Author's Note: Hello, All! Thank you for those of you that have joined Jana's journey. I cannot tell you how excited I am. I apologize for the hiatus, I am an engineering major, so sometimes college drains all of my energy out of me. However, with all the Star Wars content being pushed from Disney Lucasfilm, I'm starting to draw inspiration again. So let's see what weekly streak of posting I can keep! Also, my apologies for the font issues in Chapter 14. It has been fixed now. Let me know if you guys have any questions, comments, or recommendations concerning Jana's story/my writing. Thanks and enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars. Just my brain.
Master Plo Koon sat in their ship's main pilot seat, processing all the information his Padawan had just dumped on him. There were many layers to this mission, unfortunately.
"Very interesting that she was on Mandalor. But as you said, if she has warrants, then she's most likely constantly seeking out ways to disguise herself." Jana sighed. There are so many possibilities. "I assume you're having trouble sorting through all the information? Beforehand we didn't have enough to start with, and now we have too much." She nodded her head. "Let's start with the planets our Hunter has been on: Mandalor, possibly Tatooine, Kamino, and possibly Dantooine." Silence came over the two of them as they pondered.
"Well, Kamino has done its part already. That's out of question." Jana eliminated.
"I'm not sure going to Mandalor will benefit us, either, if she simply committed murder and stole armor with the ship. After all, the reasoning we have provided seems to fit well." Master Plo added.
"So, Tatooine or Dantooine." Plo Koon made a sound of agreement at Jana's words. "Well, I'm still confused in what order she did this in. Did she take the mission on Dantooine, travel to Mandalor, and then Kamino? Or did she go to Dantooine, Mandalor to hide her identity while discussing with her employer on Tatooine, and then Kamino?" There were too many possible combinations. Galaxies, my brain hurts.
"You said she stole a Mandalorian ship?" Plo Koon asked.
"Yes, Master."
"But she was on Kamino in a Republic ship. Either she already had stolen a Republic ship and kept it at her home in Dantooine, or she traded for one from Tatooine. Between a distinct Mandalorian ship and her red armor, we have a decent chance at finding her. We'll just have to ask the people of Tatooine." Master Plo finally decided.
"And if that fails, we go to Datooine." Jana inferred. He made a noise of confirmation, and together they took the ship out to hyperspace.
"You may want to put your cloak on when we arrive, Padawan. The people of the particular part of Tatooine we are traveling to are not very fond of Jedi meddling." He warned. Why are people so against us helping? Well, I guess our attempts to help. Sometimes we do worsen things. She thought back to the war as a whole.
When they arrived at the landing hanger of Mos Eisley after half a day of hyper space travel, both donned their heavy cloaks and carried holograms of Karmen both in and out of her armor. But before questioning the typical crime bars of her whereabouts, they were going to question the hanger. A Devaronian approached them.
"Welcome, travelers. You will have to pay three Republic credits an hour while your ship awaits. I promise, she will be taken care of." The man said with a smile. Yeah, good care in probably stealing parts off of it.
"Do you run this hanger?" Plo Koon asked from underneath his cloak. The Devaronian seemed to snarl with his grin.
"Indeed, I do. Have for many moons! Why? Have you heard of us?" Jana felt a wave of fear emit from the man. Ah, so he is a thief.
"In ways. I will pay you ten Republic credits an hour if you help us in a predicament." The Devaronian laughed at the offer Plo Koon made. Jana wished he'd lose the creepy smile.
"Trying to find someone, I presume? Well, I am more than happy to sell anyone out. Whom do you seek?" He inquired. Which means he'll be just as likely to sell us out if someone follows us.
"Have you seen this Mandolorian ship around two months ago?" Master Plo Koon took out one of the hologram pucks to reveal the ship that Mandalor had reported stolen (twice). The man's face twisted into a bright smile, joy most likely from knowing he could get ahold of the credits.
"Why, yes, indeed. Red armored lady, crazy laugh?" He had summed her up in that short description. Plo Koon looked behind him to Jana as if to ask **Crazy laugh?** Jana nodded. That was her alright. Crazy, indeed, Jam.
"Yes, that is her. Do you know where she went while here?" Plo Koon pushed.
"Well, she paid nine credits. So she was here for just three hours." What an exquisite mathematician we have found. "She parked in a Western side of the hanger, so I'd say she went to the Blackhole Bar over there. Does that answer your questions? I have a business to tend to, ya know." He gestured to the other ships landing as well as taking off around them.
"Of course. Thank you. Your reward will be handsome upon our return." Plo Koon ended the conversation and Jana took quick strides to keep up with him to the market place. Guess we're going to the Blackhole Bar. She kept her eyes trained to the back of his hood, ignoring the shoving from the people. She had learned her lesson last time- she couldn't get separated here. She'd be lost forever.
After a lengthy walk, they arrived at the Blackhole Bar. Looks like any other bar on this forsaken planet. She followed her master in, and they took to a corner to discuss the plan.
"We're going to ask the bartender about a red armored bounty hunter. We'll have to bribe him as well, but refrain from mentioning anything about the Republic. These people may hate each other, but they will not help the Republic. We must make it seem personal, just as we did last time." Jana thought back to Kerkoidia. It felt like light years ago.
"Yes, Master."
"Good, now stay by my side. It'll be suspicious if we split up now that we have been seen conferring with one another." I'm aware. Geez, I leave his side for a few days and he treats me like a Youngling again. She sat on a barstool next to him. He must have missed me. She smiled a little.
"Afternoon, travelers. What can I get you two?" The bartender asked, a mechanical eye whirring about with some ooze leaking out of it. Jana felt a touch repulsed at the look.
"Jawa Juice, please. Two cups of it for me and my partner here." Plo Koon said. The man went to work immediately and had their yellow liquids in front of them. He held out his hand for the credits, and Plo Koon put a whole pouch in his palm. Really, all criminals are the same. Jana refused the urge to sigh.
The bartender looked between the two with a cocked eyebrow, stowing the pouch below the bar counter before leaning over.
"How can I help you two?" I really do hope this is the right bar. We don't have unlimited credits. Plo Koon took out the other puck and showed the armored bounty hunter.
"You see her come around here, maybe two months back? Bright red armor? Crazy laugh?" Jana asked him. The bar tender nodded with a grunt and cleaned the cups with a rag while he spoke.
"Oh yeah, crazy for sure. That bounty hunter waltzed in and met with four others in that corner over there- I remember it crystal clear." Why would he remember it so clearly? It was three months ago. He may be lying for the sake of the money.
"What do you remember of the group she met with?" Plo Koon inquired.
"Three of them were bounty hunters as well." Bounty hunters hiring bounty hunters? That's strange. Jana's nose crinkled under the shadow of her hood. She sipped her drink.
"And the fourth member?" Plo Koon demanded.
"Just some kid. Or a really short guy. He had a Mandolorian helmet on as well." What? A kid? This is a lot of mismatching information. Jana's head whirred about even more so than before, and the Jawa Juice was definitely not helping it.
"Do you know where the group went or came from? Or did they speak with anyone else here that may know?" Jana asked. The bar tender chuckled darkly.
"The four didn't talk at all to others. But your friend talked to someone alright." The three leaned in closer to one another. "Insane schutta thought one of my regulars to be too close to her. Stabbed him right in the crotch, cut off his finger, and killed him in front of the whole bar within the matter of seconds. Made a whole bar fight break out." Jana grimaced. If there was any doubt before that the woman he spoke of wasn't Karmen, there was none now. So that's why it's crystal clear.
"Interesting... well, thank you for your time." The bartender nodded at the duo as they walked back to their ship in silence. They quickly slid the DUM pit droid the twenty credits they owed and boarded their ship.
"Well, we know a touch more about the employers we seek. And the order Karmen went planet hopping in. Your theory that she had a Republic ship already stolen at home on Dantooine seems the most likely." Jana said while firing up the engines.
"Yes, so we shall head to Dantooine. We will be there shortly, Padawan." Jana sat back and settled into the copilot's seat. She used her cloak as a blanket. Space was always so cold. Master Plo Koon gave an odd noise, attracting Jana's attention.
"What is it, Master?"
"Nothing, it just seems this Karmen suffered from something. The way they all describe her... It's quite possible she was actually insane." Jana made a sound of agreement. Crazy lady had issues for sure.
"You said she lost her family and home?"
"Yes, to a raid, whatever that means. I didn't look too much into it." She said shortly, not meaning to come off snippy. She just didn't enjoy discussing Karmen after their personal brushes in life.
"That could have been what made her snap. Or, the life of a bounty hunter gradually got to her." Plo Koon analyzed.
"What does it matter? She's dead." Jana said the words with a touch of venom, hating that all of this had been caused by the hunter's death.
"Padawan, I understand your distaste for the murderer. Her actions were terrible to say the least." Jana finally looked to her Master. "But you must sympathize with them still." Why the blazes would I do that? "Just because it does not excuse them, does not mean you should not try to understand them. She was just a person, too." Jana felt a bit guilty after that and curled further into herself. She saw what Master Plo Koon was teaching. She needed to show compassion, even to her enemies. She sighed. She wished she didn't have to. It'd be a lot easier that way. But that's why the weak fall prey to the dark side.
"Take a brief rest, Padawan. I'll wake you when we arrive to Dantooine." Jana nodded thankfully and shut her eyes. She used the time to meditate and sort through all of the information that was clouded by her personal emotions. No attachments, Jana. That includes negative ones.
"Padawan, come along. We are in Khoonda on Dantooine. From your research, her brother, Mardar, lives in a small share cropper's shed across the way." Jana blinked her eyes rapidly to adjust to the light.
"Yes, Master. Do I need my cloak?" She asked.
"No, not this time. Just be aware, and hide your sabers." The two walked out of the ship and into the sun. The green reminded Jana of the Naboo forestry, though those were far superior than Dantooine's. A familiar pang of guilt knocked at her heart- she hadn't even told her family that Master Jeng had passed. Especially after our last visit, they'll be devastated.
Walking through the small village, it was just like any other farming land. People worked in the fields. The tops of straw hats reflected in the bright sunlight. Small sheds and well built cabins littered the area every now and then.
"Master, what is the plan to approach him?" Jana asked after they had walked a ways away from their ship. She had just now realized they had not yet discussed a plan of negotiation.
"If our guess is right, there will be some sort of farm or hanger big enough to keep ships in, where the Mandolorian ship will be. From what we learned on the file, he lives farther off the borders. As soon as we see something big enough to hold a Mandolorian, we'll ask about ships for sale. He'll need the extra money if his sister was his support." Plo Koon informed. Jana inwardly groaned at the idea of walking for so long, but she did enjoy the scenery. The familiarity of home did her good.
Plo Koon could sense her contentment washing over her, and he felt no need to disturb it. He knew Dantooine was much like Naboo in its geography. He assumed it cured her of some of her longings. A few miles later, after passing miles of fields of various crops, the Jedi came across a piece of land that had a large barn with sliding hanger doors, a small shed, and a main cabin amongst the crops. Outside amongst the green stood a shorter young man with what Jana could only make out as a morphed face. As they drew near, she realized the man had permanent burn marks. The riot must have been pretty violent that took their farm if this is Mardar...
Once he noticed the new comers, he stopped his work on the field and leaned on the pole of his hoe to watch them walk onto his property. He had murky grey eyes and shaggy brown hair. His tan skin was dotted with dozens of freckles from his time in the sun, much like Jana's. Both Jedi recognized the features from the pictures of Karmen Mischeef without her armor and helmet that the archives had provided. The working man made no movement nor noise as the Jedi approached. I'm not sure he's going to take a liking to us strolling onto his land randomly. Jana started to feel shifty about the plan. If Karmen was crazy, good chance her little brother was, too. And by the look of this man, he was most likely her brother.
"Well, looks like this is our man." Plo Koon mumbled.
They were only a few hundred yards out when Jana drew near her Master to speak quietly to him.
"Master, let me handle this, please. Let me lead this conversation." Plo Koon looked at Jana with a bit of surprise.
"Why? Has something changed?" He wasn't against it by any means, he was glad she was finding her own independence. But he needed to make sure the two of them were on the same page. He could feel her worry beginning to form.
"Him and I are both farmers, Master. And I... look more the part." She gave an apologetic look at the statement, but Plo Koon knew she was just saying what was best for the mission's success. He hesitated for a bit before nodding to her. They were now right in front of the man who still had not moved. He simply stared. The silent stare caused both Jedi vague discomfort.
"Sorry, sir, for coming up on your property like this!" Jana said with a bit of a smile. She tried to remember what it had been like back on Naboo when she could just casually talk to everyone without feeling so secretive or suspicious. What simpler times those had been. Besides, farm people stuck with farming people. It was like a code of the farming life.
"S'not mine, so don't worry bout that. I'm just the share cropper." He explained while blinking slowly. Jana studied the pattern of the burn scars across his face. They looked deep and painful. These weren't properly treated at all at the time of the injury. That's why they're still this bad. Behind her, Plo Koon remained silent but aware that the man's eyes settle and stare at him. He was suspicious.
"Oh! I understand." She put her hands behind her back like a shy young girl would. Funny, that's what she really was typically. "Well, our ship broke down and looks to be repairable. We kept walking till we saw what could possibly be a hanger." She nodded at the large barn. "We have plenty of credits to supply you with! We just gotta get back. To our farm, actually." She gave the sweetest smile she could. The man sat and pondered for a bit by staring into the green ground. Is he alright? Is he high on spice or something? She could feel Master Plo Koon's confusion, too.
"What're your names?" He asked with a raised eyebrow.
"I'm Janey. And this is P.J.. He's my partner, though he focuses more on the financial side of my crop business." Jana smoothed out the story line and moved her hands to her hips. Plo Koon wondered when the girl became so cultured with the farmers and quick to lie, though he supposed she had never had any reason to tell him she was.
"Well, you seem like alright folks, and I'm in need of some extra credits right now. I've got two ships in that hanger over there. I'll make ya a deal, farmer to farmer." He tipped his head at Jana and briskly set out for the hanger. Plo Koon gave an expression that said Impressive. Jana returned a smile with a cocky wink. The spring breeze blew in their faces gently while they trudged along the lines of plants. Jana found it nostalgic to take the walk. Finally, they made it to the blue and brown barn.
"I never got the chance to ask, but what's your name?" Jana popped the question just to confirm her suspicions. The young man began to push the hanger doors open and looked at her stoically. "Mardar." He left out the last name, but it was enough to confirm their theory. This was Karmen's brother. Let's just hope there's a Mandolorian ship in here.
The moment the sunlight hit the ships, Jana couldn't help but feel a rush of pride in her veins. A Mandolorian ship was parked on the right side while a Seperatist ship was on the other. So she worked for anyone... she really didn't have any side of the war. She was dedicated to her practice itself. Jana found the thought respectable yet terrifying considering to what extent she went. Mardar put his hands on his hips and stared at the ships with the Jedi.
"Gee, what kinda ship is that?" Jana pointed to the Mandalorian ship. Better to play too dumb than too smart. Plo Koon chose to take on a silent business man position.
"Mandolorian. She's got some good thrusters and a perfect hyperdrive." Mardar ran his hand along the side of ship fondly. So all we have to do is purchase the ship and get outta here. Hopefully he hasn't wiped the memory yet. Based off the way he thought earlier, I assume he hasn't. He would have sold it off by now. Jana looked to Plo Koon who nodded. He had the credits ready.
"Alright, I think we'll take that one. It'll be easier to re-enter Naboo in that than a Seperatist ship considering their new relations." Jana was light on the subject but made sure she had an explanation for everything.
"Understandable. I'll take what credits you have." Jana was a touch surprised that he was just going to take anything for the ship. Then again, Plo Koon is right. If Karmen was his primary source of money, and she no longer can bring him credits, then he's desperate. "I'll also take a bit to wipe the ship's memory. It'll function better with its brains fresh." Mardar told them and began to head onto the ship. Lies.
"Wait." Jana made sure to keep her voice calm despite her inner panic at his words. Mardar turned to her slowly. "Can I take the look around? I trust you of course. I just wanna make sure I'm making the right choice before handing over a bunch of credits." She scratched the back of her head and gave off a sheepish sense. Her eyes met Plo Koon's for a brief moment. Distract him.
"That's just fine." He stepped to the side so she could board as well. Plo Koon mentally scrambled for something to draw him into discussion. Jana looked at him with wide eyes.
"Mr. Mandar. Do you mind explaining your business position from a share cropper standpoint? We have no share croppers on our fields, so I think it may be a good option if you speak highly of it." Mardar's eyes held something at the words as he eagerly turned to discuss the situation. I bet going from owning a farm to a share cropper is a big blow to the ego. He's probably sore from the loss. Jana guessed and rushed aboard.
Quickly making her way toward the cockpit, she began to pull up communications on the ship. A few included transmissions of Mardar himself talking to Karmen. Some of other hunters- none were in groups. Just what seemed like Solo comrades calling to compare jobs.
That's when she found it: a transmission from four helmeted people. The group was very diverse. In the front was a short man with a Mandolorian helmet, just as the bar tender had described. Next to him stood a taller woman with an antenna. Behind them were two other hunters. Jana took out a tool from her belt and plugged it into the ship, checking behind her for any sign of Mardar. She hastily copied the message onto it. Come on, come on! Go faster. I don't want to cause a mess here. Plus, he gives me weird vibes.
Jana felt a presence brush against hers. Plo Koon was saying Mardar was on his way. Jana ushered the copy to go faster. As footsteps could begin to be heard from the cockpit, the copy finished. The blonde snatched it out of the board and shoved it back in her tool. She made sure to scroll back to the latest transmission and slammed it off. Her heart rate could be heard in her head while Mardar walked into the small room.
"Oh, it's great! I love the seats." She tried to ditzily say to him. He nodded at her words, unamused and unsmiling. He obviously wanted the money in his pockets and the travelers out of his hair.
"But ya know, it just doesn't sit right with me to take something like this from ya for such a low price. I'll have P.J. compensate ya for your time, of course. But we'll try and get a few more towns over to see if we can buy something junkier. Farmer to farmer, I don't wanna cost you anything." Mardar seemed a bit irritated after that, but with a handsome pay he didn't act out. The Jedi departed hastily, reaching their ship after a bit and throwing a large amount of pay at the dealer.
"Alright, here it is." Hope filled Jana's voice as she plugged in the copy to their own ship. The crew of hunters and the small figure appeared in front of the Jedi.
"Alright, Karmen. Seems you've got the right idea of disguising yourself." The tall woman in the front crossed her arms sassily. "Meet us at the Blackhole Bar on Tatooine. Boba will tell you what you're looking for. Transmissions can't be trusted." She seemed to point to the smaller figure next to her. Why is that name familiar?
After more discussion of where they were going to meet and the possible pay of whatever she was going to do for the job, Boba took off his helmet to reveal his identity. He was a boy that couldn't be any older than fourteen, brown shaggy hair and angry chocolate eyes. So much anger that it took Jana aback. How could someone so young be so angry?
"And remember, I'm the boss. See you on Tatooine." He said seriously. With that, the transmission cut off. Jana turned curiously to Plo Koon.
"A boy? Why does a boy want all this information?" Jana asked with a puzzled look. Plo-Koon made a rumbling sound while in thought, thought Jana felt that he knew more than what he had revealed.
"Let us go to the Council with this information. Then, we will move on from there. The good news is that we have finished this mission." Jana was a touch irked her master wasn't telling her everything but understood he was going to let the council decide what she could hear. They then took off from the planet, quickly jumping to hyperspace.
The moment they had mentioned the name "Boba," Jana noted Master Windu's attitude change immensely. She sensed a touch of regret, but she also saw surprise in him. Something was amiss here, involving the boy Boba and Mace Windu. Something that would motivate a young boy into trying to infiltrate a Clone factory, most likely for ill purposes. But why? None of this makes sense.
"So," Obi-Wan began when the transmission for proof had ended, "Boba Fett must be seeking revenge for the murder of his father." Jana felt more confused than she had before, her brow crinkling as she pondered.
"It seems to be. I killed Jango Fett, the original Clone if you will, in the duration of the Battle of Geonosis. Although he doesn't seem to be on the move to come after me so much as the Clones and the republic." Mace talked through aloud. Oh, stars. Why didn't we just take the kid ourselves?
"Must have inherited that from his father." Obi-Wan said sarcastically. The Council nodded.
"Yes, well I think that if we improve the security here we will be okay. He is just a boy after all, and an emotionally compromised one at that. Have no worries, my friends, we will change the schedules and ensure the factory is safe." Shaak-Ti said over a hologram. The Council nodded, though Jana thought she could still feel tension in the air.
"Dismissed you are, Padawan Kinall. A new mission for you we will have for you soon, I am sure. For now, rest." Yoda ordered Jana, and she complied easily, bowing and turning on her heel. It was time for a nap.