Chapter 5- A Step Ahead

Artoo has found traces of an attempted hack on our flight log." Luke gazed down at the readout on the Jade Shadow's computer. "We don't know what information was taken, if any, but we can guess who's responsible. Artoo's monitoring now so we shouldn't have any more breaches."

Mara slipped Baby Ben out from under her nursing cover, nestled him on her shoulder and began to pat his back. "It's likely Agati knows we went to Lothal and possibly guesses that we suspect his next move. Dev and Alora, he might be watching so be mindful."

"Mara," Alora said thoughtfully, "when you say watching, are you thinking droids? It's going to be hard to spot them if he's so clever."

Dev furrowed his brow in concentration. "Then we will need to make sure our disguises are in order. And we should lower our body temperature through the Force to match the Mersians."

"Good thinking," Alora agreed. "Let's touch up our paint."

Artoo chirped. Luke nodded. "We'll be approaching Mersia in 30 standard minutes."

Kyp and Luke guided the ship out of hyperspace. The low-tech planet had no screening system and the two Jedi easily found a secluded spot not too far from Portside to hide their vessel.

Dev and Alora headed for the town, hoping to locate the Mersian couple, while Kyp took up a watch at the halfway point. Low, colorful buildings dominated the town's center, giving way to weathered silver near the sea. Reports claimed the two Mersians worked on a fishing vessel, so the two padawans made their way to the shore. Strange bird cries and the lapping of the tides pulled by the three large moons filled their ears.

Alora nudged Dev. "Look, a Café. That should be a good place to start."

The pair ambled in, glanced around for droids and checked their body temperature just in case. The dilapidated interior of the Café matched its weathered exterior, with an unpolished wood floor and tables. Dev and Alora found a table along the wall where they could watch the other patrons.

A serving droid approached. Dev stiffened. Alora reached out through the Force to calm him.

"Hello. I am Three-See-Jay-Too. How may I serve you?" creaked the ancient droid.

Dev smiled, embarrassed. If this was one of Agati's finest assassin droids, they didn't have much to fear from him.

"We'd like some caf and …" Alora started to say waffles then remembered they were supposed to be sea-loving Mersians. "Some caf and kippers with toast, please."

Dev looked surprised. Fishing planet, remember?she whispered through the Force. She hoped Dev would calm down before they encountered any real danger. The droid rolled off and Dev dropped his gaze.

"It's all right," Alora assured him. "I know you're nervous. Just relax and trust the Force.

"I don't want to fail Master Luke," Dev's voice was barely audible. "He has such high hopes for me."

"You won't," Alora replied fervently.

The door opened and a white-bearded man with a military bearing strode in. Alora stole a surreptitious peek at the man and nudged Dev with the Force. Punch!Carefully, she stretched out and brushed the Clone with the Force. As she expected, he recognized the sensation, and understood its meaning. Nonchalantly claiming the rickety table next to theirs, he turned as if suddenly noticing them.

"Hi, kids," he greeted them cheerfully, then winked at them. "That's a pretty little lady you've got there, Son."

"Um, well, er," Dev stammered, a blush distorting his painted skin. Alora wondered if anyone would think it looked unnatural. Dev took a calming breath. "Um, I mean, thanks," he finally managed.

Punch chuckled. "You're never going to win her heart that way! Mind if I join you two and give you some pointers?"

"Please do! We're having caf and kippers- won't you join us?" Alora beamed. She didn't need to pretend to be charmed by the white-haired gentleman; she was genuinely enamoured.

Punch pulled a chair to their weathered table. "Kippers? You Mersians love your fish. If it's all the same to you, I'll order some waffles."

He leaned in with another wink. "You're Jedi, aren't you? Were you with Rex and Ahsoka?" he whispered urgently.

Still smiling, Alora nodded. Punch continued a little louder. "See, my boy. The right words, whispered softly, are irresistible to the ladies."

Catching on, Dev leaned forward, too. "We're here because we think those troublemakers at the Cantina were part of a plot and we're concerned their boss is going to try to kill them. We'd appreciate your help."

"That's it!" Punch exclaimed, clapping him on the shoulder. "Now try something like this." He lowered his voice again. "Something's afoot and no mistake. Those two and their buddies set fire to the Cantina themselves. I saw them. We've got a little place here, the boys and me. You can't miss it, little blue house at the west end of the bay. Meant to leave after the fuss but, well- I'll explain later. Come in two hours."

Dev frowned. "I don't think I'm meant for sweet-talking."

At that moment, the server droid rolled up with kippers, toast and caf as well as waffles for Punch.

"Thanks, Seejay," grinned Punch. To the two young Jedi, he explained, "I'm kind of a regular here and old Seejay knows what I like."

Alora and Dev munched on their kippers and watched the other patrons. Just as they were finishing, a green Ssi-ruu walked in, accompanied by a large human male. The two headed toward a weathered table in the corner. Abruptly, the Ssi-ruu stopped and said something to his companion. The man turned his gaze in the direction of the two Jedi and the Clone.

"It's the Ssi-ruu from the Cantina!" Dev's voice was frantic. "I think he's recognized us!" His hand crept toward his hidden lightsaber hilt.

"Easy," Alora murmured, "I think it's Punch he's interested in, not us. Stay calm, Dev. You can do this."

The tall man smirked at Punch. "Making more friends, old one?" He leered at Alora. "At least this one's good-looking. But you'd better start being more careful of strangers."

"I can take care of myself, Axe," Punch regarded the man coolly, "but I don't think this cute couple is much to worry about." He winked at them again.

"Just the same, I'd be careful," he repeated, then lowered his voice. "Those crazy Jedi are out for blood. They'd love to see Tos and Lindra and the rest of us dead. Maybe you Clones aren't safe either." Axe nodded knowingly.

"Well, thanks for the warning, but I like I said, we can take care of ourselves." Punch turned back to his breakfast.

Axe slunk away to join the Ssi-ruu. Punch, Dev and Alora finished eating. As the Clone hurried off to find his four brothers, Dev and Alora reported what they had learned to Kyp.

Two hours later, they strolled along the beach toward a small blue house. Blue and purple seashells dotted the beach and pale pink sand crunched under their feet. Reaching out, Dev slipped his fingers around Alora's hand and smiled shyly.

Before he could speak, Axe, Tos, and Lindra stepped out, blocking their way.

"Well, well, look at the lovebirds," taunted Tos. "Are these the ones, Axe?"

"Yeah, the same ones. Going to call on your Clone friend again?" Axe's voice dripped with derision.

Alora could feel Dev's pulse speeding up, but he raised his chin and spoke with calm confidence. "What we are doing is none of your business." He raised two fingers slightly. "We're not worth your trouble."

The three blinked. "They're really not worth our trouble," they repeated and turned back the way they had come, away from Dev and Alora.

"Well done, Dev," Alora squeezed his hand. "Master Luke will be so pleased."

Dev blushed slightly. "Maybe I'll make a Jedi yet."

Alora leaned closer to reply. A high-pitched scream caused the words to die on her lips.