Chapter 5

Nerca you'd better not let him get away without learning something, Jesbra thought as she made her way to the hangar to wait for Nerca's return.

I won't, Nerca's voice echoed in Jesbra's head.

All of the Kindred Knights were close enough to each other and so naturally puzzle-piece fitting, that they were connected, even when they weren't together. They could communicate and sense each other's health, abilities far beyond the Jedi norm. It was a useful tool, sometimes, but sometimes it was just irritating.

When Jesbra reached the hangar she found that the Cosmic Dragon had not yet returned. She sat and waited for Nerca to bring home her prize.

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It was late night—just before midnight, Niam time—before the silver Cosmic Dragon came back… empty handed. The ship docked without having to give the clearance codes. When the landing ramp lowered, Nerca emerged looking fairly worn for a Jedi.

"What happened?" Jesbra asked rising to her feet.

"I followed him for hours," came Nerca's reply. "Only to lose him in space traffic. I caught up with him again and I followed till he disappeared off-planet. He made a clean hyperspace jump and I couldn't follow."

"So you did come back empty-handed." Jesbra tried not to let her disappointment surface, but obviously she didn't do very well.

"Don't be disappointed. I did discover something."

"What?"

"From the ship's ID I found that it's a Volorian GS-1138 large Core-class starfighter, heavily modified."

"So?" Jesbra asked.

"It's named the Hunter's Prize," Nerca said. "And if my memory serves me right it's one of a kind. Unless he sold it the hunter's name is Bi'tridu Llanef."

"I think I've heard something about him," Jesbra said reaching into the corners of her mind. "Native of Pirapoi. Comes from a long line of bounty hunters. Correct?"

"Somewhat," Nerca replied.

"What else do you know?"

"As far as background goes you've just about nailed it. Up to date is little. Always successful. Very expensive. His last job on Detal brought him trouble with the government. He shot their Senator straight in the third heart. It must've been a to-die-for deal for him to risk getting a death sentence in the whole Detorian system. Lanef's not going back there."

Now Jesbra was glad Nerca had been the one to go. She never would have put that together herself.

"The others will be pleased," Jesbra complimented her.

"I sure hope so," Nerca said. "Speaking of the others, where are they?"

"In the med center with Senator Tonuu. She got a pretty nasty gash across one arm and bruised an ankle. Oliso bandaged her up but they took her anyway."

"Any one else hurt?"

"Other than a few minor scrapes and bruises, nope," Jesbra replied turning to leave. Nerca fell into step beside her and she continued talking. "Zela Jan and a security guard fell through that first blast hole, but Keldu went after them."

"I thought I felt some sense of danger."

The rest of the way to the large sick bay was silent. The door slid open revealing Lexoc, Oliso and Keldu, but the students had gone to their rooms. The Jedi Knights had taxed them today beyond what normal mere students should be.

The moment Jesbra and Nerca walked into the door, Oliso stood.

"I bandaged her but they removed it," she said.

"Don't worry, Oliso," Nerca reassured her. Her voice softened and her tight necklace shimmered a comforting pale pink. "It's not your fault. The Iamese are just over reactive."

"I know." Oliso sighed, and shook her head. "What did you learn?"

"I think we might have a name," Nerca replied. "Bi'tridu Llanef. It was definitely his ship. I identified the Hunter's Prize."

"Interesting," Lexoc said. "So we're most likely dealing with a wealthy, vengeful foe, who's not afraid to hire an expensive hunter." Nerca nodded.

"I feel that it is best that we send the students back to the Temple," Keldu suggested. "They probably won't like it, but it is for the best."

All of the Jedi nodded in agreement.

"We should tell Tonuu immediately that we will proceed, but not here," Jesbra said. She strode forward and the others followed. With a gesture of her hand the door opened to Tonuu's room.

Inside Verdin's Senator lay quiet on a medical sleep couch. When the Jedi entered, her eyes fluttered open. Their clear green color was shrouded in fear. Before Jesbra even spoke, she muttered a request.

"Can I go home now?" Tonuu asked.

It sounded childish but Jesbra knew what she meant. She thought for a moment. Should Tonuu go home?

When Jesbra turned to consult the others, Nerca nodded shortly. We've already agreed, she whispered in Jesbra's head. Tell Tonuu that we would be glad to service her by escort.

Jesbra turned back to the Verdinian Senator.

"We would be glad to escort you back to Verdin, milady. It is our duty as your Jedi escorts, after all. We shall leave first thing tomorrow morning," she promised.