Isil rose high and full over the great city of Valmar. Its silver rays illuminated the dwellings of the elves that live there, causing them to seem to glow from within. Yavien stood on a balcony high above the city, watching the homes glimmer on land as brilliantly as the stars above it. The Jedi Temple on Valinor was tall, elegant, and yet far more organic than its counterpart on Coruscant, the central system of the Galactic Republic. One who did not know any better would see the structure and assume it an enormous tree that grew from the center of the city, but on closer inspection would pick out the doors and balconies, large windows on the east and west faces, fences and of course, security.
Security was rarely an issue on Valinor, being a peaceful planet by nature. There would be the occasional petty differences between the separate tribes - Noldor, Sindar, Vanyar and Teleri, but nothing terribly serious. Security was mainly for fear of any Outlanders who visited Valinor, though this rarely happened. Most came from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, and had never been a problem. The elves have come to dislike visitors, and kept very much to themselves throughout the years, which is why they repeatedly declined invitations to join the Republic. Many believed that this was the will of the 'Valar' that the elves 'worship', though this belief stemmed from whispered rumors, for none have ever seen these fabled beings to confirm them.
She felt a presence approach from behind her and smiled. She did not turn as he neared, but brushed his mind in greeting. The other elf came to stand behind her and folded his arms, gazing also at the stars in silence for several minutes before speaking.
"The Council has convened," he said softly, "they wait for you." Reluctantly she tore her eyes from the sky to look at the golden haired elf at her side.
"Can they not have one session without me?" she sighed in mock exasperation. He smiled at her.
"Come, Yavien, you know how they rely on your wisdom," he replied lightly. "Isil will still be here when we are finished." She smiled also, took one last look at the sky and followed him back into the building.
"We lost contact with them several days ago," Xaven continues as he addressed the council. "As this is not at all unusual for Rangers under deep cover we did not see cause for alarm, however-" he stopped in mid sentence, his last syllable echoing in the domed chamber.
"After yesterday's 'disturbance', you became worried," Tiren finished for him. Yavien looked to the elf beside her as he spoke. They had all felt it – a great spike of agony rippling through the force. It had greatly unsettled the council, and they had been in near constant contact with the Jedi on Coruscant attempting to find the source. They had all agreed very quickly that such a powerful disturbance could only have come from a Jedi.
"Yes, my lord," Xaven finished, bowing slightly in acknowledgment. The Council members exchanged looks among themselves. No one had ever sent a rescue mission to find a Ranger, they had never needed to before. The White Rangers of Valinor are so well trained there was a near perfect success rate in their missions.
"You are aware this has never been done, Xaven," Yavien spoke. The elf nodded. "And you are also aware how difficult it is to track one of our Rangers once they are deployed. They could be anywhere." She paused and her voice softened so that all eyes were on her. "From the strength of the disturbance yesterday, they could even be dead."
"I understand, mistress," Xaven answered, sounding desperate, "but you must help them. I know it was my son I felt, he is in danger!" He watched the council members in near desperation, hoping one of them would allow this mission to go forward. "And besides," he reasoned, "like anything that has ever been done, there must always be a first time." It was his last plea for his son's life. He bowed his head and waited for their judgment. The Council was silent. They spoke with each other through the Force, debating their next course so that the distraught father would be spared any more anguish. It was of course, one of the disadvantages to having family members within the Order, but on Valinor, where every citizen is aware of the Force, it is impossible to avoid.
"Agreed," said Valdir after a long moment. The golden elf drew the attention of every person in the chamber with the command in his voice. "Xaven," he addressed the man before him. "We will dispatch two rangers to track down your son and his Master." Yavien could feel the man's excitement flutter inside him, to be quickly controlled by years of Jedi training. "You must understand, however, that there is no guarantee the mission will be successful. We will send two and two only, but if they find nothing, he will be considered lost. I am sorry we cannot do more for him, but a full investigation may jeopardize the mission he was sent to accomplish." Xaven nodded his understanding, but Valdir continued. "Each Ranger knows precisely the risks of their jobs before they take them. They are prepared to die to accomplish them. If your son is indeed lost, know that he died doing what he felt was right, and that he will be honored within the Order."
Xaven swallowed the sadness that had been stirred by the elf's words and nodded stiffly, accepting the Council's decision. He barely heard their good wishes as he left the chamber. As the door slid shut behind him he leaned against the frame and slid to the ground, the emotions of the past several days finally getting to him.
Once Xaven left the council chamber, the discussion began anew.
"Are we sure that was wise?" a platinum haired male asked. "Raising his hopes of seeing Jace again? Once deployed, a Ranger is untraceable."
"But still we must try," Tiren protested.
"It is dangerous," another reasoned, "we would be putting two more of our Rangers at risk."
"But is it not worth it to discover the source of the disturbance?" asked a golden haired female. She sat in a seat slightly higher and more ornate than the others, and had a grace about her that seemed to radiate power and wisdom. The others listened to her words and heeded them, agreeing that the Rangers should be sent to find the boy.
"Mistress," one asked, "should we not consult the Valar on this matter?"
"Nay," she said after brief thought, "this in an offworld matter. They will not intervene."
"We should send searchers as soon as possible," Tiren offered. "What is Balar and Jace's last confirmed location?" One of the others brought up a holo star chart and pointed to one bright star near the center of the room.
"Here, on Giinkar. They were investigating reports of the doctors there using patients to test new bio-engineered weapons."
"Giinkar is right near Coruscant," Yavien remarked.
"Which is why Rangers were dispatched rather than Jedi," the golden woman commented. "It is always a tricky matter when such a thing is suspected on one of the Core Worlds."
"And since Rangers were sent before, Rangers will be sent now," said another.
"But who will go?"
"Sari and Tatl are on Coruscant," said Yavien.
"But Tatl is just a girl," Tiren protested, "this mission is too dangerous for such a young Padewan!"
"They are the closest," Yavien defended, "and we need someone who can begin the search immediately, before the trail grows cold."
"These are Rangers," said another, "there is no trail."
"Nevertheless, Yavien is right," the golden woman confirmed. "Contact Sari on Coruscant and explain the mission and its risks to her. Have them both understand the mission and the possibility of its failure. Make it clear that they are free to decline for their own safety."
"She won't," Tiren said softly, "she has never turned down a mission." The golden woman smiled and fixed her sapphire eyes on him.
"True, but as Xaven so aptly pointed out, there is always a first time."