Everyone, please stay safe out there in this COVID crisis. This is NOT the Swine Flu, SARS, or Bird flu. COVID is much more serious than any of those have been. Many countries and US States (including mine) are imposing criminal penalties for breaking quarantine. Don't be like the Jedi Council in the face of the Mandalorians; take this threat seriously and let's deal with it decisively and quick. If we nip it in the bud, it won't become a cataclysm like Spanish Flu did. Please stay quarantined, safe, and hygienic. Thank you all.
As usual, a million thanks to TimelessFolly and PurelyLoved for beta-ing my work. And thanks to all of you for your reviews.
Now, let's begin.
Esio and Meku were dead silent as the gunship made its way to orbit. Esio could see a freighter filling the viewport, and the gunship was headed toward it. The gunship docked with the freighter, barely squeezing into the cargo hold. As they disembarked, Esio looked around.
"Welcome to the Gurney. It's gonna be your home for a while, FNG," Jimny spoke to Esio.
Esio nodded, trying to study the ship. This freighter had to be secretly modified, if what he heard about Jedi and Commandos were true. He estimated the hull to be re-armored to be able to withstand turbolaser fire. The engines and maneuvering gear would be replaced, allowing the Gurney to outrun the nimblest warships. Guns would be added, along with a faster hyperdrive, and an intelligence-gathering suite with lots of spy equipment.
"You're wrong about all that," Warron quipped.
"Huh?"
"This is a regular old freighter."
"You're joking."
"Wish I was. Your legends are, uh, very exaggerated. The Republic prefers to save money than actually give us cool commando-gear for our ship. They gave us a budget of 12 creds and pointed us to Honest Akkmo's used ship lot. And told us to bring change."
Esio's expression became confused. This was the mighty Republic war machine? The same beast that was pushing back the Mandalorian Clans? "We're going on a secret mission behind enemy lines in... in this rust-bucket?"
"It ain't about the equipment, s'about how you use it," Jimny said. "S'why we're kicking your peoples' ass. No offense."
"They're not my people anymore. I'm a Rep now," Esio reminded him.
"Also, call my ship a rust-bucket again, and you sleep in the trash compactor," Vanci walked in.
"This is Republic Navy property, you know," Warron pointed out.
"I don't care whose name is on the title. I fly her and she's mine." Vanci crossed her arms and made a 'try me' face at Warron.
"We fly it..." Warron mused.
"She's bonded with me more than you," she retorted.
"Don't mind her, she loves her ship more than herself," Jimny added.
"Ships are better than people," Vanci justified.
"That's a Corellian way of thinking. Are you also Corellian?" Warron asked curiously. Corellians believed their ships had personalities, and felt bonds with them as one does with a pet.
"Nah, grew up on the outer rim," Vanci responded.
"Let's focus," Elaina cut in. "Since our guest of honor was silent on the ride here, we should make a formal introduction. You know Warron and I from before."
Esio smiled weakly. "Good to see you guys again."
"Go ahead and tell them your name, young one," Elaina coaxed.
"Esio..." he wasn't sure which last name to give. A Mandalorian's last name was his Clan, and formerly he was Esio Kelso. He was ashamed of that name now, and wanted to distance himself from the Clans. Unsure what to say, he just awkwardly trailed off.
He'd just be Esio, for now.
"I'm Pacyn Vanci. Pilot extraordinaire and overall amazing in every way."
Esio took her hand and smiled.
"I'm Sgt. Jimny DeVore, more amazing than Vanci. This is Cpl. Meku Sakaroto."
"Pleasure! And you guys know Adi, which is great. She's awesome." Esio shook Jimny's hand, then extended to shake Meku's. She simply stared at him, arms crossed. She looked at him like he was a pile of rotting garbage.
"Real pleasure," Meku replied flatly. Esio's hand was extended for several seconds before he awkwardly withdrew it. Everyone stared at her, but she stared him down. Esio felt about two inches tall.
"Weeelllllll, we know Adi through Brax. He's our squaddie, and also her dad. He's prolly gonna be pissed that he didn't get to see his little girl," Jimny tried to defuse.
"DeVore, would you please allow our guest operative to meet the rest of the crew," Elaina ordered, eyes on Meku.
"Captain, Ma'am." Jimny stood at attention and saluted. He, Vanci, and Esio walked away, talking among themselves.
Elaina got in real close to Meku. "I need you to listen to me, Sakaroto, and listen closely."
"Ma'am?"
"How you are acting to young Esio is unacceptable."
"What is unacceptable about it?" Meku was nonchalant. Every Jedi on the ship could sense the hatred flowing through her. Some crew members had their suspicions of Esio, but Meku was well beyond that. To her, Esio was an insect who belonged under her boot, along with every Mandalorian.
"Are you playing stupid?" Elaina responded. "You know he is a turncoat, and an ally."
"What am I supposed to do, kiss him? He's still a Mandalorian. I don't care what he says about being one of us. I don't trust them, and neither should you."
"That is my call to make, not yours," Elaina was starting to show her annoyance at her subordinate.
"Not to mention we interrogated him. He is telling the truth," Warron added.
Meku stared back. "We know they have spies who can resist our senses."
"No, I know, but-" Warron started but was interrupted by Elaina.
"How about this: I am your superior and this is my mission. I am giving you an order. I don't ask you to trust him and honestly, I do not care whether you do or not. I ask you to be cooperative and civil to him. The boy is crucial to our mission. The fate of the Republic is at stake, and I won't allow us to fail because you insist upon acting like a brat. Do I make myself clear, Corporal?"
Meku paused several seconds, considering further argument. They had to know. But this wasn't worth it, so she stood at attention and saluted, "Yes, ma'am." There was venom in her voice. Strangely, Meku sensed a tinge of satisfaction from Elaina.
"Dismissed."
LATER
Brax and Jimny were alone in the Gurney's, halls.
"WHAT?!"
"Y'heard me," Jimny told his horned friend. "Adi was on a date with the turncoat."
"Oh no..." Brax ran his hand through his horns, his mind panicking. He hadn't seen his daughter since he first joined, well over a year ago. While Jimny and Meku went to get Esio, he had quickly gone to the apartment to see his family. Since the operatives' comings and goings were kept a strict secret, his visit had to be a surprise. It hit him like a kick to the gut that Adi wasn't home, and he had a bittersweet taste in his mouth since.
Not to mention, he now knew who his eldest was out with. "She and this turncoat had feelings for each other?" Brax wasn't sure how to feel. If what Warron and Elaina said was true, the boy was upstanding and trustworthy. But so was Luay.
"What do you think about him?" Brax asked his Sergeant.
"I dunno."
"With all due respect sir, you wouldn't have made it this far if you were a bad judge of character, sir."
"I just met the kid not even an hour ago, Durachef. I. Don't. Know." Jimny's expression softened when he saw the fear and panic in Brax's eyes. He sighed.
"Look, uh, I can make some educated guesses. I don't think he's a spy. Think about how complicated the Mandos' plan gotta be, just to get him on this ship. I think he's for real."
"True. I hope he's on our side."
"We all do. But we learned our lesson from Luay. We gotta watch him. No datapads, no contact with the outside. Either we's prepared for his betrayal, or we's pleasantly surprised."
"I won't let Luay happen again." Brax's heart broke every time he thought about Luay, most of all for Meku. She had turned into a different person after Luay's betrayal. She was terrifying to be around sometimes.
"We won't. We'll get through this mission together. And by then, you'll have a pretty good idea of whether he's a good fit for your daughter."
"Thanks, Sarge."
"And if not, y'can sic Meku on him. She's itching for a chance to kill the boy." Jimny's sentence came out as a joke, but his expression and tone of voice conveyed worry, not humor.
Brax's stomach sank at that. "That's what I'm scared of. I worry for her."
"You ain't the only one."
"What do you think of her?" Warron rubbed his beard, deep in thought.
"She's fiery, that much is certain. Her file says she's ruthless and vicious in battle. Willing to do whatever it takes. She has definitely learned Revan's lesson."
"Dunno if that's such a good thing."
Elaina sighed sharply and rolled her eyes. "Not this again, love."
"You know me. I disagree with his methods." Revan's tactics were morally gray, including things like sacrifice of civilians to achieve strategic objectives. Some Revanchists, Warron included were opposed to this.
"It is this or let the Republic die. This isn't a HoloVid where the heroes win because they fight the good fight. The war is being won now. You cannot argue with results," She spoke with exacerbation. This difference in philosophy was causing tension in their relationship. She felt like he was being a naive little padawan again.
"I guess." Warron was uncomfortable arguing about this further. He felt like she was a different person, becoming more twisted. This wasn't the Elaina he knew.
"Beyond her ruthless nature in battle, her performance has been exemplary," Elaina continued, wanting to change the subject. "Victory after victory. After-action reports indicate a quick aptitude for strategy and tactics. Her dueling is weak, but there are plenty of Guardians on the front lines. Fighters may be good in battle, but tacticians and Force-Gods are going to be more invaluable in a true war."
"We can teach her a thing or two." Warron was planning in his head. He could also sense the dark in Meku, and thought about what wisdom he would impart to her.
"Much more so than those louts she's bonded to," Elaina raised her eyebrows in condescension.
"I'm sure they're plenty sophisticated in their own way."
"You are too-" they froze as they sensed a presence quickly approaching their quarters, almost sprinting. They both froze, hands on sabers, scanning with all senses. Strangely, the Force warned of no danger.
The door opened, and T2 rolled in screeching. "WEEEOOOOOWWWWWWW!"
"Get back here you fuzzbum!" Vanci's voice could be heard from the hallway.
T2 spat back playfully defiant binary as he went. Vanci sprinted in behind him.
"You will wear this hat and you BETTER stay still for a photo! Or else!" Vanci must've been trawling through the cargo compartments because she found a huge, fuzzy hat shaped like a gizka. She ran after her droid in circles around their beds and duffel bags. Warron smiled, enjoying the show. Elaina seemed more peeved.
"Don't you talk to me in that tone of voice! I thought you were the bestestest listening boy!"
T2 raspberried back at her before leaving the room. Vanci ran behind him, nearly tripping over a few spare clothes. "GET BACK HERE, DAMMIT!"
The door closed behind them, but their screams, giggles, and binary could still be heard echoing through the ship.
Elaina waited a few seconds before turning to Warron and saying, "sooo sophisticated."
Warron just smiled sheepishly.
Brax was looking through the ship's kitchen cupboards, a disgruntled look on his face. Warron stood casually next to him, examining some canned food.
"This is almost worse than rations," Brax moaned.
"Why are you complaining?" Warron opened a can as he spoke.
"I love cooking. I was hoping this would give us an opportunity to, you know, Cook some real food every day. Looks like these cans are a hundred years old."
Warron opened a can and took a whiff. "I think they are a hundred years old. Pee-yew!"
"Rotten?"
Warron took another sniff as Jimny walked in. "No, still edible," Warron opined cautiously. "Just cheap crap. Think you can make something with this?"
Brax shuffled the cupboard's contents. "There is some zatatar spice. I can make it... bearable." He turned to Jimny. "Why did you choose to stock our ship from a dump?"
"This is real man's food," Jimny retorted. "This is the kinda shit we eat when we's roughing it in the woods!"
"Wow, look at all these trees and wilderness around here. Such a wild untamed country we're in. Who knows how to start a fire, we're gonna need it to survive this harsh wilderness. Oh wait," Warron quipped before lighting the stove. He then took a casual bite of the canned food. He paused after a couple chews. It was cheap and lardy.
Brax facepalmed. Of all people to stock the Gurney, it had to be his boorish Sergeant. "We have an expense chit and a cash stipend! Aunt Shepherd would've paid for any meal, why do we have to eat this junk?"
"'Cos it'll put hairs on your eyeballs and balls on your chest," Jimny responded.
Brax cringed at the thought.
"Well, we're gonna stop off somewhere to get some real food. But this can is open, so you can eat this canned junk," Warron said.
"Whoa whoa whoa, slow down! We gotta strategize here, cos we ain't gonna eat no fancy-pants Coruscanti nerfshit! I want me a big steak," Jimny backpedaled.
Warron and Brax looked at each other and nodded with approval.
It was strange to sleep alone. Having a room to oneself should've been a luxury, but after well over a year on the Hearth, Meku felt naked and exposed. She meditated. As usual, she attuned herself to the calming hum of the Gurney's hyperdrive. Meku stretched out with her feelings.
Elaina was the only other one meditating. The rest of the shipmates were idly chatting, getting to know each other. She honed in on the insect; he was getting to know Vanci in the pilot's seat. She tried to probe him, but could sense no danger.
Strangely, the Force warned her of great danger by other means. Peril would consume them if they did not properly walk the line. Her mind was convinced that the danger would be his fault. She would keep a hawk's eye on the insect. His mind gave away no sign of danger, but she knew it was there. It had to be.
She then found Warron, in the kitchen cooking with Brax. Jimny was there too, cracking jokes but not really helping. Jimny loved how meaty this meal was turning out. "He would!" She chuckled.
She found it odd that she couldn't read Warron's thoughts like everyone else's. It felt a lot like Luay's mind-blocking. Warron thought obsessively about the ingredients, what went with what, the different tastes, how they interacted, and so on. Meku trusted him more than the insect, but she made a mental note to keep an eye on this further.
Brax's soothing voice played on the intercom: "Dinner's on! Come on folks, get over to the chow room!"
Meku meditated for several more minutes before sighing. She still wasn't a social butterfly, but she figured she needed to put herself out there. If they were going to fight and die together, she might as well get to know them.
Meku could sense the Mandalorian waiting for her on the way to the chow room. He was full of fear and anxiety.
"Excuse me," he called out.
"Yes."
"I just wanted to say, uh, I think we got off to a bad start. I hope I didn't offend you with anything I said. If I did, I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean to offend at all. I'm, uh, I'm on your side. Y'know? I got your back." Esio fidgeted with his hands as he spoke.
"Thank you." Meku spoke flatly and kept a blank face.
"I'm Esio, by the way." He extended his hand.
"Corporal Mekumi Sakaroto." She gave it one firm shake and let go as soon as she could, like she was shaking hands with a Goei-Eel.
"It's a real honor."
Meku said nothing. His expression tightened with discomfort as the seconds dragged by.
"Anyway, uh, I like your hairdo."
She was again silent. More agonizing seconds dragged by. Might as well be honest.
"Look, I'm not going to beat around the bush with you. I don't trust you. I'm not going to be buddy-buddy with you. I have your back, because I have to. Because you're on my team and we need you. But I swear, if you do anything to betray us, I will end you. Slowly. Am I clear?"
"Yes-aye aye. Uh- Yes, ma'am. I clear, clear-understand. Crystal, ma'am." He paused to shake off his nerves and stop blabbering. "I won't. I won't disappoint you. I promise. And whatever I can do to show you I'm not one of them anymore, I will. I swear it, on my life."
"I hope so." She walked past him, regarding him as one would regard a crack in the pavement; barely acknowledging his existence. Esio poofed out his cheek and exhaled.
In the chow room, the meaty dish was laid out on the table, accompanied by a salad because Brax insisted, "we need some vegetables in our diet too." Much to Jimny's chagrin. Most had drinks. There were enough chairs to seat all the operatives. The room was filled with soft music, utensils clinking on plates, and low conversation.
Sarge and Warron were catching up, telling stories of the past 30 years. Vanci was here with T2, having put the ship on autopilot. She was talking to Nateli, who seemed intrigued by the former's goofy nature, piloting skills, and funny droid. Brax and Nisotsa helped serve and lit up the room with their good-natured qualities.
"This is amazing!" Esio complemented Brax.
"Thanks," Brax smiled. "Need anything?"
"I do like it spicy, can you pass over the fire sauce?"
"I got'chu," Jimny spoke with a full mouth before reaching over to grab the red bottle. He passed it over, then washed his food down with a big swig of cheap Corolla Lite.
"Soooo..." Brax pushed around some of his food with his fork. "So, uh, how did you meet my daughter?"
Esio smiled, thinking of the memory. "You see-"
"-Aw, hell naw," Jimny interrupted, speaking with mock disgust." Don't give me no sappy crappy. I just started eating."
"Sarge-" Brax tried, but was again interrupted.
"Nope. Nopey nopey nope nope. I ain't never heard a war story from a buckethead, I'm sure you got some good ones. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity," Jimny said. Meku could sense undertones of hurt and loss in him.
Esio wasn't sure where to go with this. He stayed quiet, not wanting to talk about a past we wasn't proud of. Meku tried not to roll her eyes. "What a drama queen. Nobody buys your pathetic act, murderer."
"I dunno, sir, I'm not much of a storyteller," Esio said. His eyes then lit up with an idea. "I will say, you have no idea how long it took me to get used to not having a jetpack!"
"How do you not know you have a heavy-ass jetpack on your back?" Nateli asked.
"Language!" Warron admonished his young protege. She stuck her tongue out at him.
"Oh, it's easier than you think," Brax replied. "Took Meku forever to stop trying to braid her hair after she cut it short."
"Hey!" Meku said. Not only was that embarrassing, but she wanted Esio to know absolutely nothing about her. He was supposed to fear her.
"Yeah, you get it!" Esio said. "Like, I live on the 37th floor. I can't say how many time's I've tried to get to ground level by jumping out my window because, I can make it, right? NO NO, BAD ESIO. Or like, running at walls and fences and stuff trying to jetpack over them. I don't wanna admit how long it took me to break that habit."
This garnered a few chuckles all around.
"So, you flyin' on the tops of buildings and stuff in battle?" Jimny asked.
"Depends on the situation. Usually I darted between them for cover or for flanking. Starfighters are harder, and scarier. With them, I'd find try to hide inside the building. See what I can do from there. Pilots are cocky, some of them fly close to try and find you. One time I tied my grappling hook to a pillar and hit a passing gunship with it. Thing ended up looking like a tetherball."
"Hell yeah! Thas' pretty sweet," Jimny chortled. "Tell me more." Meku could tell he was trying to pick Esio's brain, and learn about the Mandalorians from the inside.
"Sir, with respect, you had your turn," Brax unknowingly threw a wrench in his Sergeant's plans. "Tell me about Adi."
Although it was abashing for Esio to talk about his love life, he'd gladly do so instead of his past. Anything but that. "She's great. She speaks very highly of you, and it's a pleasure to actually meet you."
"Pleasure's all mine," Brax replied. "Rei told me Adi was out on a date. Wasn't expecting it to be with a ex-Mando."
"Ex being the keyword, sir. I met her through Rei. She helped me out a lot since I left the Clans. She's been my best friend. My only friend, for a while."
"She talks highly of you. So tell me about the meeting," Brax asked.
"Right! Well, I was at work. This beautiful Zabrak girl comes in. She's standing around for a while, it's a busy busy day. She was probably waiting for a table, so I wanted to ask her, 'are you being helped already?'
But then I figured, she's been waiting too long. I should apologize, so I'll say 'I'm sorry for your wait, can I help you?'
But by the time I got there, my stupid brain mashed up the sentences and what came out of my mouth was, um, 'Are you being sorry already?' She gives me this look like I'm on drugs. Which, y'know, fair. I had to backpedal and explain myself. She laughed and I, oh, I melted.
She asked me for her mom, Reina. I said she's in the back, I'll go get her. I tried to hop the counter and my hand caught my apron aaaaand... yeah, face meet floor. She laughed again and said something like 'it's dangerous out there, commando.' Took a loooooong time for Rei to let me live that down.
Adi and I did start talking eventually. I wasn't trying to date her from the beginning, we'd just talk about little things here and there when she came to visit Rei at work. I enjoyed talking to her a lot, and I respected her. One thing led to another, really. I was totally not expecting this to become what it did."
"That is good. Do you go to school?" Brax asked.
"No, just work at the restaurant."
"Any thoughts of what you wanna do in the future?"
"Not really, Mr. Au'Manar. I know it sounds bad, but I just wanted to keep my head down after emigrating. The restaurant was a nice, low-key job and Arendhal City is a big enough place to get lost in. I was taking it day by day, not really thinking ahead."
"He doesn't want to admit his plan is to go back to the Clans with our heads on pikes." Meku just wanted him to shut up, and had to stop herself from staring him down.
"Oh, you're not the only one," Brax reassured. "Refs don't really do long-term plans either. Our fates are on hold until the war ends.
"Not just the fates of the refugees," Nisotsa added. "All our fates. The fate of the galaxy depends on the war's outcome."
"Not my fate. My fate's in my own hands," Jimny bragged.
Elaina tried to school him. "The Force is much more powerful than any of us, Sgt. DeVore. Its will is paramount."
"Not to me," he smiled enjoying that he could get to her so easily.
"Yes, even to you."
Oka rolled his eyes. "Don't get him started, please."
"Too late..." Brax said.
"Well hang on, hang on, lemme put my thinkin' cap on," Jimny put his beer down and pantomimed a thinking-hard face, hand on chin. "If the Force is in all living things, and I'm also living thing, don't that mean I am the Force? So I am the fate too."
"It does not work like that," Elaina retorted.
"Alls I'm saying is I ain't letting no mystical magical energy field control me. All my life I've made my own damn mind. Force or no Force."
"Do not be so overconfident. The Force's will is always done, and we must always be in tune with it. Especially if we wish to be victorious."
"Not cocky, just honest. If I'm fighting, we's sure to win."
"There are many more things at play here than one man's skill."
"Revan's just one man. And so am I."
"Isn't Revan a girl..." Brax wondered, but his comment was lost in Jimny and Elaina's debate.
"The Force is full of surprises," Elaina said, "what happens on the off chance we lose this war?"
Jimny's heart didn't even want to fathom the idea of a Republic loss. He went with a joke instead, "Well, I got a promising career as a sex slave. Ain't no Mando can resist all thiiiiiiiiiiiiiis."
Many of the operatives laughed, and Oka sputtered out some of his drink. Warron nearly choked on his food. He was coughing and hacking, trying to free his poor airway from the evil steak inside. Elaina gagged.
"Hooooookay!" Esio blurted.
"Sarge, don't make me throw up," Meku joked.
"None of y'all could afford me, not on a soldier's salary," he answered back.
"This is not what I meant by 'big steaks,' Sarge!" Brax joined in on the fun.
"Not the kinda meat I was expecting to be eating either," Nisotsa quipped.
T2 made some confused beeps.
"I'll explain when you're older," Vance told T2 between laughs.
"Reconsidering memory wipe now?" Oka asked Vanci.
"I wanna give myself a memory wipe after that image," Nateli said, reaching for Warron's cocktail before he slid it away.
"Me too, kiddo," Oka replied. "But you get to go home after this mission. We gotta work with this guy every day."
"I believe y'all missed the part where I outsmarted a Jedi," Jimny retorted.
"You did not! You've no knowledge of how the Force works!" Elaina was not taking the joke very well.
"Whatever. Jedis zero, Marines one!" Jimny crossed his arms, cocksure smile on his face. Oka pantomimed writing numbers on a scoreboard.
"Oh, just you wait till the mission. We shall show you the true power of the Force," Warron joked.
"Not if I get the high ground, I'll whoop dat ass!" Jimny replied. He reached for his beer to wash down his steak, but it wasn't where he left it. He looked around, until he saw it floating above his head.
"Hell naw!"
The glass started tipping, but Jimny was thinking quickly. He grabbed Brax's half-eaten salad bowl and held it over his head. The beer spilled into it.
"The hell, sir?" Brax said. "I was not done with that!"
"Needed to appropriate this to prevent defacement of Republic property. Now, which one'a you clever Jedis did this?"
"Did what," Elaina smirked. "Looks like you're just clumsy. Lay off the beer, Sergeant DeVore."
"Guys," Warron mediated, "let's not start a food fight. I actually wanna eat this."
"Seconded," Oka said.
"Yeah, you right, you right," Sarge said.
"How am I supposed to eat this now?" Brax was indignant about his beery salad.
"Quit whining, durachef. I've improved your salad, you done messed up my beer with your plants," Jimny said.
Things quieted down after that. The operatives ate and talked among themselves. Nisotsa and Nateli were captivated T2's childlike nature. T2 loved being the center of their attention. Warron and Vanci shared piloting stories and talked ships. Esio joined in with jetpack stories. Meku stuck to talking to her squad or the other Jedi, but she spent most of it alone, just observing. As the dinner progressed, Elaina moved to sit by Meku.
"You still harbor hate for the turncoat," Elaina stated.
"I'm not trying to say anything bad. Did I? I'm sorry if I did."
"You have not," Elaina reassured her.
"I'm sorry. I'll work on my hatred. I know it's not the Jedi way. I'll work on it."
"No need."
Meku stopped in confusion, even cocking her head back. Elaina had just told her to make nice with the insect, and now she was saying it was okay to hate him?
"I know, I seem to have contradicted myself. Hear me now. I want you to treat the boy well for the sake of the mission. But keep that hate in your mind. Your hate is a passion, which gives you strength and power. Direct your hate at the proper target, and you will become truly unstoppable. You have much to learn from those more experienced in such matters."
Meku felt a twinge of fear, combined with a sense of hunger.
