You know I like my chicken fried

A cold beer on a Friday night

~ "Chicken Fried" Zac Brown Band

They had just received a new mission and Qui-gon deemed it necessary to head out to Dex's in time honored tradition. One that he had made up of course. He had to admit that this was where he had made a number of quiet memories with his Padawan.

The bell rang as they entered and the droid waitress called out, "The usual?"

"Perfect." Qui-gon called back as he heard Obi-wan's stomach growl. His charge always had Jawa juice and a breaded nerf dish that was greasy enough to cause a Sarlaac to gag. He would take a single glass of Dex's best Corellian whiskey on the rocks with soup and a sandwich.

Dex always saw to it to bring their plates out himself. Qui-gon knew that he truly cared about the duo and would continue to keep tabs on Obi-wan even after they parted ways. The plates clinked on the table. "So where to this time?" was the constant question the gravelly voice asked.

"We're off to settle a trade dispute. Nothing that should be life altering."

"Pfft the last time you gave me that last line was when you went to Bandomeer." he left the rest unsaid as he eyed Obi-wan.

Qui-gon did not miss the look his burly friend gave his padawan. He had given the code line to Dex because he had a bad feeling. Though his friend was correct about the line. They had often joked about it that first year that they had silently agreed to use it as a sign that there was more to a mission than even Master Yoda had seen.


The last time that he had been here he had been with Qui-gon. Dex's had been their haunt prior to missions and he intended to keep tradition alive with his padawan. He looked over to his right. Ever so diligently Anakin had fallen into his place.

The bell rang as they entered. The waitress droid looked over and if she noted the change in Obi-wan's hairstyle did not mention it. "The usual?"

"Nah, just the juice if you don't mind. Anakin?"

"Super Sliders and Blue Milk!" came the enthusiastic outburst.

Dex noted the decided change in the young man before him. There was an almost imperceptibly air of sadness that surrounded him. He had known the Jedi too long not to notice it and knew immediately it had to do with Qui-gon. He would not break with tradition and brought out the order. He knew not to ask Obi-wan about anything, the man would broach a personal subject on his own and only then could he ply for the details. So, again holding to tradition he asked. "So where to this time?"

The barest of smiles crossed Obi-wan's face. "Actually no where Dex, I just thought you might like to meet my padawan." He paused as Dex turned to the child that sat across from his Master wolfing down the mini nerf burgers with the abandon of the young. "Dex, Anakin Skywalker." At the mention of his name the child paused to look up, swallowing as he did so. "Anakin this is my good friend Dex."

"Greetings." Anakin said holding out his hand. "Pleased to meet you."

"Same here. Hey you are the one that won the Boonta Eve Classic aren't you."

Obi-wan noted it was more of a statement than a question and with it he remembered why he hadn't brought Anakin here sooner. Dex was a devoted follower of Pod Racing. He felt more than saw Anakin's chest puff out with pride as he had already put his hand to his forehead and lowered his gaze.


Anakin hadn't been here since the war started. He and Obi-wan had made it a point to always make time for Dex prior to a mission. Even if it was only for a quick drink and a hurried word of safe journey. He had really come to break the shocking news to Dex himself.

The bell rang and that old waitress driod looked to him. "The usual." It was so old that even it's inquries never shounded like questions anymore.

"Sure." He skipped going to the customary table and went to the counter instead.

His plate clincked to the counter in front of him. "What's the news?" Dex queried. He new it was grave indeed. Anakin had never broken with the set tradition before. Indeed he not only broke with tradition but was almost being plain rude as he popped one slider into his mouth and hurriedly chewed chasing it with a quick swig of the blue milk.

Anakin looked up to meet Dex's eyes. "The Chancellor has found proof that the Jedi have betrayed the Republic."

Dex's top set of arms crossed in front of him while the other two sets set one to hips and the other on top of the joints of the one below it. "I believe that about as much as I believe that the government isn't corrupt son." He watched a shadow cross the younger man's eyes. But, much like Obi-wan, you did not broach the subject of pain with this man. He had to bring it up himself.

"No it's true. He explained quite clearly to me all the finer points."

"So what you doing."

"I am loyal to the chancellor. I will do what he asks of me." Anakin quickly grabbed another slider and shoved it in his mouth.

Dex knew it was only a way to delay an answer to his next question. "What will happen to Obi-wan?"He could tell that Anakin swallowed past a constriction in his throat.

"All Jedi will be given a chance to surrender and be tried by the Senate."

That was when all doubt about the Republic having gone to Sith Hell in a hand basket evaporated from Dex's mind.