Chapter 3

Coruscant

"Allow the Force to flow through you. Allow it to proceed through your body and your soul. Do not push it away and do not embrace to it. Allow it to be." Jedi Master Veil Sagesse had said this to countless students. Showing them how to interact and commune with the Force. It was the most important aspect of the life of Jedi. For it was a Jedi.

Suddenly his thoughts shifted. He felt a strong surge in the Force. He looked around. Staring at the dark circular room that himself and his class was in. He knew the other students could feel it from there expressions. It was bearing down on all of them. The situation could become dangerous if the students lost focus. The Force in unfocused hands was always dangerous.Master Sagesse pried around with the Force trying to locate the disturbance.
Finally the Centaur master found the source of this power. It was coming from Laayla. As he gazed upon her he felt the Force radiating off of her. He closed his eyes allowing the Force to flow through him. He sensed her and started to study her using the Force. She was relaxed. The amount of power she was producing was not tiring her. She seemed calm, to calm. He began to worry that this would consume
He felt something, but it was very subtle. Then it got stronger. Something was piercing into his mind. It was shoving all of his mental defenses aside. Impossible, he thought. Who could do such a thing? Would Laayla dare do that? He quickly opened his eyes, to find that he was sweating, and Laayla was gone.
"Class dismissed", he said panting. A bead of sweat rolled down his cheek.

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What was she thinking? Rende thought. Laayla must have lost her mind. To do such a thing, especially to a Jedi Master. Rende finally reached the room. She was about to open the gray door when it opened on its own.

"Come in my dear friend. How may I help you?" Laayla said in a smooth voice that she knew would irritate her petulant friend. Rende entered the room. The room was cluttered with books from floor to bed. Scriptures hung from the wall and an object which looked like part of a holocron stuck out from beneath the bed.
"Don't get smart with me. What you did was stupid and ignorant!" Rende exclaimed.
"Relax, my friend. I know what I am doing. The Jedi Council does not trust me, I know that, and I understand why. However, I will not allow them to hold me back." At that Laayla got up to exit her room. Rende stood in her way not moving.
"You really think you can stop me", Laayla said with a serious look on her face.
"I am worried about you, Laayla", Rende said with concern. "I only want to help. Let me in, I can help you."
Laayla walked toward Rende, placing her hand on her shoulder. "I know it is because you care", Laayla said with a smile. Then she firmly pushed her friend aside, the smile disappearing from her face. "But I have important work to attend to, work that you can not help with." She then walked out of the room.
Rende followed, worried at what Laayla might do next.

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Master Vogel and her padawan Ylesha walked through the massive Senate building. Many Senators and delegates from thousands of planets were walking around, either conversing, gossiping, or plotting. Senator Uhikio from Kashyyyk was talking to Nudeeo, a delegate from Rodia. As Ylesha and her Master made there way past these two; Ylesha focused her senses to pay close attention to what they what they were saying.
"Some say it was Vidfa from Gerdas. Gerdas has been having problems with the Republic and it is rumored they want revenge", the Rodian delegate whispered, looking from left to right out of suspicion.

"Rumors do nothing for the current situation. We must be careful. Something is not right here", the Wookie said showing no concern of any eavesdroppers.

Ylesha's attention turned back to where she was heading. But one thing was true- something was not right here. Ylesha and her Master made there way to the senate pod for the Senator of New Alderaan. The Senator stood, excited to see her friend.

"Hello, Ylesha. It has been to long. What do I owe this pleasure", she said with excitement, giving her old friend a hug.

"Greetings Dimensia, it has been to way long. Yet I am sad to say that the reason for our meeting is pure business", Ylesha said, returning the hug, but not wanting this to be nothing other than serious business.

"I understand", Dimensia replied, understanding the basis of there meeting. Dimensia met Ylesha long ago when they were both young ladies. Both took training courses at the Senate on politics. They retained there friendship even when parting ways: Ylesha went on to become a Jedi, while Dimensia become the Senator for New Alderaan. Dimensia had long purple, blue hair with a fairly mild complexion of light caramel. Her eyes were silver and her skin soft. She was very kind and very dedicated to her work.

"So Ylesha, how might I help you?"

"We are here on a matter of grave importance. Recent intelligence points to an inside source, here at the Senate that was involved on the Temple attack. I checked the files for Senators and others that went on the expedition to the Temple, but they were obviously tampered with. Can you recollect from memory those sent on the convoy?" Ylesha asked.

Dimensia looked sullen. "Sadly I can not. I did not participate in the convoy, but I now someone who might. His name is Planter. He is a senator aid who might be of assistance."

"Thank you, and be careful. We have reason to believe that someone here is affiliated with the Sith

"The Sith", She said shocked. "Many of the corrupt politicians are dangerous, but not that dangerous. I will, however, keep my eyes open for anything."

"Thank you, Dimensia. How are things in the Senate going?"

"Not good. There are many rumors flying around."

"So I've heard", Ylesha replied her mind going back to the talk between the Senator and the delegate. "Thank you Dimensia. I hope the next we meet, it is on happier terms.

"As do I. Good bye my friend", Dimensia said with a smile.

At that Ylesha and her Master walked away. "That was helpful, Ylesha", Master Vogel said. "We should now go and talk to Master Tasu Kete, before meeting this Planter. She knows a lot about the Senate and the Senators. She will be of great assistance to us."

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"The meeting Kanze and I had with Chancellor Sauro was most interesting", Master Evol said starting the meeting.

"Interesting it what way Master Evol?" asked Master Wei Koi.

Kanze answered this question, "He is definitely a sly man who is looking out for himself and his allies, but he is not in league with the Sith. I could feel it."

"But that does not mean we rule him out, Master Kanze. You could have been mistaken. Remember the Intelligence Corp. did hear he had knowledge of a potential plot. Thankfully it is legal for us to watch the Chancellor thoroughly", Master Cerv Droit said.

"I agree with you Master Droit", Kanze replied. "Yet the information was to open; we found it easily. He knows that we watch him. He would not be that sloppy."

"It could be a trick", Master Wei Koi said, rubbing her long neck.

"But what would he gain?" Master Evol questioned.

Master Kanze scowled. "We must act on this information".

"But that could be falling right into the Chancellor's plan", Master Droit stated.

"We must not increase our adversaries. We are on the verge of war, and if we start having internal conflict, it can prove disastrous", Master Evol said.

"No matter what, we must be careful how we proceed." Master Sagess said. "If the Chancellor feels he is being threatened he could try and gain sympathy from the Senate and ask the courts to restrict our power."

Master Evol replied, "Master Sagesse, you sound power hungry. We must know our limitations and proceed cautiously. Everyone is a suspect, but no one is guilty as of yet."

"Sadly the meeting is not over", Master Evol said. "We have some more concerns. Both Master Kanze and Sagesse have been in situations where great suspicion hangs over Laayla. This must be dealt with, immediately."
"What situations do you speak of", Master Droit questioned.
This time Kanze spoke. "While walking to meet Master Evol I felt a strange disturbance coming from Laayla. She was able to sense my suspicions and successfully hide what she was doing. She also barraged her way into Master Sagess's mind. She is extremely gifted, which may be her downfall.We should keep an eye on her.