The Runaways

Getting the Plan Started

21 BBY, Ryloth

Detta leaped onto the ship last-minute, flushed and out of breath.

"I just got the council off of our tail...for now." She finally said, leaning against the wall of the ship. Verity flew, Kittyhawk as copilot.

"Setting course for Ryloth." Verity called out from the cockpit. I watched as the stars streaked and we flew into hyperspace.

***

Ryloth hardly changed. I noted this as we walked into the tailor's shop. He measured one of us and joked to Detta that he only had to measure one of us, because we were all the same. Then he went on a rant about Cham Syndulla and his daughter. They talked for a long while as the tailor began on our outfits. Then he asked the question we all had been dreading.

"How's your family? Must be hard not to see them, being as you are a Jedi and all." His Twi'lek accent was thick, but you could still understand him. Crystal clear. Many emotions crossed Detta's face.

"They're surviving." She said at last. I put a hand on her shoulder to let her know that I was here for her. She leaned into me slightly, but retracted when the door opened. A well-dressed Twi'lek male walked in. Arrogance radiated off of him. He was the bluest Twi'lek I had ever seen. Grey-ish marking peppered his lekku. Polka dots? Manly.

"Detta? Detta Vann?" He called out to her. His accent was thick too. I felt her tense under my hand.

"Nobesh!" She forced out a smile. She stood up. "Spitfire, meet Nobesh. Nobesh, Spitfire." I stuck out my hand for him to shake, but instead, he leaned backward a little and almost scoffed.

"Nice to meet a clone." He nodded at me and my brothers. Then he turned to Detta. "Since when do you run with clones?"

"I-I'm a Jedi?" She looked at him inquisitively.

"Oh. Yeah. You all came and liberated Ryloth." He crossed his arms. "I forgot you were a part of that hokey religion." Detta raised a brow at me, as if to say 'he really just said that?'. "What are you doing in these parts anyhow?" My stomach churned. I know Detta wouldn't endanger the mission, though.

"Just on a quick visit back to my home."

"Oh, really?" Nobesh's voice developed a slight purr. His eyes became hooded as he looked Detta up and down, slowly. He was taking her in! My blood boiled. Who was this guy?

"Yes." Detta replied. I expected her to be appalled at his advances, but she showed no emotion. Nobesh brushed his hand against the blaster and blaster holster attached to Detta's thigh.

"Since when do Jedi carry blasters?" What was this guy? A detective? The Coruscant police? I wanted to do something, but I knew that if Detta wanted to, she would do it herself.

"Oh, it's Ranahan's. I borrowed it on a mission once and haven't given it back." I heard Ranahan agree in the back. He grumbled. Technically, I don't think Detta is supposed to carry a blaster, per Jedi rules. But it's fine, Ranahan is perfectly capable with just one.

"Hmm." He purred. His eyes never met Detta's. I finally had enough. I glared at him under my helmet.

"Yo, polka-dots. Her eyes are up there." I snarled. I was getting sick and tired of this guy. Detta flashed me a disapproving look.

"Oh, so the copycat finally decides to speak!" Nobesh taunts me. "I see you have her markings painted on your helmet."

"Yes, I do." I folded my arms. The tailor turned an ear away and continued to measure Breezer. Crack-up was tickling him, and the tailor was getting slightly annoyed. Nobesh turned his attention back to Detta's chest. She cleared her throat, so Polka-dots reached down to grab the end of one of her lek. She leaned back slightly.

"Why are you missing one?" He was referring to the two small leather bands she wore at the end of her lekku. The one from her left lek was pinning the top of my hair back. Detta pushed Nobesh back away from her a little.

"Spitfire's got it." She came to stand by my side. She was uncomfortable.

"Oh really?"

"Yes, I do."

"Do these guys come with a preset response?" He was obviously making fun. Detta snarled at him, and got all up in his business.

"You. Need to put your ego away."

"Calm down, Honey. I'm just asking."

"Don't 'honey' me!" Detta seethed. She poked his chest emphatically with each word. Nobesh stumbled back a few steps. He turned his attention to me.

"So, let me see your face." I slid my helmet off, tossing it onto the counter. My brows were furrowed in anger. Nobesh busted up in girly giggles. "You have her markings tattooed on your face?!" He cackled. "How embarrassing!" By this time, the rest of the force was listening to your little kerfuffle. Who was this guy?