Amir couldn't help but laugh.
So you tried to steal it too, but failed.
"After tracking them, I found that these two kids were members of a local gang nearby. Their boss is called Nuludin, a Rodian who stops at nothing. Because he's willing to be a lapdog for the Hutts, he gets by quite well."
"He takes in and deceives many children, training them as pickpockets, and formed a gang called the 'Dead Hand.' They specifically target outsiders in the spaceport area, and sometimes they commit murder and robbery, just like what you experienced. I just didn't expect them to have the guts to pull off such a big job this time."
"Right now, outsiders don't know the item is in the hands of the Dead Hand. I didn't dare investigate too deeply afterward, only keeping a close watch on the gang's movements."
"In the last few days, they've been acting strangely. The time their members spend out on the streets has decreased, and Nuludin has sold off a lot of his assets, including a shop."
Amir was curious about the liquidation of assets. "Is this Nuludin planning to wash his hands of the business and run away with his fortune?"
Joan thought for a moment and said, "It's also possible he found a buyer and is using the stolen artifact as a stepping stone."
Regardless, these small movements definitely represented something deeper. The most likely scenario was that the artifact was about to be sold.
"Time is tight. I had already decided to take my assistant Valera and strike directly within the next two days. It's fortunate that you arrived." Joan smiled, clearly thinking she was lucky.
Amir nodded. This matter wasn't particularly difficult, and he never felt sympathy for criminals.
Kahraman, however, was unhappy. "You don't expect an old man like me to go with you, do you? I haven't stretched my limbs in years!"
"Haha, you can stay here. 32 counts as your replacement," Amir said with a smile. Since 32 was basically modified by Kahraman, it made sense for him to take his place.
"That's good. These files are very inspiring to me, so I'll wait here for your good news." After speaking, Kahraman continued to read the data while operating an instrument with his other hands.
At this moment, Valera came out of the room carrying a tray with a pot of transparent yellow liquid and two cups.
"It's not engine oil, is it?" Amir asked worriedly. The two masters of the room didn't need to eat or drink.
In fact, half the people in the room now were made of machinery.
"Rest assured, the test subjects locked in my cages have normal dietary needs. After all, I'm still very humane," Joan explained.
Good lord, you lock people up in cages and still talk about humanity!
Joan was worried the situation might change at any moment, so she urged Amir to move quickly.
Amir didn't want to waste time either and followed Joan out.
32 and Milisen accompanied them, and Joan's robot assistant, Valera, also brought her gear.
According to Joan's introduction, this mechanical girl was installed with exquisite killing programs.
After all, to gain a foothold in the slums, one had to be thorough. Even if you didn't look for trouble, trouble would find you. The power of self-preservation was essential.
"Where do we start?" Amir asked. Although they had a target, Joan hadn't told them the plan yet.
"There is no plan. This is Nar Shaddaa. We have powerful force, and I know the location of their nest."
So we're just going in head-on?
"Heehee, the Doctor and I originally planned to infiltrate separately to see if we could find clues, figure out who they were trying to trade with, or find the location of the item directly and steal it," Valera walked beside Joan, leaning closer to Amir to whisper. "But now, the Doctor seems very confident."
Her tone was lively. Amir had no prejudice against droids, and since she had an appearance that didn't violate human norms, it was hard not to treat her like a normal person.
"We should still be careful. Let's go to my ship to get some equipment first."
Milisen nodded at Amir's words. "I want to bring my Bat Backpack."
She had named her Smart Tactical Backpack. Amir had already modified it for her according to his latest ideas, but the paint job on the backpack remained.
"What Bat Backpack?" Valera heard Milisen's words.
"Hmph, hmph. It's a powerful weapon personally forged by Amir. It helps me slay strong enemies," Milisen said mysteriously.
Then Amir saw Valera's vivid expression of surprise.
Can a droid really make such an expression? Amir was amazed.
Soon, the group returned to the docking bay, boarded The Traveler, and took some explosives and firearms Amir had stored.
"Your ship is amazing," Valera looked around like a girl who had never seen the world, though she only took a few bombs to deal with unexpected situations.
Joan was confident in her own marksmanship and Valera's, so she didn't wear Amir's Smart Tactical Backpack.
Milisen, however, put it on happily and covered it with her robe. From a distance, she looked like a strange creature with a hunched back.
BD-4, who had been left to watch the ship, also jumped out at this time, insisting on joining Amir.
Walking out of the docking bay, the group began to head toward the target location.
Amir suddenly felt something and looked up and back.
High in the sky, a pitch-black ship was slowly approaching.
Before long, it wasn't just Amir looking; almost everyone's eyes were focused on the ship.
Because it was an Imperial ship.
The Empire shouldn't be arriving so blatantly in Hutt territory!
But it was just one ship, and one ship didn't necessarily represent much.
Amir, however, frowned.
Because it was an Imperial Inquisitor's ship.
Although it was different from the ones he had seen before, it was easily recognizable.
What is an Imperial Inquisitor doing on this planet?
Tracking Jedi? Hunting Force-sensitives? or do they have designs on the Hutts?
It was hard to be sure.
But connecting it to the most famous event on the planet recently, Amir had a guess.
"Damn it, Imperial Inquisitors. Those flies are here again," Joan cursed unhappily from the side.
"Again?" Amir noticed her wording.
"The Hutts seem to have reached some agreement with the Empire, allowing Inquisitors to exercise their authority in Hutt space to hunt you Jedi. Two Inquisitors came a few years ago. The Jedi escaped, but many civilians died. A bunch of maggots."
Valera whispered to Amir from the side, "The Doctor had a lightsaber pointed at her by an Inquisitor that time, heehee. That's why she holds a grudge."
Joan's hearing was now enhanced by mechanics. She turned around and glared at Valera. Valera instantly shrank back, pulling her neck in.
"Dead Hand wouldn't be planning to sell the artifact to the Empire, would they?" Amir thought aloud.
Hearing Amir's words, Joan also began to think.
"It's not impossible. The Inquisitors appearing at this time... it's highly likely they are here for the artifact." Joan showed some concern.
She wasn't afraid of others, but Imperial Inquisitors...
It wasn't just their powerful martial force, but the fact that they belonged to the Empire.
Being targeted by them meant being targeted by the Empire. It would be very difficult to live in seclusion quietly afterward.
Joan had stayed here for decades. She didn't want to fall into a life of running from place to place; that would prevent her from focusing on her research.
---------------
You can read +100 advance chapters on my Patreon
Patreon(.)com/izan24
TIER 1 you'll get +15 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
TIER 2 you'll get +40 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
TIER 3 you'll get +60 ADVANCE CHAPTERS
TIER 4 you'll get +100 ADVANCE CHAPTERS