Shadows of Bankor

The trip down from Orlandis was uneventful. Well, if you did not count the barrage of questions from Liua. Xanna stoically weathered the storm like a proper Knight. No, she could not explain the tests in explicit detail. No, the bandages were not from a lightsaber accident. It reminded her of herself and Master Saarth when she had become the Devaronian's Padawan.

"Trust in the force Liua. When the time is right you will be fine. Just train hard in the meantime. And cut back on the smoking."

The pair left the ship and walked through the undersea base until they reached Usef's command centre and base of operations. It was busy. There were many things to prepare for.

Usef was doing inventory, or maybe just countingbhis numerous weapons. Several of Bone Pickers turned to regard the Jedi.

Usef said, "My friend, you come at a good time. You need a strong sword? Blaster? Barely used."

"Good morning Usef." She smiled at him and nodded to the Bone Pickers then gestured to her best friend. "This is Liua, have you met?"

She took a moment to look at the weapons he was offering, out of politeness. "Those do look like fine weapons Usef, but I am sorry, these are not much good to me. Unless you managed to salvage some lightsabers from those wrecks?"

She pulled out her datapad and called up the list.

"No lightsabers, sadly," he said with a sigh.

"But the day is young. How can Usef help you this day?"

Meanwhile Liua waved and said, "Hey, Jedi Knight in training, just shadowing a real Jedi Knight, no biggy."

She shrugged, it wasn't weapons that concerned her right now. "Usef, you remember how we were discussing the Jedi and monetary issues? Well now that I am a Knight I have been able to access the information on our stores. It seems we are in need of quite a few supplies. So I am thinking perhaps my good friend Usef can help us?"

She looked at Liua, hoping the lesson in diplomacy might help her one day. "Yes, Liua is not just my best friend she is also a Jedi Padawan."

Usef rubbed his beard and then said, “So this is an interesting turn… what do you need and Usef will gladly provide, helping the Jedi as their supplier would be an honor… and lucrative, yes?”

Xanna turned the datapad around and slid it over to him. "I am sure that my good friend Usef would find a way to help us with our requirements. At a reasonable price, given all of the things we have been through together." She smiled sweetly. He was a scoundrel, but he seemed to be an honourable scoundrel.

"I swear on my mother's real name, that I would never give you a foul deal," he said with a serious tone. He looked at what was requested and whistled and said, "This is... it could take a few days but you will have what you need especially now that I can work out of the city."

"Where do I deliver, Master Jedi?"

"I believe you Usef." She watched as he took it all in. "Thank you, I knew you would be able to help us. As for delivery, I suggest here at Varo's Sword. We have at least two ships that we can use for transporting them." She gave him a friendly smile. "It is easier for everyone if we do things this way."

"Of course, of course, you Jedi keep your secrets," he said with a smile. "We deliver her, you pay... cost and say 5% no... 2%, cover my expenses and I say we have deal but you think well of Usef, yes tell your Jedi kings how good a man he is."

"Good man, Usef."

Xanna turned to Liua. "Did I not tell you that he was a good man?"

She nodded and seemed very happy with the deal. "Truly I have the best friends on Bankor. Two percent is extremely fair Usef. I will tell the Masters what good friend you are to the Jedi order."

Extending her right hand she offered for to the King to shake. It seemed the thing to do.

The King shook it warmly.


Liua said, "Yeah I guess he is... not sure about that whole beard thing, all the bad guys have beards in the holos. But he seems okay."

"Now Liua, this is why I keep telling Petrus that you cannot believe everything you see in these holodramas. First it is mega-rancors, or was it mecha-rancors? Then everyone has amnesia. Next beards are making beings into bad guys." She shrugged, took the datapad back, and sent Usef a copy of the list.

"Thank you Usef. If you do happen to remember anything about interesting items or artifacts that make you think of Jedi, please do let me know and I will see if we can come to another arrangement. It would be best for everyone if such things did not fall into the wrong hands. Entirely by accident of course."

"You will be the first one I call, Master Jedi," he said warmly.

LIua did not seem as convinced but nodded.

"Very good." She looked at Liua, noting the look. "Now, is there anything you think I might have forgotten Padawan? Consider this as a training opportunity." She smiled and gestured for her to ask away, or not, as she preferred.

Liua considered the list and then said, "Could we add some native seeds and tools for agri... agrcul... farming. And a garden, that would be helpful."

Usef nodded and said, "For you, little Master Jedi, of course."

She rolled her eyes but seemed pleased with her contribution.

"Now that is a wonderful idea Liua." She nodded and thanked Usef.

"If you can let me know when there is enough gathered to fill a light freighter that would be very helpful. Now we shall let you get back to inspecting your weapons."

The King would abide and got back to his toys. Liua said, "So what's next?"

As they walked down the halls and back towards the Warrior's Heart Xanna pondered their next moves. "Well, that is a good question Liua. It seems our good friend Usef is at least willing to sell us the things we need to bring the Temple back to full capacity. So this is a good result, yes?" She raised an eyebrow.

"But I am also wondering if he is telling us the whole truth. At least about the things he has found among the wrecks. He once told me that he had his people bury their most interesting finds so that the Empire could not take them when they came for Bone Town." She watched her friend's reaction. "What do you think about this?"

"Well of course he's not telling us the whole truth, he's a gangster," she said confidently.

Xanna nodded thoughtfully. "So, it sounds like the sort of thing some Jedi should investigate?" She looked around. "I suppose that would be us, if you are thinking it is worthwhile. Another training opportunity perhaps."