The sweltering heat of Tatooine's twin suns beat down on the town of Anchorhead. Akanni had barely gotten past the docking port guard, and already she wished to be back on the ship. Bastila and Mission had accompanied her; the teen didn't seem to mind the heat, but Bastila looked just as miserable as Akanni.

And of course, that meant it was a bad time for Mission's chatter.

"Hey Bastila," The young twi'lek spoke up, "You ever use the Force just for fun? You know, a little jolt of the Force to trip up some jerk who's ticking you off?"

Bastila was incredulous.

"I would never use the Force for such petty and trivial revenge. The mere thought of it is preposterous!"

But Mission wasn't deterred.

"Ah, come on. There's got to be times when you've thought about it. Don't be so stuck up - you can tell me."

Akanni paused to consider the idea as well. Briefly the image of Master Vrook flickered through her mind, but she shook it away.

"I am not stuck up." Akanni had to bite back a laugh at that. Bastila, not stuck up? "I merely have the years of training to give me the wisdom and understanding to see how childish such an act would be."

Akanni almost cringed at her thoughtless words. She knew well enough how Mission would react. Just a couple weeks ago she'd lashed out at Carth for calling her a kid.

"Childish?! Is that a crack about my age? You ain't much older than me, miss high and mighty! Just cause you're some Jedi doesn't mean you can be a prissy little -"

Mission's words were interrupted by her hitting the floor.

"What the..?! Hey, that wasn't funny!"

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Mission. Come now, we have to get going. Do try to be less... clumsy in the future."

Akanni helped the teen to her feet, giving her a look that silenced any retort she might've had. Afterwards she fell in step beside Bastila.

"You know, doing that didn't really help your case any."

Bastila refused to talk about it, and the two continued on in silence for awhile with Mission following behind. Eventually Bastila spoke again.

"I saw your service records when you were transferred aboard the Endar Spire," She began. "But nothing beyond that. I know very little about you - I'd like to ask you a few questions, given our relationship."

"Well that was a little abrupt, but sure, okay. What do you want to know?"

"Don't worry, these are simple questions - nothing too intrusive. First off, on which planet were you born?"

"Shouldn't that be in my service records? I was born on Deralia. It's in the Tammuz Sector of the Outer Rim."

"Good. And what is your background?"

Again, another question that Bastila should've known the answer to. Akanni sighed.

"I was a smuggler. I was captured by the Republic when my partner turned on me, and given the choice to either serve them or rot in prison. Clearly I chose to serve."

"Excellent," Bastila nodded, "And what is your age?"

And another question that should have been in her service record. What was Bastila really trying to do? Why ask all those questions?

"3012," Akanni grinned, "Healthy living, you know."

"I can see you intend to be childish about this. I'll have to ask you again later. Hopefully you'll be more mature about it then."

Bastila quickened her step and hurry on, but Akanni called after her.

"Hey, come on. I was just messing around. Seriously, you obviously wanted something."

Bastila looked back hesitantly.

"I do. How did you know?"

"Well, aside from asking questions you should've known the answers to already, your face is all scrunched up like a Kinrath pup."

"A... a Kinrath pup?" The younger Jedi sputtered, "It most certainly is not! I was merely attempting to have a civilized conversation, and yet you battle me at every turn!"

"What can I say? It's fun."

"Fun? Fun?! Driving me insane is your idea of a good time?!"

Akanni shrugged.

"Hey, you make it so easy."

Bastila threw up her hands and walked away.

"I simply don't know how to deal with you. I don't know if I should be frustrated that you keep joking about serious matters, or if I should be grateful that you can always lighten the mood."

"I'd go with the second one." Akanni called, glancing back at a laughing Mission with a wink as the two hurried to keep up.

...

"So Mission, where did Lena say your brother was?"

The three stood outside the cantina. From what she knew of Griff, Akanni thought that would be the most likely place to find him.

"She said he was working for Czerka." Mission answered, "So we should talk to one of their representatives."

Akanni studied the teen for a moment.

"You know, Lena might have been telling the truth about your brother." She began, and the girl nodded.

"I know. It does sound like him. I just never expected to be on the receiving end."

"Maybe that's why he taught you everything that he did. So that you could take care of yourself when he was gone. In his own way, he was still looking out for you."

"Yeah, I guess." She didn't sound confident. "I won't know for sure until we find him though, so let's just go."

The two kept on, almost running into a Duros who stormed past them.

"That... that human woman!" He raged. "I am outraged at her arrogance!"

Then he saw Akanni and the others.

"You! Do all of your species place yourselves on such annoying pedestals?"

"Uh, not all of us, no." Akanni faltered, "Why? Who are you talking about?"

"That woman in the cantina. I swear, 'Helena' must be your word for pit rancor."

The words caught both Akanni and Bastila's attention.

"Wasn't that your mother's name, Bastila?"

"Yes. I had no idea she would be here. Ask if they've seen her."

"Seen her?" The Duros scoffed, "Human, you couldn't miss her if you tried. She strolled into the cantina like she owned the place!"

"Is she still there?"

"Probably. No one could top her attitude, so she won't be leaving anytime soon. I won't be going back as long as she's there, though."

Akanni could feel Bastila's apprehension, but was unsurprised by the young Jedi's next words.

"We should try to find her."

"You're actually looking for her?" The Duros was incredulous. "You humans, you're all out of your minds."

With that the Duros left.

Akanni looked to Bastila, who looked at the ground as though it were suddenly very interesting. Mission shuffled her feet nervously.

"We should go." Akanni said finally. "We'll talk to the Czerka rep first, then hit the cantina. That okay with you, Bastila?"

"Yes, of course. Speaking to my mother can wait a few minutes more. Mission's brother must come first."

Mission looked surprised, but glad to hear Bastila's words. Akanni wondered how much her sentiment had to do with not wanting to see her mother. Either way, she said nothing further as the trio continued toward the Czerka building.

They didn't get halfway there, however, before they someone blocked their path. Or rather, three someones. Three Dark Jedi, to be exact.

"Dammit," Akanni sighed. "This can't be good."

She pushed Mission behind her, and the girl went without argument. Not yet drawing their sabers, the two Jedi stepped forward.