Author's note:

Once again I write this to tell you guys what I have been thinking. As I continue to write this story it is clear to me that this is going to be a very long story, one of epic proportions. As one has already stated to me "This is the Clone Wars man! You have to make it epic!"

And I assure you I mean to do them right. Both the characters of Kim Possible and George Lucas' sci-fi epic.

To my Beta Readers Nerdman and General Patton. Thank you for your offered services but this chapter has been already Beta-read by my previous Beta reader. Don't worry. I still need your help for the upcoming chapters. Think of this one as a freebie, gentlemen. It doesn't happen often.

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Kim Possible: I am Jedi

Chapter five: The Smuggler's Moon

"Would you prefer to take this with the Hutts? I'm sure they would gladly solve our

Problem."

Qui-Gon Jinn, Jedi Master (The Phantom Menace)

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Approximately 12 months before the Battle of Geonosis

It is said that jealousy and envy are very unbecoming of a Jedi Knight. As far as Ron was concerned he was not a Jedi Knight YET. At first surprised at how easily he was manipulated by these sudden surge of feelings but then Ron had just convinced himself that he could feel a disturbance of the Force within this Lt. Joshua Mankey. Ron could just not bear to like him.

Not with the way he was staring at Kim, that's for sure.

Sitting across from the junior Senator Ron felt so out of place as he found Master Katz conversing with the Captain and Kim was busy talking with the young blond handsome cadet. Sure the fine Corinthian leather and cup holders had kept him entertained and awed for the first five minutes but now he could not help but casually observe Kim and Josh's conversation.

One must be mindful of the Force and the present after all. This is…uh… all part of Jedi training. Yeah that's right. I've got mad observational skills. Observational…that's a school word-duh! Focus Ron!

Still the blond padawan could not help but feel the Force was at work here, mocking him.

A few minutes ago he was confused and frightened at the sight of Kim. A few moments later he had admitted his mistakes and had asked her for her forgiveness to which she accepted happily and things seemed to return to how they were suppose to be. Now he could barely get a word in as the two continued to take pleasure in each other's company and were gladly ignoring his presence.

"Kim where exactly are we going again?" Ron inquired. He knew exactly where their destination was going to be but he just had to ask her something, as if he was saying Hello? I'm still here.

"I could answer that for you padawan Stoppable." Josh quickly intervened, pushing a remote button, which projected a holographic image of a red like planet. " Nul Hutta, the Hutt's central home world. It is the capital of Hutt space and is located in the Y'Toub system. However, the "crown jewel" of the Hutts is not exactly where we are headed." The blue-eyed junior Senator stated calmly. He then proceeded to press another button, which zoomed out of Nul Hutta and unto its colonized moon. "There has never been a republic ship that has landed in Nul Hutta in 200 years and the Hutts want to keep it that way. And so for negotiations sake, the Clans of the Ancients agreed to meet us here-." Josh paused as if for a more dramatic effect. "In Nar Shaddaa."

Kim briefly glanced at Josh and then at the hologram. "The Smuggler's Moon." She replied back in earnest.

Josh only smiled at her. "I'm impressed Miss Possible. Not many people of the core worlds know of its 'ill' nickname. Have you been there before then?"

Kim shook her head. "No not really. Just really well versed on planets. Helping out Master Nu in the Jedi archives can be quite handy at times."

"The famed archives of the Jedi." Josh ran his hands through his hair as he thought of the grand knowledge contained within the Jedi Archives. "That must be quite a sight to see. I would love to be able to go there one of these days."

"Well it's a-" Kim was cut off by Ron's own outburst.

"Tough luck Lt. Mankey coz it's only accessible to those with the robes." Ron pointed at himself, suddenly taking pride in his black and green Jedi garbs.

"Ron!" Kim was surprised and taken back by Ron's sudden rudeness and to a junior Senator of all people.

"Its okay Miss Possible." Josh calmly chuckled. " Your friend has a point there. It was only wishful thinking on my part."

Ron did not look at Kim's directions. Like a kid who had been scolded and is fuming, He quietly listened and kept to himself mostly.

Josh then sat back down into his chair. " Anyway back to business. Yes the Smuggler's Moon. You won't find a more dangerous and cutthroat place. It's a haven for smugglers, slavers, and bounty hunters. They only answer to one thing. The Hutts."

Kim placed a hand under her chin, thinking deeply. "Which could only mean two things. One, we have to be very, very careful when we get there. The other thing is the Hutts want to intimidate us. Why else would they place the meeting on Nar Shaddaa? They have complete power there. Complete authority. They have the home-field advantage."

Josh nodded. "Precisely."

Disagreements aside, the two padawan learners and the junior Senator knew that they should not take this mission too lightly. Their conversations ended there as all three of them took the time to prepare themselves and so they remained in silence.

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"How soon before we get there Captain?" Jedi Master Katz asked calmly, with his hands crossed across his chest hidden beneath the long flowing Jedi robes.

"It shouldn't be much further Master Katz. This ship is a top of the line. We hit hyper speed awhile ago and shouldn't take us more then a couple of hours." The Captain replied back with confidence as he continued to monitor his screens. "Might I suggest resting for now Master Jedi? I find dealing with galactic scum to be quite troublesome and very tiring." The old pilot laughed.

Katz joined his with a small chuckle of his own. "Yes well we Jedi do not tire that easy Captain but I am going to take you up on that suggestion." Katz placed his hood up and sat comfortably in his seat.

Looking at Kim, Ron, and the young Senator it would seem they too are preparing for what is to come. Before proceeding with his sleep meditation Katz gave one final look at his apprentices, namely on Ron. Quite a while ago he had noted that Ron had been himself again and as quickly as it had come Ron went from the old Ron to a Ron who was fuming and suddenly wary of young Joshua Mankey. He would talk to Ron later about that sudden outburst Ron had said to the Junior Senator. " I swear…that boy will be the end of me…" Gerald Katz fondly said to himself. A teacher's duty is never done. Especially when one has such willful students.

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Shortly after a few hours of hyperspace travel the planet of Nul Hutta and its colonized moon of Nar Shaddaa was soon in view. The Jedi/junior Senator party landed briefly after their landing clearance came through. A tall Rodian greeted them, along with him two large Gamorreans at his side. It appeared that they serve under the Clans of the Ancients and had been ordered to act as the guide of the newly arrived negotiators. Josh, Kim, and Master Katz looked at each other skeptically. Ron was too engrossed at looking at the Gamorreans. Green and pig-like. Huge and smelly. He had never seen any race so disgusting looking and yet he could not take his eyes off them. Kim had to snap him out of it. "Focus Ron."

Josh and Katz shared a brief glance, but both nodded in turn. "We are honored. Kindly tell our hosts that Hutt hospitality is always a pleasant surprise and The Republic honors such generosity." Josh confidently answered.

The Rodian seemed please as it bowed in return and told them to follow in it's own tongue.

Katz walked beside the young Senator to be. "Nicely done Son." The Jedi master whispered with a smirk. It would seem Senator Mankey's faith in his son was not misplaced.

Josh smiled slightly but his eyes never averted from the Rodian and the Gammoreans. "Thank you Master Jedi. Glad to see that the grooming my family has put me through has some uses." He whispered back.

"Lets hope that the Hutts are this gullible."

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" I can't believe you said that to lt. Mankey." Kim whispered angrily at Ron. Her pace matched his but walked with a fierce intensity. Both of them a few feet behind Katz and Josh, hopefully so they wouldn't hear their conversation.

"What? I just say it like it is. You never had a problem with me saying something like that to Bonnie before." Ron whispered in return, with a slight hint of annoyance on his own.

"Bonnie is Bonnie, Ron. This is a Senator-"

"Aha! Junior Senator. As in Senator to be." Ron pointed out.

Kim could only growl with frustration. "The point is Ron you don't disrespect anyone in the Senate, you don't criticize the guy for wanting to learn more and you don't put down the guy who is just trying to do his job." Kim jabbed her points across Ron, both figuratively and literally as she poked him in the ribs with each of her points.

"Oh yeah? Well what about you then? Aren't you supposed to be a Jedi padawan? If we are here to do our job then why were you having a conversation about that drawing of his? I don't see how Monkey boy's piece of paper drawing has anything to do with galactic negotiations." Kim and Ron's constant whispering banter was beginning to sound ridiculous.

"Monkey?" Kim's face showed confusion as she turned to look at Ron for some answer.

"I have no idea what that is but all I know is I don't like it and Mankey is one letter away from Monkey." Ron leaned in closer to tell her.

"Okay…you know what? I was just trying to make him feel comfortable. This is a big mission for him Ron. If you haven't figured it out we are here just to be his casual observers. At worse we are just his bodyguards. Lt. Mankey is the one who has the Republic's trust weighed on his shoulder. That's a huge responsibility for just one man, a lot bigger considering he is so young. His whole life and career is riding on this one. I would think anyone with that kind of pressure would be kind of nervous, don't you think? If casual conversation is the way to go then so be it. Amp down the drama Jedi boy." Kim fiercely rebutted. She then picked up her pace and walked alongside Master Katz and Josh.

Ron was left behind, feeling a little bit guilty after hearing Kim's words. He had not thought of it that way. Now he felt like such an idiot for doing so. Ron looked at Kim's silhouette. Her green Jedi robes trailed behind her. You'll be a better Jedi then I'll ever be Kim.

Man…I screwed up.

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I screwed up.

Kim thought silently as she continued to walk alongside her Jedi teacher and the young blond Lieutenant. She could hear small quiet footsteps behind them so Ron was still following.

I really shouldn't have yelled at Ron. I mean I don't really think he meant Josh-I mean Lt. Mankey any harm with that comment. Oooh…But sometimes Ron can be so childish.

Isn't that one of the reasons why Ron is your best friend?

Kim's inner voices debated within her. And with some thought the auburn haired Jedi had came to a conclusion. She was right in her assessment of the situation but then she could have handled it better, easing Ron in and making sure he understood why she acted the way she did. Ron was right in his own answer, only the Jedi were permitted to delve into the archives, but he did not have to sound so smug or spiteful about it.

Of course Kim knew that on her part that was only the half-truth. She would be lying to herself if she did not say this young Joshua Mankey captivated her a little bit. She had noticed boys long way before Ron had and it was only through Jedi convictions and teachings that she felt she was not easily swayed by the opposite sex. But something about this Josh made her knees weak, left her a bit tongue-tied and made her feel like a girl, not a Jedi.

And it felt…wonderful.

Kim wished she were back on Coruscant. She needed some guidance, some help on what to do. She looked to her left and eyed her Master. She knew she could never discuss matters of the heart with him or with any other Jedi for that matter. The one time she actually needed Gerald Katz's counsel she knew she could not ask for.

She needed to talk to a friend outside of the Order. Monique had always been there. The street-smart fashion diva had been a friend of hers for a good three years now, after she had saved her from that incident with some thugs. Since then she had found a well found ally and a solid voice with Monique who never really looked at Kim the Jedi, but rather Kim the person. If there was anyone she needed to talk to that she could not discuss with Ron or Master Katz it was Monique.

But that was a matter for another time. Kim had a job to do and she was determined to do it right.

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The Rodian and his Gamorrean escorts led the negotiating party to a large secluded facility near the center of the City. Its tall shape and stature easily stating that this is the place where those who rule Nar Shaddaa gather. The blue skinned Rodian escort then bid farewell to them and gestured for the Gamorreans to follow him. Standing at its entrance the party prepared themselves as a holographic image of a green skinned twi'lek greeted them in galactic basic.

"Greetings Senator. And to you as well Master Jedi. The Clans of the Ancients has been expecting you. Please do come in."

The doors slid open quietly but not before the Twi'lek appeared again.

"I am sorry Senator. But I have been recently informed that there are four in your party. My masters have only allowed me to permit you and your Jedi escort to enter."

"I am Jedi Master Gerald Katz and these are my padawan learners. They too are officially Jedi and are with me." Katz spoke up as he placed his cowl back.

The Twi'lek paused for a moment. "I see. Well Master Katz I could permit ONE of your padawans to accompany you but no more. I am already pushing my Master's lenience with that."

The four of them looked at each other. Clearly this was a political move on the Hutts' part. They have never really trusted the Jedi and felt that the less there are to deal with then the better the chance the negotiations go in their favor. Katz had to decide.

"Well Master looks like I'll be on standby on this one." Ron cheerfully claimed, saving the Jedi Master from deciding.

"Ron…" Kim looked at her padawan partner.

"Ronald I didn't decide ye-"

"Its alright Master." Ron interrupted. "If I was in your boots I'd pick Kim too. Besides I don't think I'll do very well in there anyway. I'd probably just stare at the Hutts." Ron nervously chuckled to himself.

The bearded Jedi master looked at his blond pupil quietly for a moment. Katz then placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. Ron was a good lad, sure he needed some more confidence in himself but he was a good lad and a good padawan all the same. And he had a point. Katz needed someone who would be able to pay attention to the negotiations going on without being distracted. Kim was the appropriate choice given the circumstances.

"Alright Ronald. But stay put. Nar Shaddaa is a dangerous place if you do not know your way around. We'll be back soon." Katz sternly said. The Jedi Master then headed off.

Josh looked back at Ron, impressed with his decision. Knowing ones own limit and acting on it as to not hinder the rest of the group is a sure sign of wisdom. Perhaps he had misjudged the blond padawan. "Take care then padawan Stoppable." He soon followed as he went passed the doors.

Kim was the last to go in she looked at Ron carefully and slowly. A minute ago she had been peeved by his childish reactions towards Josh, now she was clearly impressed with how he was handling things. She still did not like the way Ron placed himself down like that but he made a sound decision on his own. Maturity works on you, Ron.

"Turn on your comlink okay Ron? You know, in case we need you…or when you need us." Kim smiled.

"Hehehe. Yeah. Will do." Ron smiled back. She clearly was not mad at him anymore.

As soon as Kim entered the doors slid shut and the hologrammed Twi'lek vanished.

Ron sat down and leaned his back across the wall of the building. This was going to be a waiting game.

Ron was never really good at standing idly by.

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Author's last minute note:

Sorry for a shorter chapter then the last one. I assure you the next one is going to be a lot longer.