Jedi

The return trip was uneventful, although Raven wasn't sure how to act around the Jedi. She was thrown off guard by the whole concept of being near one again after so long. The feeling was hard to place; perhaps the rogue was concerned about condemnation, or maybe he was sent to locate her! She doubted that last explanation. Still, the experience was unnerving. Raven also wondered if he sensed her Force abilities, as well as the training behind her manipulations thereof.

"Home sweet home," she murmured upon unlocking the door. The hallway had been empty of the C'xons, a development Raven was slightly thankful for. She didn't want to have to provide explanations of the young man accompanying her. Ava already thought she had been unwed for too long. "It's not much to look at, although it suffices."

The young man swept the room with a perusing gaze, taking in the area. He noted the data pads on the table, as well as the station blinking a message. Raven noticed it a moment later, knowing it had to be S'rmen, upset at the failed pick-up. That could be dealt with later, however. At the moment, curiosity burned within Raven. She led the way up to the second level, inviting him to sit. He declined an offer for something to drink or eat. "So, how did you manage to thoroughly irritate the CorSec?" she asked, settling on the other couch as the young man sat down.

"Don't I at least get a name to refer to you by?" he returned, looking mildly amused at her eagerness.

"Ash," Raven replied with a sheepish grin. "Ash Suul. You?"

"My name is Joshua Sowot," he smiled in amusement. Raven could sense that the name he had given was not his true name, although she held her peace. "As for your initial question, apparently I was just nosing around that embassy a little too closely for their tastes. I'm not sure what the specific problem was. One drew a blaster on me, set for stun, and I ran. I assumed I didn't want to experience their interrogation process."

Raven nodded slowly, believing the idea behind his story. Parts of it seemed somewhat inaccurate, but the central idea was true. She had a brief internal struggle then came to a decision. "You're a long way from the Temple," she remarked casually, not missing the look that crossed his face.

"What makes you think I'm a Jedi?" he asked curiously.

Ash shrugged noncommittally. "I know what to look for, I suppose. You have the serenity and the bearing, an awareness that is far beyond normal senses. If you are not a Jedi, then I will eat one of the data pads of your choosing on the table below."

"No need to worry about that," Joshua replied, his tone carrying some uncertainty. He seemed as discomfited as she was on the return trip to her home. "Do I carry it that obviously?" he finally asked nonplussed.

Ash smiled at the unspoken question behind the true one. "Don't worry, I'm sure that your secret is unknown to essentially the rest of the planet. And it's safe with me; I have nothing but respect for Jedi." It's just the domineering politics that bother me, she added mentally. The Jedi themselves are fine.

He made a gesture with his hand, and politely Ash changed the subject. "So, you have nowhere to land then?" she inquired.

Joshua shook his head. "No, the amount of credits I was give isn't enough to cover an apartment anywhere on this planet," he frowned. Ash smirked to herself at that thought; apparently, the Council wasn't doing as much research about the assignments it gave as it ought.

"If you have no qualms, I have no objections to extending my hospitality to you," Ash said impulsively. She liked this Jedi. It was obvious he was a little wet behind the ears, but instinctively she liked and trusted him. Besides, if he was snooping around embassies, perhaps they had similar goals, exposing Senate corruption. Although, due to the imperiously close ties between the Council and the Senate, at least in Raven's opinion, this was probably unlikely. Though still possible.

Joshua considered for a moment. "That would be much appreciated," he finally replied with a smile. Ash nodded her satisfaction with the arrangement, smiling back. If nothing else, it would add variety to her life. Although one could argue that's the last thing I need, she thought, with another deeper and more personal smile.

***

Some time later, Raven stepped out of the 'fresher, dark hair damp from her shower. She had changed into nicer clothes. She absented-mindedly toweled the extra wetness from her hair as she sat down at her table when the comm rang. With a sigh, the rogue went to the next level and answered the call. "Secure line," the computer cheerfully informed her, earning a roll of Raven's eyes.

"Raven Darkfeather, what the hell happened?" S'rmen demanded. His thin face, topped with wispy gray hair, was taunt with annoyance and concern. He seemed relatively happy that she was there to answer, but that happiness was short lived. "Why didn't you make the pick up?"

Raven made a soothing gesture to the hologram, glancing at Joshua, who appeared to be asleep on the couch. She doubted that he truly was, though, unsure what to make of the situation. With a sigh, she dismissed the problem. S'rmen was obviously livid, angry enough to place a call, regardless of the secure line, to her personally. He couldn't see her guest, and she would just have to find a way to deal with Joshua if it became an issue.

"Someone upset the CorSec before I got there," Raven replied relaxingly, "and I couldn't make the pick-up without attracting major attention. I figured you preferred your privacy to promptness, so I just left the area. I couldn't have made it to the door and unlocked it in a reasonable amount of time. Neither of us wants the kind of attention the CorSec would bestow. I'm flexible on when I can try again."

S'rmen's face became thoughtful as he considered the options. "I really need it done today," he replied. "This is very important. A moment." His image flickered out, replaced by blue-tinted static. Raven crossed her arms in annoyance, curious as to what her employer was doing. Then, his image reappeared.

"I had someone check that street. There are only a couple of security men there now, so you should be able to accomplish the pick-up. When can I expect you to make the drop?"

Raven checked the chrono in the corner of the hologram. It read 1530. Doing a bit of quick estimation, she replied, "I should be there no later than 1700, barring all further complications."

"Right. Until then," he responded, and the call ended.

Raven considered for a moment, heading back down to get her belt and light saber. She now looked like she belonged more in the Senatorial sector with a double-layered v-neck tunic that was held in place by her belt and nicer leggings. She began pulling on her boots. She grabbed her cloak and put it away, forgoing that for a different outer garment, a square cover with a hole for her head at the top, gear for a desert area. It covered her saber and belt. For further protection, and to avoid using her saber if necessary, she also grabbed her modified blaster and put it in the holster at her hip.

"I thought you said your name was Ash Suul, not Raven Darkfeather," Joshua said, breaking her thought process. She wondered how long he'd been watching her preparations. Truthfully, she had forgotten he was there. He stood at the top of the stairs, arms akimbo and face thoughtful.

"They both are, in their own ways," Raven replied, feeling a little odd explaining that concept to a Jedi. "Truth is often merely your perception. Ash Suul, as far as I know, is my given name. I attained the alias Raven Darkfeather to use as a runner's name. It would be dangerous to be known in that spectrum by my real name." Her cheeks reddened a little at having to admit to him that she was a runner. It was doubtful that he would do otherwise than object to upon such an occupation.

Joshua seemed to accept this explanation. Then, he completely surprised her. "May I go with you on your run?"

Raven frowned, instinctively wanting to say no, and tried to come up with a good reason why he couldn't. She couldn't come up with one, though. Instead, she began to wonder what kind of mission he was assigned to, having curiosity about her assignment. Perhaps it was just interest that drove him to ask. "I don't know why not," she said finally. He smiled his gratitude and made himself ready to go.

Raven watched, wondering what she had gotten herself into.