Kuat

Galen Zaun and Death were walking down a sidewalk several stories up in the capitol city of Kuat.

They were there to settle a mining dispute between two separate working factions on the planet. Both Guilds were trying to get a contract that had resulted in a stale mate and nearly erupted in violence. One of the groups had specifically requested Jedi intervention.

So Galen and Death were called to serve. They became close on Corellia, they were Master and Padawan, and the council did not trust them with a major mission at this time. John was not come with Galen because John was not his official Padawan.

So Galen felt like staying close to his homeworld, and was glad for the opportunity.

This was going to be a cakewalk, though a tedious and annoying one at that. The Jedi had no business in local politics, other then to help end the recession anyway that they could.

Over their heads a holoscreen was playing a feed from Cath Hound News, the most trusted name in news.

A Twi'lek newscaster was going over the various news reports of the day.

"And in the news today a Senator from Naboo was found dead in his villa. The Doctor's are saying it was poison and it is rumored to be carried out by the notorious bounty hunter Ulyus Sesh."

She took a breath and looked into the camera. "In other news a Planet in the New Galactic Territories is rumored to have been captured by an unknown force. A statement is expected later today from the Republic's diplomatic office."

"I wonder what that is about?" Death mused.

"Trouble." Galen tensed his shoulders up and glared around the street, expecting a crisis to develop at any moment.

He jumped as a voice rang out behind him. "We have been expecting you Jedi Master Zaun."

"You have?" Galen asked curious

"Yeah, Max Volgers, I am the representative that is here to meet with you." Max replied extending his hand.

"OK, take me to your leader." Galen gestured down an ally, as Max led the way.

Galen and Death exchanged a look.

Coruscant- Diplomatic Offices

Diplomats scurried this way and that way in a half panic as they were attending to fifty different tasks all at the same time.

Nothing like this had happened in the Republic in a long time, and they were not sure exactly what to do about the escalating crisis in the New Galaxy.

It had been about six days since the original message was intercepted by The Republic. Declaring that they had captured the planet in the name of the Alliance, and that no Jedi were to be allowed entry, though they would except a diplomatic envoy.

A Jedi Master was immediately dispatched from Kandar to go negotiate and investigate the situation, and to determine the exact nature of the threat.

The Republic Diplomatic Office on Kandar had received a message of the Jedi, who was hanged, with his throat cut from end to end and a message stating this was their last warning.

This sent the Diplomatic Corp into a frenzy, along with the Military.

They were now preparing a report for the Chancellor on the tactical and diplomatic situation on the surface of the planet. A Republic Cruiser-Carrier had sent probe droids to determine the strength of the enemy forces. They discovered a Cruiser type ship still in orbit, and at least a division on the planets surface, around the coliseum and along the route to the Capitol.

The two Flag Officers standing like sentinels towards one edge of the room only served to increase the sense of the diplomat's unease.

But they had a job to do and they had to give the Chancellor their best information and analysis so he could determine whether he would call in a Military action or if he would go the diplomatic route.

Knowing the Chancellor made the diplomats shoot furtive and telling glances at one another.

Corellia

John Zaun was in the school library, he was off to the corner of the computer lab portion of the library. The lights were dimmed and he was staring at a computer monitor absorbing all the information racing on the screen. Reading up on techniques of mind control and manipulation, both unknown in theory, pop culture, and real life, going out from the most unlikely means, to Jedi Mind tricks and other means of control.

He had been here for nearly an hour, he had dimmed the lights using the Force which set up a suggestion in the air not to enter, thus hoping to keep anyone from disturbing his vital work.

He had finally got to the Jedi section, it was almost time to go.

"John?" The librarian poked his head into the room. "Just what are you doing in here?"

"Just doing some research sir." John recited his planned response.

"Better be good, you need to go to class in a few minutes." The librarian warned.

"I know that." John muttered.

"Well good luck." The Librarian left the room, sounding worried.

John sighed and got back to it. His eyes darted across the screen as he read the rest of the information at lightning fast speed.

"The Jedi Mind trick is a way to exert some control over minds and beings. To 'trick' the mind into doing a task, or looking the other way. The weaker the target mind, the more control that can be exerted over the subject. Eventually leading to full control. Especially if the aggressor is strong in the Force, has a strong personality, and has practice with this kind of control. A wave of the hand, while suggested, is not necessary. It exerts Force energies to enter the brains cortex allowing for more direct control, but again this is not required."

John frowned just as the alarm sounded. He had to rush to his next class, and he sure had a lot to think about. And his father was unavailable to him for advice or anything else.

He moved into the halls and ran into Nealis and Devylyn making out, Nealis was still generating that odd energy. Nealis smiled as John passed as if to gloat and then returned back to his activity.

John scowled and moved to quicken his pace as he moved past the two of them.

He felt a burning painful sensation in his gut. He had to get to the bottom of this. He had to find out the truth, and find out just how Nealis was manipulating the situation.

John froze suddenly. He could not do this. He was letting the fire in his heart consume him and cause him to do some really unwise things. He had to get a grip on himself and deal with this coolly and rationally. Maybe Nealis was not guilty after all?

John gritted his teeth and hurried to his class. Infuriated at himself for the thoughts he was having.

His best friend greeted him "what's wrong?"

But John ignored her, barely hearing her as he took his seat.

The next day dawned bright and early. With his fretting over the situation he was in, and that Galen was not there to make him get up, he just barely made it in time for the school transport.

However, it arrived early. It was a cool morning, low hanging fog still blanketed the ground making it hard to see.

John carefully made his way over to the courtyard where they had lunch, and sat down, resting his head on his arms as he tried to get a few minutes peace and quiet before the start of another long and monotonous day.

A presence made his head snap up, he glared around through the fog. It was Devylyn.

"Hey Devylyn." He blurted before he could stop himself.

She turned and smiled warmly back at him. "Hey John." She joined him at the table, her golden locks falling across her lap.

"So how are you? she asked merrily.

"I am fine, a bit tired right now." He replied.

"Yeah I know, early start." She sympathized with him.

John took an internal breath, held it for five seconds and then released it, "so, how is Nealis treating you?"

"Nealis, my boyfriend?" She asked curious as to what he had to do with John's mood.

"Just curious, I just want to make sure she is treating you alright." John tried to keep his voice from cracking dangerously, all the calming techniques that he had learned from his father had fled him in his panic.

"Oh." Devylyn regarded him skeptically. "He is fine." She paused for a second, then frowned, turning in on her self in deep thought, "I don't know there is just something about him." She brightened suddenly. "But he is fine, the best lover I have ever had." She turned back to John grinning at him like the school girl she was.

"But he is treating you alright, you are happy?" John pressed, finally able to get his emotions under control.

She smiled at him. "You are really sweet my friend, but yes, I am very happy with him. He has shown me so much."

John mulled this over for a second, he felt somehow relieved that she would actually say that she was happy away from his presence. That she obviously cared for him, and he may have had nothing to worry about after all.

"Hey, Devylyn, care for a game of sabaacc?" A female voice drifted through the fog.

She beamed at them. "Sure!" She flicked her head back at John, "see ya."

"Bye." He replied despondently.

That could have not have worked better, he thought to himself. Devylyn was happy, and probably of her own free will, and it was clear that Nealis was treating her right.

He blew out a long breath through his cheeks in relief.

Still something did not feel right to him. An unease about the situation that continued to perculate on the edges of his personal feelings.

He knew what it was, a small twinge of jealousy. Maybe that was all this ever was? But still, he was uncomfortable with the situation, and even though he had gained new insight onto his motivations he could still follow through on the hunch.

So, he resolved to continue to observe. To be her protector from afar if need be, to watch, analyze, and use his natural ability in the force, to stay on top of any problem and continue to seek the truth. And should a conflict arise, and should his worse fears prove to be valid. He would deal with it.

As any good Jedi should.

Kuat.

It had been nearly an hour as Galen Zaun had followed their guide through a random assortment of tunnels, sewers, and side streets.

They finally arrived at a dimly lit underpass for one of the main sewers running throughout the area, at this point Death was annoyed at Mr. Volgers and at the journey that he had led them through.

"We are here." Max raised his hand stopping the two Jedi.

Figures crept out of the shadows on all sides, and they matched every stereotypical way to the definition of 'shady.'

"I am Jedi Master Galen Zaun." Galen was unmoved by the display.

"And I am the leader, you may refer to me as such." A hooded figure off to the right introduced himself. Galen turned to regard the newcomer.

"What do you want?" Galen asked pointedly.

"To deal with you personally, and to explain our case before you deal with our richer counterpart." The leader replied, his voice echoing due to an amplifier of some sort.

"We are Jedi Knights, we are not authorized to negotiate with either party separately, only both parties at once as per your request. If you have a complaint to make I suggest you bring it up with the Kuat labor relations board." Galen explained their official position.

Cool waves of anger rolled off Death as he got ready to spring into action at the first sign of trouble.

"Well, we want to deal with the Jedi masters personally. Without the bias of the other side getting in the way." The leader persisted.

"You seem to have us at a disadvantage." Galen spoke wryly, knowing it to be untrue and finding it ironic that he had to play along.

"Yes, we do." The leader sounded pleased with his daring and his cunning plan. First invite the Jedi here, and then have a chat with them about the evils of the big Kuati firm. "We have a proposal to make."

"Go on." Galen gestured.

"We want you to rule in our favor. The firm that we are engaged with has exploited the underclass businesses, and citizenry to make a tidy profit in the middle of massive economic strife. They have exploited the lower class citizenry, and have sanction from the Government."

"It is not the official policy of either the Government of Kuat, or the Government of the Republic to hold one company, business, or firm in regard over any other." Galen explained simply, warning bells beginning to activate as his neurons fired.

"They turn a blind eye to our plight, all the while the big firm robs us blind. It's the same thing" A voice sneered beyond where Galen could see.

Who was he dealing with? Galen wondered to himself, he reached out his force and touched his Lightsaber, assured that it was there and he was safe.

"Again I cannot speak for the Government, the only reason I am here is you asked me to mediate a contractual dispute between you and your competition over a set contract. That is all I intend to do, fairly and honestly, with favor to none. Believe me when I say, this will be in my report." Galen warned as a final parting shot before getting up to leave. Death bowed to the group before following his master out.

The assembled throng was too stunned to even follow the two of them as they left the sewers at a brisk pace.