"Are you planning to go in disguised as a slave?" Amir asked.
"Of course not. Just kidding. Obadiah doesn't just have Pykes. There's a pretty lively spaceport there, too. A lot of inconvenient goods circulate through there," Seneal replied with a smile. "Of course, the Pykes are still the majority."
"Is there anything else you're not telling me? You'd better spit it out."
"Hehe, no, that's it. Next, you just follow me, sneak into the Pyke base, and get ready to pack credits," Seneal said. "Your friend 32 will stay on the ship, ready to pick us up."
"Understood," 32 replied.
After the three were strapped in, Amir started the Traveler and flew along the set route toward Obadiah.
After some time, the ship appeared above Obadiah. As far as the eye could see, the entire planet was shrouded in a grayish-green. The clouds were this color, as was the ground.
The experimental base on Mugul had a similar color, but the grayish-green here had a rotten feel to it, making one very uncomfortable.
But the Pykes favored this environment.
The grayish-green mist was like a phantom of spice floating in the air. Decay was the result they pursued.
As the leading criminal syndicate in the spice trade, the Pykes were well aware of the substance's dangers. But even so, most of them couldn't resist the temptation and became spice users themselves.
Unlike others, the Pykes never lacked spice. They didn't need to drain their fortunes to crave it. It was within their reach, so they indulged without end.
Of course, this only applied to some Pykes.
But on Obadiah, almost all Pykes belonged to this group.
Grayish-green mist filled the mountains. The valley floors were bare rock and nearly dry streams.
Through the viewport, Amir saw a vast complex clinging to a mountainside. The buildings were spire-shaped, like a rebellious mountain peak. At the very bottom, rectangular platforms extended out for cargo ships to dock and transfer goods.
The Traveler didn't hide, flying directly into the port, finding a berth, and landing.
Stepping off the ship, Amir once again had to marvel at the vastness of the galaxy and the diversity of life.
No matter what city or space station he arrived at, he could always see countless streams of people, various species Amir had never seen, communicating in languages he had never heard.
Everyone had their own lives, their own unique stories—beautiful, sad, surprising... Countless stories gathered like fireflies, forming their souls. Every soul was a unique treasure.
Although some souls were truly unbearable to look at, he could always be moved by them. These moments also unknowingly became fireflies, becoming a part of himself.
Although Amir liked peace and quiet, he didn't hate lively places or talking to people.
"This is the holy land for all spice enthusiasts. These wasteful Pykes even spray spice into the air," Seneal said, taking a deep breath with a look of intoxication.
"You like this stuff too?" Amir asked, seeing Seneal's expression.
"Hehe, I never touch things that are harmful to the body. And it's expensive. So many other better things to spend money on." Seneal coughed twice, as if he had choked.
"Sir, want a taste? High-purity stuff?" A Duros sidled up, pulling a vial of golden powder from his loose shirt. The powder glittered.
"Hehe, that's not high-purity. You think mixing in some glow-bug residue makes it high-grade? You can only fool kids who've never seen the world," Seneal said mockingly to the Duros, stepping next to Amir.
Sure enough, hearing Seneal's words, the Duros panicked. His eyes darted around. He didn't wait for Seneal to finish, stuffed the vial back in his clothes, and fled.
"You're sure you've never touched this stuff? Then how do you know so much?" Amir asked.
"Hehe, I was young and curious. I quit a long time ago," Seneal said, embarrassed.
Well, I'll be, Amir thought. Never thought this squid-head had such willpower.
"Speaking of which, I still have a case of refined spice on my ship. It's supposed to be high-grade," Amir mused.
"How much did you say?!" Seneal turned his head.
"Um... a case?" Amir replied.
"Refined, high-grade? Where's it from?" Seneal pressed.
"Hoth. Purified from a fungus," Amir recalled.
"You don't mean... Lumni spice? Oh, I love that stuff." Seneal was lost in memory.
"Hmm... You want some?" Amir didn't know what to do with the case of spice. He wouldn't sell it and harm others... but harming Seneal? He didn't feel bad about that.
"No, no," Seneal sighed. "And I can't afford it. Do you know the value of a case of that spice?"
"I don't really know the market." Amir just knew it was probably valuable.
"Lumni spice is priceless on the black market. Production is extremely low, and almost no one knows where it comes from. I've only heard that some desperados have been there, secretly harvesting some to make money. The only thing that's certain is that a band of pirates has controlled the source for the last two years. Many-a crime boss has been ripped off by them, but they can't resist the temptation and keep buying," Seneal explained.
Amir connected the dots. "The spice base info came from those pirates."
"That's how I guessed it was Lumni spice," Seneal said, touching his tentacles. "That one case could buy you a building on Coruscant."
"A building?!" Amir was shocked by Seneal's claim.
"Hehe, a handful of that spice could buy you a house in the core of Coruscant. A whole case... what do you think?" Seneal's words were like a devil's whisper, tingling Amir's nerves.
Although he had expected it, when the value was made so concrete, Amir's heart couldn't help but stir.
But it was just a stir. He had plenty of money now. He'd just hold onto the spice.
"I know you don't want to sell this. You're a man of principle. Kind, compassionate. But I'm not. I don't have a conscience. You give it to me, I'll sell it, and we split it ninety-ten." Seneal gave him a sleazy smile.
"Get lost. I'd only consider it if I were starving to death." Amir refused.
"I wasn't joking. Even if you sell this spice, the only ones who can buy it are the richest of the rich. You know their morals and their actions. You don't need to feel any guilt," Seneal persisted.
"Someone else told me the same thing," Amir said.
"And how did you answer?" Seneal asked.
Amir shook his head.
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