STAR WARS
MALICE SCENE TWO: SHIFTING ALLEGIANCES

The Clone Wars rage on and times are growing worse. In a monumental decision, the Senate has passed a resolution granting special commissions to Jedi Masters and Knights to lead the newly formed Army of the Republic. This decision has had broad ramifications for not only the leaders of the Republic, but the leaders of the Jedi themselves. Even now, many Jedi are finding themselves torn in an ethical dilemma because they fear they have become too entangled in the Republics policies and politics. Some Jedi have begun to desert the order, preferring instead to follow the banner of Count Douku and his separatist forces. Others, while not breaking away from the order completely, have pledged their support through other activities.

Deep into the night, Ry-Zan Odanna walked quietly through there Jedi Temple out onto the main street. He walks among the people of the

city in normal civilian attire. He walks far from the temple eventually coming to a small pub Called the Null Zone. He walks inside and orders a drink, then settles into a dimly lit booth.

After waiting for several minutes of impatient waiting, a tall

hooded figure walks in. His piercing eyes fix on Ry-Zan and the

Padawan gets up finishing his drink with a gulp, and moves into the

street with him.

"Greetings, young Odanna." a deep voice said from underneath the

hood. "Greetings, milord." Ry-Zan replied. "It is as you said it

would be; the Jedi are to command this new Clone Army."

"This is news indeed. You have done well. My master will be pleased." the hooded man said. "Thank you Lord Tyranus" Ry-Zan replied. "I am honored to serve."

The Sith Lord nodded. "Soon, young Odanna, your mission will be

complete and you can join us on our quest to restore order and

justice to the galaxy." Ry-Zan nodded. "I would hope sooner than later milord. My weak willed peers are beginning to grate on me. I fear my tolerance for it will not be sufficient to see me through."

Tyranus patted Ry-Zan on the shoulder. "Patience, my young student. Soon enough you will make your mark on the future of this galaxy. In the meantime, I have a new task for you." Ry-Zan hid the disappointed look from his face and nodded. "What is

thy bidding, milord?"

"I want you to go into the Temple Archives. There is an object there that my master wishes to have. It is a holocron..."

"Milord," Ry-Zan gasped, "Holocrons are stored only in the most

secure area of the Archives. It is guarded around the clock. Getting

in will not be easy." "I am aware of this, nevertheless I must have it." The Sith Lord said with power behind his voice. Ry-Zan paused a second then replied. "I will contact you when I have

it, milord."

"Good." was all that Tyranus said before walking away and leaving Ry- Zan alone to his thoughts.

~~~Meanwhile, back at the temple~~~

Jay-Zan sat quietly by the heating unit of his room sipping his tea and reading from a book titled 'The Complete History of Corvis

Minor.' Corvis Minor was a small insignificant world in the Outer

Rim with a rather unspectacular history, but it did have one quality

that Jay-Zan liked... peace and quiet. He looked at his chrono and

noticed the time. Closing the book he picked up his lightsaber and

his comlink. "Janarra, it's almost time for our shift at the Archive

Vault. Are you ready?"

"I'm already there waiting on you, slowpoke." her voice came back

with it's sarcastic tone. Jay-Zan shook his head and placed the comlink in his belt.
It didn't take him long to reach the Vault where he and Janarra relieved two other senior Padawan who were pulling guard.

"Another boring night of guard duty." Janarra said. "Anakin's lucky! He and Master Obi-Wan left this morning to take charge of an Army Battle Group that's headed for the Outer Rim. They get all the

excitement."

"A Jedi does not crave excitement." Jay-Zan said intoning the

code. "We Jedi seek peace and calm."
"Can you sound ANY MORE like Master Yoda??" Janarra said

scornfully. "I swear that you are he are related somehow."

Jay-Zan favored that comment with a look of disdain. "I just understand

what he says better than you do. Emotion has no place in a Jedi's

decision making process. We have too much power at our fingertips

that could be used dreadfully."

Janarra sighed. "I know, but I want to do SOMETHING! I mean, it's

not like I want to go fight the war all by myself. I wish we didn't

have to fight it at all! It's just that I don't want to be sitting

here cooling my heels while everyone else gets to go out and make a

real contribution to saving the Republic!"

Jay-Zan smiled emptying the tea from his cup. "Patience Janarra. I am sure that soon Master Ryat will get a mission too and you and he

will be off on great adventures." "I hope so." Janarra replied leaning against the cool vault door, "Else I might be the only casualty in this war to die from BOREDOM."

Jay-Zan was about to reply when he noticed his brother walking

up. "Ry-Zan, what are you doing up this late?" he asked.

"Couldn't sleep so I took a walk." Ry-Zan said yawning, "Good and

tired now though."

Jay-Zan yawned too. "Speaking of which, I guess I am a little more tired than I thought." Ry-Zan smiled, said "Why don't you get

yourself some more of that stimcaf tea?" "Can't leave Janarra here alone." Jay-Zan replied.

"Go ahead." Ry-Zan said with a wave of his hand, "I'll cover you

until you get back." Jay-Zan smiled slightly. "You're sure?" he asked. "Go on brother. Just don't be too long."

Jay-Zan nodded. "Ok, but you're going to have to make my security

sweep inside for me." "Not a problem." Ry-Zan said and watched as Jay-Zan walked to the elevator and got in. He then turned to Janarra. "I'll go make the rounds. Be back in a flash." "Ok." she replied trying to stifle her own yawn.

Inside, he walked down the rows and rows of shelves and cabinets

that held artifacts dating from the beginning of the Republic. What

he was searching for, however, wasn't from that era, but from even

longer before. It had been recovered ten years prior after the

invasion of Naboo from a mysterious ship that was rumored to belong

to a Sith Lord. Searching through the archives he finally

came to the small pyramid shaped object. He examined the strange

markings on the outside for a moment, then placed the holocron inside

a small bag he carried. There were no alarms inside because no Jedi

ever figured on another stealing anything from the vault. It was

supposedly too well protected. he thought to himself.

Ry-Zan quickly made his way back out the door and sealed it just as Jay-Zan was walking back up to him. "Everything ok?" Jay-Zan asked.

Ry-Zan smiled. "Quiet as a tomb." he yawned again. "I'm going to

bed. Good night."

Jay-Zan nodded and Janarra, who was barely awake herself, waved

lazily.

Ry-Zan made his way back to his room and inside. He took the object and set it down on his desk then pulled out his comlink. "Milord, it's done." he said. "Good work." came the deep voice from the other side, "Meet me tomorrow in sub-level 3A. The place is called the

Bastion."

The link was cut and Ry-Zan was once again alone with his thoughts....