"May I ask what you need?" the receptionist asked.
"We'll just look around." Amir declined her offer and walked straight inside on his own accord.
It was indeed a lively scene. Unlike the filth and chaos of Jabba's palace, this place was immaculate. Most of the people coming and going were dressed in formal, elegant attire. It wasn't just smugglers and bounty hunters; there were many people of high status, and one could even spot Imperial officers in uniform.
Of course, they were here to issue commissions, negotiate business deals, or simply attend the banquet—not to look for grunt work.
Amir walked over to the bar and picked up a drink from the self-service counter.
Milisen sat beside him, her short legs dangling in the air, and grabbed a juice. 32 scanned the counter once; seeing no engine oil, he gave up.
Not long after, a woman wearing casual black attire with a blaster holster at her waist walked over.
She was the only person in the room allowed to carry a weapon—excluding, of course, the Crimson Dawn henchmen maintaining order.
Because she was the public face and boss of Crimson Dawn, Qi'ra.
Wearing a smile, Qi'ra sat down next to Amir and began, "I heard we had some newcomers. You look very young, and quite capable . . ."
As she spoke, she noticed Milisen sitting nearby; this one was a bit too young.
"Are you looking for work? If so, I can see what's available . . . The pay should be quite good."
Amir didn't react to her friendly demeanor. "I'm here to discuss a partnership."
"With me, or with us?" Qi'ra's smile deepened.
"That depends on you."
"Let's hear it."
"I need some factories to help me produce certain items. They need to be discreet." Amir looked around at the opulent environment. "Do you have the kind of facilities I want?"
"What kind of items?" Qi'ra asked.
"Some . . . interesting little gadgets." Amir extended his wristguard, projecting a hologram that displayed the design drafts for the mechanical exoskeleton.
"How many do you need?" Qi'ra asked calmly.
Amir smiled and whispered, "Many, many . . ."
Qi'ra laughed aloud, then revealed a sweet smile. Her eyes involuntarily darted around, calculating.
"Well? Can you do it?"
"Of course we can. Setting aside the companies we partner with, just the factories under our direct control can meet your needs. It's just . . . would you like to come to my office for a drink?"
"Haha, I think we can discuss the details another time." Amir declined her request.
Qi'ra paused for a moment, then handed Amir a small communicator. "Certainly. You can contact me anytime."
. . .
After Qi'ra left, Amir had basically gotten the answer he wanted.
Showing Qi'ra the exoskeleton and demanding a large quantity was Amir's way of testing her. In these tense times, secretly manufacturing a large batch of weapons could only have one purpose: opposing the Empire.
Although Qi'ra hid it well, Amir still sensed her emotions through the Force.
She wasn't hostile or indifferent. On the contrary, she was internally excited—an emotion similar to when Milisen saw Mona.
Simply put, she had met a kindred spirit.
That was why she didn't press for more questions here but suggested going to her office to avoid prying eyes.
Amir didn't continue because he didn't want to talk right now; his goal for this visit was already achieved. Actually getting Crimson Dawn to produce for him was a matter for later.
Time to go.
Putting down his drink, Amir led the other two out the door.
In a distant corner, Qi'ra, who was talking to a subordinate, silently watched Amir's retreating figure.
"Check who that person was," she ordered.
A moment later, the subordinate returned with a datapad projecting a hologram.
A young face with blonde hair.
"He's on the Imperial wanted list. The bounty is 50,000 credits."
"Quite valuable. Amir . . . no last name?"
"Not in the records."
"Hmm . . ." Qi'ra seemed to drift into a memory.
. . .
Back on the ship, Amir saw a missed call.
It was Bo-Katan.
As soon as the holographic call connected, Amir heard Bo-Katan's voice. "Conduct a comprehensive search! Look for traces of habitation!"
"Hi." Amir interrupted her commanding shouting.
"Amir, I've arrived on Dathomir. Are you coming?"
"You aren't searching bit by bit, are you?" Amir asked in shock. It was such a big planet; could they really find him that way?
"The habitable zones on this planet are small. Most of it is ocean and desert. It's not too difficult to search."
"You guys are really impatient. I'm at Crimson Dawn right now. I met their leader; there's no opportunity to strike here."
Bo-Katan didn't say anything, frequently turning her head to check a panel on the side; she was still searching.
"Fine, since you're already there, I'll come help."
After speaking, Amir hung up. He started the ship while contacting Han Solo.
After receiving Amir's notification, Han Solo also returned to the Millennium Falcon and set off for Dathomir.
Amir had assumed the Mandalorians would use Crimson Dawn as a lead to find Maul. He had come here to scout the security and see if there was a chance to steal data, but the security was stricter than imagined, giving him no opening.
He hadn't expected this group of Mandalorians to leave Takodana and head straight for Dathomir.
Truly reckless.
Plotting the course, Amir headed for the planet for the first time.
It was a deep red planet. Just looking at it, Amir felt a gloomy aura.
The Force of the entire planet was in a state of imbalance, heavily leaning toward the Dark Side.
This planet was once home to many Dathomirian Witches. Among them, the Nightsisters were powerful users of the Dark Side, mastering many dark magicks.
However, during the Separatist crisis, this clan had angered Count Dooku and was wiped out by the army led by General Grievous. There were almost no survivors.
Amir was quite interested in their so-called magick. Obi-Wan had said it was a unique way of using the Force, very peculiar. But with the death of the Nightsisters, chances for exchange were likely gone.
This planet revered females. Maul was the son of the Nightsister Mother. When the Mother served Darth Sidious, Maul was taken away. Sidious trained him as an apprentice, turning him into a ruthless killing machine.
Now he had returned to his homeland, plotting his revenge.
Entering the atmosphere, Amir quickly located Bo-Katan's ship.
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