Post by barak on Dec 27, 2005 8:55:57 GMT -5
all right everyone, this is my first fanfic, any replies would be nice
Chapter One
Jedi Master Lanen Berus switched off his lightsaber. He was a tall Human male, who had just received the rank of Master from the Council. Born on Coruscant, the Galactic Capital, his Force potential was immediately discovered by the Jedi and he was taken to the Jedi Temple to begin training when he was merely a few months old. In his time at the Temple, he made many friends, some of whom he still met often.
Jedi Master Saiphek Dilrakk was one of these friends. Saiphek was a male Quarren, an alien species characterized by the four tentacles that protrude from their jaws. They are famous for their deep turquoise eyes, and each hand is capped with finned or suction-cup tipped fingers.
They had been practicing lightsaber techniques when Saiphek’s comlink buzzed to life. Saiphek picked up his comlink and answered.
“Saiphek here.”
“Master,” said his apprentice through the comlink, “the council wishes our presence as soon as possible. They are waiting.”
“I will be there shortly. Wait for me outside.”
Lanen looked at the Quarren, who had recently taken an apprentice, a Bothan named Nornan Mal'lio, who was a promising student. By the looks of it, it seemed that the Council has finally decided to send them off on their first mission.
“Well my friend,” said Lanen, hearing Nornan, “it was a pleasure. I’ll talk to you later, keep me informed.”
“I will. You know Lanen, you should consider taking an apprentice too. It’s a big responsibility, but it is also very rewarding.”
Lanen nodded, now deep in thought. He was pondering, for perhaps the third time this week, whether or not to take an apprentice. In fact, he had been struggling to reach a decision for some time, ever since he was elevated to the rank of Master. He knew he would do his best to train his Padawan, but he was afraid that he would not be good enough.
Grabbing his gear, Lanen made his way out of the training area and towards his living quarters. It is time to get an apprentice. I will choose an apprentice before I leave the Temple again, he promised himself. I am experienced enough. I am good enough. I will not fail.
Reaching the door of his room, he activated the controls and cleared all thoughts out of his mind. Getting an apprentice was important, no doubts, but he thought sleeping was even more important at the moment. And maybe getting some food too. As the door opened, he entered the room and fell headfirst on his bed. Food can wait, he thought, as he slipped into unconsciousness.
****
The figure, dressed in black, moved slowly through the Senate halls. Seemingly unhurried, Chorquux Needoo wanted nothing else than to leave the Senate building. According to her calculations, she had merely three minutes to go. Blasted scumbug, she thought, referring to the Duros who had stopped her earlier, refusing to let her go without buying some of his merchandise. Of course, she would have gladly eliminated him, but doing so in front of hundreds of Senate Guards would have been nothing short of suicide.
Looking forward, she saw the throng of people waiting to leave the Senate. Chorquux knew that each person who left the building was forced to show his identification and wait to get clearance. She realized it would be a futile attempt to make it out of the building in the two and a half minutes she had left.
Making her way towards an alternate exit, the Rodian Female decided to head instead for the Senate kitchens. Making her way there, she was ignored by the droids and chefs, who seemed busy making some sort of dinner for a hungry Senator.
With merely a minute left, she found the service door, but to her frustration a guard stood by it. Luckily, he was facing towards the door with his back to her. Deciding that, for the moment, he was better left alone and unaware of her, she looked for the trash chute. For what seemed like years to the Rodian, she had no luck in finding it. About to give up and kill the guard, she found her quarry.
Wasting no time, Chorquux reached for the chute. It was a tight squeeze, but she was able to make her way inside and slide down.
****
It was a cold, wet day on Coruscant. Lanen Berus was moving quickly through the empty streets of the Capital. The rain had stopped shortly before he left the Jedi Temple, and the Jedi decided to walk the short distance between his home and the Galactic Senate.
The Galactic Senate has existed for thousands upon thousands of years, being one of the founding points of the Galactic Constitution that established the Republic. Within its immense chambers, the Senate consisted of elected and appointed leaders from the worlds throughout the Republic.
Lanen stopped, enjoying the moment of fresh air. Soon, he would make his way through the Senate gates, and then he had no doubt his feeling of happiness would vanish. He despised politics. The bureaucracy and corruption in the Senate were ever-growing, with the Senators caring less about the public and more about their personal agendas. Many Jedi, including himself, were becoming untrusting in the members of the Senate.
Still, Lanen had a few friends in the ruling organization, though almost all of them were aides of some sorts. Usually, he could trust these aides for good inside information. And rightly so, after all of those times I put myself in danger for them.
Lanen looked skywards. The clouds were once again threatening to drop rain, and he had no intention of being outside when that happened. Though he generally liked these sorts of days, he was in no mood to get wet, especially not before facing what he had no doubts would be a few hours of investigation with the not-so-friendly Senate Security Guards.
Now sprinting, Lanen reached the gates of the Senate buildings just as the first few drops of rain were beginning to fall. Being a Jedi, Lanen was waved through the security checkpoint without having to be patted down. Quickly enough, he found himself in the heated halls of the Senate, who looked gray, boring and unwelcoming to him, compared to the white and clean halls of the Jedi Temple. Looking around, Lanen turned to the right, making his way towards the room of Ithorian Senator Lonow Madin.
Jedi were not a rare sight in the Senate, yet they always drew attention. Today seemed to be no exception, as Lanen was stopped by several creatures who were interested in selling him various items, some young aides wishing to get help from the Jedi and even by a Senator, who wondered if it was possible to arrange a meeting with the Jedi Council. Quickly waving them off, Lanen was already feeling the start of a mild headache, and the day hasn’t even started!
Sighing inaudibly, the Jedi Master reflected on the assignment he had been given by the Council just a short few hours before.
He had entered the Council Chambers, where he had been summoned just after waking up. Bowing to the Council, Lanen was filled in on a dramatic and disturbing event which had just occurred in the halls of the Senate.
It seemed that the Ithorian Senator, Lonow Madin, was killed when a bomb exploded inside his office. While the investigation was under way, the Supreme Chancellor had personally requested the help of the Jedi immediately, since never before had a Senator been killed while inside the Senate building.
Focusing back on the moment, the Jedi found himself outside the office of the deceased Ithorian Senator. The Senate, he knew, was under lockdown, but he did not believe that the person who had done this remained behind. If he was still in the building, Lanen knew that the Senate Guards would find him.
Entering the office, Lanen quickly took in his surroundings. It seemed that the bomb was placed right next to the Senator’s desk, which was located just behind the now broken window at the far side of the room. It offered a spectacular view of Coruscant’s industrial district. To his left, he noticed the remains of a bookshelf, whose books had fallen to the floor due to the blast. What remained of the plants that stood next to the bookshelf was scattered all over the room. To his right, the couches, which were set there for the guests, remained intact.
In the middle of the room stood the person responsible for the investigation, Senate Police Chief Staill Bkar'ela, a Bothan whose reputation of an excellent and thorough detective had eventually elevated him to this important and respectful job. The Chief was busy overseeing a few younger officers, who were busy taking photos and prints for future reference. Lanen quickly moved towards the Bothan, who took notice of the Jedi and turned to address him.
“You are the Jedi who was requested by the Chancellor?”
“Yes,” replied Lanen. “I am Lanen Berus. I have come to help you investigate the murder.”
“Listen, Jedi. I don’t need your help! You lot meddle in everything, even when it doesn’t concern you. I’m forced to cooperate with you by law, but stay out of my way.”
Lanen was not surprised by the Bothan’s rude attitude. Many Jedi have reported that this Chief, who had replaced his predecessor a year ago, was rude and unhelpful.
“Chief Staill, your attitude towards myself and the other Jedi has made your opinion clear, however I have a job to do here, as do you. I suggest we cooperate, or I will have to report you to the Office of the Chancellor.”
“I have no intentions to not cooperate, Jedi. Just stay out of my way, and I will stay out of yours.”
“I will try. Now, what can you tell me of the case? What have you learned so far?”
“Not much.” The Bothan was clearly trying to find a way to get rid of Lanen. “Here is the datapad with all the information. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some work to do around here.”
Turning around, the Chief left Lanen to look around. Moving about, the Jedi saw nothing in peculiar. About to take his leave, the Jedi accidentally dropped the datapad. Drawing a sneer from the Police Chief, Lanen bent down to pick up his misplaced item. As he did, he noticed a small datapad under the bookshelf, which was obviously knocked there by the blast. Calling it into his hands, Lanen retrieved both datapads and left the office.
Chapter One
Jedi Master Lanen Berus switched off his lightsaber. He was a tall Human male, who had just received the rank of Master from the Council. Born on Coruscant, the Galactic Capital, his Force potential was immediately discovered by the Jedi and he was taken to the Jedi Temple to begin training when he was merely a few months old. In his time at the Temple, he made many friends, some of whom he still met often.
Jedi Master Saiphek Dilrakk was one of these friends. Saiphek was a male Quarren, an alien species characterized by the four tentacles that protrude from their jaws. They are famous for their deep turquoise eyes, and each hand is capped with finned or suction-cup tipped fingers.
They had been practicing lightsaber techniques when Saiphek’s comlink buzzed to life. Saiphek picked up his comlink and answered.
“Saiphek here.”
“Master,” said his apprentice through the comlink, “the council wishes our presence as soon as possible. They are waiting.”
“I will be there shortly. Wait for me outside.”
Lanen looked at the Quarren, who had recently taken an apprentice, a Bothan named Nornan Mal'lio, who was a promising student. By the looks of it, it seemed that the Council has finally decided to send them off on their first mission.
“Well my friend,” said Lanen, hearing Nornan, “it was a pleasure. I’ll talk to you later, keep me informed.”
“I will. You know Lanen, you should consider taking an apprentice too. It’s a big responsibility, but it is also very rewarding.”
Lanen nodded, now deep in thought. He was pondering, for perhaps the third time this week, whether or not to take an apprentice. In fact, he had been struggling to reach a decision for some time, ever since he was elevated to the rank of Master. He knew he would do his best to train his Padawan, but he was afraid that he would not be good enough.
Grabbing his gear, Lanen made his way out of the training area and towards his living quarters. It is time to get an apprentice. I will choose an apprentice before I leave the Temple again, he promised himself. I am experienced enough. I am good enough. I will not fail.
Reaching the door of his room, he activated the controls and cleared all thoughts out of his mind. Getting an apprentice was important, no doubts, but he thought sleeping was even more important at the moment. And maybe getting some food too. As the door opened, he entered the room and fell headfirst on his bed. Food can wait, he thought, as he slipped into unconsciousness.
****
The figure, dressed in black, moved slowly through the Senate halls. Seemingly unhurried, Chorquux Needoo wanted nothing else than to leave the Senate building. According to her calculations, she had merely three minutes to go. Blasted scumbug, she thought, referring to the Duros who had stopped her earlier, refusing to let her go without buying some of his merchandise. Of course, she would have gladly eliminated him, but doing so in front of hundreds of Senate Guards would have been nothing short of suicide.
Looking forward, she saw the throng of people waiting to leave the Senate. Chorquux knew that each person who left the building was forced to show his identification and wait to get clearance. She realized it would be a futile attempt to make it out of the building in the two and a half minutes she had left.
Making her way towards an alternate exit, the Rodian Female decided to head instead for the Senate kitchens. Making her way there, she was ignored by the droids and chefs, who seemed busy making some sort of dinner for a hungry Senator.
With merely a minute left, she found the service door, but to her frustration a guard stood by it. Luckily, he was facing towards the door with his back to her. Deciding that, for the moment, he was better left alone and unaware of her, she looked for the trash chute. For what seemed like years to the Rodian, she had no luck in finding it. About to give up and kill the guard, she found her quarry.
Wasting no time, Chorquux reached for the chute. It was a tight squeeze, but she was able to make her way inside and slide down.
****
It was a cold, wet day on Coruscant. Lanen Berus was moving quickly through the empty streets of the Capital. The rain had stopped shortly before he left the Jedi Temple, and the Jedi decided to walk the short distance between his home and the Galactic Senate.
The Galactic Senate has existed for thousands upon thousands of years, being one of the founding points of the Galactic Constitution that established the Republic. Within its immense chambers, the Senate consisted of elected and appointed leaders from the worlds throughout the Republic.
Lanen stopped, enjoying the moment of fresh air. Soon, he would make his way through the Senate gates, and then he had no doubt his feeling of happiness would vanish. He despised politics. The bureaucracy and corruption in the Senate were ever-growing, with the Senators caring less about the public and more about their personal agendas. Many Jedi, including himself, were becoming untrusting in the members of the Senate.
Still, Lanen had a few friends in the ruling organization, though almost all of them were aides of some sorts. Usually, he could trust these aides for good inside information. And rightly so, after all of those times I put myself in danger for them.
Lanen looked skywards. The clouds were once again threatening to drop rain, and he had no intention of being outside when that happened. Though he generally liked these sorts of days, he was in no mood to get wet, especially not before facing what he had no doubts would be a few hours of investigation with the not-so-friendly Senate Security Guards.
Now sprinting, Lanen reached the gates of the Senate buildings just as the first few drops of rain were beginning to fall. Being a Jedi, Lanen was waved through the security checkpoint without having to be patted down. Quickly enough, he found himself in the heated halls of the Senate, who looked gray, boring and unwelcoming to him, compared to the white and clean halls of the Jedi Temple. Looking around, Lanen turned to the right, making his way towards the room of Ithorian Senator Lonow Madin.
Jedi were not a rare sight in the Senate, yet they always drew attention. Today seemed to be no exception, as Lanen was stopped by several creatures who were interested in selling him various items, some young aides wishing to get help from the Jedi and even by a Senator, who wondered if it was possible to arrange a meeting with the Jedi Council. Quickly waving them off, Lanen was already feeling the start of a mild headache, and the day hasn’t even started!
Sighing inaudibly, the Jedi Master reflected on the assignment he had been given by the Council just a short few hours before.
He had entered the Council Chambers, where he had been summoned just after waking up. Bowing to the Council, Lanen was filled in on a dramatic and disturbing event which had just occurred in the halls of the Senate.
It seemed that the Ithorian Senator, Lonow Madin, was killed when a bomb exploded inside his office. While the investigation was under way, the Supreme Chancellor had personally requested the help of the Jedi immediately, since never before had a Senator been killed while inside the Senate building.
Focusing back on the moment, the Jedi found himself outside the office of the deceased Ithorian Senator. The Senate, he knew, was under lockdown, but he did not believe that the person who had done this remained behind. If he was still in the building, Lanen knew that the Senate Guards would find him.
Entering the office, Lanen quickly took in his surroundings. It seemed that the bomb was placed right next to the Senator’s desk, which was located just behind the now broken window at the far side of the room. It offered a spectacular view of Coruscant’s industrial district. To his left, he noticed the remains of a bookshelf, whose books had fallen to the floor due to the blast. What remained of the plants that stood next to the bookshelf was scattered all over the room. To his right, the couches, which were set there for the guests, remained intact.
In the middle of the room stood the person responsible for the investigation, Senate Police Chief Staill Bkar'ela, a Bothan whose reputation of an excellent and thorough detective had eventually elevated him to this important and respectful job. The Chief was busy overseeing a few younger officers, who were busy taking photos and prints for future reference. Lanen quickly moved towards the Bothan, who took notice of the Jedi and turned to address him.
“You are the Jedi who was requested by the Chancellor?”
“Yes,” replied Lanen. “I am Lanen Berus. I have come to help you investigate the murder.”
“Listen, Jedi. I don’t need your help! You lot meddle in everything, even when it doesn’t concern you. I’m forced to cooperate with you by law, but stay out of my way.”
Lanen was not surprised by the Bothan’s rude attitude. Many Jedi have reported that this Chief, who had replaced his predecessor a year ago, was rude and unhelpful.
“Chief Staill, your attitude towards myself and the other Jedi has made your opinion clear, however I have a job to do here, as do you. I suggest we cooperate, or I will have to report you to the Office of the Chancellor.”
“I have no intentions to not cooperate, Jedi. Just stay out of my way, and I will stay out of yours.”
“I will try. Now, what can you tell me of the case? What have you learned so far?”
“Not much.” The Bothan was clearly trying to find a way to get rid of Lanen. “Here is the datapad with all the information. Now, if you will excuse me, I have some work to do around here.”
Turning around, the Chief left Lanen to look around. Moving about, the Jedi saw nothing in peculiar. About to take his leave, the Jedi accidentally dropped the datapad. Drawing a sneer from the Police Chief, Lanen bent down to pick up his misplaced item. As he did, he noticed a small datapad under the bookshelf, which was obviously knocked there by the blast. Calling it into his hands, Lanen retrieved both datapads and left the office.