The New Jedi Knights 2: Threat to the Jedi Order

Chapter 3: The Republic Council

By MagicMansion

Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars or Luke Skywalker. My characters are Jarrod, Josh, Kyle, Victor, Shawn, Mary, Abby, Shawn, all of the Padawans, the Chancellor, and the representatives and senators in the Republic Council.


Kyle, Elisha, and Eric walked into the Republic Capitol Building and took the elevator to the Chancellor's office. When they got there, Kyle stopped and looked at his Padawans.

"Don't speak, even if he asks you anything. We don't know what his motives are yet. Is that clear?"

Both Padawans nodded. Kyle turned and tapped on the door.

"Enter."

The doors opened and the three Jedi walked in.

"Ah, a couple of young Jedi. What can I do for you?"

Kyle handed the Chancellor the note. The Chancellor sat down and read the note a few times.

"Why didn't Master Skywalker contact me personally?"

"He's busy," Kyle said. "He has other matters to attend to."

"I see."

"We are in your service now Chancellor," Kyle said, watching the Chancellor's reactions. "Whatever you need us to do, we'll take care of it. But don't forget," Kyle added, seeing Elisha's reaction to his statement. "We are protectors, not soldiers. The clones will need to do their job, and we'll do ours."

"Understood," the Chancellor said. "Would you like a tour of the building to get an idea of everything?"

"Yes, that would be appreciated," Kyle said.

One of the Chancellor's assistants walked in.

"Please show the Jedi around the building, and have a platform installed for them."

"Yes sir. This way young Jedi."

Kyle and his Padawans followed the assistant. They were led around the building, and showed the secret passages in the building, most that led to and from the Chancellor's office. Kyle took special care to memorize those, just in case the Chancellor was up to something. They finally came to the meeting room. It was a vast room, with hundreds of round platforms set in the walls. Kyle figured the Republic had found the design for the old meeting room, and rebuilt it the same way, because it looked exactly the same.

"That platform," the assistant said, pointing to the highest platform in the room. "Will be yours. It has a good view of the entire room, and the platform moves a little faster, in case of a security risk. If there's anything else you need, just let me know."

"Actually, would you mind getting three of your clones assigned to our platform?"

"That can be arranged. I'll have them assigned before today's meeting."

"Thank you."

The three Jedi looked into the vast empty space in the middle of the room.

"Master," Elisha said. "Why do we want their clones? What happens if the Chancellor is up to something? Won't he…"

"Yes. It's what I'm planning. If the Chancellor is planning to get rid of us, he'll use his own clones. Chances are, he'll keep us behind after a meeting and do it then."

"What if the clones do attack us? They'll kill us if he uses all of them," Eric said.

"Not necessarily. I plan to use your mind tricks to our advantage Eric. If the clones are ordered against us, you may be able to reorder them using your mind over their programming."

"Oh."

"Just relax. Whatever happens," Kyle said. "We'll be fine." Kyle just hoped he was right.

Later that day, the senators and representatives from every system showed up. Kyle, Elisha, and Eric stood near the entrance, assisting the clones in checking for weapons. They were near the end of the line when one of the clones motioned for Kyle. He walked over.

"What is it?"

"Sir, he was carrying this," the clone said, holding out a small blaster and pointing to one of the alien representatives.

"Why do you need a blaster," Kyle asked. "There's plenty of security in this building. You don't need to protect yourself."

"Sorry. It's just; there are rumors that someone is supposed to assassinate me."

"I see. Well, this building is quite secure during the meeting. If it makes you feel better, I'll have my Padawan, Elisha, go with you."

Elisha walked over. "What do you need Master?"

"Elisha, accompany Representative Clorks to his platform. Apparently there's a price on his head."

"Yes Master," Elisha said, bowing. She followed the alien to his platform.

Kyle put the blaster in his robes as he watched Elisha walk away. He was growing suspicious already, but not of the representative.

The clones checked the rest of the people coming in, and finally went to their posts afterwards. Kyle told Eric to go to their platform awhile. The Padawan bowed, and left for the elevator. Kyle waited at the entrance for a few minutes. He had a growing suspicion that something might just happen, and it wasn't going to be good.

After a few minutes, a clone came over to Kyle.

"Sir, the meeting is about to begin. I was asked to get you."

"Oh, of course. Let's go."

Kyle walked next to the clone as they headed to the Jedi platform. When they got there, Eric was already there, seated with two clones behind him.

"Eric, stand up. There is no reason for a Jedi to be lazy."

"Sorry Kyle," Eric said, standing up.

Kyle looked at him sternly. "We may be friends in the past, and you may be Shawn's brother my Padawan, but I am still your Master. And you will follow the code of the Jedi, is that understood?"

"Yes Ky… Master."

"That's better."

Kyle turned his attention to the meeting. He searched the room for Elisha, and quickly found her ten floors down across the room. She nodded to assure him she could see them.

"This meeting will come to order," the Chancellor's assistant yelled, his voice echoing in the vast room. "Does anyone have any concerns to start the meeting?"

The platform Elisha was on floated out, and floated near the Chancellor's platform.

"Chancellor, I am Senator Mossini, from the Tyerion System. I have a concern, because several meetings ago I told you there were assassination attempts on myself and the Head of the Planet. There are still attempts being made, and it seems the assassins will not stop until we are dead."

The Chancellor stepped up. "The Council recognizes your concerns Senator Mossini, and at the moment we have nothing to protect you with. The only thing you can protect yourself with is your own troops right now."

"They aren't trained well enough. We need someone better trained to protect, or someone with more skill."

Kyle unfolded his arms. He didn't like where this was leading.

"Perhaps then," the Chancellor said. "The Jedi could offer a solution."

Kyle knew it was coming, and hit a button to detach their platform. They floated down to the center, and Kyle looked at Elisha, who nodded to acknowledge she was ready for anything.

"Chancellor, we are protectors of course," Kyle said as they stopped near the middle of the room. "But we have matters to attend to as well. The war is still going on, and the Sith are still a threat."

"The Council does not recognize the Sith as a direct threat to the government," a Senator said from a platform far below them.

"They are a threat to us," Kyle said. "What do you think they'll go after if they manage to kill the Jedi off?"

"You have no proof that the Empire and the Sith are connected in any way yet," another Senator said. "The Sith would only attack us if they were in direct connection to the Empire."

"And if the Sith destroy us, no one will…" Kyle stopped. "Never mind. Senator Mossini, if you feel the need for a Jedi protector, then we will provide our services until the assassin is caught."

"Thank you young Jedi," the Senator said.

The platforms floated back to their places, Elisha looking at Kyle, confused.

"Does anyone else have any concerns?"

The meeting went on with little to do except listen to propositions for new laws and other governmental affairs. During this time, Eric turned to his master.

"Master," Eric whispered. "Why did you tell Senator Mossini we would provide him with protection? Master Skywalker said to ask him before making any moves."

"I know. But if the discussion had gone any further, I fear the Chancellor may have asked for control of more clones."

"How?"

Kyle looked down at the vast room. "I was going to say that if the Sith kill us off, no one will be around to control the clones, and the Empire would easily defeat the Republic," Kyle said in a whisper.

"So," Eric said. "If you would have said that, it would have worried the Republic, and they would ask for control of the clones in case the Jedi Order was eliminated, right?"

"Exactly. We can't afford to lose control of the clones to the Republic at the moment."

"What if the Chancellor isn't up to anything?"

Kyle looked at Eric out of the corner of his eye. "We have to assume the worst at the moment."

A laser went off, and Kyle jumped to attention, igniting his lightsaber. Eric did the same, and Kyle saw Elisha's lightsaber ignite across the room. Another laser went off, and Elisha deflected it. Kyle noticed it seemed to be coming from the hall next to the platform she was on.

The Council began to panic, leaving their platforms for the hallways.

"Let's go," Kyle said, leading Eric and the three clones into the hall. They called for an elevator, but they were all busy. "Okay," Kyle said. "Looks like we need another way down."

The two Jedi left the clones at the elevator and went back to their platform. Kyle hit the button to detach the platform, and manually steered it down to the platform Elisha was on. She deflected another shot, and threw something back with the Force. She grabbed the Senator and jumped to another platform three floors down. Kyle steadied his own platform next to the other, and both he and Eric jumped to the other platform.

The two Jedi ignited their lightsabers and saw the representative getting up in the hallway.

"Hold it right there Representative Clorks," Kyle yelled.

Four clones walked up and pointed their weapons at the alien. One took a small blaster from him.

"You're under arrest by the Jedi Order. Private," Kyle said to the one clone. "Take him to the temporary cell in the building. I'll take care of him later. Keep him under guard."

"Yes sir." The clone handed Kyle the blaster, and then followed the other clones as they escorted the alien away.

"Elisha, is Senator Mossini all right?"

"Yeah. He's ok. Just a little shaken up. Do you want me to come up Master?"

"No. We'll come to you."

Kyle and Eric jumped down to join Elisha. Two clones were waiting to escort the Senator away.

"Thank you Jedi. I had no idea that Clorks was the one trying to assassinate me. But now it makes sense. The assassin always knew where I was going to be."

"Well, you're safe now," Kyle said. "Private, escort him to his ship please."

"Yes sir."

The two clones left, escorting the Senator away.

"Master, how did…"

"The blaster? Easy. He left one blaster exposed so it could easily be found. Then he gave us an explanation to avoid a further check."

"Oh. Did you know?"

"I thought about it. You didn't think I sent you along with him to protect him, did you?"

"Oh," Elisha said. "That's what I assumed you wanted me to do."

"Yeah, that's what I thought too," Eric said.

"Assumptions will get you into trouble my young Padawans, unless you have a very good reason to have one."

"Yes Master," they said.

"What of our assignment to Senator Mossini now," Elisha asked.

"It's done. We just took care of the assassin. One thing does trouble me though, and that's the fact that Clorks didn't try to assassinate the Senator in a meeting until today."

"Why does that trouble you Master," Eric asked.

"Because, it just so happens that Clorks was in the building before the meeting. I saw him earlier."

"Is that a problem?"

Kyle watched as an assistant maneuvered the Jedi platform back to its place a few floors above them. "I'm not sure yet."


Yeah, that's it for this chapter. Please review if you get the chance.