Nar Shaddaa

"Corellian Ale."

It was tradition now. A drink to settle his nerves after a long hyperspace trip. Probably another before settling into the city atmosphere. Galen watched the different people drifting in and out of the cantina. It seemed like there were more than usual.

He'd need that second ale.

Jedi Master Lyshea Mersl stepped into the cantina and, for a brief moment, stared at the VIP area. She then changed her mind and walked over to one Galen Sol. "Do you mind if I join you?" she asked with her typical, serene tone. Her posture was immaculate, her hands folded in front of her as if she was in-waiting.

He studied her for a moment.

This Should be interesting.

"Not at all. Please, sit."

The miraluka took the seat as offered and faced him with a smile. "I thank you for your kindness.I am Lyshea Mersl of the Jedi Order."

"Galen Sol, independent." he nodded and took a long drink. "Are you here for the peace talks?"

"I did not choose to be involved with the peace talks. Fate decided that I would be," she explained without any distaste. "I go where am I needed, Galen Sol."

"So, you're always needed?" He looked doubtful. "Fate does funny things."

The woman muffled a laugh in her sleeve. "Perhaps I am arrogant to use the word 'needed.' The Force guides me to where I will go next." She paused. "I suppose it is not incorrect to say that 'fate is funny.' I have encountered many oddities in my life."

"Maybe you just find something worth doing wherever you go." he shrugged. "I think most places have needs."

"Everywhere has needs," Lyshea affirmed. "And that is one interpretation. I did not come here to debate philosophy with you."

"I'm glad." he smiled. "What can I do for you?"

The woman withdrew into contemplation for a few moments. "I wish to learn more about you," she finally requested, still with the same smile.

"In what way?" he took another drink. "What would you like to know?"

"Everything," she simply put. "I know you vaguely. You are a crew member aboard a small starship."

"The Starcross." He nodded. "I signed on about a year ago. Before that I spent time in a number of ships, finding work where I could."

"Why? Why do you choose to wander the stars instead of settling down? Why did you choose to stay with the Starcross?"

"You can only live in the wild for so long. And, you can't survive long in civilization without credits." he shrugged. "The Starcross is a good ship. Better than others I've served on."

"You lived in the wilds? Where?" The woman continued to smile. "What makes the Starcross different from other ships?"

"Binpuka Minor. A small world, far from the trade routes." He replied. "The truth is, most ships have little use for my skills. Hunting, tracking and xenology don't come up on most jobs. But, the captain of the Starcross was willing to take me on long term anyway."

"I cannot say I have been there." Lyshea glanced away for a few moments, closed off in her own thoughts again. She then turned back to the man. "Hunting and tracking may be used to trace bounties, Galen. However, you may be more proficient with animals." The Jedi Master's expression became more serious and yet still carried the same serene air. "How skilled of a hunter are you, Galen?"

"Better than most." he shrugged. "But, you're right. I'm much better with animals. Much of my life has been spent hunting creatures or being hunted by them."

"To be hunted by animals in the wild must have been a difficult experience," she concluded. "Who trained you to be a hunter, Galen Sol?"

"My master." he admitted. "Janus Sol bought me and used me as bait. The longer I survived, the more he modified his methods to capture larger game. That required teaching me, though I was still just bait."

Lyshea took a breath. "Your master. I wish to hear more about this Janus Sol."

"The old man?" He gave her a curious look. "He was a hunter. He specialized in live capure of difficult creatures, for collectors of unique pets. Most, we're dangerous predators that could only be lured with live bait. So, Janus bought slaves."

"I lasted longer than any of his previous purchases. I lasted longer than he did." He was well into his second ale now. "He figured out what made me so good at evading the targets. How I could sense them. How I could influence them. Made me even more valuable. But, he didn't expect me to lead predators back to camp."