Things continue to develop along several fronts in this installment.

Chapter 6: We All Have Bills to Pay

Dagobah, Southern Outer Rim, 17 BBY, 2 months, 5 days.

The starship Intrepid dropped out of hyperspace and was soon in orbit around the mysterious planet Dagobah, said to be the new home of Yoda, the onetime Grand Master of the Jedi Order. Maris was straining her eyes to see anything, but it was no use. The planet was shrouded in fog. This was a trip that Shaak had planned to take almost a year earlier but had to reschedule as there were urgent matters on Felucia to attend to.

"We're going to use the instruments, Maris," Shaak said softly, ever the picture of calm serenity. Even at moments like this, Maris thanked her "lucky stars" that she had a master of this level of intelligence and strength. Eventually, they had descended to a cruising altitude of about 500 metres.

"Are you feeling anything, Master Shaak?"

"Not yet, but if I know Master Yoda, this is how he would operate. The dark side energy is strong here. This world had been deleted from the Archives but Jocasta remembered it. Seems there was once a Bpfasshi Dark Jedi that ended up here and was killed but he left his signature behind. I suspect we will find Master Yoda near that spot."

After about a half-hour search from the air, Shaak finally determined where they were to land. Intrepid came down on more solid ground, even though the ship was buffeted a bit. Maris stared out of the viewport across a swampy landscape, one teeming with various non-sentient species.

"Come here a second, before we go outside," Shaak called to her apprentice from the ship's galley.

As Maris entered, Shaak presented her a small tube of ointment.

"Spread this lightly on your skin," she instructed. "There are many insectoid and other species that sting here, so it is detailed in the manual on the planets of the southern outer rim in the holocron."

"Where did you get this, Master?"

"I made it, from an herbal mixture on Shili. As you know, I have continued my extensive study of plant life on Felucia. Dagobah and our home share many characteristics."

Maris nodded and started spreading the sweet-smelling ointment on her body. At home on Felucia, she usually wore minimal clothing as the climate was hot and humid. Dagobah seemed like it might be similar, but as they stepped outside, they could detect a more temperate climate.

"Not too bad, Master Shaak." Maris noted cheerfully.

Shaak chuckled. "Follow me."

They walked for a distance, along the edge of a bog and then down a hill, where the entrance of a cave could be seen. As they approached, both of them could feel a strange sensation. Shaak dismissed it and she approached the cave entrance.

"Wait outside, Maris."

"You're going in? Seems a little eerie."

"I will be all right."

Shaak soon disappeared into the cave, as Maris watched with concern. While she did, she suddenly turned around to see a small figure. As it approached, she knew who it was.

"Master Yoda! I am pleased to see you," she remarked and then bowed to him.

"Padawan Maris Brood," he said slowly, but seemed happy to see her. "With your new master, here, you are."

"Um … yes." Maris responded. "Master Shaak went into the cave. I don't know why."

"The answer, soon, it will come," he replied. "Pleased, I am, that both of you are here."

Shaak followed the cave and descended below the surface of the planet. The air had grown cooler and she wrapped her shawl around her shoulders. But then strange things started happening. A figure of a female, distinctly human in form, tall, blonde haired, and classically beautiful, dressed in red, appeared. At first, the woman appeared to be looking directly at Shaak, but soon it was apparent that she was more nearly looking through her. Shaak's hand felt for her sabre hilt, but she remained calm. The figure then seemed to beckon her and Shaak followed, as it led her to some type of an overlook. As Shaak reached it, she could see in all directions. A very unusual cave this is.

Soon there were images of starships, vessels of various sizes and shapes. It was clear to Shaak that they had Imperial lines and some were massive – the Super Star Destroyer "dreadnaughts" that she'd heard about, which Palpatine had ordered the construction of. Suddenly, one of the ships drew close, and she could see into the bridge area of the SSD. Her vantage tightened, as if she were looking through a zoom lens, until she could see directly into the vessel. There was something resembling a command conference, as uniformed officers were consulting and there was also a raised dais, with a golden throne, upon which sat an older Togruta female, one regally dressed in lavish robes and a sparkling crown. The Togruta had a shining object dangling from a chain around her neck. As she appeared to give commands to the group, suddenly the vantage point changed again. Shaak could see the whole battle group, and then, suddenly, a truly massive object, almost the size of a moon, appeared, and there were some bright flashes of light as the Imperial ships disappeared, one by one, leaving only the flagship.

But then, the view disappeared and the woman in red returned, this time looking straight at Shaak, who fearlessly returned the gaze as their eyes seemed to meet. Shaak continued the seeming stare-down for what seemed like a few minutes, but was really a far shorter span. Then, as it ended, the entrance to the cave appeared before her, and she calmly walked out to the foggy Dagobahan landscape. She felt a slight Force current, and then could clearly see Yoda and Maris sitting together, the old master likely disseminating some knowledge to the young Zabrak Padawan, who was paying close attention.

"Master Yoda … how have you been?" Shaak uttered softly. "We are, of course, most gratified to see you."

"As I am, as well, Master Ti. Doing well, are you?"

"Better than I would have thought a year ago, Master. Much better."

Yoda seemed to smile. "Come, my friends. Much to talk about, we have."

The old master led his two guests into a tidy little residence, which both of them had to bend over in order to enter and both Shaak and Maris ended up sitting on the floor as Yoda served them some basic gruel that he claimed was his normal diet. He wanted to know all about how they had evaded Order 66 and what they were up to. Shaak praised the diligent work ethic of her apprentice, while Maris returned the favor, lauding Shaak's leadership, and he listened patiently.

When they were finished, he looked Shaak in the eye and asked, "Your plans now, Master Ti?"

Shaak smiled. "Too early for anything definite, but I soon want to search for other Force-sensitive people."

"A new organization, you are planning to build?"

"Eventually, yes. Maris will soon be ready to take the trials to become a Knight of the Order. But, Master Yoda, I am not re-establishing the Jedi … however, I know some of us still remain. New methods are needed in these dark times."

He looked at her with a slightly amused expression. "Certain, you are, of this?"

"Not completely. I have meditated on it for the past three years. At first, I was primarily concerned with our survival. Maris is my best student so far and will make a fine master herself one day. I want to find others and train them. But of course, we must be ever so careful."

"Indeed, we must. To escape the Sith, this place, I have chosen."

She nodded. "I can certainly see why. I had a most interesting encounter in that cave a while ago. I think I gained a new sense of myself … it made me want to redouble my efforts."

Yoda turned to Maris. "So, young Padawan, for us, words of insight you have?"

Maris thought about it for a second. The old master was radiating a calm and reassuring presence that put her at ease.

"I trust Master Shaak. Master Yoda, I want to defeat the Empire. They took away so much. They rule with evil intent. But we will have to work hard and quietly organize."

"Yes …" He quietly nodded, then turned to Shaak. "In the Galaxy now, seven of us there are."

Shaak looked up for a second, as if running it through her mind. "Let's see. The three of us. Jocasta. Obi-Wan. Ahsoka, and …?"

"Another, there is. Detected her …I have."

Shaak tilted her head lightly as her lekku shook a little. She stared at him. "Her? Master, where was her signal coming from?"

"The Northeast Outer Rim … it was."

Shaak pondered this. "A very long way from here, no?"

"Master Ti, a new capability, you will learn. The power of Force Transmission."

Maris sat quietly during this discussion and started feeling sleepy. Shaak, noticing this, instructed her apprentice to return to the Intrepid and wait for her return.

She and Yoda went off together. When they returned an hour or so later, they grasped each other's hands and an energy transfer took place. During it, they looked solemnly at each other. Then, Yoda spoke while Shaak listened.

"On you now, much depends, Master Ti. Your studies – continue them, you must. Great knowledge, the holocrons have. Most fortunate, the Galaxy is, that recover them, the Sith did not. Your Padawan, train her carefully, you must. Fear in her, I sense. Strong, she will grow, under your teaching. Find new children of the Force, your mission is now – Master Ti."

They embraced briefly, then Shaak bowed deeply to the former Jedi Grand Master. "I will not fail, Master. As promised, I will open the transmission lines to you. I will report back in two years. I know now that you will be following my progress. May the Force be with us … all of us. Farewell."

Shaak boarded her ship as Yoda looked on, seemingly content for the moment. She knew the scale of the task ahead: begin to build a new order of Force adepts, train them and prepare to aid and, if necessary, lead the rebellion to take back the Galaxy. There was no telling how long that might take nor how difficult it would be.

As she entered her ship, Maris was waiting patiently on the flight deck. "Home, my apprentice … my child. We have much more to do."

Maris nodded. "I will set the coordinates."

Shaak turned to head to her quarters to rest and meditate. But before she left, Maris had one question.

"Master Shaak … you and Master Yoda were talking about a seventh one of us. Do you know who he meant?"

"Yes. I will tell you someday about her. First, I must reach out and learn more on my own."

"Would I know this person? Was she a Jedi?"

"She was, but I don't believe you ever met her."

Shaak left the flight deck and disappeared behind the door of her stateroom. Maris realized there were some things she would learn in good time. The Intrepid made the jump to hyperspace and the long journey to Felucia began.

Issagra space station, Corporate Sector, Northeastern Outer Rim, 16 BBY, 3 months, 2 days.

On a large space station that orbited the planet Issagra, Barriss Offee (traveling under her alter-ego, Vacle of Mirial) had arrived at a shuttle terminal area where private lockers were arrayed in banks along several walls. She located the unit in question and was preparing to open it. It was expected to contain a small hologram chip that would provide info to her for her next assignment. The Crimson Dawn crime syndicate had a job for her that was expected to pay up to 50,000 Imperial credits.

But, just at that exact moment, another figure could be seen approaching a locker alongside the same wall. This person had a large hood over his or her head that seemed to be concealing either headgear or tails. Barriss guessed that it might be a Twi'lek or possibly a Togruta. The second possibility intrigued her because the Togruta species were rarely spotted in this region of the Galaxy. As Barriss opened the locker via the Force, she immediately detected a strange vibration coming from the other person. She glanced over and their eyes met. Immediately, she knew who it was – former Jedi Ahsoka Tano. It occurred that Ahsoka also detected her as well, as the Togruta did not open the locker she had stopped in front of and decided instead to confront her.

"Well, imagine meeting you here, old friend," Ahsoka said softly, as her blue eyes darted around the room to see if anyone had joined them. But they were still alone.

"Ahsoka." Barriss muttered softly. "I can only imagine what you must be thinking. If there's any way …" her voice trailed off, and Ahsoka interrupted her train of thought.

"No." She simply deadpanned. "Barriss, I cannot hate you – although it was so wrong of you to frame me – because I came to understand that …" her voice also trailed off. "… that, in a way, you were right. We Jedi lost our way. You probably don't know this, but they wanted me to come back. I refused."

Barriss stared at Ahsoka for a moment. "Oh, I see. So you came to believe as I did. But can you ever forgive me? We once were friends – you saved me more than once. I will always be grateful."

Ahsoka said nothing for a few seconds. "I maybe could forgive you but you would understand that I cannot trust you."

Barriss nodded. "So what shall we do? I don't want you as an enemy. I'm sure you know there are agents out here trying to find people like us. Now that I've found you, I wonder who else is still around."

Ahsoka smiled. "I do as well. Might we go somewhere and talk in private?"

Barriss returned the smile. "Sure. I know this station well. But was there something you needed to do first?"

Ahsoka shook her head. "I can get back to it. Let's get a drink."

Ahsoka followed Barriss to a lift and they rose a couple of levels, then took a couple of turns, and entered through the side entrance to a private alcove inside what appeared to be some kind of inn or restaurant.

"Have you been to the Corporate Sector before, Ahsoka?"

"Not really. You?"

"Oh yes. I know it fairly well, I've picked up a number of jobs here. For various … organizations," Barriss said slowly.

"Still got your lightsabre, I see. You were getting pretty good with that thing, last time we met."

"But … it seems you now have something new. I detect two distinctly different crystals."

"Can't get anything past you, Barriss. I admit it."

Ahsoka briefly brandished her hilts, as Barriss inspected them via the Force. How good it is that Empress Su gave me that bota sample. My perception grows strong. Ahsoka seems different, like she is also reaching new levels of power. Perhaps we might be allies?

As they seated themselves in a quiet booth, Ahsoka seemed to somehow intuitively pick up on Barriss's thought waves. Hmm, something different about her, she's radiating a power that I never felt before. She tried a different tack.

"Barriss, what is your feeling about the Empire? I wouldn't expect you to be in favor. After all, they seem to have very little compassion and see people and planets as something they can dispose of – however they might see fit."

Barriss nodded. "I agree, old friend. It is a dangerous time. But what can we do?"

"I'm trying to learn all I can right now," Ahsoka answered. "You might be interested to know there is talk of rebellion," she said in a hushed tone.

Barriss leaned in to talk to her. "I've heard the same. Lots of gossip takes place here. Also, at The Wheel."

"But it's probably crazy … right? I mean, who would think that much could happen?" As she spoke, Ahsoka made a gesture with her fingers that indicated her statement was mildly sarcastic.

"Of course," Barriss chuckled softly. "So, Ahsoka … what brings you to the Corp-Sec?"

"I'm looking into something for some friends … a family I met after I left the Jedi. You?"

"I've got an assignment, might be dangerous. Say … would you like to help? We can split 50 thousand."

Ahsoka thought it over. "What exactly is involved?"

"A coaxium shipment got hijacked by some terrorist group. My client wants it back."

"Is it refined or unrefined? If it's the latter, the price goes up. Way up."

"They didn't say."

"Barriss! You need to ask about these things. Have you ever transported coaxium before? It's seriously unstable before it's refined … and who is the 'terrorist' group?"

"They mentioned someone called Enfys Nest."

Ahsoka stopped for a second. Enfys Nest? That name rings a bell. She thought it over, then decided to keep quiet. Barriss might – or might not – be working for the wrong people.

"Barriss. Are you that desperate for money?"

"Ahsoka, we all have bills to pay. Maintaining a starship isn't cheap, neither is fueling one. They promised me a full canister of coaxium if I can get hold of this shipment. That will last me a long time."

"Do they know who you are? If it gets out that you're ex-Jedi, they will blackmail you, or worse, turn you over to the Empire."

Barriss thought this over, then gave Ahsoka a pained look. For a minute, Ahsoka felt for her old friend.

"Tell you what. The group I'm working with are people you can trust. You should forget about the syndicates."

"Ahsoka, I don't have much of a choice. Your people aren't going to accept me, after what I did. Who is the leader?"

"Senator Bail Organa."

"Really?!" Barriss gasped.

"Keep your voice down!" Ahsoka said firmly, but softly.

"Okay, okay, but …"

"But what? Someone like you could be a real asset for us – if we can trust you."

"I might be interested. Can you take me to Senator Organa?"

"Only if you can convince me you are on the level. Barriss, you burned me once. I can't let that happen again."

"Ahsoka, I fully understand. To this day, I still don't understand what made me do that to you. I want the chance to make it up to you. I swear by my honor as an ex-Jedi."

Ahsoka looked her over for a few seconds, trying to scan her. She then asked, "Barriss, did something recently happen with you? I'm detecting a strange Force presence."

Barriss felt a little uneasy. How much should I divulge? I think Su would want me to be discrete … plus I get the feeling she is somehow watching over me.

"Not really. But I have been learning new things – as, I see, so have you, Ahsoka."

"Fair enough. Let's order. Any recommendations?"

"I think you'll like the Almanian ale."

"Fine."

Barriss punched the order into the table console. Soon, a serving droid appeared with two bottles and glasses. A complementary snack was also served, some spicy meat chewables.

"I thought you might like these," Barriss said softly. "You're a typical Togruta, yes?"

Ahsoka stared at her, then tried one. "Not bad."

Barriss poured some ale into each of the glasses, then offered one to Ahsoka.

"Thank you," the Togruta muttered. She took a swig of the ale, then smiled. "You have good taste, Barriss, I'll give you that. But, where, by the Force, is Almania?"

"Not far from here, but I don't recommend it as a vacation spot."

After a bit of relaxed banter between the two, Ahsoka had to get on with her business. Barriss pressed her for an answer.

"When can I meet with you again?"

"I'll be in touch." Ahsoka then transmitted a code to Barriss's com device. "Use this one if you need to contact me, else I will get back to you within one month."

"Where will you be?"

"I can't say right now. I go everywhere I'm needed."

As Ahsoka walked away, Barriss realized the Togruta had essentially declined the offer of retrieving the coaxium, but she started thinking it over. She's right, I need to be careful here. Barriss longed to hear from Su, and then realized something else. She expects me to be strong. And I am, or she wouldn't have bothered to reveal herself to me. But I need money, so I'm going to take the job.

Felucia, Shaak's home, 15 BBY, 6 months to 3 months.

Some eight months passed. Shaak and Maris were resting in the Felucian heat after having concluded a rigorous training session. Many things had occurred elsewhere in the Galaxy, but life on Felucia continued more or less as it had since their arrival almost three years before. Shaak had made a couple of trips in the nearby sectors, searching for Force-sensitive people, but had thus far come up empty. The two women had also worked to make their home on Felucia a bit more habitable and welcoming and it had now expanded to four small rooms.

The site for the holocron vault had been excavated and a storage cabinet constructed. Two new holocrons had also been fabricated by Shaak, one for the planet Felucia as a whole, its geology, climate, flora and fauna. The other was a compendium of the nearby sectors and which planets had been settled and contained sentient life. That also included Lianna, easily the most advanced world in the area and the home of the powerful Santhé-Sienar Corporation, a major manufacturer and builder of Imperial ships and various weaponry. Going anywhere near there would be a most unwise thing to do, but Shaak had carefully installed listening posts near the planet that could monitor traffic to and from it. These were sometimes installed on asteroids, which made them quite difficult to detect.

So, there were now two underground installations on Felucia. The first was the holocron vault, still only a repository, but it now held about thirty of the precious objects, and it was concealed some 20 metres below the surface of the planet, after much of the excavation had been completed by the droids Shaak had purchased almost two years prior. Shaak also had set up the intra-galactic communication facility and its relay capability on the same Felucian moon from where they had obtained the metals they used for various purposes on the planet below. To support this capability, they started work on the second underground facility, to house the system that would communicate with the relay setup. Now, utilizing the Force Transmission power that Yoda had demonstrated to Shaak, they were ready to make contact with others in the Galaxy. Shaak had also purchased a small shuttle craft via the underground market in the Corporate Sector, one that had cloaking capability, light shielding, and a class 2 hyperdrive. Slow but still serviceable for worlds close in.

Shaak considered reaching out to Ahsoka but decided instead to track her. Her thoughts about the young Togruta ex-Jedi were complex. On the one hand, she had always wanted to have Ahsoka as her own apprentice and this could perhaps be possible now that Anakin had become Vader. But, at the same time, Shaak knew Ahsoka had become estranged from the Jedi Order as a result of her being accused of the Temple bombing in 19 BBY. Though she was cleared – due to Barriss Offee being revealed as the actual culprit – Ahsoka felt violated and came to believe she could not trust the Order and those in it, and this likely extended to those who survived Order 66. Due to this, Shaak preferred to postpone any contact with Ahsoka but was greatly interested in her activities.

She also thought about the revelation that another ex-Jedi was still at large in the Galaxy, and when she discussed this with Yoda, realized it was none other than Offee herself. This of course had her wondering what Barriss had been up to and if any contact with her might be desirable – or not. It might prove valuable to track Barriss as well. Shaak had made one return journey to Shili and briefly reconnected with her parents, then went into the hinterlands away from Corvala. There, she met with the high priests of the Togruta faith, the Kuu'gru, and explained the progress she was making elsewhere in the Galaxy. She kept the whereabouts of her new home secret, in case Imperial agents might interrogate the elders. They agreed that she would take an additional quantity of the holocrons with her, leaving the remaining fifty behind.

The first person that Shaak and Maris contacted via their new setup was Master Jocasta Nu, who had settled quietly on the planet Chandrila, a Core world that had many underground cells unfriendly to the Empire. Jocasta had made contact with a former Jedi Padawan, a human from Coruscant named Jin-Lo Rayce. He was quietly traveling the Inner and Mid Rims, looking for Force-sensitive people, and had begun to find some of them. This gave Shaak even more reason for hope, but she agreed with Jocasta that this activity was on a need-to-know basis and would not be connected in any way with Shaak's own efforts in this area, which had yet to bear fruit. Of course, Jocasta also had an unknown (to Shaak) quantity of the holocrons with her. Shaak trusted in her old friend's ability to keep these hidden from prying Imperial eyes.

One night, the two of them were eating together and consuming a mildly stimulating herbal beverage, and Shaak laid out her plans.

"So, what are we going to do next, Master?" Maris asked as she took a gulp of the beverage, which served to give her a surge of mental clarity.

Shaak chuckled as she watched her now beloved apprentice.

"My dear, we have two immediate aims. One is to understand the current status of the rebellion – such as it is. Two is to keep looking for more people. Senator Organa has now pointed me to a new place to look, a mostly agricultural world called Nechako."

Maris took another swig. "What does he think we might find there? And where exactly is it?"

"Not far, actually. It's a cold place, not one you might think suitable for any large-scale farming, but the land is self-sufficient for the people on it. But Bail didn't give me details on just who might be there."

"Do you want me to make a visit on my own in the shuttle?" Maris had grown familiar with the handling of the craft and was learning basic mechanical skills in the process. She was also hoping to get more challenging assignments from her master and was eager to help in the effort to create a new Order.

"Not yet. We will be meeting with Bail again, soon, on Alderaan. And then we take a trip to an Inner Rim world, one called Asrat. I've received a possible tip from someone who went there."

"Master! Sounds like you've been up at night."

Shaak laughed. "I have … say, one more thing. We need to get some coaxium canisters. Now that we have two ships, we need a supply of the stuff. I only want the refined version, so it will cost. Can you go to The Wheel and put out some feelers?"

"Yes, Master, I can." Maris was pleased to be getting more things to do. The level of boredom in her life had dropped considerably. "How much might we be willing to pay for the coaxium?"

"No more than 10 thousand credits per canister. An option to purchase up to five canisters total. But make sure we're getting the real thing."

"Not to worry, Master Shaak. I have a good sense for con men. We Zabraks are very intuitive."

"OK, I will leave it up to you. Then, might you swing by Nechako and get a feel for the place?"

"Consider it done, Master."

"I'm going to turn in for the night. See you in the morning."

Maris nodded, then decided to step out into the Felucian night. She walked about 100 metres away from their home and up a small hill, where she could overlook the immediate area. Taking a seat on the ground, she pulled a pipe out of her pocket and placed a pinch of buu'raa in the bowl. Lighting it via the Force, she inhaled a generous portion of the smoke. A rancor, out foraging in the night for a snack, came upon her. Maris waved and sent a warm current of energy to it, as if to say, good evening to you, friend. The rancor let out a friendly growl and moved on.

Maris sat back, exhaling the smoke, then drifting into a relaxed state. Ah, now that's more like it. Good to be getting into the swing of things. Always like going to The Wheel, my kind of place … she chuckled.

The next morning, Shaak saw Maris off as she boarded the shuttle, which Maris had named Forager.

The Wheel, 15 BBY, 2 months, 25 days.

Maris eased the Forager into a landing slot on a mid-level on The Wheel. As she debarked, she flipped a 10-credit chip to an attendant. "My ship is in excellent running condition. See that she stays that way, and there'll be more for you." The attendant saluted her, and Maris headed onto the concourse of the station and checked the posted directory for level 17. Finding what she was looking for, she stepped into a station transport tube and boarded a car. Punching some info into the console, she then sat back as the car whooshed off. About 15 seconds later, she had arrived at her intended destination.

Stepping out into the concourse for level 5, Maris looked around, then spotted it, a fairly large establishment called the Players Club that resembled a sports bar – a place with plenty of holovid screens and lots of liquor and clouds of spice and other smoke. Tableside ordering and gambling were featured but no weapons were allowed in, so Maris carefully concealed her lightsabre. She didn't want to draw any unnecessary attention, even though this was not a place that Imperials were known to frequent. The owner of the establishment paid "protection" money to the local Moff, a thoroughly corrupt woman who had pulled plenty of strings to get her current title. Being the official assigned to look over the sector where The Wheel was located was a plum assignment, and Moff Teergarno ensured that she kept the skids fully greased.

Maris figured she'd start at the bar and she mounted a stool, then asked for whiskey. The bartender, recognizing her, brought a bottle and a couple of shot glasses.

"Miss Maris, how the hell are you …! Good to see your pretty face in this gin joint."

"Doin' all right, Jimbo … Doin' all right." She laughed, then poured herself a shot and quickly downed it.

The bartender laughed in turn. "Say, there's someone in here you might be interested in." He pointed to a table in the back where another female could be seen drinking alone. Maris twisted around to follow his direction. As she did, the figure became recognizable.

"Thank you, Jim. Send her over here, I'll give her a shot." Maris chuckled softly.

A signal went over to the woman's table, indicating a message. The woman, another Zabrak, read the message and smiled. Soon she appeared at the bar and Maris turned around, flashing a grin at her.

"Sugi Emari," she said slowly. "How in the stars are you, you old bounty hunter?"

"Maris Brood," Sugi cackled. "I guess they'll let anyone in here."

"Ohhhhh, yeah … fancy a shot?"

"Don't mind if I do."

Maris poured her one, then another for herself. "Bottoms up!"

They both downed the shots, then clinked glasses. Sugi smiled at Maris. "You're looking great, my girl. Whatever they're doing for you, it's working."

"It sure is," Maris chuckled. "Say, would you like to make some fast credits?"

As Sugi nodded, Maris picked up the bottle, then laid a 10-credit chip on the bar. "Jimbo, we're getting a table. Push my tab over."

"Sure thing, Maris."

Sugi and Maris went over to the side area of the Players Club, and entered a small enclosed space that had two screens and a table that seated up to five people. They sat and then closed the door. Maris poured them another pair of shots, then entered an order on the console.

"Ale, Sugi?"

"Sure."

Maris then also ordered some hors d'oeuvres – some meat strips and pieces of fish, with something that resembled a spicy cheese dip of some sort. Sugi nodded her head and smirked.

"You're moving up in the universe, kiddo." She chuckled. "I'm impressed."

Maris gazed across at her. Soon their order arrived, brought by a small droid.

"My friend. I'm in need of some refined coaxium. About five canisters worth. What might you know about getting some?"

Sugi stroked her chin and chuckled. "You know as well as I do that the Empire doesn't care for private trade in that."

As Maris smirked, she continued. "Lucky for you … because you're an old friend, and good people, and … one of the finest Zabraks I've come to know …"

Maris laughed. "Yeah, riiiight … so how about it, old buddy?"

Sugi looked her in the eye. "A hundred thousand."

Maris smiled, "I'm wounded."

Sugi shook her head. "What can I tell you? I'm giving you a discount. Stuff's hard to find right now. The Hutts, of course, have some, and so does Black Sun. I have some markers I could call in …".

Maris gave her a pained expression, twisting her head and giving a tight grin. "You're like family to me, damn it."

"Okay, okay … I'll do it for eighty."

"Thank you, madam. I know that couldn't have been easy. My boss didn't want to go over fifty. Do I have to pick it up?"

"It might help. Been to Nar Shaddaa recently?"

"Not for a while."

"It's gotten nasty. We should go together – unless you don't want to save the twenty."

"Oh, this just sucks. I guess we have to. I will need to call my boss."

"Who exactly are you working for? It might help. The Hutts being what they are."

"Which is, of course, a bunch of sweethearts. Yeah, right."

Maris pushed back from the table, poured herself another shot and downed it. Then she took her ale bottle and chugged it, slamming it down on the table. Sugi smiled, somewhat in sympathy.

"I feel for you, young lady. I really do," she chuckled. "They must have you in a tight spot."

Maris heaved a sigh. "Nothing I can't get out of. I need to make a call."

Sugi nodded. "Signal me when you're ready." She stepped out of the room and headed for the restroom.

Maris used her com and called Shaak.

"Master, I've got a line on some co-ax. But the price is steeper than we'd counted on."

Shaak inhaled and exhaled. "How much?"

"Twenty per. But they will deliver here if we pay cash."

"Seriously? Has it gotten that bad?"

"I'm afraid so, I'm talking with an old friend. We can trust her – a fellow Zabrak."

Shaak sighed. "OK, make the deal. I don't want you going to Nar Shaddaa. It's too risky. We will just have to adjust our budget. We need that fuel."

"Thank you, Master. Sorry about this."

"It's all right, I'm not blaming you, Maris. A few things have changed. Clearly. The Empire has likely restricted the sale of coaxium and I know why. Time was, you could get all you wanted at five thousand per canister. But times change. Shaak out."

Maris then signaled for Sugi to return. "We've got a deal. The full hundo. I need to get the cash. Can you cover my back? "

"Sure thing, old friend. Again, I apologize. My cut is minimal, but you're practically family, Maris. Tell you what. If you want to stay another night here, I'll treat. I can't get the stuff until tomorrow anyway."

"Ah, what the heck. I've always liked hanging out with you."

Sugi smiled. "Yeah … that's the spirit. C'mon. We can go to one of those clubs with the Falleen guys. They have some serious talent. Not everything closed down in the New Order. Draw out some more cash – you'll be glad you did."

The next morning, a seriously hungover Maris awakened in her room on the 22nd level, where the moderately priced accommodations were located. She and Sugi had a wild night, drinking, gambling and carousing, meeting various male "entertainers" and having an overall great time.

"Got just the thing for that, kid." Sugi laughed. "Here, drink this."

Maris took a swig from a small bottle, of something that reminded her of one of Shaak's herbal medicines. The taste was a bit acrid. "Ew," she remarked.

"Finish it," Sugi commanded. "You'll thank me later."

A half hour passed. Maris was feeling much better. They dressed and headed to the bank, where a droid checked Maris's credentials and told her to wait. The droid then returned with a small satchel filled with carefully laid out thousand-credit chips, freshly minted and gleaming in reddish gold. Sugi checked her com.

"They're ready. Level 33."

"Let's do this." Maris deadpanned.

They boarded a tube car and were at their destination in ten seconds.

The switch was easy enough. A couple of human males showed up at the meeting place, a conference room near the landing pad. Maris and Sugi greeted them, wanting to inspect the merchandise. The men produced a case which they opened to reveal the five canisters. Maris took one out, opened the cap and smelled it, her Zabrak senses telling her it was the genuine article. She turned to Sugi and nodded. Sugi placed the case with the credits on the table and the exchange was made.

"Nice doing business with you, ladies," one of them remarked, tipping his cap. "Let us know if we might be of further service in the future." He produced a business card, which Maris took with a smirk.

Everyone walked out of the room. Pleasantries were exchanged, then Maris turned to Sugi.

"Thank you, friend. I hope we'll see each other again – soon."

"One never knows, do one?" Sugi chuckled.

The two Zabraks embraced quickly, then Sugi turned and was gone. Maris got back in a tube car and headed for her ship. Within minutes, she was on her way.

"Next stop, Nechako," she muttered.

To be continued …

Author's note:

With this installment, this story starts to connect with that of another author, my friend Heather (pen name: heatherxenia). Her tale is called "Way of a Siluan" and is set in much of the same timeline as this. The planet Nechako is her creation (among many others) and this voyage of Maris to it begins to connect our two visions. You may read the first half of Way of a Siluan on this site so that its characters may be familiar with you when you encounter them in the chapters to come in Shaak and Maris. Both Shaak Ti and Ahsoka Tano appear in Way of a Siluan Part Two, and some characters from it will appear here. It should be interesting …