Changes

"Nelino is pursuing our lead into the Unknown Regions. We will have someone in the Edge a little more permanently to receive any messages he sends our way," Granger paused in his report, contemplating if there was anything he forgot. Tarazin's image flickered as though he expected more. "I believe that covers everything."

There was a long pause before Tarazin added, "And what, Master Granger, of the Draxil lead?"

Granger hoped that this question would not come up. He wondered himself how to pursue that particular lead. "Well, we have someone assigned to Draxil," he locked eyes with his senior, "but…" Granger did not know how to complete the sentence.

"Myriam," thankfully Tarazin completed the thought for him.

"Yes, Master," Granger responded. "I have shied away from asking, but we are stretched a bit thin at the moment."

The comment did not seem to land well with Tarazin. "You are anything, but shy Granger. The Council has deferred to Yoda's wisdom regarding the status of Jedi Myriam. And he seems to think it wise to give her space to deal with…." Even Tarazin seemed to struggle for the words. "Whatever she is dealing with now."

Granger nodded. "I understand, Master, but it does not change that we are….understaffed at the moment."

Tarazin raised an eyebrow. "Is that how you see it? There are four of you regularly on Syllian now. At one point, only your Padawan was there. Are you sure you are using your personnel appropriately?"

Granger was thrown a bit by the question. "I…." Iesha tried not to stir from the corner in which she observed the conversation, but she was surprised at her Master's loss of words.

Tarazin locked eyes with Granger this time. "Joundi is more than capable, unless he has shown you otherwise since he arrived, but you haven't given him his own permanent assignment. Likewise, Hannibal since he completed his. It would seem they could be allocated to the Edge or Draxil. Unless you have reservations about their performances? What would you have done, if Sentinel Nelino had not been in the Edge while you were there?"

"Not at all," Granger ignored the Nelino comment as his confidence seemed to return. "Hannibal and Joundi have been part of the rotation to the Edge. We have been reasserting our presence here on Syllian to deter new problems from developing. I have not sent anyone to Draxil because Myriam had a unique presence there. I would not want to send anyone else there unless I should expect not to have her back for an extended time."

Tarazin sighed. "It has already been an extended time. I can inquire about a replacement if that is what you are asking, but I'm afraid, at this point, any replacement would be permanent and Myriam would be assigned elsewhere."

"Myriam is a key part of this team. I would not want her replaced, Master," Granger clarified his position.

Tarazin hesitated. "We never really talked about….what happened to Jedi Finly. It is always difficult to lose a member of a team such as yours." The senior Jedi paused again. "But it is part of the life we have chosen. It is our duty to carry on without them. You cannot protect your team by shielding them from the dangers of their own chosen life."

Granger realized that he had unconsciously been trying to do that very thing. "Very well, Master. I will re-evaluate how I am allocating my personnel. They are all extremely competent Jedi."

Tarazin seemed pleased with the response. "Very well, then. Is there any other business?"

This time Granger did not hesitate. "There is, Master." To Iesha's surprise, he gestured for her to step forward. "I would like to put forward my Padawan to the Council for consideration as a full-fledged Jedi Knight."'

Iesha could not believe her ears. Master Granger had been telling her for years that she would soon become a Knight. She had almost grown accustomed to the wait. To her relief Tarazin smiled. "It is probably long overdue. The Council may very well owe you an apology Padawan Iesha. Had you been here, I imagine this would have happened long ago. I will gladly bring this to them. You can probably expect a summons to Coruscant without delay." He then added, "Your journey here will need to happen when your mission allows the time, of course."

"Of course, Master," Iesha bowed slightly. "I am grateful for the consideration."

"May the Force be with you both," Tarazin returned the bow as his image vanished.

Beaming with pride, Granger turned to face his Padawan. "And so it begins."

Iesha's smile returned the beam. "I am grateful, Master, for this opportunity and all that you have taught me."

"We have been more like partners than master-apprentice for many years now. As Master Tarazin said, this final step is long overdue. Forgive me for not bringing it to the Council sooner," Granger seemed to search for more words, but they alluded him.

"We have been busy with our mission and it seems we will be busier yet," Iesha relieved him of the burden.

"So it would seem," Granger agreed. "Let's go fill in the others."

Granger and Iesha entered the main room. Hannibal, Joundi, and Jenaid were going about their respective duties. "Greetings team," Granger announced as they entered. "Jenaid see if Numa and Hector can join us, I have a special announcement."

Soon, the images of Numa, Hector, and even Finly were lighting the room. "I will start with the best of our news, I have presented my Padawan," Granger gestured to Iesha, "to the Council as a candidate for Jedi Knight."

"Bout time," Hannibal was first to offer congratulations, then the others took turns with affirming words.

When the celebratory remarks died down, Granger continued. "That being said, our team still has much work that it must attend to. Hannibal, you will be moving more permanently to the Edge. Your primary goal will be to receive transmissions from Nelino who is following our lead in the Unknown Regions. Should he need backup, you will be first in line, but until then, you will maintain a presence along the Edge as you see fit."

Hannibal was both thrilled and (uncharacteristically) humbled by the proposition. The Jedi had no fixed presence so far out into the galaxy, it struck him ironic that he would be the one to take such an important role. Words escaped him for such an honor. "As you wish, Master." He simply bowed his head.

Granger continued. "Joundi, you and Iesha will head out to Draxil. Your immediate task will be to track the Neimoidian that we encountered in the Edge. When that lead is exhausted, Iesha will return here with whatever information you have uncovered, but you will remain."

"Permanently?" Joundi inquired.

Granger hesitated. "At least until Myriam is able to rejoin us. We will adjust appropriately from there."

Numa hesitated this time, "Should we expect Myriam to return soon?"

Granger did not hesitate this time, although he was even more uncertain of the answer. "I do not have an answer to that at this time, but she is still a valuable member of our team and we will plan for her to return….in a timely fashion."

"So you will remain on Syllian, Master?" Hector spoke up this time.

Granger smiled. "If Jenaid does not mind, I will assist him in maintaining order here on our primary base of operations."

Jenaid's grin beamed from him like the light of twin suns. "Of course not, Master."

Finly's image flickered. "What role shall I take, Master?"

Granger could not help but smile at the database's question. "You have proven yourself to be a valuable addition to our team. Make yourself available to their remote access as needed."

The team members spent some time catching up with each other, then departed to prepare for their respective assignments.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

Granger escorted Iesha and Joundi to the landing port. He briefed the younger Jedi again on their mission. "I believe Myriam still has a flat on Draxil. Make that your home while you are there. After the Neimoidian business is concluded, Iesha, you will return here."

"Master," Joundi asked. "Once Iesha's part of the mission is completed, should I try to…. Pick up where Myriam left off or just do my own thing?"

Granger placed a hand on the young Knight's shoulder. "Myriam made Draxil hers. Until she returns to us, it is yours. Proceed as the Force leads you."

"I will, Master. And I will not disappoint you," Joundi straightened as Granger removed his hand.

"I have no doubt of that….for either of you," Granger reassured them of his confidence as they boarded the ship. He watched the ship as it rose into high atmosphere, then disappeared from his sight. Granger himself wondered what his next move should be. After a stroll through the surrounding area, he decided to drop in on Zaekwon.

Upon his arrival, Zeakwon's captains moved to clear the office. The Boss gestured for Jessie to stay, which he did seemingly with only slight reluctance. "Master Jedi, Zaekwon greeted, "it has been a while."

"It has," Granger agreed. "What do I need to know?"

Zaekwon shrugged. "Not much action from the Suns in recent weeks. Hutts seem to be staying clear. A few independent gangs have tried to make some moves, but we've managed to shut them down pretty quick."

"And your own operations?" Granger raised an expecting eyebrow.

Zaekwon shrugged again. "I've been holding up our end of the bargain. No business with Draxil. No new intel from the Edge or any of your other specified systems."

"And no violence here?" Granger prodded.

"Well," Zaekwon hesitated. "My boys have not provoked any violent acts, but of course they will defend themselves accordingly when the need arises. Jessie here is just about to make some rounds if you want to join him."

"I am?" Jessie tried to stifle his surprise. "I am."

Back in the streets of Syllian's capital, Jessie eyed Granger's lightsaber hanging from his belt. The Jedi Master was not wearing his usual robe and would otherwise pass for common Syllian native to the passing observer. "Any chance I can get you to hide your Jediness?" Jessie inquired.

Granger untucked his shirt, letting the tail hang over the lightsaber, hiding it from obvious view. "Will that suffice?"

"It'll do," Jessie conceded. Jessie commed various lieutenants before stopping to see them. Most of the lieutenants then took the pair of observers to various stops to visit their underlings. Most of the day was spent watching gangs unpack new shipments. Granger did not inquire as to the items' origins. He assumed they were all obtained illegally, but nothing more provocative than ship parts and liquor, at least until a stop at one warehouse revealed a crate of spice.

"And what is this?" Granger turned to Jessie.

"Jessie turned to his lieutenant who promptly turned to the next ranking underling. "Yeah, what's this?"

"The spice shipment, headed for…." Markus broke himself off before he finished. "Not ours. We were just holding on to it….from before…."

"Not ours," Jessie turned back to Granger. "It's from before."

"Headed deeper into Republic space, I assume?" Granger asked.

"Not ours," was all that Jessie offered.

"I guess you want mind if I take it off your hands, then," Granger answered his own question.

Jessie shrugged again. "Not ours."

"Very well, arrange for some transport back to Jedi headquarters," Granger ordered instead of asking.

Markus, who could have barely been over twenty, pointed to several of the younger gangsters who promptly repacked the crate and loaded it onto a speeder. The girl who seemed to be leading the younger crew struck Granger as quite young, probably midteens. Granger took a seat with the teenagers in the speeder. "Do not let this happen again," he warned Jessie as the speeder departed.

When they arrived outside of the Jedi building, Ronisha ordered her comrades to unload the crate. "Will that be all, or do you want us to bring it up for you?"

Granger reached for his comm. "Jenaid, bring down a device." Granger pocketed the comm, then turned back to the young gang. "One moment."

Jenaid arrived after a few minutes with a small incendiary device. He nodded to Ronisha who seemed to ignore him. Granger activated the device, tossing it into the crate. The ensuing fire consumed the contents. Ronisha seemed disappointed that all the spice was gone. Granger assumed it was because of the loss of profit as she did not strike him as an addict. "You may have your crate back," he gestured when the fire exhausted itself.

The teens reloaded the crate, then themselves on the speeder. Jenaid caught her eye. "You're with Markus fulltime, now? Myriam won't be happy about this."

"Your Jedi friends are not my problem," Ronisha remarked just before the speeder took off.

Granger watched the speeder depart, then remarked to Jenaid, "Your friend seems young to be dealing spice."

Jenaid sighed. "Ronisha's stubborn, but she has a good heart. Most kids like her do."

As the pair returned to the building, Granger marvelled at Jenaid's optimism. The girl was probably much like Myriam must have been at such an age. Jenaid added, "Master, when Iesha becomes a full Jedi, will you be needing a new apprentice?"

Granger patted the boy's back. "Perhaps, but I will likely take some time before taking on a new Padawan learner." Part of him wished that the lad exhibited the slightest affinity for the Force. "Until then, we have much work to do."