Manaan Part 3

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Manaan

Part Three

“You know what? For a bunch of fishy Selkath, this is pretty flashy.” Mission observed the blue, silver and white decorations as she, Carth and Zaalbar stood outside the courtroom door.

Skye and Jolee had gone inside the courtroom about an hour ago to inquire about Sunry. The Manaan Supreme Court did not permit unrelated people into their courthouse, and only the maximum of two were allowed at once. Therefore the others had to stand outside the courthouse and wait anxiously.

“…Do you think that’s the real crystal, Big Z?” Mission elbowed Zaalbar thoughtfully, who was too busy shoveling a paper bag full of roasted gizka drumsticks into his mouth to comment on anything in return. “…Ooooh…I think I just saw gold… Goodness gracious… They have that on their handles? Did you just see what that Zeltron woman wears? I wonder where she gets that one from….”

“[Mission, after all these years of hanging out with you, there is only one thing I can’t stand about you, and this is it.]” Zaalbar finally managed to swallow his mouthful of drumstick. “[Will you please shut up for a minute? Just a minute will do. Let me finish my local delicacy first.]”

Carth didn’t participate in the conversation. He leaned against the wall and stared at the door sullenly. They’d been inside the courthouse for quite some times now. What could keep them this long? Surely a couple of inquiries wouldn’t last them whole afternoon, would they? This side favour of Jolee’s had cost them far too much time; shouldn’t they be focused on the Star Map instead of touring about this boring marine planet?

On the other hand, he knew Skye. He knew her well enough to guess she would stamp her boots all over this nonetheless. It was just her personality…

He couldn’t help himself and suppressed a grin when it came down to Skye. Since meeting her on the Endar Spire, the interest in her grew stronger through time. The more he knew about her, the more he was drawn to her. He must admit, after what happened to Saul, it took him a while to get his head around trusting people. But Skye was nothing like Saul. She was witty, funny, alert, loyal, passionate and much, much more. It had been some time since he’d experienced such pleasantness like this. If he could, he would love to stay around her like this forever….

Forever?

Carth shook his head and laughed inwardly. What was forever? Years of fighting in the galaxy and he should have known better there was no such thing as forever. Forever was a luxury word in times like this. He shouldn’t even dream of forever.

But Skye… He quickly flicked his eyes at the shut door. She surely had been inside for a bloody long time…

Perhaps… just a little longer. Good Force, just a let him be a little longer around her, at least until this Star Map yolk was finished…

“They are back!” Mission’s cheery voice pulled his attention back to the reality. His head jerked upward just in time to see the tinted blue Twi’lek and the aged Jedi walked out of the courthouse, arms both folded, brows deeply frowned; they were clearly trying to figure out whatever had happened in there just moments ago.

“How’s it?” Carth left the wall and approached the duo.

“Well, we made some progress, if that’s how you called it.” Jolee grumbled, flashing Skye’s datapad in his hand. “She’s now officially the Arbiter of the case. She can bloody ask anyone on this planet without being arrested.”

“[That’s… good, isn’t it?]” Zaalbar looked terribly puzzled.

“The Selkath also gave me a report about this case.” Skye stared at the datapad. “They were very thorough about everything. I can’t see how my appointment would make any difference.”

“Hey, hey, hey, no worries. That’s what we are here for, sister?” Mission gently patted Skye’s back and winked. “I wouldn’t be the most trusted and well connected street person in the Lower City on Taris for all these years for nothing, you know. Leave it to me. I guarantee you will get so much information you can put the lot on the Galaxy Crime Investigation Channel.”

Skye shot her a little side glare, her lips curled slightly upwards. “Oh, well. In that case…”

“Okay, here is what I reckon we should do. We all know there are always three sides of the story: his, hers and the truth. We’ve kind of had what’s very close to the truth in our hands.” Mission tabbed the datapad. “So I think we can pay this little mate of Jolee’s a visit to hear the story straight out of the horse’s mouth.”

“Hmm… Let’s go back to Elora first, see what else she knows,” said Jolee thoughtfully.

They headed back to Sunry’s gloomy-looking wife, who broke into a slight smile when they related to her what happened at the courthouse.

“An Arbiter? Her? Are you sure?” She shot Skye a few curious glances before dabbing her eyes with her sleeves. “...Well, it’s better than nothing. ‘Suppose having someone at your side looking into the case always is an advantage…”

“I’ll give you my word, Elora,” assured Jolee gently. “She’s also a Jedi. She’ll look into this fairly. Now, dear, where do they keep Sunry? We need to check a few things with him.”

Elora pointed her finger towards a door that a Selkath official was guarding: “Over there. They wouldn’t let me in, even though I am legally his wife. If we pull through this, Jolee, Sunry and I are definitely out of this damn planet. Bloody strict on everything. Too many rules. There are plenty of relaxing places in this galaxy to retire to. We don’t have to put up with this.”

“I know, I know,” cooed Jolee half-heartedly. He gave Skye a “Let’s get this over and done with” look.

All smiles, Skye walked towards the guard.

“Hi,” she said.

The guard stared at her suspiciously but did not say anything.

“We’d like to visit Sunry in the cell please,” requested Skye politely.

“[No one is permitted to visit the person who is in custody within the keep cell other than the appointed Arbiter,]” said the official sternly.

“Well, I am the Arbiter.” Skye handed over the datapad.

“[Very well.]” The officer looked at her with mild astonishment, as if he couldn’t believe the authority would appointed some offworlder, a non-human even, as an Arbiter. He opened his mouth again after spending what felt like half a century carefully inspecting Skye’s datapad. “[You and your companion may go in.]”

“What about his spouse?” Jolee asked.

“[No, after several attempts to break into the cell and her causing disturbances of the city over the last two weeks, the court has ordered not to let her in under any circumstances.]” The Selkath shook his head.

They waited for the guard to decode and unlock the heavy steel door.

As soon as the door opened, an aged and depressed-looking human at the holding cage in the corner yelped out at once: “I cannot believe this, Jolee goodie! What the bloody hell are you doing here?!!”

Jolee was literally grinning from ear to ear: “Sunry old eejiet, goodness gracious, it’s been so long!”

The old man Sunry almost transformed into a ten years younger self within seconds. He quickly stood up and moved to the edge of the cage as they approached. “Look at you! Look at you! You look bloody old, mate!”

“You aren’t looking exactly sharp either, buddy,” Jolee laughed. “Good Force, it’s been years since I saw you!”

“Absolutely. The last time I heard about you were you were going to... to... What’s that rock called?” Sunry scratched his head.

“Kashyyyk.”

“Yeah, that’s right. Then we haven’t heard anything from you since.”

“Well, let’s just say I decided to stay there for a while.” Jolee took a side glance at Zaalbar, who had a few difficulties trying to squeeze himself through the door as it was a bit too small for his build. “To enjoy the hospitality of the local-yokels.”

“I—see. So what brought you here? How did those fishies let you in? Even Elora had trouble charming her way through.” Sunry arched his eyebrow. “And who are those people?”

“We are here for you, mate,” said Jolee seriously. “I’ve heard about what happened to you as soon as I was off Kashyyyk. Goodie, what have you get yourself into this time?”

"You tell me." Sunry's voice suddenly sounded fuming with anger: "Those bloody Sith! They thought they could stamp all over us Republic people since they are now winning the war. They framed me, Jo. Those bastards framed me. Can you believe that? For something this discreet, something this barbaric! I am a soldier of the Republic and they set me up for something like this!!!!”

“I know, I totally understand. I’ve heard what happened from Elora.” Jolee was sympathetic.

“Is she still in tears? Force, I hate that. I’ve never seen her cry this much in my life since this happened.” Sunry punched one of the steel bar of the cage, an action that generated such a loud metallic shattering noise that even the Selkath official at the door stuck his head in for a quick look. “I shouldn’t let her worrying like this, Jo. She’s supposed to enjoy the retirement life with me, not stressing out about me being in jail!”

“I know. Well, buddy, that’s what I am here for. This young lady here—” Jolee nodded towards Skye: “She’s been appointed by the court as your Arbiter. She’s also a Jedi like me. She will help you the best she can.”

“...Right.” Sunry, like his wife Elora, scanned Skye from top to toe suspiciously.

“I will see what I can do, Sunry,” said Skye politely. “Now I need to know what exactly happened—from your perspective.”

“I’ve told those fishies everything!” Sunry grabbed the steel cage bars and shook them impatiently. “I just happened to be around the hotel corridor after there was a blaster shot heard. Well, like a lot of people, when I heard the blaster shot, the first thing I did was try to get out of there, right? Those bloody Sith seized this opportunity and tried to frame me!”

“So you have no idea who was this... Elassa, the Sith woman?” Skye tilted her head and looked at the hologram the datapad had projected. She looked positively... exotic. Vibrant, curly red hair, smoky eyes, full lips, and...

“Nice boobs!” Mission commented, looking over Skye’s shoulders at the files.

Skye flashed her a little wink before turning her attention to Sunry again.

“I swear to the Force, I have never seen that woman in my life. I have no idea who the hell that sheela was!” Sunry objected loudly.

“...The official report said the room where the body was found was
under your name.” Skye arched her eyebrow.

“...Well, that room was mine all right, but I honestly don’t have any foggiest idea how that women ended up dead in my room.”

“So you have no idea what happened?”

“Well, I heard about it after I got in here. But other than that, no.” Sunry shook his head.

“Hmmm...” Skye tabbed her temple gently, fully immersed in the information she had just received. “...I think I got what I need from here. Thank you, Sunry. I will get back to you if I need more info.”

“Any time, dear,” replied Sunry grumpily. “I am not going anywhere.”

“Where are you going?” Carth queried as they left the holding cell quarters.

“...There are witnesses.” Skye prodded the datapad screen to draw out more info: “I think I’d better go ask them as well to get the fuller picture.”

“How is he, Jolee?!” Elora rushed towards them. She’d been waiting by the door, trying to eavesdrop on the conversation. “Has he been eating well? What’s the ventilation in there like? Sunry’s leg can’t tolerate any bad ventilation. It will ache for days! Good Force, if only I could get in...”

“There, there, don’t worry, Elora. He’s in pretty good shapes as far as I can tell.” Jolee patted her shoulder gently. “There is no need to worry, is there? Now, why don’t we
leave my friend Skye to fish more information from others and we can go get something to eat; you look like you need a good feed here...” He guided Elora towards the bar, closely followed by Zaalbar, who claimed he needed another ‘Petite Afternoon Tea.’