4 BBY — Chandrila — Arya and Shosmi walk through the bustling streets, the noise of the market fading into the background. Shosmi, a Miraluka, navigates effortlessly despite her lack of physical eyes, her connection to the Force guiding her every step. They arrive at a modest hostel, its exterior worn but welcoming.
Inside, Shosmi leads Arya to a small, sparsely furnished room. “Apologies for the violent and strange meeting on Darknell,” Shosmi begins, her tone sincere.
Arya nods, studying the woman before her. She recalls Lor San Tekka’s words about the Miraluka, their deep connection to the Force, and their historical roles within the Jedi Order. “No harm done. You mentioned you run a business?”
Shosmi smiles, gesturing to a small display of items in the corner of the room. “Yes, I sell objects that are valuable to those who consider themselves spiritual. Crystals, relics, artifacts—anything that resonates with the Force.”
Arya glances at the items, her eyes drawn to the crystals. “I’ve brought some crystals to trade,” she says, pulling out a pouch.
They sit down, and Arya carefully lays out the kyber crystals. “I recovered these from Christophsis. Some of them were stolen, including my own crystal and another’s. A couple may have had a connection to someone, but that connection has been severed.”
Shosmi’s expression turns thoughtful as she examines the crystals. She picks up a Christophsis crystal, her fingers brushing its surface. “This one resonates with me,” she murmurs, her sightless gaze seeming to look through the crystal. “I can feel its energy.”
Arya watches as Shosmi pulls out a digital abacus, assessing the crystals with a practiced eye. “I can offer you 11,000 credits for each Christophsis crystal and 16,000 credits for the Sorian crystal.”
Arya nods, considering the offer. “Fair enough. If you ever need armor, I can help. I specialize in the techniques of the Wills.”
Shosmi’s interest is piqued. “I might take you up on that. Having armor made by an Echani armorer is a rare opportunity.”
They exchange information, sealing their newfound partnership. Arya heads back to her flat, her mind buzzing with possibilities. She grabs two Christophsis crystals and a dull gray crystal, carefully packing them into a pouch. Her next stop is a small antiquities shop.
The shop is filled with old books under glass, ancient navigation equipment, and a variety of jewelry and gemstones. The shopkeeper greets Arya warmly, leading her to the back to examine the crystals. After a brief negotiation, Arya secures 27,000 credits for the crystals. Satisfied with her transactions, Arya heads to the market in search of cortosis weave fabric. The material is rare and valuable, known for its ability to resist lightsaber strikes. She finds a vendor and makes her purchase, feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Back at her flat, Arya meets Nora, who has just returned from her mission. “How did it go?” Arya asks, curiosity evident in her voice.
Nora smiles, though there’s a hint of exhaustion in her eyes. “It went well. You sold the crystals?”
Arya nods, explaining her dealings with Shosmi and the antiquities shopkeeper. “Yes, and I got a fair price for them.”
Nora’s expression turns serious. “Yonda has been leaning on me for credits. He’s looking for a new location for a base. Things are beginning to organize. He needs locations scouted, and your skills are needed to deal with environmentally challenging situations. Are you interested?”
Arya doesn’t hesitate. “Of course. When does the mission start?”
“In a few days,” Nora replies. “You’ll be heading out with Pitt Onoran, the mission director, and a transport with 20-40 people.”
Arya feels a surge of excitement and determination. “I’ll be ready.”