Chapter 2: Firsts and Lasts
Master Hanta wasn't too hard on them, K'Kruhk thought as they left Master Mahn's office. He had been content with demanding that they tell Master Mahn their exact comments about her with a full apology, then informed them that he would be passing on the details to their respective masters. He also chastised Stass for swearing in the presence of younglings.
"Aaand he heard me swearing, how?" asked Stass when they were safely seated in one of the Ouran's common rooms with the other four.
"He knows, he always knows," A'Sharad deadpanned.
"So, pancakes?" asked Xiaan, a hopeful grin sprouting on her face. Agen rolled his eyes and got up.
"Fine, I can take a hint, one batch of Kolar's Signature Pancakes coming up," With that, they left for the nearest kitchens. Apparently Agen's voice had carried because when they arrived at the kitchens, they found a disproportionately high number of fellow apprentices already present. Bruck Chun was at least subtle about it. Obi-Wan on the other hand...
"Oh Agen, are you making pancakes? Enough for one more?"
Then Siri, Bant Eerin, Pablo-Jill and Aayla Secura all conveniently walked in at the same time. Agen sighed. At this rate he was going to be making for the entire deck.
[Training decks, The Ouran, space above Coruscant, the Coruscant system]
Jedi Master Adi Gallia took a long breath in as she assumed her opening stance. She carried herself well, as usual. Her sleeveless green tunic rested for a moment on her dark shoulders. Then the Tholothian released her breath and brought her arms up on each side, electricity crackling in each hand. She shunted her hands forward, shifting her weight onto her front leg. The lightning cascaded from her fingers and struck the target around two metres away, causing it to smoke heavily. After a moment, the lightning abated as the target crumbled to ash.
"Impressive," commented Master Oppo Rancisis from the side.
"Yes," added Master Saesee Tiin in his absurdly relaxing voice, "Almost perfect. One hair out of place." Adi's eyes focussed on the single dreadlock that had escaped over her forehead from under her headdress. She shrugged, tucking it back under.
"Eh, it's just a hair. Good enough I think," she replied in her Zaori accent as she returned to a standing position and walked over to Saesee, who held her cloak.
"Well, shall we go. The rest of the council will be waiting for us," said Saesee as he handed her cloak back.
"Ah yes - it's your first session since your appointment, isn't it?" said Master Rancisis, directing his gaze to Adi as they left the training room and proceeded to the turbo-lifts, "Goodness, that takes me back," Past Adi, Saesee smiled sadly. Noticing this, Oppo realised what he had said, "Saesee I know Master Bouri's loss was hard on you, but we all had to move on."
"I know," he said, shaking his head and clearing his expression,
"We all lose our Masters one day. But then again who am I to talk; Yaddle's still kicking and that's not likely to change soon," added Oppo.
They reached the nearest turbo lift and filed in. Oppo directed his gaze up at the speakers in the corners.
"Where does Zourvux get this elevator music? I've never heard of it before."
Saesee shrugged, "Who knows, but I like it," They waited in a comfortable silence as the turbo-lift ascended, listening to the music.
"I don't get it, what's so romantic about flying to the moon? And what are Jupiter and Mars?" asked Adi.
"Probably planets somewhere, it's a big galaxy. He has a wonderful voice though," replied Saesee.
"That he does," said Adi as she closed her eyes and bobbed her head in time with the music.
The elevator stopped, revealing a small crescent shaped antechamber with sofas for waiting on each side and a pair of double doors opposite the lift. Zourvux along with Masters Tholme and Plo Koon were sitting on the sofas apparently waiting to be called in.
Plo was an unusual alien to be sure - a Kel'Dor. His oddly-shaped head, clawed bony fingers, protective goggles and breath-mask was a bizarre sight to most.
Tholme by contrast was somewhat unspectacular. To be honest, he would be best described as understated. A middle-aged human with a loose, greying ponytail and weathered face.
Adi stopped by Zourvux, who looked up at her.
"Nice elevator music, where'd you get it?"
"Ah, the singer is a very old friend of mine called Frank. He was once gave me a live recording, that was a very long time ago now. I thought it would be good to use it for something other than my personal enjoyment."
Adi chuckled and moved on, inclining her head to Plo and Tholme as she neared the doors.
"So, ready to walk through those doors as one of us?" Asked Oppo, "Nothing will be the same after this."
"Oh, for the love of..." Adi rolled her eyes and marched through the doors leaving Oppo frozen mid-theatrics and Saesee with a small smile on his face. The High Council chamber itself was more or less a copy of the one from the Jedi Temple on Coruscant, a circular room with windows making up most of the walls, a domed roof and 13 chairs (specialised to each councillor's species) arranged in circular formation around the edge with a gap where the doors were. All but three of the seats were, as Oppo had thought, already occupied.
First anticlockwise was Master Tyvokka, an impressive looking Wookiee dressed in long grey robes with a curved lightsaber at his belt, inlaid with wood. He was one of those people who was always friendly and always put a positive spin on things.
Next was Master Mace Windu; a dark-skinned Korun Human with a foul mouth and a generally frightening attitude... at least to those who didn't know him. Those who knew him personally were more likely to think of his sense of humour if asked about him.
Third was Master Yoda. Adi had no idea what species he was. A legend in the order who was over eight hundred years old, Yoda tended to always surprise Adi when she was certain she'd seen every trick up his sleeve.
Beside him was Master Micah Giiett. Adi only tangentially knew him as the master of Stass' friend and that he was also a member of the Council of First Knowledge, specialising in instructing on technology. Having never met him she couldn't say anything about his personality.
Fifth was an empty seat, Saesee's. Saesee was probably the only council member Adi could honestly say she knew. With rubber-like skin and horns that curved inwards and down, he looked somewhat imposing to most. A gentle soul of an Iktotchi with a gentler voice, Master Tiin had defended his claim as The Order's best pilot for more than ten years. He was also a master at using The Force, but preferred not to be referred to as such.
Master Yaddle was next. She was the same species as Yoda, but about three to four hundred years younger, as the brown topknot attested to. Adi had only seen her use her lightsaber once. She had been very impressed. Yaddle had taught Adi occasionally when Adi was a youngling, but the two hadn't really known each other. At the time Adi had been impressed with Yaddle's almost constant calm which turned to a controlled energy in combat.
Beside Yaddle was Master Even Piell, a battle-scarred Lannik that Adi had wanted to meet for some time now. He was one of the Order's most legendary warriors and a shrewd diplomat, having been the Battlemaster at one point.
The next seat was empty and belonged to Oppo. The slender, serpentine, four-armed Thisspiasian was best known for his tactical mastery and inability to lose any game of strategy he happened to be challenged to.
The third and last empty seat was next. This seat was now Adi's. If asked to describe herself, Adi would tell that she was a diplomat who could shoot force lightning and was a capable pilot. If someone else was asked to described her they would probably focus on her force lightning skill some more or discuss her battle with the darksiders Nikkos Tyris and Aurra Sing the previous year, which had resulted in her ascension to the council, Tyris' retreat into hiding and the first known occasion of a Jedi walking away from a fight with Sing.
The tenth seat was occupied by Master Yarael Poof, his extensive neck forcing him to look down in any given conversation. Exactly why the Quermian kept his second pair of arms hidden under his excessively voluminous sleeves was anybody's guess. If one decided to ask about him in the Temple, you would get more than a few angry complaints about his frequent mischievous tricks using his signature alterations to perceptions. Yarael stubbornly insisted he was training the unwary against more cunning opponents.
Eleventh was Master Eeth Koth, a Zabrak and master duellist who wore long robes and a permanently inquiring gaze on his face lined with tattoos. He was known for being adept at resisting pain, having trained from a young age to resist even the most excruciating agony.
In the twelfth seat was Master Depa Billaba. A Chalactan Human with braids curved into two rings whose entire array of movements all seemed to involve swooping. This was mostly down to her long, billowing robes and generally serene grace. A former padawan of Master Windu; Depa was something of a living legend, having become extremely adept at lightsaber combat and amassing the single largest number of completed missions of any living Jedi (except Yoda)
In the final seat was master T'Un. Adi was honestly surprised to him there. On the many occasions Adi had reason to be in the High Council's presence, T'Un had only been present a handful of times. In addition, on those occasions he had said very little. He was old, very old, with long fingers, grey skin, an extremely flat nose and peculiar lined markings on most of his body. Again, Adi didn't know his species.
Adi, Saesee and Oppo all took their seats quickly as Mace smoothed down his robes and began, "If we're all ready, shall we begin?" There was no objection, some nodding. Tyvokka pressed a button on his chair and the doors opened, admitting Zourvux.
"Zourvux, how are the younglings?" Asked Micah.
"Settling in well," she replied. "We've also received the all clear from the remaining transports. The only people left on Coruscant are those who want to stay."
"Well we can't make them leave," said Master Piell, "We're not their nannies."
Zourvux chuckled at that, "Anyway we're awaiting your word to enter hyperspace."
"Destination?" asked Eeth.
"Falleen, in the eponymous system, they've agreed to allow us long term orbit and are prepared to negotiate on a permanent plot of land."
Micah leaned forward at this,"The Falleen system? Where Bultar's first solo mission is going to be?"
"Yes," came her reply, "We'll be dropping her off when we arrive."
"Any objections are there to immediate departure?" Asked Yaddle.
"Best wait until tomorrow, sometime after midday," said Depa.
"1pm then?" said Eeth.
"All in favour?" asked Oppo.
"Aye," said every councillor simultaneously.
"Very well. To depart tomorrow, permission is granted, Zourvux. Send in Plo and Tholme on your way out, could you?" said Yoda
Zourvux nodded and left. After a moment the doors opened again and Tholme and Plo Koon walked in.
"Master Koon - good to see you, it is. A mission we may have for you. How much know, do you about Iaco Stark?" said Yoda.
"A little," came his deep reply, "He is a pirate and smuggler who has preyed almost exclusively on the Trade Federation for years."
"Indeed," said Yarael, "Yet you may not know that while he profits from stolen goods, his prices are still substantially lower than the Trade Federation's. It isn't legal to buy from him but almost half the Outer Rim and a good chunk of the Expansion region does. He's been very clever; by undercutting the frankly extortionate prices of the various trade and commerce organisations he's made himself into something of a hero in the people's eyes. And you call me a master trickster... I can only dream of performing a con so simple."
"Anyone who's met him will tell you his true colours pretty quickly," said Eeth, "He is a man with vision, but the vision is focussed only on himself. The strange thing is that he doesn't even try to hide it."
"How delightfully unflattering. Unfortunately his vision may be a serious problem; he's recently been meeting with other pirate groups, smuggling organisations, bounty hunters, assassins and other organised crime groups. A lot of them," Said Depa, "About a week ago he formed The Stark Commercial Combine – a coalition of all the parties he's met with."
"And how are the other major crime organisations taking this? The Hutt Cartel, The Exchange, Black Sun. The galaxy isn't big enough for another faction like this, how did they let this happen?" Asked Tholme.
"Simple, Stark's giving all of them a stake in the Combine." Came Depa's reply.
"All of them?" asked Adi, "Genoharadan?"
"As far as we can tell they're not involved. Still backing the Republic," said Mace.
Adi breathed a sigh of relief. She would not have enjoyed having to break that to Stass.
"That's not all. Yesterday at 16:25 local time, the largest of the three alzahi processing plants on Thyferra exploded."
Everyone stared at Depa.
"How bad?" asked Even.
"86 dead, 13 wounded. The plant itself was a lost cause."
There was a long silence finally broken by Tyvokka, The other two plants cannot meet the demand of the third plant... without alzahi... Xucphra Corporation cannot produce bacta. The most powerful healing agent in the galaxy is now the rarest. It's price will skyrocket.
Depa nodded, "Correct. The Stark Commercial Combine reacted within hours, targeting hundreds of Trade Federation medical supply convoys. They sold the bacta on for the standard price instead of the new inflated price; as a result most of the Outer Rim now looks to Stark as a champion of the masses."
"Let me guess," said Adi, "The Trade Federation is now demanding protection from the republic, or the right to field their own army to protect themselves."
"Exactly," came the reply, "Senator Ranulph Tarkin of Eriadu is now pressing to reform the Republic military while Senator Finis Valorum of the Lytton Sector is persuing a diplomatic resolution."
Adi laughed, "You've just described their entire careers, Tarkin means well but he's too single minded; he thinks all the Republic's problems would be solved by bringing back the military. I like Valorum, but he doesn't have the political savvy to last in government."
"Senator Valorum has arranged a meeting between a representative of the Trade Federation and the leaders of Stark's Commercial Combine. The Jedi have been asked to mediate along with Senator Valorum," finished Depa.
"And you would wish me and Tholme to be part of the party attending," said Plo.
"Yes," came her reply.
"Master Tyvokka, I formally request you to attend as chief negotiator," said Even
"All in favour?" asked Yoda.
"Aye," came a collective reply.
"All against?"
Silence.
Very well, I wish Master Gallia to accompany me also.
She nodded. "Of course; master diplomat at your service. And I think my padawan will should benefit from this; I'll bring her along."
"Anyone else?" asked Depa.
I think two council members is more than enough, said Tyvokka.
"Excellent," came her reply, "Senator Valorum will meet with you all in his office tomorrow morning at 10am, a shuttle will be waiting for you in the hanger to take you to Nigh Verity. Plo, Tholme, you are dismissed."
Plo and Tholme nodded before turning to leave.
"Alright that's two of two items on the agenda done. Council adjourned?" asked Micah.
There were no objections.
"Adjourned the council is then." said Yoda and they all rose.
Most of them turned towards the door apart from Yarael – who turned to admire the view of the increasingly distant planet – and Adi, who made a beeline for Even.
"Um... Master Piell? I, I wanted to thank you. For what you did for my parents."
He looked up at her, craning his neck before speaking.
"Your parents?"
"Yes, on Lannik."
His eyes widened. "The Corellian diplomats? Huh, small galaxy. Yes, they did mention they had a daughter, but I thought you were Tholothian?"
"I am; my parents emigrated to Corellia when they got married."
"Oh I see. Well, please pass on my regards if you see them."
"Yes, yes of course and if there's anything I can do for y-"
"That won't be necessary," he said, "Saesee speaks very highly of you, glad to have you aboard. Now if you'll excuse me, I have tomorrow's youngling class to prepare."
[Padawans' kitchens, The Ouran]
"You okay Bultar? You've been very quiet," Bultar looked up across the sea of plates towards K'Kruhk's inquisitive gaze.
"Yeah, just zoned out for a bit," she said.
"Please don't lie to me."
'Shit,' She smiled sheepishly before replying, "We're going to be on this station for a while, aren't we."
"'Fraid so," said Agen from her left, "you'll be fine once you settle in. Besides it could be worse; you could have just had to cook pancakes for thirty."
"So what's this I heard about you getting your first solo mission?" Stass asked Bultar. Bultar shrugged but perked up none the less.
"Dunno what it is yet; briefing's tomorrow so I guess I'll find out more then."
"At least you'll spend some time off-station. That's good right?" said Xiaan.
"Yeah but I'll be back aboard soon enough," said Bultar darkly.
"Hey you should take the small victories, you never know when they'll come." She replied.
"And who's line was that?" said Bultar, her eyebrow raising.
"It's no-one's line," said Xiaan.
"It's Master Lev'loa's."
"DAMMIT STASS!" yelled Xiaan.
"All too easy," Stass purred in her Shinti accent as a small grin sprouted on her face. Xiaan's best reaction settled for grumbling unintelligibly.
"Xiaan does have a point though, wouldn't you rather get some time away from the Ouran than none?" said A'Sharad, "The krayt dragon prospers most when it wastes no prey."
Bultar shrugged again, "Eh, you're probably right."
"Course he's right, he's using Tusken metaphors again." said Stass.
"They truly are a wise and enlightened people," said A'Sharad in a false-sage voice, causing K'Kruhk to guffaw uncontrollably and Bultar to roll her eyes.
"That was probably the single most blatant lie you've ever told," snorted Agen.
"They got some real nice proverbs though," added K'Kruhk when he finally recovered.
"Hmm, well anyway it's getting late. I'm off to bed, see you tomorrow," said Agen. With that, he got up and left. Bultar looked around to find the kitchens more or less devoid of life, save for their table.
"Guess we should get to bed too."
"Suppose so," said Xiaan, "But first: hey Stass."
"Yeah?"
"VENGEANCE!" cried Xiaan as she hurled the last remaining pancake right at Stass' face. She was rather surprised when Stass cleanly slid into Agen's vacated space and the pancake landed in the bin by the wall.
"Piece of advice Xiaan: sneak attacks don't work if you yell it out loud," said Stass.
The woman slowly and precisely ran the brush through her daughter's dark hair. The daughter, about five years old, sat at the desk and kept perfectly still, staring straight ahead.
"There we are, all finished," said the woman as she laid the brush onto the dressing table and took a bright blue ribbon from the top drawer and pulled her daughter's hair into a neat bun before tying it.
"Are you looking forward to today?"
"Yes mother."
"Wonderful, now I need you to do your very best today. Make me proud," She took a Tholothian headdress from the stand – one identical to her own, only smaller - and placed it on her daughter's head.
"There we are. Perfect," She smiled down at her daughter. Her face was powdered the colour of porcelain, as was her daughter's. The woman's eyes were a vibrant green and shone kindly in the morning sunlight. She also wore a traditional four part dress – again identical to her daughter's.
She lowered her hands to the restraints on the arms of her daughter's chair and released them, doing the same to the leg restraints using her foot with well-practised ease. The girl suddenly darted out of the chair but was stopped by her mother's firm hands clasping her by each shoulder.
"Come along dear, we need to get going."
She guided her daughter out of the room and along the ornate corridor. The walls were painted with traditional murals and there were racks of ancient weaponry, plinths housing fine artworks and other luxuries placed at intervals along them. Finally they came to a sliding door, a lacquered extravagance inlaid with gold.
"Now remember. The needle is thinner than a germ; he won't feel anything more than an itch but he will be dead within the week," the mother said and handed the girl a ring very carefully, "So, what are you going to do?"
"I will introduce myself. I will bow to him. Then I will shake his hand. I will then excuse myself. I will be too shy to greet anyone else."
"Perfect. I'll be watching." She waited for her daughter to put on the ring – taking care to make sure that the jewel was on the inside of her hand – before walking through the door.
They were now within the Forbidden Court. It was a splendid room filled with the finest music, most exquisite furniture and nobles from every clan. The walls were lacquered panels, the soft carpet between her toes was a soft green today, servants meandered around providing food and drink of the highest quality and of course the shutters on the great eastern window were open. The circular view it allowed of the Valley Of The Autumn Spirits below was simply breathtaking. The girl ignored all this however. It was hardly her first attendance here and it would not be the last. The man was more important right now. He was standing not too far away speaking with a woman dressed entirely in white and whose face was not powdered. The man's face turned to her as she approached and his face – powdered indigo – broke into a gentle, encouraging smile.
The girl froze - her smile faltering, beginning to tremble.
"No need to be afraid my dear, I am clans-man Anno Urobuchi. May I ask your name?" He said as he bowed to her. She shook a little, but he just remained bowing and waited.
"I... I am... I am clans-child..."
She stopped, unable to move.
"It's quite alright," he said, "Take your time."
After several more attempts she was finally able to introduce herself and bowed hurriedly.
"Why that's a lovely name," he said as he stretched out his hand – both of them still bowing. The girl looked at the hand. If she took it, he would die. The miniscule needle in the ring would pierce one of his capillaries and deliver a slow acting but incurable venom. He would be gone. This kind man would have been killed by her.
Her lip trembled.
Suddenly she turned and ran, out the nearest door. She almost flew along the corridor until she found a window. Pulling off the ring and leaning against the lowered shutter, she gazed out at the mist and thick foliage of the valley below, trying to calm herself. Suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Try again."
It was her mother, her face unreadable and even. Dropping the ring, the girl's hands clenched into fists.
"No," she said quietly
"Excuse me? What did you say to me young lady?"
The daughter turned towards her mother, wrenching her shoulder away, "NO," she shouted, "I WON'T DO IT!"
Her mother grabbed her by each arm, "Do not shout at your mother young lady. You will do as your mother says. You will not disobey me."
"NO!" the girl shouted again, trying desperately to pull free. Her mother's hands were gripping onto her arms very tightly now, her mother's face was contorting in anger.
"I AM YOUR MOTHER! YOU ARE MY DAUGHTER! YOU ARE MY PERFECT LITTLE GIRL!" she roared leaning in closer to the girl, "You must be immaculate..." the mother whispered as her hands travelled up the girl's sleeves and caressed her face, "Tell you what dear, you do what you're told and you'll get a big lolly afterwards. How about a jogan fruit lolly? You like jogan fruit."
"No," the girl said again, "I don't."
The woman's eye twitched, "Of course you do, I like jogan fruit. So must you. You're my special little lady. You're just like me. Y-"
"I don't like jogan fruit. I told you."
The woman's face contorted, her hands fell from her daughter's face to neck and wrapped around it, tightening. The girl's violet eyes widened in terror as she fought for breath, scrabbling at her mother's hands. White powder filled the air as it was smeared away in the understated scuffle exposing the dark skin of the girl's face and her mother's hands.
"You are such a disappointment, Stass."
[Padawans' quarters, The Ouran]
Agen woke to the sound of a scream. No, not a scream. He knew that sound. It was a roar, a cry of attack, of anger, fury. The source of the noise had chosen fight over flight. He knew that sound. He knew exactly who was making it and he knew exactly why. He leapt out of his bed as fast as possible, grabbed his cabin key-card along with one other key-card and dashed out of the door.
His friend needed him.