Chapter Fourteen

"Come! Come!" the Twi'lek barked into the biting wind as she gathered the edges of her cloak and pulled it close. She twisted about and quickly raced up the crumpled loading ramp that was permanently in the down position as several of the supports were shattered and bent.

"We had better hurry," Obi-Wan said as he pulled his hood low to protect against the wind and raced across the snow pack to the ramp.

"Hurry!" Janua called out before disappearing into the shadows.

The thud of boots rushed up the ramp. "Are we just going to barge in on this guy?" Siri asked as she pulled her hood down and glanced about the dingy, junk littered bay of the ship. She spied the Twi'lek ahead and rushed after her.

"Knows we are here," Janua said absently just before she disappeared around a sharp corner. Small rusted parts tumbled from their piles.

Siri's hand tightened around her saber as she raced forward trying to keep up with the wild one. No threat sang in the Force but she was leery, unwilling to give Janua the benefit of the doubt. The Twi'lek was no good. She would just betray them. Her boots clattered over the loose floor panels just as she came to an abrupt stop.

The two Jedi easily caught up with the Twi'lek who was working a control panel to the door that sealed off the narrow corridor. Pale purplish light rods flickered casting eerie shadows across the three faces.

"We got credits!" Janua barked into the intercom above the panel by the sealed doors. Her red hand slapped at the door causing it to reverberate throughout the ship.

"Who has credits?" Siri asked but Obi-Wan silenced her with a gentle hand to her shoulder. She turned to glare at him.

He spoke softly, barely heard over the racket Janua was making. "If this Finn can help us, then it is worth it."

"The sooner I can get off this frozen wasteland," the female Jedi agreed.

Janua's dark eyes focused on the ginger haired Jedi. "Hmm, yes," she purred. "Yes, wouldn't want to keep you here." She turned back to the communication unit and hit it with her fist. "We have credits!"

"Nothing to sell, go away!" a voice crackled over the static filled comm.

Again a hand slammed into the solid wall that kept them from accessing the Dug. "Open up, you miserable creature! Open up! We have a business proposition for you."

Suddenly the door groaned and banged as it slid over the rough surface but just far enough for each one to slide through the narrow opening. Siri and Janua were small and lithe enough to pass easily but it took Obi-Wan a moment longer to work his way through. He tugged at his cloak and tunics as they snagged on the uneven edges.

Janua giggled as the Jedi managed to pull free. Straightening his clothing out, he then shook his head and brushed fingers through his hair feathering it back.

"A little tight," Siri softly teased.

"Just a little," Obi-Wan replied as he glanced around the hall. "I used to be able to fit into small places," he said sheepishly turning back to the narrow opening.

"When you were thirteen," Siri added, reaching out and patting his abdomen.

"I have grown a little since then."

"Just a little." Siri looked around. "She's gone."

"She is just ahead," Obi-Wan replied motioning toward the light down the hall.

They found the room with Janua and the junk merchant surrounded by his treasure of broken equipment, trinkets and an assortment of other useless things piled and scattered about. The Dug was stretched out in a slung back chair with Janua kneeling behind him stroking the gray-brown skin behind his small ears.

"The Jedi are looking for an old lightsaber," the Twi'lek whispered as she ran a long finger down the back of his neck. "You had it."

"Of course I had it," Finn growled. He smiled, stretching his legs and curling his toes in obvious enjoyment of Janua's attention. "I always have the good stuff. Don't have it no more, though."

"We understand that," Siri said stepping forward doing all in her power to present the serene image of a Jedi Knight. She paused when the Dug's eyes carefully ran the length of her body. She nearly pulled her cloak closed. Then the creature raised a lip in a disgusted snarl and turned a lascivious look back on the Twi'lek.

Obi-Wan bowed slightly and then spoke slowly, "We would much appreciate learning who you sold it too. We are interested in acquiring it."

"He won't sell it," Finn replied leaning into the Twi'lek's touch.

"That is our concern," Obi-Wan frankly returned. "Can you aid us in finding the buyer?"

Gruffly, Finn waved a foot of dismissal at the Jedi.

"Aw, but you can help us," Janua cooed, drawing a slow finger along the side of his neck.

"I could," Finn purred, totally seduced by the gentle movement of Janua's fingers. "But what do I get out of it?" his smoky voice inquired. He eyed the Jedi carefully and after a moment said, "Jedi are strong. Powerful. Yes, Jedi are useful." After a moment more, the Dug grinned, bearing his teeth.

Siri was certain she didn't want to hear what he had in mind.

"I have lost a casefull of important things." As he spoke, he gestured with his toes. "Get it for me and I will tell you who has your precious lightsaber. Not that is any good. It doesn't work."

"We are not in the business of doing scavenger hunts," Siri said abruptly.

"Where is this case?" Obi-Wan coolly asked.

"Over the cliff," Finn answered breaking into a deep laugh.