47. Council And Computers
19th day, 8th month, standard year 24936
Master was called to face the Council today. Me and Amiri went with him.
You know...I hope I'm not the only one who does this...the Council Chambers look out over all of Coruscant. You can see everything...buildings and towers and ships flying past. Sometimes when I'm in there and no-one is speaking to me my attention wanders and I miss everything Master Yoda says. Which can be quite embarrassing.
Today my attention did not wander.
"Old Padawan," Yoda addressed my Master, in a more friendly tone than I'd anticipated. "Explain you will your actions."
Master Dooku gave a very small bow. He nodded. "My Padawan learner and my closest friend had been taken prisoner. I was.... full of fear at the thought of what might happen to them."
"You are meant to conquer your fear," Vione said coldly. "You are a Jedi."
"I know," And then he paused, as if torn in two about something.
"The leader of the gang who captured them was called Drekka."
There was some shrugging.
"Drekka....do you not know who she is? What she is?"
Yoda shook his head. I'm fairly certain I've never seen him do that before.
"Drekka's last name is d'Jochek."
Amiri gasped. "Wasn't that...?"
"Lorian's last name."
I didn't understand. At first I thought that Drekka must have been his wife, and that made no sense, because she hated Jedi and he was one...but then my Master spoke up again.
"Drekka was his sister."
In my opinion, that made no sense either. The Council members evidently agreed, because they muttered among themselves and then Kiloxan spoke up.
"Explain everything, if you would. Who is this Drekka?"
"Leader of a terrorist organization on the planet on Zorgan. Takes advantage of the planet's general distrust of Jedi to use whatever methods she deems necessary to keep them as far away from the planet as possible. We have had very few dealings with her, however, and nothing like what happened to us at all." my Master said smoothly, sounding more like a droid than a person. Kiloxan, unfazed, nodded.
"And have you proof that she is a realative of Lorian?"
"I believe you sent a Jedi to Zorgan several years
ago? In fact...was it not Master Karshan?" I nearly jumped out of my skin.
"He mentioned Drekka and her organization. I
believe he also mentioned at some point that her eyes were green with amber
lights. Well, so were Lorian's. I did some research. At first, I did wonder
if the names weren't merely a coninsedence...but they are not. They are
siblings...same eyes, same personality, same..." His eyes flashed. "...streak
of madness."
Kiloxan nodded slowly. Then Mapru, who I had had my back to, spoke up.
"Odd though, is it not? That someone who tortures and hates Jedi should have one for a brother?"
"Not so odd," Yoda said thoughtfully. "Came here once, she did. She claimed she had only just discovered she had a brother, that given him to the Jedi her father had, and she wanted him back."
"She did?" my Master asked.
"Mmmm. Had a different name at the time. She introduced herself as Etha. But sure it was her I am."
"And now, she and her son are dead." my Master said.
"Yes," Mapru said thoughtfully. "Why did you kill her son, Dooku? He had just saved your precious Padawan after all."
"I didn't know. I simply saw the boy, I knew he was Lorian's nephew and and..." He shook his head. "I let things in my past control me, Masters, and for that I am sorry."
A few seconds, and then Master Yoda nodded. "Very well. Go you may. But speak to you again, I want to."
I didn't turn around to see Mapru's face. I bowed and followed my Master and Mapru out of the door.
-----
Me and my Master returned to our quarters with Amiri. Before she left to go to her own, she suddenly turned on my Master.
"Like to keep things to yourself, don't you?"
He stepped back, startled, and then glared coldly.
"I don't know what you mean."
"Lieson and Lorian. That woman being your former best friend's sister. The fact that I've seen you in the libarary, studying the Sith...."
"What?"
I said What too, but no-one seemed to hear.
"Amiri, that is none of your business!"
"You just think that because Lorian did it, you have to as well. It's pride, Dooku, plain and simple, and it's about time someone told you, before you find yourself in something you can't get out of!"
He turned suddenly and retreated into our quarters. He pulled me in as well. And he shut the door.
*****
3rd day, 9th month, standard year 24936
It was Amiri's birthday today. My Master had got a present for her...new robes and some holovids. I had wondered if he was going to give her anything. I'm glad he did.
Vulna was there too, of course. Eventually, after the cake was eaten and the presents given, we both sneaked out to Miro's computer room. He pulled a disk from one of the dusty cupboards.
"New game," he told me.
I know nothing about video games, but apparently this one is brand new and very expensive. I don't know where he got it from.
"I'll show you how this one works...quite clever really...pick out a spaceship and a weapon..."
I picked up one of the controllers resignedly.
"Miro's given me permission to come in here..." he said as he hit button after button. "Honest. I asked him."
I nodded. I tapped a button with my thumb and something blew up onscreen.
"How'd you do that?" Vulna asked, aghast.
"I don't know."
"It took me ages to get that far..." he whined, and then the screen went blank.
"What did you do now?"
"I didn't do anything."
We both turned around, and Amiri was standing there, having used the Force to disconnect everything.
"Hey!" Vulna yelled.
"I've told you before," she said disapprovingly. "Killing, blowing things up..."
"That was him who blew it up!"
"It isn't good for you, or for anyone. I doubt Master Yoda would approve. We practise peace and serenity, and that is the complete opposite, isn't it?"
"Yes, Master," Vulna said sulkily.
"Give it to me,"
With a scowl on his face, Vulna plucked it from the computer and put it in her hand. Then he added, as an afterthought, "You're supposed to kill them. They're the bad guys."
"I don't care."
They both left the room. Since they had apparently forgotten me, I went back to our quarters, and sat around for a while simply thinking.
*****