Chapter 3: Meetings

Agen burst into the passageway and skidded to a halt at Stass' door opposite his. He shoved the second key-card he'd taken into the lock and threw the door open. Stass was huddled up against the headboard with her lightsaber drawn, bathing the room in a green glow. Her eyes were wide but unfocussed, her breathing heavy and uneven. Agen slowly walked into her cabin, taking great care to move slowly and deliberately. He could hear confused voices behind him now, other padawans were gathering around the open door in confusion. Agen slowly reached down and took his own lightsaber from his belt.

"Hold this," he said as he passed it to a stunned Xiaan behind him. He slowly edged closer to Stass, who seemed not to notice. She remained locked in her alarmed state.

"Out of my way please," Master Reivzx, followed closely by Master Hanta, finally reached Stass' door and looked in. She surveyed the situation for less than a second.

"Loton, get Adi and Coleman. Agen, keep going. Everyone else, back to bed. Now."

Master Hanta marched off at an astonishing pace as the padawans slowly dissipated. K'Kruhk, Xiaan and Bultar stayed, looking at Master Reivzx.

"Fine, you can stay but wait in the passageway," she said as they turned to watch Agen.

"Where's A'Sharad?" Bultar whispered.

"Wrappings," said Xiaan.

"Oh."

Agen was now just a few centimetres from Stass' lightsaber blade, his eyes firmly fixed on hers. Slowly he reached out and placed his hands over hers, "It's okay Stass. You're aboard the Ouran, remember?"

One by one he slowly tugged each finger off the hilt. Her breathing began to stabilise.

"It's me, Agen. You are safe here. It's alright."

He finally prised the lightsaber from her hands and held it out behind him; Master Reivzx quickly took it and shut it off.

"What's going on? Was that a lightsaber?" A'Sharad asked Xiaan as he came running down the corridor. Xiaan put her fingers to her lips and shushed him, then pointed into the cabin.

Stass' eyes began to focus , taking in the Zabrak sitting on her bed.

"Agen?"

"She can't hurt you anymore," he whispered.

Tears began to stream from her eyes.

Suddenly she collapsed, prompting Agen to draw her into a hug as she broke down completely.

A few minutes passed, then Master Hanta returned with Coleman Kcaj and Master Gallia. "I- I'm sorry Master, it happened again.." Stass managed to choke out between sobs as Coleman sat down beside her and Agen.

"Quite alright, Stass. You're not in any trouble, we just want to help you," he said as he reached out and took her hand, squeezing it gently.

Masters Gallia, Reivzx and Hanta were having a hushed conversation by the door as Stass slowly calmed down. When she had stopped shaking and Agen felt it was safe enough, he released her but interlocked his arm with hers as Master Gallia approached them and knelt down.

"Stass, do you want me to contact Uehara?" She nodded, sniffling a little.

"Okay, I'm leaving in the morning but I'll call him before I go."

Eventually Stass was calm enough to go back to sleep, Coleman insisting that he stay in her room to watch over her. The masters left, leaving the other five apprentices in the passageway.

"You've done this before," K'Kruhk said to Agen as the others looked at him, "You knew about this."

"Yes," said Agen, he turned to his door, "We had rooms next to each other on Coruscant; it would have been impossible to not know."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Asked Bultar.

"Because Stass didn't," said Agen as he entered his cabin and shut the door behind him.

[Observation Decks, The Ouran, space above Coruscant, the Coruscant system]

Why didn't you take it? Tyvokka asked Plo as they both gazed out at the view of Coruscant below. It was morning, or more accurately simulated morning. They were on one of the Ouran's observation decks beginning a conversation that Tyvokka suspected was going to go nowhere.

"Take what?"

Tyvokka sighed. So Plo was going to make this hard, The council offered you the seat, but you turned it down. Why?

"I do not believe I would be best suited to the role. There are many others who would be better suited. Adi was a better choice," Plo said after a moment's pause.

You may be aware that excess pride leads to one's downfall, Plo, but have you considered that excess humility prevents you from being as good as you can be?

Plo had no answer to that.

As Jedi it is our responsibility to know our full capabilities and know when they are needed.

There was another moment's silence.

"I will consider what you have said Master."

Tyvokka grunted, I keep telling you Plo - I'm not your master anymore. I haven't been for years now so please address me as an equal.

"I'm sorry Mas- er, Tyvokka," Plo replied.

Tyvokka playfully cuffed him about the head, You always were the most humble, polite, stubborn and difficult padawan Plo.

"Er, yes, thank you for pointing out further flaws to improve on..."

Well at least you gave me an opportunity to practise handling frustration again, Plo.

"Oh I live to serve.." said Plo, a grin in his voice.

Tyvokka shook his head, Well we'd better be get to the hangars, our shuttle awaits.

[Aishintu, Tholoth, the Tholoth system]

Clan-master Uehara Allie was taking his morning tea when one of his servants informed him that Jedi Master Adi Gallia had requested communication with him. He was a rather unassuming dark skinned Tholothian man in his mid-to-late-thirties with a long, well-kept beard that had gone prematurely grey and narrow, violet eyes. He set the small wooden cup down.

"Please put her through," he said.

There were only two reasons Adi would contact him, either it involved Stass or there had been a major development involving Tholothian politics. If the latter was the reason for Adi's call then he would have heard about it by now. This only left the former option. The servant placed a communicator on the table and a moment later a hologram of Adi flickered into life.

"Hey there Uehara, murdered anyone lately?" she asked, a scowl growing on her face.

"I'm no murderer Adi, would you kindly tell me what has happened with Stass?"

Adi's eyes narrowed, "Oh so now you're perceptive, could have used that perception a long time ago. How convenient. Stass has had another flashback... she wants to talk to you, I'm just here to get hold of you."

Uehara sighed, "Please put her on. And Adi, I'm sorry; I should have noticed earlier."

Adi's image dissolved, replaced a second later by Stass'.

"Hi father," she said.

"How are you feeling? Is it getting any better?" Uehara asked.

"Not really, thanks for seeing me," she replied.

"You are my daughter, who I failed. It is your right to see me whenever you wish."

"Thank you father. Can I see her?"

"If it will put you at ease, then of course," he said and turned to the servant, "Open the sepulchre."

The servant nodded, "Of course my lord."

He bowed and left the room briskly. Uehara took up his tea and downed it.

"So, how is your training going?"

"Well I passed my Trial of the Flesh... and I'm pretty sure you heard about Coruscant."

"That's brilliant Stass; er about the trial, not Coruscant... that was bad... How are your friends? Any of them passed any of their trials?"

"Bultar's passed two, Agen's done three and K'Kruhk's only got one left."

"Well it's certainly good to know you're all getting on so well," his smile turned a little sly, "So have you met any nice boys? I have a new selection of weaponry I'd like very much to test out..."

Stass snorted, "Father you know very well I'm not going to run off with a boy. Jedi, remember?"

Uehara's smirk widened, "Well I hope not; If you must break the Jedi code I'd rather it was at least with an Aishintu boy."

They were interrupted by the return of the servant, "My lord the sepulchre has been opened."
"Thank you Mao, take a break," Uehara briefly regarded his teacup thoughtfully before placing it back on the table. He rose from the cushion he was sat on, picked up the communicator and left the modest teahouse. He stepped out into an equally modest garden. There were many grand and impressive gardens on the Allie clan estate but Uehara preferred his little sanctuary privately nestled at the back of the estate against the valley wall. In any case it was by far the most secure, something he was certain Rika appreciated.

He couldn't help but notice the slight movement out of the corner of his eye, the ever so minor twitch of a nearby tree branch as she followed just out of sight. Uehara was one of perhaps three people alive able to notice her movements when she didn't wish to be seen.

He marched across the estate talking with Stass as he went until he reached the entrance to the sepulchre. The large stone door was moved to one side and the lights switched on inside.

"Are you sure about this Stass?"

"Yes. I need to do this."

"Very well."

He stepped inside and strode over to the most recent sarcophagus, a five year old stone cuboid with a short engraving:

Aeris Sarabi Allie (Gallia)

Followed by a date of birth and a date of death. Uehara pressed a button on the wall beside it. A hissing sound filled the room as the sarcophagus was ventilated by the fumigation system. Uehara pressed another button and the lid slid off. He switched the communicator to display everything in a five meter radius and looked down into the sarcophagus. Inside was the decaying corpse of a woman. Normally Tholothians were buried wearing their headdress; this corpse was not. But the much more noticeable aspect of the body was that an ancient sword was stabbed through the head. The blade entered at the right temple and came out the back of the head on the left.

"There, see, she's dead. Do you want to look for a while longer?"

"No father. This is all I needed to see. Thank you."

"Okay, do call again soon."

"I'll see if I can find an excuse. Bye father."

Her image dissolved leaving Uehara alone with his thoughts and his dead wife. Well, almost alone.

"Don't," came Rika's voice, "Please stop blaming yourself."

"Why shouldn't I?" he said.

There was silence.

It dragged on.

Seconds.

Minutes.

And then.

"Because you are the one thing I can never protect you from."

[Nigh Verity, orbiting Coruscant, the Coruscant system]

Nigh Verity was enormous, even for a residential space station. A monolithic, jelly-fish structure the size of a large city. The centre of it comprised the senate chamber itself, with offices and residences for the thousands of senators in a ring surrounding it, behind the senate chamber pods of their respective worlds, regions and sectors. There had been some brief suggestion of redesigning the chamber and offices – which had almost inevitably crumbled before the status quo. The rest of the gargantuan station was occupied by facilities, commercial sections, a modest prison, many hangar bays, armouries, barracks, engines and residences of the senate employees. In effect it was a space-based mobile city, one dedicated exclusively to politics and the lives of politicians.

Senator Finis Valorum sat in his office, waiting for the newly arrived Jedi congregation to take their seats. When everyone was settled he began.

"Thank you Masters for meeting me on such short notice, I am afraid I am not familiar with many of you. Would you be so kind Adi?"

"Of course," she said, "Master Tyvokka, Master Plo Koon, Master Tholme and my apprentice, Siri Tachi," gesturing to each as she introduced them.

"Thank you, I shall jump straight to the point then. Stark has agreed to meet on Troiken in the Qotile System," said Valorum, "To ensure the safety of those attending, the location is a strict secret known only to the attendees; to be honest I have my doubts this will really go anywhere. The real issue is the bacta shortage. Since we still have no estimate on how long it will be until Xucphra Corporation can build another alzahi plant, these talks may well stall indefinitely."

"That of course is assuming that there actually is a bacta shortage," said Tyvokka.

They all turned to look at him.

"Consider," He continued, "A commonplace commodity suddenly becomes scarce – a commodity that is essential to intragalactic society no less. This shortage has reaped obscene profits for both the Trade Federation and Xucphra Corporation. Coincidence?"

"I think not!" interrupted Adi. Everyone stared at her, "Admit it, you were all thinking it."

"Okay fine, fair enough," said Tholme, "As we were..."

"Master Tyvokka, are you suggesting that they would both be willing to cause untold death, civil unrest and possibly all out war for a quick haul..." said Valorum.

"Lets face it, this would not be the first time such a thing has been done," said Plo, "Still neither organisation has a known history of such exploitation."

"We should investigate then. Covertly," said Tyvokka, "Tholme, I know you were expecting a diplomatic assignment but you are one of our most covert Jedi. Could you discreetly investigate the Thyferran plant?"

"Of course," came his reply.

"Good, you might want to take Quinlan. His psychometry may come in useful."

"Quinlan?" asked Valorum.

"Quinlan Vos," said Tholme, "my former padawan, now a Jedi knight. Yes, that could work. I believe his new padawan, Aayla, also knows the force camouflage technique I taught Quinlan. I will ask if he's willing to bring her along, it will be a good opportunity to test her ability in it. But who will take my place in the negotiations?"

"I think Master Qui-Gon Jinn would benefit from it, his apprentice also," said Plo, causing Siri to pay substantially more attention and Adi to roll her eyes.

"Yes it is about time Qui-Gon was reminded of the importance of considering other opinions," said Tyvokka.

"Well then we should send word for him at once," said Valorum, "And then we had best get going, the conference awaits. The representative for the Trade Federation is Minister Nute Gunray, a mid raking executive, Neimodian male with years of experience."

[Office of Minister Gunray, Nigh Verity]

"Senator-"

"General," said Ranulph Tarkin, very insistently.

"General Tarkin then," said Nute Gunray, "I harbour serious doubts about your plan. If discovered, so much could be lost-"

"And how much more could we both gain, I will provide the forces; all you need do is give me the target. I reiterate: tell me the location of this meeting and I guarantee you that Stark will be little more than a charred smear upon history. Without his leadership, his filthy little rabble shall disintegrate. I have covertly gathered an army – and navy – from those sympathetic to my cause."

Gunray's eyes widened at this, "But... but the treaty-"

"Oh I am acutely aware of the Mutual Demilitarisation Agreement. I protested against it being a term on that damned peace treaty. By the time the Sith realise that The Republic has a strong military force – and more importantly that they don't – it will be to late. After I crush Stark, I'm heading straight for Ziost," Tarkin closed his eyes for a moment, his face relaxing into an unusual bliss as he pictured the scene, "Yes, they won't know what hit them; I think I will march on Korriban afterwards."

"No, I am sorry Tarkin but there is too much at stake. I could lose my ministration," said Gunray, as he sipped at a glass.

"Well then, perhaps you would care to consider what I could inform the senate of."

Gunray choked on his drink.

"Yes," continued Tarkin, "I know all about your subtle little dealings. The Trade Federation would naturally disown you as acting on your own and without their consent, they would dismiss you at once, you would lose all credibility. In short: you would be ruined."

"You... you are bluffing,"

"Then call my bluff or give me what I need."

There was a long silence...

"Troiken, the meeting is at Troiken."

"Good, send me a coded signal when it begins. We will home in on it's location and eliminate Stark when we arrive. When the day is done the ineffectually pathetic mewling of Valorum and his supporters will be smothered," a manic gleam took over Tarkin's eyes at this, "The Galactic Republic will re-emerge as the prime superpower once more. And it will have a strong Leader. After I'm done with the Sith, I'll march on Hutt Space, then The Wild Space Alliance. And then beyond."

[Conference block, The Ouran]

By the time Bultar arrived at the door, she felt just about secure enough to let go of the passage wall. She steadied herself for a moment, then knocked on the door. Almost immediately it slid open and Bultar was confronted with a snout. The snout of a Kubaz to be exact – a Kubaz wearing orange robes under a grey tabard, vivid red goggles and a black cloak with the hood pulled firmly over his head.

"Ah Bultar, here you are," said the Kubaz in a thick accent, "Come in, come in."

"Master Caudle! It's so good to see you," said Bultar, "But what are you doing here?"

"I shall be giving you your medical once over," he replied with an air of smugness, "Y'know make sure you don't have any horrific illnesses, oozing fluids and other such before you go."

Bultar laughed nervously, the kind of nervous laugh that suggests that one has just heard something they wish they hadn't, before stepping into the conference room. The room itself was small and round, one of many such rooms on the Ouran. There was a round table in the middle with six chairs around it. Micah and Master Reivzx were already occupying two chairs. Bultar couldn't help but notice the glint of a yellow pendant around Reivzx' neck. It was small, circular and had a black spider shape on it. Now that she thought about it, the spider seemed very similar to the one she'd seen on the back of the cape Reivzx wore on cold days. Micah looked up as Bultar entered.

"Ah, Bultar. Have a seat, feeling okay?" he said.

"Fine Master," she mumbled, taking the nearest seat along with Caudle.

"I'd rather if you didn't lie to our faces, Bultar," said Master Reivzx, frowning.

Bultar bit her lip, "Sorry, but I am feeling much better."

"Good to hear," she replied and smiled warmly, "Now on with the briefing. I trust you know of the peace treaty between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic," she paused and Bultar nodded.

"Well, as per the terms of the treaty, there is an embargo between the Sith and the Republic. No trade, no open borders, no militaries barring defensive peacekeeping and no unofficial communication."

Bultar nodded again.

"Well there are those on both sides of the border who disregard these terms; the Republic and the Sith are expected to deal with them. The Republic Security Organisation recently intercepted a series of encrypted transmissions from the Falleen system broadcasting into Sith Space. The RSO couldn't decrypt them but they were traced to the Chevaliers Estate. Your first solo mission is to find the person or persons responsible for these transmissions. Do not intervene, simply find and report."

"Do we have any idea who on the estate might have sent them?" Bultar asked.

"None," said Micah, "The estate employs some two thousand people. It could be any of them."

"Exactly," added Reivzx, "most likely it's some stupid kid broadcasting pirate HoloNet to a friend across the border. We get this all the time."

"The owner of the estate is one Aerhart Antilles, aged nineteen," said Micah and pressed a button on the table.

A hologram sprang into life, depicting the head of a young Sith pure-blood who looked to be in her late teens to early twenties. Her face was rather masculine and chiselled, her skin was a deep crimson, her eyes orange and her jowls looked to be healthy and supple.

"The Antilles family was assigned their name when they anonymously defected about six hundred years ago. Despite starting with effectively nothing they built up a sizeable fortune made from buying and renting out land. Nowadays, after the death of both Aerhart's parents two years ago, their only surviving heir controls almost sixteen square kilometres of land across four planets. The Chevaliers estate currently functions as her personal home and property management headquarters. Most of the grounds are devoted to tourism, exploiting the estates status as a historical building."

"So she's new at this then?" asked Bultar.

"Yes," said Reivzx, "She is young and inexperienced. Exactly the sort of person to slip illicit practices past; that said there's no reason she couldn't be involved and there's also no reason to assume that she is especially gullible."

"She takes a relatively laid back approach to running her business," continued Micah, "which creates an opportunity for us. She is currently looking for a personal assistant. Given her management style, it's unlikely that this position would be especially taxing."

"So it's the perfect cover for me," said Bultar.

"Yes," said Reivzx, "Your mission is pretty simple: we have got you an interview, you are to get the job and use it to track down who on the estate is behind these transmissions. Simple, right?"

Bultar could scarcely believe what she was hearing, 'A long term assignment? On solid ground? I won't have to live on this station?'

Then her face broke into a grin and she turned to Micah.

"This was your idea wasn't it," she said, trying – and utterly failing – to restrain her jubilation. Micah shrugged.

"Well, I knew you didn't want to spend your days living up here so I asked Zourvux if she had anything long ter-" but he was cut short by Bultar's shoulder as she hopped out of her chair and pulled him into and fierce hug.

"Thankyouthankyouthankyou."

Caudle snorted while Reivzx smiled to herself and stood.

"Okay Caudle, could you give Bultar her check over please."

"Sure thing," he replied and pried Bultar away from Micah.

Sitting her on the table, he took a thermometer from his pocket.

"Okay, say 'aah'," Bultar complied and Caudle stuck the thermometer in her mouth. He then took a miniscule torch and shone it in each of her eyes briefly, holding each eye open as he did.

"Hmm, eyes focussing normally," He then took a small hammer from another pocket and tapped her leg, causing a little twitch.

"Reflex time fine."

He pulled the thermometer out and checked it.

"Temp normal."

This went on like so for a few minutes, Caudle continuing to bring out some new instrument each time.

"No parasites."

"No viruses."

"Hearing fine."

"Eyesight normal."

Eventually he seemed satisfied, only to draw out a tape measure and begin taking her measurements and making notes on a holopad that Bultar could have sworn he pulled out of nowhere. After that he did indeed stop probing her, only to ask questions about eating habits, exercise, her menstruation, how well she was sleeping and if she had exhibited any of various symptoms. After almost an hour of incessant Caudle, he eventually straightened up and pocketed all his paraphernalia again.

"She's fine, a little space-nausea but that'll pass soon," He pulled an array of variously coloured lollipops out of yet another pocket and offered them to Bultar. She hovered her fingers over the green one before eventually settling on a vivid yellow one, her grin returning.

"Excellent," said Reivzx, "You probably already know that we're heading to the Falleen system anyway, we'll be dropping you off when we arrive."

"Sweet, I've always wanted to go to Falleen. So am I going to Falleen Throne, or is the estate somewhere else on the planet?" Bultar asked.

"Oh, you're not going to the planet Falleen," said Reivzx, "You are off to the sixth planet in the Falleen system, Fwacide."