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Coughing to get back on topic, you gesture towards a halfway house. Streaks of rust run down its walls, and part of the roof bears the mark of a cave-in. But it’s still open for business, even if the receptionist has his nose buried deep into his datapad. “She’s in there. Top floor.”
And you don’t need the Force to confirm it. All you had to do was listen and pay close enough attention to any gossip about new or strange arrivals, and whether or not they’d booked rooms in halfway houses or iterant flats. A handful of days ago, a human woman matching Lan’s description had paid for a room. Nothing was given beyond a name ‘Lan’, and she only ventured out for meals and water.
Ma’kis stoppers his canteen, glancing up towards the top floor with a pensive look. “I’ll follow your lead, Gaelle.”
You nod. “Keep your eyes peeled. Someone had to have passed Potkin’s message from Kessel to the Empire. Force knows if they’re scurrying around somewhere…”
Sia-Lan Wezz. Jedi Guardian, apprentice of Master Lo-Jad. Accomplished operative for both the Office of the Chancellor and the Jedi High Council. Frequent flier with a group of equally accomplished free agents – Vor’en Kurn, Deel Surool, Arani Korden, the rodian Kelko and the wookiee Rorworr. Tapped to be of interest by Master Astaal Vilbum of the Council of First Knowledge due to discovering a Sith Temple on the Puloorn System.
Of some remarkable note is that Wezz herself had been studying at the Royal House of Learning on Theed when the Trade Federation launched their invasion of Naboo. She’d been involved in the Naboo Underground, the local resistance, and participated in raids to liberate prisoners, and steal weapons for the army. And though she hadn’t participated in the final battle to liberate the planet, she had been part of a strike force that dispatched the Dark Jedi Savor Kibbs, and his Renegade militia of mind-controlled humans and gungans.
And from there, her career had only gone upward and beyond. Multiple cantina brawls, the thwarting of an assassination aimed at a Republic Senator…even an escape from the spice mines of Kessel! By all accounts, Wezz is an accomplished Jedi, but has done well for herself in keeping a relatively level head.
It is your sincere hope that said level head has remained cool and composed in the wake of Order 66.
“Howdy,” you drawl at the receptionist, slipping back into your disguise. “You got any vacancies for the night?”
The receptionist sets down his dataslate, blinking as if surprised that he’s gotten guests. “Erm…yeah?”
You produce a handful of credit chips. “Room for two. Top floor, if it be pleasin’ you.”
The credits barely have time to settle onto the counter before they’re swept away behind the desk. He nearly fumbles to produce the key cards, sliding them to both you and Ma’kis.
The Nikto takes his card with a raised eyebrow. “That easy?”
You shrug. “Sometimes.”
(cont.)
