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Chapter 43

Meetra, Atton, Lonna, and Yuthura walked through the narrow streets of the Nar Shaddaa Refugee Sector. The Jedi Exile couldn't help noticing the looks they were receiving, whether they were coming from the simple people, or the thugs that seemed to rule in that area. But, luckily for them, those gazes didn't last long. And the source of the peoples' interest in them was a simple matter – lust. She saw it in the way they were looking at her and the two other women, even at Lonna, even though she wasn't so young anymore. But still, it was a rare sight on Nar Shaddaa – three women walking freely and without fear, surrounded by the male predators that seemed only to wait for an opportunity to get to them.

Meetra used the Force cautiously, attempting to get a better knowledge of their surroundings. When she did, she immediately felt that her two female companions were doing the exact same thing, not limiting themselves only to their eyes and ears. In places like that, those senses could easily prove to be too little. Meetra also noticed that Atton wasn't leaving anything to chance as well, as he was constantly looking around, attempting to locate any possible threat. And the fact that he was doing that subtly was an even greater asset. Meetra smiled approvingly, though it went unnoticed by the man. She turned her head forward, focusing on the Force around her and what it was carrying through the depths of Nar Shaddaa.

She was surprised, she had to admit, after sensing the thoughts of the people around her. Their minds were… simple, to say the least, filled with primal urges and greed. Meetra made sure to focus on the thoughts of the people who were looking at them as they were making their way through the streets, but they were exactly the same. She closed her eyes in disgust after seeing some of the Weequay's imagination that involved her and him.

But even though such thoughts were common amongst the people on Nar Shaddaa, Meetra sighed silently with relief. The locals saw them as nothing more than a target of their lust. She didn't have to dwell deep into their thoughts to know that the word 'Jedi' didn't cross their minds even once. That was a good thing for them, of course, but Meetra also knew that it didn't mean they were entirely out of danger. Men were simple things – they were thinking mostly with what was hiding between their legs rather than with their brains. And the way she, Lonna, and Yuthura were dressed wasn't making it any easier for them.

Meetra decided to stretch the Force further, not focusing on the people around them but her companions. She wasn't surprised to realize that both the former Jedi Master and the Twi'lek have put up the barriers around their minds. It was almost as natural for the member of the Order as breathing. But she was startled by Atton's thoughts, though. She didn't know what she was expecting to hear from his mind, but Pazaak wasn't anywhere on her list of assumptions. And yet, there he was, counting cards in his mind. She had to admit that she felt… hurt. This… situation she had with Atton was something completely new for her. Never before in her life had she developed any form of relationship with anyone that would go beyond friendship. Of course, she had spent a night with Revan during the Mandalorian Wars, but it was more like a stress relief. Mostly for him. She knew that one of her closest friends loved her, but it was brotherly love. Not to mention that she was well aware that another woman had a special place in his heart - the woman she's been treating like her younger sister ever since she had known her. And that's what made her even more disgusted with herself than she already was.

So despite that single moment, she was always alone in her life, despite countless people she had met throughout the years. Her exile didn't improve things. Ever since she was banished from the Order, she didn't form any relationship with anyone. It didn't bother her so much during the Mandalorian Wars – back then, she was a Jedi Knight, and she was above such simple things. But then, the Council has exiled her, denying her the only family she had ever known. That's when she had felt alone for the first time. And she hated that feeling.

And then, years later, she met Atton. Meetra wasn't stupid – she knew that talking about any form of relationship between them was somewhat premature, but something was going on between them, she was sure of it. She saw how Atton was looking at her even before their first kiss, and she knew that this attraction was mutual. That's why she felt hurt that he chose to think about Pazaak instead of her.

"Where should we start looking?" Lonna asked, breaking the silence for the first time. She was looking around in a futile attempt to locate Zez-Kai Ell somewhere near them. She sighed heavily.

"Cantina is as good a place to start as any other," Atton suggested with a shrug. "You know, ask some questions. Besides, you wouldn't believe how much people are willing to talk even if you don't ask them to do so."

"I'm not sure," Yuthura replied, crossing her arms on her chest. "The streets themselves are dangerous, and I guess that cantina is even worse."

"Got a better idea?" Atton asked her. "Since it's obvious that we won't be able to find that Master on our own, we must ask someone for help. And trust me, the only place where people don't mind being asked questions is the cantina. You buy them a few shots, and they're all yours."

"I share Channa's worries," Meetra agreed with the purple Twi'lek. "No offense, Atton, but your gender can't be trusted after the alcohol."

"Oh, really?" he asked, also crossing his arms on his chest. "Guess what, sweetheart, men aren't the only ones who go to the cantina. Besides, don't worry. I'll be there to bail you out of trouble," he added with a smirk.

"I think Atton is right," Lonna commented, contemplating on his words.

"See?"

"As much as I don't like this idea, the cantina might be our best shot. But we need a plan."

"As we always do," Atton commented. "Look, I'm sure that the three of you are new to this thing, so let me do the talking around there."

"And why is that?" Meetra asked.

"Because this won't be your regular bar on Coruscant, you know," Atton replied calmly. "You can't just waltz in there, swing your lightsaber and expect everyone to be willing to talk to you. Also, you have to be smart and subtle with your questions, and I'm pretty sure that it isn't how the Jedi work."

"The Jedi can be very… persuasive, Atton," Lonna countered. The man snapped his fingers at that.

"Exactly, and that's not how you want to approach such a situation. Your mind tricks won't work on these people, I assure you."

"And what will?"

"Credits," he replied with another smirk. Meetra raised her eyebrow at that. "What? You have to have something to buy them drinks with."

"Oh, so that's your brilliant plan?" Yuthura asked. "Sponsor everyone who might be inside?"

"Of course not," Atton countered quickly. "Such a thing could make even a Hutt go bankrupt. No, there is a smart way to do this," he added as they were approaching the local cantina.

"Care to enlighten us?" Lonna asked.

"The trick is to find one person who had a little too many drinks for one night and start bugging them. Trust me, a person like that will be more than willing to talk to you about anything."

"And how can you be sure that he will know anything useful?" Meetra asked him. Atton only laughed at that.

"I can't," he replied, opening the doors to the cantina. "And that's the whole beauty of it," he added, motioning for them to follow him inside. The three women did it reluctantly, entering the cantina.


Meetra, Lonna, and Yuthura followed Atton's advice and stayed out of trouble, allowing him to make his way across the cantina. The three women have done their best to act normal. The three Jedi had their doubts if that was even possible in places like that. They've made sure to remain somewhat isolated from the rest of the crowd, pretending to be regular patrons while still keeping a watchful eye out for Atton.

They've ordered a few drinks for themselves to avoid looking suspicious, but neither of them has allowed herself to drop guard. The three of them were scanning the cantina, looking out for a potential threat, whether directed at them or Atton.

That didn't mean that they didn't try to find out something useful, though. At first, after entering the cantina, the three women attempted to get one of the patrons to talk. All of them followed Atton's advice to be subtle at that but, no matter how hard they tried, no one was willing to talk to them, even if they offered to buy them a drink. So, after a few failed attempts, the three women gave up and allowed their friend to do the talking around there.

Meetra was unable to fight off the temptation and found herself probing Atton's thoughts once again. He's been talking to one of the patrons of the cantina for over an hour by now, and he's had a few, quite large, drinks already. Even with the Force to aid her, the Exile was unable to hear their conversation, and she hoped that Atton's thoughts would be able to give her some insight on what was going on.

Just as before, she was surprised after probing his mind. He wasn't playing Pazaak anymore; apparently, that game has already bored him. But he wasn't focused on the conversation either. This time, he was listing… the hyperspace routes. Meetra focused more on that, attempting to get a better understanding of his thoughts. Atton seemed to be recalling their journey – the parsecs between every planet they have visited, the coordinates of each world, and he was also calculating the best hyperspace route that the Ebon Hawk could have taken.

Why is he doing that? Meetra couldn't help asking herself. It wasn't making any sense. After all, T3 was the one responsible for the navigation, not Atton. And yet, there he was, doing the job that the astromechanical droid has been programmed to do.

"Hey," a voice beside her said. Meetra blinked a few times, ashamed that she has been taken by surprise. She quickly relaxed, though, seeing Lonna smiling at her. She returned the smile. "Are you alright?" she asked her, squeezing her hand gently. Meetra downed the drink that she ordered some time ago.

"Yeah," she replied, putting away an empty glass. "It's just… I'm worried about Atton," she admitted hesitantly. Lonna smiled even further at that.

"And why is that if I may ask?" she queried, looking her in the eyes. "He seems to be doing just fine," she added, diverting her gaze at their pilot. "Do you think he's not going to succeed?"

"It's not that I doubt him," Meetra replied quickly, looking at Atton. "It's just… something isn't right with his mind," she revealed to the former Jedi Master. Lonna frowned at that.

"What do you mean?"

"I've… I've probed his mind," Meetra said, a little ashamed of herself. Lonna smiled again.

"I take that you didn't like what he was thinking about you… about the two of you," she qualified. Meetra frowned at her words, not understanding what she meant. "Come on, we both know he's into you," Lonna said, seeing the Exile's questioning gaze. "I can't say I've had a relationship in the past, but I'm pretty sure I know what guys are thinking about," she added teasingly, smirking from behind her glass. Meetra felt the heat spreading across her cheeks.

"It's not this," she replied, looking down at her hands. "I was prepared to sense such thoughts from him, but this is what disturbs me – they aren't there," she revealed to the older woman.

"Is that a bad thing?" the former Jedi Master asked, taking a sip from her glass.

"I don't know," Meetra said after a moment of hesitation. "I mean, I've never been with anyone, you know. And it feels good to have someone more than just a friend. I know that it's not the Jedi way, but I find myself thinking about him when nothing is going on. It's just… sad to know that he doesn't."

"And what is he thinking about?" Lonna asked, leaning forward. She rested her head against one of her hands.

"Pazaak," Meetra replied angrily. "Of all things. Or, right now, he's thinking about the hyperspace travel," she added, looking at Atton. He was still talking to that random patron, emptying his glass. Even despite all the sounds in the cantina, Meetra was able to hear his laughter. She looked back at the former Jedi Master.

"This is strange," Lonna admitted. "But I don't think he's doing it on purpose," she added after a moment.

"What do you mean?" Meetra asked, looking directly at the former Jedi Master.

"I've probed his mind, and I think that what he's doing is just a… habit," she revealed to her. "It doesn't seem like he's aware of what he's thinking about."

"Is that even possible?" Meetra asked, once again looking at Atton.

"For some," Lonna replied, stroking her chin. "But it's not something that comes naturally. It can only be learned."

"Why would he learn such a thing?"

"I don't know," Lonna replied, admitting defeat. "Usually, when someone learns such a technique, it's to hide from the Jedi," she added, also looking at Atton.

"Really?" Meetra asked her, stirring her empty glass. She wished she had more of her drink in there. "Why would he learn something like that?"

"I have no idea," Lonna answered, looking back at the Exile. "Perhaps you should ask him about that."

Meetra was about to reply if it wasn't for Yuthura preceding her. For a few minutes, the Exile has forgotten about the presence of the purple Twi'lek.

"Sorry to interrupt," she said, focusing the attention of the two other women on herself. "But I think we should be going," she said, looking towards the center of the cantina. Meetra followed her gaze with her eyes and reached out with the Force. Lonna did the same, attempting to locate the source of Yuthura's uneasiness.

The two women didn't have to search for it for a long time. Meetra has quickly realized why Yuthura said they needed to leave. Apparently, there were a few patrons who took quite an interest in the three women. Meetra reached out with the Force, probing their minds, and realized that it was the same case as on the streets – those men were driven by lust and greed. And because they were fueled by the alcohol, nothing was going to stop them, even the bartender who was doing his best to prevent violence in his cantina.

"I'll get Atton," Meetra said, standing up from the table. She did her best to make it look natural – she didn't want to show that she knew something was about to happen. Keeping her focus on the men she located through the Force, she made her way to Atton, who was sitting at the far end of the cantina, still talking to that stranger. Meetra smiled after sensing that Lonna and Yuthura have already left the cantina. The men who were watching them have also made their move.

Meetra increased her pace, closing the distance between her and Atton in a few seconds. She patted the man on the shoulder just as he was about to finish another drink. Her actions took him by surprise, and he coughed violently before straightening himself up to see who has disturbed him.

"We have to go," Meetra announced, pulling him upwards. Atton stumbled at that, almost crushing at the table at which a few empty glasses were standing.

"Woah, but I was just…" Atton began voicing his objections, trying to release himself from Meetra's hold, though it turned out to be a futile attempt.

"There's no time for that," Meetra countered, pulling him even stronger. Atton was forced to comply and stumbled behind her, shouting something at the man he used to be talking to. The patron replied something inaudible and waved at him, chuckling slightly.

"What's the sudden rush?" he asked her, trying to keep up with her. Meetra has allowed him to walk freely after seeing that he was cooperative. She was walking faster and faster, heading towards the exit of the cantina. "I was actually about to learn something useful," he added.

"Sorry that I've interrupted your friendly chat, but we weren't safe here anymore," Meetra replied, not looking at him.

"What do you mean?" he asked. "And where are Lonna and Yu… Channa?" he added, correcting himself at the last second possible.

"They're waiting for us outside," she replied as they were approaching the heavy door. It slid aside, allowing them to leave the cantina. According to her words, Lonna and Yuthura were waiting outside, just at the entrance. "Let's go," Meetra commanded, earning herself nods of approval from other women.

"Can you explain what's going on?" Atton asked, once again struggling to keep up with his companions. The alcohol he drank was taking its toll on him already. The silence was the only response he received.

They were running through the narrow streets of Nar Shaddaa, occasionally bumping into local people. They paid them no mind, though, even despite the fact they were shouting curses at them. Meetra reached out with the Force, attempting to find those men that undoubtedly were in pursuit after them. She didn't have to look for them longer than a few seconds – their thoughts were loud, and they weren't far behind them.

"Why are we running?" Atton asked, once again demanding to know the answer. "I know where we have to go!" he shouted at his companions, attempting to get their attention. It seemed to work because all three women have suddenly stopped. Or perhaps it was because they've hit a dead end.

The group of four did their best to calm their breathing; they were panting heavily. The three Jedi turned around, sensing that those who were pursuing them were getting closer and closer. Atton mimicked their actions and also turned around.

The Force didn't fail the three Jedi. Just as they've turned around, a group of ten men came from around the corner, doing their best to look menacingly. Meetra nearly laughed at their attempt at intimidating them. They were nothing more than just simple thugs who thought that a woman was always defenseless. Oh, they're going to be surprised, she said in her mind. A small smile appeared on her face.

"Hello, darlings," one of them spoke, smiling widely. By doing that, he revealed a row of rotten or missing teeth. Meetra scowled at that sight. She noticed a stun baton that he was holding in his left hand. Even from afar, it was obvious that he wasn't an expert in using that. His companions were holding similar weapons. "Why did you leave in such a hurry?" he asked, chuckling slightly. He took a step forward, barely able to keep standing due to the amount of alcohol he drank. The other men also laughed slightly. "It would seem as if you were running from us."

"If we did, you wouldn't have found us," Atton replied before Meetra could say anything. Even though he was also drunk, he had an easier time standing at his feet. The Exile noticed with the corner of her eye that he was slowly reaching for his blasters. She smirked at that. "You've said in such a manner that would mean we were afraid of you," he added cockily.

"Come on, ladies, why won't you join us?" the other man asked, also taking a careful step forward. "Surely, we can be a much greater… company than your friend over there."

"I highly doubt that," Lonna replied peacefully.

"Come on, just one drink, and you will see for yourselves," the first man spoke. His other companions only laughed.

"I think you've had enough of those already," Yuthura countered, crossing her arms on her chest. "So I advise you all to go home before someone gets hurt," she added. The ten men only laughed at that.

"Feisty," one of them commented. "I'm interested if she continues to be like that once you mount her," he added, looking at his companions. Meetra felt anger coming from Yuthura that was almost tangible. "I've never been with a Twi'lek before," he added with a laugh.

"Keep talking like that, and you'll never be," Yuthura warned him, earning herself laughter from the entire group.

"I guess there's only one way to find out," one of them spoke, smiling maniacally.

"Yes," the first one said, smirking similarly. "Let's go, boys, the ladies need to be persuaded!" he exclaimed.

The man who was at the head of the group stepped forward, closing the distance between them and their prey. Meetra didn't do anything, watching as he was getting closer and closer. Atton has already drawn his blasters and aimed them at their attackers, attempting to scare them off. It didn't work.

The Exile was counting down in her head, calculating the man's pace and the distance that was still separating them. Not yet, she said to herself, breathing calmly. One of her hands was already resting on the hilt of her lightsaber, ready to be used. She smirked after seeing what she was waiting for. The man in front of her reached out with a hand, aiming it at her. With a movement that was too quick to notice with the bare eyes, Meetra drew her lightsaber, igniting it almost instantly. She hauled off before the blade was even fully retracted and directed the cut at the man in front of her, and more precisely, at his outstretched hand. With a single motion, she separated his palm from the rest of his body.

It took the man a few seconds to realize what had happened, and when he did, he began screaming at the top of his lungs. He bent forward, tightly gripping his wrist in a futile attempt for the pain to go away. He continued screaming, looking between his arm and his hand, which was lying on the ground in front of him.

Meetra's actions seemed to cast a spell on everyone who was gathered in that alley. Her companions were stunned, most likely because she has revealed she was a Jedi without any hesitation. The other men, however, were terrified, seeing one of their own on the ground, with his hand next to him.

"We've warned you," Meetra commented, holding her ignited lightsaber right in front of her.

"You stupid bitch!" the man who was kneeling in front of her exclaimed, still crying out of pain. "You cut off my hand!"

"You should be glad that this is the only part of you that I have cut off," Meetra replied, not looking at him.

"Get her!" the man screamed at his companions. His words seemed to break their initial stasis, as well as the one Meetra's companions were in.

Following the Exile's lead, the other two women have also drawn their lightsabers and faced their attackers before any of them could realize what was happening. Atton remained behind, firing precise shots from time to time, making sure not to hit one of his friends accidentally.

Yuthura's attention was focused on the man who assumed that she would be an easy target. He swung her lightsaber that was as purple as her skin, and cut the stun baton in half, leaving him defenseless. The man backed away, sensing her anger and seeing it in her eyes. He was stopped when he hit a wall with his back. He looked around frantically, hoping to find one of his companions that would be able to help him. Unfortunately for him, most of the other men were either dead or were missing a limb, and no one seemed to care about him. No one, except for Yuthura. She smirked at him, sending a deadly promise.

Without any warning, the purple Twi'lek pushed her lightsaber forward, directing the blade at the man's crotch. She didn't miss her target, and the man cried out of pain, falling to the ground. He covered his private parts with both of his hands. Tears were falling down his face, and he has almost blacked out from the amount of pain that he felt.

"I've warned you," Yuthura said, standing in front of him. She was looking at him with contempt in her eyes. "That you'll never be with a Twi'lek anymore. Or with any woman, for that matter," she added, before kicking the man in the crotch. He screamed again before finally falling unconscious. "And I doubt you'll find a prosthesis for that.

The battle, if that could have been called that way, was over sooner than it began. Most of the men were either dead or unconscious. Some of them were missing some body parts. Atton twisted his pistols around his finger before putting them back in the holsters. The three women turned off their lightsabers and hid them beneath their clothes.

"So, that's who we were running away from?" Atton asked, breaking the silence that fell upon them. He looked around, scanning the area. The whole street seemed to be abandoned.

"There was no point in fighting at the cantina if we are supposed to hide the fact that we are Jedi," Meetra replied, brushing away a strand of hair from her face.

"Doesn't really matter," Atton countered, shaking his head. "The moment you've drawn your lightsabers, we've become the Exchange's target. Trust me, they'll be coming after us sooner than you think."

"Let them come," Yuthura replied, kicking one of the unconscious men. "If they do, they'll join them," she threatened, even if there was no one except for her companions to hear her threat.

"Then perhaps we should be going," Lonna suggested. "And get out from the Exchange's sight and find Master Zez-Kai Ell as soon as possible."

"That's not going to work," Atton countered, once again shaking his head. "This is their territory. They know everything about everyone who has ever been here."

"Nevertheless, we should get going," Meetra said, getting Atton's attention. "We still haven't gotten any closer to finding Master Zez-Kai Ell."

"Well, that's not completely true," Atton replied, suddenly remembering something. "While you were busy making friends in the cantina, I've managed to learn something that can be useful to us."

"You know where Zez-Kai Ell is?" Lonna asked him.

"No," he replied without hesitation. "But there is someone who can help us. And from what I've found out, she isn't associated neither with the Exchange, nor the bounty hunters."

"And how will she help us exactly?" Yuthura queried.

"She seems to be some sort of a data slicer. It's said that she is the best there is when it comes to those sorts of things," he explained. All the three women were looking at him expectantly. "The guy I was talking to said she could find anyone on this moon."

"And who is she?" Meetra asked, crossing her arms on her chest. Atton shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't know," he replied. "I was about to find out when you've dragged me out from the cantina."

"Then how do we find her?" she asked.

"Well, I've only managed to find out that she spends most of her time in the Pazaak Den and that she's a Twi'lek," he answered. "Still better than nothing," he added.

"Then let's go," Lonna ordered. "We've already lost enough time as it is."


That's it for today. Thank you for reading. I'm warning you, I'm not sure if I'll be able to post a new chapter for the next month because I have a lot of studies. Meanwhile, if you enjoyed the chapter and the story as a whole, make sure to leave a review and join me on my discord server. The link is on my profile description. I hope I'll see you soon.