Chapter 6
Merlon was a human Jedi Knight, young and inexperienced. His padawan was a Miraluku male, a mere five years younger than him called Rocanza Jett. The two had been old friends studying at the academy and so Merlon had offered to complete Jett's training when his previous Jedi Master died of old age. The two Jedi made a good team, their familiarity with one another allowing excellent reasoning skills and use of the force between the two of them, and Merlon was confident that within a matter of weeks Jett would be ready for the trials. Their most recent success had been dealing with several slaving ships in the Mirgoshir system, a mission which had ended with all of the slavers dead or captured and several hundred grateful slaves being released into Republic space. Now the two Jedi had been sent to Zerkappa, a toxic water world home of several noxious manufacturing plants and a few seedy bars found on raised platforms above the water. The Jedi had been called in because a local manufacturer of high standing on Zerkappa had reported that one of his son's had been kidnapped. Merlon was especially interested in the case because the victim was a distant relative from Alderaan.
"Well old friend," Merlon said with a flourish, "I think with the shipping invoice we got from that overseer we can pin point which cargo cylinder the victim has been locked in." Rocanza nodded approvingly.
"A stroke of genius by the way using shipment tracking to locate our target Merlon, pure genius." The two friends smiled at one another. As they spoke they had walked down a back alley behind one of Zerkappa's countless shady bars where workmen went to drown their sorrows in Juma Juice and Pazaak, the last of the day's light disappearing on a smog choked horizon. Merlon's communicator buzzed in alarm. He checked it.
"What is it?" said Jett.
"It's… it's a warning to us from Master Vodnick. He says that Republic Intel has revealed a bounty on our heads." Both Jedi looked at one another in stunned silence.
"Does it say why?"
"The Master claims it has something to do with all the Jedi who took down the Red Moon slaving group – which includes us. He advises us to stay off Hutt controlled worlds where the Republic cannot protect us."
"But Zerkappa is a Hutt world!" Jett said with panic. Merlon pinched the bridge of his nose.
"I need to think about this. I'd really like to finish the mission before we have to lie low for a while. We're Jedi, after all." Jett seemed unconvinced.
"Well, alright but we should finish up here fast before…"
"Hello Jedis" a sibilant Duros voice sounded out in the alleyway. It belonged to a skinny, grey Duros in light combat gear, hefting a heavy blaster rifle. He was flanked by four other Duros in similar garb. "I understand that you have something of a price on your head, yes? And whether alive or dead, we still get the money yes? Do you understand why coming quietly with us might be a good idea? The Zhug brothers always get what they want" Merlon and Jett looked at each other and then back at the Duros.
"What if we refuse to go with you?" Merlon said simply. The Duros spat out a small laugh.
"This is not something hard to imagine I'm afraid. And we have dealt with Jedi before." The two Jedi felt the warning of the force and glanced over their shoulders. Behind them, blocking the alley was another four Duros, armed and armoured for combat.
"Now, will you come quietly? Or will we have to resort to violence?" The two Jedi turned to each other and nodded simultaneously. In an instant they both drew their lightsabres, blue for Merlon, yellow for Jett and effortlessly deflected the first wave of blaster bolts. Merlon felt the will within him and force jumped through the air, cutting it like a knife. He landed at the back of the lead Duro's group and cut down the nearest Zhug brother. Behind him, Jett dive rolled towards the party of four who cut off the alley, cutting off a spindly grey leg as he did so. Merlon whirled his lightsabre around like a whip and sliced another Duros in half before deflecting another volley of crimson blaster bolts. One of these bolts hit another Duros in the head and faster than should be possible, Merlon leapt up and decapitated the leader of the Zhug brothers. Rising from his roll, Jett impaled a Duros who got too close in the abdomen and kicked the Duros whose leg he'd just cut off in the face. A Duros to his left actually managed to grapple him, so he improvised an unpleasant head-butt right in the unfortunate Zhug Brother's face. The remaining Duros near Merlon made a last ditch effort to save himself and fired randomly at the Jedi Knight so close to him. Merlon deflected them all but with far more difficulty at such close quarters. He moved to close on the Duros and felt a flash of danger from the force but it was too late. A tremendously powerful blaster bolt which came out of the blue, struck Merlon in the temple, literally burning through his brain. His body was flung ten feet away from the fight.
"NO!" Jett screamed in anguish as he felt his Master and friend become one with the force. Summoning fresh strength he head-butted the Duros who was grappling him again, this time breaking his hold and slashed him apart. He quickly butchered the last Duros at his end of the alley. The last surviving Duros looked at Jett with a grimace and took aim with his rifle but before he could squeeze off a shot a second, powerful blaster bolt hit him in the bulbous head, decimating his brain. 800 feet away on an overlooking roof, Biting Wind the Verpine marksman re-cocked his sniper rifle.
Jett screamed with rage at the sight of his dead friend and raised his lightsabre in defiance at his unseen assailant. Down Biting Wind's scope, the blind Miraluku's face came into view and the insect assassin squeezed his polished trigger. The young Miraluku just barely managed to deflect the shot, getting his lightsabre up to his body in the nick of time.
"Come on!" he shouted, baiting his attacker to fight. He simply dodged the next shot but unfortunately this took all of his concentration. From above a large missile was fired and blasted poor Rocanza Jett to bits. Biting wind looked up from is scope in surprise as a large gun metal drop ship hovered into view, a fat blue stripe painted on its side. On loud speaker, a hoarse, violent voice rang out across the devastated area of the brawl.
"The money's ours you freaky bug! Go home to your asteroid and cry!" Within, the three Quim brothers, all resplendent in Mandalorian Crusader armour, guffawed amongst themselves. Mex, the eldest was at the controls, flicking a switch on the keyboard and unleashing a volley of heavy blaster fire in Biting Wind's direction. The Verpine grabbed his rifle and dived for cover as the devastating barrage of red energy disintegrated his sniping shot. The Quim Boys' loud voices rang in his head but he couldn't understand them. His shell-shocked mind eventually pieced them together as:
"Try this one on for size!" Biting Wind peeked over the top of the building he was sheltered on. A chunky proton missile was arcing towards him at great speed. With all his strength he got up and literally threw himself from the roof, only his powerful, armoured insect legs preventing him from terrible injury from such a fall. Above him, the proton missile hit the roof and obliterated it, showering the streets with tonnes of lethal debris. Biting Wind flipped a button on his rifle and charged a blast to maximum heat. He then hefted the long barrelled sniper rifle around and pointed it at the Quim Boy's drop ship. To defend themselves, the half-Mandalorian trio launched another proton missile, which Biting Wind aimed at and fired on. His charged blaster bolt met the missile halfway through its intended flight path, it's heat capable of detonating it prematurely. The explosion threw up an enormous cloud of ash and fire, obscuring Biting Wind from the drop ship.
"Oh bug boy?" Mex of the Quim Boy's shouted through the speaker, "Where are you little insect? Come here!" Behind the drop ship, Biting Wind leapt from hiding and fired another fully charged shot. This one flew straight into the drop-ship's right engine. Mex shouted in delight at the apparently failure of this attack to cause damage.
"Ha! Nice try you useless…" and then his right engine exploded. Fillet the youngest Quim brother completely misjudged how much thruster the ship needed and the crippled drop-ship suddenly lurched into a tailspin, climbing higher into the sky instead of lower as the left engine was stretched to breaking point. Amidst the devastation, Biting Wind watched the drop-ship sky rocket with a smug look on his face. Once the drop-ship was clearly gone for good, Biting Wind wandered back over to the site of the battle and located the bodies of Merlon and Jett. He seized their lightsabres without remorse and examined them with an insect smile.
"Two down," he thought to himself, "four to go."
Veshnar and Vima gazed at the battle master of the Jedi in shock. Mira, to her credit, merely smiled.
"Hello boys. Don't worry; this has nothing to do with you or your investigation. All I did was follow your trail down here – have either of you come into contact with Xander Osti?" Both Jedi shook their heads slowly. Mira frowned. "Where could he be? Caston is his post, his planet to protect. He was ecstatic when he got the job, so where is he now?"
"I'm sorry we can't help you Master Ordo. We arrived and began an investigation in Osti's place because we were the nearest Jedi here. As you can see, we've located the killer but I'm unsure what our next move should be." Mira nodded approvingly.
"Outstanding work you two. You've all but solved this case in less than three days! But as I said, dealing with the Gand nest that threatens this village is probably the best way of getting the information out of this little one." Toolarith fixed Mira with a cold stare.
"I may be small to your eyes warrior, but do not patronise me."
"Apologies. We all know how dangerous you can be. Mordred, if I may, I am willing to help you with the Gand." Veshnar looked very pleased at the thought of working with a Master.
"That sounds like an excellent idea Master Ordo. Padawan, you shall remain here and ensure that Mr Toolarith here does not leave the vicinity. We shall ensure the Gand do not bother the village and retrieve the information peacefully."
"But Master, this was…"
"No arguments young one. We must move quickly. Toolarith does not leave your sight until we return. Come Master Ordo." Aron Vima was left speechless as his Master and the Silver haired Jedi battle master left Toolarith's shack and went hunting for the Gand.
"Your apprentice seemed a little… aggravated that you did not bring him with us" Mira ventured once they were out of hearing range of the shack. Veshnar merely shrugged.
"I want to mediate between the Gand and the Chadra-Fan myself. Aron will understand."
"Well then, I apologise for standing on his toes. I can leave…"
"No, no, of course not Master Ordo. We're both pleased you've taken such an interest in the case.
The two Jedi arrived at the centre of the subterranean village and beckoned to the dozens of Chadra-Fan still milling about suspiciously. Master Ordo spoke up.
"Attention villagers! We are going to commune with the Gand nest which has been causing you difficulties. Is there anyone here who can come with us to speak for the village as a whole?" There was much muttering from the community. Eventually a large (relatively speaking) Chadra-Fan stepped out from the crowd and spoke in the high pitched whistle language all Chadra-Fan use.
"Toolarith is our town elder and leader. He should be the one to speak with the Gand." Veshnar and Mira telepathic spoke for a few moments.
"Unfortunately, Toolarith is under our investigation" the battle master said to the large Chadra-Fan, "So he cannot come with us. Is there anyone else here with the authority to mediate with the Gand?" The large Chadra-Fan they originally spoke to raised his hand.
"Toolarith is my brother – I will speak for the village in his place."
"Excellent" said Mira, "We must move quickly." And so the three individuals moved off in the direction of the Gand nest.
Aron Vima sat at the door of Toolarith's shack, sulking as well as any teenager can. Toolarith himself hadn't moved from his chair since the other Jedi had left. He slowly turned a tiny head and squeaked "You are angry Iridonian? I thought the Jedi were always calm." Vima sighed.
"We're supposed to be. I'm not I guess. I try as hard as I can but all I ever get from Master Veshnar are platitudes and meditation techniques. When I was a little kid in the temple on Pikar, I always imagined my Master would be wise, exciting, fun… everything any padawan wants." Toolarith smiled.
"I suppose this red eyed Master of yours doesn't live up to those expectations?"
"That's an understatement. He's overly critical, expressionless and never expects anything out of me. That's the worst part: a master who expects too much is tough, but a Master who's constantly surprised when you show creativity? It's the most frustrating thing in the world." Toolarith looked at Vima with incredibly piercing eyes, causing the young Jedi to double take: a stare like that was a sure indicator of at least some force sensitivity. They were the eyes of a being perfectly capable of taking life and for the first time since meeting him, Aron saw the diminutive Toolarith for what he really was – an assassin through and through, willing to do absolutely anything to keep his loved ones safe.
"How many people have you killed?" Vima asked the tiny hit man.
"Several dozen" the Chadra-Fan said simply. "I was something of a mercenary before I settled down here. I thought one more job for the good of my village couldn't hurt. Apparently I was wrong. What about you Jedi? Are your hands clean of blood?" Aron looked down sullenly.
"No. I've killed three people with this lightsabre, all in self-defence. "Jedi" is a very dangerous occupation."
"Then we're not so different. Spare me your condescending eyes." Aron looked away from Toolarith quickly and the silence continued.
Knight Veshnar and Master Ordo meanwhile had already made progress with the Gand. Arriving at the nest, the two Jedi had spoken with a Gand representative and quickly made tracks to put the vicious insect swarm off attacking the Chadra-fan community when it became clear that the Gand did not have a nesting permit from Caston authorities. The Jedi simply threatened to inform the authorities of the nests presence and soon the usually stoic Gand were all too eager to agree not to attack. Toolarith's brother accepted peace terms from them quickly, holding the Gand's impending deportation as insurance against further attacks. The job done, Veshnar, Ordo and the tiny Chadra-Fan diplomat began navigating back through the sewers to the village. As they travelled it became clear to Mira that Veshnar was upset. She decided to speak up.
"Something on your mind Veshnar?"
"Hmm? Oh, it's nothing really."
"Coming from any other Jedi I'd let that go Mordred but you're usually so stoic I have to push you. What's the matter?"
"It's… my padawan. I've just realised how badly I side-lined him on this mission. I told him earlier that this was our investigation, but as soon as I got the chance to work with a Master I dropped him at the nearest opportunity. A Jedi shouldn't do that to anyone, let alone a Knight to his padawan! I should be above such petty pride – I thought I was… but I guess I'm not." Mira sighed deeply.
"Mordred, you're not the most perfect Jedi to travel the galaxy. If you can find a way to accept that simple fact, then you have the chance to train a good padawan. You set too high a standard for yourself, and not high enough for young Vima. Just think about that next time you're on a mission." The greyed haired battle Master clapped her companion on the back. Veshnar didn't look convinced.
"I'll have to make this up to him somehow Master Ordo – I know him well and something tells me he'll feel betrayed for this. I've failed him."
"Mordred, we all make mistakes. Even Master Vallo. When I first became a Jedi I was a hell raiser – I couldn't cope with all the restrictions and rules, I didn't like following orders and generally I was unscrupulous when a proper Jedi would be kind and generous. Do what you can to fix your relationship with young Aron but don't forget… you're only human. Sorry – Chiss." This brought a smile to Veshnar's face – rare in him.
"Thank you Master. That's kind. Ah, we're back at the village." And so they were. The small rows of hovels perched precariously over a torrent of effluence. Dozens of tiny Chadra-Fan residents gathered to watch and discover if peace had been made with the Gand. Toolarith's brother excitedly dashed towards his family and friends, spreading the word that the Gand incursions were over. This was met with much jubilation from the crowd and the ecstatic Chadra-Fan community led the Jedi back to Toolarith's hut. Aron walked out, a sullen look on his face, followed by an equally grumpy Toolarith, the two making for a very unhappy pair of faces.
"How did it go Masters?" Aron asked of the two Jedi before him.
"Very well padawan, the Gand will cease attacks or be thrown from the planet by Caston authorities," Mira curtly replied, "but now Toolarith has to uphold his end of the bargain. Toolarith?" The little assassin nodded.
"I was hired to kill senator Bilik on special request from a man calling himself the Rook. Rook contacted me and made a transfer of 20,000 credits into my account with a promise of another 20,000 once the job was done. He paid up shortly before you Jedi arrived and I have already spread the money around the village." The Jedi nodded. Obviously claiming the unlawful money at this point would seem a little harsh.
"Do you know where we can find this Rook?" Veshnar asked. Encouragingly, Toolarith nodded.
"He operates out of a space station on the borders of Hutt space. He's rich but my sources didn't claim he was dangerous. I always do a background check on my clients." Mira took control of the situation.
"Alright Toolarith, thank you for your co-operation. What's the space station called?"
"It's known as the Cosmos Splinter". Mira quickly turned to Veshnar and Vima.
"The Cosmos splinter – start there. I'll deal with Toolarith." Veshnar blinked in surprise.
"You're not coming with us? We thought…"
"Mordred this is you and your Padawan's investigation. I won't get in the way." Aron spoke up now.
"But what about Master Osti? It should be his investigation!" Mira sighed.
"I haven't found any trace of him, and his Caston office claims they haven't seen him in three days – which was the last time the council heard from him either. I will keep looking here and ensure that Toolarith gets a fair trial." The two Jedi in front of her nodded solemnly. As they turned to leave, Toolarith himself spoke.
"You two take care of yourselves – the galaxy is a rough place." Veshnar paid no heed to this but Aron kept his eyes on the Chadra-Fan all the way out of the hut kept his thoughts on the tiny assassin all the way back to the Scarlet Shyrak and into hyperspace.