TWO
"Jian Anders…"
Master Windu leaned back in his chair after introducing the young Jedi, the entire council looked on. Ki-Adi-Mundi cleared his through, the old Cerean rubbing his cone shaped head before he straightened his posture, leaning forward in interest.
"Young padawan, I am interested in your skill but also in whom you are. The council is aware of your progress thus far, a skilled but patient and loyal apprentice who has culminated quite a list of feats and accomplishments. But we all sense that…that something that distracts you, clouds your mind."
Jian bowed to the masters and lowered his hood; most of the council members were not present, seeing how this wasn't a particularly pressing matter. The young Jedi was a bit overwhelmed and nervous that his secret could be discovered.
"Master Windu, Master Yoda, Master Ki-Adi-Mundi, I assure you that I am as focused as ever…but there is this guilt, when I cut down that rogue Jedi…"
The apprentice just trailed off, glancing away as Yoda frowned slightly, knowing the nature of what clouds the vision of Master Joran's padawan. Slamming the butt end of his walking stick against the shining floor, he cleared his throat.
"…felt like killing a piece of yourself did you?"
Yoda was a wise Jedi and knew that the seemingly perfect apprentice was flirting with dark forces, consciously or not. Mace chimed in as he tilted his head as if searching deep within the apprentice before him.
"Your Master speaks highly of you young one, going as far as saying that you are nearly ready to become a Jedi Knight. His confidence is not misplaced, exaggerated maybe, but your skill does exceed our expectations. But still, something distracts you young one. Could it be that you desire something beyond your station?"
Jian cleared his throat, his heart racing as he fidgeted beneath his baggy robes. The three Jedi Masters watched his movements intently, trying to pin point the issue at hand.
"Forgive me Masters, but I desire nothing more than to play my role, whatever that may be, in aiding the Jedi Order. Forgive me, my emotions could betray me, I will just need to acclimate that is all."
The council knew that young Jian was hiding something from them, but since his intent was pure, the Masters stood and bowed simultaneously, Jian bowing back. Master Windu approached the apprentice and walked him to the door.
"Jian, we appreciate your time and hope to meet with you and your Master shortly. In the meantime relax, focus, and may the Force be with you."
The young Jedi bowed to Windu, and then walked through the door, loosening up as he strode down the long halls of the Jedi Temple. Leaning on the glistening railing, the apprentice sighed as he looked out the massive windows, constantly beaten by the barrage of precipitation that bombarded the city planet of Coruscant. The pattering of rain was inconsistent and savage; a heavy, overdue rain.
The Temple was filled with many an idle padawan, Jian being one of them. The day was young as Jian strode down the halls, a few of the younger Jedi giving him strange looks as he walked past. Then, from his left, Jian heard an engaged lightsaber. Looking through the window, he watched the young Twi'lek girl deflecting shots from a training probe, her master watching with great interest.
Ullinel glanced over at Jian through the door. Telling her master something inaudible from the other side of the door, the young Twi'lek bowed and walked to the door welcomed by a slow kiss. The young Jedi smiled as he held the giddy girl in his arms.
"I'm sorry about last night…I had to leave, my master was getting suspicious."
"Don't worry Ullinel, it's only one night. We can spend tonight in my room, unless your master has something planned…"
She smirked, shaking one of her head tails off of her shoulder as she kissed Jian's neck and began to walk with him down the halls…
The rain pattered against the tall window and clouds that still hung over the massive metropolitan planet imprisoned the sun. The harmonious silence of the crowded room was cut short as Jian heard a pounding at his door, light yet enough to wake the young Jedi. Jian rushed to don his robes before hastily making his way to the door. As it slid open, Master Joran welcomed his apprentice with a faint smile.
"Jian, the council has asked an important task, we cannot fail them."
The younger Jedi closed his door and bowed to his master. The two walked down the halls towards the Temple hangar. Jian was still puzzled about the specifics of the mission but knew to trust in the wisdom of his master.
"Master, what of my training? I have not yet been able-- ."
Joran quickened his pace, stopping before the hangar door control panel.
"We can continue your training upon our return, right now training is not what is important. The council specifically requested me for this mission. We leave for Corellia today and await instruction there. Supposedly, its distance from Core politics is causing a Separatist uprising in an attempt to ruin the neutrality of Corellia; no doubt this will be a dangerous mission. Master Illic and his apprentice will be accompanying us; you've been introduced on previous training courses."
The door slid open and the two Jedi walked through the small space lined with Jedi star fighters. Two other Jedi stood at the edge of the landing platform in front of the four star fighters readied for flight. The horned Zabrak master stepped forward; the elaborate designs on his face gave his species their distinct look.
"Master Illic, it's good to see you again."
Joran smirked as he bowed to the other Jedi master. Jian bowed and then glanced over at the young Twi'lek girl who smiled shyly back at him.
"Master Joran, Padawan Jian, you remember my apprentice Ullinel. It is time for us to leave, I spoke with the council briefly and it seems that the situation grows dire on Corellia."
"Come young ones, make haste."
Joran led the others towards the star fighters but his apprentice stopped him, a nervous expression on his face.
"Master, can four Jedi possibly be able to stop a revolt? I hope that the council has a more elaborate plan for this mission. This all seems so…rushed."
Master Joran opened the hatch to Jian's fighter and looked back at his young apprentice with a concerned look.
"I know this is a trying time for you, but you must learn to trust the flow of the force and its plan for all of us. You are ready my apprentice, trust in yourself."
The Jedi master smirked as Jian climbed into cockpit of his fighter, Illic and his apprentice already taking off. The rain had halted and clouds gave way to the rising sun. Escaping from its prison, the mighty star shone brightly as it began to rise towards the massive skyline of Coruscant as four Jedi soared into the blood soaked stars…
The vast blackness dotted with bright beacons of light felt cold and empty. Then suddenly, four Jedi starfighters blinked into existence just in front of Corellia which seemed to hang peacefully yet an ominous aura surrounded the planet. A large battleship hovered just above the planet, not noticing the star fighters flying past towards the capital city, Coronet. Dropping their hyperspace rings, they soared down to the coastal city.
As the Jedi space crafts pierced the atmosphere, the young apprentices stared in awe at the Golden Beaches on the border of the shining city, unaware of the subtle chaos that was about to ensue. The sun was just setting over the sea as the Jedi passed over a glorious public fountain and towards the large landing pad, empty save for two guards. The two younger Jedi were chattering on a closed channel for quite some time, but suddenly they were cut off by the voice of Master Illic.
"Ready yourselves young ones, the beauty of this city can be deceiving. The Separatists are becoming even bolder with their attacks, expect anything."
Jian exhaled heavily as the four Jedi flew towards the landing pad and touched down, the guards slowly approaching. Joran and Illic were the first to emerge from their cockpits, bowing to the guards as their apprentices walked towards them slowly, clutching each other's hand behind their backs.
"I have a bad feeling about this Ullinel…"
Concerned, the young Twi'lek girl broke away from Jian's grasp and approached the guards and the Jedi masters.
"Captain, what is the situation?"
The guard sighed, shaking his head before meeting eye to eye with Master Joran.
"Not good, Separatist advocates protested in the streets not long ago, when we tried to stop them quietly they drew weapons. Many lives were lost, civilian and authorities. Every officer in the city is on duty and ready for the worst."
The guards and Jedi began to walk towards the ramp as they spoke; a strange feeling filled the air.
"The council sent us here to help repel the movement; we will do what we can."
Joran's smirk faded as his attention turned to a tall rooftop. The other Jedi felt it too but before they could react, a blaster bolt erupted shot out, tearing through the Police captain as the Jedi ignited their sabers. The doors to the building up ahead flew open as a group of thugs rushed the landing platform, firing into the group of Jedi.
Joran deflected another sniper shot, sending the rooftop assassin to fall from his position and down into the streets in the distance. Illic and the Padawans rushed into the fray of charging thugs, tossing off their robes as they deflected shots back into the crowd and sending some of the Separatists off the platform. As the Jedi reached the frontlines, their sabers sliced into the thugs as Joran joined the battle. Illic's two purple sabers cutting a bloody swathe through the frontlines as Ullinel and Jian fought side by side.
As the thug lines thinned, the Jedi slowly found themselves surrounded by a circle of the thugs. Deflecting shots here and there, the Jedi struggled to repel the Separatists. In a desperate attempt to disperse the skilled Jedi, one fanatic activated a thermal detonator and rushed towards Jian. The young apprentice noticed the attack and turned his attention towards the kamikaze, plunging his orange saber into the thug's stomach, and then as he turned Jian swiftly knocked the detonator into the air with a quick kick. Just as the explosive device began to fall off the side of the docking platform, a deafening explosion rocked the landing area.
The Jedi struggled to get to their feet, shaking off the shock of the explosion. The masters were the first to stand, reengaging their lightsabers as the few surviving assassins dropped their blasters and drew large vibroblades that whirred to life as all of the combatants stood ready again. The shining swords vibrated at a mind blowing rate, powerful enough to cut through nearly anything and even known to hold their own against lightsabers. One of the thugs slid off his helmet and brushed a tuft of greasy hair from his scarred face. Approaching the Jedi slowly, the thug smirked as his men waited anxiously to strike.
"More Jedi scum eh? Tyrannus wanted us to take care of you seem…stubborn. Last chance to just disappear…"
Master Joran smirked right back at the armored thug as he waved his lightsaber about.
"You want us to flee?"
That line initiated a charge from the thugs as lightsabers clashed with the vibroblades. Jian hacked through a line of them, knocking their weapons aside as he fought through the tide. Ullinel sliced a few blades in half as she and Illic tried to reach the ramp. Joran clashed with the leader of the Separatist advocates, the thug drawing another blade as his first splintered in half under the pressure of the Jedi's sacred weapon. As the fight raged on, the Corellian Security Force, a.k.a CorSec forces burst through the doors of the building connected to the landing platform. Blaster fire once again filled the dense air, the thugs convulsing as their bodies were riddled with shots, tearing massive holes in their flesh.
Master Joran waved his saber furiously as he fought with the thug, who clearly couldn't keep up. Frantically, the Separatist leader flinched as the Jedi cut through his weapon and spun, taking off the head of the frightened thug. As the all of the Jedi cut down the last of the Separatist resistance; the CorSec forces flooded the platform, checking the bodies while their Captain approached Master Joran and Illic.
"Master Jedi, we came as quickly as we heard the shots. What happened here?"
The two masters glanced over at their apprentices who whispered to each other as they looked down at the bodies. Joran was the first to speak as he wiped the sweat from his nearly bald, cone like head.
"The Republic and the Jedi Order have requested us to aid authorities here in repelling any Separatist activity. When we landed, we were fired upon by a sniper, he struck this guard indirectly, which could mean that he was aiming for one of us but there was interference with his shot."
The Jedi knelt down and examined the bloody corpse, stretching the entry wound as Illic continued where Joran left off.
"After he fell, more Separatists came from the building over there; we were able to defeat the sniper and these thugs when you arrived. We thank you for your assistance."
The captain studied his surroundings and took in the devastation before running his gloved hand through his hair trying to relax.
"You are the ones who should be thanked; you did Corellia a great service. This was yet another of increasingly daring strikes. We received word of your arrival not long ago; somehow it must have reached Separatist ears faster than originally perceived."
Illic adjusted his robes as he and Joran walked with the CorSec captain towards the building, Jian and Ullinel scurrying over to catch up to their masters.
"At least their plot was thwarted for now, but that was merely another attack, most likely they have many planned. Nothing is safe, the streets should be emptied Captain."
The CorSec captain stopped and turned towards the Zabrak master, sighing before he replied.
"That is outrageous; it would require to much time with the politicians, it could never happen. We must be careful Master Jedi, they could be anywhere."
"The leader here, he said something about Tyrannus instructing him, that was Dooku's alter ego. This plot could be more complex than we were led to believe..."
Master Joran butted in, remembering what had happened not long ago. The Jedi were silent until Jian came up beside the CorSec captain, looking over to his Master briefly as he spoke.
"Well Captain, it has been a rough day, perhaps you could show us to our accommodations before we leave so quickly to investigate."
The Captain chuckled a bit, the CorSec forces behind him cleaning up the docking platform and finishing their sweep of the area. A few of the guards remained but most moved past the slow moving group of Jedi and into the building ahead.
"Right this way Master Jedi."
The Captain led the Jedi through the shining double doors as the sun just began to set beyond the shimmering, golden seas…
The Jedi slowly strode out of the apartment and into the noisy halls. The CorSec captain emerged last, sealing the door behind him. Handing each Jedi a key card, the captain gave a sharp salute to the Jedi as he spoke clearly.
"Alright, these will grant you access to your rooms, CorSec will contact you if we need your assistance so be ready for anything. Have a pleasant visit Masters."
All of the Jedi bowed as Master Joran cleared his throat, this hour of the night taking its toll on the old Jedi.
"Good luck with the Separatists, and may the Force be with you."
Giving their salutations, the Jedi and the captain parted ways, Jian and Ullinel going back into the room as Master Illic and Master Joran leaned against the wall outside. Looking in the wide open door, the Masters watched their apprentices play a game of holographic chess. Ullinel giggled as she chanted some kind of victory tune, one of her pieces knocking a large monstrous hologram controlled by Jian. They laughed as Master Illic sighed, approaching Master Joran.
"Joran, we've known each other for many years, through good and bad. So have our young Padawans and I'm proud of the bond that has grown between them…"
Master Joran seemed more alert now, alarm replacing his fatigue as he glanced over at the playful apprentices and turned back to Master Illic.
"What are you getting at Illic?"
Master Illic looked irritated and held in his emotion.
"I know you've sensed this before, their force bond may be too strong…perhaps they have even fallen in love. This could lead to the dark side of the force."
Joran pushed Illic away from the opening of the room, out of view he whispered to his old friend, looking around for his apprentice.
"Do you think I am blind to the Force? I sense it too, but their loyalty to their Masters and the light side of the force is strong. Do expect me to make outcasts of them? That is a death wish to young padawans, especially those so closely connected to the Force."
"Well what do you suppose we should do about this…situation?"
Joran flipped the hood of his robe and walked closer to the door, the young Jedi already finishing their game.
"We wait, that's all we can do…"
Jian chuckled as he smiled down at Ullinel, the Twi'lek girl laughing, before they noticed their masters just outside the doorway. Illic cleared his throat as he guided the apprentices out of the quadruple room. As they closed the door, the Padawans followed their Masters down the stairway towards the city of Cornonet, the stars shining brightly on the neutral planet of Corellia.
Many stars away, the rogue Jedi who was captured by Master Joran and Padawan Jian crept into the young apprentice's room in the wee hours of the morning. The room was neat and barely showed traces of someone even living there. But as the renegade Jedi turned over a mattress, he found a small datapad, the mere sight of the worn device brought a smile to the cruel and snickering face of the rogue…