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CHAPTER FIVE
The sun had set. Local time said it was around nine o'clock. Tavish set his watch. He had four hours before he had to meet Aidon and Duncan at the ship hanger. Four hours in which to wait, and grow ever more nervous. Tavish retired to his room, not wishing to deal with his father at all during the evening. He had already heard Tora complain, during dinner, about the Jedi. The meeting had not gotten anyone anywhere. And Tora found the Jedi infuriating in the fact that they seemed to refuse to take a stand on any issue. Constantly pumping for information, and suggesting things but never voicing their own opinions. Tavish knew the truth to be closer to Tora demanding and the Jedi simply not having the authority to meet those demands. His father could be such a child.
He checked his watch again, and started pacing his room. Looking out the windows upon the city and wondering how the others were faring. A knock on his door made him jump.
" Enter." He called.
Conrad poked his head around the opening door and looked around. Seeming satisfied he walked into the room and dropped into a red chair near a sitting table. He propped his feet on the sitting table and looked expectantly at Tavish who had not moved from his position at he window. When it was clear that Tavish wasn't going to initiate a conversation, Conrad ran a hand through his long blonde mane and broke the silence.
"Every now and again, I catch myself thinking you're a smart kid, that you wouldn't do anything stupid or dangerous without telling me. Then of course you do something to prove me wrong."
Tavish turned from the window, his brow furrowed. " Excuse me?"
"What are you up to Tavish? Its OK, you can speak freely. You know I don't have any bugs on me. And I swept this room myself not fifteen minutes ago. So tell me, what exactly are you planning?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh come off it Tavish. I'd like to think I'm your friend that has a job as your bodyguard. Not some hired stranger. Tell me what's going on. I saw you in the gardens with Aidon and that Jedi apprentice. Now tell me why you were talking in such hushed tones."
"We were just talking. God, I don't have any friends anyway. I can't make any without you dreaming up some big conspiracy theory?" he turned has back and Conrad.
"OK, that's fine. I'll just go tell your father that he needs to alert security to lock down the palace."
Tavish turned, angry. "You wouldn't. You hate him as much as I do!"
"When your safety is concerned I do what I have to. That's my JOB! Now tell me what's going on so I can make sure you stay ALIVE. Or, I can just vacuum seal this place and make sure not even a pathogen could harm you. "
Tavish sighed. He knew he could trust Conrad with his life. But there were other lives at stake here, and he didn't want that burden on Conrad. Who would most certainly take it upon himself to make sure each and every one of the Jedi and their friend stayed unscathed. It didn't matter that Conrad had absolutely no idea what was going on. Or did he?
"Conrad, you wouldn't happen to know my father's plans for the next few days would you?"
"I make it my business to know the actions of every person in this palace."
"So you would know his plans for our diplomatic guests? Even though they may not be "public record".
"I may know something about Tora's plans for them." Conrad raised his eyebrows.
"Well good. I'm trying to keep them alive then. Is that simple enough basic for you?"
Conrad grew more serious. "Tavish, do you realize what your getting yourself into? This isn't some game. If you were caught, then your father would know you were moving against him. I have it on good authority that Tora will not be pleased with you."
"So what, who cares. Besides I wont get caught if you help me." Seeing Conrad's protective look, the one that meant no, Tavish spoke again quickly. " If you help me then I wont get caught. If you don't help me than there is a chance I'll get caught. Its your job to keep me safe. And whether you agree to help me or not I'm still going through with my plan. "
"Not if I lock down the palace."
" Yes I will. You know I will find a way to get out and help my friends."
Conrad sighed. "All right. What do you want me to do?"
"Cover for me. If any one asks about me tell them something believable."
"Don't you think it would be more believable that your body guard went with you?"
Tavish set his jaw. It probably would be best, but then there would be no one on his "team" here to monitor his father's actions.
"Look Conrad, do this for me. Ill be back in two days at most. I'm taking the Jedi to Meldona. There, hopefully, they can talk with the faction leader and get him to agree to some sort of peace. One that can be offered to my father. Or better yet, they can find a way to get him out of office. They can't do any of that while they are fighting for their lives here. I'm buying them time."
Conrad nodded in response and walked out of the room. Tavish took that for his blessing and decided he would be better off waiting in the gardens for the Jedi.
Rib and Tark were half way to the palace and facing their second group of patrolmen. Rib was taking a long winding way to avoid pursuit and get them to the gardens in one piece. He was proud of his apprentice for handling himself well during the last hour. His first mission was a little more action packed than he would have liked but his padawan was acting like a seasoned Jedi in most respects.
Sabre out, but not activated Tark peaked around a corner.
" It looks clear. I'm not sensing any malice. I say we cross here and then a strait shot to the palace."
"We'll cross here padawan, but we keep our course erratic."
"Why? We can more than handle these patrols."
Rib sighed, a seasoned Jedi in MOST respects. " I would like to keep casualties to a minimum. It will draw us less attention. "
"OK, lead on Master."
The two Jedi crossed into shadows and continued on their way. The patrolmen behind them continued to follow the same alleyway, and the one that did manage to spot the two cloaked figures running in the other direction felt a tickling sensation at the back of his head. He blinked, couldn't remember what it was that he had been thinking about, and followed the rest of the patrol.
Rib and Tark continued to the palace and found Tavish pacing impatiently. "Where in the Sith have you been?"
Rib raised an eyebrow, and was about to say something, when shouts came from the palace. An alarm went off, and Tark looked startled. Tavish cursed under his breath. How in the Sith did they know already? "We have to leave, now. I believe we've just been caught."
"No you think?!" Tark muttered. Rib gave him a sharp glance and they hurried to catch up with Tavish, who had already started to exit.
Aidon paced and cursed under his breath. "Where the Sith are they!"
Duncan, who was propped against the wall, feat on the table, looked up. "Chill out kid. They've still got half an hour."
Aidon glared at him, but lowered his hand to his blaster when he heard someone coming up the ramp. Petra raised her head and looked at him, alarmed. Duncan laid a hand on his blaster. The person had a dark green cloak on, which concealed the face. Aidon tensed, but then broke into a grin, as the person lowered the hood. "It took you long enough. You're half an hour late."
Bectra Doon shrugged. "I had to help a patient Aidon, calm down. Where's Tavish and your friends?"
"They aren't here yet, but…"
Just then Tavish, Tark, and Rib ran into the room. Tavish shot a look at Duncan. "Get this piece of junk off the ground!"
Duncan opened his mouth to snap a remark when Rib held up a hand. "Do it."
Duncan pushed himself up, muttering about pieces of junk, and hurried to the cock-pit. Rib sat down in the co-pilot seat. "Look!" Tark yelled and pointed out the window. Five men were running towards their ship. Tavish grabbed the back of Duncan's chair. "Take off, now!"
"Kid, I don't care if you're the chancellor…"
"Duncan, now!" Rib exclaimed. Tark glanced at his master, but kept his mouth shut.
"Fine fine." With that he took off.
"How can you fly this thing?" Tavish asked with a frown. Aidon grinned at the look on Duncan's face. The older man stepped forward. "Ok kid, get this straight. I'm not a senator's son, but on this ship I AM THE BOSS. You got that, or do I have to demonstrate."
The ship was silent, and Aidon was trying his best not to laugh. Tavish, trying to hang on to his pride, nodded.
"Ok, how long until we're there?" Rib asked to break the tension.
"About two hours, IF we don't get tied up in landing procedures," he rolled his eyes and then glanced at them. "Find something to do, but, there are two conditions. One, you don't mess up anything, and two you," he pointed at Tavish, "stay the Sith away from me."
Tavish rolled his eyes and stormed out. Aidon glanced at Petra. "You handle this one sweetheart."
She shook her head and hurried after Tavish. Rib glanced at Tark. "Practice time."
Tark raised an eyebrow. "Now?"
"Yes now, we'll start with a simple exercise. Find somewhere on the ship. "Hide" there, and block out you're force signature. I'll try to find you."
"But won't that take time."
Rib paused, trying to find the right way to put his next statement. "I do not believe so Padawan."
Tark blushed, and then hurried out of the room.
Aidon laughed. "Well at least you put it in a nice way."
Rib frowned and then waited. Aidon walked over to Bectra, who was organizing some herbs.
Tark wiped his brow with his sleeve. It had only taken five minutes for Rib to find him, but the master said that was not unusual. Then they had trained for twenty minutes with remotes. He'd definitely be sore from that tomorrow. Now they were sparring. Rib had insisted that they still be on training level. Not as low as the usual level in the temple, but still not able to cause any damage too serious.
Tark wielded the sabre he'd built on their trip to the planet. The green blade met Rib's blue one with ease, but Tark knew it was because his master was not using full force. Tark could feel himself growing agitated that he wasn't able to really fight Rib yet. The master was just too good of a swordsman, and though Tark was the best in his class, he was nowhere near ready to really fight. Reaching out to his master, he felt a deep calmness, and sighed inwardly. He wished he had that patience.
Rib stopped abruptly and Tark almost lost his balance. "Master?"
"We're here, that's enough for now. You did very well Padawan, and do not worry, one day you will have that patience."
Tark blushed at having been caught but bowed his head slightly and powered down his sabre. Then he followed his master to the cock-pit. Duncan was cursing repeatedly and Tark laughed when he realized it was directed at a member of a landing crew.
"Now listen you bantha kissing, worm eating Sith, I'm going to land, and I'm going to land now. If you have a problem with it, then you can take it and shove it up…"
"Duncan," Rib hissed. "I don't think that'll get us in any faster."
The smuggler turned and rolled his eyes. "Ok why don't you try it. Do that thing where you wave your and make people…"
"Alright, fine do it your way."
"Um alright sir, you have your clearance," the stuttering voice said.
"Thank you," Duncan snapped and flipped the communication off. Then he took the ship in. "Alright people let's go."
The seven walked out of the hanger and looked around. Duncan was looking for the Black Dragon. "I thought he said this place was easy to find."
Aidon raised an eyebrow. "Duncan you're a pilot, it's easy to find if you're the right person. You think some guy's gonna be allowed to walk into a bar full of smugglers and hot shots."
"I am a smuggler and I don't see it."
"Then why don't we just ask," Bectra stated.
Duncan rolled his eyes. "Because sweetheart, you just don't go around asking someone if they know where a bar for smugglers is."
Tark looked around but stopped when a man all in black, with wild hair, glance around and walk down a dark alley. "Why don't we follow him?"
Duncan paused, then started walking briskly towards the alley. "Come on."
Tark glanced at Rib, who just shook his head.
They found the entrance to the Black Dragon at the back of the alley. A small sign was at the top of the doorway.
"Hey Duncan, I found it," Aidon said with a grin.
Duncan glared at him and shoved open the door. It was even worse than the BBQ inside. The smell of alcohol was twice as bad, and the smoke was so thick, it choked them. Plus, the place was very hot.
"No wonder smugglers like it here," Duncan remarked. "It's so bad, buyers would give you anything you want just to leave."
"Alright, alright, let's just find Blaine and Duke," Aidon said. It didn't take long to find the two pilots, and introductions were made.
"So Blaine, did you get us in?"
"Yeah you'll get twenty minutes."
"Twenty minutes!" Tavish exclaimed. "How can we do anything in twenty minutes?"
"I don't know, but you better think of a way, cause that's all he's going to give you."
Tavish frowned but kept his mouth shut.
"Oh and he also said that only you, you're aide, and the Jedi can be in the room."
Duncan rolled his eyes. Tavish nodded. "Alright, Aidon you'll be my aide for today. Duncan can you take Petra and Bectra back to the ship and wait?"
"Oh yes your honor, my pleasure," Duncan said sarcastically.
Bectra glared at Tavish. "I'm not going back with him."
Aidon sighed. "Bec come on, we have to go and we have to know that you are safe."
"I refuse to be in the same ship alone with him."
"Elliot has know this man for a long time, he may be rude at times, but he is honorable," Rib added.
Duncan nodded. "Thank you."
Bectra crossed her arms. "Absolutely not."
Duncan sighed. "Fine, then I'll carry you." With that he grabbed the woman and threw her over his shoulder.
"Put me down you nerf-herder!"
Duncan nodded to Tavish and then started towards the door. "Jeez sweetheart, you're heavier than I thought."
"How dare you…you stupid…"
Bectra's cries were drowned out as the smuggler left the bar. The scene left a few people staring but they went right back to their drinks.
Duke shook his head. "Alright let's go."
Tavish paced impatiently. "Is your brother always this punctual?"
Blaine smirked. "Only when he has to deal with snobs."
Aidon glared at the young pilot. "Why don't you shut up."
"Leave it alone Aidon," Tavish said.
Rib was kneeling by the wall in meditation, guiding Tark with him.
Aidon turned to them. "Are you staring at the wall for a reason?"
Rib opened his eyes. "Do not make sarcastic remarks on things you don't understand."
Aidon frowned, about to snap back, when the door opened. An aide stuck her head out the door. "Mr. Russo will see you now."
"About time," Tavish muttered.
They followed the aide in and were greeted by a tall blond man. "Mr. Tora, how good of you to come."
Aidon raised his eyebrow. Tavish nodded. "Mr. Russo."
"Sit please, and who are your companions?"
"This is Master Rib Saln, and his apprentice Tark. And this is my aide, Aidon Doon."
"Ah well pleased to meet you. Now shall we discuss a way to solve this problem."
"Yes, Mr. Russo, I have reason to believe my father is not going to come to any reasonable terms for a treaty. I come here in behalf of our people. My father may be a harsh dictator, but our people do not want war."
"I understand this Mr. Tora, but you must also understand, that the people of the faction can not survive without supplies. Without trade, we will perish. Surely you can understand this."
"Yes I can, but I believe that if can give me enough time, matters can be worked out in the Galactic Senate."
"I have reason to believe that the Galactic Senate is corrupt."
Rib glanced sharply at the man. "What makes you say that Mr. Russo?"
"Instinct Master Saln. Senator Tora is not the only dictator in the galaxy."
"Please Mr. Russo, all I'm asking for is three weeks. If matters are not settled in three weeks, I will not try and persuade you again."
Russo leaned back in his chair, in thought. After a few minutes he sighed. "Against my better judgement, I will give you three weeks. But if matters are not settled by then, I will not wait any longer to take actions I deem necessary."
"Thank you Mr. Russo. We are…"
Suddenly Rib and Tark jumped up, but before their cries of warning could be heard, there was a sudden blast of heat and then blackness.
