Chapter Seven
Tavers Tavern
The rest of the day on Zirus Five went by without any further distractions for the small band of rebel operatives. They searched through their deceased Captain's remaining things and found no hint of where they should look for the Alliance. Dinner came and went for the team and Lana was the only one who had not gone back out into the tavern to eat.
She was far too involved in searching through Ehker's log books again, determined to find some clue about the Alliance. It was Terell who finally got her to take a break. He brought both their dinners back to the secret room. He set the plate of food down in front of Lana and waited for her to notice it. When she didn't he took the log book from her hand.
"Hey! I wasn't finished with that," she exclaimed, reaching out for it again.
He set it down on the night stand and sat on the bed with her. "Yes you are," he pointed to her plate, "you need to eat now."
"I can read while I'm eating," she insisted, reaching past him to grab the book. She set it on the bed and opened it back up to the page she was reading last and continued, while taking the fruit off her plate. She took one bite and was side tracked by the next entry in Ehker's log.
"You need to eat it all, Lana," Terell told her as though he was expecting her not to.
"Yeah, mm hmm," she answered distractedly.
"Tylerian blood beetles spoil so quickly, you know," he joked.
"Mm-hmmm. . ."
Terell frowned at her distracted mood. "If you're not careful they could crawl off your plate," he said trying to get a reaction out of her. "Try and take a bite out of you."
"Okay. . ."
"Lana! "
She looked up from the log book. "What! "
"I'm serious, eat everything on that plate," he told her firmly.
"Alright!"
Terell ate his dinner and had to keep reminding her to eat hers, because she was easily side tracked with the information she was reading.
She finally closed the book and laid back on the bed after finishing her meal. Terell took her empty plate, along with his and set them on the night stand. He laid down next to her and then wrapped an arm around her when she laid against him.
"So what do you think?" he asked earnestly.
"I think we have three possibilities. There's the Hoth system."
Terell shook his head and reminded her, "The Empire's probably still occupying it, or if not, then it's a good bet that they've left some troops behind just in case someone comes back."
"There's the Crimson Jewel star just beyond the edge of the galaxy."
"That sounds like more of a possibility. What's the third choice."
"The Majestic Nebula."
He looked at her as though he couldn't believe that she would suggest such a location.
"I can't see the Alliance taking a risk like that, it's too close to the Empire."
Lana smiled, agreeing with him, still she gestured around at the hidden room they were in, "Sometimes the best hiding place is right under the enemy's nose."
"Keep your friends close--" He began with a sardonic smile.
"--and your enemies closer," Lana echoed him, with a nod.
They laid quietly for a short while and then an unexpected idea came to Lana. It was a far fetched one but still she put it to Terell, "How much control do you have of the Force?"
He was taken off guard by her inquiry for only a minute before he confidently told her.
"I can move things. . . Small things and I've been able to sense when things are going to happen more often."
Lana sat up, looking down at him and Terell was taken aback once again by the hopefully expression in her eyes.
"Do you think, if you concentrated hard enough you could see where the Alliance is?"
"I don't know. . . I never thought about using it that way."
"Well, I think it's time that you do."
"Ehker warned us against doing that," he reminded her.
"He said that Freya 'was too close to those who might pick up on the disruption,' " she replied, reciting part of the hologram message, "he didn't say anything about you, though."
Terell opened his mouth to say something, then rethought and closed it again. He smiled at her, "You're right. Although I'm pretty sure that he meant that warning for both of us."
"I know I'm reaching for it here," Lana admitted with a heavy breath, "But we're running out of options and I just don't know what else to do to find the Alliance."
Lana's seriousness surprised him. She wasn't the kind to carelessly throw her beliefs aside. This told him that she was beginning to trust in his connection to the Force. Not wanting to disappoint her he agreed to try.
"Hum something," he told her and then explained, "Music helps me to relax my thoughts better."
She obliged by humming the tune to the song he was writing for her.
Terell closed his eyes and listen to her soft humming. The sound eased his thoughts and soon he felt his mind slowly drift and become one with that mystical energy field.
Somewhere in hyperspace Luke felt Terell's call on the Force. He sat up responsively in his X-wing and then closed his eyes to sense where the faint summons was coming from. An image of Zirus Five flashed in his mind. He let the feeling pull his consciousness to it. Luke felt himself drift down through the storm clouds to the muddy streets below and stopped in front of a large building. Rain splattered the ground and hit the neon sign above, that read Taver's Tavern. He was drawn towards it, his consciousness entered the building.
Freya sat up in her seat out in the tavern, her stomach tightening up in little knots as a dizzying feeling slowly came over her.
Bailen saw her features turn a little green.
"Are you alright?"
"Someone's using the Force," she whispered, while rubbing her head. "I think it's Terell."
"Terell?" Bailen repeated, looking at his brother in disbelief.
"It couldn't be him, he knows better," Keirdan replied, casually scanning the patron's in the tavern. "It's got to be someone else, someone outside of here."
Freya leaned forward, holding her churning stomach, trying not to be ill. She looked towards the door but saw nothing. "It's coming from inside the tavern," she insisted.
"Then it's someone on the floor." Keirdan studied the faces in the tavern more meticulously.
Luke's consciousness scanned the patrons inside the tavern and his focus passed over the two brothers and the shadow of the woman. Though he saw no features he could tell that she'd just looked right at him. He was drawn forward again by the unseen Force user.
"I'm telling you, it's Terell, only it's really strong this time. It's like he's suddenly gained a boost in his ability." Freya insisted, then closed her eyes and whispered aloud her mental sending to her Controller. ":Lana, why is Terell using the Force: "
Just as soon as Luke's subconsciousness had passed the two brothers and their shadowy female companion a strange disruption in the Force abruptly sent it back to his X-wing.
He felt sick, his insides tightening up in little knots. He opened his eyes after the feeling passed and wondered what had just happened that caused him to lose his focused hold on the Force.
Keirdan felt suddenly strange, as though some unseen entity had just whisked past him. He took hold of Freya's hand under the table when several of the patrons turned around and looked in their direction.
"Tell Lana to stop him now and then you stop it as well," he told her in a dead calm that belied his sudden edgy mood. With a casual waving gesture to Stilmon, who was serving people at the bar, he gained the tavern owner's brief attention.
The old man gave him a little nod of acknowledgment and then filled three new mugs with drink and walked them over to their table. He was followed by two men, Quint and Gavin.
"Bailen go in the back, make sure that Terell doesn't do that again," Keirdan ordered while he casually pulled Freya to his side and wrapped his arm around her as though they were a couple. "Tell him it's attracting too much attention. We'll join you as soon as we can."
Freya instantly played up her part as Keirdan's date and leaned her head on his shoulder. She acted as though she was whispering some temptation in his ear.
Bailen rose with the casual excuse of having to use the bathroom to his two friends and departed. He went through the door that led to the restrooms, then slipped unseen around the backstage entrance and disappeared.
"Here we are -- three drafts," Stilmon announced in his normally gruff voice, while setting the mugs on the table. "Sorry I didn't bring 'em sooner, but as you can see we've been very busy tonight. Can I get you anything else?"
"Just the check," Keirdan replied, pointedly asking with his brief gaze who the two men approaching were.
Stilmon glanced over his shoulder towards the bar, then he turned and his eyes trailed up to the face of the burly man, who was standing close behind him. "Excuse me Quint," he leaned to the right and shouted back to Maybs, to bring Keirdan's bill.
"Can I help you Constable? " he asked next, covertly answering Keirdan's signaled cue.
"Just making the rounds Stilmon," Quint answered, then looked past him to Keirdan, "we've had some fairly unsavory people hanging about."
"Oh yeah, I haven't heard anything, what's the news?" Stilmon inquired with casual interest.
"Why don't you introduce us to your new customers here and then I'll tell you."
Freya felt the tavern owner's nervousness as he looked at them. "They're okay, Quint. They're a part of the entertainment scheduled for tomorrow night."
"So you're the other half of Rogue's Gambit then?" Keirdan and Freya both nodded when Quint threw a casual inspection at them. "Where did the boy go?" The constable asked next and this time his suspicious tone was unmistakable.
Freya stiffened under Keirdan's arm.
Keirdan remained calm. "The bathroom."
Like before, Quint and his crony took up the empty seats at the table. "We'll wait til he comes back," he smiled.
"Listen Quint," Stilmon protested. "I appreciate the concern for my place, but you can't just come in here and harass my patrons.
Gavin leered at Freya the same way he had at Lana and Keirdan didn't miss it.
"Keep it in your pants, buddy, she's not for sale," he warned when Gavin reached for his money pouch.
Quint sighed, deeply annoyed at his second and growled, "Gavin, I swear!" He turned on the man and took away his money pouch.
"Hey that's mine, give it back Quint," he protested loudly.
"When we're finished in here." Quint told him sharply. "Get it through your thick head boy, you can't buy every female you see."
Gavin folded his arms and sat back in his seat with a dark look on his face.
Freya smiled tauntingly and toyed with Keirdan's beard. The Corellian grinned and pulled her hand away with a playfully look that held a warning not to encourage the constable's man.
"Now as I was saying we'll wait for the boy to come back," Quint said completely oblivious to their little interplay.
Keirdan took his mug in hand. "Then you're going to be waiting for quite a while." He took a casual pull of his drink before he explained, "He's not what you would call quick in there. Likes to read while he's -- Uh -- well you know."
"Taking a crap," Gavin said bluntly.
Keirdan grinned pointedly, "I couldn't have put it any better than that."
Stilmon left unnoticed by the two men and headed for the back. He hurried to the hidden room and met Terell, Lana and Bailen as they were coming out.
Stilmon pointed at Terell and Lana, barking sharply, "You two back inside! Bailen you go back out, they're waiting for you."
"Who's waiting for him?" both Terell and Lana questioned.
"The constable. I'll explain later."
Stilmon pushed them back into the hidden room and hit the controls to shut and lock it down. "Don't worry it'll be alright and they'll all be back in a little while."
He took Bailen by the arm and grabbed the first bit of reading material that he saw and shoved it into the boy's hands. "You took it with you," he whispered in his ear and then headed back to the bar. Stilmon kept a watchful eye on his charges, through the crowd of patrons. He half heartedly tended bar, the whole time thinking about the blasters hidden under the counter and praying that he wouldn't have to use them.
Bailen returned to the table and his seat next to Freya. He gave a quick inspection of the two men at the table and then turned his attention on his brother. "So did I miss anything interesting?"
"We were just discussing you," Quint said regaining Bailen's attention. His focus fell on the magazine in Bailen's hand and he took it. The constable read the title while he casually inquired, "Did everything come out okay?"
"Yeah," Bailen answered, looking at his brother and shrugging.
"And do you always read this kind of material when you're in the bathroom?" He held up the magazine and Bailen's face went scarlet when he saw the picture on the cover.
"Sure why not? It's got interesting stuff inside."
Quint leafed through the pages and then paused briefly on the centerfold. "You don't mind if I keep this do you?"
"You'll have to ask the tavern owner; it's his, not mine."
Quint handed it off to Gavin. He then sat back in his seat and stared at the trio across from him for a long time without speaking. Intimidation was his favorite way of getting people to cooperate with him.
Keirdan, Freya and Bailen were all unfazed by his calculative inspection. They had dealt with far worse in the past to let someone of little consequence bother them.
Naturally Keirdan took the lead, while Freya and Bailen waited for his cue to act.
"So, constable, what is it that you came over here to discuss with us now that we're all here?"
"Where are the other two?"
Keirdan gave a convincing shrug of his shoulders. "Oh they're probably off somewhere having fun. We won't see them again until show time."
"And where would they be?"
"I don't know, but you can bet, that they're probably going at it again. It's always the same thing, no matter where we go," said Keirdan in a bored tone.
"Yeah they can barely keep their eyes off each other much less their hands," Bailen added with a light chuckle. "Wish I was so lucky." He looked at Freya and his expression was that of his brother's roguishness, "Why don't you and I go do the same?"
"Not on your life flyboy," Freya replied in a very convincing rejection.
"Where are the three of you staying?" Quint questioned.
Keirdan shook his head. "We haven't found a place yet, why?"
"We got a report that two ajoining rooms at the Binary were completely ransacked by an Imperial contingency searching for the six occupants who rented the rooms."
"There's only five people in our band," Keirdan corrected him.
"What about your manager?"
"He's not here."
"That's not what your other band mate said."
"Did you say that there was an Imperial contingency looking for these people?" Keirdan countered, quickly changing the subject. He glanced at Bailen and Freya after Quint nodded. "Did either of you see any Imperials when we were out touring the city?"
"No," they answered together.
"Well at least we know now not to go looking for accommodations at the--" Keirdan looked back at Quint, "what was the name of that place again?"
"The Binary," he answered slowly, a frown on his face as he eyed them.
"Right," Keirdan grinned and looked at his brother, "make a note not to go to the Binary." He then turned back to Quint with a sincere inquiry. "Well Constable, perhaps you can make a suggestion as to where we might find safe lodgings for the evening?"
"Try the east side of town, it's a little more expensive but it's much nicer than the west end."
"Thank you, we'll do that."
"If you haven't found lodging then where did you sleep last night?"
"We've been too busy touring the city to think about sleep." Keirdan gave a convincing yawn and sighed, "We'll sleep soundly tonight though, I can guarantee that. Now is there anything else we can help you with?"
Quint studied them for a moment longer and then decided that he'd made a mistake. "No, that will do. I'll just leave you with this, don't make any trouble here or you'll have me and mine to deal with understood."
"Trouble is the furthest thing from our minds Constable," Keirdan assured him seriously. "We're just here to entertain."
Quint got up and Gavin followed his lead. "We'll see you tomorrow night then, have a good evening."
Keirdan smiled and bid him goodbye. He kept an eye on the two men when they moved back to the bar. "Give us the scoop, Freya."
"He's nervous and very suspicious, which makes me think that he's downplayed what happened at the hotel."
"I could slip out the back, do a little recon," Bailen suggested.
Keirdan disagreed with this idea. "None of us are going anywhere near that place again." Stilmon caught his eye and waved him over to the bar. "You two stay here, I'll be right back."
Bailen took Freya's hand under the table and watched his brother go to the bar, before he turned to her, "What do you really think about this?"
"I think Keirdan convinced the constable that we're not who he needs to be looking for. But Gavin, I think he's the one we have to worry about. There's something about him. Lana noticed it earlier too."
"Quint was lying about the Imperials, wasn't he?"
"Most definitely," Freya assured him. "Whoever trashed our rooms made him very nervous. Although I can't imagine anything being as worrisome as Imperials in this sector."
Keirdan returned with Stilmon who was not quiet when he spoke to them in his customary way.
"Well come on I'll show you the backstage, so you'll know where you can put your equipment when you come in tomorrow."
Freya and Bailen stood and followed the tavern owner. Keirdan brought up the rear and threw an obvious inspection on the stage before he too disappeared behind it.
Several minutes later they were back in the hidden room, with Lana fuming at Stilmon the moment the wall was closed.
"If you ever lock us in here like that again, it will be the last thing you do."
"Take it easy," Stilmon said disregarding her threat. "You didn't need to be out there."
Lana bristled at his casual mood. "You cut half my team off from their escape route and placed them in jeopardy when you locked us in here."
Stilmon turned on her.
"Look! I gave a promise to Ehker, to keep you all safe. And in the event that I can't do that, then my first priority is in making sure that the ones I can help remain safe."
Terell had a firm hold on Creature who was growling and struggling to get away from him and get at Stilmon.
Lana turned to her team members, "I will not leave any one of you behind." She then turned her warning gaze on Stilmon, her temper flaring. "I'm already wound up tight enough as it is, you do that again and I'll kill you myself."
Stilmon did not flinch under her threat. "I will fulfill my promise to Ehker."
"You will not sacrifice any of my people!"
"I will do what is necessary to fulfill my promise," Stilmon vowed firmly. "I'm sorry if you don't like that."
Lana advanced on him and Terell inserted himself between them. "Lana, this isn't helping us."
"He swore to help all of us," she exclaimed angrily. "Now he's saying that he's willing to let some of us die!"
"That's not what he said."
"Are you deaf! You heard what he just said!"
Creature struggled harder in the Alderaanian's strong grip.
Terell, as always, remained the calm voice of reason. "So did you. And you know what he said is right. If it comes down to it, that he can only help some of us, then it should be those of us who can make it back to the Alliance."
Lana shook her head. "I won't sacrifice anyone."
"That's not how it works and you know it," Terell sighed and looked round at his friends, "We all knew the dangers of this mission and we all accepted them when we took it on."
Keirdan stepped in with his own thought. "Fortunately we won't have to worry about it unless it comes to that." He put his arm around Lana's shoulder and gave her a little reassuring smile. "And it's not going to come to that."
"Let's hope it doesn't," she said moodily. Knowing that she was thinking very short sighted right now, she listened to Terell's wise counsel and reigned in her temper. Lana let Keirdan lead her away to sit on the bed. "Put Creature's hood on so he'll calm down Terell," she advised.
"I'll do it," Keirdan said, going over and taking Creature from him with a whisper. "You better sit down too."
Terell went and sat next to Lana, placing a comforting arm around her. She leaned gratefully against him while Keirdan dealt with Creature, who fell quiet after he was hooded.
"Feeling better now?" Keirdan asked the two seated on the bed, handing Creature off to them.
"Good, cause now I've got some bad news."
"What?" They both sat up attentively.
"Someone ransacked our rooms at the Binary."
Terell felt Lana stiffen as she cursed under her breath. Keirdan then told them all they'd learned. Then they listened to Freya's empathic insight and Bailen's suggestion on doing a reconnaissance on their abandoned hotel rooms.
"No, Keirdan's right," Lana said firmly.
"Yeah, I agree, we need to stay away from there," Terell added.
Stilmon then broke in with his own opinion. "I think we should know what happened. The tavern does food deliveries over to the Binary. I usually send Philks with the order but when the next one comes in I'll go. That way I can check it out, without any questions on why I'm there."
Everyone agreed with this suggestion.
Stilmon then left the room, saying that he would see them in the morning.
Terell went and pulled out his instrument, then turned to the others. "Well, go get your gear. If we're performing tomorrow we should practice."
Freya and Bailen glanced from him to Keirdan, who was retrieving his own instrument. They then did the same as Terell called to Lana and tossed her a small empty disc, with instructions to set it up in the holo-player on record.
Terell pulled out a chair in front of it and started toying around with chords. When the others returned and were ready he looked at Lana with a twinkle in his eyes and smiled. "I want your opinion on something, so just relax and listen."
A broad smile broke across Lana's face. This was usually how he introduced a newly written song. She leaned against the wall, next to the holo recorder, eager to hear his latest tune. He played softly and after a moment the others followed his lead and filled in the background.
What unfolded was a beautiful bittersweet love song that reflected Terell's feelings. His lyrics brought more than just Lana to misty eyed appreciation. Freya wiped at her eyes and Bailen kept blinking back the moisture that had filled his. Keirdan seemed to be the only one with dry eyes, though he remained silent and focused on his instrument, always a clear sign that a song had made it past his cavalier exterior and touched him.
Terell continued to play the new tune softly while gazing warmly at Lana and asked, "So what do you think of it? "
"It's beautiful Terell," she answered with a soft smile. "You finally finished it."
"I finally found my inspiration," he replied with tender affection and a pointed, inviting look.
She caught his meaning and smiled even more with a soft. "Thank you."
Lana turned off the recorder and went to him. He stop playing his instrument and returned her deep affectionate kiss.
Keirdan cleared his throat loudly, without looking up, "I can see we're going to get a lot of practice in tonight." He started right in on another tune and Bailen and Freya followed his lead. He then teased Terell and Lana with some quick witted lyrics of his own.
Terell and Lana broke apart, laughing at his jeering little song.
Their practice went on into the night and thanks to the soundproof walls no one outside the hidden room heard them. When they finished, everyone was fairly happy and in a good mood. They went to bed and slept well.
All, except Terell.
He had pleasant dreams at first that changed and became nightmares. He saw his parents, his grandparents and his younger sister, Celeste. They were all on Alderaan. It was a pleasant warm day and they were picnicking and laughing by the seaside.
Celeste was playfully running away from him and then stopped in their game of tag to look up at dark shadow of a cloud. Terell came up next to her and she took ahold of his arm in sudden fear. She pointed skyward, scared of what she was seeing above. In sudden understanding he took her protectively in his arms and turned to yell a warning back at his family.
He saw them all standing, looking and pointing up at the dark circle hovering over their planet. Terell yelled at them to run for cover, but they didn't hear his warning. He shouted again and his grandparents looked at him with sadness reflecting in their eyes.
There was a blinding light in the sky above and they were all incinerated. Terell fell to the ground screaming in pain while he held his sister's burning body in his arms as the planet was destroyed.
The Alderaanian awoke with a sharp start, gasping for breath. His heart was hammering against his ribs as he looked around the room, then down at Lana, laying asleep beside him. Terell relaxed some, remembering where he was. He hadn't had that dream in a long time.
It reminded him of just how much he missed his family. Wanting comforting he turned to Lana; and pulling her closer, he kissed the side of her face.
She stirred, with a sleepily smile and leaned into him, holding his arm around her. He kissed her again, more deeply this time and her brow furrowed after he parted from her.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing, I just--" He was about to say, I had a bad dream, but suddenly thought better of it. Why bother her with his troubles when he knew she needed to rest. "It was nothing, go back to sleep."
She laid there studying his face not convinced. There was a subtle sadness in his deep blue eyes.
"You were dreaming of Alderaan again weren't you?" she guessed softly.
He couldn't help but smile faintly, she knew him so well. "Aren't we a pair? When are we ever going to get a full nights sleep again?" he teased lightly, "Me with my nightmares of home and you of a nonexistent stalker."
Her expression turned serious at this. She reached up, touching the side of his face, with an earnest affirmation, "I'll always love you, Terell."
He returned her heartfelt endearment, still Lana could see the faint distraction in his eyes.
"When was the last time you spoke to your parents?"
"It's been awhile," he answered.
"Well when we're done with this mission," Lana covered a deep yawn, "we'll have to go visit them."
"Yeah, I have to get something from my dad before we leave the Alliance," he replied, a cryptic glint in his eyes. "That is provided that we even find the Alliance."
She returned his sweet kiss and loving smile.
Terell began caressing her face and she closed her eyes again, concentrating on his tender touch.
"That feels so nice," she sighed softly when a light shiver went through her.
Terell continued his soothing caress, relaxing her already sleepy mind. He paused and was disappointed when he realized that she had drifted back off to sleep. He thought of waking her again, and leaned down to kiss her. She stirred only slightly, leaning into him and fell deeper into her peaceful repose. He lay awake just watching her. All too soon it would be time to get up and this peaceful moment would be spoiled. He savored it for as long as he could, until the thought of his parents compelled him to get up and record a holographic message to them as was his custom during a mission.
Hyperspace sped Luke and the others closer to Zirus Five. The Jedi was going over his course.
"Hey Han you still with me?"
"Yeah, what's up? "
"Well I've just been going over our course and the side of Zirus Five that we'll be heading to, and it looks like we be landing close to night fall."
"Yeah -- and? " Han returned as though wondering what the big deal was.
Artoo-Detoo gave a few beeps that alerted Luke to something that he was picking up on a separate radio frequency.
"I see it Artoo, thanks."
"You see what? "
"There's a storm over the area that we're headed to. It could make finding our friends a little difficult if they remain indoors." Luke rechecked his coordinates and relayed his findings to Han. "There's a docking bay near the outskirts of town that might be out of the storm's range. We should land there."
"What's the matter kid, afraid of a little water? "
"No, but there's no sense in all of us getting wet."
Han checked his own computer and disagreed with his friend's suggestion. "That'll take us too far from the pick up point."
Leia pointed out another docking bay not far from a main boulevard. "Han's right, Luke. We'll need to be closer so we can get back to the ships in case there's an emergency."
"Alright," came Luke's very disappointed voice over the comm.
"Luke, what's bothering you?" Leia inquired after hearing his worry.
"Nothing I just have a very bad feeling about this, that's all."
"You want us to stay behind with the ships when we land?" she guessed.
"Leia--" Han began to protest, but she stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.
"Yes," was Luke's very serious answer.
In the months since Han's absence Leia had come to trust Luke's judgment on things and listen more to her own intuition. She suddenly felt that there was more to be concerned about on Zirus Five than she had previously thought. She now had a 'very bad feeling ' about the mission that they had accepted.
"You can go on ahead when we land and we'll stay with the ships and keep them prepped for take off."
Han looked surprised. "What has gotten into you?"
"Nothing, I just think that Luke's right," she insisted, looking at him in such a way that clearly conveyed that she wasn't willing to risk putting him in danger.
"Le-e-ia," he said very annoyed now, "I'm not going to sit around on my keaster, while farmboy has all the fun."
"We need to be prepared for a fast get away and you're the only one who knows how to pilot the Falcon in a crunch."
Han knew very well what she was doing -- using his ego against him, still he willingly took her bait. "Fine I'll stay behind if that's what you really want."
Leia nodded. "It's all set Luke. But if you come up on any trouble you call us."
Luke felt some relief that Leia had backed him up. Now at least he would not have to worry about his friends. What harm could befall them if they never left the docking bay?
Several hours later the two ships were emerging from hyperspace not that far from their destination. They flew through the heavy storm clouds and on to the city's main docking bay, where they were directed to a bay large enough for both ships.
Luke's small one man fighter came to rest right next to the Millennium Falcon. He was already removing his helmet when the X-wing's canopy opened. He stood and stripped his flight suit from his black Jedi outfit and then tossed it onto the cockpit seat. The canopy closed while he walked down the nose of the ship. Artoo-Detoo whistled after him and he turned.
"No Artoo, you stay put." Luke gave a sharp shake of his head and pointed at his loyal droid, "I mean it, you stay put. I need you to keep the engines warmed up for departure. I'll be back in a little while."
Artoo-Detoo sighed and lowered himself back down into his slot.
The Jedi then surveyed his surroundings and found two exits. One was blocked with heavy supply boxes, leaving just one way to enter or leave the hanger. Luke got a sudden feeling that he had landed his X-wing in the wrong direction.
"Hey Artoo turn the ship around when I leave and keep her ready." With that Luke jumped off the end of the ship and met the others when they strolled down the Millennium Falcon's ramp.
"I still don't like this idea of you going off on your own, Luke," Han replied, seriously unhappy with the decision. His concerning frown only deepened when his young friend brushed him off with youthful assurances.
"I can handle myself, Han. Besides it's just a simple pick up." Luke turned to Leia and pulled her unexpectantly into a hug, where he whispered an urgent warning in her ear. "Don't leave this hanger bay except in the Falcon, no matter what."
He released her and met her eyes and she nodded her understanding.
"We'll wait for your call," she assured him.
"I won't call."
"Now I know you've lost it," Han commented derisively.
Luke turned to Lando who was carrying a compad.
"Hey Luke, it says here that the pick up's at a place called Tavers--"
"--Tavern," echo the Jedi.
"You know where you're going then?"
"Yeah."
"I take it the Force has told you where they are."
Luke nodded. "In a manner of speaking."
Lando was impressed. A calculative grin spread across his dark handsome features. "Remind me the next time I play cards to have you sitting next to me, I could use your insight. We could make a killing at the slots too."
"I don't work that way Lando," Luke reminded him with a mild smile, "you know that."
"Hey, I had to ask," said the gambler shrugging. He looked back at the compad and continued, "Anyways, the guy to ask for is the tavern owner, a Stilmon Tavers. He'll know where to find your pick up."
"Stilmon Tavers," Luke repeated, committing the name to his memory. Then he gave the gambler a serious warning that Lando took to heart. "If something goes wrong, don't come after me, just take off and I'll find some other way to get them off planet."
"You got it Luke," Lando agreed.
"Chewie?" The Jedi looked at the huge Wookiee next.
Han looked completely surprised when Chewbacca gave an agreeing bark.
"Has everyone gone crazy? " Han asked, incredulously looking around at the others and then back at Luke. "Look, I'm not going to leave you behind, so you just better make sure that nothing happens."
Luke nodded and said nothing more on the subject.
See-Threepio stepped forward with his worried concern. "Master Luke, you can't be serious. You don't actually expect to be. . ."
"You stay with the Falcon, Threepio," Luke interrupted, with a crucial tone that was unmistakable.
"Yes Master Luke." The droid slumped noticeably. "But do try to be careful."
"I will and I'll be back before you know it," he said, removing his lightsaber from his belt to stuff it into his black tunic, well out of sight.
With that the Jedi turned and left them. Han watched Luke leave with disapproval etched on his face. It didn't feel right to him to just stay behind with the ships. Though his sight was not fully recovered, he was feeling better now. He was ready to get back into his old routine.
Chewbacca studied him with some concern. The Wookiee clearly saw the misgivings on his friend's face. He muttered an assurance of Luke's new position as a Jedi, which gave Han very little relief or hope for his rebel friend.
Solo gave a heavy sigh, "Delusions of grandeur, pal."
Leia took Han's arm up in hers. "He'll be fine Han, Luke knows what he's doing."
"I don't know--" he sighed again, then paused in thought. After a moment he shook his head, not liking the situation at all. "Now I've got a bad feeling about this."
The princess, feeling his deep concern and desire to follow his friend, leaned her head against his shoulder. He glanced down at her and found her looking just as concerned and somewhat upset. Tension was in her eyes and it was this more than anything else that made Han stay where he was.
Leia felt a twinge of conscious for holding him back and yet she would do it again, if given the opportunity. They had just saved Han and she wasn't going to lose him again, not if she could help it. Still she knew that she couldn't hold him back forever. It was not in Han's nature to sit back and let others take all the risks.
Chewbacca turned and motioned to Lando, who followed him back up the Millennium Falcon's landing ramp.
Han and Leia were left alone.
The sound of Luke's X-wing engines, drew their attention, as Artoo-Detoo rose the one man fighter into the air enough to rotate its position. The engines were now facing the only entrance into the hanger. Artoo set the ship back down and swiveled his dome to face the door that his young master had left from. The little droid was unaccustomed to being left behind by Luke and he sighed softly, worried that the Jedi would fall without his help.
Luke had emerged from the hanger bay and found himself on the dampened main boulevard. The storm clouds overhead threatened to break at any moment and release a downpour on him. There was a chill in the air enough to show the Jedi's breath as he gave the sky above an appraising look. A low rumble of thunder sounded in the distance and did not help to brighten his mood one bit.
He scanned his surroundings as he started walking the busy boulevard. The apparent threat of rain did not deter shoppers and lookie lous, which walked the boulevard, in search of food, fun, a good buy and some entertainment. Luke casually strolled across the street and blended into the crowd.
Or so he thought, for soon a feeling of being watched fell over him. Luke glanced with feigned curiosity at a storefront window, displaying the newest gadgets in holo graphic display units and stopped as though interested. He looked over his reflection's shoulder and noticed that he was being shadowed by two men. One was tall and burly, the other a shorter version of his companion.
They walked by the Jedi amid the passing pedestrians and then stopped two store fronts down.
Luke moved on fully aware that seconds after he passed them the two men started following him again. He was shadowed all the way to Taver's Tavern.
The door to Stilmon's pub opened and music greeted the Jedi's ears as he stepped in. Since there was no mud on his boots he was not stopped. The same could not be said for the two men who followed him in. They were both made to wait their turn in the clear cleaning stall, by the woman at the front.
The place was full of people, who were listening and enjoying the band on stage. Various alien races stood or sat at the many tables situated around the stage. Some were talking and laughing. Many different dialects met Luke's ears as he passed through the tavern's patrons on his way to the bar, where he took the only seat available.
Luke ordered a drink and then casually scanned the tavern patrons, paying little attention to the live band that was playing. He was too intent with finding the rebels to be concerned with the performers on stage. His eyes traveled over each person searching for any of the familiar faces he'd seen in his vision.
"Your drink sir," said the polite voice of Philks, the silver protocol droid behind the bar.
Luke turned back around and took a sip from his glass, before he introduced himself as Owen Lars, an old friend of Ehker Recs, who asked him to look up the tavern owner.
Philks excused himself and left to fetch his master on the other side of the bar's large island.
After the droid disappeared Luke felt the approach of the two men who had followed him in. He nonchalantly glanced over his shoulder and then returned his attention to his drink, patiently waiting for the droid's return.
Stilmon Tavers curiously leaned around the other side of the bar to inspect Luke. The Jedi met his inquisitive examination and ever so slightly inclined his head in response. Stilmon faintly smiled in relief, at last here was the pick up for the rebels he was looking after. His expression dropped as his focus shifted past Luke, to the two men, who'd shadowed him to the bar. The tavern owner frowned when Quint and Gavin tapped the shoulders of the patrons sitting on either side of the Jedi, effectively chasing them away with a look. They took up the seats when they were abandoned.
Stilmon automatically took up two glasses and filled them. He strode forward, hoping that the rebel was as quick on the uptake as his secret guests had proven to be.
"Good evening Constable," he handed the drinks off to Quint and Gavin. "Taking a break from the investigation, I see."
"Just for a while," said Quint. He took an easy draw of his drink while he turned and leaned against the bar.
Though the constable's quick scan did not linger on Luke, he knew that he had just been examined by a seasoned professional. Gavin's inspection of the Jedi was not as skilled, his deep suspicion showed in his icy stare. Luke sat passively ignoring the both of them, while nursing his drink.
Stilmon paid little attention to the black clad Jedi in front of him while he continued with Quint. "Did you find anything over at the Binary? "
"Not a thing," the Constable answered conversationally, "Whoever occupied those rooms appears to have vanished."
"Maybe they trashed the room themselves and then skipped out, so they wouldn't have to pay for the damages," Stilmon suggested.
Quint eyed the performers on stage. "I don't think so. My gut tells me that they're still here." He turned and looked pointedly at the tavern owner. "When they finish this set, I want to speak with all the members of Rogue's Gambit."
Luke straightened some when he heard this. His gaze shifted to the long mirror that hung above the length of the bar and he saw the reflections of the band playing behind him. With a bolt of clarity, he understood that all five rebels were on stage. Rogue's Gambit was not just a code name but their cover as well. His focus went right to the tall auburn haired man, who was standing center stage, singing and playing lead guitar. Terell's charismatic performance had gained most of the attention of the females in the tavern, human and alien alike. They were huddled around the front of the stage shouting out flirtatious cat calls to him to remove his shirt. A smile was all he gave them as he continued singing. The other band members on stage were not as easy to make out with the light show that accompanied the music. Luke patiently took another drink and waited for Stilmon to finish with the constable.
A frown returned to the tavern owner's face, "They just got up there. And they've already told you everything that they can."
"Well now, there is an odd thing about that. You see I did some checking and I haven't been able to find where any of them are staying."
Thinking fast Stilmon explained, "That's because they're staying with Maybs and me."
Quint's brow rose in interest, "I wasn't aware that you provided housing for your entertainment."
"They're a little short on money so, in exchange for their performance I'm letting them stay on the Maybel, is there a problem with that?"
"No," Quint answered.
Gavin purposefully bumped Luke with his shoulder, gaining the Jedi's easy attention.
"Yes?" he asked innocently enough.
"I don't like you," Gavin stated flatly.
Luke casually returned to his drink, "I'm sorry."
His calm reply only made Gavin's temper flare. "Who are you?"
"No one of consequence," answered Luke.
"What's you're business here?"
"Just buying a drink."
"I think you're the manager of the band," Gavin accused in his scratchy voice.
"You would be wrong. I've never seen them before."
Stilmon glared at Gavin. "Quint, if you can't control your man then I'm afraid that I'm going to have to ask you not to bring him in here anymore."
The constable ignored his warning and finally looked directly at Luke. "Maybe you didn't understand his question, what's your name and what are you planning on doing while your here, friend?"
"Owen Lars," Luke answered casually, "I just stopped in for a drink and enjoy the entertainment."
"That's it Quint, I've had enough of you coming in here and harassing my customers, now get out!" Stilmon shouted.
"I'll leave after I've talked with them," Quint calmly replied, pointing at the band.
"I'm not going to let you harass them either. They haven't done anything," growled the tavern owner.
Quint shook his head in disagreement. "Five people have disappeared from the city and there are five people in that band, I find that to be too much of a coincidence."
"You said that there were six people registered to those rooms at the Binary."
"Five people were all that checked in," Quint said his eyes shifting to Luke, with his suspicions, "The sixth never showed up."
"You've got the wrong group of people," Stilmon interrupted.
Quint frowned slightly.
"You run an honest place here Stilmon, I respect that. So I'll only say this once, I can make life very unpleasant for you here if you try to impede my investigation."
"You don't have any authority in my place, it's a neutral zone in this city," Stilmon countered sharply.
"I have the authority to question anyone if I think it will help me solve this case," Quint returned, his intemperate tone unmistakable.
Stilmon reacted, slamming his fist on the counter, with his own threat. "That doesn't give you the right to harass my customers. If you continue, I'll go to the Magistrate."
"I asked two simple questions," Quint looked at Luke, when he interceded.
"Gentlemen, if I may, I just landed not that long ago and I'm not planning on staying. I just dropped by for a drink and some food, while my ship refuels." He pulled out his docking pass from his pocket, "Here's my confirmation."
Quint scanned the pass. He noted the landing time and the permits layover constraints that backed up Luke's claim of refueling. The constable gave a nod after seeing that his ship was classified as a one man fighter. "All right, I'm sorry if we've harassed you in any way."
"Not a problem Constable, you were just doing your job," replied the Jedi, casually repocketing the pass.
"I hope you enjoy the show." Quint looked at his second with a sharp bark. "He's okay Gavin. Lets go find a table."
Gavin followed the constable, grumbling that he still didn't like the looks of Luke.
Stilmon shouted after them with a warning. "I'm not kidding Quint, you leave them alone or I'll go over your head!"
"You do that Stilmon, I'm sure the Magistrate will be interested to know why you won't let me talk to them," Quint called over his shoulder.
Luke turned back to the tavern owner, when Stilmon touched his forearm.
"You came to take them home?" he asked urgently.
Luke nodded. "Whenever they're ready, we can leave."
Stilmon gave a great sigh of relief, "Thank the gods. You'll need to get them out before Quint gets hold of them. He's a good man, but he's strict when it comes to the law."
"Well we don't want you to suffer any entanglements with the local law."
"Exactly," Stilmon agreed. He waited for the song to end so he could motioned to the stage with a hand signal when the main spot light on Terell widened to include Lana and Freya, who were both flanking him. None of the performers on stage looked in his direction as they started right into the next set of songs.
Luke's attention was draw straight to Lana's reflections in the mirror over the bar. At the moment she was engrossed in playing rhythm on her six stringed instrument. He smiled faintly when she stepped up to the hovering microphone in front of her and began singing. It was a sweet song of romance, which suited her melodious voice nicely. There was no hard look about her like there had been when he'd first seen her through the Force. On the contrary she looked completely at ease while on stage and only smiled flirtatiously when the males in the audience began moving forward to get a better look. The outfit Lana wore exposed her toned midriff and made her look very appealing. The black lace leggings appeared as though they might have been painted on her. A short midnight blue jacket hung open and only the right angle revealed that she was wearing a lacy bodice that matched her leggings. Patches of delicately quilted midnight blue material, strategic placed, discreetly covered what she didn't want seen through the lace.
Sparkling mid size spheres dangled from Lana's ears. They caught and reflected the light as she glanced warmly at Terell on her left when he began singing the background harmony. The two met eyes on stage and their affection for one another was unmistakable in the mirrors reflection. Their voices complimented and harmonized so perfectly together.
Only when the petite empath, flanking the melodious pair, began singing a second harmony line did Luke look away from them. Here at last was the woman who had appeared only as a shadow in the Force. She looked somewhat other worldly to the Jedi, like she didn't quite fit in with the people she shared the stage with.
Freya was dressed in a similar outfit to Lana's, though not in lace. Still she was attracting just as much interest from the audience. Her long blond hair flowed gracefully down her back and swayed softly with her time keeping, foot tapping, movements as she played her keyboard. She followed Bailen's beat, who's energetic drumming kept everyone in time and the song up lifting. Keirdan's bass line filled in the rest while he openly flirted with ladies that called to him.
Rogue's Gambit was a well seasoned band and their on stage presences was hard to look away from. They offered up five different vocal talents that mix and blended together for what was a very enjoyable performance in Stilmon's packed tavern.
The owner gave a happy nod in agreement when another of his regular patrons complimented him on acquiring such an energetic and charismatic band. Stilmon handed the man a new drink and waited till he moved away to gesture at Rogue's Gambit again. He gave a small growl of annoyance and ran his hand threw his thinning hair to cover his wave when Quint looked in his direction. Stilmon scratched the back of his head wondering how he was going to gain the bands attention without notice. His annoyed gaze swept over the bar and then came to rest on a hot plate warming a steaming amber colored drink. He glanced back at the stage, scanning the band members hopping one would look in his direction. An idea jumped into his mind when his eyes fell on Rogue's Gambit's empath. He looked back at the steaming pot and didn't think twice about it.
Luke watched with some concern when Stilmon purposely touched his hand to the steaming hot pot.
With a sharp painful hiss he drew his hand back. Shaking the burning sting from it, he looked back up at the empathic woman.
From the staged Freya felt the rising sting of his pained emotions and looked towards him. She saw Stilmon's greatly relieved smile before he gave a slight head gesture to Luke. With a nod of understanding she mentally passed the word onto Lana.
:Rides here.:
The effect of her short mental sending was instant on Luke. His stomach tightened up into a painful knot and a wave of lightheadedness suddenly washed over him. It was the same disruption he'd felt earlier in his X-wing, only this time he was very close to the fleeting source.
Luke followed Freya's brief glance, in the mirror, to Lana and saw her look up.
In mid chorus Lana automatically focused her relieved gaze on Stilmon, who again gestured with his head to Luke. She saw the Jedi's reflection in the mirror first and shrugged, a clear indication that she couldn't make out who he was gesturing at.
Stilmon spoke to Luke and he turned to casually lean against the bar so they could get a better look at their ride back home.
Feeling better, the Jedi met the Corellian singer's gaze. Luke felt his heart lighten some when Lana, sticking to her stage performance, tossed a flirtatious little smile at him as though happy to see him. He smiled back and inclined his head acknowledging her and then saw her smile slide away from her face.
With an icy plunge, Lana's heart sank into her stomach as she stared at the man from her dreams.