CHAPTER 2

CORUSCANT

"Another mission we have for you, Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan Alia Lyssa. To Alderaan you will go." Yoda spoke slowly and surely to me and my master. He told us that the Neimoidians were stirring up trouble with the peaceful Alderaanians about trade routes. The Trade Federation just couldn't stay out of trouble, it seemed. Mace Windu, sitting beside Yoda in the Jedi Council room, spoke up next.

"You must not act aggressively towards the Neimoidians in the slightest. Negotiate with them and the Alderaanians until you reach a fair agreement. Contact us if you are in need of assistance." Master Windu folded his hands and stared at us. I could feel the eyes of all the council members boring into us as we stood surrounded by them.

"Our judgment, the Alderaanians respect, but only power and money, the Neimoidians respect." Yoda finished, and we were dismissed. Nodding, we left the room. I peeked into many rooms as we traveled, seeing younglings in most of them, and a few Jedi meditating, though the majority of the Jedi meditated in private, where no noises or people could disturb them. We finally reached our T-6 Shuttle, and found Lori climbing up into one next to us. I noticed his Padawan braid was gone, and he was wearing a dark robe.

"Hi," He said. The grief I had seen in his eyes a week before when we captured the bounty hunters and brought them to justice had left, and he looked more determined. I could still sense a little pocket of grief inside of him with the Force, even if it didn't show on his face.

"Hello," I returned, and Master Qui-Gon nodded to him. "Congratulations on becoming a Jedi Knight." I smiled at him. "Where are you headed?" I asked him. He thanked me and told me he was off to Kashyyyk because the Wookiees had been having trouble with the Trade Federation. I commented on all the problems that the Trade Federation had been causing the Republic lately, with trade route disputes of all kind.

"Though without the Neimoidians, we'd be very bored." Qui-Gon spoke, and laughed in a soft, good-humored way. Saying our goodbyes, we all boarded our ships and headed to our destinations.

My least favorite part of flying was hyperspace. Qui-Gon usually meditated, but I had trouble following his example. I was always too focused on the mission ahead, and tooanxious to begin. Tapping my fingers on the control board, I couldn't help myself but watch the little icon of our ship connect the dots of our route in slow motion. Patience, I told myself over and over again, closing my eyes. I imagined all the Jedi I knew saying that to me, and me finally listening. Yoda would say Patience, you must learn, and my master would say Relax, concentrate, and be patient. Master Windu would tell me Patience is the key to control.

I took a deep breath and realized that we had finally arrived at Alderaan. My patience had paid off. As we landed on the planet, I got a bad feeling about the mission, like it wouldn't go as planned. I felt like the Force was sending me a Beware! message. I decided to be extra cautious during this mission.

Beautiful mountains with dangerously steep cliffs towered over the capital Aldera, leaving their shimmering reflection on the lake beneath their tall peaks.The elegant white buildings reached for the azure sky, painfully detailed and designed. This had been my home before I had been discovered by Master Jocasta Nu, when I was three. I remembered next to nothing about my family or my home, but that was for the best. Master Yoda always said, "A Jedi must not form attachments."

"Welcome." Senator Aldrete greeted us as we stepped onto the landing platform. My master and I nodded to him and introduced ourselves, and he explained the situation to us. "I am glad you could come. The Trade Federation and Dorvalla Mining have been mining for resources in our mountains. At first, they had our permission to do so, but they have attracted pirates and other mercenaries, causing many of our people to be robbed. We have asked the Federation to vacate our planet, but they refuse, saying they have every right to mine here for all eternity. Our economy has suffered because the Federation has gone back on their word to share the profits with us. They have even surrounded the mines and bases with their private army of battle droids!" The Senator, who had been increasing in agitation, looked at us with much worry in his eyes.

"Don't worry, Senator. I'm sure we can find a solution to end the suffering of your people," Master replied. "We will speak with the leaders of the Trade Federation."

"But first you must come and rest after your journey. We wish to offer good hospitality to our guests. You must meet our monarch, Queen Mazicia Organa. She wishes to speak to you, Master Jedi." That comment made me realize that the Senator assumed either that I was a full Jedi Knight, or he was only addressing my master. I hoped that it was the former.

Following my master inside one of the government buildings, we saw the grand interior of the delicate structures we had previously seen from afar. Inspired by the landscapes and animals of this planet, vivid carvings and paintings scattered the walls and ceilings. On a throne as white as the snow swirling on the Alderaanian mountains sat a woman with hair like the brownish color of the rocky mountain faces. It was twirled into a bun on the back of her head, and two braids looped out and down to her neck, then back up into the bun. She smiled down at us, but I could read worry in her face. Her people were suffering, and she was trying to hide her distress.

She discussed what was to be done about the Trade Federation for a while with my master, confirming what I'd thought the Senator had possibly said, but not what I had hoped he meant. Did I really look too young to be talked to like a Jedi? Sure, I was skinny and short, but didn't I get to be addressed by the queen? At least Master would include me in his plan to negotiate with the Federation.

The Queen dismissed us, and I bowed to her behind my master. The Senator said we should stay the night in the city, since the sun was setting over the mountain peaks. He showed us to where we would stay, while chatting all the while about how great things would be once the Trade Federation left Alderaan.

Our destination was two apartment rooms on a high floor of the government building. Both were decorated with white and gray patterns on curved columns and ceilings. Two intricately embroidered curtains veiled a balcony overlooking the ice blue lake. The fresh mountain air, though thin, was very refreshing. I stepped out and stared across the lake, feeling a chilling wind brush my shoulders. The blue lake slowly turned black as the sun glided behind the mountains, leaving a rainbow of colors also being reflected on the lake.

Pain suddenly shot from my neck to my head. Touching the spot, I yanked something out of me. A gray poisonous dart lay in my hand. I gasped, whirling around to see where the dart had come from. Isaw a Mandalorian standing on another balcony, holding a long projectile rifle. My legs grew numb and I fell to the ground. My lips felt glued shut; I could not call out when I willed them to move.

The Mandalorian used the jetpack attached to his armor to fly over to me, and used electric shock handcuffs to bind my wrists. With no way to struggle, I used the Force to push the Mandalorian off the balcony, but he saved himself with his jetpack. My head grew cloudy. I couldn't focus enough to call on the Force again. Help! Of course no one could hear my groggy thoughts, making me feel hopeless. I couldn't move, speak, or think as the Mandalorian launched himself off the balcony, towing me like baggage. He used his jetpack to slow us down as we neared the ground, and dragged me towards his ship.