The Story of forgotten Jedi Owen Sun
Chapter 24: A New Assignment
Four years later…
With just a year before the mighty Clone Wars the galaxy was anything but stable, the new faction calling themselves the Confederacy of Independent Systems or CIS was growing braver as tiny skirmishes broke out across several planets galaxy wide. Knowing the impending danger to the peace and stability of the Galactic Republic the Jedi Council sent several Knights and Masters to defuse many situations throughout the galaxy. Soon to be infamously known as the Separatists the evil organization blockaded many worlds stealing their resources for the war soon to come.
One similar event occurred on the planet of Colla IV when a Republic civilian transport was shot down over the planet. All contact had been lost with the shuttle and they we're presumed captured or killed in the crash, it had been two months and the Senate didn't care much for the lost transport and its 12,000 inhabitants so the responsibility fell on the shoulders of the Jedi Council. Much had to be decided on this issue, it had been two whole months since they lost contact with the shuttle, the inhabitants could very well be dead or possibly captured. To the council it seemed like an unnecessary risk to send a Jedi to the unstable world but seeing as it was a Republic transport full of innocent civilians they grudgingly agreed to find the missing shuttle.
The question now was who would the council select for this no doubt dangerous assignment, well with Owen Sun and Milla Talarus the only Jedi Knights available the council had to decide which one would go?
Meanwhile in the Jedi Temples mess.
Just returning from their respective missions Owen and Milla were as usual laughing and talking to one another.
"Sounds like you had fun dealing with that bounty hunter on Ord Mantell" said Owen.
"Not as much fun as you had on Socorro with those pirates I imagine" replied Milla.
Owen chucked. "You'd be surprised how far a bunch of raiding pirates go to protect what they've stolen"
Since her return to the Jedi Temple four years ago Owen and Milla had grown very close, even closer than when they were kids. They were rarely seen apart and many in the Temple began to wonder if she was Owens Padawan, which obviously wasn't the case as most recently Milla had achieved the rank of Jedi Knight, they were just friends, good friends. Over time their close interaction did draw attention as most Jedi weren't as close but for the most part they were perceived as nothing more than close friends, much to the distaste of her former Master Milla continued to converse with Owen. She always kept her guard up not allowing anyone to see into her true feelings as spending time with Owen had rejuvenated her old feelings for him. Owen was just happy to have his good friend back and not having to think about his departed Master so much, in some small way Milla filled the void that Arca had left in his heart when he left the order.
Milla looked the same as always still very beautiful but Owen had grown his blond hair out a little longer, now sporting a medium haircut parted down the middle allowing his front bangs to hang down to his forehead.
A Temple aid then approached to two while they were still eating. "Excuse me, Jedi Knights Sun and Talarus?"
"Yes" they responded.
"You are needed in the council chambers" stated the Temple aid.
"Both of us?" questioned Milla.
"Yes, they wanted both of you" he replied.
Owen and Milla looked at each other puzzled. "Very well, we'll leave right away" said Owen.
Meanwhile back in the council chambers.
"Are you sure this is wise, it seems like quite a risk" stated Windu.
"Yes, I agree with Master Windu it would only draw more attention to them" said Gallia.
"Umm divided the council is on this matter but situation unclear on hostile planet it is, need more help each one does" stated the cryptic Yoda.
Just then as they deliberated the turbo-lift doors opened.
Owen and Milla dressed in their traditional brown Jedi robes and white Jedi garments underneath stepped forward into the council chambers. "You summoned us Masters" said Owen.
"Yes, step forward" replied Windu.
Around the round chamber stood some new and old faces on the Jedi Council, Masters Yoda, Windu, Mundi, Koon, Poof, Gallia, Rancisis, Tiin, Koth, Piell, Billaba, and a few new members Coleman Trebor and Shaak Ti.
"Hmm good to see you again it is, trust things went well on Soccoro they did" greeted Master Yoda.
"Yes, the pirate raider situation has been dealt with" informed Owen.
"And what about you Knight Talarus, how did you fare on your first mission alone?" wondered Mundi.
"Very good Masters, I was able to tract down and subdue the droid bounty hunter" informed Milla.
This was nothing new for Owen, ever since he became a Jedi Knight four years back the council had called upon him several hundred times, he had proven he was capable for any kind of mission. As for Milla she was still learning of her new responsibilities and was inexperienced as a Jedi Knight.
"We have called you here because we have a new assignment for you" informed Windu.
"Recently a Republic civilian transport was shot down over the planet Colla IV, we believe the transport crashed and the inhabitants have been killed or captured" informed Windu.
"That is were you two come in" stated Koon.
"Excuse me but did you say Colla IV Master Windu?" asked Owen.
"Yes, is there something wrong?" he replied.
"Well yes, many ships and freighters are lost in that sector and the Senate and council have never put up much of a fuss for them" stated Owen.
Windu raised his hand in defense. "We realize this and so does the Senate but because the shuttle is from the Republic we will attempt to find it"
Owen looked over to Milla distressed. "Very well Masters, what is it you need of us?" asked Milla.
"Normally this type of assignment would be for only one, but the council has decided to send both of you" informed Mundi.
"Both of us?" questioned Owen.
"Realize different it will be for both but threat unknown it is, help you may need" stated Yoda.
Windu and Gallia looked to each other concerned. "Master Yoda is no doubt right, we know very little about the hostile world, it would be unwise to send just one of you" agreed Master Rancisis.
"What we do know about Colla IV is that it is populated by the dangerous Colicoid race and they do not support the Republic and despise our order" informed Windu.
"Umm believe aided Trade Federation they did in the Battle for Naboo" stated Yoda.
"Although it was never proven" added Mundi.
"So there you have it, we want you to go to Colla IV find the civilian transport and discover the fate of the missing inhabitants" ordered Gallia.
"Owen, seeing as you're more experienced you'll be leading this assignment" informed Windu.
"Yes Masters, we'll leave right away" replied Owen.
"And just so you both know those are innocent civilians, use whatever means necessary to bring them back alive, I suspect the worst from the Colicoids" stated Windu.
"Hmm yes, callous and murderous nature they have" added Koon.
"We will take every precaution and heed the councils warning" replied Milla.
"To shield your presence were fitting some specially made sensor disrupters to your Starfighters for a safe landing, make sure to use them before entry" cautioned Windu.
"Yes Master, I'll make sure we do" replied Owen.
With that the meeting with the Jedi Council ended and as the other council members left the chamber Windu stayed behind and had some last words with Owen. Windu then nodded to Gallia as Milla made her way toward the turbo-lift. "There is one last thing I wished to discuss with you away from the ears of others" said Windu.
"What is it Master?" asked Owen.
Still sitting comfortably in his council seat Windu went on to explain his concern for them on this assignment.
Meanwhile in the turbo-lift.
"You're growing quite attached to him again Milla, more so than before" stated a concerned Gallia.
"Were just friends Master, nothing more" defended Milla.
"I sense you are telling me the truth but it could just be your guarding your feelings, as a child you weren't able to" stated Gallia.
"You do still understand why I took you to Ragoon 6, if you would of stayed you could of damaged yours and Owens training and progress with your strong feelings for him, if I hadn't of separated you two then eventually you would of succumb to your lustful emotions" explained Gallia.
Please Master I…" Milla was cut off by her former Master.
"Before you go I need to know if you still have the same feelings for him" interrupted Gallia.
Milla was about to quickly respond but Gallia cut her off again. "Think hard on your choice Milla, it could endanger both of you"
She looked straight at Gallia. "No Master, I don't" she said firmly.
Milla had lied, she still cared deeply for Owen.
Back in the council chambers Owen and Windu continued their conversation.
"Are you certain?" questioned Windu.
"Yes Master, believe me we are just friends and it will go no further" assured Owen.
Windu rubbed his chin in disbelief.
"Master I would not so callously forsake my Jedi oath, I realize we have no such attachments to protect us from ourselves" stated Owen.
Mace smiled. "Something Arca taught you no doubt"
"Master I assure you that nothing will come of this, I would never forsake my oath for such menial desires" assured Owen.
"Very well, but I want you to take care of her Owen, she is still inexperienced as a Jedi Knight" stated Windu.
"I will Master" replied Owen.
"Then May the Force be with you" stated Windu.
Meanwhile now in the Temples hanger bay.
Milla and Gallia continue to talk walking slowly towards her Jedi Starfighter.
"You must listen to Owen at all times, he will be leading this assignment and has been in many of these situations before, he is strong in the force so heed his warnings" pleaded Gallia.
"Yes Master, I will" replied Milla.
Owen then emerged from the turbo-lift and made his way toward his Starfighter, Gallia walked over to him. "Be sure to take care of her Owen, this could be dangerous" she pleaded.
"Don't worry, she'll be fine" replied Owen.
Owen and Milla then hopped in their Starfighters and lifted off away from the Jedi Temple and into space above Coruscant. "Alright Milla, I'm giving you the coordinates, follow me" ordered Owen.
Owen blasted off into hyperspace and soon after so did Milla, with both of them headed toward an unsure target who knew what they would encounter.