Chapter 4- Busy Streets, Busy Lives
Kyrah returned to her quarters and attempted to get some real rest. She ended up spending several hours tossing and turning. Every time Kyrah closed her eyes, she saw the shattered Holocron and the apparition from Arkanis. She wondered if she'd ever rest peacefully again.
Resigned to accept that her efforts were fruitless, she rose to redress and watch the city lights from her window. It was now the middle of the night in this sector of Galactic City and the buildings glittered with a distinct incandescence.
As if on cue, her wrist comm sounded and pulled her from the trance she'd fallen into. Kyrah glanced at her wrist to see if she could identify the caller from the comm channel. The channel was encrypted in a way the Jedi didn't use. She knew what was waiting for her when she opened the channel. Kyrah wasn't afraid, yet she hesitated. Why was she apprehensive?
The Jedi sighed. She supposed it was because she'd had so much of the unknown thrust upon her over the past few days. Kyrah could normally roll with the punches, but some solid ground to land on wouldn't have been unwelcome. Knowing she had little choice in the matter, she opened the comm channel.
A female voice began to speak as soon as she opened the channel, not granting her an opportunity to properly answer.
"Your presence is required. Coordinates are being transmitted now. You must present a code word when you reach the indicated location. That word is 'hydrospanner.' Come alone and share this information with no one. We await your arrival."
The voice was terse and direct, perhaps not entirely unlike her own. She heard a single notification emanate from her wrist comm. Kyrah glanced down at the coordinates on the small screen. She instantly recognized them as being within the Old Market Sector.
The immediate thought that crossed her mind was how odd a location the coordinates were for Republic Intelligence. A small part of her considered that this might be a ploy, but she dismissed the thought almost as soon as it appeared. Kyrah was relatively faceless within the Jedi order. Only a select few members had her comm channel. It was highly unlikely she would be the one any infiltrator would choose to single out.
Kyrah decided to change her attire before attending the meeting to maintain the discretion implied in the message. The additional clothing she possessed was a simple civilian outfit and an oversized poncho to conceal her weapon. She'd rarely worn it in the past but had a feeling she'd be using it more often.
After disembarking the Coruscant train, Kyrah observed the streets within the Old Market sector. Despite the ungodly hour, many shops, restaurants, and clubs still housed patrons. Every time she ventured below the skyline, she received a stark reminder of how different life was for those not graced by the stars. There were no expensive gowns and there was no mingling of the hierarchy. These people simply did their best to get by. Nothing more, nothing less.
Knowing she was close to the provided coordinates, the Jedi glanced at her carefully concealed wrist comm. Based on her current surroundings, the location had to be some sort of store.
Suddenly, Kyrah detected a presence approaching behind her. Though many people walked by, and the ambient noise weakened her senses, she felt this presence was specifically targeting her. She stood in place, ready to draw her weapon if necessary but she sensed no ill intent emanating from the being. Only a moment later, she felt a tap on her shoulder.
"Miss? Spare a credit, miss?" The voice was rough and gravelly.
Kyrah turned around to meet a Gotal in tattered clothing with an expectant hand extended outward. A street beggar.
"Only one credit?" She asked cautiously.
"Just needing some food," the beggar replied with a ragged cough.
Something told her that wasn't what he was going to use the funds for. Most people would have handed the credit off and been on their way. Kyrah knew that was simply a bacta patch on a blaster wound- temporary reprieve but not a long-term solution. The Gotal's appearance told her he was a regular spice user. She had neither the patience nor the desire to intervene. Instead, she brushed him off with a mind trick, hoping it would be enough without revealing herself as a Jedi.
"You want to rethink your choices leading up to this moment," she said with a telltale wave of her hand as she continued walking.
"I want to rethink my choices leading up to this moment," the beggar replied monotonously.
Kyrah paused for a moment to watch him stumble off while shaking her head.
After finally arriving at the coordinates, Kyrah observed the area carefully. As she suspected, the directions had indeed led to a shop. It appeared to be a vendor for tools and spare parts, tended by a single male Twi'lek.
Kyrah considered her next action. The message had indicated that she'd need to present the word 'hydrospanner' to the correct person. Clearly, the keyword had been carefully chosen. If she said it to the wrong person, it would not be an obvious blunder.
The Jedi decided she should not loiter for much longer as that would look far more suspicious than simply speaking with the shopkeeper. Deciding to simply try the word with the shop associate, Kyrah started towards the shop entrance.
"Greetings," the shopkeeper acknowledged.
Kyrah gave a slight nod in response. She looked around the shop a moment more as she decided on the best way to incorporate the keyword into a conversation.
"May I help you find something, miss?" the Twi'lek inquired.
"Actually, yes," she replied. Kyrah plastered on her most polite smile. "I'm looking for a hydrospanner. I was told by an acquaintance this was the place to look for one."
"I see," he responded.
His tone indicated an understanding of her meaning beyond the surface level. Kyrah wondered if there was more to this shopkeeper than she'd first assumed.
"I have some additional inventory in the back," the shopkeeper continued. "I don't normally let customers back there. However, seeing as how far you've come to patronize my store, I'll make an exception."
It suddenly clicked. Kyrah had never said anything about traveling. She realized the man was putting on a front and something bigger was hidden behind the shop.
Kyrah reached out through the force and sensed a much larger space with several life forms behind the back of the shop.
"Follow me, miss," the Twi'lek requested, interrupting her realization.
She followed him closely to what waited behind the door.