke and silk, "Hello, Phee."

"Your Majesty." Phee pitched a bow, gesturing Saedii and Omega to do the same.

"You're late," the Spice Queen said with displeasure.

"My deepest apologies. My interns are still learning time management."

Saedii shot her a look.

The Spice Queen's slitted eyes fanned over Omega and Saedii, lingering on Saedii's face. "I've never met a Daethii before. I thought your kind didn't like to leave your home world?"

"We don't." Saedii's voice was stiff. At a significant look from Phee, she softened it and added, "I mean, most prefer not to, Your Majesty. I left long ago."

"Why?"

"My parents sought a better life elsewhere."

The Spice Queen's head tilted. For a moment, Saedii was nervous that she'd been caught in her lie until the queen demanded, "And did they find one?"

"No," Saedii said simply.

"Pity." Amusement was dancing in her eyes. Apparently, the thought of Saedii's parents' failure was amusing to her.

The Spice Queen's attention shifted back to Phee. "Do you have my item?"

"I do." Reaching into the pouch at her side, Phee pulled out a small statue of a strange looking creature, snarling. Diamond fangs dripped from his mouth.

Omega leaned forward with interest to look.

"One statue from the Ordanelle civilization. Perfectly preserved in one of the tombs of their last king, Odyn'etryk." Phee took a step forward, holding it so the statue caught the light of a nearby light.

Shiveen made a step to block her, but the Spice Queen gestured Phee forward. Very slowly, Phee walked the rest of the gangway down to the throne, where she dropped to one knee and held out the statue.

As the Spice Queen reached out to take it, Phee turned a look over her shoulder that clearly said Now! Distract!

"I'm curious, Your Majesty," Saedii said at once, mind spinning as she saw Phee's fingers brush against those of the Spice Queen. "What brought you here? From what I know of your people, they prefer to stay close to their own planet, same as mine."

"You do not get to ask her questions, pest!" Shiveen snarled.

But the Spice Queen looked up in mirth. "It's alright, Shiveen. The girl is curious. I'm happy to oblige."

She took the statue from Phee's hand, weighing it. Eyes running over every inch. As she did, Saedii suddenly noticed that one of the rings on her pinky finger was missing its stone.

For the love of the Maker. Phee really stole a ring right from her finger.

"My kind have found great success in the slave trade over the millennia, but recently, the Jedi were becoming quite involved in our affairs. So, I decided to try my hand elsewhere," the Queen explained, eyes never straying from the gold in her hand.

"The Jedi?" Omega asked.

"Yes, pet. The Jedi began to mettle in our dealings," the Spice Queen said tartly. "For some reason, they thought they were entitled to challenge our way of life."

Discreetly, Phee's hand brushed against one of her pockets.

"So you went from selling slaves to selling drugs?" Saedii asked, a little sharper than she'd intended.

Rumbling growls erupted from Shiveen's throat. Her lips had pulled back into a very intense kind of snarl and one of her hands twitched towards the blaster on her belt.

"Yes," the Spice Queen said simply. When she lowered the statue into her lap, her bemused eyes met Saedii's as she explained, "It was the safest option. The Jedi never meddled into the drug trade. Too messy for their tastes."

A pang of guilt flared through Saedii's chest. She thought of the people walking around like zombies on the streets outside, high on spice or drathroot. People they had been unable to help because of the war. People that would never get the help they needed, unless the Empire was overthrown and the Jedi Order reestablished.

"Did you ever consider anything legal?" Saedii asked.

This time, the humor died in the Spice Queen's eyes. "No. And I suggest you change the subject. I'm quickly growing bored with this line of questioning."

Shiveen's paw was resting on her blaster. Saedii could guess what happened when the Spice Queen grew bored.

"Why do you collect all this stuff?" Omega asked suddenly. She was looking at the queen with wide-eyed innocence.

Phee gave her an encouraging nod as she returned to her spot at their side.

"A flattering question," the Spice Queen purred as she handed off her new statue to Shiveen. Saedii stifled her flinch as her empty ring flipped right-side up, but the Queen didn't seem to notice. "My staggering wealth has allowed me to pick up this new hobby. I enjoy collecting relics from dead worlds. It reminds me that I have triumphed where others have failed."

Omega gave a little frown. "How do you get all of these things?"

"Most are gifts, given to acquire my favor."

"And the others?"

"The rest I purchase. Speaking of which." The Spice Queen raised her hand. From behind the throne, Shiveen grabbed a small oak box, no bigger than Saedii's hand. "Your payment, Phee."

Saedii stilled as Shiveen approached, holding out the box. With a deep bow, Phee accepted. "Pleasure doing business with you, Your Majesty."

"If you happen to acquire any other treasures you think I may like, please let me know. I have been searching for an Ordanelle relic for some time. I was quite excited when you reached out with your offer."

"I'll keep my eye out in the future," Phee promised. "Is there anything in particular you want?"

Something wicked took hold of the Spice Queen's gaze. "I want a Jedi relic."

A stiffness took over Saedii's shoulders. It was all she could do to remain neutral-faced, even though her stomach flipped upside down. The Spice Queen's words from earlier echoed in her ears.

It reminds me that I have triumphed where others have failed.

"I'll take anything you can get your hands on. Old books. Robes." The Spice Queen drew herself up. "But what I really want is a lightsaber."

The weight of Saedii's twin lightsabers was suddenly heavy under her cloak.

"What would you do with a lightsaber?" Omega asked. She, too, cut a nervous look in Saedii's direction.

"Mount it on the wall, most likely. Especially if it comes from one of the council members – that damned Yoda or Windu or Kenobi."

Saedii's heart was thundering in her chest. It was an effort to keep her face disinterested and her gaze forward, especially as she felt Shiveen watching them closely.

"But the Jedi were heroes," Omega said defiantly.

"Omega," Saedii warned under her breath.

The Spine Queen gave a dismissive wave. "Spoken like a true child. The Jedi were brutes. The galaxy is better off without them."

Something hot curled in Saedii's chest. She dug her nails into her palms, trying to calm herself.

Shiveen's sharp eyes were on her. "It's dangerous to be Jedi sympathizers these days. You don't want the Empire to know you're siding with traitors."

"We have no sympathy for the Jedi." Phee was the picture of cool indifference. She even gave the Spice Queen an eager grin. "I'll see what I can find for you. I've heard their abandoned temples are full of treasures."

The Spice Queen's eyes sparkled. "As have I."

With that, they seemed to have been dismissed. The Spice Queen leaned back in her chair, golden eyes surveying them over her veil as Shiveen stepped forward, ushering them back towards the door. Omega was frowning as she kept close to Saedii's side.

"You should learn to curb your tongue, purple one. You have no right to ask such questions of a queen," Shiveen growled once the door had slammed closed behind them.

"If your queen is so powerful, she shouldn't be intimidated by my questions." Still angry from the Spice Queen's parting words, Saedii spoke without thinking. A mistake she realized almost instantly by the look on Phee's face.

Shiveen grabbed Saedii by the arm, slamming her into the wall. The point of a dagger tickled beneath Saedii's chin, just above the artery in her neck. "You dare to speak ill of the queen?"

"She didn't mean it!" Phee said at once. One of her hands was out, stopping Omega – who looked like she was thinking of jumping on the Shistavenen's back.

"This is twice now barbed words have come from her mouth." Shiveen pressed her blade just a little closer. "I will not tolerate a third."

Saedii glared at her and fought the urge to reach for a lightsaber.

"You'll have to excuse her. The poor thing was raised on Ord Mantell – you know how barbaric it is over there. The kid's still learning her manners," Phee said, ever the face of calm.

Shiveen bared her teeth. "That much is obvious."

Then, yanking Saedii by the arm, she led the three of them towards the door.

It went against every instinct Saedii had not to break free from Shiveen's hold, but at the warning look from Phee, Saedii didn't struggle. Just went along meekly as Shiveen stomped out the front door and towards the gates, which slowly opened for them.

When they were close enough, Shiveen shoved Saedii through hard enough that she stumbled straight to the ground.

"If I ever see your face in here again," Shiveen threatened, "I'll have your head."

"Bite me," Saedii snapped back, rubbing her shoulder.

A look of loathing passed Shiveen's face.

Phee was there a moment later, hauling Saedii to her feet and lecturing, "You'll be scrubbing the ship for a month for talking to a queen like that. How many times do I have to tell you..."

As Phee continued to berate her, Shiveen finally turned and went inside.

Once the gates had closed behind her, Phee stopped talking. A slow grin was spreading over her face as she very gently gestured Saedii and Omega away from the gate.

"You've either got to be the bravest kid I've ever met or the stupidest," Phee said quietly.

In the shadows, the Batch were watching their progress. They all had their weapons drawn and trained on the gate, though they were slowly lowering them now that it was clear Saedii and Omega weren't in any danger.

Saedii scowled at Phee. "You said to distract her."

"Distract. Not get your head chopped off."

"We could have fought them," Omega said confidently.

Phee gave her a look. "I love the confidence kid, but this is the wrong place for it."

"What happened?" Hunter asked once they were in hearing range. His helmeted gaze swung over Saedii, assessing for injury.

"Nothing of consequence," Phee said lightly.

"Phee stole from the Spice Queen," Saedii admitted immediately.

Echo's voice was like ice. "You did what?"

Phee waved him off. "Look, it's not that big of a deal. She didn't even notice."

"You said –"

"Hey! It all worked out. No need to get grumpy."

Crosshair suddenly straightened, yanking his sniper up to his visor. "You seem to have spoken too soon."

Behind them, the gates to the Sikta palace were slowly opening. And pouring out, weapons drawn, were the guards that Saedii had seen inside, Shiveen at their front.

The Shistavenen roared as she spotted them, sword pointing at Saedii.

"They've stolen from the Spice Queen!" she shouted, fangs bared.

The Batched tensed as, around the square, ever single stall owner was suddenly pulling out weapons. More than a dozen blasters trained on them from every direction. Ready to fight for their queen.

With a howl of rage, Shiveen ordered, "Kill them!"