Chapter 47: Aftermath (Part 4)

"Have you had a chance to study your assignment yet?" Kamma asked, slowly twirling two blades as he adjusted to the new sensations. "Mine is a real mess. Of all the places, that piece of filth had to settle on the edge of the galaxy. And to hell with the location, really, but why a desert planet? Sand is so revolting! I can already feel it getting into everything! I've only just gotten used to these new sensations! It’s like the bastard knew exactly where to hide."

In sync with his words, the blades traced increasingly predatory patterns in the air. The floor of the room was already heavily scarred with shallow scorch marks.

"Yeah..."

In a state of deep concentration, responding quickly was difficult. I didn’t want to break the disassembled prosthetic that was slowly rotating before me. Not every part was disconnected, of course, but the primary ones were—fifteen components in total, plus the coupling mechanisms. If I accidentally squeezed something... it would be bad. This setup cost a fortune.

"A Jedi has taken command of the resistance on some planet in the Mid Rim. It’s nothing vital, but..."

The mechanical arm twitched, nearly collapsing onto the floor.

“Maintain your focus. There will always be distractions.”

I know.

"...The resistance proved unexpectedly strong. The rebels are carrying out more and more terror attacks in peaceful cities. They’re blowing up new factories, and with them, the system’s economy. And at the center of it all is a Jedi. Hmph. It’s barely been any time at all, and already the mask of benevolence and philanthropy has slipped."

"Yeah... basically, I need to destroy the cell, kill him, and bring back the lightsaber."

"Lucky you. I've got a damn hermit. Scum!"

A red blade left a deep gouge in the wall.

Through our combined efforts, this former ward had been transformed into a training room, or a semblance of one. Naturally, we had obtained permission. Though, judging by the Chief Surgeon's sour expression, he wasn’t at all pleased with our activities. But we didn't much care.

We needed to recover and get back into shape as quickly as possible. Or rather, we had to master nearly all our skills in an express timeframe.

Essentially, our entire lives over the past few days had dwindled down to a simple schedule: training, the bacta tank, coupled with meditation or sleep, and then back to training.

I was actively getting used to my prosthetics. The further we went, the better it got. They felt more and more like my own limbs. For now, I had to put up with a bit of stiffness; I was still afraid to put them under full load.

Even though my new mechanical body parts were incredibly durable, I still worried they might simply snap at some point. I felt like I should be carrying spare parts with me.

But even so, recovery was in full swing. The mask hardly bothered me anymore; it felt like a second skin.

In essence, I just had to remember what I already knew. The same could not be said for my friend.

I don’t know how he reached such a paradoxical conclusion, but he decided that since pain would now be his constant companion, he might as well make it his primary ally.

During the first few training sessions, he nearly chewed his lips off trying to stifle his screams. Small wonder. By all rights, every movement should have caused him intense discomfort. The ideal choice would have been a style with minimal movement, built on solid defense and rare but lethal counterattacks.

But our thoughts apparently ran parallel in opposite directions. He was now rigorously practicing Jar'Kai, a style rooted in mobility and maneuverability.

Right now, Kamma shifted from twirling to fluidly drilling basic movements. He made no effort to hide in the Force; his entire focus was on not collapsing to the floor in a fit of agony. Echoes of his pain were easily detectable, even without trying to find them.

"Bitch!"

A sliced cabinet fell to the floor with a hollow clang, jolting me out of my meditation.

"No need to shout like that."

The intense yellow glow in my friend's eyes dimmed slightly.

"Sorry. But still, this mother-fucking sand... Maybe we can swap?"

"You know perfectly well that's not allowed. I already sent a request to the Grand Inquisitor. We both saw the answer."

"Yeah, yeah, I know. The Emperor's orders are not to be questioned. Sigh. Fine. Why have you been sitting there all day spinning that prosthetic?"

"Studying, analyzing, imbuing it with the Force… the usual. I'm thinking about where I can fit additional gadgets into it."

"You've become awfully quiet. I'm not saying it's a bad thing, just stating a fact."

"Well, you've changed too."

"Heh, true enough. Oh well, at our core, we're still the same, right?"

"Right?"

"Right. You're still a ladies' man who loves collecting gossip and rumors."

"And you're a fighter whose muscles have already replaced his brain. And a lover of the high life and comfort."

A strong hand helped me up.

The mechanical limb, guided by the Force, slotted back into place. My fingers curled and uncurled obediently.

"Everything according to plan today?"

"What do you think?! You don't survive the explosion of one of the largest factories in the galaxy every day. Booze and women are waiting for us. When will a chance like this come around again?!"

“Heh. I approve of this lad's approach to such matters. Drinks and girls are definitely the best things the universe ever created.”

Better than everything else?

“Well, obviously, right after your wonderful Master.”

"Hey, why'd you freeze up? Do you even breathe when you go 'offline' like that?"

"Ah, oh, sorry. I'm just glitching a bit after everything."

"You won't believe it, but I noticed."

“You should go see a doctor. I wouldn't put it off if I were you. Problems with the head are serious. Besides, this spot is already taken. I'm not sharing with neighbors.”

By the Force and your liquor, stuff a flask in it!

An arm wrapped around my shoulders and insistently pulled me toward the exit.

"Let's go blow off some steam… but after the bacta tank. We don't want to embarrass ourselves, right?"

******

"Grand Inquisitor. The subjects have left the hospital."

"Continue the observation, but be discreet. Your task is merely to escort them. Are they heading to one of the specified addresses?"

"Affirmative. The hospital system is under our total control. Nudging them toward the 'right' ideas wasn't difficult. If only all assignments were this pleasant."

"Do not relax just yet. These young men are important; we cannot allow anything to happen to them."

"As you wish, sir."

******

"Do you feel it too?"

"The fact that we have a tail? Or that you're worrying too much for the guy who started all this?"

"The first one."

"Ah, well, then yes. Though it was expected."

"I get it, but it's still unpleasant. Like I've been completely robbed of my personal space."

"It feels that way. On the other hand, no one's going to interfere with us. The main thing is to stay out of trouble."

"Yeah, trouble has a way of finding us regardless."

"Hopefully not today, my friend."

We walked along the brightly lit streets of Coruscant. Heavy cloaks concealed our faces, though we hardly stood out against the backdrop of the city. Most sentients here were also hiding their identities. Here and there, glimpses of expensive garments peeked out from under thick fabric. Evidently, there were no commoners in this district.

"And where exactly have you brought us?"

Neon red light bathed everything in sight. There wasn't anything overtly lewd or provocative, and yet, you’d notice the silhouette of a naked woman flash in a half-open window. A faint, sweet scent of incense drifted from somewhere. In the shadows of the sidewalk lay small articles of clothing, some of a very suggestive nature.

"To the bastion of debauchery and vice for Coruscant's wealthy youth," Kamma said, throwing his arms wide as if trying to embrace the entire street. "It's medically safe, there's practically no crime, and the girls are very easy on the eyes."

"If you say so. Though I see you're already past caring about anything else."

"Huh? What?" Kamma's yellow eyes stopped burning holes into a shapely green leg and a small sliver of a buttock exposed to public view. The rest was hidden behind a cascading curtain, which only made the desire to see more even stronger. "Yes, yes, of course. Oh, I mean, no."

"Come on, Romeo. You said yourself everything's already booked."

We spent about ten minutes winding through the streets. Densely packed buildings towered several stories high. Normally, that wouldn't matter, but an enchanting girl looked out of every third window. And not just girls, there were several men and aliens of exotic species who looked far too eccentric.

Overall, the surrounding, alluring soft erotica nudged one toward action.

"This is it."

The door slid aside, releasing a wave of intoxicating perfume and something I couldn't quite identify. Most likely, it was the aroma of the alcohol that generous clients used to treat the establishment's workers.

"Do you have a reservation?"

The droid receptionist stared at us with unblinking eyes.

"Yes, yes. Two under the name Seer Kriza."

"Everything is in order; the deposit has been paid. Are you familiar with the house rules?"

"You can explain them again. My friend and I want to be sure we don't break anything," I said, stepping forward before my partner could speak. Judging by his dilated pupils and other gestures, he was already miles away. "This won't take long, right?"

The droid looked at me as if I were an enemy of the people, but remained silent for a moment.

"Of course. One moment."

"Don't look at me like I've mortally offended you. I really don't know anything about this place."

"Oh, come on. What could there be? Don't hurt the girls, pay your bill… I think you can figure out the rest. And if anything comes up, we'll deal with it."

Since when am I the cautious one in this duo? Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?

"You know, there's a time for prudence, but this definitely isn't it. Plus, I just want this, you know? It's interesting to try. Though maybe you're right."

"See, you understand that..."

"That we are in the center of Coruscant, in a respectable district, in a good establishment. The probability of problems is zero point damn-all. So, Set, relax and enjoy yourself. When else are we going to get a proper break with our line of work?"

"Fine, fine, you win. But wait just a few minutes. Then you're free as the wind. Just make sure you budget correctly. I don't want to be bailing you out of debt later. I might want to blow a few thousand in one night myself."

"Yeah, yeah, good luck to us in this difficult endeavor. Meet at the exit in seven hours."

"Got it. According to plan."

The droid turned back to us.

"My apologies, I had an important call. The rules are very simple. First, you must not harm the girls. To clarify: this means physical violence that could damage our employee's health. Second, the girls choose you themselves. This is a unique feature of our establishment. You will now enter the main lounge. You will be provided with complimentary drinks and food."

Glancing at my mask and hesitating slightly, or perhaps just checking a database, it  added:

"As well as processed nutrients. As soon as a girl takes an interest in you, she will sit with you. It is possible you may attract more than one employee. In that case, they will approach you together. They are yours, but the rate will be adjusted accordingly. If you do not like a girl, you may tell her so directly."

"I have a question."

I knew I was going to ask something stupid, but I was curious.

"I am listening."

"What happens if none of the employees are interested in the client?"

"That is also possible."

Well, that was unexpected.

"And then what?"

"You will be refunded in full. Additionally, you will be given a complimentary pass to one of our sister establishments."

"Not too bad."

"Yes, our house policy is to ensure no one leaves dissatisfied."

“Yeah, right. I bet they don't return the deposit.”

"Returning to the rules. Third and last: do not cause inconvenience to other clients. Everyone will have their own personal table. Common areas include the dance floor and the second floor. Oh, and weapons are strictly prohibited. To avoid incidents, we ask you to surrender them. If the scanner detects anything, you will not be allowed into the lounge. That is all."

"I'll give you a useful tip, since you are both young men. If the girls don't approach you, you can take the initiative yourselves. Many might become interested in you during a pleasant conversation. It is all in your hands."

“And the treats from the paid menu of the local restaurant.”

You won't believe it, but our thoughts just coincided.

“Why wouldn't I believe it? I'm glad you're absorbing my wisdom so well.”

Right. Now, could you please turn off the holoshow called 'The Merry Life of an Inquisitor'? Just for three hours?

“Now that’s just not sporting. You’ll spend two hours and fifty minutes looking for a girl. Ten minutes of... well, that’s a bit pathetic. Let’s make it at least four hours? I know some techniques...”

Master, for the love of the Force, shut up!

“Fine, fine, no need to shout. I'll be back in four hours.”

"Do you understand all the rules?"

"Yes."

Two voices merged into one.

"Then please surrender your weapons and proceed to the main lounge. Your seats are thirty-five and twenty-seven."

Naturally, we didn't have our lightsabers. But we had each brought a compact blaster. Capital city or not, the crime rate was still high. Granted, that was in the lower levels, but it didn't hurt to be prepared.

Obediently placing them in personal lockers, we passed the scan.

"All clear. Welcome to our club, gentlemen."

******

"How are we following them now? Through the front door, or should we ask our 'friends' to let us in the back?"

"Better to stay hidden. You know the drill. These guys can feel us through that magic of theirs."

A pair of ISB officers in civilian clothes stopped around the corner, watching their subjects enter the club, or rather, the brothel.

Not the best place on the planet, but decent enough. When they were younger, they’d occasionally stop by here themselves.

"You think those aren't just rumors?"

"Hutt if I know. According to the archives, they aren't. Though I haven't encountered it personally."

"Fine, doesn't matter much. Maybe they felt us, maybe they didn't. They haven't run, have they?"

"True."

"Then we work the plan. But let's go through the kitchen. Best not to be seen more than necessary. Maybe it was just my imagination, but the one without the mask looked right at me in the crowd. His eyes... they’re unpleasant, to say the least."

"There was a sign behind you; that's what he was looking at."

"I certainly hope so."