Casey was getting frustrated. It was taking longer than it should have to get to Dex's Diner because the traffic was moving far too slow for her liking.

::Probably some shmuck in front going two bloody miles an hour:: she thought. Out loud she yelled, "COME ON HERE, PEOPLE! I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR THIS!"

Around her she heard people honking their horns and shouting their agreements. It didn't do any good.

"ARGH! WILL YOU PEOPLE JUST FREAKIN' MOVE?!"

Finally she decided she'd had enough of waiting on these putzes and pulled a dive, heading away from the traffic lanes and into the lower levels. She came to a stop after a few minutes in front of a small diner. She turned off the engine on her bike, hopped off, straightening her robe, and walked inside.

She started to head for the back area when a server droid passed her. She tapped the droid on the arm and it turned back towards her.

"Can I help you?" the droid asked.

"Yeah, I need to talk to Dex. Tell him the name's Casey," she answered.

"No problem," the droid replied, turning away. "Hey, Dex! There's someone to see you! Jedi by the looks of her!"

A moment later Dex walked out of the back room and grinned when he saw Casey. He walked over to her and gestured for her to sit at an empty booth. She obliged, pulling the piece of shrapnel from a pocket of her robe. The droid she'd spoken to a few moments ago brought a couple of drinks over and left.

"What can I do for ya?" Dex asked.

Casey handed him the piece of shrapnel. "You can tell me where this came from," she answered.

He stared at it for a few moments, turning it in the light to get a closer look at the markings on it. Finally he handed it back to her, a slightly troubled expression on his face.

"Well?" Casey asked.

"It comes from Byss. A small, out of the way planet just on the edge of the Outer Rim. They aren't very tecnologically advanced, but I'd recognize these markings anywhere. This piece is part of a particularly dangerous bomb, almost like a thermal detonator, but it causes more damage than your average detonator. It's amazing your friends are even still alive. Had there been more than one or two, half of the Temple would have been blown into orbit. I don't know how he could have gotten a hold of one of these things, though. The natives aren't friendly to outsiders," Dex explained.

"Hmmm. Then I guess we'll just have to be careful then," Casey said thoughtfully. Then she stood up. "Thanks, Dex."

"No problem. Anytime. I hope Layla and Qui-Gon will be all right," he replied.

"They will be, although I get the feeling Xanatos won't be when Layla gets her hands on him."

"Best of luck to you. I hope you find that little girl."

Casey nodded. "Yeah, me too," she said quietly. "I'll let you know what happens." Then she turned to take her leave.

"Just be careful!" Dex called after her as she started to walk away.

::Oh, we will. Careful to get rid of Xanatos, that is:: she thought to herself.

Once outside, she leapt onto her speeder bike and started the engine. Then she made her way back into the upper levels, hoping that the traffic had died down some. She had to get back to the Temple fast and tell the others. It wasn't much of a lead, true, but it was the best one they had so far.

::It figures. Leave it up to Xanatos to make allies with people who hate outsiders. If that's the case, I wonder how they'd react to the fact that we're Jedi? Hmph, they'd probably try to burn us at the stake or something. Sheesh, I've been around Layla way too long. I'm starting to sound like her now. I'll stop by the Healer's ward and see how she's feeling. I wonder if Obi-Wan's had any luck?:: she thought to herself as she moved in behind an air taxi.




TBC...MWA HA HA!!!! In the meantime, let me know what you think of this so far. ::Again starts humming creepy tune:: And if I screwed anything up, feel free to let me know, ok? But don't flame me. I'll try to have the next part up as soon as I can.
~*Celestia Vitaria*~