CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Their ship docked at a spaceport located near a bustling marketplace. They were greeted by a large orange Nikto wearing numerous facial piercings in each of the breathing holes of his face, indicating the Morgukai clan.
His growling voice barked forth a command and Padmé looked to Dormé for help.
"He says we are to follow him to his clan leader's headquarters."
Anakin turned a surprised and somewhat impressed expression to the young woman, who simply responded. "My mother dated a Nikto once…..when I was girl." He stood dumbfounded as he watched her pass, following the retreating alien out of the port and into the marketplace.
Padmé was amazed at her surroundings. The planet in itself was not impressive. It reminded her too much of Tatooine. It was too hot and there was too much sand, although the sand on this planet was orange, and not yellow. The marketplace is what piqued her interest. They were walking a broad sandy street teeming with sellers shouting and buyers apparently arguing, Even in the midst of a clan war, the planet's economy seemed unaffected. A quick glance to the shops as they passed soon revealed the reason behind its success.
She had been aware of the Nikto's reputation for smuggling and selling illegal substances throughout the galaxy, but here on Kintan, the items were sold in plain view, right in the street. She walked a little closer to the low wooden tables to glance at the items. Most of the things they passed she recognized as being illegal in many worlds. Some she did not recognize at all.
Her steps slowed a bit, and Dormé was soon by her side, curious to what caught her attention when she saw a table full of small blue vials. She knowlingly glanced at Dormé with a small grin on her face, but was soon accosted by the shop's owner, a shorter and stout Nikto, she assumed to be a female by the high pitched yipping voice that was now addressing them. Padmé once more looked to Dormé for help.
Dormé concentrated on the conversation and actually even spoke back to the seller before leaning to whisper to Padmé. "She's giving away free samples today."
The yipping voice continued and Dormé interpreted. "And the vials have a new repulsortip mister. How convenient." she teased.
Dormé tried to explain they were not interested as politely as she could, but was caught off guard as the seller went ahead and held up a large tester vial and misted her right in the face.
She spewed, spit, sputtered, and coughed before being led away by a giggling Padmé. "I guess I used the wrong words." Dormé attempted to rub the pheromone mist from her eyes.
They soon caught up with Anakin and the Morgukai member, who held out his leathery orange hand, an obvious gesture for them to wait. They were standing in a small hut that adjoined a much larger building beyond the curtain the Morgukai had just passed through. This was obviously the headquarters and they would hopefully be finding Obi-Wan, soon.
As Dormé stood waiting patiently, she was suddenly aware of a slight tickling sensation caused by the wisps of her hair that hung down on her neck. She swiped at the hairs with her hand, surprised instead to slap Anakin in the face. He was standing right behind her, his head leaning over her shoulder and he was breathing deeply against her neck. His voice was a murmured whisper into her ear. "That fragrance you're wearing. I find it highly... intoxicating."
Dormé's mouth fell open as she looked up through the ceiling, silently praying for any assistance from any higher power who would hear her. Typical. Just her luck!