Coruscant

The transport ship bumped and rocked as it entered the planet's atmosphere, and the pilot did his best keeping the ship on course. The passengers were pressed against their seat, waiting for the roller coaster ride to stop. When it did, when the ship finally came into sight of the hovering-landing pad, they all let out a silent sigh of relief. As the ship flew past the towering structures of Coruscant, Bastila gazed out her window in awe. Since she had left her parents, all she had seen was the rolling green plains of Dantooine. These buildings, these towers, were certainly a wonder to behold, and already her memories of Dantooine were disappearing.

As the ship landed on the platform, Bastila and Hestra waited patiently for the other passengers to get off, and then followed when they were sure they wouldn't be overheard.

"So what do you think of Coruscant, Bastila?" asked Hestra, watchingher asBastila peered over the side of the platform.

"It's different. I'll give you that"

Hestra laughed, "Just don't look down. Come on, there ain't a lot to see around here and were early for our meeting with the High Council. We can check out the Senate building, perhaps the only building of interest"

Bastila looked up with aquestioning lookon her face.

"Oh okay, it isn't exactly the most exciting building, but inside is pretty impressive. Besides they might be in a meeting, don't you want to catch up with what's happening in the War?" asked Hestra and Bastila noted the way she had put emphasis on the last few words. Hestra wanted to know whether Bastila was interested in finding out if Revan was still alive. All the memories started flooding back.

"And I promise you Bastila, I'll come back. I promise."

All that she had tried so hard to suppress during her trip from Dantooine, came back like a wave smashing against a wall. She shivered slightly and taking a deep breath replied, "Okay. Let's go".

- - -

The air rustled through her hair, as the car went weaving in and out of traffic, Bastila could tell Hestra had done this before and the images of crashing into a Black hole near Kessel was wiped from her mind. She found that almost every building in Coruscant looked the same, metallic, cold steel. It felt kind of daunting to be under the great shadows the sun cast upon the buildings.

"Jedi poodoo!"

"Sorry!" cried Hestra

"I think you had better slow down Master" said Bastila, a hint of panic in her voice

"Don't worry Bastila" laughed Hestra, "Were almost there, you can see the domed shape of the Senate building from here"

This was kind of true, though Bastila had to sit right up to see it, which wasn't the most ideal thing to do as another car raced past just above her head.

"Yeah, staying inside the vehicle would be a good idea, Bastila" said Hestra, sarcastically, turning the wheel sharply to avoid another car

"No, really…" Bastila replied rolling her eyes

Hestra smiled, "Well at least you aren't moping around more. You seem to of found your old self again"

They finally emerged from the hectic traffic, and Hestra took the car in gently, landing on the only available space at the Senate Dome.

"Hm, they must be session. Well come on then Bastila, you can have your first taste of Galactic politics" said Hestra, clambering out the car.

Bastila, for the life of her couldn't understand the excitement behind politics. It was all word and mind games to her, if somebody wasn't trying to cheat somebody else they were waging war. She followed her Master as they hurried through the halls and came to the observation booth overlooking the Senate Chamber, which was now in session.

"Senators! My dear Senators, the Jedi themselves have promised us the War will be over shortly" commented the Supreme Chancellor.

The noise in the Chamber was deafening, senators were arguing over the war, its costs both financial and,amongst a few, human. The Chancellors comment was barely audible over the noise.

The seat from the Czerka Corporation flew forth. "The Jedi may believe they are leading us to victory, but the sacrifices the Jedi are making to win come at too high a price. They are leaving heavily populated planets as traps for the Mandalorians, while the main defence is a round our military installations. Surely, fellow Senators, this can't be right?"

Another chair approached the Chancellor, "And since when has Czerka cared about the welfare of the people? I thought your Corporation was made for the sole purpose of making money?"

There was a loud murmur amongst the rest of the Senators. A third chair, from the Banking Clan,sailed towards the Chancellor and the other two. "However, the Czerka representative has a fair point. Do you really trust these Jedi to be making the right decision? It's not even a Jedi Master who is leading the Republic! In fact there are no Masters that have joined in this war. We are resting everything upon mere Padawans and Knights! Why has not the Jedi High Council commissioned the help of Masters? Have they even commissioned these Padawans to fight?"

This time there was a huge uproar from the Senators, the noise deafening. "I have…Revan's word that the Outer-Rim sieges will be over in matter of months. He states the Republic fleet are driving them to the very edges of the galaxy. It will not be long till the Mandalorians have been defeated"

The Czerka Representative perked up on this point, "You would take the word from a Jedi Knight? And a handful of Padawans? Jedi that have seen fit to rank themselves amongst the Generals of the Republic fleet? For all we know, this Revan could be a heretic to the High Council. Do we want some heretic leading our fleet intowar?Has that never crossed your mind!"

Again a wave of murmurs washed over the senators.

A hand rested on Bastila's shoulder, jolting her from her trance.

"C'mon Bastila, it's time we left"whispered Hestra, steering Bastila away from the window. They walked out of the Senate building without a single word uttered between them; Hestra knew Bastila wanted to be left alone with her own thoughts. Bastila hadn't heard anyone mention Revan's name since he had left all those months ago, she had found it hard to congest the opinions the senators had on her beloved Revan. A heretic. In the war for his own ends. Bastila shook back the tears.