Chapter 7
Jaz Chappa was the foreman for one of the largest sections of subterranean spice cultivating facilities in the region. He wasn't a native to Devaron, but the local males accepted him because of the amount of them he employed. Usually, it helped the men's moral if he was down in the tunnels harvesting with them, but on this day, he had to work on the paperwork. Hundred if not thousands of requests for spice had come in from the Trade Federation, and to be honest, Taal was running behind on their schedule. A quiet knock on the door forced him to tear his eyes away from the pages scattered across the glossy hardwood surface.
"Come in.", he called.
The door slid open to reveal Hessa, one of his aids. She was a local female, and unlike the males, who were bulkier and tougher, she was lithe and athletically flexible. Her long, dark hair was pulled back behind her head, secured by a strip of bright blue cloth; and her fringe was secured by her ears, revealing the small vestigial lumps on her forehead. Her purple eyes flickered between him and window. She tugged nervously at the thin jacket she wore, and he stared at the numerous bejewelled rings she wore on her fingers. Normally, Jaz would share some kind words with the tall female. Today, however, he was tired, cranky, and needed to get back to work so he could be farming the next day.
"What is it?", the Kalleran barked out.
Hessa stood straighter, drawing up at his tone. "There is a ship here. I thought you should know."
Jaz sighed, "Sorry, Hessa. I am just a bit overwhelmed with this.", he gestured at the piles of datapads and sheets of paper, "Of all the days for a ship to arrive."
"You do not have to go.", he felt her place a calming hand against the smooth skin of his forehead.
"No, I do.", he stood up out of his chair, "All of the other foremen are down in the Forgotten Lands today. I am the highest ranking official here, and it is my job to protect us."
Caloc glanced around the village. They had landed the ship in a nearby flat area, and decided to hike into the village on foot. Budiku leapt ahead, as usual, exploring the thick forest, and he had been forced to follow his pet's wandering path. Lozzan jogged beside him as they neared the decorative entrance, a large wooden structure that loomed above them, carvings of animals staring down at them. He leant against the thick post, studying the empty ground before them.
"This place is deserted.", he muttered. Lozzan looked over quizzically, and he elaborated, "I haven't seen anyone but women and children, and they seem to be staying indoors for now. I understand that most of the men are harvesting during the day, but surely, they would leave some security. If I were a pirate, then I'd probably try to rob this place right now."
"You would have to be very cunning to get here unannounced then.", a voice interrupted, and the two padawans turned to see a tall Kalleran walking towards them, a tall staff held in his hands. He studied them for a moment. "Who are you?"
"We are Jedi padawans.", Lozzan answered.
The Kalleran frowned at that. He had of course heard that there were Jedi on the planet; the farming community was a small one, after all. Sometimes the occasional Jedi would come to seek out the kyber vein. But there had never been a Jedi come here unannounced before. "Just padawans?", he asked, "Where are your Masters?"
"Back there.", Caloc pointed over his shoulder, then over at the puffing Anooba laying a few feet away. As expected, Budiku was now exhausted and would probably spend the rest of the afternoon sleepy, "I ran ahead to keep him behaved."
The man's eyes narrowed for a moment, then settled as he came to a decision. "Come. Let us wait for your Master's over there in the shade. It is rare for Jedi to come here at all, so why don't you tell us why you have come without warning."
Stass and Tia had been hiking along the rough path for the past twenty minutes, not really speaking, nor enjoying the other's quiet company for very long. The birds cawed in the distance, and a creek babbled cheerfully nearby; but the humidity was thick, and there were seani biting at their limbs. It was understandably frustrating. Finally, Stass had enough.
"I've never heard you concede a point before.", she spoke up.
Tia regarded her for a few moments, "Your padawan has clearly had instruction from someone other than you. He is quite the negotiator."
"I'm good at negotiating!", Stass argued, throwing her arms into the air. She was known for being one of the most persuasive Jedi in the Order, in her opinion.
"You are good at persuasion.", he countered. "You can be diplomatic when need be, but you are normally a bit less… cautious, then Caloc was being today."
A loud SMACK echoed around the trees as Stass tried to slap one of the seani trying to eat her. She glared at him, "Surely you know that Caloc has been recuperating for the past few months."
"It has almost been a year Stass.", he interrupted. "When are you going to let him train under you again."
"He has been training!", her eyebrows raised in shock of his accusation, "Both Master Fisto and Aayla Secura have been duelling with him, Oppo Rancisis and Tutso Mara have been going through his studies, and I've had the mechanics running through basic engineering with him. Plus, I've been sent on more missions than ever. Do you think I like being away from him all the time?"
"I do not.", the Chagrain stopped as one of his horns sliced through a vine dangling too low. "But I think that you are worried about him getting injured once more."
"Of course, I worry about that.", Stass growled into the air, "He is a gifted student. He is good with a lightsaber, he is kind and generous and is fantastic with any weapon you place in his hands. But he lacks focus through the Force. I cannot take a student out into that galaxy when he can't sense danger nearby."
Tia studied her for a minute, "As I said, it has almost been a full year. I kept watch on Caloc during his youngling training, and to compare that boy to the one I see standing before me today is near impossible. But I saw the most growth when he went on that mission with you to Menach."
"Why are you telling me this?"
He grinned at her, "Are you worried now? Your padawan is ahead of us, out of sight. Perhaps he is hurt or killed. Perhaps not. Learn to trust him again, Stass. Learn to trust in the Force."
"I don't know if I can.", Stass looked away. It was harder to admit that than she thought.
"Then let this mission be the first test to see if you are able.", Tia answered.
