Sneaking Secura - A Kyber fragment.
If you would have told me that my next greatest discovery was going to be at a farmers market, I never would have believed you. Stranger things have happened and some great finds have been had at swap meets and estate sales… but a farmers market? My only plan was to finish up my long-needed vacation and stock up on some fresh supplies. They don’t last long but there is no better way to start back to work than having fresh veggies in the hold. Tomorrow I was supposed to be getting back to the message boards and picking up a spot on some field survey missions. Something dull, something a bit safer in comparison to last year. Then I heard the whispers.
Suppose this is what I get for letting my stomach lead my intent. It had been ages now since I’ve had a nice garden spread and everyone knows the best are made with the harvests from Felucia. Thinking back, I jokingly say my stomach lead me to that table but I nearly want to admit that it was the crystal necklace around my neck. Never would I admit that around the folks from the academy but I know the two of you are more willing to accept such ideas. It’s hard to put into words and I’m dealing with my own feelings so they don’t interfere with my further research. Anyways, on to the findings. This particular table had a small group talking around it as the vendor tried to push his harvest. A few pre-made salsas, salads and sundries were about the table. Even more fresh produce were set out in their own hand-woven baskets and a small holo emitter in front of them to show the translated name of each item into a few well-traveled languages. This was certainly a bit more upscale than the other tables. A fancy touch to have anything more than a hand scrawled sign.
As I worked to get the best possible deal on this beautiful bounty of fresh harvest, I caught wind of a name I haven’t heard in quite some time. Aayla’s Echo and Sneaking Secura were heard more than once. No coincidence that this had something to do with the lesser-known but well-respected Jedi that once walked among the best of the Order. A General from the Clone Wars, something so many already had chosen to forget. Known for being a ruthless tactician and skilled infiltrator, she was ultimately lost to the execution of Order 66. While no official records existed, it was rumored that she fell during a mission on Felucia. An odd coincidence considering the source of this fine produce I was standing in front of.
It wasn’t long before my eavesdropping behavior was noticed. The keepers quickly hushed and turned their backs to me, very clearly not wanting an outsider to know what this was about. Still, I lingered for a moment until one locked eyes and approached me. I’m no fighter - I was raised to be proper, clean and well educated among the top students of the inner worlds. Even still, my hand slowly crept towards the multi-tool I kept on my belt. It’s no blaster but the business end of a torch tends to keep the ill-intended at a distance. As he reached me, there was a gesture towards my necklace and a shift in demeanor. This keep started asking questions about my interest in exotic produce and if I was after something in particular. Every few words were separated by a quick shift of the eyes to my necklace and then back to the shops around us. Finally, the verbose dance ended and the question was direct:
“Do you know what you wear and are you after more?”
I explained the history as best I knew and was curious enough to play dumb, yet intrigued. Really, I was. With a smirk, the keep gave a quick gesture to a small lean-to tent against the back wall of the market. He made his way through the rows of tables while I ducked the heat, glaring eyes of his fellow market keepers. It was very apparent that outsiders were not often brought in on whatever I was about to find.
We neared the rust-stained wall, a blend of metal and stone that have blended for longer than anyone cares to remember. A stack of cargo crates were there, some beat up and some pristine. The latter were the most interesting as these crates were clearly dated back to pre-Rebellion times. I’m supposed to be relaxing and I’m facing this most curious situation. Such is the life I suppose. Before I can really see much more, he turns sharply and gestures to a crate that is flipped on the broadside. Without offering any further information, he smacks the control panel and the lid pops off with a reluctant sigh. As the pressure vapor releases into a blue haze, it slowly dissipates to reveal what was worth the hushed tones.
Plants.
It was plants.
Not even tasty plants as I had hoped.
And, I was slowly made aware of just how wrong I was. Mostly hungry at this rate - I wasn’t my normal observant self. He went on to explain why this was a matter of sneaking, of secrecy. These plants, particularly these buds, were found in one small area of Felucia. A place rumored to be the final stand of Aayla Secura. This plant had recently been discovered - no small feat as it is a bit translucent and can change shape based on where the vine is climbing. Definitely an odd trait for a plant. Further upping the curiosity, he explained that a portion of these yet-to-bloom buds could contain a shimmering crystal. The further you were from this one particular clearing, the less likely they were to be inside the blossom. But in the middle? He said the field would glow.
A quick scan shows that these crystals are very similar to my own necklace. They have an odd feeling to them, a sense of stern discipline sets over you as you hold them. The shape is much thinner, jagged in comparison to a whole crystal chunk. Almost as if these are splinters or fragments of a former solid piece. Hard to say at this time.
I quickly let him know I’d be happy to help offload these and would pass on a sample to you. If these match what you folks want to handle, feel free to reach out. He was quite eager to clear what he had and move on to a relaxing life from the sounds of it. I can only imagine what that could be like. Anyways, you folks be safe. I’m going to try and do the same and get some less interesting work lined up.
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