Star Wars - Darth Plagueis

keep my blood circulating and my body temperature close to normal.”
    Standing by the open container, the Quara said, “Speaking of blood, you’re leaking some.”
    Plagueis saw that some of the sea creatures were coated with congealed blood. “The result of an unfortunate accident. But thank you for noticing.”
    Lah shifted her gaze from the container to Plagueis. “We have a medical droid. I’ll have it take a look at your injury.”
    “That’s very kind of you, Captain.”
    “You’re a long way from the Braxant Run,” the Kaleesh said. “And probably the last species we’d expect to find stowing away in a cargo container.”
    Plagueis nodded in agreement. “I can well imagine.”
    “Kon’meas Spaceport has passenger flights to Bimmisaari,” the Zabrak added. “You couldn’t wait, or you’re out of credits?”
    “To be honest, I wished to avoid the common spaceways.”
    Lah and the Zabrak traded dubious looks. “Are you a fugitive?” she asked. “Wanted?”
    Plagueis shook his head. “I do, however, value my privacy.”
    “Well you might,” the Quara said. “But you have to admit—” He motioned to the bloody sea creatures. “—this undermines your credibility some.”
    “What brought you to Bal’demnic, Muun?” the Klatooinian asked before Plagueis could speak.
    “I’m not at liberty to divulge the nature of my activities.”
    “Banking Clan investments,” the Klatooinian said with a sneer. “Or lawyering. That’s all the Muuns do, Captain.”
    Lah appraised Plagueis. “Is he right?”
    Plagueis shrugged. “Not all of us are bankers or lawyers. No more than all Togrutas are pacifists.”
    “Be better for you if you were a financial wizard,” the Zabrak said, “to avoid being jettisoned from our ship.”
    Plagueis kept his eyes on Lah. “Captain, I appreciate that you and your crew have many questions about me. But perhaps for the sake of simplicity, the two of us could speak privately for a moment.” When she hesitated, he added: “Strictly in the interest of facilitating an agreement.”
    Lah glanced at everyone, then set her jaw and nodded. “I won’t be long,” she told the Zabrak as he was exiting the bay. “But keep us on vid anyway.”
    The Zabrak shot Plagueis a gimlet stare as he spoke. “If you are long, we’ll be returning soon enough.”
    Plagueis waited until he and Lah were alone. “Thank you, Captain.”
    She scowled. “Enough of the polite jabber. Who are you, and why didn’t you leave Bal’demnic aboard whatever craft brought you there?”
    Plagueis loosed an elaborate sigh. “Before we go into any of that, suppose we assess the present situation squarely. I’ve stowed away aboard your vessel in the hope of arranging quick passage to Muunilinst.” Speaking in Basic, Plagueis pronounced the word with the second n silent. “Fortunately for both of us, I’m in a position to reward you handsomely for transport—and of course I’ll cover the cost of whatever precious cargo I’ve ruined. You need only quote a reasonable price and the deal can be concluded. I assure you, Captain, that I am a Muun of my word.”
    Her eyes narrowed in misgiving. “Leaving aside your identity for the moment—you know, the important things—your onward passage is a matter I’ll have to take up with the crew.”
    Plagueis blinked in genuine confusion. “I’m not sure I understand. You are the Woebegone ’s captain, are you not?”
    “We’re equals aboard this ship,” Lah said. “I don’t make any major decisions without at least hearing everyone out—whether those decisions involve the cargo we transport or where we deliver it. And while you’re trying to make up your mind whether I’m noble or simply foolish, let me add that I don’t care what you think of the arrangement. As you said: it’s the situation.”
    Plagueis smiled without showing his teeth. “In that case, Captain, I await the results of the summit.”
    Lah relaxed somewhat. “You’re going to have to sit tight in the meantime.”
    Plagueis took the conditions in stride. “Take as much time as needed. The closer we get to Ithor, the closer I am to home.”
    The words stopped her cold. “How do you know we’re bound for Ithor?”
    “The same way I know that your name is Ellin Lah.” Delighting in her confusion, Plagueis said: “I’m not a telepath, Captain Lah. After I selected your ship from among those on the field, I sliced into Bal’demnic’s spaceport