Chapter Thirteen
Janua shifted in the back seat of the rented speeder. Pressing into the taped up front seat, she reached across the bench as fingers clasped the folds of Obi-Wan's cloak. Her red painted lips brushed close to the Jedi's ear. "Almost there," she purred.
Siri twisted about uncomfortably in the passenger seat. A spring was poking up through the seat. She shifted again and quickly stole a glance toward Obi-Wan at the speeder controls and his Twi'lek adornment. She softly scowled turning her attention back to the sea of white that surrounded them in every direction.
A turbulent ocean of thoughts raged through her, all of them demanding dominance even as she struggled to calm her mind. The Jedi knew she was agitated and felt helpless to seek out the answer, every sound or move that troublemaking Twi'lek made drug her further from her center.
Reaching up, Obi-Wan grasped Janua's wandering hand as it trailed across his chest and placed it back on the bench seat.
Undeterred, red skinned fingers casually trailed over Obi-Wan's chest, lightly playing with the layers of material that protected him from the bitter cold. Her long digits slipped into the folds of material pressing against warm flesh.
Siri abruptly cleared her throat slightly startling Janua. "How much further?"
Taking his hand from the controls once more, the ginger haired Jedi grasped the hand buried in his tunic and placed it back on the seat.
A pouting sigh was the Twi'lek's only answer. Then suddenly, Janua called out as she pointed to a large blue post rising out of the snow, "There!"
"What is it?" the female Jedi asked squinting into the sea of white. There was nothing but the post as far as she could see.
"A marker post," was the young woman's short reply. "Go left. It will take us to the edge of the sea." When Siri made no more comment, the Twi'lek made a soft purring sound as she drew her fingers in little circles along Obi-Wan's shoulder.
Silently, he obeyed the directions, guiding the speeder along the edge of the Iced Sea. "How much farther?"
"Soon."
Siri twisted. Sharp blue eyes raking over Janua, hoping to drive the bothersome creature back into her seat. The little beast didn't answer when she asked the same question first.
Janua's dark eyes met hers and were not impressed. She offered up a mocking grin as if aware of the emotions turning within the Jedi.
Turning her attention back to the snow and ice, Siri tried to calm down. Closing her eyes, she allowed a deep exhale. Every shift of the Twi'lek ground on her, reminding her that she had just invaded. They didn't have time to humor her. This mission was important, or at least someone thought it was. Experience told her that a creature like this was never to be trusted. Janua was playing a game, lulling them into believing she is nothing but innocent and helpful and then when they let their guard down.
She would never let her guard down.
This Janua would never be given the benefit of the doubt and she was completely dumbfounded that Obi-Wan would allow her to lead them across this miserable world. She could be leading them into a trap for all anyone knew.
Looking to Obi-Wan again, her gaze sought out his weary expression and wondering if he had gone soft in the head after years of training that padawan of his. Humoring Janua was hardly the actions of the padawan she had known. This was more in line something his master would have done.
It seemed she learned something new everyday.
Turning to face Janua, she asked, "What do you know about this Dug?"
"Grouchy old thing," the Twi'lek said, barely drawing her attention from Obi-Wan. "Likes no one unless you are bringing lots of credits."
Typical dealer. Burying her gloved hands in the folds of her cloak sleeves, Siri folded her arms across her chest. "Tell me something I don't know."
"You don't act very Jedi-like."
Out of the corner of her eye, Siri caught a brief smile grace Obi-Wan's lips before being hidden by his usual staid expression.
Siri straightened but was ignored by the obstinate Twi'lek. "What would you know about Jedi?" she growled.
Obi-Wan eyed Siri and mouthed, "Settle down." Focusing on the path carved into the snow and ice, he directed the speeder across the curving path.
When the Twi'lek leaned into him again, Siri growled and turned her attention back to the dusted windshield just as they approached the wreckage of a light freighter.
"Here we are!" the Twi'lek crowed as the speeder slowed. "See, I told you not long now."
"This is it?" Siri asked staring out at the junk pile that surrounded the craft. Of all of the places in the galaxy for the Prak'sha to show up, this was the most shocking. She had imagined a better fate for the ancient lightsaber after the murder of the last known Jedi to possess it, Ben'al Houk, over a millennia ago.
"Janua is helpful." The Twi'lek pulled her hood high and quickly pushed her way out of the speeder even before it had come to a complete stop.
As soon as she was a distance from the two Jedi, Obi-Wan calmly turned toward Siri. "Please, try not to get into a war with her.
"War? It would be a lot easier if you didn't let her hang all over you."
Obi-Wan said nothing as he cut the engine and climbed out of the old speeder. Pulling his cowl close, he eyed his tempestuous companion once more. "This will be over soon. We will get what we can from this Finn and–"
"Get rid of her."
Pale blue eyes focused on her.
"Don't look at me like that. I am not your padawan to handle."
Obi-Wan nodded in compliance and turned his attention to the ramshackle home of the Dug where the gray cloaked Twi'lek waving furiously at them to follow her.