Note: I might post an extra one today, because this one is a bit shorter than the others.
CHAPTER THREE
"Welcome to the Kachirho Community Center!" said an overly cheerful protocol droid as Anakin and the others walked into the facility. "I am M-3PX, human-Wookiee relations. How may I be of service to you?"
"We're looking for Lysira Naris," Commander Naar said, walking up to the droid's desk. "She's supposed to be our guide here on Kashyyyk."
"Ah, yes. Just give me one moment." The silver-plated protocol droid tapped a datapad in its hand and began entering something into it. Finally, M-3PX said, "Miss Naris is waiting for you down the hallway on your left. You'll be able to recognize her from her dark hair, light skin, approximately one-point-six meters in height-"
"Thank you for the info," Naar interrupted, sounding slightly annoyed. He signaled for the rest of the team to follow him. "Let's go."
The group went down the hallway which M-3PX had directed them to and soon found a person looking exactly as the droid had described. Standing beside a tall Wookiee with goldish brown fur, Lysira Naris was dressed in an Alliance suit similar to Jak Kasra's. Upon noticing Anakin and the others, she smiled kindly at them.
"Hello," she said. "I am Lysira Naris, member of the Intelligence Services and fellow Wookiee liaison with Jak Kasra. I've been told that you need a tour guide for traversing through Kashyyyk."
"Indeed," Naar said. "We would greatly appreciate your assistance, especially for our mission."
"Well then, I am more than happy to oblige," Lysira said. She gestured to her Wookiee companion. "This is Lumpawaroo, or Lumpy for short. He swore a life debt to me after I saved him from two Trandoshan bounty hunters."
The Wookiee named Lumpawaroo nodded and growled a greeting to the group.
"A pleasure to meet you," Naar replied, not exactly sounding delightful. "I am Commander Zanjaar Naar of the Alliance Defense Force. This here is Jedi Knight Anakin Solo, my fellow soldier Sev Nep, diplomat droid C-3PO, Imperial troopers Vex, Kalvin, Tesara, Avon, and Levat, and the smuggler Jast Kyjar."
Lysira gave a light laugh. "It must be hard trying to remember all of their names."
The Iktotchi smirked. "When you have to command almost a dozen soldiers everyday, it helps to have a good memory."
Lysira nodded in agreement. "So, what's your mission?"
"We're looking for a group of shapeshifting alien invaders," Sev Nep said bluntly. "Stars know how we're going to find them on a planet full of Wookiees..."
Lysira gave the Sullustan a bemused look. "That sounds...rather serious. Why didn't the Alliance send an entire fleet or something?"
"Well, we didn't find out about these aliens until about a day ago," Naar said. "And by then, our communications system got damaged, so we have no way of contacting Coruscant or Mon Cala."
"I see. Would you like to contact them now?"
"Not yet. Not until we've found the capabilities of these Glorians and their weaknesses."
"If they have any," Sev muttered, but the others ignored him.
"I would be glad to help you find these invaders," Lysira said, her smile returning. "In fact, I believe I know a place where they could be."
"And where would that be?" Anakin asked.
"The Shadowlands."
Lumpawaroo let out a low growl, shaking his head with disapproval. Lysira frowned at him in response.
"I know it's a dangerous place," she told the Wookiee. "But what better place for them to hide than one that no one would dare go to."
Although his face was still fixed with concern, Lumpawaroo soon nodded slowly in agreement after much consideration.
"Then it's decided," Lysira said, turning back to Naar and the others with a smile. "We'll take you to the Shadowlands."
"We?" Jast Kyjar frowned at Lumpawaroo. "The Wookiee's not coming with us, is he?"
"Of course he's coming," Lysira said. "He knows the Shadowlands better than I do." Her expression darkened. "That's not a problem, is it?"
Jast hastily shook his head. "No, no. Not at all..."
"All right then," Naar said, nodding to Lysira. "Lead the way."
"With pleasure." As she turned to lead them away, Anakin saw Lysira glance at him and felt his heart skip a beat as she smiled. At that moment, Sev walked past and nudged him with his elbow.
"Don't be too surprised," the Sullustan chuckled. "You Solos can attract women like magnets."
"Shut up," Anakin muttered as he and the team followed the girl and her Wookiee companion.
Kashyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyk
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