Chapter 3

Quests, Part II

Luke was doing his best to keep his attention focused on ex-Chancelor Valorum, but he was failing miserably. No matter how hard he tried to keep his eyes on the white-haired old man's weathered face, they kept wandering to the flawless lines – as if drawn by the Force itself – of the face of Valorum's beautiful aide.

"Master and Lady Skywalker, you both honor me with this meeting," Valorum announced in a firm, steady baritone that seemed incongruous with his frail form.

At the sound of Valorum's voice, Luke dragged his eyes back to the man and then he scanned the room.

His father nodded curtly but his face remained impassive—not at all surprising given that Anakin Skywalker was never one to show deference to anyone. Luke resisted the urge to roll his eyes. The man was so used to being the center of attention, that he didn't have the capacity to consider the possibility that he was not the most important person in the room.

Manu, on the other hand, seemed genuinely uncomfortable. She had her politician face on in full force, of course, but without a doubt, something was bothering her. As far as Luke could recall, his mother had never been perturbed by anyone. The entire Galaxy knew that Padmé Amidala Skywalker had stood up against the Great Sith Conspiracy while carrying her children in her womb. It had become legend. To see her rubbing the palm of one hand with the thumb of another was….unsettling.

Luke only knew of Valorum peripherally—that he had been Chancellor before Palpatine and that he had been voted out of office mired in accusations of corruption. Try as he might, Luke couldn't conceive of any reason for Manu's odd reaction to the meeting.

Frowning inwardly, Luke closed his eyes and opened himself to the Force, trying to sense the source of his mother's consternation. When he drew a slow breath in through his nose, the intoxicating scent of jade blooms assaulted his senses. Immediately his thoughts shifted and an image of the red-haired beauty that sat across from him floated to the surface.

Luke found himself smiling as she stood before him, surrounded by a white mist, completely naked. Unfortunately, the insufferable wisps of fog managed to cover all her most interesting body parts. Grasping hold of the vision, Luke tried to will the obstructions to part. Slowly, an unseen gust of wind started in the vision and pushed the clouds away.

Any moment now…

Luke's smile grew.

Almost…

A sharp pain shot up from his ribcage and his eyes popped open.

"Pay attention!" Leia leaned over and whispered. "They're talking about us." Her eyes narrowed. "Are you blushing?"

"Shut up!" Luke frowned as he flopped back into his chair and crossed his arms across his chest, trying to ignore the stabbing pain in his side. It took only a moment for Luke to realize that by 'us', Leia meant the Jedi Order. He sighed.

"…as it stands, the Jedi Council cannot continue as you have indefinitely," Valorum's voice droned on.

"That is all well and good," Obi-Wan replied, placing his hands together on the table as he leaned forward. "I'm just not sure what you propose we do about it. We are not interested in placing the Jedi Order in the position of being funded by the Senate. We have no intention of being used as political pawns of the Republic, ever again."

Valorum nodded and let out a laborious-sounding breath. "I understand your position completely. It is for this very reason that I have come." Leveling his eyes on Anakin, his face grew stern. "Most of the members of the Senate are convinced that the Jedi Order represents a force to be reckoned with in the Galaxy."

Anakin frowned. "We pose no threat to the Republic."

Valorum waved his hand. "Of course you don't, Master Skywalker. But the fact remains, you are powerful—both in capability and politically."

Padmé's eyes widened. "Politically? Surely you aren't serious."

Casting a sidelong glance at her, Valorum raised an eyebrow. "We all know that a seemingly innocuous political move can have disastrous consequences."

Manu's mouth fell open slightly. After a brief moment, she closed her mouth again and her lips thinned. "What, precisely, do you propose?"

Valorum leaned back in his chair, placed each elbow on an armrest and brought his fingers together into a steeple at his chin. "I'm sure you've heard of the bill under consideration now in the Senate that is intended to restore the funding that was cut off from the Order under your tenure, Madame Skywalker."

"Yes, I'm aware of it." Padmé's tone was non-committal, but Luke detected a hint of tension in her voice.

"Don't you think it odd that the Order has not been consulted on this bill?"

Obi-Wan brought a hand to his chin and rubbed his gray beard. "Yes, we do. But the Council currently has no intention of accepting funding from any government, let alone the Republic Senate."

"That is precisely the point, Master Kenobi," Mara spoke up for the first time. Luke realized that it was the first time that he'd heard her voice. Her melodious tone was as beautiful as she was. "Everyone knows that the Council has cut ties with the Republic. Many are concerned about having so powerful a group as the Jedi Order gallivanting around the Galaxy without any oversight."

"The Jedi do not gallivant!" Leia snapped.

Valorum raised his hand. "Please, forgive my assistant," he smiled. "Mara is quite adept at many things, but choosing her words carefully is not one of them." He looked over at his aide sternly.

"My apologies," Mara said through her teeth. "I meant no offense." She held Leia's stare for several tense moments. Finally, Leia nodded slightly and Mara returned the silent gesture before turning her attention back to Obi-Wan. "The point is that it is very possible that this bill was introduced solely to force the Jedi to refuse the offer. In doing so, certain Senators could use that as proof that the Jedi represent a threat to democracy."

"I'm sorry," Anakin shook his head. "Maybe I'm as dense as a neutron star, but I have no idea where you're going with this."

Padmé placed a hand on Anakin's and smiled. "They're saying that there are those in the Senate who would use our refusal for funding as a platform to further their own political ambitions." She looked back at Valorum who merely nodded. "It's a tried and true ploy," Padmé sighed. "Select a group that everyone knows little about—a group that no one understands—and vilify them. While the people are focused solely on this new enemy, they willingly surrender power in the hope of stopping this new threat."

"Sounds like something Palpatine would do," Anakin growled.

"Precisely," Valorum answered. "In this case, a young Senator by the name of Fett leads the cause."

"Fett?" Obi-Wan's eyes widened. "A clone?"

"You really should pay closer attention to galactic politics, Master Kenobi," Valorum frowned. "Two years ago, Mr. Fett sued in the Galactic High Court to give the clones equal rights as citizens of the Republic. He won resoundingly. After that, it was a simple matter of filing the necessary claims as a nomadic culture to obtain representation in the Senate, with Fett himself as the Senator for the Clones, of course."

The room fell silent.

"It is no small thing that Senator Fett has accomplished, my friends. He has successfully played on the public's distrust of the Jedi. Left unchecked, his power in the Senate will continue grow. He has made no secret of his wish to have the Republic either establish control of the Jedi Order or…"

Padmé's mouth fell open for a second time.

"Or?" Anakin leaned forward, his eyes ablaze.

Luke shook his head, wondering how his father, a man considered so great by so many, could be so obtuse. "Or destroy it, Father." Sitting up in his chair, Luke frowned. "I was afraid of this. I've been watching RNet for the last few weeks and the Order has come up quite a bit."

"Yes. I've noticed it too," Leia agreed, nodding her head. "They mean to send the GAR to disband us."

"Surely you don't think it's come to that, do you?" Obi-Wan looked genuinely bewildered.

Valorum dropped his hands and sighed. "No, not yet. But it is only a matter of time, my friends. Something must be done. You can't let the fate of the Order be decided like this."

"You haven't answered my question, Finis," Padmé frowned. "What do you propose we do?"

Nodding slightly, Valorum pushed his chair back and leaned heavily on his armrests as he rose unsteadily to his feet. He wheezed as he steadied himself and then walked over stand before Padmé and Anakin.

"You need representation in the Senate," he announced. "The only way to avoid the political consequences of this bill is to become a represented nation in the Senate as the Clones have. If you file a claim as a nomadic nation, the Senate will not be able to pass a bill that would indenture your nation. You would not have to make a political statement by refusing the Republic. As a represented nation, the Jedi would be able to render assistance as you always have within the confines of the bureaucracy without being beholden to it."

"I hate politics," Anakin growled. "I have no intention of becoming a Senator!"

Valorum chuckled. "With all due respect, Master Skywalker, you're the last person in the Galaxy that I would suggest represent the Jedi Order."

"Oh?" Obi-Wan interjected. "Why not?"

Valorum's swiveled his head to Obi-Wan, his eyebrows drawing together. "You and your fellow Council Members represent the old Jedi Order—the one that people still associate with the Clone Wars." Valorum's tone suggested that he thought the answer was obvious. "No…none of you would do at all. You need fresh blood. Young Senators who the members of the Senate would trust to have the Galaxy's interests at heart."

Padmé stood up. "Absolutely not!" she cried.

Anakin joined her, looking confused. "What? Who is he talking about?"

"Each nation is allowed to have up to two representatives," Mara said quietly.

Luke felt a surge of excitement in his gut and watched realization slowly dawn on his father as Anakin's eyes went wide.

Obi-Wan stood. "You can't be serious."

"I am old, Master Kenobi," Valorum replied tiredly. "I have no time for games. Luke and Leia are the perfect candidates to represent the Jedi Order in the Galactic Senate."

Harm had long ago lost all interest in the conversation going on between Windu and Broga, if it could be called that. He sat with them in the inconspicuous but lavish booth at the far corner of The Moonrise Club. The pair had sat quietly for over an hour sipping on Karotian Green and only occasionally did one say anything to the other.

Far more interesting to Harm was the breathtaking Falleen dancer who moved with such seductive grace on the stage with two Twi'lek companions. The sight of a Falleen on Tatooine was strange, to say the least. The Falleen were notorious for keeping to themselves and avoiding unnecessary contact with 'lesser' species. Their reclusive nature had made them a legend among pleasure-seekers and slave traders. Watching the supple curves sway with such seductive power from across the room, Harm became acutely aware of why the Moonrise Club had achieved such popularity despite being immensely exclusive.

Everything he had heard about the Falleen seemed to be true. Despite her reptilian scales that would normally be off-putting to most human males, the dancer had managed to captivate every creature in the bar—every creature, that is, except the two that he sat with. In perfect tune to the music, her scales pulsed with vibrant colors, changing from fiery red to a penetrating deep blue.

As the music picked up the pace, so did the dancer's erotic movements. The two Twi'lek dancers that adorned her on either side served only to accentuate how much more astounding this Falleen woman was compared to even the most beautiful of the other species.

Harm wiped a hand across his brow, completely unable to suppress the smile on his face.

"Amazing, she is, no?" Broga leaned over conspiratorially, somehow managing to whisper and still be heard above the din.

Leaning back in his seat, but keeping his eyes riveted on the dancing beauty, Harm smiled. "She sure is. She yours?"

Broga chuckled. "Own this establishment, I do. Arranged for the entertainment, I have. Own Xixan? Know, you must not, any Falleen women!"

Harm grinned. "Actually, I was asking if she was available, not if she was your slave."

Windu shook his head. "To the Falleen, there is no difference between being a slave and being betrothed."

Broga gawped at Windu. "Met many Falleen, you have?"

Windu simply raised an eyebrow.

Returning his attention to Harm, Broga smiled. "Correct, his observation is, bounty hunter. To answer your question more directly, taken a lover, Xixan has not. Arrange a meeting between you, I can, if you like."

Harm sat up. "Are you serious? You would do that?"

Broga laughed. "No promises I make, about the outcome of the meeting." He leaned his head back into the soft, purple velvet of the booth. "But arrange for an intimate meeting alone, I can."

Looking back over at the woman, who now moved through the crowd as she danced, Harm frowned. "In exchange for what?"

A wry smile played across Broga's lips. "Wise, you are, bounty hunter. Get something for free in this galaxy, you cannot." Tilting his head slightly in Windu's direction, Broga smiled.

Harm nodded. "And here I just thought you two had nothing to talk about." Sliding out from the booth, he stood. "I think I'll take a look around if that's all right with you two. I should be back in…" Harm watch Broga extend a single clawed hand. "…an hour or so."

Broga and Windu nodded, though only the tiny green creature smiled.

Reaching into his pocket, Harm pulled out a coin and tossed it on the table. "For the drink, in case I come back and you're both gone."

Slipping out the rear entrance and away from the noisy bar, Harm slid the receiver into his ear. The coin he had tossed on the table was picking up the conversation perfectly, though the music was drowning out their words. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a device and made a few adjustments. Having already sampled their voices, it was a simple matter to filter out the extraneous noise and only receive the conversation between the two.

"Seek to employ you, the bounty hunter does."

"I know."

"Accept his invitation, you will?"

"Perhaps. He has faster transportation than I'm likely to find."

A sudden movement caught Harm's eye as the conversation between the two suddenly stopped. Ducking behind a large metal canister used for storing trash, he spotted two obviously drunk pilots he had met on a few occasions, stumbling down the alleyway. Shaking his head, Harm waited for the conversation to continue.

"This holocron you seek, why come to me for information?"

"What makes you think I'm looking for a holocron?"

"Play games with each other, we should not, ex-Jedi. Purveyor of information, I am. Come to me with questions, you have. Armed with answers, I am. What to offer, have you?"

The pause in the conversation was deafening.

"Very well. A reliable source is convinced that, if this holocron exists, the trail starts here. I don't know why it's important and I don't care. I just need to find it."

"Why?"

"Because it doesn't matter who has the device right now, it's in the wrong hands."

"No! Not why seek you the device! Why you?" Broga's sudden grunt gave the impression that he was moving around. "Why did Quinlan Vos ask you to find it, ex-Jedi?"

There was no doubt that Windu was surprised by the question. Harm could clearly envision the stern, narrow eyes of Windu piercing the diminutive creature. Chuckling to himself, Harm slipped to the ground between the metal dumpster and the wall.

"Who sent me and why, is irrelevant."

"Of course. Of course. Forgive me. Professional curiosity alone, it was. Disclose all your secrets, you need not."

"What do you want in exchange for the information?"

"Straight to the point, you are! Like that, I do."

"As you said, let's not play games."

"Join the bounty hunter. Important to a valued friend, his next bounty is."

Harm straightened. He hadn't had a fare in months. Either Broga knew something that he didn't know or the little peddler was up to something. Harm scraped a fingernail against the stubble on his chin.

"I don't kill for money."

"Good. Alive, this bounty is to be taken. Useful in ensuring this happens, your skills will be."

"And you know where the holocron is?"

Harm frowned when his receiver picked up Broga's sigh.

"No. But know where on Tatooine, most likely it could be."

"Very well. That will have to do."

There was a long pause in the conversation and Harm began to wonder if the transmitter had stopped working. Checking his chronometer, he realized that he had been sitting outside for nearly an hour. A soft rattling sound that managed to escape the filters came over the receiver implied that the coin had been picked up.

Biting his lip in frustration, Harm cursed and pushed himself to his feet. Deciding there was little point in continuing to stand outside, he slipped from his hiding place and turned the corner to go back through the rear entrance.

Just outside the door stood Windu. He was leaning against the narrow wall, nonchalantly rotating the coin from one finger to the next with astonishing dexterity in the shadows cast by the faint streetlights behind Harm.

"Next time you decide you want to listen in on a private conversation involving me, Harm…" Windu said, his tone soft, but menacing.

"Yeah?"

"Don't."