Ziv was trying her hardest to put it all behind herself, to accept things as they were and just move on. Meena was a living proof of the dangers of lingering in the past and she didn’t want to end up like her. Although, to be honest, both of them had their own challenges, their own problems and their own ways of dealing with the shock of Kessel. Perhaps neither of them had never really recovered and how could you, after witnessing unspeakable things?<br/><br/>“That is it.” Ziv admitted and nodded to Drak. “It’s not just me, Meena or other criminals. Everyone is having it tough because of the Empire. Sure, Kessel was not a nice place to begin with, but the Imperial officers have taken things to a whole new level there.” She sighed and forced a smile. “I’m confident the Republic would not have allowed something like this to happen, despite us being nothing but filthy criminals. I’ve done terrible things but I’m still a person. I’m still alive.” Ziv looked up to Drak. “I don’t blame you for anything, because I know you wouldn’t have let things go like this either. You’re a good person, Drak. It gives me hope to know there are people like you out there.”<br/><br/>She chuckled to his dilemma about being a good officer and tilted her head. “You did the right thing, Drak. You put a criminal back to her place and that is what a good officer should do. No more, no less.” Ziv got up as well and washed her own dishes after finishing, while still thinking about Drak’s musings on being a good officer. Those were difficult questions and she recalled reflecting on a similar one in Kessel: how to be a good person? The answer still remained a mystery to her. She blinked her eyes when Drak inquired about Demarcus’ intentions about Meena. Ziv considered for a moment before replying.<br/><br/>“It’s hard to say. Like I stated earlier, I don’t know much about what happened between them. Meena doesn’t want to see him, actually. Demarcus seems to care about her, but I don’t think the feeling is mutual. There’s something about him that makes Meena very uncomfortable, so perhaps it is good that he won’t find her.”<br/><br/>Once they were done with their dishes, Ziv nodded to Drak. “Agreed. Let’s hurry, I have a bad feeling that if we don’t make it in time, she’ll be gone.”<br/><br/>--<br/><br/>One of the reasons why Meena was such a good con artist was her impeccable ability to create plans of action. She had spent the rest of her morning preparing for her mission to find Collarroka, while Vul had been putting the ship into order once more. She was confident in her plan, although she was slightly worried about how precisely she would have to execute it. One mistake and things could go wrong, especially since the people she would be conning were highly suspicious and generally cautious towards new people. The con artist was signing off her final trades outside her ship Furion, aiming to collect as much money as possible for her mission by using the loot she had found on the pirate ship with Drak, when she was approached by the last people she wanted to see at the moment.<br/><br/>After signing the deal on another trader’s datapad, she turned around only to find Ziv and Drak standing next to her ship. She was a good liar, but it was still difficult for her to conceal her shock when she realized she wasn’t seeing things. Her inmate who had promised to help Drak was there, although she had sworn not to bring him back to her. As for Drak, well… he was in one piece but he did not seem happy to see her. Not one bit.<br/><br/>“What… why…” Meena uttered and stared at Ziv, ignoring Drak for the moment. “What is this? I told you not to come here again! Was that not clear enough for you?” She was visibly angry, but Ziv didn’t seem to care about that.<br/><br/>“And what is this then? You’re leaving the planet with Drak’s belongings inside your ship?” She threw back.<br/><br/>“Oh, for the love of..! Ugh, fine, go them then and get out of my sight!” Meena snarled.<br/><br/>“Well, actually, we’re here because we need your help in finding Collarroka. Besides… I think it’s time you two have a long talk about what has happened.” Ziv smiled slightly. “Look, Meena… I wouldn’t do this to annoy you. I’m doing this because I think this is the best way for Drak to find his brother and for you to come in terms with everything.”<br/><br/>“I’m busy.” Meena snapped. “I have a job now. Do you understand? I’m not interested in his family issues.”<br/><br/>“This isn’t about you and your job though. It’s about him. You promised to help, but instead you threatened to kill him and I have to say, you nearly did. Congratulations.” Ziv clapped her hands lazily. “I think you owe him one. Let’s face it, you know Collarroka the best.”<br/><br/>“I said no.” Meena insisted. “Don’t tell me you’re sympathizing with him now. What did he tell you? That I pointed my blaster at his head and told me what a pathetic person he was? Or maybe…” A smirk appeared on her lips and she looked over to Drak. “Maybe you think by being nice to him you’ll score yourself a nice middle class husband? How sweet. I always knew you were into the boring husband type of guy.” She nodded, now smiling wider. “I can confirm, he is pretty boring and middle class.”<br/><br/>“He is not boring!” Ziv responded, as if gently scolding a child. “Unless, by boring you mean proper, nice, intelligent, kind-hearted, understanding, then yes, he is all of those things and he is in need of your help.”<br/><br/>Meena was tense now. “I think we’re done talking.” She looked over to Drak. “You can get your things from my ship. And then you can go, both of you.”