Introducing a new character is always fun! Meet Jael Orangrave, everybody! Please R+R

Chapter 20

"Where can he be?" Mace Windu grumbled, walking the length of the briefing room with concern. He wasn't pacing, yet, but he had to admit, he was forcing himself to stay calm. The situation was becoming very concerning. Why was it that it was so hard to get another general onto Machibo soil? Had Skywalker breached protocol by leaving ahead of time and forgetting to log his exit?

Now that Mace thought about it, such an occurrence was actually pretty likely. He picked up his comlink and thumbed through the channels. "Gate Security, have Skywalker and General Krell's clone legion left already?"

There was silence on the other end for a moment while the staff checked. "No Sir," the report came back, crackling over the line. "The clones and Commander 40218 are anxious for departure, but there is no sign of General Skywalker."

Mace's brow furrowed as he ended the transmission, his mind filtering through the possibilities. Skywalker was still pretty sick. He hoped he hadn't passed out somewhere or suddenly taken a turn for the worse.

Turning toward the door with the intent of going immediately to look for him, he ran smack into a familiar face.

"W'sup, Mace?" a cheerful grin of abundant white teeth suddenly showed up, jutting dangerously onto the edge of his personal space.

Determined not to be caught up in another pointless exchange of words with her, he stepped backward to allow her to pass through the door, giving him room to leave.

Seeing his intent, the other Jedi jerked her head a bit in realization. "If you're going somewhere, can I come along?" she asked, in a clipped-sounding accent.

"No." was his firm reply. He didn't want to talk about this. Not—not now!

"Come on!" she whined.

He walked quickly out the door and sighed heavily through his nose as he heard her footsteps following him.

"Jael Orangrave," he muttered under his breath. She was ornery. Not to mention intimidating—rail-thin, nearly six feet tall, and could beat the heck out of anyone, friend or enemy. Of course, she didn't scare him.

And unfortunately, she and Mace were the same age.

Meaning that they had grown up together and to his great humiliation, she still felt like she could call him by his first name!

Of all the things he wanted to change about the Order, this one—sometimes—topped the list.

"Master Orangrave, I'm sure you have other duties to attend to," he said without turning around as he hurried down the hall.

"Your point is well made: that you think I'm annoying," she nodded behind him, "but—ha! Just think, Mace—if there were only someone who could still call Master Yoda by his first name! Yep. Could do him some good, I think. It might even bring him down a few notches."

He grimaced at her clipped, nasally tone. "Master Yoda is very humble," he answered tightly.

"Says he," Jael calmly added.

"Please stop following me." he said coldly, still acting like someone of his actual age and standing. If only she would do the same. If only she had ever done the same.

"Nope. I wanna find out what you're up to," she replied, unruffled, and continued to follow him.

"Master Orangrave, this is a serious matter," he stated with an extra edge to his voice, finally turning to face her.

"What's the serious matter?" she picked up quickly.

"A top secret matter—none of your concern!" he really got tired of having to treat her like a child. "Now if you'll excuse me, I need to return to my quarters so I can look for General Skywalker."

"Pinpoint his location with the Force… you've got other things to do! I'll look for him," she volunteered immediately.

"I don't think so." He hesitated, however, because it was tempting just to get her out of the way. Whenever she got these notions—like she was somehow his best buddy or something—it could drive even a Jedi Master's patience to the limits.

"How can I help you then?" she almost whined. "I sense there's something else posing as a pressing need in your mind. Let me take the job."

Taking a deep breath, he tried his best not to sound extremely annoyed. "You don't know what that job would be yet!"

She raised an eyebrow, just slightly, leaning against the wall. "Enlighten me, O wise one." she had a twist of a smile on her lips, just enough that he knew she wasn't really mocking him. She was serious.

"What a way for a Jedi Master to act," he thought. "Whatever you want," he muttered, glancing around to make sure they were alone. "Skywalker's late. He was late before; now we're putting the Machibo-surrounding system at risk, and likely also risking a huge breach in our front lines. I need someone to go down there and lead those clones into battle. But!" he added, just as she was about to run off in that direction, "you have minimal battle experience and aren't suited for the task. Find someone else to lead the legion."

Jael turned and looked at him as if he were completely out of his mind. "Everyone's out but me. There isn't anyone else to lead the legion!" she exclaimed.

He held back an unexpected smirk. He was unused to people making him laugh; it was a strange sensation. They both knew the only reason she was left without anything to do was because she was too...he hated to use the word 'stupid'… uneducated to do anything correctly.

And she was right; there wasn't anyone else. Mace couldn't remember having felt so torn. This was going to be a terrible decision, either way he made it. "I'll go, then!" was his conclusion.

But the woman was already gone, headed for the hangar before he could make her stop.

"Jael!" Mace took two angry steps and stopped himself, giving up on her helplessly. He felt weird about letting her go.

Militarily speaking, he had no choice, but somehow he felt as if it was his responsibility to keep her here; not to let the crazy Jedi Master he'd grown up with run off on a mission they both knew she couldn't handle.

He would just have to trust the Force to keep her safe, if that was its intent for her. But if she died in battle—

He couldn't explain the nervousness he felt.

For the first time, he realized that, irritating as she was, Jael really was his friend.

Replies to Reviews:

ErinKenobi2893: I wonder if anyone would notice if I started casually just calling him Palacreep instead of his real name? Hmm. Yes, that solves the motive issue for the epic Obi-Wan/Sidious duel. Protective furies are SO adorable! (:

5851: …I hope she does too. …..Muahhaha! Sorry we haven't seen much of her yet. I'm getting around to it.