Alright as usual I thank my usual reviewers for dutifully tell me what they
think, feel free to write to me to ask about things or tell not positive
comments when you feel like it deserves it, it helps too :)
:: . :: = mental connection '.' =thoughts
*****
"General on the bridge!"
The whole crew rushed from their post to stand at attention on two rows. Noor concentrated on not rolling her eyes and shaking her head. The military "manly" barking had never been her thing. Firm footsteps were coming from the other end of the room.
A familiar voice whispered in Noor's head. ::Oh wow! Here comes general 'I'm a sex god' Kenobi. Jeez remind me to make a petition to canonize the tailor who designed those black uniforms pants so tight.::
Noor sent a mental response to her drooling friend placed a row behind her. ::Here comes general 'I could be a sex god if I didn't look as if I had my own light saber shoved up my backsi--'::
The black clad general in question chose that moment to appear in her field of vision and neatly stop his review in front of her. He took his time to turn around and face her as she frantically checked on her shields, praying that nothing leaked from her mind into his. She could hear Elle laughing in her head.
His gaze swept over her and she felt a very uncomfortable sensation settle in the pit of her stomach. As much as she had tried to calm down and face whatever would come with serenity, Noor had dreaded this moment for months. She waited stiffly for him to speak or do something.
But nothing happened. He seemed content with watching her squirm nervously under his unrelenting stare. The whole room was uncommonly silent. Just when Noor thought she was about to run away, he imperceptibly nodded.
"No, it's fine, your mental shields are doing far better Commander."
Noor felt her cheeks burning, had he sensed her thoughts? Her silly jokes with Gabrielle? This trip was not starting well. A classic between them.
He briskly turned towards Nowl'Sinn, "How long will it take to reach the Y'Toub system and Nar Shaddaa Admiral?"
" According to the navigators, we should drop out of hyperspace in a few hours."
Nar Shaddaa? The Smugglers' Moon? Why in the blazes where they going in the Huttese territory?
His eyes fell back on Noor as he addressed her. "Commander Alrahan, you will be in charge of the communication with the planet as soon as we get within its range. We are to escort a diplomatic detachment from the Senate on their way to secure a settlement with Myrkr until Nar Shaada. This trip will lead us to the outer ring where the Republic has little influence; a whole party of mercenaries and bounty hunters is gravitating in this perimeter. Probe the intentions of the Hutts with every means possible and make sure that we obtain a safe passage. They have an uncanny capacity to sense what is unsaid so keep your shields alert, we certainly don't want to fall into a trap."
"Excuse me, sir, but isn't it hazardous to take a diplomatic mission on the dangerous way of the outskirts when we can take a short cut through the center of the system? Myrkr is in the middle rim," she asked a bit surprised by this imprudent move so unlike her one time master.
The Admiral sent her a withering glare, there was no questioning the orders of a general in the Army, however, Kenobi answered.
" So it might seem, but the Senate wishes that this mission goes with a maximum of discretion and has very few warships to spare on the security of diplomats, our going to relieve another crew as a back defense in Nar Shaada's orbit is a good pretext and solves both issues. I'm merely obeying my superiors' orders here, Commander and so should you."
Both the CO walked away signifying to everyone to return to their task.
Noor exhaled slowly and went to sit down in front of her computer to gather some extra information on said Nar Shaddaa. Lt Cdr Baron came to give her a short report on the planet.
"What an affectionate reunion. I must say I'm impressed, the two of you have matured a lot: no yelling, no blood just a mere hostile sizing up, a very reasonable amount of ordering you around and a not too oppressive final rebuke," she said in a low voice and a straight face for the crew's benefit.
Noor took the report, rolling her eyes. "Thank you, Commander, that will be all."
" Yes, ma'am." She added in a whisper: " The General is rubbing off on you, it's not healthy." She marched off before Noor had a chance to shoot back.
~*~
Once more, Commander Alrahan thought she was about to drool out of boredom listening to the abysmally inane debate over the defense tactic. This brilliant topic had been launched by the painfully short witted Karr 'fat ass' Nowl'Sinn, as Elle had nicknamed him, glorifying both the so-called man of field admirable pear shaped figure and fine intellect to Noor's renewed delight.
The daily report of the officers on board was really the worse part of her day. The protection system was operational and effective as it had already proved in several skirmishes with the smugglers. She had planned and carefully checked each element herself. Even Kenobi was satisfied with her strategy!
Not that a specific strategy would have actually been useful lately though. Boring meetings about uninteresting matters, daily training and observation had been the only sources of occupation of the crew for a solid fortnight. There was a war raging in the galaxy but here they were in Y'Toub system, counting the stars around the ship, watching over a non-descript little moon as ordered by Kenobi-like it would scamper off or wave back at them- basically trying to stay awake. She knew better than telling that to her superiors given the reaction she got from Kenobi last time she tried.
He was leaning back in his chair right now, listening patiently to his officers babbling. They still hadn't talked since he had left the Temple. Nothing outside business that is, and no more than the strictly necessary, hence no chance to bridge the gap between them. She knew she should squelch her frustration about the whole situation and move on. She looked at him closely from across the table, perplexed. The Jedi was difficult to grasp.
Since he had taken up his charge as an officer, he had shaven his beard and his coppery blond hair that once brushed his shoulders were now cut shorter on his neck. He looked so much younger, the angles of his face were now more definite, sharper. Tricky thing to decide whether it was something good or a curse for her concentration, she mused before abruptly straightening up when she realized that she was openly staring, causing her stylus to fall with a loud clatter for good measure. She dropped her gaze on her note pad, finding a sudden and deep interest in the blank screen.
All right, all right, the praising female gushing had a point there. Although it disgusted her to admit it, he was a good man, attractive and all. Even she could see that and. Well. Feel the effect it had on her. That and the almost indecently tight uniform she mentally added with a tiny but definitely devious grin. Thank the Maker he remained as pleasant as a jail door in her company.
"Something entertaining, Commander?" a clipping voice inquired.
Speaking of the devil--
"No, sir."
He audibly sighed. She was in for it.
"Alrahan, although our present situation might not be as gripping as you would wish, I would like to keep my crew focused. "
' Jeez, get laid man!' she thought rather irreverently, earning a shrewd glance from Gabrielle.
"Would you provide assistance in that respect?" he asked then, looking right in her eyes.
Noor distinctly heard her breath catch in her lungs. What was he talking about? The crew focus or-
The most unnerving thing about Kenobi was that he always seemed to know when she was thinking something she shouldn't, remaining elusive enough for her not to be able to tell for sure.
"With pleasure, sir."
There. Two could play this game. If she hadn't known the General as well as she did, she would have sworn she saw a furtive spark of amusement in the look he gave her before he submitted another issue to the meeting. The lulling rumble of the discussion resumed. She mostly kept quiet, only giving succinctly her opinion when asked until the session reached its conclusion. Noor started to collect her things, waiting anxiously for the signal allowing her to retire in her quarters for the night.
"Any last minute unladylike reflection you wish to share, Commander?" the General asked, barely bothering to hide his smirk. The slightly confused assembly turned questioningly towards her.
Here was the answer to her previous question.
"Er. not for the moments, sir," she answered as naturally as the guilty blush starting to color her cheeks allowed.
"Very well, you are dismissed gentlemen."
Everybody rose gratefully and moved to the door lead by the Admiral, except Noor and Gabrielle who lingered behind to exchange a few words with Lieutenant Limaadel on the concerning energy coupler's failure at the beginning of the preceding week. As the three of them walked towards the exit, their CO called them back sternly.
"Unless you two have switched chromosomes over night, had some ungodly surgery done on your person or forgotten to mention something about your gender in the first place, this order was none of your concern. Lieutenant, you may go."
Limaadel obeyed after glancing sympathetically at his colleagues. Kenobi was respected and spoken very highly of by his men but no one would have wanted to stand in his way or face his rare anger.The young women shared a long suffering look when they heard the door being locked by a tug of the Force behind them.
He waited a few moments then marched to the communication holo unit.
"The Council contacted us today," he said with milder voice, pressing a key.
Mace Windu's tall figure appeared.
"Greetings General. Our time is running short so I will go straight to the point. The Order had been devoted to the protection of the peace in the Galaxy and beyond for many centuries. Almost three millenniums ago, the Jedi discovered the existence of a massive destruction weapon developed by an ancient and remote civilization now disappeared. The danger was so real that the Senate sent the best Jedi elements to neutralize it and steal the plans. This action cost many lives but the mission was eventually completed, the plans were collected and safely concealed away from the members of the Republic at the Senate's disposition. This matter had been almost forgotten along the years then safely transformed into some kind of myth. You do realize however, that some did not forget. We are living through dark times: those plans cannot be discovered and fall into the wrong hands, the consequences would be too terrible. Therefore, you will bring your Jedi fellow Noor Alrahan to the hiding place. She is the only one who can actually find them, for even the present Council doesn't know exactly where they are. The Jedi knight Barron will help you both to find a way to leave discreetly and will then take up the lead of the ship with Admiral Nowl'Sinn. Keep this strictly confidential, we will have no more contact with you during the entire mission lest it should draw the enemy's attention on you. Your task is vital but don't forget to keep your serenity about you, don't let your judgment be clouded by fear or urgency and, Obi-Wan, take care of her. May the Force protect the three of you. "
The transmission ended and the Jedi master's silhouette faded away. Gabrielle looked concerned, Noor stared blankly into emptiness.
"If you have no further questions, Lieutenant, you can go to your quarters now."
"Yes, sir," she said and walked out of the conference room. The hiss of the door closing behind Gabrielle gave way to a heavy silence.
"I'm the only one who knows?" uttered Noor with a faint edge in her voice. Kenobi slowly nodded.
"How so?"
" Because you are an archeologist."
"I know I may sound mentally retarded to you, but I'd appreciate very much if you took the trouble to explain! Why my being an archeologist appoints me out of the blue to be the 'man' of the situation? " she exclaimed petulantly.
Kenobi leaned on the edge of the table with his arms crossed on his chest.
" I think I should start from the beginning then. You have not been appointed 'out of the blue.' Far from it. The hiding place is situated in Israel, in an ancient city you know well. Although the Order hid the plans and trusted the legend around the story to keep intruders at bay, it did not leave it unprotected. A knight originally from Earth volunteered to watch over the site permanently. He was your ancestor."
Noor's eyes grew wide as she understood what it implied. "Is that why my whole family has been so attracted by Caesarea for generations? Does that mean that all the archeologists and searchers among my kin were--Jedi? Even my father?"
Somehow she had trouble to picture the elegant late Lord Alrahan, famous patron of the British Museum and globe-trotter aesthete in the stern frames of the Jedi's life.
"Yes, the descendents of that knight were in charge of the protection of the plans, the status of scholar was a rather interesting job as well as a handy cover. For generations it had been so, your father in turn brought you to the Temple. Your family is a very special kind of Jedi, in the Corellian language Alrahan means 'Guardians'."
Noor grabbed a chair and plopped down. "So the uproar around my departure ten years ago was--set up?" "More or less, the other members of the family have never known about the Jedi and the plans. You were to go back on Earth eventually but your sister discovered everything accidentally, she traded her discretion for the promise that we would cease to contact you and that you would learn about the site as late as possible. The Council refused but--"
Noor let out a tiny smile. "Yes, I know how she can be."
Kenobi sighed. "Well, the Order had to keep it absolutely secret so they didn't have much choice but they didn't despair that one day they would be able to reach you. You have been trained all your life for this."
"Then what have we been doing here for 17 days?"
"Firstly waiting for the Council to contact us safely. Follow me to know about the secondly."
They went on the bridge where a few soldiers and technicians were finishing their watch. Kenobi dismissed them and the ship was switched to automatic pilot.
"Here is the secondly," he said, pointing to a distant sphere through the view port.
"Ah, your beloved little moon. What can be so formidable about that dull mass of dust?"
"This is not a moon, Alrahan. It's a space station and currently the Council's deepest source of worry. It's far from being operational, still, according to the messages we intercepted, it might have to do with the plans we need to destroy."
She looked up at him. "What type of weapon is described in these plans?"
"I don't know exactly but the-vague-report I found at the Temple's library evoked a tremendous power for that remote time. It could suppress a thousand lives in a few seconds. With the modern means this power could be boosted and increase the capacity of destruction drastically, I guess it could even annihilate--"
"A planet." They said at the same time.
They both felt a cold weight settle in their chests as they exchanged a look before setting their eyes back on the apparently harmless moon.
*****
:: . :: = mental connection '.' =thoughts
*****
"General on the bridge!"
The whole crew rushed from their post to stand at attention on two rows. Noor concentrated on not rolling her eyes and shaking her head. The military "manly" barking had never been her thing. Firm footsteps were coming from the other end of the room.
A familiar voice whispered in Noor's head. ::Oh wow! Here comes general 'I'm a sex god' Kenobi. Jeez remind me to make a petition to canonize the tailor who designed those black uniforms pants so tight.::
Noor sent a mental response to her drooling friend placed a row behind her. ::Here comes general 'I could be a sex god if I didn't look as if I had my own light saber shoved up my backsi--'::
The black clad general in question chose that moment to appear in her field of vision and neatly stop his review in front of her. He took his time to turn around and face her as she frantically checked on her shields, praying that nothing leaked from her mind into his. She could hear Elle laughing in her head.
His gaze swept over her and she felt a very uncomfortable sensation settle in the pit of her stomach. As much as she had tried to calm down and face whatever would come with serenity, Noor had dreaded this moment for months. She waited stiffly for him to speak or do something.
But nothing happened. He seemed content with watching her squirm nervously under his unrelenting stare. The whole room was uncommonly silent. Just when Noor thought she was about to run away, he imperceptibly nodded.
"No, it's fine, your mental shields are doing far better Commander."
Noor felt her cheeks burning, had he sensed her thoughts? Her silly jokes with Gabrielle? This trip was not starting well. A classic between them.
He briskly turned towards Nowl'Sinn, "How long will it take to reach the Y'Toub system and Nar Shaddaa Admiral?"
" According to the navigators, we should drop out of hyperspace in a few hours."
Nar Shaddaa? The Smugglers' Moon? Why in the blazes where they going in the Huttese territory?
His eyes fell back on Noor as he addressed her. "Commander Alrahan, you will be in charge of the communication with the planet as soon as we get within its range. We are to escort a diplomatic detachment from the Senate on their way to secure a settlement with Myrkr until Nar Shaada. This trip will lead us to the outer ring where the Republic has little influence; a whole party of mercenaries and bounty hunters is gravitating in this perimeter. Probe the intentions of the Hutts with every means possible and make sure that we obtain a safe passage. They have an uncanny capacity to sense what is unsaid so keep your shields alert, we certainly don't want to fall into a trap."
"Excuse me, sir, but isn't it hazardous to take a diplomatic mission on the dangerous way of the outskirts when we can take a short cut through the center of the system? Myrkr is in the middle rim," she asked a bit surprised by this imprudent move so unlike her one time master.
The Admiral sent her a withering glare, there was no questioning the orders of a general in the Army, however, Kenobi answered.
" So it might seem, but the Senate wishes that this mission goes with a maximum of discretion and has very few warships to spare on the security of diplomats, our going to relieve another crew as a back defense in Nar Shaada's orbit is a good pretext and solves both issues. I'm merely obeying my superiors' orders here, Commander and so should you."
Both the CO walked away signifying to everyone to return to their task.
Noor exhaled slowly and went to sit down in front of her computer to gather some extra information on said Nar Shaddaa. Lt Cdr Baron came to give her a short report on the planet.
"What an affectionate reunion. I must say I'm impressed, the two of you have matured a lot: no yelling, no blood just a mere hostile sizing up, a very reasonable amount of ordering you around and a not too oppressive final rebuke," she said in a low voice and a straight face for the crew's benefit.
Noor took the report, rolling her eyes. "Thank you, Commander, that will be all."
" Yes, ma'am." She added in a whisper: " The General is rubbing off on you, it's not healthy." She marched off before Noor had a chance to shoot back.
~*~
Once more, Commander Alrahan thought she was about to drool out of boredom listening to the abysmally inane debate over the defense tactic. This brilliant topic had been launched by the painfully short witted Karr 'fat ass' Nowl'Sinn, as Elle had nicknamed him, glorifying both the so-called man of field admirable pear shaped figure and fine intellect to Noor's renewed delight.
The daily report of the officers on board was really the worse part of her day. The protection system was operational and effective as it had already proved in several skirmishes with the smugglers. She had planned and carefully checked each element herself. Even Kenobi was satisfied with her strategy!
Not that a specific strategy would have actually been useful lately though. Boring meetings about uninteresting matters, daily training and observation had been the only sources of occupation of the crew for a solid fortnight. There was a war raging in the galaxy but here they were in Y'Toub system, counting the stars around the ship, watching over a non-descript little moon as ordered by Kenobi-like it would scamper off or wave back at them- basically trying to stay awake. She knew better than telling that to her superiors given the reaction she got from Kenobi last time she tried.
He was leaning back in his chair right now, listening patiently to his officers babbling. They still hadn't talked since he had left the Temple. Nothing outside business that is, and no more than the strictly necessary, hence no chance to bridge the gap between them. She knew she should squelch her frustration about the whole situation and move on. She looked at him closely from across the table, perplexed. The Jedi was difficult to grasp.
Since he had taken up his charge as an officer, he had shaven his beard and his coppery blond hair that once brushed his shoulders were now cut shorter on his neck. He looked so much younger, the angles of his face were now more definite, sharper. Tricky thing to decide whether it was something good or a curse for her concentration, she mused before abruptly straightening up when she realized that she was openly staring, causing her stylus to fall with a loud clatter for good measure. She dropped her gaze on her note pad, finding a sudden and deep interest in the blank screen.
All right, all right, the praising female gushing had a point there. Although it disgusted her to admit it, he was a good man, attractive and all. Even she could see that and. Well. Feel the effect it had on her. That and the almost indecently tight uniform she mentally added with a tiny but definitely devious grin. Thank the Maker he remained as pleasant as a jail door in her company.
"Something entertaining, Commander?" a clipping voice inquired.
Speaking of the devil--
"No, sir."
He audibly sighed. She was in for it.
"Alrahan, although our present situation might not be as gripping as you would wish, I would like to keep my crew focused. "
' Jeez, get laid man!' she thought rather irreverently, earning a shrewd glance from Gabrielle.
"Would you provide assistance in that respect?" he asked then, looking right in her eyes.
Noor distinctly heard her breath catch in her lungs. What was he talking about? The crew focus or-
The most unnerving thing about Kenobi was that he always seemed to know when she was thinking something she shouldn't, remaining elusive enough for her not to be able to tell for sure.
"With pleasure, sir."
There. Two could play this game. If she hadn't known the General as well as she did, she would have sworn she saw a furtive spark of amusement in the look he gave her before he submitted another issue to the meeting. The lulling rumble of the discussion resumed. She mostly kept quiet, only giving succinctly her opinion when asked until the session reached its conclusion. Noor started to collect her things, waiting anxiously for the signal allowing her to retire in her quarters for the night.
"Any last minute unladylike reflection you wish to share, Commander?" the General asked, barely bothering to hide his smirk. The slightly confused assembly turned questioningly towards her.
Here was the answer to her previous question.
"Er. not for the moments, sir," she answered as naturally as the guilty blush starting to color her cheeks allowed.
"Very well, you are dismissed gentlemen."
Everybody rose gratefully and moved to the door lead by the Admiral, except Noor and Gabrielle who lingered behind to exchange a few words with Lieutenant Limaadel on the concerning energy coupler's failure at the beginning of the preceding week. As the three of them walked towards the exit, their CO called them back sternly.
"Unless you two have switched chromosomes over night, had some ungodly surgery done on your person or forgotten to mention something about your gender in the first place, this order was none of your concern. Lieutenant, you may go."
Limaadel obeyed after glancing sympathetically at his colleagues. Kenobi was respected and spoken very highly of by his men but no one would have wanted to stand in his way or face his rare anger.The young women shared a long suffering look when they heard the door being locked by a tug of the Force behind them.
He waited a few moments then marched to the communication holo unit.
"The Council contacted us today," he said with milder voice, pressing a key.
Mace Windu's tall figure appeared.
"Greetings General. Our time is running short so I will go straight to the point. The Order had been devoted to the protection of the peace in the Galaxy and beyond for many centuries. Almost three millenniums ago, the Jedi discovered the existence of a massive destruction weapon developed by an ancient and remote civilization now disappeared. The danger was so real that the Senate sent the best Jedi elements to neutralize it and steal the plans. This action cost many lives but the mission was eventually completed, the plans were collected and safely concealed away from the members of the Republic at the Senate's disposition. This matter had been almost forgotten along the years then safely transformed into some kind of myth. You do realize however, that some did not forget. We are living through dark times: those plans cannot be discovered and fall into the wrong hands, the consequences would be too terrible. Therefore, you will bring your Jedi fellow Noor Alrahan to the hiding place. She is the only one who can actually find them, for even the present Council doesn't know exactly where they are. The Jedi knight Barron will help you both to find a way to leave discreetly and will then take up the lead of the ship with Admiral Nowl'Sinn. Keep this strictly confidential, we will have no more contact with you during the entire mission lest it should draw the enemy's attention on you. Your task is vital but don't forget to keep your serenity about you, don't let your judgment be clouded by fear or urgency and, Obi-Wan, take care of her. May the Force protect the three of you. "
The transmission ended and the Jedi master's silhouette faded away. Gabrielle looked concerned, Noor stared blankly into emptiness.
"If you have no further questions, Lieutenant, you can go to your quarters now."
"Yes, sir," she said and walked out of the conference room. The hiss of the door closing behind Gabrielle gave way to a heavy silence.
"I'm the only one who knows?" uttered Noor with a faint edge in her voice. Kenobi slowly nodded.
"How so?"
" Because you are an archeologist."
"I know I may sound mentally retarded to you, but I'd appreciate very much if you took the trouble to explain! Why my being an archeologist appoints me out of the blue to be the 'man' of the situation? " she exclaimed petulantly.
Kenobi leaned on the edge of the table with his arms crossed on his chest.
" I think I should start from the beginning then. You have not been appointed 'out of the blue.' Far from it. The hiding place is situated in Israel, in an ancient city you know well. Although the Order hid the plans and trusted the legend around the story to keep intruders at bay, it did not leave it unprotected. A knight originally from Earth volunteered to watch over the site permanently. He was your ancestor."
Noor's eyes grew wide as she understood what it implied. "Is that why my whole family has been so attracted by Caesarea for generations? Does that mean that all the archeologists and searchers among my kin were--Jedi? Even my father?"
Somehow she had trouble to picture the elegant late Lord Alrahan, famous patron of the British Museum and globe-trotter aesthete in the stern frames of the Jedi's life.
"Yes, the descendents of that knight were in charge of the protection of the plans, the status of scholar was a rather interesting job as well as a handy cover. For generations it had been so, your father in turn brought you to the Temple. Your family is a very special kind of Jedi, in the Corellian language Alrahan means 'Guardians'."
Noor grabbed a chair and plopped down. "So the uproar around my departure ten years ago was--set up?" "More or less, the other members of the family have never known about the Jedi and the plans. You were to go back on Earth eventually but your sister discovered everything accidentally, she traded her discretion for the promise that we would cease to contact you and that you would learn about the site as late as possible. The Council refused but--"
Noor let out a tiny smile. "Yes, I know how she can be."
Kenobi sighed. "Well, the Order had to keep it absolutely secret so they didn't have much choice but they didn't despair that one day they would be able to reach you. You have been trained all your life for this."
"Then what have we been doing here for 17 days?"
"Firstly waiting for the Council to contact us safely. Follow me to know about the secondly."
They went on the bridge where a few soldiers and technicians were finishing their watch. Kenobi dismissed them and the ship was switched to automatic pilot.
"Here is the secondly," he said, pointing to a distant sphere through the view port.
"Ah, your beloved little moon. What can be so formidable about that dull mass of dust?"
"This is not a moon, Alrahan. It's a space station and currently the Council's deepest source of worry. It's far from being operational, still, according to the messages we intercepted, it might have to do with the plans we need to destroy."
She looked up at him. "What type of weapon is described in these plans?"
"I don't know exactly but the-vague-report I found at the Temple's library evoked a tremendous power for that remote time. It could suppress a thousand lives in a few seconds. With the modern means this power could be boosted and increase the capacity of destruction drastically, I guess it could even annihilate--"
"A planet." They said at the same time.
They both felt a cold weight settle in their chests as they exchanged a look before setting their eyes back on the apparently harmless moon.
*****