CHAPTER TWO
'Bambi' Led him to a small room on the third floor of the huge imperial complex without a single glance his way, or a word in his direction. He, however, had no reason to keep his curiosity to himself, inspecting the blonde woman freely as they made their way through the evidently new base. Analysing her gait and stance as they walked through endless glimmering hallways, the smell of 'new' clinging to the walls as he guessed it had only been operating for a few months previous to the fall of the republic, if not more recently. Three things were obvious to Ben about this woman: First, it was clear that she wasn't strictly imperial, the way she walked lacked the stiff formality of the former republic academy, yet she had received some sort of military training; second, her reflexes were good, she gave no signs of it but he could tell she kept an eye on him even when she seemed not to be minding him, so possibly a bounty hunter or assassin; and third, her loyalty was obviously to the assassin and not to the empire, her unflinching response and address of the assassin who had brought him in showed as much. Moreover, he could tell Bambi and Giorgi were close and loyal to each other, a bond so strong was always clear through the force. Or at least he hoped it wasn't just his mind playing tricks on him. The petite woman reminded him of friends lost and his heart ached at the thought, yet he knew in his gut that this was a woman who was solid as a rock. He liked her immediately.
"This is your room, Jedi." Her voice was steady, almost emotionless except for a trace of clear disgust. She nodded at the pad by the door. "It's programmed to your bioscan, as well as all services on the AIC. G has seen that you're given… an allowance." She sighed heavily, as if the mere thought seemed foolish to her. "So you'll be able to buy uniforms if the two provided aren't enough, and groceries."
During explanations he had pressed his palm to the panel and walked in, amused to see the stoic woman didn't follow suit, remaining at the door while talking. He dropped the bag he had been given on the way from the ship and glanced back at her. "So, Bambi…" He gave her one of his most charming smiles, "how do you know Giorgi?"
Bambi's indifferent expression and even voice took a severe change in a matter of instants. Taking two long strides she was over the Jedi with a fist curled around the neck of his borrowed uniform, her other hand holding a blaster she had produced seemingly out of nowhere, pressing the weapon hard under his ribs. "Now, listen, you piece of bantha poodoo." Her voice was low and threatening, confirming Ben's suspicion that she might be a bounty hunter, "I don't care if she's told you her entire life story, but around here she is only Lady Grey. If you ever address her by any other name again I'll have your shoulders relieved from the weight of your head so fast that stories of the death of the great Obi Wan Kenobi will be heard for years. Understood?"
He grinned, her reaction had told her more about the nature of their relationship than he could have ever obtained by any other answer, and he knew her to be true when she said she'd have his head if he ever endangered G's identity. As little of it as he knew. He held his hands up innocently and managed to look contrite as he nodded, registering the pain of the blaster on his side as she withdrew the pressure. He breathed and combed his fingers through his hair, regaining his composure. "Perfectly so, Bambi."
The woman gave him one last look and stopped a moment at the door, checking her small communications device and nodding without looking back. "G says to be at the Black Hand thirty minutes past opening time, there's a table on reserve for you." He was spared from replying by her swift exit, the door swooshing quietly close behind her.
Once alone he moved around the room, inspecting every nook and cranny to make sure there were no microphones or cameras hidden, then to make a brief inventory of what had been given to him. The room had clean bedding, towels, a robe and a crisp clean uniform, on the duffel bag he found sleeping trousers and a shirt, a couple of lounge clothes, a formal shirt, socks and underwear, as well as a comm device and a spare set of tags. Everything a soldier needed to survive. The room had a small balcony and a bath instead of a sonic shower, everything on the suite was spartan, but more than he had grown used to having. In fact, he thought, as he enjoyed his second shower in less than 24 hours, it reminded him of his small cell on the Jedi temple. The thought though warm at first sent a chill down his spine, and he realised he was shaking even under the warm water. It was two and a half days since the last of his episodes, and he clung to the wall to steady himself, the trembles becoming sobs as the memories flooded him once more, the water washing away the sobbing tears as soon as they surfaced, images flashing through his mind, as vivid as fire.
An hour later he was dressed in clean clothes, his newly cropped hair combed neatly and his smile just wide enough as if to fit an imperial officer who had just finished a mission successfully and was granted time to spare. No one glanced at him twice as he walked through the gardens and along the structures that conformed the imperial base, holding the facade of someone who knows exactly where they're headed, while having absolutely no idea where he was. The complex had been built as an expansion of the once Military Academy of the Republic and had become, in a short span, the core of the planet itself. Hushed stories of the place did not ready him for the sheer enormity of it, yet he found his destination soon enough, as GG's Black Hand was the main source of nightly entertainment on the area. From the ground he noticed and was pleased to see that his flat overlooked the small building on the grounds of the base, the four-floor building looked like a house of some sort, a flat roof and windows all around the two top floors.
As soon as he was in front of it he felt glad of not wearing uniform, as he noticed only few imperials wearing the characteristic grey on their way to the club. People crowded the entrance to the place, with most of them trying to get inside the premises, while others simply carried on drinking and chatting outside of the place. Music was coming from within and from someplace over the street, the road itself a party. As he waded through the crowd towards the front door he understood G's request for him not to be too early, he assumed this to be peak hour and it made it ideal for him to blend in. Once he reached the entrance he noticed a tall woman in Mandalorean armour, as soon as she saw him she motioned her arm, calling several names over the noise.
"Hagood, Blithe, Jycke, Kendo, and Lyur." She moved to the side to let a woman and three men through, one of whom was the imperial he had seen upon arrival.
Obi Wan followed, a smirk on his face as he recognised Bambi's voice. "Bouncer as well?" He asked as he passed her. Her only response was to place her hand over her blaster. He chuckled and walked inside, where a girl in a small pair of shorts and a smaller top asked for his name and guided him towards his table.
The room was dimly lit and the faint smell of flowers and incense clung to the air, the decor was a mix of modern and vintage, with the more archaic pieces adding to the sense of decadence that seemed trademark of the place, the music a sort of synthetic acoustic combination that had people nodding and swaying to the beat. The high ceiling was accented by a massive chandelier and as he glanced around he noticed several smaller and private alcoves on different levels, separated from the main area by tempered glass. Right underneath the chandelier stood the main stage, with two smaller platforms, all of them with long silver poles; around the stages were a handful of small tables that would fit no more than three people comfortably, yet he could see chairs crammed together and groups of up to five people chatting and laughing as they waited, presumably, for the show to begin. Outside the small privileged area of tables, there were low lounge sofas with bigger tables, some of these were occupied by groups of imperials who were ordering food, drinks, pipes, and all sorts of exotic libations he couldn't begin to name.
A young twiilek girl approached his table shortly after he sat and asked if he would like a drink. "You're new handsome? Let me tell you how this works." She smiled brightly and listed the drinks included with his bioprint, as well as a long list of imported pleasures ranging from spirits, herbs, infusions, and attentions that were available to every imperial worker upon request and to be deduced out of their wages upon purchase. He ordered a glass of cold oaked-aged corellian spirits and a platter of finger foods, then realising that he hadn't eaten in a couple of days he added a platter of cold cuts to his order.
He noticed the glances of people sweeping by him but never lingering on his face, with a few exceptions from people from tables nearby. Obi Wan guessed they wondered how a newcomer could secure such a privileged table, for his seating positioned him exactly to the right of the stage and only a few feet from it, the only table with a better view was the one occupied by the commander who was brought in just ahead of him, and who had nodded at the undercover Jedi as if recognising him by the very reason others didn't.
His food arrived and he tried not to eat too eagerly, keeping his hunger concealed as it was unbecoming for a well-to-do imperial. It was then that the commander walked over and introduced himself as Melkor Hagood, shaking Ben's hand and sitting with him.
"So you're Lady G's new muscle?" He gave an honest smile.
Ben grunted noncommittally and busied himself with chewing on an appetizer, hoping his expression would do the job of keeping the imperial talking. It worked.
The commander nodded. "Don't get me wrong, Bambi there does a great job, but G needs someone to keep her table the days she's dancing, keep the new guys from trying to overstepping lines best left alone."
So this was her table. He nodded, "I'm learning the ropes, anyone I should look out for?"
The imperial raised his glass, "only yours truly," he chuckled and took a glance around. "In honesty, the last man who touched her without an invitation no longer resides here."
Ben smirked and raised his own, "I've seen her do as much."
Hagood nodded, "human?"
Ben shook his head, "Trashidonian." The imperial arched a brow and Ben chuckled. "No, he didn't lose a hand… Not entirely anyway."
The commander chuckled and ordered another round of drinks for the two of them, but their conversation was cut short as the lights lowered almost entirely, with the stages remaining the only source of luminosity in the place. All eyes in the room were drawn to the platforms as these lights dimmed as well, the music changing from the nondescript background beat to something a little more ominous, then total silence. Obi Wan took a sip of the newly refilled spirits as coloured lights pointed to the poles, danced around, and formed a multi-coloured circle around the center stage.
The sound system seemed to explode with the rhythmic banging of drums and stomping feet, forming a beat as the lights gathered at the base of the pole and climbed its length, while more lights allowed everyone to see the first dancer. The woman was holding to the metal with one hand, her legs crossed around the pole, her other hand resting on her knees in a relaxed stance, her head lowered, her midnight hair cascading around her face. She could have been sitting on the floor resting, except she was suspended three feet above the ground. She threw her head back and her hair flew behind her, causing a loud unanimous cheer and whistles from every corner of the Black Hand. Lady Grey wore black and silver and her lips were as red as blood, as as soon as Ben saw her he was transfixed. Her leg kicked out to the side and soon she was down on her feet, dancing around the pole to the entrancing beat, her red lips in a winning and devilish smile Obi Wan knew too well already.
The Jedi found his drink forgotten and his eyes fixed on the woman who clung and spun around the pole, her arms pulling her up, her legs gripping tightly as she allowed her upper body to dip and twirl, causing the men to howl with excitement. Ben's position directly in front of the stage allowed him a privileged view, and without obstacles between the woman and his line of vision he felt the spectacle designed for his private enjoyment. Had she planned for this? He couldn't be sure, but when she lowered herself on the floor and arched to get up again, he was certain her smile was meant for him, her sparkling blue eyes met his, her effortless grace causing him to notice nothing else, her fluid motions making her the most beautiful creature he had ever seen. He had to force himself to look away, taking a sip of his drink, trying not to think of the hours spent on her ship, but the dance was indeed of the exotic variety, and it was all too easy for his imagination to wander to the barely concealed tattoo on her hip, to the curves covered by the synthetic fabric that clung to her body like a second skin… But his glass was empty and he looked up once more, unable to resist the hypnotic draw of the woman who was his captor.
The number concluded and the lights dimmed once more, only to light up in the two secondary stages where two girls were making separate routines to the same music. Attention from all patrons was either drawn to them, or to the previous conversations, and Ben could hear his new acquaintance chuckle by his side.
"Yes?" Ben glanced at the man on his left, who nodded to his right. He turned just in time to see G sitting on the chair next to him, her hand raised with two fingers held out for one of the girls.
She nodded as soon as her order was noticed and looked at the Jedi, a bright smile on her face as she noticed his still flushed expression and the way his eyes seemed to be drinking her whole. She gave an almost inaudible giggle, her eyes searching his face for a moment after which she focused her attention on the commander, her hand resting on Kenobi's knee as she leaned forward to be heard.
"I see you spread the word, commander." She beamed, nodding at the girl who brought her a clear and sparkling drink, along with refills for the gentlemen.
"You haven't seen the crowd outside G," he smiled and she took a long swig of her drink, purposefully ignoring Ben for the time being. "I thought Bambi would shoot some of the most noisy ones, but as usual, she has things well under control.
G shrugged, giving a glance to the Jedi and nodding, "Nyssa is up next. She shows the most promise of all the girls." She smiled at him, "you don't want to miss her Kenny."
Hagood chuckled at the nickname and turned his attention at the dancers, leaving Ben to fumble for words.
"I…" Ben cleared his throat, meeting Giorgi's bright blue eyes and doing a terrible job of lying "I don't think this kind of entertainment is something I could get used to." His voice low so no one but her could hear him.
She rolled her eyes and laughed, her grin broad, "says the man who couldn't keep his eyes off Lady Grey while she danced."
He blushed brightly, "you were…" he struggled for the right word, "phenomenal."
She shrugged and emptied her drink just as Nyssa took the stage. "You don't get to run the most profitable entertainment business in Anaxes without knowing what you're doing. We go through strict standards."
He arched a brow, "what kind of standards?"
She smirked and whispered to his ear "none I could discuss openly." She chuckled at his blushing ears and she rested her legs on her lap, giving a small shrug, "quality regulations overseen by Vader himself when the base was first opened."
Their next round of drinks was gone as the three seemingly identical girls occupied the stages and by the end of it, G was sitting on his lap, his arm draped around her waist as they talked between themselves and the commander. Ben was amused to see the amount of gossip that went through the day-to-day lives of the imperials, and he listened attentively hoping to pick something of worth to relay to the Alliance, yet besides the Empire looking for large deposits of Quadanium across the galaxy, he didn't gather anything of relevance.
However, their conversation was brought to a halt as the triplet's number ended. The following silence was punctuated by a slight murmur which then turned into a chant, almost tribal in nature…
G…
G… G… G…
Stomping followed the request for Lady Grey to give an encore performance before the club closed for the night to the public. The lady in question smiled broadly and pulled herself from 'Ken's' arms her hands making a placating gesture as she nodded to someone behind the control systems. As if on cue, the lights dimmed and turned red, the music starting once more as she climbed back on stage.
The music was slower than her first number, but the way she danced caused a rumble of excitement across the tea room. Ben noticed he wasn't the only one affected by this beautiful woman and her sensual movements in a way not one of the other girls had managed. His drink was forgotten and he contented himself with admiring the woman. A few moments later Hagood reached over and rested a hand on Ben's shoulder, leaning closer to be heard over the commotion, "if you are doing bodyguard duty, this is your cue," he glanced around, "before she's done and someone tries to get smart. Go to the back of the stage and take her upstairs."
Ben looked at the imperial, "upstairs?"
Hagood nodded, "keep her close, her flat is upstairs."
Ben knocked back his drink and moved quietly to the shadows behind the three stages, waiting for the act to be over, trying to keep his wits about himself as he looked at her movements from this new angle. He didn't have to wait long and when she was done he was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs, wrapping an arm around her and noticing not few men shuffling from his seats at the same time.
"Hagood recommended I take you upstairs M'Lady."
She glanced around and shook her head, "not upstairs, I don't feel like partying tonight." He arched a brow but she ignored him, tugging him along, "bakstage, I need to change."
Once they were away from the crowd he ventured to ask, "so there's partying on your flat every night?"
She shrugged as she pulled a pair of soft trousers and a 'Black Hand' shirt over her dancing outfit, grabbing a dark blue cloak and pulling it around her. "Only when I'm on base," she smirked at him and activated a concealed panel, "and only for a select few," she nodded and walked through a door that led outside on the back of the building.
He closed the door behind him and took in a breath of fresh air, his eyes taking in the clear sky and tall trees, then falling on Giorgi's features. She was smiling and he thought her the most beautiful thing he had ever seen under the shining stars. "What's the plan my lady?"
She wrapped her arm around his and they started walking, "Bambi said you looked like a lost eeopi," she giggled softly, "I can't risk my asset being discovered and taken before I've claimed my share of profit." She looked at him, "I'm showing you around, this place is deserted after closing time."
He gave her a sideways glance and remained silent for a moment. It wasn't a surprise that she was seeking to get information from him, but he needed the same in return. "I don't think I can be of much use to you G." Being honest seemed like the best response.
She shrugged, guiding him through the ample streets. She didn't need to tell the Jedi that she had tapped into his 'secret' frequency already, she didn't need to tell him that there were more eyes and ears on him that he suspected. All she needed was for him to trust her enough to slip and give her a reason to finish her mission. She stopped in front of a building.
"This is the rec-centre," she pointed at the top floor, "restricted access pools and gymnasium on the top floor, as well as a platinum level spa." She smirked, "entry by handprint… You've been told about currency?"
He looked at her, "vaguely," they continued walking, "I only know my bioscan got me locally produced spirits at no additional cost."
She nodded, pointing at three different buildings, "those are all restaurants," she nodded at one of the three bigger structures, "and each habitational block has a couple of dinners as well. They're all charged by bioprint, most of the amenities are included. They'll specify if they're not covered. And then that is drawn from your wage."
He blinked and looked at her to see if she was joking. She wasn't. "Wage? I get a wage?"
She smirked. "You're working for the empire now, Captain."
To that he frowned, his mouth opened to retort but his thoughts were too heavy to place in words, too revealing for him to speak in front of the woman by his side.
Her grin faded as she saw his eyes grow distant, the clear gray almost dulling as he shivered and continued walking in silence. She knew he was actively trying to help the rebellion, yet the immediacy of his reaction told her there was more behind this man than she had guessed. Her brow arched but she dared not press a man in such a state out of his reverie. Instead she continued to walk and explain the features of the base. She had seen this kind of shock before, he would come out of it on his own.
He walked by her side, only half listening as images of a holo-image with the evidence of the newly proclaimed emperor ordering Lord Vader to bring peace and prosperity to his new empire. Burning flames consuming the man who had been his friend. He felt himself trembling and averted his eyes from hers. He remained silent as they moved along, there was no way of explaining to her, of making her understand the full extent of his emotions; and even if there were, she wasn't someone he could trust.
They were drawn to a stop by a Stormtrooper and sheer instinct pulled Obi Wan from his abstracted state, his eyes widening slightly as his hand readied to make a waving motion to make the trooper forget his presence.
"Who's there?" The trooper snapped to attention but quickly relaxed, "oh, it's you Lady G."
She smiled and nodded at the masked man, her hawk-like eyes catching the number on his breastplate. "Hello Gill, you drew the short straw this time around?"
Gill chuckled, "Something like that." The jovial tone in his voice helped Ben relax a little. "I didn't expect to see you around, I thought you'd be doing leg stands by now."
Giorgi glanced quickly at the Jedi and her grin broadened, "Oh, got the boys a bit wound. Figured I'd take the calmest of the bunch for a stroll. It's the one time of day I don't get mobbed out here."
The trooper laughed good-naturedly, "I suppose you're right ma'am. They're doing inspections in quadrant six, so might be best just to avoid that sector."
She tugged Ben along as she waved the man goodbye. "Thank you Gill. If you're off tomorrow pop by and I'll see to it that your dance card is filled."
A few minutes elapsed in silence, and Obi Wan couldn't keep his eyes from her face, his interest in the base's layout forgotten for the time being as he analysed the woman in a new light. It seemed as if with every passing minute she was someone new, and he had to remind himself that this was the very same assassin who would have him murdered on her ship.
She asked something and after he failed to respond she looked at him, noticing he was staring at her almost without blinking. She arched a brow. "What? Do I have something on my face?"
He shook his head and chuckled nervously, "No, but where to begin?"
Her brow furrowed ever so slightly and she shrugged, "pick a place and go from there."
He gave a glance around. They were alone and out of earshot once more. "Leg stands?" he counted with a finger, "Dance cards?" he raised a second and a third one, "Stormtroopers have names… and you know them?"
She laughed softly and the sound made him feel weak in the knees, "they don't have names. But usually they get tired of their numbers. So off duty they assign each other nicknames. That was Gill because he's actually an aquatic trooper, but he rotated back to base a few weeks ago for some respite and reprogramming." She hummed as they turned a corner, from here they could see the landing platform and one side of the academy in the distance. "Leg stands are when you get zero-G boots and drink upside-down and... you don't need to know about dance cards. You just had your dance card punched plenty for the past two days"
He lowered his head as he took a moment to assimilate the information, he had never thought of the small cogs running the machinery that was the empire. His hand found his jaw and he stroked his beard absentmindedly. "Parties and leg stands," he mused, his thoughts diverging to less professional avenues and he looked at her, giving her a smile. "So is there any chance I might get my dance card punched again?"
Her smirk was bright and gave nothing away, her hand patting his cheek and giving a soft tug to his beard. That seemed to be answer enough for her, her eyes moving ahead and her voice returning to her tour of the base, leaving the Jedi with a slight hope as he bit into the hook once more, happy to be reeled in by her practiced hand. During their walk he had found her mind still closed to his gentle prodding, and far from finding it disturbing, he found it even more alluring. He might have been able to break down her barriers, but the curiosity in him had only increased since arriving on Anaxes, and he was very well aware that she was the only reason he was safe in the middle of the most active imperial spot in the galaxy.
They came to a halt after another hour of walking around the station. G spun on her heels and looked at the Jedi with a broad smile. "I guess that covers most of it." Her hands rested on her hips as she looked at him, "any questions."
He blinked and looked around, realising he had no idea where they were in regards to his lodgings or her club. His brow furrowed slightly and he nodded. "Well… Yes." He chuckled at his own disorientation, "could you point me the way to what I'll be calling home?"
She rolled her eyes in a slightly theatrical way and smirked, grabbing his arm once more. "It's a wonder you survived on that desert pit for so long."
He ventured his arm to coil around her back, and he was pleased when she leaned slightly against him. His internal clock said it must be almost dawn and he guessed the girl must be exhausted.
In fact, she was more than exhausted, but she would deny it if anyone asked. She hadn't more than dozed for a couple of hours in the last four days, but it wasn't anything new to her. She was used to demanding more of herself than she did of anyone else. Her eyes flickered swiftly as his arm moved around her back and she resisted an urge to pull away, only to discover she didn't mind his warmth. She leaned against his side as she guided the man back to his building, surprised at his sturdy built and warmth. Somehow he felt different, there was something unassuming in the way his hand rested on her waist that made her feel almost safe. The thought itself was ridiculous, but she pushed it aside for the moment. She pressed her finger to the entrance panel and stopped, almost regretting having to pull away, but not quite. "Well Ben." She smiled. "Hope you can make your way from here."
She looked up and her eyes met his face. She was lost in thought for the briefest of instants, thinking back on how he had looked with a knife to his throat, even then he had a kind expression. Now she noticed his eyes, and for a breadth of a moment she was lost there. Until his words pulled her back.
He was smirking with a slightly stupid grin, as if he knew it was a futile gamble, "I am not sure which floor was mine, would you mind guiding me to my room?"
She didn't have to think twice, she wanted to know more about this odd man who would so readily trust his assassin. Her smile almost matched his and she took his hand, knowing they were as safe from prying ears as they could. "This way general." And she led the way to his rooms.
He woke early the next day like any creature of habit, noticing the sun gratefully not peering in on him. The cot was much more gentle on his back than the thin one on tatooine or even the block he'd slept on at the Jedi temple. He noticed she was absent, and he was surprised by the slight draw of forlorn that crept through his chest.
He decided to brave the outside but only at the call of his noisy gut and the empty containment unit, vaguely remembering Bambi stating something about shops. Taking the lift to the ground floor, he quickly realized he wouldn't have to venture far, seeing the diner not twenty steps from the lift.
A droid greeted him at the entryway and showed him a seat, giving him a menu and a caf. He saw no prices and quickly felt a calm wash over him as he read the bold print on the bottom of the menu that explained everything in this particular diner was covered.
Ordering himself the largest breakfast they had; after realizing he hadn't eaten proper food in several days, he finally felt whole again. Despite the fact that he was being held hostage on an imperial base, he didn't really feel like he was being held.
After breakfast he returned to his room and changed into the captain's uniform, putting the chip in his pocket and striking out, determined to learn the layout of the facility.
He was stopped only once, and he was surprised that his credentials worked, the trooper understanding of his new rotation to such a big campus from the small one on Eadu, and not only let the Jedi go free, but pointed him to his personal favourite shop for foodwares and things.
Through the day he continually had to remind himself that these men and women were imperials, but as he observed them, shopped with them, bought a swimsuit and an imperial issue jogging pants and sweater, he realized these were simply men and women who felt as though they were working for a greater cause.
To get any information he would have to climb the food chain.
The sun was setting when he changed into his relaxed trousers and simple top and sought out G's again, pleased to find the door unmanned, the girl just inside showing him to the bar where G herself was serving drinks. "If I hadn't known better Captain, I'd have thought you were captured, or worse!" She didn't even ask for his biometric when she served him a short glass of brown liquid.
"Had some errands." He smiled, "and ran into some friends of yours. Native and Foot want to be put on the list some night." He relayed the message that he had received while swimming that afternoon.
She nodded as if it all made sense but said nothing on the subject, "Find your way around?"
"Got some directions from a trooper near the rec centre, other than that I think I have the base down."
She smiled, pleased to see the man coming out of his shell, "look at you, being all useful and shit."
"Well, I'm an imperial now." He said, glancing down at his uniform, feeling the slight disgust at the notion. "I might as well try and blend."
She nodded in approval, "Fair point Captain. How about a drink and some nosh?" He nodded and quickly found himself alone once more as she tended to the far more elite gentlemen and women in the Tea Room area of the bar.
The comm weighed heavy at his waist, his fingers itching to tear it apart and fiddle with the internal workings of the device. He smiled at the girls who walked past him, recognising a few from the previous night and noticing how one or two eyed him with peculiar interest. Not that he gave much thought to this, his mind was set on ways of relaying information safely to the alliance.
He took another sip of the liqueur and his attention was directed towards Giorgi, as she returned with a plate of food. He smiled broadly, the first real smile of his day. "Thank you ma'am, you sure know how to tend to a soldier."
She snorted and eyed him carefully, "men have all the same needs," she smirked, "old men are no exception."
He laughed, "old man. I haven't been called that here yet." He dug into the meal and smiled up at her, "I've been an old man since my late teens."
She rolled her eyes, grabbing a plate of her own and picking at the food distractedly, "I'm sure that's a long time now."
He shrugged, "don't trust your eyes, they can deceive you. I'm younger than you might think."
She arched a brow and grinned, "this is a game I can play…" she lowered her voice,
"I've seen more of you than probably anyone else."
A slight blush crept on his cheeks and he chuckled, "be my guest, Lady G. How old am I?"
She took a long swig of her drink and looked at him for a moment that stretched slowly, her eyes moving over his features. "You would look near 50 by the wear of your face alone," she ate a few greens from her plate, her curiosity back in play at this small challenge. "But your eyes," she shook her head, "no, the rest of you… you're worn, you've seen battle, but you don't have the build of a fifty year old man," she smirked, "you certainly can keep up…" she looked at him and he held her gaze, she could see he was amused. But she had him pinned down, "My guess is late thirties, early forties."
He chuckled and remained silent as he finished his food, washing his last bite down with the last of the strong, yet refreshing drink she had provided. He shook his head, "don't feel bad G, I am an old man," he smiled; or at least his lips did, his eyes remained calm and sad, "I'll be 33 come spring," he shrugged, "but looking fifty…" he chuckled drily, "I suppose it could be worse." I suppose I could be dead, almost left his lips, but there were too many ears around them. I should be dead. His mind flashed of the lava and the smoke and the pain of thinking of his final battle brought him.
He sat with his own thoughts for a few hours, before looking up, smiling at her as he waved off the refill, "it's going to be an early night for me."
She nodded, "I have to work for the next few days, if you have any problems the girls know to help. Same with Hagood." She smiled at him, but he felt the intention behind her words "you're being watched."
"I thank you good lady." He nodded, "we'll have a drink when you return."
"We shall." She beamed, patting his hand before he got up, waving as he walked out.
He sat on his small balcony that evening in the cool air, permitting himself to meditate, feeling reckless abandon if he were caught. As the sun sunk lower in the sky, he managed to make himself a kings supper with the supplies he had collected earlier that day. With food in his belly and a fresh drink before him, he pulled out the comm and stared at it, not for the first time longing for his best friend who would hack the comms like they were children's toys.
Taking a deep breath, he let the force flow through his hands, asking for guidance from those that were gone and started disassembling the device. Hoping to find a safe way of relaying information to the alliance. He knew the rebellion had enough people joining their cause, but he also knew none were as well positioned as he was. After a few hours work he rubbed his temple, staring at the modified device, sighing heavily as he turned it on. The next step would be to contact Bail Organa.
The thought of his friend and ally brought the memories back, the two babes swaddled in blankets, their mother's last words, and his vow to protect those children and keep them from the emperor. Fire and brimstone burned his lungs as every breath became hotter and thicker to take, the red yellowish eyes of his brother, consumed by the dark side... Obi Wan blinked and found himself curled up in a corner of his room, unsure as to how he'd gotten there. The modified comm device was by his side, a message to Bail Organa was sent already. He hoped the line was secure.
