The crew sat in stony silence staring out the windows of the transport limo. It was difficult to tell which of them was the most disgruntled, but Carth was certainly the most disgusted and disillusioned. Their overnight search was interrupted barely after it had begun. He and the others were rounded up by contingents of Jedi, Republic soldiers and local law enforcement officers, then escorted back to their hotel rooms, where armed guards stood watch over them…for protection of course was the official reason. Now they were on their way to the state dinner cocktail reception, a smaller gathering of dignitaries before the main event.
"Okay, here's the plan…" Carth began as the Coruscant capital building loomed in the distance.
"Who named you second in command?" Canderous growled.
"Yeah, you're not the boss of me. Your plans stink like rancor poo-doo!" Mission yelled.
"Fair enough then. I'm open to suggestions. What do we do?"
"Suggestion: I say we eviscerate every meatbag in our way out the door."
"I'm with the droid on that one," Canderous said with a sour tone.
"Now there's a plan, why didn't I think of that?" Carth mocked.
"Why didn't you do something last night, when they came for us and locked us up? I'm no criminal, I am supposed to be a hero!" Mission wailed.
"I was given orders…" Carth said weakly.
"And you followed them, like a good little soldier," Juhani hissed. "You are so quick to tell Bastila to disobey the Council, but you instantly lie down like a neutered gizka for the Republic." Heat blazed in Carth's cheeks. He never expected a dressing down from Juhani, especially one so damningly accurate.
"What's your plan, son," Jolee sighed with indifference.
"Never mind," he mumbled and resumed his stare out the window.
"That's the best one yet, Onasi!" Canderous snorted.
"Well, we aren't just going to do nothing, are we?" Bastila pined. "They took our weapons, but we can still use the Force…"
"To do what? Embarrass a few senators by tripping them and blowing up their robes?" Jolee grumbled.
"That's a start," Mission said. "Lets just break out of here and run, whaddya say Big Z?" Zaalbar roared in agreement. Juhani winced as his breath washed over her. "Sorry," Mission offered.
"These doors are sealed Mission, we can't get out," Bastila said listlessly.
"Give it a try, Zaalbar, there isn't a door yet you can't knock in!" With that, the Wookiee began pounding on the window. It did not budge, even though the entire limo shook and moved slightly off course. "Wow, what's that window made of?" Mission said with genuine awe.
"This is an armored transport limo, designed to protect the occupants, " Carth explained. "Resistant to blaster fire, laser weaponry, frag grenades, pretty much any type of munitions. Nothing gets in—or out—of these unless you want them to."
"Be careful back there," a voice floated through the limo on the comm from the driver. "We are almost there."
"They obviously know we want no part in this, they have taken several precautions," Bastila said looking around. "I think we may need to take some ourselves," she said, an idea forming.
"What do you suggest?" Jolee asked, an eyebrow raised. Bastila on the offensive was an interesting development. Even Canderous took note.
"Yeah, princess, what's on your mind?" he asked, cracking his knuckles.
"Did you see the number of Jedi in this entourage? I think they are going to 'convince' us to cooperate."
"Use the Force to make us play nice?" Carth asked with surprise.
"Two can play at that game," Bastila said with defiance. "Jolee, Juhani, how does a little cover sound? I think between the three of us, we can shield the whole group."
"Ah, Immunity…" Juhani smiled as realization settled on her. "Yes, we are strong enough, but I have never attempted it on non-Jedi before. Are you sure it will work?"
"Damn fine idea, Bastila. That's using your head girl!" Jolee sat upright, a broad grin across his lips. "We'll need to stick close together."
"And it will not last all night," Bastila added.
"Slow down here, what are you guys talking about?" Carth asked warily.
"Yeah, you guys aren't messing with my head, are you?" Canderous seemed more than a little concerned.
"Immunity is a meditation technique," Juhani explained. "It increases your resistance to unwanted influence from the Force."
"So they wont be able to make us dance then?" Carth asked.
"It may or may not work on all of us, but it is a chance worth taking. Immunity is difficult to detect; as a defensive meditation, it releases no outward signature. They will not suspect it, and I hope not use excessive persuasion on us," Bastila continued.
"I am betting that is the only function for all these Jedi," Jolee looked around at the extensive autocade stretching before and after their transport. "With luck, they wont stick around once they figure they have us under control."
"That is my hope as well," Bastila breathed. "Now, everyone, follow my instructions carefully. I will go first, Juhani in the middle, and Jolee at the back; everyone else fill in between us. Stay close together, we cannot extend the aura very far, nor hold it for very long. Appear to be pleased at attending the party, as this will undoubtedly be their goal. If they believe we have been persuaded, they will cease their efforts, and hopefully leave."
"And then we will be able to bust out!" Mission exclaimed with understanding. "Now that's a plan!"
"Well, I haven't heard anything better," Canderous glanced over at Carth. "So I guess that's what we'll do."
"Query: May I crack heads on the way out then?"
"Knock yourself out, HK," Carth intoned. Everyone stared at him with astonishment. "What?" he said with a shrug. "They deserve it."
"Another big group just left," Mission half-whispered to Bastila and Juhani. She turned back to the window and took a step closer. "That only leaves about three two-man transports around our limo."
"I believe that is the last of them, then," Juhani added. "I was able to overhear that senator over there tell the guard captain to secure the route and prepare the dining hall."
"Good. That took longer than I wanted, and I have no energy left," Bastila said surveying the crowd. They stood in the corner of a ridiculously large and opulent ballroom, its size accentuated by the small gathering of dignitaries roaming the vast floor. Bastila was completely drained of her Force energy, as was Juhani. Jolee lasted only slightly longer, but he too could hold the Immunity no more. "Did we lose anyone?"
"Just Canderous," Carth said with a grin as he thumbed over his shoulder. The Mandalorian was smiling and hovering dangerously close to a very attractive Alderaan diplomat. "I know he likes that basilisk war-droid story of his, but that's the third time he's told it already."
"Are you sure? This is Canderous we're talking about here…I mean, look at her…" Jolee said with great appreciation. Bastila's sour scowl went unnoticed.
"I saw her alright…she was playing me pretty close, but I think she finally got the hint after I mentioned Jiara for the fourth time in the same sentence," Carth said casually. Women approaching him were a simple fact of life for Carth and he knew how to handle the situation.
"Hmmph, she didn't hit on me…" Jolee complained as both he and Carth continued to stare at the Alderaan woman.
"You know, since Lena last night, I suddenly realized Canderous never leaves these parties alone. Is he trying to rebuild Clan Ordo one spaceport at a time or something?" Mission's sarcasm was impossible to miss.
"Uh, well, clearly his behavior," Jolee cleared his throat and fumbled for words "makes all us guys look, uh, really bad." He nudged Carth.
"Yeah, yeah, he sure does," Carth added absently. Bastila was about to commend them, but she saw them watching Canderous, and not with expressions of reproach…more like jealousy? No, admiration. Bastila hauled back and delivered twin punches to Carth and Jolee in the arm.
"Even rutting kath hounds eventually take a break!" she scolded as she landed her jabs.
"Yow!" Jolee yelped and impulsively rubbed the lump forming just under his shoulder.
"Hey, what'd I do?" Carth asked with true confusion.
"Are all guys like this?" Mission asked.
"YES!" Juhani and Bastila answered in perfect unison. "Consider this a lesson learned, Mission, and be grateful it came to you so early in life," Bastila sniffed.
"Can I join the Jedi Order like you two so I don't have to deal with men, ever?" Mission pleaded. Bastila stiffened and Juhani's fur rose slightly. Carth's lip quivered and Jolee's face had twisted into an abstract painting. They quickly turned away and doubled over with laughter.
"You two are SO lucky I have no Force energy left…" Bastila warned "But I shall not forget this…"
"Hey, what did I miss over here?" Canderous asked as he joined them.
"We are just discussing how to best get out of here, are you ready?" Bastila strained to maintain control.
"Yeah, I cased the place and there are some service doors back by those curtains," he nodded his head to the left. "I say we split up, mingle and one at a time make it out those doors."
"Good. Everyone out in 30 minutes, no more. HK you first, you will be missed the least."
"Acknowledgement!" With that, the droid began to move away. As Bastila predicted, no one noticed his movements.
"Next, Mission, Juhani, Zaalbar, Canderous, Jolee, Carth, and I will go last," Bastila explained. Everyone nodded in agreement and started to splinter away into the small crowd. Mission picked her way around the room slowly. She glanced every so often at HK: the droid had easily and quickly positioned himself near the doors. Not two steps later, he was gone. Mission picked up her pace; she could not wait to get out of there.
"Miss Vao? I am so glad to finally meet you!" The Alderaan woman had neatly stepped directly into Mission's path.
"Oh, uh, really?" Mission said nervously. What she wouldn't have done for her stealth emitter.
"Of course! A hero of the Star Forge, the honor is all mine!" she gushed. "So tell me, how did a young woman such as yourself get involved in this dangerous assignment?" Her voice was smooth, and cold, like a frozen pond. She linked her arm with Mission's and spun her around, back towards the middle of the room.
"Just lucky that way," Mission said lightly as she looked around for help. She spotted Zaalbar first—someone who looked official had cornered him as well. Carth too was stuck…and Bastila, Canderous, Juhani…something was wrong, Mission thought. She caught Jolee's eye—he gave her a concerned stare as a green Twi'lek man in flowing robes caught him near the refreshment table. "Do you know where the ladies' room is? I'd like to freshen up," Mission said hastily.
"Really, dear, you look fine," the woman cooed as she continued to usher Mission, now more forcefully, to the center of the dance floor. Juhani was already there with her escort, as was Carth.
"Okay, now, no need to make a fuss, really," Carth's voice was a poor attempt at light-hearted banter. "We were just doing our jobs, we had an assignment, that's all…"
"Nonsense, we insist!" the green Twi'Lek said as he moved Jolee roughly into position near Canderous. Jolee glanced behind him, and saw the Sith pistol pressed firmly into the small of the Mandalorian's back.
"Good, the gang's all here," the Alderaan woman snickered as Bastila and Zaalbar were pushed together with the rest. "The show's about to start," she grinned "And it will leave you speechless!" Mission felt a searing shock cascade through her body: she could not move, but she could still see and hear everything around her. In her periphery vision, she could tell her comrades were likewise held in stasis. They were all positioned to stare directly at the main ballroom entrance.
"We do apologize for taking so long," the woman continued, "but we had to wait for all your Jedi friends to leave. It wont be long now…"
The sounds of a scuffle could be heard through the massive doors. Some of the party guests began to take notice. Bastila detected the distinct buzz of a lightsaber sparking to life…then another, followed by an agonizing scream. The doors burst open: a platoon of Sith soldiers flooded into the room brandishing their rifles. Gasps and screams echoed in the ballroom. Close behind the soldiers, a contingent of masked dark Jedi moved in. Streams of light twisted and arched from their fingers, reaching out across the crowd. Guests dropped to the floor, or became eerily still. The only sound was a soldier calling the all-clear signal. Brisk steps clacked and clicked on the polished floor from the hall. The Jedi parted and a hooded figure emerged.
"Ah, what a lovely party! I must thank the Republic for this warm welcome-back reception!" the hooded figure cackled. The voice was oddly familiar to Carth. He strained to break free of the stasis, but he felt a renewed burst pulse through him. The Force around him seemed to squeeze even tighter and he could barely breathe. "I am sure some of you here know me," the hooded Jedi continued, "but for the rest of you, an introduction is in order." Slender ashen hands lifted away the hood. A purple Twi'Lek woman with intricate tattoos along her forehead and head-tails stood before the crowd.