Gambit Inc. Part V

‘The taller one then is the one I sensed’ Tenric thought to himself as the wary one made a subtle movement with his hand and nodded as his companion’s posture stiffened in response to the sign. Slowly they both began to scan the crowd in a seemingly offhand manner. Neither Dale nor Orlan seemed to notice, as both seemed involved in whatever conversation was going on. From Dale’s body language and focus he could tell it concerned business. Orlan’s obvious excitement and gestures told him it involved a ship with ‘special’ needs.

Warily Tenric continued to watch from the shadows, one hand resting close to his blaster. The two strangers stood out like transponder beacons to his eyes. He exhaled noticeably and dipped his head slightly, sending out the merest wisp of a Force-tendril. There was an almost immediate reaction from the tall one, who returned his attention to the doorway. After a few moments he once more began his scrutiny of the patrons and Tenric relaxed somewhat.

He kept to the shadows near the doorway and pushed his Force presence as far down as he could. Whoever he was, he was definitely a Force-user, and a well trained one at that. He seemed to already have mostly adapted to the static that the planet generated in the Force. The evening was going to be more interesting that he had planned. Tenric realized he almost had to be a Jedi to react so quickly to the small Force tendril Tenric had sent out. Whether he served the Dark or Light was what concerned Tenric. His hopes of a Jedi underground would vanish if Dark Jedi became aware of SomaIII this early. With a mental sigh Tenric resigned himself to finding out…and ensuring that, if they were on the wrong side, neither of the newcomers ever left SomaII.

“Sure. I think we’re about done here anyway.” Orrell responded with a glance at Kr-Ant.

“Uh, yeah.” He added a little distractedly, “We can go check her out…sounds like a good idea.”

The group rose and headed out. Kr-Ant was still trying to locate the Force tremor he’d detected a few moments ago. It had been there and then vanished again. Someone was watching them, he knew it, but just couldn’t pin it down. He was attuned enough to know the person was in the cantina, but nothing else. Broadening his scan he caught a blip near the door again. It wasn’t a presence as much as it was an absence, a calm spot in the static. The watcher must be near the door, and be a Jedi.

A stranger emerged from the shadows near the door as the four men were about to step out into the street. He was almost completely shrouded from Kr-Ant’s Force senses even though he stood right in front of him. Kr-Ant’s hand was slowly reaching for his hidden light saber, when the stranger spoke, “It’s okay, I’m with Dale and Orlan. They were here tonight to meet with me. My name is Tenric Starkindler.” Stepping closer to Kr-Ant, he nearly whispered, “I know who you are, and we need to talk.” Kr-Ant nodded imperceptibly.

Dale spoke up, “Tenric! Glad you made it buddy!” Pumping Tenric’s hand enthusiastically he went on, “Kr-Ant and Orrell here are gonna be Gambit Inc.’s first customers!”

Orlan interrupted and offered, “I saw you two walk here. Would you rather ride back to the port?” He pointed to a beat-up cargo land speeder off to the side.

“No arguments here!” Orrell quickly responded, thinking of his aching legs and feet. Kr-Ant nodded his agreement. He was wary of Tenric. Though obviously a local, and a trained Jedi, he was dressed like a spacer or bounty hunter. Still There was no warning in the Force, as far as he could determine, and he could learn a lot from a Jedi who had grown up with this Force static.