Chapter 3

Kaissy sat on the curb down the street from the spaceport. There she sat breathing in the cold morning air and begged for credits. No one here ever took pity on a child begging in the streets. All day, every day, she would receive insults and trash thrown at her.

***Evening***

A young, nieve merchant walked her direction as he walked toward the spaceport. Kaissy got up and casually strolled toward the man, trying not to look suspicious. Playing as if by accident, the side of her body crashed into the man as they passed each other.

It wasn't before the man took five more steps that he reached down to his belt and discovered his money was absent. He looked behind himself to see Kaissy walking with her head looking over her shoulder at the man.

"Hey, stop! Thief!" The merchant cried. Pulling a pistol from its holster, he followed Kaissy in pursuit.

Kaissy took off at full speed upon seeing the pistol, dodging blaster fire as it came her way. She dashed around the corner, already panting as the effort of dodging bullets started to take its toll. Looking over her shoulder to check the distance between her and her pursuer, she rounded another corner. She was brought to a stop when she found herself in the presence of the Jedi that saved her the night before, Rowe.

The young man ceased fire upon seeing the Jedi. "Master Jedi, arrest her!" He demanded.

"From what I saw, you were shooting at her. Why should I arrest her for running?"

"Because this... this filth, stole from me! She cut my purse and I will see her arrested for her crime!"

Rowe looked down at Kaissy in disappointment. "Is this true, Kaissy?"

She looked at the ground, giving her answer.

"I see." Rowe looked back up at the man. "You do know that it is not in my power on this planet to arrest her, no?"

The merchant's eyes widened with anger. Kaissy handed the stolen money to Rowe.

"Here," Rowe sighed, tossing the merchant back his coin. "Take back your money; I will handle this from here."

"Thank you, Master Jedi. I do hope you plan to turn her in at least." Nodding his head in thanks, the young man went about his business.

Rowe eyed the merchant as he walked off, then turned his gaze to Kaissy, who still looked at the ground shamefully. "Kaissy, stealing is wrong, surely you know this. You could have been killed, what were you thinking?" He lowered his voice into a quiet tone. "Kaissy, that man could have had you arrested, and he still might. Is that..."

"What I want?" Kaissy interrupted. "At least then..." She cut herself off. "Forget it. You wouldn't understand."

"At least then you would have food and a place to sleep?"

She looked up at him.

"That was me you kicked in the ally last night. I was going to help you because I don't believe you should be sleeping on the cold ground." He paused for a moment. "Why steal, Kaissy? Why not get a job?"

"It is not so easy, nearly impossible in fact. I have attempted many times but no one will hire a homeless orphan like myself. Which in turn, makes it so society keeps me as a homeless person." She explained.

Zalfon watched the two converse from the rooftop above. "I swear to you this, Jedi," he promised himself," then end of your journey is coming soon. Very soon." He turned his gaze to young Kaissy. "And as for you," he smiled, "well, it never hurts to have a few servants, now does it?"

A large, but quick, figure dressed in black came up behind him, keeping his distance a respectful one.

Zalfon looked into the assassin's pale eyes and nodded. "Be ready. I want the girl alive."