Is the Force flowing or what, today? Okay, maybe I'm just thrilled to post another chapter, or maybe I'm excited about episode four of Kenobi tomorrow, or maybe…

I could go on and on.

May the Force be with you all as well.

Enjoy!


Chapter Twenty-Three

A big red gas-giant planet filled the viewport, as they dropped out of hyperspace. "So, this is Gromas?" Kyra asked.

"It is," Aedan said. "Apparently, it has thirty-two moons, all of which are mostly unexplored as this is a somewhat unknown planet due to the difficulty getting here. Gromas got put on the map because it, and seemingly some of its moons, are rich with precious metals."

"And how are we going to find this thief here?"

"Smuggler thief," Aedan corrected. Kyra just glowered in response. "Well, there is one main space port, Rojar Transit Station that orbits Gromas. That's where we'll find Wil Asani."

"And he knows where this phrik depository is?"

"Let's hope so."

"Wil knows we're Jedi, but let's make sure no one else knows that, so we won't be wearing Jedi garb."

"Let me guess, you got me more clothing."

"You know it," Aedan said with a smile. "We'll be there in a few moments so go get ready."

Aedan pulled the ship into the docking bay just as Kyra came out of her room wearing the new clothes—a cream colored nerf-leather jacket paired with black pants, and a blaster pistol holstered low on her hip. "A blaster, really?" she asked.

"Yep, we need to look the part."

"Where did you get the DD6 blaster?"

"You don't want to know."

Kyra tilted her head back and let out a lengthy sigh. "One of these days, I'm going to find out all your secrets, and you won't be able to hide anymore from me."

"That will be a frightening day," Aedan said, more sincerely than he had intended. "Alright, we're looking for a dark-skinned human male of average height, who's a smuggler, but probably doesn't want to look like a smuggler."

"Oh, this is going to be easy."

"We'll find a way, but be on your guard. I trust Dex, but not all of Dex's friends have the cleanest of characters."

"Got it."

They exited the 'Guile and walked onto the landing platform. They paid the docking fee and registered their ship at the bay checkpoint, and then walked out into the station.

"One hundred credits!" Kyra exclaimed, "Next time I'm using a Jedi mind trick."

"I didn't realize that was part of your repertoire."

She gave him a haughty look, "You aren't the only with secrets."

Aedan raised an eyebrow, "Ok, next time the chance presents itself, you give it a try," then a thought came to him. "Better yet, you take point on this mission. You do all the dealing, planning, and reporting."

"What?" Kyra asked, growing timid.

A smile coming to his face, "Yes, why didn't I think of this before? From here on out, I am merely an assistant. You lead the way."

"But…"

Aedan raised one hand up to stop her, "That's my final order of the mission. It is now in your hands."

"Master, I don't…"

Aedan stepped forward, and put his hands on her shoulders, "Kyra, you can do this."

Resigned to her master's adamancy, she finally relented, "Ok, but where do I even begin?"

Aedan shrugged. "You tell me."

"Ugh, fine," Kyra said, looking around. She observed the small space port, there were a few shops ranging from clothing, to supplies, to maintenance, as well as a few restaurants and a few bars. One bar in particular caught her eye. Big neon lights above it, "Hedo's Hideout," it was called, and all manner of species seemed to be entering or hanging around outside. She could hear the cantina music emanating from the interior, "That's probably a good place to start."

Aedan watched as she took a deep breath, pulled her shoulders back, and then began walking purposefully toward the bar, adopting somewhat of a swagger in her walk.

Not bad, Kyra

What, me in these fitting black pants?

Aedan's brain short circuited, and his breath left him. He couldn't form a coherent thought, let alone a response.

Kyra turned around, and looked at him, "What, you said we needed to play the part, so I am."

"Right," Aedan barked out, "Of course." She gave him a sly smirk, turned sharply, and continued her walk.

She's playing games with me. Kriff me on Kessel this girl is a she-demon.

Entering into the bar, Aedan could feel Kyra's façade falter for a moment. This was one of those places most Jedi stayed away from. Or even most civilized people stayed away from. It was rowdy, it was raunchy, it smelled of a dozen different systems' libation of choice, and it was exactly the place a smuggler would be found in.

Kyra, gathered herself, and marched through the bar, radiating power. More than a few heads turned in her direction. Aedan did not blame them. She was a sight. And the Force was with her. She deftly maneuvered around stumbling drunkards and made it to the bar. Aedan continued to observe as she looked at the abundance of bottles on the wall behind the bartender and was clearly baffled by what to order. But she didn't panic, she just looked around and found two humans, a male and female, and observed what they were drinking. When the bartender asked, she just gestured toward them and said, "We'll have two of those." She then turned her back to the bar, as did Aedan, and they gazed out across the bar observing the clientele. No one stood out to them yet.

"That'll be sixteen credits," the bartender said behind them. Aedan laid twenty credits down on the bar and gave the Bothan a nod. "Much appreciated, Sir," he said.

Kyra picked up the pale-yellow beverage, and then held the glass out toward Aedan. "Cheers!"

Aedan shook his head, Are you sure about this? And proffered his glass in the same manner, he brought it to his mouth, and it was then he noticed the distinct floral smell. Oh no. "Kyra wait, that's—" he tried to stop her. But she had already taken a fairly large gulp.

Her face went white. "What? What is it? I saw those two humans drinking it so I thought it was safe."

"It's safe, but—"

"It was sweet when I first drank it, then it burned going down my throat." Then her eyes widened, and her face flushed. She gripped the bar with one hand. She parted her lips one moment, and then the next she bit down on one of them. "Oh," she said, and slowly closed her eyes.

Aedan had to sink into a brief, but intense, meditative state to center himself. Oh goodness, Force, save me, he thought.

Her eyes fluttered as the effects of the libation lessened. "What did I just drink?"

Aedan chuckled, "Of course the first alcoholic beverage you order is Namana Liquor."

"And what, might I ask, is Namana Liquor?"

"It is an extremely rare drink, not sure how they got it here, that comes from Bakura. Not only is it strong, it produces a…" Aedan bobbed his head once, considering his words, "Euphoric feeling."

"Oh," Kyra said, her cheeks still bright red, "That explains a lot. Probably not the best drink during a mission."

"Correct. Perhaps let me order the drinks from here on out," And then motioned towards the barkeep.

"Well, aren't you going to at least have a sip?"

Aedan shook his head, avoiding eye contact. "That would be unwise."

"Why?" Kyra said, as she put her hand on his forearm and stared into his eyes. Aedan noticed that her pupils were still noticeably dilated. But beyond that, he saw the look she was giving him. He sensed her through the force, and was overwhelmed with the weight of emotion that was now crashing down on him.

Holy kriff on a Korriban cracker, he thought. He began to gather his strength. He took deep, calming breaths. And he reached out to the force.

"Besides," she interrupted his thoughts, "I may not know much about drinking, but I do know its rude to not take a sip after a toast. In fact, I've heard that phantom diagonas mobilize and attack when such cultural affronts occur."

Aedan blinked several times, and felt his bottom jaw drop. How can I resist? Aedan picked his glass up, and took a sip. Kyra smiled widely and then took another gulp of her own.

Aedan was about to scold her, but an onslaught of endorphins was released into his system and he no longer held any negative sentiments. He shook his head, trying to clear it, but realized that he was already thinking perfectly clear. He looked to Kyra, and saw that she was still experiencing the bliss and elation from the big gulp. A part of his brain was telling him this was a bad idea, but he was intoxicated. His newfound mental clarity clarified that it wasn't the libation that was to blame. It was her. She was intoxicating. She had been drugging him every day for the past six months. And now he was helplessly addicted. There was no cure. No remedy for his condition. It was turn towards her or turn to dust.

"Aedan," she said softly.

He locked eyes with her. He stared into those impossibly blue eyes of hers. Saw all the shades of color in the iris. And then noticed the flecks of gold, of course there was gold. He looked deeper, looked through those windows into her soul and saw everything he had ever wanted. He saw a place with no nightmares. Only dreams. No demons. Only Angels. One Angel.

He moved his hand onto her shoulder. The leather jacket provided too much of an obstruction. He slowly moved his hand up, and gently placed the palm of his hand on her cheek, his fingers splayed out, extending as far as they could, grasping as much skin as they dared, as much as they could.

She inhaled sharply at the touch, her eyes never leaving his. Her heart was pounding. He could feel her pulse in his fingertips, as they were partially resting on her neck. She raised her own hand up and cupped his face. The air instantly electrified. The magnetism was palpable now.

"That night…after the Forge," Kyra whispered, "I was afraid. And I was overwhelmed." She moved her finger tips past his cheek, over his ear, and into his hair, running her fingers through the shoulder length brown strands.

"So was I," he said.

"But not anymore. I know this is right, Aedan. I can feel it through the force," she said, staring down at his lips, and moving her face towards Aedan's.

Aedan couldn't help but be pulled in. She was gravity. The center of his world, and there was no denying the pull. He began to lean in. Slowly.

A ripple in the Force tore through his mind, causing him to wince, and then stand up. He closed his eyes, and shook his head violently. He then looked at Kyra. Then to the drinks still on the bar. And then around at the bar. He inhaled deeply, breathing in the Force. Breathing in resolve and focus. And walked away.

He put one foot in front of the other. He didn't know where he was going. He just knew he had to move. He made it ten steps and then slammed into someone. Aedan had been moving so forcefully that he almost knocked the man to the ground. Before the man could fall over Aedan gripped his brown leather jacket and pulled him up, "I am so sorry," he said, "That was stupid of me."

"Geez, I'd expect more dexterity and awareness from a Jedi."

"What?" Aedan feigned confusion, "I'm not a Jedi. Clearly."

Before the newcomer could respond, Kyra came up from behind them, "Mr. Asani, I presume."

"See, that's more like it," Wil Said, and gave a mock bow. "At your service, Jedi. Follow me, I have a table in the back," he said, and turned, heading towards the far wall of the cantina.

Aedan just stared openmouthed at Kyra as she completely returned back to her required role. How? He thought. "Kyra, I'm—" he tried to say as they began walking behind Wil.

She stopped abruptly, turned around and put a hand on his chest. "As long as it doesn't hinder the mission," she quoted him. "As long as we can control the emotions, and maintain our focus." She smiled knowingly, and continued in Wil's direction.

He felt that extensively important organ behind his breastbone do that violent, abnormal contraction thing, and his stomach flip.

Force. This girl.

"I'm aware Jedi don't drink much, but can I get you two anything," Will asked, the dark-skinned human reclining against the leather booth, completely at leisure as he sipped his own drink. "This is a top shelf bottle of Corellian Brandy, could I interest either of you in a glass."

Kyra and Aedan both looked at each other, and bust out laughing. "I think we've had enough inebriating encounters for the day," Aedan said with a smirk.

"Can you tell us where the Phrikite Mine is?" Kyra said, taking control of the conversation.

"Right to business I see. Aren't Jedi supposed to be diplomatic? Courteous, perhaps? But, yes, I can tell you where it is, for a price obviously."

Aedan felt Kyra bristle at that.

"You know what they are going to use that phrikite for right?" Kyra asked sharply.

Wil shrugged.

"To make lightsaber resistant staffs. To fight jedi. To fight us."

"Okay?"

"And you don't think it's the right thing to do to just help us out?"

The smuggler sighed, "Look do you want the coordinates or not?"

"Do you want to be a good person or not?" Kyra snaped back.

Aedan quickly put a hand on her arm, trying to calm her down.

"Don't think you know me, Jedi, just because I'm trying to make some credits. It's a rough world out there, and it's not so easy for the rest of us who can't call on some mystical force to save the day. Not everything is as it seems, Sweetheart."

Kyra reeled back at that and had no rebuttal.

"Sorry, Wil. Just name your price and we'll get to it," Aedan said.

Wil's eyes darted from one Jedi and back to the other. He shook his head once. "As much phrikite as you can bring back. That's all I'm asking."

Aedan glanced over at Kyra and tilted his head, giving her a knowing look. She exhaled in defeat, and then sniffed, "Fare enough. But if we can't bring any back?"

Will wiggled his eyebrows, "Oh, you two appear resourceful enough, I'm sure you can come up with something."

Aedan and Kyra both shrugged simultaneously, drawing a smirk from Will. "When do we leave?" Kyra asked.

"The sooner the better. The rumor has spread, and there's been an uptick in traffic around this station. Everyone wants their load of phrikite, they just don't know where to look."

"And how do you know?" Kyra asked, skeptically.

"Surveillance," he said, "Lots of it. Literally weeks of waiting to see some sort of cargo ship, or any kind of ship with industrial affiliations, like Baktoid or even the Trade Federation. Nothing. I spent weeks at nearly all of the moons. Do you know how many moons Gromas has?"

"Thirty-two?" they both answered.

"Thirty-two! And I spent days at most of them waiting. Then finally, three weeks ago, I see three cargo freighters with the I.D signature of Andresan Incorporated leaving Gromas sixteen."

"Andresan Incorporated? Never heard of them.'

"I think that's the idea. I looked them up and there is absolutely zero information about them. They don't exist. Anyway, I decided to check out Sixteen, and sure enough there was a small outpost there. I scanned the ships and it registered as Spice."

Aedan and Kyra gave him blank looks.

"Spice isn't mined on Gromas! It's way too cold."

"I see," Kyra said. "So, whatever they're doing they want to hide it."

"Definitely," he said sliding over a datapad with the coordinates on it, "But be careful, Jedi, something strange is going on here. And I think you better hurry."

"Why is that?"

Wil Shrugged, "Activity at that location has decreased a lot lately. I'm guessing they're almost done there."

Aedan and Kyra looked at each other. "Well, we better get a move on it," Aedan said.

"Right you are," Wil said, "And don't forget my phrikite."

"You got it," Kyra said with a nod.