Luineraugwen: Thanks to the single person who reviewed me.
Disclaimer: I don't own SW.
East Coastie 1500: Sorry, my mercenary/ bounty hunter is neither of the Fetts. You'll just have to wait and see.
Shekla had fallen into fitful sleep in her master's arms. Kit lifted the girl up and carried her over to the bed. Despite her age, Shekla was as light as a feather. He placed her gently on the bed before throwing his cloak over her sleeping form. Kit watched her for a few seconds before retreating back into the lounge room where Mace sat.
"How is she?" he asked as the Nautolan sat down opposite him.
"Sleeping" Kit replied.
"That's good. Shekla hasn't been looking her best lately, as I said before. Some rest should do her good" the more experienced master said reclining in his seat. Kit nodded.
"What did the Council say?" he asked.
"We are to wait this storm out and then look for clues. I also informed them of the presence Shekla felt. Master Yoda agreed, there is something at work here. We're to be careful and vigilant. If anything happens, we are to report back immediately" Master Windu answered.
"Where should we start looking for clues?" Kit questioned.
"We'll have to wander the back streets asking people until our contact arranges a meeting will us. Beyond that, I'm not sure. We never did have much to go on."
Kit sat there quietly, engrossed in his own thoughts. Half of his mind was concentrating on what was happening in Shekla's room, while the other half contemplated why he'd brought her. This was one of their more difficult assignments and Shekla had handled the previous ones quite well but something about this one made him question her safety. Perhaps whatever they were facing had some kind of link to his young Padawan's past.
"Do you wish to talk about it Kit?" Mace asked pulling the Nautolan out of his thoughts.
"I do not think that it was a good idea to bring Shekla on this mission. I am being to question her safety" he replied after a few seconds of thought.
"A dangerous mission like this would, but answer me this Kit, have you ever questioned her safety on previous missions?" Mace asked.
"Of course, she's my Padawan" was his immediate reply.
"My point exactly. Shekla is your Padawan and it is natural for you as her master to worry about her safety. All masters do. I do not doubt that Shekla is a strong Padawan. She will pull through this easily I think" Master Windu answered.
"I have no doubt about that also and I know she can take care of herself but lately I've found myself more protective of her" Kit said quietly.
"She's maturing and getting older. Is this what you worry about? Remember that we cannot always be there to guide their lives. They must learn some things on their own" Mace said.
"That isn't my problem. I know that Shekla can handle herself and most of the maturing male Padawan population. That's why I refused to let her accompany me on my previous assignment" the Nautolan replied, his lips curving at a memory.
"So it was Shekla who gave Tero the broken wrist and black eye" the dark-skinned Jedi said smiling. "Tero is somewhat of a problem to the female Padawans but I'm glad to see that someone put him in his place. Although she could have done it without so much force".
"Apparently it was he who started it."
"He always does" Mace replied.
"But that's still not an excuse Master and I shouldn't have reacted the way I did" Shekla said quietly coming out of her quarters. There was no sign that she'd even slept.
"Why aren't you still asleep, Padawan?" Kit asked.
"I couldn't sleep very well, Master" she answered truthfully and sat down next to her Master. Indeed, it looked as though she hadn't slept well and Kit was sure she looked worse than she had before she went to sleep. Her skin was pale and the haunted expression was still plastered into her eyes.
"Do you regret what you did to Tero, Padawan Shekla?" Mace questioned.
"Although I should, I don't, Master Windu" she replied.
"And why is that?"
"It's wasn't my place to do that but I felt that Tero needed it. He's disrespectful to the Masters as well as the Padawans. I thought that it was about time someone opened his eyes a little" Shekla answered quietly.
"Well, most of the master are grateful four his sudden change of attitude and I believe the padawans are also but it was not your duty to clear things up for him" Master Windu stated matter of factly. The young woman bowed her head.
"I'm aware of that Master Windu and I took my punishment without complain".
"I was wondering why you didn't argue about coming with me on the last assignment" Kit added. "I thought something might be wrong". Master and Padawan shared a smile for a moment before another enormous rumble of thunder sounded right above them. The two Jedi masters expected Shekla to cower but she didn't. Shekla closed her eyes for a moment.
"It's stronger now and I believe it's going to stay longer than I estimated" she said opening her eyes. All the signs of fear were almost gone.
"Well all estimation is, is guessing, Shekla. But the news about the strong strength of the storm worries me. Even a build up of all the smaller storms on Rattatak shouldn't be this powerful. Something or someone is at work here" Mace said forlornly. The three sat in silence, thoughts raging.
"What can you tell us about this storm? Anything else?" Kit asked his padawan.
"I'm almost positive that this storm isn't a natural occurrence. The fear I can feel coming off the native Rattataki has made me come to this conclusion. This storm is feeding off the fear of the people. The more they fear, the more powerful it becomes. I've been trying to locate its source but something is stopping me. Whatever this anomaly is, it doesn't want to be found" Shekla replied confidently. More silence followed until the beeping of Mace's comlink broke it. He excused himself before going into another one of the rooms to answer it.
"You really need to sleep Padawan " Kit whispered. Shekla's eyes were once again closed and her shoulders were slumped in exhaustion. This assignment was draining her physically and mentally.
"I can see the logic in what you can Master Windu are saying but I have a feeling that this assignment is going to keep me from sleeping for sometime. I also believe that my assistance will be required soon" she replied simply. Kit was about to comment but Mace walked back into the room.
"It seems you have a gift for seeing the near future" Mace began. "That was our contact. She just arranged a meeting with us at a nightclub later tonight. Do you remember the code, Shekla?" the dark skinned Jedi asked as he turned to face the teenager.
"Yes, Master Windu" Shekla answered automatically.
"Good. We have until nightfall to prepare for the meeting" Master Windu announced and retired to his quarters.
"I suggest we do as Master Windu proposed" Kit said quietly to his Padawan.
"I agree" was the only thing she said before rising to her feet and going to her own quarters, leaving her master to once again question her safety. A nightclub was a dangerous place after all, especially for a young woman. He'd have to keep a closer eye on her than usual.
Luineraugwen: Sorry that I haven't updated in a while and that this chapter isn't as long as the other one. I just watched the episode of Stargate where Daniel ascends. It was so….SAD!!!!!!! I almost started crying.
On a more positive note: I finally figured out what I'm doing to dot for the ending of Lost Memories. As well as that, I think I need a new title. Hmmmmm. Also, if I can think of a plot, there will be a sequel. R and R.