Hondo shoved the young one up the ramp of the ship, glancing over his shoulder as blaster fire cracked behind them. Stormtroopers- always late, always loud, always ruining perfectly good business deals. The loading ramp hissed shut, cutting off the worst of the chaos outside.

He spun, arms wide in exaggerated disbelief. “Are you trying to get killed?” he snapped, voice raised more out of habit and exasperation than anything. “Because if you are, I would appreciate a warning so I can at least sell you out for a modest fee first, hm?”

The padawan didn't respond. Still stewing, no doubt, about the poor locals back on that dusty, nothing market being pushed around by some small gang. Hondo had seen it and look over it like he always did. But then he’d seen the look in the kid’s eyes just before they moved- just before they reached for the hilt hidden away on their person. Jedi instincts, he supposed.

He’d had to drag them back before they lit up half the sector with that glowing death warrant. Cost him a very promising deal, too. “Bah. Ruined, just ruined,” he muttered, walking toward the cockpit. The deal hadn’t mattered half as much as the moment of panic that gripped him when he saw them step forward.

“Do you know what happens when one little Jedi gets spotted? Inquisitors, bounty hunters, entire Imperial squads! I’ve seen it! And none of them are interested in friendly negotiations.”

They stood there, defiant but silent. That made it worse somehow.

“They would sell you out for a few credits. Heroes die fast these days, my friend.”

He should drop them. That was the smart thing. Jedi were trouble now- everywhere, always. The kid had been useful, sure. Strong with the Force, good with a lock, even better at getting into places he couldn’t. They’d adapted well enough since he picked them up off that burned-out wreck. Smarter than most. Brave. Too brave.

He told himself it was business. They were worth more as an asset than the price on their head in the beginning. But when he’d seen them start to step forward today, right into blaster fire, his heart had stopped- just for a second.

The risks of keeping them by his side only increased over time and it stopped being profitable. So it wasn't business. Not entirely. But he wouldn't say that aloud.

"We are pirates. We don't do heroics. Unless there's credits involved."