Caged like a Ratara

Fuck. The last week has been a whirlwind. Following up on Shapoor's lead, we discovered a den of Lady Pirates who may or may not be operating the Saldhana as part of an organized smuggling crew. For once, it seemed like we were two steps ahead of the Rebellion. I even started to think I may have a knack for this investigation business - up until the moment we found ourselves face to face with a Salty Sister in the heart of their keep. I panicked... It felt like we had no options and before I could even realize what I was doing, I had stabbed her. A fat lot of good that did us. The Sisters are well trained, and they responded to her call in seconds. As we were disarmed and taken to be interrogated, I started to get that sinking feeling in my stomach again. Was all this for less than a few months of freedom? We couldn't make progress offering promises to the Dragonkin Captain, so I - unwisely - attempted to threaten. It was a desperate ploy, and it proved... ineffective. More evidence that I'm not more than what I was before..
 
Miri brewed a careful lie, and our sentence shifted from death to imprisonment. Dread flooded my chest as the door closed behind us, leaving no evidence that there was ever a door to begin with. My heart was pounding, and I swear the air was different in there - I could barely breathe. There was no way out... no way out. I think we talked. Suggestions that we might be placed on a ship made me feel sick. I can't remember. Fresh air. Mara somehow burned a hole through the wood window - just enough. Breathing. I can breathe. I'm not alone. Miri talked - told me about The Academy. Breathing. I'm not alone. The door re-opens.
 
Maxine strode in with two accomplices, and once again, we found ourselves being used as someone else's tool. She wanted us to murder the captain - Raza. The dread in my chest tightens because I know this is the only way out. I hear my own voice crack the silence, "I can do it." As I pick up my knife, I remind myself that this Captain is no better than Graham. She would use us just like the rest. This is no misdeed, it will be justice. I'm at the door to her room. Miri's in front of me again, like she was in the cage. She's looking at me, and I see the worry in her eyes, but there's no other way. I steel myself and open the door.
 
It's an antechamber. The fools - they've given us an opportunity. Everything changes. Miri and Mara come in behind me, and we're alone. A quick scan of the papers reveals we may have enough info here to proceed with our investigation. A plan forms between us. Before I release the dread, I use it to silently slice my own palm - evidence of a foul act and the knowledge of what I would have done. I present the bloody knife to Beatrix - one of Maxine's lackeys - and in her moment of acceptance, Mara releases a cloud of fog. It's chaos, but of our own design, and we manage to escape.
 
Half a day later, I'm passed out in a field south of Mil Pont - just trying to forget the past 48 hours. 3 days after that, I'm clean, fed, and sitting in a comfortable bed in Allenesse. Thank goodness for Miri and Mara - it feels good to have two people in my life I can trust.
 
Now what have we gotten ourselves into?