Chapter 36
Within the Walls
Terri was already wishing the day was over and it was barely mid morning. The crew minus Melissa, Mission and T3 were parked by the main door waiting on the arrival of Sakara. All around them the towns people were having an impromptu celebration, while they were guarding the prisoner. The fact that the twin suns had already pushed the temperature to scorching did not help either, nor did the lack of shade.
"Convoy incoming" A sentry called from the wall.
"Finally." She muttered
Nodding to Canderous and Carth to remain vigilant she jumped to the walkway above to see for herself. This action earning her some inebriated cheers from the revellers below. Pulling her macro binoculars from her the back pouch on her utility vest she studied the convoy. The centre point was a landcraft the size of a heavy freighter and moving roughly the same speed as a freighter in atmosphere. Circling that was a series of heavily armoured and armed troop carriers. A second perimeter was formed by lighter but no less heavily armed landspeeders. A third layer consisted of swoop bikes moving in and out between the first and second layer to form a third to fall back again to the first layer. Even at the distance loud music was audible. The convoy's arrival blew further fervour into the celebrations of the settlement.
"Probably the first time someone was happy to see a Hutt." She thought
Terri felt Bastila's presence behind her and she looked over her shoulder. Though Bastila tried to keep her face impassive, Terri saw her disquiet in a few barely noticeable quirks. Not mentioning the unease Bastila was radiating into the force. She reached behind her and took Bastila's hand in hers.
"I wish there was another way to do this." Bastila said softly
" Me too, however this is the closest thing to legitimate law out here." Terri replied equally softly
"Not much of a step up from mob justice." Bastila countered
"I agree, but it is what it is."
Terri pulled her comlink out and send a quick message to Melissa. Bastila looked enquiringly to her.
"I send an update to Melissa. We talked early this morning and we decided to offer Mission a sedative when the time came." Terri explained
"Mission will not take it. I am surprised she did not insist on being here" Bastila replied.
"It took me, Carth and Melissa to convince her not to come. This is going to be brutal. She should not see the last moments of her brother, not like this." Terri continued
In the beast Canderous pressed a syringe into Griff's neck and delivered a drug. The tied up and gagged man squirmed where he was buckled into a seat. Carth looked questioningly at Canderous and the settlement guard stepped closer
"Neural enhancer and adrenalin boost." Canderous explained
"What does it do?" The settlement guard asked
"It improves nervous conduction to the brain, in a Twi'leks case to their Lekku as well. He will feel everything more intensely and the booster will keep him from passing out." Canderous answered
The guard gave a savage grin and discharged a stun baton into Griff .The Twi'lek almost broke through the seat restraints as he screamed and thrashed in pain,
"Seems to be working." The guard said, pleased with himself.
Carth noticed the man trying to discreetly send a message. Canderous nodded at him as he saw the same thing, Terri had predicted that the last guard would most likely be a paid servant of the Hutt.
The landcraft came to a stop outside the gates and a large cargo barge descended from it, carrying a very large green blob. Terri dropped to the ground as the gate opened, Bastila taking position behind her to her left. Juhani several steps behind them to the right. Terri motioned to Zaalbar standing by the exit hatch and moments later Carth and Canderous dragged a furiously struggling Griff from the beast. Zaalbar grabbed Griff's legs and the three carried him to the gates.
The barge came to a stop just inside the gate and Terri moved forward.
"Greetings Sakara." She called out
The green blob nodded its head and took a pull on a hookah pipe. Griff was deposited right in front of the barge and the three males took position by the three woman. Sakara looked over the group.
"There are four missing from your group." Sakara remarked
"Yes, one droid is in the ship. Our two youngest is with it and our last droid is on overwatch to ensure no one does anything stupid." Terri answered
"I was hoping to meet the young Mandalorian but I can understand keeping her lover from doing something stupid is worth causing me some disappointment." The Hutt airily replied
"I am certain she will endeavour to be present should there be another meeting." Terri stated
Sakara looked at the quivering mass in front of her mobile throne.
"Delivered intact, that is good." Sakara chuckled
"We gave it a little something to enjoy your justice a bit more." Terri remarked
"A neural enhancer and adrenalin booster I believe." The Hutt answered. "Normally that would displease me to have my toys altered, but if the described effects work as well as predicted it should make it more amusing."
Sakara smiled down at Griff, however there was no amusement or friendliness in that
"Consider yourself honoured to be the test subject of this little experiment."
Terri stepped closer.
"I believe this concludes our business." She stated
"Yes it does."
A familiar bounty hunter stepped forward holding a case. He was wearing a blue coat and a mushroom shaped hat, however being short was no longer his most disctinctive characteristic, even at a distance there was no missing the stretched skin appearance of a severe burn victim. The force sensitives could feel the palpable hate he radiated.
"Another one who wanted to meet the young Mandalorian. For very different reasons of course" Sakara chuckled
Terri looked at the case Nord dropped at her feet. She looked up questioningly at Sakara
"A gift from my cousin Zax. Our mutual missing friend visited him and a few others before the fall of Taris to warn them of what was coming. Most did not listen but Zax did and he lived, poor Ajuur was too slow to get to safety, alas." Sakara explained.
Another bounty hunter stepped forward and presented a smaller case. Sakara waved a misformed hand at the beast.
"Payment for your vehicle, I wish to have it for my collection. I do so enjoy practical works of creativity. Not to mention this was the vehicle that was used to break the biggest threat to my rule."
Terri nodded to Carth, who handed a micro pad to the bounty hunter.
"Activation codes." He explained
Sakara waved them off and four thugs moved in to drag Griff to the centre of the square, moving her barge deeper into the town. A herald preceded the barge using a megaphone to call the residents to come closer to watch judgement being delivered by Sakara the wise and mercifull. The revellers cheered as the morning entertainments was due to start anew.
"Time to leave." Terri said, disgust clear in her voice
"Could not agree more." Carth replied
Canderous was the last to turn as he and Nord had a short stare off. Spitting on the ground he turned his back on Nord, casually lighting a nicotine stick as he walked away. From a darkened doorway he saw a momentary yellow glow as HK made his presence known, a foot sticking out from said doorway showed that the droid had taken care of a problem already. Canderous decided to say nothing unless the droid did first. His mind already running through plans to eliminate Nord before he could get close to his stepdaughter.
Screams of pain and the snap of an electrowhip filled the air coming from the square, the trail of the traitor Griff Vao was clearly beginning. This was followed by the baying approval of a bloodthirsty crowd. The group sped up to get clear of the area, with Bastila and Terri throwing a last look over their shoulders in the direction of the square.
The group reached the hawk and waited for T3 to scan them and the ship for listening devices before speaking
"How long before the poison kicks in?" Terri asked Canderous
"Two hours, it will look like his heart gave out. Obviously a side effect from the neural enhancer should they bother to do an autopsy." Canderous replied.
"Two hours can still be a very long time." Carth remarked
"It was the best we could do without drawing even more attention to us." Terri replied
They moved to the lounge area to find Melissa and Mission waiting there for them. Mission was cradling a mug of hot chocolate and staring ahead at the bulkhead, her eyes rimmed red, a thousand yard stare in her eyes. She was seated on Melissa lap, a throw blanket over their legs. Some inane holodrama was being played, neither giving any attention to it. The others sat down in the lounge, no one saying a word.
Half an hour later HK appeared in the doorway a dark brown stain on his hand section that was not there before. Carth stood up from where he was seated and motioned to the loading bay. The droid turned and walked to the area. Terri slipped from the room a moment later. The droid was running a cloth and some solvent over its arms, a green stain was already present on the cloth meaning a Rodian had also been removed. Neither of the humans pretended for a moment that the removal had been non terminal.
"How many?" Terri asked
"Satisfied answer: Five meatbags had attempted to violate the unofficial truce."
Terri held up a hand
"Any way it can be traced back to us if the bodies are found?" She asked
" Indignant reply: Negative, the meatbags have been added to the local sewerage system."
"I had to ask HK. As soon as you are clean, get back out there and secure the perimeter." Terri replied
Carth looked to where T3 was currently standing in its charging station.
"T3, we need you to access the Czerka datanet, we need to know everything they have on Sakara, Anchorhead and surrounding area. Then we need access to every camera in and around the docks, keep a constant watch on coming and goings, record anyone that shows up in fifty metres of this dock."
T3 bleeped in acknowledgement and detached itself from the docking station and moved to the loading bay door, They watched it trundling to the dataport set by the door. Terri looked back at the lounge as she closed the landing bay hatch
"I think we all agree that everything else can wait till tomorrow. Let Mission have at least a day." She said
"That is the least we can give her. I have been thinking of taking off and just going orbital to give her more space as it were from here." Carth replied
"Not a good idea with how close Sakara had been watching us." Terri shook her head
"You think us leaving and Griff dropping dead will give her ideas?" Carth asked
"She already has ideas, not strengthening her suspicions is more what I want to achieve." Terri replied
"It is worrying how me she knows about us." Carth stated
"That some of her information is outdated shows it is not coming from someone close to us." Terri pointed out
Carth turned to HK and pointed to the two cases they had brought back from the square.
"Before you go out again, check for any surprises in those cases."
The droid gave an electronic screech they took for an affirmation. Returning to the lounge they found that Mission had left the room. Juhani pointed to the cargo bay area.
"She wanted to be alone." Melissa answered the unasked question
"Should she really be alone now?" Carth querried
Terri laid a hand a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it softly.
"You are forgetting that we have four force users keeping a close watch on her emotions."
Terri looked around the room
"I think it is best we all find something to do. Tomorrow we can return to the mission."
Melissa moved to the loading bay and sat down on the ground, holding onto the Katarn Holocron. Opening her lightsaber she removed the focusing crystal. Holding the crystals and Holocron she was about to start her meditation when Juhani sat down opposite her.
"Do you mind if I join you?" Juhani asked
"Not at all, it would be wonderful to meditate with someone again." Melissa gave a quick welcoming smile
Juhani made herself comfortable and looked at Melissa's hands
"Why do you remove your crystals when you meditate?" Juhani asked curiously
"I find that it makes it easier for me to meditate when I do so, and that it attunes the crystals to me more enhancing my perception of the force." Melissa answered.
"Interresting, I think I will try it as well."
Melissa extended her hands palms up.
"If you are willing there is something I have been wanting to try. Master Katarn had a theory that physical contact between master and padawan during meditation could bind both closer to the force and each other. I seen no reason that it should not work between all who do so"
Juhani added her crystals to Melissa's palms and covered her hands with hers
"It will be my pleasure to try it with you." Juhani gave a rare smile
The two sunk into meditation and went still. About an hour later Juhani gave of an orange glow and Melissa her blue silver aura. The two aura's intermixed freely in a kaleidoscope of colour and bright glows formed from their hands. Curiously the holocron started glowing brighter as well and tendrils moved from it into the two seated between it.
Four hours later Juhani opened her eyes with a very relaxed smile, Melissa followed soon after. Juhani shook her head and looked at her brightly glowing crystals
"I have never felt anything like this, it is like all my doubts have been washed away." She said in wonder.
"I agree this was amazing. And it looks like your crystals are better attuned to you."
The holocron levelled to eye level and opened showing the gatekeeper form of Berek.
"Congratulations are in order it seems. The two of you had achieved what I had only speculated about before." The Berek simulation spoke. "new knowledge will be made available to you now."
The Holocron sank down now glowing with a brighter hue. Juhani shook her head in confusion.
"Why is it that I have knowledge of techniques I have not studied before?"
"Me too."Melissa admitted
She looked down at the holocron
"Do you think we absorbed some of its knowledge while meditating?" Melissa asked
"What techniques did you learn?" Bastila asked
Bastila had commandeered the waterfilled life raft and was leaning back against the side, her clothes piled by its side
"Force camouflage and advanced Force lightening." Juhani answered
"Same for me." Melissa stated
The two stood up and replaced the crystals to their blades before undressing and climbing into the life raft. Bastila pondered the idea for a very long moment before speaking
"I have never heard of anyone absorbing knowledge like that before, but then again when you two joined there was for lack of a better description a force focus like I have never felt before."
"It did not just affect us, Mission become more peacefull, Canderous and Carth seemed more relaxed." Terri reported joining them
"Zaalbar?" Melissa querried
"Seemed to forget to eat for a minute." Terri remarked
"Nothing will get between him and a meal." Melissa shook her head
Bastila was idly playing with the water
"I wonder what would happen if all four of us were to repeat the exercise?" She wondered
"The effect should be greater, though I think we should leave that for when we are in deep space. Something like this was like a beacon in the dark, if all four of us joined it would be like a flare." Terri replied
"You fear it would call our enemies down on us." Juhani stated
"Yes, since the two of you were in the bubble as it were you did not feel the power that you two excluded. And the power was equal between the two of you." Terri answered
Melissa's stomach gave a low growl and she looked at it in mortification
"Time to feed the beast." Terri joked
"I think we should keep the rations locked up, between her and Zaalbar we will soon starve." Juhani added teasingly
Melissa sniffed
"I was going to make sweet and sour ibex and nerf kebabs with potato salad and garlic bread but now you will all have to settle for bland vegetables tonight." She stated
"As if you would punish yourself like that." Bastila remarked.
Melissa sighed in defeat.
"Damn you saw right through me."
Juhani pointed in the direction of the cargo door.
"Do you think it will be safe enough to eat outside. The ship is feeling a bit confining."
"We can grill it outside with some nerf steaks. With both HK and T3 on watch it should be safe enough" Melissa suggested
Terri shrugged.
"I can not see a reason not to. I think we all could use a change in routine."
Melissa slipped from the raft and walked to the galley
"Melissa, clothes!" Carth called a moment later
She came back flushing and the three other women laughed at her embarrassment.
"Oops." She offered
"Exhibitionist for sure." Terri remarked
"Not fully naked so we can not count this planet." Bastila added
Putting a finger under her bra strap. She glared at Bastila
"I can always change that you know." She challenged
"Go right ahead. Be sure to flash daddy Canderous as well." Bastila replied
"Been there, seen that. My wife is infinitely better" Canderous growled from the doorway.
"I'll be sure to tell Anaka you said that." Melissa promised
"She already knows it, but some reinforcement would never go amiss." Canderous shrugged
The older man walked over to the workbench and started taking his blaster apart for cleaning. Melissa shot Bastila a triumphant look as her challenge had fizzled. Terri turned in amusement to Bastila
"Forgot about Arkaxia and the communal bathing system didn't you?"
"Kind of." Bastila admitted
"Communal bath system?" Juhani querried
"Part of Mandalorian culture. It fosters the sense of equality in the clans and is used for inter clan negotiations." Bastila tried to explain
It took Juhani a few moments to follow the logic. She left out a giggle as a thought struck her
"Imagine introducing that system to the Republic senate." She said smiling
"Not if I want to eat tonight." Melissa groaned.
She pulled her clothes on and stepped to the galley. Terri slipped from the life raft and got dressed herself
"Better get that fire going. Somehow I think we all will want an early night."
Mission was not present for the communal breakfast. Melissa explained that Mission was still sleeping when she stepped into the lounge area. Taking her plate of food she sat down and started eating
"There is something we want an explanantion for. How come you warned the Hutts on Taris?" Carth stated
Melissa turned a bright red
"I did not warn the huts directly." She said
"Explain please." Terri replied
"I might have warned Candy and she must have warned the Hutt." Melissa drawled out
Carth sat back and thought for a moment
"Candy, why is that so familiar?" He muttered
"A certain waitress who offered our dear innocent Melissa a lap dance." Terri prompted
"Oh, yes. How come you warned Candy then?" Carth asked
Melissa turned brighter red and looked to the doorway to escape. Terri grasped her leg in a strong grip
"Does it have something to do with someone slipping out to visit the cantina by herself?" Terri asked innocently
Melissa went ashen for a moment before flaring red again. As good as a confession
"Just how grateful was she for the warning?" Terri snickered
"Very." Melissa muttered, squirming
"A kiss on the cheek grateful, another dance grateful?" Terri asked leadingly
"Just very grateful, okay." Melissa whined
"Not good enough, missy." Terri sang
"Not telling you." Melissa replied
"Shall I play the recording she send you with Jax's gift for all then?" Terri dropped the hammer
"Please, no. I promise to stop teasing you about Bastila." Melissa offered
"I remember when I declared war, someone was very smug indeed." Terri smirked, tapping the holocom unit
The recording left them all hot under the collar. The message and accompnying images were quite explicit. Carth shifted in his seat deliberately not looking in anyone's direction. Terri was smiling smugly while Bastila tried to hide her face with her hair, glowing bright red. Juhani had seemingly taken notes. Melissa was wishing the earth would swallow her.
Carth coughed to clear his throat
"Moving on. We need transport, again" Carth stated.
"Hopefully the vehicle dealer would be willing to sell a few bikes or a landspeeded to us now." Bastila suggested
"Best see if we can find something to reinforce, I doubt someone will try something in Anchorhead but once outside the walls will be a different story." Terri added
"So another trip to the gates and the scrapyards then." Melissa replied
"I doubt going out will be of any use." Canderous stated
The group gave him their full attention
"We have no heavy weapons in our armoury, our ammunition supply is nearly depleted as well as our explosives. Most of it was on the vehicle and they took possession before we could off load." Canderous explained
"I take it the local market will not be able to supply us with what we need." Terri replied
Canderous shook his head
"I have accessed Czerka merchant's list. The heavy weapons they have listed had tripled in price, not mentioning the fact that what they have available is poor quality at best, Same goes for muntions. Prices for sheet metal has also increased subtantially" He stated
"I am guessing the scrapyards will be flooded as well then." Juhani said
"More than likely. We may have to settle for unarmed and unarmoured transport." Canderous replied
"A bad idea on Tatooine at the best of times, which this is not." Bastila remarked
Melissa turned the star map function on on the holotable and studied the map for a while, using a finger to manipulate the map to observe the trade routes
"The Satin Claw is due on Krownrest today if I remember their schedule right. What if we send an order to the Buirs and have them pick it up, we should have it in two days." She suggested
"There should be more than enough in the Ordo armoury for us to get decent weapons out here, if I remember correctly their should also be a cannon from a Besuulik in there." Canderous mused
"And picking up a cargo barge and sheet metal should be cheaper than here. Same with whatever extra parts you need" Bastila commented
"I still have the plans for the original beast, so getting everything together should be easy. And if they fill the cargo hold with ice blocks for the rest of the cargo hold space the trip might break even." Melissa mused
Carth rubbed his chin
"Sound like a good idea, I think we can all use an extra bit of rest to recover in mind and body, some more than others."
Melissa stood up to go to the communication unit to contact the relevant groups. Canderous stood as well
"I already have a list of the weapons and munitions, we can send everything in one go."
"Also giving you a chance to check on the wife and kids." Terri remarked
"That goes without saying." Canderous shrugged
"Should pick up some souvenirs at some point." Melissa suggested
"The only thing here you will find is sand." Carth replied
Canderous paused at the doorway
"As a precaution I would suggest we all go about fully armed and armoured outside the ship. Nord will take his shot as soon as he can." Canderous suggested
"Any news from HK?" Carth asked
"He is still prowling around, reported no contacts, which disappointed it no doubts." Canderous replied
Carth looked through a datapad.
"With all the information T3 pulled it will take some time to sift through everything to find something useful anyway." He said
"I will help with that." Bastila volunteered
"General maintenance work and inventory checks for the rest of us then." Terri suggested.
Karana was quickly looking through the data send to her, before turning her attention back to the two holographic figures in front of her.
"You are going to need an extra generator for the cannon, that thing is rather power intensive." She remarked.
"So we lose about three seats then." Melissa replied
"About that, the rest of the list is doable and your ship has actually docked early so getting your supplies loaded should not take too long." Karana reported
"So what news do you have?" Melissa asked
Karana grinned and leaned forward
"We have another great romance in the air." She stated grandly
"How so?" Melissa asked
"The youngest Fett has taken a shining to Ellia and has declared his love for her already. Whenever he sees her he will disregard everything to be by her side. Daily gifts are arriving for her"
"Boys are icky." Ellia called from the side
"I completely agree with you there." Melissa replied
"I think it is sweet. Not even ten years old and she already has boys lining up for her hand." Karana teased.
"How is the rest of the family taking it?" Canderous asked
"Daria is already making wedding plans and designing the wedding armour. Lance is throwing glares at the boy like no tomorrow and Fay thinks it is hilarious." Karana reported
Karana looked over her shoulder and stood. Anaka sat down in front of the monitor. Melissa left after greeting her foster mother, giving Canderous the room. She paused to make sure the door was locked to ensure their privacy. With a groan she realised her bow had been in a utility locker on the beast and thus lost now. She moved to the cargo bay to get the datapad with the specifications on it
Mission was seated on the bed, her and Griff's amulets laid before her. Melissa sat down beside her and placed her arm around Mission.
"That amulet was the last thing he gave me you know, the last thing he had left of his family." Mission said
"He had you." Melissa replied
"Like you I am an orphan. The Vao's took me in as a baby and raised me as their own. Did you not wonder why I am blue and Griff is… was green?" Mission asked
"The question had crossed my mind, but as I regularly say family is more than blood." Melissa replied
"They never let the colour distinction change the way they treated me, something a lot of other Twi'leks did not like at all." Mission reminisced
"I am afraid I don't understand what you mean." Melissa stated
"The colour divide is a big thing on Ryloth. As a Rutian I am supposed to be of a higher class, nobility almost, them being green; they were seen as servants overstepping their position." Mission explained
"They sound like good people." Melissa remarked
"They were the best. Then they got ill and it was only me and Griff. He did not abandon me as many would have. Two young Twi'leks in one of the worst places in the galaxy. Somehow he managed to keep us fed and clothed, sure we had to move around a lot and later I helped him with panhandling or picking pockets. We were together and sort of happy." Mission sniffed
"What changed?" Melissa asked
"As much as I wanted to blame Lena for him leaving, the signs were there before he left. He kept wanting to go for bigger scores, bigger jobs. He always said it was for us, but I think he got addicted to the excitement of being a hustler. One day it was better clothes for him and less food for us. I believed him when he said it was necessary for him to look better to get us more credits, but the credits never came. Then he left." Mission said
She held both amulets in her hands.
"The last thing he said before he left is that his mother wanted me to have one as I was the daughter she was supposed to give her Kalikori to. But the Kalikori has been long lost and the amulets were the last pieces remaining. He said we will swop around the amulets the next time we met."
She threw both at the door and curled up on the bed
"Please, let me be alone for a while longer." Mission said
Melissa leaned forward and kissed Mission's forehead
"I will be here when you are ready, just remember you are not alone. You still have me and the rest of this crazy family."
Melissa stood up and walked to the door. She looked over at the bed. Mission was lying with her back to her, Melissa bent down and picked up the amulets. She found T3 cleaning the lounge area
"Can you call up the Merchant's list for me. I am looking for a jeweller or a metalsmith. Then I need all the data you can find on Kalikori's,pictures cultural reports, everything."
Minutes later her datapad chimed as the data was delivered, she sat down and started reading. She looked up some time later to find Canderous sitting there watching her. Her armour piled by her chair
"I believe we are going shopping." Canderous said
Melissa looked at him in surprise
"I heard what she said through the airvent and then I heard what you asked the droid. It was easy to put it together." He said
"Does the others know of what she said?" Melissa asked
"No, that is between the two of you, and me as an unwanted listener. I suppose. You do not need to tell her I know,There are only two active jewellers in Anchorhead and only one is Twi'lek. I believe that one should be the one to go to." Canderous replied
"I will need to grab a few things from my room." Melissa stated
The door to the jeweller had been forced open and broken display cases littered the floor. Voice carried from the back.
"You have worked too hard to give up your dream now. I can take extra shifts at the Cantina to make up for the rent." A young female voice spoke
"My dear. A Jeweller without stock is not a jeweller." An older male voice replied
"We still have the tools and machines and some ore, we can make it work." The young female pleaded
"And when they break in again, what then?"
" But this was your and grandmothers dream." The girl protested
"Some dreams are not meant to be. Really a jeweller on a dessert planet was never going to work." The old man gently said
"Then what are we going to do?" She asked
"You are going to Alderaan on that scholarship you won and I will find some work somewhere. I am a skilled metal worker after all." He replied
"You know I only applied for that scholarship to keep my parents happy, this is what I want to do."
Melissa decided that they had been listening for long enough and knocked on the remnants of the counter. Two yellow Twi'leks stepped into view. They paused at the sight of the armoured figures before them, with the old man pushing the young girl behind him
"As you have no doubt heard we are no longer in business." The man spoke
Melissa stepped up to counter and laid a bar of beskar down as well as twenty one thousand credit chips. This was followed by the amulets and a small bag. A silver ring and a Wookie claw nail were the last things she placed down. She lifted her helmet and placed it next to the items
"I was hoping to commission a special piece for a my sister in all but blood." She said
"There is another jeweller in Anchorhead." The old man replied
"He is not a Twi'lek and I need a Kalikori to be made."
The young girl gasped
"You are the one the Hutt wanted to meet. So the sister is really your girlfriend then." She said
"A kalikori is not a designer piece of jewellery." The old man snapped
"Believe me, I know how significant it is in your culture. Mission has nothing left of her family and I was hoping to let her have something of her lost family. Her family Kalikori is long lost, though I believe it was sold to provide food for her and her brother on Taris. I am not trying to belittle your culture. I wanted one made by someone who truly understands the importance of what it means and I am sorry if my request offended you." Melissa replied
The old man looked at his granddaughter. She nodded
"Very well, this will be the last thing made in this shop. It is fitting I suppose the first item made here was the family Kalikori."
Melissa came to a quick decision.
"I can also help you to start again. In two days a freighter bound for Dantooine will land here. It can take you to Dantooine or Arkaxia, both places are without a jeweller or metal workers for that fact. I will not lie it will take a lot of hard work, but a fresh start is possible"
"So you are friends with its captain then?" The old man replied
"No, I own the freighter."
"You bought a freighter at your age?" The girl asked
Melissa ran her hand through her hair
"Well bought is a relative term." She tried to prevaricate
"She and some others stole it from the Correlian shipyards along with another two ships." Canderous butted in
"And the Correlians have not come after you?" The girl asked exitedly
" The CEC has accepted the loss and apart for an open arrest warrant for persons unknown, no they will not be coming." Canderous replied
The old man was busy examining the beskar bar. He placed it down and opened the bag and shook out some crystal shards
"What are these for?" He asked
"They are shards from when I constructed my lightsaber, I was hoping you might add it to the Kalikori. The other shards is from the other Jedi on the ships crystals. " Melissa explained
"You have a Lightsaber? Next you will be claiming to be a Jedi too, I suppose." The man replied, unconvinced
Melissa lit her lightsaber in reply before closing the blade of.
"I was kicked out of Jedi training on Dantooine, so no. I will not be claiming I am Jedi." Melissa replied
The old man threw up his hands
"Never mind. We will take the job. I assume you want the ring and claw incorporated as well"
"Yes."
Melissa left a flimsy on the desk after writing down two numbers. The man lifted the flimsy questioningly
"My lawyer on Dantooine and the marshall of Arkaxia if you want to verify my offer. There will be enough space on the freighter for six people and all the machines you have in here if you take my offer."
"We will think on it." The girl replied
"Come back in four hours and your item will be ready. Under what name shall I hold it" The man stated
"Melissa Wren, however my previous surname was Carpenter. Just thought you should know."
They left the shop and the locals gave them space as they walked.
"You know you overpaid by a wide margin." Canderous remarked
"If it helps Mission it will be a bargain." Melissa replied
The noise of the market suddenly died and people scurried to the sides. Melissa and Canderous came to a stop. As the mass cleared they saw Nord and six bounty hunters standing in a line in front of them. The two Mandalorians unsnapped the holsters to the their blasters and kept their hands close to the butts.
"Not here to fight. Sakara has declared you untouchable as long as you are in this settlement" Nord rasped out
"So this is an advanced warning that you plan to jump us when we leave." Melissa scoffed
"One." Nord ground out
Melissa shook her finger
"Ah, Ah. Not fighting either so, you can stop your countdown. We will not engage you and give you the excuse you want."
She strode forward
"Now if that is all. Would you stop blocking the road, we have places to be."
The group split in two and the two walked through them unconcernedly. Melissa paused
"You, there on the left. If you think you draw before my droid shoots you, go right ahead, otherwise lift your hand of that blaster."
The bounty hunter looked at her chest and the green dot of a laser sight that has appeared on it, slowly she lifted her hand of the blaster she was about to pull. Melissa and Canderous walked away without a backward glance.
Mission sat up on the bed as the rest of the crew stepped into the cargo bay. Melissa sat down next to her holding a wooden case
"I know you feel like you are all alone now, but we are here to tell you that you still have family." Melissa said
She handed the case to Mission.
"This is a reminder of that fact."
Mission gasped as she lifted the lid. The Kalikori was made primarily of beskar with gold filigree, one amulet was set at the base and one at the top. The one at the top was surrounded by crystal shards and set in a silver ring with a claw below it. Reverently she closed the lid and pulled Melissa into a hug. Tears streaming from her eyes
"Thank you, thank you." She chanted
Melissa motioned for the others to come closer to join in a group hug with Mission at its center.