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Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller) Updated 29th of May. COMPLETE!
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yodas_waiter
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Oct '06
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Date Posted:
12/1/06 8:05am
Subject:
Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller) Updated 29th of May. COMPLETE!
- Date Edited:
5/29/07 6:25am (21 edits total)
Edited By:
yodas_waiter
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Title: Interrupted Celebration
Author: yodas_waiter
Characters: OC's and Yoda
Genre: Thriller, I guess
Timeframe: 500 BBY
Summary: The Republic is getting ready to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the Ruusan Reformation. As a part of his training, Padawan Paska Yabin gets involved in a seemingly mundane suicide case that can have more far reaching consequences...
Hello all, I'm yodas_waiter and I'm new to this kind of thing. We'll I'm a What's The Story? vet, so I'm kinda familiar with the process, from a certain point of vie. I've lurked around and taken a look at how things work and hopefully I got it right. Once I've settled in, I'll post more in other threads and not be some kind of loner 
Also, before I start, I want to apologize for any bad English. English is my first language but I live in Sweden, so I don't use it as much as I would like to. Also, I'm open to constructive criticism. So let's get this started:
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Chapter 1
New Lessons To Be Learned
Paska Yabin had finally settled in. It usually took him a long time to reach the meditative state, but not this long, but Paska felt something weighing down on his mind. Personal issues but also things that seemed far-off, elusive. He isn’t one for sensing other peoples feeling, well, not so much at least. So this sudden sensation of a deeper connection with the galaxy frightened Paska and it was that he was meditating on when his master entered the room.
“You’ve got something for me?” Paska asked
“This new sense of awareness serves you well, Padawan,” his Master said as she walked across the room and settled opposite him. Paska opened his eyes.
“I think gut feeling played into it more, Master. You are the last person to disturb me during my meditation. There must be something important for you to say,” he pulled his warm Nautolan smile. Jedi Master Ferly Rhenon sighed.
“How many times must I tell you that your gut feeling is the Force? This gut feeling nonsense must stop. You can’t fully embrace the Force if you can’t fully accept the power of the Force. If you don’t embrace the Force, you’re an incomplete Jedi and you will cease developing. How long do you wish to be Padawan?”
“Not this again!”
“How long?” she persisted.
“Didn’t you have something important to show me?” the outburst was fiercer than Paska had intended it but he was growing tired of Master Rhenons constant bickering about the Force. She stared him right in the eyes and eventually, he faltered. Knowing that this was the closest she was going to get to an apology, Ferly Rhenon continued.
“Yes, that’s why I came. We’ve been given a case,”
“We’re going off-planet?” he asked excitedly. Feeling cramped in the giant city, Paska always relished seeing new worlds.
“No, that would be a mission,” Ferly was in no mood to be gentle with Paskas hopes. “We are going to investigate a possible murder.”
“Here?” he said disappointedly. “I thought that was the job of the law enforcement, not Jedi who swoop in and save the day and laugh in the face of danger,” he crossed his arms and looked down on the floor. That Nautolan smile wasn’t coming back.
“I’m sorry that it isn’t your idea of thrilling heroics, but there is much to learn from a crime scene.”
“Like?” Paska instantly regretted asking that question. He knew Ferly was going to go all smart on him.
“Certain aspects of the crime scene mimics life. There’s lying, deceit, jealousy and death. There is justice and with that comes relief and happiness to wash away the sadness,”
“Uh-huh. And that is what we’re going to see?”
“Hopefully, yes. There lays a lot of insight in a crime scene,” Ferly stood up “Finish off your meditation and then we’ll go,”
“I am finished,” Ferly looked down upon the Nautolan with disbelief.
“Honestly, I’m really rearing to go to the crime scene…after your description and…well…”
“Just this one time Padawan, just this one time…”
Paska Yabin gave his Master that Nautolan smile.
Paska looked down upon the Galactic City as Master Rhenon guided the speeder towards their destination. He couldn’t understand how thousands of different species could co-exist in a place that was so unnatural to any of them. It was impressive, but Paska always felt that the city weighed down upon him and constricted his thinking. Master Rhenon blamed is impatient nature, but Paska knew himself better, or at least, he thought so. He yearned for the day he had earned his knighthood and could spend more time on missions to other worlds, possibly returning back to Glee Anselm, possibly meeting his family…Paskas thoughts were cut short as Master Rhenon told him that they had arrived. The strange feeling came back and overcame Paska, stronger than he had ever felt it, as he stepped out of the speeder and walked towards the entry in the glaring midday sunlight.
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Padawan to Sionnach-Airgid Author of Chyler databank entry Nominated Best New Author in Before the Saga 06/07 The Enforcer (SW Super-hero tribute): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28028864/p1/?2
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yodas_waiter
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Date Posted:
12/4/06 1:49am
Subject:
RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller)
- Date Edited:
12/11/06 6:38am (2 edits total)
Edited By:
yodas_waiter
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Hmm...I'll just go ahead and post the next part.
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Chapter 2
The Crime Scene
Inspector Nolvin was speaking to another officer at the entrance of the crime scene when Master Rhenon arrived with her Padawan. He rounded off his conversation and turned towards the Jedi.
“Good afternoon Master Rhenon and Padawan…”
“Yabin,” Paska filled in
“Uh-huh. Nice meeting you,” grunted the burly Besalisk. Ferly was about to say something when Nolvin interrupted her.
“I should maybe tell you right away that the case didn’t seem as complex as we first thought. Looks more and more like suicide…”
“Aha…”
“That doesn’t ruin any of the training, right?” Nolvin asked. Ferly stood for a while and contemplated this.
“No, I wouldn’t think so, Inspector. A bit of an improvisation perhaps, but even with suicides there lays hidden truths.”
“Well, that is usually the case,” Nolvin said a he stroked his head crest. “But this one is pretty clear cut, which you would see for yourself,” he opened the door to reveal a fairly spacious and luxurious looking apartment with artwork on the walls and high-tech equipment for entertainment. Paska rather liked it. He wouldn’t mind living here. The curtains were drawn together and little light seeped in. The police had set up their own lights to get a better look at the crime-scene.
“The person who lives here is well-off,” Paska said.
“Doesn’t take a Jedi and the Force to know that,” Nolvin chuckled. “Now, I think you two should come through here,” Nolvin showed them through to the bedroom. The bedroom was just as luxurious looking as the rest of the apartment, yet simpler. There were no works of art or electronic devices. Just a bed and a cabinet. And the dead and still smouldering body of a Rodian laid spread out on the bed. Around the bed stood a team of forensic experts and droids taking pictures and examining the body. Further back in the bedroom stood a few law enforcement officers in quiet conversation and writing down some notes. Paska was surprised to find that the dead body did not in any way disturb him. However, had it been a Nautolan on that bed, smouldering, Paska knew he would already be making his way towards the bathroom.
“We figure it’s…” Nolvin started to say but was shushed by Ferly who pointed at Paska.
“I can’t…sense any struggle…” Paska said.
“Of course not, I told you earlier that we think it’s suicide,”
“Inspector,” Ferly hissed
“But, there is something else here. Something is not right…”
“If something were right, our being here would be up walking about and wondering what we’re doing here,”
“Inspector, please…” Ferly sighed.
“I’m sorry, but your Padawan is just stating what we already know or he’s being too vague. I’m aware that an assignment with witnesses would be the preferred one, but the only witness is the cleaner who broke in because of the smell,”
“There are no witnesses?” asked Ferly
“None, the ones we checked have got an alibi. I don’t know why you got this assignment, must’ve been some mix-up. I’m sorry for wasting your time,”
“And we’re sorry for wasting your time, Inspector. But we could’ve expected a little…” Ferly started saying when Paska interrupted her.
“I don’t want to leave,”
“Excuse me?” Ferly asked surprised. “The Inspector doesn’t need us here anymore. We don’t want to be a nuisance and in the way. We should leave,” it wasn’t a suggestion as it was an order.
“This has caught my interest. I want to stay,” Paska moved further into the room to make his intentions clear. He didn’t feel ready to tell his Master about what he had felt outside. Ferly sighed and looked at the Besalisk.
“It wouldn’t harm, would it?” she asked and he shook his burly head. “Well, maybe there’s something left to be salvaged from this lesson” Ferly said.
“So, tell me more,” Paska said and looked up at Inspector Nolvin. The Besalisk walked around next to the Nautolan and stroked his head crest whilst he was thinking.
“Well, um, the victim is called Breecko Harr and is an aide to Senator Gonx Abit of Rodia,” Nolvin was handed a datapad and took a look at it. “One of five might I add. Heh, I guess he needs five, being so fat and all!” Nolvin chuckled and slapped Paska on the shoulder. A Rodian forensic expert looked up and stared angrily at Nolvin.
“Oh, don’t be like that,” he said. “I mean, looks who’s talking. We Besalisks aren’t exactly Twi’Lek dancers,” he slapped his stomach to emphasize his point. The Rodian stopped staring and turned his head back to his work without saying anything. Nolvin turned back to Paska.
“Anyways, where was I? Oh yes, one of five aids. Lives alone, has family back on Rodia and so on. Fairly mundane, nothing that stands out,”
“He could have been a drug addict,” Nolvins assistant, a thin Gran, added eagerly as he came up behind them.
“You always say that Lubos! Get back to work!” Nolvin whispered to Paska. “That’s Lubos, he’s keen an’ all but he’s still a bit star-struck over working in this part of the city. Thinks there’s some nitty-gritty secrets to everything,” Ferly cleared her throat. Nolvin and Paska looked at the Jedi Master who stood with her arms crossed and with an impatient expression on her face.
“Sorry, I’m drifting off again. Mundane stuff. Show us where he shot himself,” he told one of the forensic droids who lifted the scorched shirt to reveal a blaster wound on the abdomen.
“As you might see, he’s shot himself in the stomach, most likely with this blaster here,” Nolvin held up a blaster encased in some forensic plasma.
“If he took suicide, why didn’t he shoot himself in the head?”
“Padawan!” said Ferly surprised.
“What? That is the most effective way to kill yourself. Isn’t it?” Master Rhenon just shook her head.
“Physiology plays into it. One species way of killing itself might not be effective on another species. Just ask our Rodian friend here,” the forensic expert looked up once again. However, noticing that it was a question that he could answer, he didn’t seem too annoyed.
“A blaster pretty much anywhere will leave us dead and smouldering,”
“Of course, then there’s always personal preference. Some might prefer one way whilst others prefer another. Me, I wouldn’t mind eating myself to death…” Nolvin chuckled and sighed. “But unfortunately, I’m content with life, so these poor fellows will have to put up with me until retirement.”
“Not necessarily,” the Rodian forensic expert said, not looking up from his work. “I’m a forensic expert. I can make you disappear,” a big smile spread over Nolvins face and he was about to retort when he was interrupted by Ferly, who was getting thoroughly annoyed and tired of the Inspector.
“How do you figure it is suicide? Is there a note of some sort?”
“No, but there is no sign of a struggle nor is anything stolen.”
“He works for the Senate, maybe there’s some intrigue going on?” Paska offered.
“Your starting to sound like Lubos,” Nolvin answered.
“I have to agree with the Inspector, Paska. Whilst there is corruption in the Senate, it’s hard to think that an aide would be a part of it,”
“Also, everything is monitored here. We would’ve seen our would-be assassin on the recordings, but no one has turned up,” Nolvin added.
“So there’s nothing to be done?” Paska asked disappointedly as they walked out of the bedroom and into the living room.
“Unfortunately, no,” Nolvin answered but then he realised something. “There is actually something to be done. You two could interview Senator Abit,”
“And what would we gain from that? I thought this case was done,” said Ferly.
“He’s a Senator. He has his ways off avoiding us lowly law enforcers. Jedi, however, are not as easily avoided,” he stroked the whiskers under his nose. “We don’t believe he’s got anything to do with it, it’s standard procedure an’ all. Seeing as your training here was ruined, maybe asking him a few questions would help. He’s a shrewd character, even though he might not have something to hide about this suicide, there will surely be some dirty secret you’ll sense,” he added sinisterly and then chuckled.
“The Force is not a toy and we don’t probe minds for fun,” an outraged Ferly and Paska sensed a rant coming, possibly because his Master couldn’t stand the Besalisk anymore. He caught her attention through the Force and she quietened down before going on further.
“But seeing as you’ve given us an offer that might salvage this wasted lesson, I’ll accept it,” Paska gave her a smile and she forced a smile back.
“Very good,” Nolvin clapped his hands together. “If you find anything of relevance, report it back to me, please” he winked and stretched out two of his arms. “A pleasure meeting you and nice to see the little one being keen an’ all,” both Paska and Ferly rolled there eyes, but not so Nolvin could see and the shook his hands. “May the Force be with You,” added and they wished the same and left the apartment.
-----signature-----
Padawan to Sionnach-Airgid Author of Chyler databank entry Nominated Best New Author in Before the Saga 06/07 The Enforcer (SW Super-hero tribute): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28028864/p1/?2
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VaderLVR64
Title: Fan Fic Manager in Combat Boots
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Feb '04
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Date Posted:
12/4/06 4:55pm
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RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller)
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Interesting story and characters! I look forward to seeing where you go with this. 
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If you have to choose between tears and laughter, remember that laughter burns more calories.
Proud New Army Mom - off to bootcamp!
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yodas_waiter
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Date Posted:
12/7/06 8:29am
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RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller)
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VaderLVR64 posted:
Interesting story and characters! I look forward to seeing where you go with this.
Thank you
I enjoy writing stories but most of the stories I've written are shorts for school work so I thought I'd try something new. I've never written a story with a long plot and a set of characters to build up. It's kinda cool to see how this will work out in the end.
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Padawan to Sionnach-Airgid Author of Chyler databank entry Nominated Best New Author in Before the Saga 06/07 The Enforcer (SW Super-hero tribute): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28028864/p1/?2
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yodas_waiter
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Date Posted:
12/11/06 6:53am
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RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller)
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Ok, time for a new chapter. Enjoy!
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Chapter 3
The Senators Office
Senator Abits secretary had told them to wait outside his office. The waiting room was spacious and lavish and the sofa was very comfortable. When the secretary was out of earshot, Master Rhenon hissed to Paska, “I don’t like this. Inspector Nolvin is using us. This has nothing to do with your training”
“I think it does,” Paska replied as he reached for a holo-mag.
“Padawans are supposed to solve cases in conjunction with the law. However, Nolvin made it clear that everything was solved more or less, so this is a complete waste of time,”
“I’m interested,” he said as he skimmed through the various articles. “Who knows, we might find something useful,”
“Don’t count on it,” Ferly answered grumpily.
The secretary, a tall and slender female Rodian turned up again and told them they could enter. Behind the thick wooden doors was an office even more lavish than the waiting room. Exotic plants lined the walls and gave the room a fragrant smell, which Paska found to be a pleasant surprise Here and there were sculptures depicting different figures of Rodian history. At the end of the room was a wide wooden desk with various advanced technological apparatus lined on it. Behind the desk was a large panorama window with a stunning view over Coruscant. On a wide ride sofa, almost hidden behind all the plants laid an obese Rodian wearing what clearly was expensive cloth. He was dictating something to an aide, a tall and thin Rodian. Senator Abit stopped talking and without a word, the aide walked out of the office. With much difficulty, the Rodian sat up and lumbered towards the desk. His swivel chair creaked noisily under his weight as he sat down. Ignoring the noise, he turned towards the Jedi.
“Welcome, I’m Senator Gonx Abit of Rodia,” he stretched out a fleshy hand and they both shook it. The Senator leaned back in his chair to yet more creaks. “I assume that you’re here to ask me questions concerning the suicide of one of my aides…”
“Yes we are,” answered Ferly but before she could go on, Senator Abit interrupted her.
“Doing the polices dirty work? Can’t blame them. I wouldn’t allow them to set foot in my office. But where are my manners? You were saying?”
“This is standard procedure. We just need to ask some questions. The evidence suggests that it was suicide and you are in no way a suspect, so do not…”
“How did you know it was suicide?” Paska brusquely asked, cutting into Ferlys sentence.
“Boy, I’m his boss. I also have contacts. Rumour spreads. However, I saw it coming for a long time,”
“How?” Paska asked as Ferly tried to pick up where her sentence had left off.
“He was depressed. Galactic City never appealed to him. He missed Rodia and everyone he knew back home. We tried to cheer him up, but he seemed dead-set on being moody,”
“And this went on for how long?” Ferly asked abandoning the attempts to continue her previous sentence.
“Quite some time. Eventually, he would use suicide as a threat if we did not meet his demands. Caused some strain in the office. A few days ago he demanded a pay rise, despite that I’m quite generous and I denied him it. He started shouting and being a disturbance. It went so far that I had to send in security to sedate him. He was taken back to his apartment and that was the last time I saw him alive,” the Senator spread out his arms and looked out at the view. Paska thought that all this was told in a very matter-of-factly tone. Once again the sensation he had felt outside Breecko Harrs apartment and in the meditation chamber came back. Paska glanced at his Master, but her composure was the same. Either she wasn’t feeling it or she was hiding it very well.
“And that’s the last you saw of him?” Ferly asked as Paska sat pondering his strange feelings. The Rodian nodded.
“Yes, and now this. The press is going to have a field-day, I’m afraid,”
“Is there a possibility that this was murder and not suicide,” both Ferly and Gonx Abit looked with surprise at Paska as he posed the question.
“Well, of course there is a possibility, but it’s infinitely small,”
“Still a possibility though,” Paska sad stubbornly. “Who, in your opinion, could have done it?” Paska leaned over the desk and stared right into the eyes of the Senator. Master Rhenon sat still and said nothing whilst Gonx Abits eyes were flickering about as he tried to find an answer. After a while, he answered; “There are lots of crazy people out there that want to assert their power over others. Could be disgruntled Rodians from back home or criminal organisations trying to threaten me. But I haven’t been directly threatened, neither has my staff,” Paska opened his mouth to ask another question when his Ferly interrupted him.
“Thank you for your time, Senator. I’m sorry about my Padawan, I hope he hasn’t caused any discomfort?”
“Not at all, not at all. Goodbye,” the Rodian said as he wiped his brow with his sleeve. They all stood up and shook hands once again and Abit followed them to the door.
***
“Was that necessary?” Master Rhenon asked as the elevator descended downwards towards the hangar. “Pressuring him with questions like that…I’m surprised he didn’t throw us out.”
“He was hiding something. Couldn’t you see it?” Paska answered. “He wasn’t expecting those questions and it threw him completely off,”
“It had the same effect on me,” Ferly said and looked down on her Padawan. “But I couldn’t sense any deceit. He was truthful, at least concerning the matter at hand,”
“But…” Paska protested.
“You shouldn’t let your gut feeling guide you too much,” Ferly interrupted. “The question was a good one, but you shouldn’t have pressured him. We Jedi yield a lot of fear within certain individuals because of our powers. You shouldn’t have taken advantage of that,”
“I wasn’t. I knew what I was doing,” he groaned. Perhaps he should’ve told Master Rhenon about the sensation before the questioning, since she obviously hadn't felt anything at all, so he could’ve avoided this small lecture, but it was too late now and she would dismiss it as gut feeling.
“Wait a minute, Master. I thought you said that my gut feeling is really the Force. Surely you’re not blaming the Force for misguiding me?” with his Master caught in a contradiction, he eagerly anticipated what her answer would. It wasn’t often that Paska had the upper-hand in such discussions and when he did, he relished it as much as he could. On the other hand, Master Rhenon looked like she had just taken a bite out of a sour brazi-fruit as she struggled to find an answer to wipe the Nautolans smug grin off his face.
“Don’t be silly,” she finally said as Paska was humming a Nautolan victory tune. “If you had listened to the Force, you too would have seen that he wasn’t lying. When you’re right, you attribute your gut feeling to that rather than the Force. However, when you’re wrong, then it’s your gut feeling, not the Force, who is wrong. I’ve never denied that your gut feeling exists. I only deny it when you turn out to be right, which weren’t this time,” she sighed. Whether it was a sigh over Paskas perceived ignorance or a sigh of relief from getting out of that situation, he couldn’t tell.
“Whatever you say Master, whatever you say…” he replied, trying to conceal his smile.
“Why you little…don’t get cocky,” Ferly tried to suppress a laugh as she gave Paska a light shove.
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Padawan to Sionnach-Airgid Author of Chyler databank entry Nominated Best New Author in Before the Saga 06/07 The Enforcer (SW Super-hero tribute): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28028864/p1/?2
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yodas_waiter
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Date Posted:
12/27/06 6:52am
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RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller)
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Got a new chapter here, but I don't think so many are interested. Anyhoo, I'll just go ahead and post it. Enjoy!
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Chapter 4
Freeing The Mind
It had gone a few days since the events of Breecko Harrs suicide and it was already fading from Paskas mind. Nothing had come out of it (Inspector Nolvin had been noticeably disappointed when the Jedi came back with no dirt on Gonx Abit) and Paska had certainly not learned anything from it. In fact, the whole experience had an opposite effect on him. Paska was prone to self-doubt and though he felt triumphant at having caught his teacher in a contradiction, his mind had changed over the few days and he slowly accepted what Master Rhenon had told him. Without telling her, of course. Instead of delving deeper into this mysterious feeling, Paska would instead try to shut it out during his, now more frequent, meditation sessions.
Paska was sparring with another Padawan, Radz Mir, when a Jedi Knight swooped in. Sparring was Paskas favourite activity and he never took kindly to interruptions, not even if it was Master Yoda who interrupted.
“Padawan Yabin?” asked the Nikto knight.
“That’s me,” answered Paska as he lowered his training saber. “Has something…”
“Master Rhenon requests your presence up at the Council Chamber,” the Nikto said and Paskas partner drew his breath in by surprise.
“The Council?” the Nikto nodded. “I’ll be up as fast as I can,” the Knight left the room.
“What does the Council want you for?” asked Mir. Paska shrugged as he stowed away the training saber and made for the door.
“You don’t think it’s got anything to do with those sweets we took from the kitchen?” Mir asked nervously. “Do you?” he added meekly.
“Don’t be a silly nerf-herder” The Council doesn’t investigate that!” Mir drew a sigh of relief and wished Paska good luck. But Paska himself couldn’t help feeling curious. He had never stood in front of the Council before and he knew that they dealt only in important matters. Something was going on and he felt something in the back of his mind, but he dismissed it as the elevator rose through the different storeys. Master Rhenon was there to meet him when the door slid open.
“There you are! Hurry up, the Council is waiting,”
“What do they want?”
“Be patient and you’ll find out,” she was walking swiftly and he had trouble keeping up. But as they reached the entrance, she slowed down and assumed some kind of grace before walking in. Paska trudge in behind her.
“Welcome Master Rhenon and Padawan Yabin,” said the diminutive green creature sitting opposite them.
“Master Yoda, Council Members,” Master Rhenon said and bowed. Paska copied her. He had never felt more exposed, not even that time he got lost in the lower levels of Coruscant felt worse. 12 beings gazes were penetrating him and he knew they could sense his every little feeling. He wasn’t frightened but he felt uncomfortable. He looked around and met the comforting eyes of Yoda, and relaxed at once.
“We have called you here since there’s been a serious event near to the Senate,” said the Selkath Master Rin Rakash.
“I haven’t heard anything,” said Ferly.
“Keeping it quiet, the law enforcement is,” said Yoda.
“There’s been an assassination,” said Master Huxal Perriondi. “and we believe that you might have some knowledge concerning the cause of it,”
“Why do you think that, Master?” asked Ferly, genuinely surprised. Paska didn’t know what to think but he didn’t like the accusatory tone of Master Perriondi.
“The victim in question is Senator Gonx Abit, from Rodia,” said Tor Jibeth. “You met him a few days ago on behalf of Inspector Nolvin, didn’t you?” and at once, the feeling that Paska had tried to suppress exploded into his mind and he closed his eyes and tried to control it. The sound of the Council Chamber drifted off and as he opened his eyes, they met Master Yoda’s, again. The eyes twinkled as if to say the possessed knowledge that would land Paska in trouble. But that was only momentary as Master Yoda turned towards Master Rhenon who was giving the Council a run-down of the meeting with Gonx Abit.
“…but he did not believe himself or his staff to be threatened. He was telling the truth. I did not sense any deceit about him,”
“Perhaps in the context of the interrogation, but the mind of every being is a wonderful piece of work. Senator Abit could have had his fear stored away subconsciously. Maybe he didn’t want to show fear,” said Master Holavert Biist, a stout human with a flowing white beard.
“But that is beside the point,” Master Perriondi said dismissively. “The Senator is now dead and it needs to be investigated!” several Council members nodded their heads and muttered in agreement.
“Most apt to investigate this, we believe you are. That is why called up here, you were,” said Yoda.
“This is what you need to know,” Biist said. “The Senators transport was shot down by a guided missile this morning. Everyone onboard died: the Senator, three aides and the pilot. No one has been caught but the SBI believes the act was perpetrated by disgruntled villagers who object to the deforestation of Rodia. Senator Abit had business contacts with one of the major companies, Chazzak Industries, and would’ve been an obvious target,”
“Go to Rodia and find the assassins you must. An interest many other Senators have in Chazzak Industries and share the same fate of Senator Abit they will not. Investigate on Coruscant, we will.”
“With the 500th anniversary of the Ruusan Reformation coming up, nothing can go wrong. It’s imperative that you find the murderers before they get a chance to destabilise the Senate,” Perriondi said whilst eyeing Paska. “I don’t feel entirely comfortable sending you two on such a mission, but since you’ve been working on the aides suicide which we believe to be in connection with the Senators murder, I have no other choice but to let you go,” Paska had to restrain a lot of self-control not show his emotions. He closed his shaking fists and stood there breathing slowly. Luckily, it seemed to have gone unnoticed.
“Very well,” said Ferly and looked around the Council chamber. “We will to what to Council asks of us and get to the bottom of this as fast as we can. May the Force be with You,” she bowed and so did Paska and they turned around to walk out of the room when Master Yoda’s voice floated up from behind.
“Why so quick to leave? Questions I have for young Yabin,” Paska turned around and looked straight at the small Jedi
Master. “Why hesitate? Come before us,” the voice was friendly and inviting, but Paska knew it was an order he had to follow, so he walked slowly back into the Chamber and stood there in the middle.
“What is the meaning of this Master Yoda?” asked Rin Rakash but Yoda ignored him and kept his eyes on Paska.
“Tell me about your feelings,” Yoda said, cutting to the chase. Paska knew there was no point in dawdling and that he should answer the question as best he could. But in a moment, conflicted feelings rose within him. The Council had no right to poke around in his mind, why should they know what’s going on inside him? He was handling it all by himself, he didn’t need any help. But maybe he should tell the Council. Who knows what they can do? This raged in his mind for several seconds before Paska came to an answer.
“My feelings? They are strange…”
“In what way?” and Paska started telling them about this sense of deeper connection he had with the Force and how it manifested itself most strongly when working with something in connection with the Rodians. The whole Council and Master Rhenon stood silently and listened.
“Interesting, this is. But much trust in the Force do you?”
“No he doesn’t,” Master Rhenon chipped in. “He trusts his own instincts more than the Force. We’ve discussed this several times,”
“I’ve also tried to shut this feeling out whenever it appears,” Paska said, looking down to the floor, surprised that he was actually feeling some sort of shame.
“Why?”
“Because I wasn’t sure if it was my gut feeling or the Force,” he answered. “It seemed to be misleading me,”
“We had a talk about this,” Ferly said as she moved in towards the centre. “This feeling seemed to be playing tricks with him, making him suspect things that weren’t there. I told him that if it were the Force, it wouldn’t deceive him.”
“And was he deceived?” Master Yoda said sternly but with a sparkle in his eyes.
“Yes, he felt things that I couldn’t feel and weren’t there,”
“And do you believe that the Force tells you everything? That you are somehow a confidante?” Biist said as he leaned back and stroked his beard. Ferly hesitated and looked a little lost until she said “No.”
“So, how do you know that young Yabin was deceived? Is it possible he’s more sensitive than you are?”
“But I don’t spend that much time in the meditation compared the Master Rhenon,” Paska said, trying to keep up with the flow of the discussion.
“Perhaps that, the answer is. Opening the floodgates of your mind to the Force you are. Strong, this sudden sensation would be and uncontrolled,”
“What should I do about it?”
“Leave it be,” answered Perriondi. “Grow accustomed to it. But don’t listen to it until you control it,”
“Agree with Master Perriondi I do. Whether premonitions or indications of this case these sensations are, we cannot say. But suppress them do not! Only hurt you it will,”
“I understand,” said Paska and bowed.
“Unsure of that I am,”
-----signature-----
Padawan to Sionnach-Airgid Author of Chyler databank entry Nominated Best New Author in Before the Saga 06/07 The Enforcer (SW Super-hero tribute): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28028864/p1/?2
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yodas_waiter
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Date Posted:
1/16/07 6:36am
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RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller)
- Date Edited:
1/16/07 6:38am (2 edits total)
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yodas_waiter
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Here's Chapter 5. IMO, the story is starting to pick up in pace. And as always, any comments are very very much appreciated. The lack of it so far has been kinda disheartening. Anyhoo, enjoy!
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Chapter 5
The Jungle Trail
Master Rhenon had been very quiet ever since the Council meeting. All she had told Paska was to pack some necessities as fast as possible. He knew he should have told her earlier about the strange feelings but he felt that she was more upset over the fact that her view of the Force had come into question and that she was forced to back down. It didn’t take long to reach the hangar but he knew that Master Rhenon would chastise him for being late.
“You’re late Paska, hurry up!”
“Sorry Master, you know I can’t travel without my music, my holo-mags, my…”
“Paska…”
“All right, all right…” he trudged into the small two seat craft that was going to take them to Rodia. “No chance of me getting to pilot it, I suspect…”
“This new feeling serves you well, Padawan,” she said sarcastically as the doors hissed shut. The hangar doors slid open and the ship blasted off into the rainy Coruscant sky. It didn’t take long to reach orbit and as Paska looked down towards the planet-wide city, he could feel a load being lifted off his mind. The orbital hyperspace rings were not to far away and with a little sense of excitement, Paska heard the click and the booster engines loading. It was only his 5th time travelling hyperspace and with a sense of joy and relief, he felt the speed picking up and saw the stars turning into streaks.
***
Something was nudging at Paskas arm. Two, three, four times, then it stopped. Suddenly something poked him hard on the head and he opened his eyes in confusion.
“Whu…what? Huh?” he struggled with getting his words out.
“We’re here Padawan,” Paska could see Rodia looming up in front of him, big, green and inviting.
“This is serious business, you understand? I don’t want you being all groggy from sleep. Full concentration is what is needed,” Paska just nodded, not knowing if Ferly’s mood had improved during the journey.
“Now, we’re going to meet with some officials who will take us to these villages in question,” the ship had left its booster ring behind and was quickly descending through the atmosphere. Ferly pushed a button and the ships wings extended further to slow down. Through the ventilation, Paska could already get a whiff of Rodia and he was surprised and disappointed to find that it wasn’t a jungle smell but an urban one. Ferly saw the look on his face and said; “We have to go through the capital before getting out into the jungle. Don’t worry, it’s nothing like Coruscant,”
Equator City wasn’t perhaps like Coruscant but it was still crowded. Once they had stepped out of their docking bay, they had a hard time making their way through the streets. Garbage and dirty pools of water also lined the streets with beggars. Paska found himself accidentally treading in puddles several times and withdrawing his soaking shoe in disgust. Beggars would also tug at his robes and ask for food or money. Paska gave them what he could but he slowly got annoyed and was close to shoving one off of him if his Master Rhenon had not intervened. Paska was surprised to see how well she was making progress in this city. She walked gracefully and never slipped. Neither was she bothered by any beggars. When Paska saw them, they seemed intimidated by the tall Socorran but if that were the case or if she enhanced those feelings with the Force, he couldn’t tell.
Eventually they reached their destination which was some kind of governmental building. It was a large grey building and Paska took an instant dislike to it. It was just as drab inside with a grey and black look and clear-cut lines. He wished to leave the place as fast as he could, but they had to meet someone there. That someone emerged after 20 minutes. He was a Rodian who wore a black suit which probably showed he was some kind of official, Paska thought. Paska could see that the Rodian was old since his skin was wrinkled. He introduced himself as Fasin Vido and showed them to his office, but curiously enough as Paska noticed, he did not give any title. His office seemed to do that job, being big and in a different set of colours than the rest of the building. It suggested that Fasin Vido held a significant position, yet he seemed uncomfortable and a bit lost as he sat down behind the desk. He offered them some kind of cakes that were green, sticky and had a strong sweet smell and something to drink which the accepted, then he went on to address why they were here.
“So, you are here to investigate the murder of Senator Gonx Abit?” he started off tentatively.
“Yes, I’m sure you’ve heard what happened,” said Ferly.
“Oh yes,” said the Rodian and adjusted his spectacles. “Terrible business, terrible. And cowardly, might I add. It’s a sad day for Rodia,” there was a pause and he went on. “We would have dealt with it ourselves, but we were delighted to hear of the Jedi intervening. One can never have too many Jedi on his side,” he smiled and seemed to be gaining confidence in front of the Jedi.
“Yes, the Jedi Council and the SBI fear that other Senators might be at risk. With the 500th anniversary of the Ruusan Reformation nearing us, we can’t afford that the Republic is destabilised,”
“Or in any other case,” the Rodian said and took a sip from his cup.
“Excuse me, but you haven’t said what you do,” Paska asked
“Do?” he carefully put the cup down
“Yes, do. What is your job?”
“Oh, haha! Yes…” the Rodian chuckled nervously. “My mind’s all over the place. I’m the Minister of the Interior. Did I forget to tell you? Oh well, excuses, excuses…” he bowed his head several times.
“That’s quite all right,” Ferly said with a sideways glance at Paska. “We’d rather like to gain some knowledge on these villages so we can deal with them as quickly as possible,”
“Sure, sure. That’s why you are here after all,” he opened a few drawers and searched around for an info-chip, eventually he found it and connected it to his datapad and showed it to Master Rhenon. “As you can see, the group of villages in question are close to a deforested area up north. They’ve been causing trouble for some time, attacking workers, demonstrating, even acts of terrorism and intimidation! They’ve been causing lots of damage and death, including Senator Abits, for some time now,” a fast succession of news clips showing various fires, explosions and dead Rodians flashed on the small screen. He closed the datapad and looked seriously upon them with his old and stern eyes.
“The people of Rodia can’t stand for this anymore. It is a regrettable decision but we need those villages to be taken care of,”
“What are you suggesting?” Ferly asked that despite knowing what was coming next.
“We need you to help us get rid of the villages,”
“With all due of respect Minister, we’re here to investigate a murder, not to slaughter a whole village,”
“But these are the guilty ones,” he almost started begging them for help. “The population will not tolerate this anymore.
On behalf for the people of Rodia, I beg you to help us,” he stared into the eyes of both of them and there was a silence between them for sometime before Paska asked “And if we say no?”
“Then I’m sorry to say that the Ministry of the Interior will not assist you in any way to reach the villages,” Fasin Vido stood up as if to say goodbye to Ferly and Paska but they were still seated. Vido sighed and sat down again.
“You could reach them on your own, but it’s treacherous and it will take a long time on your own. If you agreed to help us, we would make sure you reached the villages quickly to help in your investigation,”
“And what about the whole killing part?” Ferly asked.
“As a compromise, we could take care of it ourselves,”
“We would have no part in it?”
“Not unless you want to,”
Ferly sighed and took a look at Paska who gave her a blank stare. He had no idea what to do.
“I guess we have no other choice,”
“Excellent, you will have the full support of the Ministry!” he excitedly stretched out his hand to shake Ferlys who shook it rather unenthusiastically. “I can make arrangements for you to be transported up north and to begin your trek in the morning,” they shook his hands once again and he told them where to go to take their transport and what to do next morning. Then he bid them good luck and farewell.
It didn’t take to long to find the shuttle bay, even though it meant trudging his way through more puddles for Paska, and they met their pilot who couldn’t speak Basic. It took a while but they managed to identify themselves and at once he proved himself useful. He showed them onboard a rusty old shuttle that was almost falling apart. Standing there with soggy feet, Paska cursed his ever spiralling bad luck.
“Are you sure this is some kind of official ship…err…thing, Master?”
“Unfortunately not Padawan, but he does seem to know who we are,”
The Rodian pilot looked eagerly at them as he spoke quickly about his ship, stroking the dented old hull tenderly. Ferly forced a smile and nodded as if she understood what the pilot said. She nudged Paska and said through gritted teeth, “I think we have no other choice, but to go,”
Paska sighed, “I wish I was back on Coruscant…”
***
The ride was bumpy and slightly nerve-racking but they reached their destination in the end and thanked the ecstatic pilot who clapped the ship as if to say “thank you” rather than “good job”. He seemed just as happy to be on firm ground as they were. The two Jedi were met by a rather short and stout Rodian who introduced himself as their contact. He was going to show them to their lodgings for the night. Much more wasn’t said until they reached the building. There he told them that he would meet them outside tomorrow to begin their jungle trek. By now, Paska was expecting his room to be moist and cold with hard beds and itchy sheets but the arrangements turned out to be fine. Master Rhenon nodded off within minutes of lying down but Paska was awake for a long while after that. During the day, Paska had felt the sensation picking at him from the back of the head. He followed the Councils advise and just let it be but he couldn’t help but feel concerned over what it meant. He had felt it just before seeing Breecko Harrs dead body, he had felt during the meeting with Gonx Abit who was later killed and now he felt it during the meeting with Fasin Vido. Did this mean that the body of the Minister would appear within a few days? Paska shuddered to think about it. What if he felt this sensation when he was solely in the company of Master Rhenon? Paska closed his eyes and told himself several times that he should not think like that and that the Force works in mysterious ways. But the ball was set in motion and Paska turned around in his bed, unable to fall asleep.
Eventually he felt Ferlys hand on his shoulder shaking him. He woke up with a start since he had been in the middle of a dream. He looked around and saw daylight coming in through the window and realised that he eventually must’ve fallen asleep, even though he didn’t feel like he had. A quick breakfast later and they stepped outside into the Rodia morning. The jungle was a few miles away but the sound of it could be heard to the center of town. Outside they meet the stout Rodian who had arrived on a speeder. He told them to climb in and they sped off towards the jungle. Paska felt refreshed by the jungle air but he noticed Master Rhenon looked uncomfortable. He nudged her and gave her a quizzical look to which she mouthed “It smells funny,” Paska smiled, she had been trapped in Galactic City for too long.
But the smile on Paskas face was quickly wiped away as the speeder slowed in. Standing only a few meters in front of them was a large group of what can be described as, Rodian brutes. Big, mean-looking Rodians with a wide variety of weapons and looked at the incoming speeder. There must’ve been at least 30 of them.
“Excuse me, but what is the meaning of this?” asked Ferly.
“What? These?” the stout Rodian said and pointed to the group. “They are your guides!”
“Guides?” Ferly blurted out. “Wouldn’t one do fine?”
“Oh no,” the Rodian shook his head. “The jungle trail to the villages is a dangerous one. These Rodians are here to ensure that you make it through safely,”
“But, we are Jedi!” said Ferly.
“Doesn’t matter,”
“And what if we want to go it alone?” she didn’t sound as defiant as she would’ve wanted to.
“Well, I’m afraid that I would’ve been forced to take you back to Equator City. The government of Rodia isn’t prepared to take the blame for some off-worlders deaths, Jedi or not,” Ferly sighed and slumped back in her chair. Fasin Vido had tricked them and she couldn’t believe that they had fallen for it.
“What are we going to do?” Paska asked
Ferly rubbed her eyes. This was supposed to be mundane suicide case, dammit! How could it ever spiral into this?
“We must go ahead Padawan, we have not other choice…”
After receiving their gear and the stout Rodian had said a hasty “good luck”, they were off. The path they walked was a narrow one and could only fit two grown-ups walking side by side. The Rodian guides seemed uncomfortable with this and there was some bickering about what would be the best formation, for some reason. It ended up with them sticking to walking two and two, anyways. Progress was slow because of the dense foliage that hung down over the path. Many times they had to stop so that a few Rodians could walk ahead and cut the foliage down. They wouldn’t let Ferly or Paska help out. Paska was glad to be walking in the jungle, taking in the smells, the noises and the feeling of being in the untamed nature. Sometimes they would reach a part of the jungle which had been cut down. It was a grim sight and a disheartening one for Paska. Other than that, it was an arduous and boring trek. The Rodians weren’t social and neither Paska nor Ferly wanted to talk. Progress was also slow with frequent breaks so that the Rodians could argue over the route they were taking or something else.
Surprisingly, the day seemed to pass pretty quickly and Paska was surprised to see how far the sun had moved over the sky since he last looked up. But the longer the day grew, the more agitated the brutes became. Something was clearly pressing on their mind and the pace slowly but surely quickened. Eventually, the fatigue and frustration took its toll and during one of the breaks, a large fracas erupted between the Rodians. It took some time for Ferly and Paska to break the fight but two Rodians had already been struck down and lay on the jungle floor dead. It seemed like some Rodians were threatening to give up and walk up, but when the group got moving again, they noticed they were too few to cope with the dangers of the jungle and they hurried after the group. The two dead Rodians were left where they lay. The shadows were growing longer now and sight was even more limited now than it had been during the day. Even Paska started feeling uncomfortable and tried to keep close to his Master. Several times shots were heard as some of the jittery brutes fired out into the dark after hearing strange noises. This led to another death as one Rodian thought another one of his companions up front was some kind of beast. The feeling of claustrophobia was overtaking Paska now. The jungle was closing in on him, his sight was limited, the noise was increasing and was coming closer and he was in the middle of a group of trigger-happy Rodians. He groaned and cursed this whole investigation. He should’ve never had taken up Inspector Nolvins offer of interrogating the Senator. Up front there were some cheers and Paska noticed that they had left the narrow path behind them and it was widening. At least they weren’t in the middle of the jungle anymore, but the cheering was cut short as one of the Rodians up front yelled in surprised and slumped together.
“What’s going on?” Paska asked as he heard something fly through the air and strike another Rodian. Ferly lit her lightsaber, bathing a small area in green light and Paska followed her, also drawing his green saber. The air was thick of something that whistled past them and struck several other Rodians. The ones still standing fired some shots at random into the jungle. One appeared to have struck as Paska heard something heavy falling down from a tree. But it was to no use, they were surrounded and slowly and surely, the number of brutes still standing where diminishing. Soon, only Paska and Ferly were left standing, they had managed to intercept the arrow-like things that were now focused on them. The air was thick of them and Paska stood back to back with his Master, trying to cover each other. Paska was focused on trying to fend off whatever was raining down on them but his concentration was broken as Ferly shuddered, went “Oh,” in calm surprise and slumped together. Before Paska could get his wits about him, he too felt something prick his unshielded back. He shuddered and noticed that he couldn’t move a muscle and he fell face first towards the jungle floor, his last thought regretting that he had no last words for his Master.
-----signature-----
Padawan to Sionnach-Airgid Author of Chyler databank entry Nominated Best New Author in Before the Saga 06/07 The Enforcer (SW Super-hero tribute): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28028864/p1/?2
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Healer_Leona
Registered:
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Date Posted:
1/16/07 2:54pm
Subject:
RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller)
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Just found this one myself and am enjoying it quite a bit.
Don't give up on it. Often new writer's have a time to find their reader base. Read others and reply, get involved in threads on the Resource board. Whether it's you'r favorite character discussion thread or the soical thread.
It always help to make friends. 
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Still crazy after all these years.
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yodas_waiter
Registered:
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Date Posted:
1/23/07 6:28am
Subject:
RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller)
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Healer_Leona: Thanks for the tips I've been doing a bit of socialising and commenting in the past week and I'm working my way slowly but surely
And here's Chapter 6. Enjoy!
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Chapter 6
The Villagers Testimony
Something was wrong, Paska could feel it. The room was all white and clean. Nothing was left, no dust, no bloodstain, and no body. He stood at the foot of the bed looking at the spot where Breecko Harrs body was supposed to be. Suddenly, he saw smoke filtering in. It was coming from the closet. It was pulsating out more and more smoke which grew darker and darker. Paska was choking and he fell to his knees. Just before he lost conscience, he saw a hand, a Rodian hand grab his shoulder. “Please, don’t let it be Breecko Harr,” he thought. He quickly turned around and it all went black.
***
Paska was awake and staring into blackness. He had his eyes closed and the smell of smoke was sticking his nose. He knew he was indoors since he could hear the rain hitting the roof and he felt a hand on his shoulder, which was surely a Rodians. He was restrained and could hardly move. He didn’t know why they had kept him alive but he didn’t want to open his eyes to find what predicament he was in, not if he was alone. He felt something brush beside his hand and he heard the voice of his Master saying “Paska, wake up!” Was it a trick? What should he do? Aw, dammit! And so he opened his eyes. It took some time for his eyes to adjust, but he noticed that he was in a large, rectangular one-storey building. Some way down from him was a fire going and in front of him sat a group of wide eyed Rodians. He noticed that his restraints were nothing more than simple rope, yet he was too weak to free himself.
“Where am I?” he groaned.
“You’re safe,” a voice said behind him. “For now at least. Until you tell us who you are and what you are doing here,” Paska looked to his left and saw a Rodian wearing a long green robe with yellow headband standing above him. Paska also noticed Ferly, who was in restraints too, who said “Hi,” meekly.
“Who are you?” Paska asked.
“That is of no importance at this moment. I should be asking you that question, seeing as it was you not I, who entered our lands with fully armed government goons,”
“What do you want with us? Where are the others?” Ferly groaned.
“Your small band of thugs is dead. We sedated them with a powerful poison in these small arrows and left them to be eaten up by the predators. But you, you we spared. You’re off-worlders and off-worlders aren’t interested in us, much less interested in cooperating with the government. And just to make it even more interesting, you’re Jedi. What is it that brings you here?” he stood now in front of them and looked down on them. Paska groaned and closed his eyes whilst Ferly stared calmly into the Rodians eyes.
“I’m Ferly Rhenon, Jedi Knight and this is my Padawan, Paska Yabin. We are here on a mission. We were tricked by the government and we were forced to take those brutes with us. We never intended to cause you any harm,” the Rodian rubbed his temples and turned towards the small group of wide-eyed Rodians sitting behind him. He said something to them and some nodded whilst others seemed unsure of something. They talked a bit more and eventually he turned back to the Jedi.
“You seem honest and you are still weak from the poison. I wouldn’t recommend you to try anything…heroic…”
“Thanks, these bonds are killing me,” Paska said wearily and the Rodians untied both him and Ferly. Paska was hit by a sudden rush of pain as he realised how stiff his muscles were. His face distorted into a silent screams as he fell to the floor and twisted in agony. Through tear-filled eyes, he could see that his Master was going through the same thing. Within seconds, which had felt like hours, the stretching and burning sensation had disappeared and Paska could sit up. Feeling more exhausted now than when he had been tied down, he leaned himself against Master Rhenon who was equally exhausted. The Rodian kneeled down so that his face was level with theirs.
“I’m sorry about that. It’s one of the side-effects of the poison. Nothing could’ve been done to stop it. By the way, I’m Chief Orp Tyiv,” he stretched out his hand. “I feel we have a lot to discuss,” he snapped his fingers and someone gave him a small wooden box. He took it and opened it in front of the sore Jedi. In the box were their lightsabers and he offered them to the Jedi. “As a token of good will.” Chairs were pulled up and the three sat down, facing each other. The rest of the Rodians gathered up behind the chair of Orp Tyiv and looked apprehensively at the Jedi.
“You said you are on a mission. What mission is that and why did you end up working with the government?” he leaned back and stared at them unblinkingly.
“We are here on an investigation. We had meetings with the government but we expected to go alone,” Ferly could still feel the effects of the poison and was breathing heavily. Paska wasn’t looking up at all, his head was hanging down by his chest.
“Investigating what?” Orp Tyiv seemed to spare them no compassion until he had heard the truth of why they had trespassed on his peoples land with a group of armed thugs. Ferly thought it wasn’t looking good and the lightsaber was useless, hanging limply in her hand.
“The assassination of Senator Gonx Abit,” she answered. Tyiv blinked and leaned back. He turned his head and said something to the group of Rodians sitting behind him. Something angered them and several raised their voices in angry protests. He turned back to the Jedi, the same cold determination for the truth in his eyes.
“We don’t believe you this time. The government would never do such a thing,”
“Do what?” Paska forced his head up so he could meet the stare of Tyiv.
“Help you. Especially concerning the assassination of Senator Gonx Abit,”
“I’m…I don’t follow you…” Ferly said meekly.
“Senator Gonx Abit was a nuisance. Always a thorn in the government’s side. They tried to push him out of office several times but he hung in there. If anything, the government would be happy to see him gone,”
“But the SBI…” Paska said, trying to grasp at something in all of the confusion.
“But the SBI implied you were behind it because of the Senators connections to Chazzak Industries…” Ferly said, finishing off Paskas sentence.
“What?” Orp Tyiv stood up and paced in front of them, obviously agitated. The quiet eyes of the Rodians followed him. “Your Intelligence is wrong!” he said after a while, pointing at them as if he accused Ferly and Paska for the mistake. “We would never to such a thing, not to a great a Rodian such as Gonx Abit…”
“A…what?!” Ferlys head was now spinning.
“Why are you here?” Tyiv stopped and was now staring at them. Ferly was about to answer the question for a third time but Tyiv went on. “You obviously don’t grasp the situation,”
“But Chazzak Industries, they…” Ferly objected tiredly.
“We know what they do. We live here!” Tyiv continued pacing and the group of Rodian behind him were whispering excitedly to each other. “Chazzak Industries is a great evil, with no consideration for anything, not even other beings livelihood, than profit. Many villages have fallen victim for this but not us. It has nothing to do that we fight better, we don’t, it’s because Gonx Abit has stopped them time and time again,” Ferly looked on, nonplussed as she tried to make sense of this new turn of events. Orp Tyiv quietened down to let it all sink in.
“So Gonx Abit is a part of Chazzak Industries…” Ferly started.
“…solely to stop them from destroying more villages, yes. He has our never ending gratitude. Chazzak Industries and the government are the ones that would gain from killing him, for us, it’s a great loss,” Orp sat down once again, sighed and rubbed his temples as if the weight of the whole situation was resting on his shoulders alone.
“Seeing as you believed us to be behind it,” he said slowly. “I can understand why you would work together with the government. Sadly, I would expect more from the SBI and the Jedi,” he stood up and looked down on the Jedi. “Rest now and you will find that you can move much better later on. We still have some things to talk about,” he walked out of the building with the rest of the Rodians in tow.
“Master, I don’t understand,” Paska said slowly as he tried to sit up. “What’s happening?”
“I don’t know but sleeping on this is a good idea. Besides, they left us our sabers, so I guess we can trust them and they us,” Some mats had been rolled at the end of the building and Ferly walked slowly over and lay down. Paska tried to follow, but his stiff joints wouldn't cooperate and he had to crawl to his mat. He looked at his Master and saw that was asleep. Paska too felt drowsy, despite the numb pain of the stiffness and he too eventually drifted off.
***
Both were woken up by a clatter and the door swung opened. Daylight seeped in and it felt like an age since Paska had seen any. He leaned closer towards it, just like a flower, but it was gone in a moment as the door closed. Through his still tired eyes, Paska could see Orp Tyiv standing there, alone. He pulled up his chair and sat down. He motioned to them to pull up their own chairs and to their astonishment and relief, the stiffness was gone.
“I hope you have slept well and I can see that you are no longer stiff,” but waiting for no reply, Tyiv went on. “I expect
that you are hungry too. I can arrange something, but we have some things to talk about. Some things to clear up,” Ferly only nodded.
“So, you’re Intelligence proved wrong and the government used that to their advantage, no?”
“Yes, that’s what it seemed like when we talked yesterday,” Ferly said, her voice slightly hoarse.
“Who did you collaborate with? Within the government that is?”
“Why do you want to know? So you can get him?” Paska asked, brusquely, not willing to give Chief Tyiv the benefit of the doubt.
“I’m sorry about my Pa…” Ferly said apologetically but was interrupted as Tyiv stood up abruptly and grabbed Paska by the scruff of his neck.
“Hey! Get off me!” but Paska had no time to react before he was slammed against the wall. Ferly gasped and stood up, but
didn’t know what to do. Tyiv dragged him to the door opened it and threw Paska head-first out of the doorway. Paska landed
face first onto the muddy ground. All around him he heard some commotion and the splatter of running feet. Dazed and confused, Paska felt several hands grabbing his arms and hauling him up. Someone wiped the mud out of his eyes and he could see Orp Tyiv standing face to face with him. Standing in the doorway, dumbstruck, was Master Rhenon. Behind Chief Tyiv, Paska could see the rest of the village. It consisted of rundown wooden huts with leaking roofs and some even lived in tents, or rather canvases stretched between two trees. Their roofs were bulging inwards because of all the rain.
“You see this?” he pointed towards the village. “You see this, Jedi? This is our home, this is what we defend. It is not much by your standards but it is home,” he turned to Paska and leaned in so closely that Paska could feel the Rodians warm breath on his face. “But the question is, why would some people that can barely afford roofs over their heads attack others set against us in faraway worlds?” his head retreated and he turned his back to Paska. The Nautolan coughed up some mud and looked at his Master but she was staring intensely at Tyiv.
“Well, what do you think, Jedi? What do you believe?”
“But we saw films, evidence that you attacked civilians,” Paska said, falling down on his knees, head spinning from the collision with the door.
“Evidence supplied by the government?” Orp turned around to face Master Rhenon who slowly nodded her head. She realised that this was the truth.
“And that is why I need to know who helped you. Not so that I can deal with them, but so that you can deal with them,”
“Excuse me?” Ferly said, her head snapped up in surprise.
“This whole charade worked in two ways. One, to kill us and two, to kill you,” Orp had now calmed down, aware that the Jedi
wouldn’t understand him otherwise. “They sent you into the jungle with a group of thugs to clear our village, that is clear.
However, that was not your intentions, you wanted to talk to us. They could not let you hear our side of the story otherwise their plan would’ve failed. They hoped that we would kill you or if you made it through to us, that the thugs would spring into action,” Ferly sat down in the mud, overwhelmed. Of course, having heard it now, why hadn’t she seen through it? It was obvious!
“But why would the Rodian government want us…?” she started but Orp interrupted her.
“I don’t think this is the work of our government. It's too audacious. Someone else wants you dead,” the impact of Tyivs word hit Ferly square on the chest. She felt her throat constrict and her head spin with the implications of what was going on. It was a simple suicide case! What am I doing here?
“But who…?”
“That’s why you need to find the government official who helped you. Who was it?” Orp hissed urgently.
“The Minister of the Interior,” Ferly said slowly and this time if was Orps turn to slump down in the mud next to her.
“Impossible, he’s a friend of ours, just like Gonx Abit…”
“Fasin Vido? He seemed very…”
“Oh no, no no. This is wrong, this is very wrong!” Orp was shaking his head and moaning, looking vulnerable for the first time and Ferly didn’t like the sudden transformation.
“What? Who is Fasin Vido?”
“He is not the Minister of the Interior. He’s a project leader with Chazzak Industries. He’s the one tasked to get rid of us,”
“So where is the Minister, or his deputy?”
“Gone, or so it would seem. You are living very dangerously…”
-----signature-----
Padawan to Sionnach-Airgid Author of Chyler databank entry Nominated Best New Author in Before the Saga 06/07 The Enforcer (SW Super-hero tribute): http://boards.theforce.net/the_saga/b10476/28028864/p1/?2
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BigE
Registered:
Jul '02
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Date Posted:
1/27/07 5:51am
Subject:
RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller) Updated 23/1
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You've crafted a great tale involving conspiracy and a murder. I'm enjoying it very much.
Do shoot me a PM once you've added a chapter so that I'm sure to stay on top of updates.
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Aha! That's it. Hold it right there.
Pronoun trouble.
It's not "he doesn't have to shoot YOU now," it's "he doens't have to shoot ME now."
Well I say he DOES have to shoot me now!! So shoot me now!
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yodas_waiter
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Oct '06
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Date Posted:
1/30/07 7:04am
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RE: Interrupted Celebration (OC's, 500 BBY, Thriller) Updated 23/1
- Date Edited:
2/6/07 9:14am (1 edits total)
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yodas_waiter
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BigE: Thanks! I'm glad that you're enjoying it As I said earlier, I've never written a story this long before, so I'm just pleased that it is still coherent after 6 chapters!
Ok, here's the next chapter, chapter 7. Enjoy!
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Chapter 7
The Vido Estate
“What must we do?”
“Find Fasin Vido. Interrogate him. Find the answers!” Orp and Ferly were speaking quickly to each other whilst several Rodians helped to prepare two backpacks full with food and water. Not wanting to feel useless, Paska helped too, standing close to Orp and Ferly so that he could hear what they were talking about.
“And what about you?” Ferly asked with concern in her voice as she hooked her lightsaber to her belt.
“We will be fine. I will be honest with you, realising that we were mere pawns in a twisted game has calmed me down. It is you who should be concerned,”
“Yes, I guess so,” Ferlys backpack had been prepared. She grabbed in and threw it over her shoulder. “I wish I could be more eloquent and express our gratitude, but we must get going,”
“I’m not one for eloquences, as your Padawan already knows,” Orp smiled at Paska and Paska tried to return it, but his nose was still sore and swollen after Orp had tried to explain the situation. They stepped outside into the late morning sunlight. Both Ferly and Paska were aware that they had to move fast if they wanted to get back to civilisation before sunset.
“We will protect you for some part of the way. We would go with you all the way, but we cannot leave the village undefended,”
“I understand, but we are well equipped to take care of ourselves,” Ferly said and patted her lightsaber.
“I have one last question, Chief,” Paska said.
“And what is that?”
“Those pictures of terrorist attacks, were they fake?” Orp shook his head. “Did you do it?” Paska asked, his eyes widening.
“No, but they are done in our name. Others have hijacked our cause and hurt it by trying to help us. Instead of lying, they showed you a half-truth which is just as effective. I hope that puts me and my village in a better light for you,” Paska mumbled something inaudible. He sure wouldn’t forget the door.
“Now, we must get going,” Ferly said and started trudging down the path that led to the outskirts of the jungle. “Farewell Chief. Stay safe,”
“We will, but can you in front of this unknown threat?”
***
“Master, what is happening?” Paska asked as the made their way through the thick undergrowth of the jungle.
“I wish I had an answer, Paska, I really do,” she answered, pushing aside some heavy leaves to make way. “If Chief Tyiv is right, these turn of events are indeed frightening. A part of me wishes that you would’ve just shut your mouth in that aides’ apartment,”
“Sorry Master, I’ll make sure to next time think of every possible remote consequence of opening my mouth. Hey, by saying this, I might have landed us right in a Rancor den! Fancy that, the ways of life,”
“Oh, do be quiet. I can’t stand both you and the bugs,”
“Well, you can’t swat me…”
“Is that a challenge?”
Despite some cheerful exchanges now and then, this didn’t help to improve their moods. The threat of an unknown enemy capable of persuading a government to kill them made the jungle seem even darker and enclosed than it already was. Jokes and laughter, which tried to brighten up the situation, fell flat within seconds of being uttered. Paska half wished that the thugs hadn’t been killed so that, at least, he and Ferly hadn’t been alone in the jungle. The trek seemed to take forever and Paska couldn’t help but jump at every little sound. Sometimes his fingers twitched and he accidentally lit his lightsaber several times which scorched the ground. Ferly would’ve told him off but she could understand if he was a little twitchy. They rarely stopped for breaks and eventually they could see the trees thinning out.
They stumbled out of the jungle and into the town they had left. There was no welcoming committee and after asking around, there seemed to be no governmental official in town that recognised them, which seemed to fit Tyivs theory. They decided to sleep over in a shabby hostel for the night and make up plans for tomorrow in the morning. Paska thought it would be hard to fall asleep, with the unknown threat looming somewhere beyond his sight, but the next thing he was aware of, it was daylight and Ferly was already up and about.
“What now?” he said sleepily as he slowly rose up from his bed.
“My plan is to go back to Equator City and find any information we can on Fasin Vido,”
“But he managed to pose as a Minister, he’s bound to have loads of informants everywhere,”
“Then that’s a risk we’ll have to take,” Ferly said defiantly. “We must find out what’s going. I have a feeling that this reaches further than Rodia,”
“Me too, but this has suddenly turned into something to big to handle. We should contact the Council and…”
“It will take too long and we’re already stuck in this as it is. We must go on and find Vido,”
“Have you meditated on this? What does the Force say?”
Ferly smiled. “Gut feeling,”
***
After having refreshed themselves and changed into some dry clothes, they caught a transport back to the capital.
“What now?” Paska asked as they stepped of the ramp and walked into the bustling streets.
“We will find the office of Chazzak Industries and ask to meet Fasin Vido,”
“That’s kind of direct, isn’t it?”
“That’s the point, he won’t be expecting it,”
They asked several Rodians for the way to the office and eventually they found it. It was a tall skyscraper which towered over the rest of the city. It was built entirely of glass and thus stood in contrast to the grey concrete buildings that the city mostly consisted of. A high wall separated the Chazzak skyscraper from the rest of the city and the two Jedi had call through an intercom to get in.
“Seems like they’re a bit jumpy here,” Paska said, staring up at the wall. The intercom crackled and they heard a static voice speak in Rodian. A second later, a hole popped open in the wall and a mechanic eye emerged. It scanned them from top to toe and even extended behind them and checked their backs.
“What’s it doing? This is very uncomfortable!” Paska stood with his arms up in the air, unsure of what was the protocol. Ferly held hers shoulder high and looked at the eye with concern.
“I hope it’s scanning for blaster,” the eye chirped something and disappeared into its hole with a snap.
“So…what do we do?” Paska asked and still stood with his arms up, looking at the hole where the eye had disappeared into.
“Were we denied entry?” but a creak from the gate answered Paskas question as it swung inwards to let them in.
“See, no blasters!” Ferly said with a smile. They stepped into a lavish garden with a pathway that led to the main entrance. Small ponds with fish, amphibians and water fauna dotted the garden with palms swaying above.
“This is ironic,” Ferly muttered.
“More like…odd…” Paska answered. “Do you think they really use…?”
“Oh no, this garden has got a sinister feel. Most likely they hide weaponry among the plants to deal with intruders,”
Paska looked out towards the green grass he too felt something wrong about the scenery. He made sure to stay on the pathway. There were no security guards flanking the entry and they could just walk in freely. The entrance hall was bustling with activity, with many Rodians and other species somehow affiliated with the company running about, trying to get to different meetings in time. Paska managed to see an information desk of some kind up front and they proceeded towards it. Ferly turned to Paska and told him to stay behind and wait.
“Why?”
“Because I won’t be convincing if I pose as a serious business woman and have some kid with me,”
“I am not…” Paska breathed heavily and clenched his fists. “I can pose as an assistant,”
“Good idea!” Ferly smiled and Paska cheered inwardly. “Now, be a good assistant and do as your boss says. Wait here until I come back,” Paska tried to protest but Ferly was already moving swiftly towards the information desk.
“Good day, I’m here to meet Fasin Vido,” the Rodian receptionist looked up, said something in Rodian and walked off. Ferly stood perplexed and looked around the entrance hall, trying to look confidant and familiar with the surroundings. The Rodian did not return but a human did. He was tall and slim with perfectly cut black hair and a wide white grin. He eyed Ferly curiously (but still kept the smile on his face) and she could tell that he had been told to expect any Jedi.
“How may I help you?”
“I’m here to see Fasin Vido. It’s urgent,” the receptionist looked at his screen, tapped it a few times and turned back to Ferly.
“I’m sorry,” he said with mock-regret. “But you don’t seem to have an appointment,”
“It is urgent. I have to see him,” Ferly groaned inwardly. She had no imagination at all.
“If you don’t have an appointment, then you can’t come in,” Ferly could feel that the receptionist was resting his finger on a button, just waiting for a reason to call security on her. She stared at and even though he stilled smiled, she could see a nervous twitch in his eyes.
“I know you’re just doing your job, but this is urgent…” at “urgent”, Ferly made a small movement with her hand.
“Urgent you say?” again he started to tap the screen again. “Well, if it is urgent…I might be able to let you in,”
“Thank you,” Ferly smiled. “You are good at your job,”
“Yes, well…” he shot her his widest smile yet when he turned to the screen again. “Oh, he doesn’t seem to be in,” true
regret this time.
“Excuse me?”
“He’s not in for the day. Seems like he stayed at home…”
“Where does he live?”
“I can’t tell you that. It’s private inf…” another wave of the hand. “But perhaps I just tell you, as a treat,” he winked and Ferly tried to suppress her instinct to laugh. The receptionist told her where Fasin Vido resided and said “Could I invite you for dinner some time?” but Ferly was already making her way out of the building with Paska at her heels. Disappointed, the receptionist turned back to his work.
***
Fasin Vido lived some way south of Equator City and a large residence on a piece of land that he had cleared early on in his career. He was a very private Rodian and wasn’t often seen. The Vido residence was surrounded by a thick wall to stop intruders and it was outside this wall that Ferly and Paska stood, contemplating what to do next.
“I don’t feel like climbing over the wall since I’m not sure what is on the o | |