Shara Gora stood, wedged between two tree trunks. She could feel the rough bark jabbing into her side, but she ignored the pain. Her dark eyes were fixed on the two jedi apprentices, Jaina and Jacen Solo.
Shara carefully took in slow, deep breaths, careful not to make a sound. This was her playing field, her talent. Move as a shadow. Always.
She did not consider what she was doing as spying. She was simply practicing her skills. Jacen and Jaina would never know she was there. She was far enough away that she did not suspect that they would sence her pressence. But she could see them.
Shara was new at the jedi academy. She had few friends and those that she did have found her to be quite different. The young brunette enjoyed these "games" of hidding. Espisonage. She had heard that a team of jedi were going to be sent on a new mission, and she hoped more than anything that she could be on that team.
The two jedi apprentices began to walk back towards the academy. Their pace was quick but not too fast to follow.
Shara slipped out from in between the two trees and carefully wound her way in and out of trees in persuit. She was sure to be far enough away not to raise suspicion.
Move as a shadow. Always.
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Tenel Ka stood facing her opponent. Her eyes were fixed, waiting intensly for his next move. Sweat rolled down her face in small glistening droplets. Her red hair was pulled back into many small braids. She wore green reptilian armor, the typical outfit for a Dathomir warrior, which allowed her to move freely during combat.
Tenel Ka held her lightsaber up defensively in front of her with her only remaining hand. She had lost her arm up to the elbow in a lightsaber duel accident when her original lightsaber had exploded in her hand.
In front of her stood man in his thirties. He was tall and solidly built. His green eyes held her gaze cooly. In his hand was his jedi weapon.
"You tired yet?" the man asked. A playful smile was edging it way across his face.
Tenel Ka could tell he was enjoying the spar. She too liked the challenge. She always stived to do well—no matter the activity. She pushed her physical limit in her daily exercises, despite her handycap.
"No," she responded plainly. In reality, her muscles ached and her lungs burned for more air, but she was determined not to let it show. It would give him the advantage, she thought.
Tenel Ka closed her eyes reaching out with the force. She blocked out the pain of her sore muscles and drew in a deep breath.
Her opponent took advantage of the moment and swung his weapon towards her head. She sensed his move. She blocked high and then moved her lightsaber to defend herself from the next swing. It came at her feet, quicker than she expected. She leaped into the air and landed lightly. She blocked another swift swing and spun to avoid a swing her side. Sparks flew as both their lightsabers met with force. Tenel Ka pressed harder with a surge of energy. Her opponent met her attempt to knock him of balance with an equal force. Tenel Ka opened her eyes. She focused on each move of her opponent searching for a weakness.
Her sweat began to drip down from her face. The buzzing-hum of both light sabres filled the air.
A sudden swing at her waist forced Tenel Ka to the ground. She rolled quickly and sprung to her feet again. The lightsabers sizzled as they collided once again. Each warrior continued to deliver and block blows, fighting equally in their dance.
As they continued, Tenel Ka could feel herself beginning to slow. She needed to find a way to defeat her oponent—before he found a different way to end the duel first. She decided to rely on the tactic of surprise.
Tenel Ka took a step back and lept high into the air, sommersaulting over her opponent. She landed behind him and turned quickly, thrusting forward with her lightsaber. Her attempted missed human flesh by centimeters as the man spun to defend himself.
"You're getting a little too quick for me," said the man. He was smiling, but Tenel Ka could tell he was surpressing a look of surprise.
"Do you give up yet?" she answered. She already knew the answer to her question but it was worth a try.
The man laughed outloud, letting Tenel Ka know it wasn't over.
Suddenly an electronic beep was emitted from the man's belt. He backed away from the young woman and un-ignited his lightsaber.
"Hang on," he said and reached down to grab his comlink. "Corran Horn here, what's up?"
Tenel Ka followed suit and switched off her own weapon.
"…sure…yes, I copy that…will do…ok, be there in a sec," Corran ended the conversation, switched off the comlink and looked up at Tenel Ka. She look at him questioningly.
"That was Master Luke. He's callin a little Jedi Meeting and we're invited," he said in a matter of fact tone. "He wants us to come right away."
"Oh, so I won?" asked Tenel Ka, watching for the older jedi's reaction. Corran smiled.
"Sure, whatever you say your highness," he responed with a friendly smile.
Tenel Ka glared at him. She was in fact the heir to the throne of Hapes but she disliked it when people advertised the fact. She preferred to be out helping the galaxy and fighting battles then sitting around telling her sevants to do this and that. On top of that she hated be addressed by her title because it made her feel so much different from her friends at the jedi temple.
"Master Horn, I'd prefer if you'd call me by my normal name," she said.
Corran Horn noted the seriouse tone of her voice.
"Oh, sorry," he replied.
"It's perfectly fine. I won't hate you for it," she responded.
"Ok then. Let's pay a visit to Master Luke."
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Mon Mothma sat across from Leia at a small table in her office. Papers were stacked in neat piles on either side. Leia sat with her back strait against the chair. Her shoulders where spread equaly apart giving her a proper and formal look. However, in the inside, she was anxiously for the Chief of State to speak.
"The senate has voted and the results have been released to me. Your request to investigate the politcal situation on the planet of Gala has won the popular vote," said Mon Mothma.
Leia slumped slightly in the chair. After months of research, hard work and negotiating, her plans had finally been accepted. She felt a burden lifted. Yet at the same time, she new one of the hardest parts was still to take place.
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Luke stood in front of a small group of choosen jedi. He held all of their eyes. The room was completely silent. He had been explaining to this team the responsiblities, objective of their mission, and answering any questions that he could about there fast approaching trip.
"I have been notified by Senator Leia Organa Solo that we all need to be ready to leave in three days. The first team will be sent after this duration of time and a second will follow three days later. This is to ensure safety to all those who have committed to going. All preperations for the mission should be made as soon as possible. Expect the worst and be prepared. You may be dissmissed and may the force be with you."
Luke stepped aside from the center of the room. His eyes brushed across the faces of those he and Tionne had choosen for the mission: Jaina and Jacen, Tenel Ka, the new student Shara, and Corran Horn. It was a small team, but a large one was not needed. The mission was simply diplomatic, to lean towards peace.
Jaina, Jacen, Tenel Ka and Corran Horn were busily chattering about the mission at hand. Shara's eyes moved from one jedi to another, to another. She silently watched all.
Luke pondered her silence. She seemed the only one not to completely fit in the group. The mission should be good for her.
Luke was amazed at how she intently examined each, as if searching for something under each's outer shell. Her face showed little emotion. She simply watched.
A good skill. Too many jedi rush into situations without examining their surroundings. As he thought, Luke headed for the door. For now he would figure out the last details of the mission.
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The night was black and no moon peered through the thick clouds. He liked it best that way. It was easier to slip past enemy lines. Where there was no light, there is no sight. He could sense his companions on either side of him. There were four of them, clothed in jet black. He slipped his hand down into his right pocket. He ran his hand over the small object. Good. Everything is just right. The messenger should be here any moment…
One of their mounted beasts let out a sharp cry. A shadowy figure approached the group. Their stride was steady.
"I was not followed," the messanger said. The raspy voice was that of a male's. He unlatched a small lantern from his belt and brought it up in front of his face. He turned a small metal knob on the side, and it began to glow a sickly yellow color.
"The Chacune are stationary for now. They have made camps that are well protected and only accessible through undergound tunnels. They are growing strong." His voice seemed to tear through the air angrily like an axe through timber.
"And their leader?" His voice was steady.
"I am still unaware of who it is. They refer to this being as Ahsile. Only Tyla knows, but she is loyal to their cause and will not reveal more than she believes is safe. She will not ever tell me. She relays all information from Ahsile to her people."
He frowned, though he knew the messenger could not see his hooded face.
"I'm assuming they are unaware of your lacking loyalty. However, in the event that I pressume wrong, I give you this." His hand clutched an object in his pocket and he pulled it out, placing it in the messenger's open palm.
He looked down and examined the object. His lips curled up into and evil smile. "I assure you, they will never suspect anything until it is too late."