Chapter 24: Silencing the Witness

In the vast emptiness of space, a flash of white light signaled the Lancer, a YT-1000 light freighter, dropping out of hyperspace.

They’d finally escaped Mygeeto, and the whole crew let out a collective sigh of relief. Ventus, utterly drained, climbed out of the turret and collapsed onto the deck. Murt unbuckled his harness, rushed over from the cockpit, and helped him up.

“Thanks to you, we made it out alive,” Murt said with a warm smile.

“We escaped? We actually escaped?!” Dubrak Quinto, still in the co-pilot’s seat, stared at his hands in disbelief. He unbuckled and leapt up. “We did it! We really did it! Breaking through Mygeeto’s defenses? Ha! Nobody’s ever pulled off a stunt like that and lived to tell the tale!”

Ventus was too exhausted to speak. Slumped on the floor, he weakly gestured toward the cargo hold, signaling for them to check on Semid.

Murt nodded and sent Spade to run a full diagnostic on the ship and cycle the shields. They had no idea what might be waiting for them next.

“We should find a place to regroup, restock ammo, and refuel,” Quinto suggested.

“Nah, bad idea,” Murt countered, shaking his head. “Semid’s a hot potato. The sooner we offload him, the better. Landing on some random planet could stir up more trouble.”

A moment later, T-850 marched in, dragging a figure like a ragdoll. The crew finally got a good look at their target: a scrawny, trembling Muun wearing a monocle, looking more like a nervous clerk than the hardened criminal they’d imagined.

“Per the rules, we don’t ask questions. Let’s contact Damask,” Murt said, pulling out the comm device Hego Damask II had given them.

The device was clearly a one-and-done deal—use it, toss it, no trace.

The comm connected, and Hego Damask II’s tall, imposing figure flickered into view as a hologram. “You’ve secured Semid. Well done.”

At the sight of Damask, Semid shrank even further, his 1.9-meter frame practically curling into a ball. “L-Lord Damask… I did it. The Tonith family’s transaction records—they’re right here.” He held up a small data device, trembling.

“Excellent work. You’ll be richly rewarded,” Damask said, his tone laced with double meaning. His gaze, however, was fixed on Murt.

Semid’s voice quavered. “S-so, per our agreement, can I…?”

“Kill him,” Damask said coldly, his metallic mask amplifying the chilling command as he stared at Murt.

“Lord Damask! Please, have mercy! I upheld my end of the deal!” Semid dropped to his knees, pleading desperately.

Murt’s brow furrowed. Killing an unarmed, defenseless person wasn’t his style, and he hesitated.

“We need to do it now. It’s the rule,” Quinto whispered urgently.

Damask said nothing, his icy gaze unwavering.

Murt raised his blaster but couldn’t bring himself to fire. Then, out of nowhere—bang! A single shot rang out, and Semid crumpled to the ground. Murt whipped around, stunned, to see Ventus holding a smoking revolver.

“Well… so be it,” Murt said with a bitter chuckle. He turned to Damask’s hologram. “It’s done. He’s dead.”

“Heh heh heh…” Though his face was hidden behind the mask, Damask’s raspy laughter filled the air. “Good. Very good! Now, as agreed, head to Roon to collect your payment.”

Murt snorted, pointing at Semid’s body. “This guy followed your orders too, didn’t he? Where’s his reward?”

“Simple. He knew too much. You, on the other hand, know nothing. Come to Roon. If you don’t, you’ll find the galaxy’s a big place with nowhere left to hide. Heh heh heh…” Damask’s chilling laugh echoed as he cut the transmission.

Murt stepped over to Ventus and sighed. “You made the right call, boss. I’m sorry—I shouldn’t have hesitated. Almost blew the whole deal.” He looked crestfallen.

“He’s still alive. Patch him up, quick,” Ventus mumbled, barely able to keep his eyes open. Channeling the Force nonstop had left him mentally and physically spent.

Murt’s eyes lit up. He rushed to Semid, finding a faint pulse. Grabbing a medkit, he started emergency treatment.

“I used a slugthrower and aimed for a non-vital spot with a bit of Force guidance,” Ventus added weakly. “At this range, the bullet should’ve passed clean through. If we act fast, he’s got a shot.”

“Alright, bleeding’s stopped. He’s hanging on, but he needs proper treatment ASAP,” Murt said, standing up after bandaging the Muun’s wound.

“We don’t have time to detour to a planet for a hospital. Figure something out,” Ventus murmured.

“Carbonite chamber!” Quinto piped up. “We can freeze him in carbonite! This ship’s got a carbon-freezing unit.”

No time to waste. T-850 hoisted Semid and followed Quinto to a small storage bay. Quinto hit the controls, and a spray of mist enveloped Semid, encasing him in a slab of metallic gray carbonite. They stashed the block among the cargo, hidden from prying eyes. Foolproof.

Carbonite freezing was like a hardcore version of cryosleep, originally used for ultra-long space voyages before hyperdrives became common. Nowadays, it was mostly used to detain fugitives {Note 1}.

“Sorry for misjudging you, boss,” Murt said, grasping Ventus’s hand in apology. “I didn’t think you’d…”

If this were a game, Ventus could practically see Murt’s loyalty meter skyrocketing.

“Don’t give me too much credit. I’m just keeping a card up our sleeve,” Ventus said, patting Murt’s shoulder. He shuffled to a nearby bunk, collapsed, and was out like a light.

“Let’s get moving. Roon’s a long haul,” Quinto said to Murt. “We’ll need to hit the Hydian Way, then transfer to the Corellian Run. Problem is, by the time we reach Roon, we’ll be running on fumes. Damask probably planned it that way to keep us on a leash.”

“No choice now. We go,” Murt said, settling back into the pilot’s seat and buckling up.

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{Note 1}: For example, in The Mandalorian Season 1, Episode 1, the protagonist uses carbonite to secure a troublesome Mythrol.

*Bonus Chapter Image:*

1. Muun