"Nicely done. Very smooth," I praised Anakin as he eased the ship along one of the long, spindly surfaces that made up the station's docking ring.

These small, nameless outposts were still common in unclaimed Core systems, although increasingly absent from the Rim where the threat of piracy loomed larger than profit. Orbiting a gas giant from which it could draw for its modest power needs, the station sported a permanent population of under 400 biologicals and over 1,000 droids to see to the needs of itinerant traders and travelers along the hyper-lane.

Since Jedi robes were about the only clothing choice that would attract notice in a place like this, Olana, Anakin, and I wore nondescript spacer clothing, blasters holstered under black leather jackets. I had packed light - no special weapons other than my lightsaber and a couple of stun grenades. This visit shouldn't escalate to violence, just as past visits had not.

We encountered only maintenance droids on our way from the docking ring to the central station, but once there we sidestepped a group of five quite drunk-looking men and entered the compartment they had just left. The tavern was well-attended, but I didn't receive any attention following a first appraising look, even with the two children following me. The bartender raised a dirty rag and greeting and nodded to one of the smaller private rooms in the back.

Jango Fett always came in civilian clothing and never armor when we met here, which I understood to be a sign of respect from the Mandalorian. He sat patiently, nursing a noxious-colored drink, and scrolled down a large wrist-mounted screen strapped to one arm. He didn't look up immediately when I entered but just nodded to the seat opposite him at the table. I took it; Anakin and Olana stood behind me at either shoulder.

"Jango, these are Olana and Anakin, Jedi apprentices," I started, although this was not technically correct. They were still initiates until they passed all the Trials and were formally accepted as Padawans.

That got Jango to turn off his screen. "You've never brought anyone with you before. Secrecy was part of the arrangement." His speech was calm and precise, and is eyes wary. This was a man who wouldn't underestimate anyone, even a pair of children.

"I meant no disrespect," I said, a nod suggestive of a bow. "They are to learn from me, and I consider my business arrangements an important part of that. Shall I send them back to my ship?"

He gave a small smile, and his arms relaxed a bit as he seemed to loosen his carriage. "No, that won't be necessary. Hello, you two. Are you enjoying learning from Kenobi, here? He's a most… unusual Jedi."

"It's all right," Anakin answered with no hesitation. "He let me fly us here."

That got a wider smile from the bounty hunter. "I bet that was fun!" He turned back to me, the grin still present. "Speaking of fun, another target was dispatched this week. I don't understand why they wait so long between sending them, but they are getting harder to kill. More security."

"Are you increasing your price, then?"

Jango shook his head. "No, the negotiated price is fine. But that's thirty-four targets altogether, and your retainer is used up. I need another."

I nodded, reaching into my jacket to pull out a chit that disappeared into the other man's clothing just as quickly. "I am continually impressed by your work," I shared. "Incidentally, you can consider that other matter closed."

"Yes, I heard you managed to kill the Zabrak yourself. Very impressive." His voice was smooth and genuine, not even a hint of distress or mockery.

"It wasn't me, actually. Two Jedi Masters took out Darth Maul. Any part of that retainer you haven't already put towards expenses, add to the Yam'rii project."

"Will do. One more matter." He leaned back, taking a long pull from his tankard. "I've been hired for another long-term project. I don't believe it will stop me from continuing our arrangement, but if that changes, I may need to terminate on short notice."

"The Kaminoans got hold of you, good."

His eyes widened at this, and then narrowed in suspicion. "How did you know about that?"

"The project is being coordinated by the Jedi."

"I hadn't been made aware of that," he rubbed his chin in thought. After looking me over for a minute, he shrugged. "Eh, the money's good enough to even put up with the Order."

"I'm also buying a stake in the armor company that you'll be working with. So, I will most likely see you there."

Jango nodded. "Looking forward to it. You, at least, are easy to work for." He rose with us and shook my hand. After a moment's hesitation, he shook Olana's and Anakin's as well. The two had been thankfully quiet throughout the brief interaction, but I think this was more due to surprise and bewilderment than discipline.

This quiet lasted only until our departure from the station. By the time Anakin had engaged the hyperdrive, both of my students were hungry for answers.

"Was that a Mandalorian?" Anakin blurted excitedly. "I thought they were all killed in the war."

"How did you know that?" I asked. I hadn't thought his appearance was distinctive without his armor.

"He had the symbol on his wristband," the boy observed. "So they didn't all die?"

"Jango is the only one left, at least for now," I said. "I suspect Mandalore will produce more like him, given time."

"So, what was that about targets?" Olana wondered. "Thirty-four so far, he said."

"The Yam'rii send a delegation to Coruscant every few months to plead with the Republic to defend them against the aggressions of the Kaleesh. They also occasionally send delegations to other worlds in the area." Meeting Olana's eyes, I added, "Jango kills the delegates before they can be heard. Depending on how good his intelligence is, sometimes the ship doesn't even make it out of their home system."

Olana's distress was evident on her face. "Why?"

"Because the Yam'rii spent two hundred years conquering every nearby world, enslaving over a hundred million members of other species. The Kaleesh were one of their victims."

"So the Kaleesh are the good guys," Anakin nodded.

"I… doubt it's that simple," Olana expressed. She was clearly unhappy with this. "Just because the Kaleesh were wronged, doesn't mean they can do whatever they want in retaliation. Don't the Yam'rii deserve a chance to be heard?"

I shook my head. "In my visions, the Yam'rii used their wealth and influence - which, remember, they gained through the violent conquest of whole other civilizations - to paint the Kaleesh as the aggressors. The Republic sent Jedi to beat them back to Kalee, and then imposed economic sanctions that saw most of them starve. At the same time, the Yam'rii expanded their trading network, specializing in selective breeding of their slave species. And," I scowled, "guess what the Kaleesh and the Torvaldians were bred for."

"Obedience," Olana guessed.

"Endurance," Anakin tried.

I paused a moment to make sure the story was sinking in. "Flavor."

Olana got it first, and let out a small squeak as she covered her mouth.

"Yam'rii are carnivores, and they particularly love consuming the eggs and young of other intelligent species." My voice was cold now, as I could tell my audience was properly cowed. "They have little trouble expanding their population quickly to displace another species on an invaded world, since the existing population is a ready food source."

"Please tell me this is just a story," I heard Olana mutter.

"For us, living in the Core, yes. These are just stories." I opened my arms as I saw Annie approach my seat, and let him climb up. "For planets in Wild Space and beyond, this is reality."

"Are we gonna get to fight the Yam'rii, Obi?" Anakin asked, his forehead burrowing into my chest.

"We shouldn't have to," I explained. "As long as we don't interfere, or let the Republic intervene, the Kaleesh's greatest warlord will keep them at bay. He has already freed their hold on the region, destroyed their empire, and driven them back to their homeworld."

"A hero?" Anakin perked up.

"Yes, indeed. A hero." I looked at Olana, who listened intently, although her gaze was out the starship window. "Let's rest on the way home, and I'll tell you the story of the man known as Grievous."