Chronicles of a Jedi Master

Saturday, March 31, 2007

Unexpected Information

I spent the last two hours getting a room in a small, rundown hotel. One of Dex's suggestions. The lock on the door does not work and I after threatening the hotel keeper that he would eat his food through a straw if anything happened to my belongings walked back to the bar. The Rodian still regards me with a strange look but has no quarrels serving me. The main conversations turn around the war and how to survival in this part of town. Nothing really catches my attention so far.

A human of unidentifable age, blaster hanging off his hip, sits down next to me. "Lovely time of year." he says.

"It is even nicer in the spring." I reply and he turns to me.

"Abbuu." his introduction is short. "I am going to have what you are drinking."

"Ben." I shake his hand. "Bartender, another one for my friend here."

Abbuu downs his drink. "Hey, Rodian, let me use the blue room."

The bartender hands him a card. "Here, but don't mess it up."

"It's not that kind of client, you moron. Some people think with their brains." A large grin crosses Abbuu's face as he leads me down a dark hall into a room decorated entirely in blue.

"Are you sure he is not going to listen to us?" I do not feel comfortable.

"Don't worry. We have an understanding: I don't blab to anyone about his connections to the Black Sun and he let's me conduct business in here." Abbuu takes a seat in one of the deeply cushioned chair motioning for me to do the same.

Only with reluctance do I sit down on the plush couch. "What information do you have for me?"

Before Abbuu answers he removes an imaginary piece of lint from his jacket. "Well, that depends how much you are willing to pay."

"If the information is valuable I will pay you 500 credits, half now and half after I confirmation." I can see his face light up at the mentioning of the sum.

"YOu drive a good bargin - Ben." he studies his fingers for a moment. "Agreed."

"Good, shall we begin then?"

"The orange district is buzzing with news about a man called Marusi. He has put out word that he is recruiting anyone who would like to earn a few extra credits. I never had any dealings with him and from what I have heard about this guy I am not too keen either. I guess he has a pretty loose trigger finger." Abbuu pauses to study my reaction.

"So far so good." I say trying not to press him too hard for anything else he might be willing to tell me. The thought to influence his mind occurred to me but I let it go. He is strong minded and I can sense that he is telling the truth.

"He frequences a joint called "The Blue Angel". It's a hang out for bounty hunters and spice smuglers."

"I have heard of it. What else do you have for me?" I am most curious now.

"He has a female aquaintance named Octavia. I heard she is a cold as winter night on Hoth: Frigid." Abbuu laughs about his own joke.

I fake a good chuckle although her name makes my skin tingle. After all these years she has finally come to Coruscant.

"That is all I have for now." Abbuu gazes at me, waiting for his reward.

"I guess it's enough to find him." I growl. "Here are 250 credits for now. "We'll meet again tomorrow night. If you cross me, you won't need this money anymore. Understood?"

"Yes, understood." He takes the money from me and stores in his untility belt. "Same place same time." he says and we part.

Once back out on the street I take a few deep breaths.

//OCTAVIA//. My thought wander back two years and the memory is not a fond one indeed.

Posted by Master Obi-Wan :: 1:18 PM :: 8 comments

Wednesday, March 14, 2007

The Search Begins

After disconnecting from Anakin I find myself more uneasy about his mission than before. I have no doubts about his abilities and skills but there is much he left unsaid and that is what worries me most. I know he believes I do not trust him but that is far from the truth. If he wasn't worth my trust I would have never taken him on as Padawan. Anakin is like the son I never had and will never have.

And he is wrong, he saved me 9 times only. That business on Keito Nomeidia truly does not count. He knows how to push my buttons, that is for sure but also how to bring a smile to my face. Force, I hope he'll come back in one piece.

Well, back to business at hand. Mace has provided me with little information but at least the council had no quarrels in giving me free hand conducting the search. Dex's Diner will be my first stop. My old friend will provide me with fake ID Docks and anything else that might come handy. Dex never lost his old connections and I know some of the best are right here in the city.

Dex greets me with his usual grin as I enter the diner and beckons me to sit down in a quiet corner. He joins me shortly after with a large cup of juice for me and something more potent for him.

"I heard, Marusi is back in town." Dex regards me with a long look. "And how is your Lady Jedi friend?"

"She is a fellow Jedi." I can't help but grin about his attempts to enhance my private life. "Yes, he is. Have heard anything about his whereabouts?"
He chuckles."Some say he is hiding in the lower levels, others say they have seen him in the Senatorial district."

"Looks like he is up to his old tricks. I better find him as soon as possible. I need ID Docks and some of your sources if possible."

"Anything for you my friend." Dex nods. "Give me about 30 minutes and all will be ready."

"Thank you." I say while ordering some of his food. Might as well eat before I head out.

Not long after he returns with everything I require including the address of a place to stay and a set of clothing. "You might need these." he grimaces looking me over. "You still stand out even in your civilian attire."

I shrug my shoulders. "Thank you Dex. I guess it's hard to change ones spots."

"Any time." Dex rises and we shake hands. "Good luck." he adds before we part.

Once outside I hail an airtaxy to take me to the first address on his datapad. It is one of the many bars frequented by those who live in the shadows. The taxi drops me off two blocks from the my destination. The short walk gives me an opportunity to look around and study my surroundings. It is quite sad that a wealthy city like Coruscant has just a vast population of the poor and underpriveliged. I am aware that many see Jedi as royalty and have developed a deep hatred to the order. I do hope that our image will improve again one day.

The bright neon sign that reads "The Last Resort" clashes with the blackened walls of the building. I enter carefully suprised about it's interior. The walls are decorated with painted and holographic images and although the clientelle is seedy, the atmosphere is far from it. Light colors compete with darker, more subtle colors. I walk up to the bar and order a drink.

The bartender, a Rodian, regards me with a suspicious look but then serves me without any further ado. I let my eyes roam around the premises. Not many patrons are around this time of day, I will have to come back in the evening. Hopefully my first contact will be here tonight. For now all I can do and be patient.

Posted by Master Obi-Wan :: 7:52 PM :: 13 comments