Chapter 51 – Vorzyd V, part 2
Inside the sketchiest bar they could find were Ezra, Sabine, Zeb and Fenrir. The latter two had gone to the counter to get their drinks, while the former had gone and found a table. The music was horrible and there were sordid displays throughout the bar, thankfully the place was over-crowded, so there was no chance anybody would overhear them.
It had taken nearly 15 minutes to get the barkeep's attention, but at last Zeb had come with their drinks, three of them – two Tihaars and one Nikto. Zeb pushed the Tihaars towards the two youngsters and started chugging down on the Nikto.
"Easy there, pal. Remember drinking is a marathon not a race.", Fenrir appeared behind Zeb and patted the lasat on the back. Fenrir had a Rancor Blood in his hand. Then pointing towards the two youngsters he said, "The same goes for you. Hera would kill me if I brought you all back completely drunk."
"Relax, we'll be fine.", Sabine said, sipping her Tihaar. Ezra was eyeing his carefully and when nudged by Sabine took a small sip. As he took a sip, he felt a burning sensation in his mouth and throat. Sabine grinned at this and then stopped Ezra from drinking too much at once.
"It has a high alcohol content. Enjoy it slowly.", she said.
Fenrir nodded at them, drinking his own liberally. "Is it strong?", Ezra asked.
"Not really, no. But it has an interesting flavour.", he replied.
At that moment Ezra's commlink started to beep. Activating it he heard Kanan's voice, "Spectre 6, where are you guys?"
"In a bar.", Ezra answered. He could hear his former master groaning and saying, "Okay then remember this, 'Less is more'." Ezra rolled his eyes at this and asked, "Where are you guys?"
"Rendezvous point, waiting for our contact. Anything at your end?", Kanan asked.
Ezra looked at Fenrir who nodded and said, "There is an underground lab somewhere near. We'll be checking it out."
"You have the coordinates?", Kanan asked.
"Working on it.", Fenrir answered his eyes drifting towards the entrance.
"Be careful.", Kanan said. "If the contact doesn't show in the next 10 minutes, we're scrapping the mission. Spectre 1 out."
"What is it?", Zeb asked as Fenrir began sniffing the air.
"Do you smell that?", Fenrir asked to the group.
"Zeb.", Sabine spoke with a smirk, while Ezra chuckled.
"Nah. It's worse than Zeb.", Fenrir said.
"Hey!", Zeb spoke indignantly.
Fenrir than grimaced and said, "Fire Goblins."
"What?", the three asked with looks of confusion.
"Fire Goblins, three-foot-tall pests that live underneath. This planet seems to have an infestation of them.", Fenrir said. He then pressed his commlink button repeatedly in a pattern.
"Finish your drinks, we're leaving.", Fenrir said.
"You know where to go then?", Ezra asked to which Fenrir nodded.
Back in the sketchy bar where the first group was waiting for their contact, Tarre's commlink beeped rhythmically. Passer-by's were leering at the Togruta (something she was now impervious too) and were staring at Tarre's face. A few of them had even approached trying to impress the Togruta but thanks to Tarre's mind tricks, they had left before things got violent. The same was happening to Kanan and Hera at the counter.
"Hmm.", Tarre listened to his commlink.
Ahsoka raised an eyebrow at this, "You know most Jedi masters don't usually play the mysterious card this often."
"That may be, but I am not a Jedi master anymore.", Tarre said with a smile.
"True, so you don't have an excuse to be so mysterious all the time.", Ahsoka spoke with a smirk.
"Come now, what's life without mystery?", Tarre countered, with a smirk of his own.
"Well one moment you're acting mysterious, the next you end up hurting yourself.", Ahsoka said.
"So that's why you're with me. Here I thought you actually enjoyed my company.", he said with a look of mock hurt.
Ahsoka slightly chuckled at this, shaking her head. "Is that a problem?", she asked placing her hand on his commlink.
"Well it was Fenrir, so it is definitely a problem.", Tarre said sarcastically.
"We're kind of alone right now. Tell me, why did you agree with that ridiculous scheme back at the Ghost?", Ahsoka asked curiously.
"Its reminiscent of the old days. I've followed Fenrir into many-many bold situations. He may act like an idiot most of the time, playing pranks and what not, but he has a good instinct. When it really matters, he exhibits true leadership.", Tarre answered with a serious look on his face. Ahsoka smiled at this.
"Can I tell you something else?", Tarre asked with a smile.
"Is it mysterious?", Ahsoka asked with a smiled. Tarre had now intertwined her fingers with his own.
"Its more funny than mysterious.", Tarre answered.
"Go on.", Ahsoka said.
"The architects of that ridiculous scheme are actually Thor and Loki. But the difference is that Thor always threw Loki.", Tarre said.
Ahsoka laughed at this slightly. She then calmed down, looked at Tarre and said, "Can I ask you something?"
"Only if its mysterious.", Tarre replied with a smirk.
Ahsoka rolled her eyes at this to which Tarre said, "I saw that."
"When we had first met. You had used that black armour. Why don't you use it regularly?", Ahsoka asked curiously.
"Ahh! I was wondering when you would ask me that?", Tarre said. He then went quiet for a while.
"Well, are you going to answer or not?", she asked with her eyes narrowed.
"Patience. After all it is a very mysterious thing.", Tarre answered with his own smirk.
Ahsoka then leaned back, looked at him and said, "We are not amused."
"Very well, I can only play that card so many times. I use that armour when my connection to the force is unstable, when my abilities are in flux.", Tarre answered in a serious tone.
"Meaning?", Ahsoka asked genuinely curious.
"When you had first found me, I was badly injured.", Tarre said at which Ahsoka scoffed. "It took all of your abilities to stabilise me. But my own connection to the force had been damaged, so if I tried to use the force during that time, I would have ended up even worse.", Tarre continued.
"Oh.", Ahsoka said. She then smiled and said, "You know this isn't a very good date."
"We could always go back to Kashyyyk.", Tarre suggested.
"We could, or we could go somewhere else. I am sure you know of many worlds outside the Republic.", Ahsoka said, "But first what was the beeping about?", she asked.
"Fire Goblins.", Tarre answered. He then began to explain what they were to Ahsoka and finished by saying that they were On Vorzyd V. After this his commlink began beeping again. Answering it, Tarre heard the voice of Bor, while his hologram materialised before them.
"Lord Bor!", Tarre said, "What is this about?"
"Young Champion, Thor has ordered me, the two Seraphim and the Asgardian army on Mandalore to depart for Alfheim immediately.
"Why? What has happened?", Tarre asked with Ahsoka curiously looking at them, but saying nothing.
"The galaxy of Alfheim has been over-run by reapers.", Bor answered.
"How is this possible?", Tarre asked.
"In the words of Thor – 'The Elven Archangels are unreliable and downright sloppy'. I will be meeting with our king over there, but he has a message for you Tarre.", Bor answered.
"I am listening.", Tarre spoke.
"He said that you have to stop scratching the wall and that he knows what happened on Mandalore. Thor wants you to ignore the threat of Nihilus, atleast for the moment.", Bor spoke.
Tarre nodded at this and said, "I think he's right. I am too close to this, to be objective."
"What is the status of your mission?", Bor then asked.
"There is a slight complication. This planet has an infestation of Fire Goblins.", Tarre said.
"Hmm. It is best to avoid them, keeping in mind that goblin vengeance is legendary. Also remember that where there are goblins…", Bor spoke
Tarre interrupted him, "There are usually Orcs."
Bor nodded at this and said, "Now if you'll excuse me, I promised Thor to deliver another message."
"I have one question.", Ahsoka said.
"Ask away.", Bor said.
"Why isn't Thor contacting us himself? He has done it before, why not do it now?", she asked.
"Time and space matter a lot. Thor is currently at the World Tree. There technology is almost meaningless. As absurd as it may seem, he can only contact someone with comparable power as him – like me. But, from his manner, I can safely ascertain that he wanted to deliver this message personally.", Bor said.
"What is the World Tree?", Ahsoka asked.
"I'll explain later.", Tarre said, to which Ahsoka nodded. Bor then nodded at both of them and said, "Now this message is for Hera only. Can you bring her please?"
Ahsoka nodded, got up and walked towards Kanan and Hera. As she brought Hera back to where they were sitting, Tarre got up from the table, left the commlink on the table. He smiled at Hera briefly, before letting Ahsoka lead him towards the bar counter, where Kanan was sitting. On their way to the counter Ahsoka asked, "What are reapers?"
"Angels of Death.", Tarre whispered in her ear. He sensed her confusion and said, "I'll give more details once we're back on the Ghost."
Approaching the counter, they sat next to Kanan explaining the situation to him.