A/N: Well, long time, no see! This be my newest story, though it's been in the works for quite some time. It's co-written by my best friend, Meggu, and I have her permission to post it. Tekk is also used with Shinga's permission. Of course, I don't own the Star Wars universe. A galaxy would be a nice place to visit, but I wouldn't want to own one.
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…
Members of the Republic's Senate had been dying at an alarming rate. While nothing unnatural could be found about their deaths at first examination, the toxicology screening turned back interesting results. Each senator had been assassinated by an extremely deadly poison, even more dangerous because of its unknown status. There seemed to be no pattern to the deaths, prompting the Jedi Knights to become involved, protecting the senators from the mysterious poisoner.
For a time, no more died, and the security was relaxed, though not completely. The Jedi knew that the assassin would strike again, and when that time came, they would destroy the killer...
Coruscant. The capital of the Galactic Republic and the seat of the Senate, the fulcrum of democracy in the galaxy. The entire planet was one huge city, with all natural features vanished for hundreds of years. Even from space, it looked strange, gleaming silver like metal.
/It's ugly/ Tekk thought, guiding his ship into the atmosphere. /I hate visiting this place, but each visit pays well./
He was the poisoner that had the Senators jumping at every shadow, the Jedi working overtime to protect the same. If he came face-to-face with a Jedi, the warrior might be able to identify him, using the Force-given senses. However, he wasn't likely to get caught. He'd been at this business longer than any single human had a right to be, and he was very skilled.
His sleek ship, a heavily modified Nubian, went through the docking procedure with no difficulties, allowing the tall human to leave his ship securely docked. Though he was quite eccentric-looking--close to seven feet tall, wild blue hair, exposed cybernetics, and dressed in all black--he managed to vanish into the crowds, and no one remembered seeing him.
That night, another Senator died.
The next morning
Two figures, draped in the robes of the Jedi order, stroll down one of the many corridors. The early morning sunlight casts all in shades of dusty rose...including the young Jedi, Rose, and her companion, Master Rineari.
Rose sighed. "Have we really fallen so far?" She asked.
"What do you mean?" Rineari asked, the kind smile never leaving his face.
"We're supposed to be 'the guardians of peace and justice in the galaxy', and here we are reduced to playing babysitter for a bunch of senators simply because their guards can't do their jobs." She sighed again and shook her head. "I think it's a bit frustrating..."
Rineari's smile widened a bit. "Remember your training, young one. Feel, don't think. You know as well as I what needs to be done here." he ruffled her hair a bit before continuing down the corridor. "But come. Something has been troubling you...what is it?"
Rose frowned. "Master, I'm not sure I was ready for the trials..."
"You passed, did you not?"
"Yes...but..." She stopped when he raised his eyebrow at her.
"The council would not have tested you if you were not ready...You must learn to trust them as surely as you trust your own feelings." he said gently, putting a hand on her shoulder. "You are no longer my Padawan...but I must stress that I do not agree with your...eavesdropping on the council as you do."
"If they would not hide from me as they do, I wouldn't need to eavesdrop." Rose pointed out. "I simply wish to know of the Council's decisions...a knowledge we all have the right to...so why do they hide?"
Rineari began laughing. "Because you tend to be highly opinionated." he said with a smile.
"But I only speak that which I feel must be said." she said, smiling back, "And, as you said, I trust my feelings."
Rineari shook his head. "I have a feeling that the council doesn't always feel that your feelings are correct..." he paused and began laughing again. "I, however, know better than to doubt you." his smile was very warm. "But come, the children are waiting for you. We can discuss this later."
Rose nodded. One of her tasks was caring for the younger children. Almost like a mother, but not exactly. The two of them parted ways, Rineari continuing down the hall, Rose being tackled by a hoard of children upon opening a door.
A young officer of the guard came running around the corner at the end of the hall. "Master Jedi! Thank goodness! Come quick!" he said upon seeing Rineari.
"What is it? What has happened?" Rineari asked calmly, sensing the man's distress.
"Another senator has been killed."
Tekk left the building calmly, not even a glimmer of satisfaction on his face. The body of the senator lay inside, dead before he had even seen the assassin. There was no pride in kills like this, he thought. The senators were more concerned about their next election than watching their backs. They trusted their inept guards far too much.
The Jedi... they were a challenge. It had been actual work to evade them, sneaking in and out under their noses. Their senses were keen, and many of the elder ones had been proficient warriors in their day. Tekk was confident, though, he had been unnoticed by all. The Jedi wouldn't have even caught a glimpse of him, he was sure. Although, he knew that, with their senses, it wouldn't be long before the body was found.
Reaching into the pocket of the black coat he wore, he pulled out a metal object, about a half foot square. As he walked, his hands went through the automatic motions of unfolding it until it was nearly three feet long, and a foot and a half wide. Flicking a button, he engaged the power, letting it drop, only to hover back at knee height. He stepped up onto the hovering oval, letting the vibrations of the compact speeder speak to him. His weight shifted slightly, and the speeder shot off, soaring to join other flying traffic of Coruscant.
Hovering high above the surface of the city, Tekk watched the turmoil that only a practiced eye would be able to read. He could see officials staggering their entrances into the building to disguise the panic they felt, to avoid alerting the citizenry of any crisis. They were worried, afraid, and he was the cause of it all.
Money had been moving rapidly amongst the denizens of the underworld. There were big changes in motion, he could sense it. Money had been pouring into the Assassin's Guild, and into the pockets of those who were associated only by profession--like himself. Of course, with the increased security, only he had been able to take kills, claiming a generous portion of political money. Someone was planning something, he thought. He just didn't know what... yet. Not that he truly cared, of course. Credits were credits, after all, and one sides' were as good as the next. He just liked to know what was happening.
I'll check my weasels, he thought, and find out what's moving in the higher powers. With the deaths of the senators, I'd assume it's political, but it's too brazen to be truly politically motivated. Most likely, it's a cover for someone, something, else. They want everyone to think it's political. He continued to ponder even as he left the scene upon the arrival of the Jedi Knights, heading to one of his 'safe houses', the only places he trusted to let his guard down... somewhat.