"Tales of Enlightenment: The Unusual Suspect" is a short story set during the High Republic Era, written by George Mann, and published as part of The High Republic: Tales of Enlightenment series in Star Wars Insider 216[4] on February 7, 2023[2] and in Star Wars - Das offizielle Magazin 111 on September 19, 2023.[3]
Publisher's summary
Enlightenment regulars Piralli and Moona fight back in their own way when a gang takes over their beloved tapbar.[8]
Plot summary
Two regulars, Piralli and Moona are having a drink at Enlightenment, a bar in Jedha City. Piralli is worried that Keth Cerepath, another regular at the establishment, is not there yet. Moona reminds Piralli that he is busy with the peace negotiations. He is escorting Morton San Tekka, the appointed mediator for the peace talks between the two warring planets Eiram and E’ronoh.
When asked why Piralli is anxious about Keth being late, he admits that he wants Keth’s opinion on something. Moona finds this amusing because Piralli always seems to be arguing with Keth. Pirallai considers their healthy debates a key component of their friendship. Moona jokes that Piralli doesn’t value her opinion, but Piralli admits he does. This particular inquiry is much more in Keth’s area of expertise.
Moona presses Piralli. Eventually, he caves and admits that he is getting bad vibes from a darkly clothed, hooded human in the corner of the bar sipping hot chea. Moona inspects the stranger subtly and lets Piralli know that they are a member of the Brotherhood of the Ninth Door - one of the many Force worshipping sects on Jedha.
Piralli judges him immediately because he thinks they are followers of the dark side. Moona doesn’t seem to think it matters. She considers light and dark two sides of the same coin. Plus, nothing bad ever happens in Enlightenment . . . right?
Just then, the doors to Enlightenment fly open and blaster fire strikes the low ceiling. Piralli pulls Moona to the floor to take cover. When Piralli peers over towards the door, they see both Twinkle Sisters on their backs, stunned by a Klatooinian. Several others file in behind the Klatooinian. They all wear matching leather waistcoats with the same insignia: two snake fangs dripping with venom.
Kradon tries to negotiate but the leader dismisses him, admitting that Tellion said Kradon was a smooth talker and talking too much is what got him into this mess. Kradon feigns ignorance and the Kaltooinian shoots bottles behind the bar and says “Tellion send his regards” and since they are here, they should rob the patrons of their valuables.
Piralli and Moona stay hidden behind the bar. The Brother of the Ninth Door encourages them to sneak out an access door with him. Moona doesn’t hesitate to follow them. After a moment of consideration, Piralli follows her.
When shut into the storage closet with the stranger, he introduces himself as Mindoku. Moona thanks him for helping them hide but that’s not what Mindoku had in mind. He has a plan to save the patrons of the bar from further harm and take out the gang. Moona and Piralli realize they don’t really have a choice and they have to do something to save the other patrons so they agree to help.
Moona and Piralli set a distraction for Mindoku by rolling a barrel of ale out of the supply closet to Kradon, pretending to be employees that have no idea what is going on in the bar. The barrel is open, with the contents pooling around the gang members standing at the bar going unnoticed. Meanwhile, Minduko slips out of the supply closet and suddenly disguises himself perfectly as a gang member without explanation which surprises Piralli. He looks like a completely different person.
With the disguise, Mindoku is able to retrieve his electrostaff from where it is propped up by the door. With it, he ignites the ale on the floor with an electric charge and the gang members standing in the ale all twitch and fall to the floor unconscious.
The bar erupts in cheers for their savior. Piralli confronts him about looking like another person. Mindoku explains that he used the Force and that is how his relationship with the Force works. He can influence how people see him. When asked why he didn’t use it to just escape safely, Mindoku questions why anyone would leave others to suffer when they know they can help. Mindoku assumes correctly that a notion like that does not fit with Piralli’s preconception of people ‘like him’; People whose beliefs they do not understand. It becomes apparent Mindoku just wanted to help and do the right thing, leaving Piralli embarrassed by his assumptions. The Brother of the Ninth Door slips out of the bar quickly, blending with the crowd.
Moona and Piralli are starting to help Kradon clean up when a big boom makes all of Enlightenment shudder. They rush outside to see a pillar of black smoke rising from the Second Spire. That is where they are holding the signing of the Peace Treaty between Eiram and E’ronoh. Kradon nervously admits he does not like the looks of this at all as the shamed gang members slip out of the bar.
Media
Collected in
- Star Wars Insider 216
- Star Wars - Das offizielle Magazin 111
- Star Wars Insider: The High Republic: Tales of Enlightenment
Appearances
| Characters | Organisms | Droid models | Events | Locations |
| Organizations and titles | Sentient species | Vehicles and vessels | Weapons and technology | Miscellanea |
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Organisms
Events
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Locations
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Organizations and titles
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Sentient species
Weapons and technology
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Miscellanea
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Sources
"Tales of Enlightenment: A Different Perspective" — Star Wars Insider 215 (reprinted in Star Wars Insider: The High Republic: Tales of Enlightenment)- "Star Wars: The High Republic: Phase II Companion" — Star Wars Insider 221
Notes and references
- ↑ 1.0 1.1
"Tales of Enlightenment: The Unusual Suspect" — Star Wars Insider 216
- ↑ 2.0 2.1
Star Wars Insider #216 on Titan Comics' official website (backup link)
- ↑ 3.0 3.1
Star Wars - Das offizielle Magazin 111 on Panini's official German website (backup link)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Tales of Enlightenment: A Different Perspective" — Star Wars Insider 215
- ↑ "Tales of Enlightenment: The Unusual Suspect" — Star Wars - Das offizielle Magazin 111
- ↑ The events of "Tales of Enlightenment: The Unusual Suspect" take place concurrent to the events of The High Republic: The Battle of Jedha, which Star Wars: The High Republic Character Encyclopedia dates to 382 BBY.
- ↑ STAR WARS INSIDER #217 NEWSSTAND ED on Previews World's official website (backup link)
- ↑ "Star Wars: The High Republic: Phase II Companion" — Star Wars Insider 221
