Chapter 19: Oc'nel
Alpheridies
Forty Minutes Earlier…
On the one hand, like everything on Alpheridies, the Jedi Temple was painted hideously. On the other, it was still shaped like a Jedi Temple. A chaotic rusty yellow coloured line crossed the temple staircase diagonally, seeming to originate at the base of one of the pillars. It was the brightest colour amidst the dominant shades of red, grey, and brown.
As Oc'nel and Jazal walked up the stairs, a Miraluka wearing brown Jedi Robes and a black eye-mask covering the space where humans would have eyes.
"Greetings Master?"
"Jazal," she answered. "This is Agent Oc'nel. I believe master Averross would have contacted you."
"Who?"
"Master Rael Averross," Jazal explained. "We are in the system getting emergency repairs on a Judicial Mission. We have about thirty crew and Judicial Agents who need accommodation and Averross scheduled a briefing with the Jedi Council tomorrow."
"Briefing?" the male Miraluka asked. "Well, this is the first time we at the Temple are hearing of it Jazal. We are always happy to help the Republic."
"This is just like Master Averross…" Jazal said in exasperation. "Very well, Master Averross is likely busy at the moment—"
"—Busy?" the Miraluka Jedi interrupted. "This sounds very important what could he be busy with?"
"Yeah, he's well… Averross is…" Jazal started but was completely at a loss for words.
"Busy sir," Oc'nel interjected in his smoothest possible voice with a grin. "Our Jedi Master is checking out the local sites and told us to go here," Oc'nel said honestly. It is true, he had to convince himself. Checking out a local sight.
"I see," the Miraluka Jedi said, unable to hide his concern.
"Would it be possible for me to schedule a conference room with a hologram projector? Is there enough accommodation here for our Agents and crew?"
"Yes, and yes Jazal, I will be happy to help," the Miraluka Jedi said with a smile.
"I didn't get your name… Master?"
"Ah I am Master Ov-Bion."
"How many Jedi are stationed here Master Ov-Bion?" Oc'nel asked curiously.
"Oh, this is mainly a rehabilitation facility and a place for Jedi to improve upon their force sight. There are only seven of us here, but in the winter months the Jedi Temple on Coruscant sends us dozens of Jedi."
"Interesting…" Oc'nel said.
"You seem awfully curious about the Jedi, Agent," Ov-Bion said. "If you wish to learn more, I am sure Master Grier could show you the archives and tapestries."
"That would be nice!"
"Right now, Agent, we have a lot of work to do," Jazal said sternly. "I'll help organise the briefings, Ov-Bion, I'm putting Oc'nel in charge of room assignments."
"Ah, very well Jazal," Ov-Bion said serenely. "In that case, you had still better head to the archives. Master Grier can fabricate some name plates for you. It is down the main entrance hallway on the left."
"Oc'nel, you'll find the crew manifest on your datapad," Jazal said.
"Thank you Master, see you later Masters," Oc'nel said cheerfully as he stepped inside the Temple.This is so… amazing.
The interior entrance hall was the same multi-coloured mess as the outside. It was dimly lit on the bottom floor by a single row of ceiling lights. The staircases on the left and right leading to the upper floors were more well-lit. Light from the second-floor balcony was emitting from the left and right into the entrance hall. The end of the entrance hall had two Jedi statues, both Miraluka, holding ignited stone sabers.
As Oc'nel walked further down the entrance hall the second-floor balcony began appearing more and more bookish. Study desks gave way to bookshelves and shelves of holocrons.
Taking the stair on the left, Oc'nel proceeded up the stairs towards the bookish-looking area. A figure sat at a desk with three terminals surrounding him like a wall. As the Bothan drew nearer, he realised that the figure was a human who merely looked blue because of the light from all of his terminals. He had wispy white hair and a long beard.
"Master Grier I presume? I am Agent Oc'nel. Master Ov-Bion told me to report here. We need to fabricate some name plates for room assignments."
"Greetings Agent… Agent of what Bothan?" Grier demanded suspiciously. "The Spynet?"
"Oh, I am a Republic Judicial," Oc'nel said awkwardly scratching the swirling fur on the back of his neck. "Master Averross, our taskforce leader, gave us shore leave."
Master Grier gave off a laugh at this. "Master Averross… The High Council still trusts him enough to lead Judicials?! He hasn't hurt any of you has he?"
"Hurt?" Oc'nel growled nervously, then asked, "You know Averross?"
"Yes, but that's another story." Grier spoke in a tired voice as he typed some things onto his terminal. "Very well Agent, hand me the list of names."
Oc'nel handed Grier a datachip and Grier inserted it into one of the terminal ports.
After a few seconds, Oc'nel heard a clinking sound of metal being plates deposited onto a metal surface from somewhere in the distance. His head perked up and he started looking for the source of the noise.
Grier let off a chuckle. "You can hear that? Those plates are being printed on the third floor."
"Yeah well… We have good hearing," Oc'nel stammered, wondering if the Jedi was probing his mind.
Pushing up from his chair with effort, Master Grier stood. "Okay Agent, let's get your plates."
"Lead the way Master," Oc'nel replied with a spacer gesture for I'll follow you.
Grier chuckled again. "You don't look like an Askar. You must be from Botha'ahir."
Okay, he is definitely reaching out to my thoughts. The Bothan's fur stood up in fury. GET OUT OF MY HEAD OLD MAN!
"That gesture," Grier pointed.
"Ohhh," Oc'nel laughed nervously. "Have you been to Bothan space?"
"Yes," the old man replied. "I've even visited your world. I was part of the Jedi mission thirteen years ago that ended the two-century sanctions on your home by Clan Alya and the Neutral Clans."
"OH!" Oc'nel gasped in shock, sudden respect and gratefulness replaced his previous suspicion. "Hmmmm… well, thank you for that," he tried to say as casually as possible, but his voice shook.
"It was... Are you going to cry Agent?" Grier asked sternly.
"Oh no sir!" Oc'nel said with a big sniffle "Let's get those plates."
Oc'nel's comm beeped on his way up the stairs following Master Grier.
"Itoll! Are you alright?" Jazal's concerned voice almost asked in a yell of panic.
Damn. That overbearing Jedi.
"Yeah Jazal I'm fine, just had an um—"
"—An emotional moment," Grier said directly, bending down intrusively towards the comm Oc'nel was holding.
Oc'nel gulped nervously.
Jazal laughed nervously. "Well I'm glad. I am sorry Master, I just sensed something was off with my Agent."
"That's very well, we should always care for those, those whom the Jedi Order assigns to our leadership," Grier said and Jazal hung up. "Well, she seems to be very close with you," Grier said in a suspicious voice. "Not that it is any of my business I suppose," he added with a naughty-naughty chuckle.
Blast he's even nosier than Jazal! "Um… yeah," Oc'nel said, nervously scratching his elbow as he continued up the stairs.
"Don't worry," he said in a knowing-voice, "I won't pursue the issue further. I will give you some advice though, Bothan."
"Yes?" Oc'nel asked nervously.
"There are things that foolish young Jedi knight could learn from you too," he said wisely.
Okay, yeah, he's in my head, Oc'nel thought. He had a burning to desire to ask, 'like what?' but a stronger desire to change the topic of conversation to anything else, anything at all. They exited the stairwell into the third floor. It was unpainted with walls of different types of stone. Several machines and old droids were lined up along the walls.
"Here are your plates," Grier said, approaching the fabricator.
Oc'nel grabbed a heavy stack of 35 tiny rectangular plates each with a name on them. The plates were magnetic and stuck together.
"Would you like me to accompany you to the living quarters to set them up?"
"Yeah sure Master, I could use the company," Oc'nel said brightly, his fur dancing with excitement. A second later, he thought, what the hell am I thinking!
o.o.o.o.o
The living quarters were spartan. Located in the basement level of the Jedi Temple, each room had a power port, a single bed with bedding, a desk, and a chair. Whatever electronics a guest needed had to be brought with the guest. Not a single one had a window.
Each door had a magnet upon which a nameplate could be temporarily affixed. Oc'nel started by just randomly sticking the nameplates on the doors as they came up in order. Master Grier did the same thing on the other set of doors.
For twenty minutes, Oc'nel stuck plates to the doors, careful not to allow his personal biases to affect the arrangement. If I put Jazal's tag right next to mine…
Jazal called his comm.
"Hey Jazal, I am almost finished," Oc'nel answered.
"Great, meet me at the plaque commemorating the end of the Sith Empire when you are done. It's behind the Jedi Statues, in front of the briefing room we'll be using."
"All right," he said and hung up. Oc'nel happened upon his own name plate and stuck it up on the next door.
"Agent, I can finish this up for you. You have a briefing to plan," Grier urged.
"Really Master? All right, thanks." The Bothan gave a polite Jedi bow before he handed the remainder of his stack to Grier then headed up the stairs to the entrance hall.
Approaching the statues of the Miraluka Jedi, Oc'nel wondered when the rest of the Judicials would come back for the evening or maybe night. Some, he supposed, must be planning on travelling to other towns.
Behind the statues, Jazal stood in front of a giant wall-sized plaque. Under the plaque, were a few doors along the giant wall. Carved into plaque, were hundreds of lightsaber-wielding figures fighting at the base of a large triangular structure. Most of the figures wore eyeless helmets, so Oc'nel surmised they must have been Miraluka.
"Whoaaa…"
"Itoll, I know you've heard this before, but stop saying 'whoaaa' so much, it makes you sound like a goof."
"Sorry Jazal," Oc'nel pointed at the plaque, "I was wondering what that is a depiction of."
"Oh, that's the battle before the Scourge of Malachor," Jazal said in a lecturer voice. She pointed to the triangular structure, "we were victorious after a Sith Lord activated the weapon at the top of the Pyramid. He vaporised all of the Jedi and Sith alike and ended the last Sith Empire."
"So, there used to be lots of Miraluka Jedi?" Oc'nel asked. He had wondered why there were so few Miraluka Jedi when Alpheridies had almost 300,000,000 force-sensitive Miraluka.
"Indeed. How could you tell though?" Jazal asked, scratching her chin while looking at him curiously.
"Well, it's a guess really. Most of their masks have no eyes," Oc'nel replied.
"Hmmm," Jazal pondered. "Good observation Itoll. It would be possible though for them to have external cameras of some sort that projected their surroundings onto an internal screen, much like how the bridge of an Acclamator has no windows."
"External cameras Jazal? Back in those days?" Oc'nel asked.
"Our technology has not improved very much since then Itoll, but yes, you are right, those are Miraluka. The Jedi recruited many hundreds of thousands of Miraluka in that war, and we formed an important part of the Republic's Army of Light. Over a hundred thousand Miraluka Jedi were wiped out on Malachor, along with thousands of other Jedi."
"Why do the Jedi consider it a victory over the Sith?" Oc'nel growled curiously. "It sounds like the Sith just committed mass suicide and took many of you with them?"
Jazal laughed at this to Oc'nel's surprise. "You're right. You're completely right, but a Jedi Historian would never put it that way. I have always thought that we, well… Like to delude ourselves—but back on topic, the briefing! This way." Jazal began walking towards one of the doors.
It was difficult for Oc'nel to look away from the giant plaque as he followed Jazal down the hallway.
"Master Ov-Bion has given us permission to use this conference room," Jazal gestured into a very brightly lit room. Oc'nel blinked in shock at the brightness. It was the brightest place he had seen since arriving on Alpheridies.
The room was circular and looked like an almost exact replica of the Jedi High Council room on Coruscant, except that it had window-sized viewscreens instead of actual windows. It had only twelve chairs, which each looked like small red-grey couches and were different sizes.
"So, this is why I need your help Itoll. I am familiar with our crew, but seat assignments… I have great difficulty visualising where a being will fit."
"Oh," Itoll said understanding. "Well, for myself… I'll fit here Jazal," he said with a chuckle and took a random seat.
"Stop joking Agent, this is a serious conundrum," Jazal said with a bit of humour.
"Jazal, I don't think we actually need to worry too much. Worst case scenario, some of us can stand. Putting up plaques and organising this is silly."
"You're right," she said slyly, and to Oc'nel's surprise, walked up to where he was seated and sat on his lap facing him.
"Ooooff! Jazal, Master—"
"Relax Bothan… The others are so far away I cannot sense them."
"Well, maybe they can still sense you," Oc'nel growled, his fur swirling nervously.
"Good point," she said gripping his snout. She tugged his face up to force him to look into her own.
Oc'nel stared up into her smirking eye-less face getting a little bit worried. "Um, also, I think Master Grier figured it out."
"What?!"
"Your little busy-body, overbearing, Jedi-self called because I was feeling a little bit sad, right when I was on the stairwell with Grier. He doesn't seem to care though. Also, Pax figured it out, I am not sure how."
Jazal sighed. "It's not really that big of a deal. It will only be a big deal if—" Jazal paused as comm started beeping.
"Pax, what is it? I am a little busy," she said as she gently stroked Oc'nel's snout.
Oc'nel opened his mouth to say I didn't agree to be a little busy right here but stopped and listened curiously to the comm. Through the comm, Oc'nel could hear pure chaos. It sounded like a lightsaber was slicing and Wookiees were screaming in terror and rage.
"Jazal! I need help! Averross and Awerl are drunk! They started a fight. This is getting really—"
"Damn. We'll be right there Pax? PAX?!" Jazal yelled.
Pax's voice was replaced with dozens of screams in terror and more Wookiee roars. Oc'nel could hear footsteps from beings running past wherever Pax had dropped his comm. After that, static.
"PAX!" Jazal yelled again.
"SHTAK!" Oc'nel yelped. "I thought Averross might get into a bar fight! Has he ever done this before Master?" Jazal hopped off his lap as he finished his question.
"I don't know. He's done some serious misdeeds and nearly been expelled from the Order twice but damn! Come on Agent!" she ordered, pulling him up to his feet.
As they ran out of the briefing room, Master Grier came up the stairs. "Oc'nel, Jazal, you both seem very distressed."
"No time to explain Master!" Jazal panted.
"Master Averross! He got into a bar fight at the New Coronet Cantina!" Oc'nel yelped.
Grier roared with laughter, "Master Averross… Damn that kriffing red neck shell digger."
"It sounded like he got into a barfight with a lightsaber!" Oc'nel panted more urgently with Jazal pulling him out the door by his hand.
"Oh my…" Grier said. "Well, slow down Agent, Jazal, I am coming."
On their way out the entryway, they happened upon Master Ov-Bion. "Jazal, Grier, Oc'nel, where are you off in such a rush too?"
"Master Averross got into a bar fight and it sounds like he is using his lightsaber," Grier said with weary dread.
Ov-Bion gasped and followed them.
The worried reactions of Jazal and the other Jedi made Oc'nel feel terrified. He imagined Averross going wild, mercilessly hacking patrons to death left and right in a brutal drunken cantina massacre.
Jazal and Oc'nel had slowed to a brisk walk, the fastest pace Master Grier could move at. The four hurried through the gloomy dark streets of Fospol. As they neared the street the New Coronet Cantina was on, Oc'nel overheard two local Miraluka. They were wearing drab un-matching clothes but had police badges displayed on their chests.
"Yeah apparently some spice-head must have stolen a lightsaber and ignited it," one of the cops said in an amused tone.
"You're kidding!" the other one said.
"Some spice-headed Wookiee bounty hunter tried to rob the joint, perhaps he was spice-headed human's friend."
Oc'nel gasped in shock, staring at the two cops, his snout hanging open. He stopped moving and the group moved ahead. The Jedi stopped and Jazal returned, grabbing Oc'nel's wrist and yanking him along again.
"What is it?" she demanded. "We need to move!"
"I think they were talking about Averross and Awerl," Oc'nel said to the whole group. "They think Awerl and Averross were on spice and that they attempted a robbery."
Jazal's jaw clenched in rage and she gripped Oc'nel's wrist harder than ever.
Grier laughed harder than ever, "you know, when I was a Knight, we had a running bet at the Temple on Coruscant as to how Averross would wash out of the Order. I always thought he would break under pressure and resign. Some had more wild theories, such as well… This type of scenario. A fight at a bar, maybe even a fight at a brothel, or perhaps getting yet another Padawan killed."
"You find this amusing Grier?!" Ov-Bion demanded, his voice panting from the brisk walk.
"You… you haven't met Master Averross." Grier replied in a weary voice.
Well, Jazal does not seem to find this funny.
Jazal looked so furious at this point that Oc'nel did not dare say a word. He kept his mouth shut in patient silence, ignoring the fact that her grip was causing his fingers to tingle from a lack of circulation, ignoring the fact that this must look very unprofessional. He continued following Jazal at her brisk pace, allowing her to pull him along. He had never seen her so one-tracked.
"Jazal," Grier said, "do not let your anger consume you. That is a path to the dark side. Master Averross is not worth it. He was fallen long before you were born, and it is nothing but Master Windu's naiveté that has kept him around. Whatever Averross has done will no doubt embarrass the entire Jedi Order for years to come, and he truly does not deserve our forgiveness, but wasting your energy being angry with him is a waste. Feel compassion for the bystanders who may have been hurt."
Sighing loudly, Jazal said "very well Master." She let go of Oc'nel allowing him to walk alongside at his own pace again. "Agent don't stop again, that's an order. I don't care what you hear, see, or smell, Bothan. We need to keep moving."
They continued along down the dimly lit streets passing by many Miralukas sitting on their porches, as if to watch the non-existent day go by with their non-existent eyes. A few minutes later, they walked within sight of the Cantina. The New Coronet Cantina looked like a bomb had gone off inside; several windows were smashed, and a steam was leaking out.
Oc'nel sniffed the air and felt more optimistic. Good at least no one exploded or got burned alive. He said cheerfully, "that is steam. It's not smoke; don't worry there's no fire. Perhaps it is dry ice."
"Don't worry—" Jazal snapped but caught herself.
As they got closer, Oc'nel's heart sank once he could see a line of stretchers being floated a meter off the ground. The one at the lead contained Pax, and behind his, Fojo, Carver, and several Miraluka. The back of Pax's head looked like it was bruised purple and bleeding through bandages. He was not moving.
Fojo was moaning while grabbing his own face.
Carver was also laying still.
"Officer! Status report!" Jazal yelled to the nearest cop.
"Masters Jedi, we were about to call you," the Miraluka replied turning to face Oc'nel, Jazal, Ov-Bion, and Grier. "A naked male Wookiee wearing a peacekeeping badge, we suspect he's a bounty hunter, assaulted the Cantina owner. In the chaos, a homeless-looking human with a lightsaber sliced the safe open sending molten metal all over the Cantina burning dozens of patrons. A few were hit by large pieces of debris and suffered severe head trauma. We presume the human was high on spice, but it is an ongoing investigation."
Pausing for a moment, the Miraluka officer then gestured to Pax, knowing exactly where Pax was without turning his head thanks to force sight. "The Duros over there is the most badly injured. The owner says that he was trying to save everyone. The medics aren't sure he will make it and we are getting everyone to the hospital as fast as possible," the officer said urgently. "We have the Wookiee male and the human in custody. Here Master, we got the spice-head's lightsaber for you. We suspect it must belong to one of you," he added in an accomplished voice, beaming proudly holding the lightsaber in front of Jazal. It was as if finding a lightsaber were climax of his entire week.
Jazal silently took Averross's lightsaber and held it. After a brief pause, she clipped it onto her belt on the opposite side from her saber.
"Pax! Fojo!" Oc'nel yelled trying to get closer; the Jedi pulled him back using the force.
"Agent," Grier said in a calm voice, "let us clear this up first… I do not know how to begin though, I admit. The Council would not be happy if we told these cops that Averross is, in fact,a Jedi Master. This is serious misconduct. It could very well get us expelled too if we mishandle it. We must keep this under wraps. Jazal it's your call."
"Oc'nel, effective immediately you are now my second in command of the taskforce. I am declaring Master Averross unfit for duty and I need you to second it since our medic has also been incapacitated," Jazal said without pausing to think.
"Master," Oc'nel started, "might this look a bit corrupt if it ever came out that we—"
"—Yes, the Bothan is correct regarding discretion and appearances Jazal. I advise against placing him second in command. It may look like a mutiny," Grier said in a thoughtful voice. "Although, only the most corrupt process imaginable would possibly side with Averross in this matter," he admitted with a dry cynical chuckle.
Jazal said with finality, "Master Grier, I don't have anyone else. Itoll, I trust you with my life and while I admit you are so far from my choice for someone in a leadership position it isn't even funny, you are all I have for now."
Oc'nel felt simultaneously deeply offended and gladdened by Jazal's comment at the same time.Okay, she trusts me but doesn't think I am leadership material. "All right Master, I accept. I am second in command. I completely agree Averross is not fit for duty. Now what?"
"First," Jazal paused pulling out her comm. "This is Jazal. I am taking command of the taskforce immediately and putting Agent Itoll Oc'nel second in command. After an altercation at the New Coronet Cantina, Pax has been incapacitated and we have deemed Master Averross no longer fit for duty. We will contact the Republic High Commission and the Jedi Council now. In the meantime, everyone, stay safe out there and stay sober. Any questions?"
Higil's voice echoed worriedly onto the line "is there anything I or my security can do Master Jedi?"
"Not at this time. No, actually there is. Try to stay sober please," Jazal replied.
"Then give Pax my regards," Higil said.
"Will do," Jazal replied.
Driffu's voice came into the comm laughing so hysterically nothing she was saying could be made out.
The fur on Oc'nel's neck and shoulders stood up from rage and swirled with itchy suspicion. Driffu… she knew!
"Agent," Jazal replied in a voice with forced calm. "Did you have a force vision that this was going to happen? Is this why you told Awerl he should stay up on the station, and why you yourself stayed up on the station?"
"You know I can't answer that Master," Driffu replied cackling madly through her echoey gas mask.
Driffu is insane.
"Very well. Driffu, behave yourself, that's an order."
After no one else replied for 10 seconds, Jazal hung up. "If I ever find proof… If I ever find proof that Driffu, that psychopath, knew and let Averross and the others walk into danger without telling me, I'll kriffing have her badge," Jazal swore loudly. "See what I am dealing with Master Grier? That's why I put Oc'nel second in command."
"Indeed…" Grier said in a troubled voice. "I did not realise the Republic Judicial Corps had become so compromised since I left Coruscant."
Jazal turned to face Oc'nel, looking at his face as if she were using eyes. "Now, we go to the Republic High Commission and inform them that the local law enforcement has taken two individuals with diplomatic immunity into custody. Then I contact Master Obi-Wan Kenobi for advice. After that, we go to the hospital."
"Obi-Wan Kenobi?" Oc'nel asked.
"Yes Obi-Wan is a good choice," Grier said in an impressed tone. "He has his head on straight when it comes to Averross. Once on a mission to Pijal the Jedi Council gave Obi-Wan authority over Master Averross and Qui-Gon. At the time, the Council viewed both Averross and Qui-Gon as no longer competent. He has been in your position Jazal—and as a Padawan at that."
"Exactly," Jazal replied in a strategic voice. "Obi-Wan and I knew each other as Younglings. I imagine he as a good opinion of me."
Oc'nel gulped nervously. His fur pressed into his body in fear.
"What is it Agent?" Grier asked.
"Your… Respectfully Masters Jedi, your politics, cover-ups, all of it, is truly terrifying. The fact all of this is a part of the Republic sends chills down my spine," Oc'nel replied frankly.
Grier chuckled wheezily.
"You're telling me," Jazal muttered.
"Have you never seen the Senate, Agent?" Ov-Bion asked with dry humour.
o.o.o.o.o
The interior of the Republic High Commission building looked like it could have been anywhere on Coruscant. It was very brightly lit lined with marble floors and red and gold carpets. Oc'nel could not help but wonder why they allowed Miralukas to decorate the exterior, but clearly decorated their own interior.
The High Commissioner was a tan three-eyed Gran named Nic Syp who spoke basic with a Core accent and wore a giant shiny purple cloak.
"So, let me get this straight Masters Jedi, Agent…" Syp said in an exasperated tone, "a Wookiee Republic Judicial on your team and your Jedi Master, a taskforce leader, got into a barfight and have been taken into custody."
"Yes Commissioner. Several Agents are injured and the team leader of Extraction Team Cresh seems to be in critical condition," Jazal replied in a forced calm. "Our first step, I believe, is to tell some official, an official you know you can trust, that personnel with diplomatic immunity have been taken into custody. The Miraluka, well, my people can then deport them back up the well, back up the space elevator. The Jedi Council needs to be informed too, but before I contact them… actually, if you don't mind me calling now that we're all here could I call someone?"
Oc'nel gave a tired laugh and swore under his breath. If someone had ever told me a story about Judicials and a Jedi Master starting a bar fight, I wouldn't have believed it before meeting Averross.
Syp sighed "Yes, call the Jedi," and turned on his Holoprojector. "Whoever we call will see all of us on the other end."
The Holopad gave off a pale blue light after Master Ov-Bion dialled a HoloNumber beginning with a Coruscant sector code: 000.
A voice popped out of the projector, but no face. "This is Master Kenobi, I am having a meal right now and afterwards, I have a sparring session with my Padawan. Who is this?"
"Master Kenobi, this is Jazal, Agent Oc'nel, Master Ov-Bion, Master Grier, and the Republic High Commissioner to Alpheridies, Nic Syp."
"Jazal, what is this about?" Kenobi asked after swallowing some food.
"Master Kenobi, this cannot wait. There has been an incident and I have taken emergency command of the task force and need further instruction."
"Have you informed the High Council?" Kenobi asked.
"Not yet," Jazal admitted. "It's Rael Averross."
"Oh, I see. You are lucky I was even on Coruscant," Kenobi paused. "I will get right back to you."
"Would you like anything to drink?" the High Commissioner asked gesturing to a bottle of Alderaanian wine on a high shelf next to dusty books.
"No Commissioner, none of the Masters, nor Agent Oc'nel, would want any alcohol of any type," Jazal said sternly. It was clear she could not believe the Commissioner had asked.
Master Grier chuckled under his breath.
The Commissioner sat back straighter in his chair and looked like he may have wanted to say something but didn't.
"Could I have a water sir?" Oc'nel asked in a croaky dry voice.
"Yes, I'll get you some," Syp replied, and then walked gingerly out of the room as if afraid of stepping on hunting traps.
The tension in the room was becoming unbearable for the Bothan.
Syp returned with a glass of water and handed it to Oc'nel on his way back to his desk.
Oc'nel took a sip and set the glass down on his armchair. "Thank you, Commissioner," he said gratefully.
"It is no problem, Agent. It sounds like you all are dealing commendably with quite the interstellar catastrophe. I would definitely have lost my mind if any of my people did anything like this Masters Jedi," he said with a smile.
"Thank you, Commissioner," Ov-Bion said.
After a few minutes, Obi-Wan Kenobi finally returned their call. This time as a blue hologram, wearing a light-coloured Jedi Robe, seated in a very odd-looking round chair. "This is Master Kenobi."
"Thank you for calling us back Master Kenobi," Jazal replied. "We were in the Temple Crèche together—," she started.
"—I remember of course, and I have met you Master Grier," he said nodding to Master Grier, "and you are?"
"Master Ov-Bion. I have worked here at the Alpheridies Temple since becoming a Knight, so we have never met," he explained.
"Nice to meet you, and you must be the Commissioner?"
"Yes, High Commissioner Nic Syp."
"That must mean you are," Kenobi paused allowing Oc'nel to interrupt.
"Agent Oc'nel acting leader of Extraction Team Cresh sir," Oc'nel started. "It is nice to meet you Master."
"Well Agent, Commissioner, Jazal, Masters Jedi, what is the emergency?" Kenobi asked.
"It is Master Averross—" Jazal started.
Kenobi interjected, "—what did he do this time? For the Council to get involved, my advice, this had better be big."
Jazal sighed. "Master Averross and one Agent named Awerl were involved in an altercation at the New Coronet Cantina and—"
"—Well, that doesn't sound like an emergency Jazal. Averross does things like this all of the time. We just have to learn to live with Jedi who don't follow the rules," Kenobi interrupted. He looked impatient.
All of the Jedi in the room started looking more nervous.
"Master, he got into a bar fight using his lightsaber. He brought his lightsaber to a fist fight," Oc'nel said when no one else did.
Kenobi gasped in shock.
"Yes Master, it's true," Grier said. "The local police and paramedics said dozens were injured and we saw patrons being taken on stretchers, many with severe burns."
Jazal added, "the police believe Master Averross and Awerl were attempting a robbery. Master Averross, for some reason we don't understand, cut the owner's safe to pieces sending fragments of molten metal down onto patrons and Republic Judicials present in the bar. It may have actually been a robbery for all I know," Jazal groaned with frustration, then continued. "Pax, Extraction Team Cresh's team leader, is in critical condition and was hit by debris. I have placed Agent Oc'nel in command of Extraction Team Cresh and have assumed command of the task force."
"I agree with your decision Jazal and will alert the rest the High Council at once. May I speak with Averross?"
"Averross is in local custody," Jazal said.
"Oh…" Obi-Wan Kenobi leaned back into his chair, looking almost overwhelmed with this news.
None of the Jedi said anything. Oc'nel wanted to say something to fill the silence but he had no idea what he could say.
"I have contacts in the Alpheridies Government and, if I pull the right strings, I can get Master Averross and Agent Awerl off the planet," Commissioner Syp finally said in a calming voice. "I cannot guarantee that I can keep this under wraps though. I have no control over local media, nor over whether and how frequently the police give press briefings, also Master Kenobi, I am up for re-appointment soon. Put in the good word for me with Supreme Chancellor Palpatine please."
"Very well, I will tell the High Council how helpful you have been," Kenobi said. "Hopefully, the Council will convene an emergency session. I believe they will support your position Jazal. I will call you with the next steps via comm. Try to get Averross and Awerl off the planet, if possible, Commissioner. Not out of the system, just onto the station in orbit. There will be hell to pay for this."
"All right, good luck Master. Oc'nel and I really need to check on the injured now."
"Yes, do that as soon as possible and send me a status update on all injured Judicial personnel so I can pass it on," Obi-Wan ordered before hanging up.
All of the Jedi and the High Commissioner seemed to give sighs of relief.
"At least that went well," Oc'nel said optimistically.