Hello, Goodbye
Chapter 8
Location: planet Naboo
It didn't take long for Lady Nina to journey to Naboo. The beauty and waters of the unknown world impressed her greatly. She understood know why Mistress Goldbird wanted it so badly. This world was a magnificent paradise, but it did little to calm her mind. She still did not understand why her Lord wanted her to make such a pointless clone. It made no sense whatsoever to create a mindless, useless creature. If a clone had no clear purpose and no given skill than it was just cruel to even make. What could Lord Blackswan possibly be thinking?
She felt she had no business unearthing the remains of a woman long gone and dead. It was sacrilege! And it seemed utterly without point. It was only the faith she had in her Master's worth had led her to carry out his request. She knew he had confidant in her.
As Lady Nina finally open the late senator's crypt she gently lifted the decayed hand of the former Queen and took a sample of her still cold blood. It seemed like a simple thing, but it made her feel shameful and bad. Solemnly, the pale-maiden placed the vile into her robes and quietly bowed her head.
In a practiced prayer, she recited, "May your spirit forgive me as I call upon it back to the land of the living. May the Great Phoenix churn your ashes anew and aid you to be reborn"—she then looked up at the ceiling and said, "…and by the Stars, I hope I'm not making a mistake."
***
"I must say, getting to Naboo is a lot harder than it used to be. It almost took us two weeks to get here. I swear, I hope I don't ever have to travel by local transport again" whined Ben.
Luke smiled at his friend, "Come on, it wasn't that bad and besides we have to keep a low profile."
Ben sighed, "That may be true, but it still doesn't make the furniture any less sticky."
Luke laughed and threw his arm around his mentor's shoulders. It still amazed him that his first Master had actually come back from the dead. It was like the battle with Darth Vader had never happened. It was weird that crazy old hermit Ben Kenobi was now so young and active. It was like having the big brother he never had. Sometimes it seemed too good to be true. Luke thanked his luck stars that he had someone else in his life that understood his destiny and the Force too. It wasn't like he had anything against Master Yoda, but it was nice having another human being to relate to.
"So, what's next?" asked the young Jedi.
"Next? …Well, I guess we could go get a drink."
Luke stopped dead in his tracks, "Drink? What do you mean 'we could go get a drink'? I thought you said we were here on business."
Ben gave Luke a playful smile, "Relax, Luke. The Force will guide us. And besides, it's been ages since I last had jawa juice."
Luke frowned and bit his bottom lip. He suppose there ought to be some differences between this Ben compared to the old one. And it wasn't like they had any leads, so with a shrug he said, "Sure, why not. But first—what the heck's jawa juice?"
The Master Jedi laughed, "There is still plenty more for you to learn, my young friend."
***
Location: The Outlaw Star (a bar on Naboo)
Ben took in a deep breath and casually strutted to the bar. Somehow taverns and other such places always made him feel at home. It was like second nature to him after all the time he spent gathering information with Master Qui-Gon as a padawan. His former Master wasn't exactly a stickler for the rules and he learned much about the underbelly of city life.
Ben raised his hand to get the attention of the red headed bartender, "Two jawa juices, please."
When the glass hit the table, Ben quickly pressed it to his lips. Ahhh…yes, this was certainly a drink he'd never be able to enjoy as an old man. There were a lot of perks to being born again in a young man's body. The Jedi Master looked up towards Luke and saw that the poor youth looked out of place. Ben gestured for him to sit on the stool next to him and handed him a glass.
He then raised his own up to make a toast, "To second chances."
Luke smiled and mirrored his mentor, "To second chances."
However, before the young Jedi could take his first sip he was struck from behind by a stranger concealed in a green hood. The strange blue-ish liquid spilled all over his lap and onto the floor.
"Hey! Watch where you're going!" shouted Luke.
"Oh! I'm so sorry!" said the strange as she swirled around to face him—"I didn't mean to spill your drink, sir, but I'm trying to hide from my old bantha of an aunt. Please, don't be angry."
Ben chuckled and said, "It's all right, Miss. I'm sure my brother here doesn't mind at all."
"Yeah, sure," grumbled Luke—"Just promise me you won't do it again."
"Oh, of course," replied the mystery woman—"but, please let me sit here and pretend I'm with you until she leaves?"
Ben gave the woman a beaming smile, "Why pretend when you actually can?"
"Oh, I don't want to impose."
"Not at all" said the knight. He then addressed the bartender, "Yeah barkeeper, two more jawa juices for my brother and the lady."
The green hooded woman gave Ben a smile and sat on the other side of him at the bar. "Its very kind of you to let me stay, sir."
"Please, call me Ben and my brother's name is Luke."
The woman turned away from Ben with a blush and said, "My name is Adame."
"Well, I'm pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Adame."
Luke was shocked. Ben was flirting! Should he be worried that the universe was going to explode or something? He leaned over the bar to try and get a better look at the girl, but he still couldn't see her face under the hood, but from what he could see he could tell she did seem rather pretty.
When the drinks arrived the mood in the room turned for the worst. The front door flew opened and in stepped a pale faced woman concealed in a long brown robe. In a quick glance, the young knight felt her eyes scan throughout the room till at last she focused on her target. And in no time at all, the woman in brown grabbed onto Adame.
"There you are you foolish child! I swear by the seven rings of hell, I don't know how you've managed to live as long as you've had," bellowed the woman in brown—"By the Phoenix, if my hair was not already white it would have turned by the time this day is through. Now, come child. Your curiosity will be the death of me."
The older woman then began to drag the girl through the streets.
In response to the whole ordeal Luke couldn't help but laugh. He turned to Ben and said, "Boy, if I had an aunt like that I'd run away too."
Only, Luke noticed that his mentor wasn't laughing. His gaze was unfocused and he looked like he was deep in thought. He then quickly threw come credits onto the bar and made a fast exit out the door. Now Luke was really confused, but immediately followed after his mentor.
"Ben! Wait up! What's wrong?"
Ben continued to walk as he spoke to his padawan, "That woman just now. The one in brown. She said something I recognized. She said something about a phoenix."
"Yes, I remember but what does it mean?"
"It means she works for Goldbird. Thrice used to swear by the Phoenix all the time. This must be the lead we've been waiting for. Come on, I'm sure they haven't gotten far."
***
Just as Ben guessed the two women weren't still in sight. He followed them through the busy streets and saw them maneuver to a modest housing district. He and Luke trailed see where they were going while they did their best to stay hidden. Ben didn't know she'd react. It wasn't like he interacted with anyone else at Goldbird Society besides Lady Thrice.
Luke asked, "Ben, do you know those women?"
"Personally, no. The only person from the Society I ever really got to know was Lady Thrice, but I do know she has sisters. I'm betting that at least one of these women knows her. And maybe she'll be able to tell us a bit more about what the Emperor is planning."
"But what are they doing on Naboo? I thought you said the Society only had a spaceship and it isn't anywhere near here."
"I honest don't know."
Then abrupt, a sword was pressed tight against his neck and a woman's voice whispered into his ear, "Tell me who you are or I'll slit your throat."
Luke saw the danger his Master was in and tried to draw is lightsaber from his belt, but Ben raised his hands in surrender and shouted, "No, Luke. Don't." And in response, the young Jedi gave him a nod.
"Good. I'm glad you understand. Now tell me who you are."
Ben realized there was no point in lying. He already suspected that this woman could see through a fib and he didn't want to risk a fight so deep in the Empire's regime. If word got out he and Luke where Jedi they would soon find themselves swarming with bounty hunters.
"I am Ben. I'm a friend to a woman named Thrice."
The woman gasped, "Thrice! You know Lady Thrice?"
"I'll tell you all you want to know, but I think it would be best if we talked some place more private."
The woman in brown quickly lowered her blade and grabbed his hand. "Come, I'll take you to somewhere safe."
TBC
***
I got to say, I didn't think I'd keep writing so many chapters like this back to back. Though, thanks XxRandom NemesisxX and ForForceGood for your comments. I like knowing that somebody out there is reading this thing. I'm glad you like my bad Obi-Wan, I didn't think I'd have two clones of Kenobi when I started but it seemed like a cool thing to do. And no, I won't be making any clones of Vader. I'm not really a fan of Anakin. He's too much of a jerk. I like Obidala, but I'm still on the fence if the story should go there.
Also, if you haven't watched the anime Outlaw Star, go see it. Making up bar names is fun in sci-fi. I wasn't sure if I should have named it something treky like "Spock and Tonic" or doctor who-ish like "The Tardis' Pit."
Please review.
