Enter the Jedi





Everywhere the eye could see there were humans and non-humans alike. Soft music floated through the midnight air, sharps laughter and idle chatting filling the room. Men courted woman and women looked upon the men in power, greed in their eyes, but this party was no different than any other among the senators and the upper class. They were used to gold-diggers and woman who wanted power. They knew the secrets of others and just what buttons to push when and where. They were all very good politicians with deception in every word and a lie hidden in each phrase.

Though such were the lives and parties of the politicians, they still could not get used to the fact of their guards. Of course there had always been guards at such functions, they had never been Jedi. At least, they were never Jedi before the Yuuzhan Vong invaded, back when the bad guy was obvious. And so, because of this, not all chatting was idle, though it sounded as such. There were silent insults and outright cruelty when it came to the topic of the Jedi guards for the politicians were not all that fond of those risking their lives to save the galaxy. Again.

Senator Afron Jian was one such politician who held no great love for the Jedi and, unlike others, he was not afraid to talk on his opinion, especially when a Jedi was present to hear his words. Glancing over at one hooded Jedi in the corner, Jian smiled widely and rose his voice.

The Vong don't even know about this planet I'm sure,he said to his young counterpart, his glance flickering back to the large Jedi. The damned Jedi should just go back to their Temple to pray and practice their ancient religion in silence. There is no need for them to shove their nose into our business. We have specially trained guards who aren't freaks to protect us.

They're probably spying on us, Afron, the young woman said. Jian looked down at her and nodded once.

Spying and up to no good. I hear the Jedi are quite good at infiltration and the like. They can wipe people's minds clear as well, did you know that?

I've heard the story of Kyp Durron since the time I was a child. The young woman shivered. I've never had the desire to meet a Jedi because of him.

And you shouldn't have such a desire, my child, Jian said, patting the girl's hand affectionately. The Jedi are bad news, they really are.

And you do not stand alone, Councillor. An older woman said, butting into the conversation. Jian looked up, momentarily taken aback, before bowing deeply, urging the girl to do the same.

I did not see you there, m'Lady, he said as he straightened.

Hmm, I can see that, she said, raising her brow. Anyhow, my court, along with much of the Senate, holds your opinion.

Yes, I know the Senate holds such an opinion. Even the Head of State thinks so

And that was just about as much as Ganner Rhysode could take. He clenched his fists and attempted to control the anger rolling off of him.

Calm yourself, Ganner, Luke Skywalker said, putting a hand on the larger man's shoulder.

Do you hear what they are saying, Master?

Yes, Ganner, Luke said, pulling his hand from Ganner's shoulder. Do not let it bother you.

But Master. They are saying— Ganner sighed, the anger subsiding. They are saying that we should just leave the Vong to them.

I know full well what they are saying, Ganner. Much of the galaxy holds that opinion now. As long as we don't let it bother us, things should be peaceful.

I have half a mind to just leave them the Vong. I'd like to see the look on their fat, spoiled little faces when they come face to face with an amphistaff. I'm sure they'll live out the rest of their lives without feeling the burn of an amphistaff cutting through their flesh. Ganner unconsciously scratched at the long scar on his cheek as he looked back at the senator.

Yes, I'm sure you're right—about them never being cut by an amphistaff blade that is—but their job is not to fight to Yuuzhan Vong, at least not face to face. They have their jobs and we have ours.

Yes, Master, Ganner glanced across the room, snarling, before turning back to Luke.

Good man, Luke nodded. He then turned back to the party and clasped his hands at the small of his back. Ganner snarled silently and walked off.




A Jedi? Keilana exclaimed. Several creatures in the bar in which she sat looked up at her. She just leaned in closer to the man in on the other side of the table. You want me to bring you a Jedi.

The man nodded, his greasy brown locks falling into his eyes. But just not any Jedi. I want you to bring me Luke Skywalker—alive, he said, leaning closer to Keilana. She backed away a bit and took in a quick breath.

You've gotta be crazy. Even Boba Fett couldn't bring him in and I don't have half this skill, Keilana sat back and looked at the man in front of her. Besides, only the crazies would go after Skywalker these days, seeing as he's in the public eye more than ever with the invasion and all.

Are you turning me down? Too bad. I guess I'll just have to take my money elsewhere. Leaning back, he put his feet on the table and crossed his legs at the ankle.

How much are we talking about?

More than you have ever made. The man shrugged as he put his hands behind his head.

I don't know, Keilana said, raising her brow, I've made quite a bit in the past.

Well then, three million would be nothing to a great bounty hunter such as yourself.

Keilana took in a quick breath and looked at the man. You've got my attention now. On second thoughts, I think I'll get Skywalker for you.

That's good to hear. I'll need him within the next two standard weeks. The man smiled as Keilana dropped her jaw. She quickly recovered, picked up her glass and started swirling the thick liquid inside.

I'll need a little extra to motivate me. I mean a live capture, Keilana lifted her drink up to her mouth, took a sip and set it back on the table, it's gonna be a bit more difficult than bringing him in dead.

How much, the man gave her a sceptical look.

One million up front, four million when I bring him in. If I bring him in within a week, then you give me an extra two.

I don't have that— the man started.

If you want the Jedi that quickly, Keilana laughed, then I'll need my money.

Seven million credits? The man put his feet back on the ground and leaned in close the Keilana. The other customers were starting to get a little nosy. Are you crazy? No one has that kind of money.

If you want the Jedi than you better be willing to give that much up.

The man ran a hand through his hair and sighed. Okay, look. I can't offer you any more than five. I'm only the messenger here and my boss would not be pleased if I offered you that much.

Keilana said. But I want my million up front.

I'll just have to go get it for you, the man said as he stood. Keilana pulled her blaster out of it's holster and placed it on the table, holding it firm.

I'll be needing it before you leave, Keilana sipped her drink again and licked her lips, fingering the blaster in front of her. The man sat back down, obviously uncomfortable and put several credits down on the table.

I'll give you half— Keilana slid the blaster along the table until it was aimed at the man. I—ah—I think I guess I can give you the whole million now. The boss said you might be like this. The man nodded as he took out some more money.

Oh did he really? Keilana smiled as she picked it up with her free hand and inspected it. Then someone knows me a bit more than is comfortable. Once she determined that it was real, she slipped her hand between her breasts and to a secure pocket there. The man's eyes followed. Where can I find you to deliver him? Keilana sat back, her blaster still in hand.

The man stood up and tossed a small card to Keilana before walking away. She caught it quickly and looked at it. It had an address on it. Keilana gulped when she recognized the sector. Lower Corusant, she muttered as she stuffed the card into a pouch on her belt. Of all the places he could be, he has to be in Lower Corusant.

Keilana shook her head as she downed the rest of her drink. She then threw a couple of small credits onto the table and walked out of the bar. Once outside, she leaned against the cold concrete of the building and let the wind blow around her. Crossing her arms, she sighed and turned her mind to the job.

Dad sure would get a kick out of this, Keilana smiled to herself. She unattached one side of her face cloth from her helmet and breathed deeply. The air down in these levels was foul, but not as foul as Lower Corusant. Keilana took one last look around her surroundings before walking the short distance to her ship.

Keilana stopped suddenly once she reached the platform her ship was located on. She had a feeling someone unfriendly had been snooping around and that he was still there. She took her blaster in her left hand and crept silently along. Sliding around the corner and peering through the dark, she cursed to herself for she could not see a thing on the platform except for the looming shadow that was the Scrimshaw. Of course there was nothing that she could do about it short of enhancing her vision. After a minute or so, when her eyes became accustomed to the dark on the platform, Keilana saw a figure lurking on the other side of her ship. She moved quickly and silently across the platform and ducked under her ship, keeping the figure in sight. The figure, however, seemed to notice Keilana and scrambled to the side of the platform. It looked back at Keilana before jumping over the edge and out of sight. Keilana ran after the figure and looked over to the street below.

The ground was at least three stories below where Keilana stood and the figure was no where in sight.

Shit, shit, shit, Keilana cursed as she walked back to her ship, all feelings of danger out of her mind. Now I have to check the entire damned hull before I can leave.



It took Keilana about four hours to check over the entirety of her ship and the sun was just beginning to rise. She had scrambled here and there, had checked every nook and cranny just to be sure. When she was finally done, Keilana walked in to her ship and locked the hatch behind her as she grumbled horrible curses in Mandalorian under her breath. She carried her bad mood into the cockpit and it sat with her when she sat in the captain's chair.

She started mumbling to herself, still speaking in the tongue of the Mandalore, as she started up her ship. She kicked it fiercely when it stalled and, with a whine, the Scrimshaw started right back up.

Now I have to move the ship, find a more secure place to hide it and go looking for this Jedi, she mumbled, now speaking in Basic. What else could go wrong?

Keilana started to grumble in Mandalorian once again as she lifted off the platform and into the air to find another docking bay. She actually flew into space and sat there amongst the heavy traffic while calling around to different places to see if they had room for a ship her size. When she finally found one, Keilana eased the Scrimshaw into the atmosphere and into the docking bay in a sector near to the one she was recently in.

Standing up, Keilana walked swiftly through the hall and down the ramp. When she stepped on to the duracrete floor, she looked around and eventually spotted the smiling face of the owner. She moved quickly to his side and pulled a thousand credits out of a pouch on her belt. The Bothan eyed her as she did this, but Keilana paid no attention to him.

Here, I'll pay you twice as much as you want if you make sure nobody knows this ship is here, understand? The Bothan nodded and held out his hand. Keilana kept hold of the credits and looked at the Bothan. I need to make sure you will do what I ask before I pay you.

Why yes of course—pardon me, but I didn't catch your name? The Bothan moved a little closer to Keilana, his cream fur ruffling to show attraction. She stepped back and started to move away.

That's because I didn't give you my name and that's the way it's gonna stay. Now, convince me I can trust you and you will have your money.

The Bothan brushed quickly by Keilana and stopped by the inner wall. Once there, he punched out several codes into a control panel and Keilana watched as a great door closed over the top of the docking bay. The Bothan grinned a toothy grin at Keilana. Have I won your trust now?

No, but I'll keep her here, for now, Keilana threw the credits at the Bothan which landed right in front of him.

You know, he said as he stooped over to retrieve the credits. I will need to know the name of your ship just for the records.

Keilana smile and pulled another five hundred credits out of a different pouch. How about I give you another round of payment and we forget about her name and mine?

But for the records—

Keilana sighed and she returned the extra credits to her pouch. How about we call her None of Your Fuckin' Damn Business and forget about the payment? Deal? Good.

With a quick smile, Keilana turned her back on the Bothan and walked back to her ship. Walking up the entrance ramp and closing it behind her, Keilana set about getting her things together. She gathered many different tools, instruments, and weapons and concealed them in her tight clothing. This was an ability she seemed to have inherited from her mother, though she had never met the woman.

Once done, Keilana stole off her ship and out of the docking yard. She had not seen the Bothan owner and figured he was off somewhere counting his money. So, as she passed through the main office, she looked around and, despite the rather large security camera in the corner, Keilana made off with what credits had been carelessly left in the till. The camera never saw a thing.

Once out in the streets, Keilana moved into the shadows and started her was down the streets. She strolled along casually, fitting in with the spacers around her in a leather duster and bantha leather pants. She was wearing a helmet, one that looked much more like a swoop pilot's helmet than anything else, with the piece of fabric hanging loose over her chest. Shoving her hands in her pockets, no one seemed to mind the number of weapons she carried, for she blended right into the crowd.

Rounding a corner, Keilana allowed a small smile cross her face as she strolled on, the Jedi Temple looming in the distance.