Entry 7

We received clearance to go to Dathomir. Of course Sacha insisted on accompanying us. I told her we were not going on a mission, but simply a passenger run. She informed me that although I was a good pilot I still needed an engineer. Arguing with her would only make matters worse, so I relented, but before departure I needed to talk to I-Five and Den about keeping their sarcastic innuendoes in check during the flight.

I went over to their room and entered after buzzing door indicator. Inside I found Den Dhur and I-Five packing their day bags. It was odd seeing a droid pack his luggage, but now that he was in human form he needed a change of clothing. He may not sweat like a human, but his outfit could be soiled by rain, mud, and any assortment of splashing liquid or solids.

I shut the door and crossed my arms in front of me. "I don't know why you two think it is so funny to make suggestive remarks about me and Sacha or Magash, but I would appreciate if you stopped. I don't want the women getting ideas."

Den looked confused. "Sacha knows we're joking around."

I drew in a deep calming breath. "Sacha may, but Magash will not understand your jesting especially when it comes to relationships between men and woman. She lives in a matriarchy, they have restricted contact with outsiders and as far as I can tell, they have a very a limited sense of humor." I gave the two a stern look. "Also, don't you think being flippant about my relationships with other females is a bit disrespectful to me and Laranth's memory?"

Den's head dropped as his dewflaps suffused with shame. Even I-Five managed to look acutely embarrassed.

I-Five was the first to respond. "We meant no disrespect Jax. Our unsuccessful attempts at humor had no ill intent." He gave me a fixed gaze. "You were a very serious and unhappy man when I first met you. You appeared lost and running on automatic pilot. It was only when you established a relationship with Laranth that I saw light return to your eyes. When she died, a part of you died with her. You may not admit it, but some of your actions in recent months were almost suicidal. You left your friends behind to rescue Yimmon alone. You do not appear to care if you live or die." He walked up to me and put a hand on my shoulder. "But we care."

"It's true, Jax," Den said frankly. "You were crushed by Laranth's death. You spend hours in your cabin meditating and shutting the world out. We just want to lighten the mood. Sacha is lighthearted and she has a way of cheering us all up. She's a good person to be around." He paused and averted his eyes. "But, you're right. We were meddling." He shook his head. "It's just…you're in your twenties. We didn't want you to spend the next sixty years in mourning."

I heaved a deep sigh. "I know you guys are trying to look out for me. You're my friends…"

I-Five quickly interrupted me. "You are more than a friend Jax…at least to me. I don't believe you fully comprehend how I perceive our relationship."

I raised a confused eyebrow. "And that is?"

I-Five scrutinized at me intently. "Jax, your father is the man that created me. It's true that I was built in a factory, but he was the person who altered my hardware and programing. Without him I would not be self-aware. He is like a father to me. No, he is my father." He smiled at me nervously. "And therefore that makes you my brother."

My jaw dropped. "Your brother?"

He gave me a sheepish grin. "At least half-brothers."

I laughed good-naturedly as I turned and looked at Den. "How about you? How are we related?"

"I am your friend and roommate of your brother from a different mother." Den laughed out loud. "Seriously, we're family and we need to look out for each other."

"We thought being upbeat and jocular would bring you out of your melancholy quicker," I-Five explained. "We should have realized our actions might be construed as insensitive so soon after your loss."

I took a deep breath and rubbed a hand over my face. "It is too soon. It will take years to recover from Laranth's death."

The two stood in an embarrassed silence. I looked to them and gave a forced smile. "Hey, don't get all gloomy on me. You meant well. Jesting is fine, just don't involve Magash and Sacha. I don't want to give them the impression that I want anything from them but friendship."

"We understand," Den said as I-Five gave a nod.

I opened the door and started to leave when I-Five called out. "Is it still acceptable for me to flirt with Sacha?"

I turned to him and grinned. "Knock yourself out, brother. She seems to like it."