Die Another Day
By Sinya’ni

It was a simple exchange. The Twi’lek had been on many such missions while in House Tyranus. Meet a contact, slip them a credit chip, receive a data stick, walk away. Simple…or so it seemed.

“Slagar never had me do these unarmed. That’s just stupid,” Sinya’ni said out loud to herself as she contemplated slipping a vibroknife into her boot. “Nah, too risky. What if they have a scanner? Don’t want to scare them off.” So she set off into the seedy streets of the Smuggler’s Moon unarmed. “Yeah…this will end well. What could possibly go wrong,” she muttered under her breath as she pulled the hood of her cloak up over her lekku.

The streets were crowded. Sapients from all over the galaxy found their way to Nar Shaddaa for any number of reasons, none of them good. As the four foot, nine inch Rylothian zigged and zagged her way across the plaza trying not to be stepped on, she realized one good thing about not having anything in her pockets…she didn’t have to worry about pickpockets.

Sinya’ni reached the alley where the rendezvous was to take place and stopped at the entrance. Leaning against the wall, she watched the people as they passed. No sign of her contact. She waited a bit longer before ducking down the deserted roadway.

“Well this is just great. How long am I supposed to wait befo–“ the Twi’ilek stopped mid ramble. She looked both ways and up at the roofs of the surrounding buildings before cautiously approaching the pair of boots sticking out of the rubbish pile. Sure enough, she’d found her contact. The Nautolan was dead. This simple exchange just got complicated.

Checking her surroundings again, the diminutive Rutian searched the unfortunate cadaver. There was no datastick. Not one piece of electronic information. But the former amphian did have a small backpack and a blaster burn the size of a kowakian monkey on his chest. Inside the pack was a handful of worthless items.

Nerf Towel
Radiation Detector
Glowrod
BlasTech DL-21 Blaster Pistol
Fantafly Polyhedral Dice
Assassin's Ring
Audio Recording Rod
Keyring with keys
Dental floss

She grabbed the pack and quickly left the alley. Her small stature and Force concealment made it easy to get lost in the crowd. That’s when she saw the assassin. He was hanging out by the alley watching her leave. The Klatoonian male followed her into the street but soon lost her. However, she did not lose sight of the tall dog man.

As the suspect turned back, Sinya followed. One hand was on the blaster, the other clutched the pack. “Come on, that’s right. Take me to your leader, slobbermouth.” She muttered. The assassin did not, in fact, lead her to his boss. But to another back alley where he disappeared.

Reaching out with the Force, the Twi’lek tried to sense her prey. However, there were too many people in close proximity. It was an overwhelming sensation. So many thoughts and feelings bombarded her that she abandoned the Force search in favor of good old fashioned walking, but in the end, the assassin was nowhere to be found. “Well…guess that’s it then,” she said as she turned away and made the long trek back to her ship.

Question 2: Jedi Master Yoda is thought to have said “Difficult to see; always in motion is the future.”. What do you believe he meant?
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That is an interesting question. What did he mean by the future always being in motion? Obviously he was not talking about linear motion. He was talking about a fixed point in time and whether that point would remain constant or was subject to change depending on the actions of sentients. The concept is a complex one. It is a philosophical dilemma argued about for a millennia.

Yoda was delusional and weak. He subscribed to the Jedi’s fear based teachings about the Light side and Dark side. That is a bunch of poodoo. A hokey religion looking for an external reason for the selfish desires they so desperately wanted to hide. However, though his overall philosophy was flawed, he was correct in his statement about the future.

The future *IS* always in motion because it does not yet exist. Nothing is predetermined. The Force can only show what a possible future is. Sometimes the future shown actually happens, sometimes it doesn’t. But who’s to say the vision itself didn’t create the foretold future?

Sometimes the actions taken to avoid the premonition is the very thing that brings it to be. What would have happened if the Jedi or Sith hadn’t tried to change what they saw? Would it have happened anyway? If so, is it possible to affect the future at all? Many philosophers have contemplated this very issue.

If the future is set, why does it matter what we do? I think the craven denizens of the galaxy believe this. They lack the courage to admit they have the power to affect change in their own and others’ lives; because, if they did, they would have to accept responsibility for their own destiny and their own failures. The truly great heroes accept their failures and successes. They take ownership of their decisions for better or worse. The important thing is, they know that what they do matters. They effect change with even the smallest action or even inaction, and they are brave enough to accept their part in the outcome.

Yoda was right about the future being in motion and that our actions could change the outcome. However, he still tried to hide from the responsibility of his decisions. Placing blame on the Force for your own darkness or valor is lazy and dishonest. There is no Dark or Light side. There is only the Force. The Dark Side is a manifestation of your own inner darkness. We all have it. The inner darkness. The part of you that wants. The part that will do whatever it takes to win no matter who it hurts. It is not some evil entity or force acting upon you. It’s a natural part of who you are. Accept it. Embrace it. But don’t ignore the part of you that dissents.

The part that the Jedi and Sith call the “Light Side” is also a part of you. The part that knows we have a responsibility to our neighbors and fellow sentients. Let it temper your actions. Don’t follow the Light Side out of some misguided guilt or religious nonsense. Just remember that your actions have consequences for more than just yourself. Ask yourself how you would like to be treated.

Now, when it comes to the future, Just do your best. There is no way to predict the outcome. There are too many variables. Those that strive to control the future are doomed to destroy it. All we can do is make the best decision we can in the moment and work towards a goal. It’s when we try *NOT* to do something that we will always fail.

Answer by Sinya’ni (Sinya Ani)

Manually added by Prophet Dacien Victae

Dathomir - Nightsister Enclave

The dying light of Damir reflected off the chrome of the Chelandion-class cruiser like a beacon.

“Kark, how did they find me?” Sinya’ni asked as she watched the Hutt ship descend next to a nearby settlement. The diminutive Twi’lek had been hiding out on Dathomir for over a year now and was finally starting to feel at home among the witches and nightbrothers.

“What makes you so sure they are here for you?” asked Callum, a large yellow skinned Nightbrother. The Zabrak had been Sinya’s martial arts instructor and mentor since she arrived in this coven.

“I can sense it. I can sense her.” Sinya’s old mercenary partner, Ash, was the only one to survive their last mission. She was on that ship, and she wasn’t alone. The ship was bustling with what Sinya assumed were slavers. “She must have tracked *The Pestilence* somehow.”

*The Pestilence* was a YT 2000 that served as home and headquarters for the crew of mercs that double crossed her. She never could get the smell of their burning flesh out of the walls. Ash had not been there when it happened. Sinya wondered if the Clawdite had learned the fate of her comrades and if she was here to avenge their deaths. Well, the Twi’lek wasn’t going to wait around to find out.

“It is time I moved on. Blue skin and lekku don’t exactly blend in here,” she stated. “I need to find a ship.”

“I thought you had a ship,” Callum teased. “Did you forget where you parked?”

“No! Of course not. That is not my ship. Besides...The smell is a reminder of...well, let’s just say I need a new ship. Besides, if Ash tracked it here, she’ll track it again.” The Twi’lek looked equal parts worried and annoyed. “Care to accompany me to the shipyards?”

“Nope, you are on your own little sister. I avoid the...visitors. But if you think you are ready to return to the rest of the galaxy, we will not stop you.” With that the seven foot tall horned warrior walked back into the cave.

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Dathomir - Aurilia

“This here is the best ship in the yard, guaranteed to outrun the most persistent pursuer! It can be yours for merely...four hundred thousand credits.” The human looked expectantly at the undersized Twi’lek.

Sinya studied the Aka'jor-class Shuttle intently. It would certainly outclass anything she’d flown; however, the price would be a problem.

“Do you have anything for about...thirty thousand?” she inquired reluctantly.

The salesman’s face visibly fell. “Well, we have a couple options in that price range,” he said dejectedly while glancing around the yard for any other customers. “They are over there,” he continued while pointing to two old ships. One was a decent looking little ship. A small brick that could hold about three people. The other was slightly bigger but in much worse condition.

“How about that little one? Will it get me off world?” she queried.

“The YT Dart? Sure it will, not sure where you’d go from there. It will take you years to get anywhere habitable with those sublight engines,” he scoffed. “You’d be better off in that bucket of bolts.” He pointed at the larger ship. “It’s got a standard hyperdrive. And the good news is it costs less than the ionization fluid needed to power it!” he laughed.

Sinya inspected the Sheathipede-class transport. It wasn’t much to look at, but it had good bones and the price was right.

“Does it fly?” she asked skeptically. “It looks like it’s seen better days.”

“Of course it flies. It may be old and in need of a paint job, but it’s space worthy. You can have it for ten thousand. Take it or leave it.” The man was done handholding the demihuman for a sale that would not make him much commission. He was ready to take the credits and move on to bigger fish so to speak. Like the quarren that had just walked onto the lot.

“I will pay you ten thousand, and you will give it a tune up, a paint job, and top off all the fluids for free.” As she spoke, she gestured with her hand dismissively. “And it will be ready for lift off tomorrow morning at first light.”

“Ok, deal. Tony! Get this junk a tuneup and a paint job. Fill it up for an early morning departure.” The salesman grabbed the credit chit Sinya held out as he hurried off to his new customer.

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Dathomir - leaving orbit

Sinya sat in the pilot’s seat programming the navicomputer. She punched in the last coordinates and locked in the route. As the familiar stars stretched into lines, she breathed a sigh of relief. “Alone at last. I have...twenty days, six hours, and thirty-four minutes before I have to pretend again...and I’m talking to myself. Not a good start Sinya’ni. But look at this ship! Finally, a ship of my own that doesn’t come with memories of betrayal and death and regrets.” She got up and walked around, taking it all in. Her hand trailed along the wall as she explored her new home. “Yes, you will do nicely, New Leaf,” she said, patting the side of the ship. “It’s time to finally leave the past behind…”

__Reflections of the Past__

The mission started like any other, just a quick in and out theft. No problem. But something was bound to go wrong eventually, and this time, her past caught her off guard.

The small Rutian Twi’lek made her way through the small settlement. The little town was a slapped together eyesore on the outer rim world of Bandomeer. It’s only purpose, to house the miners and families sent to extract the plentiful minerals the small farming world had been plagued with.

At one end of town stood the mine entrance. Its gaping maw swallowed the miners whole every morning before spitting them back out at the end of the day. At the other, a large walled structure dominated the landscape. There were no signs or placards telling people what it was, but Sinya could read between the lines, and the heavily fortified wall clearly said “FUCK OFF”.

It wasn’t the first time she ignored such a warning and it wouldn’t be the last. Her target was the maps in the overseer’s office–buried behind that wall. But first some reconnaissance. The small Twi’lek was clothed in a ratty brown cloak and was blending into the everyday bustle of workers. If anyone noticed her, a brief wave of a hand and a soft word convinced them she was where she belonged.

It was on her second day of blending in with the locals that things took a turn. She was pretending to work at a street vendor while watching the changing of the guard, when the shop owner exploded out of the stall–

“Stop right there, you street rat!!” He bellowed at a young human girl. The juvenile glanced back at the enraged Abyssin. His one eye filled with hatred.

Sinya’ni watched the exchange, willing herself not to get involved. However, it was too late. The little human had reminded her of her own past. She couldn’t just turn s blind eye.

The Rutian left the stall and slipped through the crowd of onlookers. Using the Force and her knowledge of the settlement, she moved to intercept the little thief. She didn’t have to wait long. The little street urchin ran right into her.

“Leave me alone! I didn’t do anything!” the girl yelled when the Twi’lek caught her.

“Hey, now. Slow down little one. A stunt like that could get you killed–or worse. What is your name?” Sinya’ni asked.

“Why should I tell you?” the young human inquired.

“Fine. Have it your way. We don’t have to be friends, but come, let me show you something.” Sinya’ni walked out of the alley, beckoning the youth to join her. “If you’re going to survive on your own, you need to do better.”

“First thing you need to know...it’s better to blend in than to disappear. Act like you belong. As a child, wait for an adult to walk up to your target and follow them. Close enough that the clerk thinks you’re with them but not so close as to elicit a response from the adult.”

“The most important thing is to look like you belong.” She walked up to a stall and started looking at things. Picking them up and setting them back before turning away and walking back to the shadows. “See, the vendor just saw a customer looking over his wares. What he didn’t see was my left hand subtly picking things up as well.”

Sinya’ni handed the child some stolen fruit. “Take care young one. It’s a hard life, but you can survive it.” She walked away leaving the little human to her meal. It was time to get her mission back on track.