Chapter Four
The Jedi followed Ekaro through the plain corridors as they gently curved along the structure's design. Siri stared at the unadorned walls, thinking it reminded her of much of the Jedi Temple. Designed to minimize distraction and remain focused on their dedication to the Force. A part of her entertained the idea that maybe the Jedi and the Y'Begaar were not so different.
Deep down she knew different.
When they were far out of reach of the Magistrate's office, Ekaro finally spoke up. "You will have to forgive Iridian. She means well but this is her life and she often takes innocent comments far too seriously."
"I meant no insult," Siri said as she lengthened her stride to keep close to Ekaro.
Obi-Wan trailed a few steps behind, hands tucked in the billowing folds of his cloak while quietly observing the simple architecture. Siri caught the serene look that graced his features and wondered how he could be so calm in every situation.
"If you had looked at a speck of dust in the corner, she would have accused you of thinking she kept a sloppy household," Ekaro continued. The tall man turned back to Siri and offered a friendly grin. The long thin braids bound at the back of his head twisted and snagged on broad shoulders.
In the warm air, all of Siri's thermal clothing was beginning to make her feel hot and allowed her formerly pulled tight cloak to drape open. Her eyes narrowed as she folded her arms across her chest, her gaze falling to the sandy colored floor.
The words had been building in her since entering the compound. The thoughts grew more powerful during the meeting with Iridian. "May I ask you a question?" she abruptly cut into the silence of the long corridor.
"Of course," Ekaro said as he guided them into a residential sector.
Behind her, she sensed the usually unflappable Obi-Wan Kenobi become silently alarmed but she paid him no attention, keeping her attention on Captain Kinyo. "Why?"
There was no hesitation in the Golian's step. "Why do we travel from our home and set up protectorate's in crime filled systems? We do it because there is a need for order. Why do you, Jedi?"
"We know no different," she replied. "Jedi are trained from infancy to serve the Republic."
"Then we are not so different," Ekaro said in his deep, accented Basic. "Except that family is our strength. We are not taken from our families. Our families are the Y'Begaar. Upon birth we are initiated into the ways of the group. We learn to be soldiers, protectors of those who cannot stand up for themselves."
Siri stopped in the middle of the hall. "By slaughtering the Aubendor? What about the crew of the Morikai Angel? The Black Palla?"
"They were pirates, slavers and murderers." Ekaro looked her over, but no hint of anger or irritation colored his features. "The Galactic Senate is hopelessly locked in childish bickering and futile attempts at enforcing pointless laws. All so some governments and its senators can make a hefty profit on the suffering of others. You Jedi are overwhelmed and it is only growing worse. The longer we wait, the more powerful these criminals become, the more innocents that will die.
"You Jedi of anyone should understand that. The breaking of the Black Palla syndicate freed nearly 800 Okala captives that had been turned into slaves in the Neridian Spice mines. Should we have waited until the Senate deemed fit to listen to the Okala representative? Okal is not a powerful world. Their chances to address the Senate were routinely bumped in favor of worlds that are more influential. In desperation, they asked the Y'Begaar for assistance in policing their territories and we have."
"The Black Palla should have been held and brought to justice," Siri argued, shifting her weight slightly. At the edge of her mind, she thought it was odd that Obi-Wan had not intervened but she had faith that he soon would.
"Creatures like that do not understand nor care about law. They only understand fear," Ekaro said, yet nothing in his dark eyes gave a glimmer that he was unhappy with the line of questioning.
How could he be so unfeeling about it?
Obi-Wan's hand tightened around her left arm, just above the elbow. She pulled free of the unspoken warning. "Fear only works for those who suffer it," she stated, never allowing her gaze to fall from the tall man.
Ekaro briefly studied her then smiled. "You have seen our work first hand."
"I have seen what your people did to the Morikai Angel."
He folded his arms across his chest in a domineering fashion before speaking. "The Y'Begaar's Torbon Protectorate made their point clear. Even the slaver, Krayn, steered clear."
"The captain of the Morikai Angel and his crew were driven onto stakes surrounding the Jamboli Market. They were crucified. Weeks later, some were still alive!" The horror high in her voice as the haunting images she thought buried reemerged.
She had been desperately trying to earn Krayn's trust–something she never truly achieved–when they stopped off at Ja'ram Station for some reason at the time she was not informed of. She did not impress the notorious slaver when she vomited upon seeing the captain and his crew staked and left for all to see. Krayn had been furious as she later learned the Morikai Angel had been whom Krayn was to meet with.
The Rysekian first mate had still been alive. His four legs twitching, prehensile toes gripping desperately at the stake that jutted from his abdomen. Warnings were carved into all the posts telling anyone who could read the spilled entrails that this fate awaited all criminals.
No matter what information Krayn demanded of him, the Rysekian just kept begging for death. Whatever the creature had done in life, there was no crime worth such a horrible death. She had answered the first mate's wish with a single blaster shot.
"A death like that was far to quick for their crimes."
"They lived long enough," Siri said coldly.
Unflustered by Siri's biting words, Ekaro turned to study the other quiet Jedi and laughed. "Seems we both suffer fiery women."
"Siri's duties have led her to the darker regions of the galaxy," Obi-Wan simply replied. "Her experiences color spirit."
"I see," Ekaro said thoughtfully before walking again. With the Jedi in tow, he continued. "I understand your feelings, Knight Tachi, but you must understand Jedi have advantages we do not."
"You are a very technologically advanced people," Obi-Wan spoke up again.
"We do not have access to the Force. What people do not understand, they fear. You are feared because you possess something no one could hope too. We must earn fear in the ways we can."
Stopping at the edge of intersecting corridors, Ekaro paused as several small children raced passed. "It seems strange," he said, changing the subject, "that Jedi would come here hunting antiques with all the turmoil rising in the galaxy."
"It is an important artifact," Obi-Wan answered, taking the lead in the conversation.
For once, Siri was grateful as she dropped back to Obi-Wan's side.
"Do you believe that, or are you just told that?" the Golian questioned.
"The Council believes it to be of great historical importance. That and an order to retrieve it is all we are required to do our duty."
"Lightsabers are worth a great deal in any markets," Ekaro said. After a moment of thought, he continued, "In the morning, I suggest you go the Bin'hai Market. I doubt it is still there, but the sellers would have heard about it, they might even tell you for the right price."
"Thank you," Obi-Wan said with a nod.
At a tall arched doorway, Ekaro paused, and then pushed the door open allowing it to gracefully swing inwards. "Your room, for as long as you need it."
"Thank you." Obi-Wan humbly bowed.
Siri glanced into the small quarters and noted they were as plain as the rest of the head house.
Ekaro nodded and started to walk away but paused. "One more piece of advice if I may?"
"Of course," the ginger haired man replied.
"Keep that Twi'lek, Janua, at arms length. She is a pickpocket and more trouble than you are looking for."
"If so, why did you let her go in the cantina?" Siri asked, her bright blue eyes still possessing their fire.
"She is nothing compared to the man she answers to. If we can use her to track him down, then her continued freedom is worth it. For now."