Bay's day out

[Bay]

Bay's ears started to burn a little as Ni took him by the hand and led him to the secluded alley. He tried not to audibly sigh in relief after she explained what she wanted.

"O-of course Ni. You can trust me," he said as his data-pad beeped at his side, "Where are you headed?"

[Gar]

"I knew I could count on you," grinned Ni, touching Bay's shoulder affectionately, "Well, you see, running around on these missions is fun and all, but it doesn't exactly put bread on the table. I've been running low on credits, aaaand I know you lost a lot of children--um, materials--on this mission in particular. So!" she bopped his nose lightly, playfully, with one finger, "I was thinking I could take up some dancing jobs! Help pay the bills, ~and~ get you more money for your bugs!!" The Zeltron folded her hands behind her back and twisted her body side to side gleefully, her pleased smile persisting on her face as she waited, with optimistic anticipation, for Bay's response.

[Bay]

"Oh!"

Bay stood silent for a second, pursing his lips.

"So... I'm going to trust you with something too okay?" he slowly pulled out the credit chips from his pockets, "I don't normally do this, but I uh... I modified these credit chips from the last mission... I figured that getting shot at for no reason was as good as an excuse as... well it's technically not stealing so much as... money forgery? Umm, anyway, I kinda bought a ship and I was actually thinking of posting an ad on the holo-net when we're ready to go on the next trip and hauling some cargo for cash..."

Bay trailed off, unsure of how to continue.

[Gar]

Ni gasped at the flash of cash, then laughed. "Bugsie! You are full of surprises!" she giggled, "Forging credits, how scandalous!" But she didn't seem concerned in the least about this, more entertained. "And hauling cargo for cash, that is so clever! Although, I do hope our patrons get some insurance or something cuz we get shot at A LOT!" Her eyes widened with an idea. "Oh! We could make fake insurance policies!! That would give us even more money!!" But just as quickly as her excitement brimmed, it deflated. She frowned and sighed, "Gaddy wouldn't like it, though...He'd want me to make my money honestly..." Ni's shoulders slumped. "But hey, between you and me, I think this is great! I'm really glad you are with us, Bugsie!"

The Zeltron then became aware of the beeping from the com. She cocked her head to the side. "I think you got a message?" she asked, her eyebrows rising inquisitively.

[Bay]

Bay looked down at his insistent datapad.

"A... side project," he said pulling it out. His fingers shook as he tried to turn off the beeping, "Uh, what was that about getting shot at a lot? I-I had to get the ship used and it doesn't have any weap-"

The datapad beeped as he accidentally pushed the wrong button. The holo-emitter flashed and the image of the woman from before appeared, kneeling down in front a Speeder Biker.

[Gar]

Ni's brows furrowed as she focused in on the image. "Uh...hey, Bugsie...?" she asked, now sounding a little concerned, "Are you...stalking someone?"

[Bay]

"No!" Bay said, quickly turning off the screen, "I mean, maybe. Yes?"

He sighed, "I-I think she's my sister. I mean, I think she's a clone. That's she's from the same line as me."

He groaned slightly and turned away, running his hands through his hair, "I- look... I went from knowing nothing about where I came from to learning that there are hundreds of me running around. She came in to the place where I was buying the ship, and she looked pretty messed up. Like someone beat her up really badly. I heard her talking to the salesman. It sounded like her... master? Owner? I don't know. It sounded he like was treating her pretty badly. I wanted to help her... I didn't know what to do, so I had my droid follow her. I don't even know if there's something I can do. Apparently clones are not treated very well in the Republic."

[Gar]

The Zeltron's frown deepened as she listened to his story. Her usual, jovial demeanor had completely dissipated as she replied solemnly, "To be honest with you, Bugsie...no matter where you are, or whose jurisdiction you're under, some people can just be very mean if they think they own you...even if it is just for a night..." she smiled sadly, "That is what bad people do. They take advantage of a situation, without any thought towards how it effects others or makes them feel..." she gently places her hand on his shoulder, thinks for a moment, then perks up and exclaims hopefully, "But, hey, look on the bright side!" she moves around in front of him and leans in, "If she has a Master, that means we can buy her! And then, when we buy her, we can set her free!" Ni smiles optimistically up at Bay.

[Bay]

Bay smiled at the thought.

"That'd be nice... but I can't hack credit chip cheat too often. The more I do it, the more likely it is I'll get caught."

He sighed and pulled out his datapad again, displaying the woman kneeling in front of the Speeder Biker, Bay thought it looked like she was gently sobbing as she worked.

"I don't think she's the only one like this... and, even if we had all the money in the world, her owners could always just say no."

He put his datapad away and crossed his arms, "No, for something like this, just credits is not the solution."

[Gar]

Ni's face fell at these words. She nodded in understanding. "You're right, Bugsie," she sighed, "I've never felt comfortable about the clone situation. But how do we go against the culture of an entire galaxy?"

The Zeltron folded her arms and scratched her chin, looking up at the sky thoughtfully. "You know, maybe it's not so impossible after all!" She gasped, perking up again with a new idea, "After all, the Republic makes the rules! And we know people in the Republic! So maybe we can ask them for clone rights!" She hopped and clapped excitedly, "What do you think, Bugsie? Can you look up the history of clones and clone rights? Maybe we can even get a lawyer! Make a case! If we can do this, your Sister and all the other clones will no longer be tied!"