Shen's mind was racing as he stepped through the door of his personal living quarters. Master Leigh had made the assignment out to be an easy grab-and-go errand, but nevertheless, it was an assignment. Something more than training exercises, assisting the archivists, and standing guard over the temple's entrance. Finally, he and Reynan could show the order that they deserved their titles of Jedi knights. It was a long time coming. Shen knew that he was meant for great things, even if some of the temple's masters, including Master Leigh didn't think so. All of their doubt was just a driving force for him now, and he sensed that Reynan probably felt the same way.
He attempted to clear his mind; after their meeting, the two had spent the entire rest of the day sitting outside in the temple gardens discussing their mission. Of course, Leigh hadn't actually given them any real details beyond their destination and basic orders. So most of the talking had been based around why this 'doctor Aldu' was so important. It was made clear that they weren't in the need-to-know, which only grew their curiosity more. Reynan had suggested that she was maybe some sort of weapons expert, tasked with designing state of the art warships. Shen thought that perhaps she was a biologist who was creating cures for the viruses and diseases spread by the Sith with the intent of mass genocide at the microbial level. All of this, of course, was just friendly speculation. As Leigh had said, it was not their business to know what the doctor did. Highly classified meant that they would likely never know.
It was now nearing nightfall and Shen needed to get some rest. All of the excitement of the day had made it virtually impossible for him to be tired, but he wanted to be at full energy and focus in the morning. So he shed the cloak he had been wearing during the earlier exercise mission, the traditional Jedi robes, and hung them on a rack next to the door. He hated the thing, it was drab, and ugly, and for the most part wasn't even comfortable.
Another pinnacle of the Jedi religion, spirituality over worldly possessions.
Shen didn't quite follow that one to a tee. He glanced around his room, not quite as extravagant as Master Leigh's had been, but he was content. The walls were lined with Tapestries and silk banners that were adorned with his biological family's sigils and crests. Different variations of a golden bird of prey across a deep-purple field. The symbols were a sign of nobility on his home world of Corellia. Every day they reminded him where he came from, what he might have been in a different life. But ever since he had fallen under the apprenticeship of Master Voc'o all those years ago, he knew that his path lay with the Jedi. At times it wasn't as glorious as he had hoped it would be, however his heart had always told him that following the Order was a much more noble life than simply being the son of a senator. That wasn't to say that he didn't still enjoy the occasional gift from his far away family. In fact, pretty much everything in his room had come from Corellia; His bed, cabinets, dressers, and the few heirlooms that littered his shelves. Even his wardrobe, save for the dreaded robes he had just discarded, had been hand made by his father's personal tailor. He pulled a pair of clean briefs from his bedside drawer and slipped them on. Shen's mind now wavered over the thoughts of his father. He hadn't seen him years. Their only communication through short written messages or holo-vids on special occasions and even those were becoming few and far between. The war had taken precious time from both of them. Maybe after he returned from his mission he would be able to visit his father. Probably not. He was lucky enough that the Order even allowed any communication at all. Sometimes he forgot how fortunate he was. Shen walked over to the only window in the room, next to his bed, and opened the blinds. He sat on the window sill and stared over Coruscant's city-scape as the sun was finally lowering beyond the horizon. He had grown to both love and hate the sight. It was quite breathtaking, with all of the towering buildings silhouetting the red hue of the dying light and constant stream of speeders and transport ships along the sky-lanes. It had a chaotic peacefulness to it. But he would still be glad to be rid of it.
He closed the blinds back and went to lay down. Tomorrow was the start of something great. He would make his father proud. He would make the Jedi Order proud.
The light of the dawn breaking woke Reynan. He was still sitting cross legged in the Temple gardens where he and Shen had spent most of the day yesterday. The garden was by far his favorite place at the temple. The court yard was filled with all kinds of exotic flowers that painted the walkways in a beautiful mosaic. The trees and bushes that towered in the air laid a peaceful shade over the whole place and provided Reynan with the perfect hide-away from the hustle and bustle of Coruscant's city-scape. After his friend had left him to turn in for the night, Reynan had decided to remain and meditate. He preferred that to sleeping in a bed, for some reason he always felt much more rested. He raised his arms above his head for a long stretch and breathed in the cool morning air. Master Leigh had told them that they were to leave for Taris this morning, so he and Shen had agreed to meet at loading bay D just after first light. He was excited to be going, but he could've stood to stay in the gardens a little longer.
There'll be plenty of time to relax when we've come back, it won't be long. He thought.
He leaned over and pushed himself up onto his feet and made for the Temple entrance.
It took him no time at all to reach Dock D, and as he opened the blast door he saw the Seraph sitting with its engines idling. The familiar hammer-head body of the Defender-class Light Corvette was like those used by many of the Order's Jedi, but instead of the classic red and white color scheme of the republic fleet, the Seraph was a deep blue with yellow accents. At the base of the ship's massive rear thrusters, Shen was already milling around shouting orders at an old astro-mech droid.
"Deeks! You rolling trashcan, I said to run a diagnostic on the energy transfer systems, not sit there and take up space!" Shen's voice echoed throughout the loading bay.
Reynan hopped over the safety railing and jumped down the dock's floor.
"Hey come on man, he's trying his best." Reynan called over with a grin. Shen glanced over as he strode toward the ship.
"When are you going to replace this thing Reynan? I don't think he understands what I'm saying to him half the time... and I think he just caught on fire a few minutes ago."
He looked over at D33-K5, or 'Deeks' as they nicknamed him, with a loving smile. He had been Reynan's personal droid for years, ever since he was just becoming a padawan.
"He's part of the family Shen, you know you'd never let me get rid of him."
"Yeah well, he leaves rust marks all over my ship, at least fix him up a little."
"The rust adds to his charm."
"Nostalgia only goes so far, buddy."
Whatever, Reynan knew Shen loved the old mech as much as he did. Deeks wasn't good for much work these days, but he was still a friend.
"You seen Leigh anywhere?" Shen asked.
Reynan shook his head, "She probably had enough of us yesterday," He glanced up at the Seraph, "Speaking of her though, I was wondering, why do you think she let us take your ship so easily? I've never known her to so agreeable."
Shen shrugged his shoulders, "No clue. Maybe because she knows that the Seraph is faster than any rinky-dink shuttle she could've gotten us. Or maybe she just thought we were going to crash it and didn't want to flip the bill. Doesn't matter either way though, let's just cut out before she changes her mind."
Reynan agreed, the faster they left Coruscant the better, in his opinion.
"Alright, you got everything you want to bring?" Shen asked as he began walking towards the boarding ramp.
"Robes, light-saber, and these bad boys," Reynan replied holding out his fists, "and most importantly my sharp wit and intuition." he finished with a smirk. He could see Shen rolling his eyes. It was a joke, but honestly Reynan didn't need anything else than what he had on him. The force was to him, what all of Shen's shiny toys were to Shen. He loved Shen as a brother, but at times he questioned why material possessions meant so much to him. He couldn't knock him for it though, we all have our flaws.
As they made their way on to the ship, Shen shouting off to Deeks again, "Hey moron, go light up the engines, we're headed out!" Reynan looked around at the interior of the Seraph. He had been on many corvettes over the years, but those had been military issue. They were for quick transport and light engagement. Nothing else. Especially not comfort. The Seraph on the other hand was fitted with every amenity under the sun. Lavish sleeping quarters, lounge, and dining area. Even the corridor that the two walked down was trimmed with expensive looking copper and purple designs. Reynan admired the intricate craftsmanship of the various engravings which depicted the culture of Corellian nobility. He had been on the Seraph once before, years ago. But Shen had obviously had a few additions put in. He wondered the cost of such a ship, but then shuttered at the thought. More than he, or his culture, would ever know. Nearing the end of the walkway, the Seraph shook slightly as the thrusters came to life with a low hum. Shen punched a button on the wall and the cock-pit doors opened. At least this room was more or less the same as the military corvettes. Two pilot seats sat at the front of a large array of sensor modules and flight equipment, with bench seats lining the walls. Except these seats were every bit as lavish as Master Leigh's furniture had been. Shen took the left chair, and Reynan the right. As he sat, he felt the seat morphing slightly to fit his body. A nice touch.
Shen touched the center console to open up a com line, "Jedi Knight Shen Nalyd to flight control, requesting launch clearance from loading Dock D for Republic corvette Seraph."
A response chimed from the on-board speakers after a few seconds, "Seraph you are cleare-" but was cut off by Shen roughly pushing the thruster's throttle forward, and with a loud roar echoing off the walls of the loading bay. "Thanks" Shen said as he flipped the com off. Reynan was pushed back into his chair by the force of the rapid acceleration away from the dock. "Your piloting hasn't improved I see." He said. "What do you mean? Master Hote always said I was one of the best in the galaxy."
"Yeah, well Hote was an even crazier than you."
They both laughed, remembering Shen's lost Master. He was a good friend to both of them, and had taught Reynan much about the complexities of the force. He might have missed him as much a Shen, but he knew that wasn't possible. Shen wore a smile, but Reynan could see sadness through it.
As the Seraph began to rise away from the city, Reynan looked out of the dura-glass window to look at the retreating Jedi temple in the distance shrink into a speck. Although he was excited to leave, he would miss the gardens. A hailing signal suddenly rang through the cabin. Shen looked at the console again, "It's Leigh. Answer it for me, would you darling?"
"Right away, captain." Reynan said with a loose salute. He pushed the open key and Leigh's image emerged from the holo-deck.
"Gentlemen, I trust that you are on your way?"
"Just left, anything you want us to pick up while we're out? Rago milk? Sugar? Maybe a lost doctor?"
"Enough, Shen." The blue hologram said dryly, "I've sent the Doctor's coordinates to your ship's computer. Proceed there immediately. You will find her aboard the Cruiser Tempest Rain, where you will dock and retriever her. Be cordial, and please, don't annoy her." She finished with furrowed brows.
"Of course, Master. Thank you, we will be swift." Reynan chimed in before Shen could say anything else. The hologram didn't do much in the way of detail, but he could see a slight change in Master Leigh's face. Almost a softer look. "Good luck to both of you, and may the force be with you." And with that, the transmission ended.
"Just as sweet as always." Shen said as the hologram faded away.
"What do you expect, man? We're huge assholes." He chuckled.
"Yeah, we are."
The ship began to shake ever so slightly as they broke through the upper atmosphere.
"Here we go." Shen muttered. He padded a few commands into the control board and the Seraph lurched forward. Then the stars all around them turned to streams of light as they jumped into hyper space.