Jedi Artisan 003

After he received his injections, and enjoyed a chat with his master, Zane took Shaak Ti to go steal a ship. As Jedi Knights of the Republic, they could pretty much take any vessel ‘for the greater good of the Republic’ or board any ship, and demand they reroute. 

Of course, he wasn't really going to steal someone's property, but the Republic had countless vessels, and a financially backbreaking amount of personnel on payroll. When you were the unofficial fourth branch of government, and the only people who could censor you were members of your own Order, or a full session of the Senate, you could actually get away with a lot! Hell, Sipho Dias ordered an entire fucking army to be created, and no one batted an eye! Being a Jedi was actually pretty nonsensical, as far as the law was concerned! 

Swaggering into the Republic Judicial Forces logistics wing like he owned the place, Zane saw countless droids delivering messages, secretaries typing away, and officers trying to appear like they were busy at work. There were a few good people in this place, but any cursory investigation would reveal half these guys (and girls) were receiving bribes, or being honey potted. As this was Coruscant, the heart of the Republic, the other half of the staff had been blatantly placed in positions of power as favors for Senators to secure their votes. As a result, petty crimes were actually stomped out fast, but anything that involved big money, or the social elites was quietly hushed away. One of these days, he swore he'd [Mind Trick] the lot of them, and have them record their indiscretions, then release it to the public. 

Shaak Ti was much too polite to say anything untoward towards these bottom feeder bureaucrats, but her mask of composure almost cracked when a pair of Judicial Officers pulled one another into an office, and began to loudly make out. 

“Such indecency.” Shaak Ti muttered. 

“I seem to recall being pressed against a wall just an hour ago.” Zane lightly teased. 

“That was different…you were an embarrassment before the council!” She haltingly declared. 

“Yeah, yeah.” Zane waved her off with a smile. 

Meandering his way towards a requisitions console with an air of mild disinterest, he propped an elbow against the terminal's frame as he scrolled through a list of available ships.

“Ah ha.” Zane monotoned, his sleepy eyes slightly sparked when he found what he wanted. 

On the screen before him glowed the unmistakable silhouette of a Hammerhead-class cruiser. Bristling with gunports, and equipped with both starfighters, and shuttlecraft, it was the perfect vessel for a diplomatic mission. 

Behind him, a pair of lekku made a whooshing sound, and he could sense his partner's displeasure. 

“That is outrageous.”

Zane did not turn to acknowledge her yapping. Instead, he lifted a finger and keyed in a string of codes ending in a confirmation glyph.

Shaak Ti hung over his shoulder, and grasped his hand, intertwining her fingers with his so that he could type no more. 

“A Hammerhead? For our trip to Mimban? Zane, this is a negotiation. A Consular-class light cruiser is more than sufficient for our task. Master Yoda said that we needn't worry about pirates.”

Zane hummed thoughtfully, and glanced down at their hands with a raised eyebrow. 

“And he also told us not to worry about the flesh eating bacteria, yet I've been immunized. Clearly Master Yoda was warning us. Honestly, I'd like to bring something bigger, but the Ruusan Accords truly are a scourge on us Jedi.” Zane shook his head, and sighed, as if everything he had to say was obvious, and made perfect sense. 

She stepped in front of him, blocking his sight of the console, and crossed her arms under her chest. 

“You are sending the wrong message. Mimban is unstable right now. Showing up in a capital ship implies that force may be used. It is an unnecessary act of aggression."

Zane saw her huffing away, and couldn't help but smile. It was just like when they were younglings, and he convinced her to sneak into the gardens, or look at restricted materials in the archives. Heh, hadn't that been a shock when she had accidentally opened up a recording of Gamorrean intercourse? The poor girl was mortified…and she didn't look away! 

“Shaak, Mimban is a perpetually raining, swampy hellhole where the mist is so thick, you can't see more than 10 feet in front of you. There are several native species, and historically speaking, is a hotbed for revolutionary pirates."

“You've done your research.” Shaak Ti slowly uncrossed her arms. “But isn't this still a bit…much?” 

“The mining corporation involved this time around is Damask Holdings. There literally isn't a more squeaky clean company in the galaxy. Call me a suspicious Toydarian, but this deal stinks.” 

He reached out, resting a hand on her shoulder in a brief, affectionate pat. The action was both meant to convey reassurance, and act as an apology.

“Well…I don't like it, but there's nothing in the Code that says we can't take such a large ship.” Shaak Ti bit her lip, and looked away. 

Her lekku stilled, and for a moment, she was vulnerable. 

‘Chance!’ 

Zane turned back to the console and pressed his thumb onto the final authorization seal.

[REQUISITION APPROVED.] 

The Hammerhead-class cruiser’s outline-which was red-flared green, and then resolved into active deployment status.

Shaak Ti exhaled slowly. “You always do this. You make the more risky option, stretching the rules, and then act as though it was no big deal.”

“Yup, and I'm always right too.” Zane smirked back. 

On their way out of the logistics hub, they passed by the room where the two officers were making monkey noises. Zane reached out with the Force, and waved his hand. 

‘Wither.’ 

“Fuuuuuuhhh-” A man's cursing came from the room. 

“Music to my ears.” Zane chuckled. 

Shaak Ti face palmed, but her grin was impossible to hide. 

Pleased with his act of Space Wizardry, several other devious ideas began to gather in his head. Now that he was untethered from the Temple, he had to amuse himself somehow, right? 

“Our ship should be fully crewed, and stocked with supplies in 5 hours. In the meantime, how about we go convince some Spice dealers that they smoked all their stock?” Zane asked in a mischievous tone. 

“You’re trouble.” Shaak Ti sighed in exasperation, yet followed after him anyway. 

“Hey, that's why the Council assigned you to protect me~.” Zane wiggled his fingers as they approached a massive elevator. 

Tons of scanners, armed security personnel, and droids were loafing around. Anyone unauthorized on this floor would immediately receive a swift ass whooping. Zane tsk’d. On this overly polluted, overly populated planet, ‘unauthorized people’ meant anyone who wasn't impossibly wealthy. Trillions of people here never saw the sun in their lives. It was a sobering thought. Glancing at his hard working red friend, a shallow smile spread across his face. Life could suck no matter how rich or poor you were, or wherever you were in the world. But having at least one friend who cared enough to put up with his shenanigans made it bearable. 

She noticed his expression, rolled her eyes,, and began to look for a level to descend to. Eventually, the elevator doors opened up, and she input several codes allowing them access to the lower floors of Coruscant. 

After descending for a few minutes, the elevator hissed open, and revealed a city chock full of people. Aliens, humans, and droids walked in an endless sea. Neon lights, holographic images, and all sorts of advertisements signaled towards potential buyers. Although he'd traversed this landscape hundreds of times, it was still awe inspiring. A thousand different languages were being spoken, and tons of different clothing styles clashed with one another. 

This was Star Wars. 

Laser beams, and laser swords were what the people saw on the big screen, but the reality of someone's day to day meant taking over crowded maglev trains that'd make Tokyo look like a minor village. 

In this sea of people, the two of them were just another pair of faces adding to the masses. Although he was uncomfortable around such crowds, adventure awaited! 

Grabbing onto his arm-a practice they had developed as children so as not to lose one another-Shaak Ti took the lead. 

After preventing several pickpockets from nabbing his lightsaber, they approached a building thrumming with the sound of club music. Scantily clad men & women were dancing, and drinks flowed freely. A group of Rodians laid out on the front porch, and were absolutely wasted. 

“Do you see the Houk over there with the purple lips?” Zane raised his voice to shout-whisper in her ears, and be heard over the music. “He feels totally shady! I bet we can have him burn his stash, and donate any ill gotten gains to charity.” 

Shaak Ti patted him on the arm, and then continued to tug him through the crowd, much to his confusion. 

Walking down several alleyways, the crowd and noise started to peter out. They eventually stopped at an aging-yet well maintained-structure. 

“You know, when I said we'd find some excitement and adventure to kill time before our departure, this isn't exactly what I had in mind. But if creepy buildings are your thing, you could've used other excuses to be alone with me.” Zane shrugged. 

His grip tightened, and right when he was going to pull her tight for a close embrace, a dozen light footsteps came running up to them. 

“Big sister, big sister!” A young Togruta girl chirped, and ran at them. Her lekku swayed in the air as she collided with Shaak Ti, and pushed Zane out of the way. 

Following in her wake, three Humans, a green skinned Rodian, and a purple Altiri crowded around Shaak Ti. 

“Knight Shaak Ti! Is there something our humble orphanage can do for the Jedi Order?” An elderly, hunched man asked from the door of the building. 

“No, you have helped more than enough by providing the innocent and vulnerable a place to stay.” Shaak Ti smiled, and began to show interest in the kids. 

“Say thank you to the Jedi, children.” The old man kindly asked. 

“Thank you, master Jedi! With the education program you donated, I'm going to be a pilot one day!” One of the Human children-a young teen-boasted. 

“Oh yeah?! I learned how to type, and speak several languages, and am going to be an undersecretary's assistant!” Another child bragged, trying to get Shaak Ti's attention. 

They raised their voices one after another, and crowded around her with smiles, and were jumping around showing off. Taking her by the hands, they dragged her to a nearby playplace, and started to demand she tell them stories. Glancing at Zane apologetically, Shaak Ti allowed herself to go with the flow, and began to recount epic tales, and sorrowful dramas. 

“She's a breath of fresh air, you know.” The old man stepped next to Zane, and offered him a warm cup of water. 

Zane saw how aged, and weatherbeaten the cup was, then noted that there wasn't even anything to enhance the flavor. But the water was clean, and the beverage was offered with good intentions. 

“She is, isn't she?” Zane muttered, and accepted the drink. 

Warm water trickled down his esophagus, and filled his body. At the same time, the Force seemed to resonate with the scene around him, and he felt a different kind of warmth touch his heart. 

Taking note of everyone's clothes, and seeing that there were several patches, or worn spots, he began to have an idea. 

“Say, could you grab me a basket, or something to put clothes in?” Zane asked. 

“I see that you wish to grant them a new fit…just try not to make them too fancy. Thieves and scoundrels will follow them back, thinking this orphanage has money. I appreciate your well wishes, Jedi, but please do not invite trouble upon us, we are honest folk.” The old man bowed his head, and spoke in an ashamed tone. 

“I understand.” Zane waved him off, and eyed the children. 

Guesstimating their measurements, he pulled out his Endless Thread, and Quick Needle, then got to work. Crafting two sets of clothes-one for today, and one to grow into-for each child, they were plain, and unassuming. Then he really worked his craft, and sewed one fancy uniform for their current sizes, and one for when they grew larger. 

When the old man came back holding a basket, and saw that the clothes had practically spawned into thin air, he was both shocked, and befuddled. 

“This, this…Master Jedi, we cannot afford to be seen wearing these.” The old man politely declined. 

“Maybe someone well off will come by for adoption? Maybe the children will apply for a job, and need to appear professional. Whichever the case may be, people in this world judge you based on appearance. Sad as it is, this is the truth. I hope you can use this clothing responsibly.” Zane ended his statement by handing a new set of clean-yet discreet-adult sized clothes to the caretaker. 

“For me?” The old man asked, his hands trembling as he clutched the cloth. 

Zane silently nodded, handing them to the man, and then walked forward to collect Shaak Ti. 

“You sir, are a gentleman. There aren't many like you in the galaxy these days.” The caretaker slowly exhaled. 

Zane smiled, and shook his head. The galaxy was a big, scary place full of slavers, corrupt politicians, murdererous gangsters, and cosmic horrors. A single spark in the dark wasn't much, but he would do what he could within his means. 

Approaching his childhood friend, he saw the children sitting around her in a semicircle. The Togruta girl was on Shaak Ti's lap, each and every one of them was silently staring at her. Not a peep was heard as they listened to her story. 

Crossing his arms, and leaning against a nearby pillar, Zane closed his eyes, and joined them in their silence. Although the time for their departure was nearing, he could wait. 

He'd always make time for his friends.