The Rebel Faction

<font color="#77A8C1">“…become a Jedi Knight.”

Kanbal let the words set awhile before answering. He contemplated the path that was placed before him. Becoming a Jedi Knight would definitely be life changing. It would involve protect the freedom and keeping the peace in the New Republic, often against the criminals and scum he dealt with on a daily basis in Corellian racing circuit. Kanbal had heard that there was a strict discipline code that the Jedi followed, and he was sure Swoop racing didn’t fall inside it. Life changing indeed.

But there was one element that his decision hinged on, and only one question to determine the answer.</font>

“How can you be sure that I have talents in the Force?”

<font color="#77A8C1">The taxi set down outside Wouher’s diner just as Organa Solo had finished her sentence. Kanbal handed the driver a credit chip and thanked him for the ride. He stepped out onto the street; Wouher had kept the diner open. Kanbal ducked his head back into the taxi, and motioned for Organa Solo to exit and follow him. They entered the diner and sat in a booth near the windows. Wouher had not noticed Kanbal enter yet, Kanbal could hear him singing, or what he thought sounded like and Ithorian singing, in the kitchen. Kanbal brought his attention back to Organa Solo.</font>

“So, what bring such an important person like yourself to Caprioril? A bit far from Corellia.”

<font color="#77A8C1">One of Wouher’s diligent wait-driods approached the table as Kanbal was speaking. He briefly looked up and ordered himself some purified water. The driod’s glowing photoreceptors stared intently at Organa Solo, waiting for her request.</font>

<font color="#77A8C1">Kanbal let a slight smile form on his face. He rubbed his hands together, in front of his face, to evaporate some of the sweat beading on them. This was an awkward situation for him; she was reading him like a holo-document. Kanbal had lost that slight edge he commonly had on most sentinel beings. It amused him more than bothered. He brought his hands down and folded them neatly on the table, to answer the question posed.</font>

“Yes, I do know the owner. His name is Wouher. He’s an exiled Ithorian. We’ve been good friends for the last seven standard months. A good friend…” <font color="#77A8C1">Kanbal left the thought unfinished. Truth was, the whole of the seven months, Wouher had become his only friend on the planet. He was always the supporting voice in that time span, no one else.

The wait-droid came scuttling back with the two waters ordered. Kanbal took a small sip from his cup, gazing beyond Organa Solo.</font>

<font color="#77A8C1">So many question, so many emotions ensnarled in those questions. Kanbal didn’t know the answers. He’d collected his gear, the prize money, and left. No particular cognitive impulses carried him through his actions. The next think he remembers doing was trying to escape a threat that wasn’t going to harm him. Somehow, his actions weren’t his that night.</font>

“Of course I’m happy I won the race. I defeated the all time reigning champion of Carprioril, and got a substantial bonus for doing so. How wouldn’t be overjoyed. I’ve just felt like I’ve been being chased by something dark and oppressive these last few months. I ran from you because I felt you as being that dark threat. I don’t quiet understand it all…”

<font color="#77A8C1">He knew the Jedi were no dark threat, to anyone.</font>

<font color="#77A8C1">“It is no small decision…”

The words echoed in his mind. Becoming a Jedi would be… unthinkable for someone of his lowly stature. But the Force knew no species or live style, Kanbal knew. He started to lightly rap his knuckles on the table, contemplating that path that had been laid down before him. Things would have to change, drastically. Perhaps for the better, but that dark weight still loomed in the fore of his mind. It was the deciding factor in all this… what was it?</font>

“You say you know of these dark forces that taunt me. What is it, and what does it want with me?”