Episode X Dark Hunter

A Conversation Over Drinks

Videsse's anger plateaued. She stretched her fingers over her pistol as she still contemplated drawing it. She could hear what Boba would have advised, "There's no profit in this fight, Patch." Her mother would say, "Too, risky. Let it go."

Maz tilted her head, waiting, and it seemed, listening to a barely inaudible whisper. Another few stretched seconds passed.

Videsse's hand evenly left the pistol and found her hip.

"Fine," she assented without turning her head. "You must be the Maz that made that ridiculous rule about helmets." Videsse backstepped to her seat and sat down, not moving her direction from the clones until it was evident that they were returning to their table.

Maz climbed onto a seat across from her. Cam returned to the splintered table, the peg game in hand. The patron, a Sullustan, that had run to the corner also returned cautiously to the table behind them and reluctantly reestablished the worship of his cup. The dull chatter of the room resumed as well. It seemed everything returned to a relative normal.

"Maz Kanata, the owner of this honorable establishment," Maz introduced herself. "Helmets and masks? Yes, well, it is a necessary rule after an incident a few weeks ago. Anonymity is no longer protected here."

Videsse thought for a moment about the comment, but Cam burst out before she could adequately process what Maz had said.

"Men in dark robes with blank masks?" Cam questioned.

Maz's magnified eyes widened producing an almost cartoonish appearance. "Yes, child."

"Yeah, they stole her ship. And they--Ow!"

Videsse kicked him under the table.

"What'ya do that for?"

Maz looked at Videsse with maternal equanimity. "So, what is it that you would allow to be revealed then?" Maz waited patiently, letting Videsse choose her words.

Videsse interpreted Maz's body language to mean that Videsse had gained an upper-hand. She leaned to the side, rested her elbow on the table, and crossed her legs. "Who are they?"

"I assure you I don't know. Remember the helmet rule," Maz answered pointing to her head. "Their faces were covered."

"What were they here for?"

"Don't know that either, exactly." Maz leaned in and folded her hands. "They came here and shot a few of our patrons. For that, I am very displeased. Then they ransacked the place searching for . . . something. No questions asked."

"They were looking for a saber weapon," Cam jumped in. "Ow!"

Videsse had punched him in the shoulder. "Would you just shut up?"

Maz's face opened in wonder and smiled at the child. "You know, this child is helping you more than you know. I'd not chastise him for it."

Maz looked down and thought for a moment, then seemed to have concluded something. She turned and waved to the unattractive man in the corner. He noticed, let his unfinished drink come to rest on the table, stood up, and advanced toward them. The man came to a final stop at Maz's left elbow and looked at her with a questioning demeanor.

"Ben," she said. "Please show these two your lightsaber."

Ben was obviously shocked at the request and did not attempt to produce it, his eyes continuing to question Maz without words.

"There is a reason, Master Solo. Trust this," Maz coaxed him.

"Solo?" Videsse commented.

Maz looked at her. "You know of him?"