"Shuttle Tyderian, this is Theed Ground Control. Please lower your shields and allow for identification process."
The imperial pilot glanced over at his commanding officer. Grand Admiral Therane nodded his approval. The pilot nodded back then gave the go signal to his co-pilot. "Theed Ground Control, this is Shuttle Tyderian," the co-pilot, Ensign Vineeri, answered. "We are lowering our shields now. You may start your identification process." He signaled to the pilot.
The pilot, Ensign Yoruthi, pushed a large red button and held it, glancing at the readout screen before him. A colorful block, mostly green and yellow, was being measured on the screeen. It represented the shield power. As Ensign Yoruthi held the button, the block decreased in size, lowering the shields. He stopped at forty-five percent. Just enough for them to scan the shuttle and its crew and storage complement.
A few seconds later the comm signaled again. "Shuttle Tyderian, everything checks out. You are clear to land. Docking bay twenty-four."
"Roger," Ensign Vineeri confirmed, signing off. The shuttle slowly descended onto the Nubian platform marked number twenty-four as directed.
"You see," Therane said, "planetary security is hardly worth our time. Wouldn't you agree Ensign?"
Vineeri stumbled over his words. "Y-yes sir, I would."
Therane smiled. "Good. You did a fine job handling the situation. Your father would be proud, Lieutenant Vineeri."
Forty-five, forty-six, forty-seven, forty-ei- Uhh man! Jacen thought, releasing his breath. He had been trying to see just how long he could hold it for without using the Force. It was all he could do to keep himself from crying out with boredom. While normally politics would have interested him, this so-far-five-hour meeting was so painstakingly dull that he had even considered igniting the lightsaber against his skull. He was glad it seemed to be almost over though.
He glanced over to his sister. You look just as bored as I feel! He told her telepathically. Being Jedi twins, they had an abnormally strong telepathic bond.
I'm only glad that they're wrapping things up now, Jaina answered. How long before you lost interest?
Me? Jacen snorted. The three politicians turned around and looked at him. "Uh," he cleared his throat. "Umm, well, sorry." He shot Jaina a stare.
She had been laughing and pointing and mocking him. What, like it's my fault? You're the idiot who snorted. She tried to do an imitation of him, but luckily didn't make any noise. All of a sudden she stopped her enjoyment, and stared at Jacen.
I know, he said, I felt it too. He looked around the room, scanning it for intruders.
But how could that be? A disturbance in the Force? Here?
I sense the darkside. We need to take a look around but we can't worry mom, Senator Mothma, or the Queen.
I got an idea, Jaina said. She motioned to Captain Ayur. He came to her. She whispered in his ear. Jacen enhanced his hearing and listened in to what she was saying. He nodded and left.
That might work, but not if there's a darklord afoot. You stay here, I'll say I need to use the restroom. Stay here. He dismissed himself politely from the meeting and as he walked down the staircase, motioned to the shadows. Two Noghri guards came out to him. They had been sent on a different ship so not even Nubian security knew of their presence.
"Yes Master Jacen," Mobvekhar said. "How may we help you?"
"Do tell us," Uvzekhar said.
"Something's wrong, I can feel it," Jacen explained. "I'm going to look around myself but I can only be gone for a few minutes. I need you two to really search the city."
"We will do as told," Uvzekhar said.
"He is right," Mobvekhar agreed. "We shall do what you ask. We go now."
They began to head out but Jacen stopped them. "One more thing. Make sure you keep yourselves hidden - from everything. Now go and good luck. May the Force be with you." Uncle Luke would have been deeply disappointed with Jacen's using of the word 'luck'. Luke had instilled into them early on that there was no such thing as luck, but it was such a common expression that Jacen used it only as a modern term, nothing more.
He began to search just outside the palace when he heard a noise. He followed the noise, signaling Jaina in his head. You better get them to safety and quick! He didn't have to go far. Stormtroopers!
