Disclaimer: Same as last chapter. Trying to write Yoda talk is hard! Remember this is Au, that and I don't know scenes line for line, some may even be out of sequence but it works for me. Sorry if it seems to jump around a little. Please, someone review!
Chapter 1No one stopped the cloaked and hooded figure making its way through the Temple halls, it wasn't unheard of for knights to do so. A closer look would have revealed that this was no jedi. Instead of the tunics they favoured the intruder was dressed in tight, low sitting black leather pants and a dark blue shirt. Instead of a Saber there was a blaster holstered on one slender hip. Nevertheless, no one stopped or challenged the figure.
"Expecting you I have been." The door shut behind her and Nikolia lowered her hood, smiling at the diminutive Master.
"Late you are." That earned him a rich laugh.
"How could you have been expecting me when I didn't even know I was coming? Having visions Master Yoda?" She removed her cloak and sat, one leg tucked up under the other, watching as Yoda moved around the room, tending to the plants.
"See much I do but not this. Informed of your graduation I was. And your mission in brief." He sat opposite her.
"Your Masters murderer you seek. Leads you have?"
"We believe it was a Sith."
"Sith? Sure are you? Believed destroyed they were."
"That creature was no jedi Master, it was a demon from a nightmare. He, at least I think it was a he, wielded a double bladed lightsaber, blood red."
"More?" She picked at the hem of her cloak lying pooled beside her.
"I have never felt anything like it." She stopped and Yoda held his silence. He knew how close she'd been to her master and how hard it must be to relive his death, and the deaths of over twenty innocents, mostly women and children.
"Evil, pure evil. There was no compassion or pity. I've seen some pretty horrible things since I was called but this? It's been ten years and I can still see it in my dreams, still feel it's utter hatred."
"Informed the counsel must be. Know do you if it was a Master?" She closed her eyes, calling up the memory.
"I don't think so but I'm not positive."
"Bad this is. Unsettled the Republic is."
"The Trade Federation." Yoda looked at her, caught out.
"We do keep an ear out. Do you think it will be war?"
"Difficult to see it is. Clouded the future is."
"You sound like Criss, apparently they can't see anything either. Either that or she just likes annoying the Overlord."
"Believe that I can." She fell silent as he answered his comm.
"Come, Council is called. Returned Master Jinn has from Naboo. Perhaps information he has to help." She rose and slipped her cloak back on, raising the hood and easily falling into step behind the old Master. Once inside the Council Chambers she slipped into the shadows, such as they were. Once the council was assembled two men were ushered in.
Nik stiffened as Master Jinn described his attacker, the description was disturbingly familiar.
"Do you believe this attacker was a Sith?" Mace Windu questioned the two.
"I do. I also believe the Queen was his target, not us."
"Thoughts Hawk SunRunner?" Nik blinked in surprise, she'd been so focused on the others she hadn't noticed Yoda's attention. She stepped forward into the room to stand near the two jedi and pushed her hood back, earning a few curious glances from the council members.
"The description matches Master Yoda."
"Then common enemy we have. Work together we should."
"I have no problem with that. You thought I was here for the view?" She favoured him with a wiry grin.
"Your Masters sense of humour inherited you have."
"Thanks. If he's after the Queen my best bet's to stay close to her."
"Accompany you Master Jinn and his Padawan shall." She nodded her thanks.
"I'll see the two of you outside." She spun and left.
"Master Yoda, who was that?" Mace questioned the other Master.
"Nikolia SunRunner. Not much taller than me she was last time I saw her. Visiting with her Master she was as envoy to the Senate. Useful her abilities will be if fight the Sith you must."
"She's not a Jedi."
"She is a Hawk Trust with my life I do." And that was all he would say on the matter.
"Master, I don't see how she will help us against the Sith."
"Neither do I Padawan but Yoda believes in her."
"He may be annoyingly cryptic at times but he is a friend." Both jedi turned to see her leaning against the wall.
"We were never properly introduced." She extended her hand.
"Nikolia SunRunner."
"Qui-Gon Jinn, my apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi."
"Nice to meet you Miss SunRunner."
"Likewise, please call me Nik. So, where do we start?"
"We have some business to attend to here, we can send word for the Queen to expect you. That way she has extra protection."
"Do you believe he will try here?"
"It isn't likely but it is possible."
"Then I'll leave for the Senate immediately."
"What can you do against a Sith? You carry a blaster but a saber can reflect the bolts."
"True, but who said the blaster's for the Sith? Unless he's inflammable I can handle it." She smiled and left.
Nik looked down at the young boy who answered the door and smiled.
"Aren't you a little young for a Senator?"
"I'm not a Senator. I'm going to be a jedi!"
"Really? Then it is a pleasure to meet you Padawan. What is your name?"
"Anakin Skywalker, what's yours?" Nik froze for a second before answering.
"Nikolia SunRunner. Is the Queen here?" She stepped into the room.
"Yes but she's busy with some Senator. Are you a Jedi?"
"No, but I know a few."
"Really? I know Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Who do you know?" She smiled at his curiosity.
"I just met those two, they should be here soon. I know Master Yoda. Have you met him yet?"
"No ma'am."
"You will when the Council sees you. Don't let his size fool you, he's very wise and very powerful. Think the Queen would mind an interruption?"
"Don't know." Nik walked past him and knocked softly on the inner door.
"Come." She opened the door and stepped in. She approached the group and bowed.
"Queen Amidala, I am Hawk SunRunner. I will be working with the jedi to help ensure your safety." She studied the young queen and the older man near her. Her eyes met his and she shuddered slightly, something wasn't right about him.
"And what exactly is a Hawk?" The Senator asked
"None of your business?" She smirked slightly at his irritated look.
"I will be returning home soon to help my people. Could you please inform the jedi?"
"Of course your Highness." Nik bowed again and retreated to a corner. There was no way she was going to leave Amidala alone with the old man if she could help it.
"Hello Anakin. Are you coming with us?"
"Yes ma'am, the Council wouldn't let Master Qui-Gon train me but said I could stay with him." He looked crestfallen at that so she squeezed his shoulder comfortingly.
"Don't worry Ani, things have a tendency to work out. Maybe you're meant for something else or maybe the Council will change their minds. Either way, I doubt Master Jinn will simply leave you hanging. And drop the ma'am stuff, my name's Nik." Anakin grinned at her, happy to have made another friend.
"Come on, don't want to be left behind."