Star Wars: Force Bound 17 Apprentice?

Jack went ahead and walked over to the refres.h.i.+ng room.

Taking a long and most of all hot shower, he soon got rid of any smells that came from him. At least the extremely unpleasant ones.

It looked like the products used for hygiene in this world were pretty good.

After being finished he put on some casual clothing that he brought together with his armor.

The armor itself was washed by him a little and disinfected to finish it off.

Most of the other parts of that outfit were not mechanical and therefore he could just put it straight into the was.h.i.+ng machine.

Good thing there was a manual for that thing. Or should he say someone's handwritten paper instructions?

'Probably David. He is still a neat freak...'

Jack was even slightly surprised it was possible to actually wash mechanical parts in it. It probably had something to do with the liquid used in the machine?

But they had to be separated like white, black and color. So basically more tedious work. Not that he needed it any longer since he already washed it by hand.

Oh, and he sure did all that before he got under the shower.

Keeping everything as is he just walked off into the lounge where he could see the others hanging around.

The mercs were playing some card game around a round table. Probably Pazaak.

And that couple were busying themselves with what looked like tech.

"Morning. Finally, got out of your cave? Want some coffee?"

A person came to him and Jack just stared at him for a few seconds. Then he grabbed one of the three metal mugs filled with coffee.

Taking a sip he still didn't say anything and just looked around.

"Did anything happen while I was in meditation?", asked Jack now.

"So that is what you did? Well, after your little warning they seem to behave. Oh, right. The kid was asked for you."

"I will see her later. Where is Ben?"

"c.o.c.kpit. He is still somewhat sulking about being rejected by that Twi'lek."

"He actually tried to approach Lyn?" Jack chuckled. "Well, let's go and say hi to that lovestruck fool." Jack knew now what was up with Ben.

With that said both of them entered the c.o.c.kpit where they saw Ben sitting comfortably in front of the controls.

After hearing the door sound he looked back to them.

"Oh, you are also back up?", asked Ben towards Jack.

"Sure. And what is it that I heard about you getting dumped by Lyn?" Jack asked with a smile after sitting down and sipping his coffee.

"Really? That is going to be our discussion? You are even going to ignore the fact that David over there basically became a furry?"

"Ben..." David became annoyed again.

Jack drank again from his mug and looked back at David that was obviously now running around without his environmental suit or even robes on his body to that matter. Just normal clothing.

A somewhat curious look came back from the animal with big grey eyes and dark blueish fur.

"Hmmm, he does look like a desert mouse, doesn't he? Especially with that thin grey tail that has a bushy end to it. Also, his limbs are a little bit longer than I thought...Those robes sure hid a lot."

"..." David just stood there silently.

"I see how it is. When I comment, you react with anger but on his words, you just stay silent?" Ben somehow reacted displeased.

"He didn't make a joke out of it but a.n.a.lyzed my race. You, on the other hand, tried to compare me to that rat from mutant ninja turtles...Of course, I will be angry at that point."

"But it is true! And being called a desert mouse is better? Should I call you Pikachu at some point with that electric discharge armor you build for yourself?"

David gnarled at those words. "See, that is what I mean! He has been doing that the last day straight."

"Chill, it's just a joke. Just don't try to tease me on my bad luck with women and I will keep my comments to myself in the future."

"Right...relations.h.i.+p problems are on the same level as racism in your head, huh?"

Ben started frowning. "Are you really implying I am a racist?"

"Calm down already! Both of you!" Jack only sighed to their start of bickering.

"Maybe I should have stayed in my clothes...", replied David in a slight defeat.

"Maybe..." Jack dittoed "But I think it fits. Jawa are local to Tatooine after all. And that is a desert planet and it was said they were rodents... I am actually amazed. That just explains a lot."

Jack then looked back at Ben. "You still didn't answer my question."

"...Yes, I kinda failed.", replied his friend.

"What did you say to her?"

"I did try to start a conversation with same interests?"

David now laughed lightly. "Really, same interest? That she owed us? I doubt that is in her interest being reminded of something like that."

Jack just raised both his brow stalks. "...You better try to smooth things over and just forget about that first meeting with her. Just...Start from zero as if you never met her. I think that would be best. Anyway, if you would excuse me. I am going to check on Kelana."

After giving that advice Jack just stood up and moved back to the sleeping quarters.

He knocked on the metal door and waited. But there was no reply.

"Kelana, are you there?" With his question, he did hear some movement from the room and the door soon opened.

Kelana looked at him. "Yes, master."

The young Togruta had some black grease at her cheek and Jack just wiped that away. "I told you just Jack is fine. I don't like you thinking of me as your new owner. What are you doing that you are getting so dirty?"

"Um..." Kelana seemed not to know how to react to his words. "Ma...David gave me some things to tinker with." She looked back at the small droid that was still not finished in her room.

"A scout droid? Well, looks like David saw something that I didn't. You are good with tech?"

"Ah, yes. My former owners had me do most of such things...Um...Jack? Why did you buy me?"

Jack just shook his head while looking at the droid. "I didn't really buy you. From now on you are free. You don't need to be a slave any longer."

When he looked over there was slight fear inside her eyes.

"But don't worry. You can stay with us as long as you wish until you find your own place where you think you belong. After all, I don't want you to be dragged any further into the way of life we are doing."

"No!" Kelana actually denied that and Jack raised his brows in surprise. "Ah, no. What I meant is I would like to stay. I have been raised in this environment. So I understand this way of life most. I wouldn't even know what to do otherwise." She cast down her head with the last sentence.

Jack placed a hand on her head softly. "Well, then welcome on board." he smiled at her when she raised her head again. "And there may actually be something I will be able to teach you as well."

"Something else?", she asked in confusion.

"Look." Jack just showed her with deeds rather than words. With one hand outstretched towards the still unfinished droid he softly raised its body from the desk it lay on.

Kelana then made somewhat big eyes when it slowly drifted over to her and she caught it.

"I will be teaching you about the Force. Well, at least the things I know of. In the end, we will be both students as we progress in our understanding of it."

"You mean like the Jedi? I can really do that?", she asked back and had a slight skepticism towards her own ability to do so.

"Well, kinda. With training, you will. I can clearly feel the force inside you. It is strong enough for you to someday use it externally as I did."

Kelana´s eyes seemed to sparkle somewhat and her demeanor changed to a happy one and Jack could only smile to that. It looks like he did gain her interest.

"But for now we need to keep it a secret, alright? That guy we work for will otherwise bring us both back to slavery."

Kelana nodded firmly. She nearly forgot that they were on a mission for a crime lord.

"Good. How long do you think will it take for you to fix that little guy?" Jack now pointed back at the droid in her hands.

"Um...I think a few days if David allows me the spare parts needed."

"Great, I will talk with him and see that this little guy is finished. I think this scout droid will come in handy."

´And now that I basically got someone I teach I should also intensify my own training. Hmm, I wonder if I can get Ben towards buying a new s.h.i.+p. This one is kinda a little bit small for certain things.´