This is part 2
==SW:LB==
-Remind me, why did I come along again?
-Because you're my partner.
-Right, you guilt-tripped me.
-Who, me?
-Oh, don't act innocent, your highness!
Jayden and Alana bantered back and forth as they walked through the bright sunlit streets of Jahnae. Their was a constant light breeze blowing, but it wasn't cold so most people walked around in light clothes, including Jayden and Alana who wore the clothes Kaara and Vadak (Jayden wore his shirt however) had lent them since their own were still slightly wet from being in the wash.
The day had definitely started off fine with the twins managing to grasp what Alana had taught them relatively easily, with Kaara being extremely pleased and thankful for what Alana had managed to teach their children. As they walked Alana thought back to the conversation they'd had prior to leaving the apartment:
Kaara looked down as she spoke, her eyes sad:
-When the twins were born I was so happy. The first moment I gazed upon their faces I loved them. I love my children dearly. Before the twins, Vadak and I had been unable to conceive even though I was deemed perfectly healthy. In the days that came after their birth I felt that they were special, different from other children but I loved them all the same. It wasn't until they started showing signs of Force-sensitivity that I released just how special they truly were and just what trouble was heading our way.
Alana winced as she registered to who exactly Kaara was referring when she said trouble. Jayden filled in the blanks for both of them:
-The Jedi.
Kaara nodded and echoed:
-The Jedi. Maybe my actions were selfish, but I couldn't let my children be ripped away from me before they could even remember my face. Worse yet I realised that they'd probable be split up and they'd never know one another. So Vadak and I left Shili and headed for the any random civilised star system. We moved around a lot so the Jedi never found us and when this war started we figured the Jedi would have their hands full, we decided to settle down here. I couldn't bear to have my children ripped away from me and I beg you, please don't let the Order find them.
Alana sighed, crossing her arms:
-Kaara, I understand what you mean and I have taught the twins how to hide their Force presence, but that is all I can do. I'm breaking protocol as it is. I doubt the order will come looking for them since they're too old now, but on the off chance that they do it's all up to you. The only other thing that I can do for you is compose a short list of exercises that the twins should do since it'll help control their abilities.
Kaara smiled and nodded:
-Thank you. That would help out a lot.
-There's no need for thanks, you're helping us out a lot. Can we do anything to help?
-Are you sure that won't bother you?
-We are freeloading off you so I feel rather guilty for not doing anything. So, anything we can do?
-Um, well in that case...
That was how Alana and Jayden ended up walking towards the market in Jahnae while pretending to argue amongst themselves. Alana felt conflicted: she believed in the Jedi but this incidents as well as the previous one with Murla and Mikal shed a different light on them. What else was she blind to? What other dark secrets did the Council hide behind their usual lines about the will of the Force? Was this really it's will? A soft voice whispered "No", the artefact had spoken once again over the bond it had forged when Alana had picked it up. The young Jedi started a cast an apprehensive gaze to the neckline of the of the dress Kaara had lent her and the place where she had clipped the artefact. Why was it speaking again?
Alana's brooding was interrupted by the beeping of her and Jayden's comlink, the former of which was stored inside one of her belt pouches. The two teenagers exchanged a look, the only person who had access to this frequency apart from them was TK and if he was contacting them that didn't mean anything good. At least that's what Alana's intuition was telling her. Alana clicked to accept the call, instantly TK's rapid beeping filled the air around them. Jayden was quick to cut him off:
-Hold it, you walking scrap heap! You're talking way too fast!
There was a short pause before the droid told them the what he'd overheard, with each word Jayden's facial expression grew darker and darker and flames of suppressed rages danced in those green eyes. When TK finished, Jayden sighed:
-I knew it was only a matter of time until something like this happened...
Alana stared at her partner in shock:
-You knew this would happen?!
Jayden shook his head and corrected her:
-I had a feeling this could happen. Keyword: could. I'm guessing you haven't been to the older parts of the criminal underworld or you would have known the name Crimson Storm, it's just as legendary as the unique Stellar Envoy. I've only owned the Storm for 4 years and the ship's history is very shadowy, even I don't know everything about the Storm, but the things that girl has done and is rumoured to have done? It's unbelievable. I'll tell you the story some other time. Tracker?
-Bee-deet?
-I need you to tail those guys. I know that you locked down the Storm and thanks for that, but I have a bad feeling so keep an eye on them. Got that?
-Beep! Dee-bwoo?
-Yes, you're allowed to shoot them if they attack. Don't let them steal the storm, got that?
-Beep!
-Great, good luck then.
The conversation ended and the comlink switched off. Alana and Jayden were silent for a few moment before the Mando suddenly grabbed her by the arm and dragged her into a darkened alleyway. When Alana shit him a glare and opened her mouth to ask what in the galaxy was going on, Jayden shook his head and pressed a finger to his lips begging her to be silent. Alana huffed, but complied. Jayden discreetly glanced back into the busy street and sighed, Alana followed him and looked to see a group of 4 Rodians with the same crest as the ones who'd tried to drown them. That explained Jayden's reason for dragging her into this alleyway. The Mandolorian sighed:
-Let's go. There should be another way around. I don't want to start a firefight right now.
Alana nodded, she was of the same mind. Jayden walked slightly ahead of his companion, mouth set in a thin line and his mind racing. After a few minutes Alana piped up from behind him:
-What exactly did you do to piss them off so much?
They were in a middle of a small empty square with a deactivated fountain when the young Jedi asked that. Before Jayden could even reply, a slightly snide male voice sounded:
-I'd love to know the answer to that too, aruetii.
Jayden and Alana instantly looked to the other side of the square and a moment later a man in red and orange Mandolorian armour landed. Alana heard Jayden drew in a shaky breath and his shock and oddly enough underlying anger resonated through the Force. Alana's mind was struggling to comprehend everything as she looked between the two, she could feel immense hostility between them close but not one like enemies may have. The red Mando was the first to break the tense silence:
-Well, well, never thought I'd run into you this side of the Galaxy, Callen.
-Zeth Ordo.
Alana's mind pieced together three facts despite how bewildered she was: one- these two knew each other, two- they were both Mandolorians and bounty hunters by the look of things, three- they evidently really didn't like each other. The man Jayden had referred to as Zeth took off his helmet revealing himself to be a young man with tanned skin, strikingly blonde spiky hair that had been buzzed off at the sides, blue eyes and small black tattoos on the right side of his face. He chuckled:
-So you do remember me, how nice of you.
Jayden crossed his arms and coldly retorted:
-Well, it does help that last time we met I smashed your ugly mug in.
-Ah, yes there was that detestable incident.
-Detestable to you because you lost.
-You want to duel me right now, aruetii?
-Call me that one more time and I'll make sure you're out cold for the next two days. You know I can do that.
-Oh, how the Callen clan hasfallen - they resort to bragging about their skills.
As soon as Zeth finished speaking those words something inside Jayden snapped and Alana felt pure fury. Before both Zeth and Alana even knew what happened Jayden's fist had connected with Zeth's jaw, striking with such force that it blew the other Mandolorian back a few meters and caused him to land on his behind. Jayden glared at him:
-Never ever speak of my family like that again.
-What? Is wittle Jayden sad cause his mommy and daddy were murdered?
Before Jayden could lan another punch on Zeth's face Alana grabbed his arm. Feeling her gentle but firm grip, Jayden turned to look at her. Alana shook her head:
-Jayden, as much as I'd love you to give that punk what he deserves you're starting to cause a scene.
The two Mandolorians looked to see that a few people had indeed trickled into the square. Trying to get them out of the way Alana made her way over to the people:
-Um, everyone please don't come in here, we're...
Alana trailed off unsure of what to say. Thankfully and elderly looking H'kig came to her rescue:
-You're shooting a holovid, aren't ya, missy? And interesting one by the looks of things too, ma and I'll have to check it out. Mandolorians, always causing a ruckus...
Alana instantly nodded grasping at the what she had been offered:
-Yes, we're shooting a holovid on the most famous bounty hunters today so if you could all please move back? See, it's an action sequence so...
The few people who'd come to watch slowly murmured their assent and trickled out whispering about a curious non-existent holovid shooting. Alana turned to the elderly H'kig:
-Thank you so much.
-You're a very honest child, it's good to see some young people still are. Be careful, if my eyes don't deceive me that's Shadow and Phantom's eyes glaring at each other.
Alana's lips parted in surprise as her eyes flickered between the two Mando's and the elderly man:
-H-how?
The elderly H'kig smiled as leaned on his walking stick:
-Oh, it simple. The red and orange Mandolorian armour are a dead giveaway for Phantom's eye and your friend there is the only man in the world who wears that crest - Shadow's crest.
Alana sighed:
-He really should change that shirt.
The H'kig shook his head:
-No, from what it seems this is what reminds him who he is.
Alana's mind flashed back to the time when she'd been standing before the leader of Bburru station with Jayden and she'd asked what that crest meant, Jayden's voice echoed from the past - "It's something I have left from my family...". His family? Jayden rarely ever spoke about them, all Alana knew was that his parents had been murdered and his grandmother was still alive. The elderly H'kig patted her on the shoulder:
-Good luck, Master Jedi. You're doing a good job, better than most Jedi do.
Before Alana could ask him what he meant she heard a crash and turned to see Zeth and Jayden fighting for real now. She sighed and turned back to say farewell to the man when she'd noticed he was gone. What...
Alana shook her head to snap back to reality and rushed over to Jayden and Zeth. When she realised they were too far gone to hear she used the Force to freeze both of them in their tracks, locking them in Force stasis:
-Would you two idiots cut this out?! You're going to destroy this square!
Alana shouted at them pointing at the large dent they had made in a wall and a window they had broken. She shot them a glare that made them completely sure that she was furious and a furious stubborn Jedi was the last thing either of them wanted. Jayden for one knew how proficient she was with her Force powers. Alana sighed, tucking an annoying strand of hair behind her ear:
-If I let you go will you two behave?
Both Mando's spoke in unison:
-Yes, m'am.
Alana released them but for good measure dragged Jayden away from Zeth. She knew he could be patient but it seemed patience was a very finite resource when it came to Zeth Ordo. Frankly, Alana couldn't really blame him. Zeth turned to Alana as though seeing her for the first time:
-Ah, a Jedi, but a most beautiful one at that... What's a fine being like her doing with a loser like you, Callen?
Jayden tensed, but squeezed out through gritted teeth:
-She's my partner and good friend.
-Good friend, eh? Hope you don't mind if I swoop in then.
Zeth made to take a step forward but froze when Alana shot him a look:
-Step any closer to me and I will electrocute you. I have no clue what you and Jayden are talking about right now, but I'd rather you stay far away from me or I could lose my patience and hurt you.
Zeth raised an eyebrow but didn't look away. Instead he grinned:
-Heh, feisty and powerful, I love that. You are the most spellbinding girl I've ever seen. Tell me, what is your name?
-Um, I'm Alana Sheelan.
-Such an unusual name. It suits a lady like you...
-...Thank you?
A flicker of confusion flew through Alana's eyes, what in the universe what this guy talking about? Jayden sighed in inwardly at his partner's obliviousness, clearly she had no clue that Zeth was flirting with her. That girl could be so dense sometimes, still in the current case that could actually be a good thing...
Before the situation could take a turn for the weirder Zeth's comlink started beeping insistently. In a single swift move the blonde Mando pulled on his helmet and as he activated his jetpack he called:
-You haven't seen the last of me, Shadow.
Jayden shot back:
-You just scurry on back to whatever hidey-hole you came from. Oh and Phantom? Check the leaderboards.
Alana felt anger radiate from Zeth but instead of punching Jayden like he seemed to want to he shot a dart from his wristband. Jayden easily sidestepped it as he flew away. Gently he crouched down and picked it up:
-A Kamino stun dart. Tsk, tsk, Phantom, you've got to be a little more creative than that. But then again you have no clue I'm immune to this.
Alana raised an eyebrow at her partner:
-You're immune?
Jayden nodded:
-It'd take at least 3 well placed stun shots to stun me and toxins like this don't work at all. After you've been exposed to that type of stuff for a large amount of time you become immune.
-I've still got Force stasis on you and TK had his stun probe.
Jayden smiled wryly:
-Seems like I can't really beat the two of you with that.
Alana smiled and looked up at the sky before turning back to look at the Mando:
-Who was that guy?
Jayden shrugged but anger flashed in his eyes:
-Zeth Ordo, a total sleemo. As you saw our desire to kill each other is very much mutual. However Grandma would kill me if I killed one of our own. By the way, you should be more careful around men.
Alana looked bewildered:
- Why?
Jayden sighed:
-Are you really that oblivious? Zeth for one was flirting with you.
-Ohh. So that's what he was doing. Why would he flirt with me of all people though?
Jayden faceplamed - this girl was something else. Stars, she was 16 years old and she was so naive... The perks of being a Jedi, Jayden thought sarcastically. Out loud he said:
-Nevermind. Just be careful around Ordo, he's bad news and he is Phantom's eye.
Alana crossed her arms:
-Are your friends all this weird?
-First of all, Ordo and I are most likely to kill each other than team up and secondly Zeth is a very special type. I swear his sister is the only one worthy of the name Ordo...
Alana sighed and rubbed her temples:
-I'm so confused. Let's just go and finish shopping...
==SW: LB==
A certain young Jedi ran her eyes down a short list before announcing:
-Okay, this seems to be all of it.
Behind her her companion breathed a sigh of relief and groaned:
-Remind me never to agree to go shopping again.
Alana rolled her eyes at a certain somebody's melodramatics:
-Oh, stop exaggerating, hunter. It wasn't that bad. If you'd gone with my Master it would have taken you 3 hours instead of 40 minutes, double that time if you went with Kira or Emira.
Jayden raised an eyebrow at a name he wasn't familiar with:
-Kira?
Alana froze, realising her own slip-up. She shook her head and mumbled:
-Nevermind.
Her steps were forceful as she walked away from the market, her free hand clenched into a fist. Why in the universe had she brought up Kira now?! Hadn't she got over that?! Why was that painful ache still there? Alana felt the corners of her eyes start to prick, but she refused to let tears form. That was the past and she wouldn't dwell on it. Despite Alana missing her childhood memories, the six years that she had went through with amnesia had made plenty of memories. Some of them were good while others bad, they varied but the memory of Kira Averth still caused Alana great pain.
Jayden hurried to catch up with his teammate, he could feel her distress through their bond. She was sad and angry... Angry at herself. Why was she always like this? She rarely blamed anyone for anything as far as he had seen, preferring to take the fall herself. She always did too much by herself, she kept her heart and mind closed to everyone out of fear. She may be cheerful and lively, but that was just a mask Alana put on - Jayden could see that, he'd done the same and still did. That's what hurt him - if she was suffering and she trusted him why didn't Alana tell him what was wrong? Who had this Kira person been to her? Jayden was jerked out of his thoughts by a small commotion in front of him.
Alana, lost in thought, had accidentally crashed into a woman in a silver cloak. As she hurriedly apologies and pulled the woman back up, Alana caught a glimpse of her face. Startled, the young Jedi stuttered:
-T-tekla?! Is it really you?
The handmaiden of the senator from Naboo glanced at the person she'd accidentally hit to see the young female human Jedi her lady was so fond of - Alana Sheelan. She smiled:
-Miss Alana, hello. It is good to see you are well.
-Same here, I never expected to see you here! If you're here is Senator Amidala here too?!
Before Tekla could answer a young man joined them, standing beside Alana. He had dark messy hair and bright green eyes, a shadow of concern and curiosity on his face, standing beside the Jedi their height difference was apparent - he was a bit taller than her. As her gaze scanned over him Tekla had a distinct feeling she'd seen the crest on his left shoulder before. The Mando looked between the two women:
-Alana, do you know her?
Alana nodded, a genuine smile residing on her face:
-Yes, she's my close friend's handmaiden. Tekla, this is my annoying friend - Jayden. So is Padme here?
Tekla nodded:
-Yes, she is. However she is in a bit of a situation...Ah!
Tekla looked between the two teenagers again as an idea struck her. Senator Amidala needed someone she knew to go to the formal party with her and her friend would need a date. Lo and behold there was a person who her lady knew well and who could be trusted, that same person had also vouched for her friend. Maybe Alana Sheelan and her friend could help out the Senator:
-Miss Alana, are you on a mission here?
Alana gave a non-commital shrug of her shoulders:
-Not exactly, we're only here until his ship is fixed, but at the rate things are going it's going to take a few more days. Why?
-Milady has encountered a bit of a situation and she needs someone she knows to help her out. If you are not busy could you assist her? It pains me to see the Senator so troubled.
Alana bit her lip slightly before casting a glance at Jayden:
-Will you be alright by yourself?
Jayden flicked her forehead and she shot him a glare in response:
-Idiot, I need you as my partner not as my babysitter. Need I remind you I'm older than you?
-Only by a year, hunter!
-375 days, princess. A year and 10 days.
-Whatever. I'd be happy to help Padme, Tekla.
The handmaiden smiled brightly:
-Thank you. Let me put Milady through.
Tekla pulled out a local holocom and started a transmission, a few seconds later Padme's holographic form appeared. Tekla spoke first:
-Milady, I may have found a solution to your current dilemma.
-You have? Tekla, you're a lifesaver!
Tekla turned the holocom slightly so the Senator could see the Jedi and her partner. The Senator looked pleasantly surprised to see a familiar face:
-Alana?!
-Hello, Senator. I heard you have a problem I could probably help with.
-Thank the Force. Alana, you're my only hope.
A confused expression appeared on the girl's face:
-Huh?
-Nevermind that. Alana, is your friend beside you available as well?
-Um,-the Jedi turned to the bounty hunter,- you free?
Jayden shrugged:
-I've got time to kill so why not? Sure, I'm free.
-He's free.
Padme nodded:
-Great. Tekla, can you please escort both of them back to where I'm staying?
-Of course, Milady. Should I...
-No, if you tell Alana she'll run away.
Alana looked positively alarmed:
-Um, what's going on? Why would I run away?
Padme sighed:
-Tekla, please.
-Yes, Milady.
The Senator's hologram flickered out and the handmaiden put it away again. She smiled at the two bewildered teenagers:
-Please, follow me. I'll make sure your shopping goes to the appropriate address.
Alana tried to halt her:
-Wait, Tekla-
-We do not have much time. The party is in a few hours.
Alana's eyes grew as wide as saucers:
-What party?!
Jayden sighed and pushed his frozen companion:
-Come on, your highness. You're not backing out now.
As Jayden dragged her along Alana's mind was frozen in shock along with the rest of her body, one fact on loop: ALANA SHEELAN DIDN'T DO PARTIES!