Chapter 4 - Shades of Grey
Six months later...
Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi left the grey administration building of the municipality
Sareyt on Hedola, relief visible on their faces.
"I'm glad this is over. It's impossible to negotiate with Hedolans." "I told you so, Obi-Wan."
The whizzing of the cars, the clanging sounds of the vendors scuffling past them were drowning
out his words. Finally, the negotiations had been successful, enabling them to leave the planet
behind, the capital city's uniform grey façades, the painfully cold atmosphere, the
unpredictable mood swings of its inhabitants. They turned into a smaller alley that was even
dirtier than the main street.
"Don't be so coy," a male voice commanded harshly in the darkness. A scantily dressed girl
climbed over a unhinged door, whose paint was coming off in large flakes, and stood in front of
the two Jedi. "I am at your service, gentlemen. Only five credits." She smiled coquettish.
The two men stopped in their tracks, unsure how to react to the situation.
A mere child! I can't believe she has to prostitute herself, for the price of a jug of water
I know. But there's nothing we can do. She is not the only one. We will only endanger the
outcome of our mission.
"Please to not hesitate, sir. I am certain your wishes will be fulfilled-"
"We have no intention of accepting this offer. Little one, you shouldn't be doing this." She
looked away, backing off slightly.
A tall man stepped out of the darkness. "Sirs, I am sure you'll reconsider as soon as you've
learned her qualities. Let me-"
"Leave her alone!" Anakin could hardly control his temper.
"She works for me, you have no right to interfere." Anakin reached for his sabre, bis his
former master shoved his hand away. He took a step forward, raising his hand and flicking in
front of the stranger's face. "You have no business here. You will leave now." The Hedolan's
eyes widened. With a start, he turned around and ran along the alley, disappearing round a
corner. A few seconds later, the petite girl scuttled off in a hurry. "Great. We can't just
confine her to this fate." "If Hedola joins the Republic, the Senate will have political
leverage over them and ban these practices for good. Patience, Anakin." "But-" Suddenly, Obi-
Wan indicated him to be quiet, closing his eyes in an effort to calm his mind. "Did you sense
it too?" "A fluctuation in the force." "It's quite close to our position." "Let's find out what
this is about."
-----
The force had lead them to a dented metal door in a seemingly desolate backyard. When Obi-Wan
knocked, a dishevelled-looking woman with bright blue hair opened. Her excessive make-up
betrayed her bland features. "You're quite early. Come in. I'm Madame Jeralla. The room's
upstairs." Her tight dress revealed every curve as she walked up the stairs, her hips swinging
seductively. "Since there are two of you, I will charge extra. But you won't regret it", she
said over her shoulder. She unlocked a second door and pointed inside. "Make yourself
comfortable." "Actually, we are not here to,um, employ your services."
"Ah. Who are you, then?" "We are Jedi. We-"
"Jedi, huh? What a pity. That would have been a first." Obi-Wan couldn't suppress a smile. His
former padawan shot him a disconcerted glance. "Madam, we are here because we felt a
disturbance in the Force. It is possible that there is a force-sensitive individual nearby." "No
clue what you're talking about, boy, I'm not familiar with that Force mumbo-jumbo of yours."
She jerked her head towards the door. "Girl, come over here! We have visitors." A short girl
came dashing up the stairs and bolted through the half-opened door. "Have you done the washing
yet?" "Mistress, I have just finished boiling the laundry." She was barefooted, her face
reddened and shining with sweat, her wide clothes and dark hair wet from steam. "Shall I
prepare some tea for the guests before proceeding?" Jeralla gave a curt nod and waved her away.
"That wasn't necessary at all." "Well, I have an inkling this might take longer than expected,
so we better discuss this in a more pleasant setting. Don't take too long though, or I will
have to charge you." "I'll try to make this short." Anakin laughed. The door opened again when
the girl entered the room, balancing a heavy tray with three cups. The Jedi eyed the brownish
concoction cautiously as she placed the cups on the wobbly table and, with a quick bow, left
for the kitchen. "Madam, may I have a word with the girl?" Jeralla looked alarmed. "Look, if
you're after pretty young Athreli girls, you should find plenty on the streets. She is just my
servant." "Madam, we have nothing sinister in mind. I think she is the force-sensitive we are
looking for." An exasperated sigh. "Go, talk to her. Whatever. And you-" she turned to Obi-Wan
"will explain to me what all this is about."
-----
She didn't look exhausted, but it was clear that she resigned herself to her work with little
pleasure, yet a high level of dedication. "Sir, is everything alright? Is something wrong with
the tea?" When she looked up at him, Skywalker noticed how serious her face was, her tired eyes
made her appear several years older than she probably was. All traces of childhood had
vanished. "I just wanted to have a little chat with you." "Alright, sir." She looked vaguely
frightened. "I'm Anakin Skywalker. What's your name?" "Kaliya. You are a Jedi, aren't you? I
overheard you and Mistress Jeralla talking." "That's right. Do you know who the Jedi are?" "I
don't know much 'bout them. We are too far away from the Core planets, we rarely get news of
any current affairs." "How old are you?" "Eight." 'Barely older than the street girl we met
earlier...' "Why do you work for Jeralla?" "She is very kind, gave me work and a shelter when I
came to the city." "What do you do when you're not working?" "Um, apart from sleeping? I don't
get much time off, but I usually spent it out on the streets or in my room. Come, I'll show you
my place." She indicated him to follow her and then hurried along the dingy corridor into a
tiny room that contained a bed, a messy heap of clothes and a stack of books. "I love reading."
"Who taught you?" "No one. You've seen those notice boards in the city centre? They also read
out the news. I listened to the speaker as I read along, until had memorized which letter
expressed which sound." 'Impressive.' He took a look around, but there were no other
possessions.
"Did you come here alone?" "Yes. It is customary for the oldest child in a Athreli family to go
to the city as soon a they turn five. To get an education, and then return an teach their
younger siblings." "What happened?" Kaliya smiled almost apologetically. "You mean, why do I
live here instead of attending school? The war changed everything. The Majority joined the
Separatists very early on. My people didn't agree with their goals, but we were eager to prove
ourselves, show the Hedolans that we weren't badly integrated immigrants. The Majority
leaders...they exploited that, they refused any official posts to Athreli applicants because
they wanted them to fill up their army's ranks. And they turned me away when I tried to go to
school." "What about your family?" The girl looked away, but her voice remained steady. "They
are dead. The village was destroyed in an air raid two years ago." Suddenly, she stared deeply
into Anakin's eyes. "Thanks for ending this war. That's the only thing I know about the Jedi,
that they ended this slaughter for good." "Would you like to become a Jedi?" "Me? Are you
kidding? How could I possibly to that?" "You clearly have a strong grounding in the Force."
"The Mistress would never allow me to leave." She shrugged. "Let's at least ask her." "Sure,
Master Skywalker. I don't think that'll help, though."
'I hope Obi-Wan has softened her up a bit.'
-----
Jeralla had asked for a quite exorbitant sum in compensation, but the Jedi persuaded her to
provide one of the street girls with a shelter. Kaliya had left her books and clothes behind
and was trailing after the two men, a genuine smile on her face that made her sharp features
appear more childlike. They were passing a run-down pawnshop when the Athrelian quietly
addressed them. "Masters, um, I feel bad about asking you for something after all you've done
for me. I pawned something I got from my parents and it just..." Obi-Wan patted her shoulder
reassuringly. "You're not indebted to us. We are here to help." "Thanks, Master Kenobi." They
got ready to enter the shop, but Kaliya stopped them in their tracks. "I'm not sure this is a
good idea. The owner is infamous for his short temper." "All the more reason to make sure you
don't get into trouble. We won't attract any attention, don't worry." The girl nodded
appreciatively and pushed the door open.
"Ah, little one, let's see what you have this time." "Actually, I'd like to get something back.
The jar I gave you three years ago." The brutish man leaned over the counter, bringing his face
close to hers. "Can you pay for it?" Silently, she handed him several credit chips. The
shopowner broke out in laughter. When he had calmed down, he snarled, "well, that's not enough,
girl, the interest level has gone up recently." "What?! You're a fraud!" The Jedi, who had
pretended to be customers, were watching the scene alertly. "But-", the shop owner's face was now
threatening close, Kaliya felt nausea rise in her throat, "I know a way you could repay me."
His malicious grin turned his face into an even more ridiculous grimace. The girl backed away.
"No. You will give me the jar." She clenched her hands into fists, repeating her words. The man
looked dumbfounded for a moment, then reached under the counter and placed the jar on the table
with a loud thud. Skywalker and Kenobi exchanged astonished glances.
