that cost Forgive me sir I forgot to tell you Because you purchased box seats a complimentary public shuttle is waiting for you and your group at the spaceport's ground transport area The shuttle is courtesy of the event's promoter That's very generous said the Chagrian Moving closer to the Chagrian Ezra lowered his voice and continued However just so you're aware you see that group over there He directed the Chagrian's gaze to several green-skinned Rodians who were having having some difficulty instructing a droid to carry their luggage The Chagrian sneered Rodians Ugh I can smell them from here Well confidentially they purchased tickets for box seats too and the public shuttle's driver is obligated to give them a ride too I hope you won't mind me saying this sir but I imagine a sophisticated gentleman such as yourself and also your enchanting companions would be far more comfortable in a private air taxi The Twi'leks nodded in agreement The Chagrian gave Ezra a skeptical glance and said A private taxi eh Fortunately for you the finest taxi has not yet left 12
the spaceport The driver is a Bardottan You'll find him at the ground transport area Ezra bowed politely and held out one hand waiting for the Chagrian to give him a tip The Chagrian ignored Ezra's open hand and walked off leading his Twi'lek companions past the spaceport's security checkpoint The tallest Twi'lek glanced back at Ezra and winked at him and then she moved past the checkpoint and Ezra lost sight of her on the crowded concourse Ezra smirked Along with the credits that the Chagrian had given him he had also managed to take the Chagrian's Imperial pin jeweled ring wrist-comm and most of the contents from his money pouch He bundled the loot into his rag and stuffed it into his back-pack back-pack He was about to scan for more wealthy-looking tourists when he saw a Xexto walking toward him The Xexto was Ferpil Wallaway who owned a pawn shop on Lothal He was also a skilled pickpocket and had various underworld connections He had a small head with large dark eyes a long skinny neck and six arms and he used his lower pair of arms as legs In one of his free hands he held a datapad that was identical to the one Ezra carried An inexpensive chronometer was wrapped around another wrist He stopped in front of 13
Ezra and said How's business I sold five more tickets Ezra said Good Ferpil looked around to make sure no one else could hear him then leaned close to Ezra and said I think Imperial spies may be watching us Don't get caught lifting anything you shouldn't I won't Ezra said You taught me every trick I know That may be Ferpil said But I didn't teach you everything I know He took a step back and Ezra noticed that in one hand Ferpil held the rag-bundled credits and valuables Ezra sighed Imperial spies huh How do you always manage to distract me before you pick me clean Because I'm very good at what I do Ferpil said as he removed the credit chips from the bundle These chips go to the Commissioner You'll receive your share after the fight He discreetly handed the remaining valuables back to Ezra and added Bring this stuff and the datapad to my shop later and I'll pay you what I can Fair enough Ezra said as he returned the stolen goods to his backpack Just out of curiosity has anyone actually seen the mysterious Commissioner or figured out who he is 14
Not that I'm aware Ferpil said All I know is that he pays on time Speaking of time Ezra said do you want this He reached into his vest and pulled out Ferpil's chronometer Ferpil's dark eyes widened Impressive His face broke into a wide smile as he took back his chronometer and clamped it around his wrist See you later Ezra Ferpil walked off Ezra surveyed another group of arrivals examining their clothes to estimate their wealth He was about to approach one group when a girl's voice called out Hey Ezra Ezra Bridger Ezra turned to see a red-haired girl standing in a long line with other people waiting to board a medium-sized medium-sized passenger ship that rested on a landing pad The girl smiled at him and waved Ezra recognized Moreena Krai Like him she was fourteen years old She stood beside her parents and younger sister who had also turned to face Ezra Moreena stepped out of line and walked quickly over to him Ezra said What's going on Moreena bit her lower lip My family and I we're leaving Ezra raised his eyebrows Leaving As in permanently 15
