The Bad Batch: Book 2

Part 32: Top Earner

Luna's POV 

Climbing down the stairs I turned to look at the boy.

Me: "You said the control room's on the top level." 

The boy looked at me. 

Boy: "We can't just walk right in. Only Mokko's inner circle has access cards. We need to swipe one." 

Me: "You are not part of his inner circle?" 

I asked as I fished the old hat the boy gave me. I needed to leave my lightsaber with the guys just in case someone would see it. I still kept my blaster. 

Boy: "Not yet, but I will be. I'm working my way up. But if Mokko finds out I helped you, I'll be sent to the mines, so act natural." 

I nodded and followed him into the room that was filled with minors. The old hat was covering my hair and the jacket Hunter was using as he was a disguise as a civilian was covering my blaster. We began to walk past the table where some guys were playing a game. 

Man: "We were just talking about you, Benni. Where have you been?" 

The boy took a seat next to him. 

Benni: "Here and there." 

So I did not just then there I took a seat on the bench behind the other table. I crossed my hands underneath my chest. 

Man: "Bet you think the ship you scored for Mokko will make you the top earner this round?" 

Top earner? What does that mean? 

Benni: "Why not? You can't expect to win every time." 

The man chuckled. 

Man: "Can't I?" 

He asked as she looked at him for the first time we came into the room. At that moment the doors on my left opened and a strange-looking...person stepped into the room. As he was walking he was holding a stick that was supporting his eight. Four droids were walking behind him. 

Benni: "That's Mokko." 

He whispered back at me. All the minors in the room began to run towards him. 

Man: "About time. I'm starving!" 

He stood up and at that moment Benni stood up as well and bumped into him. The man pushed him back and as I approached Benni, he showed me the key card he stole from the man. 

Benni: "See? It's a skill." 

Me: "Great. Can we go now?" 

Benni: "Not yet. I wanna hear the tally." 

He began to approach the crowd of minors that game around Mokko. I followed him but stayed back a little, so I could see what was happening. 

Mokko: "All right, all right. Stand sharp. I know it's been a long season. We've all had to make sacrifices and go without, including me. While some of you have been working hard this quarter, others continue to fall short. But Mokko always takes care of those who earn. And, so far this round's top earner is...Drake!" 

He said, pointing his hand at the man talking to Benni earlier. As the man approached him Mokko's droid gave him a bowl of food and instead of using the spoon, he ate the food with his hands as fast as she could. Looking around I saw the desire for food in minors easily. I realized something. These minors were starving. 

Mokko: "As for the rest of you, rations are low. Which means you need to work harder and longer if you're going to survive. But I won't let my crew starve." 

A droid walked past the group of minors and placed a bowl of food on the table. At once minors ren up to the bowel and began to eat. All of them at once. Benni grunted then he walked past me with anger written all over his face. I looked after him then I looked back at the hungry minors and then I followed after Benni. As we came to the bridge we began to cross it. 

Me: "Are you alright?" 

I asked as I looked at him. 

Benni: "I stole the ship, and it still didn't make me the top earner." 

Me: "You shouldn't have to compete for food." 

Benni: "That's how it works here. We have to earn our share. But I will impress Makko. Just wait." 

He unlocked the doors with the key that he stole from Drake and then we stepped into another hallway. Climbing the stairs we made sure that another hallway was open before we went to the doors on our left. Opening the doors with the same key we stepped into the control room and I placed my comm device close to my lips. 

Me: "Hunter, we've reached the control room." 

Hunter: "Copy that. Get the shield code and get back here." 

I took the monitor that Tech gave me and connected it to the main computer. Immediately I began to download the possible codes for the shield. 

Benni: "They treat you like you're one of them. I wish Mokko would do that too." 

I looked back at him. I removed the jacket and placed it next to me on the empty seat. 

Me: "I'm sorry to say it but it doesn't seem like he cares, about any of you. Why don't you leave?" 

Benni: "You are wrong. Mokko's kept us in business. He said with more time and more digging, we're bounded to reach better ipsium soon. Besides I can't leave. This is my home. This is what I know." 

Me: "I get you. Our ship is your home. It's the only one we have." 

He looked at the ground as his hand stretched the back of his head.

Benni: "I am sorry, I stole it." 

Me: "Here, you can have my rations." 

I said it as I offered him one. I ate one as we were driving here and kept one for later. He needed it more than I did. 

Benni: "I-- Why would you give this to me?" 

He asked as he looked at the rations on my hand in shock. 

Me: "For helping us." 

He slowly took it. 

Benni: "Thanks." 

With nodd, I turned back towards the monitor to see how the downloading was going. I could hear him opening the ration and eating it. 

Benni: "Any luck with the code?" 

Me: "Nothing yet. Most of this data is just Makko's profit reports. I thought you said the ipsium here's degraded." 

Benni: "It is." 

Me: "No according to this." 

Benni: "Let me see that." 

He stepped next to me and I offered him the monitor to see the date. His eyes widened a little then he quickly pulled the plug from the monitor and that moment the doors opened. Quickly looking to my left I saw Makko with two droids. Immediately I pulled the blaster from behind my belt and pointed it at Makko. The droid pointed the guns at me. Makko chuckled. 

Makko: "My thief caught another thief." 

I looked down at Benni a little seeing him looking at me with guilt written all over his face. He betrayed me. 

Makko: "Nicely done, Benni. I'm impressed. Where are the others?" 

Benni: "Garage bay." 

He said as he looked at Makko. Then he looked back at me. 

Benni: "I'm sorry. I had to." 

Looking back at Makko I saw that the dorids were enow pointed the blasters at Benni. I didn't want them to hurt him so I dropped my blaster on the ground. One droid picked my blaster and the other one placed the handcuff around my hands. 

Makko: "I am impress Benni. The total of top earner is definitely in your future."