Knarf sat by the Holonet console in the Clan Kandera bunker working through some codes he was receiving from several signals and channels. Shadie swivelled in the chair in which she sat, somewhat bored. T4 kept twiddling on about something.
            ‘I’m sure Fane’s all right,’ said Knarf. He looked at the droid. ‘Anyway, since when are you so worried about other Jedi? You’re a Mandalorian droid.’ T4 beeped a reply, an elaborate reply. Knarf laughed. ‘I suppose that’s true, T4; we’re all practically Mandalorians by now. I forget sometimes how you’ve known us this long.’ T4 beeped a series of comical sounding sequences in his binary language.
            ‘Well, I’m telling you,’ said Shadie, ‘it’s the second time Dargoza is put to shame by a Force-user.  I don’t think he’s going to mess with us again.’
            ‘Not any time soon, no,’ said Knarf.
            At that moment, Brenum and Trylia arrived.
            ‘Ah, conversational company arrives at last!’ Shadie exclaimed.
            ‘Why, is he that boring?’ laughed Brenum.
            ‘Right now, he is,’ said Shadie.
            ‘Hey, I’m trying to figure this out, here. I need my focus,’ said Knarf.
            ‘Any news from Fane or Talyc?’ asked Trylia, concerned. ‘Neither of them returned to the tavern last night after the two of you left.’
‘Yeah, after you two opted for a quiet walk home,’ said Brenum, ‘Trylia and I got chatting with the patrons. We hung around as long as we could. We were hoping you had news.’
            Shadie shook her head. ‘I haven’t heard from Fane and he wasn’t at his apartment.’
            ‘Oh, I hope he doesn’t feel bad for what Dargoza said to him,’ said Trylia.
            ‘I’m sure he’s fine,’ replied Shadie.
            ‘So, what are you doing, Knarf?’ asked Brenum.
            ‘I’m trying to figure Perce out.’
            ‘Eh? Come again?’ The blue-haired Jedi leaned in, creasing his forehead.
            ‘He keeps tampering with some Holonet signals, or various channels,’ Knarf explained. ‘Every time he does something, I slice it, and he has to try something else.’
            ‘Isn’t he going to figure you out too?’ asked Trylia. 
            ‘That’s what I’m hoping he thinks,’ said Knarf. ‘You see, he thinks that every time he programs or jams something, I’ll figure it out, so that he can learn to do something I won’t ever be able to slice. However, as soon as he does something complex enough for it to look realistic, I won’t slice it, let him think he’s got me.’
            ‘What if he still discovers some of your secrets or methods?’ asked Brenum.
            ‘That’s what I’m banking on,’ replied Knarf.
            ‘I’m still not following, but I trust your judgement,’ said Brenum.
            Fane arrived at that moment. He was followed by Talyc, who was back in his usual purple and brown armour.
            ‘Fane,’ said Brenum. ‘You okay?’
            ‘Yes,’ said Fane, nodding.
            ‘I’m telling you, Dargoza sure felt shame from his Scorekeeper after you pushed him the way you did,’ said Brenum. ‘It’s a shame you weren’t there to see it.’
            ‘It’s okay. I, uh,’ Fane scratched his head awkwardly, ‘cleared my mind instead. Meditative activities.’
            ‘Oh, that’s good to hear,’ said Brenum. Shadie smiled, stifling a laugh. 
            ‘I think he means he was with someone,’ said Knarf casually.
            ‘Oh,’ said Brenum. ‘And what about you?’ he asked Talyc. ‘Brought anyone home?’
            Fane blushed. Talyc looked around shyly, and scratched behind his ear. The two were as obvious as a rancor in a nexu cage.
            ‘I see you blushing,’ said Brenum. ‘Who are the lucky ladies?’
            ‘Uh, Brenum,’ said Shadie, bringing her hand to her mouth to hide her smile. She shook her head. ‘No ladies.’
Knarf turned and pointed at Fane and then Talyc. ‘The two of them,’ he said. He swivelled back to the console and continued his slicing.
            ‘What, you two? Oh, together!’ Brenum’s eyes widened, then he grinned.
            ‘Oh, that is so wonderful,’ said Trylia, placing her hands on her cheeks. ‘I’m so happy for you.’ She gave them both a hug.
            ‘It was about time, if you ask me,’ said Shadie. ‘The way he’d been pining over him.’
            ‘You told her how you felt about me?’ Talyc asked Fane.
            ‘No.’ Fane shook his head.
            ‘Talyc,’ said Shadie, ‘you forget that Fane is my apprentice, and therefore we share a bond that allows us to understand each other in certain ways. I’ve known for a while, well, suspected. And you’re no better. Feigning you’re afraid of death when he saves your life.’
            Fane looked at Talyc. ‘You said…’
            ‘I know. I was falling…for you.’ He smiled shyly, and then offered Fane his hand. ‘Seeing as our friends know now, no point in depriving ourselves of showing our affection.’ Fane took his hand.
            ‘Oh, you two,’ said Brenum.  ‘So romantic. It feels good doesn’t it, to show affection thus?’ He looked at Trylia.
            Talyc leaned his forehead on Fane’s. Shadie smiled at Fane and winked.
            ‘Talyc!’ a shout came from the other end of the bunker.
            Everyone stood at the ready. Mandalore walked in.
            ‘Yes, Mandalore?’
            ‘I need to speak with you.’ Mandalore looked at the others. ‘In private.’
            Talyc looked at Fane and then back at Mandalore. Shadie wondered if it had anything to do with Dargoza.
            Talyc followed Mandalore out of the bunker.

Continue reading Chapter Three

Catch up on previous Star Wars Fan-Fiction from the Shadie story series.

Perhaps you’ll also enjoy Stardust Destinies I: Variate Facing; fantasy action-adventure taking place in a realm strong with magic where prophecies are dictated by dragons. https://binkyproductions.com/stardustdestinies

The Krayt Dragon landed at its usual berthing place, in the docking port near the city where Shadie stayed. Though “city” was hardly a way to describe it. The fields were vast in this part of Mandalore, and it certainly wasn’t crowded, but she liked it. As for the docking port, it was a scarcely used one, situated in the middle of the fields, away from the main and busy port. It was practically in Shadie’s front yard, even if it took a good fifteen minutes to walk to. It was, if nothing else, convenient.
            The landing ramp lowered and Brenum and Trylia walked out, all smiles.
            ‘Look at you two love birds,’ said Knarf.
            ‘All right, don’t rub it in,’ said Brenum, ‘we’ve just had to sit through extensive talks with the Chiss Ascendancy, being all formal and proper for the Republic.’
            ‘What he means to say,’ said Trylia, ‘is it’ll be nice to be more open about our show of affection, now we’re among friends.’
            ‘Aren’t you two supposed to be on Tython?’ asked Fane.
            ‘We are,’ said Trylia. ‘We’re picking up some supplies along the way, that’s all.’ She smiled.
            ‘It’s good to see you,’ said Fane, smiling back at them. Everyone hugged. ‘Hey, check this out. Shadie and I showed Knarf how to construct a lightsaber.’
            Knarf unclipped the lightsaber from his belt.
            ‘Nice hilt,’ said Brenum.
            Knarf took a few steps back and ignited the blade. It glowed a gentle, yet bright orange light.
            ‘You found a crystal in your colour,’ said Trylia. ‘It suits you so well.’
            Knarf twirled it around a bit, showing off the hiss and buzz it made. There was a whistle. Everyone turned to see Talyc approach.
            ‘Impressive lightsaber, Bes’laar,’ he said. Knarf twirled it around some more to show it off even more.
            ‘Talyc, good to see you!’ said Brenum.
            ‘Likewise,’ said Talyc, acknowledging Brenum and Trylia. ‘Fane, my man! Haven’t seen you in a while.’ He pointed behind him. ‘Saw you at the tavern with Lashika, though. How’d that go?’ Fane shrugged.
            ‘We’re going for drinks later, by the way,’ said Shadie. ‘You’re coming along, right Fane?’
            ‘Oh, I don’t know, I need to meditate.’ Fane seemed flustered.
            ‘Well, I’m certainly going,’ said Talyc, ‘I’m assuming the invitation includes me?’
            ‘Of course, it does,’ said Knarf.
            ‘Fane, you sure you don’t want to come along?’ asked Shadie. ‘We’re all going.’
            ‘I’ll be there,’ said Talyc. ‘It would be nice if you came along. I know buying you a drink won’t repay you for saving my life, but I do feel safe around you.’
            ‘You don’t owe me for saving your life, Talyc,’ said Fane.
            ‘I want to… repay you. At least let me buy you a drink, again. They’ve got the best Tarisian ale, aged to perfection, given the hundreds of years.’
            Fane looked from Talyc to the others. ‘Tempting, but…’ His expression hardened.  ‘No. Sorry.’ He looked at Talyc. ‘Jedi duties.’
            ‘Oh, well, if you change your mind,’ said Talyc, looking dejected.
            ‘Please excuse me.’ Fane left the group. Shadie signed.
            ‘What’s up with him?’ said Brenum.
            ‘Well, you were there when he explained to Master Herl’unik why he felt he couldn’t return to the Jedi Order just yet,’ said Shadie. ‘I think there’s something troubling him. Every time I think I’ve grasped what’s going on… I think we best leave him be for now. Let him clear his mind.’

* * *

            Relsor and Perce strode at a brisk pace along the long corridor. It felt good to have purpose again. Since Coruscant, Perce had not had the chance to focus on their cause to take over the galaxy.
            ‘The dark side will be strongest there,’ said Perce, ‘and then we can sense where the light side is at its strongest, where it’s at its weakest, without encountering any resistance in the Force from whomever is averting your Force attacks.’
            ‘You make me feel like a fool for not thinking of it myself,’ said Relsor.
            ‘I don’t expect you to think of everything.’
            They arrived at the command console. They had retrieved pieces of the flotsam from the battle on Kromus’s starship and Perce was going to slice into Kromus’s console and retrieve the coordinates they needed.
            ‘I require but a few moments,’ said Perce. ‘This shouldn’t take long.’
            He felt the console through he Force, and let it guide him as he sliced into the main computer, fuelling it with the Force to keep it functioning long enough for him to work his magic. He muttered a series of numbers out loud. Relsor took note of them as he dictated them out. When Perce was done, he let go of his Force connection to the console and it powered off.
            ‘You got the coordinates?’ Perce asked Relsor.
            ‘In my datapad,’ replied the Chiss.
            ‘Excellent!’

Continue reading the Chapter Two

Catch up on previous Star Wars Fan-Fiction from the Shadie story series.

Perhaps you’ll also enjoy Stardust Destinies I: Variate Facing; fantasy action-adventure taking place in a realm strong with magic where prophecies are dictated by dragons. https://binkyproductions.com/stardustdestinies