Author's Note: Hey! I just moved into college today, so I'm sorry I'm posting so late. I'm trying to find a convenient two days a week to post chapters, I just haven't found a rhythm yet. Also ComparedDead12 you made my day! Thank you for the support. :)
Disclaimer: The only thing I own is Jana!
Jana followed Master Plo Koon briskly through the hallways, feeling a touch awkward. She felt as if she should express some kind of gratitude, but the timing felt rushed. It would not be appropriate- besides, her voice already hurt her to no end from the irregular pattern of use.
"Jana, you need not feel obligated to speak until you are ready." Master Plo Koon comforted as he sensed her anxious feelings. "I know you are not one to take this lightly. You do not need to prove anything to me- I've watched you in training, after all." Jana nodded in affirmation, her mind still feeling a touch guilty. Peering up at the doors set ahead of them she shook her clouded sight of the emotions in order to focus on whatever mission was at hand.
"General Plo Koon, Commander Kinall." Cody greeted.
"I see you have been already working on yourself, Padawan. This is good to see." Master Windu approached the group. "We will be glad to see you back on the field where you belong." Jana nodded her head in thanks, trying to force some light into her eyes.
"General Windu is right- we've been needing more and more reinforcement from the Jedi everyday. The war moves swiftly." Rex confirmed.
"However, before you return to the field, we need you two to travel to Kerkoidia. There, both of you will go under cover and bribe Piar Nagelsa in order to find out what you can about Whorm Loathsom. Some of our allies intercepted messages that Whorm may be leading a separatist attack on a planet somewhere in the Outer Rim Territories, though we have no idea which one." Anakin joined in to explain the situation with his crossed arms.
"Beneficial this less violent mission shall be, Jana. But approach with caution, you two should. Many mysteries concerning Nagelsa, there are." Master Yoda finished before dismissing the soldiers and Jedi to their duties.
"Well, Young One, we will be departing shortly. Return to your quarters to pack only what you need to travel with discreetly. Be swift." Master Plo Koon instructed to which Jana nodded in affirmation.
"Good luck, Commander." Rex said pleasantly to her as she passed him, and she blinked in gratefulness before disappearing into the Temple's corridors.
"Remember, Plo Koon, we need to know where Nagelsa is headed and how his strategies typically play out. Without this information, a multitude of planets in the Outer Rim are helpless." Mace Windu advised.
"I shall keep it in mind." was all Plo Koon said.
"Master Skywalker's ship seems modest to say the least." Plo Koon chuckled when he and his newly accommodated Padawan boarded a busted, blue piece of junk. Rust gnawed at any part it could get ahold of and smoke piled in the cabin. Somewhere below their feet they heard parts clanking to the ground. Well that's promising.
Jana grunted in agreement, unnerved at the amount of damage the ship had obviously had taken on. For being one of the best pilots in the galaxy, Anakin's ships sure are lousy. Perhaps that's what makes him all the more impressive... or all the more disappointing. She almost laughed at her interior monologue.
"Alright, Padawan. Let us begin the journey to Kerkoidia." Both of the Jedi winced at the sound of the ship whirring, or more so groaning, to life. It took a few minutes before they were motioned out of Coruscant's hanger and out into the freedom of the system.
"R7-D4, put in the coordinates for Kerkoidia and take us into hyper space." Plo Koon requested, his astromech droid wasting no time in executing.
"It shouldn't be too long." Jana rolled her shoulders back and tried to block out the sound of the falling apart ship. "You should get changed, as should I. You did a good job of bringing a reasonable, smaller pack. I'm assuming you also brought the wupiupi he will want as bribery to purchase resources?" Jana pulled out a tarnished beige pouch from her tiny pack that clinked when moved. "Good. I suspect you will not pose a problem with remaining nonchalant during this mission, but remember that silence can also come off as a means of intimidation. I expect that if needed you will speak to whomever, not because I wish to force you to do so, but for the sake of the mission and whatever planet the separatists plan to infiltrate and corrupt."
"Of course, Master Plo Koon." She forced out diligently. His words were wise and true, and Jana had no intentions to be sloppy on this smaller scale mission. After all, it was her first mission with a new master. Impressions mattered.
"Good." He walked out of the cockpit to fetch his cloak, the doors shutting automatically behind him.
Jana rubbed her throat as if it would help the pain subside while pulling out a dirtied brown tunic with a hood. Grumbling slightly since she had recently washed her clothes, she also rubbed charcoal onto her beige leggings for good measure. With the tunic on top and hood up she seemed much less noticeable. But just for safety she pulled her loose curls back into a pony tail at the base of her neck. Her bright hair could be an easy give away, so it was better safe than sorry. To finish the rogue appearance she tucked her sabers into her boots and sheathed a knife into her belt instead, as it would have been suspicious to have walked in unarmed.
Glancing in the reflection of the cockpit windows, Jana spotted her golden Naboo arm band peeking from under the tunic. Reluctantly she discarded it into her bag.
She then plopped back into the co-pilot's seat and slouched into the worn cushions, shutting her eyes as she listened to R7-D4 beep around the area and the ship rattle its own bones.
Jana was actually excited about this mission. If they were lucky and everything went mostly according to plan, then there would be no need for violence. She wasn't quite sure what would trigger her emotions yet, but she supposed that the Council understood her unpredictability and was why she had been assigned this mission. Besides, her speechlessness would most likely serve as an ally.
R7-D4 beeped to signal they were approaching Krokoidia rapidly. Jana smiled fondly at the astromech and patted his top. I'll call him Artie, like RD put together.
"Alright, Padawan. Come along. We will be going to a local bar we're told Piar attends regularly." Jana raised her eyebrow. "Officers do enjoy their drinking."
Jana pulled her hood of the tunic up and allowed Plo Koon to lead the way. When they landed, apart of the ship groaned as if in pain. The duo walked out into the hanger that brimmed with the scent of exhaust and gasoline.
"Greetings! We were passing through this system and needed to stop for supplies, but it also seems that our ship is in need of some aid." The local Krokoidian looked at the ship with disgust. I would, too.
"This ship is in terrible condition! What did you do? Get caught in the Republic cross fire?" The tendee asked.
"You could say that, the war never stops, even for travelers to pass through." Plo Koon quickly explained.
"Very well. I'll do what I can for such a blasted ship, but I can't promise anything. I'll tell you my price when you return." Plo Koon bowed his head in thanks, and the master and Padawan made their way to the city.
Krokoidians bustled about the market place. Like most any other planet, local businesses called out to customers, some forcing their products on others. Anything for money and food.
"This way. Stay close." Plo Koon lowly told her. Jana kept her eyes trained to the back of Plo Koon's hood. Only a few minutes later of pushing and shoving through the crowd and they had reached the bar they were looking for.
Plo Koon strolled in casually with Jana in hot pursuit. Music played on a machine in the corner, and voices clashed and hummed throughout the room.
Jana had no idea how they were going to find Piar when nearly everyone in the room was Krokoidian and half wore officer's attire.
"Piar's favorite drink is the bright blue one. Be on the look out for anyone who asks for it or is drinking it with officer personnel. Don't wonder off, but don't stay too close either. Either extremes would seem suspicious, and we already stand out as is." Plo Koon instructed. Jana nodded and made her way to an empty stretch of the bar.
She leaned on the tabletop part with her back to the bartender so she could still blend in while scanning the room. Most drinks were foggy or a mysterious green shade, some even a hazy purple. Once she found a blue drink, but the local didn't wear any Officer personnel.
Minutes continued to pass, but neither of them had found the Krokoidian in question. Disappointment began to bubble in her stomach. It wasn't like they could ask around- it'd be too suspicious to ask about someone who had worked on the planet's independent defenses. Especially as non-natives to the planet.
Suddenly, her com on her right forearm blinked. Turning to face the bar, across the way, she saw Plo Koon sitting beside who she assumed was Piar.
Against her initial instinct, Jana stayed put. If she moved to her Master's side now, Piar may become aware that their presence wasn't just by chance. Jana cleared her mind and focused on the two ahead of her, her head cast down.
"An officer of Krokoida, how noble." Plo Koon began the conversation off casually while fiddling with his drink. Says one of the most esteemed Jedi Knights. Jana smirked slightly.
"Yes, very noble indeed! But do not be fooled, I am not any mere Krokoidian Officer." Piar replied back.
"Oh? You wouldn't be Piar, by chance?" He inquired smoothly.
"Why, I am! An esteemed defense officer that keeps our planet independent of the Republic. Well, until recently we have been fully independent. But our defenses were priceless years before this crumby war." He drawled on.
"Quite admirable, in all genuineness. I recall hearing much about your planet's defense department. You wouldn't happen to know a Krokoidian called Whorm Loathsom, then?" Plo Koon began to pop the true question.
"Of course I do. We worked together on the defense system of Krokoidia. But why would you ask? How would you know of such an officer?" Piar pulled back with suspicion in his eyes. Shit, that may have been too soon.
"We have crossed paths in our careers, and let's say we aren't... on good terms. He humiliated me, and I simply wish to return the favor so we may stand on fair and even ground. But, I unfortunately do not know enough about him to find his weak spots. Seems like my lucky day that I have stumbled upon his coworker." Plo Koon turned to face the Krokoidian. Why is Master Plo Koon so advanced at lying?
"Ah, honor is always a priority, especially in Krokoidian culture. For that, I admire you. However, I do not believe it to be right to sell my previous partner out." Surprising considering you're Separatist.
"Hmm. Perhaps we can make a deal. What if I called my hand maiden over? She is from the Outer Rim. She carries many wupiupi that could be useful in purchasing resources from the Outer system. I know from working in this system it is difficult to get hands on strategic resources." Plo Koon easily lied. Piar seemed to think into his drink as he downed the electric blue liquid. Slamming the glass on the counter, he continued to ponder.
"Hmmm, deal. Only because I like you." He began to laugh hysterically after he had announced his standing, and the bar tender knowingly prepared another blue drink for the native.
"I am humbled by your favor. Thank you for your service and now aid. I am grateful you understand the importance of this to me." Plo Koon smoothed over just to lock in the deal. Jana walked to where the two men spoke and pulled out the pouch of carved coins. Plo Koon gently took it from her hands and plopped it on the bar counter in front of Piar.
"Ah, very nice! A handsome amount." He tied the pouch onto his belt. "Now, here is what I know about Whorm."
Back on the ship, the Master and Padawan had just departed from the planet of Krokoidia and were preparing to go into Hyperspace.
"So, Padawan, what did we learn about Krokoidians?" Plo Koon asked while folding his cloak up.
"Honor is vital in their eyes, and they prioritize the ways of old." Jana croaked out painfully, replacing her golden arm band.
"Very good. I believe this information will serve the Council and Republic well. Should anything happen with the Outer planets, we know to pull something from the old rules. Even with the separatists, Whorm will abide by his culture to protect his honor first and foremost." Plo Koon sat down in the pilot's chair and prepared to give R7-D4 instructions when an incoming transmission light popped up.
"Master Plo Koon, Padawan Kinall. I hope you two are headed back to Coruscant already. We just received word that Christopsis has been attacked by seperatist forces. We are deploying troops now, but we fear we are too behind to obtain victory. Please return at once with the days you collected on Whorm Loathsom." Windu disappeared just as quickly as he had appeared.
"Well, Youngling. I have postponed your return to war as much as I can. I fear you will be thrown back into battle too quickly for your liking." Plo Koon told Jana. The Padawan faintly smiled that her master had attempted to ease her into things again instead of forcing her to suck it up and trek through it all.
"Thank you, Master." Plo Koon hastily had R7-D4 punch in Coruscant's coordinates, and with disturbances creeping into the force they jumped to hyperspace.