Sequel to To Walk Away although it was actually written before. Please forgive the odd format, with the asterisks. This was actually originally written for the Jedi Council Fan Fiction websites, and the asterisks denote an end to the post. We don't need that many chapters, now do we? ;)
Anyway, I write for my own pleasure and cathartic needs. I make no money, and thank Lucas for his incredible universe.
Feedback is always welcome. :) Now, without further ado...
An Anthem Deferred
The Rouge
An exceptional rain fell on the surface of Coruscant as figures hurried through the weather towards their personal destinations. Groups of people moved across the walkways, many moving to find shelter from the rain. It fell in droves, fury making up for infrequency. One person walked alone, however, her face hidden in the cowl of her outer robe. She ignored the rain, walking at a leisurely pace on the damp walkway.
She continued across, making her way carefully although swiftly. It wasn't long before she crossed the invisible boundary marking the difference between the Senatorial sector of Coruscant and a seedier district. The ones close to the presence of the Senate were nicer that the ones across the planet, although none had the high-price glamour of the area dominated by the Senate. The Jedi Temple was located near the Senatorial district, its tall spires showing their own majesty in the skyline. It dominated that area, however dwarfed by the buildings housing the galactic government.
The wind moved the rain almost horizontal, and it caught the cowl of the woman's robe, blowing it away from her face. Her shoulder-length dark hair was buffeted by the wind, although she paid little attention to it. Intense green eyes peered intelligently between the strands of hair. Her slim frame was outlined by the fabric of the robe, revealing rather plain, unadorned clothes beneath.
A few minutes of walking brought her in front of a building where she pulled open the door against the wind, hurrying inside as it slammed shut with extra force. She gave her head a quick shake, her hair falling haphazardly away from her face. The young woman walked across the small lobby to address a small humanoid behind the desk. The humanoid looked annoyed and barked, "State your business."
"My name is Raven Darkfeather, and I'm here to meet a relative of mine," the young woman replied, looking bored with the protocol. The humanoid nodded, indicating a hallway and giving her a room number. As Raven moved away, a look of mild disgust crossed her features. Common courtesy wasn't so expensive that it couldn't be afforded even in this sector of Coruscant.
She entered the room that she was indicated, finding only an older man wearing pants with the Corellian blood stripe down the legs and a loose tunic. "I thought you would be earlier," he said, his tone revealing his mild irritation.
Raven shrugged indifferently. "If you wouldn't make the pick-up points in rather public places, especially in the Senatorial sector, you might find me a little more prompt," she retorted lightly. "However, I am not late. If you are unhappy with my services, find yourself another runner." She produced a small data chip from a pouch that hung on her belt, offering it to the Corellian.
He took it, handing her a credit chip in return as he snorted scornfully. "You are the best runner I have ever encountered. I won't dismiss you on the grounds of you almost being late. Your talents at remaining anonymous are key to the distribution of information I find both important and private."
Inclining her head slightly in suggestion of a bow, she took the credit chip. "You know how to contact me should you require my particular talents again," she replied, a hint of amusement on her face. Raven turned and exited the room, leaving with silent footsteps.
***
The brief squall had stopped by the time Raven exited the nondescript building. Gray clouds still hung low in the air, which was moist and warm from the storm. She left the hood of her cloak down as she began moving down the walkway towards the closest transport station.
The station was crowded, full of different species, some conversing in low tones and a myriad of languages on the platform. Slowly, she threaded her way to the transport that would take her across the planet, to one of the more dubious districts on Coruscant. No one took notice of the dark-haired woman.
Her ride was uneventful, despite the fact she spent it standing up. When the transport stopped at her location, she slipped away in the sparse crowd, paying no attention to the raised eyebrows from the wealthier passengers. It didn't take strong senses to tell that they felt superior to anyone who would get off in the area of the capital planet.
A few blocks from the transport stop, a large group of people had gathered. An older man stood on a small, temporary platform. He was expounding on the greed and evils of the Senate politicians and the various elements within its entourage. His shouts were filled with accusations of the corruption within the government. As he stormed on top of his platform, he complained that instead of being concerned with their home planets and systems, many of the politicians found little interesting beyond increasing their power and the number of credits within their accounts.
Raven moved along the perimeter of the group, smiling faintly at the man's audacity. Any diplomat would be angered by his speech, especially the truthful examples he cited. She had little love lost for politicians, especially the breed the status of senator in the Galactic Senate attracted. The Republic was slowly being distorted from within, its focus moving from governing to greed. Still, inviting attention by voicing such views was dangerous to her. Raven had her own methods of fighting those transgressions.
She was almost beyond the crowd when someone grabbed her arm painfully. Raven whirled, her hackles rising at the affront. A member of the Coruscant Security, Diplomatic Corps, grinned back at her insolently. He had a data pad and light pen tucked in one hand. His blue eyes had a feral look as he continued to smirk. "What have we here?" he said amused, his voice slick.
"Shove off," Raven replied harshly, yanking her arm from his grasp. The man clucked his tongue chidingly, gently fingering the lavender armband indicating his status as he put away his data pad and pen. He moved in front of her, blocking her path.
"That's no way to speak to a member of the CorSec, especially one under the command of the senator from Corellia," he replied smoothly, making it obvious she wouldn't get past without making a scene.
"Are you taking notes for Boeta?" she replied in return. "I knew he was too indolent to do his own dirty work."
The guard sneered at the taunt. "If you were to join our ranks and run for us, you might find the benefits of working for one as influential as Senator Boeta. Your assets will be well appreciated," he added, giving a cursory, corporeal glance to her.
Raven's hand strayed to the lightsaber clipped to her hip. The guard followed the movement, his face contorting into a wicked grin. "That's it, strike me down. Your precious Temple won't come to your defense. I know your past. Boeta would crucify you for it and slaughter the Temple's image for allowing a rogue like you to walk away from them unwatched."
She slipped past him instead, allowing her frustration to dissipate in to the Force, her frustration at allowing her anger to control her actions to that extent and losing her focus. The guards shouldn't have riled her up that much, even if he was a diplomatic guard to Boeta himself. He made it his business to cause trouble for the Jedi Temple, as well as her, since she didn't want to be his runner or lover. That was why he dug up her past and informed his guards of her appearance and past, to coerce her into compliance. It helped explain why Raven was determined to reveal his past and present misdeeds.
However, that didn't stop the guard's cruel laughter from echoing in her ears. He was still right, as much as she hated it.
Anyway, I write for my own pleasure and cathartic needs. I make no money, and thank Lucas for his incredible universe.
Feedback is always welcome. :) Now, without further ado...
An Anthem Deferred
The Rouge
An exceptional rain fell on the surface of Coruscant as figures hurried through the weather towards their personal destinations. Groups of people moved across the walkways, many moving to find shelter from the rain. It fell in droves, fury making up for infrequency. One person walked alone, however, her face hidden in the cowl of her outer robe. She ignored the rain, walking at a leisurely pace on the damp walkway.
She continued across, making her way carefully although swiftly. It wasn't long before she crossed the invisible boundary marking the difference between the Senatorial sector of Coruscant and a seedier district. The ones close to the presence of the Senate were nicer that the ones across the planet, although none had the high-price glamour of the area dominated by the Senate. The Jedi Temple was located near the Senatorial district, its tall spires showing their own majesty in the skyline. It dominated that area, however dwarfed by the buildings housing the galactic government.
The wind moved the rain almost horizontal, and it caught the cowl of the woman's robe, blowing it away from her face. Her shoulder-length dark hair was buffeted by the wind, although she paid little attention to it. Intense green eyes peered intelligently between the strands of hair. Her slim frame was outlined by the fabric of the robe, revealing rather plain, unadorned clothes beneath.
A few minutes of walking brought her in front of a building where she pulled open the door against the wind, hurrying inside as it slammed shut with extra force. She gave her head a quick shake, her hair falling haphazardly away from her face. The young woman walked across the small lobby to address a small humanoid behind the desk. The humanoid looked annoyed and barked, "State your business."
"My name is Raven Darkfeather, and I'm here to meet a relative of mine," the young woman replied, looking bored with the protocol. The humanoid nodded, indicating a hallway and giving her a room number. As Raven moved away, a look of mild disgust crossed her features. Common courtesy wasn't so expensive that it couldn't be afforded even in this sector of Coruscant.
She entered the room that she was indicated, finding only an older man wearing pants with the Corellian blood stripe down the legs and a loose tunic. "I thought you would be earlier," he said, his tone revealing his mild irritation.
Raven shrugged indifferently. "If you wouldn't make the pick-up points in rather public places, especially in the Senatorial sector, you might find me a little more prompt," she retorted lightly. "However, I am not late. If you are unhappy with my services, find yourself another runner." She produced a small data chip from a pouch that hung on her belt, offering it to the Corellian.
He took it, handing her a credit chip in return as he snorted scornfully. "You are the best runner I have ever encountered. I won't dismiss you on the grounds of you almost being late. Your talents at remaining anonymous are key to the distribution of information I find both important and private."
Inclining her head slightly in suggestion of a bow, she took the credit chip. "You know how to contact me should you require my particular talents again," she replied, a hint of amusement on her face. Raven turned and exited the room, leaving with silent footsteps.
***
The brief squall had stopped by the time Raven exited the nondescript building. Gray clouds still hung low in the air, which was moist and warm from the storm. She left the hood of her cloak down as she began moving down the walkway towards the closest transport station.
The station was crowded, full of different species, some conversing in low tones and a myriad of languages on the platform. Slowly, she threaded her way to the transport that would take her across the planet, to one of the more dubious districts on Coruscant. No one took notice of the dark-haired woman.
Her ride was uneventful, despite the fact she spent it standing up. When the transport stopped at her location, she slipped away in the sparse crowd, paying no attention to the raised eyebrows from the wealthier passengers. It didn't take strong senses to tell that they felt superior to anyone who would get off in the area of the capital planet.
A few blocks from the transport stop, a large group of people had gathered. An older man stood on a small, temporary platform. He was expounding on the greed and evils of the Senate politicians and the various elements within its entourage. His shouts were filled with accusations of the corruption within the government. As he stormed on top of his platform, he complained that instead of being concerned with their home planets and systems, many of the politicians found little interesting beyond increasing their power and the number of credits within their accounts.
Raven moved along the perimeter of the group, smiling faintly at the man's audacity. Any diplomat would be angered by his speech, especially the truthful examples he cited. She had little love lost for politicians, especially the breed the status of senator in the Galactic Senate attracted. The Republic was slowly being distorted from within, its focus moving from governing to greed. Still, inviting attention by voicing such views was dangerous to her. Raven had her own methods of fighting those transgressions.
She was almost beyond the crowd when someone grabbed her arm painfully. Raven whirled, her hackles rising at the affront. A member of the Coruscant Security, Diplomatic Corps, grinned back at her insolently. He had a data pad and light pen tucked in one hand. His blue eyes had a feral look as he continued to smirk. "What have we here?" he said amused, his voice slick.
"Shove off," Raven replied harshly, yanking her arm from his grasp. The man clucked his tongue chidingly, gently fingering the lavender armband indicating his status as he put away his data pad and pen. He moved in front of her, blocking her path.
"That's no way to speak to a member of the CorSec, especially one under the command of the senator from Corellia," he replied smoothly, making it obvious she wouldn't get past without making a scene.
"Are you taking notes for Boeta?" she replied in return. "I knew he was too indolent to do his own dirty work."
The guard sneered at the taunt. "If you were to join our ranks and run for us, you might find the benefits of working for one as influential as Senator Boeta. Your assets will be well appreciated," he added, giving a cursory, corporeal glance to her.
Raven's hand strayed to the lightsaber clipped to her hip. The guard followed the movement, his face contorting into a wicked grin. "That's it, strike me down. Your precious Temple won't come to your defense. I know your past. Boeta would crucify you for it and slaughter the Temple's image for allowing a rogue like you to walk away from them unwatched."
She slipped past him instead, allowing her frustration to dissipate in to the Force, her frustration at allowing her anger to control her actions to that extent and losing her focus. The guards shouldn't have riled her up that much, even if he was a diplomatic guard to Boeta himself. He made it his business to cause trouble for the Jedi Temple, as well as her, since she didn't want to be his runner or lover. That was why he dug up her past and informed his guards of her appearance and past, to coerce her into compliance. It helped explain why Raven was determined to reveal his past and present misdeeds.
However, that didn't stop the guard's cruel laughter from echoing in her ears. He was still right, as much as she hated it.