CHAPTER 4
Obi-wan led his search to the Jedi Archives, concealed beneath the great temple itself and quite possibly the single largest library of knowledge in the New Republic. The young Knight knew that he would need to consult its databanks in order to delve deeper into this investigation, and possibly uncover the mystery that had shrouded over his senses. For as hard as he tried to meditate on the matter of the Ambassador's assassin, he and Mace came up short in their combined efforts, only finding small eddies that hinted at dark intentions, but still left them without any clues to help further their search.
Mace was out in the Coco district having told Obi-wan that he was going to check with an 'old friend' to see if he could help shed some light on the dark assailant, leaving Obi-wan to search through the vast Jedi database for clues, not an easy task considering that despite the room's immense size and the great number of Jedi in the temple itself, he was the only one in the library, him and the head Librarian: a certain talkative protocol droid named 'C-3PO'.
"Why greetings Jedi Kenobi." the droid chimed as he waddled toward Obi- wan at his work station that bared a small view panel to access the Library's computerized database. ".what brings you to the archives this day?" 3PO finished with a light hearted sound.
Obi-wan reluctantly looked up to the golden robot beside his desk, knowing that 3PO was always happy to see him anytime. Not that C-3PO wasn't pleased to see anyone, especially with the over voiced programming common to this protocol driod, its just that everyone else wasn't a clone of arguably one of the greatest Jedis of all time a person who C-3PO had met once before over two thousand years ago. A fact that this Obi-wan had grown accustom to, but still uncomfortable about, even with his Jedi training creating experiences that part him far from his predecessor. As a Jedi Obi-wan Kenobi and the many replicas of Old Republican Jedi like him discovered on Kamino have grown to fulfill the destinies set before them by the Force, but like all Jedi today: born or hatched, he too will have to overcome all obstacles set in that path, including C-3PO. "I'm currently investigating the assassination attempt on Ambassador Amidala." Obi- wan responded not removing his gaze from the screen in front of him. ".but I can't find any designs that match up with that of those belonging to the suicide droid's hull in our records." He sighed, having finally looked into 3PO's two glowing visual sensors.
"Perhaps this suicide droid is not based from any particular race, maybe the creation of an individual?" the protocol droid informed. "If it is not identified by the archives then it most likely does not exist." he stated. ".although anything is possible" Obi gave the librarian a cock eyed look, feeling as if he had been through this before a long time ago, but strangely he knew of no such memories.
"I see, well then let's hope Mace is fairing much better in his search." Obi-wan sighed as he stretched his tense nerves from sitting down in the station for so long. He extended his arms outward, as if he were ready to take flight then let them go limp and fall to his sides as he moved toward one of the many aisles of text that towered over all who were in the immense room.
Obi-wan stopped midway to the end of the large bookcase to his left, 3PO looked on as the human guided his hand over the shelves until it stopped over a small leather bound collection of text. He then read aloud the title on its cover. "Kuboris Tell'mag jon."
".'For all, is one'." C-3PO translated, knowing of the book quite well. ".the memoirs of Jedi Master Kyle Katarn. In its words lay the story and life of one of Luke Skywalker's first students." Obi-wan became intrigued, he didn't know why he felt the urge to roam through the aisle, let alone did he have the desire to just pull out one of its many texts, a strange instinct it seemed but the will of the Force it had to be, which made Obi-wan wonder. "3PO, you knew Master Kenobi correct? The original one I mean?"
This question made the droid's head tilt a bit in confusion. "Yes, in fact I met him a short while after I was purchased by Master Luke, but just as soon as we had met he was slain by Darth Vader ." his mechanical voice shifted. ".but what little I do remember of him, I still have stored in my memory banks." Obi-wan sighed, relieving some of the tension in his muscles as he loosened his neck. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious I guess?" He returned the heavy cased document back into its place on the shelf so as to not add to 3PO's duties. "I mean I have always heard stories of Obi-wan from the masters, all the great deeds, adventures and things he did. I know of all of them, but."
".you never knew him." the droid finished for him in a sympathetic sound.
"Yes." Obi-wan retorted in a surprised tone. ".I did not know you had Force abilities 3PO." He humored.
"I don't, I've just spent my time around the Jedi long enough to know when to finish a sentence before it was even said." Obi-wan chuckled. "Perhaps your questions might best be answered by Master Skywalker?" the protocol droid suggested.
"Maybe." Obi-wan began to consider speaking with his former Master, curious now of how he had never brought up this topic before in the years as his Padawan. ".I think I will, thank you 3PO."
"Your welcome Noble Obi-wan." He returned. "May the Force be with you!" he said as Obi-wan headed for the turbo lift chamber.
"And also to you." he pressed the access panel for the lift hatch and entered as 3PO watched the door close behind the young Jedi, sending him off and up into the great temple hallways.
Mace calmly paced the streets of the Coco district as he eventually made his way to 'Vera's bar-n-grill' as night settled into the cold wet streets of the coruscant district. Only lit by the neon lights, Mace stepped into the open entrance of the large, musky aired smoke infested room that was Vera's Bar. Cloak covering his head and masking his face with a faint shadow, Mace walked to the main bar in the center of the room and hopped onto an open stool. Ignoring the stray eyes that he felt peering at him as he lowered his cloak, Mace turned his dark face to the nearest bartender droid as it hovered over to his direction. "May I take you order Mister?" the droid said.
"Yeah." Mace replied to the automated drink server. "I'll have a Maldorian Juri juice in a clean glass."
"One Juri juice coming right up sir." The droid then reached under the table and pulled out several other arms from its cylindrical body to open the multiple bottles and poor their contents into a single clear glass mug. "Here you go mister, will there be anything else?"
Mace took a sip of his drink before he responded to the multi-armed droid. "Actually there is." he lowered his voice slightly so as to not be over heard by the large Wookiee sitting next him. ".I need to speak with Vera, in private!" he clarified.
The bartender angled its neck backwards as it computed this request. "I'm sorry but the Boss is busy right now, unless you got an appointment she isn't seeing anybody!"
The Jedi knight leaned in closer to the metal server as he reached into his robes. "Tell your boss that Mace wishes to speak with her." Mace then slipped out his lightsabre, placing it on the table for the Bartender to see that he meant business, the Wookiee next to him overheard everything and when he saw the small metal cylinder on the bar he quickly finished the remainder of his drink and removed himself from his seat. ".Now!"
The Bartending droid reluctantly replied. "Follow me sir!" Mace did so as the hovering machine flew its way to the back room past the great numbers of people who cluttered the bar's floor. "Excuse me, pardon me." the droid expelled as the two ended up at a small metal hatch past the bustling crowd of vary walks and colors. The bartender typed in a few numerals into the entry panel and the door shot open faster than most eyes could see inside the wall. Mace stepped in as the droid gestured him to do so, once inside the door shut as quickly as it had opened before and Mace was left alone in darkness.
The Jedi knight kept his composer despite the surreal nature of his ominous surroundings. When the lights eventually came to life he was still standing tall and untouched as he saw that he was infact surrounded by several well placed and heavily armed thugs with pulse and laser rifles aimed squarely at him and sitting in a small glass shielded booth about a story or two above this whole congregation of sharpshooters was the green skinned blob of Vera. No one knew exactly what Vera was she was built like a Hutt, with the fat gelatinous body and slug like tail to make her seem as much like a Hutt as any other but the large extruding horns that grew from either side of her flat head and the ability to speak standard republican tongue without a translator diminished this possibility. Leaving her as much an enigma to all as her past career as a weapons smuggler, which now seemed to be quite factual from Mace's point of view. "Who dares to interrupt me while I conduct my business?" the rough, jagged voice inquired via a sound amplifying projector.
Mace then folded his arms across his chest. "It's good to see you again Vera." He exclaimed.
The large green female squinted her eyes to get a better look at the faint figure of the Jedi below. "Mace Windu, Ah Mace so what brings you to me on this lovely day of ours?"
"I need some information." He replied not even acknowledging the ten or so pulse guns targeting his body. "Have you heard of the Assassination attempt on the Ambassador from Naboo?" he questioned.
"Of course." Vera answered. ".It has been all over the Republic News chains. Why do you come to me with this?"
"I've been assigned to search out the culprit of this attack." Mace said now placing his hands on his hips creating an image of defiance towards his onlookers. ".you wouldn't happen to know about any unusual purchases recently would you Vera, Primarily any bounty hunters who might have bought a large amount of high grade explosive in the past few days?"
She gave no response to his question. Mace sensed the men around him grow more tense, he knew Vera knew of something that involved the Ambassador. That was confirmed by the next word that slipped from her vile slimy mouth. ".Fire!"
Mace instinctively unlatched his lightsabre from his belt, igniting the violet colored blade of the weapon as he dodged an evaded every blast that was projected at his body by the group of thugs. Mace parried and deflected a few stray blasts, returning them to their respective marksmen and lowering the number of Mace's opponents to a mere seven. He swiped his blade behind his back, slicing the rifle of a rodian criminal who tried to sneak up on the Jedi, then kicked his leg backward into the green being's midsection sending him to land on his back. Mace then swung his leg around to the villain in front of him, a clean kick into his skull instantly knocking the human unconscious as the Jedi twirled his lightsabre in his right hand over the falling body to deflect several more shots fired from the remaining five assailants who were now backed into a corner by the menacing Jedi. Now spinning his weapon in one hand like a propeller to shield his body from the barrage of pulse fire that flew at him, Mace stepped close enough to the thugs so he might disable their weapons as his bright lightsabre diced the rifles into a clatter of small bits before they discarded their weapons in defeat.
Mace eased away as they submitted to his defense, taking note that Vera was no longer in the booth where she safely watched her foot soldiers try to kill the otherwise passive Jedi knight. "Tell me where she is." he said in a calm voice as he waved his free hand at a large brown eyed bothan, now with a look of trance under the Jedi's mind influence.
"Hanger." the furry man rasped. ".through a escape tunnel in the booth." He pointed his claw at the empty window above them again.
Mace waved his hand once more, this time entering the entire collective minds of the entire group of thug. ".Sleep." He muttered. They did such unwillingly falling into a deep slumber.
The deep skin colored Jedi then leaped upward, through the glass window as it shattered by his forceful jump. Mace took no time to brush off what little of the shards that cut into his robes as he walked to a large 'Hutt' sized hidden exit, evident by a segment of missing wall behind a intricately carved wooden desk of yellow hue. Noble Windu then opened his spirit to the Force, sensing for Vera's presence in the vicinity. She was near, but not far from escape, Mace wasted no time as he propelled himself with the Force in a sprint that would only be possible by a Force sensitive Jedi.
Vera slumped her way down the tunnel she almost made it to the end of the long expanse, but was cut off by the blurry image of Mace Windu shooting into her sight as if he had just appeared right before her, lightsabre and all. "Where do you think your going Vera?" Mace injected as his sword of light barely came to touch up against her flabby neck.
The horned creature, surprisingly gave a mischievous grin. "Why Mace, you wouldn't hurt a dear old friend like me now would you?"
"Forgive my lack of manners but I don't ever recall an instant where 'old friends' tried to kill one another." he aimed his eyes to the corner of his eyes, in a mock process of thought. ".come to think of it I don't remember a time where you haven't tried to do me wrong. So just save it and tell me what I want to know." He pressed the blade forward a bit, making Vera lean backwards on her spineless hide as she began to mutter a jumbled response.
"Alright, Alright I'll tell you anything just get that blasted light sword away from me!" she squealed.
"Answers first." Mace retorted in a neutral, emotionless tone that only made Vera feel more uncomfortable. "What do you know about the Assassination attempt on Ambassador Amidala?"
Vera rolled her eye trying to think of any thing that seemed to point to the identity of the Ambassador's would-be-killer. Then it came to her with a grunt as the blade grew closer to her thick skin. "Gokas Sedig!" she pleaded in mercy.
"What?" The Jedi knight inquired, yielding his weapon far enough to give the bulging Vera room to clearly speak her mind.
"Gokas Sedig, he's a bounty hunter from the outer rim.he came by the bar about four or.five days ago looking to 'acquire' non-polymer explosive charges and some flight circuits for a low grade hover drone." The Jedi held his weapon high and away from the oboist creature, signifying his approval of this answer to his question.
"Do you know where he is?"
"No." she pressed. ".I'm a business woman I acquire, sell and don't ask questions."
"Anything else?" he mused in the slightest of disgust.
Vera exhaled from her immense lungs. "Yes.he asked if I knew where he could obtain some mineral called.Copomis?"
"Copomis?" Mace shot a confuse look sensing Vera's own internal befuddlement.
"No that wasn't it.I think it was Cordcis.no wait." She began to break up the syllables in her mind. ".Cor-to-sis, that's right Cortosis?"
"Cortosis?" Mace was shocked internally, but kept his chilled expression strong on the outside despite this Vera could still tell that the young man knew what this was.
"Have you heard of it before?" she asked to the Jedi who abruptly deactivated his weapon with a quiet 'Snap-hiss', extinguishing its bright violet colors from the dark corridor.
Mace ignored her question, knowing mind tricks would be futile against her unusual brain he spoke straight to the point. "Leave." he warned in a manner befitting to a Person with great power. ".leave and never comeback. If I ever hear of you on Coruscant again I will make you regret not taking my advise now!" He demanded. "Understood?"
Vera was never frightened before, she didn't know how to respond to this request, not verbally, so she complied by sliding towards her ship. As the large bulky framed hatch sealed behind her, Mace disappeared into the shadows to continue his search as Vera's small shuttle flew off into the night, never to be seen on the city planet again.
Obi-wan led his search to the Jedi Archives, concealed beneath the great temple itself and quite possibly the single largest library of knowledge in the New Republic. The young Knight knew that he would need to consult its databanks in order to delve deeper into this investigation, and possibly uncover the mystery that had shrouded over his senses. For as hard as he tried to meditate on the matter of the Ambassador's assassin, he and Mace came up short in their combined efforts, only finding small eddies that hinted at dark intentions, but still left them without any clues to help further their search.
Mace was out in the Coco district having told Obi-wan that he was going to check with an 'old friend' to see if he could help shed some light on the dark assailant, leaving Obi-wan to search through the vast Jedi database for clues, not an easy task considering that despite the room's immense size and the great number of Jedi in the temple itself, he was the only one in the library, him and the head Librarian: a certain talkative protocol droid named 'C-3PO'.
"Why greetings Jedi Kenobi." the droid chimed as he waddled toward Obi- wan at his work station that bared a small view panel to access the Library's computerized database. ".what brings you to the archives this day?" 3PO finished with a light hearted sound.
Obi-wan reluctantly looked up to the golden robot beside his desk, knowing that 3PO was always happy to see him anytime. Not that C-3PO wasn't pleased to see anyone, especially with the over voiced programming common to this protocol driod, its just that everyone else wasn't a clone of arguably one of the greatest Jedis of all time a person who C-3PO had met once before over two thousand years ago. A fact that this Obi-wan had grown accustom to, but still uncomfortable about, even with his Jedi training creating experiences that part him far from his predecessor. As a Jedi Obi-wan Kenobi and the many replicas of Old Republican Jedi like him discovered on Kamino have grown to fulfill the destinies set before them by the Force, but like all Jedi today: born or hatched, he too will have to overcome all obstacles set in that path, including C-3PO. "I'm currently investigating the assassination attempt on Ambassador Amidala." Obi- wan responded not removing his gaze from the screen in front of him. ".but I can't find any designs that match up with that of those belonging to the suicide droid's hull in our records." He sighed, having finally looked into 3PO's two glowing visual sensors.
"Perhaps this suicide droid is not based from any particular race, maybe the creation of an individual?" the protocol droid informed. "If it is not identified by the archives then it most likely does not exist." he stated. ".although anything is possible" Obi gave the librarian a cock eyed look, feeling as if he had been through this before a long time ago, but strangely he knew of no such memories.
"I see, well then let's hope Mace is fairing much better in his search." Obi-wan sighed as he stretched his tense nerves from sitting down in the station for so long. He extended his arms outward, as if he were ready to take flight then let them go limp and fall to his sides as he moved toward one of the many aisles of text that towered over all who were in the immense room.
Obi-wan stopped midway to the end of the large bookcase to his left, 3PO looked on as the human guided his hand over the shelves until it stopped over a small leather bound collection of text. He then read aloud the title on its cover. "Kuboris Tell'mag jon."
".'For all, is one'." C-3PO translated, knowing of the book quite well. ".the memoirs of Jedi Master Kyle Katarn. In its words lay the story and life of one of Luke Skywalker's first students." Obi-wan became intrigued, he didn't know why he felt the urge to roam through the aisle, let alone did he have the desire to just pull out one of its many texts, a strange instinct it seemed but the will of the Force it had to be, which made Obi-wan wonder. "3PO, you knew Master Kenobi correct? The original one I mean?"
This question made the droid's head tilt a bit in confusion. "Yes, in fact I met him a short while after I was purchased by Master Luke, but just as soon as we had met he was slain by Darth Vader ." his mechanical voice shifted. ".but what little I do remember of him, I still have stored in my memory banks." Obi-wan sighed, relieving some of the tension in his muscles as he loosened his neck. "Why do you ask?"
"Just curious I guess?" He returned the heavy cased document back into its place on the shelf so as to not add to 3PO's duties. "I mean I have always heard stories of Obi-wan from the masters, all the great deeds, adventures and things he did. I know of all of them, but."
".you never knew him." the droid finished for him in a sympathetic sound.
"Yes." Obi-wan retorted in a surprised tone. ".I did not know you had Force abilities 3PO." He humored.
"I don't, I've just spent my time around the Jedi long enough to know when to finish a sentence before it was even said." Obi-wan chuckled. "Perhaps your questions might best be answered by Master Skywalker?" the protocol droid suggested.
"Maybe." Obi-wan began to consider speaking with his former Master, curious now of how he had never brought up this topic before in the years as his Padawan. ".I think I will, thank you 3PO."
"Your welcome Noble Obi-wan." He returned. "May the Force be with you!" he said as Obi-wan headed for the turbo lift chamber.
"And also to you." he pressed the access panel for the lift hatch and entered as 3PO watched the door close behind the young Jedi, sending him off and up into the great temple hallways.
Mace calmly paced the streets of the Coco district as he eventually made his way to 'Vera's bar-n-grill' as night settled into the cold wet streets of the coruscant district. Only lit by the neon lights, Mace stepped into the open entrance of the large, musky aired smoke infested room that was Vera's Bar. Cloak covering his head and masking his face with a faint shadow, Mace walked to the main bar in the center of the room and hopped onto an open stool. Ignoring the stray eyes that he felt peering at him as he lowered his cloak, Mace turned his dark face to the nearest bartender droid as it hovered over to his direction. "May I take you order Mister?" the droid said.
"Yeah." Mace replied to the automated drink server. "I'll have a Maldorian Juri juice in a clean glass."
"One Juri juice coming right up sir." The droid then reached under the table and pulled out several other arms from its cylindrical body to open the multiple bottles and poor their contents into a single clear glass mug. "Here you go mister, will there be anything else?"
Mace took a sip of his drink before he responded to the multi-armed droid. "Actually there is." he lowered his voice slightly so as to not be over heard by the large Wookiee sitting next him. ".I need to speak with Vera, in private!" he clarified.
The bartender angled its neck backwards as it computed this request. "I'm sorry but the Boss is busy right now, unless you got an appointment she isn't seeing anybody!"
The Jedi knight leaned in closer to the metal server as he reached into his robes. "Tell your boss that Mace wishes to speak with her." Mace then slipped out his lightsabre, placing it on the table for the Bartender to see that he meant business, the Wookiee next to him overheard everything and when he saw the small metal cylinder on the bar he quickly finished the remainder of his drink and removed himself from his seat. ".Now!"
The Bartending droid reluctantly replied. "Follow me sir!" Mace did so as the hovering machine flew its way to the back room past the great numbers of people who cluttered the bar's floor. "Excuse me, pardon me." the droid expelled as the two ended up at a small metal hatch past the bustling crowd of vary walks and colors. The bartender typed in a few numerals into the entry panel and the door shot open faster than most eyes could see inside the wall. Mace stepped in as the droid gestured him to do so, once inside the door shut as quickly as it had opened before and Mace was left alone in darkness.
The Jedi knight kept his composer despite the surreal nature of his ominous surroundings. When the lights eventually came to life he was still standing tall and untouched as he saw that he was infact surrounded by several well placed and heavily armed thugs with pulse and laser rifles aimed squarely at him and sitting in a small glass shielded booth about a story or two above this whole congregation of sharpshooters was the green skinned blob of Vera. No one knew exactly what Vera was she was built like a Hutt, with the fat gelatinous body and slug like tail to make her seem as much like a Hutt as any other but the large extruding horns that grew from either side of her flat head and the ability to speak standard republican tongue without a translator diminished this possibility. Leaving her as much an enigma to all as her past career as a weapons smuggler, which now seemed to be quite factual from Mace's point of view. "Who dares to interrupt me while I conduct my business?" the rough, jagged voice inquired via a sound amplifying projector.
Mace then folded his arms across his chest. "It's good to see you again Vera." He exclaimed.
The large green female squinted her eyes to get a better look at the faint figure of the Jedi below. "Mace Windu, Ah Mace so what brings you to me on this lovely day of ours?"
"I need some information." He replied not even acknowledging the ten or so pulse guns targeting his body. "Have you heard of the Assassination attempt on the Ambassador from Naboo?" he questioned.
"Of course." Vera answered. ".It has been all over the Republic News chains. Why do you come to me with this?"
"I've been assigned to search out the culprit of this attack." Mace said now placing his hands on his hips creating an image of defiance towards his onlookers. ".you wouldn't happen to know about any unusual purchases recently would you Vera, Primarily any bounty hunters who might have bought a large amount of high grade explosive in the past few days?"
She gave no response to his question. Mace sensed the men around him grow more tense, he knew Vera knew of something that involved the Ambassador. That was confirmed by the next word that slipped from her vile slimy mouth. ".Fire!"
Mace instinctively unlatched his lightsabre from his belt, igniting the violet colored blade of the weapon as he dodged an evaded every blast that was projected at his body by the group of thugs. Mace parried and deflected a few stray blasts, returning them to their respective marksmen and lowering the number of Mace's opponents to a mere seven. He swiped his blade behind his back, slicing the rifle of a rodian criminal who tried to sneak up on the Jedi, then kicked his leg backward into the green being's midsection sending him to land on his back. Mace then swung his leg around to the villain in front of him, a clean kick into his skull instantly knocking the human unconscious as the Jedi twirled his lightsabre in his right hand over the falling body to deflect several more shots fired from the remaining five assailants who were now backed into a corner by the menacing Jedi. Now spinning his weapon in one hand like a propeller to shield his body from the barrage of pulse fire that flew at him, Mace stepped close enough to the thugs so he might disable their weapons as his bright lightsabre diced the rifles into a clatter of small bits before they discarded their weapons in defeat.
Mace eased away as they submitted to his defense, taking note that Vera was no longer in the booth where she safely watched her foot soldiers try to kill the otherwise passive Jedi knight. "Tell me where she is." he said in a calm voice as he waved his free hand at a large brown eyed bothan, now with a look of trance under the Jedi's mind influence.
"Hanger." the furry man rasped. ".through a escape tunnel in the booth." He pointed his claw at the empty window above them again.
Mace waved his hand once more, this time entering the entire collective minds of the entire group of thug. ".Sleep." He muttered. They did such unwillingly falling into a deep slumber.
The deep skin colored Jedi then leaped upward, through the glass window as it shattered by his forceful jump. Mace took no time to brush off what little of the shards that cut into his robes as he walked to a large 'Hutt' sized hidden exit, evident by a segment of missing wall behind a intricately carved wooden desk of yellow hue. Noble Windu then opened his spirit to the Force, sensing for Vera's presence in the vicinity. She was near, but not far from escape, Mace wasted no time as he propelled himself with the Force in a sprint that would only be possible by a Force sensitive Jedi.
Vera slumped her way down the tunnel she almost made it to the end of the long expanse, but was cut off by the blurry image of Mace Windu shooting into her sight as if he had just appeared right before her, lightsabre and all. "Where do you think your going Vera?" Mace injected as his sword of light barely came to touch up against her flabby neck.
The horned creature, surprisingly gave a mischievous grin. "Why Mace, you wouldn't hurt a dear old friend like me now would you?"
"Forgive my lack of manners but I don't ever recall an instant where 'old friends' tried to kill one another." he aimed his eyes to the corner of his eyes, in a mock process of thought. ".come to think of it I don't remember a time where you haven't tried to do me wrong. So just save it and tell me what I want to know." He pressed the blade forward a bit, making Vera lean backwards on her spineless hide as she began to mutter a jumbled response.
"Alright, Alright I'll tell you anything just get that blasted light sword away from me!" she squealed.
"Answers first." Mace retorted in a neutral, emotionless tone that only made Vera feel more uncomfortable. "What do you know about the Assassination attempt on Ambassador Amidala?"
Vera rolled her eye trying to think of any thing that seemed to point to the identity of the Ambassador's would-be-killer. Then it came to her with a grunt as the blade grew closer to her thick skin. "Gokas Sedig!" she pleaded in mercy.
"What?" The Jedi knight inquired, yielding his weapon far enough to give the bulging Vera room to clearly speak her mind.
"Gokas Sedig, he's a bounty hunter from the outer rim.he came by the bar about four or.five days ago looking to 'acquire' non-polymer explosive charges and some flight circuits for a low grade hover drone." The Jedi held his weapon high and away from the oboist creature, signifying his approval of this answer to his question.
"Do you know where he is?"
"No." she pressed. ".I'm a business woman I acquire, sell and don't ask questions."
"Anything else?" he mused in the slightest of disgust.
Vera exhaled from her immense lungs. "Yes.he asked if I knew where he could obtain some mineral called.Copomis?"
"Copomis?" Mace shot a confuse look sensing Vera's own internal befuddlement.
"No that wasn't it.I think it was Cordcis.no wait." She began to break up the syllables in her mind. ".Cor-to-sis, that's right Cortosis?"
"Cortosis?" Mace was shocked internally, but kept his chilled expression strong on the outside despite this Vera could still tell that the young man knew what this was.
"Have you heard of it before?" she asked to the Jedi who abruptly deactivated his weapon with a quiet 'Snap-hiss', extinguishing its bright violet colors from the dark corridor.
Mace ignored her question, knowing mind tricks would be futile against her unusual brain he spoke straight to the point. "Leave." he warned in a manner befitting to a Person with great power. ".leave and never comeback. If I ever hear of you on Coruscant again I will make you regret not taking my advise now!" He demanded. "Understood?"
Vera was never frightened before, she didn't know how to respond to this request, not verbally, so she complied by sliding towards her ship. As the large bulky framed hatch sealed behind her, Mace disappeared into the shadows to continue his search as Vera's small shuttle flew off into the night, never to be seen on the city planet again.