Part Four

The space craft, Qui-Gon discovered, was not some special transport used primarily by Jedi to get them from adventure to adventure. It was, in fact, a really filthy, highly malodorous, freight ship. Qui-Gon stiffened his resolve and decided that this would be the perfect start to his new life as a padawan learner to a great knight like Ashanti.

He rather liked her. She seemed fun, easy to deal with, even-tempered (for the most part anyway), and she seemed to have a fondness for him that he found himself reciprocating. Ashanti was a fascinating blend of just about everything Qui-Gon had ever wanted in a master. All in all, a satisfying arrangement he decided.

Their quarters were shared, at least for now, the steward explained. They would be dropping some passengers off at the space port nearest their destination, giving the Jedi some private quarters for a couple of days. Ashanti shrugged as if it didn't matter. Qui-Gon was relieved though, for he valued his privacy, being quiet and introverted.

Ashanti granted him approval to wander the ship, exploring his surroundings and ascertaining who the other space travelers were going to the same planet as the two Jedi. Knowing that he was being sent on reconnaissance Qui-Gon nodded gravely, tamping down his excitement at the small freedom he had been granted and left their quarters at a quick pace.

Jedi knight Qui-Gon Jinn was ready to face the universe, he told himself in a fleeting moment of fantasy.

Ashanti thought he was in for a big disappointment.

A small dining hall/bar was setup in the center of the ship, catering to all varieties of tastes and needs of the ship's passengers. Qui-Gon's eyes widened at the assault upon his senses as he came through the door. He was twelve (almost thirteen he reminded himself) and he had no doubts that he could handle any trouble that came his way, so he walked over to the bar. He then stood there uncertainly, unsure of what to do next besides trying to look casual.

The bartender raised an eyebrow and marched over to where the tall human boy stood, staring in wonder at what was around him. "Lost?" he asked in a deep rumble.

Qui-Gon looked at the bartender and fought the urge to gulp. "No, sir. Just looking around." Qui-Gon took a deep breath and fought down embarrassment at the bartender's smirk. He had never done well with strangers. "Are all these people going to The Planet of Thoughts?"

The bartender, placing a glass of a blue juice in front of the boy, continued smirking, though he adopted a more friendly mien. "Nah, most are just freeloaders, looking for someone to rip off. Most of those passengers avoid the bar. We're too low-class for their tastes. The Planet of Thoughts has exclusive clientele. Don't know much about your destination, do ya, kid?"

Qui-Gon felt his chin notch up defensively. "I haven't been told much about it, no. I just know what I've heard on Coruscant."

"You one of them Jedi we're supposed to be transporting there?" grunted the bartender curiously.

"Yes, sir," Qui-Gon nodded, his eyes taking on a bright shine. "We are on a mission there."

"Qui-Gon!" snapped Ashanti's voice behind him. He turned and saw the tiny woman bearing down on him, a frown creasing her brow. "Silence."

He flushed at her abrupt rebuke. He had said too much, he realized, but it didn't seem to faze the bartender any. "So, Ashanti, he belongs to you?" The bartender grinned, showing clean teeth, though they weren't exactly perfect.

Ashanti grinned back. "Yes, this is my hanger-on. He'll be with me for a while until he can handle himself on his own, then I cut him loose and watch him flounder."

"Don't let him go too soon or you may find yourself floundering," observed the bartender, winking at Qui-Gon. Qui-Gon pulled out a Republic credit to pay for his drink, but the bartender waved the money away. "This one is on the house. Any apprentice of Ashanti's is a friend of mine. You get in trouble while on this ship, head for the bar. I'll help ya, kid."

Qui-Gon blinked. "Uh, thanks, Mister..."

"Don't have a name, kid. Don't need one. I'm the only bartender on this moving pile of junk, so I ain't hard to find. Just ask for the bartender and they'll point ya my way." The bartender gave a little wave to the two Jedi and wandered down the bar to help another customer.

Before Ashanti could even get her mouth open Qui-Gon was already apologizing. "I'm sorry, Ma...I mean Ashanti. I almost gave away our mission. It won't happen again. It's just he was so friendly that I didn't think he could be dangerous to us."

"Remember, whelp," Ashanti told him, wrapping her tail around his neck in mock strangling, "everyone is a suspected enemy until proven an ally. Bartender there has been my friend for I don't know how long. Most of the crew on board this ship are completely trustworthy. They were either once students at the Temple, failed padawans or just loyal to the Jedi Order for their own reasons. I use this ship whenever possible. You never know where it travels." She paused and smiled. "Bartender will indeed help you in any crisis while on board this ship, or off ship as well if he's in the neighborhood, but remember to watch what information you give out. Too much might be enough to hang you and too little may be your undoing as well. Gage each situation before releasing whatever information you deem important enough to get what you need. Sometimes putting out a story or two flushes out what you need. Rule one: Don't be afraid to talk, but respect the consequences you get from those words."

Qui-Gon nodded thoughtfully. "Rule One duly noted, Ashanti," he told her gravely. "I got saved only by circumstance this time, didn't I?"

"You didn't give out anything secret so you were okay. The crew aboard this ship knows what we're going into, I think, but I'd rather keep it from the other passengers just in case." Ashanti nodded to Bartender and walked to the exit. "I'll leave you to continue your exploring. I need to talk to the captain."

"Yes, Master," Qui-Gon responded automatically, grimacing at his words when she arched an eyebrow. She then laughed and disappeared through the sliding doors.

Qui-Gon finished his tour of the ship, making a mental map of where places were. The hanger with the small escape pod shuttles were located on the lower decks, three decks of passenger and crew quarters, one deck of recreational rooms, lounges, the bar and another restaurant. The two upper decks seemed to house not only engineering in the center of the ship but also the main bridge, battle and weapons areas and the medic ward. All in all, basic function and setup, Qui-Gon figured, as he meandered down the hall back to his and Ashanti's quarters.

"Ah, the errant wanderer returns. We've been invited to dine with the captain and his guests. You up for socializing?" Ashanti was tying her belt around her waist and hooking the lightsaber to it using the belt loop reserved for the weapon. Qui-Gon had not really seen the weapon up close and he noted its unusual construction.

Silver metal with black grips in the center for better handling, the lightsaber's handle itself had colorful strings of gold, blue, purple, red and green dangling down from the base. Qui-Gon marveled at the beautiful design. It seemed more a work of art than the deadly weapon it truly was.

"It's beautiful," he breathed in awe.

Ashanti gave him a startled look and then smiled. "One of my first missions as Master Yoda's padawan was to return to my home planet. Everything there, despite it's function, is a work of beauty. There something aesthetically pleasing to the eye can be the most dangerous creature in the forest, so children are taught that beauty is also danger. I took that lesson to heart. Besides," she shrugged as she turned him back to the door, straightening his tunic as she did so, "Jedi are allowed so little luxury that this is a chance to carry something pleasing to the eye and still remain within the Code."

"Bend it but don't break it?" Qui-Gon asked shrewdly.

Ashanti laughed delightedly. "I knew you would be the perfect padawan for me. You think exactly the way I do." Qui-Gon felt himself puff up with pride at the praising words. "Let's go eat, shall we?"