Lexxa folded her arms across her chest as she went through her mental check list one last time. She stood in the middle of her room, looking the part of the model Jedi Padawan. She was in her formal Jedi attire that felt a little more rigid then her every day temple uniform. Her belt, fastened tightly around her waist, held all the necessary equipment. Her new lightsaber hung proudly on her left side, glinting slightly in the sunlight that streamed into the room. Her hair was pulled up into a tight neat bun on the back of her head, as custom for female padawans. The padawan braid was neatly re-braided and hung from behind her right ear.

Coming to the conclusion that everything was in order, Lexxa picked up her pack and walked briskly out of the room.

Lottos was finishing a conversation on the comm. unit when she appeared in the common room. "Ah you've made it, Padawan," Lottos teased, reaching out to pull lightly on her braid. The tug was slightly sharp and Lexxa held back a wince. "When are we going, Master?"

"Impatient as always. But it seems like the senator's shuttle will be landing in several moments so we should go now."

Lexxa nodded eagerly and followed Lottos out of their quarters and down the long hall that would take them to the turbolift. The two were silent for most of the trip except for Lottos telling Lexxa to always follow his lead and keep quite unless addressed directly The young padawan nodded. For all her independent nature, common sense was only too willing to remind her that she had no idea how to handle these situations yet, as simple as the mission may be.

Sedated for the time being by inexperience the girl's independence streaked stayed in the background of her existence, awaiting its time to show itself.

He was supposed to be having a day off, but no, the council had selected him as their messenger boy. What a great afternoon activity: rounding up younglings.

The rather disgruntled senior padawan made his way through the initiate's complex, collecting thirteen year old Jedi-wannabes. He knew he should, but it was rather hard to feel sorry for these children somehow. Their dreams would be shattered and lost forever. But then, as his master would say, if it is the way of the Force then it's for the best.

It wasn't too big a lot this time. Only five. He heard the number of rejects could go as high as fifteen at a time. The new generation of knights was lazy. Everyone wanted solo missions. No one wanted a little brat stuck to their side.

"Kin where are we going?" A girl with a sandy blond pony tail asked timidly.

"The council wishes to speak with the lot of you," he answered, looking around at the four sad faces that surrounded him. The girl who had spoke, Jayna he thought it was, had hung her head as soon as he turned to look at her. The Zabarak boy, Toyl, that stood next to her, was fidgeting nervously. The Twi'Lek twins, Lila and Alil, were whispering into each others ears incoherently. Pathetic and yet very touching, Kin thought darkly. 'Any of you know a kid by the name of Gal?"

Jayna nodded slightly.

"Where can I find him?"

Jayna shrugged. "I don't know that. I just know Gal."

Kin sighed in exasperation. He scanned the area for any morning-class ditchers. A girl with blond hair and a short padawan braid caught his eye. "Hey!" he called out.

The girl stopped and turned around. 'Great,' Kin thought, 'Padawan Ji. How did SHE ever get chosen. She's got more enthusiasm then all the younglings put together.'

"Me?" Lenna asked.

"Umm…yes. What are you doing here anyways?"

"Going to see friend."

"What friend might that be?"

"Gal."

Kin blinked. "Galahan Edel?"

Lenna nodded. "Yes. He should be out of class in five minutes and I though-"

"Could you get him for me," Kin interrupted her.

"Why?"

Kin almost rolled his eyes at her. "The council wants to see him."

Lenna suddenly looked very much alert. "Why does the council want to see him?"

The older padawan gave her a sad smile. "He is thirteen isn't he?"

Senator Phariichi was far from modest but she possessed an elegant air about her that many senators lost over time. The elegance quickly turned into arrogance and egotism. She was a slim human woman with graying chestnut locks that were bound into a tight bun on the top of her head. Her dark navy blue eyes were alert and piercingly sharp yet not intrusive. She was of medium height and wore a splendid ocean green gown, which outlined her hourglass figure in all accuracy.

The senator stepped out from her circle of body guards as the two Jedi approached her. "If I am not mistaken then you are the Jedi protectors that I had requested?" she inquired mildly, her flowing Etal accent clearly audible.

Lottos bowed to her and the padawan at his side followed suit promptly. "Milady, I am Jedi Knight Ser-Gay Lottos and this is my Padawan Learner Lexxa Lysk. We have been assigned to be your protectors during your stay on Coruscant."

"I am glad to have you here, Master Lottos. The letters I have been receiving are quite terrible!"

"If you do not mind, Milady, may I see one of these letters if you happen to have them on your person?"

"Oh certainly!" She reached into her purse and pulled out a basic datapad. Lottos took it from her carefully and turned it on. Lexxa raised her self on tiptoes so she could see the datapad as well.

…You are an abomination. A perfect example of corruption and all that is evil in this galaxy. A cell out just like all before you. Your family line has been tainted with this crime of foolishness that you flaunt. All the Phariichis are sithspawn arrogant unwholesome trash that is radical in their selfishness. This is your curse and your curse and on the fourteenth standard day of the sixth standard month the youngest of your line will meat her fate…

Lottos turned off the datapad and handed it back to the senator. "They are planning to act today then. Are you the youngest of the Phariichi line?"

Senator Phariichi nodded quickly. "My brother is a year older then myself. He has no children and in fact isn't even married. No one of my extended family carries the name ether."

"What of your daughter?"

"Oh no, Master Jedi, she carries the name of her departed father, Avilan. Now if you will follow me please. I must attend to a senatorial meeting. After that we will catch a shuttle to other side of Coruscant. I promised my daughter that I would attend her concert tonight."

As the two Jedi followed the dignified senator to her private transport Lottos said quietly, so that only Lexxa could hear, "Keep your senses alert for trouble, Padawan. I have a fishy feeling about all of this."