The characters depicted in this story are from the Star Wars Universe. They are owned by and copyrighted trademark of George Lucas. The characters not depicted in the Star Wars Universe are property of my friends from a Star Wars role playing board. Mira is my own creation.

A long time ago….in a galaxy far, far away……

Star Wars:

Tales of the New Republic

It has been many years since the fall of the Empire.

The New Republic Senate is in constant

debate over the running of the government.

With the Empire almost gone, some

Senators feel there is no longer

a need for the military, a military

that brought them from the

Darkside and back into the light.

Master Luke Skywalker has settled on Yavin IV.

Having created a new Jedi temple and finding many

holocubes about the history and training of the old Jedi.

Master Skywalker is attempting to restore the Jedi

as guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy.

Not all are please with his efforts

And some new Jedi have left the Order…..

A YT-2400 landed on a platform near the Senate Building on Coruscant. There was a hissing sound and the ramp lowered. A cloaked and hooded figure emerged, blaster rifle in it's hand. It looked around, then consulted a data pad. Once satisfied, it nodded to the ramp and a Senator climbed out, followed by his advisors. He tugged on the cloaked figure's robes.

"Conte, I'm not paying you all these credits to be treated this way! I am the Senator of Commenor, I demand better accommodations next time!"

The figure lowered the rifle and pulled down the hood which had been concealing it's face. A young woman sighed. She was in her late teens, but looked formidable. Mira shook her blonde hair away from her face and glared right back at the Senator. Her pale blue eyes boring right through him.

"Fine. Pay me and I'll get out of your way. I didn't vote for you. What do I care if you have a price on your head? But I'll tell you one thing…you'll be hard pressed to find another body guard willing to watch your back so the Huts don't blast you into a million particles."

She grinned. Mira knew all to well that she was the only one the Senator was able to get to protect him. And he only agreed because Mira had trained to be a Jedi. Indeed she had past the trials, early, in fact. Mira then travelled with her Master for a year before leaving the Jedi Order. She shook the thought away. She wasn't a Jedi…not anymore. Mira cleared her throat, then started back for the ramp of her ship. One of the Senator's advisors caught her by the shoulder. She raised an eyebrow at him and he quickly let go. The Senator, finally finding his voice, grumbled at her.

"I…I'll pay you once you've completed the task for which you were hired. Not before."

Mira shrugged and walked back in front of the Senator.

"Whatever…but my fee has just increased. And I expect to be paid today Senator Balier."

The Senator made to argue, until he caught the glare in her eyes. He grunted, but remained silent. It was a short walk from the landing platform to the Senate Building. Mira was to escort the Senator and his advisors to their office, then leave. This was fine by her. She disliked politics and politicians. Politics was the cause of her brothers deaths at the hands of Lord Scorpius, a Dark Jedi and the new leader of the Empire. Politicians within the New Jedi Order were responsible for the death of her parents. At least, that's what she had been told. Her parents death was the main reason she had abandoned the Jedi. No one would give her a straight answer or let her speak to Master Skywalker. She sometimes felt guilty, but it usually passed quickly. Before she knew it, they had arrived at the Senator's office. Mira opened the door, then held up her hand, signalling them to stop. Something was off. She raised her rifle in one hand and grabbed her lightsaber in her other. A reflex she'd gained from her missions with Master Je'Kre.

Silently, she slipped in, her Jedi senses scanning the room. Someone was in here and they had murder on their mind. With a sudden movement, she ignited her lightsaber and had it at the throat of a bounty hunter. A smirk graced her mouth and with a wave of her other hand, which still gripped the rifle, the lights came on.

"Not very bright, are you?"

The bounty hunter twitched slightly. No one informed him there was a Jedi guarding the Senator. He was glaring from behind his mask, but he knew that he was no match for a Jedi.

"It's a job. The Huts are offering a lot of money for the Senator. Dead or alive. I won't be the last one who comes for him."

Mira raised an eyebrow. She had no idea why the Huts wanted the Senator dead, nor did she care. Her only concern was getting him to his office. She disarmed the bounty hunter, then stepped back. She tapped a button on the Senator's desk and a voice blared over the com.

"This is security, what is the problem?"

She snickered lightly as she shook her head. Coruscant security had become a joke.

"The problem is there's a bounty hunter in Senator Balier's office. I've disarmed him. Think you guys can come and pick him up?"

The com became filled with static for a moment. Mira smacked the desk and the static cleared.

"We'll be there in a few moments. Security out."

The com shut off and Mira returned her attention back to the bounty hunter as the Senator and his advisors entered the room. Balier stood behind Mira, a smug look on his face. She lowered her lightsaber a little.

"Not so confident against a Jedi, are you! Ha! Scum. You'll get what you deserve now!"

"Mind not taunting the bounty hunter? He is here to kill you, after all Senator. I could just…let him have a go at you if you don't shut up."

Balier stepped back and sputtered.

"You…you wouldn't!"

Mira smirked and looked over her shoulder.

"Try me."

At that moment, security arrived and took the bounty hunter into custody. They led the bounty hunter away and the captain nodded to Mira as she closed down her lightsaber and tucked it away.

"Mira, good to see you . The Chancellor will want to thank you."

She shook her head. That's the last thing she wanted. It was time to go.

"Maybe another time Reshire. It was good to see you as well, old friend."

The captain nodded again and left the Senator's office. Once the door was closed, Mira rounded on the Senator.

"Balier, I'd take care who you insult. The Huts want you dead. It's not wise to say…stupid things. Remember, you have a large price on your head. Now…I want fifty thousand credits in my account."

"Fif…fifty thousand? That's outrageous! What would someone as young as you need fifty thousand credits for?"

Mira crossed her rifle across her chest and rolled her eyes. This was why she didn't take on body guard duty to often. But she had owed the Queen of Commenor a favor. Once he was finished complaining, Mira held up her data pad.

"What I need it for is none of your business. If you're going to refuse to pay me, I can always let the Huts know where you are and give them the means to get to you. I told you on the platform that my fee had increased."

"But fifty thousand? That's…that's robbery! If I'm to pay that much, I demand that you stay until I go back to Commenor."

She raised an eyebrow and snorted. This guy was unbelievable. She walked closer to the desk and got in Balier's face. She had to get out of here. He was on his way. She could feel it.

"My contract is over. The agreement was to get you to your office. I have done that. Now it is your turn to keep up your end of the bargain. Credits. In my account. Now."

Balier muttered under his breath, but tapped a few buttons on his desk. Mira straightened up and consulted her data pad. Within minutes, there was a smile upon her face. She patted his desk and slung the rifle over her shoulder.

"Thank you. I'd say it's been a pleasure, but we both know that'd be lie. Good luck Senator."

And without waiting for a response, she left the room. Mira took quick steps back to the platform. She was almost there when a voice she hadn't heard in two years spoke.

"Mira! Mira wait!"

Mira stopped, groaned slightly then spun around. Standing in front of her was Master Jacen Solo. She crossed her arms and did her best to look annoyed.

"Yes Master Solo? Is there something you need…because I was just about to leave."

Inside her ship, The Commenor's Dream, Jayce sat in the navigator's chair, waiting on Mira. He sat up a little as she exited the building, then frowned. A Jedi was following her. They were not close enough to hear what was being said, but he had a good idea what it was about…Mira going back to the Order. Jayce got up, went to one of the gunners chairs and got the Jedi in his sights. One wrong move and he'd be dust.

Jacen nodded to Mira and stepped closer to her, aware that guns on her ship aimed directly at him. He had a job to do, so he cleared his mind. He could not be distracted by her friend. Jacen crossed his arms behind his back as he titled his head to the side.

"Yes, I do need something Mira. I need for you to lis"

Mira put up her hand to cut him off.

"Don't even bother Master Solo. I'm not going back. The Order has lied to me, as has the Empire and the Republic. I don't have time for anymore."

She looked away, suppressing the rage she suddenly felt. No, she would not lose control. She may have left the Jedi, but she was not going to turn. Quick as she felt it, the anger left her. Mira shook her head and sighed before she looked back at him.

"Mast…Jacen, I know you have never lied to me, but I just can't go back. Not now. I've been gone far to long to be welcomed back. And I don't trust the Council. I do trust your uncle, but they're not going to let me talk to him. They wouldn't before. Why should I believe anything's changed?"

Jacen slowly shook his head and let out a sigh. He knew she was stubborn, but it seemed that no one could get through to her.

"It has changed. They all sense it, surely you must. Things are about to explode. We need all the Jedi Knights working to prevent it. Please Mira, we need you."

Mira shut her eyes and shook her head. In truth, she had felt the shift in the Force, but she had made her choice. The Council needed to deal with it. She turned her back on Jacen.

"I'm not needed anymore Master Solo. I'm not a Jedi. Now it you'll excuse me."

She didn't look back. Mira simply climbed up the ramp to her ship and it shut behind her with a loud hiss. Jacen watched as the ship fired up it's repulsor lifts and took off. He watched the skies long after the ship had faded from view. He sighed softly

"May the Force be with you Mira. You'll be needing it. And I'll be waiting."