Entry 5

The Antarian Ranger's had a nice dining facility set up. It was similar to what we had at the Temple with a long serving counter where one could request hot foods from culinary droids. At the end of the chow line there was a salad bar, fizz-drink dispenser, and a dessert cart. With the exception of I-Five, we all went through the line choosing from an eclectic assortment of foods edible by humans and other species. After getting our meals we found a large table to occupy. Geri, Den and I-Five sat across the table from Sacha and me. Geri was barely seated before he began ravenously slurping down a foul smelling stew.

Den smiled at the teenage Rodian. "He's a growing boy," he said justifying the youngster's lack of table etiquette.

"He's hungry," I-Five said apologetically. "I kept him preoccupied most of the morning and early afternoon discussing droid programing and modifications. I sometimes forget that organics need to eat."

Sacha finished chewing a fried tuber and gestured to I-Five. "In that new HRD droid body, can you eat if you want to?"

He shook his head. "Not really. If I was trying to pass as human and for some reason needed to pretend to eat I can go through the movements of mastication, but I could not ingurgitate the resulting minced bolus."

Sacha looked confused before asking for clarification. "So are you saying you masticate, but don't swallow."

Geri went into a gagging fit and spit out a chunk of meat into a napkin. Den was snickering while slapping the boy on the back. "Don't eat so fast. You'll choke to death."

I-Five lifted one dark brow and smirked at Sacha. "That is correct. My oral orifice ends at the back of the throat and is waterproof. Otherwise my internal mechanisms would be fried."

She nodded thoughtfully. "Do you have the ability to perform any biological functions?"

I-Five regarded her quizzically. "Captain Swiftbird…are you asking me if I am anatomically correct?"

That question resulted in another coughing fit from the young Rodian and this time Den was too busy laughing to give the youngster a helpful slap on the back. I offered I-Five a disapproving frown to discourage this line of conversation, but he appeared to be enjoying himself.

Sacha smiled coyly. "I have to admit I wondered exactly how human a human replicate droid is."

A slight smile crossed I-Five lips and for a nanosecond I thought he was actually flirting with the woman. "I have no oil or sweat glands nor do I produce saliva. I cannot cry for lack of tear ducts. He pulled the waistband of his trousers out away from his body and looked down his pants. "I do appear to have some unusual fleshy protrusions, but I believe they are only ornamental and not functional…at least not without further modification."

That was it for Geri. His green skin flushed red from laughter as he got up and excused himself from the table. Den made an amused snort before he buried his head in his hands.

"Knock it off," I said to the group. "We're here to discuss room arrangements, remember?"

Den composed himself. "True, true. I say we keep the roommate situation the same as when we were on Coruscant. Me and I-Five will bunk together."

I nodded. "Sacha said I-Five could have a private room as long as there were plenty of quarters available."

The droid shook his head. "There is no need. I don't require a bed and I enjoy Den's company."

The Sullastan beamed brightly at the comment. I-Five and Den have a deep friendship that developed years before I ever met the droid. I sometimes think Den is a little jealous over I-Five's sense of devotion to me. My father, Lorn Pavan, was the person who tinkered with his internal circuits allowing him to become the sentient droid he is today. The Jedi Order had taken me from my father when I was two years old and the stress of losing a son was too much for my family. My parents' divorced and my father developed a deep hatred for the Jedi Order. Before he died he gave I-Five a mission to protect and watch over his son. I-Five tracked me down last year, and from that moment on he has refused to leave my side…and in turn, Den has refused to leave I-Five's side. It is a complex relationship, but not one I would give up.

"That's fine with me," I said. I turned to Sacha. "Are there two rooms near your quarters?"

A devastating smile blossomed across her face. "There is. Should I get them assigned to you?"

"Yes," I hesitated for a moment. "Can you get three? I eventually will need one for Magash."

That smile slipped right off Sacha's face. "Magash? The Dathomiri witch?"

I could feel the tension building up within Sacha. Den was right, there was some friction between the women. "Yes, I invited her to join me to train as a Jedi. I haven't heard back from her yet, but if we can reserve a room for her that would be great." I could see Sacha's jaw tighten. "Is there a problem?"

She shook her head a little too adamantly. "No, there's no problem. Everything is fine."

The edge in her voice told me everything wasn't fine. I looked over to Den and I-Five who were silently taking in this conversation. "Sacha, if her presence is going to cause a problem, please tell me now."

She shook her head. "I just found most of the witches…abrasive. One of the women bragged that their men know their place. They are workers, gatherers and breeding stock."

I nodded understanding her concern and somewhat relieved that her conflict with Magash was cultural and not necessarily personal. "It's a different society and I don't agree with their philosophy when it comes to their treatment of men, but one way to create change is to expose them to a different way of life. If we can show Magash that men can be more than simply slave labor and breeding stock, then she can go back to her world and hopefully work toward male equality."

She stabbed at her food with her fork while giving me an understanding nod. "I guess that's a good plan…show her a man can be a woman's equal."

I smiled broadly, relieved that we have come to an understanding. "Great. If we can get three rooms together near you that would be optimal."

"Will do," she said before munching down on a large piece of nerf steak making it impossible for her to talk for a while.

I noticed Den and I-Five glancing at each other as Den's mouth twisted into a tight-lipped grin.

I would have to ask them later what they found so humorous.