OBI-WAN

He had his story straight. He knew where to find Moralo Eval. All Obi-Wan had to do was get past Cad Bain.

Obi-Wan, or Taj as he was now called, pushed open the door to the saloon that was situated on the edge of the Troskan city. The clubs on Coruscant made this one look like a five-star restaurant. There wasn't a glass out of place and every surface looked as if it had just been scrubbed clean.

He made his way over to the bar, scanning the patrons to make sure no one could compromise his meeting with Bain and Eval.

"What's your poison?" The barman asked from behind the pristine bar.

"Three of your finest." A voice said from behind him and Obi-Wan turned around only to come face to face with Eval himself.

"What are you doing here Osandar?" He asked warily, crossing his arms over his huge chest. Obi-Wan had expected a hostile reaction from Eval, so the Bounty Hunter's smirk and offering of drink took him by surprise.

"Took a job, ended up here." Obi-Wan replied, keeping the conversation light. "You?"

"Same story." Eval replied. "What's your job?" He added before giving the barman a 'beat it' glare.

"Well this is Troska so you could only be after two things; the crystals or the Princess." Obi-Wan shrugged. "I'm here for the latter."

"What a coincidence. So are we." Eval smirked, jerking his head to a corner booth where Obi-Wan spotted Bain, sitting slumped on a bench with his hat pulled low over his head.

"She's got quite the bounty on her head." Obi-Wan nodded before turning to face Eval square on, a serious glare in his eyes. "I'll give you a warning. My client has assured me that I will be the one taking the bounty. No one else will interfere in my job. He's a powerful man, so if I were you, I'd leave Troska while you're still alive…Think of that information as a gesture of good will."

"Hmm." Eval huffed, narrowing his eyes at the county hunter.

"You know if there's one thing a bounty hunter cares about more than money, it's his own life." He continued. "You've never been one to lie Taj. Is this a threat from you or from your client?"

"Like you said, Eval. I don't lie." Obi-Wan replied and Eval thought for a while before recovering himself.

"Perhaps, you would like to join us." He smiled slyly and gestured for him to join himself and Bain.

"Who's this?" Bain growled, glowering at Obi-Wan from under the brim of his hat.

"Someone who could help us with our mission." Eval replied.

"This is becoming even sloppier, Eval. Now this parasite?" Bain snarled, shifting uncomfortably.

"Uh.." Eval chuckled awkwardly. "Our client hasn't been very transparent with the details, and our current plan is tenuous at best. We had to kill a Jedi."

"That is an unfortunate result." Obi-Wan nodded. "How much is your client paying you?"

Eval glanced over at Bain who gave him a warning look, but Eval seemed keen on keeping Taj on his good side.

"Fifty million credits." Eval answered and Obi-Wan couldn't keep the amazement from showing on his face as his eyes widened.

"It appears I'm being seriously underpaid for my efforts then." Obi-Wan shrugged, crossing his arms.

"Perhaps we can come to an arrangement, then." Eval smirked.

"I'm listening." Obi-Wan nodded.

. . .

Four days ago, Obi-Wan had managed to work his way into the bounty hunter's plot to assassinate Thalia. Taj Osandar seemed to have the precise skillset that the other two mercenaries were missing. Either a happy coincidence or the Jedi had been very careful in who they'd chosen for Obi-Wan to impersonate.

The Peace Talks were coming to an end, which meant the attempt on Thalia's life was also nearing. Today was the day the group were to meet their client face to face and Obi-Wan could finally report back to the Jedi about who was behind this plot.

Obi-Wan, Eval and Bain stood around a small table in a back room of the bar, waiting for their client to arrive.

"This is it, my friends." A voice said from the doorway, and the trio turned to see a man standing in the doorway. He stepped forward into the light and Obi-Wan did his best to keep his expression neutral as the face of Count Dooku smirked, bathed in blue light.

"I have it from a very reliable source that everything will go exactly as we planned." Dooku began.

"Shouldn't we know who this source is?" Bain asked.

"All you need to know is that each of your roles are simple enough in part, but together they make an intricate scheme that will ensure your names are immortalized in history forever." Dooku answered before reaching under the table to pull out three holo-projectors.

"Each device tells you your position and essential details about the part you will play." Dooku explained. "Eval here will cause a distraction and in the commotion Bain will attach this mimic device on the Princess, disguising her as a guard. Taj will be our getaway driver; Eval tells me you've had a particular parlance for escapism. We'll meet by the mills where we'll make an easy escape. Once we're off world the Princess' foolish reign of this planet will come to an end."

"Here are your disguises." Bain added, throwing three more mimic devices onto the table. "We'll assume Troskan guards. You've heard the plan. Now it's time to put it into action."

"The plan is simple, my friends. But the result will be as quick and painless as possible." Dooku finished.

"For us at least, I can't say the same about the Princess." Eval chuckled in excitement.

That evening, Obi-Wan made sure he was alone before pulling out his communicator and switched it through to Qui-Gonn and Mace Windu.

"Obi-Wan, thank goodness you're alive." Qui-Gonn's anxious voice crackled through the small device.

"I don't have much time." Obi-Wan began. "Dooku is behind this attack. Their planning to take Thalia off world before killing her, so we have a chance to stop their plan. We've been given mimic devices to take the appearance of guards and the same thing will be used on Thalia to get her away from the scene."

"Well done, Obi-Wan. You've done well to get us this information." Mace Windu ensured him. "We'll triple check the guard's ID and ensure we're stationed at all possible exits."

"Good. This might be the last chance I get to contact you." Obi-Wan replied and quickly ended the transmission as he heard footsteps coming his way.