Wyb rushed out of the jail house. The sun was barely hitting the steps as he realized most of the streets would be crowded with sanitary sweepers and closures. How would he get the senator's droid to the hearing on time? He would need to get creative.

"Follow me," Wyb said as he darted down an alleyway he knew a bar was located at.

"Wait for me!" C-3PO shouted as he shuffled along behind him as quickly as his legs would allow.

"Looks like we might need to boost a ride," Wyb spotted several speeder bikes parked unattended at the last open bar.

"A boost?!" C-3PO repeatedly confused. "Do you mean steal?! We can't! If you didn't have means of transportation, why didn't you mention this to the senator back at the jail? We'll be sharing a cell ourselves if we do as you suggest."

"Relax Goldie," Wyb said, ignoring the droid's smug attitude and walked over to one of the speeder bikes. He looked through the window and saw most of the patron's were drunk. He could easily pull this off. He uncovered the control panel and began to hot wire the ignition. "I've got everything under control."

"You're a theft," C-3PO scowled. "And I will not have the Senator's good name and reputation associated with the likes of you. Who knows how much trouble your friend has gotten her into as it is."

"Look," Wyb mounted the bike once it started. "Think of it as borrowing without permission. I'll return it once we're back from the hearing. Besides, the owner clearly shouldn't be driving at all. We're practically doing him a favor and the rest of the morning drivers. Now would you get on?"

The droid looked into the bar and saw a man fall over with his drink in hand laughing. Another shoved another as they began to argue.

"I don't condone this under the current circumstances, alright." C-3PO said taking a seat behind Wyb reluctantly as they sped off.

"Hey! Theft! Come back here!" slurred a man staggering out of the bar and pointed at his speeder disappeared around the corner.

"Oh! I hope you drive as good as you fly," C-3PO complained. Wyb took a corner tightly as the droid began to scream. He had to admit he didn't need to take it so close but he wanted to annoy the droid to some degree after all the trouble he had already given him. "AHH! We're doomed!"

"Hang on Goldie," Wyb twisted the speeder's hand bars and jumped above the street level to a loading dock path meant for delivery cargo containers. "We're taking a shortcut."

"This is madness!" C-3PO cried, turning around looking at all the morning traffic Wyb was determined to avoid. "And after what I've seen during the rebellion, that's saying a lot!"

"I'll take that as a compliment,"Wyb smirked, slightly turning his attention to C-3PO, who clung on to him nervously.
"Look out!" C-3PO warned as their speeder was headed straight toward a cargo container. Wyb didn't panic. He quickly reduced his speed, adjusted his turn and angled the speeder bike to slide under the container to avoid the collision. It was a tight fit but for Wyb it was nothing out of the ordinary.

His time growing up in the Forgotten had prepared him well for his escapades in Coruscant. If he was truly being honest, these moments were what brightened up his time in the academy. They even made him homesick.

"Thank the maker!" C-3PO exclaimed. "That was too close."

"Close enough," Wyb said as he turned off the loading road and back on to the streets toward the Defense Council building.

"We made it."

"Let's go," Wyb said, parking the speeder bike and helping Threepio off and up the stairs.

"I've been on many transports and I have to say that was one of the most terrifying," Threepio began to complain.

"Noted, we have to hurry," Wyb said, shuffling the droid through the entrance.

"Hold it there cadet. Where do you think you're going?" The guard stopped the two of them right before the lifts.

"Excuse me," C-3PO began. "We are here on behalf of Senator Organa. A hearing is taking place this morning and I have vital information that could be of use in the case. Please let us through."

"Why are all these protocol droids so chatty? What you do to get up on this assignment, cadet?," the guard chuckled mocking the droid.

"We need to get in for the hearing immediately,"Wyb ignored the ignorant remark. "It's to help General Syndulla."

"Look here flyboy," the guard rolled his eyes. "I got orders. And those orders are to not let anyone in and out of this building until the hearing of that renegade Twi'lek general is over."

"I'm afraid it's hopeless," Threepio looked down, feeling defeated.

"Good soldiers follow orders," Wyb said, smirking knowing the phrase was not welcomed among new republic soldiers as it was a common saying among imperial troopers. He had to bait him in order to distract him.

"What you say womrat?" The guard growled.

"Lothrat if you want to be accurate. But who knows. Maybe your aim is as good as an Imperial Trooper," Wyb insulted the guard further.

"You cadets have no idea what we've faced during the Empire. Have you ever seen one of those bucket head helmets up close, let alone a thousand of them? An endless supply of unquestioning soldiers coming for you with nothing to defend yourself with but an old series blaster rifle from the old republic era?" the Guard asked darkly.

"Apologies, I am after all just a cadet."Wyb said, spotting a trio of maintenance droids coming through the doors. He'd have to act fast and hoped Threepio would follow his lead. Wyb grabbed the guard and restrained him, as the maintenance crew came through the doors. "Go Goldie!"

"Stop calling me Goldie!" the droid exclaimed and ran through the doors and into the lift toward the hearing. "Oh Dear I hope I make it!"

Wyb struggled with the guard holding him back as best he could. Until suddenly he lost his footing and fell to the ground on top of the guard.

"Stop that droid!" the guard yelled into his commlink and began to call additional security. "I'll report you."

"The name's Tersu," Wyb said, standing and dusting his uniform off. "No 'e' at the end of that."

"You think this is a joke?" the guard asked. "You could be expelled for this."

"Well perhaps I can transfer to governmental security," Wyb mocked. "Your job looks easy enough."

"That's it," the guard took a swing at Wyb who quickly dodged the punch.

"Guard!" yelled a boy with green hair around the age of nine darted toward the two of them "Guard!"

The guard paused puzzled by the boy's cry. Wyb also was curious what other chaos was about to ensue in the Defense building. The boy looked at both of them and then spoke nervously. "There's a weapons malfunction on the third level! Someone needs to go and stop it."

"Weapons malfunctions?" Wyb questioned knowing all too well that weapons were not allowed on the hearing level except for government security. And even so, they were all modified to stunned for that very reason. The senate had outlawed live fire in the defense building to show a sign of peace reigning under the new government. But most of the members of the military knew it was only a temporary measure. A running bet was in place and Wyb even had a wager set for one year for the law to be repealed.

"Graffer," the guard groaned, rolling his eyes. He looked at the boy and then at Wyb. "Don't think we're finished here. I fully intend to make a complaint with your commanding officer Tersu."

"Can't wait," Wyb confirmed as the guard hurried away toward the third floor. Once the guard was out of sight the boy began to giggle. "Anyone ever tell you not to lie?"

"Yes," the boy nodded. "But my mom always says you should help someone when you can."

"Funny," Wyb chuckled. "Mine does as well."

"I'm Jacen," the boy stuck out his hand for Wyb to shale. Wyb took it and immediately regretted it:

–"Be quiet! Did you not see what they did to the old man?!"

–"Don't worry. We won't be in the dark for long."

Boom!

–"Hello there. I'm Lenore Tersu. I'm here to help."

–"Children are being kidnapped and hidden in the shadows of the empire to whom you've say you've defeated. We are the forgotten! We are the forgotten. Shame on you all! Shame on the republic!"

Wyb pulled his hand away from the boy. He didn't know what had happened. It was as though the boy somehow saw into his mind and saw all his memories at once with a simple touch. It was strange and invasive and something Wyb didn't ever want to happen again. He stared at the boy startled, uncertain how to act.

"Sorry," the boy said quietly. "I don't like it when that happens either."

"What was that?" Wyb asked.

"I'm not sure," the boy admitted. "But it has something to do with my abilities."

"Abilities?"

"Yes," the boy smiled proudly. "My father was a jedi. I want to be one too."

"Jedi huh?" Wyb raised his eyebrow. He had not had many run-ins with force sensitive individuals. But there was one he was all too familiar with. Sashee Vox.

Sashee Vox was a girl who had been raised by Jord for the most part while the two of them had been enslaved on Derilyn in a Gladiar Area. She had been born to two fighters who were killed just after she was born. Jord had taken it upon himself to raise her as his own. Technically she could be considered his older sister, but Wyb wasn't the biggest fan of hers. He found her strange, cocky, and impossible to get along with.

"Is it true you were on a freighter like those kids?"

"I've been on a lot of freighters, I'm afraid. I am a naval cadet after all," Wyb evaded the question, wondering if Threepio had made it to the general's hearing.

"That's not what I meant," Jacen said innocently. "The kids that the lady spoke of yesterday on tv, they are in trouble aren't they?"

"Yes," Wyb admitted, weary of his side adventure.

"Is the senate going to help them?"

"I hope so," Wyb said uncertainty. Perhaps Soni was right. Maybe he should have turned over the information to Lonack.

"What if they don't?" Jacen wondered. "Will you help them?"

"I think I might need to," Wyb smirked thinking about Lenore's advice:

"I want you to make a choice, Wyb. I've taught you everything I know, and you've learned quite a bit from the New Republic. If you trust the New Republic will seek justice for these families, then hand it over to your superiors. But if you know they stand a better chance with the renegades that run in the shadows, well, you have friends in high and low places that would help."

"Come on," Jacen motioned to Wyb to follow. "You need to meet my mom. She can help."

"Who's your mom?"

"General Syndulla," Jacen said, leading Wyb to the hearing.

"Of course it is. "Wyb shook his head and followed the boy a safe distance behind him wondering if his luck was good or bad.

"Mom!" Jacen yelled at the sight of his mom, Hera Syndulla. She smiled and hugged him as she stood beside Threepio and Captain Carson Teva. Wyb had never met either of the veterans before but he had heard good things from Loncak.

"Jacen don't shout, this is a court after all," Hera said warmly, pushing back the boy's green hair from his forehead. "Do you remember Threepio?"

"Hi," Jacen greeted.

"Hello Master Jacen. You get bigger everyday," Threepio happily responded.

"Mom, I need your help," Jacen pleaded and motioned Wyb over.

"What have you gotten yourself into now," Hera commented, eyeing Wyb curiously.

"Oh dear that cadet. I advise, General, keep this brief," Threepio muttered. Carson Teva turned to the droid and chuckled, wondering what Wyb could have done to have made such an impression on him.

"He needs help finding those kids. The ones the lady was talking about in the Senate," Jacen explained as Wyb joined the group.

"General, Captain," Wyb greeted, with a salute.

"His name is," Jacen stopped realizing he didn't know his name. "Sorry I didn't ask you after what happened?"

"What happened?" Hera asked worriedly.

"Tersu, General. I'm Wyb Tersu," Wyb extended his hand and shook Hera's hand and then Carson's. "I had to distract the guard to get Senator Organa's droid into the hearing. Jacen ended up helping me."

"Really? How so?" Hera questioned, suspicious that a few details had been left out as she caught sight of Wyb winking at her son.

"I sent him to the third level," Jacen giggled.

"Jacen," Hera's tone was slightly disapproving but she smiled as she saw his expression which reminded her of his father. "Well no harm done I suppose. I must thank Senator Organa personally for entrusting such an important task to a young determined cadet."

"I believe all the thanks should go to Goldie here," Wyb teased Threepio. "If it weren't for his outstanding navigating skills I would've never made it across the capital during the morning rush."

"My what?!" Threepio exclaimed in shock. "Next you'll be suggesting I pilot a commercial vehicle for Star Tours!"

"Pilots are in short supply," Carson joined in the teasing as well. "Ever consider joining the Rangers?"

"Captain Teva, I am a protocol droid, programmed for etiquette and… oh forget it. I'm afraid I have overstayed my welcome." Threepio, frustrated, began to shuffle away. "I must get back to Senator Organa and see how she is managing everything that happened during the Senate."

"Thanks again Threepio," Hera said as the droid left the hearing chambers.

"What year are you, cadet?" Carson asked Wyb.

"Last one, exams are next week," Wyb answered. "But I just got back from leave due to a family matter. I was thinking about delaying them."

Hera and Carson both exchanged a look, which Wyb was uncertain was good or bad.

"What?"

"You really think an exam is going to teach you what you need to know out in the field, kid?" Carson asked.

"No, but it's a requirement if you wanna shot at anything outta the capital here," Wyb said salty.
"Not a fan of the capital? I can't blame you," Hera said. "Perhaps Adelphi might be more your scene. What do you think, Carson?"

"Pickings are slim," Carson confirmed. "At this point we'd take on jawas if they were willing. All these young hot shots rather stay in the core worlds."

"Well, seems you've may meet the standard requirements," Hera suggested. "Interested?"

"Me?" Wyb asked, surprised.

"Well the droid isn't interested," Carson teased. "It's definitely different from Coruscant. You have to pull your own weight. Be ready at a moment's notice, but you get the chance to do some good instead of being a door guard."

"Sounds like a good opportunity," Wyb said, but he knew Soni would kill him if he left her behind. He also was curious how Organa would let him know about the information he had given her. Would she be able to contact him if he left the capital?"

"Then why the hesitation?" Carson wondered.

"Mostly my exams. All my friends are going through hell to prepare for them," Wyb lied. "I don't want to be given any special treatment. I want to earn it."

"You'll have plenty of chances to earn it. As for the exam, well General, if I fill out the paperwork and send it your way, what are the chances of you approving it?" Carson asked.

"Given your performance today, I'd say very likely," Hera smiled, placing her hands on Jacen's shoulders. Jacen smiled up and Wyb as if he knew something he didn't.

"Well then I'm off. Let's hope we can avoid another court hearing for the foreseeable future."Carson placed his pilot's helmet on and began to leave.

"Can't promise anything," Hera laughed.

"Wait!" Wyb said. "That's it? That's all it takes to become a Ranger?"

"No," Carson said seriously. "That's what it takes to bypass your cadet exams. You're officially a pilot now, Tersu. But you'll find out what it takes to be a Ranger soon enough. See you on Adelphi. "