Chapter 1 A Team
A loud banging on the door made Jesse Ryenae jerk awake.
"Jesse, get up!" Jesse's master, Mace Windu called, banging some more to emphasize his point.
Jesse groaned and rolled over, pulling the tangle of blankets over his head. He'd been apprenticed to Master Windu for how long now? He still hadn't gotten used to the early hours council members were required to keep.
Jesse rolled onto his stomach and buried his face in his pillow. He knew exactly how long it had been. Ever since his first master, Sifo Dias had died.
They had been on a mission when the transport blew up in the hangar. Jesse had been unconscious for days afterwards, only to wake up to the fact that his master was dead. It had been a hard fact to face; for a long time he hadn't. Then one day it had finally sunk in, leaving Jesse with a black, gaping hole he was afraid would swallow him up as he drowned in a sea of loneliness and isolation. He'd run into the room of a thousand fountains, seeking time alone, even though that was the last thing he wanted. That was where he had met Master Windu. A few days later he became his apprentice.
Another bang sounded on the door, along with a small burst of the Force that sent Jesse tumbling out of bed. The meaning was clear: get your lazy backside out here this instant while it's still intact. Jesse got out of bed.
"Well look who decided to finally get up?" Mace said when he emerged from his room, eyes still bleary.
"It's only five in the morning, usually you give me at least another fifteen minutes." Jesse said, sitting at the table.
"Sorry, but you have a meeting with the council in half an hour and I wanted to make sure you were awake and alert for it." Mace didn't look at all sorry.
"A meeting? With the council? Me?" Jesse wondered if he was still dreaming or if his half-asleep mind was getting things confused.
"Yes, a meeting, with the council, you. So hurry. And do something with your hair." Mace said as he left.
Jesse ran a hand through his rumpled light blonde hair. It wasn't exactly cut in padawan style, but since Master Windu was on the council a few rules could be bent as long as he kept it combed back out of the way.
As he ate breakfast, Jesse wondered what the meeting was about. He would have to wait to find out.
>>>>
At exactly five thirty, Jesse stood anxiously in front of the council room doors. Another padawan was there, a girl with shoulder length blonde hair. When they opened, they entered, standing stiff an iron rod. It was always weird when he went before the council, because Mace went from being his master to being a council member.
"Masters." Jesse bowed and the girl bowed.
"Padawan Ryenae, Padawan Shan, welcome." Master Kloon said.
They both nodded and waited.
"Last night, killed was a senator." Yoda continued. "By whom, we do not know. Assigning you both the investigation, we are"
Involuntarily, Jesse looked to his master.
"As part of your testing for knighthood you two will investigate the murder." He explained. "Is this acceptable?"
"Yes, masters." Jesse stammered.
"Padawan Shan?"
"Yes masters." She said.
"Very good. The information you will need is here." Plo Kloon handed them a datapad. "You are dismissed. If you need help do not be afraid to ask, and may the Force be with you."
"Thank you." Jesse and Padawan Shan bowed and exited.
Once they were outside the council chambers Jesse stuck out his hand.
"Jesse."
Padawan Shan shook it. "Kimmy."
"Did you know about this?"
She shook her head. "Nope. But it's not like I'm too put out about it if you know what I mean."
"Right." Jesse avoided her bright blue eyes and looked to the datapad. "Shot on his way to the senate building by a dart gun, Senator Ky'ran died instantly."
"What was he going to do at the Senate building?" Kimmy looked over his shoulder.
"Doesn't say." He shut the pad. "How about we go to florensics and see about the dart, and then we can go interview the aides."
"Ok." Kimmy followed Jesse down the hall, having to take two steps for his one.
They entered the florensics room and located the Jedi in charge, Master Laython. Beside him stood a boy about twelve.
"Master Laython?" Jesse addressed the Jedi. "I'm Padawan Ryenae and this is Padawan Shan. We're here investigating the assassination of Senator Ky'ran last night."
"Ah." Master Laython nodded. "You want to see the dart?"
"Yes, please."
"Kitch, get the dart." He said to the boy. Kitch hurried off.
"Now," he said when his padawan returned, "the dart entered directly on the neck." He gestured toward his windpipe. "It's one of the few places that would kill instantly. An accident? Maybe, but I'd sooner think that whoever shot this knew what he was doing."
Jesse took the dart and looked at it.
"Where is it from?" Kimmy asked.
"Don't know. I think it's handmade; it's not in the computers."
Jesse nodded. "Thanks. If you find out anything else, will you contact us?"
Master Laython nodded. "May the Force be with you." He said.
"And you." Jesse and Kimmy said at the same time. Jesse stopped halfway out the door. "Is it possible that the computer's records were incomplete?"
Master Laython shrugged. "Maybe. If it came from a distant planet."
"Can I take the dart?"
"Sure. Why?"
"We're going to the Senate building, maybe someone there knows where it's from."
"You're really going to ask everyone there?"
"If we have to." Kimmy said. Jesse appreciated the defense, but there had to be a better way.
"Do you have any other suggestions?"
"Kitch could go with you. He knows what's on the computers, so he'd be able to know who to ask better than you. I'd go myself, but I'm kind of busy."
"You don't mind?"
"No. Kitch?"
"No, sir!" Kitch broke into a grin.
"Thanks. Let's go then."
So, how many of you can recognize Kitch? The first person to review and tell me where he's from and who invented him gets a prize! Actually, I'm lying, I'm just trying to get people to review.