CHAPTER 131 - PROBLEMS START AGAIN

For the first two weeks, Tascama loved the academy, but now she could not do anything right. When walking along the passageways, minding her own business and being careful of where she walked, she stumbled and fell to the floor—not once, not twice, but every day, some days more than once.

Yesterday, Prefect Maja had written her up for an unmade bunk, but Tascama knew she had made her bunk before even using the refresher that morning.

And today she found this note shoved into her datapad, which now had a cracked screen.

Not so smart now, are you, year group leader? They should kick you out of the academy. Go ahead, report this. See if they believe you.

She crumpled the note as the ink faded from the torn food wrapper. Tascama shoved it in her pocket and wiped the tears from her eyes.

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When Tascama arrived at Beginning Electronics with Master Naluma, Admah discovered her datapad was missing.

Master Fau, who was not in a merciful mood that morning, said, "Admah, where is your datapad? Didn't you realize you were to bring it to class?"

"Master Naluma, I left it on my bunk during our run this morning. When I got back, it was gone."

"Are you reporting a theft, or did you misplace it?"

"I'm not sure, Master."

"Well, why don't you return to your dorm and check everywhere? You can have an additional sanitation duty for carelessness," Naluma said with a clenched teeth. "And hurry."

About to cry, Admah caught an encouraging look from Tascama. She sucked up her tears as she ran out.

When Admah returned a few minutes later with the datapad in her hand, her face flushed as her nostrils flared. "Tascama, how could you? Stealing my datapad because you cracked your own screen?"

With a heavy sigh, Naluma said, "Silence. You two, my study after class."

Admah and Tascama glared at each other before responding. "Yes, Master."

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The day Luke left, the problems arose again. Naluma realized the first-years struggled more than usual this year. She wondered if bringing them all in at the same time was a wise decision in retrospect.

Naluma worried about the girls the most. Tascama, the best of the bunch, had become clumsy over the last few days. Her expression was unreadable and cold as well.

The girl could not navigate a passageway without dropping her datapad or tripping over air or running into a bulkhead. Moreover, her prefect had written her up for an unmade bunk and a messy gear locker. Now this accusation of theft.

Naluma rubbed her forehead, seeking guidance in this matter.

When the girls entered the study, Naluma motioned them to sit in the guest chairs. "Put the datapads on the desk."

Naluma moved to the front of the desk and leaned on it, towering over the girls. "Now, Admah, where did you find your datapad?"

"In Tascama's gear locker, Master Naluma." Admah glared at Tascama with narrowed eyes.

"Lock down that anger, Padawan. Tascama, do you know how it got there?"

"No, Master," Tascama said, a tremor betraying her nervousness.

Admah said while fuming at the girl, "She took it because she cracked her datapad screen and wanted a working one."

"Is that true, Tascama?"

"Master, it's true I cracked my screen when I fell in the passageway yesterday. But it's not true I took her datapad. How would I even use it? It's locked by retinal scan."

"She has a point, Admah."

"But, Master, I remember leaving it on my bunk this morning."

"That doesn't mean Tascama put it in her gear locker. Someone else could have done it." Naluma squirmed as her back tensed. She moved her right hand to the offending muscle in her lower back.

"Master Naluma, Jedi can pull thoughts from other's minds, right?"

Naluma nodded.

"I'm willing to submit to that if it would prove my innocence," Tascama said with feigned bravery.

"Are you sure? It's not a pleasant experience, and I may inadvertently pull more information than this."

"I'm sure." Her lip quivered as she awaited the procedure.

Naluma closed her eyes and sent a probe into Tascama's mind. "Lower your shields, or it will hurt more."

After a few minutes, Naluma knew what she needed. "Enough. You're innocent. Admah, she didn't take it. And I believe you left it on your bunk. Tascama, when did things change for you here?"

"A few weeks ago. All of a sudden, I kept losing things or breaking things. I would trip in a passageway, but nothing would be there."

"What about the note? You were thinking about a note when I scanned you. Where's the note?"

"It's gone. I put it my pocket, but now it's gone." Tascama pulled her pocket lining out.

"Why don't you check the other one?" Naluma asked.

Tascama turned out the other pocket, revealing only lint.

"Why didn't you bring it to me earlier?"

"The ink faded right away. I didn't think you would believe me. I thought you might send me home in disgrace." Tears welled up in Tascama's eyes, but she willed them back down and bit her lip, telling herself, Suck it up. Make Daddy proud.

"Admah, you owe Tascama an apology for a false accusation. I want you both to use the Force for insight when problems happen. I don't expect you to solve problems like this yourself, but I do expect you to report them to me," Naluma said as she returned to her desk chair.

"Now, next time anything out of the ordinary happens, I want you to report it to me immediately. If you have an idea of who might be responsible, come tell me."

"Yes, Master Naluma," both girls said in unison.

"I'm sorry I accused you, Tascama."

"It's all right, Admah. I would have done the same if it was me."

"Now, attend to your duties."

Naluma eased back into the chair and rubbed her neck. She could already feel the knots returning, and Luke had not even been gone for one day yet. They may have cleared Tascama, but that still left the culprit loose.

Naluma suspected Ben, but she had no proof.

Her back twisted in pain at the prospect of proving his guilt—the boy was too devious. She knew he would wiggle out of this.

She dug in her desk drawer for pain meds and swallowed them without water. For a few minutes she gave serious thought to resigning from the Jedi Order and heading into exile. Luke. I can't leave Luke.

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In the middle of the night, the secure communicator woke Naluma from her sleep. She rolled over to Luke's side of the bed to grab it.

"Jedi Academy. Master Fau," she answered with grogginess.

"Naluma."

"Luke. Where are you?"

"Aboard Freedom. The cruiser was at my first transit point. Hopping a ride to D'Qar. Then it will be short hop to Skynara. How'd your day go?"

"Don't ask."

"Tell me."

"Problems started right after you left. Someone's teasing the first-years, even framing them for theft."

"How do you know?"

"The first-years involved let me do a mind scan," Naluma said, holding her forehead. "Haven't done one of those in a long time. Gave me a killer headache."

"Do you know who's doing it?"

"My guess is Ben, but no proof."

"When you have proof, demote him. No second chances this time."

"Thanks. It means a lot to have your support, Luke," Naluma said with a slight smile. The warning signal alerted the secure call was ending. "I love you."

"Love you more."

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Did you know . . .

● Psychic strain usually produces a headache.

● Padawan are not perfect kids. They're just kids, with the same personality flaws they had before they joined the Order.

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Tell me what you think . . .

● Why didn't Naluma realize things were going wrong before Luke left?