Star Wars Invasion: Episode VII, Chapter Two

CHAPTER TWO

   "I can't believe we're doing this instead of fighting Glorians."

   Jacen Solo glanced at his fellow Jedi as they made their way through the crowded streets of Worlport, Ord Mantell's capital city. "So, you'd rather put your life at stake and get killed?" he asked

   "Better than chasing after a Dug through a crowded plaza," Valisa Tor muttered.

   "Technically, it's not a chase," Jacen said. "Because he doesn't know that anyone's even after him."

   "Doesn't make this 'quick trip' go any faster."

   The two Jedi continued to move through the diverse crowd, trying not to trip over dwarf-sized Ugnaughts and doing their best to avoid bumping into towering Mantellian Savrips. Their quarry, a Dug named Karada, had yet to take notice of them, though it was only a matter of time before he realized that he was being followed.

   Jacen had heard many tales about Ord Mantell, most of them calling the planet a 'breeding ground' for bounty hunters, smugglers, and the like. His father, Han Solo, had claimed to have faced a bounty hunter here prior to the Battle of Hoth, with names alternating between Skorr, Cypher Bos, and Czethros. Whoever it was he encountered, his stories had nonetheless created an image of Ord Mantell for Jacen.

   Which had since turned out to be a reality.

   "Hey, watch it, sleemo!" a Zabrak snapped as Jacen accidentally brushed against him. "I've killed for less than that!"

   The Jedi ignored him as they kept on moving after Karada. Much to their irritation, the Dug had abruptly turned into an empty alleyway and was now heading for a hangar, where no doubt his ship laid. Knowing that by now the Dug would realize that he was being followed, Jacen and Valisa walked right past the alleyway's entrance. Jacen then reached into his pocket and brought out a comlink.

   "Philosopher to Green Prince," he murmured, employing the nicknames he and the rest of the team had decided on. "The quarry is heading for Dock Eleven. He's your problem now."

   "Copy that, Philosopher," replied the suave voice of Thann Mithric. "Moving in now. Green Prince out."

   As Jacen ended the connection, he noticed that Valisa was scowling at him.

   "'Green Prince?'" she said. "Seriously?"

   Jacen shrugged. "What can I say? It fits him."

*  *  *

   "Are you sure this is going to work?"

   Thann Mithric grinned at his Kiffar companion. "Trust me, Zarin. Just watch and learn."

   Zarin Kal held back a sigh as he and Thann moved to approach the Dug entering the hangar, coming between him and his awaiting ship. Upon seeing them, Karada narrowed his eyes.

   "What do you want?" he asked.

   "Pardon me, sir," Thann said casually. "But do you happen to be Karada?"

   The Dug snorted. "Heck no. You must have me confused with some one else."

   Thann frowned. "How unfortunate. I was really looking forward to meeting a legend."

   This gave the Dug pause as he was about to head for his ship. "Legend?"

   "Yes, Karada has become quite famous for his podracing victories on Malastare and Mon Gazza."

   The Dug blinked and then smiled humbly. "Well... those were nothing compared to that close one on Ando Prime."

   Thann raised an eyebrow. "I thought you said you weren't Karada."

   The 'legendary' podracer chuckled. "Ah, yes. My mistake. I thought you were... agents sent by my rivals."

   "Nonsense! We're avid fans!" The Falleen Jedi gestured to a door which, unbeknownst to anyone besides himself and Zarin, led to another hangar where their own ship lay. "In fact, would you mind attending our club? My friends and I have been dying to meet you."

   Karada grinned. "Why not? No harm in that."

   "Of course not," Thann said as he and Zarin led Karada to the door. 

   Once they were in the hallway connecting the two hangars, Zarin spun around and struck the Dug's face with a large fist, knocking him out cold.

   Thann grinned. "No harm at all."

*  *  *

   "Do I want to know how you guys managed to capture him?" Wallen Nix asked the group of four Jedi gathered before him at his office on Coruscant.

   "If you do," Jacen replied, "you can ask Thann and Zarin."

   He pointed a thumb at the two Jedi and upon seeing the Falleen, Wallen knew the answer... and he didn't like it.

   "You didn't..." he muttered. 

   Thann Mithric shrugged. "At least I am not like most members of my species. I only use my charms to enhance my Force persuasion."

   "Although he rarely needs to use Force persuasion," Zarin Kal said under his breath.

   Wallen sighed as he ran his fingers through his hair. He knew quite a bit about the charismatic Falleen, mostly due to the fact that he had worked under one before becoming a chief detective. To this day, he still wondered why Director Cracken had tolerated his methods.

   "You know what? Forget it." Wallen pointed at the still-unconscious Dug sitting in the corner of his office. "Carry him to the questioning room. Xemer and I will speak with him once he's awake."

   Thann grinned. "Would you like me to-?"

   "No," Wallen said sternly as he got up from his desk. "Just... no."

   While the Jedi moved Karada to the interrogation room, the detective went to get a cup of water from his dispenser. After taking a drink, he sighed. Today was going to be a long day....