Bad Blood

Chapter 15 - Won't Stop Til We're Legends

"One room. For the rest of the day. No questions."

The Nemoidian man squirmed uncomfortably. "You... you bringing trouble?"

Boba stepped out from behind Astéri. The Nemoidian's eyes widened at the sight of the bounty hunter.

"Didn't you hear her? She said no questions." Boba jabbed his blaster under the Nemoidian's chin. He paled.

"One room coming up. This way, please."

As they followed the Nemoidian through narrow corridors, Astéri leaned over to Boba. "Remind me again why we're renting a hotel room?"

"It'll be more convincing to stage our fight in the dark, so we need somewhere to stay until sundown."

"Why would it be more convincing to stage the fight in the dark?"

Boba crossed his arms and tilted his head. "Would you really go after a bounty in broad daylight with practically no cover? Didn't think so."

Astéri rolled her eyes but stayed silent. They had arrived on Nevarro just after noon, leaving them with a few hours before they would start their faked fight.

The Nemoidian led them to a smallish room with a view of the street below. Boba entered first, marched straight over to the window and pulled the blinds closed. Astéri lingered by the doorway and pressed a blaster to the Nemoidian's jaw. "We were never here."

The Nemoidian gave them a terrified look and scuttled out of the room.

"The door shut?"

Astéri glanced back at Boba before sliding the door closed. "It is now."

"Good." Boba slipped his helmet off and thumped it down on a table. "Just wanted to make sure."

Astéri clambered onto the bunk and huddled against the wall, legs crossed on the mattress. "So, this is it. We're really going to try and pull this off."

Boba pulled off his chest armour and set about trying to loosen the straps. "I guess we are. There, that should be easier for you to get the armour off, don't you think?"

Astéri nodded absentmindedly. She would pull off Boba's armour, shoot him, and be done with it. It was simple.

Almost too simple.

Sighing, Astéri raked her fingers through her hair. Boba was optimistic about their plan, but he had forgotten the extent of his own reputation. He was the best kriffing bounty hunter in the galaxy! He wasn't going to be taken down by some girl with a blaster, especially if their fight scene looked scripted and fake.

They had needed to choreograph their fight, Astéri acknowledged that much. The more they practised, the better they could judge how hard to kick. But something was missing. A genuine reaction. From what she'd seen, Boba wasn't a bad actor, but it was always obvious when someone's reaction was fake.

Astéri needed something more. She needed to fight harder, fiercer. She needed to go off-script.

Would Boba understand? She couldn't tell him that she was planning to improvise. The whole point was to get a more convincing reaction. But Astéri hated having to lie to Boba, she cared about him more than she had cared for anyone in years.

She had to lie.

But this was Boba!

Should she say anything?

"You still awake?" Boba waved a hand in front of Astéri's eyes, trying to get her attention.

"Sorry. Yeah." Astéri looked up and smiled as Boba sank onto the bed next to her.