Entry 6

The next day I was assigned billets. I have a nice room with a private shower. The quarters are not huge, but I have a warm bunk, a dresser, writing table, and a closet. I placed my Miisai tree on top of the dresser and made sure the automatic feeding system was working properly.

I then put away what little clothing I owned to include the Inquisitor Uniform I acquired through Pol Haus, a Corsucanti Sector Police Prefect and undercover Whiplash leader. I had used it to walk into the Imperial Security Bureau and deep into the lair of the Inquisitoris—the secret division of Imperial Intelligence that uses dark side Force-sensitive agents. It was an excellent disguise. Most Imperial officers and troopers avoid eye contact with the Inquisitors, let alone talk to them. The black and maroon uniform sparks fear and dread throughout the Empire. Only Darth Vader could inspire more trepidation.

I looked at my nearly empty closet and realized I really need to purchase some new outfits. Currently I had a couple changes of underwear, three tunics, a black bantha leather vest, bare thin trousers, black boots and a grey thigh-length greatcoat. I should go into the nearby town, Big Woolly, to see about purchasing clothing and personal items.

I already needed more hair dye. The roots of my normally brown hair were showing under my black dyed locks. At least I no longer needed to shave—having permanently depilated my beard soon after Order 66 was issued. I ran a hand over my smooth face with a tinge of regret. After I was knighted I started growing out my beard and liked the way facial hair looked on me, but after Flame Night I was determined to live in obscurity. I cut and dyed my hair and removed my nascent beard in the hopes that I wouldn't be recognized. I lived in the decrepit lower levels of Coruscant and took on paying assignments as a private detective, utilizing my Jedi skills to find missing people or to help an occasional scorned wife determine exactly what her husband was doing when he was 'working late'.

Unfortunately, when I joined Whiplash I was brought to the attention of the Empire and now they know what I currently look like. I guess I should dye my hair a different color, but I don't think I would look good as a blond or a redhead. I'll ether stay with the black hair or let my natural brown grow out.

The door buzzer chimed and I went and opened the door. Outside I found I-Five and Den. "Come on in," I said while motioning them inside. I gestured for Den to take the desk chair while I sat on my bed. I figured I-Five wouldn't mind standing. "What's up?"

Den leaned back in the chair, his large black eyes unblinking. "We were wondering if you could talk to Prefect Haus and see if he has access to some of the accounts Dejah was pilfering to keep us in credits."

It wasn't a surprise that Den was concerned about our finances. Now that we were out of the private detective business we had no sources of income. The credits to which he was referring was money paid to us by Dejah Duare, a Zeltron business partner of the extremely rich Light artist named Ves Volette. When Volette was murdered Dejah hired me to find his killer. After that case was solved she decided to throw her lot in with Whiplash and having access to the late Volette's monetary assets and real estate, she became our benefactor. Those months, living in the higher levels of Coruscant and not having to scrounge for credits were good times…until Dejah betrayed me to Darth Vader.

My stomach knots up every time I think of that day and I often wondered why I didn't see that coming. One of my Force skills was seeing a person's connection to the Force in the form of string-like auras surrounding them. Usually if a person had evil intent the swirling aura would turn black. I should have foreseen her betrayal, but her Zeltron pheromones had my brain befuddled. She manipulated me like a beautiful holo-scarlet seducing a teenage boy. I was able to resist her sexual advances, but I didn't realize she was subtly affecting my judgment to the detriment of my friends. I even abandoned an injured Laranth at the hospital because of Dejah's mood altering pheromones. I still can't believe it. I lived in the same apartment with a traitor and I never sensed it.

What made matters worse was her infuriating explanation for her treachery. She didn't betray me for politics, for money or prestige. No, she betrayed me because I didn't fulfill her desires. Her slight telepathic abilities allowed her to derive sensory pleasure via the Force, but only through close contact with a Force adept…but I never gave in to her seductive ways and always kept her at arms length. She betrayed me and double-crossed Whiplash so she could be around Vader and his Sith Inquisitors. According to her, she found touching the Force intoxicating, euphoric, putting her in an almost sensual rapture. I can only imagine Probus Tesla, the human male Inquisitor who almost captured me, was more than willing to satisfy all of Dejah's…needs. The thought that Dejah's pillow talk doomed some Whiplash members made me sick to my stomach. But in the end both Dejah and Tesla were dead. Dejah was killed by a strong burst of Force energy and Tesla… he was killed by a Sith blade welded by Antarian Ranger Sacha Swiftbird. Both deaths were a bit ironic.

"Jax," Den said while waving a hand in front of my face. "You're zoning out on me."

I pulled out of my musings and chuckled. "Sorry. Hearing her name brings back memories and intense emotions…all of them bad." I thought about their question and shook my head. "I can ask Pol Haus, but I am sure once Dejah betrayed us any coffers she had access to were quickly depleted by the Empire. Why?"

Den looked to I-Five and then back to me. "We can't find a suitable I-5YQ droid body for I-Five. Since those models are scarce we were hoping we could purchase a used C3PO body."

My brow furrowed as I looked over to I-Five. "I thought you liked your new HRD body?" I gave him a questioning gaze. "The teasing you received from Sacha and me didn't turn you off from the model, did it?"

There was a slight roll to I-Five's eyes. "No Jax. Neither the accusation that I sexually propositioned you nor Sacha's insatiable curiosity as to how 'functional' I am did not diminish my enjoyment of this particular chassis."

Den's large eyes grew wider. "You propositioned Jax?"

I-Five made a dismissive snorting noise. "No, I believe that was simply wishful thinking on Jax's part."

"Please." I gave a shake of my head and chuckled. "I wasn't the one putting on make-up and fishing for compliments."

"Huh?" Den said confused while looking back-and-forth between us.

"You're just jealous that I am now a more attractive human than you." I-Five said with a smug grin before continuing with his explanation. "To answer your question, I do like this body and find it a preferable physical form in this particular environment. I have discovered that humans and other sentient beings treat me more as an equal when I am not in a obvious droid form."

I could sense a tinge of disappointment in his voice. I guess I could understand that. Everybody wants to be accepted for who they are. In this case most people will never see a droid as anything more than a cold, lifeless piece of machinery. "So why are you looking for a I-5 or C3PO body?"

"I prefer using this body while here because of the favorable treatment I receive, but when on missions I believe I can be more of an asset in a conventional droid body. Protocol droids or R2 units often go about business unnoticed, which is an advantage in undercover missions. Besides, I don't want to risk this HRD chassis being beheaded like my last few droid bodies."

That made a lot of sense to me. "I'll try to find some funding. I would think the droid that was instrumental in rescuing Yimmon should be rewarded in some way." I glanced over to Den. "In the meanwhile, I got a message from Dathomir. Magash agreed to train. We should make arrangements to pick her up."

Den gave I-Five an amused look. "Are you sure you are up to training two Padawans?"

I sighed deeply. "I don't know if I am ready to train anybody, but I don't want the Jedi to disappear from the galaxy. It is my responsibility to repopulate the Jedi Order."

"I understand." Den stood and gave me a pat on the shoulder. "I'll get the Laranth ready for departure."

I-Five opened the door to leave. "I'll help prep the ship." He turned back to me. "I'm sure you, Sacha and Magash will want to get busy repopulating the Jedi as soon as possible."

Den gave a slap to I-Five's shoulders with a laugh as the two left.

I gritted my teeth as they departed. They never teased me about these things when I was dating Laranth. That is probably because Laranth would have shot those two out of an airlock if she found out what they were saying.

So now I have four things on my "To Do" list. Find out about finances, buy new clothing, locate a protocol droid body and bring Magash to Toprawa.