Ch. 2 and Conclusion.

~~~~~~~

In a split second the Force screamed at Obi-Wan. Without really realizing it he grabbed his saber from his belt and blocked the unseen shot with only the Force to guide his one swift move.

In that same instant an explosion went off way above them sending small pieces of the cline showering down to them. It was a useless explosion, not harming anyone, just to distract.

Instinctively Obi-Wan pushed the Speaker down behind the podium and stood over him to prevent any further attempts.

~~~~~~~~

She had just come into his view as he saw the light flash from the end of the rifle and in the same instant the passage was rocked by an explosion. Looking down into the coliseum Qui-Gon already knew Obi-Wan had stopped the attempt and shot the blast back to where it had come from for the woman yelped and jumped back away from her place in order to avoid being hit by the backfire.

She stood again and saw Qui-Gon. He felt her rage leave her instantly as if it never existed. Without warning she turned the other way and ran.

~~~~~~~~

"Are you alright Speaker Mekilan?" Obi-Wan asked once he knew the danger had passed.

" Yes, yes, I'm alright." He replied.

Obi-Wan looked up again.

//Master?//

//Obi-Wan, is everything alright down there?//

//The speaker and representatives are fine. Do you know how did it?//

//I'm following her, yes.//

Her? Obi-Wan expected a him....

//She running towards the West Stair way..try to stop her there.//

//Yes Master.// Obi-Wan replied telling the guards to block off all the exits and for a few to come with him.

~~~~~~~~~

' Sith ,Sith ,Sith! How could this happen?! '

Jesiana didn't need to look back she knew the Jedi was still there as she burst through the doors to the West Stairs. The winding squared stairs went down for nearly 75 feet. How was she going to get out of here? Not going down that for sure..but she had no other way to go up until she went down then up through the level transport.

Why was he not catching her? Surely those stories were true, she'd seen them with her own eyes that they could use their powers to enhance their speed..so why wasn't h- Oh! He was pushing her toward a trap!

' Force be with me.. '

She thought and slung herself over the rail and down the next 50 feet.

~~~~~~~~

' She's insane! '

Qui-Gon thought as he saw the woman jump over the rail. Surely she didn't expect to jump and land still unhurt?

Pausing to look over the rail he saw, to his own heavy surprise as she landed on her feet and looked back up at him. She gave a wave and continued to run.

~~~~~~~~

//Obi-Wan! Stop her she's coming out of the West Stairs!//

Obi-Wan nearly stumbled as he ran when his Master's voice suddenly rang through his head.

West Stairs? Already?! They weren't even near yet. With a sigh he left his company behind and raced toward the stairs with enhanced speed.

Coming to a stop, at least slowing down, Obi-Wan saw no one around. He opened the door and saw his Master 3 flights up coming down.

"She's not there!" Obi-Wan yelled up to him.

Qui-Gon stopped and looked over to his apprentice.

"She can't be far." He replied and jumped down the rest of the way knowing he was really going to regret it by morning.

"Come on." He led Obi-Wan back out into the lobby reaching out with the Force. He found none of the characteristics he had before..no rage, sadness, not even fear of being chased.

The guards came into view huffing and puffing.

"Did you see anyone?" Qui-Gon asked.

They shook their heads.

Qui-Gon balled his fists in frustration then thought,

' Patience, you're no good frustrated... '

and calmed down. Trying again he still found no one in the area that fit the woman he had chased just moments before.

"Spread out, the assassin's a woman, find her."

He ordered the guards.

~~~~~~~~~

Looking behind her as she boarded the level transport along with two of her own people Jesiana felt ten pounds lighter after taking off the fake skin and make up.

"We'll have another chance."

She said as the doors closed. She didn't particularly blame the Jedi, it was their job to protect Mekilan, but she knew that she would get him soon. Then on to Colings, she'd come this far and out of 5 she only had 2 more to go.

The wind whipped around them as they stepped onto the lowered spacecraft. Jesiana turned and smiled from under her hood as the guards and two Jedi burst out onto the roof just as their door closed. They took off without a problem.

~~~~~~~~

"That was them...and we can't stop them now." Qui-Gon said watching as the craft disappeared into the darkened sky.

"Do you think they'll be after him again?" Obi-Wan asked as the guards around them exited.

"Yes, I believe they will but there's nothing we can do about it for now." His master replied turning to him.

********3 months later*******

"Not such a loss he's not..." Yoda said looking at the Apprentice and Master as they stood in the center of an empty circle of the usual council. He called them in to discuss about Speaker Mekilan's assassination.

Obi-Wan looked at the Master in surprise.

"A life is always worth saving yes, but a dark past had he one that eventually came back to end him." Yoda said to the young padawan.

"I don't believe we understand Master." Qui-Gon said in just as near surprise as his padawan.

"Understand everything you do not, nor do you need to."

The small Master said in return.

"Uncovered the name of the assassin, authorities have as well as the past of Speaker Mekilan. Jesiana Stafferi is her name. Be aware of her..though she does not seek revenge on the two of you she will be a vital role later in your lives."

Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon glanced at eachother. Apparently the small Master had seen something they had not but it was important enough to make them be known of it.

"Go now you may, forget you must not." Yoda said.

Still very confused the Master and Apprentice bowed and exited the chambers.

"That was.....odd." Obi-Wan said.

"Indeed it was..but it meant something we just don't know what." Qui-Gon replied.

~~~~~~~

Yoda turned his chair, with aide from the Force, and looked out the window. Jesiana Stafferi was a name he had not forgotten...nor would he.

End.

So, so what'd ya think? Wasn't my best but I had to leave somethings out so that the next story (if you tell me to post it) isn't spoiled much. Strange end I know but I had to put the point in.

AND, I know Qui-Gon could of caught Jesiana and she couldn't of jumped 50 feet and land on her own feet without even a wince but there are reasons that will be revealed if you say so.

Thank you for reading!!!! And please put your voice in if you want the next Real story..it takes place 3 years after this. Just put in if you want one or if you think I had better go and burn my stories or what not. lol.

Thanks again!

Blue Elli