[font=Times New Roman]Jesmin didn’t visibly react to the thugs harassing the woman and her child, but saw Tom’s jaw tighten and his hands clench into fists. She could also feel the anger in Ben at the sight. She wasn’t immune to the anger herself, but she had seen worse in the field of battle. As well she knew the power of the dark side and knew that anger was not the right course of action. She had already partially fallen to the dark side when she became a mercenary after quitting the Mon Calamari Republic after Teebo had made that disastrous treaty with the Jutraalian Empire in the midst of the Battle of Bimmisaari, where she had been destroying the Jutraalian fleet. Only after encountering Crinium and the Farquak Empire had she returned to the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Mon</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Calamari</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Republic</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> and also the lightside. Even then she had still let her anger control her in the decision to return to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Mon</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Calamari</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Republic</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. She know knew far better then to let anger get a hold of her, or let the others dwell on the sight they had just seen. And the easiest way to do this was to make them do something or think.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Any ideas?” asked Ben.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“We need more information. I’m counting like 15 thugs in the main room and 5 in the back. And I thought they only had around 20 total, but it makes sense that they would have some sort of lookout in the front. So do they only have 20 people total and no lookout in the front or do have lookouts at the front and we are faced with more than just 20 opponents? Ben, see if you can check the front rooms on there.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]While Ben was doing this, Jesmin turned to Tom.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Tom, how many thugs do you think there were. Think back to the meeting, did you get a good count on them?”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“I would say there was no more than 25, probably less.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“He’s right,” spoke up Ben, “I’ve checked the front rooms, there was 3 thugs there, that’s it for the building.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Well, now we know what we are up against then. Thanks Ben,” said Jesmin.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Jesmin then sat back and though about the situation. There was no way she was going to throw the 4 of them into a situation where they would end up fighting 15 armed thugs at once, unless it was the only possible option. Then she thought of the plan and called the police again. Then she turned to Ben and Tom and told them the plan, but said it loud enough that Darami, who was in the hall acting as a lookout, could hear.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Ben, watch the thugs out front on this monitor and tell me if they do anything. Set up that monitor over there so that I can see the main room, and that other monitor there so that Tom can see the back room. Tom, if they do anything other than just put the money in the bags, tell me. Ben, also set it up so that the feed is sent to these three datapads,” said Jesmin, handing over three datapads she had found in a drawer, “so that then we can watch their actions while we are on the move.”[/font]

[font=Times New Roman]Ben moved to do this and Jesmin returned to the plan.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Now, onto the plan. The police are almost outside of the bank and when they reach it they will set up barricades around the surrounding area out front and then have an armed SWAT team come in, taking up positions around the front of the building. This will draw the attention of the thugs at the front, and they will call forward their cohorts from main room. At this point I’ll send a message to the SWAT team commander, who will start full spectrum comlink jamming in the surrounding 100 meters, minus 1 channel which we will use to continue to get the feed from the security cameras. We move in and strike the remaining ones in the main room, then move onto the ones in the back. The SWAT team will come in the front and get the thugs there, we are to protect the hostages in the main room from anyone that tries to retreat into the main room from the front. They won’t know what is happening thanks to the comlink jamming and be completely surprised. Tom will once again be point, as he has the most experience with blocking blaster bolts. The plan is simple. Use the force to rip their weapons out of their hands and then knock them out with an object, possibly even their weapons. Try to avoid firing blasters if possible, the sound will carry. Lightsabers, or in my case ‘glowrod-saber’ should be out, we will show the citizens that the Jedi are back out in force and doing good deeds.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“I’ve got the datapads set up,” said Ben.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Excellent, we move out now. Darami, you take Tom’s datapad, just in case we meet a thug unexpectedly, he doesn’t need to worry about watching the datapad and blocking any blaster bolts.”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]The group moved forward slowly, until they were in a hallway just outside of the main room. Then they halted and looked at their datapads, waiting for the thugs to move.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“I’ve got movement in the front, 2 thugs are pointing weapons outside, 1 is on a com,” said Darami.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“I see the leader reacting,” replied Jesmin, “looks like he is ordering troops forward. We’ll see how many leave...All right, we’ve got 8 left. Lets move in!”[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]The group rushed forward into the room, lightsabers (or ‘glowrod-saber’ in Jesmin’s case) ignited. Jesmin used the Force to rip the blaster out of the nearest thug’s hand and then smashed it against the side of his head, knocking him out cold. 3 other thugs fell to the ground at the same time, knocked out in a variety of ways by her comrades.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]At this point an explosion, followed by blaster shots, was heard from the front of the building. Jesmin could just hope that the SWAT team would be successful and could deal with their thugs without being wounded. However she had her own issues to deal with. The so-called Sith, the leader of the group who Ben, Jesmin and Tom has seen berating the woman and her child, had his blaster and was bringing it up to fire on Tom. Jesmin launched her glowrod-saber across the room at him, using the force to propel it at his forehead, making it spin as it went. She purposely made the handle connect with the man’s head, knocking him out, but not before he got a shot off at Tom. Fortunately Tom had seen the leader aiming at him and deflected the shot away from him, though it ended up narrowly missing one of the hostages before hitting the floor.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Jesmin saw that the other thugs had all been disarmed. As such she started looking around at the hostages to make sure they were all ok. However soon she heard a commotion coming from the front. It sounded as if some of the thugs were retreating back to the main room.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Grab blasters from the ground, stun the thugs as they come in,” she ordered.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]The group of 4 Jedi turned towards the front of the room, preparing to fighting the thugs coming from that direction. One came in through the door and a stun bolt flew out to meet him, dropping him to the ground. However right after that Jesmin’s danger sense prickled and a blaster bolt flew past her and hit the wall. Jesmin and the other Jedi pivoted around and saw the 5 thugs from the back room. More correctly they saw a flash of 2 of the thugs racing down the hallway Jesmin and her group had come from and the other 3 thugs standing there, blasters drawn and aimed at the Jedi. Jesmin fired a shot at one of the thugs, before dropping to the ground and rolling forward. She then fired another shot and saw that one connect with a second thug just as another stun shot hit him. With the 3 thugs down, Jesmin pointed down the corridor leading to the side door.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]“Ben and Darami, get those two thugs. Tom and I can handle this,” she said.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]With that Ben and Darami raced down the corridor to catch up with the 2 thugs which had ran down that side corridor. What the Jedi didn’t know was that the thugs were following the man in the tan coat who had helped the woman and child threatened by the gang leader, trying to steal his briefcase, as they knew they wouldn’t be successful in their bank robbery.[/font]

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[font=Times New Roman]Jesmin and Tom turned back to the hall coming from the front and waited for more thugs to come into the main room, retreating under the fire of the SWAT team out front.[/font]

While listened to Jesmin speak about her plan Ben went to work on the monitors and data pads. It didn't take long for the security system to connect directly to each of the datapads and transfer the security feeds into them. As he handed those pads back to Jesmin, Ben could not wait to get started and go take down those thugs. He had never wished for anyone to get hurt except for this moment, after he had witnessed those children getting threatened.

After Jesmin had finished her speech and just before leaving the safety of the security office, Ben set his backpack down and reached into the side pocket. He pulled out the training saber he had been given by his teacher. As he watched Darami do the same, Ben could not help but think about this teacher Master Katarn. He wished the man was here with them now to lend them his wisdom. However, Kenshin wasn't there, but Jesmin was and Ben put all his trust in her.

He set down the his pack under one of the desks and tightened his grip on the training saber in his right hand. While moving towards the door with the other, Ben tried to focus his mind on the task at hand. They could not fail, he told himself, there were many lives at stake and Ben did not think these men had any misgivings about hurting their hostages.

They all moved slowly through the hallway towards the central room of the bank, the room were all the hostages were being held. All the way Ben was concentrating on the task at hand. There was nothing else to think about except getting those innocent people free and making the thugs accountable for their every action. It was at this moment that Ben felt like a real jedi and was doing his job of projecting those that needed protection.

Once they came close to the central room everything moved so fast that later on Ben would hardly be able to remember all his actions. Something instinctual inside him turned on and all the fears or doubts left him completely. He was no longer thinking so much as reacting to the situation presented him. Upon command Ben, as did everyone else, surged foward towards the remaining men that had positioned themselves around the room.

Before he knew what was happening, one of the thugs was down on the ground and others were turning towards them. As if in slow motion Ben saw one of the men raise his blaster towards Darami and without thinking pointed his hand towards the man. He wished to lift the man's hand and almost instantly felt the force move through him to complete the task asked of it. A blaster bolt discharged from the pistol and slam into the cieling pannel as the man's hand suddenly shot up into the air.

The man's face turned to one of confusion, but did not last long as a chair flew through the air smashed into his chest. He went down instantly and Ben turned his head to look at Darami standing beside him with his hand up. Ben smiled a little and nodded at his friend before searching for other targets. With that Darami stayed low and went to find other thugs as Ben advanced towards the hostages.

He got towards the very center of the large room before something inside him tugged at his side. It was not physical, but mental and Ben had never felt anything like it. His head turned in that very direction just as a red blaster bolt flew beside his head and hammered into a desk just behind him. Ben ducked down and saw that the shot had come from behind an over turned table.

Behind that table was a well covered thug and Ben wouldn't be able to get to him unless he cause a distaction. He quickly opened himself to the force and pointed towards the table with his left hand. Inside Ben remembered the training with the bolder and did just that. He asked the table to push back and it did, right into the man behind it. Surprised beyond belief the thug stummbled back and fall to the fall, however, before he was even down Ben had made his move.

Ben rushed foward and around the large table that had protected the other. He realized his saber wasn't turned on yet and quickly pushed the switch up, activing the green blade. In a snap-hiss the long blade emerged from the small handle and filled the room with added light. As he stood over the thug, Ben could see the man's eyes open wide in fear. He could also see the man's blaster hand moving and stepped down against it to hold the blaster in place as he lowered the blade down quickly against the thug's chest. As designed the training saber did not cut through this coward of a man, but simple had the same effect of a stun blast. With a tiny spasm of this muscles the man lay back unconsious. Ben kicked his blaster away and turned back towards the others.

He could see that the room that been pretty much cleared, but heard sounds from the front of the building and knew it was the SWAT team moving into the building. Under Jesmin's command Ben started to look around for a blaster and just as his eyes swept over the pistol he had only seconds before kicked away, a man's back could be seen moved backwards into the room from the front of the building. The man started to turn and would surely have shot at Ben first since he was the closest. All Ben could do was reach out towards the blaster that lay on the floor.

As he reached to it, the blaster jumped up and flew into Ben's left hand just as the man turned towards him and started to raise his. It was self preservation pure and simple as Ben's hand shot up and pointed towards the man with the blaster. He was not thinking about the man living through this because in Ben's mind this was no people, but just a shell of some evil that was present throughout the galaxy. A shell that did not deserve the same life other descent beings enjoyed. With that Ben fired at the man without a second thought. He watched the crimson beam of laser light quickly cross the distance and connect with the man's thigh.

Ben had only fired a weapon twice before and therefore did not have good aim, but the shot still burned into the man's thigh and Ben could hear him cry out in pain. His hand moved over to cover the buring hole in his thigh as his other started to raised up the blaster to fire back at Ben. Just before he could, however, two stun bolts hit is back and sent him down to the ground. The thug would survive this day and so would ben thanks to the SWAT team member that had brought down the other man.

The night was not over, however, and Ben turned towards Jesmin as he heard her command Darami and him to go after two other thugs that were running after one of the hostages. Ben's mind quickly raced as he realized they were after the man from his vision. If everything came ture they would kill the man. Ben to stop it.

Looking around, Ben saw Darami and motioned him to follow as they both ran after the two thugs with training sabers lit and in hand.

There was a lull in their conversation as both men pondered the situation they had been put in, their brows furrowed in concentration as they tried to push past the sense of despair that had permeated the atmosphere of the hangar. Kenshin's eyes aimlessly wandered to the length of a few of the ships that were left in the building and it was then that a sense of detachment from the rest of the Jedi finally set in. It was a lonliness he hadn't felt in a long, long time, a feeling he hadn't experienced since his last wanderings.

He would have greeted the feeling like an old friend, he had done it before, but this time he just couldn't bring himself to accept that feeling. Perhaps it was because this time, he had been robbed of the concept of a home to leave. The Academy had been something to come back to after he had gotten weary of his travels. This time, it wouldn't be guaranteed that he had something to return to if he suddenly got homesick. Once again, his concern was on the younglings. They would be the one effected the most. He had seen other planets and places but the Academy was their only world.

Suddenly Tatane's presence joined them and she notified him of the near completed preparations. Nodding in acknowledgment, Kenshin turned back to face Marek. "Take the day off to gather your thoughts. Find a nice secluded place around here to bunk if you're out of options. However don't hang around too long. I have a feeling Master Dolash means it when he wants us capable Jedi out in the fray. You can give law enforcement a try I suppose. It's the most obvious route and I knew I sure will when I get the kiddies prepped for action."

The Jedi Knight then stood. "We best be going. I need to get the younglings comfortable to the idea of constant change as fast as I possibly can. You take care and give me a call if anything comes up, okay?" Just as he had offered his assistance to Darami and Ben, he would offer it to Marek as well if he got into a tight bind. With that, he nodded at Tatane, and made his way towards their ship.

The six younglings were huddled in a circle on top of the entrance ramp and despite the calm conversations that floated between them, they worn out from the ordeal as well as tired from all the preparations. Stress was getting to them. He could tell. "Okay, we've got three rooms partitioned off in the upper deck storage area. Pick a clanmate to be your roommate and go grab one of the empty rooms."

Their sense of adventure rekindled, the youngling grabbed their personal belongings and dashed into the ship, pairing off and eager to check out their own spaces as well as explore the rest of the ship. Kenshin then turned to Tatane. "Go ahead and follow them upstairs. The empty personal quarters is yours. You'll know if it's empty. Mine would be right next to it and, uh, somewhat of a mess I hear...Don't go in there." He said with a slightly embarrassed chuckle before going off to find Dex.

The gruff mechanic was in the cockpit punching in the coordinates Kenshin had provided earlier. They would be heading to the far side of the planet, away from Theed and towards the tropical forests and swamps. It would take only a few moments to find a nice clearing to land once they were in the air but once they were on the ground, the idea of being half a world away would sink in and the Jedi Knight knew that this sense of separation would be perhaps one of the harder parts of training.

After their goodbyes had been made, Marek found himself alone once more. However, something had changed, not his state of intoxication of course, but his personal feelings of resentment and self-loathing that had unconsciously been going on in the recesses of his mind. He was also beginning to feel the nagging pulses of optimism creeping into his bloodstream. The optimism that maybe the order was not fading into obscurity, but perhaps being reborn. Shaking, he rose to his feet. Then before making his exit from the hangar, he turned for one last glance in the direction of the ship being prepared for flight, the vessel Kenshin would no doubt make his home and the home of the younglings in his care. Zolar admired the mans courage, he admired Tatane's courage; the under-taking of such a feat would without question be beyond his own capabilities. The very thought of it struck an emotional cord within him, realizing that the two of them could just as easily have fled for their own lives, but instead had chosen to protect those who had little chance protecting themselves, they weren't just reciting the Jedi code, they were living it.

The lone knight, shuffled his way through the open corridors of the empty temple, every once and a while stopping to enjoy the breeze's that blew throughout it's expanses, every once and a while being struck by gusts that almost toppled him over at times. His room was the destination, a shower and some much needed recuperative sleep was the plan. The latter would ultimately prove to be much needed, especially since the dreams that accompanied it, would forever change his destiny and shape his own impact on the Order itself.

"...Authorities have yet to publically confirm or deny the presence of Jedi at the bank, but unconfirmed sightings place as many as three assisting police units in the arrest of..."

Dolash glanced up at the newsfeed, before looking back at the notepad where he wrote furiously. On the pad, a web of names and arros tracked the progress of Jedi, his information coming from news reports, independant sightings, and occasionally the Jedi themselves - those who had cooled enough to talk to him.

Satisfied, he reached through the mess to pluck a comm from the table, punching in a frequency. "Fwar?"



"Yes, Master Dolash?" Fwar and Shillia had paid for their meal and were now in the street beyond, where the night and day were beginning to meet in the skies above.

"I'm mailing you the coordinates of a bank in your vicinity. Several Jedi are participating in a rescue during a bank robbery, I want you and Shillia to get over there and find out how they're doing."

"By your command," Fwar replied. "Fwar out."

"A bit melodramatic, wasn't it?" said Shillia with a smile. "Oh, 'by your command', sir. So, what's the job?"

"It appears some of our fellows are ending a bank robbery as we speak! To think we managed to miss that earlier, what a disaster."

Shillia sighed, recognizing the tone of reproach in Fwar's voice. "Oh all right, let's go check this thing out if it'll make you feel better."



"Mush! Mush!" Proq waved the reins helplessly, hoping they would encourage the beat forward. "Don't you know what mush means?"

Turning, Proq spied Jubaz asleep on the second saddle, and with a poke Proq woke him. "Sorry to interrupt your beauty sleep, but do you know how to start this thing?"

Without breaking eye contact, Jubaz gave the creature a jab in the side with his heel, which spurred it to movement. Jubaz gave him a curt nod and leaned back against his seat. "Where are we going?"

"Where are we going? Home, of course, goofball. You managed to wreck our only none-scaly transport, so we'll need to pick up a new ride and I don't feel like riding all the way to that city of yours on this thing."

"It is forbidden," said Jubaz plainly. "Dolash closed the doors."

Proq rolled his eyes. "Seriously, that's enough to stop you? You can leap small buildings with a simple bound, but oh no, he shuts the doors so we have to wander in the desert for forty years. We're just there to pick up something speedy. Besides," he added, "it's not like we'll run into anyone there."



With dawn's light tracing through the sky, Katria awoke from her brief slumber. Muzzily, she stroked the big cat guarding the door. Before she could register what she'd seen, the old man was back.

"Oh, you're awake," she said. "Well, we might as well get started." With that, Katria got to her feet and looked at the building from the outside.

The dawnlight made it a little more visible, especially the dirt and decay. Undettered, Katria began making a mental checklist. "We can do this... there isn't a homeless shelter in all the city, there's got to be people who want to help us, it's just a matter of finding them. Once we pick up the supplies we should have an easy time of it."

Katria noted a sign buried in a pile of trash. Concentrating on it briefly, it lifted into the air and shook itself free of dirt. Rusted nails leapt up from the trash heap, helpfully hammering themselves into place so that the sign - blank for now - hung nicely over the door. "I'll go wake up one of the others to stand watch while we look around."

She reentered the old warehouse, reemgerging shortly with a sleepy old Jedi in hand. Planting him in the doorway, she turned back to Rane and said "Come on, if we hurry we'll have found breakfast before they wake up!"



The gungans huddled together as Ian lead them down the street. Curious Nabooians peeked out at them from their homes, ducking into stores and doorways as they passed. An eeiry silence descended as they walked, and the crowds followed in their wake.

Eventually, they reached the city core, which lived up to Naboo's reputation of opulence and exotic architecture, with green domes and carved stone making up the civic buildings. Statues, steps, and fountains marked the area, as well as a growing crowd of civil servants looking worriedly at the advancing mob of Gungans and the pursuing crowd of onlookers. A few (notably armed) policemen were also in the mix.

Ian moved to the forefront alongside the Gungan's boss as they approached the knot of politicians. They stood just behind the civil servants and police, eyeing the newcomers curiosly. A few awkward moments passed by.

Ian began to sorely wish someone like Fwar, or Katria, or Master Dolash was here - someone with a talent for negotiations. Realizing he had to step in, Ian stepped forwards, making eye contact with the most elaborately dressed of the Naboo (dress forming the basis of their hierarchy).

"Your pardon, sir, that we have arrived without prior notice. I've come seeking shelter for these Gungans in your city, as their homes were destroyed when the Sith came here years ago."

The man he was addressing, a governor and honourable representative of the Queen, stepped forwards to get a better look at the Jedi. "Young man, the Sith attacked quite some time ago. Why do these Gungans only seek asylum now?"

Ian didn't rightfully know, but felt it was better to keep away from the topic. "The past is the past, Governor. The problem right now is that these Gungans have been living in the shell of their civilization for too long now, and it's about time someone do something about it."

He seemed to have struck a nerve, as the Governor sniffed and turned his nose slightly upwards. "Oh really? And after years of isolation, now the Jedi feel it's time to set right the damage caused by them? Even if that were the case, the people of Naboo and the Gungans have never been friends, why should we take them in because misfortune fell on them?"

"Is it too much to ask to be good neighbours?" said Ian, feeling his footing slipping a little. He felt an urge to turn to his Force powers, and try and persuade the governor that way.

He quickly quashed those thoughts - he wasn't in imminent threat of burning to death right now, and relying on his power wouldn't help him improve himself. "Listen, I know you haven't got an obligation to help each other, but don't use my involvement as a reason. Jedi or not, I can see it isn't fair that the Gungans are being ignored in the aftermath of their disaster. Should you send them back to their slum in a sunken city, or look after them like you'd want them to look after you if the Sith had come here instead?"

The governor sighed, clearly swayed. "Well when you put it like that, we can't just turn them out. All right, we'll see what we can do." The governor moved out from behind the line of police and extended a hand. With a smile, the Gungan's boss shook it, and the Gungans began to whoop and cheer.

As the crowd and the Gungans began to mingle, Ian slipped out of view. So long as everyone was getting along, his work here was done.

click... click... click...


The slow, measured clicks of a light wooden walking stick on the beautiful carved marble floor was like his own theme song. For years, it had been the sound that announced the presence of the old Jedi Master. People knew who was coming when they heard that sound.

Sure there were other ways they could tell. Jedi Master Vodo Baas was very
powerful in the Force, and he could be felt from far off. Most of the time, he kept his power within himself. He had always preferred to keep a low profile, even during his learner days as a padawan under Leia, he had not said much. He simply accepted his training and moved on.

He never flaunted his power. He believed that was not the way of a true Master.

But it was still no secret he wielded much power through the Force.

Now those clicks resounded throughout a small, dim chamber in the underbelly of the Jedi Temple. The temple was an old training room, rarely used during these days. Many of the new apprentices had never been down here. But Vodo knew the place well. He had trained under many famous Masters in this room, and now their lingering presence - like echos of their power - were still present. Now he basked in it.

Kahn, Leia, Cole... all gone. So many powerful Jedi, increadibly talented and wise...

All gone.

Almost like Vodo himself.

He had left for awhile. He had found himself stuck, in a rut. He had been reduced to training new Jedi coming in, most of whom had neither the power, nor the will to be trained as Jedi. But desperate for new padawans, he grudgingly accepted them, hoping he could shape them into competant Knights.

He had failed.

Too many apprentices of his simply abandoned the Order when his training became 'too tough' for them. They had no will. No will to learn, train or anything else. It had left him with a rather hollow feeling, left him feeling empty.

So he had left, took a leave of absence, and dissapeared into the pits of deep space. He ventured far and wide for over a year, seeking something... anything that might give him that spark. He needed something from the Force to give him the will to do what it called him to do.

It had taken quite some time, but he had found it.

He was back.

Now, hunched over his ever-present walking stick, the small red-skinned Jedi Master with that funny-looking funnel-like face, slowly hobbled out of the room, heading toward the upper levels.

And as he did so, he released his presence, his strength, into the Force.

OoC: I'll be more timely in my replies from now on.

IC:
Tatane smiled at Kenshin's remark, and did as he suggested, trailing close behind the younglings as they boarded his waiting ship. She looked about herself in silent curiosity, taking in the details as she slowly made her way about. She did not stop to touch or explore, knowing by now that this was in essence Kenshin's ship, and that she was a guest in it at this time. And it was not entirely new to her, in the fact that it was a ship, for she had traveled in many of those in her time and even felt a tinge of home in this one.

She made sure to put what few belongings she had into her new room, settling them in places that made her content but able to find them when she needed. She had some credits with her from her last trip away from Naboo, and she hoped that with them she would be able to help pay for needed things when they reached their new... settlement, at an inability to call it a home. When she had her things all ready, she left to make certain that the younglings were getting along fine and that things were running smoothly.

She lingered at the cockpit, not because there were younglings there, but in case Kenshin might need her for something when he actually made his way into this part of the ship. She was quiet and thoughtful as she did this, knowing that she probably wasn't ready for such a rapid departure, but that it was going to happen nonetheless. She was grateful that she had been asked to help, even if it involved some extra work in some sense. She figured that she had spent too many days deprived too early of a mentor, and to have one, even if it meant being a fellow student to the younglings, she was more than happy not to have to feel alone.

And it was certainly a welcome thing to have people by her side. In fact, the younglings themselves were welcome in her life, compared to the empty room of a ship so quiet that she could hear the hyperdrive hum. With their adventurous and murmuring tones shifting throughout the ship's corridors, she gave a feeble and contented smile. Perhaps things were not as bad as she had initially believed.

As peaceful as the streets of Theed appeared, there was an underlying world of criminal upheaval and civil unrest, one that was beginning to rear its ugly head in bigger and bolder ways. In a time, where the veil of shadow continued it's descent upon the galaxy a shimmering light no larger than a pin hole, pierced it's very heart, one in which took the form of a scattered and fledgling Jedi Order. The rag-tag fugitive collective, of unlikely heroes ordained by destiny to restore justice to the universe and those that dwelled with in it were without a clue as to how important their calling truly was and at what great a cost many of them would pay in order to see this mandate through to its very end.

The Alley-Ways: Enter The Quarry.

The puddle of rain water that had collected in the pavement dip exploded in all directions as the sole of a foot made contact with the drenched durocrete. The individual moved With a quickened pace, one which was accompanied by an increase in his breathing, the booty of his latest laboring, clinched tightly in his right hand would fetch quite a price in the Potter's Market, an underground flea market of sorts made up of vendors who came across their goods the old fashioned way, a good ole five finger discount. So proud was he, beaming with self-commendations on a job well-done.

"This get's easier and easier; they might as well as have just set it out on the front door step for me. Not a soul in sight too, Wahoo I'm good. And so are you!" he winked at his meal ticket.

Unbeknownst to the low-life marathon running scum-bag was the fact that he hadn't gotten away with it unnoticed. As he continued his run through the differing alley-ways of Theed he kept his distance from the street lights in a futile attempt as to not draw any unnecessary attention, especially from those of the law enforcement persuasion. Though as far as anyone being on to him and his current illegal escapade was concerned, it wouldn't be till morning until anyone would discover that the item in transit had been stolen. And by that time he'd have it sold and in the possession of someone else.

Rounding the corner of a building just a few blocks from the cities main point of focus, the royal palace, he was almost upon his own personal entrance into the sewer systems and one step closer to selling off the hot little item in his possession, when a dull thud stopped him in his tracks. Normally such a noise wouldn't ever draw a reaction out of him, but the roofing pebbles that were trickling down upon his head dictated otherwise. Like a trapped animal his head darted to the sky then in every direction he could possibly observe.

"...hello? Is there someone there?"

The scratching of more pebbles sliding down a roof-top then spilling over upon him, sent the lowly thief into panic mode.

"...hello? Whoever you are, you better beat it. I'm dangerous."

Nervously he looked around once more, always keeping his senses to the sky. He let his field of vision fall upon the sewer entrance, it wasn't that far off and he was considering making a break for it, let's face it, if there wasn't anyone there he'd just look foolish, but in the chance that there was someone there watching over him, he might be able to escape without them ever even having a chance of catching up to him.

"Alright, don't show yourself." He started off into a sprint.

With sweat beginning to bead off of his forehead and adrenaline coursing so hard through his veins he thought they might explode, his full efforts were focused on reaching his intended destination. The Sewer.

That is, up until the point he felt the devastating blow to his back, which drove the front of his body hard into the rock solid pavement. The force was so tremendous his body arched causing him to skid a few feet on just his face, small bits of debris tearing into his flesh as his body traveled. When he finally came to a stop, the overwhelming taste of iron quickly filled his mouth. Laying strewn about the dampened alley-way his initial reaction was to cough up the fragments of stone and teeth that had found it's way into his oral cavity, the latter had been decimated by the impact with the ground, as he tried to compensate for the blow. Unfortunately whatever or who ever had gotten the jump on him didn't allow the time to prepare for the next round of punishment. Violently, He was lifted at the shoulders, only to find himself harshly acquainted with another solid surface, a nearby alley-wall.

As his vision began to catch up with current events, the sight before him sent a shock of terror throughout his nervous system.

"What..what..What are you?" He questioned absolutely mortified, with a face having the appearance of been run through a cheese grater.

"HELP, SOMEONE HE..."he was silenced as his head was rammed into the wall behind it. His motionless form toppled to the ground, only to be picked up once more this time being held by the back of his collar. As his focus returned, so did the fear that he was consumed by, which only intensified further when the aberration spoke to him.

"Justice is served." In one quick motion, the concealed individual removed a curved light saber hilt from his person and ignited it. In the same fluid motion, its vibrant violet blade found its mark as it severed the condemned’s right hand from his body.

The accused screamed in agony, clutching the cauterized wound, salt laden tears burning the many scars that now littered his face. Each contusion of his flesh expelling anti-bodies and trickling blood. A Bloodied Mess.

"How can you steal without your hand?" the cloaked figure tilted his head as the sabers hue illuminated his mask. "Go now, and tell the rest of your scum-bag brethren that natural justice as returned. The Jedi Order will leave no evil deed unpunished."

The injured criminal now without his hand nor his prize, scurried into the sewer system he had so desperately tried to reach prior to his encounter, howling in pain he disappeared into the cities underbelly, leaving his Judge/Jury and Executioner alone in the alleyway.

"The next time we meet it won't just be a limb that you lose."

Once his quarry had disappeared and it's screams were no longer in decibel range, the cloaked figure after re-fastening the metallic hilt to his person, snatched up the still clinched severed hand. Examining the still very warm body part, he couldn't help but admire his own handy work as morbid as it may have seemed. But admiration was to be short-lived especially since security sirens were now audible and growing much louder in volume with every passing moment. Dropping the treasure clutched claw, he disappeared into the shadows, to seek out another, for this night was far from over.

The Starlane Specter had arrived.

Slaskia posts:

Rane had mentally chuckled with the Jedi petted him while in his tusk cat form. She didn’t seem phased one bit when she changed back into his ‘scruffy old man’ shape, though that was likely due to her still waking up.

Now as they prepared to set out to start the huge task they had set before them, the first big problem was of course food and water. He had a small amount of credits left on him, but he knew it wouldn’t be enough to feed so many kids for a single meal, let alone the whole day. Rane knew they couldn’t exactly steal substance. I am certain there are people willing to donate items for the sake of the children. As for the building itself, we will need credits to no doubt pay for a permit to use this building. He thought. If not buy it. That will take time. He remembered all too well that Jedi only keep enough on them for what they immediately needed. It was a very daunting task they had set forward. The Force will show us the way. He reassured himself as they headed off.

As they headed for the heart of the city, Rane couldn’t help but notice the various gang ‘tags’ on some of the more run down buildings. A conflict with a gang will be inevitable, but he knew the kids were no ordinary kids and would no doubt take any intruders by surprise. Still, he’d rather they not have such a conflict while he was away. Shaking those possibilities out of his head, he focused on the task of finding a morning meal for everyone.

“I suggest splitting up.” He said as they neared the city’s heart. “We’ll be able to find food quicker that way.”

Aved Jekk stared blankly at the map spread out on the log before him, trying to concentrate on planning a quick route to their goal. His mind was tuned in on his ears, however, as he tried to ascertain the location of the other two members of his team that were out scouting the swampy area for a nice spot to set up camp. The young Jawa sighed, running his fingers nervously through his gray head. He felt so naked without a hood to cover his head and this vulnerablity was only intensified by the fact that none of the other kids had ever seen an unmasked Jawa before. It was hard not to stare.

At a meter tall, Jekk was a humanoid covered with fur like hair, kind of like a Bothan or a Wookie but not as long and with a lot less of it. A Jawa also didn't possess a look as noble as those two species. With intense, almost glowing, amber eyes and higher cheekbones they indeed did resemble a rodent if a Bothan was dog-like and a Wookie bear-like. Their hasty manner of speech didn't help the image much either. At least he didn't stink. Unlike his native people of Tatooine, he had the good fortune of an abundance of water here on Naboo and bathing regularly did wonders.

The thought of water reminded him of the condition of their canteens. They were half depleted already and they would have to find a source of drinkable water soon. And food too. Kenshin had only provided them with one meal's worth of rations. The point of the exercise was to learn how the Force could provide after all and they had to learn how to survive. Retrieving the stub of a makeshift pencil from one of the pouches on his belt, he made marks on the map at places he suspect would yield both water and shelter. Food they would have to obtain while seeking these two necessities out.

At the sound of foliage crackling, Jekk looked up to see both Layla and Korin returning. "I climbed a tree and saw a clearing in the forest about two miles that way." Korin said, pointing in a northeast direction. "There's a small stream near it that empties into this swamp I think."

"Good." Jekk quickly folded up the map into a managable square and put away the pencil. "Running water is usually good drinking water. Let's go to his clearing and take a look." Hopping off the fallen tree he had used as a table, the young Jawa boy took followed his fellow Padawans into the dense forest, excited by the prospect of setting up their first camp and sleeping under the stars. He hadn't done that since he had left Tatooine and joined the Jedi Academy.

The Day Before...

There was a sucession of muffled thumps as Kenshin tossed an identical canvas knapsack at each of their feet. On top of that he placed a simple gray shirt, a white tunic, and a pair of multi-pocketed trousers. At the side of each pile he added a canteen and a belt pouch. He then instructed them to change into their new clothes and when they returned from stowing away their usual Jedi garb, he had them line up in the main cargo hold with their new equipment.

"Inside each small knapsack is a spare shirt and trousers." The Jedi Knight began when he was sure they were all listening. "The canteen holds a liter and inside the belt pouch is piece of flint as well as a folding pocket knife with a blade of five inches. Besides the clothes you are now wearing and the stuff at your feet, all you will have will be your teammates."

Retrieving two maps, he made the teams. " Deyn, Nawara, and Tav. You three are one group. Jekk, Korin, and Layla. You three are the other. Here are your maps. You'll have five days to reach the marked goal from each of your marked starting points. We'll be landing at Jekk's group's starting point first."

The children stared grimly at their maps. Sure they've done a bunch of nature walks and camp outs while at the Academy but they had always had a teacher with them. This was not only a longer trip but also one without supervision. Kenshin could practically taste the anxiety in the air. But they would have to deal with it. Facing one's fears is part of being a Jedi.

He then tossed them the personal training sabers he had confiscated the day before and he could tell that having them eased their minds a bit. It was something personal and familiar after all. "This is for protection only and the battery pack already in them is the only one you'll get this entire exercise. Use it wisely."

Feeling the ship land and the cargo door release, he motioned for Jekk, Korin, and Layla to step out. "May the Force be with you." He said with a reassuring nod. "And I'll see you guys in five days." With a bright grin, he closed the side hatch. He watched from the window with a smile as Jekk took the initative and rallied the group almost immediately. With the young Jawa in charge, those three would be fine.