Shots Fired/Part 8

Tirien stepped off the turbolift, adjusting his robe before heading toward the Council chamber. He had gone only a few steps, though, before he spotted Narasi and his eyes narrowed. "I told you we were done for the day and you should get dinner. What are you doing here?"

Narasi pointed one hand at the door, patting her comlink pouch with the other. "I don't know! They called me, Master.  Did they call you too?"

Nodding, Tirien frowned for a moment, but let it go. If the Council wanted them both, then it would have to get them both. "Come on, then," he told her. "Don't speak unless they speak to you."

"Yes Master."

He led the way into the Council chamber, Narasi at his heels, and stopped in the center of the circle of seats. Little had changed since he had been here last, except that Elata Cazars was present in person and Master Okoolyo's seat between Tairni Tre'go and Kussam Bnodd was empty of physical or holopresence. Tirien turned to Tem-Fol-Rytil and bowed. "Good evening, Masters."

"And to you, Tirien. And you, Padawan Rican," the Cerean added, looking at the young Zygerrian.

To Tirien's intense relief, all she did was bow and reply, "Master."

"How may we serve you, Masters?" Tirien asked.

"Through your efforts, the Council of Five failed in their attempt to undermine the defense grid at Gizer," Master Cazars said, "but you've also forced their hand."

"A source within the Empire have informed us that the Council is planning to assassinate Senator Iltek of Taanab," Master Tre'go added.

Tirien frowned. "Here on Coruscant? Masters, I can't believe they'd be that bold."

"Not yet," Tem-Fol-Rytil allowed. "But Senator Iltek is returning to Taanab to give a major address."

Crossing his arms, Tirien asked, "Can't we ask Master Phnyong to…persuade him to stay?"

"I'm afraid it isn't that simple," the Cerean answered. "The Supreme Chancellor counts Senator Iltek as a major ally of the Jedi and the war effort. If he prevailed on the Senator to stay and miss the address, he might offend the people of Taanab, or weaken Senator Iltek's credibility with his own people.  No, I'm afraid the Senator is quite intent on going."

"And that's where you come in," Master Bnodd finished.

Tirien grimaced, but nodded. "Am I meeting him here, or should I go directly to Taanab?"

He noticed Master Cazars giving him an exasperated look from the corner of his eye, but it was Tem-Fol-Rytil who said, "Here. The speech is in three days, so you'll rendezvous with his security team first thing tomorrow morning and leave with the advance party.  And you're both going, Tirien."

Beside him, Narasi straightened and pledged, "We won't let you down, Masters!"

Tirien gave her a look, and she shrank back. "Master," he said, "I understand a Padawan learner needs real experience in the field, but this is the wrong way to start. I can't protect a Senator from Sith assassins if I need to protect my Padawan too."

"Then don't," Master Cazars said bluntly. "Narasi is a Jedi. Both of you are there to protect the Senator."

Seeing he was losing them, Tirien said, "Masters, what if the Council of Five really wants Senator Iltek dead? If they don't just send some thugs with guns, but a Sith Lord?  Jedi or not, Narasi is not ready for that kind of fight.  No week-old Padawan would be."

He had tacked on the last bit when he noticed Narasi looking down, trying and failing to conceal a look of disappointment, but it seemed wasted effort, because she didn't look up.

"No," rumbled Maktan, a female Whiphid sitting on an oversized Council chair. "Only you could face such an enemy. But it would consume your focus, which means your Padawan would be needed to protect the Senator."

The Council masters nodded, and even Tirien couldn't debate that logic. He took a breath, but didn't sigh. "As you say, Masters, of course. We'll meet the Senator in the morning."

"Very good, Tirien," Tem-Fol-Rytil said, raising a hand in dismissal. "May the Force be with you both."

"And also with you, Master." Narasi turned for the door, but Tirien paused, glancing around the circle.

"Something else, Tirien?" Tem-Fol-Rytil asked.

The two juniormost Council seats remained vacant, but he looked at the third empty chair. "Master Okoolyo…?"

The downcast heads of the Council masters were his answer.