For years, Luthen Rael and Kleya Marki only ever showed up to deals they knew would go their way. One of many unlikely father-daughter pairs in the vast Star Wars universe, the two partnered to get out of a war zone—one a soldier of the oppressor’s troops, the other a child refugee.
The good thing about losing your original identity, however, is you can now adopt new ones at will—and that Luthen and Kleya gladly do. They slowly trade their way up from trinkets at the far edge of the galaxy to a brimming, high-class art gallery in Coruscant, the city-planet and capital of the universe.
Not only has their careful approach served them well financially, it also makes Luthen and Kleya perfect undercover agents for the Rebellion opposing the evil Galactic Empire they escaped from. Time and again, they turn enemy spies to their cause, catch critical information via their many listening devices, and coordinate identities, gear, and passage for Rebellion spies conducting dangerous missions—all without ever being uncovered.
One day, however, all secrecy must end. So when the Rebel Alliance finally shows its true colors in the open, Luthen and Kleya must act quickly—and preferably get out of Coruscant. Still, there is one last meeting with an informant to be held, in broad daylight, no less. Luthen volunteers for the job, and he and Kleya plan to escape together afterwards.
The two agree on a meeting point. Luthen puts on his flashy art dealer costume. But something feels off, and so Kleya reminds her surrogate father of their usual mantra: “Just promise me if it doesn’t look perfect, you won’t engage.” Alas, as good fathers tend to be, Luthen is still one step ahead. He knows the time has come, and the only thing left to do is put all chips on the table. “I think we used up all the perfect,” he tells Kleya and sends her on her way.
Caution only gets you so far in life. When the cause is right, it will ask you to jump. Sooner or later, you’ll use up all your perfect, and that’s how it’s meant to be. The steps to a better future are always wobbly. Ascend safely as far as you can, but have the courage to start running once you must.
