Chapter 4

Location: Jedi Outpost, on Shedu Maad

The Emergency Council meeting had been called two days after Lando jr succumbed to his injuries. The room looked less like the traditional Council Chambers of the Temple back on Coruscant and more like a war room, which said a lot about the Order's evolution over the past few decades.

There was a large rectangle of a table in the centre of the room with a holoprojector built into it's centre. There were also smaller projectors joined to micro consoles installed at regular intervals around the table That table was bordered by a group of chairs where Council members took their seat.

Behind them is where other parties of interest stood, their hands resting on the backs of the chairs. These ones included an assortment of Jedi Knights such as Tahiri, Lowbacca, the Horn Siblings, and others. There were also non Jedi such as Mirax Horn, Winter Celchu, Han, and Jag. Attending via holo, was among others: Master Kyle Katarn, Galactic Alliance Chief of State Wynn Dorvan, and Queen Mother Tenel Ka of the Hapan Consortium. Lando was expectedly absent. He was invited out of respect for his loss and because he was part of the central subject under discussion, but non had expected him to be present.

After some initial greetings, that were understandably more solemn and subdued than normal.

The Grand Master of the Jedi order rose from the table and began: "Thiz one has many questionz to ask regarding thiz disaster ..." started Grand Master Saba Sebatyne.

After word had been received a year ago that Luke Skywalker would no longer lead the order, all the masters had unitedly agreed to Saba taking his place at least until Luke felt fit to lead again. Saba had earned the counsel's respect by leading it when it was leaderless before. That and the fact that she had grown true depth as a master over the last few years. She fiercely defended the weak , yet humbly recognized her faults. However it was her ability to unhesitatingly lead and take decisive action that had won the hearts of the counsel, and they would whole heartedly follow and support her.

At her side stood her personal aid, the enigma known as Dena Yus. Her appointment had been as symbolic as it was practical:

First it proved that Redemption was possible and that one could break free of one's conditioning and Secondly it demonstrated that the Jedi acknowledged they needed help from those who couldn't touch the force. Dena was second to none when it came to her ability as an administrator.

"This One'z first question iz thiz: waz thiz an accident or sabotage?" Saba asked.

It would have been strange if anyone but Master Kip was the first to respond:

"Really? That's even a question? Come on! I cant be the only one that senses something off about this whole thing."

Eyes shifted, glances traded.

"Of course we all feel it" Corran Horn responded. "But so far, all we have is useless preliminary data. The ship has been sealed off until we can get a full forensic team aboard. Hell, the whole bay has been cleared and shut down. All we have to go on now is what the rescuers saw and what the station sensors picked up, and they aren't telling us anything we don't know already. For the record my training is screaming foul play, but we need facts."

"Then I think we should get some facts." The wispy blue hologram of Kyle Katarn said. "I propose a Joint investigation: Jedi, Hapan, and Galactic Alliance security."

The queen Mother agreed: "Since the Jedi are in the Maad system as our valued guest's and the rebuilt station is a Jedi/Hapan cooperative venture, the consortium feels an obligation to assist. And personally, my Jedi friends..."

She leaned in closer as her hard regal expression melted to one of genuine affection: "I want to help. Just tell us what you need."

Heads nodded in appreciation and agreement.

It was Chief Dorvan's turn:

"The GA wouldn't exist today if it wasn't for Lando and Tendra..."

"Poor Dorvan." Leia was thinking silently "He is such a warm courageous man, but he comes across sooo..."

"Uptight?" Han finished her mental thought just with his eyes from the other side of the table.

Jaina couldn't help give a little eye communication of her own by rolling hers at the sight of her parent's silent conversation.

Wynn continued: "... agree that any meaningful investigation will have to have the scope and resources to cover every aspect of the Calrissian's life and business which, let's face it, is huge. I want to help: GA Security has been given strict orders to cooperate with any investigation and to provide any data you deem useful... Just... uh... we'll there's no easy way to say this , so sorry in advance: Anti Jedi sentiment hasn't gone away entirely yet"

... "Poor Wynn" Jag thought.

The guy had to tell a bunch of Jedi the fact that everybody still kinda hates Jedi. Ok! Not everybody but still... "the man sure has a..."

"A durasteel pair?"

Jaina finished Jag's inner thoughts with just her eyes. She followed that with an eye roll that Jag translated as: "AHH Kriff! I'm becoming my Dad!"

Wynn continued: "... in order to placate the senate and GA Security Leadership, I request that only a limited number of Jedi be involved in the GA side of the investigation, and if possible, maybe a non Jedi contact can be a liaison when dealing with officials of GA planets or stations."

Backs stiffend, lips pursed.

"I know... I...know... it's insulting. I'm making the order feel like a convict out on a weekend furlough..." Poor Wynn.

After details where established and parameters drawn up, Master Sebatyne drew the room's attention by saying: "SSSo, who will be our Jedi investigatorz?"

"Corran!" Several Masters knights and others said in unison.

All the Masters dipped their head at this suggestion signifying it was the will of the force.

"I would like Ben and Tahiri to be on the team." Corran said.

"Well, Jedi Veila is with you there on Shedu already, and I'm set to check in with Ben and Seha in six hours as part of our coordinated mission in the Si'Klaata Cluster." Kyle's static riddled Holographic head said. "You can expect them back on Shidu in the next twenty four hours."

Added Kyle.

With a plan solidifying Saba again spoke: "Thiz one thinkz that Dena should also join the team."

With her head nodding in agreement Cilghal added: "I think Dena will be the perfect being for the role of GA Jedi Liaison."

Everyone seemed to agree. After all with her perky Coruscanti accent, social aptitude, and administrative prowess she would be the natural choice of intermediary.

Han and Leia, however, had been absent for Dena's "transformation"over the last year. Their last impressions of Dena Yus had been that of a manipulative double agent who wasn't even truly alive, or was she? This experience caused them both to subconsciously tense up. They wouldn't object though, as they had trust in Saba's Judgment. But still..

"Good, then we have a plan. May the Force Be with uz." Saba said confidently. Now, if there iz noth..."

"Not so fast, aren't we missing something here?" Kyp interrupted Saba with a perplexed face, legs folded and hands in his lap "I would like to know what Master Skywalker thinks we should do next." And just like that all eyes nervously landed on Luke.

No one needed to scan the room to find him. Nobody misses the moment Luke Skywalker enters a room and then slinks off into the corner behind Han and Jag. An awkward pause of about 5 seconds was allowed to decimate the room's momentum and confidence, and then he spoke in a voice that was not very Lukish:

"I have nothing to add but I... uh... would like to join the investigation."

Luke Skywalker Has Nothing To Add! What strange new reality was this! Everyone around him struggled to find a place to fix there eyes while the dreadfully awkward moment passed.

Corran, thank the Force, broke the silence with: "We are glad to have you as part of the team Master Skywalker."

Again everyone quietly murmured agreement.

After that the general meeting gradually came to a close and the "closed door"Counsel meeting began.

All the Counsel Masters let out a collective silent breath they didn't realize they were holding, as Luke Skywalker chose to remain after the others had departed.

When the door slid shut. Grand Master Sebatyne let out a Sisss of frustration: "Master Durron! Sssometimez thiz one thinkz you have Boulderz for Brainz!"

"What!" Kyp retorted in the whiney petulant voice of a rebellious teenager he often seemed to affect.

A watery gurgle joined the burgeoning conversation: " If Master Skywalker has something to add to a discussion he certainly doesn't need you to..."

... "It's Ok Cilghal, Saba." Luke said.

He paused for a moment, summoning the words and composure to continue: "I want so desperately to know what to do. But I... uh... things have changed since my unplanned visit to the Monolith. I thought some time away and lots of meditation would help but... Something is happening to me and before you ask, no I don't know what it is. But...I... I think it's best if things continue on with Saba for now. I have so much faith in her and all of you to do this without me."

Again a dreaded silence.

Then Kyp asked the question on everyone's mind for the past year: "For how long Luke?" That was indeed the question.