Early Adventures 1: Serpent Part Two Qui-Gon was not certain if he felt settled or not. He was able to find peace when he had spent time in meditation during the flight to Chordia. However, the odd behavior of Master Yoda left him with too many unanswered questions. That in itself was not a surprise. It was a common teaching tool of Yoda to leave some questions. If everything were answered, there was nothing left for one to learn he had said before. However, this time it was different...felt different. It was as if there was something important that Yoda had left unsaid. And the continuing caution to be prepared only served to further confuse Qui-Gon. It was with a profound mix of caution and anticipation that the Jedi master stepped onto Chordia. It was a dim planet. The sky was overcast with grey clouds. The decorative vegetation at the spaceport was a dark shade of green-blue. Even the shiny hull of a sleek transport parked nearby looked dark in the subdued lighting. But all planets with an atmosphere had clouds and cloudy days. It was just the dreary weather that made everything look so bleak Qui-Gon told himself. However, as he approached the terminal building, it had a very bland and stark appearance. It was an old run-down structure manned by run-down looking beings. There were many species hurrying to ready other ships, carrying baggage, directing passengers to their flights, but they all looked weary and worn, dark and dreary. If one allowed it, this could be a very depressing place. Just the right place for someone turned to the dark side Qui-Gon thought wryly. The knight checked in with the officials who kept up with arrivals and departures, papers and holos. Automatically, they looked over identification papers, comparing them with the presenter. In mechanical voices they asked their routine questions of visitors to the planet. With no interest they welcomed visitors and bid them enjoy their stay. Qui-Gon was passed as methodically as those in line before him. He always carried a minimum of necessities when he traveled, not only because it was just his philosophy but also because it prevented him from being forced to wait on baggage that was inevitably late getting to the owner. A small pack of requirements allowed the knight to carry it along with him rather than surrendering it for containment for the transition to normal space. Passengers were required to give up baggage for containment because of the few who would not follow rules and allowed their belongings to be thrown about when the transport slowed to sublight speed. The tall Jedi walked quickly past a group of beings who were jabbering in some unfamiliar language as they gestured to bags that had been presented to them but did not belong to them. The tall man looked around, hoping that the seemingly backward place was not as backward as he thought. He was relieved to find a place adjacent to the spaceport where he could rent a speeder. Qui-Gon did not know the exact whereabouts of Yivva Ghennt and he did not want to be constrained by the wariness and nosiness of a hired driver. He hurried to procure a vehicle so he could be about his business. As he waited for the long process of rental to be completed, a bad feeling came to Qui-Gon. He had been so busy preparing himself that he had not thought much about the man himself. To occupy his time as he waited, the knight allowed his mind to wander back. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Hey! Congratulations! You did it after all," Yivva joked. "You're a knight!" He pounded Qui-Gon on the back. The new knight grinned at the medium height man who stood before him. Yivva had the strangest looking eyes Qui-Gon had even seen in a human. They were grey, but a very, very pale shade of the color. And when the man was happy, they gleamed almost like silver, as they did now. That was quite a contrast to his dark brown hair. "Well, one of us had to be first...and you knew it would be me," Qui-Gon repaid the jibe. "That's only because you had Yoda for a master. I know Yoda. Once he decided you were ready to be a knight...you were a knight. The rest of us have to earn it the hard way." Yivva knew better. Yoda was demanding, but only for the good of the Jedi...and the potential knight. If there were doubt in the master's mind, he would wait, as long as necessary, to be more certain. But Yivva enjoyed teasing Qui-Gon too much. "If you'd spend your time learning from your master instead of comparing him to others, you might be further along in your training." "My training is important to me. I want to be the best knight that I can be. The best there ever was. If I don't make that, it won't be because I didn't try." And Qui-Gon knew that to be true. Yivva may joke now and again, but he was a dedicated apprentice who trained hard and studied hard. "I know you'll be the best you can be. The Jedi will be richer for having you in the order." "Thanks. I appreciate that. I hope I don't let you down." "You won't," Qui-Gon assured the padawan. "You won't." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The words echoed in his head in a mocking irony. How could someone like Yivva turn? What could possibly induced him to walk away from that which he had given so much of his life to preserve and protect? Then a new thought came to the Jedi. Had he been wrong about Yivva....like he was wrong about Xanatos? Had the potential been there all along...but he was too blind to see it, just as with his former padawan? A cold uncertainty gripped his gut and he suddenly felt sick. He was not the Jedi for this job. This was not right. He didn't feel prepared. Then he remembered Master Yoda's words to him. Strong the dark side is in him. Sure you must be of yourself when meet him you do. Here you will stay to mediate and prepare yourself. Join you I will at the end of each day. When ready you are then send you I will. Take this lightly you must not. Inside yourself look. Ready you must be to face Ghennt. Knows you he does. Use that against you he will. Prepare yourself you must. Suddenly he didn't feel very prepared. "Sir. Excuse me, sir...your speeder is ready." Slowly Qui-Gon came out of his reverie. "Hmm? Oh, I'm sorry. Thank you." He accepted the keycard and walked out the side door to the waiting vehicle. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The last reported contact with Ghennt had been on this planet. He reportedly was operating what seemed to be a legitimate business in the adjacent city. However, Master Yoda told him that there were many indications that the business was a front for the underground operations that the former Jedi was involved in. There were many reports of a man with "strange eyes" who appeared suddenly at banks, businesses, apartments of important people. He caused no problems, but the people he seemed to attach himself to began reporting missing papers and important documents had been tampered with. There was nothing really to tie the man with the odd happenings. He just seemed to be memorable because of his striking appearance. As a matter of fact, businessmen reported this man, whom they called Ursan Theera, as a great friend and supporter of commerce guilds and civilian government endorsement groups. Qui-Gon was uncertain where to begin his search. He knew that if he showed up at Yivva's business and started asking questions, it would be too obvious. Once Ghennt heard a Jedi was looking for him, he would no doubt disappear. The knight considered and thought perhaps it might be best if he began his investigation as a businessman instead of a Jedi. His appearance made him too high profile. Mostly likely he would be easily recognized as a Jedi and word of that would undoubtedly get back to Yivva. The knight's first stop was at a clothing store. He bought two suits of clothing, which the salesman assured him was the latest business wear. Qui-Gon hurried out dressed in one of the suits and threw the package with the other suit and his Jedi clothes into the speeder. Now he could more freely move through the business community without alerting Yivva to his presence. Qui-Gon stopped at a bank, one that had been specifically mentioned by Master Yoda. He strode in confidently and asked to speak with the president. "I'm sorry, sir, but you must realize what a busy man he is. I could make an appointment for you." "My business is important." He waved his hand before her. "I have a new account, a sizable one. I must speak with him." "You must speak with him," she repeated quietly. "Please show me into his office," he waved his hand again. "Come. I will show you into his office," she repeated as she stood. The woman walked almost in a daze to the door. She opened it and waited for Qui-Gon to enter. "This is a new account, a sizable one. He must speak with you." She closed the door. The humanoid behind the desk stood suddenly. "What is this about?" But the secretary was already gone. "What is the meaning of this intrusion?" "But I'm not intruding," Qui-Gon said easily. "Your secretary brought me in." And the man was running her words back through his mind. "A new account? A sizable one? Um...please...have a seat. May I get you anything?" "No, thank you. I'd prefer to get to business. I, too, am a busy man." The Jedi sat down. "You are considering our bank? We have a fine record...and handle the accounts of many of the larger businesses in this area." He paused. "Are you a businessman?" "Yes, I am. I'm hoping to invest in some new opportunities on Chordia. I was also hoping you might be able to advise me on that. Since you are banker to many companies, I can see I have come to the right place." "Ah, yes. You have. I would be most happy to give you the benefit of my knowledge. Mister...ah..." "Thern Uda....of Corellia." -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Half an hour later, the Jedi walked out of the building and climbed into his speeder. He was convinced he'd gotten all he would be able to from the bank president. There was no question in his mind that Yivva Ghennt was here. The description of the man fit...even down to his charismatic personality. He was popular in the business community in this area. Ursan Theera, as they knew the former Jedi, had provided a great deal of capital input to many companies. Whatever Yivva was up to with that, Qui-Gon was unconcerned with...unless it helped lead him to the man. He had but one mission...to stop Ghennt. Ursan Theera had come here about six months ago. He had approached people openly, not seeming concerned about revealing himself or his whereabouts. His personality won many people over and his thick wad of ever-present credits helped win his place with local businesses. He came and went as he pleased...again not afraid of revealing himself. That only served to make Qui-Gon leery. Yivva was sure of himself. He must have a reason for it. He would have to proceed cautiously...being prepared. The bank president didn't have any idea where to locate Theera. And it didn't occur to him until Qui-Gon had asked the question. The man was just always there. He was very sociable and made the rounds of his friends and associates, inviting them to lunch often and readily accepting invitations to their parties and dinners. It was obvious to Qui-Gon that he was going to have to be accepted into this inner circle in order to make contact with Yivva/Theera. To that end he had made many inquiries of the bank president and was on his way to an appointment the man had set up for him with the owner of a computer manufacturing company, another of the important businesses here. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Qui-Gon looked at his wrist chrono as he left the building. The man had been very long-winded, especially when he thought he was talking with a potential investor. Qui-Gon, as Thern Uda of Corellia, had gone on a long tour of the manufacturing facility, asking many questions to show the proper interest. The owner had been more than cooperative. In their talks, the Jedi did manage to work the conversation over to Ghennt. "Oh, Mr. Theera is a loyal benefactor to my company. He is willing to do more than just play the investor. He takes a real interest, a personal interest in the company and even the employees. Any time I need money for equipment to try a new manufacturing technique, while others are telling me how risky it is, too risky for them, Mr. Theera assures me that he trusts my judgment and oftentimes funds additions to the plant. They have paid off richly and he and I have both profited handsomely for it." "He sounds like a man willing to take calculated chances to get ahead...and seems to have good instincts," Qui-Gon replied, mostly to keep the man talking. "Oh yes. He does have very good instincts. Mine is not the only business where he has taken risks, but everything he touches turns out well and...we are all happy," he gushed. It sounded as if everyone in the area adored Ursan Theera. No wonder he had settled here. That decision seemed to have profited him greatly both in a monetary way and in setting him up as a seemingly model citizen. Casually the Jedi asked, "Do you know much about him? He must be wealthy to be able to invest the way he does." "Oh no, I really don't know much about Mr. Theera, personally. But I have gotten to know him well here at my company and that's what counts, isn't it? He is not only interested in businesses here but the community as well. He has been generous with charities and other pet organizations. I have heard that he is from a fine old family on his home planet so maybe he is independently wealthy. Now, let me show you the assembly set up over here." While the owner droned on and on, the Jedi's mind was working over what he had learned. Although he had heard many words about Ghennt this day, he really still knew little of him, that is, his life after leaving Coruscant. But Qui-Gon told himself that it would take time for an outsider to be accepted and if he pushed too hard, too quickly then he might arouse suspicion. And that is something he couldn't afford to do if he didn't want to scare off his mark. So Qui-Gon stood and listened to the man, patiently, but formulating his questions and trying to decide what to do next.