Shadows of Bankor

The Mahon.

I am guessing you did not expect to have a ship named after you my friend.

Although there was still work to be done the ship was rapidly nearing completion. She walked through the finished sections passing many technicians, engineers, and assorted repair crews until she reached the bridge.

Seeing ocean through the view ports was strange, but somehow calming. Fish rather than the void of space, or Separatist droid fighters. She walked to the screen and placed a hand on it, trying to feel the life outside. It was a small distraction from the events of the day. There were so many pieces. Keeping the Resistance on track. Attempting to bring some optimism to her fellow Jedi in the face of the High Inquisitor and Lord Vader. All this diplomacy was exhausting. Mastr Oraka had not mentioned that part of it...

The King or Usef… or Bone King or Scrap King… so many names not including Red Night and many others was proud of this find. He walked around on the Bridge directing repairs well mostly just drinking his stout and asking if things were finished.

The King was a man of action and not repairs.

Turning from the window Xanna smiled, her reverie broken for a time. "Usef, my friend. It is good to see you. This ship, this whole place, is quite the find. Thank you for everything that you have done for us."

“It is a pleasure to work with Jedi, yes? So now that we are friends, I hear Jedi are strong, I got some malakas that owe me money can Jedi use powers to collect, eh?” he asked with a grin.

“Think about it, eh?”

He continued, “You have brought many people together, impressive. I only do what I can for the cause and hopefully when revolution is done, I get elected senator or mayor, you know something nice.”

She threw him a wry smile. "Now Usef, I cannot go around using the force to settle your debts. You are teasing me I think."

After his suggestion she nodded. "Bringing people together is what I do. Whether it be for soup, or..." a gesture to the repair crews, "...revolution, apparently. But as for you? Yes, I could see you as a Senator, or a Mayor. Why not? You have a way with people, and with resources."

He had after all found the hidden Mandalorian base, and this old cruiser.

He feigns offense and then said, "It is gift yes to find things people need, it is what makes many jealous of me. But we have much to do, Empire is stubborn and has many ships, some think we cannot win. I smack them and say we have Jedi, we cannot lose."

"Oh indeed, it truly is a gift Usef. People know that you can find the things they need. The Resistance needs good people like you." She smiled and walked over to look at the view from behind the command chair.

"I am glad that you are...keeping morale high. We Jedi will do our best to live up to these expectations." She drummed her fingers on the back of the chair. It was a challenge, but she felt that remaining positive despite the situation was the only way forward.

"Well Jedi lose in Clone Wars but unfair fight, way I hear it, so don't really count," he responded.

"Jedi number one."

"It is true. We lost. And yet we are still here, for all that the Empire wishes it were otherwise." With a smile she added: "Kriff the Imps. Jays for life..."

"And now we know what the real battle is."

"Real battle?" he asked.

She took a seat in one of the officer's chairs and looked back at Usef. "I mean for the Jedi, Usef. The Clone Wars seem to have been orchesteated to wipe out the Jedi. The Emperor seems to have been behind it all. So, for those of us who survived this, we now know that the Emperor and his enforcers are the true foe."

She leaned back in her seat. "So the Resistance and the Jedi fight back against the Empire, but the Jedi must find a way to battle the Emperor and his dark minions. It will not be easy, but at least now we know we are not alone."

"And you have Usef, friend of the Jedi, even if Jedi no want to get his debtors he will help you," he said warmly.

"Emperor stands no chance against such odds. Though I must say, fighting the Emperor sounds like a big task, maybe start with a governor or a mayor."

His enthusiasm made it difficult to remain somber for long. "Your help is truly appreciated my friend. And yes, we have much training ahead of us and many battles before we can reach that point. We will start with a Captain, an Admiral, and a High Inquisitor."

She pulled out her glow rod and looked at it, turning it over in her hands. "I have always been better at bringing beings together and finding peaceful solutions than fighting them head on. But now I am relearning how to be a warrior too. A warrior for peace I suppose."

"I thought all Jedi were strong fighters, but now I learn they have good words too," he said with a nod.

"We need to be good fighters in case the words fail us Usef, or fall on deaf ears. But every Jedi is different. You might even find one who would shake down your debtors, if the force led them that way." She gave him a smile. "But I would not be counting on it."

"Jedi miss golden opportunity to make some money, so sad for them," he mourned.

"Well, we do not really have a need for much money Usef. We have our lightsabers, maybe a ship. And, yes, a continual supply of stimpacks." She tapped her chin and looked off with a touch of concern. "Of course, all of this used to be provided by the Jedi Council through the Temple on Coruscant. Which no longer exists."

"You see and now no temple," he said as if he had a made a point!

She frowned at his point. "Well...yes, but." What would Master Oraka do?

"Usef, we Jedi are diplomats and negotiators first, and warriors last. We are not debt collectors. Now, if you wanted a friend to help you with some negotiations that might be something she could do." She was not going to get into Master Kenobi's version of negotiation...

"Really?" he said stroking his beard. "I do have need for many kinds of negotiations, very peaceful like, mostly."

"Only, peaceful negotiations Usef. Those I may be able to assist you with in good conscience." She watched him, wondering what he was thinking about and glad in some ways that the force would not allow her to see.

"Of course, of course, only the most peaceful, Master Jedi!" he said with a broad smile.

She looked at him sceptically for a few moments then followed up. "Fine. Tell me about these peaceful negotiations that you have in mind. My good friend."

“Well you see there was a time when Usef, poor, poor Usef was a legitimate business man running a rather peaceful business in Rygor but his friends who turned out to be backbiting eels in disguise ran him out of town!”

“He had considered forgetting a return to the city but now with the Hutts removed from the picture perhaps Usef can return to the city and do business? He would reach out to this Crimson Dawn and see if they will do business, honest business of course!” he explained.

Liua said he was a... "Oh. That is right, you were a g...er, good businessman. Before the Hutts."

She considered this for a while. He was certainly less of a violent element than Vanadil. "And you would like my help to negotiate your return?"