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Chapter 3

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"Kenobi, heh…been a while. It's good to see you." The dark figure greeted them at the entrance of the cantina, extending his gloved hand out, obviously expecting him to shake it.

Obi-Wan's eyes narrowed with hatred as he glared murderously at the individual before him, remembering.

"Listen." The Zabrak took a step forward, ignoring the look of anger crossing the face of the man before him, and closed the arm's length of distance between them so that they were now face to face.
It was time to get down to business.

"Hear him out Obi-Wan." He snarled, showing his crooked and jagged teeth. "For old time's sake."

"Why Darth Maul, what a surprise." Obi-Wan rolled his eyes in disgust as he pushed pass him and headed toward the table where an important looking man sat, surrounded by his guards and associates.

"Kenobi, I'd like you to meet Senator Palpatine, from Coruscant." Darth Maul stated as the three of them sat down around the table.
"Tarisian Ale" Obi-Wan ordered from the protocol droid passing their table as he sat down.

With everyone there, Darth Maul began to speak. "The Planet of Coruscant is interested in becoming part of the Empire and Senator Palpatine here is willing to spend whatever it takes to send expert mercenaries like yourselves to train their army."

"I already have a job." Obi-Wan declares as a tiny droid arrives with his order. He gladly takes the flagon and pours, filling the cup in his hand. "An agreement, working in a Cantina. You do know what an agreement is, don't you?"

Senator Palpatine suddenly spoke, his tone calm and smooth. "Your 'job' at the cantina earns you 500 credits a month, we, will pay you 400 credits a week."

Sitting next to Obi-Wan, Boba Fett nearly choked on his beverage when he heard the Senator's generous offer. However, before he was even able to open his mouth to accept the job, Obi-Wan's voice broke the silence.

"Five."

All attention turned to the slightly drunk man.

Senator Palpatine was the first to speak. "What?" He asked, his tone stiff.
He had come unprepared to negotiate.

"Five." Obi-Wan repeated his earlier statement, this time a tiny smirk ran across his features. "And another five hundred credits as a…bonus, for when the job is done."
Obi-Wan placed a hand on Boba Fett's shoulders, ignoring the shocked look on his friend's face. "For both of us!"

He grinned, almost sneering. "How many other 'expert mercenaries' like us do you have lined up?" Obi-Wan took the cup of Tarisian Ale he had poured for himself earlier and drank all of its contents in two large gulps, slamming the cup back down on the table in a contented sigh.

He glanced down at his empty cup. "What's a Mercenary have to do to get a drink around here?" He laughed.

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As a Droid delivered the drink Obi-Wan Kenobi had called for, Senator Palpatine and his associates conferred in hushed whispers, their words never making it's way to Obi-Wan's nor Boba Fett's ears.

"He's rude."

"I know, but that's how it is here on Naboo." Palpatine stated evenly as a response to his associate's statement. "This is a land of cheap merchants."

"So," Boba Fett spoke up suddenly, "Who would we be training your boys to fight? 'Theoretically' of course."

Senator Palpatine turned to face the Mandalorian and smiled. "His name is Qui-Gon Jinn. He is a Jedi."

"Jedi?" Questioned the mercenary. "What exactly is, 'Jedi'?"

"The term you would be more familiar with would be 'warrior'." Senator Palpatine explained with a grin that, for some reason, sent shivers down Obi-Wan's spine. "They are proud protectors. Qui-Gon Jinn used to be a trusted advisor of the King, but now he is a traitor and must be punished." The senator finished nonchalantly.

"Senator Palpatine knows of our…experience, dealing with renegades." Darth Maul added.

"Does he?" Obi-Wan scoffed. He turned his head and stared straight into the senator's cold, distrustful eyes.

"Yes." Darth Maul replied simply, and then turned his attention to Senator Palpatine. "Captain Kenobi's studies of the Wookie savages were crucial in our overwhelming defeat of them." He stated proudly.

Obi-Wan's gaze fell upon the Zabrak and began to laugh uncontrollably, pounding the cantina table. After a few seconds, Senator Palpatine spoke, giving Obi-Wan a disgusted glare while still maintaining the smooth, calm tone he usually spoke with. "Excuse me…captain…but what exactly is so funny?"

"Nothing. It's just…just the old unit together again…it's just so, so…" He looked at Boba Fett as he took another drink while pausing to find the right words. "Inspiring!" Obi-Wan, exclaimed in between short breaths, still laughing heartily. The vast amount of Tarisian Ale he had consumed during the duration of the conference had obviously put him into a drunken stupor.

Boba Fett remained quiet, but simply stared at the state his friend was once again in and smirked slightly, shaking his head.

Obi-Wan took the cup of liquor he had in his hand and downed the contents, slamming the empty glass down on the table as he stood up from his seat, still laughing. "Excuse me... I have to use the…necessities." He slurred slightly as he lied.
He turned to leave and headed out in the direction of the exit.

"This isn't a problem. Don't worry senator, I'll talk to him." Darth Maul assured as he quickly got up from his seat and followed Obi-Wan.

"Colonel Maul," Senator Palpatine called after him, causing him to stop in mid step and turn around. "We contacted you because you were Captain Kenobi's superior officer…"

"I'm aware of that Senator." He replied quickly. "He'll do it. Now if you'll excuse me…" He drifted off as he turned and rushed out of the cantina and after Obi-Wan.

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Darth Maul ran, finally catching up to Obi-Wan at the cantina's entrance. "Obi-Wan" He called out after him.

Obi-Wan didn't respond.

"Obi-Wan!" He yelled, this time grabbing his arm, turning him around to face him.

"Listen Kenobi." Darth Maul snarled, his face scrunching up in anger. "They, They know all about you...the things you did. And, and reputation is very important to them."

Obi-Wan stared blankly at him, uncaring.

"I did what I had to do out there, what we were ordered to do." Darth Maul growled. "I have no regret Kenobi, those savages got exactly what they deserved." He sighed. "You were one of the greatest officers to serve under me…now look at you."

Something inside Obi-Wan suddenly snapped. "You want me to kill Jedi? Fine, I'll kill the Jedi." He snarled, eyes burning with rage.

"Listen Kenobi, we're –" Darth Maul started to talk but was cut off by Obi-Wan.

"For 500 credits a month, I'll kill whoever you want you bastard," He continued, as he leaned forward so he stared directly at him. "But keep one thing in mind Maul, you, I'd happily kill for free."

Darth Maul glared hatefully at him, but nodded nonetheless.

"Good." Obi-Wan spat as he turned around and walked off, leaving the furious Zabrak behind, still fuming with anger.

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Obi-Wan boarded the transport headed to Coruscant, along with Boba Fett the next day, completely unaware of what he would find there.

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A/N: Wow! It's a miracle! I updated again! lol
Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and thanks for reading!

Until next time!