Impressions

Numa and Myriam stared at each other as they stood on either side of the track. "About 1000 meters out," Finly's voice updated them through their earpieces. Numa and Myriam nodded at each other, drew and ignited their lightsabers, and held them out parallel about five feet above the track. They braced themselves as the sheer force of the wind nearly knocked them off their feet. The lightsaber blades did not quite touch each other, but would be more than sufficient. The lightsabers easily sliced through the front and sides of the train. The blades were halfway through the operator car before the automatic brakes engaged and three-fourths through the entire train when it came to a full stop. The Jedi sheathed their sabers and extended their arms. The top portion of the train began to peel back until it reached the intact portion. Except for a handful of crew members fortunate enough to be standing in the areas that the saber blades had not reached, the feetless crew of writhed in agony on the floor of each car.

To the ones still standing, Numa barked, "In the name of the Jedi Council of the Republic, you are all under arrest!" Seeing their feetless companions was warning enough. They quickly hopped down with their hands held high. Finly met his companions in front of the first intact car. Myriam stood in front of the door. Numa and Finly watched the sides. All three drew their sabers and braced themselves for the wall of blaster fire that was sure to come from the remaining occupants.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Tell me again why the trains are so important?" Hannibal sighed as he watched Granger walked towards the magnetic tracks through the binos.

Hector carefully glanced back at Iesha, then whispered, "These late night trains have become their main supply lines. After what happened, we have to hit back hard so that these clowns will think Gratis really was the mole."

Hannibal pondered the idea, "Shouldn't we go smack Zeakwon the same way he smacked Iesha?"

Hector nudged his partner as Iesha joined them and mumbled, "We are…. He loses money when these trains don't reach the capital just like the rest of his gang." She tried to remain outwardly calm, but inside she fumed as she had been for three days. Granger consoled her, that it could happen to anyone and yet instead of allowing her to go out on assignments with the others, he had reattached her to his side. Little did she that it was not because he lacked confidence in her competence, but that he wanted to gauge how she was handling the incident. She could fool most of the team by how she acted, but she could not hide her feelings from her master.

Iesha's thoughts were interrupted by Hector's exclamation, "What the frosh is he doing?"

As Granger stepped into the middle of the track with the train only a few hundred meters away, Iesha's trust in her master came flooding back. She pointed with her chin, "Just watch."

Granger raised his arms at the approaching train. The front of the train came to a very sudden stop as though smashing into an invisible wall. The rest of first car, the second, third, and most of the fourth accordioned into the same wall. The rear of the fifth car lifted from the track flipping into a vertical position behind the fourth. The rest of the train would have followed suit, but became uncoupled from the flipped car. The remaining cars rolled off the track, the momentum pulling the new lead car nearly to Granger's position.

"That was impressive," Hannibal muttered not quite able to believe his eyes as he and the others moved to join their leader on the track.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Let go of it," Granger whispered. He slowly blew the rest of the air out of his lungs. Iesha sat cross-legged on the carpet facing her master, flickering candle between them. "Let go of your anger and in its place draw the Force in." Iesha blew her anger out with her breath. She felt a huge relief, but there was something within her that wanted to hold on to it. She wanted to keep the anger and nurture it. She could not escape this feeling. Somehow she knew the power she felt in her growing anger was also from the Force. She wondered how much of this conflict her master sensed. She took a deep breath and tried to blow away that feeling as well, but it would not leave. It was part of her.

The door of the room slid open. Myriam carefully entered. "Master, I'm sorry to interrupt, but Zeakwon has made contact."

Iesha's eyes popped open in excitement, but they immediately met Granger's warning stare. She took a deep breath, let her eye lids fall again and continued to focus on breathing. Granger grinned, "Very well. Tell Hector to meet us at the transport."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

The transport sped through the flight paths. "How do we know this isn't a trap?" Hector finally voiced his concern.

"Why do you think I wanted you and Myriam along?" Granger answered.

Hector grinned at Myriam. "You hear that? He needs his best saber slingers in case there's any trouble."

"Just try to keep up," Myriam sighed.

"Granger grinned, "Something like that."

"So Iesha," Hector slightly changed the subject. "Does Zeakwon have your lightsaber with him?"

Iesha gave Hector an annoyed look. "How would I know?"

Hector laughed, "Still have a lot to learn, huh padawan?" He glanced at Granger and Myriam in expectation of confirmation of his suggestion. When he received none, he added, "I mean, I can sense my saber anywhere….. it's like an extension of me almost…. I thought we all could…."

"Impressive," Granger mumbled.

"Soooo…. You've lost your lightsaber before is what you're saying?" Myriam observed.

Hector started to respond, but knew there was no good explanation. He turned his attention back to Iesha. "If Zeakwon doesn't have it, try to locate it through meditation. When you do get it back, meditate with it sometimes."

The transport came to a stop. Myriam and Hector were the first off. Granger stopped Iesha before she descended the ramp. "I'm not exactly sure what awaits us out there." He paused for a second, then removed his lightsaber from his belt, holding it out to his padawan.

"Won't you need it, if things are bad?" Iesha was touched by the gesture.

"I'll be fine," Granger reassured her.

"Master," Iesha began, "you trained me. If you don't need one, then neither do I."

Granger smiled approvingly.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Sleemo," Iesha muttered upon first seeing Zeakwon. In sheer reflex, she lifted her arm to begin a rage-filled Force-push. Sensing her intention, Granger caught her wrist before it was all the way up. He shook his head warningly. Knowing she was in the wrong, Iesha lowered her arm slowly, but eyed Zeakwon in fuming anger

Zeakwon's body language appeared equally angry, but Granger spoke first, "Explain yourself."

Zeakwon appeared flabbergasted, "Explain myself? Explain yourself! The attacks on the trains alone made business impossible! Not to mention the way you've been cracking down on everything else!"

"Well, that is our job," Granger responded calmly. "After you killed our 'mole'," Granger paused to let the words sink in, "and after the way you treated my apprentice, what did you…. And more importantly, what did your bosses expect to happen?"

Zeakwon's eyes were still full of anger, but he could not argue the logic. After allowing the gangster a moment of thought, Granger continued. "Now, I will have the lightsaber."

Zeakwon dropped his eyes, "I gave it to Tristan."

"As a trophy," Granger clarified. Zeakwon kept his eyes low. "That was not part of our arrangement. And putting your hand on Iesha was certainly not our agreement."

"I had to make it look good right?" Zeakwon tried in vain to defend his actions.

"And get yourself a hell of a promotion," Myriam interrupted.

"Froshin' Jessie," Zeakwon mumbled knowing exactly where the Jedi got their information.

"Yes," Granger assured Zeakwon. "If find it strange that I had to learn this information from another source."

Zeakwon had known from the moment his hand touched Iesha's mouth that he was beginning a dangerous game. "I had to be careful…."

"But not as careful as when money is being lost?" Granger reiterated.

Zeakwon sighed, "What do you want from me?"

"First the lightsaber will be returned," Granger raised a hand before Zeakwon could object. "I do not care how difficult it is. I do not care if your cover gets blown. It will be in my hand and very soon. Second…." Zeakwon looked as though he may object, but decided against it. "Jessie gets a promotion too. He is now part of your inner circle. Everything you know, he knows."

"That…." Zeakwon started thoughtfully, "will be strange." He glanced around at the Jedi. "Don't get me wrong, Jessie has his merits, but he's not someone who fits into management."

"Find a way," Granger insisted.

Zeakwon pondered his options, "Or what?" He unintentionally muttered.

"Or you're under arrest," Hector placed his hand on his lightsaber.

"Or you can resist and we'll kill you," Myriam offered.

"Each scenario works for us," Iesha added.

Zeakwon resigned himself anew to his role. "There's a complication."

"Yes?" Granger raised an eyebrow.

"Tristan's demanding that I bring him a Jedi….." Zeakwon muttered.

"Until you meet my demands," Granger stated firmly, "Tristan is you problem, not mine."

Hector interrupted again, "Hey guys, I have an idea that I think helps us all."

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Myriam eyed the grinning Hector as Finly fitted the communication device in her ear. "I suppose I should consider it a compliment that you think I'm the one best suited for this mission."

Hector continued to grin as Finly handed him and the rest of the team their devices. "Seemed right up your alley."

Granger cleared his throat, "So Jessie takes Myriam to Zeakwon. They both take her to Tristan. Once inside Myriam will engage whoever's there and take out Tristan. Once she starts or if there is unforeseen trouble, Numa, Hector, Finly and I will move in. Hannibal, you stay here on comms. If there is major trouble, you and Iesha will come running."

Iesha, realizing she was not coming, started to object. Before she could speak, Granger held up his hand, "I want you to try Hector's suggestion. Attempt to locate your lightsaber. If it is not with Tristan, let us know so we can retrieve it."

The padawan did not like that she was sidelined for a mission that she felt responsible for. She should be the one retrieving her saber, not one of her teammates. "Yes Master," was her response.

Numa and Hector tailed Myriam to her meeting with Jessie. Granger and Finly set up an observation point close to Zeakwon's best guess of where Tristan would be. "Looks like it's just us," Hannibal winked at Iesha when they were all gone.

"I'll be in my quarters," the padawan muttered coldly. In her room, Iesha sat in the floor. She breathed deeply and slowly. Her eyes shut slowly. She pictured her lightsaber in her hand and visualized the practice exercises that she had known since youngling training. That is when it happened. She actually felt her lightsaber in her hand. No, not her hand, someone else's…..

XXXXXXXXXXX

Crad and Pierre were sitting in Tristan's office as ordered. They both saw the lasersword on Tristan's desk, but neither quite had the guts to pick it up. Finally, Crad got up and carefully picked up the metallic cylinder. He gripped it in his hands and pretended to slash at Pierre.

"Put that thing down before you hurt yourself, Pierre muttered.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

Iesha's eyes sprung open. She knew exactly where it was! The excited padawan sprung from the floor and darted to the consul where Hannibal was waiting. "I know exactly where it is. I…. I…. can feel it."

Her excitement brought a smile to Hannibal's face. "The lightsaber? Where? I'll let Master Granger know…."

"No!" Iesha interjected a little too excitedly. She tried to reel herself in by a change of subject. "Where are they?"

Hannibal cautiously gave her the details. Myriam met up with Jessie. He contacted Zeakwon who sent back-up. They gave Numa and Hector the slip (which we expected). Finly and Granger are tracking her. Hopefully they will all wind up in the same place….."

"So they're busy. I'll go get my saber….."

"Nice try kid," Hannibal interrupted her justification, "but those weren't the boss's instructions."

"Hannibal," Iesha's eyes pleaded. "I can't ask them to clean-up my mess. And they need to focus on Myriam right now. I'll make contact as soon as I find it…..please…."

Hannibal took a deep breath, "Dammit, always a sucker for a cute face," he mumbled to himself. "Ok kid, but if there is any trouble, get out of there. My tail's on the line too."

"No problem," she grinned and darted for the door.

"And Iesha," Hannibal called after her, "You know you owe me right?" She smiled back and for the first time did not mind the implied innuendo.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Pierre and Crad had finished their meeting with the boss and relocated to the roof. Pierre bounced a rubber ball against the ledge. "I hate days like these."

"Yeah, it's boring," Crad agreed. "No work at all since the Jedi took out the trains."

The door to the roof flew open. A fellow gangster stuck his head out. "Hey, you two. Boss wants you to grab that Jedi sword and meet everybody down in the courtyard."

"Not another meeting," Pierre exclaimed.

"Nah, they caught one a them Jedi."

Pierre and Crad glanced at each other. They jumped to their feet and raced back towards Tristan's office.

XXXXXXXXX

Iesha moved as far as she could through the ventilation system. She hopped into the hallway just outside of Tristan's office. She did not sense anyone behind the door, but she did sense her saber. The door slid open. Her heart jumped at the sight of it still on the desk. Just as she extended her hand to call it back to her, a shock hit her from behind and rushed through her entire body. She dropped to all fours, struggling to remain conscious. "Stupid….." she managed to mumble to herself.

Pierre stood behind her, blaster in hand. "Impressive, Jedi. I've never seen anybody take a stun blast before." He fired another shot. Iesha hit the floor had, completely unconscious.

"I thought the Jedi was in the courtyard," Crad inquired.

"Must be a decoy," Pierre reasoned. "Take this one to one of the storerooms and restrain her. I'll take the lasersword to the boss and let him know."

Crad smiled as he looked Iesha up and down, "Time for some fun."

"Definitely," Pierre nodded, picking up the lightsaber, "but business first."

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Jessie gripped Myriam's lightsaber as he proudly led her and the guards into the courtyard. Finly watched through the binos as the others moved into position. Tristan raised an eyebrow beneath his hat. "Isn't this the one they call Myriam?"

"Yeah boss," Jessie beamed.

"So how'd you nab her?"

Jessie's pride suddenly turned into a stammer. "He got lucky," Myriam huffed.

"I thought you Jedi didn't believe in luck?" Tristan shot back.

"Yeah well," Myriam raised the restraints behind her back. "Guess we should rethink that."

Tristan smirked. A side door burst open. Pierre came running through, lightsaber in hand. "Boss! It's a trap!"

Myriam jumped high in the air. She pulled her knees to her chest, moved her arms underneath her and dropped her legs down behind the restraints. Sticking out her hands, Iesha's saber flew out of Pierre's hand and into hers, igniting in midair. When her feet hit the floor, her lightsaber flew from Jessie's hand, ignited, and flew into the jugular of the nearest guard.

Jessie, Zeakwon, and Pierre all dove for cover as the courtyard erupted with blaster fire. Tristan watched carefully, only occasionally using his own Force powers to deflect a stray laser bolt. Myriam used Iesha's saber to block the fire coming from her front. From behind, her saber, as though wielded by the Force itself, did the same. Each of the on-looking Jedi's (even Granger's) jaws dropped almost simultaneously. Hannibal's voice come over the comm, "are you all seeing this?"

"That is impressive," Granger conceded.

"So we're going down to help her, right?" Hector was already on the move towards the battle.

"She does not seem to need any help," Numa marveled. "I suggest we hang back and prevent others from escaping."

"Agreed," Granger ordered. Hector reluctantly gave up his attempt to move in.

When most of the attackers had dropped or fled, Myriam's lightsaber flew to her hand severing her restraints. Tristan stood face to face with her. He was impressed, but kept his cool. "You are a damn fine woman."

Myriam stepped into a fighting position with one blade above the other. "Let's dance then."

Just before she pounced, Pierre stepped from behind a pillar and fired his blaster at Myriam. Almost effortlessly, she deflected the shot, not back at the shooter, but at Tristan. The gangster calmly held up one of his gloved hands and the blast seemed to dissipate just as she had seen Granger do a month ago. Hannibal's amazed voice appeared in everyone's ears again, "OK…. Did everyone see that?"

Finly broke in excitedly, "What is he? A Sith? He's gotta be a Sith, right?"

"Don't jump to conclusions," Granger insisted. "Myriam can you bring him in?"

In sincere admiration, Myriam nodded at Tristan, "Sexy."

By this time, Zeakwon and Jessie were also out of their hiding spots. Zeakwon had his blaster drawn, but at his side, not quite sure who he should point it at. "What should we do boss?" Jessie asked, not quite sure if he was speaking to Tristan or Myriam.

"Let's get out of here," Tristan continued to eye Myriam.

"Good luck with that," Myriam smirked.

"Don't need luck today," Tristan reached into his duster. His hand came out with a thermal detonator.

"Poodoo," Myriam, Zeakwon, and Pierre muttered at the same time.

"Run!" Zeakwon screamed.

Tristan activated the detonator and gave it a Force push in Myriam's direction.

Myriam closed the sabers and dove for the basin of a nearby fountain, just as the explosion rocked the courtyard.

"Myriam!" Hannibal screamed. He paused for a few seconds, then frantically yelled into the comms. "Can anyone hear me…..anyone?" He slammed down his headset and ran for a transport.

Numa and Hector were the first to reach what was left of the courtyard. Before either of them could ask the other anything, a pile of rubble began to stir. The huge blocks shot up from the basin of the fountain. Covered in dust, Myriam slowly emerged from the basin. "Are you okay?" Numa rushed to her teammate's side.

"I can't hear a thing," Myriam answered a little louder than normal. "I'm okay though. Did we get any of them?"

Finly showed next, "I think they got away."

Granger was close behind. "They seem to be the last men standing though. I did not find any stragglers."

Hector looked around at the team and grinned, "And two of them belong to us."

"What?" Myriam pushed to be in the discussion.

When Hannibal reached the scene, a medical droid was tending to Myriam. The rest were searching the area. "Everybody okay?"

"Nothing that will not mend," the Jedi Master grinned at the thought of Myriam's extra lightsaber. "Where is Iesha?"