Carth:
"Here's a little something that I thought you'd like." She handed me a large box.
"You didn't have to get me anything…" I mumbled as I tugged at the bow around it.
"But I did." Morgana brushed some of her stray honey colored hair off her shoulder. "So be gracious, not modest."
I edged the lid off the box and pushed the tissue paper aside. The orange star-pilot's jacket that was revealed was probably the ugliest thing I've ever seen.
"That's a pretty… interesting color." I managed finally.
"I thought so." she agreed. "I didn't want to get you something boring like black or brown."
"I don't know what to say." I tried to force an ill looking grin to my face.
"If that awful thing won't keep those female ensigns off of you while you're away from me on assignment, I don't know what will!" she laughed
"You picked it out specifically because it was hideous?" I spluttered indignantly.
"Uh huh." she murmured.
"I don't know how I'll ever repay you." I rolled my eyes.
"I do." Morgana grabbed me by my collar and pulled me close to her…
At the first chance I got, I buried the jacket into the deepest recess of our attic closet. When Telos was bombed I had more important concerns on my mind than a stupid jacket, but by some queer twist of fate, the only thing to make it intact out of the rubble of my freshly razed house was that hideous damned thing.
After that, I had figured that the orangey-tan abomination was indestructible. I guess I was wrong.
I took a sip of the caffa in my hand. It was cold. How long had those two women been in the bathroom?
"That's quite a resume." Bastila must not have realized how thin the doors were just yet.
"What can I say? I'm a talented individual." came Rian's muffled reply.
"Yes, I can see you do not lack in ability; although modesty is another matter." sniffed Bastila.
"Are they at it again?" Mission asked.
"Of course." I replied. "When aren't they?"
My caffa sloshed in the mug as Zaalbar joined Mission and myself on the bed. He rumbled something, then chuckled. Mission joined in on his laughter.
"What's so funny?" I asked.
"Big Z says that there's only one way that Wookiees deal with two cubs who don't get along in the nursery." Mission translated. "They coat the cubs with jaar and forest honey, then they tie them together. They're left by themselves for two days. Usually, by that time they're found curled up sleeping together, licked clean."
If that wasn't a dangerous thought… I felt the heat rise to my ears. "Somehow, I don't think that solution would work." I stammered.
Mission's and Zaalbar's guffawing only grew louder at my admission. I sipped my cold caffa.
The door to the bathroom flew open. Rian walked out and looked over her shoulder.
"I think you're underestimating us non-Jedi." she called to Bastila.
Color blossomed in Bastila's cheeks as she realized that she had an audience. "Perhaps." she said. "But the Force works through all of us to some degree or another."
"Well, the Force doesn't work through me." Rian interrupted. "Especially not on an empty stomach. Is there any caffa left?"
I handed her my half-empty mug. Rian sniffed it, then stuck out her tongue and handed it back to me. I continued to drink it.
"Do you intend to just brush off everything that I've been saying to you?" Bastila demanded. "If you were younger the Jedi might have taken you for training."
"What are you trying to say?" Rian finally turned her attention to the Jedi.
With all eyes on her, Bastila clammed up. "I'm sorry." she murmured. "I've overstepped my authority. I'm speaking of things that are best left to the Jedi Council."
Rian rolled her eyes. "Alright, we've got to meet Canderous with those codes." She directed her gaze to me. "Are you ready?"
"Just me?" I asked. "Aren't the chances better the higher the numbers?"
"Canderous only wants me." Rian replied. "I don't want to take any chances. The Sith might recognize Bastila; Canderous might recognize Mission and Zaalbar from the Lower City. You're a fresh face. Besides," She flashed a lopsided smirk. "you've already proved you're good at playing slave."
I groaned. "Do I get an upgrade from eunuch this time?"
"That depends." she said slowly. "How well can you obey my every word?"
"I'm beginning to prefer the idea of being a eunuch." I retorted.
"Let's get moving." Rian urged. "Unless you want that to be arranged."
We headed out of the apartment and towards the Lower City. Rian began to whistle casually, which made me nervous. I was suddenly struck with a sense of foreboding.
"Hey, Rian." I called out in front of the elevators.
"Hmm?" She looked at me as she stepped inside.
Her eyes were definitely opened wider than they naturally would be. Just what was she playing at?
"Just who is this Canderous guy, anyway?" I asked. I joined her in the elevator.
Rian shrugged. "Some guy who works for Davik Kang and the Exchange." she offered.
"No." I shook my head. "I didn't mean that. Who is he? What's his family name?"
"How should I know?" she asked.
"Well, he's your contact." I argued.
"I don't know." Rian looked flustered. "Something with an 'O,' okay?"
"You're hiding something from me, aren't you?" I demanded.
"Maybe."
"Don't you 'maybe' me, sister!" I growled.
The elevator door opened and Rian hurried out. I stormed after her.
"Answer me, Rian." I insisted.
She looked at me and sighed. "Ordo, okay? His last name is Ordo. Are you happy?"
Ordo? I couldn't place the name, but it did sound familiar. It was foreign, probably alien. The knowledge certainly didn't do anything to ease my tension.
"What does he look like?" I asked finally.
"What?" Rian smirked. "Do you want to know if he's cuter than you are?"
"Well, that would be pretty hard for him to accomplish." I retorted, dryly. "I'm just curious."
"He's everything you are and everything you're not." she answered cryptically. She must have been hanging around Bastila too much.
"And what is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, he's a big soldier, just like you." Rian said slowly. "But it shows on him."
"It doesn't show on me?" I raised an eyebrow.
She laughed. "I don't doubt your ability. It's just, well…"
"Well what?"
"You have a soft face." she finally managed to say between giggles. "I think it has to do with your impeccably trimmed goatee."
"I always liked it." I muttered. My face felt hot as I ran a hand over my impeccable goatee. "You think I should lose it?"
"No." Rian shook her head. "It suits you. I think what I meant is that compared to Canderous… I mean the guy looks like he eats rocks for breakfast."
When we arrived at Javyar's Cantina I felt the blood pound in my temples as soon as I caught sight of Canderous Ordo. It dawned on me as soon as I looked at that man's grizzled face why the name "Ordo" was so familiar. It was Mandalorian.
My eyes tore into Rian's. She gave me a weak smile in return.
"I figured you'd be back." Canderous' tone was casual as he flicked the straw in his drink. "Neither one of us is getting off this planet unless we work together. Now, I know the Sith military base had a break in. I know it was you. I know you've got those departure codes I need. So what do you say? We join forces and I can get you inside Davik's base and right to the Ebon Hawk."
Rian shot me a glance. Her mouth was twisted and sour, like she wanted to be ill. I sighed and nodded. She turned back to Canderous.
"Okay, let's join up." she said.
"Who's that?" Canderous pointed at my chest.
"He's my slave." Rian sounded defensive.
"If you say so." Canderous smirked in my direction. "Davik's always looking to recruit new talent. I'll tell him how you won that swoop race and mention that you're interested in working for the Exchange. I'll say I brought you in so he could check you out. He'll have you stay at his estate for a couple of days while he runs some background checks on you. Standard procedure."
That sounded risky. Inside Davik's stronghold we'd be at his mercy. But at the same time, we were desperate if the plan was simple, it might just work.
"While Davik's checking you out," Canderous continued briskly. "we steal the Ebon Hawk and escape Taris. I've got an airspeeder nearby to take us to Davik's estate. The sooner we're off Taris, the better."
I had to agree with him on that one. We followed the Mandalorian out of the back of the cantina and to his speeder. Canderous didn't bother us with small talk and we were the better for it.
