Chapter: 13 Foresight
"Whenever you gamble, eventually you lose."
A rising challenge! The Jedi Order has announced the creation of a competition for Padawans. As word of the Corellian Cup travels across countless Jedi holocoms, anticipation for the inevitable tryouts is on the rise. But while there are those seeking to train for the tournament, the galaxy's threats never cease. Whether in the Outer or Inner Rim, a Jedi is always at risk.
"Members of the Jedi Order, I send this message as an invitation for greatness. Working closely with officials in the Corellian city of Coronet, the Jedi Council has agreed on the creation of a tournament. One in which masters will have a chance to demonstrate how far their students have come. It is a competitive event where Padawans will be put to the test all in the service of educating the galaxy on the Jedi arts. The first ever Corellian Cup has been set in motion. Any Padawan not actively serving in the war is eligible to try out. Aside from commendations, the Padawan who wins the Corellian Cup will be granted a passing mark for the Trial of Skill. This is an opportunity to not only show Corellia, but the galaxy, what the Jedi of tomorrow have in store. May the Force be with you all."
Anna replayed Master Plo Koon's message thrice and her eyes lit up with greater excitement each time. As she went through her fourth playback, a quite irritated Hans tried to complete his duties. The incessant noise was an abrupt change against the common tranquility of the Archives. He grouchily set his unmarked holobooks down and glared at Anna. He mouthed Master Plo's speech to perfection after hearing it so many times. Hans cupped his hands over his mouth to mock the Kel Dor's breathing mask as he did so.
"Gee, Anna." Hans murmured. "You got a thing for Master Plo's voice?"
"I just want to make sure I heard this right," Anna replied. "A Jedi tournament with the Trial of Skill being the prize? That'd be a heck of a way to earn it."
"What do you think he meant by commendations?" Hans scoffed. "A trophy? Nah. Knowing the Jedi, they probably pat you on the back and call it a day." He covered his mouth again and deepened his voice to sound like Master Plo. "Well done, little one. So much skill. Be proud but not too proud. Achieve but not too much."
Anna's lips wobbled as she averted her eyes. Hans raised his brows and leaned closer. "You know you wanna laugh," he said in his continued facade. "Now go get me some lotion for my head wrinkles."
Anna turned and all went silent. Hans froze until she too cupped her mouth to mock Plo. "But don't get too passionate with my head wrinkles," she jested. "Too much passion leads to the dark side."
Neither Anna nor Hans could contain themselves any longer as they burst into laughter. Anna suddenly shushed him and strained her voice to sound elderly. "Hans! I will not tolerate you laughing in my Archives! Now get back to work before I throw my back out!"
"Yes, Madam Jocasta." Hans could barely answer before succumbing to a fit of cackles. He daintily raised his hands, fluttered his eyelashes, and twiddled a stylus. "Oh dear sister! Whatever form shall I use?"
Anna didn't laugh and instead thought of who Hans was mocking. The idea of Elsa just brought her back to their argument over the comlink and Anna forced herself to chuckle. "Good one, Hans." She prepared to do another impression when something made her freeze. Muscle memory prompted a distinct feeling of deja vu to whisk her back to childhood. Anna was as spirited as ever, only those around her didn't seem to share her enthusiasm...
Anna was only a youngling as she placed her hands atop her head. She curled all of her fingers and jutted them upwards to represent horns. A timid, Zabrak youngling slinked back at the sight of her. "Hey Surk," Anna derided. "Who am I?" She started making dull, beastly noises while the Zabrak tried to block her out.
Anna had reached the peak of her laughter when another youngling called her out. "Leave him alone! That's not funny, Anna." She spun and slowly dropped her mocking hands to see a Pantoran.
"Says the girl with stupid lines on her face," Anna jeered. The Pantoran ran a hand across one of her cheeks, as if apologizing to the ancestral tattoo for the blasphemy endured. No matter the proud legacy, the human's insult still stung her within. The Pantoran's lip quivered as Anna scoffed. "What? Are you gonna cry now?"
The Pantoran shoved Anna hard enough to knock her off her feet. The push sent Anna into enough rage to tackle her adversary while Surk ran for help. The younglings tussled, clutched sleeves, pulled at braids as they rolled across the floor. Other younglings from Brith Clan rushed to spectate as their mentor weaved past them. Master Adersen dropped to his knees and hurriedly separated the girls before they could throw harder punches.
"This is unacceptable," Adersen scolded. "Surely I've taught you girls better than this." His lecturing tone became a blur to Anna, who was still reeling from her adrenaline rush. Adersen examined Anna's face first and ushered her towards the door. "Go to the medbay this instant, Anna. Tori, let me see your eye."
Anna stumbled away, furiously scrubbing her aching nose as blood trickled from it. "By the Force!" her older sister called frantically. "Anna?" Elsa worried. "What happened?" She reached for Anna's nose but had her hand pushed away.
"Tori was giving me a hard time," Anna had answered...
Anna slowly shook her head while recalling such a memory. "You claim none of the other younglings bullied you in Brith Clan because you stood up for yourself. Did you ever stop to think that maybe it was because you were a bully?" Elsa had dared to ask her over comlink.
What kind of question was that? Anna thought. More like an accusation. I'm no...was no bully. Surk had obviously done something to provoke that incident, and if Tori hadn't shoved me...Well, maybe I wouldn't have given her a black eye. I can't help it if I stand up for myself and people don't like it. It just means they have to find another loser to prance all over, because I'm not budging.
"So," Hans broke the awkward silence. "I take it you're gonna try out for this Corellian Cup?"
"And win it," Anna affirmed. "This is my chance to finally pass a Jedi Trial."
Elsa always possessed a distinct admiration for Master Plo. The Kel Dor had a flair of mystery to his masked face, making him all the more fitting for such a spontaneous announcement. The Corellian Cup prompted Elsa to think of extravagant arenas. She imagined powerful tests measuring their connection to the Force and how quickly they could solve problems. Her hair rose as she considered a portion of the event consisting of lightsaber dueling. If Elsa was going to stand any chance, her Niman would have to be honed.
Tori wanted to burst with excitement, but felt pressured into silence with her master's presence. Krell finished listening to the holomessage and shot her a daunting glare. "Master," Tori uttered. "I wish to participate in the Cup. I'm ready to earn a Jedi Trial."
"You? Ready?" Krell growled. "Not even close." Tori sulked until Krell closed in. "But you will be. You're not going to participate, you're going to dominate. When I'm finished with you, you will crush all opposition in these games. You will achieve victory, those who question my teaching shall be proven wrong, and the glory of it all will be...ours."
"I'm sure Anna will be there," Tori hissed through a sneer.
Krell bared his teeth and answered, "I'm counting on it. Use your frustrations against this Padawan to fuel your training."
"Pulling power from my anger?" Tori worried. "Isn't that an act of the Dark Side?"
"If done properly, no." Krell spoke calmly. "Now do you want to win?" Tori hastily nodded. "Your training begins now."
In the temple's medbay, Yelena couldn't believe her eyes. "I must have stepped into an alternate reality," she said. "What happened to the Mattias I knew? This is truly...unbelievable. We just receive amazing news about a potential, competitive event for our Padawans and you're...you're-"
"Gaming," Mattias mumbled as his fingers pattered away. "At least I think that's what the kids call it. The Corellian Cup sounds spectacular, Yelena, but look at my island in Jawa Crossing! I now have seven new Jawas. This one is my favorite because his robes are green like yours truly."
"Mattias, this is preposterous." Yelena intoned. "I understand that you're stuck in bed, but this game is just-...oooh I like the blue Jawa. That's a nice shade of cerulean."
Mattias smirked at her. "I knew you'd warm up to it." He set the device on the nearby stand and took Yelena's hand. "I want you to start training Anna for the Corellian Cup."
"On my honor," Yelena said. "Do you think she'd want to compete?" she joked.
Anna practically kicked down the door with excitement. "One ticket to Corellia!" the Padawan proclaimed.
"Make that two please," Elsa added as she entered from behind.
Yelena hated that she thought to say, Oh you too, Elsa? That's wonderful! Instead she expressed an equally supportive nod for both siblings. Whether she wished to show them or not, Yelena couldn't deny her personal doubts about Elsa's ability. Then again, she was focusing far too much on her Padawan's lack of lightsaber skills.
"I have high hopes for both of you," Mattias said. "Yelena will be training you until I get out of here."
"Well we shouldn't keep them waiting too long," said a calm and cheerful voice. Dr. Sheparr poked his head into the room, offered a wave, and slid in.
"Doctor?" Mattias realized. "Now it's a party!"
"My droids have finished constructing your cybernetic thoracic disc," Sheparr said. "We are cleared to move forward with your surgery today."
Mattias offered a beaming grin while Anna and Elsa applauded. Yelena still seemed cautious about the whole procedure and squeezed Mattias' hand. "We'll be here for you," she assured. "Training can wait."
"Absolutely not," Mattias said. "Let me get one thing clear and don't worry...I'm not going to lecture you about the Dark Side or attachments." He jokingly glared at Anna, knowing how much she adored his lectures. "I appreciate all of your kindness and support while I've been stuck in bed, but your presence isn't going to change the outcome. I'm in good hands here. There's always more to do and I'm going to be alright. Next door, next planet, next test. When the time's right, I'll be with you. In one way or another, I'm always with you. And I won't settle for any moping or pacing about. So please, rise up and be great."
Though Anna accepted her master's words, she had trouble letting him go. She despised the bitter feeling prodding her as a pair of medical droids guided him into an operating room. As she worriedly stared into the closing doors, she felt Elsa take her hand. Despite how much of a thorn in her side her older sister was, Anna was still grateful for any support. "Elsa," Anna uttered. "Ever get the feeling that no matter how well things seem, something bad is bound to happen?"
"Sometimes," Elsa admitted. "That's when I put all my trust in the Force."
"Yeah," Anna huffed. "The Force. It's just not so reassuring when Master Yelena looks like a wreck herself. Beneath that stern appearance is someone willing my master to make it out of this safely. We stop evils with lightsabers and lift objects with the Force...but when it comes to the world of medicine, I feel hopeless. I loathe this useless feeling."
A blip on Yelena's vambrace made her beckon the siblings. "Well you might not have to feel it much longer," she said.
The last call anyone in the trio expected to receive was a request from the Jedi Council. As they waited to enter, a whirlwind of various thoughts ricocheted across their minds. Yelena had last spoken with the council when they granted approval for Elsa's Trial of Insight. Elsa was nitpicking her appearance before she presented herself amidst so many masters. Anna fought to conceal her sweat, considering three council members had last seen her on trial. The doors opened and the siblings marched behind Yelena. All three stood at the center of a well-polished chamber and bowed to the seated masters. The room was significantly tranquil while the hum of holoprojectors filled the air. Masters away on the battlefield still made time to sit on the council, and their vibrant projections flickered from their respective seats.
Don't look at anyone, Anna told herself. Just...stare at the floor. The beautifully-clean floor. No! Don't stare at the designs. It'll look like you're being suspicious. They already think you're suspicious. Anna took a deep breath. Just look up ever so slightly and smile at one of the masters. What are the odds that it'll be one who was at your trial? Anna put on her best smile, stuck her head up, and found herself staring into Master Windu's eyes. He raised his brows as Anna felt a tidal wave of judgement crash against her. Kriff.
Though she appeared composed, Elsa was beyond enthusiastic to be in the council chamber. Her eyes darted between the masters until they fell upon a familiar face. Her heart leapt at the sight Obi-Wan Kenobi, who offered her a gentle smile. Obi-wan leaned over to a Tholothian woman and whispered something. By the time Elsa recognized her as Adi Gallia, the woman was offering her an impressed nod. Elsa imagined an older version of herself sitting amongst the council in refined robes. She could see other masters conferring with her on the galaxy's happenings while she helped them maintain order. Standing in that chamber was an honor for her, and she couldn't understand why Anna seemed so on edge.
"Master Yelena," Master Yoda spoke first. "Padawans Anna and Elsa...So sorry we are, to hear of Master Mattias' injuries. A swift recovery, we wish him."
"Thank you, Master Yoda." Yelena replied. "How can we be of service to the council?"
"Two of our own have gone missing in the Inner Rim," Master Windu explained. "Jedi Master Tamon Chaki and his Padawan Nelani Trell were sent to investigate an environmental disturbance in Sino City."
"A good friend of yours, Master Chaki is...hm?" Yoda inquired.
"That is correct," Yelena replied. "Tamon and I used to teach meditation together many moons ago. He was always pushing boundaries to see how far students could take themselves through the will of the Force."
Windu and Yoda looked to one another before returning attention to Yelena. "His persistence is precisely why your help has been requested," Windu said. "Chaki is known to delve further than he should, even if it means putting those around him at risk. Though it sometimes proves successful, this technique can also leave tragic results."
"Fear for him and his Padawan, we do." Yoda said. "To Manaan you must go. To bring home the Jedi, your mission shall be."
"I will not let you nor my friend down," Yelena answered and bowed. "We'll leave effective immediately."
As they departed the chamber, Elsa waved goodbye to Obi-wan on impulse. He humored her with a chuckle and simple nod, which left her kicking herself. "Well," Anna mumbled. "There goes training for the Corellian Cup."
"Don't sound so despaired," Yelena intoned. "You're a Jedi Padawan. Everything you do in life is part of your training."
Anna rolled her eyes. "Sooo if I braid my hair, eat breakfast, or even stub my toe, that's all considered training?"
Yelena was prepared to repel sass of that magnitude with some of her own. "That sounds like Jedi tradition, culinary studies, and endurance training to me." Elsa snorted beside her while Anna was left as a bumbling mess. "You have to see purpose in everything you do, ladies. Even if it doesn't matter, it does. Our mission will serve a greater purpose for the Jedi Order as a whole and we will all learn something from it. Be patient."
All of Yelena's wise words zipped over Anna's head in less than twelve parsecs. The young Padawan couldn't wait a second longer until they got to Manaan to begin her training. Yelena called upon the Force to help relax her mind and distract it from Anna. She was having better luck than Elsa, who couldn't think clearly with her sister's repetitive grunts emanating from behind the cockpit.
"Anna?" Elsa asked through gritted teeth. "You alright back there?" Her question lingered as more of a request for silence.
"Fine," Anna grunted. "Just...pushing...my...limits."
Elsa shut her eyes and tried to focus on her meditation. She felt the cold, leather arms of the corvette's chair and imagined the darkness of space outside their ship. It was spectacular to think about...until Anna loosed an ear-splitting groan similar to that of a dying Bantha. Elsa flung herself out of meditation and spun her seat until it almost came off its hinges. Anna was twitching and coated in fresh sweat as she performed pull-ups from the entryway. Her arms begged her to stop as she forced herself into another rep. Her face reddened as if her head was about to permeate steam.
"Anna," Elsa worried. "You need to stop."
"Not until I hit..." Anna's arms gave out and she fell with a metallic clang.
"The floor?" Elsa answered.
"My limit," Anna corrected.
"You need to save your strength for the mission ahead," Yelena warned.
"If I broke my limits and had greater endurance, there'd be no need to save strength." Anna quipped. "On to squats!"
Elsa sighed while her sister squatted repeatedly behind her. She chose to focus on the ensuing vortex of Hyperspace, and used it to drift off. While she'd hoped for meditation, Elsa instead felt her eyes getting heavy. The ship's steady engine's lulled her into slumber. Her head sunk against the chair as the world around her faded to blackness.
When she awakened, Elsa found herself in the same darkness she'd entered. It was freezing, even for her and she felt entrapped like she had months ago. Is this...Hoth? she wondered as she dug an air pocket for her to breathe. Trapped beneath layers of snow, Elsa soon realized no one was coming to save her. Despite being buried alive, Elsa could hear something...or someone whispering her name. It beckoned her towards the surface as she dug upwards. With each pull, she felt overwhelming amounts of snow collapse around her. Once she broke the surface, Elsa was immediately greeted by a heavy snowfall. She rose to her feet and trudged through the blizzard. The snow levels climbed to her thighs as she forced her way through.
"Elsa," the breathy, female voice called.
"I'm here," Elsa mumbled and cleared her throat. "Who are you?"
"Elsaaa," it continued.
She wondered how such a quiet voice could be audible through a wild blizzard. It seemed to be coming from within, yet all around her as well. Elsa deduced that a powerful force was at work, but struggled to sense benevolence or malevolence. She pushed onward until a towering silhouette faded into view. Silver-stoned stairs climbed above the snow mounds and lead to an ancient structure. The voice calling her name transitioned from soft to thundering at the top of a spire. Rather than fear it, Elsa ascended the stairs to chase the voice. Just when she thought she was devoid of timidity, Elsa's heart sank at the top of the stairs. She glimpsed a powerful flicker of light swirling at the center and sought to meet it. She couldn't help but think back on the trickery she faced in the Temple of Huzwan. But something about this icy encounter didn't feel like Dark Side demons were at work. With a deep breath, Elsa took the final step and ascended into the spire. The blizzard around her ended as she witnessed whatever mysterious entity was calling her. It suddenly-
"Time to wake up, Elsa." Yelena said and slowly nudged her Padawan. "I didn't know you were a sleep-talker." Elsa groggily opened her eyes to see a massive, blue planet in the viewport. "Don't look so disappointed. Manaan might be all ocean, but its greatest mysteries rest beneath the surface."
"It's not that," Elsa said. "I just...I had a dream."
"Oh?" Yelena inquired. "What kind?"
"The kind that seemed too significant to dismiss," Elsa answered.
Before they could continue their conversation, Anna leaned over Elsa's seat to observe the planet. Her stench from working out was enough to shake off whatever fuzziness Elsa still felt. "It's about time we finally got here," Anna groaned.
"Have you been exercising this whole time?" Elsa asked and plugged her nose.
"You know it," Anna said while still panting. "No pain, no gain. Or in this case, no Corellian Cup."
The corvette glided over a seemingly endless ocean as memories of Scarif returned to Anna and Elsa. The siblings couldn't help but imagine Jack Convore skimming the waves in one of Hondo's skiffs. Yelena tilted the ship and made landing preparations upon seeing a pale mass on the horizon. A floating city of sorts glistened over the horizon, proving to any offworlder that a civilization was possible.
"There it is," Yelena said. "Sino City. The only above-surface city on the entire planet."
"Why's that?" Anna wondered.
"The Selkath prefer to live underwater, but it's hard to do business with the galaxy when the majority of their clients don't have gills. So Sino City is the bridge between worlds." Yelena would've continued her lecture if one of the city's docking bays hadn't called her. "Master Chaki taught me a thing or two back in the day." She cleared her throat, grit her teeth, and spoke in a series of hisses and bellows. She then turned off comms and addressed the Padawans. "That was Selkatha for 'Good morning and I wish you well.' "
The Selkath docker responded soon after. "While your effort is appreciated," she answered in Galactic Basic. "It'd be less offensive if you spoke in your language instead of butchering mine, ma'am. You are cleared to land in docking bay fifteen."
Yelena sat in nervous silence while Elsa experienced second-hand anxiety for her. Meanwhile, Anna had to restrain herself from laughing over Yelena's mistake. Instead, she offered the master a piece of advice. "Hey," Anna quipped. "At least it's all training right?"
Maybe you need training in body odor, Yelena thought as they landed. The scent of seawater filled their noses as they departed from their ship. Shining pillars and sparkling gateways proved that the first aspect the Selkath wanted offworlders to know about them was cleanliness. The aquatic species was hard at work to maintain each docking bay while other personnel were busy greeting arrivals. One of the staff marched up to the Jedi and offered a respectful bow.
"They look like humanoid Briths," Anna whispered to Elsa, who quickly pinched her arm.
"Don't compare them," Elsa scolded sharply.
"Oh come on," Anna quipped. "The Selkath have lobes on their mouths just like those flying mantas."
"Would you quiet down?"
"It's quite alright, children." the Selkath said. "Many newcomers are curious about our species and we grow used to it."
"But that doesn't make it right," Yelena asserted. "I apologize for my student's ignorance."
"To what do we owe the presence of more Jedi?" the official asked.
"I'm afraid we're here to find the first two," Yelena replied.
"I see. I'll put you in touch with the local law enforcement assigned to their case. Head to the plaza and they'll meet you there."
Yelena thanked the Selkath and gave Anna a nasty glare. As they made their way through a winding gate, the staff behind it recited, "Welcome to Sino City on Manaan. Please enjoy your stay."
"How wonderful," Elsa said and waved to them.
"Kinda creepy how they all say it together though," Anna jeered. "How long do you think it took to train all those fishes?"
"They're Selkath, young one." Yelena intoned. "Not Briths nor fishes. They are people just like you and I. Selkath." Anna exaggeratedly threw up her hands in surrender as they stopped by an illustrious fountain. "You're lucky the Selkath even let us in the city after all they've been through. Thousands of years ago, they would've confiscated all weaponry. When the Sith Empire destroyed their last above-surface city, it was a monumental statement that they decided to build another. They are giving the rest of the galaxy another chance so the least you can do is be respectful."
"I get it," Anna admitted. "I'm sorry, Master Yelena."
"Don't be sorry. Be better." Yelena said as a Selkath officer strutted up to them.
He fiddled with one of his cephalic lobes as a human would a mustache and examined the Jedi. "Greetings," he said. "I'm Officer Onum. I understand you're here in regards to Master Chaki and his Padawan."
"That is correct. I am Master Yelana. These are my students...Elsa and Anna Dellian. What's happened to my friend?"
"Your friend gave me hope that we Selkath had a future beyond these seas," Onum said. "To see a Selkath adorned in your robes was inspiring, really. Master Chaki seemed happy to be home. You see, Sino has made serious advancements over the years. Look around and you'll see the amount of spacers we get willing to trade with us. Business was good until offworlders started reporting stolen shipments. Of course my people were the first to get blamed, and it's led to even further hostilities." Onum withdrew a datapad and flipped it towards the Jedi. Its readouts flickered red and displayed varying levels of toxicity. "Clearly someone bought right into the conspiracy and has it out for us."
Yelena furrowed her brows and read over the data. "Someone's poisoning your waters?" she realized.
Onum's moist skin quivered when he nodded and the excess fluid dripped from his lip. "I'm afraid so," he said. "Master Chaki sought to find out who was stealing the shipments, but the pollution problem became another pressing matter. After all, the rest of the Selkath dwellings are underwater, and further poisoning of our waters would lead us to ruin."
"Perhaps we can pickup where they last left off," Yelena insisted. "Where were Chaki and his Padawan last seen?"
Onum beckoned the group to one of the plaza's balconies. One would've thought his blind gesture towards the open ocean was a joke. Streaks of toxic sludge shined above the surface and cleaning teams could be seen attempting to contain it. "They said they were going to check the Gukko Reef for clues considering it had one of the highest volumes of toxicity," Onum said. "So much so, that we had to evacuate local dwellings before the pollution spread."
"Then that's where we can start looking," Yelena asserted.
"And how do you intend on getting down there?" Onum asked. Elsa and Anna seemed equally curious themselves. "We Selkath do not possess any diving gear, for we lack the need for it."
"It's like you said," Yelena replied. "This city's filled with spacers willing to trade. Where's the nearest cantina?"
With a resigned huff, Onum guided her to an oceanside bar which appeared over its capacity. A frenzied assortment of travelers from across the galaxy came in to refresh themselves while relaxing tunes sounded above. A duo of Selkath bartenders hastily and efficiently prepped drinks for their patrons. "This is nothing like a Coruscant bar," Anna admitted. "No ear-splitting music...no exotic dancers...it's-"
"Classy?" Elsa finished.
"Don't let any appearance fool you," Yelena warned. "The second you let your guard down, any one of these hustlers will eat you alive."
"So what's the plan then?" Anna asked.
"To try and out-hustle one of them," Yelena answered nonchalantly. "Stay close." She weaved through the crowd as Anna recalled the last time she strayed in a bar. Several dead bodies later and she preferred to stick with her companions this time. Then again, this bar wasn't as deadly as Dazzle-Daze was. "Try not to draw attention to yourselves," Yelena instructed.
"Yo Jedi!" a drunken Sullustan waved to them. He rolled up a napkin in his hand and swung it like a lightsaber. He even took the time to make his own awful sound effects.
"So much for classy," Anna mumbled.
Yelena leaned on the bar and examined the overhead menu. She was surprised by the Selkath's rapid response time and quickly ordered. "The 'Hyperdrive' sounds good. We'll take three of those," she said.
The spacer next to her couldn't help but chuckle. "Good choice, Master Jedi." the man said. "Anything's better than this blurrgfire, but I'm not about to waste the credits I spent so...bottom's up." Yelena watched as he chugged the spicy, scarlet beverage and looked as though his black hairs would sizzle off. His once honeyed voice became hoarse when he set the glass down. "Damn," he coughed. "What was I thinking?"
"It's simple, Erik." An elderly spacer beside him jeered. "You weren't."
"Pay no attention to Grimsby here," Erik said. "We just pulled in for new shipments and he's cranky about all the fuss."
While Elsa listened intently to Erik's explanation, Anna looked over him and succumbed to a different feeling. She noticed his vivid blue eyes and broad shoulders. His wide biceps caught her eye as they stretched from his short, white sleeves. Erik's faint smile was enough to warrant a sense of adventure that left Anna wondering where he'd been. His eyes drifted from Yelena over to her, and she felt almost nauseous for a moment. He extended his rugged hand to shake hers, and she froze for a moment. Anna soon realized the chilling sensation she felt was the bartender sliding a beverage into her palm. As Anna took a moment to sip her surprisingly delicious beverage, she contemplated the foreign feeling she experienced. Perhaps it wasn't as unknown as she first perceived, for she'd endured similar experiences with Hevrin in Dazzle-Daze...or even with Hans during their mission.
"Business is taking a hit with all of the conspiracy circulating," Yelena said.
"We can't really sell much to the Selkath if they're busy getting poisoned," Erik scoffed.
"Nor do we want to stick around too long if it means getting robbed like a lot of our competition," Grimsby added.
"Mind if I ask what you sell?" Yelena asked.
Erik and Grimsby glanced at each other first. While his subordinate offered a subtle shake of his head, Erik defied his advice. "Mostly moisturizing suits for the Selkath," Eric said. "Our planet makes custom orders."
"I wouldn't suppose you'd happen to have any diving gear on you," Yelena probed. "Particularly in women's sizes?"
"I might," Erik admitted while picking spicy granules from his glass. "But it'd cost you. I don't know what kind of paychecks the Jedi Order makes out, but can any of them cover a thousand credits per suit?"
While Yelena remained steadfast, Anna nearly spat out her drink at the amount. Elsa sipped slowly and looked to her master for guidance on negotiation. "Perhaps I could convince you to lower such a fee?" Yelena inquired.
"And perhaps I can become Supreme Chancellor of the Republic," Erik chuckled. "Ma'am, those robes and that lightsaber grant you a lot of things. They do not, however, make me or any other schmuck your personal doormat."
"This is taking too long," Anna whispered and slid out of her seat.
Elsa's eyes widened as her head swiveled between her sister and Yelena. "Where are you going?" she asked.
"To make us some money, obviously."
"Obviously," Elsa sighed. With her master occupied with a potential negotiation, she chose to tail Anna and safeguard her from danger.
"Elsa?" Anna laughed while slipping through crowds. "I'm impressed. I thought you'd stay with your master."
"We're supposed to stay together. And she's your master right now too. How do you intend to make credits anyway?"
Anna scanned the raucous room of its various patrons. "I'm working on it," she muttered.
Finally, a group of boisterous gamblers caught her ear. A furious Twi'lek had just been defeated and he stormed off with a snarl. The empty seat let Anna glimpse the group's lounging champion. Though the upper half of his face was hidden in shadow, four tentacles extended from his lower jaw. A pair of finned hands with suction-cupped digits rested above a holochess board. The champion was flanked on both sides by a jaunty entourage of gamblers. "Ruger! Ruger! Ruger!" they chanted together.
"Hey sis," Anna proposed. "What's that guy? With the tentacles and such?"
"Probably a Quarren," Elsa said. "Thanks for asking before assuming."
"Yeah, yeah." Anna replied. "I just wanted to check before I whoop him."
"Wait, what?" Elsa choked. Also...what if it's a she? Elsa thought hopelessly.
"It's Dejarik," Anna told Elsa. "Mattias and I play the heck out of it. Trust me, I got this."
A resounding "Ooo" emanated from the gamblers as Anna approached the table. The word "Jedi" escaped someone's lips.
"Quarren," Anna said. "Ruger, is it? How's about we go a round?"
Ruger's tentacles retracted with his sneer. "You sure you know what you're getting into, little princess?" His voice was flat and guttural. "You'd best go frolic along." Rather than humor him with banter, Anna planted herself in the empty seat. Her actions prompted the gamblers to cheer and one Ithorian went a step further to pat her back. Ruger stroked his chin, forcing all to listen to the suction of each fingertip against his skin. "What are you staking here?" he asked.
Anna paused to garner the table's suspense before unclipping her lightsaber and slamming it on the table. The patrons nearly lost their minds at such a wager and it was enough to make Ruger lean forward. His steely eyes were as blue as her kyber crystal and he slowly nodded. "A bold move, princess." the Quarren said. "What are you wagering against?"
"When I win, you fork up three thousand credits." Anna said sternly. "It looks like you've got plenty of winnings to pluck from."
Ruger cackled and turned on the hologram table. Elsa leaned over Anna's shoulder and whispered sharply. "Are you insane?" she asked. "It's not too late to back out."
"Trust me," Anna whispered. "Sooner cash means sooner suits. Every moment we waste is time we could be spending looking for Master Chaki. Now back up and quit doubting me. I...got this."
The board illuminated as patrons exchanged bets over the competitors. Anna looked over the army of three-dimensional holomonsters assembling on her side of the board. Amidst the wild assortment of bizarre creatures, one always caught her eye. A titanic, bipedal lizard with savage claws made every other holomonster look like a pawn. The Mantellian Savrip was Anna's go-to monster. She'd used the hulking titan to defeat Mattias countless times. If she played smart, she could use the Savrip to gain another victory. Keep it cool, she told herself. This squid is just another competitor.
Ruger made the first move and sent forth a lanky Molator beast. Anna utilized the same strategy she'd practiced for years by letting Ruger advance. She permitted him to take out her smaller monsters, only to have her Savrip inevitably crush whatever Ruger had in striking range. Her routine would only work for several rounds, as Ruger soon diminished her lower level creatures. Elsa started to catch on to the game's workings, which only made her further worry about the stakes. Holomonsters were slaughtered on each side of the board until only four remained. With each player holding two, all eyes were on the game.
"Do all your Dejarik games end looking this close?" Elsa wondered.
Anna gave her a wink. "Yelena's probably wondering where we are," she said. "Given that she hasn't called for us yet, I figure she's still haplessly negotiating. Can you let her know I'm about to get us the credits we need?"
Elsa went off to reach Yelena while Anna stared Ruger down. She was surprised to find him returning the glare. It's all part of the plan, she thought to herself. Appear weak and draw your opposition into a trap. All I need is for squiddy here to take a jab at my Monnok, then my Savrip will bring him down to one monster. They'll be no way for him to take on two of mine. Anna's smirk faded as Ruger chose not to attack. Instead he shifted his holomonsters to flank her Savrip. What? But I literally gave him a free attack. Only an idiot wouldn't take it. I'll just counter with my- Ruger waited until Anna moved her Savrip into attacking position. He then sent one of his creatures back to strike her Monnok and eliminate it. Anna's blood ran cold and she bit back a gasp. She dared not to look at Ruger's face, because she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of her worry. How the hell did he know? she thought. How could he have predicted that counter move? I-, Anna forced herself to focus. She had one monster left and the game wasn't over. While her vigorous heart was appreciated, Anna soon realized there wasn't much she could do on the board. Her once invincible Savrip was cornered by two holomonsters, and their master was steps ahead of its. All she could too was huff and go out swinging.
Erik couldn't believe he'd plucked every granule from his drink by the time Yelena had finished spieling. "Look," he said. "I support your noble cause. The whole 'freedom and peace across the galaxy' bit is beautiful, but I can't just give you gear on good intentions."
"What if you could profit from them?" Yelena suggested. "Young man, there's more going on in those seas than even the Selkath know right now. We're here to get things running smoothly again. The way I see it is if you can get us those suits, we can get to the bottom of this...literally. The sooner these crimes are resolved, the sooner trade resumes and everybody wins. Worst comes to worst, we damage your merchandise and you file a lawsuit with the Jedi Order."
For once, it seemed like Grimsby and Erik agreed on something. "What sizes do you need?" Erik asked as Yelena grinned. Before she could answer, Elsa arrived to inform her of Anna's endeavor.
The Savrip took a mighty but futile jab across the playing board. It struck one of Ruger's holomonsters, but was pounced by his remaining one. The game ended as Anna watched her favorite piece flicker into nothingness. The cheers around her were a blur as she instinctually reached for her lightsaber. The suction-cupped fingers of her opponent greedily wrapped around its durasteel hilt. "Well-played princess," Ruger growled. He was close enough that she could here the moisture bubbling between his tentacles. "But I don't lose."
"How about a rematch!" she exclaimed.
"I think I'm done for the day," he replied before strutting off.
She angrily went to grab his arm, but he caught her wrist with astounding reflexes. "You want to take this up with the Selkath courts, Jedi? It's not my fault you were stupid enough to bet your lightsaber." She flailed in his grasp, but his palm secreted fluids that made her able to slide out. While her escape was fortunate, Anna didn't count on losing her footing and crashing into a nearby table. As Ruger disappeared into the crowd and patrons whined over their spilled drinks, Anna felt familiar hands help her up.
"You alright?" Elsa asked.
"I should've figured you wouldn't stay close," Yelena said. "Listen, there's no need for you to go making credits. That spacer's going to give us the diving gear. You just had to be patient like I've been telling you." Yelena's brows furrowed as she noticed Anna's hastening breaths. "Anna?...What's wrong?"
Anna kept patting her bare belt and looking towards the cantina's entryway. With mouth agape and a listing gaze, even her sister's words were inaudible. "Sis?" Elsa panicked. "What happened? You didn't lose...did you?"