Chapter Text
Here, have this.
Reviews and criticism are welcome.
Disclaimer: I don’t own Star Wars.
A/N: This is a Flashback.
Nar Shaddaa 35 BBY
Quinlan
The place was thrumming with a light amount of bass and percussion as the band of Jizz players lit up the stage. It was a good song Quinlan thought, even if it was the umpteenth time he had heard that same song. He wiped another mug and then placed it in the ancient machine with a few other glasses. The Sanatizer whirred and swept any alien bacteria off the glasses. Even grimy bars on Nar Shaddaa had to have one of these if they wanted to keep in business.
The music winded down and the band of Bith packed up. It was their last night playing here.
“Your replacement will be late again Colt.” his boss sent him over the Holonet. Colt CeeZee was his undercover name. Quinlan swore that was the last time Luminara picked names for an undercover op. To the rest of the world and the customers of the bar he had many names, all of them meaning: Bartender.
He passed out a few more drinks to various newcomers and refilled the regulars mugs. This job was as overwhelming for his psychometry as it was useful. He learned so much useful information as well as stuff he’d rather not ever have known. Still it was for a good cause and he had to play the part. He hoped Aayla was doing alright in the speeder. She volunteered to be a dancer, but they needed a wheelman. It was for the best as Aayla was a bit on the young side to play Twi’lek dancing girl. Not that would’ve mattered to some of his patrons. Yes, this was for the best.
There wasn’t too much on their target as of yet. It was said he liked to frequent this bar when he wasn’t smuggling drugs. He was one their best leads on a new form of engspice or engineered spice. It was especially nasty because if you got addicted to it, then you could only get high from that particular form of spice. Any other form would shock your system and kill you.
It was bad enough that the Hutts banned it. Not for noble reasons of course. No, engspice was a liability if the shipments stopped, you ended up with a bunch of dead pay nerfs. The risks outweighed the benefits. Every now and again, some drug dealer with little survival instinct would get the bright idea to start up an engspice ring and here Quinlan was.
Why were the Jedi interested in this ring? Why not just slip a word to the Hutts? Because this ring wasn’t selling in Hutt space nor were they producing the engspice in Hutt Space. Republic intel couldn’t find them to say for one lead. One of the Dealer’s bought chemicals for the treatment of the malicious spice from Nar Shaddaa directly.
So Quinlan kept his vigil. The patrons were chatting with some of the dancing girls. Some were trying their hardest to take one home with them. It wasn’t long until a blonde bombshell strutted in with a tailored suit and draping a small jacket over her shoulder looking like she walked out of some upper level party. There was a blaster on her hip. A beautiful blue steel colored Westar-34, with wooden grips. One of Luminara’s finer pieces. Komari hated the thing. Mostly due to the lack of safety and hair trigger. Mandalorians didn’t believe in safeties and they applied that to their weaponry. But the piece was reliable.
Komari, going by the name Heckla Koch. Again where did Luminara come up with these names? Speaking of Luminara, if Komari was here that meant the show was about to start and their Target would be arriving shortly. Komari sat down at the bar. Quinlan approached looking like he was serving her drinks.
“Is Dana Wesson ready for tonight’s gig?”
“Heckla” gave him a light smile. “Ready as she’ll ever be. It is quite the jump from Fresher to the Stage.”
Komari got an amused look on her face. No doubt still smug about suggesting Luminara be the singer, because then they wouldn’t have to waste money on a lip sync album. Quinlan was skeptical that Luminara could sing. It wasn’t until he stood in on one of the rehearsals that he believed Luminara could pull it off. It was a pleasant surprise. Komari had to replay the sound to convince Luminara herself she could in fact sing. Luminara’s response was rather modest if a bit self-deprecating.
Never thought my caterwauling would be useful,
The Mirialan seemed surprised that her voice was good. The Order had to have a Jedi by the name of Heartly, A Human Knight, be her voice coach. Luminara while she had the pipes, it was her tone that needed a bit of work.
Komari herself was playing the part of Dana Wesson’s agent/slash manager. Which she was good at. Komari even took on an accent and despite always standing out in a crowd, it made her blend in really well.
“Well, there she is.”
Dana Wesson was dressed a bit like a lounge singer, her tattoos were completely covered by makeup, and Quinlan could see the awkward hitch in her step as she walked. Mirialans rarely show so much skin. So it made sense she was nervous.
“She seems out of her depth.” Quinlan frowned.
“She’ll grow out of it once the music starts.” Komari’s voice was tinged with mirth and confidence in equal measure.
The music started before Quinlan could comment further.
It started off with a piano opening. Despite her nervousness, “Dana” began to sing and again Quinlan was rather surprised at how good she was. Her voice wasn’t quite a high alto. Once the base dropped she started swaying her hips with the beat slightly as she got into it. Quinlan started to feel the effects on him. If he wasn’t forcesensitive, he would have been enthralled by the music. It was a subtle thing weaving throughout the room like tendrils of silk wrapping around the minds in the room. Men and women forgetting conversations to look at the singer on the small stage. Everyone in the room noticed.
The lyrics of the song weren’t all that bad either. Talking about Love and getting out alive. Not the most Jedi song, but this was an undercover operation.
“Is she using…?” He didn’t finish the sentence. Komari only nodded, confirming what he already knew. Battle Meditation. Did Luminara even know she was doing it? That is when the target entered as “Dana” just began to get to the chorus. The man, a pantoran with green face marking instead of the usual yellow, stopped midway from his usual VIP seat to take in the singer on stage. The man was entranced. Quinlan nodded to Komari who stood and sauntered over to the man.
Now it was just a matter of time before Komari had the man wrapped around her fingers. Quinlan took note of two other men shadowing him. They must have been guards for the man. This operation was tightly controlled. Both were human. One had olive skin, weathered like he had lived on a world with a harsh sun. The other was pale and looked like he grew up in a Coruscant underworld. Perhaps he was a local. The olive skinned man directed the younger guard to watch their charge while the elder would do so from the bar. The music didn’t seem to affect the man like his younger associate. Quinlan was surprised and took steps to be extra cautious. The more seasoned bodyguard ordered a drink. Quinlan handed him a glass of simple ale.
Quinlan didn’t engage in any small talk, instead going back down the bar to refill and pour more drinks. He kept the man in the corner of his eye, waiting for the man to need a refill. He would have to be slick. It wouldn’t be too much of a problem as the bodyguard was also watching Luminara’s performance. She was just wrapping the first song and starting in on the next. This one was another jaunty tune.
Even Quinlan had to stop for a second. It was a brief second. Luminara met his eyes. He found himself amused as she gave him a brief “get me out of here” look on her face. He rolled his eyes and went to refill the bodyguards glass. Much to Quinlan’s annoyance the man held up his mug having set the credit chit on the table already. Damn all he needed was to hold the glass. Quinlan played it cool, filled the glass from the tap and waited for an opportunity as the night went on. Eventually Dana Wesson's performance came to a close with much fanfare from the patrons.
Quinlan could see in her posture, her urge to dart away, but she bowed and left the stage. Taking her time to wave and smile. Quinlan noted the Bodyguard stood up. Quinlan was quick to snatch his glass and found it was too late. The bodyguard had nursed the mug too much and all the thoughts the Kiffar picked up were of a very messy divorce. He was losing the kids too. Perhaps Komari had more luck.
They would meet later at the apartment they rented in the upper spires of the city. Quinlan knew that the Jedi would have never sprung for this, but Komari or Luminara must have had some money from somewhere or perhaps left over from a mission to afford this place. Quinlan decided it was best not to ask.
“Get anything off the Bodyguard, Quinlan?” Luminara asked from the couch she was perched on. Komari sat down next to her with an arm slung around the smaller Mirialan’s shoulder.
“No, he nursed the same mug the whole time.” before he muttered, “Losing his house and kids in the divorce too.”
“So I have to do all that singing again?” Luminara groaned.
Komari hugged her close, “Ahh, I thought you did great? The way you melded your battle meditation into the song really hooked the crowd. I wouldn’t be surprised if you started receiving offers from record company scouts the moment you set foot in the bar in a few days.” Luminara blushed at the praise.
“I did what with my Battle Meditaion?” She didn’t know she was doing it? Quinlan found it surprising as Luminara continued. “A few days? Thought I was going to sing again tomorrow?” Luminara looked a little relieved, but Quinlan could still sense a bit of nervousness.
“You can’t follow a performance like that right away.” Aayla piped up from the counter in the kitchen. “You have to let this kind of stuff breathe. Let word spread around. Have people begging for more.”
“She is right,” Komari said. “That is also when our target is due back from Nal Hutta.”
Quinlan’s padawan came out with drinks. Luminara took hers a downed half, calming the anxiety the young jedi was feeling. It was some berry cocktail. Non-alcoholic of course. Quinlan was certain that wouldn’t matter in Luminara’s case. She could get drunk off fruit flavored water.
“Why can’t we tail him down there and get this over with?” Luminara was agitated knowing she would have to go on stage again.
“For one he had more than the two bodyguards, and we were tailed to our apartment.” Komari stretched. “They could be minders to insure the guy doesn’t spill the beans. We’ll have to send someone to look in on them.”
“I will,” Luminara jumped at the chance.
Komari chuckled. “We can’t have the star of the district running off and tracking down bad guys.”
Quinlin smirked as Komari leaned down and whispered something in Luminara’s ear.
The Mirialan stiffened in her seat and nodded embarrassedly and blushed furiously. Quinlan figured it was best to not pry. While they kept their relationship a secret well enough from the council Quinlan picked it up right away. Quite literally as he often cleaned up after they left. The two Jedi left tidbits of their affection for each other on the glasses and furniture.
“I could do it.” Aayla jumped on the chance to prove herself. Before Quinlan could tell her no, Komari nodded.
“That could work.” Komari sensed Quinlan’s disapproval. “What?”
“It is too dangerous. We know nothing of these Shadow minders.”
“Shadowminders. That is a good name for them.” Luminara interrupted. Quinlan sent a frown her way. Luminara shrank back into the massive couch. He was not in the mood to take Aayla putting herself at risk so casually.
“Master, I can do it. I will keep my distance.” Aayla pleaded. Sitting in that speeder must have been really getting to her.
“Fine,” Quinlan relented. “But no pulling a Luminara and “Go in to get a better look only to turn the location into a shooting gallery.”
“Hey, that was one time,” an insulted Luminara said. Quinlan ignored her.
“Observe and report. Nothing more. Got It?” He gave her a serious stare, one that was rare from him, but he meant it.
“Got it.” Aayla looked eager to be doing something other than sit in the speeder listening to bad audio dramas. Quinlan was all for his padawan learning of her culture, but overacting seemed to be the only type of acting Twi’lek actors were capable of. Good plots at least.
“Okay now that is settled.” Komari stood. “We’ll head back.” She offered a hand to Luminara and pulled her off the couch. Luminara stood, and followed after. Quinlan and Aayla bid them goodbye.
The Jedi had to put his padawan to bed. He needed to meditate, get some of the Bar’s Force residue off of him. Unfortunately he had one more to collect. He picked up a jacket that Aayla left on the floor. He put his hand on the couch to pick it up and it swept past the spot where Luminara was sitting. A vision played in his mind.
Komari leaning down and whispering in Luminara’s ear. “If you let us handle this, I will bring out the Pius Dea helmet and rescue you from the Hutt pleasure gardens again when we get back.”
Quinlan jerked back and shook his head. Those two. He was amazed the Council was unaware. Then again if it wasn’t for this mission, he might not have caught on. He’d watch for possible hiccups in the mission because of this, but Quinlan was already sure this wouldn’t be an issue. In truth he was more worried about his Padawan. Aayla could be fairly impulsive, but Komari was right to give a more important objective for the mission to Aayla before the young padawan made one herself.
Lumi
I had wrapped up another performance. It was the fifth one so far. I had hoped to be done by now with this whole get up. Komari was going to have me release a record by the end of this, I swear. The Mark’s contacts were so cautious. Komari was having a hard time getting the guy to talk.
Meanwhile I was sitting in the room behind the stage. Having Aayla do my makeup.
“This scar was much worse, wasn’t it.” Aayla asked.
“Yeah, Stark War.” I said absent of her surprised look, I checked over her work in the mirror. Aayla was pretty decent at this whole makeup thing. I would find out later, she had only just started. She covered up my tattoos and scar nearly perfectly. Luminara the Jedi was gone and Dana Wesson the young hopeful Lounge singer trying to make it big stared back.
“Really, you were there?”
“Yeah, I was captured by Stark forces. So the details of anything beyond the fighting generally escape me. I know Master Plo was leading things. Some Senator died and Stark himself got off scot free. Perhaps you should ask your Master for more details. He was involved with that whole affair as well.”
“He never talks about it, and I’ve asked.”
I nodded. “Well, it was a pointless affair, but you’ll see the root causes at a glance. It goes much deeper than that. Allowing the Megacorps to muscle on the free trade zones stunted whatever natural growth the regions would have had.” She gave me a look. “Okay, we don’t want to go that deep into things right now.” I gave her a smile. “Besides, I was a prisoner for most of it while all the action was going on, and ended up sleeping through most of it.” I unconsciously rubbed my wrists where the damn coughs had been.
Aayla knew I was deflecting. She was in her mid teens, but she also could tell I wasn’t in the mood to tell the details. Perhaps back at the apartment, I could prod Quinlan in telling the tale of his adventure.
I was going to add a bit more, when Komari poked her head into the changing room.
“Quinlan has a lead. Aayla go get the speeder prepped.” Aayla jumped at the chance, running from the room. Mostly likely doing everything to prevent using her force powers to increase her speed and drawing attention.
I stood as well and Komari stopped me by putting her hand on my shoulder.
“Not you. You have a performance to finish. Our esteemed drug dealing guest is in attendance. Keep him distracted.” Komari was about to leave, but turned back. “Oh, if the crowd wants an Encore, give them one. The longer you keep them hooked, the better.”
I was about to complain about being left out when she came over, and held my face and gave me a deep kiss. I was lost in it for a long moment. “Don’t be afraid to have a little fun either. You're an amazing singer.” I don’t know why, but I was crying. I don’t remember crying in the backroom of the stage.
I remembered where I really was, and the room around me began to faded. I rested my hand on Komari’s cheek, before she too disappeared, and found myself in that Zeltron’s bed again. I remembered that I went on and did as asked. One last performance for the incredibly full bar.
The Zeltron in question was sitting, her legs crossed in a chair off in the corner, while she did her nails. She seemed to notice me rousing from my forced slumber.
“Pleasant Dreams?” She asked with a coy smile. I glared at her as I sat up. If the memory wasn’t so fresh in my head, giving into anger now would sour it. I took a very Jedi-like breath and calmed my nerves before I did something I would regret.
“That was very intrusive.” I said in a neutral tone.
“You would have never agreed if I had asked outright. You needed to see the treatment plan work first hand.” She said, I could sense some worry on her part. She knew she crossed a line, but she knew it wasn’t an outright leap across said line. “I will understand if you don’t want to continue.”
To be honest, I didn’t know what to think. It was nice to relive that memory no matter how embarrassing. “We’ll see.” Was all I could say. I wasn’t sure I wanted to come back here for more. Just as I got up to leave, Niraccab had a little more to say.
“I didn’t know you were a Dana Wesson fan.”
“Excuse me?” I never expected anyone to know about Dana Wesson outside obscure cult classic music Holo channels.
“I heard you sing a couple of her songs in your sleep. You have a very good singing voice, I might add.”
I gave a mumbling response of “I guess,” and left, not wanting to reveal my embarrassing secret to the Zeltron. I gave her a polite wave before I left.
Niraccab smiled and gave me a small wave of her own, in a way that she knew I would be back.
As I walked back to my room, I recalled more of that memory. I would go on to perform that night. Dana Wesson’s last performance on Nar Shadda before disappearing into the masses of the Galaxy.
The Jedi did have me record an album. It did alright on the music market. Proceeds went to families of Jedi who fell in the line of duty. The Senate halted payments to families of Fallen Jedi after about Ten Years. It used to be 25, but I suspected a certain Nabooian Senator’s hand in this. Another way of binding the Jedi Closer to the Senate and dividing them from the people they served.
Komari, Quinlan, and even Aayla would infiltrate and discover where in the Core the drug components were being sent. Again it had to do with those Butterfly assholes. Or Deathkiss, as they called themselves. Many of the leaders got away again, but we did have some other leads to follow which would eventually end up with the organization's destruction.
I did feel a bit better, but I don’t think I would be visiting Niraccab for a while. I remembered the echoes of the tortured voices I felt in the Force on the way back from Mandalore. I knew I needed to check them out. Hopefully, it wasn’t an immediate threat.
I found myself smiling. Despite the eerie nature of what could be out there, I felt refreshed and ready to go. My mood soured somewhat when I noticed the Fafallen Archivist, Bor, waiting for me outside my office. Not at the man himself, but I sensed that my mission may be put on hold yet again.
“Ah, Master Luminara, I am glad I caught you.”
“Master Bor, a pleasure. What did you need?”
“Straight to the matter at hand. I like that. I was informed of your desire to take the younglings to different worlds tied to the Jedi. I was wondering if you would humor an old man and allow me to add to your list potential planets for you to take them.”
“I would be honored.” Okay this was a pleasant idea. I opened the door to my office and proceeded to offer him a chair. “What did you have in mind?” The meeting would take a few hours, but Bor proved to be a good resource for potential worlds. As much as I wanted to go out and investigate ghosts in the void, I had priorities at home. I guess the station was starting to become that, little by little.
It was as I was going through the Datapad the old man gave me, that Bor took a look around my room.
“Your models are very detailed.” He stood and walked over the Ebon Hawke model adjacent to my desk. “Very detailed. Not very Jedi-like to keep possessions.” There was a hint of judgement in those words, but more so curiosity.
“I built them using the Force, and only the Force. The floating balls weren’t really cutting it for practice so I started doing more complex things to make it interesting." The old man scratched at his beard before nodding.
“The struts on the Ebon Hawkes landing gear are backwards.”
“No they aren’t,” I said without skipping a beat. I had this conversation before. I wasn’t going to have it again. “Well, I will certainly take your suggestions into account. There are many spots in this I hadn't considered. Thank you Master Bor.”
The old Fafallen nodded, “I am more than happy to lend my expertise. Good Day.” And he exited my office.
I found myself leaning back in my chair, remembering the memories of that time on Nar Shaddaa and the brush of Komari’s lips on my own. I meditated there, simply holding on to that feeling. It was the best I had felt since Yinchorr. I felt balanced again. The pain was dulled for now. I got up and made for the vehicle bay. There was a possible threat to the station and I needed to ascertain its threat level. I had to check it out.
A/N: Sorry for the wait. No real excuse.