Okay part 2 decided it needed to be 1.8K words, and I think its pretty clear where pt 3 will go for this mini-arc.
"Are you going to this shop because of the owner's race?" Ky'sa voice quiet yet incredulous barely heard over the crowd as they near the shop.
"No, I'm bringing us here because what they have on display means they'll have what we want without causing the Temple's coffers to scream in protest. The four people paying extra attention to the store like its owner's race matters, means word will get around that we were here." Bladesinger's equally quiet reply brings a quick nod of understanding from the purple haired Jedi.
Stepping inside the brightly lit store they come face to face with a sharply dressed, gray furred Bothan. "What can this humble tailor do for member's of the Jedi Order?"
"If you are the proprietor of Gar'rak's Clothiers, then you can help us not be Jedi." Callera gently sweeps one hand towards a set of mannequins with form hugging slacks and dress shirts while leaving her eyes firmly upon the Bothan.
His eyes never changing but his lips quirking from puzzled to smiling, "I think my dear Jedi, you have come to the right place."
"Master Jedi, here's the data you requested. The navicomputer data from the last three ships we impounded. If it's not too presumptuous; why do you want their travel logs and star charts?"
"My Padawan is following up on something from our time on Naboo and Tantooine, but wants outside information to compare it to."
"Does it have anything to do with our people who died on Naboo?"
"It might."
"If it helps bring the Nemoidian who ordered our ship destroyed to justice and not just into his hideyhole after Queen Amidala smacked the Trade Federation with TAD, it's yours. If it can give my brothers and sisters peace..."
"If this lead guides us there Captain, the Judicial Services will be involved."
The diner had been a bustling madhouse when Obi-Wan had finally arrived, Dexter had definitely caught his stride here with the restaurant and while Kenobi would never say no to one of his meals. He needed the Besalisk himself. Not wanting to cause a scene, he just waits his turn for a booth of his own.
"No research this time Obi-Wan?" Dex's voice firm yet good natured voice booms out from the kitchen.
"Not this time Dexter, just a meal and a chat if you have a moment."
"After the rush then." Dex gives him a nod from the serving window and proceeds to feed the nonstop rush of patrons.
The delay gave the Padawan time to order his thoughts. If he wanted information from societies outside the Republic without standing out, Dex was his best first option; but he did not want to put the Besalisk in extra danger just from talking to him. Callera's warnings of Sidious' capabilities warranted caution, but he could not let himself be paranoid. That would be the one step towards fear in a way. It was fear of loss and a level of paranoia that aided in the fall of Anakin in Callera's timeline, learn the lessons of others, but not following in their footsteps was key to avoiding the mistakes they made.
"How is my favorite Jedi customer today?" Dexter's voice drags the young man out of his reverie as the Besalisk takes the seat across from him.
"Troubled, old friend. A lot of things happening in a relatively short period of time...
"Like the assassination of Chancellor someone with a lightsaber." Dexter's interjection brings Obi-Wan's focus fully to him.
"Yeah, my Master and I were supposed to be on that platform, but we had to stay at the Temple because a Holocom call came through on an investigation we are working on. Jedi Bladesinger still being there is the only reason the outcome was not worse."
"Word from a few people that like to eat here say she did not use a lightsaber on the attacker, but you say she's one of yours?"
"She is very different," Obi-Wan tilts his head in acknowledgement as he puts her own explanation to work, "her training was cobbled together from a few different groups who could touch the Force and someone who who'd been trained by a line of Jedi preserving the ways in the Unknown Regions after one of the Order's many schisms and destructions. The Force guided her to Naboo to be right there for Qui-gon and I to bring her to the Temple. She can not go back to where she was, but the Council understood that she lived by a variant of our code and has welcomed her as a wayward Jedi."
"Different is one way those upper's have put it, she's got a lot of eyes on her for one of you who isn't on your Council."
"She had been restricted to the Temple for a while to let that interest fade, but she was going stir crazy so the Council sent her to a commercial district near the Temple so people can see her and possibly show the Temple a few new tricks."
Dexter's chuckle at those last words bring a smile to Obi-Wan's lips, "I am guessing she is not why you wanted to talk with me, but the gossip is appreciated to trade. What did you want to talk about?"
"A Jedi Master was investigating a society outside of the Republic, and they vanished mid-investigation. Out of everyone I know, you are the best chance I have for lead, even just a rumor to start me took all of their research notes with them before they vanished, but another Jedi heard them talking about finding a society that can clone on a massive scale. I do not know why they were looking for a society like that, but that's the only lead I have."
Dexter's eyes close in thought. "Kamino fits the bill for cloning on a large scale, south of the Rishi Maze by ten to twelve parsecs in the Abrion Sector. They're your best bet, Obi-Wan. Any idea why your Jedi might be looking into cloning on a huge scale?"
"I do not know, but he is missing now and Kamino is now our best lead. Even if it does not pan out, thank you for the information."
"You're welcome Obi-Wan, tell that new Jedi when she gets tired of Temple food, we're always open."
Obi-wan's honest chuckle brings a smile to the Besalisk's face as the Padawan leaves the table, "I will, take care of yourself Dexter."
The evening meditations see Obi-Wan not in chamber of quiet contemplation, but the repair bay with Callera, Ky'sa and Qui-gon. All gathered around a recently repaired navicomputer.
"According to the chief mechanic it's been fixed but no data has been entered at all currently. It's a blank slate, so if we plug in the star charts that Master Qui-gon acquired will be the only information on it." Obi-Wan's voice echoes softly in the nearly empty bay.
"Add that to the lead that you say you have from your source, and we have a good idea of where the clone army will be made." Callera's voice firm and approving.
"But why the data from those ships and not the Archives?" Ky'sa's words more curious than her tone.
"You said it yourself, Healer Ky'sa, Count Dooku if he is the one who could become the head of the opposition force and tied to Sidious, would have had time and opportunity to alter the Temple records. So now we have charts and records to compare to the temple.:" Obi-wan's eyes staring the Jedi down till she nods in acceptance.
"What if the records have not been changed and this Kamino is not the planet we seek?" Qui-gon's question bringing his apprentice's focus on him.
"Then we have a society of cloners that can point us at their competition, both who have been and who could be giving us more places to look."
Callera and Qui-gon share a look at Obi-wan's response, "Well done my soon to be former Padawan," his pride warring with his humor. "While the three of you continue this part, I feel I need to talk to Grandmaster Yoda, not about Dooku but how you are deserving of your trials Obi-Wan."
"That eager to be rid of me Master?" Obi-Wan's mock hurt brings a smile to faces of the gathered.
"No, and I am a far better Jedi and sentient for having been your Master. But we are at the point where you remaining a Padawan is a detriment to yourself and the Order." Obi-Wan's eyes shine softly as he nods his head."
"That discussion can wait, you've been here every step of the way Qui-gon. You should know this, just in case any of us falls we all need to know this." Callera takes one of the data chips and plugs it into the navicomputer to load. "Where are we looking Obi-Wan?"
"Abrion Sector 10-12 parsecs galactic south of the Rishi Maze."
"This one shows a system, but no information on it." Pulling the chip and wiping the unit again they repeat the process.
"Same, Again."
"Same."
"We're three for three here Obi-Wan, will you do the honors at the Archive?" Callera's words stiffen the young man's spine.
"Of course." The finality of his words brook no argument as they head to the the Archives, the various species present in the Temple all parting ways for the four, their purposeful movement echoing in the force. Sitting down at a console, Obi-Wan pulls up the term Kamino and finds nothing as the others look over his shoulders.
"Next check" Callera's words spur his search faster, leaving the four of them to stare at a hole in space.
The palpable unease brings the wizened form of Jocasta Nu to the gathered Jedi.
"Is something the matter?"
"You can summon a member of the Council, Cin Drallig, and then stay to help us."
"And why should I do that?"
"Because we now have evidence that records might have been altered to put the Jedi Order at risk." If Archivist Nu's eyebrows could go any higher, they would be in orbit at Callera's words. "This is urgent, hurry!" the forcefulness startles the steady old woman into action heading back to the desk as Qui-Gon puts his hand on Obi-Wan's shoulder.
"Excellent work, Jedi Kenobi."
