A glass of warmed Naboo flower ale was handed to Obi-Wan by a pink skinned Twi'lek addressed as Bumi. When he thanked her, he noted the slave collar around her neck. The lovely kind, Obi-Wan thought that was armed with a shock disabler, but no explosives, at least that he could see.

Bumi glanced away, as if aware of his attention, and quickly excused herself.

Not long after the coroner had carted off the bodies of the three men who had assaulted him in the bar—the so-called mayor hand waved away the incident as he had no interest in contacting the magistrate in Hazaar—Kuroth Jato sent an escort.

Sipping the drink, which Obi-Wan was grateful for as he had been cold ever since being dragged out of the lake, he looked about the dimly lit chamber that was warmed by an ornate heating unit in the center. The inn room was adequate, but sparse. It was not designed to accommodate high end travelers this far from civilization. Certainly, Obi-Wan had enjoyed better. The pleasure moon of Ord Andiro came to mind.

There had been far worse places as well. Just the memory of some made him crave a shower.

One of the clear luxuries of the room, outside the radiant heat, was the large chair Obi-Wan was finding himself a bit too comfortable in. If he stayed there much longer, he might fall asleep.

With the swoosh of an opening door, Obi-Wan amended that last thought as a tall, stately Zabrak with intricate facial tattoos walked into the room.

"Forgive my delay. I am Kuroth Jato," he said as he offered a low bow before his guest. "I had to confer with my men." When he straightened, he looked Obi-Wan over. "I had imagined a far different being to have carried out the tavern exploits."

A shrug. "I suspect they had been drinking quite heavily," Obi-Wan said, not entirely sounding convincing. He jostled the glass of warm liquid. "I was just appreciating this fine ale. Perhaps you have some more?"

Kuroth paced about the room. "I am quite impressed," he began. "Even drunk, those three criminals were the worst that thug Rahn has brought into this town. He and the insects that serve him have the audacity to call themselves Defenders when they are the threat." Kuroth turned to study Obi-Wan again.

The Jedi casually finished off his drink and then held the glass out to the Zabrak.

Kuroth pointedly ignored the gesture. "You are looking for means to the capital, am I correct?"

There are no secrets in a small community, Obi-Wan thought. He leaned forward in the chair and rolled the empty glass about over his fingers. "Correct. I have business in the capital."

"We are the furthest point from the capital."

"That is what I have been told," Obi-Wan said. And it was starting to get old.

"Three weeks."

"Excuse me?"

Clasping his hands behind his back, Kuroth Jato looked down on the seated man. "In three weeks, I make a supply run to Pirin. You can travel along with my caravan as added protection, and provided you help me defeat these criminals, the Defenders, by then."

Scratching at his beard, Obi-Wan considered the offer. "The thing is, as welcoming as your town is, I really do need to be on my way." He thought of the row of speeders and swoops standing near a large warehouse behind the inn and the general store next door. "One of your speeder bikes." He patted the air, stilling any argument his host might have. "Just to borrow. I'll leave it so you can pick it up when you go to Pirin in three weeks." Obi-Wan didn't wait for an answer, before continuing with his demands. Pressing a hand to his coat pocket, he said, "Meanwhile, I'll need room and board." He held up the glass. "And drink. Any more of that ale?"

The Zabrak pursed his lips. "You don't ask for much."

There was a long silence.

"Fine."

Was there water still in his ears? Obi-Wan's expression remained calm, but inwardly, he was surprised at the ease of which Kuroth had given in. He should have asked for passage on a transport while he was at it.

"I'll meet your requests," the Zabrak said.

Before the words had died on Kuroth's lips, the door to the study flew open and a domineering female Zabrak stormed in. The impressive crown of horns made her a frightful presence. "There is an issue," she said as she glared at her husband. Obi-Wan was not spared, as her fierce look fell on him.

Kuroth frowned. "Naal can be a bit...insistent." He bowed again and apologized, "You'll have to excuse me." At the door, the tall man paused. "I'll send Bumi in with more ale."

Tipping his chin, Obi-Wan said, "I would be grateful."

The Jedi waited until Kuroth had made his way out of the chamber and the door closed behind, then Obi-Wan set his glass aside and approached the closed door. Searching the Force, he scanned his immediate surroundings and realized he was nearly alone.

A wave of his hand and the door slid soundlessly open revealing a startled Bumi. He smiled and pressed a finger to his lips. He slipped past the Twi'lek and headed in the direction Kuroth had gone.

The sound of rising whispers from around the corner made him pause. He stepped lightly across the corridor and leaned against the wall. From his vantage point, he couldn't see into the chamber, but could easily make out the heated discussion.

"You're just going to give away a speeder bike?" Naal snarled. "You folded to any demand he made. How foolish can you be?"

"He took out three criminals unarmed. We can finally put Rahn out of business," Kuroth said in a calm voice.

A third voice entered the discussion. "What if he tells the capital about what's going on here?"

"You'll kill him afterwards," Naal said. There was no hesitation in her voice. "We don't have to pay him or worry about him talking about the activities in town."

"Do I have to?" It was more of a whine than a question. "I've already killed one of those Defenders."

The sound of flesh striking flesh was quickly followed by a cry of pain.

"You worthless child," Naal hissed.

"Leave Deruun alone," Kuroth said. "For now, we should concern ourselves with defeating the Defenders."

•

The morning sun cast an orange glow and created dense shadows as it flooded in through the broad window on the inn's second floor. In the far distance, under Oranda'harsh rays, were mountains barely visible in the bright light. The chamber was long, focused by a great table and matching chairs that ran nearly the entire length of the room.

Kuroth stood at the head of the table as a handful of subordinates filed in. Obi-Wan noted that these were not common thugs, but professionals. The Jato family bodyguard.

The first was a Zabrak of darker skin than the members of the Jato family with his hair pulled back into a high ponytail. Heavy black tattoos and gold rings in his ears painted a fierce visage. Kuroth addressed him as Hoad Malk and despite his appearance, he offered a shallow bow to the newcomer before waiting at his place at the table.

The human was less genteel, offering Obi-Wan a suspicious glare with his one good eye. An eyepatch covered the burned and scarred flesh of the right side of his face. He was introduced simply as Sern.

Obi-Wan felt the warning before the third member, followed by Naal and her nervous son, Deruun, entered. A Tholothian, looking like a walking arsenal appeared. The long, fleshy tendrils of her headdress swayed as she strode along the wall to her place at the table.

There was no mistaking in her rich, blue eyes that she recognized Obi-Wan.

No introduction was needed as this was Aria Samar, a bounty hunter of some repute that had disappeared more than a year before.

She smiled at Obi-Wan even as her hand fell to the blaster at her hip. "Have we met before?" There was a teasing in her voice. "I'm sure I've seen your face."

Obi-Wan scratched at his beard, seemingly disinterested by her interest. "I just have one of those faces." This could be a problem, he thought has he assessed everyone in the room and his escape options. He and Aria had a few run-ins over the years, and he had foiled a couple of her jobs. She had promised more than once there would be retribution.

"Yes," Aria said, her tone dropping a level. "The kind that says shoot me." She pulled out a chair and sat down.

Everyone else followed, except Hoad who waited until all the members of the Jato were seated.

Several tall vases filled with white orchids were posted in the center of the long table, looking far too ornate for those who found seat there. The lovely flowers were of little interest, as Obi-Wan was the singular focus of attention.

"He doesn't look that tough," the human, Sern, grunted.

Aria rested her elbows on the table and leaned forward, eyeing Obi-Wan carefully. A wicked grin. "What's your name, stranger?"

Obi-Wan leaned back in the tall wooden chair that was set back from the table and drew his gaze to the delicate flowers. "Vanda Hokeryana."

Naal laughed. "You named yourself after a flower?"

"A particular breed of Alderaani orchid," Obi-Wan said. "They are only found in the gardens of the Aldera Royal Palace."

The young Zabrak, Deruun, looked about. "What does that mean?"

"That he is special," Kuroth said.

Obi-Wan smiled. "I was going for one of a kind, but special works too."

The Thololian rolled her eyes. "You are something," she said under her breath.

The men were not as amused. Hoad motioned a long finger to Obi-Wan. "Flower boy doesn't have any blasters."

"A blaster isn't his kind of weapon," Aria said.

Obi-Wan glanced her way.

"That's easily taken care of," Kuroth said. "Bumi," he barked, "bring us drinks. We have much to discuss."

Once Bumi had come and gone, Obi-Wan drew one of the carafes closer, making sure not to be so subtle that the others wouldn't notice.

Kuroth rose to his feet and began pacing the length of the room. The businessman looked to his wife and son who sat at the far end of the table, and then to each of his three bodyguards, and finally to Obi-Wan. He spoke in a bold tone. "With such a strong table, and the men at your command, I feel now is the time to make our move on the Defenders. They just lost three of their guns." He swept a hand in Obi-Wan's direction. "The man responsible has sided against them. That alone should thin out the weak."

Hoad and Sern took the news with little surprise, turning inward to each other to discuss strategy. Obi-Wan glanced over at Aria who was glaring at him.

The Tholothian leaned forward, her voice low and tense. "A speeder bike, really? No wonder they call you the Negotiator. I get a handful of credits hardly worth the discomfort of hanging out here in the land of the forgotten until things die down."

A smile. "Oh yes, I remember, you are in a bit of hot water with the Hutts."

"No thanks to you."

Obi-Wan imagined her hand was still on her blaster and she was seriously contemplating shooting him. He probably deserved it, but knew that Aria was very keen, and wouldn't make such a bold move.

At least, not at this moment.

"We will attack tonight," Sern announced.

"No." Kuroth was quick to counter. "Today. Noon. There is no time to spare in preparations.

This earned disapproval from the three bodyguards in the Jato service.

"We are not dealing with soldiers," Hoad began. "These are farm boys barely capable of hitting a sitting freighter from ten meters. A sneak attack—"

"Would give Rahn Merak the cover of night to run away in," Kuroth countered. "No. We will do this in broad daylight. Surround them and pick off the Defenders as easily as the harvesters in the marshes gather their pearls."