A/N: PEOPLES! Can you believe it? I actually updated! Haha...you know what the funniest thing is though? It's been so long, I've almost forgotten how to do this;) Well listen, since I'm FINALLY freed up a bit, I'm going to try really, REALLY hard to update more often. No guarantees though...sorry:( An extra big thankx to eveybody still reading:) Hope you enjoy.
kenjigirl: Thankx dude bout the discriptions. I think making stories feel like you're watching a movie while you read it is always the best way to go:) Haha...glad you liked little Ani too...I knew you would;)
Ara Goddess of the Broken: Thankx, I hope you still like it:)
Relyan: Thankx, as always:) Haha...thank you for the compliment too, Master Yoda does.
ZELINIA: Well I'm glad you're okay with being patient:) Some people are...you know, the opposite. It's nice to meet people who are willing to wait. Thankx. I'm glad you approve of the descriptions of Mybis too:) Haha...I guess it is kinda like a Naboo. A mix of that and Kashyyyk, I think. By the way, yeah...just to narrow down your time zone a little bit more, this whole thing is occuring a year after 1.
sodbuster: Thankx alot for your thoughts. I really appreciate it. I'm happy you like my writing style too. Oh, and to answer your question, yeah...I've actually just started an original story that I'm working on in between this one. I guess it'll be in the drama and action/adventure catagories when it's done. I'm not sure when I'll have it on the net (I'll post it on but if you keep a look out on my author page, I'll post an alert once it's up. Thankx again:)
JEDIKNIGHT32: Yeah, I know. For some reason I like the idea of Obi-Wan being called 'Master' instead of 'Knight' though, so I decided to up his promotion a little;) Thankx, as always.
monkeygirl982: Haha...I like your penname. It's funny:) Here's that update I know you've been dying for;)
Manson: Here ya go:) Hope you enjoy.
Asato-Chan: Thank you so much for the compliment:) I hope your intrest is still caught despite my sorry lack of recent updates!
Risika Tygora: Sweet! I'm glad you like it and can see yourself in her shoes:) Hope to here from you again!
Night of the Land: Thank you! Here's your update! Sorry for making you wait so long:(
meandmysharpie: First off, awesome penname. Sharpies rock, don't they;) And secondly, thankx much for the review!
Niraha Skywalker: Wow...really? Aww...thankx:) Haha...I have to admit though, I don't think I've ever gotten a review quite like yours before. (that's a good thing;) Thankx for telling me that everybody's staying in character too. I was beginning to wonder if I was getting Obi-Wan down quite right. Please, drop me a line again sometime:) Thankx again.
A/N2: SWEET! Check out all these reviews! You guys are seriously amazing! Okay, okay...Gotta quiz for you. The one who can answer this question first will win a special prize:) Hallus Jettster. He's the new guy you'll meet in this chapter. Now, for all of you hard-core Star Wars fans (ehhem...like me) this should be 'easy as pie', but I thought I'd test your memories and observation anyway;) So here goes. Hallus has a brother in this story who also makes an appearance in one of the Star Wars Movies. Who is his brother? May the Force be with you! (Nope...you ain't gettin' no blasted hints from me you cheatin' buggers;)
Chapter 8:
Hallus Jettster
"Bloody incredible." Khyra whispered to herself as she and her companions stepped onto the Cruiser's open exit ramp.
In front of them was a world bustling full of life; filled with nearly every type of creature a good imagination could create, and then some. All the more huge did the planet seem too, on the landing platform. Like tiny ants are to a picnic spread, the world around them appeared to burst forth in unimaginable proportions. Turbolift's much like those seen on Coruscant and neon signs lighting the entrance to various storefronts at the base of the large trees added a 'futuristic' touch to the otherwise primitive looking world.
"Well? Are you two just going to stand there all day, or are you coming?" Zeru's excitable voice came from behind a stunned Khyra before he skipped down the ramp in front of her and Obi-Wan.
Noticing a vast mix of emotions welling inside the stilled Khyra, Obi-Wan respectfully cleared his throat and gingerly placed a hand on the small of her back; pushing forward ever so slightly. "Are you ready?"
Just the thought of the handsome Jedi's hand resting on her back sent a chill up Khyra's spine. That alone was enough to knock her right out of her stupor and back to the present. "Uhh...yeah, sure...all set." she finally managed out.
"Good." to Khyra's greatest disappointment (and strange relief), Obi-Wan withdrew his hand and led the way down the Cruiser's ramp.
As the three walked through Mybis' casually crowded streets, Khyra found herself no longer marveling at the many shops selling everything from strange foods to clothes, or at the vast array of species mingling around her. Instead, her thoughts were still on the friendly tingle poking at her skin where Obi-Wan's hand had lain. 'Why did that...Why did he...did he just use the Force to tell me something? Oh come on, Khy! Stop thinking like that! You remember what Mace said...keep your bloody mind on the bleedin' present!' she reprimanded herself silently.
Sensing Khyra's preoccupation in her thoughts, Obi-Wan smirked and sent a small shock through the Force to...wake her up. "Khyra?" Obi-Wan slowed his pace to come up by her side as he spoke kindly.
"Hmm?" finding herself again being pulled from her thoughts, Khyra unexpectedly turned her head and looked straight into the deep eyes of the young Jedi. Noticing instantly Obi-Wan's curious question before it was asked, Khyra smiled lightly, "Yes...I do have a problem with daydreaming, and yes...I'm sure I'm fine."
Obi-Wan smiled and shook his head. "It appears we have a lot more in common then I originally expected."
"What do you mean?"
Tilting his head to the lilac colored sky through the thick green canopy above, Obi-Wan closed his eyes as if he had just seen a beautiful vision and smiled, "We both love to dream."
Just then, Khyra felt a wave of serenity smash through her heart through her newly found connection with the Force as a ray of light shined on Obi-Wan's face; eerily setting it apart from the rest of the otherwise shady planet.
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After quite a good amount of walking through the increasingly crowded market streets of Mybis' central trade center, Khyra followed Obi-Wan and Zeru into a quant diner appropriately called 'Diner.'
As they walked inside, Khyra found it to look much like many Earthly diners. In other words, it wasn't much. A few simple booths lined three strong, glass (or 'transperasteel', as Zeru called it) walls, while a few tables were set in some what of an order between the walls and a sitting bar facing the kitchen. Khyra hadn't come in contact with many droids as of yet, so she was particularly interested with the robotic waitress marked the WA-7 taking a group's order at a booth beside her.
Following Zeru across the Diner's floor to a booth perfectly sized for four, Khyra took a seat next to the younger, elf-like man and watched Obi-Wan politely approach a WA-7 pouring drinks behind the bar counter. She couldn't quite make out was being said, but the respectful way the Jedi approached even a mere droid managed keep her attention.
"So..." Zeru's sly voice began; tearing Khyra from the reverie keeping her. "What's Earth like?"
"Earth?" Khyra in a tone edging on the sarcastic. "It's...interesting." noticing Zeru's curious expression, she continued, "Some of it is beautiful, but...like your worlds, I'd imagine, the majority of it's nothing short of rotted and corrupt. Too many people trying to make peace by war."
"Ahh...yes. The good ol' 'create peace by destroying it' routine. You'll find a lot of that out here too." Zeru sighed at the tragically ironic thought.
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"Thank you." the sudden sound of Obi-Wan's voice pricked the attention of the two comrades.
They watched as Obi-Wan bowed in thanks to the droid and made his way to their booth. "Hallus should be out in a moment."
"And who's he again?" Khyra asked as Obi-Wan settled; making sure his robe wasn't in anyone's way.
"He's an old friend of mine who's been doing some reconnaissance work for us." Obi-Wan paused as a WA-7 droid placed a glass of water in front of him. "Last I spoke to him, he said he had gained some new information regarding our mission."
"He's kind of our 'off-planet spy.'" Zeru whispered mischievously.
"Ahhh..." a husky voice sighed contently from behind. "My two favorite costumers. Obi-Wan and Zeru, the biggest eaters in the galaxy! How are ya?" the rough but strangely gentle voice made itself known with the entry of a quite large (both in height and stature) alien creature. At first glance, the creature would appear to be quite intimidating with his beefy build, scruffy grey beard, four broad arms (two on each side), and warn white apron stained with a variety of food and alien bloods. The trio however, would see a different side of the Besalisk being as he drew closer.
"Hallus!" Zeru exclaimed happily; jumping out of the booth to warmly embrace his old friend.
"Zeru, it's so good it see you." the Besalisk returned the embrace to the much smaller being. "How've you been?"
"Good, you?" Zeru buckled slightly under the weight of Hallus' broad underhand resting on his shoulder.
"Wonderful."
"And Obi-Wan, my old buddy." Hallus moved from one friend to the next as Obi-Wan stood to join reunion.
Like Zeru he too was met with a warm hug from their old friend. "How's business lately?" Obi-Wan asked through the quick embrace.
Hallus laughed slightly. "Booming. Ever since the Republic opened up trade routes in the outer rim, Mybis has had some very hungry visitors."
With old friends reunited, Hallus turned his attention to Khyra for the first time. "Well, hello there." he greeted. "And what would a pretty young lady like yourself be doing with these two trouble makers?" All four shared in a brief laugh before Hallus held out his hand. "Hallus Jettster."
Accepting his gesture, Khyra place her (small, in comparison to Hallus') hand in his. "Khyrana Sylo. Nice to meet you."
"The pleasure is mine." Hallus spoke charmingly.
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Not wanting to break up the joyous moment, but realizing the urgency of their mission, Obi-Wan quaintly gestured for the group to sit.
Once situated comfortably, Obi-Wan began, "Unfortunately Hal, you know we're not here just for a visit."
"Ahh...yes. The war brings you here. Zeru spoke of a plan to infiltrate Vahl's palace?"
"Yes." Obi-Wan focused his mind on the topic at hand as he spoke; desperately trying to push back the ever pervading presence in his mind (and possibly heart?) of the young woman across from him. 'Mind on the present, Obi-Wan. That's what Master would say.' "It just so happens that Khyrana is a close relative to Vahl's. We believe that her life code will match Sylo's close enough to give her control to gain entry."
"You can't be serious Obi-Wan! It's suicide to send another there! You know what happened last time." Obi-Wan hadn't been reprimanded by Hallus in a long time, but he certainly hadn't lost his touch.
"It will be different—"
"Wait. What 'last time'? What haven't you told me Obi-Wan?" Khyra asked sternly.
Obi-Wan sighed heavily and attempted to explain. "Eleven months ago, the council sent a Jedi named Akina Maru to Vahl's home base as an undercover agent posing as one of Vahl's soldiers. During the first five months, she reported actively with both the council and myself. She gave us much vital information, including the bit about Vahl's security force."
"What happened?"
Obi-Wan bowed his head for a moment. As he lifted his eyes to meet Khyra's again, the brilliant color of sea-change that just before illuminated from those deep orbs now shown dark with regret and sorrow unknown. "Six months ago, Akina suddenly stopped reporting. It was weeks before anyone heard from here. Then Zeru and I received a short transmission reporting that her mission had been compromised. I found a way to contact her and give her new orders to get off the planet and come home, but she wouldn't listen...she wanted to stay."
Zeru decided to jump in. "As a Jedi, she felt it her duty to complete her mission for the Republic."
"Did you ever hear from here again?" asked Khyra.
"Not openly," Obi-Wan began. "but Hallus has been receiving unnamed coded transmissions directly from Namacus Prime (Vahl's main base) warning us about his upcoming attacks. It must be her."
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"So," Khyra started; leaning back against the booth cushion. "This is a rescue mission too?"
Obi-Wan nodded solemnly. "She's been a very loyal friend to the Jedi. Some people," he emphasized with a powerful glare toward Zeru. "think that she may have turned to the Dark Side—"
"No!" Zeru interrupted. "I didn't say that. I just said that it's a possibility we must think about."
Obi-Wan continued in spite of his old friend's comment. "But, I feel she is still fighting for the Order."
"Right...I'm sure she is too." Khyra tried to encourage her downhearted friend.
An awkward silence filled the air around the comfortable booth until Khyra smiled somewhat sheepishly. "Where do we start?"
Hallus took the opportunity to clear his throat and make his seemingly forgotten presence re-known. "I think I can help with that." The uniquely large Besalisk shuffled a tad in his seat and pulled a rumpled piece of paper from the back pocket of his pants.
"The transmissions have been coming in bits and pieces, but I've managed to put most of the information together." he opened the folded paper and handed it to Obi-Wan. "These are the coordinates to Vahl's palace and an underground access tunnel that should get you close to the palace without much attention."
The fact that Hallus seemed to be directing his speech toward Khyra did not go unnoticed by her. "That will be useful once we actually get on the planet, but how do we get through the security force field surrounding the planet?"
"That part is a little more complicated." Obi-Wan added gingerly.
"How much more complicated?"
"Well...getting the force field down will be easy enough with just a small sample of your blood,"
When Obi-Wan pause lasted much too long for Khyra's patience, she decided to urge him slightly. "But?"
"But," he finally started with uncertainty filling his eyes. "If we cannot shut down the force field at just the right moment, we will be blown out of the sky before we can do anything about it."
Crossing her arms and pouting slightly, Khyra groaned, "Oh, bloody brilliant this plan is..."