Star Wars and its canon characters are copyright Lucasfilm, Ltd.
21 BBY (Before Battle of Yavin)
2nd Year of the Clone Wars
Taris
From the Private Journals of Jacalyn Arden:
Anakin Skywalker. A very…interesting individual. From the moment I met him there was something about him that was different. A lot of the individuals I dealt with in my line of work were more serious, conniving, ready to turn on you in a moment's notice. Not him. Though I didn't completely trust him initially, he did have an almost discharming way about him. Humor. Sarcasm. Laid back despite being reckless. What got me though was loyalty. Once earned, he had your back no matter what. Which was helpful. Though it almost meant betrayal would be so much more…painful.
"So, this is the ship that you use to make all your daring escapes in?" Jacalyn raised an eyebrow as she looked at the vessel. It wasn't the most ideal. In fact, it looked like it wouldn't last long in a firefight. To top it off, she wasn't sure it could even outrun a fight. "I'm not really sure."
"Are you poking fun at my ship?" Jacalyn glanced over at the young man only to see a smile spread across his lips. "Don't let her looks deceive you. She's fast and has gotten me out of more scrapes than I can count." Anakin fondly patted the side of the side of the ship before turning his gaze back to Jacalyn. "She'll get you in and out of Murkhana without issue."
Jacalyn wasn't as sure but if he had confidence in it, then she would have to as well. She didn't really like the idea but the Force didn't seem to nudge her as it would if danger was involved. Well, more so. There was always a risk of danger in life. Thus why she had to trust in the Force.
"Alright. Let's hope your rust bucket holds." Jacalyn purposely tossed out the barb. She had a reputation to uphold. The smugglers' world didn't allow for a lot of obvious weakness or tolerance.
It was fascinating really. The balance between playing the role and not losing herself completely. As a Jedi, there was a lot of things she was used to. Things she couldn't justify doing. She managed to balance both who she was and who she was pretending to be but it was a fine line. Master Revi had told her it would be. There would be times that line would be so thin it was difficult to know what was true and what wasn't. Thus, why relying on the Force was so vital.
"My lady, you offend me." Anakin gestured for her to enter the ship. "True, she might not be much to look at but the Handmaid Queen will get us where we need to go. And she will keep us safe."
Jacalyn glanced at him. The name seemed a bit odd but Anakin didn't even bat an eye as he spoke it. In fact, there was a bit of fondness in his voice as he said it. He glanced over at Jacalyn as if waiting to see if she would enter.
Staying aware, Jacalyn entered the ship. The inside wasn't much better than the outside on appearance but at the same time it did have a bit of comforts in it. She was surprised to see a golden colored protocol droid.
"Hello. I am C3-PO. Human cyborg relations. How may I serve you?"
"Not now 3-PO." Anakin brushed past the droid, the rear of the ship closing.
Taking another glance at the droid, Jacalyn followed Anakin toward the cockpit.
"You have a protocol droid on your ship." It was a bit unusual. Especially for a pilot.
Anakin shrugged. "Well, after my Mom remarried, Col'ton really didn't like droids. So instead of them getting rid of him, I took him aboard. He speaks multiple languages so he's a good translator."
"I am fluent in over five million forms of communication," the droid injected behind them.
"3-PO why don't you head in the back or something. Maybe run a diagnostic."
"Oh yes, Master Anakin. That would be a good idea. It would do me some good." The protocol droid turned and stiffly walked back out of the cockpit.
Anakin turned to Jacalyn with a slight sheepish smile and shrug. "I built him when I was a kid. Hard to get rid of him."
"I see."
Jacalyn didn't comment further. She didn't really care about the protocol droid. She was here for business. And though the droid might be useful if she ever needed to learn something about the young man sitting down at the controls, it would only be if needed. Hacking a droid was easy but not worth the risk of trust if one was caught. And, as it wasn't really needed at the moment, why risk it?
Anakin powered up the ship, bringing the systems online.
"So, Murkhana huh? Anything I should know specifically?"
"You're technically paid not to ask questions," Jacalyn said sitting down on the second seat.
"True. But the more I know, the better I can get us in and out. I presume you want to go to the capitol, Murkhana City. But for all I know you might want to go snorkeling looking at the beautiful coral reefs that they are known for." He held up his hands as Jacalyn gave him a look. "Only saying, I can't help you effectively if you keep me out of the loop on everything. I know that's what you all do but believe me," he gave her an innocent smile. "I can keep a secret."
Sure. She wasn't going to count on his word for that.
"Murkhana City. I'm trying to make contact with one of the locals there. Getting in isn't so much a concern. It's getting out again in one piece I'm concerned about."
"Why? It's not like you are Republic. Or are you?" Anakin turned slightly to face her, the smile fading slightly as he eyed her carefully.
Jacalyn gave him a cool look. "Murkhana is home to the Corporate Alliance as well as has a strong Black Sun influence. The former might not be so much a concern but the latter doesn't really take too lightly on other criminal syndicates. And they aren't as trusting of strangers as one might think."
"Fair enough. Though," the smile was back again. "I have a difficult time placing you as a hard-hearted criminal."
"Appearances can be deceiving." Jacalyn turned away slightly, her gaze taking in the controls. She wasn't entirely familiar with the ship but she could make out that there were quite a few modifications that didn't necessarily fit. Letting her last statement rest, Anakin watched her gaze pause on one such group of wires and machinery.
"I like to tinker. Part of what I do when I'm not flying mysterious, supposedly hard-hearted ladies around the galaxy." He gave her a look. "You know, you don't really fool me. Oh, don't get me wrong. I have a funny feeling that it wouldn't be wise going up against you but you don't seem the ruthless killer type. Besides," a boyish grin. "Akkels Ralg was a bit more forthcoming with you. Says you deal more in information than body bags."
Interesting. The Quarren hadn't been as upfront with her regarding Anakin. Though part of it could be due to the fact that she and Akkels hadn't really had that long of history together. And in this line of work, history was important.
Which meant that Anakin and Akkels had to have gone back a bit if she gave him some information on Jacalyn.
"Believe what you will. But whatever she said, it's none of your or her business what I do or want. Just get me in and out and you'll be rewarded."
"Anyone ever tell you that you are a bit too wound up? You need to relax a bit."
The ship shot forward into the sky, the inertial dampeners taking most of it but enough pressure slipped to knock both of them to the back of their chairs.
"Sorry. Been meaning to fix those a bit. Haven't really had the time."
"I can see." Jacalyn was starting to doubt this ship was as safe as it looked. Which was saying something. "You do know inertial dampeners are a bit handy in dealing with rapid acceleration, right?" She turned and muttered under her breath. "Not that this can go that quickly."
"You'll be surprised." Anakin shot back as they cleared the atmosphere. He started to punch a few things into the computer so it could calculate the jump. "As I said, the Handmaid Queen might not look that great but I've made a few modifications here and there. She'll serve us proud." He watched as the computer finished the calculations and plugging it into the navigation drive. "Did I tell you I basically built her from scrap?"
The ship moved further away from the planet, getting clear so it could jump into hyperspace.
"From scrap? No. Never would have guessed."
The way the ship rattled slightly Jacalyn figured he probably pulled it out of a long dead junkyard. Now she could get a basic idea of why Akkels said Anakin was a good pilot. One had to be to keep this thing together.
Despite working outside the main Order, Jacalyn was not really used to this bad of ships. Her own ship was a bit more…functioning then this. Maybe not as high quality as the ships she piloted back at the Order but still it was a vessel that actually worked. Not like this rattling can of parts.
Inhaling slightly, Jacalyn calmed herself. She was careful to do so as she didn't want to give away who she truly was. She wasn't too concerned about the young man being able to pick up her connection to the Force. It wasn't like he had any ability to sense it. Only other Force users – which he wasn't one – or a handful of others could even detect the sensitivity in the Force. And that would be if she hadn't been continually practicing a form of meditation that concealed her Force presence.
It was a rare meditation that most Jedi weren't even aware of. Jacalyn figured the Jedi Council knew of it but from what she gathered, not many outside the Sentinels were aware of its existence. Master Revi had taught her early on how certain meditation could hide her from other Force users. Though there really wasn't much a concern as most people would never be able to tell, part of a Sentinels job was to look out for any sign of the Sith or dark Jedi. And in dealing with individuals like that, knowing how to mask one's own identity in the Force was helpful.
It was a practice she had gotten fairly good at, being able to do it almost all the time. She didn't think it was needed here but the more she practiced, the longer she could last without having to take a break.
That said, showing a major calming of oneself might not be seen lightly. It would be doubtful the thought would cross his mind but she couldn't let even the consideration that she was a Jedi cross his mind.
If the young man at the controls noticed any change, he didn't indicate it.
"You have a sense of humor. And sarcasm." He laughed. "I like it. If I wasn't convinced we'd get along before, I am now."
Jacalyn glanced over at him, purposely giving him a dark look.
"We're here for a job. In and out. You drop me back off at Taris, I pay you the second half of your fee and we go our separate ways."
"Unless of course, you need me for another job. I do know this area well and I'm an excellent pilot."
"To be determined upon my safe return." Jacalyn shot back.
Most of her tone, looks, and words were more a façade. Though she had a lot of doubts about the ship, Jacalyn also knew she was in the will of the Force. She had been led to Taris. Led to Skywalker. She really couldn't explain why but she knew she was where she was supposed to be at the moment.
That said, her masquerade was supposedly not a Force user. So she wouldn't be putting her trust in the Force at all. And flying in this ship would raise concern from most anyone else. Besides, it was good to poke at his ship. Poke a bit at him. It gave her a good idea of who he was. What were his limits? What could he handle? If she was going to be working with him, the more she knew about him the better.
Anakin laughed. "How about we make a bet? If I get you back safe and sound you owe me a favor."
Jacalyn's eyes moved back over to him. "Considering how much I'm already paying you, how about you just honor your deal and we leave it at that?"
Inclining his head slightly, Anakin didn't reply but instead engaged the hyperdrive. Again, the jump pushed them back slightly but not with too much discomfort. Though it was enough to make Jacalyn wonder if the inertial dampeners would go out on them during this trip.
Turning her face away, keeping the expression cold and closed, she turned inward and calmed herself. Centered herself in the Force. Let it bring a bit of peace to her as her thoughts turned toward Murkhana and what she needed to do there.