"Are you insane?!" Tek shouted. "While we're at it, let's find some Vong and give them an amphistaff, all the while saying, 'Here I am! Target practice for you! Come on and kill me!' Trying to reason with the Tuskens is suicide!"

"I'm not going to reason with them; I'm going to force them to answer my questions."

"And just how do you propose to do that?"

"I'm a Jedi, remember?"

"So you think they'll go along with what you say just because of that?"

"No, but I'll convince them that they should. Any chance you can understand whatever slaughtered language it is they speak?"

"Hardly."

"Shame. That complicates things."

"Colonel, I mean no disrespect, but do you really intend to find someone who can communicate with them? No one can."

"I'm sure there is someone. They probably aren't entirely sane; they couldn't be if they went to the trouble of learning it. Most likely they would have lived here their entire life. A moisture farmer, perhaps, though they are stereotypically stubborn. Better yet, the kid of a farmer."

"How is that?"

"Well, they'll be eager to get off and have adventure, right? You must remember that I am related to someone who grew up tending moisture vaporators."

"May I ask how you intend to convince such a person? Your efforts in the cantina were less than successful."

"I have other methods," Jaina said with a glare. "Come on. We have to find someone."

"I'm no longer asking if you're insane," Tek said when they were outside. "I know you are."

"That's why I'm a squadron leader." She squinted around the street. There were many people out here, most dressed in either flight suits in need of cleaning or garments the same color as the sand around them.

"This won't work," Tek muttered.

"Oh relax. A solution always presents itself."

"Excuse me, ma'am," someone suddenly mumbled behind them. "I was wondering if you could help me?" They turned to see a red-haired, teenage boy of average height and build. "Do you know if the Republic military has an outpost in the city?" Jaina gave Tek a look that clearly said, "I told you so."

To the boy she said, "I have no knowledge of a base here, but I am an officer of the Republic. Perhaps I can help you?"

"Ma'am, I wish to join."

"That takes a bit more than just walking up to someone on the streeet. There is a lot of paper work involved, background checks and whatnot. Are you a pilot?"

"No, but I can shoot real well."

"I see." She squinted at him. "Where are you from?"

"My father is a farmer a short ways outside the city." Tek resisted the urge to comment on Jaina's correct prediction. Once more, she shot him that superior look.

"Do you have a name?"

"I am Iro Rizzardi."

"How old are you, Iro?"

"Seventeen, ma'am."

"A little young to join, aren't you?" Tek asked.

"Not necessarily," Jaina broke in. "I was recruited for the Rogues when I was that age. Well, I can't promise you anything. You'd have to talk to a recruiting officer. Then again..." Her voice trailed off as if thinking, but Tek realized it was all a ruse. "Tell me something. Have you had much conctact with the Tuskens?"

"I have."

"Can you speak their language?"

"Enough of it."

A smile twitched at the corner of her mouth. "I'm willing to make a deal with you. I will try to locate the officer closest to here if you help me. Agreed?"

"Yes, ma'am!"

"One thing, Iro."

"Ma'am?"

"Never call me ma'am again."