Hey! I'm here with a more or less decent chapter in my eyes - chapter 33. I'll tell you straight up - I had no idea where I was going for the last half of the chapter - my story just started evolving on it's own but despite that I hope it's at least somewhat coherent. This was supposed to be a bit of a longer chapter but the stopping point was just so good that I didn't want to pass up this chance. So there'll be a bit more in the next. Also a small heads up - this planet may go on for at least 2-3 chapters more, sorry I'm taking so long. Too many ideas too little time. Anyhow- Enjoy!
Chapter 33 - Old Connections
Alana buried her face in her hands and sighed as she sat on a sofa in the hotel room where Padme was supposedly residing for the duration of her stay. Alana knew she'd agreed to help, but if what Teckla had said was true then this evening was going to be one whole disaster - Alana and formal parties went together about as well as Jedi and Sith got along. Rubbing her aching temples, Alana muttered:
-Note to self: ask what you're going to be doing before getting involved.
A familiar soft voice sounded:
-Alana, I don't want to force you to do anything.
Alana looked up to see a certain senator named Padme Amidala Skywalker, though she could never formally take the last name, step into the room. Alana shook her head:
-I'm fine with helping you out. Just what exactly will I have to do? Also in what desolate and dark corner of the planet did you hide Jayden?
Padme smiled and sat down across from Alana:
-First of all - thank you. Your partner is close by - don't worry.
-Oh, I'm not worried about him. I'm just worried what could happen to the people that might accidentally piss him off without me or TK there.
-Oh...Well, you seem to have made some interesting friends over the last month.
Alana nodded her head tiredly:
-You have no idea...
Her head gave another violent throb. Ever since Alana had been led into this room her head had started violently aching, the artefact on the neckline of the dress she was wearing was now purple and hot. Something was going on - the Force felt strange. Alana wasn't sure what exactly was off, but she felt uneasy and the Force mirrored her emotions. Alana could almost hear a voice on the edges of her hearing but it was just a little too soft for her to make out what was being said. She only caught two words: come and please, whatever that combination meant. Alana could hear Padme's worried voice but it sounded as though she was far away and her voice appeared distorted to the young Jedi, black spots began dancing in her field of vision. Not again... She wasn't even remotely tired and she hadn't had that blue glow happen so why in the universe was she an inch away from passing out?! Alana tried to push against the dark tide of unconsciousness threatening to overwhelm her but she lost her grip the moment she felt a strange presence and saw a flash of blue in the corner of her peripheral vision. The presence was neither light not was it dark, but rather it was close to a mixture of both. Though to Alana it felt nearly hollow, like a wound. A wound in the Force. After that thought, despite her utmost wishes, the world faded from her eyes.
Upon seeing the teenagers form suddenly slump over and become unresponsive to her name, the senator sprung to her feet. She made her way over to the young Jedi but stopped just short of touching her. Padme hesitated upon seeing how bright the strange object attached to dress was glowing and the faint blue glow flickering on and off around the Jedi's body. Padme may not have been Force-sensitive or known much about it, but she clearly understood that this was somehow connected to it. All Padme could do was sit and wait.
==SW: LB==
Jayden stood looking out of the window with his arms folded behind his back, his gaze fixed on the ocean but not really looking at it. He was so absorbed in his thoughts that he didn't notice the sharp painful jolt that ran through Alana's and his Force bond and the slight fading of her Force presence. Agreeing to help Alana's friend had put him in an awkward position, morally at least. It was only a month ago that Seila, Heims and he had undertaken the job to assassinate Chancellor Palpatine, the senator from Naboo and to retrieve a certain file, the same job that had ultimately led Jayden and Shadow to encountering Alana Sheelan for the first time. Their first two goals had become unachievable due to the intervention of a certain teenage Jedi. He still vividly remembered that night and now he was helping out one of the people he was aiming to kill a month ago? Jayden smiled wryly. Oh, fate was certainly having fun throwing the unexpected at him.
Jayden was abruptly pulled out of his thoughts by the beeping of the small holoterminal in the hotel room. His body tensed at the unexpected noise, but upon registering what it was Jayden simply sighed and made his way over to it. He sat down on the couch across from it and clicked the button to accept transmission. A holographic shape of a person materialised and Jayden's eyes widened in surprise, out of all the people he was expecting this was one of the last people - Seila. His female teammate grinned at the surprised look on his face:
-Hey, Jayden!
The Mandolorian snapped out of his stunned state and shot a glare at his teammate:
-Don't you "hey" me! Seila, how'd you even find where I was?
She crossed his arms, that smug smile still on her face:
-Well, for one I planted a tracker on that bag and secondly I'm on the planet and I heard a rumour going around that both Shadow and Phantom's eye were sighted in Jahnae and the rest was child's play. I'm guessing the blown up underwater tunnel was your doing?
Jayden sighed and nodded, still trying to wrap his head around the idea of his teammate being here:
-To be honest that was not my fault. I nearly drowned because of that.
The rattaki raised a thin eyebrow:
-Nearly?
-Long story short I have two travelling companions now and one of them saved my life by performing CPR.
-It's that same Jedi girl, isn't it?
For a moment Jayden was caught off guard by Seila's accurate guess, but then he remembered the bag Seila had packed and shot her a look:
-You knew that Alana was going to be coming along, didn't you? That's why you packed the bag with that, right?
Seila's grin only grew wider and more smug:
-I did. And you're on a first name basis with Miss Jedi, are you?
-One thing we have in common is that we don't stand for formalities much.
-From what I learned of her you two have a lot of things in common. You're both incredibly stubborn, reckless, but kind people and so on. You seem like you would clash in some areas however.
-We get on each other's nerves from time to time, but it seems I'm starting to get dependent on both her and our droid companion.
Seila's facial expression softened and a gentle smile graced her lips:
-That's not a bad thing, Jayden. You look much different now than you did a month ago.
-Huh? What do you mean?
-Jayden, you seem much calmer. That cloud of doom and gloom has finally dissipated. It seems that those travelling companions of yours did the trick. From what I've heard you've gotten into heaps of trouble however, haven't you?
-You have no idea... Frankly I'm surprised that we're still alive, there've been so many close brushes with death lately. Still I can't claim I'm unhappy. Sure, Alana and I may grate on each other's nerves and I may want to turn TK into a pile of spare parts, but they've both grown on me and as unbelievable as it may be I'm actually having fun.
Seila pretended to look shocked though happiness was shining in her eyes:
-Jayden Callen having fun?! Impossible!
Jayden rolled his eyes:
-Yeah, yeah, laugh it up. Anyway why'd you call apart from to say hello and shock the living daylights out of me?
Seila chuckled:
-Well, it seems a certain somebody is attending a formal party and I just couldn't miss out on the opportunity to see that. Just thought I'd give you a heads up.
Jayden sighed:
-I swear you're are so creepy when you're stalking me.
-I was doing reconnaissance.
-Whatever you want to call it it's still stalking. You want to show up - good luck with that. Maybe you can actually meet Alana.
Seila winked:
-That is the whole point of that endeavour.
-Oh, so it's not to see me?
-Seeing you is a side bonus. Anyway, I've got to run - sorta escaped from Heims so he and Alda can have some bonding time and he may be mad at me since I stole the ship.
Jayden raised an eyebrow:
-You stole the Hidden Spectre?
Seila gave a sly smile:
-Well, Heims was yapping on about having to work and Alda's lekku was twitching in annoyance so I made time.
-You and your matchmaking tendencies...
An odd look that Jayden couldn't decipher flashed through Seila's eyes but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. Seila's image suddenly rocked and she frowned:
-Well, it appears Heims is trying to shoot me down using Alda's ship. I'll see you later tonight!
The image faded and Jayden released a tired sigh, slumping back onto the seat. However before the Mando could relax any a soft knock sounded. Jayden turned his head to see a woman with brown hair and brown eyes, dressed in a sliver and black dress stepping in. He sat up straighter upon recognising the woman as none other than Senator Amidala. A gentle smile graced her lips:
-You're Jayden Callen, aren't you? Alana's friend?
Jayden nodded:
-That would be me. Can I help you, Senator?
-It seems you already are. Thank you.
Jayden watched her as she sat down, the folds of her dress rustling slightly as she did so. Jayden shrugged:
-I'm going there to if possible keep a certain Jedi out of trouble, she's more prone to meeting it than I am.
Padme gave a small nod in agreement:
-That is what she and another close person to me have in common. They always charge in headfirst, regardless of the consequences to their health.
-Her stubborn streak is also a big factor, but I admire that about her. Her determination, that is.
-I know what you mean.
Jayden looked at the senator from Naboo carefully before suddenly stating:
-You're very different from what one would expect of a former monarch and current Senator.
-And is that in a good or a bad way?
Jayden couldn't help mirroring her smile:
-Definitely good. I've met other politicians in my line is of work, let's just say that their conversational tone wasn't as pleasant.
The Senator didn't say anything in response and simply looked at Jayden, before stating more than asking:
-You're a bounty hunter by trade, aren't you?
Jayden raised an eyebrow, not denying nor confirming the truthfulness of her statement:
-What makes you say that?
-I've been a target and a hostage enough times for me to recognise a bounty hunter when I see one.
-I guess there's no fooling a politician. Yes, I am a bounty hunter, in fact I'm very much the same person Alana chased after that night over a month ago on Coruscant.
The Senator looked like she had expected this:
-I suspected as much. However you aren't on that mission now, are you?
-No, Alana more or less made us scrap that job.
-She certainly leaves a lasting first impression.
-Oh, she told me. Believe me my first impression of her was something else.
Padme gave a short laugh before turning serious again:
-Since you're going to be helping me out along with Alana there's something you should know: this party is simply a ruse. It's an excuse for highly placed people to meet and I will be meeting there with two representatives from Sullust.
Jayden frowned:
-Isn't Sullust in the Seps territory?
Padme nodded:
-Yes, but recently the population has expressed the wish to rejoin the Republic and we have chosen Bestine IV as a neutral ground to negotiate. Both of them will be at this "party". While unlikely there is a big chance that a potentially dangerous situation could arise and-
-You want Alana and I to keep an eye on security?
-Yes, if you could. I will also need Alana for another matter but it shouldn't take long. Also, have you ever attended a formal party of this caliber?
Jayden's answer was vague:
-Once or twice. I know the rules of conduct and I know how to sneak my weapons in as a precaution but Alana-
Padme nodded and finished for him:
-Has never dealt with this kind of situation before. I'm sure she'll think up a creative way to smuggle her lightsabers in, but beyond that? She'll need your help or they'll eat her alive.
Jayden gave the senator a halfhearted salute:
-You can count on me, senator. Wouldn't want the princess to become politician chow.
Padme stifled a laugh, both Alana and Jayden were something else entirely. Jayden smiled but raised another question that was bothering him:
-What about the dress code? My ship's kinda far away and neither Alana nor I brought anything to Jahnae over with us.
-That's not a problem. Since you're helping me I'll provide all the necessary costumes, if you will.
-That would be helpful, thank you. One last question if I may?
Padme stood up but nodded for him to ask away:
-Where's my annoyance of a partner?
A concerned expression formed on Padme's face and out of habit Jayden reached out to Alana through their bond to encounter a block:
-What happened to Alana?
-I honestly don't know. All I can gather is that the Force has some sort of connection to it - she fell unconscious very suddenly.
Jayden ran a hand through his jet black hair, sighing:
-Of course, it's the Force... That thing is basically like a part of her body...
==SW: LB==
Alana felt herself fall flat on something. She opened her eyes and rubbed her back as she sat up, releasing a soft groan. The last thing Alana recalled was talking to Padme on Bestine IV, dealing with that headache and then... black. Blast, she'd fallen unconscious again, hadn't she? Talk about annoying and weird... Well, at least she was awake now, but that just raised a bigger question: WHY IN THE GALAXY WASN'T SHE BACK ON THAT WATER PLANET?!
Sighing, Alana stood up and took in her surroundings. She was standing on a hill that resembled a cliff more looking down at the scenery below her. To her right a vast grassy field spread out, sparsely sprinkled with rock formations and housing quite a few trees further on down. The grass itself was tall and in varying shades of green, yellow and even brown which contrasted spectacularly with the dark green leaves of the trees. A few blurs of orange and white caught Alana's eye and upon focusing in on them she was surprised to recognise them as Kath Hounds, not far from them rested their horned counterparts. From one of the holes in the cliff-hill Alana glimpsed a green viper kinrath peeking out before disappearing back into the dark cave again. From the just rising sun Alana guessed that it was just very very early morning and despite the air being cool Alana didn't feel cold.
Turning her head to the right, Alana could see a stone paving leading up to a building, an enclave which was partially built into a green hillside. Further away from the building the stone smoothly turned to that same tall grass that led into the aforementioned speeders. Somewhere in the middle the paving went in, towards the hillside a bit and there was a small, modest fountain, Alana could faintly hear the water gurgling from where she was standing. Beside the fountain she could see two figures clad in brown and dark grey robes sitting in meditative positions. People? Alana couldn't quite make out their faces from her current distance.
Alana looked up when a light shadow was cast over her to see a creature that looked like it had come straight out of the ocean - a ,fly overhead. It was flying at least 4-5 meters above the young Jedi, but with a mighty flap of it's featherless black wings a strong gust of air assaulted Alana's face and hair that had been pulled back into a neat low ponytail. Alana froze. Wait a moment...
Alana looked down at herself to find that she was dressed in comfortable deep blue Jedi robes and black boots into which the ends of her dark grey legging-like pants were tucked in. The most puzzling thing to Alana was the fact that she wasn't having a mental breakdown. Just what in the galaxy was going on...
As if on cue a female voice sounded from behind Alana:
-I imagine you're quite confused...
Alana turned around to see a fairly young woman standing there. She had short brown hair that barely reached her shoulders, pale white skin and piercing blue eyes. She was clothed is simple grey Jedi robes and a single lightsaber hung at her belt. Alana felt a push beyond those clouds of amnesia - she felt like she should know who this person was. She also seemed familiar to Alana's not amnesiac side of the mind so just who was she? Slowly Alana's spoke:
-Do I know you?
A sad look flitted over the woman's face before that gentle smile returned:
-I see, you don't remember me, do you? So Revan was telling the truth, as always.
-I'm sorry, I've been amnesiac for 6 years now. I can't remember anything or anyone from before that time. Where are we in any case?
The woman cast a glance around them and replied, a fond smile on her face:
-This is Dantooine at the time when I was just a padawan.
-It looks so different now.
-Well, this is Dantooine over 4000 years before the conflict that has been named the Clone Wars.
Realisation dawned on Alana's face:
-That means... You're not really here are you?
The woman nodded:
-Yes. I needed to speak with you, but Bestine IV doesn't have a place like Duro did so the only way I could speak to you without sapping your strength was to bring your consciousness to this place within the Force.
-You mean the reason why I lost consciousness was because of you?
-That's right. I'm glad you managed to hear my voice as it is.
Alana surveyed the woman carefully before quietly asking:
-You seem familiar and both you and Revan say that we've met before, but I can't remember ever meeting either of you - besides from a biological point of view that is impossible. Who are you?
The woman leaned her head to the side, as though considering the best way to answer the padawan's question:
-I served with Revan back in the Mandolorian wars. My name is Meetra Surik, but I guess history remembers me as the Jedi Exile.
Alana's eyes widened:
-I remember reading about you and Revan in the archives though the reports were oddly negative..
Meetra was smiling:
-Ah yes, from what Revan told me Atris wrote those reports.
-Wait, Atris? The chronicler?
-The one and only.
-This is just...wow...
-I understand you might have a lot of questions, but we don't have that much time. I've come to warn you. Let's sit down first.
Alana followed Meetra's cue and sat down on the surprisingly warm ground. She saw her eyes flicker over her and something flash in their blue depths. Alana raised an eyebrow:
-Um, what is it?
The exile shook her head:
-It's nothing. You've simply changed so much from the girl I met.
Alana sighed:
-That's what I really don't understand. If I can wrap my head around the fact that Force ghost are alive and solid to me, I just can't understand how I know you and Revan.
Meetra looked down at the long dry grass:
-As much as I wish I could tell you everything- I can't. Revan must have told you that everything that weird that is transpiring is centred around you, all I can add to that is that you meeting that Sith Lord again became a catalyst for the mess you're going to find yourself in.
-Wait - "again"?! You mean I've met him before?
-Yes, but that's all I can say. You never did elaborate too much on that subject. I any case we're running out of time. Listen, the Sith that is hunting you is making a powerful move that will have disastrous consequences - it will be like the Mass Shadow Generator incident all over again but on a galactic scale. Millions will die.
Noting Alana's expression which was a mix of guilt and horror, the Exile softened her tone slightly:
-I gave the order to activate the Mass Shadow Generator and I have never forgiven myself for that, knowing the way you are if that Sith kills people trying to get to you you will be the same way. I managed to survive by shutting myself off from the Force, but for you that is not an option. Alana, if you lose the Force you will cease to exist entirely. Don't ask me why - I can't tell you. However there are things you could do to halt for enemy.
Alana sat up straighter, determination replacing the despair in her vibrant midnight blue eyes:
-What is it?
-Revan taught me something once - sometimes you have to fight fire with fire. There are objects scattered across different planets in this galaxy that can help you, they can teach you. They will give you the knowledge you may need to defeat your enemy. You already have two and a piece of the third one rests at the bottom of the ocean of Bestine IV. Find it. Don't make the same mistake I did.
Alana nodded,poking a strand of the tall grass back and forth:
-I won't. I can't let people die just because he wants to get to me. Are those objects holocrons?
Alana looked up and was surprised to see that Meetra had vanished. Time was up then. Alana stood up and looked around once more. Her eyes widened when she saw that the two figures had been approached by another - a young girl with that same brown hair. Alana's breath caught in her throat as she realised who those three figures all were: Revan, Alek (who later become Malak) and Meetra. The first of the Lost 20 Jedi. As that final thought formed in her mind the vision of Dantooine before Malak's bombing faded.
==SW: LB==
TK tailed the two individuals who had been talking about stealing the Crimson Storm quietly, his stealth field generator on. The first person was an organic with a thin brown beard named Bruno and the other was a reedy organic named Zyx. They had long left the ship and per the idiot pilot's instructions TK was tailing them, they had gone through the entire settlement and were now at another dimly lit docking bay, but instead of ships TK saw submersibles. Why were there submersibles there? To be honest this whole thing reminded him of another time, over 4000 years ago.
TK followed behind a group of four people that were entering a submarine bay. They were composed of a man - the brainwashed Darth Revan, a droid after TK's own kind HK-47, a young woman named Bastila Shan and a little girl. The little girl was what made him follow them - she looked too much like his Master. She had appeared back on Taris too, but back then she had only been in a light blue dress and barefoot with a single oval pendant on her neck. Now she was dressed in something like a child's version of protective plating and she somehow had her lightsaber, his Master's lightsaber. Could she have been her? But it had been many millennia since his Master had disappeared so shouldn't it be impossible? Still TK followed the group into a secret submarine base of the Republic on Manaan. Something was very fishy here and it wasn't the Selkath.
TK pushed the memory fragment back away and focused on the task at hand. From his spot he watched the two organics arguing. The reedy organic, Zyx, was speaking angrily:
-We have to tell the Rrask about that ship! He's gonna feed our entrails to be the "Scorekeeper" if we don't!
Bruno protested:
-We have no proof that's it's the Storm! If we're wrong we'll have a pissed Shadow and Rrask after us!
-Well, we took the ship's database anyway! Shadow'll come after us in any way! Maybe Rrask can turn him into mush! Yeah, I'm sure he can!
Bruno gulped:
-I hope you're right about that, Zyx. If you're wrong we'll be dead.
They climbed off the pier and into the sub. TK switched off his holorecorder and sent the file to the idiot pilot's holocom. Interesting. TK hurriedly stowed away on the sub, grumbling to himself about how maintenance hatches were hard to open. Time for some infiltration and sabotage - hm, maybe this ball of water would be more interesting than he had initially calculated.
==SW: LB==
Alana stared at the dress laid out in front of her in numb shock. She'd come to about half an hour ago with a pounding headache but with a set goal in mind. Padme had seemed relieved to see her awake and after making sure that she was fine, the senator brought the young Jedi up to speed on the whole situation. A few moments later Tekla had shown up with two packages in hand and Padme had shoved the protesting young Jedi into the dressing room which brought them up to the present point. Not daring to tear her gaze away from the terrifying object, Alana called out:
-Uhh, Padme?
Her friend's calm voice came from the other side of the room where she was dressing:
-Yes?
-Are you serious about this?
-Deadly. Oh and you'll need to change your top undergarment.
-This is a really bad idea... Parties and I get along about as well as a Nexu and water, which is to say this'll be a complete disaster with me there. Besides this is a formal party, it's double the disaster! I don't even know how to act there!
Padme rolled her eyes and smiled as she heard the young Jedi freaking out. This never ceased to amaze her - how a certain Jedi could fight off a battalion of droids without batting an eye and yet be terrified at the prospect of going to a formal party. Now that she thought about it Anakin was much the same way, she still remembered his expression when she asked him to accompany her to a party on a backwater planet where the two of them where having spouse bonding time. It had been priceless. Sighing, Padme tried to reassure the young woman:
-Relax, Alana, your date will help you out. Now get dressed.
Alana sighed in defeat and started changing. Before her mind blanked for a moment and she spoke up out of confusion:
-My...date...?
-Yes, your friend? The bounty hunter - Jayden?
Alana faceplamed:
-Oh stars, you actually talked him in to this?!
-He was actually very willing to help. He said that he would help you out since he's been to this kind of event before.
Alana froze in the middle of putting on her dress:
-He has?
-"Once or twice"was how he put it...Why?
-He's never told me. Though I guess I don't really know him that well. Jayden doesn't speak much about himself.
Padme, fully dressed in a purple dress she had worn on her trip that had ended up with her poisoned, walked into the room:
-So is boy trouble is what this is all about?
Alana threw her a look that was clearly asking her if she was insane as she pulled her head through the loop at the top of her dress:
-Padme, I'm a Jedi.
The older woman only smiled meaningfully:
-That doesn't mean you don't feel and despite how horrible of me this will sound - that doesn't mean you don't fall in love.
Alana winced as she pulled on the arm length gloves:
-Yeah, well whatever you may be imagining about Jayden and I isn't there and will never be.
The senator sighed and shook her head:
-I used to think the same way about Anakin.
Alana shrugged as pulled on the other glove:
-You and Skyidiot are a special case. I doubt I could ever do what he has done, besides Jayden and I don't have that relationship. Heck, we're more likely to drive each other crazy than to like each other. So never is the appropriate word.
The senator from Naboo simply smiled:
-Never say never.
==SW: LB==
Tenebris gave a fake smile as he waved away another small-time politician who had assumed him as a potential business partner. Normally Tenebris would consider the pros and cons of such an alliance, but he had come to Bestine IV with a much larger goal in mind. Tenebris had heard from his own agents that two representatives from a planet in the Confederacy were going to be attending this party to negotiate the terms of Sullust rejoining the Republic. This whole situation must have been giving Sidious quite a large headache. Tenebris smiled, Sidious would be getting a migraine soon enough if everything went as he expected it to.
Tenebris was jerked out of his thoughts when his two intended targets for the night appeared rather inconspicuously, but not enough to escape the Sith Lord's sight. A Mirialan man with his long black hair slicked backwards and pulled into a tight ponytail, a light stubble around the bottom of his pea green face, dressed in a smart grey suit but without a tie around his shirt collar - evidently he was trying to attract the attention of the ladies, that was Riqo Calbra. Beside him trotted the much shorter Sullustan representative look as cold and as business-like as he was rumoured to be - that Etirt Tenb alright. Tenebris stood up straighter and, politely declining a woman's invitation to dance, made his way over to the two representatives. He took care to slowly shift his yellow eyes back to their warm brown original colour - hiding the only sign of dark side corruption that he bore.
Riqo looked up from his conversation with Etirt when he noticed a man making his way over to them. He was dressed in a smart black suit and a white shirt with a silver tie, his hair was a silver-grey colour but it seemed to be natural and his eyes were a warm brown colour. He was definitely what woman would consider an attractive man even with that scar that ran up from his neck to his right cheek. He exuded a charismatic, approachable and confident aura - he seemed to be the type of man you'd want to follow. The Mirialan felt a pang of jealousy when he noticed quite a few women's eyes on that man, longing in their gaze. The man payed them no heed and simply took determined confident steps over to their table.
Tenebris plastered on a friendly smile onto his face as he approached his two intended target's for the night. Time to work his way into their heads. Tenebris looked between the two of them before reevaluating his decision and choosing to just use the Sullustan- the Mirialan was too much of an enigma. However it was the shadowy man who spoke first:
-Yes? Can we help you?
His basic was accented but understandable. Tenebris held out a hand as a greeting:
-You two must be very successful men, mind if a businessman asked for a bit of advice?
The Mirialan stood up and shook his hand, his expression betraying pride and obliviousness to the fact that Tenebris was playing to his ego:
-Not all. I'm Riqo Calbra at your disposal.
Tenebris nodded and responded with the name he was using for this night:
-Valoren Ceperion.
He extended his hand to the Sullustan who took it and itroduced himself in his native language:
-Etirt Tenb watching you. Riqo, translate please.
"Watching you" was the term in Sullustan for "I'm listening to you". Riqo opened his mouth to translate but Tenebris held up a hand:
-Don't trouble yourself. I understand a multiple number of languages - it's important in my line of work. Now, before we get buried in those numbers mind telling me a bit about yourselves? I need to fine tune some of my qualifications to be like yours - I'm eager to learn.
Both of the representatives looked flattered and oblivious to the fact that Tenebris was merely playing them both simultaneously. Tenebris hid a triumphant smile behind his hand. Move, check and checkmate.
==SW: LB==
Jayden sighed as he tapped his foot impatiently at the entrance of the large glass-domed room where the party was being held. It was a formal party alright. The music was as always. The people were dressed as though they were attending some sort of ball and in general it had that heavy atmosphere. Jayden spotted a few important political faces here and there, he'd even noticed the two representatives talking to a mysterious man with silver-grey hair. It wasn't that Jayden was usually this impatient- it was just parties like these brought back bad memories for him, besides wearing what he was only made the situation more realistic. Jayden was dressed in a black suit and a white shirt, with a dark blue tie around his neck. Underneath his suit jacket Jayden had on two holsters into which his two boasters were tucked into. He was here on security detail after all. Now where in the galaxy were Alana and Senator Amidala? For that matter where were Seila and Alda?
Jayden suddenly felt someone crash into him from behind, instinctively he caught that person by the elbow so they wouldn't fall flat on their face. He turned to the person and was totally and utterly stunned by what and who he saw.
Jayden found himself looking at a young woman with vibrant midnight blue eyes with no makeup whatsoever, in a long dress that looked like it had been made of the night sky. It was very dark blue in colour and had tiny sparkling gems stitched onto it in groups that made them look like stars in the late night sky. The dress left the top of the wearer's back and front exposed stopping just over the chest and turning into a thin strip of dark blue fabric that fastened around the wearer's neck. There was a thin slit at the left side that started a centimetre above the knee for comfort of movement. It emphasised the woman's figure but not enough to draw every man's attention to it, it was modest yet stunning at the same time. On her arms the young woman wore arm length gloves that stopped just before her shoulder and were a few shades darker than her dress, the tops of which were sewn through with silver thread matching the style of the dress. Her hair was a soft caramel-brown shade and it had been put up into a neat bun at the upper part of the back of her head, fastened in place with a dark blue strip of fabric that had a few of those same sparkling gems sewn on to match the style. Her ears were apparently pierced as she was wearing a pair of small earrings white in colour with a sliver rim, one of which looked more familiar than it's twin. The young woman's reason for stumbling appeared to be a pair of high heeled sandal-like shoes matching the rest of her outfit. It took the Mando a few moment to reconcile the image of this starry being with his friend Alana Sheelan. She looked breathtakingly beautiful, it was almost like she wasn't human at all but one of the Celestial that myths spoke about. The young man was so stunned by his partner that he didn't notice the proud and slightly smug smile the Senator beside her wore on her face.
Meanwhile Alana cast a hateful glance at the shoes and grumbled:
-Stupid shoes. How in the galaxy do women wear them? I swear never again...
Padme patted her on her bare shoulder:
-Bear with it for one night... And you may want to snap your partner out of his daze. Do excuse me.
Sending the young Jedi a encouraging smile Padme slipped away into the room, her purple dress swishing behind her.. Alana sighed and waved a hand in front of the Mando's face calling:
-Hey, Jayden, anyone home?
Jayden shook his head and forced himself to focus:
-Sorry, you just surprised me.
Alana shot another glare at the offending shoes and mumbled:
-Yeah, well blame the death traps on my feet. Seriously, whoever came up with the idea of high-heels should be forced to wear them for the rest of their life.
Jayden stifled a laugh brought on by her grumbling, despite looking like an ethereal being Alana was still the same person she had been a few hours ago. That made the Mando relax slightly and be able to get the words that were on the tip of his tongue out:
-I didn't mean you crashing into me, I'm used to that.
-Hey! I'm not clumsy!
-No, but you do fall extremely often. In any case,-Jayden held up a hand to cut her off-, what I wanted to say and what surprised me was how beautiful you looked. You look like something out of another world.
Alana felt a light tinge of pink dust her cheeks. This was probably her first real compliment on her looks, excluding Zeth and the creepy chancellor. Alana managed a small smile:
-Uh, thank you. You clean up really well yourself.
-Like you weren't expecting that.
-Oh, fluff your ego, why don't you?
-I'm just kidding, princess.
-For once can you not call me that?!
-No can do, your highness. You look like one so I'm going to call you one. Come on, we don't want to keep blocking the entrance.
Without waiting for her to agree Jayden grabbed Alana's hand and pulled her along with me when she stumbled slightly he stopped and sighed:
-Have you never worn high heels before?
Alana threw him the usual glare:
-Well, excuse me. Jedi don't wear high heels! I'm thinking Padme may have gotten a concussion while I was away.
Jayden snorted but raised an eyebrow:
-What makes you say that?
-She seems to have forgotten that Jedi don't do stuff like this.
-Well, try not to think like a Jedi just for tonight. Just be a teenager at a formal party.
Alana sighed and nodded:
-I'll try.
Jayden smiled at her:
-That's the spirit. Also you better stick close to me or you'll become politician chow.
-And what makes you think that you won't?
Jayden flashed her a mysterious smile:
-I'm used to those bloodsuckers, unlike Zeth you can't just punch them. Let's make a deal.
Alana leaned her head to the side, curiosity in eyes:
-A deal?
-Yeah, I protect you from those political beasts and you save me from the girls.
-Huh?
Jayden sighed and waved his hand towards a group of girls a bit older than Alana and Jayden whispering and giggling, alternating between sending glares at the bewildered Jedi and shooting longingly looks at the Mando who expertly ignored them. Alana sighed:
-I see your point. Deal, Callen, but if one of those bloodsuckers comes anywhere within 5 cms of me - you're politician bait.
-Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence, Master Jedi.
-Always happy to oblige, hunter.
==SW: LB==
Alana leant against the wall as she watched Padme talking to the representatives. The negotiations seemed to be proceeding smoothly but what bothered her was the way the Mirialan man kept staring at her. Alana knew very well that Padme looked amazing in that dress, but seriously if he had any manners he'd look away at least once. The senator herself was wearing her political mask, but Alana could sense that she was uncomfortable. She probably should go help her out, that's what she was here for after all...
Alana cast a glance at where Jayden was being surrounded by a few older men who seemed to be extremely interested by what he had to say, Alana smiled. Jayden had certainly impressed her with the way he managed to speak their political lingo. She didn't even understand half the stuff he was saying. Whether the topic was military logistics, economics, culture, political standings and strategies - Jayden easily could keep the conversation flowing, it was like he was born and bred to be a some noble's child. It was impressive to watch him work and Alana found herself more than a little intrigued by how quickly her partner could change roles. Jayden was a mystery to her and she didn't back down from challenges - maybe that's why they got along as they did, they were similar and yet different at the same time.
As she felt Padme's distress peak Alana sighed, there was no other way now. She couldn't just leave her friend to the mercy of that player. Seriously, so unprofessional. Padme, unlike Alana, was a little too diplomatic for her own good and even though the Jedi knew that the Senator probably could handle the issue herself she wanted to do something at least a little productive. Miraculously maintaining her balance on the "walking death traps", Alana made her way over to the table where Padme was seated. Giving the occupants a polite smiled, Alana innocently asked:
-May I join you?
Before either of the representatives could get a word out, Padme gave a small nod and gestured for her to sit down. Alana somewhat gracefully slid into a sit beside the woman. Using her reassuring political smile, the senator introduced the newcomer:
-Gentlemen,this is my good friend - Alana Sheelan.
The Mirialan gave something akin to a tiny bow, his eyes betraying some hidden form of awe:
-It is a pleasure. I'm Riqo Calbra.
Alana responded with a tiny polite smile:
-Likewise.
The Sullustan too greeted her, but in his native tongue. Alana noted humourlessly that she understood his language too. Before Riqo could translate Alana responded to the Sullustan sentiment:
-I'm pleased to meet you as well. Pardon my use of Galactic Basic, I'm not well-versed enough in Sullustan to speak it fluently.
Alana suppressed a tiny smile at the shocked look on the representatives faces and the slight surprise in Padme's eyes. She aimed to please. The Senator from Naboo recovered first:
-As you see, my friend is quite well-versed in languages.
The Mirialan nodded:
-I have met few humans who have understood my colleague without a need for translation. That is very impressive indeed. Are you aiming to join us on the political arena, Miss Sheelan?
Inwardly Alana grimaced at being addressed so formally but at least that was better than him getting overly friendly with her. She kept up her act and shook her head:
-Oh no, I'm much too afraid to step onto the galactic stage. I'm far more content aiming to be a peacekeeper.
Hiding the true meaning of her words behind a mysterious smile, Alana replied. Padme had to admit she was pleasantly surprised to see how well the young Jedi could keep up the rise of being a nobleman's child. She was also extremely grateful for the brief respite from Riqo's attention's the arrival of the younger woman had brought her, but how long would that last? She needed to finish up the talks without the Mirialan's constant flattery getting in the way.
Alana cast a sideways glance at the Senator and gave an inward sigh. Here she went again digging her own grave. Alana turned back to the Mirialan representative and gave him a fake tentative smile:
-Uh, Mr. Calbra? If I could trouble you for a request?
-Why I will do anything you ask, Miss Sheelan.
Alana steeled herself and forced herself to ask:
-My father told me that I should dance at least twice at this party. Would you do me the favour of being my first partner?
Riqo positively beamed and stood up, holding out a hand to the young lady he perceived as a sheltered noblewoman:
-Why of course, my lady.
Alana gave him another fake gracious smile and stood up, but not before hurriedly whispering to Padme:
-Get your talk over and done with. I have never danced in my life before!
With what she wanted said and a look of understanding in the senator's eyes, Alana took Riqo's offered hand. She was so doomed.
==SW: LB==
Jayden was easily talking to a mayor of one of the island town on Bestine IV and a nobelman from one of the smaller families on Alderaan that was vacationing here about problems with current galactic trade regulations when he spotted two familiar figures entering through the doors. Politely excusing himself from the conversation, Jayden made his way over to the two familiar figures. One was a rattaki dressed in a flowing purple gown, her bald head covered by a same coloured hood, the other a red skinned twi'lek with black striped on her lekku in a neat gold dress that accented her curves. He'd recognise these two women anywhere - Seila Aliita and Alda Nimilin. His teammates and Heim's wife, both very prominent bounty hunters. Upon seeing him Seila's face broke into a grin:
-Ah, Jayden! Don't you look fancy!
Jayden grimaced:
-Not by choice and you know that.
-Oh, I do. But you're so adorable when you're defending your pride, isn't he, Alda?
The twi'lek smiled and nodded:
-You sure are.
-You two will never give me a break, will you?
-Nope.
Jayden sighed and turned back to look around the room. He paused for a moment before quietly asking:
-Why are you really here?
While Seila decided to tease him some more, Alda simply clamped her red hand over the other woman's mouth and responded equally quitely:
-There is a man here, called Andore Joren - he's our target.
-Assasinate?
Alda shook her head:
-Capture.
-Understood. I'll stay out of your way per the creed. Any-
Jayden trailed off as a strong wave of discomfort washed over him. He instantly turned back and looked into the depths of the room seeking out one being in particular. Where in the blazes was Alana? He finally spotted her and sighed. Seriously...? Alana was managing to just barely keep up with a Mirialan's confident strides in dancing and she seemed ready to run away whenever her brought their bodies a little closer together, occasionally whispering in her ear. Seila followed his gaze and frowned:
-Is that your Jedi? The one that looks like an angel in the starry sky?
Jayden shrugged one shoulder at the description and nodded:
-That's her alright. Constantly getting into trouble. Guess, I better go rescue her. Again.
==SW: LB==
-Your friend is playing a dangerous game. That could very easily get him killed. Where is he by the way?
Alana's breath caught in her throat as soon as those words were uttered. In the brief time she had spent dancing with Riqo Calbra it had been clear that he was not the man he claimed to be. In no possible sense of the word was he a politician or a fancier of the fairer gender, the closer word would be spy. For whom though? A minute into their little charade he had dropped the act and Alana had noticed his countenance change smoothly. He had easily seen beneath her thinly veiled words at the table in response to his then seemingly innocuous question. He knew who both she and Jayden were, he knew what she was up to and he knew what Shadow was doing. Alana first instinct was to run away but her dance partner rendered all her escape routes unavailable by forcibly drawing her closer to him and tightening his grip on her hand and waist to the point of pain. Alana, being as stubborn as she was, refused to give him the satisfaction of seeing her wince despite the feeling as though he was slowly wrenching a knife into her side and torturously crushing her palm. She obstinately denied him the pleasure of eliciting any reaction from her at all. However her triumph was short-lived as he leaned in to whisper those next fateful words causing her to stiffen in her cage and just as a bonus he brushed his lips against the shell of her ear making her shudder in disgust. Willing her voice to remain steady and completely forgetting about the pain to her feet, Alana stubbornly muttered:
-I have no clue what you're talking about.
The man let go of her hand and brought his hand up to lift her chin, the other arm still keeping a firm grip on her waist. Alana felt fear start to seep into her, in the position as she was right now she couldn't do anything without hustling a bunch of people around them and he knew her moral guidelines would never permit her to do that. She was trapped.
The man using the alias of Rico Calbra leaned in slowly and rubbing his thumb gently across her lips, he whispered:
-You are such a beautiful creature. Almost as though you're not of this world.
Alana's heart rate spiked and her breathing quickened as the spy pressed down on her bottom lip, his nail cutting a think line across it - drawing blood. He smiled at her fear and brought his face close enough that she could feel the heat from his breath on her cheeks:
-I do not want to damage you, that would be such a shame. Now, we can do this the easy way or the hard way: Where is Shadow and what does he look like?