Chapter Fifty Two

A few hours must've passed before we were allowed to dock at Ahto City's port. It felt strange standing on the only piece of land on an entire planet. Though what fascinated me most was the sleek architecture used by the Selkath to construct Ahto City. At the moment I stood near my bed within the sleeping quarters as I packed the few things I thought I'd need. With Ahto city being a rather modern construction I feared the Star Map could be literally anywhere underneath the vast oceans. If I couldn't find someone with knowledge of the Star Map, for an air breather like me it would be hopeless trying to find it. Bastila and Juhani were both in the room with me as they prepared. Walking toward the doorway I said.

"Any clue on who we should ask about the Star Map?"

Bastila and Juhani nodded synchronically, though Juhani spoke first.

"There is a Republic Office somewhere in Ahto City. While I doubt the Republic would know about an ancient artifact … it's the best place to start."

Bastila added.

"If the Republic representatives don't know, we'll ask the Selkath –it is their planet."

I sighed.

"And if neither of them knows…"

"Relax, Lena. Your shoulders are awfully stiff."

Walking up behind me, with her delicate fingers Bastila proceeded to massage my back. I enjoyed the pressure as she continued.

"If neither knows –there's always the Sith. The Star Map being a Dark side artifact tells me the Sith are the most likely to know of it. Though you should know, the Sith are our last option…"

I shook my head.

"It's not an option! We'll find the Star Map without having to deal with them."

"Of course… I wasn't thinking clearly."

Juhani, Bastila and I walked out of the Ebon Hawk. Looking around, I felt glad the Ebon Hawk finally had a roof over it. Unlike Tatooine or Kashyyyk, Manaan had a proper docking bay designed to protect my precious ship.

I had to pass through a number of long halls before coming to an office room filled with Selkath bureaucrats behind their protective counters. One of them saw me walk in and motioned his hand. I neared the counter and he began speaking his native language through his fishy gills.

"There are two rules on Manaan that you absolutely must follow. Carrying unprocessed kolto is punishable by death and you must keep the peace. Here on Manaan we maintain careful neutrality, and we react very harshly to people who jeopardize our neutral status."

"I will keep that in mind."

He continued.

"Any confrontations between the Sith and Republic are dealt with swiftly and decisively. Is this understood?"

"But don't you think the Sith will eventually attack you and find a way to take over your kolto supply?"

"Should Manaan ever come under attack, we would destroy the supply of kolto and vanish beneath the oceans of our world. Even the Sith are not willing to risk the loss of a commodity as valuable as kolto. Back to what I was saying, do you understand the two of Manaan's essential rules?"

"Yes, now is that all?"

He shook his fishy head.

"There is a docking fee…"

"Here's my datapad."

He transferred the credits then handed the datapad back. As I packed it away, he said through his gills.

"Do enjoy Manaan's wonderful attractions."

Outside the air smelled like the sea with a tinge of saltiness. The sound of waves splashing against the metallic confines of Ahto City relaxed me as I walked with Bastila on my left and Juhani to my right. We were the first to leave the Ebon Hawk, but I expected the others to show up at any moment. Just as I thought that, I heard clacking footfall and heavy breathing. Turning around I saw Jolee stop in his tracks then bend to his knees to catch his breath.

While he caught his bearings I again focused on the tranquil beauty of Ahto City. Unlike the dead dry air of Tatooine, here I felt the moisture of the air make each breath satisfying. Kashyyyk had air with even more moisture than here though. There was enough moisture in the air that I could practically bathe in it. I looked toward the nearly cloudless azure sky, but Jolee's voice brought my attention back.

"Kid, you listening?"

"Huh? Yeah… what did you say?"

"I knew you weren't listening! Kids these days with their heads in the sky! Anyway, I was saying I have friend on this planet that got himself in a pickle and needs my help. He's an old Republic hero … I'm about to meet up with his wife, Elora. She's going to brief me on the situation."

"And why are you telling me this?"

"Apparently my old Republic hero friend, Sunry, was accused of murdering a Sith woman. I think it would be good for you to participate in helping me investigate this –I suspect the Sith are framing Sunry."

"That's sad."

"Kid, you're really getting on this old man's nerves at the moment. The fact is, I'm going to be busy investigating on behalf of Sunry for the entire stay on Manaan. Just an FYI, that if you want my help with finding one of those Star Maps –you're out of luck."

He gave a mock salute then proceeded ahead of us until he disappeared into a crowd of Selkath. Bastila looked at me as she mentioned.

"He certainly is a good friend to be willing to assist in a murder trial. For now, we should find someone to ask about the Star Map, but I believe it would be good to checkup on how Jolee is doing and help if we can."

"You just don't want the Sith to win, right?"

"Yes, but that's because they are more than likely responsible for whatever happened."

I sighed, letting the conversation end at that. I continued walking toward the central portion of the city while enjoying the relaxing view and atmosphere. Manaan was the kind of planet I felt I'd enjoy taking a break on. Unfortunately that wasn't going to happen until I at least had some idea of the Star Map's location. Even if I wanted to try and relax, there were too many factors that would prevent me from doing so, such as the Sith for one. And neither Bastila nor Juhani were the types to just put the Jedi Council's vital mission on hold and call it a day.

Ahead, I heard yelling back and forth between two soldiers. One wore Republic red, and the other one was clearly a Sith in his grey uniform. As I walked up, the Sith walked away. The remaining Republic soldier was fuming with rage. His expression instantly changed as he noticed my Jedi robes. Without me really initiating the conversation, he began speaking.

"So as you can see, we have to sit here, let the Sith insult us and we can't raise a hand against them. Otherwise the Republic will face severe kolto export restrictions. That could lose us the war altogether."

Since he was clearly with the Republic, I decided to give it a shot.

"Soldier, do you know anything about an ancient artifact on this planet… a Star Map?"

He had a blank look at hearing the question out of the blue, but quickly recovered. After he shook his head, I let my shoulders slump in disappointment but then his eyes lit up as he proclaimed.

"If there's anyone I know that could help you though, it's Roland Wann."

The soldier thought for a moment before adding.

"He's often by the Republic Enclave near the visitor residences. If you don't know where that is, go north from here, then south past the port official and the first courtyard, east into the second courtyard, then north then east again. You got that?"

His eyes went wide as he realized something.

"How about I just upload the directional data into your datapad?"

I smiled.

"Thank you."

Handing him the datapad, he proceeded to interface with it. While he transferred the files I mentioned.

"We aren't here to deal with the Sith exactly, but if we can find a way to drive them off this planet, we will. It is a Jedi's duty, is it not?"

Returning the datapad, he eagerly nodded.

"That's right! To dominate the kolto supply, I bet the Sith are planning something already. Having Jedi arrive here gives us Republic more leverage."

Hearing him mention the Republic I thought back to my days as a soldier like him. Barely two months had passed since that time, but it felt like a lifetime. As I placed the datapad in my pocket, he said.

"Have a pleasant stay, Master Jedi."

As he recommended, I headed to the Republic Enclave. While on the way there I passed numerous Sith soldiers and it took a lot of willpower to stop myself from using the Force against the more pretentious ones. Bastila and Juhani too seemed to be struggling, though I imagined it to be hardest for me as the least trained. Nearing what the map called, East Courtyard, I saw another confrontation between Sith and Republic soldiers. Though as I listened, I realized this one sounded far more heated.

"You underestimate the Republic's resolve! We'll die before we surrender Coruscant!"

"That can be arranged. Remember what happened to Taris -Malak could do the same to the Core worlds!"

After saying that, the Sith walked away. The Republic soldiers appeared to be barely holding back their urge to attack the Sith bastards, as was I. Through gritted teeth, Juhani said.

"The only thing I want to do at the moment is harm these Sith. I honestly do not know how much more of this taunting I can take."

Bastila looked at her.

"I agree with you completely, Juhani. Still, the laws of Manaan are clear and as Jedi it is our duty to obey them."

"Yes… yes, you are right. I think it is best if we hurry to the Republic Enclave –there I will not have to deal with the Sith."

We hurried to the Enclave, practically running there. As I ran I used the Force to speed up, as did Juhani and Bastila. We received odd glanced here and there but I ignored them and instead focused on the map on my datapad screen. Having taken a few turns, I found myself near a large building with Republic flags wavering in the heavy wind atop tall flagpoles. Guarding the doors, stood two Republic soldiers armed with blasters. As I walked toward them, the one on the right held out his free hand as he stated.

"You are not permitted to pass without permission! What is your business here?"

Though I realized he was being quite reasonable, I scowled while replying.

"The three of us are Jedi…"

Bastila cut me off.

"We are here on behalf of the Jedi Council on Dantooine. I have the proper documents if that's necessary. Regarding our business here … it's a vital mission and I cannot say more."

She handed him her datapad. As the guard checked the documents he began to furrow his eyebrows.

"This does look genuine. I suppose this is enough for me to let you in…"

He gasped whilst looking at another document. As he handed back the datapad, he asked.

"You… you are, the Bastila Shan? The Jedi who singlehandedly stopped, the Dark Lord Revan?"

She looked uncomfortable with the situation, especially considering a number of nearby Republic soldiers overheard her name and were now crowding around us. I joked.

"Next thing you know, he'll be asking you for an autograph."

Ignoring my comment, Bastila faced the guard as she said.

"I am the one of whom you speak. But while I did stop Revan, it was hardly a singlehanded effort."

As he and the rest of the crowd prepared to eagerly bombard Bastila with a volley of questions, I took her by the hand and pushed past them. In my wake, I heard disappointed sighs.