Fan fiction disclaimer: I do not own star wars or any of their properties. Star Wars is owned by Disney, Marvel, and Lucasfilm productions. I only own my original characters. This is a non-profit, fan-based, work of fiction. Please support the official release.
Author's note:Sorry this chapter took a while to put out. I only really write in my off time. I"m considering making the chapters shorter to push the content out a bit faster (let me know how you feel). For now I'll stick to what I'm already doing. That being said, please enjoy.
P.S: So this is going to be a short chapter (sorry, I was having some writers block and needed to shift the plot quickly to a new location or I'd keep being stuck.) Let me know if you like the chapters shorter like this or if I should hold off on future chapters until they're a certain length.
I want to to branch out and make some other stories as well so look forward to some other material if you're interested.
Finally, I'm starting up school this fall so uploads may be even slower than they already are (sorry). All critiques and advice are welcomed and wanted. Thank you for your time.
The sounds of chatter and smell of liquor permeated my senses as I walked through the dining hall. Everything looked looked luxurious. From the patron's attire to the plates they ate off of, it looked like these people were royalty. Then again, maybe most of them were. Core world nobles did have a habit of over-indulging in the finer things. I must have looked strange walking around in casual robes. Honestly, even the robes felt like overkill to me at times. Hopefully no one would notice me.
I took a seat in the back corner. From here I could keep tabs on everyone here and stay out of the way. A waiter approached the table shortly after and addressed me. "What would you like tonight, sir?" I waved him away and shook my head. "I'm good sir, water will be fine". Before the waiter could leave there was a voice who approached and quickly stated "Actually, get us some wine and your most popular dish".
Mercer had took a seat across from me as the waiter left. "Well then, my apprentice, quite the predicament you've gotten yourself into". I just shook my head with a heavy sigh. "Master, do you even know the half of it?" He sat back and gave me an inquisitive look. "Perhaps, see if you can enlighten me". I started listing off all the events I was conscious for over the week.
Mercer nodded as I spoke. "Aside from what I've been told, there is one thing that troubles me, Master". He raised an eyebrow as I continued in a whisper. "Before I encountered this Allan guy I was led to his quarters by some sort of phantom, and inside was a Sith holocron hidden away in his luggage".
Mercer's expression remained plain as he whispered back to me. "Tristan, are you absolutely sure? If that really was a Sith holocron, then we must ensure that it's secured and brought to the jedi temple". I nodded my head. "I understand, master, but there's one problem. The medical officer who was treating me, Neela, said that the crew already searched Allan's room and found nothing." Mercer shook his head. "No. I've talked with her as well, and she explained that the crew didn't find anything linking him to your... Condition". I stared down at table, the thoughts of these droids dissolving my innards made my blood run cold. Mercer quickly spoke up again. "Your condition wouldn't be connected to that holocron, though, and a Sith holocron may seem like nothing to them.
I looked Mercer straight in the eyes, my own filled with urgency. "Master. If what you're saying is true, then we need to be searching the entire ship; starting with that room". Mercer leaned back and gave a smirk. "We will my apprentice, but first...". The waiter had come back with a bottle of chimbak wine, two plates of flat bread, star blossoms, and some steamed fish that I couldn't identify. "And would either of you care for anything else today?" Mercer waived the man away. "No, this is perfect. Thank you". The waiter bowed and left us with the plates of luxurious food. "Remember my young apprentice, you need to know when to nourish yourself before running into the fray".
Mercer uncorked the wine and poured himself a glass. "Care to try some? Chimbak is one of my favorite". I sighed and looked at the fish curiously. There was no point in arguing about urgency with my master. We were no where near a system, so an escape pod wouldn't be an option for Allan, and rushing into things may not be a good course of action for me. "Alright Master, I'll try some. The waiters won't mind right?" Mercer smirked, rolled his eyes and shook his head. "Ah, who cares, you're a young lad. If they want to give us a hard time then we'll talk with them". While quartering some of the fish I couldn't help but smirk at his response. Many core world societies disapproved of someone my age drinking, but I preferred the outer rim's social standards.
After about two hours Mercer and I had finished the feast of a meal. We laid back in our seats, fully content. "See Tristan? It's not so bad to treat yourself now and then." I nodded at his advice. This sensation of being content was nice, but I couldn't rid myself of this guilty feeling. Luxury was nice when earned, but I'm a jedi, a servant to the galaxy. I don't earn this treatment. The Jedi taught me that peace and harmony were my rewards.
Mercer and I sat in silence. I stared down at the crumbs and bone remains of the fish. Mercer could feel the regret emanating off of me. He sat up quickly and started moving towards the exit. "Well, shall we get to work?" I smiled and jumped out of my seat. "Let's go, Master".