Hey Super Star Wars Fans!

How's it going today?

I hope the force is with you.


Chapter Twenty-Two

The moment they walked off the ship, Aedan watched as an orange entity dashed forward and jumped on Kyra. Ahsoka Tano was hugging Kyra tightly, "You've been gone forever!" she exclaimed. "Next time, I'm coming with you."

Aedan laughed, "That can be arranged," he said.

Ahsoka let go of Kyra, eyes wide, "Really?"

"Yes, really."

"Oh wow, you'll have to tell me all about it."

"We will," Kyra said, "And goodness do I have a lot to show you," Kyra said.

Ahsoka was bouncing from foot to foot, "I can't wait!"

"You two go on without me, I have to meet with the council."

"Want me to come with you, Master?"

"No, Padawan, I got this," he said. "You go have fun and take the rest of the evening off. Tomorrow we'll have a mission and a treat."

Surprised, Kyra asked, "A mission?"

Aedan laughed, and shook his head. "Three months ago you'd be more excited about the treat."

"Well, don't think I'm not. But a mission..." She smiled widely, "Now that is exciting."

"Get some rest," he said, "Oh, and bring that purple ingot from Obredaan."

Her eyebrows shot up at that, "I will, Master."

Aedan nodded, and then walked away.

Now the tough part.

Moments later Aedan was in the turbolift, on his way up to see the High Council. Nervousness flooded through him. Would they sense his feelings for her? He couldn't let that happen. They would take her away from him. Maybe they should. How had he let himself grow so close to her? He couldn't tell if it was bad idea to take her to Tython in the first place. Isolating himself with her was just a recipe for disaster. But look what it accomplished. She was astonishingly improved, and growing more and more powerful. He had awakened her capabilities.

But she had awakened his heart.

He slammed his eyes closed. Stop it. You are walking a dangerous line. He couldn't let himself get lost again like that. He had to be the dutiful, strict, and dogmatic Master, or else he would ruin everything.

That settles that, he thought. Now to just hide everything from the council. No easy task.

He walked through the double doors and stood in the middle of the High Council chambers. "Knight Kahl, welcome back," Yoda said.

"Thank you, Master."

"Was your time there successful?"

"It was, Indeed, Master," he said. "Kyra has overcome her emotions and has excelled in all areas."

Master Yoda nodded, "Sense pride in you, I do."

Aedan couldn't help but smile, "Yes, I am very proud of my Padawan and her accomplishments. As all Masters should be."

With his perpetual scowl, Master Windu spoke up, "And you feel that you two are ready for missions?"

Aedan nodded, "I do."

The Korun Master nodded, "Good. I look forward to seeing her in action again. What she did on Taris was most impressive."

"She won't let you down, Master."

Master Windu crossed his arms, and narrowed his eyes, clearly implying, "It's not her I'm worried about."

Revan's Rage, Aedan cursed in his head. He quickly bit back a sharp retort, and just nodded in response. "Will that be all, Masters?"

"That will be all, Knight Kahl."

Aedan bowed low, and then exited the council chambers.


The next day, after a tough Coleman Crucible workout, a peaceful meditation where Aedan had to touch Kyra on the shoulder to get out of her trance because she was so deep into the force, and Kyra battling against her personal best twelve remotes, they walked out of the temple entrance, and found themselves a taxi.

"Where are we going this time, Master?

"CoCo Town,"

"Oh, that explains everything then."

Aedan smiled, "Stands for the Commercial Collective District. I mentioned previously I'd take you to my favorite place to eat in Coruscant, well that's where we're headed. Dex's Diner."

Her smiled widened, "I can't wait. I am so hungry," she said "But what about the mission?"

"This is the mission. And the treat."

"Interesting."

"The food is fantastic, but the owner, Dex, is quite the character, and well, he's been everywhere. Did you bring the purple ingot like I asked?"

"Yep, I got it."

"Ok, great. Again, you're in for a treat."

They walked into a small diner, well, compared to the refectory it was small. It had a row of red leather booths, and a dozen seats up against the bar.

"Aedan Kahl, is that you?" A voice sounded from within the kitchen and a massive four-armed Besalisk stepped into view. Kyra nearly stepped back. Even when smiling, he looked sinister. Kyra reached out to him through the force and sensed goodness, which instantly calmed her down. She reached deeper and then realized she was standing over a chasm of knowledge and experience. He's seen so much, and not all of it good, but he still not only remains jovial, but optimistic. She already liked this Besalisk a lot.

Aedan smiled back, "Hey Dex,"

"Take a seat, I'll be right with you."

They found their seat in the far corner booth.

"Want a cup of jawa juice?" A waitress droid asked.

"No thank you, we're working." Aedan answered.

A moment later Dex was approaching, "What do you know, two Jedi in the same day. I sure am the lucky one."

"Obi-Wan was here I'm guessing."

"Yep, was looking for information on a rare weapon I hadn't seen in years."

"Sounds like Obi-Wan to me."

Gesturing to Kyra, "And who might this be?" Dex asked.

"This is my Padawan, Kyra Dawnstar. And Kyra, this is Dexter Jettster."

"Pleased to meet you, young one. Any friend of Aedan's is a friend of mine."

"Eh, not sure I'd consider us friends," Kyra said with a smile, "Merely obligated work acquaintances."

Dex let out a gruff, but amiable laugh. "I like this one, Kahl. But what brings you in today, my friend?"

"Kyra here ran into a rather formidable opponent on Obredaan," Aedan began, "She was investigating a possible slave trade, but stumbled onto a small droid foundry that had a dangerous looking prototype that wielded some sort of electrostaff."

"My, that sounds like quite the discovery."

"It was," Kyra muttered, trying not to remember that day.

"This was found down there, dozens of them," Aedan said, putting the small purple bar on the table. "Any idea what it is and where it came from?"

"Well, would you look at that," Dexter said with obvious intrigue. "What you have here, I believe, is a very rare metal. Tell me, the electrostaff you faced off against, was it lightsaber resistant?"

"Yes," Kyra answered, surprised. "It was."

Dexter nodded at the confirmation, "This is Phrik Alloy. It's used to make lightsaber resistant materials, and used in electrostaffs. But it's so rare its almost non-existent. Most phrik mines have dried up."

"So where could this be from?"

"There are whispers that a new, very rich, deposit has been discovered on Gromas 16, a small moon in the Perkell sector of the Mid Rim."

Aedan could help but let out a laugh, "I knew coming to you was the right decision. It seems you know everything."

Dex laughed as well, "There's an old saying on Ojom, 'Four arms we be fortunate, but four ears we be rich.' So, we Besalisks tend to keep our ears open to all rumors and rumblings."

"I believe it," Aedan said.

"Go to Gromas Sixteen," Dexter said, "Also called the Blood Moon. Look for Wil Asani, a friend of a friend of mine, I'll let him know you're coming. He's there for the Phrik as well."

"He's investigating like we are?" Kyra asked.

"No, he's there to steal it. He was a smuggler with me before I made it to Coruscant, and he knows how valuable Phrik is. He'll show you where to look," Dexter said, then knowing smile spread on his face, "For the right price that is."

"I figured you would say that. Once again, you've helped me out. Thank you."

"Nonsense, don't thank me. You two are the ones out there actually doing good. I couldn't be happier to help. But now that that's over, what will you be having?"

"We will both be having your galaxy famous NerfBurgers," Aedan said.

"Excellent choice," Dex said "They'll be out in a minute."

The burgers came out and once again Aedan comically observed Kyra enjoy her burgers as if she'd never had food before. The exclamations and groans were positively endearing. But there was no denying it, the nerfburgers were the best in the galaxy.

They finished their meal, and Dex came over to say goodbye. "One more thing, Dex," Aedan said, "Ever heard of someone named Salas Sa'Kard?"

The big Besalisk's posture went rigid, his gaze cold. "No," he whispered.

Aedan raised an eyebrow, "You haven't heard of him?"

"Not him," he pleaded.

"You do know him," Aedan stated.

Dex looked at Aedan and then to Kyra, fear written on his face, his ridged forehead furrowed. He slowly sat back down in the booth next to Kyra.

"Salas Sa'kard," Dex mused. "Of all the names I didn't want to hear, that topped the list. He is the most dangerous man in the galaxy," he avoided Aedan's eyes. "Tell me what you saw."

Kyra cleared her throat, "He was tall, over two meters, maybe even two and a half. He wore a black mask with red lines, and all black clothing. And he was fast. Really fast."

Dex shook his head, "And was his sword made from cortosis."

Kyra nodded.

"Forget what I said about Gromas sixteen, that's the wrong system. Phrik is actually mined on Sullust."

Aedan tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. "Dex, I'm not falling for that. And you know I can handle myself. Tell us what you know?"

The besalisk appraised Kyra once more. "No. I won't help you in this."

"We're going to Gromas whether you tell us more or not. It would be better with some more information."

"Please, he killed a Jedi. He killed my Master," Kyra chimed in.

"He's killed dozens of Jedi and dozens of masters," Dex snapped back.

"I don't believe that. We would have known about him before this. The jedi Order, and me personally, would have hunted him down long ago if that was the case."

"I thought he had been killed when he faced Avar Kriss. Kriff, the whole galaxy thought he did."

"Avar Kriss?" Kyra questioned, "That would make him over two hundred years old."

Dex's head moved up and down solemnly, "Try five thousand years old. He is a Gen'Dai. One of the last of his kind. And unlike most his species he is abominably belligerent, possibly psychotic, and an outright killer."

"A Gen'Dai," Aedan asked in disbelief. "How can that be?"

"What's a Gen'Dai?" Kyra asked.

"They're an ancient race of typically peaceful humanoids. They're entire bodies are made of pure muscle. Thousands and thousands of muscle strands. Not a single bone in the body. That's what makes them so fast and powerful. They're nearly impossible to kill. That's why the Sith, thousands of years ago, destroyed their home planet. Only a few dozen remain. And while they look outright menacing, being so tall, always wearing armor to keep their muscled bodies in form, and their reptilian face with the vicious looking teeth, they are a wise, thoughtful, and peacekeeping species that lives for millennia. But some, like Sa'kard, lose their minds, and turn horrifically hostile and malicious."

"Okay, Okay," Aedan said, "Anything special we should know about him?"

"I had heard rumors about a new player taking over for Krayn." Aedan stiffened at that. And Dex noticed, "How do You know Krayn?"

"I was born on Nar Shadaa," Aedan said.

"Well then you know Krayn was ordained by the Hutts to be overlord of a slave trade cell. When he died, someone took over for him. Someone that was said to be massive and brutally strong, and always wearing black armor and a black mask."

"Salas killed my parents; Krayn orchestrated the whole thing."

"Then you can deduce that he is now overlord of the slave trade."

"What do the Magnaguard droids have to do with the slaves?" Kyra asked.

"That I don't know," Dex said, "So much about Sa'kard is shrouded and unknown."

"What else can you tell us about him?"

"Gen'Dai have no vital organs, only a very small brain, but don't let that fool you. They're a vastly intelligent species. And they can regenerate."

"Force," Aedan cursed, "How do we kill him?"

"The only way to kill a Gen'Dai is remove the brain, which is tiny and can be moved throughout the body, and then destroy it or vaporize the body until only ashes are left."

"Great," Aedan said dryly.

"Don't go after this one, Aedan. He is the worst kind of evil."

"All evil is the worst."

"He has to be stopped," Kyra added in.

Dex folded all four arms in front of him, "And you two think you'll be the ones to do it?"

"Yes," they both said at the exact same time.

Dex just gaped at them, and then shook his head. "I can't dissuade you can I."

"No," Aedan said.

The big Besalisk sighed, "Well, then may the force be with you."

"Thank you, Dex, for everything."

"Thanks, Dexter Jettster," Kyra said, and gave the big Besalisk at hug, which brought a laugh out of him.

They left the diner, caught a taxi, and spent the ride back to the temple in silence, both thinking about the mission to come.