"If you make things difficult for me," says Ascar, "there will be a dozen Jedi around every corner you turn, understand? As soon as dealing with you becomes more difficult for me than dealing with the Jedi then I will not hesitate to turn the lot of you over to them.
"I cannot give you the astrolabe. If I do, the Jedi will discover it, sooner or later. I am only interested in deals that make life easier for me, not harder."
"We're not exactly the local gangsters...we can make things disappear if we want. And you shouldn't find it too difficult to cover it's missing while we have it considering your relations, no? Returning it is an aspect we seriously consider.
And i doubt the jedi will be pleased in you killing innocent students, Ascar. Afterall...persis works for you. You know money won't cover it with the jedi."
"The Jedi don't run the courts," says Ascar. "And in any case, the Jedi investigation is interested in what YOU people are doing. Persis' killing comes under the jurisdiction of local law enforcement. And by the time the case comes to trial the Jedi will be long, long gone.
"They would not be pleased, but all your threat will do is irritate me... not cause me actual trouble. As for the astrolabe... maybe I would be prepared to let you borrow it... though it must not leave this building." He leans forwards.
"But only if you are prepared to do something for me... if you feel like taking a chance."
Ascar leans back in his chair.
"There is something you might be able to do for me. But however it works out, if we do this deal then when we are done you will leave this place; leave me be. I will return Rura to you unharmed, you won't mention anything about Persis, I will continue to deceive the Jedi as to your presence, and we can all live happily ever after, so I hope.
"Tell me, Takuan... have you ever seen a pod race?"
"Very fast, very dangerous," says Ascar. "And VERY lucrative. Malastare is one of the few Republican worlds were gambling is legalised, let alone pod racing. But there is strict legilsation about the amount one can win or lose on gambling here. All MY gambling money is made in my accounts in Hutt space, where they watch the races in systems thousands of light years away with every bit as much rancour as if they were on their doorstep. You can make or lose a fortune on the pods.
"Right now, the scene is very interesting... four months ago it was the Boonta Eve race at Tatooine. It was a particularly vicious one, and many of the sport's top travelling racers were killed or badly injured during the course. Some local boy won it in the end. But with many of these pod racing 'aces' out of the running, the scene is wide open right now for those willing to take the opportunities..."
"Well now," says Ascar, "that may be exactly what I am asking.
"Tomorrow is the Malastare Open. It is one of the major events, though being in the Republic it is far less dangerous... at least, far less fatal than some of the less regulated events. The media attention on it is rather great; the betting attention greater still. Should an unknown racer enter the event at the last second, the odds on him are likely to be astronomical. Of course, that will be because no-one will know that that racer has Jedi reflexes. I am sure one of Kuylen's notorious band of desperadoes has the skills to attempt such an enterprise. If it pulls off and you, or one of your companions, wins the race, I can make a great deal of money indeed. And YOU can borrow the Astrolabe. Briefly. Certainly long enough for your needs."
(This should be interesting.
so will gald be into this too?)
He waits for a few seconds before answering
"if that what it takes...
though i must tell you... i never used a pod before. I know a thing or two about airspeeders but i assume these things are totally different. i hope my force training will make a difference indeed.
Tomorrow...that's a bit sudden...i should probably be testing the vehicle right now"
"Well, I have a pod you can use... whichever one of you wants to ride it can take this opportunity. I do not care so long as you win. Majora will show you to it in the garage when we are done here.
"Oh, by the way... considering the current situation I think it may be best if whoever choses to race does so under an assumed name and in disguise... and it so happens I have the perfect disguise for you just here..."
Ascar snaps his fingers, and from a wall locker Persis pulls out a Mogarian body suit.
Um... no gladiatorial combat on Malastare! This is a Republic world, not Hutt space!
Majora does indeed hand you your sabre back, Takuan, and takes you down to the garage. The pod looks rather unspectacular- a long, brown thing. Must be said, though, you know bog all about pod racing.
"We will transport it out to somewhere safe for you," says Majora, "in case the Jedi return here. I will call you in 30 minutes with its new location. Rura will be there as well."
Some workers are loading the pod onto a hover transport, that Majora will pilot.