Gray Merchant

After ending his call with Passel Argente, Yuri Orlov let out a long breath and rubbed his face vigorously with both hands, looking exhausted.

After a while, he placed another call, and the professional smile returned to his face.

The figure appearing in the hologram was none other than Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker!

"Sorry to keep you waiting, dear Jedi Knight." Yuri Orlov smiled, but there was a trace of mockery in his voice. "I always thought I'd never do business with a Jedi Knight in this life. At most, you'd throw me back in prison again, hmm?"

Anakin Skywalker's expression was grim. Gritting his teeth, he said, "I need to retake Rhen Var, but I don't have enough heavy firepower to strike the Separatists' tanks. I need a large number of rocket launchers, even anti-tank guns!"

"Oh..." Yuri Orlov put on an enlightened expression. "Even with the Galactic Republic's industrial capacity, you need smuggling channels to acquire weapons?"

"The hyperspace routes have been blockaded by the Separatists. Reinforcements can't get here anytime soon, and I don't want to wait!" Anakin said sternly.

"All right, then we can discuss the price." Yuri Orlov spread his hands.

"This payment will be guaranteed by the Galactic Republic treasury!" Anakin Skywalker said.

"I think you've misunderstood something, young Jedi Knight." Yuri Orlov shook his head. "What we do is gray business. Do you know what gray means? Oh, it's my favorite color, because it's neither white nor black..."

"I don't want to discuss your preferences!" Anakin snapped.

"You should understand that the Galactic Republic cannot approve this payment. As I said, this is a gray area—one the law does not permit." Yuri Orlov smiled faintly. "So unfortunately, there can be no deal."

"What exactly do you want me to do?!" Anakin lost his