The control room was dark, save for the flickering status lights on various circuit boards and readouts. Utter silence filled the chamber, adding to the ominous air about the place. Not even the protective grille being slid away from the air vent in the ceiling was enough to mar the stillness in the air.
Soon, two slender booted legs appeared through the vent, and then a lithe female form slipped silently through the hole in the ceiling. She hung from the edge of the opening for several long moments, scanning the room with alert, calculating eyes before silently dropping down to the deck below, never once loosing balance or control. She spared a glance upwards and, as if by magic, the grille slid back over her entry point, as silently as before.
Getting into the building had been the easy part – the guards had just waved her past the main doors, even as others were stopped and subjected to the scrutiny of the thorough security checks. She paid her fee for the public tour and listened attentively to the guide as he explained the various functions that go on behind the numerous closed doors they passed by. She put on an air of general interest and fascination, despite the fact that she probably knew more about the facility's operations than did their knowledgeable guide. As soon as they came within range of her target, she had politely asked to see the sanitary facilities and the guide, who she noticed had been sparing more than a passing glance in her direction during the tour, had been more than happy to oblige. That had been easy too. Of course he had known that they stopped in a sensitive area, but had allowed her to go alone anyway; she was, after all, only a girl.
She stealthily padded over to the nearest readout, scanning the information with swift eyes before moving to the next. Finally finding what she was looking for, she stooped down and sifted through her pack, before finding the data crystal she had slipped into an inner pocket where searchers, if there had been any, would not have found it. After slipping it into the data port, she began downloading the appropriate database that she had come for, nervously tapping her fingernails on the smooth glass tabletop and looking over her shoulder as she did. This was her first mission on her own, and she was not entirely confident in her abilities. She had only a few more minutes until the people on the tour became suspicious and came looking for her. She knew her cover would be blown the second they entered the restroom and found it empty.
A moment later, the readout showed the information download had been completed and she quickly retrieved the crystal, replaced it in the hidden pocket and shouldered her backpack. The protective grille moved back for her and the girl levitated out of the chamber, leaving it as silent as it had been before she'd come.
Saria sat in a little café at the corner of a street intersection sipping a hot beverage and reading a novel. At first she had been just holding the book feigning interest in its contents while scanning her surroundings and keeping surveillance on the building across the street, but after assuring herself that there was no danger, she had allowed herself to be pulled into the story. As the plot picked up she set her drink down and leaned forward on the table, as if it would help her find the answers to the cleverly woven mysteries any better in that position. She realized it had been far too long since she had just sat to enjoy a book or holo-vid for no other purpose other than simply that. She made a mental note to set aside some time for it when the mission was over.
She looked up as she felt the familiar presence of her padewan approaching and smiled at the smugness radiating from the girl. Mission accomplished, apparently. She slipped the marker in between the pages she was reading and set the volume down as she again picked up her beverage, slowly inhaling its soothing aroma before taking another sip. Just as she did, Tatl appeared in the doorway and smile when she caught sight of her master.
"Heru Saria," she greeted with a slight bow, setting her pack on the table. She sat in the chair opposite her master and slid back slightly, resting her head on the back and letting out a soft sigh.
"You did well, Tatl," Saria praised. "You alone have just accomplished what many Knights could not. The data on that crystal will significantly aid us in finding and eliminating traffickers of Petrazene." She leaned forward, setting her cup down and covering Tatl's hand with hers. "You have just saved millions of lives," she said warmly. "I am proud of you." Tatl smiled at the praise, grateful to her for trusting her with such an important task.
"But we are still not off the planet," Tatl reminded her. "The mission has not succeeded until we land safely on Coruscant and the data is in the hands of the Council."
"Of course, you are right," Saria agreed. She stood and drained her cup before donning her cloak and tossing another smaller one to her padewan. Unlike the Jedi who favor every shade of brown, the cloaks of the Rangers were a light gray with an almost silver sheen. Thus, to all others they had earned the name 'white rangers', since they were the only group within the order who wore these 'white' robes. "We should leave as soon as possible, lest they find evidence of our success and come looking."
"I assure you, I left no trace," Tatl protested as she shrugged on her own cloak.
"There is always a trace," Saria said, almost to herself, "if one knows where to look." Tatl watched her master for a moment as she seemed to forget herself, but as soon as it came, the look vanished from Saria's eyes and she smiled again. "Come, we must go."
The two left the square, resuming there guise as a mother and daughter on vacation on the exotic planet Akerim. They weaved in and out of crowds and booths throughout the market, feigning interest in the many items and foods for sale, all the while trying to return to their small ship in the main hangar.
They had stopped at one stall filled with various handcrafted jewelry that had caught the young padewan's attention. The young girl's eyes widened in wonder and appreciation as her hands roamed over all the beautiful things on display. Saria also appreciated the finery but her eyes never lingered too long on the wares. She was constantly scanning the crowd about them, watching for anything – a familiar face, an opportunity, danger. Finally, she found it.
"Tatl, we must be going," she whispered, placing a guiding hand on the girl's slender shoulder. All the while, her eyes continued to follow the progress of the many dark robed figures of the Akerim security weaving through the crowds. She noted with apprehension that these were not the regular city guard, but the veiled elite Capital Security Force that was the iron fist of the Akerim Empire. The dark veil obscuring their faces only added to the intimidation that the Order's reputation carries. They all look alike, think alike, act alike. To all who have fought them and lived, it seemed as though no matter how many you dispatch or kill, you were still fighting the same person, over and over. Some even rumored that the Guard were telepaths, constantly communicating with each other and their superiors. They are all extremely loyal to their tyrannical Emperor and well compensated for their dangerous and often lethal profession.
And she counted at least six following them.
"Tatl, come," she whispered, more urgently. She tugged lightly on the girl's elbow as she finished paying for her jewelry and turned to her. In ways only the Rangers were taught, she silently informed her padewan of the imminent danger and directed her attention to the approaching guards. The communication took mere seconds, yet Tatl was instantly aware of all her master knew of their 'shadows', and her plan for evading them.
The two calmly moved through the crowd, splitting up and blending in with the locals. Just as the guard were rumored to be, the Rangers were in constant communication through the bond formed between Master and Padewan while Tatl was still an infant. In this way, it was almost literally a parent and child relationship, since Saria had been the one to raise the girl, and although Saria knew who her biological parents were, Tatl was not yet of the age to be told.
Suddenly, something spiked in Saria's awareness, ripping her from her brief lapse in concentration and causing a stab of guilt and worry in her heart.
'Tatl, too close…''I see him.'
One of the guard had successfully shadowed the girl through the crowd on a parallel street, and was proving increasingly difficult to loose. When another joined him from ahead, Saria altered her path to join her Padewan; it seemed as though they wouldn't be leaving as easily as she'd hoped.
'I'm coming to you.'
'Hurry, there's three.'
'Four.'
The two shadowing Saria also altered course and she had unwittingly led them to her student. By this time, fear of the Guard had begun sweeping through the crowd, causing them to vacate the area and thinning the human barriers between the Jedi and their pursuers. Soon, innocent pretense was gone, and all that remained were the hunters and the hunted.
'Prepare,' Saria told her student. She hated that they would have to fight, but there was no alternative. Also, Tatl could use the practice.
Tatl's hands strayed to her backpack, slipping under it to a concealed pouch on her back. She withdrew two small cylinders, no bigger than small vials, and held them tightly in her hands. Beside her, her master performed a similar movement, also arming herself from a hidden pocket in her robe.
At last, they found that they have been herded back into the town square, and as soon as they left the relative cover of the market, they also saw that they were surrounded by eight darkly veiled City Guard. One of them stepped forward with a palm extended to Saria.
"By order of the most supreme Emperor of Akerim, I must ask that you come with us for questioning." He had an almost pleasant voice, and Saria found herself wondering what he looked like under all that fabric. She looked around at the equally unrevealing faces of the others, before turning back to the one who had spoken.
"I am afraid I cannot do that," she said smoothly, "my daughter and I are in a hurry to leave. We are needed elsewhere." She watched as the guard's hazel eyes momentarily clouded over with doubt and confusion; she could almost see his mind working to formulate a response, but all it could think to say was, "yes, you are needed elsewhere." He stepped back into the circle and made several hand signals to the others. They instantly broke formation and turned to leave.
Saria let out a soft sigh of relief, and began herding Tatl towards the direction of their ship, when both she and the Guards froze. They turned and headed back to the two Jedi, but this time they began to draw weapons. She realized too late that her attempt to cloud the mind of the Guard had failed because they were indeed telepaths, and it is very difficult to control the mind of a telepath in communication with another.
Master and Padewan broke into a run. She knew another attempt at 'diplomacy' would be futile. She found herself gripping the handle of her lightsaber a little too tightly as they maneuvered their way through the many stalls and kiosks in the market – the only barrier between them and freedom. Tatl stayed close to her this time, also gripping her two lightdaggers for dear life. They saw the end of the market ahead of them, but felt the guards behind them, as dark steeds gaining on them and breathing their steaming breath down their necks.
At last they reached the main street, and to their advantage, it was still crowded with people. The Jedi plunged into the thick of them, wading their way towards the main hangar bay on the other side. The Guard stopped short on their side of the street, shooting daggers with their eyes to their prey as they eluded capture. After a moment they smirked, then as one turned, and went back the way they had come.
Saria and Tatl made it to the other side of the street and bolted into the building ahead of them. Realizing that their pursuers had given up, they stopped running and simply proceeded to the landing pad where their ship waited for them. Neither noticed the dark figure watching their progress from the shadows of one of the nearby hallways.
Five minutes later, they reached their ship. Saria silently motioned to Tatl who headed for the main hatch while Saria looked for any unwelcome visitors. Everything appeared as they had left it, and just as she was about to join her student on the ship, a blaster bolt barely grazed the fabric on her shoulder, leaving a smoldering yet harmless black hole where it had been. She froze and turned, seeing what she thought looked like the same guard who had spoken to them in the market, but due to the veil, it could have been anyone.
"You will not leave this place until we retrieve what you have stolen," he said. The voice was different- different guard.
"We have not stolen anything," she said coolly, but already knew it was a waste of time. They wouldn't fall for it a second time. The guard leveled his blaster at her chest.
Inside the ship, Tatl sat at the helm and watched the scene below with apprehension. Her master was out there, in trouble, and she was hiding in the ship. It was wholly uncomfortable for her to do nothing, but she trusted her, and watched instead, mentally lending all her strength and support to her mentor.
Suddenly the veiled guard raised his weapon. The butterflies in Tatl's stomach strained against her ribs to get out. She should do something. Everything in her was telling her to go out there and defend Saria, but she knew her skills were insufficient. All she could do was watch and learn.
The white blade of Saria's lightsaber ignited just in time to deflect a searing red bolt from piercing her chest. It ricochet harmlessly into the wall as Saria assumed a fighting stance. The guard seemed momentarily taken aback, but not at all surprised. He fired several more shots that were all deflected away into the walls and ceiling, the last of which shooting through the guard's blaster arm at the bicep.
Calmly, Saria deactivated her saber and hooked it to her belt. Walking over to the guard, she kicked the blaster from his reach and pinned him with one foot on his chest. Tatl watched as her master said something to him and then reached out to touch the man's face, wiping his memories of the entire event before turning back to the ship.
Tatl turned back to her system checks, hurriedly preparing the ship for takeoff as her master returned. She entered the cockpit and sat in the pilot's seat, seeming to be a little unsettled by the experience with the guard.
"Are you alright, master?" she asked quietly. Saria looked at the girl and favored her with a small smile and a sigh.
"I just do not enjoy making enemies for the Jedi," she said quietly. Tatl nodded and continued her work as Saria lifted them off the surface and steered them towards Coruscant. After they were in space with the co-ordinates locked in, she sat back in her chair and closed her eyes. Tatl watched, not accustomed to her master feeling like this. She searched her mind for something to do, a comforting word, a reassuring hug, but just as she was about to act, the communications console began to chirp. Saria sat up and turned to answer it.
"Ranger Saria," the voice on the other end greeted. It was a clerk from the Jedi Council, Kravik was his name. "We have just received an urgent communiqué from Valinor that needs your immediate attention." Saria frowned at Kravik.
"Urgent? What could they want?"
"They would not say, it is an encrypted file. Only you can read it." Saria looked up at their status board and sighed.
"We're about twenty hours from Coruscant," she said, "We'll be there tomorrow morning."
"I'll see you then," he said, cutting communications. She smirked at the blank screen and shook her head, massaging the back of her neck with one hand.
"What was that about?" Tatl asked curiously.
"I don't know," Saria answered, "I guess we find out tomorrow. It's not like the elders to send encrypted files that Yoda or the others on the council can't read." She looked up at the status board again and sighed. "Tatl, I'm going to meditate for a few hours," she said wearily, "would you mind…" she gestured to the helm and Tatl smiled and put a hand on her master's shoulder.
"Get some rest," she responded.
Emperor Garin watched the ship jump into hyperspeed and disappear off his monitor. Behind him, several guards awaited instructions. He massaged the palm of his right hand with the thumb of his left, mentally going over established tactics for dealing with Jedi. There weren't many, an those in existence mostly dealt with escape or evade.
"This," he pointed at the screen, "is unacceptable. News of this breach of security will only spread throughout the sector, inviting even more attempts to sabotage and attack our operations." One of his men stepped forward.
"But your excellency, the Jedi-"
"Are not invincible!" he roared back. The guard stepped back in line and bowed his head as his leader turned back to the monitor. "No," he said under his breath, "everyone has a weakness, if you know where to look."