Interlude 1: Escaping Coruscant
Information was easy to come by. It was all the news was playing. And the news made my blood run cold. The Jedi council had betrayed the Republic in a grab for power. Apparently with the recent death of Count Dooku, the council saw the end of their current power and prestige in the government as the war would draw to an end and sought to assassinate the Supreme Chancellor in order to take over for him.
I felt the switch to an empire was going a bit far, but at least it was being lead by a moderate and reasonable person and not some extremist who would be little more than some degenerate dictator. What concerned me the most about the situation was how us rank and file Jedi would be painted by the greedy and disconnected leadership, especially Yoda. No one should be allowed unquestionable control of any powerful group for as long as he had. That would only lead to this exact sort of corruption.
Shaking my head, I made my way to the under city to a bar I knew a few less scrupulous pilots tend to frequent. It would be best for me and the younglings to get off planet quickly and lay low somewhere the new empire would not care to look while this whole mess blew over.
The bar was not the hive of the worst scum and villainy the galaxy had to offer, but it wasn't far off. Stepping in, it was easy to spot a group of pilots by their clothes and bearing. Ignoring the momentary silence that met my entrance, I made my way straight to the group.
"I'm in need of transportation for myself and some companions to Ryloth. Any of you willing?"
One of the kicked off the wall with a smug grin. "Sure, I could use a vacation, but you'll have to pay for my room for a week."
"Done. And I'll throw in five thousand credits, plus costs, if you can get your ship ready in two hours and get it loaded up with enough food for about two dozen kids," I said, holding out my hand to seal the deal.
His eyes narrowed and it wasn't until he explained that I understood his suspicions. "I don't deal with child trafficking."
Before he could leave I threw out, "Good. Because I am trying to get these kids to safety."
That raised a few eyebrows. "There are some people after them."
The pilot grabbed my hand with a grin. "Marjova at your service."
"Tanya."