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| - A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away... Chapter 1 It took only a moment for Obi-Wan's eyes to adjust to the dim, flashing lights of the seedy Coruscant club. Loud - and in his opinion, obnoxious - music thrummed throughout. Off to the right was a dance floor where several species appeared to be having a good time. On the opposite side of the room was the bar and a sitting area where a few people enjoyed multi-colored beverages. It didn't take the Jedi long to spot his old friend, isolated in the corner, watching a particularly attractive dancing Twi`lek with seemingly deep interest. "That's him," Obi-Wan said to his Padawan, Anakin Skywalker, who was right behind him. "I haven't seen him in a while, so I don't know how he's going to act. Be ready for anything." "You make him sound like a vile of chemicals mixed together and ready to explode," Anakin said. "I've met Sora before." "You have no idea..." Obi-Wan led the way to the table where a cloaked and hooded figure sat with his feet resting on top of the table. Though the man didn't rush himself to remove his gaze from the Twi`lek woman, Obi-Wan knew that he was aware of his presence. When the man turn his head, Anakin found a pair of deep blue eyes glowing under the hood. The man grinned as he lit a death stick and stuck it between his teeth. "You gonna take a seat or not?" "I was waiting for you to offer," Obi-Wan quipped, his tone changing none at all. Anakin wasn't sure if the men were joking with each other, or if the discussion was about to turn hostile. But then Sora grinned and chuckled. "Sorry, Obi-Wan, I must've left my manners behind at the Temple. Now sit down." Obi-Wan smiled and sat, Anakin sitting beside him. Sora threw back his hood, spikey black hair popping up from underneath the cloth. He seemed to be about the same age as Obi-Wan. "What'll you drink, old friend?" "I'll have a juri juice. Anakin will have water." Anakin glanced, dismayed, at his master, but decided not to argue the issue. "Juri juice and a water, Weenock," Obi-Wan's friend called to the Rodian behind the bar, and then continued, "So, Anakin, you're still under Obi-Wan's tutelidge...I'm sorry." Sora laughed and Anakin grinned. "Master Lowli, I would appreciate it if you didn't tarnish my Padawan's opinion of me." Obi-Wan laughed along with his old friend. "None of that 'master' stuff, Obi-Wan. I left all that." Sora's grin faded slightly. "I don't even carry my lightsaber around anymore. It's tucked away neatly in my apartment." "Will you ever use it again?" Anakin asked. Weenock came over with his and Obi-Wan's drinks, and a refill for Sora. He waited for Weenock to leave to answer. "Maybe...If a rainy day comes along." "Sky's getting cloudy..." Obi-Wan alluded and took a sip of his juri juice. Sora sighed and threw his hands in the air. "You're gonna spoil our reunion with bad news so early on, Obi-Wan?" "Sorry, Sora, but I don't have much time today. I'm afraid I have to get right to the point." "Is Lora...?" "No, your sister's fine-" "Is it Amana?" "No, Sora. Last I heard, she's fine. She didn't - couldn't - stay with the Order...Not after you two-" "Yeah, yeah. You don't have to tell me what we did. I was there." Sora grinned for a second, remembering his former lover. She had refused to leave the Jedi Order with him after it was discovered she was pregnant with his child. He had thought he had loved her. "It's Leela." Sora immediately sat up, slamming his feet on the ground. "What's happened?" Images of his beloved Twi`lek Padawan flashed through his brain. She had become almost like a younger sister or possibly even a daughter to Sora. His stomach seemed to twist into odd shapes. She would be about sixteen or seventeen now. "She was captured while on a mission on Dantooine. She's still there. We received a transmission from a pirate named Bolvo. He's in charge of the gangsters who kidnapped her." "And?" Sora thought that this was no time for suspense. "That's all we know. We don't know what they'll do with her." "What about the pirates? Their leader, Bolvo?" "We don't know much. They're a small gang, or else they wouldn't be wasting their time operating on Dantooine. Bolvo is just a normal pirate - not particularly cruel, just cunning. He knows how to manipulate people, that's all." "Are you going to do anything?" Anakin asked. "Obviously Obi-Wan expects me to. Like you said," Sora looked back at Obi-Wan, "the sky's gettin' cloudy." "I'm not telling you that you should or not. That's up to you. I just thought you should know." "I appreciate it, old friend." Sora raised his glass to Obi-Wan and nodded in gratitude. "We'd better get back to the Temple." Obi-Wan drained his own glass and stood. Anakin stood and asked, "You will do something, won't you?" Sora grinned. "Of course. But first, I've gotta get something from my apartment..."
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