'Mara,' called Palpatine through the force.
'Yes, my Master?' Mara replied.
'I have a new assignment for you' he told her.'What is it, my Master?'
'There's a new crime ring on Acatal. It's in the Elrood system. They've been killing troops stationed in the area. I want them all dead. Break the crime ring up. Kill all of the leaders and destroy any chance of rebuilding they have."
"Yes, my Master." Mara agreed. She closed her eyes and let go of the telepathic connection. She stood up and moved to gather supplies. She knew he would want her to be leaving quickly.
~*~
"Luke!" called Anakin as he entered their Courescant apartment.
"What, Dad?" Luke yelled from upstairs.
"We've just been summoned to the Council Chambers. I think we've got a new mission."
"Another mission? Already?" asked Padmé, coming into the entry way and kissing him on the check, "You've just come back from one."
Anakin shrugged, kissed Padme's forehead and said "I know. Ever since Obi- Wan got on the council they've been giving Luke and I double the missions we should have."
"And they've been giving Obi- Wan and I less and less." said Leia who had entered the room. "Or rather less and less off planet. All they have us do anymore is protect politicians and other missions that keep us here or within a few systems."
"Obi- Wan never did like traveling much." Anakin said, smiling at the understatement about his former Master..
"I've noticed." Leia grumbled.
~*~
"Hello Masters." said Anakin, bowing to the council. Luke, who stood respectfully behind him, bowed as well.
"Master Skywalker, Luke." Yoda regarded them.
"We have summoned you here today to go to a mission on Thaere Privo. Amrit Sanjay, the king of the planet was killed. The palace security there believes it was his daughter, the princess Rahil, is the primary suspect. A few of the cooks and his advisor, Aldan Keene are other possibilities the security found. At this time they can find no absolute proof of who did it." Mace Windu told them.
"This planet has a temperate climate. Most of its inhabitants are humans. There's a few bothans and sullustans too." Fi'ek Sirch, a Nikto Jedi Master recently appointed to the council told them.
Anakin nodded. "When are we to leave?"
"Early tomorrow. You will arrive around 2:00 on Thaere Privo. Someone from the palace will meet you at the docking bay." Adi Gallia replied.
"Thank you, Masters." said Anakin, bowing, Luke following suit.
"May the force be with you." Yoda said.
~*~
"Siri!" called Obi- Wan, catching up to his friend. He was headed in the direction of the dining hall, and it appeared Siri was headed there as well.
"And what does the eccentric Jedi Master what with a poor little Knight like myself?" Siri asked him, sarcastically. "How are things? It seems like I never see you anymore!"
"Excellent. Leia seems to becoming more in tune with the Force everyday. How are things with you?" he asked.
"Couldn't be better. Gratia is growing more confident. Her 21st birthday was two days ago, you know. I've been wrestling with the possibility of starting her on the trials. She's still a little insecure about her powers though." Siri said, as they walked into the dining hall.
Obi- Wan nodded, "Don't wait to long though." he said, speaking from experience.
"You know I won't." Siri told him, "Once she's more confident I'll start her into them."
The two stood in the line for food, "I know." Obi- Wan said nodding, "You tend to be right about most everything."
"Excuse me, Obi- Wan?" Siri asked him grinning, "I believe you're quite mistaken. I'm always right."
"Oh, how could I have ever forgotten?" Obi- Wan replied, bowing to her, "I'm so sorry, M'lady."
Siri laughed and shook her head. "I'm beginning to think all those blast bolts you took when we were Padawans are beginning to effect your brain."
"M'lady, I'm afraid you've found the root of the problem." Obi- Wan told her, jokingly, as they headed over to a table.
~*~
Mara began pull out of the docking bay in a one-man cruiser with no markings. She wouldn't want these criminals to associate her with the Empire. She waited for clearance from the bay controls. She told her nav computer the coordinates for Acatal. Stars blurred into streaks of light and she was in hyperspace. Her hair, currently light brown for this mission, was put into the hairstyle she had found was traditional on the planet. She wore peasant's clothes so that the crime ring would never even look at her.
She closed her eyes and brought herself into meditation. It would be hours before she would reach Acatal.
~*~
Padmé sighed as she worked on some paper work about a new law she and several other senators were trying to pass. Her work was so aggravating at times, but she loved it so. This particular law was over transportation rights on Malthor. She shook her head. Negotiations in the Senate weren't going well. No one was able to agree on anything.
She stood up from the table and went into the kitchen.
"Hi Mom. How's the paper work going?" Leia asked, who was already in the kitchen.
"Its very tiring." Padmé said, pouring herself a glass of water, "Its over transportation rights on Malthor."
Leia nodded, "I've heard about that. What are the standpoints of it? Are you anywhere near done with it?"
"Not anytime soon. All the air taxi drivers, off planet transport pilots, and any other pilots there are, are on strike. They say they aren't being paid enough. There's so many people on planet that almost all of them had been using public transport. If we don't get this settled quickly many on Malthor may loose their jobs." Padmé said.
"How much of a raise are they asking for?"
"20%" Padmé replied. "And that's a lot for them."
Leia nodded, "It seems like everyone needs or wants something."
"True enough." Padmé agreed.
~*~
AN: Oh my gosh! I'm sorry that took so long! One conflict after another presented itself and I couldn't get this chapter done. Hopefully I can get another update out this weekend, but we'll see. For those of you reading Padmé and the Beast, you can expect an update soon. I have about a third of that written, but I made this story my first priority. Review please! And don't be mad at me for not updating :)
- Sarah