VII
There is something universal in clubbing and in contemporary popular music and dance styles. Call it primitive or tribal, or downright obscene and disgusting, as every kriffing critic describes acoustic tastes, dancing patterns and mating habits of the current generation of coruscanti youth, but it is there. Tones that help you relax, rhythms that spread a happy vibe, and an attractive partner of your choice on the dance floor. Interesting meetings happen, even if only in passing. You just have to feel it…
Raa'c'tra' An Va'rt, a.k.a. "RAV SC", soundsynther and self-proclaimed top coruscanti DJ
Coruscant
It was late at night in this part of Coruscant, even if it was still relatively bright outside. The air felt exceptionally warm. Tahiri and Ben walked out of a dance bar. It was not the best establishment on the planet. One that a simple Jedi's pay could afford. Tahiri had to let loose once in a while, considering what had happened to her even in a not-so-distant past, despite Jaina telling her that this behaviour does not suit a Jedi. But she felt a little guilty for taking Ben out with her. She wasn't sure what his father would say. At least that new music style they played sounded good tonight.
Officially, Luke sent the pair to Coruscant to encourage some supplier to respect their order for some rare X-Wing parts. The Order's fleet of maintenance-heavy T-65JS "StealthX" fighters was plagued by a lack of spare parts since the Jedi Order stopped, at least officially, working with the Galactic Alliance and its government. They also needed some time off. But Ben did not care why they were sent here. He had been itching for a reason to come to Coruscant for months.
They were walking down a dark back lane, the Force knows how many levels towards the ground of this overpopulated planet. Some other people who had been at the bar were walking alongside them. Among them was Kayla, a girl Ben met that night.
Wait, what?
Ben remembered only one person who would say something like that. And there was this weird feeling... I hope she doesn't notice... oh, did she frown a bit just now? But that could have been his mind playing tricks on him as Kayla giggled, unaware of what started to bother him.
"It was nice to meet you. I'd love to have you around to party with you again. I have to go..."
"Hey, wait! Would you at least..."
"Sorry, bye," she smiled, waved, and left.
Tahiri could sense that something was bothering Ben. She remembered the burst of emotions earlier, dulled by the general atmosphere in the club.
"I am still angry at her", remarked Ben. This kid can not enjoy a good night out, thought Tahiri. But she felt more empathy for him than she was ready to admit. It looked like he still missed his Sith girlfriend, however strongly he would have tried to deny that. Following the battle with Abeloth and the Lost Tribe of the Sith, having been rejected by her people, the girl disappeared into thin air. She was apparently last seen a few months later in the company of Jaina's Mandalorian acquaintance Mirta Gev, but after that, she was nowhere to be found.
Ben was wondering what Vestara was up to. Would they ever cross each other's paths again? He felt such strong, yet ambivalent emotions about her... Anger, sadness, love… Was it his duty as a Jedi to stop this… renegade Sith? Where could they find the first clues in regards to her whereabouts? And... did he even want to find them?
"What about Mirta Gev? Maybe we should find her and talk to her first?" said Tahiri. Of course... Jaina mentioned Mirta in the past. She also mentioned the fact that Tahiri interrogated Mirta with Jaina's brother Jacen during the Second Civil War. Ben did not blame Tahiri for choosing not to bring that up. But how could the two women meet with such history between them? "Let's give Jaina a comm and find out where Gev is residing at the moment," he responded finally.
Jaina received her comm signal and saw that it was Ben. "Mirta Gev?" she asked. She had not heard from Mirta for months, if not years. They bonded during the Second Civil War, while she was training on Mandalore. Mirta and Vestara escaped Base Prime in Ship just prior to the Jedi assault, with Mirta likely still set on finding a cure for the nanovirus that infected her home world. Jaina did not have anything to add that Ben and Tahiri did not already know.
"Sorry, can't help you guys," she finally answered. "You two are probably ahead of me on that topic." They chatted some more about their experiences on Coruscant and about how things were at the Jedi Academy on Shedu Maad.
"Say hi to Dad from me", Ben requested. After Jaina's 'I sure will!' he hung up and continued down the alley.
Suddenly, whispering nearby caught Tahiri's attention. "This Jagged Fel is sure confident in himself," the whisper went on. "I hope that data you have will help with the coup." She noticed Ben wink at her. He was following the conversation as well. She risked a look at those involved in the conversation. The DJ was one of them. They were standing about eight standard meters from them, in a hidden corner between buildings. Apparently not hidden enough.
"I have done my gig and am on the way to the port," the DJ continued. Could he be that inexperienced? The young man was speaking in basic, but in a strong Bastioni accent. "I love you like a brother, but don't tell anyone about our conversation."
Tahiri pulled Ben on the sleeve. They moved away about thirty meters. They found an open gate and made use of it. Here they could speak undisturbed.
"What in the Flaming Sith was that?" Ben was visibly disturbed. "What are the chances that we would come upon a coup in the middle of a dance event?"
"The Force works in mysterious ways," Tahiri answered. "Getting the authorities involved will take forever. You know that."
"You're right," whispered Ben. "We need to act now." They had to get the information. This seemed too important. And fate, or the Force, gave them too nice of an opportunity.
By the time they left five minutes later, they had a plan. They had no problem finding the DJ. He was alone by now. Ben approached him from the north. Once the young man saw him, his anxiety became apparent. Not outright fear, but tension. He was of a medium build, tall, some markings on his pale skin.
"Hey friend," Ben said. "I have to search you." The guy did not wait long. Despite his bag full of heavy equipment, he started running in the opposite direction. He did not make it far. Tahiri caught him in mid stride.
"You search him," she said softly to Ben. At least she did not have to argue with him. Despite the man's lack of cooperation, Ben was able to accomplish the task.
"Nothing on him, other than his music equipment and his music discs." That's not good, Tahiri thought. "Ok, we have to take all of that. What's your name?" she directed her question at the DJ. No response, of course. They could not interrogate the man or take him prisoner. "Let's get out of here," she decided finally. They had no problem losing the guy.