Star Wars: Duality

CHAPTER FIVE: ALLIES

    Things were getting awkward. Drystan was worried about how uncharacteristically quiet Aedan had been since the vision, and he was worried about its similarities to his own, what they might mean, why it had happened. But more pressingly, he was worried about the "job" he had signed himself up for.

    Aedan had explained how he acquired an antique map, and how his contact on Level One was their only option to decipher its contents. Drystan was still wary of heading straight for the most Imperially secure part of Prosperity so soon after their stunt at the warehouse, but what choice did he have? Aedan, with his casual demeanor and powerful presence, clearly knew more about Drystan than he was letting on; Drystan resolved not to let him out of his sight until the truth was revealed, at least in part.

    They stepped into an elevator on Level Two that would take them the rest of the way up, and Drystan steeled himself for a task that, historically, drained him like no other.

    Small talk.

    "So... you grew up on Tyrne?" he asked.

    Aedan glanced over. "Yep. Small town, lots of dirt."

    "Makes sense," Drystan replied. "Miners must have a penchant for buried treasure."
    "Mmhmm."

    "Any family?"

    Once again, their interaction felt to Drystan like a small step forward, and Aedan's response two steps back. "Only family of mine is of the dead variety, been that way since I was like, young. Speeder accident. Poor orphan Aedan, street rat down on his luck. Now, unless there's some other traumatic element of my background you need to know about, I suggest you leave the digging to the dirt farmers."

    "Oh. OK," Drystan said in a small voice. He was just beginning to get a clearer picture of Aedan, and Tyrne, and all the dangers of this place; he still wasn't sure where he fit into it all.

    As far as Drystan was concerned, anyone with a safe place to live, to exist free of the unique fear that comes from being hunted down for simply existing, was to be envied. The Jedi taught often and firmly that fear is the path to the Dark Side, and so lived lives of calm and reflection to stay fear's influence. The last two years of Drystan's life on the run had been stripped of all calm, and as such he felt as if fear was slowly draining him of his identity.

    His search for Master Vohz was a rapidly dwindling source of hope, replenished only just this night by Aedan; Drystan dared not believe Aedan was someone to find belonging with, but he could believe that if only he stuck with his new friend for a little longer, he would make some progress on his quest to that coveted safety.

    Drystan cleared his throat. "I, ah, appreciate you agreeing to help me with, you know, my search. I assure you, I'll prove myself very useful on this job."

    Silence. Ding.

    "Level One. Stay close."
    Drystan sighed, and followed.

-

    Weaving through hordes of laughing party-goers and overconfident gamblers, Drystan realized that in this sleepless city, all one needs to blend in are tired eyes and an expectant smile; he only had to fake one of those things.

    The duo pushed on past casinos, dance halls, and restaurants, barely worrying about stormtroopers or any other threat. All the money and influence of this place hung heavy in the air, apparently even dampening the Empire's dominating presence. Finally, Aedan pointed at a lavish but noticeably restricted entrance.

    "That, my friend, is The Orchid. It's full of wealthy people and expensive liquor," Aedan said, turning to look at Drystan. "You will almost certainly stick out like a sore thumb in there, but if you stay glued to me, we'll be in and out faster than you can say upper-class."
    Aedan was unfortunately correct, but also getting back to his ebullient self, so Drystan decided not to take offense. "Your contact is inside?" he asked.
    "My contact IS the Orchid, kid; she runs the place. And we go way back, so try to let me do the talking, alright? Just stay on guard, and if you feel a 'disturbance' or whatever it is you do, then we bolt. Got it?" Drystan simply nodded, and they approached the bouncer.