-Surprises at the Council-
The lift slowed to a halt and the doors opened, revealing the entire Jedi Council staring at me. I'm doomed. Let's get this over with. Moving into the center of the room, I took my place at my Master's side.
"Where were you?" Master Otarri asked me in a harsh whisper.
"I apologize for being late Masters," I said bowing to the Council. "I have no excuse."
Otarri seemed to mentally table my real excuse until later.
Master Yoda stared at me and said, "Make a new friend did you?"
How did he know?
"Yes, Master Yoda, I did. Padawan Tano, Master Skywalker's student."
I can't let my thoughts betray me.
"Her recklessness, you must be wary of."
"Why is that Master?"
"Sometimes, trouble controlling her feelings she has. Spending more time with her, you will be soon," Yoda explained.
"Yes, Master," was all I had to say, completely beyond all knowledge of what he was referring to. Sometimes I thought the Council just wanted to confuse their students.
Why will I be spending more time with her?
Master Windu's gaze bored into my head, "Don't let this tardiness become a habit, young Padawan. Am I understood?" He was not joking.
"Yes, Master," I responded, bowing his way.
"Not a mission debriefing, this meeting is. Instead, a briefing," Yoda told us.
"We're already being reassigned?" I asked.
This time it was Master Otarri who spoke, "Yes. We have some answers as to the horrid intelligence on Saleucami."
"What happened?" I asked. "We lost a lot of men that day."
"A mole. Someone shared our plans with the Separatists before we arrived on the planet," Otarri told me.
"Who was it?"
"We aren't sure, but we know where they are headed."
"Yes," Master Windu said. "CSF was put on high alert as a precautionary measure and subsequently monitored the spaceport traffic. The 25th Sky Corp should have been a large enough force to use against the Separatists on Saleucami."
Just then the lift doors opened again revealing none other than Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and his Padawan. Ahsoka? This caught me off guard. She noticed my confusion and shrugged, joining her Master next to me in the center of the Council.
Master Windu resumed once again, "One of the Nulls ARCs also intercepted this coded transmission."
A hologram appeared in the middle of the room, in front of us. The grainy image of Count Dooku appeared. He began giving orders to the person on the other end of the transmission.
"Remember she is friends with many Jedi. Tread carefully and watch your tongue; no slipups about anything. Take her place quickly and quietly. Be sure that you leave for Naboo on the shuttle I have arranged for you. Do not fail me, or your life will be in the hands of General Grievous."
The image switched to a hooded figure. When the figure spoke it was obvious that it was a woman, and it sounded like Senator Amidala.
"Yes, my Lord. I will not fail you."
The hologram dissipated as the transmission ended. Anakin was the first to speak, "Where was the message received?"
Windu looked at him gravely, "The Senate. However-"
Anakin's eyes widened in surprise and in no time at all, his demeanor turned sour, "Are you saying that Senator Amidala is the mole? No. She couldn't be! She has always been a loyal ally of the Jedi!"
"Anakin!" Obi Wan was having none of it. He stared Anakin down and shook his head, sending a silent message to the young man: Back down.
Windu began to lose his patience, "If you had allowed me to finish what I was going to say Skywalker, you would know that we do not believe that Senator Amidala is involved, at least not the real Senator," he turned to the whole group, his anger disappearing, but a sense of irritation remained. "Normally the Council would not be involved with such an intelligence incursion, however, now that a Senator's safety is in jeopardy, we are stepping in; this is especially the case when a changeling may be involved. The shuttle in question departed for Naboo not four hours ago and we believe the mole was on it. Take extra precautions when searching for him or her. Unfortunately, Senator Amidala just took her own ship to Naboo, which means that there very well could be two of her present. We have already informed her personal guard to be with her at all times, as the changeling could easily swap herself with the Senator...any questions? Obi Wan," Windu cued his pier.
Obi Wan spoke up, "Also, be on the lookout for General Grievous. Since Count Dooku threatened the mole's life in mentioning Grievous, he could very well be present on Naboo with a significant force. I will have a small fleet at the ready in case you need assistance."
Mace took over again, "Your ship is already waiting for you in the hanger. We will be in contact when you reach Naboo. May the Force be with you."
We all bowed to the Council and turned to leave, when Yoda spoke up, "Padawan Tokrin. Use your emotions carefully you must, and remember that impossible with the Force, nothing is."
"I'll try Master."
Masters Skywalker and Otarri were ahead of Ahsoka and I, who entered the elevator last. The doors closed soundlessly and the lift began its descent.