“Steve, Kori, I think we might have an issue,” Skip said over their earpieces. Steve and Kori had set up Jax’s old dartboard, a relic from their first few years out of school. That was before Kori and Jax ended their relationship, when hustling visitors to Kelso at darts kept them in beer and food.
Kori threw her last dart, then said, “Oh?”
Steve added, “Wouldn’t that be an additional issue? It’s not like we don’t have a few ongoing concerns right now.”
There was what sounded like a sigh on the other end of the line before Skip said, “Okay, fine, we have an additional issue to worry about.”
When it was clear the SI would not elaborate on his own, Kori pressed, “Which is?”
“An Imperial ship just made orbit. A—”
“What? Have they detected us?” Steve interrupted as he grabbed the darts and dart board.
Skip very clearly sighed this time. “Not that I can tell. I’m still running passives, and our stealth systems are still fully engaged. I don’t think it’s one of the big ones. A cutter or system patrol boat would be my guess. That said, though, getting out of here may be a bit trickier.”
Steve released the breath he had been holding. “Ah, okay. Well, I guess monitor it.”
“You think? I sure am glad you’re here. I wouldn’t have known what to do otherwise,” the SI replied, then closed the channel.
Steve grimaced as he looked at Kori. “How does he put up with that? Are all droids this mouthy?”
She tightened the fabric strip that was keeping her hair back and said, “There are plenty of droids on Kelso.”
Steve shrugged. “Marshall isn’t a fan, so we don’t interact with ‘em much.” He put the dart board back and handed her the darts.
* * *
The waitress came over. “Anything else?”
Jax shook his head. “No, we’re done.” The woman nodded and held her tablet up. She tapped a few times, then swiped towards Jax. His gPhone buzzed and he acknowledged the bill and added a generous tip.
The older woman smiled when she saw the tip. “You get some overtime?” When Jax didn’t answer immediately, she pointed to his bright orange outfit, then Naomi’s. “Work in the yard, right? Skimmer rental, big tip, not exactly normal for yardies.” She smiled.
“Ah, yeah, sorry,” Jax replied.
“Long night,” Naomi added.
“I heard,” the woman said. “Got the whole garrison up in arms, troopers stomping all around. Who robs little operators like that?”
Jax and Naomi exchanged a glance. He said, “Uh, what do you mean?”
Naomi added, “That’s the second time someone mentioned that.”
“Didn’t they tell you? The scuttlebutt is that the modules that got lifted were from a handful of small mom and pop mining operations out of Abda.” She tutted, “Damn shame.”
Jax’s cheeks started to burn. He could feel the flush creeping up. “We, uh, hadn’t heard. So, you mean those lots weren’t one of the larger mining corps’?”
Again, the older woman shook her head. “Not according to the rumor mill. All small operations. I’m guessing many will have to fold, sell their plots and equipment to try to recoup some of their investment.” She sighed. “Tale as old as time: come out to the frontier, strike it rich. Except you’re just as likely to fall victim to criminals or other settlers.”
“Criminals?” Naomi asked.
The woman looked around. The diner was almost entirely empty now. The women who’d come earlier were at the opposite end, engrossed in whatever conversation they were having. “Crimson Orchid has been trying to get a leg up on the mining trade here.”
“Crimson Orchid?” Jax asked.
“Some new syndicate, based on Themura, I hear.” At that, both Jax and Naomi looked at each other, realization dawning on them. “Sounds like they’re trying to buy up the smaller plots to get a majority on the mining board.”
Jax sighed. “Because the board sets the prices, and the trade routes.”
The waitress nodded. She looked over to the two women again as one waved politely. She nodded and turned to Jax and Naomi. “You two enjoy your romantic getaway. I’m sure the hubbub will be settled in a day or two.”
Naomi smiled. “Yeah, probably.”
When the waitress was out of earshot, Jax looked Naomi in the eyes. “Well, shit.”
“Understatement of the year,” she agreed.